North of Mary Geoise, at the Lake of Gods.
The Celestial Dragons had spent a hundred years excavating this artificial lake. Its surface was as vast as the sea, and its water, drawn up from underground rivers beneath the Red Line, was unfathomably deep. Dozens of white marble statues stood in the center of the lake, all depicting ancestors of the Celestial Dragons, each dozens of meters tall.
Now, these waters, where only Celestial Dragons were permitted to boat and play, had become a battlefield.
Hua Country's army formed up near the Lake of Gods. At that moment, a man stood on the lake's surface.
He stood over three meters tall, as powerfully built as a mountain. His pitch-black Marine Admiral's cloak remained motionless in the lake breeze. Beneath it, he wore a fitted black combat outfit patterned with tortoise shells, and on his hands were heavy dark iron gauntlets engraved with serpentine patterns. He stood on the water without a single ripple beneath his feet, as though he were part of the lake itself.
Marine Headquarters Admiral Chongyue, the "Black Tortoise Admiral."
Since the battle for Mary Geoise began, he had not taken the offensive even once.
"Black Tortoise Admiral," came the voice of Hua Country's frontline commander. "Our General Zhang Liao has given his orders-please stand aside. We do not wish to attack a truly just opponent like you."
Chongyue did not answer.
He slowly opened his half-closed eyes and looked toward the other end of the lake. A tall, slender man approached slowly. He wore a navy-blue battle robe, with two swords hanging at his waist. His face was stern, his gaze like lightning.
Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wenyuan. Hua Country's General Who Conquers the East, wielder of the Zacian Fruit.
He stepped down from the ship's