Above The Sky-Chapter 1734 - 337: Suspect the Dragon, Don’t Use; Use the Dragon, Don’t Suspect (First Update)
The rain shattered and evaporated, transforming into a hazy electric mist that lingered, while visible lightning coiled around the blade wings on the back of the Glazed-Glass Dragon, spewing high-temperature electric steam.
Both sides engaged in battle, the Empire’s defenders and the unknown attackers, lifted their heads, gazing up at the dazzling light point above the clouds.
"What kind of monster is that?"
"Is it the Empire’s secret weapon?"
"Is this the attacker’s trump card?"
"Have the Magical Beasts revolted? But what kind of Magical Beast is this?"
"So beautiful..."
Thousands of people, thousands of thoughts.
When Ian flew into the sky, the battle on both sides paused for a moment—no one knew which side this suddenly appearing creature belonged to, thus cautiously preparing to respond.
This left Ian, who intended to respond to either the Empire or the attackers, a bit disappointed: "What, everyone’s so cautious?"
Nevertheless, at this moment, relying on the high vantage point, Ian also discerned the current battlefield situation.
Empire’s defense forces numbered around twenty-five thousand, mostly composed of the surrounding navy, guarding from the Atlantian Megalopolis, with four Third Energy Level individuals, one of whom Ian recognized as a former disciple of Master Gossay, now Count Tesov.
This defensive force was already formidable. If they were in their prime, there would be a Fourth Energy Level stationed, with two other Fourth Energy Levels and their Third Energy Levels deployed nearby.
Now, Ian vaguely sensed terrifying energy waves emanating from the distant sea, with pitch-black snowflakes descending at the horizon, freezing large waves and forming black ice mountains crashing into the deep sea, freezing the entire ocean.
This was the scene of Marquis Winter Valenti, a Fourth Energy Level powerhouse guarding the Empire’s breeding ground, in combat.
"The Fourth Energy Level powerhouse is being held up... of course, anyone daring to perform such a maneuver would definitely stall the core battle power."
Ian had a grasp on the situation, and after surveying the attackers’ defense line, he understood even more: "Far Shore Island? After forming an alliance with Fiery Flame Land, they directly participate in the war now."
Although they probably felt they were well hidden, Ian could tell at a glance that several Sublimator teams among the attackers were using special Deep Sea Magical Beast materials from Far Shore Island. Such materials were only used at Whale Song Cliff and Far Sword Port, both of which are permanent neutral regions, even more restrained than the City of Knowledge, making it unlikely they would participate in attacking the Empire.
Of course, there was also a portion of Fiery Flame Land’s assault troops. If not mistaken, did Ian even see members from the Seven Cities Alliance?
What’s going on?
Ian was greatly puzzled. The Seven Cities Alliance was a traditional ally of the Empire... or rather, the Seven Cities Alliance was established by the Imperial People, resulting from a lost Sertar pioneering group during the Lost Epoch rooted in the Seven Mountains, only discovering each other after the Lost Epoch.
Although they grew distant due to long-term lack of contact and the Seven Cities Alliance established independence, the Empire had never mistreated this voluntarily loyal little brother. The main conflicts between the Empire and Fiery Flame Land, apart from disputes over the Farflame Land desert’s ownership and development, primarily stem from the Empire steadfastly supporting the Seven Cities Alliance, helping them compete with Fiery Flame Land and Far Shore Island for power over the Tranquil Sea.
But no matter how these three compete, the true controller of the Tranquil Sea has always been the City of Knowledge—their Floating Island levitates above the sea, an unmatched super fortress.
"There’s a handful of bad people within the Seven Cities Alliance."
Ian sighed internally but didn’t find it strange—because within the Seven Cities Alliance, some believe the Empire uses them as a tool and buffer, constantly sapping Fiery Flame Land, applying pressure on Farflame Island.
To counter these two major threats, all young people from the Seven Cities Alliance must serve in the military, although the high-levels clearly understand their position, it’s inevitable that someone internally might act foolishly.
But the Empire’s hard power remains strong, facing what practically counts as a siege from the Three Kingdoms of the Tranquil Sea, the defending forces maintain their impenetrable stance.
On the front lines, facing the bombardment from an entire fleet, the Empire’s city defense shield remains resilient, and the Armor Troop’s repeated raids are repelled by anti-aircraft firepower.
At least, on the surface.
Using the Foresight View, Ian easily saw a hidden squad taking advantage of the allied conflict, swiftly heading towards the core area of the Atlantian Megalopolis as its internal defenses stood empty.
Their target... wasn’t the Empire’s Magical Beast materials nor the Empire’s command center, but an area that surprised Ian.
That was the Terra Dragon’s remains!
"Interesting—someone among the Three Kingdoms indeed knows about the special nature of the dragon corpse in the Atlantian Megalopolis."
Ian’s mind surged, directly connecting with someone he knew, Count Tesov, the Third Energy Level powerhouse of the Empire: "Tesov? Enemies have infiltrated the interior of the Megalopolis, their target is the Ancient Dragon’s Corpse, please grant passage permission!"
"Who? That Glazed Dragon?"
Count Tesov was startled upon hearing the reverberating voice in his mind—despite being a Third Energy Level conscious lightbody, if it wasn’t from a Fourth Energy Level Spirit Energy Master, nobody couldn’t bypass his mental defenses to communicate.
Yet, he was communicated with, completely unaware, as if he were an ordinary person easily breached!
But indeed, Ian was a Fourth Energy Level Spirit Energy Master, his Foresight View Spirit Energy, if classified, might surpass even his Sublimation Path and Arcane Pathway realms, having touched the Fifth Energy Level threshold long ago... not to mention he possessed numerous demonic souls collected in the City of Knowledge recently, used as auxiliary calculation units, let alone third energy levels, even if Carlos were present, Ian was confident in greeting him directly.
"I am ’your trump card.’ I’ll stop this group of enemies for you, please grant me passage rights and friendly recognition."
As Ian’s voice echoed again, Count Tesov had already located the squad infiltrating the Ancient Dragon’s Corpse area through the city defense array, believing the mysterious voice’s information, with a suspicion in his heart.
—The Empire and Wise Magical Beasts have always had a harmonious relationship, even setting up dedicated protection zones and figures like Governor Bai Ji... vaguely having heard that the Imperial Capital arranged a hidden Guardian among the beasts for Atlantian Breeding Grounds’ safety?
It must be the case, otherwise why would the voice caution him? Moreover, Count Tesov felt no malice from Ian’s words. The orders and language used by Ian were all formats exclusively used by the Imperial Nobility.
"Permissions granted, please definitely stop the enemies!"
No doubt in the dragon’s use, use without doubt, Count Tesov promptly granted Ian the appropriate friendly permissions: "If you can protect the Atlantian Megalopolis, you will be credited with a great achievement!"
Ian paid no attention to this banal remark.
Having obtained the Empire’s identification and permissions, he took a deep breath, his blade wings stood erect, visible blue and red lightning steam continuously emanating.
Then, he descended.
In the midst of lightning and thunder and torrential rain, blue and red light ripped through all darkness.
Simultaneously.
The true ’Guardian,’ the lurking Wise Magical Beast ’Melting Light Coral,’ Viscount Cressara Lightcoral plunged into bewildered confusion.
"No, where did this dragon come from?"
Hidden among the chaotic Magical Beasts, preparing to deliver a lethal strike to anyone attempting to fish in troubled waters, the Guardian watched as the Crystal Dragon, not part of the Empire’s roster, descended from the sky, crashing into the team he had already detected, waiting for a chance to ambush, growing increasingly perplexed: "Does the Empire have another hidden hand besides me?"
