The Red Sea! Above the skies! Yi!!!! A long, piercing cry tore through the azure expanse! Immediately, a massive gray shadow, like a meteor, hurtled toward the distant north! A closer look revealed it to be a Gadian Giant Thunderhawk, renowned for its speed and endurance! The three mighty figures were firmly pinned to the Thunderhawk’s back, rigid as javelins! “Four hours until we arrive.” “Finally, a proper fight!” “Being cooped up in that damned place for decades was about to drive me mad!”

April 28th, Holy Word Era 3752

The sky! Battle clouds pressed in, the oppressive atmosphere choking every corner of Demon Dragon City! The usually bustling streets were now eerily deserted, yet in numerous alcoves and shadows, vague figures could still be glimpsed flickering in and out of sight! Most of these individuals were dressed in ranger attire, interspersed with quite a few in the scarlet robes of the Crimson Guard! Five days prior, the garrison commander had declared martial law; all residents were ordered to remain indoors. Because everyone knew clearly: Demon Dragon City was on the cusp of a world-shattering war! The heavy-armored warriors of the Demon Dragon Royal Family were set to clash with the Church’s Thunder Generals—and perhaps even the Phoenix Sky War God! And the battlefield? The Central Plaza, right in the heart of Demon Dragon City! No one could fathom the terrifying destructive power unleashed by a duel between such supreme entities! Therefore, the common folk were avoiding the area as if it were the plague, but for the Rangers of the Ranger World, this was a magnificent opportunity to witness history firsthand! No one was willing to miss it! As for these fearless rangers, the Demon Dragon City garrison could only turn a blind eye to their lingering about in the street corners!

Demon Dragon City Central Plaza!

Twenty figures stood proudly, arrayed in four distinct formations, each one like a standing spear! These were the twenty Heavy-Armored Generals the Demon Dragon Empire had mustered, all gathered here now! This represented the absolute strongest fighting force the Demon Dragon Empire could currently field! Everyone understood that this single engagement would determine their very destiny! The entire contingent of Demon Dragon Empire Heavy-Armored Generals would stand against the Church’s Phoenix Sky War God and the Thunder Generals! Whether they were Heavenly Demon Warriors, Celestial Rainbow Archmages, or Venerable Daoists, every warrior had pulled down the faceplates of their helmets, rendering their features completely indiscernible! Experienced rangers could only identify them by the insignia markings upon their heavy armor, allowing them to discern names and ranks!

In the alleys and side streets of Demon Dragon City! Rangers, having waited patiently, were packed in tight, craning their necks to stare intently at the twenty figures on the field! “Hmph! Such potent aura. Is this the might of the Heavy-Armored Generals?” A young warrior subconsciously wiped a bead of sweat that had trickled down his brow! “Such a grand display before the fighting has even begun,” murmured another mage, visibly tense. “They are truly formidable.” “To witness such an epoch-making event in my lifetime,” an elder mage sighed with deep emotion. “I wonder if this is fortune or misfortune.” The crowd in the alley buzzed with hushed commentary! “If only we could glean a technique or two from them; we’d make a name for ourselves afterwards!” The younger warriors throbbed with unrestrained zeal! “Regardless of the outcome, this battle is guaranteed to echo through the ages,” the Crimson Guard members declared, excitement radiating from them! “Good heavens, you’ve spared no expense, even bringing out the Star-Moon Mirror.” “Naturally. How could the finest of the Crimson Guard let a battle of this magnitude pass by unrecorded? This moment must be preserved for eternity by any means necessary.” The speaker was none other than the most renowned Crimson Guard organization on the Mafa Continent: the Qi Family Society! “As expected of the Qi Family Society; your dedication is truly admirable.” “Haha, high praise,” the Qi Family Society replied, carefully adjusting the Star-Moon Mirror while scrutinizing the field. “Strange, why can’t I see the Solar Heavenly Demon?” “Ice River?” Throughout the Ranger World, everyone knew that the Heavenly Demon Armor worn by Star was marked by a fiery red phoenix—the Solar Heavenly Demon Armor. The absence of this armor confirmed that Star was not among these twenty! “Not just the Solar Heavenly Demon, even the Ketu Heavenly Demon is missing,” the Qi Family Society’s expression grew grave. “What in the world is going on?”

On the other side, in a different, smaller alley! “Brother Tong, do you think the Royal Family can win?” Yunxi asked nervously! “Hard to say.” Tong Lei hadn’t seen Ice River appear either. “It seems Ice River still hasn’t left the King’s Forbidden Ground.” “Rumor has it the King’s Forbidden Ground is a world completely sealed off from the outside. Once someone enters, they simply cannot leave until their cultivation is complete.” “Indeed.” Qing Long voiced his concern. “Perhaps he is utterly unaware of what is currently unfolding.” “Twenty Heavy-Armored Generals against the ordained Thunder General and one Phoenix Sky War God—it doesn't look like they have much chance of winning,” observed Feng Qingtian and the others from Cang Yue. “It’s not just Ice River; General Silver Demon Ketu is also nowhere in sight,” Nalan Jingfeng, the young master of the Nalan Clan from the Black Tortoise Alliance, worried. “With the Demon Dragon Empire’s strongest, the Blue Demon and Silver Demon, absent, their odds of victory are slim.” “They will win,” Yun Chang insisted, her voice tight. “Though I can’t explain why, I have a feeling that since the Demon Dragon Empire dared to openly challenge the Church’s authority, they must have made comprehensive preparations.” “Let’s hope so,” Luo Zheng, leader of the White Tiger Alliance, stated grimly. “Let’s hope Ice River’s luck holds. Otherwise, the Demon Dragon Empire might not see peaceful days ahead.”

Following the battle of the Blood-Red Demon Sword, and after fighting side-by-side on the Demon Sealing Continent, the major factions of the Demon Dragon Continent had long since set aside old grudges and reached an accord. For them, squabbles over factional gain meant little now! Compared to that, the fate of the Demon Dragon Continent was far more important to them, as no one wished to see their homeland become a theater of war! Fortunately, both the Royal Family and the Church showed no inclination toward initiating an all-out war, which offered some measure of relief! Just as Yun Chang and the others were gripped by anxiety over the future of the Demon Dragon Continent— “Ah! Look at the sky, they’re coming!” Someone in the crowd shouted loudly! Yi!! A high-pitched avian shriek echoed across the heavens! In the distant sky, a shadow was rapidly expanding! “It’s the Thunderhawks!” Tong Lei exclaimed! “They’ve arrived,” Yun Xi and the others all changed color! “They are here!” Jin Yao looked up, his voice heavy. “Such imposing auras!” Luo Hou was tense. “Hmph!” Yue Yao, Yin Hu, and the others all wore solemn expressions! “Let them come,” Jin Yao drew his sword, spirit high and defiant! In the blink of an eye, the gigantic Thunderhawks soared over the plaza, their massive shadows nearly engulfing the entire space! Almost the instant the Thunderhawks swept past! Three smaller, indistinct figures plummeted downward like meteors! “Ah! Someone is jumping down!” someone shouted from the crowd! Thump! RUMBLE! Accompanied by dull, heavy impacts! The hard bluestone paving of the plaza cracked open into three massive craters! Debris scattered, dust billowed high! Out of the swirling smoke and haze, three powerful figures gradually materialized! “Phoenix Sky War God,” Jin Yao’s gloomy eyes flashed with a strange, sharp light! “Thunder Generals,” Yin Hu and Yin Tao involuntarily gripped their greatswords tighter! Only now did everyone clearly make out the appearance of the three descending figures! The one in the center wore peculiar purplish-brown armor and wielded a greatsword of impossible size! His entire body was enveloped in a strange, flowing luminescence radiating from the surface of his armor, making it impossible for observers to discern his true features! However, the mountain-toppling, sea-surging aura he exuded made it clear to all present: this was the most powerful War God on the entire Mafa Continent! “Phoenix Sky Demon Armor, Heaven-Cleaving Greatsword, and War God gear,” Tong Lei’s grim face contorted uncontrollably into a sickly pale green in the alley. “It is the Phoenix Sky War God!” Flanking him were two warriors clad in blue armor, the most striking feature being the pair of golden-yellow wings that resembled roaring flames sprouting from their backs! Those were the Thunder Wings, unique to the Thunder Armor! “And two Thunder Generals,” Qing Long noted gravely.

The three figures advanced slowly! “They’ve finally arrived!” Saint Word Zhenhe declared. “Twenty in total,” Saint Word Zhenxiong sneered. “It seems they were well-prepared.” “No matter how many come, they will all die,” Saint Word Zhenyu stated calmly. “Are those the Phoenix Sky War God and the Thunder Generals?” Yue Yao involuntarily tightened his greatsword, staring fixedly at the newcomers! So powerful; their aura was positively suffocating. “…” Everyone’s expressions shifted drastically! Although they had anticipated the Phoenix Sky War God’s might, facing the legendary War God in person still left them momentarily stunned! Stomp, stomp, stomp! (This novel segment was compiled and released by...) The heavy footfalls, like the relentless beat of a death drum, slowly approached! “It seems you were indeed prepared,” Saint Word Zhenyu’s icy gaze swept slowly across the opposing group. “My name is Saint Word Zhenyu. Which one of you is the Nine Luminaries Divine Truth?” “…” Jin Yao and the others stared intensely at the Phoenix Warrior clad in the Phoenix Sky Demon Armor and wielding the Heaven-Cleaving Greatsword, but not a single one offered a reply to Saint Word Zhenyu! “Jin Yao, Wood Yao, Water Yao—but no Fire Yao. Has the Nine Luminaries Divine Truth not yet appeared?” Saint Word Zhenhe, the Thunder Warrior beside him, inquired. “You are correct,” Jin Yao forced down the fear welling in his heart and proclaimed proudly. “To deal with you lot, we don’t even need the Nine Luminaries Divine Truth to make a move.” Yue Yao and the others felt their fighting spirit surge! No matter what, they absolutely could not allow themselves to be crushed by the enemy’s momentum! “I repeat myself,” Saint Word Zhenyu said gravely. “Surrender the King’s Forbidden Ground, and your Demon Dragon Empire will remain safe and sound.” “Hah! Such arrogance,” Jin Yao scoffed. “Do you truly expect us to believe that?” “He has a point,” Saint Word Zhenhe responded with a lazy, impatient air. “Overestimating yourselves,” Saint Word Zhenxiong declared with contempt. “Even if you have twenty men, in our eyes, you are merely twenty small insects. Crushing you is far too easy.” “Too much talk,” Yin Hu interjected impatiently. “If you want to fight, then bring it on.”

Over on the other side, in the street corner! “Is that the Phoenix Sky War God and the Thunder Generals?” “What an overwhelming aura.” “It looks like the fight is about to start.” “Please, you must win.” Everyone watched the scene on the field with nervous intensity! “Very well, if you’re in such a rush to die, we shall oblige you,” Saint Word Zhenxiong announced! “So, who goes first?” Saint Word Zhenhe asked! “Me, naturally,” Saint Word Zhenxiong replied. “Let me finish them off in one sweep, eliminating these twenty wrecks.” “Hahahaha,” Saint Word Zhenhe chuckled. “Then the remaining Nine Luminaries Divine Truth will be mine. Any objections?” “Do as you please,” Saint Word Zhenyu maintained his calm demeanor. “Everyone, be careful,” Jin Yao took a deep breath and spoke solemnly. “Come on then.” All twenty defenders instinctively crossed their swords over their chests, settling into a wary, defensive stance!