When the disciple asked, Xu Zimo replied, âSince weâre here to destroy a country, of course we start by calling them out. If someoneâs going to die, we should at least let them die understanding why.â
The disciple froze. Just the few of them? Aside from Xu Zimo, the ancestor, the rest, disciples, Sect Master Wang Hengzhi, the elders, were, frankly, nothing more than a ragtag group. For them to go challenge the mighty Ancient Dragon God-Empire? That was suicide. Madness.
As for the people from the Sage Heaven God-Empire, they hadnât said a word the entire journey. They were simply watching like spectators at a comedy. Who openly calls out a nation like this? Even if you wanted war with the Ancient Dragon God-Empire, youâd prepare, look for advantages, catch them off guard. Who does it the way Xu Zimo does, no preparation, just walking up and declaring youâre here to destroy a nation?
Of course, they couldnât understand Xu Zimoâs mindset. When two people fight, you think about strategy, whatâs advantageous, where to strike. But when a person steps on an ant, why think at all? One stomp, and itâs dead. In Xu Zimoâs eyes, the Ancient Dragon God-Empire was the same, nothing but ants. And they were only an appetizer, not his true goal, nor the goal of the True Martial Sacred Ground.
âŠ
âWhat are you standing there for?â Xu Zimo asked the disciple.
âAncestor⊠I, I donât dare,â the disciple said, lowering his head in shame. He truly didnât dare challenge the Ancient Dragon God-Empire.
This was the ingrained inferiority that had existed ever since the sect fell.
âYou go,â Xu Zimo said, looking at Xiao Anâan.
Xiao Anâan didnât hesitate. She stepped into the air and flew toward the direction of the dragon-ships. She drew the True Martial Sword. Ever since receiving the blade, she had cherished it deeply. The journey had tempered both her and her connection with the weapon. She found that the blade felt as if it were tailor-made for her, natural, effortless. By now she could wield it fluently.
âWhere is the general of Dragon City?â Xiao Anâanâs crisp voice echoed across the sky.
No one answered. On the city walls, the guards were sluggish and bored. The city itself was bustling, and no one cared about her shouting; they assumed it was someone messing around. Xiao Anâan wasnât irritated. She called out three more times.
âWhere is the general of Dragon City? Where is the general of Dragon City? Where is the general of Dragon City?!â
Each shout was louder than the last. Her aura surged upward, as if it could pierce the heavens. The echo lingered across the sky.
Finally, someone responded.
âWhoâs making all this noise?â
An Imperial Meridian figure rose into the air, facing her from afar. He frowned. âWhat the hell do you want?â
âGo report to your Ancient Dragon God-Empireâs emperor,â Xiao Anâan said. âBecause your Ocean Dragon Prince targeted our True Martial Sacred Ground repeatedly, and because your Red Dragon Army attacked our sect, we are here today to destroy your nation.â
Her tone was direct, her blade intent sharp and forceful. She looked like a sky-borne Valkyrie.
The general snorted. âThe True Martial Sacred Ground? Isnât that the fallen trash sect? Little girl, destroy a nation? Uncle has no interest in your jokes.â
Xiao Anâan didnât waste breath. She raised the True Martial Sword and slashed.
A thunderous boom erupted. The generalâs face tightened; he crossed both arms before his head. The blade intent exploded, sending him flying backward. He steadied himself in midair and looked at his armored wrist guards. The single strike had cracked them. His expression grew ugly.
âLittle girl, I was ignoring your age earlier and didnât want to lower myself. But it seems youâre seeking death.â
He stretched out his hand. âSpear, come!â
His Silver Dragon Spear, originally placed atop the city wall, erupted with gun-intent and shot to his hand like a white dragon. He thrust forward in a tight, storm-like assault. Xiao Anâan met him head-on, fearless.
Booms echoed as the two figures collided again and again.
âŠ
Below, the Grand Elder looked worried. âWill Anâan be alright?â After all, she was his granddaughter.
Xu Zimo said, âIf she canât beat an Imperial Meridian while sheâs already at the God Meridian realm, that would be the real embarrassment.â
The elder thought about it and nodded. True enough. When he looked up again, the general had already lost the advantage. Xiao Anâanâs relentless attacks were suffocating him.
âWhen did the True Martial Sacred Ground gain someone like this?â he wondered in disbelief.
His distraction cost him. Xiao Anâanâs kick slammed into his abdomen, and the True Martial Sword released a burst of killing intent as she struck again. The panicked general hurriedly raised his spear to block.
A crisp crack sounded. The Silver Dragon Spear shattered under the blade. With another heavy boom, Xiao Anâan swept her leg, sending him flying. Half the city wall collapsed from the impact.
She stepped forward, standing before Dragon City, her foot on the blood-soaked general. She looked at the terrified soldiers and said, âTell your emperor this. The True Martial Sacred Ground has come to destroy your nation.â
âY-yes, yes! Iâll go right now!â The soldier didnât dare hesitate. He scrambled away as fast as he could.
âYoung Master, how was that?â Xiao Anâan turned and asked Xu Zimo. âWas my challenge good enough?â
âStill a bit lacking, but miles better than the others,â Xu Zimo said with a smile.
âŠ
Inside Dragon City, many people had seen the scene. But the residents didnât realize disaster was coming. Instead, they discussed it with interest.
On a main street outside a teahouse, five people were drinking tea. Four were young, two men and two women. The last was an old man, hair and beard white, his aura deep and powerful, clearly a formidable figure. They had been quietly drinking, until passersby broke the peace.
âHurry to the city gates and look! Someone says theyâre here to destroy our Ancient Dragon God-Empire!â
âQuit joking. Besides the Ten God-Clans, who could possibly destroy us?â