Chapter 753

Chapter 753: Blood Dragon’s Dance

In the House of Plantagenet’s Luo Capital,

After a delightful lunch, Lolan Hill descended the stairs with Dai Ju, who was now too full to perch on her shoulder.

Settling the bill, Lolan asked the staff of the inn to prepare a bag of stir-fried beans and a four-color seven-return cake, packing them in paper bags before leaving.

With several bags in hand, Lolan decided to return first.

Returning to the Southern Dipper Academy, she ascended to her residence. Along the way, she encountered several members of the Xiangyu Sect. Seeing her carrying numerous items, some offered to help and greeted her warmly.

“Thank you, but I’m almost at my room,” the young lady politely declined, chatting briefly with them.

“Are you planning to go shopping tonight? The night market in Luo Capital is quite bustling,” they invited.

“Hmm, sure,” she hesitated slightly before agreeing.

“Then we’ll come find you later,” some of the younger girls happily responded.

Back in her room, Lolan placed Dai Ju, who was sleeping soundly, on a chair. She then took out a bag of prepared stir-fried beans, poured them into a porcelain dish, and called over a dark-crested blue jay to eat.

Gah ya~

Usually cool and collected, today he seemed truly hungry. Without regard for his usual aloof demeanor, he flapped his wings and quickly began pecking at the food.

Lolan watched and poured a dish of water beside him.

Then she sat by the window and started reading the books she had just bought.

The autumn sunlight was no longer harsh, casting a brilliant glow on the trees outside the pavilion. Though in Luo Capital, the academy’s interior was exceptionally tranquil, allowing one to hear the soft rustle of the wind through the curtains.

Thus, Lolan propped up her head with her hand, occasionally flipping through the pages in the gentle breeze, her hair gently brushing against her neck, creating a slight tickle.

The sky was a clear blue, with occasional white clouds drifting by, momentarily shading the sun and cooling the earth. Soon, the sun emerged from behind the clouds, once again illuminating the bustling city.

Time passed leisurely. As the sun set, beautiful purple-red twilight clouds adorned the horizon. When the sky gradually turned darker, Lolan lit a candle, placing it on the table to continue immersing herself in the ancient and splendid world of her book.

Knock knock knock

“Lolan Sister, are you in?” Yuting Yu’s voice rang out, accompanied by several companions.

“Yes, I’m here,” Lolan replied, waking from the fantastical world of her book and looking up.

She closed the book and put it away, then picked up the candle and walked to the door.

With a slight creak, the wooden door opened, revealing eight or nine elegantly dressed girls standing outside.

These disciples of the Xiangyu Sect were not wearing their usual yellow feathered garments today but instead wore various styles and colors, many of which seemed to be recent purchases in Luo Capital.

“Is Lolan Sister ready?” Yuting Yu, who was more familiar with Lolan, boldly asked. The others curiously observed this renowned senior sister.

“She looks so young, perhaps even younger than me?” They thought, seeing her around seventeen years old.

“I am ready,” the silver-haired girl nodded, then remembered something and called out to the room. A dark blue bird landed on her shoulder.

Dai Ju, who had been taken out during the day, was still sleeping soundly and didn’t need to be brought along. The blue jay rarely accompanied her, so she decided to take it out to play.

The night in Luo Capital was particularly beautiful, with orange-red lanterns hanging everywhere. The streets were even busier than during the day, with various snacks and trinkets being sold.

There were also exotic items from distant lands, such as peculiar ice sugar animals made by ice elves melting snow, skewered with small bamboo sticks, which could be eaten like popsicles or ice cream. There was also grilled meat from the Southern Region, with strips of fruit meat sprinkled with pepper salt, making it sweeter, paired with juicy lamb slices, ensuring it was neither greasy nor too bland.

Occasionally, one could see small copper bell-shaped molds filled with food, first spreading a layer of dough, then adding diced meat, dried tofu, and vegetables, topped with another layer of dough. These little copper bells were then placed in the oven to bake, waiting for a while.

Later, once removed from the heat, and inverted onto an iron plate, it could be carefully wrapped in thick paper and handed to the guests.

After a little cooling, it became exquisite cuisine. The outer layer was crispy and golden, with a tender interior, providing a full-bodied texture.

Thus, the Xiangyu Sect, consisting of more than ten men and women, walked through the night market of Luo Capital, tasting various snacks. Occasionally, they would gather to buy some jade or small carved trinkets.

—

Two years ago, in the West Continent’s Crimson Empire.

A dragon with blood-red scales covering its body, only lighter on its belly, and with wings, soared through the sky. Its shadow, which blocked out the sun, swept across the earth, briefly enveloping soldiers holding long spears.

Below a castle nestled in a valley, there gathered a sea of silver spears and swords. These soldiers were fully armored, with helmets resembling hats on their heads. These helmets had a rim of steel around them, useful for shielding against sunlight or rain.

At the center of the helmet tops stood two feathers, black and red, symbolizing that these soldiers belonged to the great Red Dragon Duke, the Basca family.

Wearing magnificent armor that combined beauty and functionality, the current Red Dragon Duke stood on the castle’s watchtower, overlooking the thousands of troops below.

Now around fifty years old, he was in his prime, the most charming time for a nobleman. With sufficient prestige, experience, wisdom, and strength, he had the capability to achieve all his desires.

Several years prior, during the civil unrest that engulfed the empire, it was due to his steadfast support of Princes Edmond and Edlen, along with his covert assistance, that the coup succeeded.

To repay this Red Dragon Duke, and to fulfill the empire’s longstanding aspirations, a new era of comprehensive war began. Imperial envoys carried the emperor’s voice and will throughout the empire, issuing the grand call to arms, urging all able-bodied men to join the military and realize this great ideal.

Expanding territory, elevating rank, unifying the continent—countless honors would be bestowed upon them.

The stirring slogans, filled with temptation and encouragement, resonated deeply within the hearts of the lower classes who struggled to survive in the empire. Small nobles also joined in, hoping to change their family’s fate.

As one of the powerful families and initiators of this movement, the Bascas naturally stood at the forefront.

Infinite supplies of food, weapons, armor, horses, and other resources poured continuously from across the empire to the south. They would fuel the war, igniting an unstoppable wave. As the foremost among the southern nobility, with the widest fiefdoms and strongest power, the Bascas now became the embodiment of the emperor’s will, wielding this terrifying surge sweeping across the continent.

“I, Leodo Cang Basca, the twenty-ninth Red Dragon Duke, descendant of Moonlit Kingdom Prince Alin, the harbinger of destruction, guardian of the empire’s southern region, the gate of dark stone, commander of the Scarlet Wing Red Dragon Knights, hereby issue my command!”

“Advance, warriors! Until the setting sun, until the end of the world, until all victories are achieved!”

“And we shall make the world tremble with fear.”

His voice echoed like a dragon’s roar, resounding through the sky and earth.

“Victory to the great Leodo Basca!”

“Victory to the great Leodo Basca!”

“Victory to the great Leodo Basca!”

Spears held high, the golden light of the setting sun reflecting off their armor, each face, young or old, bore eyes ablaze with fervor.

The march began on the earth. Black and red banners fluttered, and the red dragons soaring in the sky swooped down, advancing toward the horizon where the sun set.

After the scouts reached the Celestial Fortress, the Red Dragon Duke finally marshaled the empire’s nearly two million-strong army and advanced toward the Golden Plain. As the Basca family’s direct corps, they naturally took the lead, with the black and red dragon banners becoming the backbone of the imperial army’s spirit.

Behind the black and red dragon flags followed banners of various colors and affiliations, each representing different families. Though none matched the Bascas’ might, each had its own unique legacy and private army. There were the ‘Blue Cloak Longbow Army,’ ‘Bear Helmet Heavy Cavalry Corps,’ ‘Poisonous Bee Blade Unit,’ ‘Night Owl Assassination Squad,’ ‘White Horned Antelope Relief Order,’ and others. Formerly renowned armies across the continent now joined, including the ‘Silver Bell Golem Legion’ and ‘Incandescent Gold Cannon Team’ from the Frost Union Remnants, as well as part of the ‘Red Cloak Royal Guards’ directly under the emperor.

Although the Griffin Duke and Unicorn Duke were somewhat indifferent about this expedition,

Nor did he hinder the soldiers sent by the various nobles or vassals within his fiefdom. Meanwhile, the Raven Duke from the north dispatched one of his heirs to lead three family legions southward to support the battle.

The black crows on the banners carrying purple branches symbolized their inheritance from the Mercury Dynasty. Although these Necromancer Sequence legions numbered less than ten thousand, the robed necromancers among them could unleash terrifying waves of destruction.

—

A month later, on the Golden Plain.

A towering and menacing giant fortress lay sprawled across the land. The hard, blue-green stone bricks bore the marks of time with scratches and pits, and remnants of sand dust lingered in the gaps, drifting away with the dry, scorching wind.

This world-famous stronghold had been reinforced and improved over generations, with interlocking walls and numerous tall arrow towers. The entire fortress was already set with layers of reinforcement runes, capable of withstanding even a Sequence 9 attack.

When the black and red flags appeared on the Golden Plain, the Heavenly Enlightenment Fortress was already adorned with white flags bearing golden patterns. The armored soldiers stood straight, awaiting the enemy’s arrival.

First came the Red Robe Mages from the Imperial Crimson of the Azure. Standing on high platforms protected by the troops, they performed spells together. These three thousand mages were all Demon Sequence 4, and their spells were inherited from the former Crimson Empire. However, after hundreds of generations of modification, the side effects were no longer as pronounced as before.

Thick leaden clouds gathered in the sky, gradually accumulating and pressing down. The dense black-red hue emitted from these clouds resembled molten lava, causing a suffocating heat that could be felt even from kilometers away.

As the molten cloud threatened to drip, a splendid and intricate golden rune array appeared on the central square of the Heavenly Enlightenment Fortress.

Golden grains of light converged in the air, forming feathers, which then fell to the ground, outlining patterns of feathers, stars, moons, and the sun.

Then, the maidens clad in white wings on the square joined hands in prayer.

“Following the will of the primordial wind, opening paths between the stars, the sky must not be defiled. Fiery streams and dark clouds shall disperse.”

These maidens from the Winged Clan practiced the Angel Sequence. Naturally, they excelled at this sequence due to their innate wings. Following the Wind Archangel, they began to restore the faith in the primordial wind through scriptures, quotations, and biographies.

As one of the pillars of the Sun Throne, the pure and changing wind could indeed respond to some devout prayers, although it was difficult for ordinary people to align with its will. But with the aid of those personal quotations, many could finally resonate with it and utilize some of its powers.

It was akin to the true names of gods or demons in myths. If you knew the will of the great person and opened your heart to resonate with it and have sincere faith, you could harness their power.

Of course, such use was not without cost, or perhaps more accurately, an exchange. If one lacked sufficient strength, they still couldn’t perform it. It was a highly demanding but useful tool; if one lacked the strength, they couldn’t wield it.

Even so, for those who had no other way, such grace could still change everything.

The thick clouds piled up in the sky seemed to be swept by an invisible wind, becoming lighter and thinner, despite the full efforts of the Red Robe Mages to guide them.

Finally, the sky turned a deep blue once more, and the dark red fire clouds dissipated. Both sides stood facing each other again under the blazing sun.

“Since that is the case, let us begin.”

The long spear pierced the sky, and dazzling flashes emerged at its tip. Hundreds of crimson dragons soared in the sky, evoking memories of ancient scenes from the Basker family’s Nightmare Dragons.

Golden-red flames poured down like a meteor shower, raining upon the giant fortress. In the intense firelight, even the sun lost its brilliance. Everywhere was filled with dark red flames and smoke, and the terrifying heat wave of melting gold and stones began to engulf the world.

Facing these tyrannical dragons, long dragons clad in blade-like scales emerged from the smoke.

These Sky Masters, the Overlord Sky Dragons from the Southern Isles, would once again shoulder the responsibility of resisting the invasion from past enemies.

The hatred and sorrow spanning a millennium had never been forgotten.

The descendants of Oz Country still lived!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a belated blessing~