Chapter 543: Imperial Authority
In an instant, tsunami-like black mist poured from the abyssal dragon's mouth, spreading madly over the ruins of Anstica, as if to engulf the world.
"Boom!"
The power of the Abyss formed a wall thousands of meters tall, obscuring the avatars of the three gods, plunging everything into chaos.
But it came at a cost.
Most of the chaotic laws and abyssal energy surrounding Jezal Slak were depleted—only about thirty percent remained.
His mountain-sized body dimmed, no longer glowing with that eerie light, and the abyssal pressure lessened significantly.
Jezal Slak turned his head, staring at Cassius with near-madness, endless greed flashing in his pupils.
"Heh... The Wall of Chaos can only temporarily block the gods from descending in avatar form from the Astral Plane.
But if I consume you, Cassius, I can complete Karrikex's body and become the true World-Destroying Dragon.
Then even the gods in their true forms won't be able to stop me!"
Jezal Slak had consumed most of his abyssal energy to prevent the descent of the Three Saints of Justice—and now believed he could devour the red dragon with just his physical form!
After all, even with thirty percent abyssal power, he thought himself far superior to the red dragon.
To him, Cassius was just a pawn—a tool to help unseal Karrikex and house his heart.
Immediately, scorching dragon blood surged within Karrikex's body, releasing ancestral dragon god pressure in all directions.
The abyssal dragon's expression grew even more twisted, his tone frenzied, devolving into howls and roars.
"Cassius, my dear collaborator—rejoice in becoming part of the great Destroyer of Worlds!"
The abyssal dragon spread his tattered, sky-blotting wings and lunged at the red dragon, claws and fangs bared.
Gales howled, space trembled.
To Jezal Slak, Cassius was just a slightly stronger insect—not even remotely comparable to a godspawn.
The ancestral dragon pressure was fully released, making even Cassius's body stiffen, trembling all over.
Yet Cassius let out a long roar, flapped his wings against the storm, and flew toward Anstica's highest peak—Thierry Peak.
Despite repeated cataclysms, the King of Snowy Mountains still stood tall, suffering only a few dozen avalanches.
Jezal Slak followed closely. Due to his size, each flap of his wings propelled him kilometers, unleashing sweeping gales.
The chase continued—Cassius ahead, Jezal Slak behind—but the abyssal dragon was gaining.
"Hahahaha! Cassius, you're afraid—"
Jezal Slak's maddened laughter echoed across the mountains, shaking them, dumping more snow.
"Run all you want—you'll soon see your struggle is meaningless!"
Jezal Slak flapped his wings again and again, ancestral dragon blood fueling him with terrifying power, smoke pouring from his jaws and nostrils.
Several times, his clawed limbs and fanged maw nearly reached Cassius.
"Shhh—"
Cassius suddenly accelerated again, pulling away, a crimson meteor streaking across the sky.
With sonic booms, cone-shaped clouds formed around him, trailing blazing flares.
Within moments, he flew dozens of kilometers, darting through the ravaged mountains to Thierry Peak's base.
"Huff, huff."
"It's time—to begin my long-planned revenge."
Cassius panted, Karrikex's heart pounding within, golden eyes filled not with fear—but with exhilaration.
Yes—exhilaration.
Unparalleled power surged through him—power of law. More precisely—dominion of the [Imperial Domain]!
After the prophecy appeared, Cassius had sent a simulacrum to lie in wait near Thierry Peak for years, transforming the area into his Empire's domain.
In truth, he'd been crafting his final battleground—a stage for his long-overdue revenge!
Jezal Slak flew in with gales, laughing wildly: "Cassius, have you realized your insignificance? Have you given up? Excellent! Become the final piece of my body—and together we shall destroy the world!"
Facing the incoming abyssal dragon, Cassius perched atop the peak, claws gripping the rock, head raised high, unleashing a mighty roar.
"Come, Jezal Slak—let it all end here on Thierry Peak!"
"Roar——"
Blood-red light appeared on his scales, Karrikex's heart thumped violently, ancestral blood pumping through him.
Veins bulged on his muscular form, Cassius grew larger and more powerful.
He had tapped into the power of the Blood-Scaled Berserker!
Then, the air twisted—vortexes of flame formed around him, countless fire elementals pouring out, reshaping his body.
Cassius entered a half-elemental state, body swelling, his root-like blood vessels glowing with fire, transmitting energy.
Finally, Thierry Peak shook violently—Cassius expanded to over 100 meters long, nearly occupying the entire summit.
Jezal Slak squinted, thrilled: "Cassius, you actually used that power! Continue using the Blood-Scaled Berserker's strength, and you'll become the Abyss's avatar—perfect for my body!"
Indeed, red mist clouded Cassius's golden eyes, black smoke poured from him—identical to Jezal Slak's.
It was the Will of Destruction invading his mind!
At that moment, Cassius's Supreme True Dragon Crown shone with brilliant silver, like a silver moon illuminating the sky, dispersing the chaotic fog.
His pupils cleared—returning to their lava-glow hue.
Jezal Slak descended onto Thierry Peak, tattered wings flapping as he charged toward Cassius.
"It's useless, Cassius—Bahamut's residual power can't stop the Abyss's descent!"
Indeed, black mist still seeped from Cassius's scales, infecting his 100-meter body, trying to turn him into the God of Destruction's vessel.
Cassius coldly watched the nearing abyssal dragon, now less than a kilometer away, and muttered.
"Then... what about this power?"
"Boom!"
The Empire Domain's full power unleashed—absolute order, unrestrained authority!
Gales vanished instantly. Black mist was erased. Everything within kilometers fell under Cassius's dominion—law and sovereignty!
Cassius flapped his wings, soaring upward, golden eyes blazing.
[Sovereign Supremacy]
Jezal Slak raised his head. In his black pupils, the image of a sun appeared. His 300-meter frame trembled.
Gone was mockery and disdain—replaced by wariness, even fear, on his grotesque face.
Pressure—this godspawn actually felt pressure—unbelievable!
"A god-realm... Impossible!
In the Third Era, cut off from the gods, how can a terrestrial divine realm exist?!"