Chapter 405
Galen stared after them, his mind reeling. His entire face contorted in disbelief.
The power contained within that single claw made the Tai Chi Diagram he had used to ensnare Leander seem feeble by comparison.
It wasn’t just a little stronger; it was on a completely different level, magnified tenfold.
Confronted with such an attack himself, he knew with chilling certainty what would happen. He would be cleaved in two without a moment’s hesitation, his body carved
into pieces.
“Impressive p>
A ferocious wind screamed around Leander as the Dragonclaw descended, cutting off every possible escape route.
Instead of fear, a spark of fierce excitement ignited in his gaze. With a sharp tug of one hand, he leveled his other palm and thrust it forward.
“Flamebreaker p>
A thunderous whoosh filled the air as a conflagration erupted from the golden dragon-claw imprint.
A colossal hand, wreathed in crimson fire, surged through the sky to meet the attack head-on.
The two colossal forces wrestled in mid-air, grinding against one another for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, the great golden claw began to falter.
It fractured, then shattered into nothingness, leaving only the brilliant, roaring flames victorious.
Leander stood astride the tide of fire like a war god clad in blazing armor.
The onlookers could only stare, their minds utterly blank.
Even Master Branson’s usual composure broke, his face a mask of open astonishment that slowly melted into a deep, contemplative look.
“A true Iron Sovereign, indeed p>
He brought his palms together in a calm motion, allowing his power to dissipate. He made no move to continue the fight.
Seeing this, Leander gave a casual curl of his fingers. The sea of fire snuffed out in an instant, and he regarded the master from across the space.
Master Branson studied him for a long moment, then offered a frank, respectful smile. “Sovereign Ashcroft, I am here at the behest of an old companion. He asked me to deliver a message to you.
“However, before today, I was not convinced you had reached our… level. I believed his judgment was misplaced.
“Now, I see I was profoundly mistaken p>
Leander seemed largely indifferent, a faint, cool smile touching his lips. “An old friend sent you with a message for me? Who would that be p>
Master Branson’s gaze grew sharp and intent. His smile vanished, replaced by a grave and solemn tone.
“The one who sent me,” Master Branson continued, “is someone you have never met. But I am certain you know of him p>
“Throughout the martial world of Astria, he is known as… the Dragon Emperor.” The moment that name left his lips, the air itself seemed to freeze.
Gareth, Darrow, Leif, and even the Grandmaster of Mount Martial, Galen-every face solidified in shock.
The title landed with the weight of a fallen monument, evoking the standard of an entire era.
A profound, heavy silence swallowed the great hall.
Leander slid a hand casually into his pocket, his gaze thoughtful for a fleeting moment.
“The Dragon Emperor? Astria’s Dragon Emperor p>
He was not personally acquainted with the man, but the stories were impossible to avoid.
Even during his years traversing the world’s most dangerous frontiers, tales of this legendary figure had always found him.
It was said his rise to prominence began in the final, waning years of the old monarchy.
The number of powerful masters he had defeated was beyond counting.
His martial prowess was the stuff of myth, capable of shaking the heavens and splitting the earth.
He had witnessed history unfold-the collapse of the old dynasty, the birth of the republic, liberation, and reform.
Through it all, his position at the absolute pinnacle of Astria’s martial arts world had never wavered.
The depths of his strength were unknowable.
He was like a true dragon; you might catch a glimpse of its head, but its tail remained forever hidden from sight.
“So the Dragon Emperor dispatched Master Branson himself. For them to seek out General Ashcroft… this matter must be of grave importance p>
The five high generals exchanged uneasy glances, the shock plain on their features. Nearby, Logan was still reeling from the display of Leander’s earth-shattering power. Hearing the title “Dragon Emperor” now, he couldn’t suppress his curiosity.
He turned to Leif and asked in a hushed tone, “General, who exactly is this Dragon Emperor p>
Leif gave him a cool, appraising look, but answered nonetheless. “To be perfectly frank, an individual of your current standing has no right to know of his existence. However, in light of your past service, I will make an exception p>
He then continued, “The Dragon Emperor is the former recipient of the Guardian Medal. His career began in the final years of the royal family where he served as the inner court chief When foreign powers invaded our shores, he single-handedly defeated mine Westeria Transcendents. During the war of resistance, he beheaded six supreme swordsmen from Jesund.
“In the early days following liberation, remnants of the rebellion conspired with the War God
Sanctum. They gathered thirteen Weštena Infernal Crown
Transcendents to sow chaos across our land. He tracked every last one of them down and eliminated them.
“For his unparalleled contributions to the nation, the king himself bestowed upon
him the title of National Hero p>
Logan trembled uncontrollably, the information hitting him with such force that he nearly turned to stone on the spot.
A former recipient of the Guardian Medal-that distinction alone elevated the Dragon Emperor far beyond the reach of a family like the Riverstones.
But to be personally honored as a national hero by the king?
This was a titan whose very name had once made global leaders and monarchs step back in caution. What kind of unimaginable being was the Dragon Emperor?
High above, Leander simply rolled his shoulders, his reaction a world apart from the stunned silence below. The legendary name had not shaken him.
He regarded Master Branson with a calm, level gaze. “The Dragon Emperor and I are strangers. We have no connection. What is this message he tasked you to deliver p>
The luminous glow beneath Master Branson’s feet dimmed, and he seemed once more like an unassuming monk. A gentle smile touched his lips as he spoke.
“For decades, I have lived in seclusion at the Ancient Lingster Sanctum. Three days ago, the Dragon Emperor came to me unexpectedly. He told me that Astria had given birth to a new hero, one with the power to shake the world.
“He asked me to come to Highcliffe, to find you, and to relay this. He said the future
of Astria’s martial world will be carried on your shoulders. You are the one who will guard our nation’s martial path p>
A faint light shimmered in Leander’s eyes, but then he shook his head in quiet refusal.
“Master, hearing that changes nothing for me. I walk this martial path for my own
reasons.
“I am not a savior, and I have no interest in playing the part. I am not like the Dragon Emperor, fighting for the nation and populace. Please relay this back to him: for a duty of this nature, he should find another p>
Most men would feel their blood ignite with pride at such words, would eagerly shoulder the honor and shame of an entire nation’s martial legacy. Leander felt nothing but apathy.
He had never aspired to be a hero. Every step he had taken was for himself—to gain the strength necessary to protect the few he cared for-not to rescue the world. Even when the Celestial Mirror warned of a future calamity facing the Earth, his only thought was to strengthen his own cultivation and ensure the safety of his own.
He had no intention of single-handedly holding up the sky or delivering all of humanity.
Master Branson did not seem surprised by this rejection.
He chanted softly, his voice even and composed. “I have delivered the Dragon Emperor’s words. How you choose to proceed is not for me influence. However, the Dragon Emperor did say that in terms of raw, innate talent, three of you could not equal one Jeff Ashcroft.
“Where great power exists, great responsibility often follows. It is possible the Dragon Emperor will soon come to Highcliffe to meet you in person. When that day arrives, I suspect you may reconsider your position p>
With those final words, he brought his hands together in a formal salute to Leander.
Light flared once more beneath his feet, and in the blink of an eye, he was a distant speck on the horizon, then vanished completely.
Galen, his eyes narrowed to slits, shot a long, measuring look at Leander.
He knew any challenge today was futile. Transforming into a streak of light, he fled into the distance.
Leander stared in the direction the two had disappeared, his expression thoughtful. “The Dragon Emperor, is it p>
After a long moment, a soft chuckle escaped him. Then, he dropped from the sky like a stone, landing gracefully back in the Celestial Pavilion’s banquet hall. Inside, the way everyone looked at him had fundamentally changed.
Their gazes were now a mix of raw envy, profound awe, and deep reverence.
Even Arden, who had previously looked down on him, now watched him with starry eyes, as if she wanted nothing more than to stay by his side forever.
After exchanging a few brief words with Darrow and the other generals, Leander turned. His focus settled squarely on Logan and Dorian.
“The side show is over. So now, tell me… what should I do with the Riverstone
family p>