Chapter 494: The First Duel

To avoid the calamity of divine catastrophe, the Supreme Emperor Haotian, representing the gods, agreed with the Dragon God lineage to hold three duels, establishing a corresponding contract.

Due to this contract, which averted the potential war among the gods, intelligent beings referred to it as the "Non-War Pact."

According to the rules of the Non-War Pact, neither side needed to reveal their chosen representatives before the official start of the duel.

"Which weak divine power from the divine camp will represent them against the Dragon God?"

The duel among the weaker divine powers was set to begin in ten years, sparking intense discussion among many intelligent beings paying attention to the event.

However, there was no definitive answer to this discussion. It was difficult to find a representative among the weaker divine powers capable of contending with the Dragon God, especially considering that the Dragon God lineage had figures like the Destruction Dragon God, who, despite being a weak divine power, possessed the combat strength of a top-tier intermediate divine power. Predictably, the Dragon God lineage would likely choose the Destruction Dragon God as their representative.

"The Water Elemental Sovereign has a weak divine power with intermediate divine power traits, the Great Water Elemental Lord, who might stand a chance against the Destruction Dragon God."

"However, elemental gods typically don't concern themselves with matters outside their own realms, and the Water Elemental Sovereign is notoriously indifferent."

"Moreover, the Great Water Elemental Lord probably isn't a match for the Destruction Dragon God either."

While there were weak divine powers with intermediate divine power traits, finding one to match the top-tier strength of the Destruction Dragon God was a challenge. Known for his combat prowess and destructive force, the Destruction Dragon God had shone brightly in two full-scale wars, becoming a cornerstone of the Dragon God lineage.

"Could the Supreme Emperor Haotian have made a secret deal with the Dragon God lineage? The rules of the Non-War Pact seem to favor the Dragon God lineage."

"Impossible. His Majesty Haotian must have his considerations. Without such terms, the Dragon God wouldn't have agreed to the Non-War Pact."

As countless intelligent beings watched, time quietly passed. During the Non-War Pact, the gods couldn't sanction or restrict the dragons, allowing the previously restrained Dragon Clan to grow rapidly, thriving in prosperity.

However, this wasn't the most important factor. If the Dragon Clan lost after establishing the Non-War Pact, no matter how well they developed in those thirty years, they would be forced back to their original state. But if they won, this period of growth, combined with the return of the Imperial Dragon species and the addition of the Celestial God lineage to the Dragon God camp, would cement their unshakable dominance.

At this moment, in the Wind Howling Abyss, the Destruction Dragon God Karrikes was engaged in battle with a god. The opponent, clad in blood-red armor and wearing a menacing mask, emanated a thick aura of blood and slaughter. Blood-red energy continuously poured from his exposed skin, while the radiant divine light of a top-tier intermediate divine power shone brightly.

He was like a blood-red lightning bolt, constantly clashing with the Destruction Dragon God.

After some time, the Destruction Dragon God spread his dragon claws, a blinding fireball rising from within, meeting the blood-red lightning head-on.

Boom! Endless flames roared fiercely.

"Cough, cough."

The figure, engulfed in flames, armor and hair charred, mask mostly shattered, shouted, "I concede, no more fighting."

The Destruction Dragon God laughed heartily, raising his head high in arrogance, "Erainus, even you can't match me. Hmph, what weak divine power dares challenge me!"

Erainus, with a divine rank of fifteen, was a top-tier intermediate divine power. Known as the God of Slaughter, like the Destruction Dragon God, his divine realm was built in the Wind Howling Abyss, making them neighbors. Due to his penchant for battle, slaughter, and destruction, he was considered an evil god and later recruited by the Destruction Dragon God to join the Dragon God camp.

"But it seems your heart isn't as confident as you appear, otherwise, you wouldn't have sought me for sparring."

The God of Slaughter said slowly. Indeed, the Destruction Dragon God had been chosen as the representative for the weaker divine power duel. The Dragon Gods had high expectations for him, and the Non-War Pact was of great importance. Every victory or loss was crucial. Even the usually wild Destruction Dragon God felt an invisible burden, taking the upcoming duel very seriously.

"Enough talk. Rest a while, and we'll continue."

Karrikes snorted, his voice rough. "Fine, but next, let's fight in my Slaughter Fortress, where I have the home advantage."

"Hmph, even in your Slaughter Fortress, I can burn you into a fleeing rat!"

In the Wind Howling Abyss, Karrikes continued to prepare and train for the battle ten years ahead.

In the Heroic Domain, within the Eternal Hall of Heroes, Garon lay coiled in his dragon nest, eyes closed as if asleep. At the same time, atop Garon's head, between his dragon horns, the Hero's Crown, resembling a crown of thorny flowers, glowed white, channeling life energy from across the Heroic Domain into Garon's body, enhancing the silver dragon's physique bit by bit.

Amid the ocean of life energy, the Eternal Hall of Heroes seemed like an unfathomable vortex. In twenty years, Garon would face his duel under the Non-War Pact. Confident in himself, Garon was nonetheless taking the preparation seriously, giving his all.

Similarly, to prepare for potential surprises, the Metallic Dragon God and the Immortal Dragon Queen, even setting aside their mutual disdain, began researching temporary fusion techniques, readying for battles at the powerful divine power level. However, it was uncertain if they could succeed within thirty years, and even if they did, they might not be able to fully harness the Nine-Faced Dragon God's power.

Battling a top-tier god like the Supreme Emperor Haotian had slim chances of victory. Yet, the two Dragon Gods were making every effort to prepare. Other Dragon Gods not chosen to fight assisted the Metallic Dragon God and the Immortal Dragon Queen in researching the fusion technique. Most Dragon Gods were elevated from the Nine-Faced Dragon God, possessing some of his abilities, and could thus provide some help.

This was a matter concerning the fate of the Dragon God lineage. All Dragon Gods took it seriously.

The Wind Elemental Queen, the Fire Elemental Sovereign, the Fairy Lord, and the Goblin Lord. These four powerful divine powers of the Dragon God camp, along with several intermediate and weak divine beings, also supported the Dragon God lineage, providing various necessary resources.

If the Dragon God lineage lost, the gods who had joined their camp would also be affected. Conversely, if the Dragon God lineage won and became a dominant god lineage, their members would rise to even higher status and positions.

Due to the gods' focus on the Non-War Pact, the infinite worlds became exceptionally peaceful and quiet.

Until suddenly, a prime material world shattered, the sky collapsed, and the earth caved in.

One of the prime material worlds, the planet Dode, was home to tens of billions of creatures. Intelligent beings carried on their daily lives, farming, herding, fighting, learning, and adventuring. However, in an instant, all the metal and steel in this world shattered into particles invisible to the naked eye, disappearing completely.

As a result, the land began to collapse, solid ground turned to rubble, mountains crumbled, and countless abyss-like fissures crisscrossed the surface.

Deep underground, the Steel Queen reveled in ecstasy, devouring the boundless storm of metallic particles. Her aura soared, reaching the threshold of intermediate divine power. Although not at her peak, she was strong enough.

But as soon as this world underwent this change, the omnipresent wind captured the information. Despite being unable to pinpoint the Steel Queen's exact location due to the windless depths, the Wind Elemental Queen realized that the Steel Queen was in this prime material world.

Instantly, a breeze carrying the Wind Elemental Queen's message flowed into the Eternal Hall of Heroes, brushing against the silver dragon scales of the dragon resting in the depths of the dragon nest.

Simultaneously, in the god realm atop Heroic Mountain, the god Garon radiated dazzling light, pouring forth his extraordinary divine power. Under the dragon god's will, divine power descended, sealing off the prime material world that was falling apart.

"Let's go. Next, we'll head to the Scorching Hell to await our master's resurrection."

The Steel Queen extended her arm, transforming it from a human-like hand into a sharp, chilling steel blade. Lifting her blade arm, the Steel Queen slashed at the planar barrier.

Zzzz. The planar barrier split, but did not shatter, with divine power glimmering around it.

The Steel Queen was momentarily stunned. Gods' influence on the prime material world was somewhat weakened even when acting from outside, so the reinforced planar barrier wouldn't hold her for long. She only needed a minute of full-power attacks to open a passage big enough for her to escape.

However, the Steel Queen's expression grew solemn. "They've found me... trouble."

The world being sealed off clearly targeted her. The Steel Queen acted decisively, her blade arms slashing frantically at the planar barrier.

Just then, the earth began to rumble as if a giant beast was burrowing through, shattering the solid underground rock layers with ease and heading straight for the Steel Queen.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Boom! A massive silver dragon claw, sharp hooks outstretched

, broke through the rock and soil, grabbing for the Steel Queen. Simultaneously, hundreds of steel spikes erupted from the Steel Queen's back, shooting out like flexible tentacles, their tips sharp as needles, aiming at the silver claw from all directions.

Her blade arms continued attacking the planar barrier. "Even if this place is collapsing, it's still part of the prime material world. Whoever it is, I have a chance to fend off the attack and break through the barrier within a minute."

The Steel Queen thought so.

However, reality was often harsher than imagination.

Crack! The silver dragon claw crushed the steel spikes, slicing through them effortlessly as if an invisible force shattered them before they could touch the claw.

The time-breaking claw advanced unrelentingly.

"Daring to face me and still be distracted? Heh, seems I've been underestimated."

Sensing through the soil, the Steel Queen saw the calm, indifferent expression of the silver dragon, her pupils contracting.

No longer daring to hold back, she combined her arms into a single, massive, pitch-black steel shield, bristling with spikes, blocking in front of the dragon claw.

Boom! The deep underground echoed with a dull sound, cracks appearing on the surface, extending for thousands of miles.

The dragon's claw tore through the shield, creating a massive rift.

Barely blocking the dragon's strike, the Steel Queen's form changed, becoming a huge spherical shape covered in metal spikes, resembling a steel sea urchin.

Hissing... she retreated deeper into the earth, countless spikes shooting towards the silver dragon.

"Useless, useless."

The dragon breathed a stream of fire, shattering the earth and incoming metal spikes. The Steel Queen's quick reactions barely allowed her to evade in time.

Focusing entirely on the dragon's attack, the Steel Queen couldn't cut through the planar barrier to escape.

This meant she couldn't escape with her power alone under the dragon's pursuit.

Realizing the gap between their strengths, the Steel Queen called out in desperation, "Dagon, Yafen, Kaan... I'm under attack! Come save me!"

However, she received no response.

Whether due to the planar barrier's seal or the other gods' unwillingness to risk exposure, the Steel Queen got no aid.

A minute later, deep within the planet's core, where fire seemed solid and pressure was immense.

Hiss! Flames were forced aside, the dragon claw grasping the steel sea urchin, bending or breaking its spikes, holding it firmly.

The Steel Queen struggled fiercely, but the silver claw remained unmoved.

"Release me, you scoundrel!"

"The Great Demon Lord will soon resurrect. If you don't release me, the mighty Demon Lord will kill you."

The Steel Queen ranted, unaware that her desperate threats only made her situation worse.

In the blazing molten core, Garon gazed at the Steel Queen, her words revealing crucial information.

The Great Demon God, the Terror Lord, was about to resurrect—this was a dire revelation.

The Terror Lord, the primordial god who killed the Nine-Faced Dragon God, was the enemy of all dragon gods.

His impending resurrection was alarming news.

"Thank you for the information."

The dragon spoke calmly, reflecting the firelight, as layers of amber crystal formed, sealing the struggling, ranting Steel Queen inside.

"Is this the primordial force seeking to return the multiverse to its original state? Their minds seem dull."

"She doesn't represent all the primordial gods."

Garon shook his head, storing the time amber away.

Then, Garon returned to the Heroic Domain with the sealed Steel Queen. In the Eternal Hall of Heroes, he released the time amber, binding the humanoid Steel Queen with time chains.

Freed from the amber, the Steel Queen writhed and cursed at Garon violently.

A time chain slithered like a snake, sealing her mouth shut.

Simultaneously, time power focused in Garon's eyes. Platinum dragon pupils glowed softly, gazing at the Steel Queen.

Garon intended to uncover her past, seeking primordial god secrets she might carry.

However, Garon's vision plunged into darkness, like falling into an abyssal ocean, surrounded by silent black water, devoid of life.

"Hmm?"

Garon's time power dissipated, his pupils narrowing vertically.

"I see nothing."

"...A primordial god's method obscuring her past."

Garon tried using memory and mind spells, but they also vanished into the void, as if cast into the ocean.

Having expected this, Garon wasn't disappointed.

"Hmph." Time chains withdrew from the Steel Queen's mouth.

"Daring to insult the ancient primordial force, I'll kill you!"

The Steel Queen twisted and struggled furiously.

After regaining some composure, Garon spoke directly, "Were there other primordial gods revived before you? Where are they hiding?"

The Steel Queen sneered, "Think you can extract information from me? Dream on."

Garon smirked, "Don't forget, you told me about the Terror Lord's resurrection yourself."

Her expression faltered, eyes avoiding his, "I was just scaring you. You actually believed it?"

Her poor acting was obvious.

In her desperation, the threat was likely true.

Garon's gaze was calm, smiling faintly, his pupils reflecting the Steel Queen, "This isn't the primordial era. If you defect to the Dragon God camp, I promise you a bright future as the Eternal and Time Dragon."

"Think of the Elemental Sovereigns. They were once primordial gods but now hold high positions."

"Our Dragon God was once a primordial god. I hold no prejudice against you."

"If you insist on opposing the gods, I assure you, you'll never revive again. You'll face eternal death, and in that moment, you'll regret not accepting my offer today."

Enticing and threatening, Garon used both carrot and stick to sway the Steel Queen.

The Steel Queen pondered briefly, "You're quite persuasive, but I refuse!"

She laughed wildly, shaking the time chains.

"I am the primordial force of steel, an ancient life born with the multiverse."

"One day, all gods and beings will be exterminated, all worlds shattered, and the multiverse will return to its primordial state."

"You want me to forsake my primordial status and live in this repulsive world? Never."

The Steel Queen's resolve was firm.

After speaking, she ceased struggling and refused to respond to Garon, remaining silent.

Neither enticement nor threat worked.

The goal of returning the multiverse to its primordial state united the primordial gods, though forcedly, a concept incomprehensible to the gods of the Dawn War era.

It was expected that enticement and threat wouldn't work.

Realizing the Steel Queen's unwavering belief, Garon abandoned verbal persuasion.

"She likely holds valuable information for the Dragon God camp."

"But extracting it won't be easy."

Afterward, Garon handed the Steel Queen over to the Immortal Dragon Queen.

The Immortal Dragon Queen, adept in sinister, intricate methods, even tamed the first-generation Iron Dragon King, making her the perfect specialist.

She too encountered the same investigative barrier but claimed she could eventually break it.

Garon returned to the Eternal Hall of Heroes, continuing to absorb life energy and strengthen himself.

Time flowed steadily.

Thus, ten years passed in a flash.

During this period, the Steel Queen was nearly corrupted by the Immortal Dragon Queen, but not completely.

Meanwhile, the first duel of the Non-War Pact approached, eagerly awaited by the Dragon God and divine camps, along with many beings interested in the outcome.

This duel concerned the Dragon God lineage's fate and the multiverse's future direction, its importance clear.

Animal lords, elemental lords, and other divine beings awaited the duel's result.

Even the chaos of the Abyss quieted, as demon lords, evil gods, and wicked gods turned their gaze to the battlefield—the outer plane serving as the dueling ground.

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