Boom—
Without warning, the colossal black hand and the sky-obscuring dragon exploded simultaneously. Golden and black auras intertwined as they crashed down from above.
No longer mere auras — raw, unbridled power.
"Give it everything you've got!!!"
The golden-browed elder among the Nine Dragon Battle Flags roared.
The four-layered Sacred Dragon Shield blazed with even greater radiance, its power visibly intensifying.
Yet when the twin forces from the heavens descended, the Sacred Dragon Shield shattered — layer after layer.
One layer. Two layers. Three.
It wasn't until the fourth and final layer that the cascading force was finally halted completely.
But even the fourth layer, having blocked that terrifying power, was riddled with cracks.
In that moment, across heaven and earth, aside from the howling shockwaves that still raged, not a single person could utter a word.
They were too terrified to speak.
What was the Sacred Dragon Shield? A legendary defensive formation, impenetrable by most standards — and yet three of its four layers had been obliterated just to barely withstand the shockwave of a single strike. If there was a second blow, how could they possibly endure it?
And then, from high above the horizon, Long Junlin's voice rang out.
"Totem Dragon Clan, hear my command — activate the formation."
"Formation rank: Ten Thousand Dragons Subjugating the Heavens!!!"
The moment those words fell, the millions-strong army of the Totem Dragon Clan gathered on the field — every single one except Long Zhen — began forming hand seals. Golden light blazed in their eyes, and golden auras erupted from their bodies.
These were no ordinary auras. This was the power of their bloodlines!!!
The next instant, the auras surged skyward, coalescing into golden dragons of immense size.
Bathing the earth in golden radiance, millions of colossal golden dragons launched themselves into the sky, plunging into the black-flame clouds controlled by the Evil Monk.
Though the Totem Dragon Clan numbered in the millions, their individual strength varied wildly. But in this moment, every one of those millions of golden dragons — while still falling short of the Nine Dragon Battle Flags in power — possessed roughly comparable might.
This was the brilliance of the formation: bloodlines connected, power fused, granting everyone a fighting strength far beyond their own within a short period of time.
"The Ten Thousand Dragons Subjugating the Heavens Formation?"
"It really is the Ten Thousand Dragons Subjugating the Heavens Formation!!!"
Witnessing nearly a million golden dragons churning through the black flames in the void above — hearing those piercing dragon roars, seeing that awe-inspiring spectacle — many of the younger generation from the Totem Heavenly Galaxy felt their blood boiling with excitement. They cheered and shouted, rallying behind their Heavenly Lord.
But the older generation couldn't bring themselves to smile. Instead, dread filled their hearts without end.
They knew exactly what the Ten Thousand Dragons Subjugating the Heavens Formation entailed. It was a formation that burned bloodlines, causing irreversible damage. The members of the Totem Dragon Clan were gambling their very futures for a chance at victory in this battle.
If things had truly reached this point, it only underscored just how dire the situation had become.
"Long Junlin — whatever grudges lie between us, you absolutely must win this time."
Even Mo Yuhan's grandfather, gazing up at the scene in the void, clenched his fists in silent prayer.
Long Xiaoxiao's Master also lifted her gaze to the heavens, those deep eyes brimming with solemnity.
After all, this battle determined the fate of every living soul present.
Wailing—
But soon, screams echoed from high above the horizon. Within the black-flame clouds, massive golden dragons began to plummet.
One appeared, then a second, a third, a fourth… In the blink of an eye, hundreds of enormous golden dragons came crashing down from the sky.
Each one was a member of the Totem Dragon Clan. The lighter cases suffered blood pouring from all seven orifices; the worse ones were missing limbs, their bodies torn apart.
Those who still retained their dragon forms were comparatively fortunate — at least it meant they were still alive. Those whose golden dragon auras had dissipated, leaving only their original bodies, had already drawn their last breath.
But in truth, even those still clinging to life had little time left. They were merely holding on by sheer willpower.
More and more golden dragons plummeted from the sky. Within moments, the number had reached hundreds of thousands. Every single golden dragon that fell represented one more member of the Totem Dragon Clan lost.
Throughout it all, Chu Feng continued to gaze upward. He had just defeated the opponent on the tenth floor, but watching the scene unfold in the void, his heart was heavy.
These people who had fallen — they were sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, just like anyone else. And yet, for the honor of the Totem Dragon Clan, to protect the living beings of this place, they had given their lives in battle.
"Such a tragic sacrifice… These people truly aren't afraid of death." Even the Queen spoke with rare emotion.
"They are the kind who deserve to be remembered," Chu Feng said. He said this because he had seen far too many who clung desperately to life. But among the Totem Dragon Clan, not a single person had fled from the start. Even knowing they would die, they had charged forward without hesitation.
Who could fail to respect such people?
"Chu Feng, stop watching and hurry up! The people out there won't survive much longer. If you want to live, you'll have to rely on yourself," the Queen urged.
"Mm." Gripping the Primordial Hero Sword, Chu Feng immediately ascended to the eleventh floor. Standing at the entrance to this level's staircase was another monster — this one humanoid, wielding a long spear.
Without a word, Chu Feng attacked, engaging the creature in battle.
And above, within the black-flame clouds, the golden dragons continued to fall — their numbers growing ever larger. Nearly a million had already been lost.