Three thousand years of wind and rain have passed, and the treasured iron chain that His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Northern Expedition once used to lock the head of the demon dragon is now rusted and mottled. Yet, the demon dragon’s head itself shows not the slightest sign of decay, its hardness surpassing that of refined steel.

From the severed neck, one can still clearly see the deep and complex structure of the demon body. Centered on the spine, there are forty-nine special organizational structures radiating outward, and this very diffusion contains a mysterious and profound pattern.

It is said that sixty years ago, a military genius gained enlightenment from this and comprehended a supreme principle of the Dao, breaking through to the Fate-Knowing Realm in one go. He was then transferred to the Ministry of War, soaring to great heights.

The terrifying aura lingering from the demon dragon’s head suppresses the entire Tianduan Gorge, but thanks to the arrangements made by the Great Emperor of the Northern Expedition, it has no effect on the human race. If not for this thing’s suppression, Huangtai Fortress might not have been able to withstand the Seven Kill Division for three thousand years!

Brian Cooper called out to the front, “Mr. Hill, let’s take a break.”

Old Hill waved his hand indifferently, and everyone broke formation. Eric King collapsed on the spot, refusing to take even one more step. Brian Cooper used both hands and feet, climbing up along a chain as thick as a water barrel all the way to the very top of the demon dragon’s head.

The demon dragon had thirty-seven horns, all on its head, tangled like a thicket of brambles, but each dragon horn was ferocious and massive. Brian Cooper stood atop the highest horn.

He gazed into the distance, imagining the past, his thoughts drifting far away.

Thousands of miles away lay the perilous forbidden land of Divine Ash Mountain. Once inside, unless one was a peerless genius like the Great Emperor of the Northern Expedition, there was no hope of survival.

In these three thousand years, how many passionate cultivators have dreamed of replicating the emperor’s glorious feats? Among them were countless prodigies of their era, yet not a single one ever returned from the Seven Kill Division.

He recalled the historical records’ descriptions of the emperor’s earth-shattering battle three thousand years ago, and could not help but feel his heart race with boundless reverence. Subconsciously, he imitated the emperor’s movements, drawing his sword and slashing into the distance!

Laughter drifted up from below. Jason Clark called out to him, “Scholar, stop dreaming! Even if you cultivated for nine lifetimes, you could never split the Divine Ash Mountain with a single sword like the Great Emperor of the Northern Expedition.”

Brian Cooper smiled faintly, sheathed his sword, and didn’t mind their teasing.

Ethan Hill shouted from below, “Had enough of the view? If you have, get down here! We need to continue the patrol.”

Brian Cooper was about to climb down when he suddenly saw, far off at the horizon, a black dot appear amidst the white clouds, rapidly growing larger. His expression changed: “A great sky beast is attacking!”

Half a year ago, Brian Cooper had personally experienced a battle where the demon race attacked from the sky in just this way. Dozens of great sky beasts dove from the clouds, striking Huangtai Fortress in an instant and catching everyone off guard!

That was the most brutal battle Huangtai Fortress had faced in years. The great sky beasts directly seized a section of the city wall. The commanding officer, at the early stage of the Mingjian Realm, personally took action. After three days of bitter fighting, every officer above the rank of battalion commander was wounded before the demon race was finally repelled.

Below, Ethan Hill and the others immediately became alert. Squad leader Ethan Hill already had his whistle in his mouth. Emily Scott aimed his dark-flame repeating crossbow at the black dot, but suddenly frowned and said, “Something’s not right.”

The black dot rapidly grew larger. Standing at the highest point, Brian Cooper was the first to see clearly—it was not a great beast, but a mass of blazing fire, golden-red within, seemingly melting and constantly changing.

That mass of heavenly fire flew ever closer, growing larger and larger. Thunderous booms echoed from the highest point, as if the heavens themselves were beating a drum.

The officers and soldiers had just rushed out of the barracks, still unclear about what was happening, when the mass of heavenly fire crashed down at the mouth of the gorge with a deafening roar. The ground shook, and Huangtai Fortress seemed about to collapse!

White light covered the sky, blocking out the sun. Auspicious visions soared into the air, transforming into countless forms, their wonders beyond description.

After a long while, the sun-blocking white light faded. The battalion commanders were the first to react, stamping their feet and leaping into the air, streaks of light and shadow racing toward where the heavenly stone had fallen.

Amid the violent tremors, Brian Cooper fell from the demon dragon’s head, but quickly grabbed the city wall, avoiding a fatal fall. Having just climbed back up, looking somewhat disheveled, he gazed in the direction where the heavenly fire had landed and murmured thoughtfully, “A divine marvel descends from the heavens…”

Several battalion commanders quickly arrived. The flames were still blazing, and within the molten golden-red center, countless mosquito-sized golden runes drifted out from the fire, forming special structures like wondrous arrays, layer upon layer protecting the heavenly stone inside.

One of the battalion commanders, skilled in formations, circled the heavenly fire and exclaimed excitedly, “Within the structures formed by those runes, there are many small Sumeru worlds!”

Someone shouted, “Quick, report to the commanding officer!”

Chapter 0004: The Ancient Zhou Heaven Coin (Part 1)

Commander Proud Tiger Soldier soon arrived. The moment he saw the heavenly fire, his expression turned solemn. Holding the tiger tally, he shouted, “Light all the beacon towers and seal off the entire Divine Ash Mountain!

Send two squads to guard both sides of the mountain pass at the other end of the gorge. If the demon race makes any move, intercept them on the spot!”

“Yes, sir!”