As the dragon was conjuring its attack, Emperor Elyk felt an overwhelming sense of danger coming from it. He hurriedly turned his gaze towards the four guardians standing on top of the city wall and shouted. "The four of you immediately go back and get my children to safety! Bring them to Wine Master Jiu's store and do everything as long as they will allow you to go inside!"

Defender Duanmu and the other three glanced at each other before they turned their gazes to the emperor. Their murky eyes turned red as they looked at the majestic figure of Emperor Elyk who was hovering just right behind the city's protective array formation. They knew that the emperor would surely use his body as a shield to block the dragon's attack, but would he be able to come out alive after taking its terrifying blow?

After seeing their hesitant looks, Emperor Elyk's expression turned stern as he hollered. "Are you disobeying this emperor's words?! Go the fuck away and leave this place to me!"

Defender Duanmu hardened his heart after seeing the emperor's look. His lips quivered, but in the end, he didn't know what to say. Tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks as he turned around with a heavy heart. "What are the three of you waiting for?! His Majesty has already spoken! Go back immediately!" Defender Duanmu shouted with a distorted expression.

The three guardians felt their hearts being squeezed by a tumultuous sensation, but they were powerless to help the emperor. They looked at Defender Duanmu and nodded their heads gravely.

The four old men took one final glance at Emperor Elyk's lofty figure before they darted out of the scene.

Emperor Elyk sighed in relief and fixed his cold gaze on the dragon. He gathered the true essence from his dantian and coated his whole body with it. He then slowly conjured his own battle spell and waved his Silver Wing Sword to form a huge diamond pattern.

"Sky Diamond Protective Halo. Materialize." Emperor Elyk muttered in a grim voice and the moment his voice left his mouth, the diamond pattern he drew in mid-air lit up and the incorporeal diamond shield slowly solidified.

Emperor Elyk lifted his sword and pointed it towards the glowing translucent diamond shield. It looked incredibly sturdy, but the emperor's expression remained grave.

The dragon finally spurted the second ball of flames, but it looked twice as strong as the previous attack!

Roaaarrr!

The night sky suddenly brightened as the raging orb of flames plummeted towards Beltran City.

Swoosh!

It left countless flakes of fire in its wake, but everyone's focus was on the solitary figure of their emperor. He looked so tiny compared to the descending fireball, but his reliable and staunch back made them feel that he might be capable of blocking this attack.

When the colossal fireball struck the city's array formation, the protective light emitted a violent cracking sound before it shattered into motes of light.

Shatter!

Everyone revealed a panicked look when they saw that, and they solemnly prayed that the emperor will be able to block the attack.

However, was that really possible?

Emperor Elyk roared as he held his Silver Wing Sword with both his hands, pointing it straight towards the diamond shield in front of him. He was using his last bits of true essence to strengthen it!

"Stabilize!"

Finally, the enormous ball of flames pounded his Sky Diamond Protective Halo, but it didn't even last for a second before it fragmented into pieces. The emperor felt the smoldering heat burning his skin, but he continued to roar in a hoarse voice.

Roar!

Just as he thought that he would be burnt to ashes, a tall figure silently appeared in front of him and raised his right arms, his long silver hair fluttered vigorously.

"Wine Master Jiu..." Emperor Elyk muttered in surprise as he stared at the familiar figure, but before he could even gather his thoughts, he felt a gentle push that made him fly several hundred meters away.

"Don't forget our deal, Elyk." A calm voice drifted in the emperor's ears, but he could only stare at Jiu Shen's firm and solid back as the latter blocked the dragon's fireball with one hand.

Baaaanngg!

Multiple shockwaves blew out, blinding everyone as the huge fireball exploded violently.

The emperor's figure was instantly blown away by the intense shockwaves produced after the explosion. He stumbled a dozen times in mid-air before he could stabilize himself.

Some buildings down below also collapsed after bearing the brunt of the shockwaves!

Such devastating power, but the emperor was completely certain that he saw Jiu Shen blocking it with only one hand! Emperor Elyk turned his gaze towards the sky, but his sight was obstructed by a thick cloud of black smoke.

"Wine Master Jiu..." He didn't know why, but he felt that the weight on his shoulder lightened down considerably after the arrival of Jiu Shen.

He composed himself and streaked towards the imperial palace. With Jiu Shen's presence, the dragon shouldn't be able to destroy Beltran City. Now, he must go back to ensure that his children were safe.

Swoosh!

Behind the thick cloud of black smoke, Jiu Shen can be seen flying towards the gigantic dragon, but strangely, the dragon that was high and mighty just a few moments ago was now wearing a wary look as it glanced at the human that was moving towards it.

"This human..."

After getting close to the stunned dragon, Jiu Shen waved his right hand. Archaic golden patterns materialized in a circular motion, making the dragon feel a sense of foreboding.

Following Jiu Shen's movement, the space in front of the dragon slowly ripped open and abruptly produced a strong suction force that made the dragon pale in apprehension.

Rooaar!!

It issued a baleful draconic cry, but it was completely useless under the strong suction force from the rift of space. It continued to suck the dragon, not giving it any chance to escape!

The dragon frantically flapped its enormous wings but to no avail, it was still sucked by the rift.

Roaaarr!!

After the dragon's figure can no longer be seen, Jiu Shen jumped into the rift before it vanished into thin air.

A few minutes later, the thick cloud of black smoke subsided, making everyone see a tranquil starry night sky...