A massive mountain range that spanned tens of thousands of miles emanated a ferocious draconic aura that spurned the entry of normal beasts.
The heights of these mountains pierced the clouds, and to traverse them was the trial of the brave and the confirmation of fools.
All over this range walked the most fierce of magical beasts. Roar and screeches of different kinds could be heard all over, which was an affirmation of the monstrosities that frequented here.
"I REFUSE!"
"The choice is not yours!"
At this moment, a booming voice that quieted all others rang out in supreme anger and arrogance whilst one that rivalled it in volume and power spoke against it!
"I don't care for what reason it is! How could the upper echelon issue an order for a human clan to reside in our bastion!? Does the royal court know of this!?"
"The choice has been made, and the action executed!"
"They spit upon our pride to allow this!"
Atop a larger-than-life mountain was a massive flood Dragon with light blue scales that glinted with an ominous glow.
Its eyes, though radiating a solitary pride that belonged to the Dragon race, were also cold and unfeeling.
This was an emissary from the Dragon's Domain, sent here to quell the dispute caused by the humans' arrival.
Standing opposite the emissary was another Flood Dragon. This Dragon was the ruler of this small bastion and stood vehemently against the command sent from the domain.
However, it knew that no matter how against the command it was; the emissary was right when it said that this choice was not its to make.
Of course, the emissary said nothing more after this and simply stared at the ruler of the bastion. The latter could feel the pressure stacking and finally conceded when he could take it no more.
"Hmph! Let me see this human clan and what grants them such a right!"
Dragons were a naturally proud race, and though they distanced themselves from the rest of the cultivation world, they were still regarded with utmost seriousness and awe because of their terrifying strength.
Just the birth of their prince alone caused a wave of terror that sent the cultivation world over into a frenzy a few years ago.
The ruler of the bastion traversed the craggy and mountainous region as if he was on dry land, on his way to scrutinise the only humans to ever reside within his bastion.
"Lord emissary, I mean no disrespect but surely you can understand my qualms right!?"
The reticent emissary said nothing but followed the ruler, as he knew where the latter was heading to.
"I mean, it must have been a coincidence that that backwater human town just happened to be there at the site of the disturbance!"
The disturbance he was referring to was the event that shocked the entire continent. The matter of Long Di's destiny calling down a Heavenly Execution well beyond the realm of what was known.
Even now, many people didn't know what happened, while some even believed the world was ending.
"We have our reasons for telling you to collect this specific clan."
He paused a bit before continuing. "Know this, the command comes not just from the domain, but from the prince! This relates to the existence of THE Long Di!"
When the ruler heard the emissary's words, he nearly jumped back in shock. "You mean—?"
The emissary simply nodded but decided against saying anything more. After all, the name Long Di was taboo amongst the Dragons.
It was known by the higher-ranking Dragons that the young prince, on the day of his birth, called out the name Long Di, nearly breaking his mother's heart as he did so.
As a result, his mother flew into a rage engendered by jealousy, nearly calling for the execution of all Long Di's. However, no one in the Dragon race held the name Long DI.
Though all Dragons held the surname Long, there was none with the given name Di. After all, who would be so bold as to call their child the Dragon god?
It was upon this realisation that they found that this Long Di was not a Dragon which shook the palace!
It took the intervention of the King to calm everything, but it wasn't long after this that the prince brought chaos once more when he commanded for this Long Di and anyone and everyone related to him to be brought to him to the Dragon's Domain.
Not even his father, the King, permitted this.
No one took the prince seriously, but when he released his draconic might and they felt the purity of his bloodline which was practically alien to the point of allowing true atavism, the King reluctantly acquiesced to his son's wishes to the surprise of everyone, especially his wife.
The queen had a different idea and said that any Long Di who dares to set foot in the Dragon's domain will be killed on-site by her!
She even went as far as to say that anyone who dares to say the name Long Di in front of her will bear her wrath, which has happened more than once.
Hence, the name Long Di was considered taboo and not something easily uttered by any Dragon with any relation to the Dragon's domain.
Nonetheless, even with this being the case, all the subordinates of the King had to carry out the task at hand, and when the matter of the Heavenly Martial Continent's disturbance came about, an uproar came about once more.
Information taken from a reliable source advised that the name Long Di stood at the centre of this phenomenon. No one wanted to believe that a mere human could bring about such a massive disturbance.
When the reports that came back confirmed the existence of a family known as the Long clan. The emissary in charge of his region immediately commanded their retrieval and sent the news to the Dragon's domain, which caused quite a turmoil.
The ruler wasn't aware of this Long Di being the reason for the family's retrieval, but when he heard that the prince was involved, he knew he couldn't do anything about this.
Hearing from the ruling power of the Dragon's Domain was exceedingly rare. How could he stand against the words of the possibly atavistic prince!? This was the existence responsible for bringing the Dragon race to the pinnacle of their design!?
"E—Even if he's the prince, there are limits to—"
"I will allow you to draw breath for speaking against our King and prince's command. Treasure it."
When the ruler heard the emissary's cold words, he knew he was encroaching upon the reverse scale of the latter. So he remained silent and continued walking along.
The two eventually arrived at an opening where many other Dragons and lesser dragonkin were crowding a particular area.
Dragons of any kind were a rare spectacle to behold, but here they were numerous as they stood together.
"What is happening!? Make way for the royal emissary!"
The ruler of the bastion roared for them to make way. He had no idea why there were so many Dragons and dragonkin here!
Though Dragons hated the humans, they wouldn't dare to go against a command that came from the Dragon's domain and hurt the humans. But if that was the case, this place should have appeared abandoned at the very least.
Not even the lesser dragonkin would lower themselves to befriend a couple of humans, right?
As the ruler walked a path made clear of the crowd before them, the emissary followed behind him.
The emissary's eyes scanned the crowd and could see as got closer to the front the clear line that divided the lesser dragonkin from the other Dragon kind.
Dragons were a race that paid great attention to bloodline, which was especially apparent here.
As he came closer, he saw the humans doing what humans usually did in their presence, cowering in fear.
So much like the ruler, even the emissary got curious about what drew their proud race to come in such close proximity to such an inferior species, when his eyes caught sight of a woman that was cultivating quietly in the middle while a burly-looking man stood with a wary expression beside her.
When the woman felt the gaze of the emissary and the ruler upon her, her eyes slowly opened and the arrogance within them could not be denied.
She could see the innate malice and contempt they had for her and her family, but her cold expression remained.
The words she said next shocked and made them understand why their proud race would dare to come here.
"The Heavens took my son from me. Don't make me steady its scale by taking you from yours!"
The emissary actually revealed a mysterious smile when he heard this and walked from behind the ruler to approach the on-edge Long family.
"An arrogance that matches the Dragons. Interesting. And what is your name?"
The lady's words were still cold, but they exuded a confidence that couldn't be faked. "Long Nuhuang, the one who will slay the Heavens for taking my son from me!"