The impact of the plague on the Imaska Empire was not significant on the surface.
However, when the plague first broke out, the Imaska Empire, despite mobilizing its national strength, failed to curb the massive death toll among its population. Although the empire has since rebuilt its pinnacle, this period of helplessness led them to regard the gods as imaginary enemies.
Having already offended the native deities of the Faelen, the Imaska Empire ventured to other primary material worlds, plundering and capturing slaves from different worlds.
Of course, they considered the religious beliefs of these otherworldly slaves.
To avoid retribution from the gods of these slaves, they established a planar barrier.
Nine enormous mechanical pyramids served as the physical nodes of this barrier.
Garon's current mission was to destroy these mechanical pyramids, to create a breach in the Imaska Empire's planar barrier. The reason for waiting over a decade since the construction of the pyramids was that the gods don't necessarily hear the prayers and calls of their followers immediately.
Garon needed to wait.
He waited for the prayers of the oppressed slaves to grow more fervent.
Under the cruel oppression of their masters, faith became the only means for these slaves to find hope, the only light in their darkness. When the slaves' prayers reached a level capable of piercing the planar barrier and reaching their gods, the downfall of the Imaska Empire would be imminent.
Now, Garon felt the time was ripe.
According to Sorin, slaves were committing suicide from time to time, blood-sacrificing themselves to the gods, praying for a divine response with their lives and souls.
Unfortunately, the Imaska Empire had indeed made significant progress in their research on the power of faith.
Their mechanical pyramids perfectly intercepted the prayers of the slaves.
Historically, Garon believed the native gods of Faelen couldn't tolerate the self-development of the Imaska Empire. Even if it meant bringing new gods and faith to the primary material world, they would circumvent the protection of the mechanical pyramids to hear the tragic calls of their followers.
But Garon, who had been in hiding for decades, was no longer willing to wait.
He decided to accelerate the process.
Whoosh! Amidst the torrential downpour and fierce winds, a silver streak tore through the rain curtain, a straight line heading for a mechanical pyramid in the northwest of the Imaska Empire.
Garon's target was the nearest mechanical pyramid to him.
With Sorin, a high-ranking insider, he knew the rough defense layout of the nine pyramids.
The Imaska Empire was aware of the importance of the planar barrier. Therefore, to prevent deliberate sabotage by entities like Garon, although the pyramids were large, their locations were highly concealed. They were guarded by powerful mechanical legions and dozens of legendary mechanical masters.
Additionally, the pyramids were constructed from the empire's most precious materials and covered in countless defensive mechanical runes.
Even the incarnations of average gods would struggle to destroy the mechanical pyramids.
However, the most fortified stronghold often falls from within.
Each of the nine pyramids had its own name.
Garon's target, the Sao Pyramid, was located in the Sunset Mountain Range in the northwest part of the Imaska Empire.
The pyramid, about four hundred meters tall and camouflaged, was inconspicuous amidst the rugged mountains, making it extremely difficult to locate.
However, as the mechanical lord of Maple City, Sorin was one of the mechanical lords involved in the construction of the Sao Pyramid, and his rank was not low.
Thus, Garon knew the exact location and the rough military distribution of the Sao Pyramid. If not for the space around the pyramids being sealed with dimensional anchors, Garon could have teleported directly to his destination.
In the vast rain, Garon didn't conserve his power of time.
Maintaining a high-speed flight, his figure disappeared in an instant amidst the downpour.
Although replenishing the power of time in this timeline was challenging, to avoid early detection by the enemy and to catch them off guard, Garon didn't skimp on consuming his time power.
He needed to destroy the mechanical pyramid with the force of a thunderbolt.
Otherwise, being surrounded and ambushed by the mechanical legion would pose a significant problem for Garon.
Swish! A silver lightning bolt pierced the sky, illuminating the dark heavens like daylight, reflecting off the scales of the silver dragon, making them shimmer brilliantly.
Within minutes, the silver dragon, flying at extreme speed, reached the Sunset Mountain Range under the cover of night.
This range, spanning thousands of kilometers within the Imaska Empire's territory, consisted of silent giants, mountains that seemed like giants silently sitting upon the earth. The forest coverage rate in the Sunset Mountain Range was nearly sixty percent, home to many species.
Low roars of wild beasts and cries of eagles were incessant.
Garon looked around, seeing only green-covered mountains.
Without prior knowledge of the pyramid's exact location, even knowing it was hidden within the Sunset Mountain Range, it would be challenging to pinpoint.
Upon reaching the range, the silver dragon did not pause.
Hidden within a massive cloud that merged with the night, Garon slowed down, approaching his target from ten thousand meters in the air. There were legendary mechanical masters guarding the Sunset Mountain Range. The closer he got to the pyramid, the more cautious Garon became.
Three minutes later.
Concealing his aura and body, the silver dragon hovered at ten thousand meters in the air.
Garon looked down.
His gaze penetrated the distance, focusing on a specific area on the ground.
Among many large and small mountains, there was a hill covered with large vines and colorful flowers, unremarkable in its surroundings.
But Garon knew this hill was his target.
The seemingly quiet and safe surroundings actually housed a massive man-made base underground, spanning dozens of kilometers under the watch of the mechanical legion. Anyone who accidentally stumbled here, intentionally or not, would never leave.
"Whew."
Platinum dragon eyes reflected the landscape below.
The silver dragon took a deep breath, gathering strength.
Meanwhile, in the underground base.
Cold white metal walls supported the underground base, with mechanical runes slowly flowing over them, and clusters of blue energy streams moved like sentient snakes.
"Sigh, we've been guarding the Sao Pyramid in this underground base for over a decade," lamented a mid-level mechanical master during a meal break.
His companion patted him on the shoulder, saying with a smile, "The empire pays us well. When selecting guards for the pyramid, many young nobles wanted to get in. Apart from limited contact with the outside world, there are no downsides here."
"Many mechanical masters would kill to be here."
Because of the pyramids' hidden locations and strong defenses, and with few powers on Faelen daring to provoke the Imaska Empire, life for the guards was extremely relaxed and rewarding.
The mechanical master shook his head, saying, "I know, but it's just so boring being a guard here."
"There have never been any enemies."
"At most, some magical beasts wander in, but they're quickly dealt with by the automatic defense mechanisms without us having to lift a finger."
His companion gave him a look, saying, "Say less. We can apply to leave in a few more years."
The mechanical master sighed, covering his face. "That's at least five more years."
"So dull. I wish for a powerful attacker to liven things up."
As soon as he finished speaking, the light roaming the cold white walls suddenly changed.
A blinding red light filled the underground base, and an urgent alarm sounded.
"Warning, high-energy reaction detected en route! Target: Sao Pyramid."
"Pyramid defense shield activated. All mechanical masters, please eliminate the attacker."
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the two mechanical masters looked at each other.
Trouble was coming.
The earth cracked open in an orderly fashion, revealing hidden defensive weapons underground. Dozens of mechanical masters emerged from the underground base, looking up into the night sky with grave expressions.
In their view, an enormous dragon was diving down.
The dragon moved at an incredible speed, its friction with the air generating fierce flames, resembling a silver meteor falling from the sky, trailing a fiery tail and overwhelming force.
The silver dragon was too fast.
From appearance to baring its fangs, it all happened in an instant.
By the time the mechanical masters reacted, the silver dragon was already within a kilometer of the Sao Pyramid. Those with good eyesight could see the shimmering scales, the deep platinum eyes, the mysterious black scale ring, and the sharp claws tearing through space, leaving trails of fractures.
Nearby legendary mechanical masters sensed the profound aura emanating from Garon.
They knew he was a powerful legendary dragon beyond the capability of any single legendary mechanical master present. However, with thirty-four legendary guards, they weren't relaxed.
Boom, boom, boom! The ground trembled incessantly.
In the earthquake-like rumble, various silhouettes emerged from underground.
Mechanical tigers, wolves, eagles, and even dragons, each uniquely designed, controlled by legendary mechanical masters, ranging from small to gigantic.
In addition to these legendary creations, other mechanical masters also deployed numerous mechanical creatures.
Along with the ground-based automatic defenses, the natural landscape was suddenly filled with cold metallic hues.
Remote mechanical creatures fired at Garon, attempting to halt his approach.
Boom, boom, boom! The torrential rain shattered.
The dark night lit up like day.
High-temperature energy beams, physical weapons with kinetic force, and countless impact waves that could shake internal organs intertwined, forming a storm that swallowed everything. It rose from the ground, swirling towards the approaching silver dragon.
Waiting to strike, the close-combat mechanical tigers and others were poised and ready.
Facing such overwhelming firepower, Garon couldn't be careless. His defenses were strong, but the attacks were too dense and included legendary-level energy attacks. It would be unwise to resist head-on.
Time stopped.
Buzz! Time power, like a floodgate opened, surged out from Garon.
To the astonishment of the mechanical masters, all attacks nearing the silver dragon froze in mid-air, whether ordinary or legendary mechanical creatures.
Along with these attacks, the roaring wind and raging rain also ceased.
"This, this is..."
"Time has stopped."
"What a terrifying ability."
The scene within the time stop was bizarre, observed by many mechanical masters outside the area. They stared at the silver dragon, disbelief written on their faces. The ability to manipulate time was astonishing.
Before this day, there were no legends of time dragons on Faelen.
But from this day forward, there would be.
Using time stop to withstand the incoming barrage, Garon's time power drained rapidly.
He wasted no time.
Once the time stop lifted and he had a breather from the onslaught, Garon pushed his acceleration state to the limit.
In an instant.
The silver dragon successfully passed through the terrifying barrage, approaching the mechanical pyramid.
After leaving the time stop area, the energy storm resumed, having lost its target. Countless attacks shot skyward, tearing through the storm clouds, creating a colorful night sky.
Simultaneously.
A hemispherical energy shield was the only barrier between Garon and the mechanical pyramid.
The pyramid's energy shield was seemingly indestructible.
Typical legendary beings, even without interference from the guards, would take a long time to break the shield. But facing the mysterious and unfathomable silver dragon, the legendary mechanical masters didn't relax.
"Stop him!"
"Protect the mechanical pyramid!"
The fierce close-combat mechanical tigers, dragons, and other creations activated at full capacity. Their engines roared like hellish cries. Dozens of legendary mechanical beings, generating wind pressure and tearing through the rain curtain, charged at the silver dragon.
Numerous ranged attacks simultaneously whistled in.
But it was too late.
They were still some distance from Garon.
But the silver dragon had already extended its claw.
Time power swirled between the silver scales of the claw.
Numerous space fractures appeared, indicating the claw's terrifying destructive power.
This was an ability Garon developed based on time division. Previously, he used an early version of this technique to tear through the solid shields of magical ships. Cutting through time and space simultaneously, the disarray and rupture created a force capable of destroying everything.
Time-Space Rift Claw.
A direct hit could potentially harm even weaker deities, Garon believed.
Time seemed to slow down. Under the tense watch of the mechanical master guards, the silver dragon's claw touched the pyramid's energy shield.
Then, the hearts of all mechanical masters sank.
The indestructible energy shield seemed to turn into fragile paper against the Time-Space Rift Claw, like a sharp cutter through paper.
Rip!
The energy shield was torn open in an instant.
With no protection, the mechanical pyramid lay vulnerable under the legendary dragon's claw.
After breaking the shield, Garon didn't directly use his body to destroy the pyramid. The mechanical creation was tough and enormous. While the Time-Space Rift Claw could shred the pyramid, to destroy it in the shortest time, Garon had a better method.
At this moment, as he locked onto the pyramid, Garon had already prepared his arcane spell.
After about twenty years of development, Garon's physical growth was minimal, but his mastery of arcane magic had significantly improved. He was no longer a talent-dependent caster with insufficient knowledge.
Magical energy surged.
The surrounding magical network trembled violently.
Elemental energies formed a tidal storm, continuously flowing towards the mechanical pyramid.
Tenth Circle Arcane Magic - Mountain Collapse! Spell-like Ability - Stacked Casting! Under substantial consumption of magic and time power, three Mountain Collapse spells almost simultaneously struck the mechanical pyramid. The nearby magical network couldn't withstand such intense impacts, breaking apart but rapidly repairing itself.
The power of a tenth circle spell was immense.
Mountains thousands of meters tall could be destroyed by a single Mountain Collapse. The few hundred-meter-tall pyramid, although formidable, had an inevitable fate after being struck by three spells.
After casting, Garon didn't linger.
Accelerating to the limit, the silver dragon became a streak of light, swiftly breaking through the sky, decisively escaping.
Legendary mechanical creatures pursued relentlessly but were left trailing further every second.
Within three seconds.
Already kilometers away, the silver dragon heard a tremendous explosion without looking back and continued to race away.
Boom, boom, boom! The ground moaned and cracked, the mechanical pyramid, like a small hill, exploded. The surface soil disguise blasted off, and metal fragments inscribed with mechanical runes flew in all directions, raining metallic shards.
The mechanical pyramid was shattered.
The planar barrier that had blocked the slaves' prayers had a breach.
Millions of slaves, after twenty years of suppressed despair, cried out in the darkness, their pain and sorrow finding an outlet, madly escaping through the barrier's gap.
Weeks later.
The slaves' bloodied, sorrowful calls finally traversed the vast distance between two worlds, reaching the ears of their deities.
Thus, in the outer material planes where dozens of gods resided, both good and evil, as well as those committed to neutrality, fell into silence at this moment.
A silent storm brewed in the divine realms.
The wrath of the gods rose and churned.
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