Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 132: Chapter 126: Iron Blood Domain VS Light Flame Domain

HUMMM!

An invisible bell seemed to toll between heaven and earth.

A dark-red halo suddenly burst forth from Luke, sweeping in all directions like a tidal wave!

The air instantly grew thick and oppressive. A heavy scent of rust and blood filled the area, as if one had been transported to an ancient battlefield piled high with mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Countless faint mirages of blades, spears, and halberds flickered within the dark-red halo. Faintly, one could almost hear the clash of armored cavalry and the furious roars and agonized wails of soldiers on the brink of death.

A cold, cruel, and merciless iron-blooded will enveloped the space for hundreds of meters around.

This was the very Domain that had made Luke famous—the Iron Blood Domain!

The moment the Domain appeared, the Church Knights with weaker Cultivation turned pale. Their breathing grew ragged, and they felt as if an invisible mountain was crushing their chests, making it difficult to even stand.

Their Pegasi shrieked in terror, backing away constantly, trying to flee the terrifying area.

Raylo also felt an immense pressure, but his Spiritual Power was far superior to that of an ordinary person, allowing him to just barely resist it.

He was secretly alarmed.

’What a powerful Domain! Is this the true strength of the ”Iron Blood Knight,” Luke?’

Faced with the powerful Domain that Luke had suddenly unleashed, Bishop Augustus’s expression also grew solemn.

But he did not retreat. Instead, an even more fervent light glinted in his eyes.

”In the name of the Light!”

Bishop Augustus let out a low chant. He raised his right hand, and a dazzling ball of golden light condensed in his palm.

BOOM!

The next moment, a light more brilliant than the Sun erupted from Augustus!

A golden Flame Domain, with him at its center, also expanded rapidly in all directions!

This Domain was filled with a sacred, scorching, and violent aura.

The golden flames blazed fiercely but did not burn physical objects. Instead, they radiated a majestic presence that purified all evil and judged all sin.

A strange scent, a mixture of sulfur and holy oil, filled the air. Faintly, it seemed as if countless devout prayers were being chanted.

The Light Flame Domain!

The moment Bishop Augustus’s Light Flame Domain and Luke’s Iron Blood Domain appeared, they slammed into each other like two awakened ancient beasts!

CRACKLE!

At their point of contact, the dark-red and golden lights grated against each other, collided, and annihilated one another, producing a harsh, explosive sound.

The air was torn asunder, and space itself seemed to twist slightly under the pressure of these two terrifying powers.

The powers of the two Domains crushed and eroded each other, forming a visible dividing line.

On one side of the line was a scene of carnage and iron-blooded slaughter. On the other was holy light illuminating all and blazing flames that seemed to burn the heavens.

Just the aftershocks from the clash of Domains caused the surrounding Knights to pale, forcing them to retreat explosively once more.

Under the impact of this power, the ordinary tents were torn to shreds as if they were made of paper. Splinters of wood and scraps of cloth filled the sky.

Raylo retreated quickly. He stared intently at the two figures in the center of the field, both radiating a terrifying pressure, and his heart pounded with shock.

’Is this a battle between Domain Knights?’

’Just the clash of their Domains alone is so earth-shatteringly powerful!’

A fierce wind howled as energy surged.

Luke and Augustus faced each other from a distance, separated by their fiercely clashing Domains. Their gazes met in midair, and it was as if invisible sparks flew between them.

The surrounding Knights had long since retreated several hundred meters away, their faces pale and their hearts still fluttering with fear.

A battle of this level was not something they could easily withstand, not even the aftershocks.

Raylo watched, captivated. This was how true top-tier Knights fought.

Every single move harnessed the Power of Heaven and Earth, creating a terrifying display of might.

However, at this tense moment, with swords drawn and bows bent, when it seemed like a battle to the death would erupt at any second, the two men almost simultaneously and in perfect unison retracted their respective Domains.

The murderous aura of iron and blood and the sacred light and flames receded like a tide. The suffocating pressure in the center of the camp vanished abruptly.

Luke and Augustus faced each other from a distance, their gazes meeting in the air.

The clash of their Domains, though brief, was enough for them to sense the other’s strength.

If they were to truly fight to the death, a winner could be decided, but no matter who won, the victor would likely have to pay a heavy price.

More importantly, they didn’t just represent themselves, but the Thunder Dragon Duchy and the Light Holy See.

If things truly escalated to an uncontrollable point, it would no longer be a simple conflict, but an all-out confrontation between two major powers.

This was a consequence that neither Luke nor Augustus could necessarily afford.

”Vice Commander Luke, your reputation is well-deserved.”

Bishop Augustus straightened his slightly disheveled robes and was the first to speak.

”I have benefited greatly from our meeting today.”

”Lord Bishop, your strength is also immeasurable.”

Luke said flatly.

A breathtaking clash of Domains thus ended with a bang and a whimper.

But the atmosphere in the camp did not relax because of it.

”Lord Bishop, perhaps you and I will have our battle someday, but it won’t be today,”

Knight Luke said.

”The Fiery Sun Kingdom is currently at war with our Duchy. Lord Bishop, you are not abiding by our Duke’s decree. Could it be that you are acting on orders from the Fiery Sun Kingdom, loitering in our Northern Territory with nefarious intentions?”

Augustus’s expression changed.

The Fiery Sun Kingdom revered the Light Holy See as its sole faith and had always been under the Holy See’s control. As far as he knew, their decision to find an opportunity to wage war against the Thunder Dragon Duchy was, in fact, instigated by the Holy See itself.

”I am the regional Bishop of the Thunder Dragon Duchy, appointed by the Pope himself, responsible for missionary affairs within the Duchy. I have no connection to the Fiery Sun Kingdom. Knight Luke, you’d best not make baseless accusations.”

Despite his words, Augustus already knew in his heart that he had no choice but to leave.

Listening from the side, Raylo was beginning to understand the underlying strategy.

’Knight Luke is preparing to make a move.’

’It’s just that for the sake of the Light Holy See’s reputation, the Thunder Dragon Duchy can’t directly attack a Bishop of the Light Holy See.’

’Otherwise, the Light Holy See could use it as a pretext to apply pressure, or even dispatch a Holy See expeditionary crusade against the Thunder Dragon Duchy, which would put the Duchy in an extremely disadvantageous position.’

’But if this Bishop is also an inside agent or an accomplice of the Fiery Sun Kingdom, then the Thunder Dragon Duchy would have no such reservations about taking action.’

’As for whether it’s true or not, who could say for sure?’

”Lord Bishop, to prove your innocence, it would be best for you to leave our territory on schedule.”

Knight Luke’s tone was hostile.

Bishop Augustus snorted coldly. After some consideration, he finally chose to compromise.

He wasn’t alone. As a Bishop of the Holy See, his actions had to be based on the interests of the Holy See.

That night, Augustus and the Church Knights broke camp and left Black Stone Territory.

The night was as black as ink. The light from their torches danced through the camp, illuminating the somewhat hasty retreat of the Church Knights.

For someone in Augustus’s position, leaving was the best choice. This matter couldn’t be swayed by his personal feelings.

In Raylo’s view, although Bishop Augustus was tyrannical and arrogant, he had the saving grace of being ”easily fooled.” If one absolutely had to deal with the Light Holy See, he might already be one of the better options.

Knight Luke did not leave immediately. He accepted Raylo’s invitation and stayed for a while at Black Stone Castle.

Inside the castle’s drawing-room, the fire in the hearth crackled, driving away the night’s chill.

The Vice Commander of the Duchy Knight Order had shed his sharp, murderous aura from the day, and his expression had softened somewhat.

”Your Second Highness.”

Luke raised his ale, gesturing to Raylo.

”I came to Black Stone Territory for two reasons. The first was on the Duke’s order, to ’request’ that Bishop Augustus leave our borders.”

He took a sip of his ale.

”I’m sure Your Lordship has noticed that the Holy See is overreaching. The Duke’s tolerance for them has reached its limit.”

Raylo nodded. Although Augustus’s actions were precipitated by Viscount Baiyang’s collusion with the Cult of Evil, Raylo had clearly seen his arrogance and disrespect for himself.

Luke set down his mug, his tone growing more serious.

”The second, and most important, task of my visit: the Duke has ordered a full mobilization of all lords in the Northern Territory to form an Allied Army. In one month, all troops must assemble in Red Leaf Territory to jointly resist the Fiery Sun Kingdom’s army, which will soon be marching south.”

War!

That one word struck Raylo’s heart like a heavy hammer.

Although he had long felt it coming, now that the moment had truly arrived, he still felt a heavy pressure.

”The Fiery Sun Kingdom... has the war already begun?”

”Yes.”

A cold glint flashed in Luke’s eyes.

”They have assembled an army of over one hundred thousand. Their vanguard is already engaged with the forces of the Eastern Lords. This war concerns the very survival of the Duchy; we cannot afford to lose.”

Raylo pondered for a moment.

”Vice Commander Luke, rest assured. Black Stone Territory will actively answer the Duke’s call to arms and go all out to dispatch our troops to Red Leaf Territory on time.”

”Excellent.”

Luke nodded slightly.

”I will await you all in Red Leaf Territory.”

「The next morning, at the crack of dawn.」

Knight Luke declined Raylo’s offer to stay longer. He mounted his Thunder Eagle and, along with his Iron Feathered Eagle Knights, flew swiftly toward Red Leaf Territory.

Once Knight Luke departed, the atmosphere in Black Stone Castle instantly grew tense.

The shadow of war was no longer a distant threat, but a sharp sword hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment.

Raylo stood on the castle’s terrace. The cold wind whipped through his black hair as he gazed toward the distant horizon.

He knew full well that with Black Stone Territory’s current strength, its role in the coming great war—one that would sweep through the entire Northern Territory and even the Duchy—would be limited.

He desperately needed to increase his own power and that of his territory.

A sense of urgency washed over him like a tide.

”Ed, take this down,”

Raylo said to Ed, who was beside him.

”First, deep within the Black Stone Mountain Range, I once discovered an Earth Dragon’s Nest. I will draw a map of its exact location for you. Immediately organize an elite team, bring the best hunters and sufficiently strong locks and nets, and go capture the Earth Dragons. Remember, try to capture them alive this time. These big guys will be of great use on the battlefield.”

Ed quickly accepted the order.

”Yes, my Lord!”

”Second,”

Raylo continued.

”Immediately dispatch Pegasus Knights to inform the three knights—Alex, Bolin, and Monk—that they are to return to Black Stone Castle at once. I have urgent matters to discuss with them.”

Alex, Bolin, and Monk, along with Ed, constituted the core fighting force of Black Stone Territory.

Recalling them meant Raylo was preparing to make a major move.

”As you command, my Lord!”

Ed accepted the command and quickly withdrew to make the arrangements.

Raylo stood at the window, his gaze fixed on the distance.

Afterward, Raylo left the castle.

Sensing its master’s call, the Storm Griffin King, ”Baofeng,” let out a loud, piercing cry. It walked over from the side and affectionately nuzzled Raylo’s shoulder with its enormous head.

Raylo swung himself onto Baofeng’s broad back.

Moonlight transformed into a silver shadow and leaped up lightly.

”Let’s go, Baofeng!”

Raylo gently patted Baofeng’s neck.

The Storm Griffin King beat its wings forcefully, stirring up a gale as its massive body soared into the sky.

Their destination was Amber Territory.