Chapter 20: SSS rank class change certificate
"Everyone," Zhao called, his voice steady and commanding, cutting through the morning stillness like a honed blade, its timbre resonant and clear, carrying the weight of authority honed by countless battles and unyielding resolve. The sound sliced through the air, silencing the faint rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds, drawing every gaze to him with an almost palpable force. "Wake up and get ready for war. The shield protecting Abyss will dissipate in three days—now two. We need to prepare for what's coming, whether it's the Hell's 1987th Legion or something else lurking beyond our borders. Time is short, and we cannot afford complacency. Start now—every moment counts."
The air shifted, the serene dawn shattering as his words reverberated through Abyss, igniting a flurry of purpose among his subjects gathered near the Eternal Legion Stronghold. The faint hum of the territory—the rhythmic clatter of tools from the Divine Forge, the bubbling elixirs in the Celestial Alchemy Lab, and the distant roars of the dragons—intensified, as if the land itself responded to his command. Valorn stepped forward, his broadsword Solfare gleaming with Vac fire, its fiery edge catching the morning light as he straightened with a soldier's discipline, his voice steady and resolute. "My lord, we'll be ready. Whatever comes, it won't breach our walls—not with the strength we've forged here."
Elara, her analytical tools clutched tightly in her hands, nodded briskly, her eyes darting to the Unknown Ranked Pet Egg cradled against her chest, its crystalline surface pulsing faintly with absorbed energy. "Two days—I'll ensure the egg gets maximum combat exposure during training and coordinate with Veyra to produce elixirs that'll keep us fighting beyond our limits."
Zhao's gaze swept over his lieutenants—Valorn, Balor, Lyra, Elara, Marcus, Forgemaster Kael, and Alchemist Veyra—each standing tall, their readiness a testament to the trials they'd overcome. The dragons, coiled around the SSS-rank Dragon Nest near the Lord's Manor, raised their massive heads slightly, their scales—crimson, emerald, midnight blue—shimmering like divine artifacts, their glowing eyes fixed on him with a reverence that transcended loyalty, a bond forged by his Dragon God Blood within his Supreme God Devouring Omniversal Physique.
He turned to Acel, the SSS-rank warrior's fiery red Solfare spear resting at his side, its tip glinting with a faint ember glow as his golden eyes met Zhao's with unwavering determination. "Acel," Zhao commanded, his voice firm yet measured, "scout for a new monster hideout—find us a target for resources and combat energy to nurture the egg. Take five dragons; keep it discreet. Report back by tonight. We'll move out once you return."
Acel bowed, his movements swift and precise, the spear's haft tapping lightly against the ground as he responded, "Yes, my lord. I'll scour the northwest—I'll return with a target worthy of our strength." He turned, issuing a sharp whistle that cut through the morning air, and five Diamond-tier dragons—two crimson with scales like molten lava, two emerald with hues of deep forest green, and one midnight blue like the abyss itself—unfurled their massive wings. The thunderous beats sent gusts of warm air swirling across the training grounds, lifting dust and leaves as they rose, their forms towering over the soldiers before they followed Acel beyond the barrier, vanishing into the forest canopy with a grace that belied their power.
Zhao faced the rest of his team, his mind weaving a tapestry of strategy as he issued commands with a precision honed by necessity. "Valorn, train the Knights with the dragons—focus on synchronized strikes; they're our spearhead when we move out. Balor, work with Kael to reinforce the War Fortresses—enhance their plating and mobility; I want them ready to deploy wherever we strike. Lyra, position the Archers along the river with the Panoply guards—perfect your tidal wave defenses and ranged volleys; we'll need both in the fight ahead. Marcus, double resource gathering—wood, stone, leather, anything we can stockpile; we're not just defending but expanding our reserves. Elara, oversee the egg's exposure during training and assist Veyra—elixirs for stamina and resilience, enough for every Knight and dragon by tomorrow. Kael, craft divine-tier gear—prioritize the Knights' weapons and dragon armor; make them unstoppable. Veyra, brew elixirs to match—use the meat and leather; we'll need every edge."
The territory erupted into a whirlwind of activity, each subject moving with a purpose that mirrored the urgency in Zhao's voice. Valorn barked orders, his deep timbre rallying the Eternal Knights as they assembled near the training grounds, their Solfare weapons flashing with Vac fire in the morning light. The fifteen remaining Diamond-tier dragons lumbered forward, their massive forms casting long shadows as they joined the drills, their roars punctuating the clash of steel as they practiced aerial strikes, their claws raking the earth in synchronized assaults. Balor strode toward the Portable War Fortresses along the eastern perimeter, Kael following with a determined gait, his hammer already glowing with heat as he prepared to meld divine-tier enhancements—rune-etched steel plates that shimmered with an otherworldly sheen—into their frames. Lyra directed the Archers to the riverbanks, their Ancient Wave Panoply gleaming as they summoned tidal waves, the water rising in controlled arcs before crashing down with a resonant boom, sending sprays of mist into the air that caught the sunlight in fleeting rainbows. Marcus rallied his workers, their tools—a symphony of axes, picks, and carts—clattering as they dispersed into the forest, the rhythmic thud of chopping wood soon echoing through the trees. Elara positioned the pet egg near the training grounds, its crystalline surface pulsing with a faint golden light as it absorbed the combat energy, her eyes darting between it and the Celestial Alchemy Lab where Veyra worked, her silver hair catching the lab's starlight glow as she measured out meat and leather for her elixirs.
Zhao oversaw the preparations, his presence a steady anchor amid the flurry, his sharp eyes catching every detail—the Knights' fluid motions, the dragons' graceful dives, the War Fortresses' reinforced plating taking shape under Kael's hammer, the Archers' waves carving furrows in the riverbank, and Marcus's carts rolling back laden with resources. He issued quiet adjustments as he moved among them, his voice cutting through the din with precision. "Valorn, tighten the dragons' dive angles—keep them low to maximize impact. Balor, add mobility runes to the fortresses—speed's as vital as strength. Lyra, stagger the volleys—cover more range with fewer shots. Elara, rotate the egg closer to the dragons—let their energy seep in deeper."