Zephyrax''s eyes narrowed in bitter resignation, but the pointlessness of further resistance was clear.


    With a deep, grudging growl, he shed his own wed palm, letting his blood drip onto the glowing contract seal hanging in the air. The instant his blood made contact, the seal pulsed, solidifying the bond that tethered him to Linsley''smand.


    Linsley only nced at the contract with detached indifference.


    "Good. Now, I won''t waste time subduing the other Overlords myself. You and Fulminis are already bound to me and, as the strongest of your kind, I''ll leave the task to you two. No one else can stand against the both of you," he said, his tone cool and unyielding.


    Zephyrax, though seething internally, gave a curt nod of understanding. Fulminis joined his side, casting a brief look of disdain but saying nothing.


    With no further discussion, the two Overlords turned, spreading their wings and rising into the air, prepared to bring the remaining dragon kin into submission.


    From his vantage point, Linsley watched with a faint smirk as his two newly bound Level 9.8 Overlords, Zephyrax and Fulminis, ascended into the skies.


    Their powerful wings beat in unison, sending gusts of disced air sweeping across thendscape below as they moved to assert dominance over the remaining dragons.


    As they flew off to subdue the rest of their kin, Linsley crossed his arms, unconcerned.


    With the two strongest dragons now under hismand, the lesser Overlords—those at Levels 9.7 and below—wouldn''t dare put up serious resistance. He didn''t need to lift a finger; his new pawns would bring the others in line without dy.


    Soon, distant roars filled the air as Zephyrax and Fulminis approached their targets, their aura saturating the atmosphere with an undeniable pressure.


    The dragons below, sensing the presence of their highest-ranking kin, began to emerge from their varied terrains.


    Though initially defiant, the lesser dragons quickly recognized the overwhelming power of Zephyrax and Fulminis, each a formidable Overlord in their own right. Thebined presence of the two most powerful dragons in their race cast a shadow of inevitability over any thoughts of rebellion.


    Linsley observed the scene from a distance, arms crossed and expression impassive. One by one, the lesser dragons yielded, their roars of defiance fading into submission as they epted the authority enforced by Zephyrax and Fulminis.


    Soon, the two Level 9.8 Overlords returned, the faint gleam of duty fulfilled in their eyes.


    "They''re under control," Fulminis reported, his tone respectful. "The dragon race acknowledges your rule."


    Linsley gave a brief nod, his expression barely shifting.


    "Good," he replied coolly. "Now let''s continue. There''s more to im, and I don''t intend to waste time."


    Fulminis raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly are we iming next?"


    Linsley gave a nonchnt shrug, his gaze sweeping over the conquered dragons below.


    "The world," he replied simply. "The Gale Continent already bows to me. The Dragon Continent isn''t my first conquest, and it certainly won''t be myst."


    Hearing this, Zephyrax''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully before a wicked glint appeared in them.


    "Then let us set our sights on the Phoenix Continent next," he suggested, his tone cold. "The phoenixes have always unted their so-called rebirth. It''s about time those self-righteous birds understood what it means to fall. Why should only we dragons endure your im? Those bird-brains should be brought under your rule, too."


    Linsley smirked at Zephyrax''s eagerness. "Fine. If you want the Phoenix Continent to share in your fate, I''ll allow it." Explore hidden tales at empire


    Fulminis grinned, crackling energy sparking around him. "Then let us prepare," he said. "The Phoenix Continent will soon understand what true power looks like."


    With a wordless nod, Linsley mounted Fenrir, who padded forward as if the sky itself were solid ground, his massive paws leaving ripples in the air. Yamata no Orochi undted behind them, his serpentine body swimming fluidly through the clouds.


    As they soared toward the Phoenix Continent, they crossed vast, sparkling oceans dotted with numerous inds. Each ind teemed with various monsters, their forms visible in the fading light, but Linsley and hispanions paid them little mind, their sights set firmly on the Phoenix Continent ahead.


    Ahead, the distant shape of the Phoenix Continent took form, its peaks piercing the horizon like fiery daggers.


    But as they drew closer, the vividndscape changed, and an ominous silence settled over their approach.


    The once-mighty mountainsy ttened, their surfaces scorched and pockmarked with churning rivers ofva spilling over barren ground. Volcanoes were half-copsed, still oozing molten rock as clouds of smoke and ash choked the sky.


    Bones and charred corpses of countless monster birds—Wind Eagles, Fire Falcons, Thunder Sparrowsy scattered across the ashennd.


    And amidst them, even the majestic forms of Phoenixesy broken and lifeless, their radiant feathers dulled, their beaks and talons twisted in final struggles.


    The sheer devastation silenced Fulminis and Zephyrax, their eyes wide with shock.


    Despite their rivalry with the Phoenixes, they had shared a long history with these powerful creatures, often locked in fierce but grudgingly respectfulpetition. The ancient bond of frenemies, a tension of strength and pride, had bnced their enmity.


    Zephyrax broke the silence, his voice hoarse. "Even the Phoenixes... massacred."


    Fulminis curled his ws, his gaze hardening as he looked at Linsley. "This… who could have done this?"


    Linsley, unfazed, scanned the wreckage with a calm assessment. "It seems we''re not the only ones iming territory," he replied, his voice cutting through the silence.


    Zephyrax retorted, his voice low and fierce, "Even if they were iming territories, they shouldn''t have massacred the Phoenixes. You conquered the Dragon Continent, yet we weren''t ughtered like this."


    Linsley shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "Can''t you see? While their corpses are scattered, they are devoid of flux. Humans hunt your dragons and the phoenixes for their blood, and even when it''s spilled, there are remnants of abundant flux. But from the looks of it, the perpetrator of this massacre absorbed their flux to make themselves stronger."


    Fulminis narrowed his eyes, ncing over the destendscape. "So, we''re dealing with someone who not only has power but also an insatiable hunger for it. This changes everything."


    "Exactly," Linsley replied, his voice steady as he surveyed the scene. "We need to gather information. There may still be survivors hiding amidst the chaos."