The wind rustled as a dark streak split the night sky, flying straight into darkness. Before long, something descended onto a cliff of a mountain. 

What sounded like the flapping of wings turned to footsteps and rustles, as pebbles tumbled down the mountain.  

"Damned humans..." a raspy voice muttered, full of malice and anger.

"That attack was at least eighty percent of their manpower... around 100 Peak Saint Realm cultivators coupled with those thousand Spirit Realm ants... you dare raze my kin? When I recover, watch me do the same!" 

"You won't get a chance if you die today, am I right?"

"Who's there?" 

7 humanoid figures appeared in front of the mountain. 

"My, my, Dragon Lord Draathar, don't tell me you've forgotten us already? Your wings are looking in pretty good shape, perfect for stew!" 

"Hmph! An insolent brat! I'll take your measly World Emperor cultivation ant life first." 

The man wearing a eunuch's robe with the Emperor's insignia in front of the 6 chuckled. "There are 7 World Emperor ants being's life here for you to take! But do you dare? 

"I'll wipe that smirk off your face first, the Head Advisor of the Emperor." The dragon revealed itself. Fiery garnet eyes sit within the creature's soft, angular skull. 

Several enormous horns sit atop its head, above its thick, cat-like ears. A row of small crystal growths runs down the sides of each of its jawlines. Rows of sharp teeth poke out from the side of its mouth and give a slight hint at the terror hiding inside.

A thick neck runs down from its head and into a bulky body. Large scales and a crystal ridge run down its spine. Rough, scarred skin covers its bottom, colored darker than the rest of its body. Two slender limbs carry their body and allow the creature to stand illustrious and imposing.

Two massive wings grow to start from its shoulders and end past its shoulder blades, with curved talons growing from each ending like giant scythes.

"Still domineering even though you're covered in wounds and blood. Worthy of the name Dragon Lord." 

"Scared, huh? Looks like you don't dare to fight me alone." Drathar snorted in contempt. 

Anger flared up in the robed man's eyes. 

"Calm yourself." Another man tapped his shoulder, with greed in his eyes; instead of blood lust. "When we absorb the dragon-blood essence of a 10,000-year-old dragon, our cultivation must rise! We may be able to break through to the Celestial Realm!" 

"Yes!" Another man chimed in. "Don't forget to share! I've betrayed a lot of beast kin allies of this essence. The emperor better remembers the promise." 

"Of course! Go and kill the big lizard!" 

The 6 figures behind the robed man dashed forward, brandishing their weapons.

[My dragon-blood essence? Is that what they killed for? Humans truly are corrupt for power. Either way, there's no way in hell I'll let you bastards get my essence!] 

Draathar retracted in his wings and inhaled. 

Seeing the unmoving dragon, the man also laughed in glee. Raising his sword, he yelled arrogantly, "Scared of death, damn lizard? I'll spare your feeble life if you give me all your essences!"

Time slowed down as swords and sabers were only inches away from the dragon's body. 

Triumph beamed on the men's faces, which eventually turned into shock, then panic, as a mighty roar boomed across the night sky, blasting the 7 men away. 

"You, you, neutralized my dantian!" The man in blue said in an annoyed tone, wiping the blood dripping from his mouth after glancing at his injuries.

"That's right. Your life is next." Draathar flapped his wings and turned into a blur, positioning right behind the man in blue. Raising his claws, which had glowed crimson, and swung it down. 

"Aegis! Defend and Guard! Divine Barrier Formation!" 

A loud clank could be heard but more profoundly within the barrier as shock waves rumbled within, throwing the man backwards while spatting blood, directly knocking him out. 

The Emperor's advisor clapped his hands. "Mastery Stage of the Draconic Claws and that speed despite your size. Truly formidable! Too bad the Divine Shield Formation is here." 

"You tenacious cockroaches even brought Grade 2 Life Lavishing Pills."

Drathar flapped and instantaneously moved behind a sword attack. Swinging his claws, he sent another man flying, while using his tail to swat another cultivator like a fly with a swish. 

"Let's go together!" The 5 World Emperors clasped their weapons and gathered their 

"Wait, no! He has the ro-" 

The Emperor's advisor could not finish his sentence before a mighty roar once again descended, blowing away the 6 stooges. 

[Can't kill them with that the formation up, and I'm losing blood fast. If they get any attacks in, I'm pretty much doomed. As much as I hate it, it looks like I have to escape.]

Draathar flapped his wings and flew high into the night sky. 

"Think of escaping? Not under my watch!" an arrogant voice cried out. 

"Hmph! Who said I was escaping? Eat this!" Draathar said with disdain. 

Draathar roared once more, pushing the 6 cultivators back as ripples of power hammered upon them. [This power will be mine!] They thought, shivering from greed, but before long turned to fear as the night sky brightened. 

6 blazing meteors plummeted at immense speed, homing in at their location. 

"Dodge! Or else we'll die!" someone screamed, as the meteors also hummed with pressure, crashing upon the 6 World Emperor cultivators like a tsunami on the coast. 

Draathar flashed behind them. "Yes, you will die." 

The World Emperors immediately utilized their movement techniques with Draathar's presence, using their full speed to move away from the descending meteors, who landed with a thunderous boom and bright light. 

"Checkmate..." Draathar muttered as streams of whirling dust brushed against the night sky. Dry, feathery particles covered their bodies as light coughs sounded about. 

"Demonic Blood Sacrifice Formation with Elven Dreamworld Illusionary Formation!"