As if set ablaze, the resplendent sunset illuminated the majestic Rainbow Sky City, which floated serenely amidst the vibrant hues.

Saga and Tixil the Amethyst Dragon had just passed through the Immortal Wind Barrier of Rainbow Sky City and arrived at the skyport entrance. Saga turned to the Pontiff of Beauty, who had warmly followed them to bid farewell, and whispered:

“Your Holiness, this is far enough. Please, return.”

The Pontiff of Beauty pondered for a moment, not leaving immediately but instead inquired thoughtfully:

“Where will you go after leaving Rainbow Sky City?”

Tixil replied, “The border between Dragonfall Mountains and Dusk Mountains, the Emerald Gorge.”

“Emerald Gorge. It’s not too far from Rainbow Sky City, but not close either. There might be troubles on your return journey. Let me escort you directly to the Emerald Gorge.”

The Pontiff of Beauty remained as enthusiastic as ever, even intending to escort Saga and Tixil personally, like a bodyguard, despite his lofty status.

Had it been Saga before winning the title of Flower of the World and the descent of the Goddess of Beauty, and had he sought the protection of the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty,

The temple would likely have sent some priests or bishops to escort him. But now, even if Saga did not need it, the Pontiff of Beauty was eager to personally ensure his safety.

For any sect of the gods,

The incarnation of a divine descent was too significant to ignore.

Saga wanted to decline the Pontiff’s kind offer. After all, he was the ruler of the Near Seas, and while that might not count for much on the Yar Continent, he was not so feeble as to need constant protection.

At that moment, Tixil’s voice echoed in Saga’s mind.

“Saga, do you remember the Storm Giant we encountered before?”

Saga’s brow quirked at the mention of the Storm Giant, and after a moment’s thought, he said to the Pontiff:

“Your Holiness, I am grateful for your enthusiastic escort.”

It wasn’t that he feared the Legendary Storm Giant; rather, Saga was curious to see the Giant’s frustration and rage after being thwarted by the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty time and again. The thought alone amused him.

“No, no, no. To guard the beauty of this world from harm is both my duty and my honor,” the Pontiff said with a beaming smile.

As he spoke, the Pontiff’s form faded from view, disappearing from sight, discreetly maintaining a distance that allowed Saga and Tixil to feel at ease while secretly staying close to the dragons.

Tixil and Charlotte tried to sense the Pontiff’s presence but found no trace of him.

It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

A high-ranking Legendary being could indeed conceal their presence from non-Legendary creatures.

But there were exceptions.

Within Saga’s field of Force Field perception, he could vaguely sense the presence of the Pontiff of Beauty, standing guard near them in the sky.

“Let’s go,” declared the Golden Dragon, spreading its wings and soaring from the skyport of Sky City.

Tixil the Amethyst Dragon and Charlotte the Gemstone Dragon flanked him on either side.

The three dragons left Rainbow Sky City together, their wings cutting through the clouds, stirring and tearing the fiery sunset, leaving long trails in the sea of clouds.

However,

Less than a minute later,

Saga and Charlotte’s dragon forms shuddered, and they halted their flight, hovering in the vast sky.

Behind them, the grand Rainbow Sky City was still within sight, but ahead, a cluster of clouds suddenly darkened into oppressive thunderclouds, filled with rolling thunder and dancing lightning, blocking the dragons’ path.

“I have waited for this moment for a long time,”

A voice as deep as thunder slowly resonated, reaching the ears of Saga and Tixil.

As the voice sounded, the thunderclouds obediently parted, revealing the Storm Giant with purple skin etched with flickering lightning patterns. He slowly rose from his throne of clouds, his towering form wrapped in a tempest, unleashing the formidable aura of a Legendary creature without restraint.

Giants, as a race, were generally weaker than dragons.

But the Storm Giant, as the leader of the Giants, could hold his own or even narrowly defeat the likes of Blue Dragons, Green Dragons, and Silver Dragons in single combat, though not a match for Red Dragons, Golden Dragons, or Amethyst Dragons.

The Storm Giant possessed immense strength and agility that defied the stereotype of sluggishness.

Coupled with powerful spell-like abilities, they could contend with dragons.

A Legendary Storm Giant was not something Saga had encountered before, like the Legendary Duke Tsunami or Shark King.

This Giant’s presence was more formidable than both Duke Tsunami and Shark King combined.

Feeling the Storm Giant’s might, Saga and Tixil exchanged a glance, then turned to face the Giant with a grin, saying:

“Have you forgotten what happened in Rainbow Sky City, daring to intercept us?”

“Aren’t you afraid of the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty coming after you again?”

To this, the Storm Giant chuckled softly, a look of composure and control on his face.

“Heh, trying to scare me off with the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty? A nice try.”

Being provoked at the temple’s gates was a lapse in his control, and it was normal for the temple’s people to intervene.

But now, far from the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty, the Storm Giant did not believe he would face their opposition again.

Then, with a deep voice, the Giant said:

“We are neither in Rainbow Sky City nor at the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty.”

“Although we’re not far from Rainbow Sky City, do you really think I’ll give you the chance to seek refuge there?”

After a pause, the Storm Giant lifted his head, eyes flashing with lightning, and declared:

“Besides, even if the Pontiff of the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty were here, she couldn’t stop me. I say so!”

With that, the Storm Giant raised his arm.

Crackling sounds filled the air as the clouds churned and lightning flashed, converging into a spear of lightning in the Giant’s palm.

“Turn to ash.”

With a dangerous roar, the Storm Giant hurled the lightning spear.

The spear, formed of lightning, streaked through the air, tearing through the clouds, and aimed straight for Saga’s head.

However, just as the lightning spear was inches from Saga’s forehead, it stopped.

More precisely, it was forced to stop.

A slender hand with long fingers appeared out of nowhere, touching the tip of the lightning spear.

The Storm Giant’s spear, thick and long, was halted by a hand of normal human size, creating a striking visual contrast.

At the same time, the Storm Giant’s pupils dilated with shock.

A sense of foreboding began to rise within him.

Then, as the Storm Giant watched nervously, the Pontiff of Beauty’s form gradually materialized from the air, starting from the delicate hand.

The Storm Giant…

Why on earth was the Pontiff of the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty here?!

Could it be that the Pontiff had escorted them out of Rainbow Sky City just because these dragons were pleasing to the eye?

He couldn’t believe it.

A bunch of damned lookists.

Deep inside, the Storm Giant railed against the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty.

“You said the Pontiff of the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty couldn’t stop you? Now I’m here, and it seems the reality is quite different,” the Pontiff’s voice was cold and indifferent.

The authority of a high-ranking Legendary Pontiff made the Storm Giant feel as if he had fallen into an abyss.

On the other side, the Storm Giant fell silent, at a loss for words.

Caught boasting in front of the very person he was talking about, the scene was exceedingly awkward.

But worse was to come.

His life might be at stake.

“Don’t underestimate the Storm Giant, you damned creature,” the Giant growled after a moment of silence.

Suddenly, a tremendous aura surged forth, as if the Storm Giant was about to unleash a powerful move.

Then, under Saga’s gaze, an endless whirlwind and lightning erupted around the Giant, his robust body instantly transforming into a tornado of thunder, and with a flash of lightning, he sped away.

The Storm Giant, who had just made bold threats, turned tail and ran without a moment’s hesitation.

The Pontiff of Beauty was momentarily taken aback, then a cold smile appeared on her flawless face.

“Take this divine spell, fate be upon you.”

A fiery divine light flared, transforming into a kiss of love, beautiful yet deadly, the kiss chasing after the Storm Giant.

The kiss of love was faster, with a tracking effect, and it struck the Storm Giant, who was nearly out of Saga’s sight, in an instant.

The kiss of love ignored defenses and resistances, instantly killing the Storm Giant upon impact.

In the distance, the Storm Giant, now a mere speck in Saga’s vision, transformed from a tornado of thunder back into his ordinary body, lifeless, and plummeted from the sky.

“That’s settled. You no longer need to worry about the threat from this Giant,” the Pontiff turned to Saga, her icy demeanor melting away to become warm and enthusiastic once again, a stark contrast.

A single strike to kill a Legendary Giant—this Pontiff must be among the mightiest in the Yar Continent.

Saga thought silently.

Although the Pontiff’s demeanor had always been refreshing to Saga,

He did not forget her decisive and lethal approach to heretics, and that she was a true high-ranking Legendary being, not ordinary in strength, capable of taking on two of her peers and coming out on top.

“Poor fellow, tsk, it probably died without understanding why the Pontiff of the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty would condescend to be a bodyguard for non-Legendary creatures,” Charlotte mused with schadenfreude.

Due to the dragons’ innate disdain and hatred for Giants, the Giant’s misfortune would not evoke their sympathy; instead, it would only make them laugh heartily and feel delighted.

The happiness of dragons sometimes came at the expense of the Giants’ pain.

After this little episode, Saga and Tixil resumed their journey.

When they had first come to Rainbow Sky City, due to the numerous powerful beings on the Yar Continent, the dragons had concealed their presence and form, only revealing themselves when they neared Sky City.

However, now with the protection of the powerful Pontiff of Beauty, they no longer needed to be so cautious.

Saga and Charlotte danced openly in the sky, weaving through the clouds, sometimes diving low, skimming over the forest canopy and stirring up leaves with the wind pressure, and at other times soaring high, their wings like blades shredding the clouds, leaving behind tattered trails. They reveled in the joy of flight, unbridled and carefree.

The creatures living on the Yar Continent were generally cautious.

Danger lurked everywhere, and with so many Legendary beings, one misstep could lead to fatal consequences.

The behavior of Saga and Tixil was nothing short of flamboyant.

Who knows how many eyes noticed these giant dragons.

Naturally,

Whether out of enmity towards dragons or coveting the dragons’ treasure-like bodies, Saga and Tixil encountered several attacks, and those bold enough to strike at several giant dragons were invariably Legendary creatures.

There are gaps even among Legendaries.

These invariably Legendary creatures were invariably dealt with easily by the Pontiff of Beauty.

On the Yar Continent, ordinary Legendary creatures were many, but those like the Pontiff of Beauty, who usually resided in the lofty Sky City and were rarely seen, were like the Legends of the Near Seas, wielding dominion-like power.

Under the protection of the Pontiff of Beauty, they enjoyed a rare journey of unrestrained flight, finally returning to Emerald Gorge.

Hovering at the border between Dusk Mountains and Dragonfall Mountains,

Overlooking the verdant, meandering Emerald Gorge, Saga turned to the Pontiff and said:

“We’ve arrived at Emerald Gorge.”

“You can stay here for a few days, Your Holiness. I will host a banquet in your honor.”

The Pontiff of Beauty had warmly hosted Saga and the dragons in Rainbow Sky City and had escorted them all the way, earning Saga’s favorable impression, prompting the invitation.

Upon hearing Saga’s words, the Pontiff showed a look of regret and said:

“I am very tempted, but the war between the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty and the Sect of Pleasure is far from over. The strife in Rainbow Sky City was just the beginning. I need to return to the temple to oversee the situation.”

Being able to escort Saga did not mean the Pontiff had nothing else to do.

It was simply because the ‘Flower of the World’ was of higher importance.

“Very well, I wish the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty a smooth journey, to completely eradicate the Sect of Pleasure and then thrive and spread throughout the world,” Saga offered his blessings.

This blessing came from the heart, for organizations like the Temple of the Goddess of Beauty, which could give and take at will, were beneficial for Saga.

“With blessings from the Flower of the World, my confidence is a hundredfold,” the Pontiff smiled faintly.

After a brief exchange, the Pontiff bid farewell to Saga and the others, then departed, disappearing into the airspace of Emerald Gorge.

Shortly after, the dragons returned to the Dragon’s Nest in Emerald Gorge.

“I wonder what the Goddess of Beauty would think if she knew how her powerful divine spells were being used. Would she regret bestowing her blessings?”

“Hmm, maybe the Goddess of Beauty already knows.”

At the same time,

A deep sense of drowsiness emerged, causing Saga’s eyelids to tremble uncontrollably, heavy with sleep.

Roar!

An ancient dragon’s roar shook the heavens, but Saga, on the verge of entering dragon sleep, had no interest in investigating.

“Tixil, Charlotte, I’m going to enter hibernation.”

“It shouldn’t take long.”

For Saga, breaking through to Legendary was just a matter of when the water reaches, the channel forms; it wouldn’t require a long dragon sleep.

“You’re about to break through to Legendary?”

“Yes.”

Tixil and Charlotte exchanged a look, both seeing astonishment in each other’s eyes.

“Saga, you’re still in your youth, right?”

“A young Legendary. It’s unimaginable to think that a dragon could step into Legendary during its youth. Your name will surely be recorded in the annals of dragonkind.”

As long as dragons don’t die young, they are destined to become Legendary.

But that takes time, normally at least a few hundred years.

To become Legendary in your twenties, not just among long-lived species like dragons, but even among short-lived species like humans, is an anomaly, a stage where the path to transcendence is just beginning for many creatures.

To be honest, Saga never thought he would become Legendary during his youth.

The transition from ninth tier to Legendary is a qualitative change, requiring a long accumulation and a long dragon sleep.

He estimated that he would step into Legendary only after his youth, during his adolescent years.

However, due to the descent of the Goddess of Beauty, Saga had gained significant benefits, making the breakthrough to Legendary a breeze.

Danger often comes with opportunity.

Saga’s rapid growth was related to his trouble-attracting nature, frequently encountering various crises. After all, in such situations, the outcome is either rapid growth or early demise, with little other choice.

Whether this is fortunate or unfortunate is worth pondering.

“You’re already strong now, but once you enter Legendary, I can’t imagine how formidable you’ll be,” Tixil the Amethyst Dragon said, looking at the Golden Dragon, whose aura was growing stronger.

The gap between Legendary and non-Legendary is staggering, but Saga was already capable of challenging Legendaries beyond his tier, and once he stepped into Legendary, he would surely experience a leap in progress and growth.

“Wait and see.”

After settling matters with his two companions, Saga entered dragon sleep in Emerald Gorge, taking his first steps on the path to Legendary.