Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Five days later, Orion didn't see the thunderhawk, but he did see Gareth's messenger.

Three kilometers outside Blackstone City, Arden was intercepted by a Four-Winged Blood Bat.

Looking at the Four-Winged Blood Bat with its sharp roar and fierce eyes, Arden almost thought the dark beast tides hadn't ended.

It wasn't until he heard Orion's telepathic message that Arden breathed a sigh of relief. The Four-Winged Blood Bat also turned and went to patrol elsewhere.

Arden had no choice but to land his Storm Vulture and walk to Blackstone City.

This was the difference. Two years ago, Arden would fly right over Blackstone City, acting all high and mighty when delivering messages.

But this year, facing the Legendary-level Orion, he had to adjust his attitude. Big time.

In the Horde Hall, Orion met Arden in the reception hall.

"Messenger Arden greets Lord Orion!"

Arden adopted a very humble posture, immediately prostrating himself on the ground to salute Orion.

Previously, Orion had harbored murderous intentions towards Arden.

However, after his promotion to Lord, Orion simply ignored small fries like Arden.

"Gareth sent you with a message?"

Orion's face was calm, betraying no emotion. He was the picture of cool indifference.

"Yes, Lord Orion!"

Arden spoke submissively, not daring to show any disrespect.

"What's the message?"

Orion's expression remained neutral, giving nothing away.

"Lord Orion, Gareth said she awaits you at the border of Half-Moon Lake!"

Orion raised an eyebrow, his voice still calm, showing no change in emotion.

"Did she say what it's about?"

"No!"

Orion remained silent, and Arden continued to lie prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise his head.

The feeling of being oppressed by Orion's aura and words made Arden extremely uncomfortable.

"You may leave."

Arden's face showed a hint of joy, but when he looked up at Orion, the Lord had already vanished from the reception hall.

"Mr. Messenger, you best be on your way. You're not welcome here."

It was Dace, the guard, speaking. He knew very well that Orion didn't care for Arden one bit.

So, his tone was dripping with sarcasm as he showed Arden the door.

Being in Blackstone City, Arden had no choice but to swallow his pride. He didn't react at all.

However, before leaving, Arden glanced at Dace, his eyes filled with coldness and hatred.

A mere hero-level guard daring to give him attitude? Arden was *fuming* inside.

Only after leaving Blackstone City by a kilometer did Arden summon his Storm Vulture and ascend into the sky.

Arden looked at Blackstone City, which had expanded more than tenfold, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"This city is much larger and more magnificent than before!"

"They've developed so quickly in just one year?"

Roar!

The roar of a Four-Winged Blood Bat came from afar. Arden's expression changed, and he quickly urged his Storm Vulture south.

In the Horde Hall, at a window…

Lilith let out a soft moan, collapsing into Orion's arms.

Orion held Lilith's hips, kissed her hair, and whispered, "Tell Rendall and the other elders that I'm going to Half-Moon Lake to patrol the territory. I'll be back soon."

Moments later, lightning flashed, and Orion landed on the back of a Four-Winged Blood Bat.

Orion's sudden appearance startled the Four-Winged Blood Bat, causing it to tremble and struggle to maintain its balance.

"You spineless creature!"

"Take me south! Chop chop!"

After complaining, Orion withdrew his aura and supernatural power, standing firmly on the bat's back.

On the city wall, Delilah, who was inspecting the progress of the wall's repairs, sensed the Four-Winged Blood Bat's anxiety and shook her head.

In the sky, after receiving Delilah's instructions and reassurance, the Four-Winged Blood Bat flapped its wings, regained its balance, and flew towards Half-Moon Lake.

On the ground, Lysinthia and Slagor, escorting the Twilight Viper to Half-Moon Lake with a team of soldiers, heard the roar of the Four-Winged Blood Bat and looked up.

"If only we could fly, we wouldn't have to go through all this trouble!" Slagor sighed, glancing towards Half-Moon Lake before continuing on. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire

"There will be a day," Lysinthia said confidently, her faith in Orion unshakeable.

Several days later, near the eastern border of Half-Moon Lake…

Roar!

Roar!

Low roars echoed through the nearby forest, followed by the cracking and crashing of giant trees being toppled.

Two abyssal dragons stopped on opposite banks of a river, roaring at each other.

On the backs of the dragons sat Orion and Gareth.

"I thought it would take you two more days to arrive!" Gareth looked at Orion, sensing the undeniable aura of a Legendary-level being.

"It was Lord Gareth's summons. I wouldn't dare delay," Orion replied, his voice flat, using the honorific but conveying no respect.

"Are you joining the southern invasion?"

"Nope."

Orion's reply was swift and decisive, almost cutting Gareth off.

Gareth was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. "Straight to the point, I see. Why aren't you going south this time?"

"I need more time to build up my strength. My foundation isn't strong enough."

Orion's answer was flawless, and even Gareth found it reasonable. If she were in his shoes, she wouldn't go south either.

"I'm going."

"I want to see how powerful Lokiviria's insect lord really is."

Orion narrowed his eyes, studying Gareth. She wasn't what you'd call beautiful, with her bulging muscles and defined physique. She looked more like a man.

"Lord Gareth, aren't you worried that Lord Jorik will take advantage of your absence and seize the Abyssal Chasm?"

Honestly, this was the real reason Orion had bothered to come.

Gareth laughed softly at his question. Now she understood completely why Orion wasn't going south. Building strength was one thing, but fear of Jorik's backstabbing was another.

"Orion, if you went south and found out your black forest had been taken, what would you do?"

"I'd kill them."

Gareth chuckled again, a hint of amusement in her voice. "See? You would choose to retaliate. Don't you think other lords would do the same?"

"Besides, wouldn't you want to take the opportunity to conquer the northern ice plains?"

"The ice plains may be harsh, but they're home to many races and some unique life forms, like that wind elemental, for example."

"I'd love to claim the ice plains for myself!"

Orion remained silent, acknowledging the validity of Gareth's points.