After watching the footage, Kelly furrowed her brow and said, "That figure cloaked in black—if I'm not mistaken, I recognize him. He is Poseidon, one of the Seven Gods, the Sea God himself—an existence beyond an eighth-level psychic."
Xiao Feng's gaze hardened as he responded, "It seems we have encountered a serious problem. A near ninth-level psychic is beyond anyone here's ability to counter."
"Indeed, Poseidon ranks third among the Seven Gods. We stand no chance against him!" Kelly spoke with unmistakable familiarity regarding his formidable power.
Xiao Feng frowned deeply. "A ninth-level psychic... This is our first encounter with such a being. How can we possibly overcome him?"
Kelly's expression grew grim. "I have no solution. Ninth-level psychics are legendary entities."
Xiao Feng cursed under his breath, "Damn it. We'll deal with this when we return. Rush, let's head back to Tugou immediately."
Tugou chuckled lightly, "No need to panic. Poseidon, the Sea God, is manageable."
Rush sneered, "Keep bragging all you want. If it were just Poseidon alone, our combined strength could defeat him. But behind him stand six other legendary beings. Should all seven unite, it would spell catastrophe for us."
Xiao Feng nodded solemnly, "Rush speaks truth. If they come together, we won't stand a chance."
Tugou remained nonchalant. "We'll take it one step at a time. They might have been invincible before, but with our mechanical warriors now in play, their dominance is over."
Tugou's words gave Xiao Feng pause; he sensed an unspoken meaning. These mechanical warriors were not just Tugou alone. Xiao Feng's certainty grew.
...
In another city, within the Alliance Army Headquarters, stood a majestic structure. Though not towering, under the moonlight it radiated an imposing aura, starkly contrasting the other military buildings.
This edifice resembled more a temple or sanctuary. Before it, seven towering statues stood sentinel. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of ancient Greek mythology would recognize these as the Seven Great Gods.
At this moment, a mysterious figure cloaked in black robes gazed upward at the seven statues.
No one knew how he had bypassed the Alliance's security to appear here.
He stood silently, surveying each statue in turn with an impassive expression. Yet, on his pale, eerie face was embroidered a black dragon tattoo that covered half his visage. In the moonlight, the dragon seemed almost alive, crawling across his skin, its movements faintly perceptible.
Suddenly, the roar of a sports car approached rapidly and screeched to a halt before the temple doors. Poseidon emerged from the vehicle and immediately spotted the robed stranger.
A foreboding chill swept over him. He hesitated, then approached. Behind him, Hades, recently reborn in flesh, disembarked with a furrowed brow and followed slowly.
The stranger's cold expression twisted into a sly smile, deepening his sinister aura.
"Sea God Poseidon, Death God Hades—what a coincidence."
Poseidon stared coldly, "Who are you?"
The stranger chuckled, "Just a humble figure. You may call me Black Dragon."
"Black Dragon?" Poseidon mused, intrigued by the powerful aura surrounding him.
Hades's eyes narrowed as recognition dawned. "Leader of the Evil Dragon Sect, Black Dragon."
The stranger nodded, lowering his hood. "Indeed. Seems I have some renown."
Poseidon's gaze darkened. "What brings you here?"
"You don't seem too welcoming, nor do you offer a drink. I come with sincere intentions."
Poseidon turned and strode toward the temple, "Very well. I was just craving some wine. Let's drink and talk."
The three approached the temple's entrance. Black Dragon glanced up at the lintel, where a single word was inscribed—"Temple."
This was the dwelling of the Seven Gods, off-limits to outsiders and even most within the Alliance army. Only those of extraordinary standing dared to enter—like Black Dragon.
Inside, a luminous pool shimmered. Black Dragon stood at its edge, brow furrowing. This was no ordinary swimming pool. In its crystalline depths swam bulky dark shapes—sharks.
Fully grown sharks glided silently, resembling miniature submarines.
"I'm truly astonished. Feeding these sharks must be exorbitantly costly."
"They consume ten cattle daily. We even maintain a large-scale cattle farm for their upkeep. Truly expensive," Poseidon chuckled.
"We go without beef, and yet you feed ten fat cows to sharks every day?"
"So what? We're willing…"
Poseidon walked to a small table beside the pool, surrounded by four chairs. Several bottles of wine rested atop it. "You wanted a drink—come, join me."
Black Dragon sat down. "Exquisite wine. I've never tasted such fine vintages."
Poseidon scoffed, "Isn't that an exaggeration? As leader of the Evil Dragon Sect, I doubt you haven't tasted the finest."
"Truly not. The Evil Dragon Sect has little wealth."
"Then today, I shall be your host. Which bottle shall we open first?"
"The red wine—I'm fond of its color."
Poseidon uncorked a bottle and poured a glass for himself. "Why have you come here? I know of your Sect's cooperation with the Alliance, but we don't welcome your kind."
"Hmph. Let me be frank. I wish to join this temple as the Eighth God. I even have a name ready—Dragon God."
Black Dragon's words prompted a hearty laugh from Poseidon. "You jest. Living in this temple means enjoying the highest privileges. The Alliance grants us whatever we desire. But our sanctuary is not for just anyone to enter."
"My powers surpass level eight," Black Dragon asserted confidently.
"Even so, can you defeat our leader, the true ninth-level psychic, Zeus?" Poseidon poured him a glass disdainfully.
Black Dragon swirled the wine and inhaled its aroma. "Excellent. I wish to enjoy such a glass daily. But one thing puzzles me—what has Zeus to do with my entry?"
Poseidon smiled wryly, "You may enter through the Alliance, but Zeus will not welcome you. Killing you would be effortless."
"I understand. That is why I came—to negotiate how I might gain the approval of the Seven Gods."
Poseidon sipped his wine, smiling. "You are cunning. Let me consider..."
"But, Sea God Poseidon, will your conditions carry sufficient weight? If I meet them, will I join the temple?"
Poseidon's face darkened. "No doubt. First, listen carefully to the difficulty of my terms."
"Speak on."
"You must know the Alliance lost control of Black Whale City, a level-two city, to Xiao Feng and his forces. This disgrace haunts us. So my single demand is for you to reclaim or destroy Black Whale City. Difficult, isn't it?" Poseidon's eyes gleamed slyly.
Black Dragon's expression hardened, devoid of any smile. "You expect the Evil Dragon Sect to accomplish what the Alliance could not? That's absurd."
"Don't slander the Alliance. It's not that we cannot; we just need time to regroup. Besides, you think we would let you enter the temple so easily? If you fail, there is no deal. Leave now."
After pondering, Black Dragon replied, "Who says I cannot? It's laughable. Destroy Black Whale City, and you grant me entry."
"Agreed."
"Then it's settled. Cheers." Black Dragon drained his glass and turned toward the exit.
Hades sneered at his retreating form. "He truly believes he can do it."
"Perhaps. Even if he fails, it matters little to us," Poseidon chuckled.
Suddenly, a massive black shadow descended before the temple doors with a thunderous crash.
Without turning, Black Dragon leapt onto the back of the beast. It bellowed proudly, spreading wings nearly twenty meters wide before soaring into the starry sky.
Hades and Poseidon stood dumbfounded. Hades stammered, "Was that… a real dragon?"