Yulan Calendar Year 9722, on the eve of the Yulan Festival.
Though not as lively as the ten-thousand-year milestone of the Yulan Calendar, it remained one of the year's major festivals.
In the Holy Capital of the Radiant Church—Fenlai City—people celebrated the joyous holiday in the streets.
A cold and handsome man strolled along the Champs Avenue with a beautiful girl, watching the snowflakes fill the sky and listening to the sounds of celebration all around.
"Milord, isn't this all so beautiful?" the girl said softly, clearly enjoying the warmth of the atmosphere.
And yet, a touch of sorrow lingered in her heart—because they had come to shatter this beautiful scene.
"Milord, could we… not harm the ordinary people in the city?" Reyna asked quietly.
Sadius gently patted her head.
"Reyna, don't worry. The attack will target only the Radiant Church's Holy City. The people of Fenlai will witness their sacred Radiant Church reduced to rubble beneath the claws and feet of magical beasts."
Sadius didn't intend to destroy the entire Fenlai City like Linley did in the original novel, forcing humanity into perpetual flight.
He wanted their faith. He wanted all humans in the Holy Alliance to revere the great Sadius.
Sadius was well aware of the importance of faith energy. That's why he chose to spare the humans of the Holy Alliance.
Once the Radiant Church was destroyed and he performed a few miracles across the region, most mortals would naturally turn their faith toward him—Sadius.
As for the handful of fanatical believers in the Radiant Church? They'd simply have to be exterminated.
At precisely twelve noon, just as the new Radiant Pope rang the bell in the sacred temple…
A swarm of Saint-level magical beasts descended upon Fenlai City.
In the skies, a handsome and aloof man held a girl in one arm and gripped a purple divine sword in the other. With a single slash, he cut toward the Radiant Church's sacred temple.
That very night, under the black sky, the people witnessed a terrifying scene: a host of enormous Saint-level beasts and two radiant Angels descended from above.
The sound of dreadful beastly roars replaced the bell chimes. Doomsday had come.
That day, overwhelming terror engulfed the Holy Alliance. Even the capitals of other kingdoms and duchies were attacked by magical beasts.
Sadius' single strike shattered the Radiant Church's defensive array—an array that had taken Linley two blows to destroy in the original story.
Saint-level magical beasts and the two Angels charged into the temple.
The newly appointed Radiant Pope scrambled to organize the temple's experts in defense.
The angelic battle formation reappeared.
Yet Sadius did not intervene.
Instead, three powerful beings—Harsel, Dulin Baruch, and a Saint-level Black-Armored Giant Scorpion—joined forces. They crushed the formation with ease and slaughtered the defenders.
The Radiant Temple collapsed beneath the onslaught of magical beasts.
Fenlai Royal Palace.
The reigning king knelt inside the hall.
Sadius now sat upon the throne. Reyna stood respectfully beside him.
Just moments ago, a group of flying dragons had stormed the palace.
When the king was brought into his own throne room, he saw a stranger seated on his throne.
The King of Fenlai immediately realized—this man must be the architect behind tonight's catastrophe.
"King of Fenlai?"
"Yes, Your Excellency." The King quickly changed his tone. "I mean… this humble one."
To call oneself a king before such a powerful being might just get him killed.
"You've heard of the Pouant Empire?"
"This humble one has. It was a mighty empire five thousand years ago on this land—its territory once encompassed the combined scope of the present-day Holy and Dark Alliances."
The King was puzzled—why ask this?
Then, beside Sadius, a Saint-level soul spirit quivered with emotion.
"I had a friend who once served as a Saint-level Court Magus of the Pouant Empire. I intend to rebuild the Pouant Empire for him."
Doehring Cowart couldn't help but express his gratitude. Once the First Grand Magus of the Pouant Empire, he had witnessed its peak glory.
Back then, he had even believed he could become a figure like the High Priest—a true cornerstone of the empire.
But later, ambushed and killed by enemies, his soul had no choice but to hide within the Coiling Dragon Ring.
When he awakened again, the world had changed. Even the Pouant Empire had long since fallen.
And now—Sadius would rebuild it in his name.
Though it might share only the name, Doehring Cowart was still deeply moved.
"Milord, if you're rebuilding the Pouant Empire…what about the Radiant Church?" the Fenlai King asked.
"The Radiant Church will be destroyed tonight. As for the Dark Church, I'll drive them steadily southward—until I'm satisfied."
The Fenlai King was shocked. Was this beast-controlling man truly so terrifying?
Could he be a God?
The King's heart stirred with the possibility.
Only a divine-level expert could speak with such confidence.
"The Fenlai Kingdom is willing to pledge loyalty, becoming the first vassal of the new Pouant Empire."
The King declared his allegiance at once.
Sadius smiled. At least this one understood the times.
"Good. Tomorrow, I'll perform a miracle before your people. Then, I'll need them to construct my imperial palace at the western edge of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts."
The King had no choice but to agree.
The Saint-level magical beasts slaughtered every last person in the Radiant Church's temple. Then, they swaggered out without fear.
By dawn, the King of Fenlai urgently mobilized the remaining city troops to stabilize Fenlai City and clean up the destroyed temple grounds.
The next day, the citizens of Fenlai were gathered in the city's largest square by the military.
Students and teachers from the Ernst Institute of Magic assembled together.
They had all witnessed the calamity of the previous night.
Founded by the visionary Pope Ernst, the Ernst Institute was inherently tied to the Radiant Church.
When the Saint-level magical beasts razed the temple, these students and teachers could only cower inside the academy.
Now that the catastrophe had passed, they began questioning the King.
"How could the Radiant Holy City be ambushed by a magical beast army without the Fenlai Kingdom knowing?" an eighth-rank light-element Magus demanded, glaring at the ninth-rank King.
The King's response echoed across the square:
"Everyone! The Radiant Church has been destroyed. The Fenlai Kingdom has joined the newly founded Pouant Empire. From this day forward, anyone within our borders who worships the Radiant Church will be considered a heretic. The Pouant Empire shall worship only the great Divine Dragon—Lord Sadius!"
"Sadius?! That Saint-level Razorback Dragon… He's returned!"
Panic swept through the crowd.
But the King of Fenlai remained calm.
High above the square, a figure appeared—it was Sadius.
He activated his innate divine ability: Azure Dragon Transformation.
A thousand-meter-long Azure Dragon materialized before all.
With a single draconic roar, the masses were stunned speechless.
Unlike the terrifying, wicked aura of the Armored Razorback Wyrm, this Azure Dragon radiated divine majesty.
None had ever seen an Azure Dragon, but at first glance, everyone felt this was a true Divine Dragon.
As the daze faded, all present dropped to their knees.
Then, the Azure Dragon performed miracles using the Water Elemental Profound Mysteries.
Currently, upon transforming into an Azure Dragon, Sadius could only use this one form of Water Law profundity. He didn't need to comprehend it, but also couldn't cultivate any other Water mysteries.
Elemental water surged forth, forming miraculous displays for all to witness.
At that moment, Sadius felt a trickle of faith energy merge into his body.