But at this moment, before the enraged Catastrophe Level Giant Dragon, the two Domain Level Powerhouses seemed so small, so utterly powerless.

Raylo, riding Baofeng, slowly descended, landing on a large boulder not far away.

His gaze swept over the pile of corpses and the two surviving Domain Level Powerhouses, finally settling on the completely wrecked Magic Submarine.

On the submarine’s shattered, scratch-covered hull, he saw a ferocious symbol painted in bright red.

It was a blood-red skull, wreathed in flames.

Two sharp Curved Sabers were crossed within the skull’s eye sockets.

Seeing this symbol, Raylo’s pupils constricted slightly.

The Blood Skull.

A massive pirate crew from the Endless Sea, powerful enough to rival the Empire Fleet.

Unlike the Black Sails merchant guild, which dabbled in both trade and piracy, the Blood Skull pirates were pure desperadoes who lived for nothing but plunder and slaughter.

Their vicious reputation along the Continent’s coastal regions was enough to make crying children fall silent.

’I can’t believe they’re the ones who stole the Dragon Egg.’

Just then.

RUMBLE...

A massive, cyan Dragon Egg slowly rolled out from the pile of corpses and debris.

The surface of the Dragon Egg was covered in intricate, storm-like patterns of Magic Power, and it radiated a faint halo brimming with the aura of life.

The moment she saw the Dragon Egg, Airelia’s cyan eyes, which had been filled with overwhelming killing intent, instantly softened.

Ever so carefully, it extended a claw.

With the tip of its claw, it gently nudged the Dragon Egg in front of it.

Then, it lowered its equally massive head and gently pressed its cheek against the cool shell.

The gesture was filled with endless love and the joy of recovering something precious that was lost.

Even Raylo was moved by the sight.

Whether human or Giant Dragon, a mother’s love for her child is universal.

However, the tender moment didn’t last long.

Airelia’s cyan eyes once again turned to the two surviving, shivering Domain Level Powerhouses.

The tenderness in her eyes was long gone.

In its place was a cold and pure killing intent.

"No! Don’t kill me! Lady Airelia! We... we were just following orders!"

The Domain Level Mage finally buckled under the terrifying, almost tangible killing intent and let out a horrified scream.

He wanted to beg for mercy, to explain himself.

But Airelia gave him no such chance.

Slowly, it raised its massive, mountain-like claw.

Then, it brought it crashing down.

"No!"

The desperate, shrill scream was cut short.

SPLAT!

Two dull splats, like the sound of watermelons being crushed, echoed out.

The two Domain Level Powerhouses—men who could dominate entire regions and command awe in the outside world—were unceremoniously crushed into the hard, cold rock beneath that single stomp.

They were reduced to two indistinct pools of blood, gore, and shattered bone.

After dealing with the two thieves, the torrential rage in Airelia’s heart finally subsided somewhat.

It slowly turned, its massive eyes once again falling upon Raylo.

This time, its gaze was filled with sincere gratitude.

"Human."

Its cool, proud voice echoed in Raylo’s mind.

"You helped me find my child, and you helped me wash away my shame."

"I, Airelia, the Master of the Flowing Wind, owe you a great debt."

"As a reward, I will give you the most precious Treasure from my collection!"

As she finished speaking,

Airelia opened her giant maw.

A fist-sized, cyan Crystal Stone, shimmering with a brilliant, flowing light, slowly floated out from her mouth.

The Crystal Stone seemed to have been condensed from the purest Wind Element.

Within the Crystal Stone, countless tiny, cyan streams of light, like bolts of Lightning, zipped back and forth.

A pure, vast energy, suffused with the aura of the very origin of the Law of Wind, radiated from the Crystal Stone.

Just by being near it, Raylo could feel the Fighting Spirit in his body stir, as if wanting to dance on the wind.

"This is the Wind Source Core."

Airelia’s voice explained.

"It is unique to Storm Cape, and it is the reason I remain here."

"It contains the purest Law of the Origin of Wind. It can help you comprehend the Power of wind, and perhaps even grant you the chance to prematurely grasp a sliver of the power of a wind-based Catastrophe."

She presented this Treasure—an object that would drive any Domain Level Powerhouse to madness—to Raylo.

"Take it. You’ve earned it."

Raylo stared at the Wind Source Core floating before him, radiating an irresistible temptation. Inside, however, his mind was in turmoil.

He could sense that Airelia wasn’t lying.

The energy contained within this Crystal Stone was simply immense.

If he could truly absorb it, his strength would undoubtedly break through to a new, unimaginable level.

This was an opportunity great enough to change his very destiny.

However.

And yet, there was not the slightest trace of greed or joy on Raylo’s face.

He merely gazed at the Wind Source Core in silence for a moment.

Then, slowly, he shook his head.

"Lady Airelia, I appreciate the kind gesture."

His voice was calm yet firm.

"But I cannot accept this Treasure."

A flicker of astonishment crossed Airelia’s massive eyes at his response.

’She hadn’t expected anyone to be able to refuse such a great temptation.’

"Why?"

she asked, perplexed.

Raylo looked up, met her gaze, and slowly voiced the thoughts in his heart.

"Because the threats I face are far more complex than you can imagine."

His current predicament couldn’t be solved with just one or two Treasures.

The Wind Source Core was an exceptionally rare Treasure, but it would take a long time to absorb and integrate.

And time was what he lacked most.

"Lady Airelia, a powerful Treasure might give my strength a temporary boost,"

Raylo said.

"but it cannot help me solve my real problems."

"Therefore, I would like to exchange this peerless Treasure for a promise."

He looked at Airelia and stated his request.

"I wish for you to give me a promise."

"A promise that in the future, should I face a crisis I cannot resolve on my own, you will intervene and help me, just once."

Having said his piece, he waited quietly for Airelia’s reply.

The entire mountain peak fell silent once more.

Only the mournful sea wind whistled.

Airelia’s expression flickered, her gaze shifting.

’She never imagined this young human would forsake such a monumental opportunity—one that was right within his grasp and could grant him a massive surge in power.’

’All to trade it for a vague, ethereal promise of future aid.’

’A promise from a Catastrophe Level Powerhouse.’

To many, this choice might have seemed foolish.

But to Airelia, it was also a wise and shrewd one.

But she also understood clearly: for this young human to give up the ultimate Treasure she offered in exchange for a single instance of her aid...

...could only mean one thing. The danger he expected to face was so terrifying and deadly that the price of her intervention could far exceed the value of the Wind Source Core she had offered.