Chapter 116: Dragon Rider (3)

Those dark specks in the distance were none other than Dragon Knights—an elite unit so legendary that even in wars between two great empires, they rarely appeared on the battlefield. Yet, the Western Empire had actually deployed them!

Every empire and kingdom possessed some Dragon Knights, to varying degrees—some were mages, others warriors. Alchemists, however, had never become Dragon Knights.

Of course, the Dragon Knights of the three great empires were far superior in both dragon and rider compared to those from other kingdoms, with only a rare few exceptions.

Dragon Knights earned their status as the ultimate force not only because their dragons fought in the skies, but also due to the devastating power of their dragon’s breath—a fiery blaze capable of incinerating everything in its path. Even the most formidable masters could scarcely withstand it.

Being legendary, Dragon Knights were exceptionally rare. Dragons themselves were not widespread, and those tamed by humans even less so.

Moreover, the dragons ridden by Dragon Knights were considered the lowest tier among their kind; most could not even transform into humanoid forms. Only a handful of dragons under a few Dragon Knights could assume human shape. These few riders represented the highest echelon of Dragon Knights, appearing only in the most extraordinary circumstances.

Deploying Dragon Knights against Ye Lang and his companions was already a sign of great respect—an acknowledgment of their threat. But the very highest tier would surely not be sent out.

“That madwoman will stop at nothing. She’s not afraid of the losses these Dragon Knights might suffer!” Ye Lang frowned deeply, as if wrestling with a difficult decision.

“Exactly! Using Dragon Knights to chase us is a reckless move. They’ll regret it when they end up crying later!” Ye Cheng Tian declared with boundless confidence.

Though facing Dragon Knights, they did not feel fear. Under normal circumstances, if it were just them against the Dragon Knights without the pursuing army behind, the outcome would be uncertain.

Dragon Knights were formidable, but with two Heavenly-level experts like Ye Yi and several nearly at that level like Ye Cheng Tian on their side, the advantage was not so one-sided.

Never forget: Heavenly-level experts were themselves legendary beings, among the strongest mortals in the world. They could even battle dragons—and thus, Dragon Knights were hardly a match for them.

The reason Dragon Knights were the ultimate unit is much like modern fighter jets. Though powerful, they could be destroyed by strong enough opponents. You wouldn’t send a fighter jet against petty bandits; such forces had to be preserved.

Similarly, Dragon Knights were kept in reserve because their loss would weaken the nation’s strength.

Are Dragon Knights fragile? Not exactly. They were more than capable of handling ordinary masters without risk. But against Heavenly-level experts, deploying them required great caution.

Heavenly-level masters should ideally face opponents of their own caliber, not Dragon Knights.

This time, Zhao Yaru did not send her Heavenly-level experts because she had just taken power and had yet to command these rare individuals. Ye Ai’s reputation was also high, so no one else would dare deploy theirs.

Dragon Knights, however, were different. No matter how legendary, they were soldiers—units she could command.

“They won’t engage us directly,” Third Brother said grimly. “Their role is to slow us down, let the pursuing army encircle us, and then… we’ll have no choice but to surrender—or die.”

“At this point, that’s all there is to do…” Ye Lang’s brow furrowed heavily.

“How do you propose we act? Do you have a plan?” Ye Yi asked, a mix of doubt and hope in his eyes.

“You all go on ahead. I’ll stay behind,” Ye Lang said, leaping down from Blue Rain’s back with a grace that defied expectation.

“What? Don’t be foolish!” Ye Yi and the others stopped, watching as Ye Lang quickly put distance between them.

Blue Rain turned immediately, wanting to return and pull Ye Lang back onto her mount.

“Go without me. I have a way to halt the advancing army. If I succeed, those Dragon Knights will be rendered useless,” Ye Lang said, taking a long staff and beginning to draw intricate patterns on the ground—an alchemical array.

This was the first time Ye Lang had drawn such a large alchemical array in front of everyone. It was clear he intended to unleash a form of alchemy unseen by any of them before. Judging by the preparation, its power would surely be tremendous.

Their hopes rested on this alchemical defense, though seven people’s combined effort was a meager force against an entire army. Could it really stop the pursuing troops?

“Move quickly! If you linger here, you’ll be trapped inside the array. What good would that do?” Ye Lang’s voice was low and urgent. “Get at least ten miles away!”

Ten miles? That meant his alchemical array affected a radius of ten miles—an enormous area for even one person to control!

“Brother!” Blue Rain halted, looking at Ye Lang.

“Da, don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Alone, I’m even safer,” Ye Lang smiled softly. He could never bear to be harsh with Blue Rain.

Everyone believed him. Even without these days of flight and pursuit, his habit of vanishing without a trace proved no one could catch him if he wanted to escape.

“Then hurry and catch up! And remember to take care of yourself!” Blue Rain urged.

“I know. I’ll be right behind you!” Ye Lang continued drawing his alchemical array, weaving increasingly complex and mysterious patterns.

If time had allowed, alchemists like Zhen Xiaoyan would have stayed to study his work carefully.

“Ye Lang, you can’t die—you still have to eat the meals I cook. You’re not allowed to run away your whole life!” Zhen Xiaoyan said softly. As an alchemist, the more she understood alchemy, the more worried she became.

In the world today, alchemy performed by a single person could not possibly hold back such a massive army unless it was prepared over many months or even years. Ye Lang’s hurried preparations made it seem impossible.

Yet deep inside, Zhen Xiaoyan believed in him—believed he had a way and could create a miracle. Otherwise, she would never have left so decisively.