Inside the main hall of the Draconia Clan, Darius Draconia stood in front of a wide window overlooking the training grounds below.
Behind him, one of his trusted assistants knelt on one knee, head lowered.
Darius did not turn around.
"Is it done?"
The assistant swallowed. "Yes, Patriarch. We sent multiple groups disguised as pirates toward the God Archipelago."
Darius's fingers tightened slightly behind his back.
"And?"
The assistant hesitated for half a second.
"They failed."
Silence filled the hall.
Outside, distant dragon roars echoed faintly from the lower arena. Inside, the air felt heavy.
"They were intercepted before reaching inner waters," the assistant continued carefully. "Even their outer patrol disciples are… far stronger than expected."
Darius slowly turned around.
"How strong?"
The assistant lowered his head further. "Even mid-tier disciples easily defeated our hired captains."
