My Ultimate Sign-in System Made Me Invincible-Chapter 425: Dragons Bow To No One

Liam raised his head slowly, his neck muscles protesting the movement after enduring the Pavilion Master’s crushing pressure. His eyes widened as he took in the sight above him, of the massive dark dragon standing in the air behind him.

Its form was both solid and somehow translucent, real yet not quite present. It looked physical, tangible, as if he could reach out and touch those void-black scales. But Liam’s enhanced senses told him the truth—this was an illusion, a projection.

Yet even as an illusion, it wielded power that defied understanding. How could something that wasn’t truly present in reality exert this much influence over it?

A voice resonated in Liam’s mind then, speaking directly to his consciousness. It was deep and ancient, and the words werespoken with absolute authority.

Stand and proudly raise your head high.

Dragons bow to no one and kneel before nothing. No one is allowed to stand above us, not even the gods themselves.

The crushing pressure from the Pavilion Master—that overwhelming force that had driven Liam to his knees—simply vanished, as if it had never existed in the first place.

Liam’s body responded instinctively to the voice’s command. His legs straightened, pushing him upward despite his injuries and his exhaustion, and despite the logical part of his mind screaming that he was too damaged to stand. He rose to his full height, his spine straightening, his head held high and the Blade of Tiamat held ready at his side.

He looked at the dragon hovering behind him, that magnificent impossible creature whose mere shadow wielded such devastating power, and smiled through the blood on his lips.

"Thank you," Liam said softly, genuine gratitude in his voice.

The dragon’s crimson eyes met his for a brief moment, and Liam felt something like approval flow through that ancient gaze. Then the light began to fade, the dragon’s form growing translucent, dissolving back into luminescence that flowed like water returning to its source.

Within seconds, the dragon was gone, and Liam’s back felt normal again, save for the tattoo, which had dimmed noticeably.

The intricate black lines that formed the dragon’s image had lost some of their depth, their color not quite as vibrant as before. But the tattoo was also slowly regaining its darkness, as if whatever power it had expended was gradually being replenished.

Liam’s smile widened as he turned his attention back to the Pavilion Master.

The man still hovered in the sky, but his expression had transformed completely. The cold rage that had consumed him earlier was still present, burning in his eyes like banked coals, but it competed now with something else—genuine, primal fear. His hands trembled slightly, his spiritual energy fluctuating in ways that betrayed his shaken composure.

He feared the dragon’s return. He feared that if he attacked again, that terrible roar might sound once more, and this time perhaps not stop at destroying his technique. Perhaps it would simply erase him from existence as casually as it had obliterated his palm strike.

But fear and rage make dangerous companions, and the Pavilion Master’s pride would not allow him to simply flee after witnessing the destruction of everything he’d built. Also, he felt that Liam doesn’t have the strength to summon the Dragon again.

His hands began forming seals, spiritual energy gathering around him, preparing another technique.

At that moment, Liam felt multiple presences, each one radiating power at the Void Amalgamation Realm or even higher, approaching from the direction of the Imperial Capital at blitzing speed.

The Pavilion Master felt them too. His head snapped toward the approaching presences, his eyes widening with a different kind of fear.

He tried to flee, his body blurring as he activated a movement technique that should have carried him beyond the horizon in seconds.

A massive golden hand materialized in the air behind him, fingers closing around his body with inexorable force. The Pavilion Master found himself unable to move. He struggled, pouring power into defensive techniques, but the hand held him as easily as an adult might restrain a child.

Six figures descended from the sky, their armor gleaming in the night light. Each wore identical gear—golden plate over crimson underlayers, with the Imperial dragon emblem emblazoned across their chests. These were not ordinary soldiers. Their bearing, their power, their perfect formation, all marked them as elite.

One of the armored figures broke formation, descending toward Liam while the others maintained position around the struggling Pavilion Master. The man removed his helmet as he approached, revealing a weathered face in his forties with sharp eyes that missed nothing.

"I am Captain Zhou Wei," the man said, his voice carrying the precise diction of someone accustomed to command. "Commander of the Emperor’s Banner, the imperial guard’s strike force. The dragon’s roar drew our attention from the capital." His eyes swept across the destroyed courtyard, taking in the bodies, the ash, the complete annihilation of what had been the Devouring Petal Pavilion’s headquarters. "Impressive work. May I know your name?"

Liam straightened slightly, still gripping the Blade of Tiamat but letting the white flame diminish to a flicker. "I am Liam," he said simply. "Owner of the Firelight Pagoda." He gestured toward the ruins around them. "The Devouring Petal Pavilion made the mistake of targeting someone under my protection. This was my response." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Captain Zhou’s eyebrows rose slightly, though whether from surprise at Liam’s youth, his casual admission, or the sheer scale of destruction he’d wrought, it was impossible to say.

"I see. The Emperor would very much like to meet you, if you’re willing."

Liam smiled, but shook his head politely. "I appreciate the invitation, Captain, but I must decline. It’s been a long day, as you can see." He gestured to his bloodied, torn clothing, his visible injuries. "Perhaps another time, when I’m more presentable."

The Captain studied Liam’s face for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I understand. The invitation remains open—visit the Imperial Palace whenever you wish. His Majesty will make time for you." He glanced at the Pavilion Master still held in that golden grip, then back to Liam. "What was your business with him specifically?"

"Justice," Liam said simply, his eyes moving to the trapped cultivator. "He and his organization tortured someone under my protection. They broke an old man’s hands and legs because they couldn’t find me. I wanted to ensure they understood the consequences of such actions." His gaze hardened. "What will you do with him?"

"The Devouring Petal Pavilion has long operated in the shadows of the Empire," Captain Zhou said, his tone professional but carrying an edge of satisfaction. "We’ve known of their existence, but they were careful never to cross lines that would warrant imperial intervention. Until today." He looked at the ruins around them. "Mass destruction within city limits, attacks on imperial citizens, operation of an illegal assassination organization—these crimes demand answers. He will face the Emperor’s justice."

Liam nodded slowly, understanding the unspoken truth beneath those words. The Empire hadn’t cared about the Pavilion’s crimes until the dragon’s roar had announced something exceptional occurring. Now they needed to be seen taking action, maintaining their authority. Politics and power, the same in every world.

But that worked in his favor. The Pavilion Master would face consequences, and Liam could walk away having completed his mission.

"Thank you, Captain Zhou," Liam said, genuine appreciation in his voice. "I will visit the palace soon. I promise." He took a step back, the Blade of Tiamat beginning to dissolve into light as he willed it back into his Dimensional Space. "If you’ll excuse me, I have people waiting for me."

"Of course," the Captain said, stepping back himself. "Until we meet again, Firelight Pagoda."

Liam smiled one last time, then vanished from the spot as he teleported himself away, leaving the Captain standing amid the ruins.

Captain Zhou looked at the empty space where Liam had stood, then up at his imprisoned captive, then around at the courtyard painted with ash and blood.

The coming days are going to be turbulent.