Chapter 20: The Celestial Golden Sky Citadel Part 1: The Fortress Above the Clouds The sky was silent. But it was not peaceful. It was the silence of something ancient awakening. The Originless Heaven Ark slowly moved through the clouds, its enormous body surrounded by layers of mysterious formations. Below it was the endless ocean. Above it was a world that belonged to another race. The realm of the Garuda. For countless generations, the Naga had lived beneath the waves, separated from the world above. The sky had always been a place they could only see from afar. A place where their enemies ruled. But now, standing upon Adrian's artifact, they finally witnessed the true territory of the Garuda. The Celestial Golden Sky Citadel. It was not a simple city. It was a fortress built for war. A massive floating structure suspended in the heavens, supported by countless ancient formations. Golden spiritual energy flowed around its walls like rivers. Huge defensive barriers surrounded the entire fortress. Every layer contained countless runes, each one representing an ancient technique created by generations of Garuda ancestors. The fortress itself looked like a golden mountain floating above the clouds. At the center of the citadel stood a massive palace. The residence of the Garuda Clan Leader. And above that palace... A giant statue of an ancient Garuda spread its wings toward the sky. It was not merely a decoration. It contained the remaining will of an ancient ancestor. Even from a distance, Adrian could feel the pressure coming from it. The Naga elders became silent. They had heard countless stories about the Garuda. But stories could never describe the reality. "This is..." One of the Naga elders whispered. "The place that has existed above us for thousands of years." Another elder clenched his fists. "The source of our suffering." Adrian did not answer. His eyes remained focused on the fortress. He could feel countless spiritual auras inside. Thousands. No. More than thousands. The entire fortress was filled with warriors. Elite Garuda soldiers stood on the walls. Their golden armor reflected the sunlight. Their wings created powerful currents around the fortress. Every one of them carried the pride of their race. They were not ordinary soldiers. They were warriors raised in a civilization that had survived for countless years. Then— A powerful voice echoed throughout the sky. "Human cultivator." The sound traveled through the entire area. The Garuda fortress formations activated slightly. A figure appeared above the main palace. A tall man with golden wings. His presence alone caused the surrounding spiritual energy to tremble. The Garuda Clan Leader. Behind him were several figures. The ancient elders of the Garuda clan. Each one carried an aura far beyond ordinary cultivators. Some had lived for thousands of years. Some had experienced countless battles. They looked at Adrian with complicated expressions. The clan leader stared at the Originless Heaven Ark. Then his eyes moved toward the Naga standing behind Adrian. "So..." "The Naga have truly found a protector." Adrian stepped forward. The wind moved around him. "I am not their protector." The Garuda leader narrowed his eyes. "Then why did you come?" Adrian looked directly at him. "To end this conflict." The entire sky became silent. Then— A Garuda elder laughed. "End?" "Do you believe you can decide the fate of two ancient races alone?" Adrian looked at him calmly. "No." "I believe the suffering of countless lives should not continue because of the pride of a few." The elder's expression darkened. "You speak like someone who understands everything." "But you are still young." "You have not witnessed the birth of our hatred." "You do not know what the Naga did in the ancient era." Adrian remained silent. Because he knew. History was rarely simple. Every race had their own memories. Their own pain. Their own reasons. But suffering from the past did not justify endless suffering in the present. The Garuda Clan Leader looked at Adrian. "Human." "You came here with the Naga behind you." "You stand before our home." "And you ask us to end everything." His golden wings slowly opened. "Do you think we will accept this?" Adrian looked at the warriors surrounding the fortress. "No." A slight surprise appeared in the Garuda leader's eyes. Adrian continued. "I know you will refuse." "Your pride will not allow surrender." The Garuda warriors became angry. But Adrian's expression did not change. "That is why I came myself." The atmosphere became heavier. The Naga behind Adrian remained silent. They understood. This was no longer a conversation between races. It was a confrontation between two paths. One side carried the weight of ancient hatred. The other carried the determination to end it. The Garuda Clan Leader raised his hand. Immediately— Thousands of Garuda warriors moved. The entire Celestial Golden Sky Citadel awakened. Ancient formations began rotating. Golden light spread across the sky. Massive weapons hidden within the fortress slowly revealed themselves. The Naga elders felt their expressions change. "This fortress..." "It was built as a weapon." Adrian looked at the countless formations. His eyes became slightly serious. Finally... A real battlefield. The Garuda Clan Leader spoke. "Human cultivator." "You are powerful." "We acknowledge that." "But this is the home of the Garuda." "Behind me are my people." "My ancestors." "My entire history." His voice became stronger. "If you wish to stop this conflict..." "Then prove that your determination is stronger than the pride of the Garuda." Adrian looked at him. The Void Sovereign Skyblade slowly appeared beside him. Silver light reflected across the clouds. "I never wanted this battle." "But if you choose to continue..." A calm killing intent spread. "Then I will accept." The moment those words fell— The Celestial Golden Sky Citadel released an overwhelming wave of power. The heavens trembled. The battle above the clouds was about to begin. But before the first attack... One more presence awakened. From the ancient statue above the palace... A pair of golden eyes slowly opened. The Naga elders immediately felt their bodies become heavy. The Garuda warriors lowered their heads. Adrian looked upward. A faint smile appeared. "So..." "There is another existence watching." The ancient voice echoed. "Human." "You have stepped into the territory of the Garuda." "Now..." "Show us whether your path is truly worthy of challenging the sky." The ancestor's voice disappeared. But its presence remained. Adrian looked at the fortress. The battlefield was ready. The war between the Garuda Clan and the strongest immortal emperor, aetherion had begun.