Emperor's Reckoning

As the progenitor entered the scene and intervened to counter Kesya's powerful kick, a wave of shock rippled through the onlookers. Their reactions were marked by wide eyes and dropped jaws as they realized the gravity of the situation.

The battlefield, once a place of intense conflict and uncertainty, was now hushed with a sense of awe and disbelief. The sudden appearance of a figure as prominent and legendary as the progenitor left a profound impact on those who witnessed it.

The atmosphere had shifted from one of chaos and tension to one of sheer astonishment, as the presence of the progenitor added an entirely new dimension to the ongoing confrontation. The shock and awe of the onlookers was palpable, as they grappled with the realization that they were witnessing a moment of extraordinary significance in the unfolding battle.

One onlooker with eyes widened said, "Is that... Progenitor Reklom?"

Another said, "I can't believe it. He's actually here!"

"This changes everything."

The onlookers exchanged hushed but astonished whispers as they attempted to process the presence of Progenitor Reklom on the battlefield. The shock and realization that one of the most revered and legendary figures had arrived to aid in the confrontation left them in a state of awe and uncertainty, as the dynamics of the situation shifted once more.

Progenitor Reklom adorning a smile, "Long time no see, Seraphina. You seem to have retained your beauty. Oh, how I envy the elves' good skin."

Seraphina was not keen by the smile she received, "Reklom, oh, I mean, Progenitor Reklom. I thought you had distanced yourself from worldly affairs. I'm surprised to see you here."

Progenitor Reklom laughed merrily, "Hahaha. The patriarch is asking for my help, so here I am."

"Cease your claw, Reklom. It's not good at your age to offend the Zodiac Emperor." Seraphina, concern etched on her face, warned the progenitor to cease his claw in regard to Lyon, the Zodiac Emperor.

Reklom, his expression shifting to a frown, turned his attention toward the young man standing by the gong. There was an aloofness about him, a demeanor that lacked any hint of imperial authority. Reklom spread his divine sense to assess his cultivation, raising his brows and then breaking into laughter. "Him? The Zodiac Emperor? Hahahaha!"

"He's the one who activated the Gong of a Thousand Lords." Seraphina, her voice laced with caution, revealed that Lyon was the one who had activated the Gong of a Thousand Lords. Her eyes fixed on Reklom, searching for his reaction.

Reklom, unimpressed, let out a snort of disdain. His eyes, filled with a mix of amusement and indifference, locked onto Seraphina's as he offered his response. "So what? I've killed so many geniuses that it doesn't make a difference. Genius or not, it's not something you decide from the beginning."

The exchange between Seraphina and Reklom was marked by their contrasting perspectives and the unspoken tension that simmered beneath their words.

"I'm surprised to see you make an entrance, progenitor." a voice boomed through the tension, making the leaves rustle in response. 

A figure approached with a stormy air, his presence akin to an impending tempest. "Truly a rare sight, I thought your presence means that your clan is... at the tip of a blade."

"Patriarch Thaedan! He's back!"

"Patriarch Oren from the Stormrider Clan is here!"

"This is unexpected. We've got all the major clans' leaders."

The onlookers, their voices filled with surprise and whispers, mentioned the names of the arriving patriarchs as they processed the sudden appearance of these influential figures on the battlefield. 

Drako, his attention drawn to the arrival of the other two young masters, expressed his surprise and confusion as he noted the presence of Liam and Sylva on the scene.

Ardan's voice, laced with fury, couldn't hide his suspicion. "How too convenient that all of the patriarchs from the great four clans in Second Hell gathered right at this moment."

Ardan's words were filled with bitterness as he voiced his doubts about the seemingly opportune convergence of the leaders of the four great clans in Second Hell at this crucial juncture

Patriarch Thaedan shook his head and spoke with an air of curiosity. "No need to be so hostile, friend. I'm here simply out of curiosity. The land trembled, on land, sea, and sky. Surely I must know who is the one that decided that this noon is not to be mundane."

Patriarch Oren nodded in agreement. "My blade is sensing a blooming challenger."

Seraphina's voice carried a weight of authority as she revealed the identity of the blooming challenger. "The blooming challenger is none other than Lyon Torga, the Zodiac Emperor."

Reklom laughed a hint of mockery in his tone. "There is no proof, now is there? He just activated the gong and claimed himself to be one."

Ardan nodded in agreement, his voice resolute. "Progenitor is right. He is nothing but a fraud. We should work together to apprehend him, not just as a fraud but also for greatly offending my clan."

The other two patriarchs, Thaedan and Oren, refrained from making extreme decisions and exchanged meaningful glances, silently contemplating the situation. Their attention then turned to Seraphina, seeking her perspective on the matter.

However, before the situation could escalate further, Kesya, the opportunist, seized the moment and launched a blitzing attack. Her kick was suspended in mid-air for a brief moment, creating a suspenseful atmosphere. With a grin on her face, she landed a clean kick on Reklom's face, sending him crashing to the ground and creating a crater upon impact.

The onlookers, young masters, and patriarchs were left in stunned silence as Kesya stretched her foot with nonchalance.

Kesya stretched her legs. "That was a good stretch," then she turned around and let out a smirk before taunting Ardan to come at her by her index finger.

The sudden turn of events left everyone taken aback, as Kesya's audacious action shifted the dynamics of the confrontation and posed a new challenge for the patriarchs and the onlookers to contend with.