Fine air blades drilled into the gaps of the exquisite armor, like a swarm of devouring insects, bringing out large clumps of bloody flesh.

Lann’s [Yixin], whether in attack density or attack strength, forced the heroic Gudah, who took his full blow, into a soul power low point.

This was merely a witch who couldn’t even match a knight captain; immediately, her soul power was exhausted, and the remaining qi blades shredded her flesh beneath the armor.

As the witch fell from draining her soul power, the magic she cast by planting her weapon into the ground to guide the sin fire upward just started taking effect.

A fire pillar the thickness of a person first melted the stone brick ground, then, undiminished in power, it shot straight up with magma!

But before the fire pillar calmed down, Lann had already reactivated the Qilin.

The swift steed was like a spark of electricity flashing through the enemy, in the blink of an eye returning to the rigid formation of the Silver Knights.

Simo also accurately sensed the tactical target had been achieved, synchronizing with Lann’s retreat, he personally opened a gap in the line to let him through.

Without Simo’s ’invitation’, the Silver Knights wouldn’t recognize if this was an ally.

The ensuing situation was as Simo predicted, the pope’s undead lost precise control, attacking the Silver Knights’ formation without any sequence or arrangement. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

In such an attack, being exhausted was only a matter of time.

On one side was the Divine Era Knight Order with consciousness dulled by time, on the other was the Cold-blooded Undead Knight Order established by the Dark Moon Pope.

Both sides fought without any passion or excitement, silent attacks, silent injuries, silent death.

Only the clash of steel and the sound of golden lightning and blue magic blades echoed on the empty, cold streets of Ilyushil.

But even with just these sounds, it was enough to make the atmosphere tense and brutal.

With Simo leading, Lann dismounted and went to the front of the Half-Dragon Maiden.

Now, Princess You’Er Xia was at a loss due to the sudden turn of events.

Her face habitually cold and calm, but her hands anxiously clutched together at her chest.

As Lann walked towards her, he was reaching into his alchemy pouch as he walked.

He wanted to pull out the spiral sword relic he originally put in the alchemy pouch.

In this world where fire transmission is the most sacred duty, the Fire Gods are its staunchest supporters.

This relic, which had been to the Fire Transmission Altar and touched the spiral sword, should be very useful, ideally able to quickly gain the trust of the Divine Race.

But as Lann searched his alchemy pouch, his expression gradually shifted from puzzled to rigid.

A segment of the spiral sword relic... seemed to be missing?

However, noticing You’Er Xia’s skeptical gaze as he kept searching without being able to find anything, the Demon Hunter’s expression remained unchanged.

He instead pulled out the small banner Priestess Emma gave him from the alchemy pouch.

"This is the small loop flag granted by the Priest of Losric, enough to prove my identity is trustworthy."

You’Er Xia and Simo exchanged a glance, with the Dark Moon Sect and White Sect being auxiliary religions of the two main branches of the Divine Race today, their cooperation was substantial.

They confirmed it was indeed the flag from the Priest of Losric.

Immediately, Lann informed them that Lord of Cinder Elderidge had awakened and was heading toward the Cold Valley.

Now this monster, who garnered massive souls through devouring humans, might already be within Ilyushil.

"But how is this possible?"

Simo leaned on his enormous hammer, questioning.

"If, as you say, the power of the Profound Church eroded the faith of the archbishops there, so many people followed Elderidge here, we can’t not see it."

"In fact, only a few archbishops alive came along."

Lann scratched his cheek.

"We did indeed... kill quite a few at the Profound Church."

"But, but that shouldn’t be." Simo awkwardly scratched his helmet.

"Elderidge has become a large mass of black tar, Ilyushil can’t hide it..."

"As long as someone is covering, there’s no way it can’t be hidden."

Lann interrupted him, impolitely pointing out the core issue of the city’s current chaos.

"Figures like the Dark Moon Pope have rebelled; if he, truly in charge, wishes to act, there’s no reason it can’t be done."

"Especially with Shadow Sun gravely ill, delegating management authority."

"But if you proceed like this..." Here, You’Er Xia, who had been silently watching from the side, spoke apprehensively.

"Such actions would surely displease the usurper Shalivan."

After speaking, seemingly fearing misunderstanding, the Half-Dragon Maiden quickly added.

"Of course, I certainly can’t let you be captured at the moment of crisis. Your decisive action is commendable. But my brother is still in Shalivan’s hands, fearing now..."

Lann’s expression didn’t change much, after all, he had noticed early on.

The divine descendant, a bloodline of half-dragon and demigod before him, seemed inexperienced in dealing with people, lacking both common sense and emotional intelligence.

Yet she possessed a sense of responsibility, even amidst immense fear, willing to step forward with a willingness to sacrifice herself.

Truly hard to dislike her.

"That’s precisely what I’m worried about."

Lann spoke softly.

"The worst scenario... is Shalivan already cooperating with Elderidge."

"How could this be, but the agreement...?!"

You’Er Xia widened her eyes, surprised and fearful, looking at Lann. This idea alone seemed to unsettle her immensely.

The Dark Moon Pope collaborating with the devouring Lord of Cinder, arriving in the Cold Valley...

And the Demon Hunter unveiled even more shocking news.

"I must clarify in advance that since Elderidge’s recent awakening, his goal has always been to fill his belly and accumulate power."

Lann’s gaze swept over You’Er Xia and Simo, his calm words standing out in the oppressive silence of the deathly battle among the surrounding Silver Knights and Undead Knights.

"When he was at the Profound Church, he had already attempted to consume a member of the Divine Race."

You’Er Xia instinctively covered her mouth with her white palm, gasping softly.

"Could it be... devour the divine?!"

And immediately, the half-dragon maiden naturally associated it with the current situation, her body trembling.

"Then my brother...!"

Previously, the worst assumption she and Simo had was that Shalivan kidnapped the ailing Shadow Sun to seize power and wealth.

Indeed, Shalivan had shown his greed for gold and silver treasures throughout this relentless coercion.

Even the once simple papal attire was modified by him to be laced with gold and silver, and he even took the Saintess serving the Divine Race to be a dancer.

However, You’Er Xia never imagined that the direst outcome in the current situation was actually death!

"So there’s no time to delay anymore."

Lann said firmly, while summoning the Qilin to his side. Rong Buqiu climbed onto the Qilin’s head on its own, leaving room.

"Before the news of this rebellion reaches Shalivan’s ears, we must act first and find the Shadow Sun!"

"Abandon all pointless fantasies, everyone. Now, there’s only one path—death battle!"

Lann mounted the horse, then bent down, reaching out to You’Er Xia.

"I need your guidance, Princess You’Er Xia."

"Now we must race against time."

With her divine stature, You’Er Xia still had to look up to the Demon Hunter mounted on the Qilin.

Lann’s hair, like molten silver, reflected the light of the dark moon above.

After an instinctive tension, You’Er Xia grasped the hand extended by the Demon Hunter.

-----------------

"Do you know where You’Er Xia is now... cough, located?"

Lying on the bed that once belonged to his elder sister, Shadow Sun Gwendolin endured the discomfort throughout his body, barely managing to speak.

He lay on his back, unable to maintain his erstwhile exquisite and solemn appearance.

Even the pupils in his eyes couldn’t quite focus, only able to gaze diffusely at the lofty dome of Yanorlund.

This was where he spent his childhood, but now it was desolately quiet.

"Princess You’Er Xia is temporarily assuming the position of leader of the Dark Moon Sword Knight Order. Currently, an internal conflict is occurring in Losric, and the princess is coordinating the dispatch of reinforcements to suppress it, ensuring the progress of the Fire Transmission Ceremony."

Not a single word was spoken with hesitation or pause, smooth as a matter of fact.

Beyond Gwendolin’s room, Pope Shalivan respectfully answered the divine question.

Adorned in gold and silver, he was the epitome of splendor. Yet behind that mask, the fire of ambition in his eyes never extinguished.

Even the pinnacle of worldly power and wealth couldn’t satisfy him for a moment.

Once a talented young man with small ambitions and persistence, he had transformed into his current self the moment he witnessed the Sins Flame.

The Sins Flame warps the mind of those who touch it, often resulting in horrific cruelty and cold-bloodedness.

But Shalivan always appeared normal, even more so than an ordinary person.

That was merely because... the Sins Flame had twisted him too excessively.

Torture and cruelty were mere trivial hobbies for him, and the core of his soul was an insatiable ambition.

"So... very well."

Gwendolin said with difficulty from the bed.

"The Fire Transmission... the flame is most important, and I ask you... assist my younger sister. We must continue the Fire Age!"

Outside the room, Shalivan respectfully bowed, then withdrew.

Initially, his steps were measured and cautious, like a loyal minister worn out from labor.

But as the distance from the sleeping quarters increased, his gait became more relaxed, moving with the grandeur of a dragon or tiger, as if the ancient ruins of the Divine Capital were his domain.

The Silver Knights patrolled and guarded the towering and magnificent Yanorlund—orders given by Gwendolin before he could no longer manage affairs.

These knights would execute those orders unconditionally.

Though strong and ancient, they were ultimately fools.

Shalivan thought indifferently, then headed toward the right staircase after leaving the sleeping quarters.

This was intentionally left without Silver Knights to facilitate ’his own people’ moving through Yanorlund.

A giant blacksmith slave serving the Divine Race since the Divine Era was huddled in his corner, clanging away at his forge.

He was not even worth a glance from Shalivan.

Upon exiting the palace, Shalivan finally greeted someone outside.

"It seems today is the day, Archbishop MacDonald."

Shalivan spoke softly, sounding full of poise.

"My people have already made the final threat to Princess You’Er Xia. That little girl, unsurprisingly, will comply obediently."

"The Dark Moon Sword will never again receive news from the leader, and next..."

MacDonald wiped the fresh blood from his wide mouth, grinned to reveal red-stained teeth, and joyfully continued Shalivan’s words.

"And next, the time for the master’s grand feast has arrived!"