章 31: They Are Coming
Blood and divine power enveloped the entire area, as the blood mage, suspended high in the air, cast a contemptuous gaze downward at all the living beings below.
In the sacrificial field, nearly three hundred blood-robed mages knelt on the ground, chanting something fervently, their excitement palpable.
"They're nothing but failures," Mossen responded coolly, his voice steady. "When God was still present, they could only cower in the dark sewers. Are they truly worthy of being called gods?"
He patted the demon lion behind him. The creature, sensing the gravity of the situation, rubbed its master's hand before quickly turning and retreating. It was aware of its own limitations—it wasn't yet fully grown and couldn't participate in such a battle.
A fierce fighting spirit blazed in Mossen's eyes. Suddenly, the vast magical power within him surged violently, and in an instant, he vanished from sight.
When he reappeared, he was already behind the blood mage, giant sword raised high, and he swung it down with all his might.
**Buzz!**
The sound of blood exploding rang out. The blood mage spun around in alarm, raising his hand to summon a torrent of blood to defend himself.
**Boom!**
A powerful shockwave reverberated through the air, and the golden mage's magic crushed Mossen, blasting him backward. His body was hurled like a cannonball into the ruins, and as the ensuing cloud of dust rose, it was quickly suppressed by the terrifying pressure emanating from the golden mage.
"Your god is gone," the Scarlet Priest sneered, his voice dripping with malice, "but my god is still alive and thriving. Scarlet shall rule this world. Mages, the Scarlet Lord's chosen one has arrived. Join me in creating more blood to welcome the great Scarlet Lord!"
A chant rose from the three hundred blood mages below: "Welcome, great Scarlet Lord! The world will eventually belong to Scarlet!"
The air crackled with the palpable energy of their magic, and a thin layer of blood began to spread outward. If Luo Ning had been present, she would have recognized the ominous scarlet mist from her dreams.
**Boom!**
Mossen emerged from the ruins, his gaze locked on the Scarlet Priest high above, who was gathering power. The fighting spirit in Mossen's eyes burned brighter than ever.
The priest's power was substantial, certainly, but there was a certain shallowness to it. The divine favor had enhanced his strength by at least ten, maybe even fifteen levels—but Mossen knew it wasn't enough for an instant kill. That was the key—surviving long enough for the battle to tilt in his favor.
"If God treats all life as mere toys for amusement, and plays with the world as though it were a game, then God loses all meaning!" Mossen roared, gripping his giant sword tightly. "Apocalypse, assist me."
The moment the words left his mouth, he vanished once more—his signature short-distance flash, a move that enabled the Magic Swordsman to strike with explosive force while maintaining high mobility. He was not as skilled in swordsmanship as a traditional swordsman, but his agility and burst potential were unmatched.
The Scarlet Priest raised his hand, gathering the full force of his magic and the collective power of the three hundred mages below, then clenched his fist, unleashing it in a single, devastating attack.
As the blood gathered, it erupted violently. Mossen, who had just reappeared from his flash, was met head-on by the power of the Demon Slash. The collision between his attack and the flood of blood caused an earth-shaking explosion.
**Boom!**
The roar reverberated through the night. However, gold would always remain gold. After a brief stalemate, Mossen was sent flying once more, but this time, the blood wrapped around him, freezing him in mid-air, holding him captive.
The Scarlet Priest's grin grew wider. "So what? My god will care for all of us. People cannot live without a god. To stop Scarlet's arrival, you will be the first sacrifice. Let me show you the true meaning of divine favor."
A spell escaped his lips, and blood began to drain from Mossen's body.
**Boom!**
Suddenly, over a hundred Barrett rifles fired in unison, their powerful kinetic energy surging through the air. The blasts struck the blood shield that had appeared around the Scarlet Priest, causing cracks to form on its surface. The priest's shield, having been caught off guard, faltered under the force of the attack.
The Mage Corps of the Apocalypse Legion seized the moment, casting powerful spells to rejuvenate Mossen, his momentum surging with renewed force.
Without hesitation, Mossen swung his sword down once more. His expression was steely, unyielding, as the shadow of his sword collided with the blood shield in a final, thunderous strike.
**Boom!**
Meanwhile, Bai Yi ducked beneath the collapsed remnants of an underground passage, peering out through the crack. A flicker of solemnity crossed his face. Mossen was certainly powerful, but he was still struggling against an overwhelming gap in levels. Even with the help of the Apocalypse Legion, staying on the offensive for long would be difficult.
The scarlet mist thickened. Bai Yi hesitated for a moment, then reached out, touching it cautiously. To his surprise, there was no immediate negative effect.
He quickened his pace. The underground passages here were labyrinthine, but Bai Yi had an advantage—worker bees were guiding his way, and the Scarlet Cult had built their underground lairs beneath the cover of their buildings above, offering little chance of getting lost.
Turning a corner, Bai Yi paused, pressing himself against the wall and holding his breath. He waited in silence.
**Tap, tap, tap.**
The rhythmic sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the passage. Red-clad figures of various races hurried by, only to shed their robes once they passed, revealing plain clothing beneath.
When the last of them disappeared around the corner, Bai Yi assessed the situation before continuing his trek eastward.
The Scarlet Cult, as a secretive organization, was not limited to just mages. The blood mages were certainly their backbone, but to maintain a sprawling underground fortress like this, their numbers must be considerable. It was clear that Scarlet's power was growing—deforming, but growing nonetheless.
As for the Scarlet Priest, his god was no benevolent deity. The ancient gods were not concerned with the needs of mortals; they were beings of unimaginable power, entities from an age long past, existing without need for faith.
The ancient gods were merely a label given to these beings by current deities. The powerful creatures that once roamed freely accepted it without protest.
**Clang!**
A sharp, echoing clash of swords broke the silence. Bai Yi paused, a chill running down his spine. He recognized the energy fluctuation—the unmistakable signature of Kami.
His heart sank. He glanced at his map, then began moving toward her location.
Outside, the battle raged on, and Mossen continued to struggle. Even with the legion's help, the difference in power was insurmountable, and Mossen was slowly being pushed to the brink.
Time was running out.
**Buzz.**
A faint hum filled the air. Bai Yi's worker bees scattered throughout the passages, continuing their mission. Kami, with her singular purpose, was undoubtedly after something specific, and Bai Yi knew that as long as she didn't notice him, or make any hostile moves, even the most perceptive swordsman wouldn't be able to detect her.
**Clang! Clang!**
The sound of blades clashing grew faster, more intense. Kami was moving swiftly toward the heart of the battle.
White Plague followed, and together, they would clear out the remaining Scarlet Sect members.
**Knock knock.**
Bai Yi tapped his headset twice, a voice responding immediately.
"Oh, my friend, I feel the bonds tightening again. They're here."
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