"It seems Mr. Xiao and the others are fighting fiercely."
Outside Hangcheng, a massive black avian monster soared high in the sky. Her blood-red dress fluttered in the wind as the humanoid calamity gazed toward the city, lips curling into a wicked smile.
The battle's momentum within Hangcheng was so great that it was impossible not to notice.
"Light God Realm… fools. Do you think this is the same world as before? To invade so openly, so recklessly…"
Lilith's tone dripped with disdain.
If the Light God Realm hadn't immediately occupied Hangcheng in such a high-profile display, the Human Alliance would never have been able to target them so directly.
But—this was good.
With so many light creatures descending this time, if they were struck a heavy blow, the Light God Realm wouldn't be able to act again for at least half a year.
And more importantly…
"Let's see if that one is provoked. If he doesn't act…"
Lilith's eyes shifted to the temple at the heart of Hangcheng—the residence of the Epic Light Singer.
If the Praiser did not emerge, then the Light God Realm's power would be utterly annihilated. And if the Singer left the temple…
"Oh Goddess—invincible!"
Ekbert's brows furrowed as he poured his vast mana into the Light Barrier. Even so, Shen Ji's Six-Colored Blades continued to press down, inch by inch.
The point of impact where the barrier met the blades was already beginning to crumble.
"Die!"
Noticing this, Shen Ji's expression turned frigid. The Six-Colored Dao blazed brighter as he pressed down with all his might.
Crack—!
The Light Barrier shattered. Ekbert's expression tightened.
"Divine Sanction!"
Seeing her chance, Jerna raised her knight's spear, her griffin spreading its wings as the two charged at Ekbert.
The Death Scythe Demon also lunged, weapon swinging like a beast crazed by blood.
"Xuan Guang—Wheelstorm!"
Ekbert's body flared with holy radiance. His staff glowed as countless spinning wheels of light burst forth, filling the surrounding space.
The air itself howled as the searing wheels cut through everything.
Shen Ji immediately leapt back, frowning.
This old man was truly troublesome.
The Death Scythe Demon was torn apart by the light wheels, while the corrupted griffin shrieked as its limbs were cut by the blades.
"Light Barrier!"
Forcing his enemies back, Ekbert re-forged the holy shield, encasing himself once again.
Mammon observed with narrowed eyes.
"His combat experience is vast, and his magic too formidable."
Indeed, Ekbert lived up to his reputation as a veteran Redeemer. He had anticipated Shen Ji's ferocity, preparing a countermeasure even as his barrier was destroyed.
But still…
"No matter how experienced, can you predict everything?"
The Flame Meteor plummeted from the sky, closing in fast.
"The light shall guide us forward."
Glancing up at the falling fireball, Ekbert remained calm. It was nothing but a common fire spell—not worthy of fear.
He shook his head, raising his staff, ready to resume channeling the Eightfold Heaven.
Then—crack!
The sound of shattering echoed in his ears.
His heart jolted. He turned and saw it: his Light Barrier, pierced clean through by the meteor!
"Impossible!"
Ekbert's chest tightened. His barrier was his proudest magic, nearly unbreakable to any beneath the epic rank. How could it be pierced so easily?
But there was no time to ponder. The meteor was upon him—too close.
Rumble!
The blazing fireball detonated, flames swallowing the sky.
Mammon narrowed his eyes. At the final moment, he thought he saw a flash of holy light around Ekbert. Could Li Yuqin's penetrating strike have been blocked? Unlikely.
Then—light footsteps echoed through the fading flames.
"I did not expect… you would wield such power."
From the inferno emerged Ekbert, battered but unbroken. His holy robe was scorched, his once-neat hair disheveled, his right arm burned.
"If not for the Goddess's protection, that blow might have killed me."
His gaze locked on Li Yuqin.
So it was her. The fireball that had nearly ended him was hers.
An ordinary meteor spell… yet infused with a trace of law. Terrifying.
His expression darkened. He had been careless—his senses told him it was nothing more than common fire magic. But it had pierced his strongest defense with ease.
If not for the Goddess's warding, he would already be ash.
"Tch. A mere scratch? Old man, you're a monster yourself. But it ends here."
Mammon's lips curved in a cold grin. To withstand Li Yuqin's Pierce All Things and walk away with only burns—this Redeemer was terrifying indeed.
But even so—he was alone.
"The power of Four Suns!"
Shen Ji's figure blurred like a phantom, appearing behind Ekbert in an instant. Four blazing blades fell, poised to cleave the old Redeemer in two.
This time, there would be no survival.
Ekbert's expression remained calm. He raised his staff high, surging magic flooding the heavens.
He did not even attempt to defend.
"Xuan Guang—Eightfold Heaven!"
The grand array in the skies above roared to life once more, eight radiant spheres spinning furiously.
And Shen Ji's strike? It was caught on a thin veil of light—an amulet's ward, flaring at the last possible moment.
Mammon's brows tightened. Defensive magic—but frail. It would not hold long.
Still, it was enough.
Ekbert was gambling everything, stalling with his life itself—only to complete the forbidden Eightfold Heaven.