The enemies were too close—using high-level magic here would risk hurting himself or Tang Yue if she suddenly appeared. Still, Song Jie had no choice but to fight.
As the gray-robed cultists began forming their Star Paths and their summoned Black Beasts charged forward, Song Jie smirked.
"Glorious—Enhanced Big Explosion!"
A blinding sphere of golden light shot from his palm and detonated in front of the incoming beasts!
BOOM!
The explosion vaporized everything in its radius. The Black Beasts were obliterated instantly—no corpses, no ashes, nothing but scorched earth.
The Gray-Robed Cultists froze mid-incantation, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Isn't he just a student?!
How can he be this powerful?!
Song Jie didn't give them time to react. He raised both hands—
"Multiple Light Arrows!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dozens of radiant bolts of light burst from his palms, streaking through the air like golden meteors.
Each arrow pierced cleanly through a cultist, burning holes through their bodies. The light carried both piercing and scorching effects—deadly and merciless.
"AHHHH!!"
The screams of the cultists filled the air as their bodies fell one after another, their flesh seared and smoking.
The black-robed priest standing behind them clenched his fists, fury and disbelief twisting his face.
Over twenty men—Gray-Robed believers and their beasts—all wiped out in seconds?!
Isn't this kid just a Light Mage? How is his magic this strong?!
Still, he gritted his teeth. "Hmph! No matter how powerful you are, you're still a beginner. I'm a mid-level mage, and I have a Cursed Beast stronger than any ordinary summon! Let's see you survive that!"
"Fiery Fist!"
A fiery red Star Map lit up beneath his feet, and flames engulfed his arms. He hurled his blazing punch forward, the air warping under the heat.
Song Jie calmly took out a golden scroll.
"Glorious—Holy Shield!"
Even without completing his Star Map, the Book of Star Maps allowed him to release mid-level light magic instantly.
A shimmering barrier of divine light formed around him, encasing him completely just as the fiery punch landed.
BOOM!
Flames surged, heat waves rippling outward. When the blaze finally died down, Song Jie was still standing—untouched inside the golden barrier.
The black-robed priest's jaw dropped. "T-The Book of Star Maps…!"
He gritted his teeth and snarled, "So what if you have that? You're dead anyway!"
Suddenly, movement flickered from the corner of Song Jie's vision.
Perched on top of a crumbling building was a Cursed Beast, its dark body covered in sinister runes. It had been sneaking toward him all along.
"Got you!" the priest shouted triumphantly as the beast lunged.
But Song Jie had already reacted.
A beam of blinding gold burst from his hand—
BOOM!
The Cursed Beast exploded midair, its flesh and bones splattering across the walls.
Song Jie sidestepped, frowning. "Disgusting."
The black-robed priest stood frozen. His mind went blank.
Impossible… That beast could rival a mid-level mage… and it was killed in one strike?!
Before he could recover, Song Jie appeared in front of him.
"I'll give you one chance," Song Jie said coldly. "Tell me where the other members of the Black Vatican are, and I'll let you live."
He raised a finger—then fired a Light Arrow straight into the man's leg.
"AHHH!"
The priest screamed, collapsing to the ground.
"I don't know!" he gasped, clutching his bleeding leg.
"I like stubborn ones," Song Jie said softly, his voice filled with disdain.
Another arrow. Another scream.
"AHHHHH!!"
Both of the priest's legs were mangled now, blood pooling beneath him.
"You still have your hands," Song Jie said indifferently. "Keep being stubborn."
He had no sympathy for members of the Black Vatican—fanatics who brought death and chaos to Bo City.
The priest trembled in agony. "Kill me! Just kill me!!"
Song Jie sighed. "Then die."
He turned away, already sensing the presence of demons drawn by the smell of blood.
Moments later, monstrous shrieks echoed as the demons descended, devouring the crippled priest alive.
The air filled with the sound of tearing flesh and tortured screams.
Song Jie didn't look back. "That's what you deserve."
He had just stepped out of the alley when a familiar voice called out.
"Song Jie!?"
He turned. A graceful woman with long, slender legs wrapped in torn black stockings ran toward him—Tang Yue.
Her beautiful eyes were wide with relief and confusion.
"Didn't Instructor Zhankong send someone to evacuate you? Why are you still here?" she asked.
"We never got the message," Song Jie replied. "By the time we came out of the Holy Spring, the military mage sent to warn us was already killed by demons."
Tang Yue's brows furrowed. "Good thing you're safe… I thought you and Mo Fan had already left."
"By the way," she added, "where is Mo Fan?"
"He's fighting a member of the Black Vatican," Song Jie said.
"What? The Black Vatican?!" Tang Yue's eyes flashed with killing intent. "Where?"
"I'll take you."
She nodded. "Then why are you here?"
"I was chasing another one of them," Song Jie said, pointing to the nearby alley.
When they arrived, the ground was littered with shredded robes and bones—nothing recognizable left.
Tang Yue crouched, examining a torn piece of gray cloth. "These were indeed from the Black Vatican."
"Was there another in black robes?" she asked.
"There was," Song Jie replied. "He's dead too."
Tang Yue looked up at him, a faint smile curving her lips. "You did well. This is a great contribution."
She patted his shoulder, pride in her eyes. She knew those cultists hadn't been killed by demons—Song Jie's power was unmistakable.
"Let's go meet up with Mo Fan," Tang Yue said, turning toward the street.
"Alright."
Song Jie nodded and walked ahead, the golden light of his magic faintly flickering across his back.
The night air was thick with ash and blood, but for the first time in hours—Bo City felt just a little bit safer.