-----

"Were the Blood Art Techniques the Vampires from Yggdrasil gave us too weak in comparison?" Elder Wu asked, shocked by the power Fang Sheng displayed.

"Maybe, but they probably didn't know," Maria replied. "The Vampires from Umbralheim must use much stronger forms—either from their original world or from combining techniques and resources gathered across the nine floors they've conquered."

"I can't believe Fang Sheng would do this! I knew he was a scheming snake, but to attack us and declare we should be executed?!" Yoomyung exclaimed, bowing in thanks to Emeraldine. "Has the Sect Master truly ordered him to do that?!"

"Maybe, maybe not. We'll find out the truth very soon, I'm sure," Maria said, glancing behind her. The three disciples Fang Sheng had brought overflowed with powerful auras, blending the White Mist Technique with the Shadow Blood Art. Their eyes glowed bright red. "Regardless, we've got company. How should we handle them?"

"They're disciples from my sect. Please don't kill them!" Yoomyung pleaded. "Why are you doing this, young ones?!"

"Second Elder Yoomyung, you welcomed beggars who threatened the city," said one disciple, his black hair whipping in the wind.

"These intruders must be eliminated. They've enraged our Sect Master!" declared the second.

"Such disrespect won't be tolerated. Your insolence must be punished!" added the third.

They roared in fury, charging without hesitation. Their auras coiled around their hands, forming massive claws of white mist, black shadows, and blood energy.

"{Blood Shadow Mist Claws}!"

SLAASH! SLAASH! SLAASH!

Three devastating strikes reached Maria and the Elders, shaking the entire temple. Chunks of the wall and ceiling began to crumble.

RUMBLE!

The disciples' eyes glowed even brighter as they spotted a tall figure clad in golden armor, wielding a divine sword. He had taken every blow to shield Maria, the Elders, and everyone behind them.

"Damned Vampires. Even in another world, you torment and manipulate good people for your selfish desires!" Jonathan roared, his voice filled with righteous fury. "I won't tolerate you any longer!"

FLASH!

Jonathan's sword radiated brilliant light, overflowing with divine and celestial energy. Though the disciples weren't vampires, they had absorbed vampiric power through the Shadow Blood Arts learned from cursed scrolls. The holy light from Jonathan's blade intimidated them deeply, though they couldn't understand why.

"W-What is that light?!"

"Don't touch it!"

"Kill him with long-range attacks—kill everyone here!"

The three disciples unleashed dozens beams of red light from their auras, shaking the temple again. Jonathan raised his divine blade, using it as a shield to protect everyone behind him.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"Stop that already!"

"Enough!"

"Don't you even care about the temple?!"

"You'll destroy it at this rate!"

Elder Wu's four disciples stepped forward, grabbing the attackers and slamming them to the ground. Their Blood Auras were weaker but lacked the sinister edge of the others.

"Weaklings from the Blood Demon Sect, do you dare oppose us?!"

"You're courting death!"

"Begone!"

Fang Sheng's disciples retaliated, slashing and kicking them aside. Even Kim Huan, the strongest among the four, was overwhelmed.

"Maybe we should drain your blood first!"

"The Blood Demon Sect dies tonight!"

"Just stay still—it'll be quick..."

"Haaaah!"

Kim Huan unsheathed his sword, slashing through all three at once and unleashing his full Aura. The trio resisted, countering with a kick to his face and shattering his sword with a punch.

"Ugh!"

He was pinned down. One disciple summoned blood claws again, aiming them at Kim's throat while the others grinned.

"Goodbye."

"I've seen enough."

FLAAASH!

A burst of radiant light surged from behind them. Three beams from Jonathan's sword struck the disciples, burning their skin. Though not as lethal as it would be to true vampires, the light still seared them painfully.

"B-Bastard!"

"That light's too strong!"

"Ugh...!"

The third disciple pulled a strange black-and-red lantern from his pocket, infusing it with blood energy. Maria noticed dozens of wailing souls trapped inside.

"{Blood Mist Soul Lantern}!"

The lantern released a red fog that spread rapidly, even consuming Jonathan's light. He stepped back, surprised.

Suddenly, multiple presences emerged from the mist. Roars and hisses echoed through the ruined temple.

"SHYAAAAGH!"

From the crimson fog, a giant, wingless bat-like creature on four legs lunged at Jonathan, knocking him down and snapping its massive jaws at his face.

"Ugh, what is this thing?!"

"Hahahaha!"

The disciples' laughter echoed as they vanished into the mist. Dozens more beasts emerged, seemingly endless.

"This is the power of the new White Mist Sect!"

"Can you handle the Blood Beasts—monsters from Floor 60?!"

"Their strength far surpasses Spirit Beasts!"

Jonathan gritted his teeth and roared, driving his holy sword into the beast's chest. It groaned and vomited blood.

"GRYAAACK!"

He shoved it aside as three more charged from all directions.

"{Celestial Blade Armor}!"

His Aura surged, forming armor made of holy swords. The beasts' attacks landed, but they were impaled by the radiant blades, their hands scorched.

"HAAAA!"

Jonathan roared, spinning with his great blade. Dream Essence flowed around him as he cleaved the Blood Beasts in half, their corpses igniting in holy fire.

SLAAASH!

The monsters shrieked as they died, but more kept coming, attacking from every angle. The red mist continued to spread, devouring his light and dulling his senses.

Jonathan closed his eyes, relying solely on sound. He listened for footsteps and the pulse of life.

SLASH!

He struck them down as they came.

SLASH! SLASH!

Creatures leap from above, only to be sliced in two.

SLAAASH!

When they tried to flank him, he punched their faces and blasted them with beams of light.

BOOOM!

"He's killing all the Blood Beasts so easily!"

"We didn't bring enough fuel to summon more!"

"Damn it! How strong is that foreigner?!"

As the three disciples began to grasp Jonathan's true strength, another presence stepped forward behind them—unnoticed until it was too late.

"Quite the interesting red mist you've got here. It's making me feel incredibly strong... I like it."

-----