CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER218-THE HEART OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CREATES GODS

In the distance, more pursuers were on the move.

The enchanted flying carpets sweeping low, the elven rangers leaping through the woods...

The surging mind power swept over every inch of the land below.

"Let the winds of nature guide us, do not let her escape deeper into the gorge."

A young man, dressed in peach-colored robes with a flower emblem, whispered.

"If she dies in that place, finding it again will be nearly impossible."

Beside him, a woman cloaked in shimmering light calmly analyzed,

"If we push too hard, she’ll have no choice but to act."

"However, now that sage rank experts are involved, her escape is nearing its end."

Boom—!

A sudden explosion shook the mountains.

Magical energy surged in the air.

The group’s expressions brightened, and excitement flashed in their eyes.

"Did we find her?"

Without hesitation, they charged toward the source of the explosion.

The sound served as a signal, drawing all the hunters scattered across the area to a collapsing hill.

At the top of the hill, a Stellar rank Dwarven rune warrior was putting away his warhammer.

Beside him stood several young nobles dressed in fine clothes.

"It’s Prince Simon of the Asman Empire!"

The young man in the peach-colored robes instantly narrowed his eyes, his aura brimming with killing intent.

The Asman Empire and the Anduo Guild were bitter enemies, and their meetings usually ended in a life-or-death struggle.

This had been the case for thousands of years, and there was no end to their wars, a blood-debt that spanned generations!

Now, with the Asman Empire’s prince alone, such an opportunity presented itself, and the young man was eager to take action.

"Boris!"

A Stellar rank warrior behind him warned in a low voice, his greatsword glowing with faint runes.

"Find Sophia first!"

Boris took a deep breath, suppressing his urge for immediate revenge.

Compared to the Heart of the Holy Spirit, personal grudges had to be set aside for now.

The entire eastern region’s attention was focused on Sophia and the supreme divine object she carried—the Heart of the Holy Spirit!

This rare miracle, over a million years in the making, had recently burst into divine brilliance in the heart of the gorge.

Legend had it that in ancient times, a fateful individual consumed it and ascended from mortal form to the ranks of the divine, ultimately igniting the divine fire and entering the realm of gods!

There was no doubt that it was a deadly temptation for those at sage rank!

For the Empire and other major forces, it meant the possibility of cultivating a being that could surpass all others, potentially altering the balance of power across the eastern region for the next several hundred thousand years.

Secret records stated that the Heart of the Holy Spirit had been nurtured with the blood of fallen gods, containing fragments of their power and divinity...

This was the root of the madness among all powerful beings!

Prince Simon surveyed the increasingly crowded figures around him and declared aloud,

"Gentlemen, I’ve only just slain a magical beast that had been lurking here. I have not found Sophia."

He levitated a massive magical beast carcass with magical energy to prove his innocence.

Not that he had found Sophia, of course—if he had, he would have hidden and softened his approach.

Faced with the temptation of the Heart of the Holy Spirit, even the emperor of the Asman Empire, no matter his exalted status, would kneel before so many powerful hunters!

"Is it that difficult to deal with a lowly magical beast? The Asman Empire’s standards for heirs are truly eye-opening."

A mocking female voice rang out from not far away.

Simon’s gaze locked onto a noble woman in emerald green robes with a cold aura—Princess Celeste of the Bishamira Forest.

"Celeste," Simon sneered,

"If you think this is impressive, I would be happy to show you what true imperial might looks like."

"Who has the time to waste with you here?"

Princess Celeste turned her back with disdain and led her elven followers into the air, disappearing as streaks of light.

"My time is precious; I only reserve it for the prey in the gorge."

The other powerful figures also dispersed, unwilling to waste time here.

Every second of delay increased the risk of losing the Heart of the Holy Spirit.

"Arrogant and foolish elves..."

Simon’s eyes narrowed, and he too quickly joined the pursuit.

He failed to notice, however, that just behind the back of the hill, hidden in a shadowed crevice covered by vines, their coveted target was curled up inside.

Sophia was desperately channeling the secret techniques of the Sigeits Parliament, while also fighting the destructive energy flowing within her.

Her face was as pale as paper.

To balance Sacco’s level, she had once resolutely slashed her own rank.

But with her exceptional talent, she had now returned to peak master rank and was on the verge of reaching half-step grandmaster rank.

Thanks to the protection of the Sigeits Parliament’s holy artifact, the Moonlight Gem, she had managed to hold on until now.

"Sophia! You need to integrate the Heart of the Holy Spirit now!"

"Your soul fire is dimming!"

A voice, the contract spirit, spoke urgently in her mind.

"Bishamira Forest, Asman Empire, Anduo Guild, the Apothecary Association... even the Whitewing Monastery and the Ascendant Church’s recluses are here!"

"Even if Lady Lucy were here, it would be hard to directly face so many sage ranks!"

Sophia coughed up more blood, but her eyes remained unwavering.

"Natasha’s letter said that Big Brother Aurek has stabilized the Empire and that his talent is extraordinary. He has already reached peak master rank."

"If Big Brother Aurek obtains the Heart of the Holy Spirit, he will go even further. He needs it more than I do!"

Last time, she had ventured into the gorge and not only retrieved the Veynar family’s sacred artifact, the Glamer Holy Sword, but also sensed the Heart of the Holy Spirit’s impending maturation.

However, she had been gravely wounded and had to leave.

This time, she had returned with a firm resolve—to obtain it!

The true power of the Heart of the Holy Spirit far surpassed rumors.

It not only had the potential to reshape talent but also could凝聚 the heart of the laws imbued with a trace of divine authority.

Big Brother Aurek was extraordinarily talented, and with the Heart of the Holy Spirit, he would surely lead the Crossbridge Empire to unprecedented prosperity!

"Sigh... forget about that for now. Your body is already at its limit."

"Besides, sage ranks are entering the field, and the blockade is tightening. You will soon be forced into the core forbidden zone!"

"The magical beasts there and the ancient curses are terrifying beyond words. With your current condition, it’s a miracle if you survive!"

The spirit’s voice was filled with helplessness.

In this land of fallen gods, she could only feel her own insignificance.

"No!"

"If it weren’t for Big Brother Aurek, I would never have left Crossbridge Empire."

"We’ll wait a little longer, wait for mentor and the others—they must have sensed what’s going on here."

Sophia’s stubbornness came from the deep love she felt in her heart.

Using the Heart of the Holy Spirit herself had a different meaning from Aurek’s.

She bore the contract spirit and countless opportunities, and the road to the peak wasn’t a singular path.

But what about Big Brother Aurek?

To give him the Heart of the Holy Spirit, a chance to reach the divine realm, and to explore that supreme domain together was her deepest wish.

The spirit fell silent. Sophia’s will was unyielding.

Now, all she could do was silently pray for the Sigeits Parliament’s reinforcements to arrive quickly.

Sophia leaned against the cold rock wall. The light from the Moonlight Gem slowly healed her wounds.

"Aurek, Big Brother, it’s been a long time..."

"If I survive this and return, I won’t leave you again..."

She gazed toward the direction of Fasior Plains.

Beneath her weakened exterior was deep longing.