CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER219-INVITING SOPHIA’S RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

"Sophia’s aura has completely vanished!"

"The Godfall Lands are too vast, and the spatial structure is extremely unstable, making conventional detection methods highly ineffective."

"If we go any deeper and touch those ancient prohibitions that even sage-ranked individuals find troublesome, or awaken those powerful magical beasts that have been lying dormant, we will be beyond redemption."

At the peak of a mountain shrouded in gray mist, several figures bathed in faint light were conversing.

Two of them had divine halos hovering behind them, resembling gods descending from the heavens!

These were the distinguished symbols of sage rank!

They were the ascetic sage ranks of the Skyborne Church—

The primordial sage rank.

Weavers of the Veil.

In the outside world, their sage rank mind powers could easily cover several provinces.

But here, it was as if they had thrown a stone into the ocean. In this all-consuming canyon, their powers stirred barely a ripple.

After all, this canyon had once consumed the flesh of gods. Even sage rank powers seemed insignificant here!

"Every minute of delay increases the risk of her merging with the Heart of the Holy Spirit."

The primordial sage rank spoke slowly.

Although the fusion of divine objects took time, this situation left no room for hesitation!

"Perhaps we should focus on the Crossbridge Empire,"

a priest, cloaked in light, suggested from behind.

"Sophia is from there, and she has an extraordinary obsession with it."

"Oh? Elaborate."

"She risked her life to infiltrate the canyon to obtain the Glamer Holy Sword. According to reports, her ultimate goal was to strengthen the power of the Crossbridge Empire."

"Her family and friends are all in the Crossbridge Empire."

"If we can ’invite’ them here as guests, we can force her to show herself. This would be more efficient than blindly searching in this vast wasteland."

Even compared to sage rank, the size of this canyon was no less than an entire ocean.

Finding a unique tuna in such an ocean was no simple task.

But more importantly, what they needed most right now was time!

The primordial sage rank fell silent, and their tone was unreadable.

"Are you suggesting that my holy name should be stained by coercing the weak?"

The priest bowed deeply.

Clearly understanding the sage rank’s underlying meaning.

Since no rejection came, it meant the plan was actionable, but the method needed careful consideration!

"The sage rank’s radiance protects all beings. How could it ever shield shadows?"

"This trivial matter is too minor to trouble the revered sage rank."

"It is, of course, the actions of we, the subordinates, acting on our own initiative."

The primordial sage rank said no more and turned their gaze back to the mist-filled canyon.

The priest understood and quietly withdrew to begin preparations.

The sage rank needed to maintain their glorious image.

Dirty methods, however, were left to those eager subordinates seeking promotion.

Such was the unspoken understanding of the church’s apostles.

...

Eryndor City.

Inside a noble mansion, the space suddenly rippled.

The next moment, Gersent’s figure emerged.

"The war in the Western Region is over."

He announced calmly, his voice echoing through the hall.

"What?!"

"Impossible! So soon?"

The powerful figures who had been discussing matters turned with astonishment. Many of them were former strongmen who had defected to the Empire.

Upon hearing this news, they looked at Gersent in disbelief.

How could it have ended so quickly?

Hadn’t the war just broken out?

If it weren’t for the Empire’s mysterious space-oriented warriors, the front lines would just be starting to reach the battlefield!

Did the Empire’s reinforcements get wiped out by the Pood Empire’s forces?

How terrifying were Pood Empire’s forces? Did they send out dozens of Stellar ranks?

"Fast?"

Seeing the changes in the faces of his companions, Gersent chuckled lightly.

"More than fifty provinces of the Pood Empire have been reduced to rubble."

"If the Empire’s reception forces hadn’t been lagging behind the vanguard army’s speed, hundreds of provinces might have already changed hands."

"How is that possible!"

"Are you joking, Gersent?"

"What exactly happened?"

Sik was unable to hide his shock.

The others also cast doubtful looks.

The Pood Empire had deep roots and had been eyeing the Crossbridge Empire’s territory for years. They had planned for so long to annex the Empire’s land.

Now, not only were they no longer targeting the Crossbridge Empire, but they had also lost a significant portion of their territory so easily. Who wouldn’t be baffled by this?!

Had they not sent any strong forces to resist? Or was there some internal issue in the Pood Empire?

"Reliable sources say that these territories were taken by a coalition of many Stellar rank warriors."

"As for the exact number..."

Gersent paused meaningfully.

"Guess as high as you can imagine. Let me give you a hint: even the Pood Empire’s sage rank was forced to intervene."

"Guess as high as we can imagine?"

"The sage rank stepped in?!"

A half-step Stellar rank elder narrowed his eyes and asked tentatively.

"One hundred?"

Gersent remained silent.

Wak had once told him to guess the maximum number he could imagine!

He didn’t know the exact number.

But the guess of one hundred was clearly too conservative, vastly underestimating the true meaning behind that statement.

It was likely two or three times more, or even three or four times.

But whether it was one hundred or three or four hundred, it only strengthened their resolve.

...

Valoria Palace, Imperial Chambers.

Aurek was surrounded by dazzling divine light.

Another divine aspect manifested behind him—The Eternal Barrier Divine Aspect!

This divine aspect exuded an aura of supremacy that could suppress all things. It was capable of creating an indestructible defense and channeling the Empire’s might into battle, all with minimal energy consumption.

Hundreds of billions of Emperor Points were continuously accumulating, enough to support his rise to sage rank!

But he was in no rush.

He went to the attribute army camp and began summoning 11,200 new warriors.

Currently, the 9th-level summoned units had increased to 12,800, each with power comparable to a Stellar rank.

"Ordon Theocracy..."

Aurek’s gaze pierced through space to the distant horizon.

"The 1,800 provinces are now ready to return to the Empire’s fold!"

...

Blanca Carlo Plains.

Pood Empire Palace.

Emperor Will’s face was as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

Valentin, the leader of the secret organization, bowed and suggested.

"Your Majesty, sending only sage rank may not be enough. Should we request that the Tassidy Temple send fifty Stellar rank warriors to guard the eastern border?"

"I am more concerned with..."

Will suddenly turned around, and the temperature in the royal hall dropped sharply.

"Where did an empire that has only lasted for ten thousand years get so many Peak Master rank warriors? How do they have so many Stellar rank experts?"

He turned sharply.

"Who is supporting Aurek from behind? Why have we still not been able to trace them? What is the shadow organization doing?"

Originally planning to seize the Crossbridge Empire’s western territories, no one could have imagined that they would lose fifty provinces so easily.

Even the Imperial Prince Rechel had fallen in battle.

If it weren’t for the slow advance of the Crossbridge Empire’s royal cavalry, Will even suspected that the enemy was already on the doorstep.

Valentin hurriedly bowed.

"We’ve already dispatched many spies, even using Peak Master and Grandmaster rank experts, but we’ve found no leads."

"...It’s as if they appeared out of thin air!"

Valentin said this incredulously.

Disregarding all other possibilities, this was the only explanation left.

But such an explanation was clearly absurd.