God's Favor

Mossen noticed the abnormal energy fluctuations emanating from the pit. His gaze fixed on the disturbance, and the fighting spirit that had previously subsided due to various unforeseen factors suddenly surged to an overwhelming peak.

The intensity of his presence caused the Mage Corps to momentarily halt their magic supply, as the tremors beneath them gradually waned.

The magic swordsman silently activated several enhancement spells, his aura swelling with immense pressure that made even the demon lion uneasy.

The Mage Corps, recognizing their commander's intent, quickly floated the ground platforms toward the edge of the giant pit.

Kami, standing by, exchanged a brief but significant glance with Ernado, signaling him to hold back from casting a spell. He shook his head subtly.

"Roar~"

The demon lion roared with ferocity, its immense demonic power flooding the area. With Mossen on its back, it leaped into the massive pit, which was about 300 meters deep, and sprinted across the ruins below as if they were solid ground.

Mossen's fighting spirit intensified, the air around him crackling with pressure. The giant sword slung across his back trembled, sending shockwaves through the debris as the ground beneath him compacted, sending him hurtling into the air.

As the demon lion leaped, Mossen's aura reached its zenith. The shadow behind him mirrored his every movement, building in intensity.

Without warning, he raised his sword, slashing downward with precise and terrifying force.

The [Demon Slash], his signature silver-level ultimate technique, was unleashed.

He descended in a massive arc, colliding with the blood-red light shield that had appeared before him.

**Buzz~**

A violent buzzing filled the air, and the earth trembled once more. The edges of the 300-meter pit began to crack under the strain, prompting the soldiers to retreat in an organized fashion, expanding the encirclement.

The Wucheng Army's 1,500 soldiers, armed with 700 energy guns, aimed their weapons at the impact site. Meanwhile, others gripped their swords and daggers, ready to advance once the firepower had softened the target.

The ground solidified under the overwhelming force of Mossen's attack. The blood-red shield began to fracture, revealing glimpses of hundreds of blood mages within. Their chanting was frantic, and the hall was quickly filling with a blood-red tide.

Mossen's eyes burned with determination. The shadow behind him raised the sword again, and with a forceful swipe, he brought it down with even greater power.

**Boom!**

The roar echoed through the ruins, and the blood-red shield cracked further. Through the gaps, Mossen could see the blood mages intensifying their ritual, the blood in the room rising to form a deadly tide.

The energy within him surged as he prepared for the final blow.

"Attach!"

Mossen's command rang out as the shadow disintegrated into a torrent of power, pouring into his body. The buzzing intensified as the energy threatened to overwhelm him.

"Cut!" he shouted, his voice sharp and filled with rage. The giant sword vibrated as it hummed with tremendous force, unleashing ripples in the surrounding space.

**Boom! Buzz~Crack~**

A massive explosion erupted, the blood barrier shattering completely. The scent of blood filled the air, spreading up to the sky, tinting the snowflakes with a grim crimson hue.

**Roar~**

A terrifying roar, one that was no longer human, pierced the air from within the heart of the sacrifice. A young blood-robed wizard stumbled back, spitting out blood, as an overwhelming aura of evil and terror surrounded him. Divine power surged through the city, attempting to break through the veil of unknown force.

A majestic power began to gather around the young wizard, manifesting in the form of a massive blood-red beam shooting into the sky. The ground beneath him trembled, and a cracked transparent crystal fell from the air, with blood desperately seeking to consume the gem within.

The forces of the divine power collided with the will of the blood mages, and an enormous wave of energy shot outward. The very earth seemed to quiver as the blood-red barrier shattered. The destructive wave of energy forced Mossen and the demon lion to retreat, their powerful forms momentarily pushed back.

Kami, watching from the sidelines, her face somber, recognized the rising power of the blood mage. She could only speculate whether the ancient god's flesh and blood had truly fused with this mage's body. If so, the consequences would be dire.

"Prepare yourselves. You have three chances. Do not let him fall so easily," Kami murmured to Ernado, pulling out a strange compass-like object. She approached the edge of the giant pit, leapt down without hesitation, and disappeared into a hidden passage.

Ernado's eyes hardened with determination. The plan had been for them to search together, but with the blood mage nearing the mid-gold rank, only the siblings had access to the Will family's treasures. He would stay behind and assist.

Outside the encirclement, a flicker of energy passed through the shadows. It stopped, lingering, as though waiting for something in the darkness.

**"Is it this strong?"**

Bai Yi's voice was a whisper as he quickly opened a door and scanned the contents of the room. His panel flashed, quickly identifying the most valuable items within. He seized a bronze weapon, tapped his headset, and released the weapon, which vanished in an instant.

Bai Yi moved quickly to the next room, where the power of the blood mage had reached its peak. He could feel the presence of the old city lord's power—or lack thereof. If the city lord didn't intervene now, the forces of Tobu City might be forced to activate the Gundam at the East City Gate to overcome the disaster.

He discarded low-value items with speed, scanning rooms for anything of importance.

It was likely that the actions of Will and Apocalypse had driven the Scarlet Sect to the east, leaving the western part of the city open for exploration.

Bai Yi, his sunglasses enhancing his focus, moved swiftly through the complex underground network, quickly realizing that the Scarlet Sect had hollowed out the basements of the buildings to create a small underground city. This had likely been ongoing for quite some time, unnoticed by most of Dongwu City's citizens. The wealthy elites had turned a blind eye as long as the civilian casualties were kept low.

The worker bees, circling above, were gathering more data, their flight speed increasing. Bai Yi's map became more detailed as he honed in on the sacrificial site. He noted the surrounding buildings, surmising that the treasure vault must lie close to the residence of the sect's most powerful members—most likely to the east.

Without hesitation, Bai Yi pivoted and began heading in that direction, fully aware that the power of the scarlet priest had reached its peak. The time was drawing near.

In a low, ominous voice, the priest murmured:

"Blood will eventually fall upon the world, and scarlet will cover all. You, a pitiful band of godless mortals, will pay the price for your disrespect to the divine!"

With that declaration, a mid-gold being descended into the fray with a deafening crash.