Chapter 695: Watching in the Shadows

Underground.

A solemn team of mages is advancing.

These mages are not elves, but they wear standardized armor. Each piece radiates a soft light, illuminating the surroundings while providing formidable protection.

Silently, they traverse the underground, and while unable to instantly kill demons, they handle them with ease. Even when reaching the threshold that causes demons nearby to react, their progress never slows.

In the shadows, Hilia silently observes these people.

“Are these the support troops of the Phoenix Kingdom?”

They might not identify a demon’s weak spot as quickly as she can, nor possess Elina’s keen perception of life elements, but they can still swiftly locate and kill a demon’s weakness during combat.

“Each squad is generally led by one Tier Five Mage and consists of four Tier Four Mages… Their tactical level in this underground world allows them to advance effortlessly, but Lord Rose said they…”

Saying this, Hilia shakes her head.

It’s impossible, no matter how you think about it.

Fighting gods, not to mention these people, even Tier Six Mages aren’t qualified.

Rose chuckles lightly: “Generally speaking, indeed so, but, you see, a newly awakened god lacks the support of faith, and if their body is severely tainted, their strength is greatly diminished. While not enough to be defeated by mages below Tier Seven, these people might not be the only ones. Perhaps there are mages who can surpass their limits hiding among them.”

“Mages surpassing their limits.”

Hilia recalls her prior encounter on Dragon Island.

It seemed there were Tier Seven Mages fighting then…

Judging by this, the Phoenix Kingdom might really send Tier Seven Mages over.

“Can Tier Seven Mages slay gods?”

“I’d also quite like to see a Tier Seven slay gods, but regrettably, this level of power is insufficient to kill a god, even a very weak one.”

Rose shakes his head, then picks up Hilia, swiftly moving through the underground world.

“Your speed is too slow; follow me to catch the main event.”

The surroundings are pitch black as faint spiritual power envelops her body, leaving her sensationless. In the blink of an eye, she finds herself at the original location.

In the underground space that houses the cornerstone of the entire array, the fragment of the Divine Format.

Boom!

Upon arrival, she hears the sound of a violent explosion.

On closer inspection, she sees two groups fighting ahead—one surrounding the fragment of the Divine Format as the cornerstone, while the other is attacking from outside.

Among those guarding the fragment, Hilia spots You Jelieya and Ze Lishalin.

They display extraordinary bravery, as life and death power emanates from every gesture, disrupting the attacking party’s formation.

In the attacking party, Hilia sees a figure at the forefront, clad in armor and wielding a heavy sword. Flames emit from him, and with each strike, he burns away the power of life and death.

As for others, wearing armor that doesn’t reveal what unit they’re from, Hilia deduces from their national traits that these people likely come from Phoenix, the same group as the mages outside the underground searching for something.

From this person, Hilia senses a magic power wave even more terrifying than Tier Six.

This magic power wave makes her feel that if she approaches, the aftermath alone would annihilate her.

“Who is this…”

Hilia quickly searches her memories but fails to find any trace of this person.

She then chooses to secretly record his face, planning to inquire with people from the Holy Court upon her return.

As she finishes recording, the person seems to sense something, suddenly looking over.

In that instant, Hilia finds breathing somewhat difficult.

Luckily, he only glances before no longer paying attention, and the pressure disappears.

Hilia breathes a sigh of relief.

“Is a Tier Seven Mage so terrifying? Even taking a photo can draw attention.”

“Of course, leaving a trace is also magic. Being the magic’s subject, with keen element perception and elevated rank, he can sense it. I made you invisible, otherwise you’d already be a corpse,” Rose chuckles.

“Uh… I can’t record randomly anymore.”

Hilia stops recording and chooses to observe quietly.

The battling parties immediately clash head-on without uttering a word, disappointing Hilia’s hope of uncovering the cause.

However, through observation, Hilia finds some clues.

Phoenix’s people seem to pursue the Heart of the Magic Puppet as the cornerstone.

“Such a large formation, is it really for that Heart of the Magic Puppet?”

Hilia blinks.

Though the Heart is of super rare level, it’s useless to ordinary mages; could it be that the suspected Tier Seven Mage wants it, and only a super rare Heart of the Magic Puppet works for them?

Hilia feels puzzled.

Currently, neither side’s ultimate goal is clear, nor is this evidently a battle to kill gods.

Thus, she chooses to quietly watch.

“I remember those two Recovery Temple and Dusk Sect Deadpool are just Tier Six, yet they can fight a Tier Seven Mage…”

“They received Haroldias’s gift; given some time, they may break through and advance successfully,” Rose says.

“So, Lord Rose brought me here to watch, intending for me to steal the Heart of the Magic Puppet once they’re both injured?”

Rose lightly smiles: “It’s not just that. Keep watching.”

“Alright.”

The situation soon changes.

After all, You Jelieya and Ze Lishalin are still Tier Six and haven’t broken through; their resistance quickly shows signs of faltering.

Boom!

A loud bang as the Flame Heavy Sword Master’s strike hits You Jelieya, knocking him down into the crowd, burning many heretics in its fiery splatter.

You Jelieya bitterly glares at the Sword Master above, shouting: “The gods have awakened; why are you still so stubborn?”

“Hand it over,” the Sword Master grumbles.

“Guit, aren’t you afraid we’ll retaliate by damaging your kingdom later?!”

“You’re welcome to try,” says Guit, the Sword Master, nonchalantly.

“If you leave now, we won’t hold a grudge. Surely you can see we won’t be long before we reach your level. When that happens, even if you can stop us temporarily, can you always?”

Guit’s attack pauses, allowing Ze Lishalin to quickly escape, avoiding his strike.

The multitude of mages fighting below doesn’t halt, continuing to hurl magic at each other.

However, all understand the true outcome is determined by Guit and You Jelieya’s duel.

Currently, Guit holds the advantage.

During their deadlock, a terrifying apparition gradually appears above the surrounded Divine Format fragment.

Everyone pauses their battle, looking up at the apparition.

“Interesting, I smell defeat from you lot. Fascinating. Zeus hasn’t appeared, and instead you show up? Haha, since you’re here, why not stay…”

The apparition raises its hand, causing the entire underground world to quake.