A flicker of apprehension darted through the Blood Guard’s eyes. Roaring Storm Church carried a ten-thousand-year lineage. Its strength should not be belittled. Yet, greed filled his mind when saw the Divine Bow and the fire unicorn. “I won‘t show mercy! Celestial Palace, kill them!”

“Kill!” Hundreds of Celestial Palace cultivators surged forward at once. Crimson light flared as their individual shields fused into a single tidal barrier, washing across the field like a blood-red sea.

“Roaring Storm Church disciples, form up!” Leonidas barked. Dozens of priests stood shoulder to shoulder at the rim of the battlefield. Their lips moved in perfect unison, chanting an ancient technique that vibrated in the very marrow of the air.

Divine light gathered above them, folding and refolding until it shaped itself into a colossal palm. With a thunder-crack, it descended, smashing toward the crimson barrier.

“Sword Sect, form the array!” Corin barked the order. At his command, the disciples of the Sword Sect leapt into position, feet landing on the invisible points of a celestial pattern. Streams of spiritual energy poured from their bodies, weaving together until a single immortal blade reared up and hurtled toward the charging foe.

Ararat and Kishor seized the opening. With a roar, they plunged back into the fray. In a heartbeat, the tables had turned.

Amid the chaos, Jared found himself frozen, his breath caught halfway to his lungs. In the moment had felt most abandoned, all these people had raised their weapons for him.