Luther and Grace exchanged a glance, then both withdrew the auras they had been using to conceal themselves and rushed after him, flying straight toward the summit of Sacred Mountain.

Ghostly energy spread from Luther once more, dark as night. Against Jared’s golden celestial radiance, the contrast was stark and striking.

Grace gripped a long green sword, a faint celestial glow running along its blade. She stayed alert, ready for anything that might happen at any moment.

“Who goes there?”

The Celestial Palace soldiers around the altar spotted them immediately. A junior captain at the front barked the command, his voice sharp with both caution and killing intent.

More than a thousand soldiers turned in unison.

Countless cold eyes locked onto Jared and the other two, like a forest of icy blades pointed straight at them.