The Corpse Piece Is Yours

Isaiah suddenly raised his head and looked at the prison in the distance, his eyes narrowing little by little.

"Teacher?" Mina noticed Isaiah's change in expression. "What's wrong? Is there something over there?"

"I sense a dangerous presence," Isaiah said, "Under the prison."

Mina's heart leaped into her throat. "Could it be..."

"It must be Him," Isaiah said softly. "Einhejar."

The Star Ring Devourer—the giant serpent "Einhejar"—is also the most powerful servant of the Star Relic God.

As Starlings, we all grew up hearing this name, and we know that He resides in the deepest part of the Abyss Prison, hovering over the Final Gate as the prison's last gatekeeper.

Mina had no idea that Isaiah had already sensed His presence before they even entered the prison.

"Is He about to come out?" Mina asked nervously.

"Not yet. He has probably just noticed the commotion outside." Isaiah shook his head. "And He will not leave the Final Gate. No matter what happens outside, He will remain there, because that is the task our Lord has given Him."

Upon learning that Einhejar wouldn't suddenly appear to surprise them, Mina breathed a sigh of relief, but the thought that they would eventually have to face Einhejar brought her back to her senses.

"What do you plan to do with Him?" Mina couldn't help but ask.

Although she knew that her teacher was undoubtedly the number one person under God.

But Einhejar is the most powerful servant of the Star Relic God, a true Demigod.

Mina wasn't sure who was stronger between the strongest being below the gods and the legendary Demigod.

Isaiah did not answer Mina's question directly, but said slowly, "That's not something to consider right now. Before that, I should first say hello to my old friend."

Mina was slightly taken aback.

Old friends? Are there Isaiah's old friends in the Abyss Prison?

Before Mina could figure out who this "old friend" was, a violent explosion suddenly occurred ahead, instantly engulfing the Star Relic Warlock who were advancing smoothly in a thick fog.

Is this the Guardian's counterattack?

Mina immediately directed the remaining Star Relic Warlock to prepare to find the spellcaster.

But at this moment, the thick fog surged toward the remaining people like a tidal wave. Not only was it extremely fast, but Mina could also feel a violent and intense surge of Magic Power within it.

Oh no!

Mina simply couldn't handle that speed and intensity.

But her inability to cope doesn't mean Isaiah is incapable.

Isaiah, who hadn't made a move since stepping over the sacred monument, raised his hand and did something that instantly halted the surging fog, as if it had been encased in an invisible wall.

"Boom"!

The dense fog also exploded at this moment. The huge flames seemed to be able to devour everything, but they could not get past the invisible wall. It was like a wild beast trapped in a cage, only able to roar mindlessly at the people outside the cage.

But the sheer force of the attack still shocked Mina. She couldn't imagine how much damage they would have suffered if their teacher hadn't intervened.

This level of resistance was on a completely different level from the resistance they had encountered before, which made Mina realize that the "old friend" Isaiah had spoken of had arrived.

A dozen seconds later, the towering flames that had ignited the thick fog slowly dissipated, revealing a team of fully armed Guardian in full battle stance before the Star Relic Warlock.

Clearly, the previous attacks were not only aimed at killing, but also at preparing these defeated Guardian for regrouping.

But in front of these Guardian was someone Mina could never have imagined.

"Bishop Luo Qi?!"

Luo Qi ignored Mina; his gaze remained fixed on Isaiah.

Although he had been mentally prepared for Isaiah's strength, Luo Qi's lips still twitched involuntarily when he saw Isaiah simply raise his hand to block his carefully prepared attack.

Keep in mind that his spell just now was enhanced with [Disruption], yet it only killed a few reckless Star Relic Warlock, and didn't even break Isaiah's defense.

Such a gap is really... no, no, no, I can't show weakness at a time like this.

Luo Qi took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "You shouldn't have done that, Mr. Isaiah."

"Bishop Luo Qi." Isaiah wore a faint smile, clearly not surprised by Luo Qi's sudden appearance. "It's good to see you here. But I'm a little curious, in what capacity are you speaking to me? Are you Bishop Luo Qi of the Rhine, or..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qi knew things were going badly, but there was nothing he could do to stop Isaiah.

"... Where is Mr. Thumb from Peach Blossom Paradise?"

That damn guy still managed to expose his true identity.

Even now, Luo Qi still doesn't want the truth about Peach Blossom Paradise to be exposed, otherwise even if he survives, he won't have any good consequences.

So now when they talk to Diana, it's all done in private, but it's obviously unrealistic to expect him to tell Isaiah to shut up right now.

He could only hope that Diana's funeral arrangements would be handled properly in the future.

"None of that matters," Luo Qi said, trying to downplay the issue. "The important thing is that we've all fallen into someone's trap."

"Hand Eye?"

"Ulu," Luo Qi said, "This is all Ulu's conspiracy, including everything you're doing now. He's the one who really wants to open the Abyss Prison!"

Isaiah's eyes narrowed little by little, as if he was thinking about something.

Seeing Isaiah's reaction, Luo Qi was naturally delighted.

If Isaiah can realize that he was manipulated by the Hand Eye, then there is still room for maneuver...

"I understand," Isaiah suddenly spoke. "The other three great sacred monuments... you destroyed one of them, didn't you?"

Luo Qi's eyelids twitched violently, and the Guardian around him immediately looked at him with surprised and angry eyes, but he could only pretend not to see it.

"That's why I say we've all fallen into that guy's trap." Luo Qi emphasized the word "we." "He was plotting against all of us from the beginning, just to open the Abyss Prison. So if you continue down this path, you're just doing what he wants!"

"I see..."

"You still don't believe me?"

"Of course not," Isaiah said with a smile. "From the moment I saw you here, I already guessed what was going on... After all, if even you can figure it out, how could I not?"

Luo Qi's lips twitched again, but he dared not show it, and could only continue, "Since that's the case..."

Do you think I'll back out?

"I understand your concerns," Luo Qi said. "But Ring Finger ... yes, she's here. She can assure you that as long as you stop, you won't face any consequences afterward. No, this wasn't your responsibility to begin with; it was all Ulu's. We can go now..."

"You misunderstand, Bishop Luo Qi," Isaiah interrupted Luo Qi with a light laugh. "I am unwilling to retreat, not because I am afraid, but because it is no longer necessary."

"There's no need?" Luo Qi was slightly taken aback. "Why?"

"Because I have realized that there are things that are above death," Isaiah said. "After getting this eye, I have been stuck in my ways for far too long, to the point that I have lost my drive to improve. This is unacceptable for someone who looks up at the stars."

"But you are betraying the Star Relic God!"

"If the Star Relic God has blinded my eyes," Isaiah said calmly, "Then He should step aside."

Luo Qi opened his mouth, his expression quickly turning to shock.

Luo Qi had long expected Isaiah to reject him, but he never imagined Isaiah's reason for doing so.

He truly betrayed the Star Relic God.

The first person under God betrayed God.

"You're really insane." Luo Qi swallowed hard, the saliva stuck in his throat. "Do you even know what you're saying? You..."

"Alright." Isaiah shook his head. "I'm no longer interested in arguing with you. I know you're here to buy time for that Ring Finger, but the reason I'm talking to you about this is because I want to give you a choice."

Luo Qi instinctively asked, "What choice?"

"Give me your piece of body," Isaiah said, "And I may spare your life."

Luo Qi's eyelids twitched.

"You don't need to side with the Ring Finger, do you?" Isaiah said calmly. "Give me the finger, and then stay out of it. Whatever the outcome, it's none of your business, is it?"

Luo Qi was somewhat tempted, but with countless eyes watching him, he couldn't show it. He simply asked, "How do I know you're telling the truth? Based on your guarantee?"

"I'm giving you a choice, not a guarantee," Isaiah said. "I'm giving you this choice only because I have many more people to deal with later, and I don't want to waste too much energy on you, even though you are indeed very weak."

Luo Qi: "..."

"Alright." Isaiah raised his hand and drew a scepter gleaming with starlight from the night. "Make your choice, Mr. Thumb."

The moment the scepter appeared, an immense pressure surged forth like a tidal wave, making it difficult for Luo Qi to breathe.

This guy's about to make a move!

So should I kneel?

Just as Luo Qi hesitated, his Guardian behind him, whether feeling the pressure or wanting to force Luo Qi to make a choice, all raised their Sealing Sword high.

"In the name of the Lord!" they shouted in unison, "Punish all who break their oath!"

The Sealing Sword in their hands also began to vibrate, and the power unique to the Contract Land suddenly erupted at this moment.

"Magic Nullification!"

They shouted again, and the rippling waves spread rapidly, turning all the Magic Power they touched into nothingness. Even the scepter in Isaiah's hand was affected; the star at the top of the scepter dimmed quickly, as if it might go out at any moment.

The Guardian's sealing power was an indiscriminate, area-of-effect attack, so Isaiah was affected. Luo Qi, who was standing in front of these Guardian, was even more unable to avoid it and was almost crippled.

Damn it, are these guys really not planning to take me down too?!

Luo Qi cursed inwardly.

Despite his complaints, Luo Qi did not stop the Guardian; in fact, he even gave them a thumbs-up.

[Disturbance]!

With the added power of [Disturbance], the already tyrannical sealing force was amplified, directly forming an absolute Magic Nullification domain around their swords, instantly silencing the Star Relic Warlock around Isaiah who wanted to retaliate.

This is the unique power bestowed upon the Contract Land by the Gods, so that the Contract Land can suppress all those with ulterior motives in this world; it is a true divine power.

Even Isaiah, the most powerful being under God, could not resist such power.

After the Magic Nullification field was completed, the Guardian raised the Sealing Sword once more, and at this moment, crimson-gold flames ignited on the Sealing Sword again.

This blazing flame is also a unique Devouring Flame of the Contract Land, capable of devouring everything it touches, and no means other than the Guardian himself can extinguish it.

After igniting the Devouring Flame, the Guardian Legion immediately charged towards Isaiah and his students, while Luo Qi stood still, watching their backs and pondering a question.

The Rhine Knight, who can enter the state of God's Blessing, have always been considered the most elite force in the world. If it weren't for their limited numbers, they would be fully capable of sweeping across the world.

But compared to the Guardian of the Contract Land, the Knight of the Rhine are practically primitive.

It was as if the Gods had bestowed all their favor upon the Contract Land, upon this legion of Guardian who wielded unique sealing power. Especially after gaining a deeper understanding of the composition of this force, Luo Qi simply couldn't think of any way to defeat them.

But why, when watching them charge toward Isaiah, did Luo Qi only feel that they were throwing their lives away?

The unparalleled Magic Nullification domain and the golden flames capable of devouring everything were so... powerless in front of that weathered old man?

Luo Qi's eyes widened, eager to see how Isaiah would retaliate in this situation.

Isaiah simply raised his scepter unhurriedly, his Star Sea- like right eye turning slightly.

A few minutes later, Isaiah slowly put away his scepter and calmly gazed at Luo Qi not far away.

Luo Qi, meanwhile, stared at the corpses of the Guardian scattered across the ground, at the clusters of golden flames that seemed poised to be extinguished at any moment, and at the broken, scrap metal-like Sealing Sword.

After a brief moment of thought.

With a "click".

He tore off his only remaining thumb from his right hand.

"Here's the body parts," Luo Qi said. "Let me go."