At the command of the Dark Archmage, the entire altar seemed to be shrouded by an invisible force, and the atmosphere suddenly turned grave.
More than thirty Black Mages moved at once, circling the rune patterns around the altar as they chanted in unison.
Their low, piercing chant echoed through the night sky, seeming to weigh down the air and tighten everyone's chest.
As the chant quickened, the bodies of the sacrifices bound to the stone pillars began to tremble faintly.
Their faces gradually twisted, their eyes grew unfocused, as though some invisible force within them was being forcibly drawn out.
Black mist slowly spilled from their mouths and noses, carrying soul-rending despair as it flowed along the runes and gathered at the center of the altar.
At first, those people could still let out hoarse wails, but as the emotions deep within their souls were plundered, their voices gradually faded, leaving only helplessness and despairing tears in their eyes.
Crack— With a crisp pulse of runes, the magic array across the altar suddenly lit up.
More than three hundred stone pillars erupted with dazzling radiance at the same instant, like stars falling into the mortal world, driving the watching Black Mages nearly mad with excitement.
The light gathered in the sky, gradually condensing into a massive illusory gateway.
The gate seemed to be forged from blood and fire, its surface flowing with thick dark-red patterns of light and exuding endless evil.
Ang stood at the edge, his gaze icy.
He could clearly sense the pressure emanating from that gate. It was a terrifying presence above humanity, as though even the slightest leak of it could shatter a person's soul.
As the illusory gate gradually solidified, a massive figure appeared within it.
The figure was tall and grotesque, with two