The stars strewn across the vault of the sky had all gone dark, and the flowing River of Aurora had vanished without a trace. Deprived of every source of light, the temple hall sank into darkness.
The Magic Array beneath Merlin's feet crumbled inch by inch. His body swayed, and he barely steadied himself from collapsing. A layer of crimson uncontrollably flooded his eyes.
Endless whispers echoed madly through his mind.
His brows furrowed tightly as his right hand lightly pressed against his temple, as though he were struggling with all his strength. After a long while, the crimson finally faded away. He lowered his hand, and unprecedented exhaustion filled his expression.
"Uncle Merlin? Are you all right?" Jialan supported Lin Qiye properly. Seeing Merlin struggling in the distance, she asked worriedly.
"I'm fine..."
Merlin waved his hand and glanced at Lin Qiye, who lay quietly on the ground. "His body is overflowing with Power of Faith, and he hasn't fully absorbed and sealed it yet. Don't move him carelessly. Let him adapt slowly."
"Okay." Jialan nodded repeatedly.
Merlin took a deep breath, stepped across the temple hall, and reached out to push open the doors.
Creak—!
The low, heavy sound of the doors opening echoed through the empty hall. Clad in a dark blue mage's robe, Merlin walked onto the open ground outside the temple, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings as if assessing something.
A moment later, he raised his staff. One purple and one green Magic Array rapidly formed beneath his feet, intertwining into two distinct mysterious patterns.
Inside the temple, Jialan, who remained beside Lin Qiye, watched this scene with confusion in her eyes.
"Uncle Merlin, hasn't the Power of Faith already been sealed? Why are you still drawing Magic Arrays?"
Standing at the center of