Hear the Voice of Heaven Above, Carry Out Divine Will Below!
Meanwhile, outside Hot Spring Pass, in the eastern camp of the Persian army, groans rose and fell, creating a somber and oppressive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, in the open space in the center, thick columns of black smoke rose and billowed, filling the air with a strong stench of burning and blood. Hundreds of soldiers with bloodied heads were being urgently bandaged and carried onto stretchers.
The Persian kings Xerxes and Darius I stood at the edge of a bottomless, cone-shaped crater, their faces ashen as they gazed at the dark ring that resembled a meteorite impact on the moon.
"This thing should have been completed when I returned..."
After a moment of contemplation, the newcomer, dressed in a white robe embroidered with a golden flame emblem, casually flicked his finger, and the cyan rock fragment engraved with divine script at his fingertip was reduced to dust by a rising ball of blazing white flame.
The overwhelming heat scorched and curled the hair and beards of the two Persian kings, turned them pale, and left them drenched in sweat, their bodies trembling with fear.
"Your Highness, it's the Greeks! The Greeks have brought two powerful allies! They launched a surprise attack on us while we were off guard!"
Darius I did not know whether it was the chill of fear or the intense heat of the blazing sun that caused him to sweat profusely.
Seeing the handsome, otherworldly Holy Spirit, whose palm glowed with an unsteady white light, he hurriedly clenched his fists and pounded his chest. His tall, robust body shrank before this slender and elegant figure, his head bowed, and he explained in a hurried tone.
"That's right! They are indeed very strong!"
Especially those two alien women, they were absolutely ruthless! Tanbei Valley, which had only been lightly affected in the previous ambush, is now a ghost town; the surrounding mountains have completely collapsed, and within a hundred miles, not a blade of grass remains!
Xerxes, standing behind Yue Yu, shielded half of himself and carefully explained, exaggerating the opponent's strength while exonerating himself.
"The Tower of Babel was indeed nearing completion, but last night, the Greeks launched a surprise attack, drawing our attention. A fiery stone, like a burning star, fell from the sky, piercing through ten layers of Magecraft barriers and instantly shattering the Tower of Babel!"
In the firelight, I could vaguely see that it was that alien named Quetzalcoatl who was behind this!
No, I'm sure! That's it!
Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent God of the Maya?
No wonder...
The Holy Spirit, whose body was like a jewel, gazed thoughtfully at the broken pieces of rock scattered on the ground, his expression softening slightly.
"Not only is this Quetzalcoatl formidable, but the Leopard Woman beside her is also not to be trifled with. The other side has also brought Achilles, the Great Hero of the Trojan War, to their aid. Moreover, he brought quite a few helpers with him to Hot Spring Pass this time!"
Now, even with the seven riders of the Great Khan and the heroes I recruited taking turns to fight, they are unable to take Hot Spring Pass in a short time!
This is the truth, please see it clearly!
The King is already aware of this matter and has not punished us..."
The quick-witted Xerxes noticed the subtle changes in the Holy Spirit's expression and became even bolder. While explaining his reasons, he didn't forget to drag Cyrus I into the Lower Waters as well.
According to his recent observations, this incarnate deity, though ruthless and almost merciless, showed a subtle respect for the Great King.
"You guys are still stuck in your jobs!"
The sage frowned and snorted coldly, revealing his displeasure.
"Understood! We understand! Your Highness, please grant us, in consideration of the urgency of the battle, three more days to atone for our mistakes and rebuild the Tower of Babel!"
Seeing this, Xerxes was not afraid but pleased, and repeatedly pleaded with obedience.
For the high and mighty gods, the more they express their emotions, the more it means there is still room for redemption.
What he feared most was that this saint would not give them a chance to explain and would simply burn him and Yue Yi to ashes with a single spark.
"Alright, I'll give you three more days. You must rebuild the Tower of Babel by the deadline!"
The saint nodded slightly, casually dispelling the blazing white flames in his palm. His golden-red eyes looked down at the two Persian kings who were bowing down, his gaze penetrating to their very core.
When Xerxes made eye contact with him, he felt a burning sensation in his soul. Any lingering hope or distracting thoughts he had harbored were instantly consumed by fear. He hurriedly lowered his head and responded obediently.
"We obey your decree! In order to end this 12,000-year-long War of Light and Darkness and to bring forth the gospel of this world, we swear to fulfill our destiny!"
Hearing Xerxes's solemn promises and the almost hymn-like chanting, the saint raised his hand and used divine power to pull the disciple to his feet, his eyes showing a touch of warmth.
"Remember, the Tower of Babel is the key to your ability to 'hear the voice of heaven and follow the will of the gods'!"
As those fair, jade-like fingers gently patted his shoulder, Xerxes trembled, feeling as if his bones had melted. Overwhelmed with gratitude and trepidation, he nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"That's good. Let's get to the preparations as soon as possible. There's not much time left..."
The two Persian kings nodded repeatedly, like chickens pecking at rice, and Xerxes, who had become bolder, couldn't help but remind them.
"Sir, according to the normal construction schedule, we are indeed confident that we can finish within three days, but what about the Greeks..."
The saint stopped in his tracks, his face clouded with gloom. That single, indifferent glance nearly sent Xerxes' soul tumbling out of his body.
"A bunch of useless trash!"
Fortunately, that oppressive gaze quickly turned to the narrow pass between the mountains, and the sage coldly snorted.
"Do your jobs! I will handle the battle for Hot Spring Pass."
As that graceful, jewel-like figure moved out of the camp, the priests and priests who were treating the wounded and repairing the fortifications along the way quickly stopped what they were doing, placed their forks in front of their chests, bowed their heads, and solemnly chanted hymns of praise in divine language to bid farewell to the deity.
"Lord of Light, Lord of Flames, my God Mithra, the most powerful of all creation, I offer you this poem and wine. May your might dispel darkness, bring you victory in every battle, and deliver the gospel to this world..."
In these chants, the identity of the saint is becoming increasingly clear.
Mithra, the God of Light, a holy spirit born of fire, is the most powerful creation of Ahura, Lord of Wisdom, and also the closest to this supreme god, the "infinite light".
Meanwhile, in Egypt, on the shores of the Red Sea.
A figure walked on the churning water. With each tap of his cane and each step he took, the surging tide below transformed into a gentle, calm current, like a tamed beast.
The person walked with great care, the distance between each step as precise as if measured by a zither, and the surrounding storm and the waves beneath his feet had no effect on him whatsoever.
After wading for several hours across the water, the silver-haired man, his clothes tattered and revealing large patches of his tanned, muscular skin through the holes, finally reached the other side.
Climbing to a high vantage point and gazing out, the winding Nile River, the fertile farmland irrigated by the irrigation system, the majestic Radiant Composite Great Temple, and the roaming Hot Sand Sphinx —all these familiar yet unfamiliar sights came into view, awakening memories that had been dormant for who knows how long in the silver-haired man's mind.
The man tightened the shoulder strap connecting the cabinet behind him, gazing at the stunning afterglow of the setting sun, and murmured to himself.
Nefertari, I'm home...
At that very moment, within the Radiant Composite Great Temple, a pair of golden eyes suddenly opened.