Fierce Battle

Linley observed the forces of the two great churches.

On the Radiant Church's side were Heidens, Luoye, and Useno.

On the Dark Church's side were Affleck, Ocasio, and Klemerson.

Several angels and fallen angels stood behind both sides.

"Who are those four?" Linley noticed that each of the two great churches had two mysterious figures wearing silver masks.

Linley knew all the experts publicly known to belong to the two great churches, but he had never heard of these four.

"Bebe, Barker, Sessler, watch out for those four masked men," Linley quietly warned them.

Although Linley remained wary, he was not overly worried. He now possessed the combat power of a Saint Realm Limit expert, and he had already sent Heilu to fetch Desri.

Twelve years ago, under Desri's witness, he and the two great churches had reached an agreement not to engage in conflict for twenty years.

Previously, when the Baruch Kingdom had gone to war with the two great churches, even after the churches had reached the Magic Crystal Mine, Linley and the other Saint Realm experts had chosen not to intervene.

Now that he had used the Rat Tide to turn the tide of battle, the two great churches could no longer sit still. If they acted, they would be the first to violate the agreement. Desri would undoubtedly stand with Linley.

With Linley and Desri, two Saint Realm Limit experts, as well as capable fighters like Bebe and Barker, and with neither church possessing a God Realm expert, Linley did not believe they had any chance of winning.

Both sides took their seats. Affleck, the Dark Pope whose skin was as fair and delicate as a woman's, spoke first.

"Linley, we won't waste words. We've come this time to make you withdraw your troops."

Linley had long guessed their purpose and flatly refused. "Are you dreaming?"

"Linley, withdrawing your troops now will benefit both sides." Heidens' expression remained indifferent.

"What a joke. It benefits you, perhaps, but what benefit is there for me?" Linley said.

"Boss, stop wasting words with them. Let me lead the Rat Tide and unify the Land of Chaos," Bebe said.

"Linley, don't ruin yourself!" Useno snorted coldly.

Linley's gaze swept over Useno like a cold blade. "Useno, don't put on airs in front of me. If you want me to withdraw my troops, impossible."

"Linley, withdraw your troops at once, and we will let bygones be bygones. This is the church's bottom line, and my lord's bottom line as well. Do you know... what the consequences are of violating my lord's bottom line?" Heidens said coldly.

Linley's gaze passed over Heidens, Affleck, and the others. He found them all looking utterly confident.

Before coming to negotiate, Linley and Sessler had discussed how the two great churches might conduct the talks.

The two of them had originally imagined that the churches would compromise, offering certain benefits and perhaps even territory, so long as Linley allowed them to spread their faith in the Land of Chaos.

After all, what the two great churches cared about most was the power of faith.

Neither Linley nor Sessler had expected the two great churches to be this unyielding.

What are they relying on? Linley wondered.

But regardless of how the two great churches responded, Linley had no intention of compromising.

Facing Heidens' harsh words, Linley gave a cold laugh. "You're threatening me? What, do you intend to violate the agreement from twelve years ago?"

"We don't want to either, Linley. We hope you won't fail to appreciate our kindness," Affleck said blandly.

Linley smiled. "And if I refuse? Do you want to fight?"

"So what if we do?" Useno snorted.

"Fight? Fine! How could a fight possibly leave out me, Bebe?" Bebe floated beside Linley.

"We'll fight you anytime." Barker's deep voice rang out.

His body suddenly expanded, shooting up to three meters tall. His entire skin took on a bluish hue, and bulging veins coiled around Barker's body like snakes, looking utterly terrifying.

White armor like stone grew from his skin, then covered his entire body.

This was a Saint Realm Ultimate Warrior—the Undying Warrior.

Sessler's eerie green eyes swept over the forces of the two great churches. A sinister grin spread across his face as he began silently chanting a Necromancy spell.

"Linley, since you insist on defying my lord's will, don't blame us."

Heidens and Affleck exchanged a glance, having already decided to begin the battle.

Bang!

The top deck of the river vessel exploded, and more than twenty figures shot into the sky like arrows.

At the same time, several powerful auras converged over the Liuyan River from both banks.

A black bird with a wingspan exceeding a hundred meters, its entire body covered in flames, appeared in the sky. It was the Saint Realm magical beast, the Hellfire Phoenix.

Klemerson, leader of the fallen angels, stood on the Hellfire Phoenix's back and looked coldly at Linley, who stood in midair.

A Saint-level Black Dragon flew over, its overwhelming aura making even the air tremble. Dark Pope Affleck stood atop the Saint-level Black Dragon's head.

On the other side, Luoye, leader of the Radiant Church's ascetics, had also brought his Saint Realm magical beast—the Saint-level Two-Headed Silver Dragon.

The three Saint Realm dragons Linley had subdued in the Sunset Mountain Range also appeared: the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Thunder Dragon, and the Saint-level Golden Dragon.

"They're coming!"

After relations had broken down, Linley had been keeping watch on those four masked men.

The four masked men turned into four streaks of light and charged toward Linley's side.

Linley swiftly underwent Dragon Transformation, swung his sword, and engaged one of the masked men.

The moment they exchanged blows, Linley was shocked. His opponent was actually evenly matched with him—a Saint Realm Limit expert.

What made his expression change even more was that the other three were no weaker.

Of the four masked men, two besieged Linley, one held back Bebe, while the last fought the three Saint Realm dragons alone.

Useno, Luoye, Ocasio, and the others led the angels and fallen angels against Barker and Sessler.

This time, the Radiant Church had brought six Four-Winged Angels, while the Dark Church had also brought six Four-Winged Fallen Angels.

Although these angels were merely Saint Realm Middle Stage and had not comprehended any Laws' Profound Mysteries, their numbers still made them a significant threat.

Useno, Luoye, Ocasio, and Klemerson, along with the Saint-level Two-Headed Silver Dragon and Hellfire Phoenix, joined forces against Barker.

Although the Undying Warrior possessed the strongest defense among the Four Ultimate Warriors, he still could not withstand the combined assault of so many Saint Realm experts.

In particular, Useno, Luoye, Ocasio, and Klemerson were all Saint Realm Second Tier experts no weaker than Barker.

Before long, Barker was already covered in wounds.

Sessler finished chanting the Necromancy spell, and dreamlike light appeared behind him as three Saint Realm undead descended.

Two of them were Skeleton Kings with diamond-like bones. The other was a burly humanoid monster in ragged robes—the immensely strong Saint-level Ancient Corpse Demon.

Sessler and the three Saint Realm undead faced twelve angels and fallen angels.

Sessler's lips moved slightly. An invisible ripple spread outward from him in every direction. This was a soul-attacking spell from Necromancy.

The two fallen angels and one Light Angel closest to him shuddered as they were struck by the invisible Soul Attack.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

Three muffled sounds rang out as the three Saint Realm undead simultaneously pierced the chests of those three angels and crushed their hearts.

In an instant, three angels died.

But the other angels had already surrounded them, leaving Sessler no time to chant and unleash the same attack again.

"Die!" The Light Angels and fallen angels all glared with icy eyes, their faces filled with killing intent.