Several days passed in a flash.
The day of assembly arrived.
The door to the secluded courtyard on War God Mountain finally opened from within. As the War God stepped out, the Saints chatting in small groups outside instantly fell silent. Without any command, they all straightened in unison.
Fain stepped forward and bowed. "Teacher."
The War God nodded, his gaze sweeping over those present. He offered no rallying speech, merely saying, "Let's go."
With that, he rose into the air first. Behind him, more than a dozen Saints took flight together, robes snapping as they followed the War God toward the Dark Forest. More than a dozen streaks of light crossed the imperial capital, drawing the gazes of the people below. A child ran a few steps after the lights before his mother pulled him back.
At the same time, within the Yulan Empire, High Priest Catherine set out from the imperial capital with more than twenty Saint Magi, also heading toward the Dark Forest.
In the Xunzhen Republic Empire, on the plaza outside the Miniature Plane, Loa and Linley had already assembled their people. Besides Barker, eight other Saints had decided to go. Loa said nothing more. Enveloping everyone in divine power, he and Linley turned into streaks of light and vanished into the horizon.
Three groups, one destination.
The Dark Forest.
When they arrived, the pitch-black Metal Castle came into view. Quite a few people and magical beasts had already gathered on the open ground outside it, scattered around the plaza in small groups with short gaps between them. Ultimately, a subtle divide still existed between the human Saints and the powerful magical beasts.
"Everyone is to remain in the plaza outside the castle. No one is to enter without permission."
Similar orders rang out simultaneously in