https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-329-Cardinal-Lanchi-s-Challenge-in-the-Northern-Demon-Territory/12584483/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-331-Sigrid-s-Underhanded-Tactics/12584485/
Chapter 330: Lanchi's Sudden Confrontation with Bishop Extinction
Chapter 330: Lanchi's Sudden Confrontation with Bishop Extinction
The city of Bandra, a majestic urbanity where history dances with architecture, is embraced by the frozen earth and snowy mountains. Morning or afternoon, the sparse light of the snowy realm casts a faint silver hue upon the cold, hard, deep gray stones, and the rugged scratches and marks of time whisper stories of the enduring holy war, awakening and whispering in the wind.
"..."
Lanchi and Xide heard the increasingly clear beat of drums and the orchestral battle song as they passed through the layers of Bandra City's barriers.
The city gates were heavily guarded, and after verifying the identities of Lanchi and Xide, the silent Imperial officers allowed them to enter Bandra City.
As the two stepped out onto the corridor beyond the gates and entered the upper levels of the city, they could sense the unwavering gazes of the guards and officers on their backs.
"Is there something wrong with these Imperial soldiers?" Lanchi asked quietly, his eyes fixed on the distant towering spires of Bandra City.
The city's architecture bore strong influences from ancient Herlom, with soaring spires, intricate stained glass windows, and complex stone carvings everywhere. The walls were solid and heavy, with towers and battlements at regular intervals.
The streets were broad and winding, and the buildings on either side rose tall, as if vying for the limited sunlight.
"No," Xide replied in a calm, uninflected tone.
Nonetheless, she, too, sensed that something was amiss in this city.
The two walked for a long time along the road, encountering no residents thus far.
However, their current location was in the upper levels of the city, which were staggered in height. As they walked along the street, one would notice that the road was actually a wide suspended bridge, offering a side view of the lower levels of the city.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, passing by the side of the suspension bridge, taking a long time before finally falling into the lower reaches of Bandra City.
Standing in the upper levels and looking down at the lower levels, which were at least sixty or seventy meters below, was like gazing down at the earth from the clouds. Finally, they could see tiny markets and shops, and from time to time, residents walked by, offering a variety of goods, from food to magical devices.
Lanchi donned a pendant, not a gemstone, but a small magical device capable of recording the images he saw.
Its principle was similar to the shadow world recording program of the Southern Continent, but this magical device had higher encryption. It not only stored images but also recorded environmental details and magical fluctuations.
"We may need to take a look at the lower levels," Lanchi said.
On the stone-paved gray streets, he could only see heavily armored Imperial soldiers patrolling and robed clergy of the Extinction sect. They appeared to be fine, or rather, one couldn't discern any issues with them.
If something unusual had occurred in this city, the best evidence would likely be found among the residents.
The path to the lower levels might require walking further into the city to find a staircase, and if one wished to descend directly, they would need exceptional physical strength or flight magic.
However.
Just as Lanchi's consciousness was about to detect the subtle changes around him, a slender yet powerful hand tightly locked onto his upper arm, the immense force that could easily crush his bones was still skillfully controlled by Xigrid, leaving him unharmed.
Lanchi tried to speak, but his words were instantly swallowed by a powerful cold air current, and the oppressive feeling coming from above confirmed that he had once again been taken into the sky by Xigrid.
But this time, the destination was not the depths of the city as Lanchi had suggested.
Instead, Xide took it upon herself to head out of the city.
Lanchi was surprised but did not question Xide's judgment.
"In this city, apart from the clergy of Extinction, there are no living people left," Xide's cold warning drifted to Lanchi's ears.
Even the Imperial soldiers at the city gates earlier were probably disguised elites of the Extinction sect.
"..."
High in the sky, Lanchi's emerald green eyes finally pierced through the mist and haze, taking in the full view of Bandra City.
The entrance area where they stood remained peaceful, but the depths of the city were shrouded in an ominous darkness.
The city center, sealed by illusions, was murky and unclear, yet even without sight, one could sense it was a day of eclipse, a demonic realm gathered from the remains of the fallen.
Beneath the black mist, crumbling buildings lay scattered with withered limbs. Elderly, women, and children, their corpses piled up, turning the entire border town into a sacrificial feast of death. Under the pale daylight, a suffocating absurdity and surreal atmosphere enveloped all of Bandra.
Time seemed elongated, and the howling wind grew more piercing. Lanchi's vision blurred from the cold wind, but Xide's hand remained firmly clasped around his, pulling him swiftly toward the city's border.
Lanchi remained silent, needing no words to understand that they had to hurry.
Even though they had not yet ventured into the heart of the city's anomaly to gather decisive evidence.
But this anomaly on the northern border, personally confirmed by the Bishop of Dominance, would surely cause upheaval in the imperial capital once reported to the upper echelons of the empire, coupled with the likely disappearance of Major Fanleiku.
And the sins committed in the north would be exposed and could no longer be buried.
Just as Lanchi thought this, his vision was suddenly obscured by a layer of warped transparent barrier!
Xigrid's speed abruptly slowed, coming to a halt in mid-air.
She glanced sideways with caution, noticing the figure that had appeared behind them without a sound.
"Well then, what do you two think of this beautiful scenery?"
A voice, filled with mirth, reverberated through the air above the city.
Lanchi turned his gaze backward, following the discordant melody.
The leaden-gray clouds churned in the sky, Bandra City immersed in deathly silence, with occasional flashes of lightning dancing between the winter clouds, illuminating the massive structure within the mist with a stark whiteness.
Standing atop a towering balcony of Bandra's skyscraper, a tall man clad in deep gray regarded them.
His skin was as pale as snow, devoid of any hint of blood.
Aside from the stifling magic that emanated from him in an effortless manner, when he sealed the space around them, the surrounding atmosphere seemed to freeze in that moment, emitting a profound glow, with countless black stars dancing within, like a living magic that struck directly at their eyes and invaded their minds.
Ordinary people with insufficient spiritual power, if faced with this soul-striking aura for the first time, might feel an indescribable connection with the world, experiencing a lengthy journey beyond the physical realm and the passage of time in an instant.
Ultimately, they would end up completely stupefied, kneeling on the ground, or even weeping uncontrollably.
The swirling text that formed did not belong to any known era, and only those who had witnessed the ancient ruins would understand their meaning.
This was the aura emitted by the [Primal Tablet] when it bestowed its blessings.
And this tablet, capable of enhancing sealing magic, revealed the identity of its possessor.
As if sensing Lanchi's gaze, the man turned his attention toward him.
Those deep gray eyes were like an abyss, drawing one in, causing their souls to gradually falter.
Askesun smiled as he observed the two of them.
When he stood there, the intangible terror that emanated from him only served to make living beings feel insignificant and helpless, and when he moved, all sense of stability would surely crumble.
(End of Chapter)
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