Cloud Peak, the grand hall of the Winged Deity Punishment Church.

Xia Yuan stood before the Church’s leader, hands tucked in his pockets.

Behind him, the First Attendant’s overwhelming aura put the other believers on high alert.

“Who are you?”

On the throne at the hall’s center, the leader opened his eyes. Propping his head up lazily, he eyed the middle-aged man before him. If this visitor couldn’t give him a reason to improve his mood, he’d kill him instantly.

“I’m merely a somewhat renowned curse caster. I’ve come to propose an alliance.”

Xia Yuan raised his right hand, slightly pushing up his glasses. A dark glint flickered in his gaze.

“Is that all?”

The leader’s tone dripped with boredom and disdain. To him, anyone seeking cooperation was just clinging to the Church’s power.

Two angels stepped forward behind Xia Yuan. Raising their hands, they began chanting a spell aimed at him and the First Attendant.

But—

Before their attack could land, both angels’ heads hit the floor. Blood splattered the hall’s walls from their collapsing bodies.

In an instant, two corpses lay on the ground.

Blood coated the First Attendant’s right hand. His dull eyes remained fixed on the leader ahead.

Only then did the other believers react, swiftly gathering before their leader.

“My apologies for the intrusion. I’ll be watching closely to see how your Church claims victory this time.”

A teleportation spell flared. Xia Yuan and the First Attendant vanished, reappearing at the foot of Orkoreth Mountain.

Gazing up at the peak, Xia Yuan muttered furiously, “Let me see how a rotten, arrogant Church like yours vanishes from this continent’s history!”

***

Celestial Carving Academy.

“They’ve made their move? What a shame Dishi can’t leave the basement.”

Dishi sensed the powerful aura surging from beneath the Academy. He felt a twinge of regret that Aikua Hebrai Eburna couldn’t roam freely. If he could, this war would’ve ended already.

“What!? The First and Second Winged Angels are dead!?”

Panic spread among the fallen angels’ followers.

“Stay calm! Retreat first—report back to the leader!”

The First Wing’s follower-leader kept his head. After blocking the student council president’s attack, he took charge.

“Sky Blast: Tiger Burial, Dragon Interment!”

A wave of believers flew backward, blasted by a youth wreathed in black, unknown flames.

On the battlefield, Wilkor fought fiercely, fists swinging nonstop.

“Focus.”

Elucia, locked in combat with the follower-leader, frowned at his distraction.

“Heaven’s Fall.”

A massive meteor appeared overhead, hurtling down where Elucia pointed.

“We’ve been out of touch too long. So many strong players have emerged.”

The follower-leader swiftly drew a circular magic circle midair. A colossal beam of light shot out, shattering the meteor.

After deflecting the attack, he glanced back at his routed followers. Gritting his teeth, he soared skyward—he couldn’t save them. He had to escape and warn the leader.

CRASH!!!

A muscular giant in an A-rank apprentice uniform leaped into the air. Clapping his hands together, he slammed a fist into the follower-leader’s back.

The man crashed back to earth.

“Annoying pest! Needs cleaning up, right?”

Windom宫Naru, the Academy’s No. 8, landed beside Wilkor and gave him a thumbs-up.

Wilkor returned the gesture.

The battle tilted decisively toward the Academy. Leaderless, the believers were ruthlessly crushed by the apprentices.

The follower-leader, covered in dirt and pinned to the ground, searched desperately for a chance to flee or counterattack.

“I have many questions for you.”

Elucia stepped on his back, having watched his every move.

***

Cloud Peak, base of Orkoreth Mountain.

Not long after Xia Yuan left, Sharkai Bai and Kami Miraishi arrived.

They’d encountered many Church believers along the way—but before Sharkai Bai could act, Kami Miraishi had already eliminated them all.

“Let’s make a deal, kid.”

Kami Miraishi planted her hands on her hips, eyeing Sharkai Bai.

“A deal?”

Sharkai Bai tensed. Why would someone of his strength need a deal with him?

“The Winged Deity Punishment Church—the Twelve Winged Angels are the sword that strikes. The Six Archbishops are the shield that defends. Leave the Six Archbishops to me.”

“...”

“Aw, don’t look at me like that! In exchange, you just handle one person. Someone... slightly troublesome for me.”

Sharkai Bai realized Kami Miraishi only wanted him to fight one opponent—a troublesome one, but still better than six. He nodded.

“The one you’ll face is the leader’s left hand: Migast.”

Kami Miraishi, once the leader’s right hand, named his troublesome rival.

Later, based on Kami Miraishi’s intel, numerous Church chapels remained on Orkoreth. He dumped them all on Sharkai Bai, claiming Cecilia Xuelian and Cecilia Ozbell might be imprisoned there.

Trapped, Sharkai Bai had no choice but to leap into the trap.

***

Smoke hung over the Northern Kingdom.

Situ Sheng wiped dust from his face. “Almost fooled by their facade. The Twelve Winged Angels are indeed strong.”

“That self-destruct was dangerous.”

Halredton descended from the clouds, his Church uniform torn from the explosion.

“With this area secure, go support the others.”

“Understood. If I’m not mistaken, you’re heading to the Southern Desert? I’ll take the Eastern Continent.”

Halredton flew east.

He was right—the other Four Dragon Kings were concentrated in the Southern Desert. Situ Sheng couldn’t leave them unguarded. Even he’d struggle against a Twelfth Wing alone.

“Twelfth Wing dead... by self-destruct? How disgraceful for the Church.”

As Situ Sheng turned to leave, a powerful magic locked onto him.

WHOOSH—!!!!

Dozens of ice spears shot toward his back.

Situ Sheng spun, flicking his wrist. Fireballs erupted, colliding with the spears. Explosions echoed over the Northern Kingdom.

“State your name.”

Smoke cleared. Situ Sheng’s face was icy, eyes blazing with battle lust. This power dwarfed the Twelfth Wing’s.

Clouds parted above. A youth with golden wings hovered there.

“Fourth Wing of the Twelve.”

Arms crossed, the Fourth Wing smiled calmly, studying Situ Sheng with interest. “You’re far more interesting than that old man who just left.”

***

Eastern Continent, Bamboo Sea.

Two blurs clashed through the bamboo forest.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!...

Xuanyuan Yinghan hadn’t faced anyone this fast since Sharkai Bai. This opponent was even quicker.

*(Faster...)*

Amid the high-speed exchange, Xuanyuan Yinghan’s momentary lapse let the Tenth Wing slash his cheek.

Every technique he used was perfectly countered, the Tenth Wing’s expression utterly indifferent.

“I told you. You’re not my match.”

Blocking Xuanyuan Yinghan’s sword again, the Tenth Wing finally spoke.

“Shut up.”

Though words were scarce mid-fight, Xuanyuan Yinghan charged again, refusing to yield.

“Warm-up’s over.”

The Tenth Wing spread his wings, soaring skyward. He sheathed his cross-shaped longsword, gazing down. “Don’t forget—I’m not a combat mage. I’ve merely been using my weakness against your strength.”

As his words faded, meteors materialized in the sky.

“What...”

Xuanyuan Yinghan stared, stunned. While he’d given his all, his opponent had only been warming up. The thought was unbearable for a genius like him.

The meteors plummeted closer.

“This old man can’t let you ruin such beautiful bamboo.”

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

Just before impact, a crimson streak flashed. Each meteor shattered midair.

“Mas...ter?”

“Hmm?”

Xuanyuan Yinghan looked up. The Tenth Wing’s gaze sharpened.

A loli girl in a black robe stood before the Tenth Wing, holding a slender crimson sword.

“This old man is Hua Shan Temple Moon Day. Aren’t you Twelve Wings ranked by strength?”

“I know of you. We are ranked by strength.”

Facing the girl, the Tenth Wing felt a long-forgotten sensation: danger.

“Oh? This old man feels you’re stronger than the Seventh Wing.”

“...You met the Seventh Wing?”

“Him? ~~He’s probably dead on that road by now, his guts eaten by wild dogs~~~~.”