Entering Phase Two

These Twilight Sect followers are really easy to provoke.

Just mention the topic of the Hero, and it’s like touching a raw nerve—they instantly turn as frenzied as sharks scenting blood.

"I will personally cleanse your sins with your blood!"

Xia Lun felt a twinge of helplessness. These days, no one even believes the truth.

Kalein charged forward alone.

"Blade of the Sanctum"—that was his title, and also the divine art he cultivated.

His entire body could transform into razor-sharp weapons. Without needing a sword, a mere flick of his arm could unleash a fierce blade of energy.

Among the clergy, he was a true anomaly. By function, he should have been classified as a Judgment Knight.

Xia Lun took a few steps forward, ensuring the aftershocks of the battle wouldn’t reach his companions behind him.

Kalein’s arms morphed into spears, thrusting relentlessly at Xia Lun.

Xia Lun’s palms became a blur of afterimages, effortlessly parrying and deflecting every strike.

As expected of a bishop-tier powerhouse—his speed and strength were on a completely different level from any enemy Xia Lun had faced before.

He was likely the strongest human opponent Xia Lun had encountered since his resurrection… his power even rivaled the high-tier insectoid warriors under Yisi’s command.

At this level, one had already begun to transcend the ordinary.

In this world, he stood near the pinnacle of the pyramid.

Xia Lun finally stopped merely defending. With a single punch, he forced Kalein back.

"I didn’t expect you to have some skill," Kalein’s expression grew solemn. "Which adventurer group are you from? I’ve never heard of someone like you."

Xia Lun pondered for a moment. Claiming to be a student of Olifendor probably wasn’t the best idea right now.

"Dawn’s Wing," Xia Lun casually tossed out the name of his old team.

Behind him, Liyana suddenly felt her nose sting, and Musen’s eyes welled up with tears.

"So… Dawn’s Wing? That explains it." Kalein’s face lit up with realization. "You must be one of their hidden aces… To think I’d encounter you here."

Now it was Xia Lun’s turn to be surprised.

After all, over a thousand years ago—before the Demon King’s subjugation—he had disbanded Dawn’s Wing for the sake of his comrades’ safety.

How did this guy know about Dawn’s Wing? Could it be a coincidence?

The Dawn’s Wing Kalein spoke of didn’t seem to be the same as Xia Lun’s. The one in Kalein’s words sounded like a renowned, large-scale adventurer guild… whereas the Dawn’s Wing Xia Lun once led was just a small team of a few members.

"What’s Xia Lun doing? Why is he dragging this out?" Liyana whispered to Aina.

With Xia Lun’s strength, he could easily crush his opponent outright with sheer power and speed. Yet here he was, deliberately feeding Kalein openings.

"Xia Lun is reacquainting himself with the high-tier power systems of this world," Aina replied seriously.

"I see," Liyana nodded.

After all, things weren’t the same as before. Since the end of the Chaos Era and the dawn of the Order Era, many new power systems had emerged.

For instance, the divine arts Kalein wielded were fueled by the power of faith—something Xia Lun had never encountered in the past.

"But… no matter how strong you are alone, you can’t change your fate." Kalein spread his arms wide as the clerics behind him began gathering immense faith and mana. "Through teamwork and formations, even we fragile humans can triumph over monsters far stronger than ourselves! Your end is inevitable!"

"Divine Art—Angel’s Armor!"

One after another, white orbs of light emerged from the clerics and merged into Kalein’s body.

BOOM—

An intricate magic circle flared beneath Kalein’s feet. Dazzling radiance enveloped him, coalescing into a suit of flawless white armor that instantly elevated his aura by several magnitudes.

"Tsk—that looks terrifying."

Feeling the overwhelming surge of power, Liyana shrank back. Against Kalein’s previous form, she might have lasted a few exchanges. But this? She stood no chance.

"Captain Xia Lun… can he handle this?" Musen glanced uneasily at Xia Lun.

Though he knew Xia Lun was strong, after so much time had passed, he wasn’t sure of Xia Lun’s current limits.

And their opponent was a divine art forged by an entire squad of clerics.

Liyana instinctively reached out to pat Musen’s shoulder—only to swipe at empty air.

"Relax. This is Xia Lun we’re talking about."

Liyana shot a glance at Aina.

If Xia Lun was truly outmatched, Aina would’ve shown some reaction.

But the way Aina was staring at Xia Lun’s back… made Liyana think Xia Lun would need to pray for mercy tonight.

"Ah, such magnificent power… How can you possibly defy me now?" Kalein grinned triumphantly, convinced of his victory.

The next instant, Xia Lun closed the distance in a flash.

Before Kalein could react, a storm of fists hammered into his newly formed armor, the rapid impacts ringing out like the relentless clang of a blacksmith’s forge.

"Impossible!" Kalein barely raised his guard, but the barrage of fist-qi crushed his defenses, leaving him gasping.

The final punch struck Kalein’s chest. The armor shattered, and the white-clad figure hurtled backward, crashing into the group of clerics. Those directly hit exploded into clouds of blood.

"Just… what are you…?" Kalein coughed up blood, his eyes wide with disbelief.

A green glow flickered over his body, rapidly mending his shattered organs. The armor, too, began piecing itself back together.

"Didn’t I tell you? I’m the Hero." Xia Lun casually backhanded a charging cleric before stepping toward Kalein, his gaze icy.

For those who had strayed too far down the wrong path… he held no mercy.

Kalein barely steadied himself when Xia Lun’s leg whipped out like a blade. Kalein crossed his arms in desperation.

CRACK.

Kalein skidded across the ground, his arms snapping instantly, hanging limp at his sides.

"ARGH!"

A furious roar tore from Kalein’s throat, all traces of composure gone.

"Divine Art—Angel’s Descent!"

His aura surged once more. His pupils turned pure white, his feet left the ground, and translucent wings unfurled behind him—his presence now monstrously overwhelming.

This was a life-burning, last-resort technique.

Kalein pointed at Xia Lun from afar… only to freeze in shock. His target had vanished.

"Done already?"

Xia Lun stood behind him. His hand, sharp as a blade, descended in a clean arc—chopping into Kalein’s shoulder.

The white figure, having barely hovered for seconds, plummeted back to earth.