Chapter 999: Attack and Defense Role Reversal

"Another form?"

"A string of witchcraft spells... we call it 'Alice's Cellar Library'," Wu Duo slowly began. "It's an encrypted witchcraft spell that only members of the Witchcraft Association can open. Once activated, your consciousness can enter the Cellar Library from anywhere, like sleepwalking."

Fang Liangye's eyes lit up. "Can you help me investigate something?"

"No one cares about this thing right now, and no one is guarding it. I can take you in with me."

"That would be perfect."

Wu Duo bent down, bit her fingertip, and quickly began writing on the warehouse floor. Strings of twisted characters and symbols, like earthworms, slowly spread across the ground. As Wu Duo finished the last character, the aura of the Witch God Path emanated from the symbols, and a mysterious energy instantly enveloped both of them. The next moment, Fang Liangye and Wu Duo simultaneously collapsed, unconscious.

Amidst thick flames and smoke, a red-haired figure holding a long spear slowly emerged. Her arms and neck were covered in gruesome scars, as if she had barely escaped being severed. Crimson blood stained her black trench coat, a truly shocking sight.

Beyond the smoke, two figures were hurrying towards them: a tall, corpulent Butcher and a mysterious person cloaked entirely in black.

"Hongxiu, where is he?" the Butcher asked in a deep voice.

"...Couldn't keep him," Hongxiu replied expressionlessly, grabbing her own shoulder and pressing the fractured bone back into place. "The opponent was a woman in a black cheongsam, a Theater God Path practitioner, also using a long spear, and an Eighth-Rank... Her moves were ghost-like and silent, revealing no aura whatsoever. She's a natural-born killer."

"An Eighth-Rank Theater God Path practitioner, huh..." the figure under the black robe murmured to himself.

Just then, a Torchbearer hurried towards them.

"Lady Hongxiu," the Torchbearer said respectfully, "Lord Chiton asks that you return to guard the church immediately."

Hongxiu glanced at him and said indifferently, "Understood."

As Hongxiu was about to leave, she seemed to remember something and turned back to caution the two: "Both of you be careful. Her aura is too well-concealed; she could attack you at any time, anywhere." The wound on Hongxiu's neck slowly healed. "If not for my strong self-healing ability, I would probably be decapitated by now... It's not just that woman; the Twilight Society members seem to be fond of surprise attacks."

Hearing this, both their faces instantly darkened.

Hongxiu left the ravaged battlefield and headed straight for the church. Occasionally, explosions echoed from a distance, and thick smoke billowed into the sky from various directions. Hongxiu knew very well that the "empty fort strategy" couldn't last much longer. No matter how meticulously they manufactured explosions and battle traces, they couldn't fake the aura of a God Path practitioner. Although the Torchbearers were currently terrified and on high alert, they would eventually realize if they didn't sense any God Path presence for an extended period. Time was running out for them.

A faint mist shrouded the church, which stood in untouched stillness amidst the distant chaotic explosions, like an isolated island. Hongxiu pushed open the church doors. The moment the creaking sound resonated, the maids and Torchbearers walking in the long corridor were startled, their faces turning pale. But upon seeing Hongxiu, they finally relaxed. Hongxiu was like a calming presence; when she appeared in the church, everyone settled down.

With her deep red hair and black trench coat, she walked slowly along the opulent corridor, like a general specially recalled by the emperor after being banished from court, drawing everyone's gaze. Of course, such scenarios often had a hidden hand within the court secretly manipulating events... Hongxiu's face showed no expression until she reached Chiton's office door.

"You two can rest now," Hongxiu told the two Torchbearers guarding the door, her words exuding strong confidence. "With me here... no one will be able to invade the church."

The two tense Torchbearers felt a wave of relief. After bowing respectfully to Hongxiu, they walked away, exhausted.

Hongxiu entered the office, closing the door behind her.

"Hongxiu, what's the situation outside?"

"Emperor" Chiton sat in his office chair, his face etched with gravity. Beside him, "Treacherous Minister" Chen Ling watched everything with downcast eyes and a faint, knowing smile.

"Not good," Hongxiu said calmly. "I've already fought a K. Her methods are extremely vicious, and she revealed no aura whatsoever... If I hadn't reacted in time, I would have been decapitated."

"Even you weren't her match?"

"In a direct fight, she can't defeat me; in a sneak attack, she can't kill me either," Hongxiu's calm tone once again reassured Chiton.

"That's good then..."

Chiton calmed himself and began pacing around the office, deep in thought. With Hongxiu guarding the church, it should be absolutely safe. "World-Ender" Chen Ling was also by his side, so even if the Twilight Society launched an all-out assault, it would be difficult for them to abduct him... The next step was to figure out how to mobilize the external forces to resolve the Twilight Society problem...

"Chiton," Chen Ling's voice sounded from behind him.

"Hold on, I'm thinking."

"Chiton..."

"I said 'hold on,' why aren't you listening—"

"Chiton, look. The Silver King is back."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise appeared on Chiton's face. He whirled around to look behind him. The next moment, a long spear, condensed with extreme killing intent, rapidly enlarged before his eyes!

Bang—!!

Chiton's chest was instantly pierced. Surging killing intent flooded his body, crushing all his muscles and even suppressing his mental power. Under precise power control, the strike made no sound. The spear tip plunged directly into the ground, impaling Chiton in mid-air like cured meat on an iron skewer, nailing him to the spot.

Chiton violently spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes stained crimson. He was rigidly pinned in place, staring blankly at Hongxiu before him... His eyes were filled with shock and bewilderment. He opened his mouth, trying to shout something, but his vocal cords were suppressed by the killing intent. No matter how hard he tried, he could only produce a faint buzzing sound, like a mosquito or fly.

"Hong...xiu...you..."

Hongxiu watched him coldly, as if looking at a corpse.

Just then, a warm hand gently patted Chiton's shoulder.

"Thank you for looking after me all this time... my brother Chiton." Chen Ling leisurely walked up to Hongxiu, gazing at Chiton, who was pinned to the ground, a smile playing on his lips. "Thanks to you, I now have the chance to regain control of the situation..."

Chen Ling raised a fingertip, tore forcefully at his chin, and a face peeled off, quickly fluttering into the air... When Chiton saw that face, even his pupils began to tremble!

His chin was slowly lifted by the person, and another "Chiton" pressed close to his cheek, then whispered demonically:

"You can rest now, brother Chiton..."

"From now on..."

"I will take over the Torchbearers."