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"Hurry, record that new symbol!"

"Nar, fetch more moonstones! The seal feels like it\'s weakening. The main group isn\'t here, so we can\'t afford to let our guard down."

Hearing these voices, Dean Bruce and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

Regardless of how strong the members of the Nine Provinces Alliance might be, at least they had encountered an enemy. It was far better than wandering through this place with nothing but their own mounting anxiety.

"Hmm? Why is the elevator coming down?"

"Is Boken coming? What\'s he doing here?"

Though the elevator made no sound, those below had still sensed its descent, making it impossible to approach unnoticed.

Dean Bruce\'s eyes darkened. He made a throat-slitting gesture toward Alita and the others, signaling them to prepare for battle. Everyone readied themselves—warriors bent their knees slightly, poised for a strike, while the mages gripped their staffs tightly, prepared to cast spells at a moment\'s notice.

After a few more moments, the oppressive darkness began to lift, replaced by a faint purple glow. At the same time, cries of alarm echoed below: "Wait, something\'s wrong! Why are there so many feet? It\'s an enemy! Go alert the master!"

To Dean Bruce\'s surprise, instead of attacking, the group below seemed to scatter in a panic, their footsteps retreating hurriedly.

Realizing this, Dean Bruce, Alita Miller, and the others exchanged puzzled glances.

As the elevator continued to descend, the scene below became clearer. The room was filled with multicolored crystals, and robed figures were frantically fleeing, glancing nervously over their shoulders at Dean Bruce\'s group.

But it was what lay ahead that shocked everyone—a massive dragon\'s head, its eyes wide open in fury, though lifeless. Silver-white chains glowing with magical light bound the head to the ground, and intricate magical formations flickered around the chains.

Even though the dragon\'s head was clearly long dead, its gaze still inspired a deep sense of insignificance in those who looked upon it.

"That… that\'s a huge dragon\'s head!"

"Is this the legendary black dragon?"

"My God, one of its eyes is probably bigger than me. Even from this distance, the pressure is so overwhelming. If I got any closer… I don\'t think I\'d even be able to move."

The group murmured in awe, but it was Horton Martin who first snapped back to his senses. In a low voice, he said, "Stop staring at the black dragon! Capture those people first. From what we heard earlier, they must be researchers from the Nine Provinces Alliance!"

With his command, everyone refocused. Realizing that the elevator was only a short distance from the ground, they leaped down, rushing toward the fleeing researchers.

Dean Bruce didn\'t follow right away. Maintaining his composed, powerful demeanor, he scanned the scene. As his gaze fell upon the researchers\' robes, a sigh escaped him.

The robes these people wore were identical to the ones his parents had worn all those years ago.

All the evidence was falling into place—Dean Bruce\'s parents had been part of this very organization!

This realization filled Dean Bruce with even more questions. Were his parents dead or alive?

"Interesting... A bunch of people who aren\'t even Magus level managed to make it here?"

"And Boken Nadra—what a worthless fool! Letting you get this far!"

A sudden voice rang out, loud and clear, echoing through the chamber. Dean Bruce and the others tensed immediately.

The fleeing researchers, however, lit up with hope. Yet, despite the voice, they didn\'t stop running. Instead, they gathered beneath a magical formation near the black dragon\'s head, seeking refuge.

Buzz—

Crimson light flickered, drawing the attention of Dean Bruce and his companions. As they focused, a figure slowly emerged from the glowing red light.

This person\'s magic robe was of the same design as Boken Nadra\'s, though the colors differed, and the insignia was far more intricate.

Seeing this, Dean Bruce instantly understood—the insignia must represent rank within the organization.

[The markings on my parents\' robes were even more complex than his, Dean thought to himself. Their position must have been higher. It seems my parents kept many secrets from me.]

Narrowing his eyes, Dean Bruce studied the newcomer, trying to gather as much information as possible.

Lina Jones, however, furrowed her brow, blinking in sudden realization before exclaiming, "You... you\'re the Flame Bandit Borus Kendra, who disappeared ten years ago!"

"Oh?" The man\'s eyebrows rose in surprise, a smile curling his lips. "I didn\'t expect anyone would still recognize me after all these years. Little girl, you\'re far too young to have met me. I\'m curious—how do you know who I am?"

"Could it be that my name, Borus, has become famous throughout the Nine Provinces Alliance?"

"Not exactly," Lina Jones muttered, her lips twitching. "I read about you in the diary of the War Temple\'s leader. He wrote about how he beat you up twenty years ago... there was even a drawing of your face."

As Lina Jones finished speaking, Borus Kendra\'s smile froze, and anger flickered in his eyes. The moment he looked at her again, a murderous intent surged within him.

Sensing the sudden hostility, everyone raised their weapons and staffs defensively. Carol Lane, holding her book tightly, stepped in front of Lina Jones, shielding her.

Regardless of how Lina felt about her, Carol\'s duty was to protect her at all costs.

"A book? Someone from the temple?"

Borus Kendra glanced at Carol Lane, his voice cold as ice. "Leave the girl behind and swear to never speak of what you\'ve seen here, and I\'ll spare your lives."

Though the Nine Provinces Alliance and the various temples and churches belonged to different factions, those at higher levels of power knew the value of cooperation. Direct violence was rarely the first option.

Without hesitation, Carol Lane shook her head. "She\'s the designated saintess of the Temple of Wisdom. If you lay a hand on her, you\'ll be provoking our entire temple!"

"Provoking?"

Borus Kendra sneered. "The Goddess of Wisdom? She\'s not even a major deity. Her followers are scarce, and she hasn\'t even managed to get your temple recognized as a proper church. You dare speak to the Nine Provinces Alliance like that? If I kill you all here, your temple leader wouldn\'t dare utter a word in protest."

"I had thought our past cooperation might warrant some leniency, but since you don\'t appreciate the mercy I\'m offering, don\'t blame me for what comes next."

His words left the followers of the Temple of Wisdom stunned, disbelief written across their faces.

Even Lina Jones was shocked. "Are you saying our Temple of Wisdom has been cooperating with the Nine Provinces Alliance?"

"Impossible!" she shouted, cutting him off before Borus Kendra could respond. "Our temple leader would never collaborate with people like you, who experiment on humans!"

Borus Kendra laughed darkly. "Why not? Well, since you\'re all about to die anyway, I might as well tell you the truth."

Seeing the disbelief and horror in Lina\'s eyes, he smirked and continued, "You think this research is cruel, don\'t you? Well, let me enlighten you. The ancient texts we\'ve been using to study these formations? We borrowed them from your very own Temple of Wisdom!"

Lina Jones went pale, stumbling back a few steps. The faith she had held so tightly in her heart crumbled into pieces.

Carol Lane immediately shouted, "Lina, don\'t believe his lies! It\'s true that we\'ve cooperated with the Nine Provinces Alliance, but we had no idea what they were doing. It was just an agreement to share some resources!"

Borus Kendra chuckled darkly. "There\'s no need to waste your breath. Honestly, I\'ve been stuck here for so long without anyone to talk to, so I figured I\'d indulge in a little conversation with you all."

He grinned, continuing, "I am curious, though—how did a bunch of weaklings like you manage to kill Boken Nadra and make it here? No matter, now that you\'ve encountered me, your time has come."

As he finished speaking, Borus Kendra flipped his wrist, revealing a crimson gem that glowed ominously. His voice turned serious as he began chanting, "Only the searing heat of blood can ignite the endless flame that will burn the souls of sinners! Bloodfire… Burn!"

As he infused the gem with magic, a wave of blood-red light exploded forth, igniting into a massive wall of flame that surged toward Dean Bruce and the others like a tidal wave of fire.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Ah!"

In an instant, the fire engulfed the group, sending them flying backward amidst a chorus of screams.

There was no way to fight back. The difference in power was simply too vast—they had no chance to resist.

Even after they were knocked back, the inferno continued its relentless advance, its power undiminished. It surged toward Dean Bruce and the others, threatening to consume them entirely.

As the blood-red flames rushed closer, Dean Bruce furrowed his brow, quickly running through his options, thinking of which magic could withstand such an assault.

Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain?

Neither Forest nor Mountain could withstand an attack of this magnitude. And Wind?

That would only make the flames burn hotter and spread faster!

The Compassion of Heaven and Earth?

The entire area was covered in stone. Even if it could shield them from the fire, it wouldn\'t prevent the overwhelming heat from scorching them alive!