The Holy City.
Sariel, Michael, Raphael, and the other six Archangels wore hollow expressions.
It was over. Everything was over. The Holy City's elite forces and core members had been wiped out in a single stroke. Even if they somehow survived this calamity, the loss of so many subordinates meant they would never again be able to control the world's balance of power. At best, they would retreat into the Holy City and cling to a corner of the world.
Besides, would Lu Jun ever let them go?
After the complete annihilation of their loyal elites, even their very foundation had begun to crumble.
Witnessing an Archangel personally betray the Holy City, coupled with the blood-soaked massacre, dealt an earth-shattering blow to the hearts of the millions of Holy City residents.
At last, some whose resolve was weaker broke down in tears. They crawled on their knees beneath Lu Jun and begged for mercy.
"I'll kill the angels! I know where Archangel Michael's relatives are. Please spare my life!"
Very soon, under his identification, several noble men and women were dragged out from among the civilians. Their faces were filled with terror and unease as they glared angrily at the commoners who had betrayed them.
Seeing this, Lu Jun burst into laughter. Looking mockingly at Michael, he said, "You stopped at nothing and targeted other people's families. So, how does it feel now?"
Michael completely lost control. His expression twisted into something savage as he roared, "I did nothing wrong! I did nothing wrong! The human world cannot be allowed to have an evil god like you!"
Hearing this, Lu Jun sneered. He tossed the Tai'a Sword before the men and women, some of whom were Michael's family members while others were his wives, and said, "I'll give you one chance. Kill Michael, and you may live."
The moment those words were spoken, the other Archangels' eyes nearly burst from their sockets. They cursed furiously.
"Heretic! Devil!"
One of the noblemen trembled. He looked fearfully at Lu Jun, then toward his own uncle. In the end, a ferocious expression spread across his face.
"Uncle forgive me. I want to live!"
"Back then, I made only a few minor mistakes in the Holy City. As an Archangel, not only did you refuse to help me, you punished me even more severely. Since you're so just and impartial, placing righteousness above family, then don't blame me for choosing survival today!"
Michael's nephew was filled with jealousy and resentment. His identity as a member of the Angel Clan had brought him no benefits whatsoever. His access to resources had always been restricted, and because of concerns about implicating his family, he had been monitored every moment of his life, with no freedom to speak of.
While the children of other noble families shone brilliantly and became High-Tier and Super-tier Mages, he had remained stuck at the Mid-Tier, missing countless opportunities out of fear of public criticism.
How could he not harbor resentment?
At the same time, the relatives, family members, and clansmen of all six Archangels were identified one after another. Even the few who had escaped elsewhere were promptly delivered by the various nations' forces, all eager to curry favor.
The Forbidden Curse Mages responsible for escorting them silently bowed to Lu Jun before departing.
The entire Western Continent was terrified. They could barely handle an ordinary Emperor, much less a Ruler Emperor or a Roof-Level Emperor. The gap spanned two entire realms. Submission was their only option.
"AAAAAH!!"
The torture began, and the screams of the six Archangels echoed through the heavens.
Reflected within Lu Jun's Samsara Dual Pupils were scenes that defied all human morality. Sons murdered fathers, wives killed husbands, subjects turned against their rulers. Sariel was thrown into a demon habitat, where every civilian stepped forward with knives and forks, carving away pieces of his flesh in a death by a thousand cuts.
A full day and night later, the torture finally ended. The millions of Holy City residents stood there in a daze, their spirits shattered. Their faith had completely vanished.
Upon the crosses remained only six gleaming white skeletons. Every scrap of flesh and every internal organ had been devoured, yet they still had not died. A strange life force sustained them, forcing them to endure every moment of the ordeal.
Michael and the other angels could no longer be described as lifeless. They had ceased to resemble human beings altogether. Their minds had become hellish domains. Anyone subjected to such torment would inevitably be twisted beyond recognition.
Lu Jun let out a cold laugh. The rage in his heart had finally subsided by half.
As for the remainder, he had no intention of letting the Archangels off so easily. As the Lord of Life and Death, making someone die and live again, live and die again, or trapping them forever in a state between life and death under his complete control was effortless.
He unfolded the Underworld World belonging to his Death Divinity and drew the six Archangels into it, turning them into pieces upon his chessboard. For all eternity, they would suffer endless torment, forever serving the very enemy they had once opposed.
"From this day onward, the Holy City has fallen!"
Lu Jun struck down with a single palm. The buildings, monuments, and every symbol of the Holy City were obliterated, while his resolute voice echoed throughout the entire world.
"From this moment on, the Military Strategy Headquarters under my command will take over all of the Holy City's authority!"
His calm voice was not loud, yet every word carried an unmistakable warning.
The Magic Associations of the Five Continents, along with countless other factions, had initially rejoiced at the Holy City's destruction. At last, they believed the era of being oppressed had come to an end. But in the very next moment, their expressions turned bitter.
One overlord had fallen, only for an even greater one to rise.
Although Lu Jun despised the Holy City, he also had to admit that its path of unifying the magical world had been a step forward. In fact, he intended to go even further than the Holy City had ever managed and become the true central authority over the magical world.
For the time being, he decided not to interfere too heavily with the existing system. Once everything had stabilized and he had fully familiarized himself with the new order, he would gradually begin implementing reforms.
This sudden upheaval had finally come to an end, yet its consequences would be profound. The collapse of the old order and the birth of a new one were destined to require a long period of turmoil before true stability could be achieved.
Standing atop the ruins of the Holy City, Lu Jun gazed into the distance with a calm and profound expression.
The Sea Demon War had only just ended. Originally, he had intended to consolidate his foundation before gradually expanding his influence and eventually dealing with the Holy City.
Unfortunately, the world never bent to one's personal will.
The Holy City had no intention of waiting passively for its demise. It had struck first, disrupting all of his plans. Destroying the Holy City had certainly been satisfying, but swallowing such an enormous force in a single bite meant endless work remained. He would need considerable time to digest everything and stabilize the situation.
Lu Jun sighed.
"So be it. I should also focus on my own cultivation and refine the Four Thrones... No, there are Five now."
Within his perception, as the Angels were completely destroyed, the Holy City collapsed, and the faith of its millions of devout inhabitants shattered, an endless stream of dark faith poured forth from them, as well as from the entire Western Continent.
Boom!
Beside the Four Thrones and their four divine worlds surrounding Lu Jun, another Divine Phantom gradually emerged.
It took the form of a Thirty-Six-Petal Lotus Throne, half black-red and half sacred azure-blue. Endless Spiritual magic power rippled through the void, opening an incomparably beautiful Dream World born from imagination.
The Five Thrones had become one!
His aura became even more terrifying. Even among Rooftop Emperors, he could no longer be considered a newcomer. Of course, turning that amplified battle strength into genuine cultivation would still require some time.
Within Lu Jun's spiritual world, his Life, Death, Psychic, Water, and Chaos Elements all advanced by leaps and bounds.
The Water and Chaos Elements experienced the greatest breakthroughs. The former successfully advanced into the Forbidden Curse realm in a single leap, while the latter reached the Super-tier Level, condensing its own Transcendent Power.
In addition, his Metal Element had also progressed significantly. The repeated great wars and the turmoil they had inflicted upon the world had allowed it to absorb an enormous amount of origin power.
These cultivation breakthroughs likewise required him to enter seclusion, carefully organize everything, and completely master his newly attained realms.
At this moment, in the Ancient Capital of Jiuzhou, the Military Strategy Headquarters received the news. Lu Mei, Ding Yumian, and Tang Yue immediately prepared to head for the Holy City, accompanied by a group of core personnel, to take over the Holy City's industries and assets. There was an overwhelming amount of work waiting to be handled, and countless affairs demanded attention.
In short, Lu Jun would remain in the Holy City for quite some time.
Meanwhile, the entire world entered a brand-new era, one in which every major power would have to adjust its strategies and adapt to the changing times.
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