At this moment, Lu Jun also understood why the Pacific Empire had launched its invasion ahead of time.
Nothing more than the sheer depth of its foundation. Upon seeing an opportunity to shake the Nine Provinces, paying a certain price to test the waters was insignificant to it, yet to humanity, it was a heaven-collapsing catastrophe.
The gap between the Pacific Empire and the Nine Provinces was vast.
If you could deploy one Forbidden Spell mage, they could deploy one Emperor.
The fall of a Forbidden Spell mage would severely damage the Nine Provinces' vitality. To the Pacific Empire, it would at most count as strained muscles and bones.
The Pacific Empire could afford countless mistakes, while the Nine Provinces could afford only one.
If one of the five pinnacle powerhouses guarding the east, south, west, north, and center, such as Hua Zhanhong were to fall, the situation would sharply deteriorate. A single move could affect the entire body, perhaps even leading to the abandonment of the entire coastline.
"Red Cardinals like Nine Infant and Leng Jue are merely chess pieces to the demon race. They look down on them entirely. It's not that Nine Infant called upon the Sea Demons to invade to restrain the Nine Provinces; rather, the Sea Demon Empire is so vast and powerful that it doesn't mind a minor investment."
Lu Jun understood. Part of his consciousness returned to his body. He opened his eyes, stood up, and called out to Leng Qing, who was about to leave.
"Sister Leng Qing, may I ask if you have any personal items Nine Infant has used? Hair or blood would suffice."
Leng Qing was stunned and turned around. She remembered that Lu Jun had awakened the Curse Element at Mid Tier and said in surprise, "You want to curse Red Cardinal Nine Infant?"
Curse Element mages were rare in the Nine Provinces. At the Forbidden Spell level, only the Zu family lineage possessed one.
However, Forbidden Spell mages did not act lightly especially now, during the Pacific Empire's invasion. They had to preserve their cultivation carefully and reserve their limited Forbidden Spell castings for the Sea Demons.
In the original story, when the Ice Forbidden Spell mage Ice Emperor cast a Forbidden Spell, many High Tier mages and elemental diamonds were mobilized. That was foundational strength.
As for Super Tier Curse mages, there were very few, and most did not possess such abilities.
The Nine Provinces' Curse lineage tended to use techniques like Curse Possession.
Leng Qing did not dampen Lu Jun's enthusiasm. She recalled his status as a Super Tier Curse mage and decided to let him try, there was no loss anyway.
"No problem," she nodded. "I'll apply for it. But Nine Infant possesses Black Vatican dark arts and is also a master of curses. He can block many curse techniques. If you fail, don't take it to heart."
Lu Jun nodded. He was well aware of Nine Infant's capabilities. His Curse Element attainments were high, and he had cultivated the Transcendent Power Ghost Qi Crescent Blade.
However, since Lu Jun said so, he naturally had confidence. The Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book curse was unique.
Just before Leng Qing left, Lu Jun spoke again. "Sister Leng Qing, wait."
He said calmly, "Tell Shao Zheng that I want full responsibility for Leng Jue and Nine Infant. I will personally execute the two Red Cardinals."
Leng Qing pondered for a moment and nodded.
Mo Fan and Lingling stood quietly to the side, pressing their lips together, saddened that the matter was on too high a level for them to participate.
The two whispered among themselves, seemingly discussing Totem-related matters. Mo Fan had resolved to make a trip to the Qinling Mountains in search of an opportunity to break through to Super Tier.
Before long, Leng Qing had yet to return when Lu Jun's phone rang. After answering, it was Shao Zheng.
The voice on the other end sounded pleased and hearty. "Lu Jun, it couldn't be better that you're willing to take this on."
"All my forces are concentrated along the coast, pushing the twenty-thousand-li coastal defense line and building a rudimentary barrier before the Sea Demons launch their assault. I have no time for the Red Cardinals, leave them to you."
After speaking at length, Shao Zheng grew solemn. "I believe a master like you, who has slain Salan, can handle this properly. After it's done, the Nine Provinces will not forget your contributions in intelligence and all related matters."
"If you can kill Leng Jue and Nine Infant, the Forbidden Spell Council and the Nine Provinces will jointly apply internationally for one Earth Core."
Lu Jun was pleasantly surprised. As expected, it was good to have one's own people.
The Black Vatican had long been a major threat to every nation. Eliminating three Red Cardinals consecutively no matter what, the Magic Associations of the five continents could not remain indifferent. The chance of success was nine out of ten.
Soon, Lu Jun hung up the phone. He had once again obtained authority over vast personnel mobilizations.
But he had no intention of using them. Ordinary mages participating in the pursuit of Red Cardinals would be useless and might only lose their lives. He would handle it himself.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Lu Jun left the Demon Capital Tower and arrived at a secluded area. Skillfully controlling a constellation, vast spiritual power surged from his brow. The void ahead roared loudly as a silver vortex opened, a terrifying aura of destruction lingering around it.
Void Passage!
The next moment, he stepped forward and vanished into the silver vortex.
Lu Jun's vision spun as heaven and earth inverted. His body bore immense pressure in the unseen void; his sinews, bones, and flesh radiated a brilliant glow, resisting the external force.
Crash!
When he broke free from that state, it felt like stepping from a narrow cave into a vast world. The first thing to enter his ears was the clamorous roar of heavy rain, abundant moisture rushing toward him.
He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. He stood inside a pavilion. The world was pitch-black, rain cascading endlessly.
Beside him, Ding Yumian stood quietly, a curve forming at her lips, filled with joy.
In an instant, Lu Jun had teleported to the Magic Capital. He sensed the boundless water vapor within the sea of clouds. In his spiritual world, the Water Element star ocean stirred restlessly. His Calamity Talent—commanding wind and summoning rain—resonated, as if with a mere thought he could mobilize the vast energies of nature.
At this moment, if he fought in the Magic Capital, the might of his Water Element would be equivalent to half a Forbidden Spell.
Lu Jun's expression turned solemn. This was only the prelude to the Sea Demon Empire's invasion. It seemed he would have to act quickly, he could not miss the first battle of the Magic Capital.
He turned to Ding Yumian. Being able to teleport back to the Magic Capital in one step was inseparable from her assistance.
Lu Jun smiled gently. "I don't have time right now. I'll return after I deal with the two Red Cardinals."
Ding Yumian, understanding and gentle, nodded softly. "I'll wait for you."
Immediately, Lu Jun fixed his gaze ahead. Another silver vortex opened. He stepped forward, his figure vanishing amidst the boundless silver radiance.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Lu Jun teleported across vast distances several times, the sensation wondrous, like heaven and earth were open for him to roam freely.
In just a few breaths, he traveled from the southernmost Demon Capital to the northern Imperial Capital. The magic energy of his Space Element star river was completely exhausted.
For the moment, Lu Jun remained in the Imperial Capital and went to see Pang Lai, requesting personal belongings of Nine Infant.
Pang Lai was startled, almost thinking he had seen a ghost. "Damn, Leng Qing just spoke with me moments ago, and now you're standing right in front of me. What's going on?"
Lu Jun only smiled without answering, casually taking Nine Infant's hair and blood.
Pang Lai took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Nine Infant is in your hands. You must not let him escape. He knows many secrets of the Imperial Palace. He's a grave threat."
"Don't worry."
Lu Jun said no more. After restoring some magic energy, he teleported again, this time heading directly to the farthest reaches of the northern frontier, to Leng Jue's location!
For additional chapters
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