Chapter 323: The Peculiar Aura Thickens, Merging with Dominion Authority
Shrill wails resounded endlessly across the battlefield!
The most numerous of the demi-humans were dying in droves. The power of a sixth-tier spell had already surpassed the defensive capabilities of most present.
"Magic Armor!"
"Magic Armor!"
"Magic Armor!"
The Green Leaf Witch cast three spells in a row, cloaking herself, Enri, and the Evil Spirit Hound in a layer of magical protection.
The negative energy fire rain falling from the sky struck the magical armor, causing continuous ripples of magical patterns and steadily draining its protective power.
"Miss Cui Ye, please save them."
Enri looked anxiously at the Green Leaf Witch, pointing toward the nearby paladins.
"The power of this magic shield won't last long. Protecting the three of us is already my limit."
The Green Leaf Witch stared at the cracks that had already appeared on her magical armor after just a moment, her bright yellow pupils constricting as she replied indifferently.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
The screams of the surrounding paladins rang out one after another.
Hearing this, Enri quickly ran to the side of the Evil Spirit Hound and began rummaging for a Regeneration Potion.
"It's useless."
"Against magic of this level, a regeneration potion won't have time to take effect. Besides, we don't have many potions to begin with; we can't save more than a few people."
The Green Leaf Witch guessed what Enri was trying to do and spoke up again to remind her.
Enri's hands froze. She watched as the paladins—men who had been laughing and joking with her, even teaching her skills just a short while ago—died one by one, utterly powerless to resist. A sense of helplessness once again flooded her heart.
"That woman named Kelart has resurrection magic. She can revive them," the Green Leaf Witch added.
"Lord Captain said they can no longer be resurrected."
Enri muttered to herself, then suddenly lifted her head as if grasping at a final straw.
"Lord Captain will definitely have a way!"
She thought of her ever-confident and composed Lord Captain.
Enri quickly turned around and soon spotted the conspicuous figure of Tang Zheng, a Monitoring Dominion Angel hovering above his head.
Enri grabbed a handful of the Evil Spirit Hound's fur, heaved, and vaulted onto its back.
"Xiao Hei, let's go to Lord Captain," Enri said.
"What are you doing!"
The Green Leaf Witch's expression soured as she watched Enri's actions.
In such a dangerous situation...
What could an ordinary human girl possibly do? Even her Master would likely find this situation troublesome.
However, her Master also commanded teleportation magic, so leaving this place with them should be no problem.
The Green Leaf Witch wanted to reach out and stop Enri, perhaps even knock her unconscious to prevent any trouble. But suddenly, she recalled Tang Zheng's previous instructions.
The Green Leaf Witch's eyes flickered, and in the end, she did not intervene.
"Awooo," the Evil Spirit Hound roared and took off at a run with Enri.
The closer Enri got to the center of the battlefield, the more clearly she could see the humans and demi-humans killed by the flames falling from the sky.
Subconsciously, Enri looked up at the figure of the Alliance Leader suspended high above.
"Whether they're humans or demi-humans… Everyone is just trying to survive, that's all," Enri bit her lip, her face pale.
*Swoosh!*
The Evil Spirit Hound was incredibly fast, dashing through the fire rain, leaping over the corpses on the ground, and rushing to Tang Zheng's position.
"Lord Captain!"
Tang Zheng was taken aback when he saw Enri charge over from the relative safety of the rear.
His surprise wasn't because of Enri's appearance, but because that peculiar feeling emanating from her seemed to have grown clearer.
"Lord Captain, can you save them?"
Enri's voice was choked with sobs as she stumbled off the Evil Spirit Hound. "Lord Captain, you must have a way, right?"
Tang Zheng reached out and steadied Enri, who had nearly fallen. He looked at the girl before him, her eyes red and full of expectation.
The peculiar aura had become a little clearer again!
This strange feeling was somewhat like the odd sensation Tang Zheng got from Leinas when her job was unstable, and also a bit like the fluctuation of unstable life force during the process of leveling up or down.
No!
Both of those feelings were very faint, as if they could vanish at any moment.
Tang Zheng's eyes narrowed.
The way people in this otherworld obtained a class was not fixed and was beyond their control, so questioning Enri would yield no answers.
Looking at Enri's expectant gaze, Tang Zheng faintly sensed that this "expectation" was connected to the strange feeling coming from her.
Honestly.
Plans really can't keep up with changes.
Tang Zheng glanced toward Kelart's position out of the corner of his eye. She wasn't making any moves at the moment, merely frantically directing the Cleric Corps to summon angels to block the magical attacks from the sky.
The original plan was to have a shadow clone face the Alliance Leader…
Now, he would have to use another method.
"Yes, there is still a way."
Tang Zheng raised a finger to wipe away the tears from the corner of Enri's eye, speaking gently and giving her an affirmative reply.
In that instant, the strange feeling from Enri suddenly stabilized a bit, though it was still quite ethereal overall.
"It really is related to Enri's own 'expectation'."
This thought flashed through Tang Zheng's mind.
The acquisition of a class was mostly traceable. Even if obtained by accident, it was usually related to a person's long-term training, profession, or habits in this otherworld.
A situation like Enri's, which had appeared out of nowhere, was completely baffling.
"Really?!" Surprise shone through the tears in Enri's eyes.
Tang Zheng nodded again, his expression turning serious. "Leave the rest to me. You just stay here obediently."
After speaking, Tang Zheng had the Monitoring Dominion Angel fly over the heads of Enri and the Evil Spirit Hound, then summoned a new one for himself.
He raised his head!
He looked toward the massive, sacred, and motionless Dominion Authority hovering high in the sky.
"I can only give it a try."
The Monitoring Dominion Angel lifted Tang Zheng with one arm, its wings beating rapidly as it flew toward the Dominion Authority.
Cold, white fire rain continued to fall from the sky!
The figures of Tang Zheng and the Monitoring Dominion Angel were like a long white rainbow, or a moth drawn to a flame.
The negative energy fire rain pelted the Monitoring Dominion Angel, creating a rapid, dense series of impacts that made all the humans and demi-humans on the ground look up in astonishment!
"He's insane!"
Kelart looked up and exclaimed in disbelief.
Remedios, Gagaran, Clementine who had been knocked away and was now lying in some corner—the same thought arose in all their minds.
The Alliance Leader's strength was so immense. What was the difference between Tang Zheng charging at the enemy alone and committing suicide!
"Lord Captain!!"
Enri also reacted at this moment, her face filled with terror.
High in the sky.
"Are all priests so brave these days?"
"If you wish to die, then I shall grant your wish!"
The Alliance Leader sneered, raising his arm and aiming at the rapidly ascending Tang Zheng below.
"Dragon Lightning!"
*Crack—*
A draconic bolt of lightning arced through the air, transforming into a thunderclap as it struck down.
Faced with this magical attack…
*Boom!*
The Monitoring Dominion Angel's flight halted. It grabbed Tang Zheng and threw him violently upwards before being struck by the Dragon Lightning, dissipating into specks of light with a deafening roar.
"That is… his target isn't the Alliance Leader, it's the Dominion Authority?"
Remedios swung her holy sword relentlessly with both hands, fending off the magical attacks falling from the sky, while her eyes remained fixed on the figure in the air.
"What is this human trying to do?"
Kōkosh of the Seven-Colored Scales commanded his demi-humans to unleash defensive magic while tilting his head up, a look of astonishment in his scarlet pupils.
Clearly, everyone who had noticed Tang Zheng's actions was utterly baffled.
*Swoosh—*
The sound of howling wind rushed past his ears. Tang Zheng used the force from the Monitoring Dominion Angel's throw to fly toward the Dominion Authority.
Fortunately, its body was massive enough that he didn't have to worry about being thrown off-target.
"I haven't fully grasped the effects of the potion yet, so this is all I can do for now."
Tang Zheng flipped his palm, took out a bottle of Integration Potion, and poured it all into his mouth.
This potion was originally part of an experimental trade with the Slane Theocracy. Now, he had to test it on himself.
Under a sea of incredulous gazes!
Tang Zheng slammed into the body of the Dominion Authority. The expected collision did not occur. Like a raindrop merging with the surface of a lake, his entire body entered the Dominion Authority.
An uproar!
The surviving members of the Sunlight Scripture stared with their mouths agape, completely unable to comprehend what had just happened.
"He… he vanished," Kelart's eyes widened.
*Flap…*
*Flap…*
*Flap—*
Freed from the control of the magic sealing crystal, the Dominion Authority, which had been motionless, suddenly began to beat its wings and move.
At this moment!
Inside the Dominion Authority, Tang Zheng was struggling to control the massive angel's body.
The process had looked smooth, but in reality, it was the complete opposite. The entire integration was incredibly difficult. This was the first time Tang Zheng had ever merged with an angel summoned by someone else.
"My previous speculation was that the success of merging with an angel is related to one's Karma Value. Now, I have my proof."
Tang Zheng felt as if his entire body was being squeezed by an incompatible pressure, making it difficult to control the Dominion Authority.
It was all because his Karma Value wasn't high, having been kept at a neutral level.
Now, not only was the Dominion Authority difficult to control, but the sense of rejection was also severe. Tang Zheng was relying purely on his own power to resist this feeling.
"As long as I can control it, it's fine. Now move!"
Tang Zheng unleashed his magic power, forcibly manipulating the Dominion Authority.
Outside.
The Dominion Authority, which had only been flapping its wings slowly, began to move with purpose.
"Extreme Holy Strike!"
The Dominion Authority raised the golden scepter in its hand and swung it toward the sky.
A dazzling, pure, and holy light transformed into a pillar that slammed into the black cloud of negative energy above.
*Boom—*
A violent roar erupted in the sky.
The *Pale Fire* spell was shattered directly, and the attack ceased, dissipating. The scorching sunlight, once obscured by the negative energy black cloud, once again shone down upon the earth.
The cold, terrifying feeling vanished!
Most of the humans and demi-humans collapsed to the ground as if they had just survived a disaster. A sixth-tier spell was simply too horrifying and dreadful.
In that short time, both the human and demi-human forces had lost half of their people.
The black mist on the Alliance Leader's body trembled. He watched the Dominion Authority, which had regained its mobility and attacked on its own, and a vein throbbed in his temple.
"How did you do that?!"
The Alliance Leader's white pupils constricted as he questioned loudly.
That priest had actually managed to fuse with an angel and could indirectly control a seventh-tier angel. What kind of special magic was this?
Impossible!
No matter how special the method, with that priest's strength, he shouldn't be able to control a seventh-tier angel.
An innate ability?
No, he had clearly noticed that the priest drank a potion before merging with the Dominion Authority.
"What was that potion? Priest!"
The Alliance Leader seemed to have discovered something incomprehensible, and his usually calm emotions became somewhat agitated.
"Tell me, and I will spare your life!"
Tang Zheng, of course, wouldn't respond. Even if he wanted to, the Dominion Authority didn't even have a head and couldn't produce sound.
*Whoosh!*
The Dominion Authority's three pairs of wings beat once, and its massive figure charged toward the Alliance Leader at a speed that defied its size. The golden scepter in its hand was swung like a club.
*Boom—*
The golden scepter tore through the air, creating a powerful sonic boom and shattering the space before it.
The golden scepter filled his vision.
A terrifying airwave swept over him. The Alliance Leader could only swallow his words and use flight magic to dodge quickly.
The first strike missed.
Sanction Ray!
The Dominion Authority puffed out its chest, and the red area at its center flashed with a blinding red light as a bright red beam shot out.
"Magic Shield!"
The Alliance Leader immediately cast defensive magic.
The translucent magic shield exploded upon impact with the Sanction Ray, and the Alliance Leader was knocked back again.
Extreme Holy Strike!
A pale white pillar of light instantly descended upon the Alliance Leader's head.
"Teleportation!" the Alliance Leader roared, using teleportation magic to evade.
"Magic Resistance Piercing: Dragon Lightning!"
*Crack!*
A radiant bolt of lightning twisted through the air in a serpentine path, heavily striking the Dominion Authority and leaving a scorched black mark on its bright silver armor.
Sanction Ray!
"Negative Energy Burst!"
"Magic Resistance Piercing: Acid Javelin!"
Angel's Protection!
"Slow!"
"Holy Property Defense!"
"Magic Resistance Piercing: Negative Energy Burst!"
Angel's Protection!
Extreme Holy Strike!
"Teleportation!"
"...!"
An intense battle unfolded in the sky. The terrifying aftershocks of the magic easily blasted deep craters wherever they landed on the ground.
This was high-tier combat beyond the imagination of anyone present.
The Dominion Authority didn't care about getting injured, but the Alliance Leader had to. The consequence of being hit by magic would be death or severe injury.
This led to the Tang Zheng-controlled Dominion Authority pressing the attack with overwhelming power, forcing the Alliance Leader to constantly retreat and resort to defensive measures.
"Damn that priest—"
The Alliance Leader, looking slightly disheveled, continuously dodged the Dominion Authority's magical attacks.
The opponent's offensive was too fierce, giving him no time to breathe.
What angered the Alliance Leader the most was that the priest controlling the Dominion Authority was completely ignoring his own spells, launching what could only be described as a suicidal assault.
The opponent wasn't afraid of getting hurt—of course, it was the Dominion Authority taking the damage!
This… was just cheap.
The thought actually crossed the Alliance Leader's mind. How long had it been since he was forced into such a predicament?
Even that red-robed magic caster was only a bit troublesome because of the bone dragon.
"No, I must find out how he merged with the angel's body."
The Alliance Leader's gaze grew more fervent. He cast another defensive spell, dodging while flying.
A weak magic caster could actually control a powerful summoned creature through such means. The significance of this was—
*Gulp.*
The Alliance Leader's throat moved, a rare sight. Greed filled his cold white eyes. He had to capture this priest alive and learn this power from him!
*Rumble!*
*Rumble!*
The fierce clash of magic created a continuous, muffled thunder in the sky.
"He really is a handful."
Controlling the Dominion Authority, Tang Zheng felt a bit frustrated as he watched the Alliance Leader flit around him like a fly.
The Alliance Leader had too many tricks up his sleeve. Some of his spells weren't powerful but could weaken the angel, while summoned monsters like the Dominion Authority had limited attack patterns.
However, in this high-intensity magical battle, the one suffering the most was the Alliance Leader.
"This sense of urgency in his attacks is a little abnormal."
As the Alliance Leader's expression darkened, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. Summoned creatures like angels have a time limit.
"Heh, no wonder you're using such a suicidal attack. You want to finish me before the summoned angel's time runs out, don't you?"
"I need to conserve more magic power and stall for time."
The Alliance Leader quickly decided on a strategy.
(end of chapter)