"Now all Sun-seeking Spirits in Azura must be handed over to our Voodoo Office," the leader of the thugs said, "Hand it over honestly, and not only will you be spared, but you might even receive a generous reward."

Rainwater seeped into the seams of the metal arm, bringing a strange ticklish sensation. Sesilia resisted the urge to scratch, glanced around, and asked, "There’s so many of you, but I thought the Devil could only grant one wish?"

The leader shook his head, "You don’t need to drive a wedge between us. We don’t have the right to make a deal with the Devil; the real big shot is on his way. If you hand it over now, you might still earn that gentleman’s favor."

Sesilia thought for a moment, put down the sword tube, and took out the box, deliberately lifting the lid to let them have a glance at its contents before saying, "Since you are following orders from the big shot, that means you wouldn’t dare harm the Sun-seeking Spirit, then..."

"I’ll use the Sun-seeking Spirit as a shield—I dare you to attack!"

Sesilia swung the sword tube vigorously, and the remaining straight sword gleamed as it smashed toward the enemy formation. Then she grabbed the box with her left hand and gripped the straight sword tightly with her right, charging in. As expected, the Voodoo Office’s people hesitated, not daring to shoot at the vital parts covered by the box. Her hands and feet, all metal limbs, were immune to gunfire, and she actually managed to fight her way out amidst the chaos, darting into the arcade and sprinting away!

Below the arcade was a street, above were buildings, and the flying advantage of the Two-winged Mages was nullified in such terrain!

This seemed to be a night market street nearby, with many open restaurants on both sides. As passersby heard gunshots, they panicked and fled in all directions. There were also many tables and chairs set up on the street, and in this chaotic environment, Sesilia thrived, repeatedly using the terrain to ambush the Voodoo Office, evading capture entirely!

meters!

meters!

meters!

Sesilia fixed her gaze on the end of the snack street, almost reaching Liwan District. As long as she got there, she could—

Thud!

An unexpected heavy pressure suddenly toppled Sesilia’s balance, throwing her to the ground like a doll. Her delicate face got scraped and bled, but the excruciating pain from the neural connection nodes in her limbs caused sweat to pour down her forehead, her whole body trembling.

A blond middle-aged man, dressed neatly and with elegant manners, landed from the sky. The Voodoo Office’s leader quickly ran over and respectfully said, "Apologies, Lord Gregory, it was our failure, having to trouble you to step in personally..."

The blond man glanced at Sesilia and slightly frowned, "You couldn’t even deal with a Silver Mage. It seems I’ve been too lenient with you. Go back and take thirty lashes yourself, no treatment allowed."

"Yes." The leader lowered his head.

Only then did Sesilia finally recognize who the blond middle-aged man was—’King’ Gregory, an earth magic mage who had recently risen to fame for his gravity field miracles, known in Gospel as someone before whom all kneeled and bowed, and he was also a...

Holy Sanctuary Mage!

"Why?"

Gregory raised an eyebrow, looking down at the metal puppet trembling in pain on the ground.

"You’re already a Holy Sanctuary Mage, why do you have to steal my stuff?" On Sesilia’s face, it was unclear if it was rain, sweat, or tears, "You can already... have anything you want."

Gregory chuckled, then burst into loud laughter, shaking his head as he laughed, "A Holy Sanctuary Mage isn’t as revered as you think. I can’t have everything I want; I’ve at least never seen the Devil."

"Moreover, even I am fascinated by the Devil’s power," he murmured, "Perhaps it’s some sort of Void Realm facility that landed on Earth... If I could capture the Devil..."

"Then go find the Sun-seeking Spirit yourself!" Sesilia bit her lower lip, struggling to stand up, "Why steal from me!"

Gregory pressed a finger down lightly, instantly increasing the gravitational pressure on Sesilia. Her metal limbs creaked under the strain.

"Because you’re not worthy." He said leisurely, "Trash like you, who are like mud at the bottom of the earth, aren’t worthy of such opportunities."

"All Sun-seeking Spirits entering Azura belong to me, Gregory. Only I am qualified to trade with the Devil! You arrogant individuals who think you can change your life overnight, you deserve to be my sacrifices!"

Sesilia remained silent, quietly enduring Gregory’s humiliation. She thought she had escaped the pursuit of the Messenger Agency, seizing her chance amidst the tides of the great era, only to find she was still making a wedding dress for someone else. She had tried repeatedly to shed the identity of a weakling, to control her own fate, but time and again, she became the exploited.

Her face pressed against the cold ground, pain from her neurons and viscera spread throughout her body, suffering in silence, Sesilia felt she truly was mud at the bottom of the earth. In her tear-blurred vision, she vaguely saw that there might still be people seated in the opposite shop, when a Voodoo Office mage scolded them, "What are you eating? Get out of here now!"

"I’m eating beef brisket with fried sauce noodles," the young man replied, "I haven’t finished yet."