Li Rui didn’t know what the Exorcism Institute was, but now he had no time to hesitate. Before the move, he activated the never-ending, continually regenerative, earth block, poison barrier, and Blood Soul Ring.

Anyway, he used all the enhancing states.

The All Heaven Thunder Fire Spell was just a gauge of strength. When he felt he had the chance to strike instantly, he had to put everything on the line.

At that moment, the black mist had already shrouded between the two sides. Li Rui activated Blood Eye, still able to accurately pinpoint his target. In a flash, he was ready, casting the Reverse Yin and Yang All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell in this state.

However, this time, something different unfolded.

The air did not become scorching from the powerful spell; instead, it turned extremely cold.

At the same time, what appeared in mid-air was not crimson and gold intersecting thunder, but a chilling frost and Evil Qi.

The Cave Profound Yin Yang Umbrella, embedded with Great Demon Black Law, changed the state of the Thunder Fire, leading them to another extreme.

The Divine Thunder specifically expelled Yin Sha, transforming into rolling Evil Qi, surpassing even Ghost City and Mire Marsh. The Community Thunder, which killed innumerable beings, instead became a frigid storm.

Even Vons’ Ice Storm couldn’t compare to the cold within, and Guan Gui’s gathered Evil Qi couldn’t reach its level.

Meanwhile, Cheng Mingyue was shocked by the terrifying momentum but didn’t stop her actions. She cast a control skill, invisible shackles binding two Divine Generals.

The two joined forces instantly.

The Reverse Yin and Yang All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell descended, charging into the dark poison fog.

Just when Li Rui and Cheng Mingyue thought things were about to succeed, they heard a crisp sound. One of the Divine Generals unexpectedly broke free from the shackle with brute strength, instantly rushing out of the poison fog.

The mist scorched his skin, but it wasn’t fatal.

But the remaining Divine General was different. He could only watch as the Evil Qi slammed down, covering him.

"Aow——"

Amidst the tragic roar was the sound of metal striking, as if it wasn’t a living creature, but a huge machine.

However, the soul-stirring roar stopped abruptly, and under the wash of the cold Evil Qi, he turned invisible, dissipating in the poison fog.

Both Cheng Mingyue and Li Rui felt a bit excited. They joined forces to slay an Upper Realm Divine General comparable to a world NPC, and they were both under level 50, unheard of for such a feat.

This level of Extraordinary, even in killing world NPCs, typically relies on a large team to expend, but just two people was too exaggerated.

Meanwhile, the remaining Divine General was more bewildered. He no longer displayed the arrogance he had before, instead showing fear, his body starting to transform into a beam of light as he tried to use the Escape Technique to flee.

Li Rui sneered, directly reverting to full state nine seconds prior, and the second Reverse Yin and Yang All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell landed.

Cheng Mingyue didn’t have the ability to reverse time, unable to cast two major moves consecutively within a short period, so she resorted to using space barriers to obstruct. However, her own strength was far from the world NPC level, so the transparent barrier was instantly broken.

At this moment, Li Rui’s skill descended, narrowly missed by half a body length, just grazing his eye.

The Divine General, originally turning into a stream of light, visibly faltered, his Escape Technique canceled, revealing his figure, half an arm missing, but he swiftly used some method, shaking a silver bell in his hand to escape again.

"Chase!"

Cheng Mingyue shouted and was about to follow when Li Rui pulled her back.

"Chase him, I have no skills left."

Li Rui said irritatedly, "While he’s running, quickly find the door."

He didn’t hesitate at all; if that Divine General escaped, he would certainly call for reinforcements.

Even at the lowest level of warriors, the two of them could barely handle them together, but if some of those with divine duties from Thunder Division in Thunder City arrived, the current duo would surely meet a dead end.

The good news was that after the escaping Divine General was completely distant, Li Rui saw a small door appear on the clearing at the arsenal entrance, pulling Cheng Mingyue through swiftly. The arsenal might contain more treasures, but he couldn’t concern himself with that now; survival was paramount.

Bam!

After entering, Li Rui quickly grabbed the door and slammed it shut. The good news was it merged with the wall, disappearing, seemingly cutting off the path.

"Mommy, such a reward, anyone else coming in wouldn’t possibly survive to claim it."

"Fortunately, there were only two guards."

The two leaned against each other, slumping to the ground along the wall base, only feeling the fatigue from excessive spellcasting once the danger was completely gone.

.....

In the northern part of Zhangye State, the alliance between the Western Kingdom and the Polar Alliance was fully established.

Due to the weakness of the Western Kingdom, Ulysses had to sign an "unequal treaty," promising to cede most benefits after defeating the Dragon Country. Although also losing out, it was still better than not forming an alliance.

Now he wasn’t only considering from a public standpoint but also his own.

Simon had already died before the final showdown, expelled from the Secret Realm. Considering the Western Anomaly Bureau’s emphasis on the young man, Ulysses was bound to be penalized, at least be disliked by superiors.

However, if he could possibly recover some losses, then perhaps the outcome could be slightly better.

When the two sides allied together, their power had grown considerably larger than before. Although half of the Wind Slave Royal Court’s remnants had dispersed, some remained, combining to likely reclaim some territory from the Dragon Country.

The plan and reality were not far apart; when they began their northern expedition, the front lines changed rapidly. On the first day, the Dragon Country retreated dozens of miles.

Just as Ulysses and Archbishop Leslie were celebrating, scouts reported bad news.

"Commander! Your Grace Bishop, the Dragon Country people are too cunning, nearly all the spoils from the places they gave up have been carried away."

Upon hearing this news, Ulysses curled his lip, and Leslie also felt a bit disgruntled, but neither was surprised.

"Cheng Wen is no fool; he would definitely do this."

The Archbishop rubbed his two hands together in thought, a habit when thinking. "No matter, we’ll continue to compress their space tomorrow. Based on time, they could only manage to develop these spoils; we will have the gain."

Ulysses was about to speak when he saw another Polar Alliance member burst in from outside.

"Your Grace Bishop! Gods above, something big has happened!"

Leslie frowned, "When delivering ill news, do not invoke the name of the gods."

"I, sorry, but the situation is really, too bad."

Upon hearing their conversation, Ulysses showed no emotion, yet felt a bit pleased. He wanted to hear what trouble had befallen the Polar Alliance; if their forces weaken, his leverage would be higher.

Leslie felt somewhat displeased, silently reproaching him for showing such panic in front of outsiders.

"Speak, what exactly happened."

The man said, "A formidable Dragon Country person came up from the south, killed Hopkins."

Originally still gleeful, Ulysses nearly slammed his fist on the table.

Why the hell are you reporting my losses and finding Leslie for it?!

No way around it; that was a member of the Polar Alliance.

Leslie’s mood improved considerably, still speaking calmly, "Seems like our old friend Cheng Wen is up to tricks again. Was it the Foggy Evil Ghost responsible?"

If the deceased were from the Western Kingdom, he wouldn’t mind.

"No, sir, it was someone unknown, wielding two short knives."

Enraged, Ulysses grabbed his collar and asked, "What person from the Dragon Country has he used what skill?"

"Un, unknown."

The communicator looked to his grace, the Bishop, who helped pull Ulysses off, "What does unknown mean?"

The communicator said, "Just, he killed Hopkins with merely one slash."

Leslie and Hopkins exchanged a glance, neither speaking a word.