Chapter 002: Another Sacred Rank

Amper’s expression turned extremely ugly. He was about to retort loudly when, suddenly, a howling sound came through—strangely eerie, filled with immense killing intent. The sound originated from the direction of the imperial capital.

Amper cast an Eagle Eye spell and looked toward the capital. He saw hundreds of figures approaching from the sky, miles away. They wore strange magical robes, completely different from those of the Mage Guild. None of them carried wands; instead, they wore rings made of various magical crystals—some more, some fewer. The leader among them had rings all over his hands, exuding a fierce killing aura that made even those miles away feel terrified.

Amper naturally recognized these people. They weren’t from the Mage Guild—they were court mages!

Frightened, Amper couldn’t help but shout, “Those monsters have really arrived! Let’s go!” Without hesitation, he grabbed Francis and flew in the opposite direction of the capital.

Caught off guard, Francis was lifted straight into the air. Anthony and the cardinals watched this clearly, yet none of them stepped in to stop them, choosing instead to watch them leave. Prince Fisher glanced in that direction and said, “Master Abraham has arrived… Lord Du Fan, we’re truly safe now.” He spoke softly, but deliberately so that Anthony could hear.

Anthony’s expression didn’t change; he merely stared blankly at the direction where Amper and Francis were flying. Just then, as Amper and Francis had already flown dozens of meters away and were about to escape, sudden intense magical fluctuations arose from all directions. A calm voice spoke softly, “Amper, old friend. It’s been so long. Why such haste to leave? How about I invite you for a cup of tea first?”

The voice was calm, yet it seemed filled with the fury of a storm. As the voice echoed, a wave of cold swept toward Amper and Francis from all sides. Even the dust in the air instantly turned into ice crystals—no chance of survival.

Amper’s face changed, and he shouted angrily, “Edward! It’s you!”

As they spoke, Ampere waved his Sacred Radiance Staff, and soon a wall of fire shot out. Yet before it could travel far, the wall of fire was frozen solid in midair. The flames, encased in ice, continued to glow brightly under the night sky. Francis’s expression also changed slightly; his Holy Combat Energy flashed, and he swung his Blood Rose, sending out a beam of light that shattered the ice in the air into pieces. Ampere, who had initially felt some fear, suddenly grinned viciously upon seeing this and said, “Edward, you’ve come just in time. With Francis here, do I still need to fear you?” Unexpectedly, Francis’s expression changed as well, and he said gravely, “Idiot! We’re no match for them right now!” With that, Francis swung his Blood Rose again, made another gesture, and retreated rapidly backward, returning to where he had been in no time. Seeing this, Ampere’s expression changed once more, but he quickly flew back as well. As they moved, the ice crystals in the sky began to fade slowly, eventually forming the shape of a person. From afar, Du Fan recognized it as Edward, the president of the Mage Guild. Prince Fisher raised his eyebrows and couldn’t help but praise, “What kind of skill is this?” Anthony snorted and said, “It’s an ice-based forbidden spell, ‘Ice Seal for Thousands of Miles.’ But Edward still isn’t skilled enough in it. Otherwise, Ampere wouldn’t have been able to escape earlier…” Du Fan frowned and asked, “What about Francis?” Anthony glanced at Francis, who had already returned to his original spot, and said coldly, “He won’t die, but he can’t do anything to Edward either.” Du Fan felt a stir in his heart and couldn’t help but look at Edward, who was slowly floating down. Could it be that this guy was still at the Saint level? Truly, the older one gets, the more twisted they become… By that logic, this Archbishop Anthony must also be… As they spoke, Edward slowly descended from the sky. After landing, he glanced at Francis and Ampere, who had returned to the scene, gave a light snort, then turned to look at Anthony and said, “Lord Anthony, it seems you calculated that I would definitely intervene. Did you plan to let the two of them go if I didn’t act?” Anthony smiled faintly and said, “Lord Edward, as you can see, my five cardinals have all been defeated. How could I, alone, compare to them? If I were to fight and lose as well, it would bring great shame to our Holy Church.”

Edward snorted but didn’t look at Anthony again. His gaze fell on Du Fan, then on Prince Fischer, before he smiled slightly and said, “Lord Du Fan, His Highness Fischer… we meet again.”
Du Fan smiled gently and replied, “I’ve met President Edward.”
Prince Fischer merely nodded slightly.
Edward wasn’t bothered. He sized Du Fan up once more, then glanced at the Holy Angel Guardians surrounding Prince Fischer, before turning to the two in the arena with a cold sneer. “This must be Lord Francis, the Sword Saint of the Silver Sheath, right?”
Francis frowned slightly and replied calmly, “I dare not claim that title, but it is indeed me.”
Edward stared at him calmly and said coldly, “Good. A holy-grade powerhouse truly lives up to the reputation… You may go. No one here will stop you… As for the one behind you, he’ll likely have to stay.”
Before Francis could speak, Ampere snorted and said, “Edward, don’t think just because you’ve mastered a forbidden spell that you’re that great. It won’t be that easy for you to keep me here. Why didn’t you bring your enforcement team this time? I was ready to kill a few more to vent my anger!”
Edward snorted and said, “To deal with you? I alone are enough!”
Without any visible movement, a wave of coldness spread around. Du Fan felt a chill run through his body as if he were suddenly in an ice cave. He couldn’t help but glance at Ampere, who, though showing disdain, had a grave expression—completely different from when facing him.
At Anthony’s signal, the cardinals also positioned themselves behind Anthony. Francis frowned but stepped back as well.
Prince Fischer suddenly laughed and said, “Lord Du Fan, this is a duel between two great magicians—a rare sight. You should watch carefully.”
Du Fan raised his eyebrows but said nothing more, simply observing quietly. He understood that in this situation, his status was the lowest, and speaking wouldn’t help.
At that moment, Edward stepped forward. With that step, Du Fan sensed a change.
Du Fan’s mental strength was incredibly strong, allowing him to detect even the slightest changes immediately.

He clearly felt that as Edward took that step forward, a psychic field had begun to emanate from him, surrounding him and Ampere. Though not very strong, this field enclosed the two of them and protected those outside it from the effects of magic.

Ampere, known as a master of forbidden magic, was undoubtedly highly skilled. He sensed Edward’s psychic field immediately. His expression changed slightly, but he snorted and laughed coldly, saying, “Edward, you’re still so merciful. Don’t you realize that a mage who transcends the mundane world shouldn’t possess such unnecessary kindness? Look at you now… Haha… You still care about protecting others. How is this even like being a mage?”

Edward replied coldly, “I’m just trying to restrict your movements. You’re faster than a rabbit. I don’t want you to run away again!”

Ampere smiled coldly and said, “Run? Why would I run? Edward, don’t you think you can take me on with just your bare hands? Don’t you think I’ve only made progress over the years while you’ve stayed stagnant? Let me tell you, Edward, you underestimated me back then, and you underestimate me now… So, you’ll regret this too!”

At that moment, Ampere pointed his Sacred Radiance Staff at Edward. The seven-colored light on the staff shimmered brilliantly…

Seeing this, Edward said coldly, “It seems you’ve reaped quite a few benefits by becoming a lackey of the royal family… But material things are ultimately just that—material.”

With that, Edward waved his hand, and a wave of cold energy emerged from his fingertips, instantly forming the shape of a staff!

Matter shaped by energy!

This was a realm only those known as Sacred Magi could attain!

The several cardinals around them showed expressions of surprise, and even Du Fan sighed inwardly. He had guessed earlier that President Edward was likely already at the Sacred rank, but seeing him use his powers now confirmed it.

This imperial capital was indeed full of those at the Sacred rank!

For someone as insignificant as him, being in this vast turmoil meant danger everywhere!