The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Upon the back of a majestic crane, Commander Kashann struggled to soothe the surging life force within his body. His breastbone was shattered, and his heart was shaken by the impact. "Regardless, I thank you!"

The Floral Enchantress Commander, wielding control over billions of petals, enveloped the ancient city in a vast protective dome, striving to leave no gaps in her guard. However, such a large-scale defense was immensely draining, causing her exquisite beauty to pale and her breath to grow uneven. "Is Alavin within Stormcast?"

"Not at present, but he will return shortly."

"Where has he gone? If your only intention was to draw attention away, to give Alavin a chance to escape, the Seven Organizations will never forgive Cobalt Strike for this."

"He would never abandon his own kin."

"Why would you disclose this news?" The Floral Enchantress Commander pressed on.

"It was Alavin's idea."

"What is the Kings' Acceptance?"

"In truth... it wasn't I who gave the Kings' Acceptance to Alavin. He acquired the legacy himself. He holds secrets and bears grudges against me, so I know very little." Commander Kashann offered a vague explanation, took a breath, and with great effort, he stood up, gazing toward the distant Grand Elder. He thought, "As long as I live, you will never control Cobalt Strike."

Beyond the barrier, the Grand Elder gnashed his teeth in fury. His patience was worn thin by repeated interruptions.

At that moment, Neasilis and over thirty other survivors made their escape from the ancient city and regrouped in the wilderness, still in shock and gasping for breath. "Where is Alavin?" the Grand Elder descended from the sky into the wilds.

"We haven't seen him. We were barred from entering the city's domain and intercepted by the Mollen family's forces."

"The Mollen family? How many?"

"Over three hundred. The Mollen family's devotees were all present." Neasilis wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, frowning at the ancient city now ensnared by green vines and a sea of flowers. "That was close. I nearly didn't make it out. Oh, and there's something else. There was a strange person inside who wiped out five of us with a mere gesture."

"An Archmage?"

"It's unclear."

"He must be inside," the Grand Elder surmised, his brow furrowed. If this were merely a performance to attract attention, it wouldn't have drawn the entire Mollen family to this.

"What do we do now?" Neasilis couldn't bear to see their efforts wasted.

"We take it one step at a time," the Grand Elder replied, equally unwilling to give up. He had been confident of victory, cursed that Tobin had been so careless to be slain so early. Had Tobin lived, he could have been the key to turning the tide, and the Floral Enchantress Commander would not have dared to act so recklessly. With these thoughts, the Grand Elder glared toward the battlefield where Jarad and Lord Viperbane fought. Jarad, the eldest Commander of the Eight Orders, was cunning indeed. By coming here and eliminating Tobin, the most dangerous of the three, Jarad had removed a great threat. Soon after, Lord Viperbane broke free from Jarad's beating and ran back, furious at the sight of Stormcast now sealed off.

Jarad, hands clasped behind his back, walked back slowly and glanced coldly at Lord Viperbane and the Grand Elder, before positioning himself above the barrier, confronting them from afar. "More people will show up in the next few days. Let them see for themselves the shameless thieves that you two are. If I were you, I'd take my own life, to spare the disgrace."

Deep within Cloudveil Woods.

The dazzling light cast its brilliant radiance across the mountains and dense forest. The surging energy repelled the Magi-Monsters and beasts for miles around.

Eighteen statues, each weighing millions of tons, carved deep trenches in the earth, hundreds of meters wide and tens of meters deep, stretching from the Watchful Shore all the way here.

Six days had passed since the journey began, and Alavin, with chains taut, had been traveling day and night. His body was numb from the intense pain, his muscles torn and healed countless times. Alavin could not afford to consider much else. Taking heavy steps and hands grasping the ground, he crawled forward step by step. His roars were now hoarse, blood seeped from every orifice, and his mouth was filled with blood.

Each step was an agonizing torment, and each second was unbearably long.

Six days... nearly five hundred thousand steps! He did not know how he had persisted, nor how much further he had to go. Now, only his unwavering will drove him onward.

Ahead, every time Godfred looked back and saw Alavin's struggle, his eyes would well up, and his heart would tremble. He could no longer bear to watch. He frantically charged into the mountains ahead, clearing the path.

While Alavin had the Restoration Mantra, the golden blood, and endless vitality, Godfred grew weaker. The continuous impacts and the constant drain had squeezed his potential to the brink. He was reaching his limit, and each collision caused his life force to churn as he coughed up blood. His organs shifted, his five beast souls grew more indistinct. They threatened to disappear at any moment.