The ascension effect of the cursed artifact [Blood Abyss Curse Seal] was remarkable, though the subsequent sage-like state was quite uncomfortable.
The black sacrificial markings on Lu Jun's body gradually shrank back to the imprint on his wrist, and a profound fatigue emanated from deep within, his mental energy thoroughly drained.
Within his spiritual world, aside from the two vast star rivers of azure and black-red, four entire star clouds had extinguished, their magical energy completely depleted.
He had only maintained this state for approximately twenty-four seconds; had the battle prolonged, it might not have sufficed.
After all, Luo Mian's Shadow Element excelled in prolonging engagements. If he had managed to stall until Lu Jun's burst mode ended, counterattacking would have been effortless.
The [White Tiger Heretic God] form, with six elements coexisting, is merely a trump card for special occasions.
Moreover, this form doesn't represent Lu Jun's peak state; advancing further involves fusion magic and is closely tied to his cultivation level.
If Lu Jun's six elements reached the pinnacle of the High Tier, activating the White Tiger Heretic God state would allow him to confront a Grand Monarch head-on without exaggeration.
"Although it has a time limit and is far from Mo Fan's High Tier battling Sovereign Rulers or Super Tier battling Emperors, it's sufficient."
Lu Jun, having tested it once, nodded in satisfaction.
On the other side, Zhu Meng approached, noticing that Lu Jun had only expended magical energy, his aura diminished, indicating it wasn't some soul-burning, life-sacrificing dark art, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He looked at Lu Jun with appreciation; such a pillar of talent would be a great loss if he perished due to practicing forbidden arts. Beyond the cost, the ruling entity of the magical world, [The Holy City], would not tolerate it.
At this moment, Zhu Meng took a deep breath, his imposing figure slightly slumped, his straight spine bending as he bowed ninety degrees to Lu Jun, Tang Yue, and the others, sincerely apologizing:
"I'm sorry, this entire situation is my fault. I failed to see Luo Mian's true nature, was manipulated by him, and nearly caused a great disaster."
"I will publicly explain and apologize to the citizens of Hangzhou, willingly abandon the 'Hidden Dangers Strategy,' resign from my position as a councilor, and accept exile to the Nine Provinces' frontier, guarding the ancient capital to atone."
After speaking, his spirit seemed to collapse, his figure becoming more hunched, aging several years in just a few breaths.
If given a choice, Zhu Meng wouldn't abandon the Hidden Dangers Strategy; it represented his philosophy and lifelong pursuit. However, given the changing circumstances and his own culpability, he needed to take responsibility.
Hearing this, Lu Jun hesitated but ultimately said nothing.
Honestly, among the many councilors, Zhu Meng was considered top-tier, possessing a sense of justice, public morality, and social responsibility a great boon to the lower and middle classes, a traditional upright official.
Compared to the likes of Luo Mian, Zhu Biao, and Councilor Zhuang, he was leagues ahead.
But as the saying goes, merits cannot offset faults, and Zhu Meng's failure to judge character wasn't a one-time issue.
Previously, in Bo City, when facing the Black Vatican's plans, Lu Jun hesitated to report to the Hangzhou Tribunal due to two high-level moles: a councilor's secretary and a secondary city's adjudicator.
The former, unfortunately, worked under Zhu Meng, a mixed-blood named [Vini], at the Super Tier.
Now that Zhu Meng was stepping down, his secretary Vini's fate was inevitably tied, leading to his removal as well.
Inadvertently, the Black Vatican lost a crucial high-level insider.
In any case, Lu Jun felt it might be better for Zhu Meng to step down; the longer he stayed, the more mistakes he might make, leaking more information. Such a brute was better suited to fighting demons without needing to strategize.
He was quite helpless; in the original work, many high-ranking officials were incompetent, and Zhu Meng was considered one of the better ones.
"Before I step down, I will handle the aftermath properly."
Zhu Meng paused and continued, "Luo Mian's faction won't escape legal punishment. The city's plague can be resolved with the Crimson Hawk Herb; I'll send people into the mountains to collect it and restore normalcy as soon as possible."
"By the way," he looked deeply at Lu Jun, "the two National Team recommendation votes I hold are useless to me now, so I'll give them to you."
Hearing this, Lu Jun and the others exchanged glances without objection.
Seeing that Zhu Meng had arranged everything properly, a major crisis in Hangzhou had been silently resolved without any casualties.
Suddenly, everyone looked to the sky, their expressions filled with shock.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
A massive swarm of cloud-like monsters surged forth, overwhelming the sky and flooding toward Bai Mountain. Upon closer inspection, each cloud was actually a white-winged eagle-like demon with blood-red eyes.
They rolled in like a tide, crossing the city border and invading the forest.
Fortunately, on the western side of Bai Mountain, the Western Territory Fortress's garrison forces rapidly activated a dazzling array of magical defenses, holding back the white cloud torrent at the outer perimeter.
But the entire formation was teetering on collapse it clearly wouldn't hold for long.
"White Magic Eagles it's the White Magic Eagle tribe! Why are they invading?!"
Seeing this, Zhu Meng's eyes narrowed as he picked up the communicator for answers. Soon, news came through on Hangzhou's western side, the previously peaceful White Magic Eagles had made a move.
And it wasn't a small-scale skirmish there were already multiple Commander-level Four-Clawed White Magic Eagles.
Lu Jun was also shocked. The plague hadn't yet reached its peak and could be solved at any time why would the White Magic Eagle Kingdom invade now?
He pondered for a moment, looked toward the depths of Bai Mountain, shrouded in mist and clouds, and came to a realization.
Of course. The White Magic Eagle sovereign—[Silver Soaring Overlord]—was a Great Monarch. How could such a being invade a core human city merely out of greed?
Besides, the blood plague had long been ineffective against creatures of that level.
It must have sensed that Hangzhou's guardian deity, the [Black Serpent], had entered a weakened molting period and wanted to seize the chance to slay this powerful neighboring rival.
If it succeeded, the White Magic Eagles would become a grave threat along the southeastern coast.
Lu Jun's expression turned solemn. He instructed Tang Yue, Leng Qing, and Lu Mei: "Go retrieve the batch of poisonous blood serum under Luo Mian's command. Feed it to the Black Serpent it can accelerate its molting."
Hearing this, Tang Yue was bewildered. She had no idea about this.
But her trust in Lu Jun was absolute she didn't hesitate and went off immediately.
Before leaving, Lu Mei looked at him in concern and asked, "What about you?"
Lu Jun waved her off and said, "I'll go support the border defense. I've always wanted to witness the might of a Great Monarch firsthand."
"Don't worry. I've got my [Ascension] state. In a critical moment, I can use my Summoning Element's Night Thunder Dreambeast or Space Element's instant teleportation to escape."
The four split up and moved into action.
Back at the original spot, Zhu Meng had no time to concern himself with Lu Jun and the others. Face grim, he began awakening the Tribunal members that Lu Jun had stunned.
He had just received the latest intel a Great Monarch had appeared at the border. All of them, being High, Super Tier mages, had to head out for support.
Soon, Wupingjing and over a hundred personal guards awoke. Unclear on what had just happened, they looked at Lu Jun with tense faces their memories stuck on the moment they were easily crushed by him.
They nearly reacted on reflex, ready to attack.
Fortunately, their superior Zhu Meng was present and offered a brief explanation: "Don't mind him. He's an ally. The truth behind the plague has already been uncovered. Our top priority now is stopping the White Magic Eagle tribe's invasion. All of you, follow me."
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