Imagine this: the enemy jumps through every hoop imaginable, finally manages to destroy an angel's body, only for a flash of golden light to appear, and the angel is fully revived. They manage to kill it again with great difficulty, and it revives once more.
Kill it once, it revives once.
A full hundred thousand times.
Who could stand up to that?
This isn't a battle; it's a one-two punch of torment to the enemy's spirit and body.
"In that case..."
Mikaela's eyes blazed with divine light, an absolute mastery over victory.
"Then how do we fight next? Do we still need to worry about tactics?"
"It doesn't matter."
Steve shrugged.
"With these items, why bother with a game plan? Let's just steamroll them."
He pointed at the map on the table, his finger drawing a circle around the location of the Church of Light, then pushing outward forcefully in all directions.
"Directly use the Church of Light as Ground Zero, have the Angel Legion launch a full-scale assault, pushing outward in all directions, killing any dark creatures they encounter, wiping out any resistance they meet."
"Don't worry about losses, don't worry about injuries, just do one thing: attack! Attack! Attack again!"
"And as for me..."
Steve's finger moved to the archipelago at the southernmost end of the map.
"I'll lead the American forces to first box in the Dragon Race, then send some people to coordinate with you for the final sweep of the entire continent."
"Good, let's roll with that."
Mikaela listened, her blood boiling with excitement. In all her years leading the church, she had never fought a war with such deep pockets.
"However..."
Mikaela glanced at the southern end of the map and reminded him.
"I remember that over by the Dragon Race, there's an old dragon in slumber, rumored to be an Eighth-tier Sacred Domain Dragon. Although it hasn't shown its face for many years, its strength is nothing to sneeze at. Do you need us to send a few elders from the Angel Legion to back you up?"
"Eighth-tier, huh?"
Steve's lips curled into a confident smile.
"No need, Mom. You just worry about the Dark Church. As for that old dragon, we've got it covered."
He thought of his own recently evolved, sixth-tier Ender Dragon with Crimson Fire Dragon and Void Power, and Alex.
A Sixth-tier Crimson Fire Ender Dragon, plus Alex with her S-class Bizarre Methods capable of infinite replication, plus the Totem of Undying—they could win a war of attrition just by wearing the opponent down.
"Good, since you're so sure of yourself, I'll let it rest."
Mikaela nodded, then stood up, a gentle smile returning to her face.
"Now that business is out of the way, it's time to eat. To welcome you, I specifically had the church pull out all the stops for a holy feast."
Side hall of the Papal Palace, dining room.
The long dining table was laden with various delicacies emitting a faint glow.
These were all Spirit Fruits and Spirit Beast Meat, specialties of the Holy Mountain, not only delicious but also nourishing to the body and purifying energy.
The three of them took their seats.
"Let's eat."
At Mikaela's command, Muriel, who had been maintaining a ladylike image, instantly broke character.
Although she was a Saintess, usually eating lightly, deep down she was a total foodie. Faced with this table full of delicacies, she couldn't hold back any longer.
"Mmm... delicious."
Muriel picked up a piece of golden-glowing roasted meat and stuffed it into her mouth, happily squinting her eyes.
Although at their current level, they had long since moved past the need for food to sustain life.
But as Steve thought, sometimes the purpose of eating isn't to fill up, but to enjoy the pleasure of taste, and... "Slow down, it's not a race."
Steve looked at Muriel's adorable appearance, picked up the serving chopsticks, and placed a few pieces of the tenderest meat into her bowl.
"Mmm... thank you, Steve. You eat too."
Muriel said with her mouth full, then in turn placed a large piece of meat into Steve's bowl.
Looking at Muriel before them, without a trace of sinister aura, quietly enjoying the food, who would have thought she was the Fallen Angel who wielded a demonic sword on the battlefield, taking no prisoners?
Mikaela, seated at the head of the table, watched their interaction with a smile in her eyes.
She elegantly wiped her mouth and suddenly asked.
"Steve, when are you and Muriel planning to tie the knot?"
"Cough!"
Steve was drinking soup and nearly choked upon hearing this.
He put down the soup bowl, looked at Muriel's instantly flushed cheeks, then turned to Mikaela and said seriously.
"Mom, although I'd like to as soon as possible, America is currently taking the fight to another world."
"Another world?"
Mikaela was taken aback.
"Yes."
Steve explained.
"That world's situation is quite complex, filled with bizarre phenomena and rules. Only after completely cleaning house there can I truly settle down."
"But don't worry, the campaigns in these two worlds are down to the wire. After these two battles are over, we can discuss it then."
"Good!"
Mikaela nodded with satisfaction.
Although she wished she could arrange the marriage right now, since Steve had such ambitions, she naturally supported him fully.
"I didn't realize you were juggling another world at the same time..."
Mikaela sighed.
"It seems our understanding of your strength is still barely scratching the surface."
"Steve."
Muriel, who had been chowing down, suddenly looked up, curious yet worried.
"What is that world like?"
"That world..."
Steve's eyes slightly focused, images of bizarre phenomena everywhere flashing in his mind.
"It's very bizarre, filled with countless rules. Many people might drop dead just by stepping out of line, without even knowing what hit them."
"Huh?"
Muriel's fork stopped mid-air.
"Then... then will you be in danger, Steve?"
Although naive, she knew how terrifying such unpredictable game-ending rules could be.
Steve, seeing the worry in her eyes, felt warmth in his heart and comforted her softly.
"I have the heart of faith protecting me, and these infinite undying items. In this world, nothing can take me out."
"As long as you always remember me, I'm immortal. Besides..."
Steve took Muriel's hand, his gaze deeply affectionate.
"I need to stay in one piece so I can come back and marry you."
"..."
Muriel looked into Steve's sincere eyes, her cheeks burning, the worry in her heart slightly dissipating.
"Is that so?"
She silently asked herself in her heart.
For some reason, even though Steve spoke so confidently, even though she knew the undying nature of the heart of faith, deep down, a lingering unease stuck with her.
"Steve, you must be careful."
The meal passed quickly.
After the meal, Steve keenly sensed that Muriel's mood seemed somewhat low, always somewhere else.
"Mom, I'll take Muriel out for a walk to walk off the meal."
Steve stood up to bid farewell.
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Mikaela nodded. She had also noticed her daughter's unusual behavior and felt some doubt in her heart. However, thinking that young people might communicate better among themselves, she didn't push the issue.
The two of them walked out of the Pope's Hall and strolled along the Cloud Corridor of the Holy Mountain.
The night breeze was slightly cool, blowing through Muriel's long hair.
Steve stopped in his tracks, took her hand, and asked softly.
"What's wrong? You've been off since just now."
Muriel looked up, her heterochromatic eyes carrying a trace of confusion and helplessness.
"I don't know either..."
She bit her lip and said in a small voice.
"My heart just suddenly feels very uneasy and panicked. I'm afraid that if you go to that world, Steve, you'll suddenly vanish into thin air."
Was that a warning from the heart of the angel? Or was it simply a case of worrying herself sick?
Steve's heart stirred, and he gently pulled her into his arms.
"Silly girl."
Steve stroked her long hair, his tone firm.
"How could I disappear? I'm bulletproof. Besides, I'm still waiting to walk down the aisle. Before that, no one can take me away."
"Really?"
"Really."
In Steve's warm embrace, Muriel felt that powerfully beating heart, and the unease in her heart finally settled down.
"Mhm."
She nodded, pressed her face against Steve's chest, and said softly.
"I'll be waiting to have our wedding, Steve."
The two snuggled together like that, looking at the distant starry sky and enjoying the final tranquility before the storm breaks.
Late at night.
The two returned to the Fortress via the teleportation device.
They returned to Steve's bedroom, sat cross-legged, and began to continue their cultivation.
And at this very moment.
The Paranormal World, Western Suburbs of Haven City.
At the site of the underground altar that had already been reduced to rubble.
The night wind wailed like the crying of ghosts.
Buzz!
Space suddenly fluctuated without any warning.
A figure completely shrouded in black clothing appeared out of thin air in the center of the altar.
He had a slender build and wore a white mask on his face. Not a single trace of aura emanated from his body.
The man in black stood there quietly, his gaze passing through the mask to look at the three small mounds of earth next to the altar. That was where Alex had personally buried her parents and grandmother.
"Hehe..."
A slight laugh came from beneath the mask, carrying a hint of playfulness, a hint of mockery, and a hint of expectation.
"The Twin Magic Mirror was a bust."
The man in black slowly raised his hand and lightly hooked his fingertip.
Whoosh.
Amidst the ruins of the altar, several lingering wisps of black aura belonging to the Twin Magic Mirror and the Evil Alex converged at his fingertip as if receiving some kind of summons.
"The variable, Steve..."
The man in black looked at the black mist swirling around his fingertip, his voice becoming ethereal and uncertain.
"Since you like playing the hero, I'll prepare an even larger stage for you."
"I hope you can obtain the SSS Paranormal core you want..."
After speaking, the figure of the man in black began to slowly fade.
The wind passed without a trace.
The real world, morning.
Steve slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of stale air.
After a night of dual cultivation, he had not only stabilized his realm but even his mental energy had received a major boost.
Muriel woke up as well, a warm luster flowing in her heterochromatic eyes.
The two walked out of the room. Just as they reached the living room, they saw Alex leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, staring blankly at the busy base outside.
"Morning, Alex."
Steve greeted her with a smile.
Alex turned her head, her small face flushed, but her gaze was exceptionally firm.
"Morning, Brother Steve. Are we heading out today? I want to go to that world and help Brother Steve kick some butt."
Steve was slightly stunned.
"This girl is a real firebrand, isn't she?"
Steve thought to himself, but he did not refuse.
After all, Alex's current combat power, combined with that Twin Dread Domain, was absolutely off the charts.
"Alright."
Steve nodded.
"Then I'll take you. Today is a tough one; we're going to completely finish off that world."
"Yay!"
Alex excitedly pumped her small fist.
The Fortress, Command Center.
Randy stood before a massive holographic sand table, his expression solemn.
"Uncle Randy, are the troops assembled?"
Steve strode in and cut to the chase.
"Already in position."
Randy pointed at the dense green light spots on the screen—so many that they had to be displayed in folded layers—his tone carrying the pride of one controlling thousands of troops.
"This time, we're playing for keeps. Ten million Fifth-Order Zombie troops have all finished assembling. This force is enough to not just sweep a continent, but even level the place."
It was a number that sent a chill down your spine.
In the Fantasy World, the fifth order was already a heavy hitter.
But here, they were merely fodder.
"Furthermore,"
Randy added.
"The supply transport channel to the Church of Light's side has been opened. Totems of Undying are being sent over around the clock. Pope Mikaela is ready on her end."
"Good."
Steve nodded with satisfaction, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Then let's hit the road."
Fantasy World, Teleportation Node.
Buzz!
As the spatial fluctuations subsided, three terrifying figures descended upon this world.
Steve's consciousness instantly inhabited the Ender Dragon. The hundred-meter-long dragon body stretched out in the sky, the Fire and Void Power intertwining, radiating a suffocating pressure.
Alex controlled her Abyssal Condenser form, countless tentacles dancing in the air as if sensing the fear of her prey.
Muriel remained in her angel form where the sacred and the fallen coexisted, her eight wings unfurled, blocking out the sun.
"Go."
Steve issued the command, his voice spreading to the entire army through a mental link.
"Don't rush off to Dragon Island to find that old fellow. First, we'll go and wipe out all those so-called Dragon Race members scattered across the continent."
"Since we're going to bleed them dry, let's do it right. I want this body to evolve to its limit."
"Yes!"
Behind them, the army of ten million Zombies, like a black tide, followed the three deities in the sky, sweeping toward the designated coordinates.
The next few hours were Judgment Day for the Dragon Race of the Fantasy World.
"Roar! Who are you people? How dare you..."
In a certain Abyssal Swamp, a Green Dragon covered in deadly poison had just woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Before it could even finish its threat, it was tightly bound by thousands of tentacles and then pounded into the dirt by Steve and the others.
"No!! I am a noble Frost Giant Dragon..."
In the Far North, a white giant dragon was blasted by a breath from the Ender Dragon until it didn't know which way was up, then was dragged into the Portal like a dead dog.
One, two, ten... In just half a day, over a dozen adult giant dragons that usually threw their weight around were all forcibly packed up and taken back to the Zombie World.
Zombie World, Biological Research Institute Plaza.
At this time, the plaza had turned into a massive slaughterhouse.
Over a dozen giant dragons of various colors were thrown on the ground, bound hand and foot, with thick blood-collection tubes inserted all over their bodies.