Astromark Province. Night has fallen, but the city is still ablaze with lights, bright as day.
Because Astromark Province is close to Crescent and Dragoncrest Provinces, when news spread here that Little Demon Song had resurfaced, the entire branch altar was thrown into unrest.
After all, their branch altar could easily be Little Demon Song's next target for destruction.
At the main gate of the branch altar, eight Soul-Split realm guards still stood watch.
Normally, these eight guards would just go through the motions, but tonight, none dared slack off. Who knew if Little Demon Song would suddenly show up? One careless moment and they could lose their lives.
Inside the branch altar, in an inconspicuous little attic, a gray-robed elder sat cross-legged. Not a trace of aura leaked from his body, making him seem like a lifeless withered tree.
His name was Nathan Nalan. Years ago, he had been a Core Elder of the Prime One Church, but after stepping into the Tribulation realm, he stepped down to focus on cultivation and preparing for his next Heavenly Tribulation, which he sensed would descend within a hundred years.
Ten li outside Astromark's branch altar, in a plain courtyard, lived a Soul-Split realm cultivator. He'd moved here two years ago and spent almost all his time in seclusion, rarely ever going out.
In fact, he was a disciple of the Prime One Church, sent by the Main Altar as a spy. If anything happened at the branch altar, he was to report back to the Main Altar via the teleportation array.
Tonight, Mark Han—the undercover spy—wasn't cultivating as usual. With Little Demon Song on the move again and likely to strike Astromark's branch altar, he had to stay sharp and keep watch for any disturbances.
Suddenly.
A figure appeared at his side without any warning.
"Who are you...?"
He didn't even finish his sentence before the newcomer tapped his brow with a finger. The force instantly broke through his protective true essence, invaded his sea of consciousness, and shattered his Nascent Soul.
At the same time, ten figures suddenly appeared around Astromark's branch altar. They rapidly formed spell seals, and a layer of invisible energy enveloped the entire altar.
"Who are you?"
Inside the attic, Nathan Nalan snapped open his eyes. With a single step, he appeared in the sky above the branch altar.
But the ten surrounding figures didn't answer. They attacked him directly.
"Not good!"
As a Tribulation realm cultivator, Nathan Nalan's senses were razor sharp. The moment the ten attacked, he realized they were all at his level.
"Run!"
He made his decision in an instant—escape. But as soon as he tried to connect with the void, his expression changed. He realized the space around the branch altar had been sealed by a mysterious force. It would take at least fifteen minutes to break through.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Ten terrifying attacks came crashing down. Nathan Nalan had no choice but to face them head-on.
The result of taking them head-on was heavy injury.
"Pfft!"
Nathan Nalan spat a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning pale. He cried out in shock, "You're from the Fire God Church?"
"You know too much. Die!"
One attacker stepped through the air to strike again, while the other nine coordinated their attacks.
After only three rounds of resistance, Nathan Nalan was completely spent. He could only watch as a sword beam pierced his brow and shattered his Primordial Spirit.