Richardson and Charles exchanged glances, their expressions and tones swiftly turning indifferent. "You are too young... When you reach our age, you’ll find that all things in this world are illusory, and only immortality is worth expending everything to pursue!"
"Just like that woman Angel, she thinks she comes to this bar over and over because she likes you... but little does she know, it’s only because the ’Bone Key’ within her is attracted to the ’Meat Key’..."
"And our arrival, as well as the entry of the high-ranking followers of the Master of Black Blood into this city, everything is the result of mysterious guidance, a destiny that is meant to be."
Charles said, "Byron City shall become the sacrifice for summoning the Holy Grail!"
He released the ’Blood Key’ in his hand, and a terrible attraction emerged instantly.
Richardson also released the ’Bone Key,’ allowing both keys to fly into the air, calling out to the ’Meat Key’ in Zhong Shenxiu’s hand.
An overwhelmingly powerful force directly caused the three keys to traverse space, converging mid-air to form an iron triangle.
"The Triangle Ritual of Blood, Flesh, and Bone!"
Cadlyan was using the power of ritual magic to restrain several canine beasts.
"I hope that investigator is strong enough to call in substantial reinforcements; otherwise, I don’t stand a chance in this Blood Cup War."
Dark tendrils spread around her, exuding an aura of decay and corruption, entwining with the canine beasts.
"Just hold on for three more minutes, and I can use my fallen avatar to escape!"
As Cadlyan gritted her teeth, her Spiritual Vision was frantically issuing warnings.
This made her retreat several steps involuntarily.
The next moment, she saw a dazzling light shooting up from the building where the bar was located.
Simultaneously, the street, bricks, signs... and all buildings turned to decaying dust in an instant, disappearing with a gust of wind.
In the night sky of Byron City.
A beam of light appeared, turning into a pure white sun in the blink of an eye.
In the outskirts of Byron City, the landscape and the buildings became somewhat blurry, as though a layer of a dream was enveloping them down.
That nebulous light twisted all paths leading out of the city, turning the entire city into an isolated island.
"The blood sacrifice ritual has begun!"
Cadlyan looked at this scene and, without hesitation, turned to flee.
Within the domain of the ritual, the followers of the Master of Black Blood were undoubtedly receiving the greatest empowerment, but other mysterious beings under their command did not enjoy such benefits, instead being weakened and suppressed.
Under such circumstances, even she was uncertain if she could deal with the now frenzied canine beasts.
Somewhere within the Federation.
At the top of the tower was a stone bell tower, filled with ancient Greek architecture. On the top layer, a symbol on a disk with twelve sections, resembling a clock, suddenly lit up, flashing a blood-red glow.
Seductive, sinister, filled with bad omens...
An observer watching this scene dropped their pen unconsciously, "Quickly go and inform the Sage Council that the power representing the Master of Black Blood is undergoing changes, continuously influencing the present world!"
The pure white tower was an institution specially established by the Federation to observe the grand presences.
Those twelve squares represented different grand presences, believed to be the root of the Spirit Realm, even avatars of the creator!
Every slight movement of these existences could affect the present world, and it would not be surprising for them to even trigger apocalyptic disasters.
Therefore, from the very beginning of its establishment, the Federation constructed this institution upon the suggestion of the great Sage Isreal, to monitor the real world using mysticism.
"Master of Black Blood?"
Another wizened elder with eyes full of the vicissitudes of life bent down to pick up a pen, gazing at the symbol: "This intensity and aura... It cannot be mistaken, it’s caused by the Blood Cup Ritual! The sixth Blood Cup War has already begun... We must immediately find the location where it occurred."
Previously, the servants of the Master of Black Blood had launched attacks everywhere, setting up many decoys and traps in other cities, drawing the majority of the Federation’s attention.
But now, as the real Blood Cup Ritual began, nothing could be hidden.
"According to the latest news from the Diviners, it should be in Byron City!"
Soon, information had been gathered.
"Damn... it’s not any of the four cities we previously guessed... The response from the school of this Master of Black Blood is also too sluggish..."
The elder sighed: "The Federation’s reinforcements can arrive at earliest by dawn, and as for how to survive the darkness before dawn, we need to pray for all the citizens."
"Just received a message from the Nightingale Family, they can grant us the right to use ’the Door’, though it’s very costly and can’t transport too many people, it can speed up the process."
Another staff member came over to report.
"Timing is crucial, the Nightingale Family truly are faithful servants of the seasons..."
The elder paused, and then nodded somewhat relievedly: "Though the number is small, being able to prepare in advance is always good..."
Right now, above Byron City.
Within that pure white sun, slivers of dark red patterns slowly emerged.
The scorching sunlight pierced through clouds, roofs, walls... seemingly shining directly onto the soul of every citizen.
"What is... going on?"
Jamie crawled out of bed, subconsciously reaching for the firearm stashed under his pillow, and then looked out the window, somewhat stunned: "Is it already morning?"
He walked to the window edge, staring at the pure white sun rimmed with red, and suddenly swallowed unconsciously.
A hunger from the depths of his soul suddenly struck at his heart.
It made him famished, wanting to eat something, like fresh flesh and blood.
Jamie’s expression slowly twisted, but just then a cool sense of clarity poured into his soul, allowing him to barely maintain a sliver of lucidity.
Struggling, he shakily pulled out a metal flask from his clothing and took a sip after opening it.
Jamie gasped for breath, slumping to the ground, feeling as tired as if he had gone through a bloody battle.
Just then, he could already hear screams and cries of alarm coming from outside.
"That is... has someone been affected by that feeling and turned into a cannibalistic monster?"
Jamie’s face hardened, he gripped his pistol tightly, and stepped outside...
Jones, wearing a coat, looked up at the pure white sun in the sky, his expression suddenly shifting: "No... this sensation, it’s the influence of mystical forces... I have to protect Carmela and Jennifer!"
He rushed into his sister’s bedroom, and immediately heard a girl’s scream from inside: "Pervert..."
"No no, I’m Jones, listen to my explanation!"
Jones, who was ejected from the room by pillows and slippers, was very puzzled. Clearly, he felt that this pure white sun was full of ominous signs, so why did neither of his sisters react at all?
Thinking it over, he activated his Spiritual Vision, and his expression suddenly froze.
He saw the horrifying sight of Earth-bound Spirits, their deathly visages nearly filling the entire apartment...