Chapter 578 - 41: Crimson Demon

Recently, however, the Spirit Summoning Association—a group the world’s major powers had never considered a serious threat—has demonstrated a strength that has taken them all completely by surprise!

"The Continuous Prayer Meeting has gone quiet recently, and the last time the New Dawn Association showed up was on the Antarctic Continent. Heaven knows what that person is planning to do in the Antarctic."

"But the Spirit Summoning Association, on the other hand... this time, they actually managed to gather six Extraordinary Peak Commanders to raid the Two Realms Time-Space Gate in Slovenia and force their way into the Demon Realm... They must have information we don’t! What’s more, that level of power is almost comparable to half the European Union!"

Rafael was well aware that while he was the public Extraordinary representative for the Alliance, the entire European Union could still muster a dozen or so Cultivators of his caliber without any issue.

However, the Alliance’s Transcendents were needed to guard various locations, and each had their own work and factions to manage. For the few Extraordinary Tiers stationed at the Two Realms Time-Space Gate fortress to have survived a full-force assault from the Spirit Summoning Association was already a major victory.

But what Rafael feared most wasn’t the Spirit Summoning Association’s suddenly complete legacy, their unknown intelligence sources, or even their uncanny, top-to-bottom unity.

What he truly feared was the mysterious Powerhouse from the Spirit Summoning Association who had so swiftly defeated the two Extraordinary Peak members from the Harmony Bureau guarding the Space-Time Gate in the Demon Realm.

’That level of strength and destructive power... It would be no exaggeration to call them a Commander Tier!’

Rafael, already injured to begin with, had rushed to the scene using Space-Time Magic, but the battle in Slovenia was already nearing its end when he arrived. They stood before a Commander from the Spirit Summoning Association who seemed to have transformed into a Purgatory Demon, their entire body wreathed in crimson Flame. Even with Rafael joining forces with the other two Extraordinary Peak cultivators, they were no match. The opponent’s Blazing Giant Axe shattered his Sealed Spirit Beast in a single blow, and the aftershock was enough to break both his legs.

And Rafael, having previously encountered a ’True Demon’ in the small town, keenly sensed that this giant Crimson Demon was, in essence, extremely similar to those bizarre Monsters that seized human hearts and used Souls as their vessels. Moreover, the Crimson Demon’s state was also peculiar. Despite its immense power, it was clearly not a true Commander Tier; its strength must have been the result of some strange Secret Technique.

’But even so, a Commander Tier that hasn’t advanced normally is still an exceptionally powerful being. Even the destructive power Su Zhou displayed back in the Beast God Realm would probably pale in comparison!’

At this thought, Rafael’s heart grew heavy. It wasn’t that he lacked a way to quickly advance to the Commander Tier. It was just that doing so would be tantamount to abandoning his decades of painstaking Cultivation and cutting off any possibility of future progress.

But faced with that overwhelmingly powerful Crimson Demon, even if Zhengguo sent Su Zhou to assist, a single Commander Tier probably wouldn’t be enough to defeat it...

He remained lost in these anxious thoughts for a long time, until the sun began to set and Selos came to wheel him back to his hospital room.

Suddenly, the white-haired old man lifted his head, his expression stunned as he gazed into the distance.

"What is that aura? It’s so dangerous, so searing... it’s almost like... it’s interrogating my very conscience?!"

As he perceived the aura rapidly approaching from the distance, Rafael’s spirit wavered. For a moment, it was as if he’d heard the tolling of church bells, or the sharp crack of a judge’s gavel. But just as quickly, the old man identified the source of this presence.

It was Su Zhou!

’And the strength of this aura... It’s even stronger than it was a few months ago in the Beast God Realm?!’

’How did he improve so fast?! A few months should have been just enough to digest what he gained from that battle, at best!’

Rafael was completely baffled. Meanwhile, the Harmony Bureau’s temporary hospital had evidently received advance notice. Knowing the approaching figure was an ally, they made no move to stop him and allowed him to be guided inside.

"It’s been a while, Mr. Rafael. I heard you were seriously injured. How are you feeling?"

Su Zhou’s hearty words of comfort could be heard from a distance: "Don’t worry! The Harmony Bureau helped us in the Beast God Realm, so of course I’ll help you in this critical moment. Just tell me which member of the Spirit Summoning Association beat you up like this, and I’ll personally scatter their ashes into the Mediterranean Sea!"

’What does he mean, "how am I feeling?" I was seriously injured, how else would I be feeling? Does this kid even know how to talk?!’

Rafael was so incensed by Su Zhou’s words he could barely breathe.

And as he seethed, he also felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity... ’Wait, doesn’t my own granddaughter talk like this too?’

With no time to ponder the coincidence, Rafael grunted. He even forced himself to stand using his Spiritual Power and stiffly shook the approaching Su Zhou’s hand. Putting on a brave face, he said, "I’m fine, I’m fine! I’ve just suffered a few injuries in a row and need some time to rest."

"As long as you’re fine, that’s all that matters!" the cheerful young man’s voice boomed. Beside them, Selos nodded thoughtfully before quickly pulling out a notebook and beginning to write.

’Even though Grandpa is seriously injured, he’s forcing his ailing body to stand and speak with dignity to prevent the European Union and the Harmony Bureau from being underestimated. This isn’t just about saving face; it’s about showcasing the spirit and grace of us Europeans!’

’At a critical moment, one must have the courage to draw their sword, to maintain their composure even when grievously wounded... Grandpa has never said this in so many words, but I can feel the powerful conviction deep in his heart!’