Following the deaths of Rasgado and the others, the fourth Gold Saint to fall appeared, but this was a willing sacrifice by Asmita.
By the time Setsuna learned of this, Asmita had already used his life as the price, forging the Nyoi Hoju into 108 prayer beads with his Eighth Sense Cosmos.
From then on, the Specters could no longer rely on Hades's power to revive in this Holy War.
Regarding this, Setsuna wasn't surprised.
Though Asmita's individual combat power almost rivaled most Specters combined, the Holy War couldn't be ended by strength alone.
Like Hades's earlier overt trap… the Pope clearly knew Hades was using a diversion, yet had to send Saints to rescue.
Now that the Underworld Army lost its immortality, harassment tactics became far less effective.
Sacrificing one Gold Saint to reverse the entire war situation was precisely Virgo's wisdom.
…
Within the Pope's Chamber, Sage summoned Setsuna and Dohko before him.
His voice was hoarse and weary. "Setsuna, Dohko, I need you to depart immediately for the Eastern Land of the Taonias Sennin to seek aid."
Hearing this, Dohko immediately knelt on one knee, his youthful face filled with determination. "Your Holiness, I can undertake this alone. Setsuna-nii is a crucial combatant for Sanctuary. If—"
"No." Sage slowly shook his head, interrupting Dohko. "Seeking aid is merely the surface objective. More importantly, it's to draw the Underworld Army's attention."
"Huh?" Dohko looked up, confused, while Setsuna maintained his unperturbed expression.
Sage said, "I want you to deliberately expose your movements. While the Underworld Army is divided, Sanctuary will simultaneously breach the Hades Castle's barrier. Therefore, this journey east seeking aid will undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties. Your strength alone is insufficient."
Dohko suddenly understood but quickly thought of a key problem. "If we don't use lightspeed travel at all, the Specters will definitely become suspicious. But if we move too fast, they might not react in time…"
Setsuna spoke. "We can switch to walking ten kilometers from the Land of the Taonias Sennin to show sincerity. This is a common pilgrimage etiquette in Eastern civilization."
"Right." Dohko realized. "Setsuna-nii, you know so much. You're actually more familiar with the Eastern ancient country's etiquette than I am."
…
The Kunlun Mountains stood majestic. Perpetual clouds swirled around the mountains' waist, isolating the mortal world from the immortal realm.
"The Land of the Taonias Sennin is upon this divine mountain." Dohko surveyed the surroundings, some worry between his brows. "But the Underworld Army hasn't caught up yet. Could our plan be exposed?"
Setsuna's expression was calm, his gaze sweeping over the faintly visible immortal palace silhouette ahead. "Regardless of the Underworld Army's actions, we proceed as planned. If we can secure aid from the Land of the Taonias Sennin, it would greatly assist Sanctuary."
The moment the two stepped into the Land of the Taonias Sennin, the surrounding space abruptly twisted, rippling like waves.
However, what awaited them wasn't allies' welcome.
Dozens of Taonias clad in ink-black robes hovered mid-air, surrounded by thick natural energy.
Their robes were open, revealing vivid tattoos on their bodies.
"Enemy attack!"
Before Setsuna and Dohko could explain, the lead Sculptor Saint spread his arms. The crane tattoo on his back suddenly erupted with cyan light.
The next second, a crane phantom condensed from natural energy roared forth, charging straight at Dohko.
"Wait! We aren't enemies!"
Dohko shouted loudly, the Libra Gold Cloth's golden light blazing.
He didn't go for the kill, merely using skillful force to disperse the charging crane.
Seeing this, the other Taonias activated their Tattoos.
Wolves howled, eagles swooped.
Several beast-shaped energy attacks intertwined into a net, yet upon touching Dohko, were dissolved by his deep Cosmos.
"Interesting." Setsuna stood quietly aside, observing these Taonias' [Tattoos].
Their [Tattoos] weren't physical entities but external manifestations of natural energy brimming within their bodies to the limit.
In Setsuna's view, while the Tattoos' defensive power couldn't compare to physical Cloths, they excelled in convenience and had immense growth potential.
As long as they continuously strengthened the natural energy within, they could keep enhancing the Tattoos' strength.
For instance, Dohko in the next Holy War enjoyed bursting his Cloth during battle.
Over two hundred years of training made his Tiger Tattoo's defense surpass Gold Cloths. For him, the Cloth was almost a hindrance.
Setsuna was quite tempted. He didn't plan to take the Phoenix Cloth away from this world.
If he could use the Taonias' training method to forge a Phoenix Tattoo within his body, then even after leaving this world, his strength wouldn't weaken much from losing the Cloth.
Moreover, he wasn't completely ignorant of natural energy.
Having trained Senjutsu for years, with experience in Senjutsu Chakra, learning Tattoos shouldn't be too difficult for him.
Dohko was quite frustrated. He left the Land of the Taonias Sennin five years ago.
Five years of time's flow not only changed Sanctuary's personnel but also brought many new faces to the Land of the Taonias Sennin.
Though he displayed his Tiger Tattoo, the younger generation of Taonias still regarded him with wariness.
Just then, a breeze wafted from the mountain path's end. A group of figures clad in Tattoos gracefully approached.
One of them wore the Sky Fox Tattoo. Seeing the newcomer, Dohko's eyes lit up, loudly greeting.
"Hui, it's me, Dohko!"
Hui looked displeased but still signaled everyone to stop, coldly mocking. "What is a traitor of the Land of the Taonias Sennin doing back here?"
Dohko retracted his fighting stance, frowning slightly. "I left the Land of the Taonias Sennin with Hakuryu-sama's permission."
Seeing Hui still vigilant, he gravely asked. "What exactly happened here?"
Hearing Dohko and Hui's conversation, someone finally recalled. "Dohko? That strongest genius who left the Land of the Taonias Sennin for the Western Sanctuary years ago?"
"Could it be Sanctuary sensed our plight and specifically sent him back to reinforce us?"
Hearing this, Dohko was taken aback, his expression turning strange.
'We came seeking aid, yet the Land of the Taonias Sennin also seemed to expect external reinforcements?'
An elderly Taonia explained. "Recently, some arrogant Witch Warriors frequently invade the Land of the Taonias Sennin. We mistakenly thought they attacked again."
"Witch Warriors?" Setsuna was somewhat surprised. The Saint Seiya's side story at least mentioned Taonias, but he had never heard of Witch Warriors.
But then again, if the Western continent had so many mythological system legacies, it was normal for the Eastern continent to have some mythological systems too.
Setsuna said gravely, "We come from Sanctuary, hoping to pay respects to Hakuryu-sama."
The lead Taonia, Hakutaku, frowned, coldly saying. "Hakuryu-sama isn't someone you can meet just because you wish."
Yet as his words fell, a deep, majestic dragon roar came from deep within the sea of clouds, echoing across the entire Kunlun Summit.
"Let them come."
Hakutaku's expression abruptly changed. He immediately bowed respectfully. "Yes, Hakuryu-sama."