[Chapter 142: Empowerment with Aegis]
The entire farm was covered by a massive, sinister rune.
At that moment, the rune flared with a dark purple, eerie glow, bathing the entire farm in a strange, unsettling light.
A powerful aura, oppressive and overwhelming, steadily grew, climbing higher and higher.
This force was incredibly formidable -- threatening even Daniel, a Seraphic Arbiter of Lesser Ascendant Order. Yet Daniel's expression remained utterly calm.
"Rite of Divine Empowerment, upgrade!"
At this critical moment, Daniel enhanced the Rite of Divine Empowerment, allowing it to ascend to the Fifth Tier.
His consecrated ashwood sword flashed, now bearing the Divine Empowerment Seal, as he began performing the ritual.
I humbly petition the keepers of divine judgment.
Let their appointed guardians descend, clothed in holy light.
Below, corruption stirs — imbalance spreads, and malevolent forces roam unchecked.
I request divine empowerment to enforce judgment and end this disorder.
Let consecrated steel be raised against the fierce and defiant, suppressing ill omens.
With the seal in hand, I receive the granted mandate.
Manifest divine authority now and resolve this calamity.
By law and command, without delay.
Boom!
The Divine Empowerment Seal on the consecrated ashwood sword suddenly ignited, flaring into a ball of fire before quickly vanishing.
A powerful, overbearing, and mysterious force invisibly pierced into Daniel's body.
His body shook suddenly -- he felt an unprecedented surge of immense power.
This was a force unlike any previous Divine Empowerment.
Now that his Rite of Divine Empowerment had reached the Fifth Level and his exorcism had risen to the Lesser Ascendant Order, the power he called upon now was far mightier than before.
The power was so overwhelming that even at his advanced level, Daniel felt his body swelling, as if about to burst.
Though his physical form remained unchanged, the aura emanating from him shot upward like a rocket.
Instantly, it rivaled the other aura that was still growing with equal intensity.
"Rumble..."
Flashes of lightning flickered constantly around him, the sound of wind and thunder rumbling like the presence of Thor descending into the world.
"What?"
"What did you do?"
"You can actually draw on such immense power?"
"Seems I underestimated you."
"But it doesn't matter. My brothers, it's time to give your all for the Holy Cult. The sacrifice continues..."
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
Shrill screams rang out again inside the farm.
This time, those screams were not from victims of Daniel's attacks. Instead, the speaker began sacrificing living people.
Before, he'd offered up the flesh and blood of those Daniel had already killed, but now he turned to sacrifice the living -- their lives, flesh, and blood.
Immediately, the aura surged upward again at a terrifying rate.
"Ah ha ha... This time, no one can save you. You will suffer for your blasphemy against my Holy Sect."
The aura grew even more powerful and terrifying, overwhelming Daniel perceptibly.
Still, no power is infinite. No matter how immense, if it cannot be contained, it is useless.
When the force reached a critical threshold, it stopped climbing.
"Has it reached its limit?"
"No matter. This level of power is already enough to suppress you."
"Die!"
Rumble... The entire farm shook as if struck by an earthquake.
Objects swayed and toppled.
Unstable structures collapsed instantly, reduced to ruins.
From the darkness strode an unimaginably terrifying figure.
It was humanoid but stood over six meters tall -- like a giant.
Its skin was gone, revealing raw, bloody muscles and thick sinews exposed directly to view.
The muscles were so solid and interwoven they resembled steel bars, radiating overwhelming strength.
It looked like a towering mountain of flesh and blood.
"Thump thump..."
"Thump thump..."
Through gaps in its chest bones, a massive beating heart was faintly visible.
This heart was as large as a man's head, each beat echoing like a war drum.
A terrifying aura radiated from it, and every step caused the farm itself to tremble.
"Exorcist! Have you ever witnessed such unfathomable power?" the figure's voice rumbled with echoes, as if amplified through a speaker. "To die by such strength -- you should feel pride."
The giant moved forward slowly, radiating oppressive might as it approached Daniel.
"You finally decided to show yourself."
Daniel formed an incantation with his hand, his voice solemn and steady.
By sovereign order, all forces are set in place.
By consecrated rite, my mandate stands unchallenged.
No hostile claim holds ground before affirmed authority.
Golden Aegis, rise and seal my body in light.
A faint Golden Light began blossoming quickly around Daniel.
Though initially subtle and almost unnoticed, it already emanated a powerful aura.
Visible and invisible, all realms bear witness.
This light encompasses all dominion and sustains rightful order.
Through unwavering invocation, the radiance intensifies and fills the body.
No hostile force approaches; mandate stands unchallenged.
The Golden Light grew even stronger around Daniel, and with it, his aura soared once more.
"You actually..."
The figure's expression shifted instantly, shock flashing in its tone.
It abandoned its attempt to intimidate and suddenly surged forward, rushing rapidly toward Daniel.
Daniel acted as if unaware, calmly continuing to recite the Golden Aegis Rite.
Let all spirits bow to lawful command; let thunder answer authority.
Ghost and demon falter; corruption loses form.
Within this light rests consecrated thunder, sealed in sacred name.
Wisdom pierces all veils; power surges under affirmed mandate.
The Golden Light burst brighter and brighter, and Daniel's aura grew immeasurably stronger.
"Thump thump thump..."
The combined sounds of pounding footsteps and heartbeats filled the air -- now the massive Flesh-and-blood Giant appeared directly before Daniel.
Golden Aegis, rise without delay — defend under sovereign mandate.
Authority affirmed. Judgment sealed.
"Buzz..."
As Daniel finished the incantation, a brilliant Golden Light erupted from his body.
He was shrouded in golden radiance; a powerful aura swirled around him.
His gaze burned like a torch, filled with solemn killing intent.
At that moment, Daniel looked every bit a descending deity, determined to suppress and obliterate the evil spirits threatening the mortal realm.
The six-meter-tall Flesh-and-blood Giant stood before him, dwarfing him in size.
But Daniel's aura didn't just hold its own -- it overwhelmed the giant's.
"Thump thump thump..."
Daniel stepped forward, closing the distance.
[It was you who wanted to kill me.]
[It was you who sought to use my flesh and blood to pave your Dark Holy Path.]
[It was you who wanted to hang me at your Sect Gate.]
Daniel stood right before the towering figure and tilted his head up slightly.
Though smaller in stature, he seemed like a mountain pressing down, forcefully suppressing the Flesh-and-blood Giant before him.
"Hmph! I don't care what tricks you used. Only power speaks here. Die for me!"
The Flesh-and-blood Giant roared and leapt up, its massive body crashing down toward Daniel like a mountain.
"Die!"
Boom!
The Flesh-and-blood Giant slammed heavily into Daniel.
*****
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