Chapter 87: Chapter87-When Did You Break Through?

Gold Flash had already passed out, but Old Dog still clung to consciousness.

It seemed like a final burst of clarity, or perhaps he sensed Victor's arrival.

His blood-drenched face managed a weak smile.

With a breath as faint as a whisper, Old Dog said, "Cap... Captain... we... didn't dishonor Hidden Stars..."

A heavy silence fell over everyone.

They seemed to have anticipated what was to come.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down Silver Tear's face.

She covered her mouth, sobbing quietly, trying not to disturb Old Dog.

John's gaze lowered, his grip on his longsword tightening.

Victor was silent for a few breaths.

His expression hidden behind his golden mask, he nodded gently and said softly, "You didn't dishonor anyone. You saved everyone here. John is safe too."

Hearing Victor's words, Old Dog's mouth twitched as if to smile, and then his last breath slowly faded away.

Soon after, Gold Flash's body also began to grow cold.

Heads bowed, no one spoke.

Alex watched this scene, his fists clenched around his longbow, teeth gritted in a mix of shame and self-reproach.

Maximilian sighed and patted him on the shoulder, offering silent consolation.

After a long moment, Victor carefully straightened Old Dog and Gold Flash's tattered uniforms, showing meticulous respect.

The situation in Stellarburg remained unresolved, leaving them no time to mourn.

Grief was not their immediate concern; the priority was to continue the fight in Stellarburg.

Once everything was over, Hidden Stars would ensure a grand funeral for all who had fallen in battle.

Victor gazed towards the direction of Stellarburg, his eyes filled with depth.

He suddenly addressed Dark Fox and Silver Tear, "You both are injured, it's better not to enter Stellarburg."

Dark Fox frowned, about to protest.

Victor indifferently continued, "The battle there is not something you can partake in. Your presence would not be of help but merely add to the casualties."

Hearing Victor's unsparing words, everyone felt a sense of shame because his statement was the harsh reality.

Just dealing with Venomous Serpent and Femme Fatale had already exacted a dreadful toll on them.

Considering that the Dusk Sect boasts thirty-six stewards, each possessing strength no less formidable than the two they faced, venturing there with their current capabilities would indeed be akin to seeking death.

This realization was precisely what shamed them the most.

At that moment, Albertus suddenly said, "While you fight on the front lines, we, as numerous awakeners, can't just stand by idly. That would be no different from deserting. Although we may lack in strength, there's still something we can contribute."

Alex and the others nodded in agreement.

The deaths of Old Dog and Gold Flash had left a profound impact on them, making the notion of fleeing now unbearable for anyone with a shred of conscience.

Victor glanced at him and stated flatly, "Did I say to do nothing? I merely instructed not to enter Stellarburg. There are still many civilians and awakeners outside Stellarburg. Gather them, prevent them from causing chaos. Leave the matters inside to us."

Upon hearing Victor's words, everyone came to their senses.

Albertus's face turned a shade of embarrassed red.

He hastily nodded, offering a somewhat awkward military salute, and said, "Understood."

Victor flicked off the black liquid creeping up his sword like parasitic maggots.

He stated indifferently, "Those stewards who were supposed to stop us? I've killed them all."

His tone made it seem as though he hadn't slaughtered Dusk Sect's stewards but had merely swatted a few bothersome flies.

Rean's face showed disbelief, uttering, "That's impossible!"

Every steward is at least of supreme-tier, among them several cataclysmic-level awakeners.

How could they have been so easily vanquished by Victor?

Suddenly, as if realizing something, Rean's eyebrows shot up.

Shadowcloud appeared beside Victor, sizing him up with surprise, and blurted out, "Holy shit, when did you break through to the cataclysmic level?"

Victor succinctly replied, "Today."

Shadowcloud looked puzzled, then seemed to grasp something, inhaling sharply in astonishment, "Could it be within the secret realm?"

Victor nodded in confirmation.

Rean's complexion turned exceedingly grim.

He had intended to trap Victor and his group within the secret realm.

Little had he imagined, not only did he fail to confine them, but he also inadvertently facilitated Victor's breakthrough.

Already capable of slaying cataclysmic-level awakeners while at the transcendent-tier, now that Victor had ascended to the cataclysmic level himself, could he possibly challenge those at the World-Annihilator level?

Rean didn't know, nor did he wish to find out.

Another thought struck Rean.

If Victor was here, then where were Baron and the others? Rean's expression turned exceedingly somber.

In the underground cathedral, the gaunt figure of Raven, along with several stewards, was overseeing the array.

Filthy black liquid continuously flowed from a bronze vessel, filling the entire cathedral with an aura of evil and desire.

Faint, bizarre whispers and murmurs echoed incessantly, as if transcending the barriers of time and space, resonating directly in the minds of all present.

Including Raven, the stewards' eyes blazed with fervor, for these were the whispers of the Dusk Lord!

Now, only the final array pattern remained before the sacrificial array's completion.

Just a bit longer, and they could initiate the grand array to sacrifice the entirety of Stellarburg, summoning the Dusk Lord.

At that moment, with the descent of the Dusk Realm, they would obtain eternal life in the divine domain!

At this critical juncture, Raven and the others' expressions suddenly changed.

Raven bellowed, "Who's there?"

The response was a torrent of roaring azure waters!

"Boom!!!"

The cathedral's ceiling suddenly collapsed, and endless sea water poured down from above.

In the surging waters, flashes of azure light twinkled; what appeared to be ordinary water weighed as much as mountains.

A supreme-tier steward, caught off guard, was crushed into pulp in the blink of an eye.

Above the collapsed entrance stood Theodore, enshrouded in azure mist, his gaze icily fixed on Raven and the others below.

Raven and his companions turned as pale as death, for behind Theodore stood Baron, Alexander, Eldritch, and others!

What had been an advantageous situation for the Dusk Sect was instantly overturned!