Versatile Mage: Get the Desert Emperor clone at the start

Chapter 235 Leaving the United States, the Silver-winged Ant Queen Declares War, the Tragic Temple of Liberty

In the days that followed, a lingering sense of tension remained pervasive in Newt City.

The large-scale screening and cleansing operation led by the Temple of Liberty continues.

Enforcement teams dressed in temple uniforms frequently patrolled the streets and alleys, with ports, inns, and magical item trading markets being the main targets.

This large-scale operation was not without its gains.

Some long-term lurking black magicians who had ties with demons were exposed, and even several wanted criminals who had been wanted by other countries for a long time were found.

On the surface, the results were remarkable, seemingly proving the wisdom of the temple's decision-making and the efficiency of its actions.

However, the atmosphere was far from optimistic in the eyes of the Temple of Liberty's leadership.

The elder in charge of coordinating the operation examined the compiled report with a solemn expression.

"The number of 'pests' eliminated is considerable," he said in a low voice, his fingertips tracing a list. "We have indeed cleaned up quite a few ill-intentioned individuals and filthy places. It wasn't a waste of effort."

"But... we used the core resonance matrix of the Statue of Liberty! The energy consumed was astronomical!"

"We are paying such a huge price to locate and eliminate the Emperor's henchmen!"

"But what was the result? Apart from these 'scraps,' there was nothing else."

"Compared to the enormous resources consumed, the current survey results are a drop in the ocean! Far from enough! It's like using a world-destroying forbidden spell to bombard a bunch of rats running around! The input and output are severely unbalanced!"

As for Qin Xiaonan's winged magic tool that caused so much controversy and whose materials were suspected to be related to the Silverwing Ant Queen, it was brought up again during a meeting of several elders.

However, the focus of the discussion remained on government support.

"While the actions of the Chinese National University team are radical, even somewhat absurd," an elder said in a deep voice, "upon closer examination, they are not entirely impossible. Their national strength has grown rapidly in recent years, but their performance in the World University Competition has been mediocre."

"To ensure everything goes perfectly, it's not impossible to entrust a top-tier magical artifact to the most promising young member of their team."

"That's right,"

"Therefore, the doubts surrounding that winged magical artifact will be put aside for now."

This conclusion perfectly fits their understanding of the logical framework of "state behavior" and saves them from the trouble and uncontrollable factors that might arise from further investigation.

As for that strange "coincidence" that always lingered in the minds of a few people but was deliberately ignored—every time Qin Xiaonan left a certain place, the Silver Wing Ant Queen or a major crisis it caused would follow closely behind.

At this meeting, it was definitively labeled as a "coincidence".

"The world is so vast, and the activities of demons are inherently unpredictable. Qin Xiaonan's strength is indeed outstanding among his peers, and he might be able to influence some minor regional events. But to say that he is directly related to the actions of an emperor-level demon? That's simply a pipe dream!"

"The difference between a high-ranking official and an emperor is like heaven and earth! He doesn't even qualify to be a pawn of the other! There can never be any real connection between the two!"

During this time, Feng Li also sent a message.

"Qin kid! Hahaha! Well done! Damn, really well done!"

Feng Li's laughter almost shattered the communicator. "I heard you beat that American guard captain, and those two reservists they secretly shoved into their temple, to a pulp?"

"Good! Well done! Give them a good beating! Don't hold back! Smash their arrogance into the mud!" Feng Li's tone was full of triumphant pleasure: "In the previous Nationalist-Government elections, we lost more than we won against the Americans, it was frustrating! This time, with you here, I think we can do it! Charge!"

"Let's take the lead! Let those arrogant bastards see the true style of Chinese mages!" Feng Li said.

More than a month later, the Nationalist government officials finally left the United States and headed to their next destination.

Portugal.

The towering Statue of Liberty in Newt City gradually shrank outside the porthole and eventually disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds.

The flight carrying Qin Xiaonan and his teammates left US airspace, to be precise, the day after they left!
After several days of silence, the alarm bells once again shattered the pre-dawn tranquility of Newt City!

This time, it was no longer a low-pitched, regional warning, but a city-wide, top-level "emperor-level invasion" alarm!
Crisis has struck again!
Moreover, it was precisely at the point in time that the temple's higher-ups classified as an "accident"—Qin Xiaonan had just left!

Still in Newt Port!
The night sky was illuminated by a silver-purple light that tore through the heavens!
Accompanied by a piercing shriek that shook all the mages.

The Silverwing Ant Queen—she has reappeared!

Under the moonlight, her body, covered in silver-purple armor, looked even colder than before.

The wounds that were once severely inflicted by the combined efforts of powerful humans have now completely disappeared, replaced by an even stronger and more imposing sense of oppression!
Not only have she fully recovered from her injuries, but her strength seems to be even greater than before!
She did not immediately launch a devastating attack.

Immediately afterwards, a voice that sent chills down the spines of all the human mages who heard it, making their bodies go cold!

That wasn't the roar of demons, but the perfectly clear and articulated language of humans!

"You insignificant ant! Listen up!"

"I, the Silverwing Ant Queen, hereby formally declare war on you, the 'Temple of Freedom'!"

"The grudge you inflicted on me in the past is etched deep in my heart!"

“Every mage involved… no matter where they hide, no matter their rank… I will… drag them out… one by one… crush them! Turn their bones to dust! Are you… ready to bear my wrath?!”

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the hearts of all the high-ranking members of the Temple of Liberty!

The Temple of Liberty felt aggrieved by the declaration of war from the Silverwing Ant Queen.

Back then, it was the Archangel of the Holy City who took the lead, taking advantage of the tragedy of the Sakura Kingdom being destroyed by the Emperor, and united various forces to form the task force to target the Silverwing Ant Queen.

The Temple of Liberty, as the dominant power in the Americas, deployed a large force after discovering its presence, intending to completely annihilate the Silverwing Queen Ant and thus enhance the influence of the American Magic Association.

Unexpectedly, the operation not only failed, but also attracted an even more terrifying being—Tsar Azir!

Even more unexpectedly, the Silverwing Ant Queen, who had fled after being severely injured, returned so quickly.

And...the spearhead of revenge is aimed directly at the Temple of Liberty!

Her cold declaration of war was like an invisible shackle, firmly binding the neck of the entire Temple of Liberty.

(End of this chapter)