Versatile Mage: Get the Desert Emperor clone at the start

Chapter 285 The "Heart" Beats, Void Fear Resurrected
Queen Bernice sent Heidi back.

She had previously hidden herself in the academy and possessed Heidi's body because her own power had not yet matured.

At this point, the Empress's power had been completely absorbed and dissipated from her body.
Its strength is already comparable to that of the first clone, Tsar Azir.

Having possessed Heidi for so long, she naturally wouldn't "treat" her badly, leaving her a "gift" before leaving.

She'll find out when she wakes up!
-
At this moment, in the Holy City, in the Radiant Council Hall.

The holy crystal chandeliers hanging from the dome were very bright, but they could not dispel the heavy gloom that permeated the air at that moment.

Representatives from various countries, high-ranking angels from the Holy City, and leaders of the mage order gathered together, all standing solemnly beneath the enormous projection of light elements.

In the projection, the three purple cracks that tore through the European sky continued to emit an ominous light that sent chills down one's spine.

The exploration team has been on the move for two hours.

Every minute and every second of waiting is torture.

“Gentlemen,” said Archangel Remiel, “the ‘reconnaissance team’ is accompanied by elites from various nations. We have faith in their abilities and courage. But we cannot sit idly by until they return with concrete intelligence!”

"The threat from the void is far greater than we previously anticipated!"

"They are far from ordinary demons! They possess extremely strong corrosive and defensive capabilities, and can even interfere with space itself!"

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "Therefore, based on the current intelligence and balance of power, I hereby announce an emergency plan: all areas directly beneath the purple rift, or those where high-intensity void energy infiltration has been detected and whose defenses are weak—especially small city-states and remote villages—must immediately implement the 'scorched earth' plan!"

This statement caused an uproar!
"Scorched earth policy?" The guardian of a small country's voice trembled slightly.

"Lord Remiel! You...you mean...abandon our homeland? Let the void devour our land and our people who couldn't evacuate in time?"

“It’s not giving up!” Remiel’s voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable determination.

"It's a strategic retreat! It's to preserve our strength! Facing unknown void creatures that might pour down from the cracks, spreading our forces to defend every inch of land is tantamount to suicide! It's just adding unnecessary sacrifices!"

He pointed to the key city nodes in the projection, which shimmered with powerful magical light—Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, St. Petersburg…

"Power! It must be concentrated! All available mages, troops, and resources must immediately converge on these core cities with their strong defense systems and stable spatial environments!"

"Build our last and strongest line of defense!"

"Only by concentrating our forces can we hope to withstand a potentially greater impact! Only then can we organize an effective counterattack after the reconnaissance team sends back intelligence!"

His words were cold and realistic, carrying a cruel strategic rationality.

Many representatives from small and weak countries were pale-faced, their lips moving, their eyes filled with pain, resentment, and despair.

Abandoning the homes where generations have lived? Abandoning the elderly, women, and children who cannot be evacuated quickly?

"Lord Remiel!"

“We understand the necessity of concentrating our efforts! But ‘scorched earth’... isn’t that too… heartless? Those areas are also human homes! Isn’t there any other way? For example, requesting the Holy City to send an angel squad to establish temporary shelters…”

"Angel Squad?" a cold voice interrupted him.

Standing beside Remiel, Michael said, "The angels of the Holy City are not inexhaustible! Every bit of power must be used wisely!"

Michael's words were firm and left no room for compromise.

The meeting room fell into dead silence.

The representatives from the small countries clenched their fists, their nails digging deep into their palms, but no one dared to utter a word of objection. Opposition?

Faced with the tone set jointly by the two archangels of the Holy City, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Remiel looked at the silent but indignant representatives below and softened his tone: "I know this is difficult. But it is the most rational choice. The specific evacuation routes, population transfer, and resource concentration will be coordinated and directed by the European Magic Association."

He looked at an elderly man with white hair and beard in the European Magic Association.

"This matter is of utmost urgency. Please have your association come up with a plan immediately and utilize all available teleportation resources to minimize the losses!"

Right now!

Boom!
A deep, resonant sound, seemingly emanating from the depths of the earth, rang out without warning!

The sound was like a heavy drumstick, striking directly into everyone's heart!

Everyone in the council hall felt a sudden jolt, and those with weaker cultivation levels turned pale and almost lost their balance!

Boom!
The second sound followed immediately!

It was clearer and heavier than the first sound! Even the crystal chandeliers hanging from the dome began to sway slightly!

"What's that sound?!" a mage from Spain exclaimed in alarm.

Boom!
Third tone!
The entire floor of the Radiant Council Hall seemed to tremble! The holy light energy permeating the air rippled unstablely!

"It's...it's down below!"

"The seal! It's that egg!"

"Quickly! Go! Reinforce the seal!" Remiel's expression changed drastically, and he shouted in a hoarse voice!
His body erupted with holy light, transforming into a streak of light that was the first to rush into the council hall!

Michael's figure vanished instantly!
An ominous premonition gripped everyone's hearts! The higher-ups followed suit.

This is a spherical space enveloped by countless layers of powerful holy runes, spatial chains, and liquid holy light energy.

At the core of the space, suspended in the air is a gigantic, dark purple egg that beats like a heart!

This is the core of the Void Emperor—the Void Terror Cho'Gath's larvae—that the Holy City managed to seal away at great cost during the bloody battle in the Mediterranean, with the combined efforts of several archangels!
At this moment, this dormant insect egg is throbbing violently at an unprecedented frequency!

Boom!Boom!Boom!
Every beat is like the heartbeat of world destruction!

Visible dark purple energy ripples spread from the surface of the eggshell, crashing violently against the layers of sealing arrays around it!
Om-!
The runic chains, composed of pure holy light, groaned under the strain, and their light dimmed rapidly at a visible speed!

"Oh no! The seal is weakening!" The mage in charge of guarding the place turned pale.

"Suppress it! Stabilize the formation! We absolutely cannot let this monster out!" Remir roared, his hands erupting with dazzling holy light, like two torrents pouring into the formation!
The other archangels who arrived did not hesitate to pour their power into the crumbling sealing system!

The boundless holy light converged into a powerful suppressive torrent, attempting to suppress the pulsating insect eggs once again!

In an instant, a surge of energy erupted!
The sacred golden light and the eerie purple glow collided violently.

The space itself groaned in agony, overwhelmed by the pressure!
"Roar--!!!"

Just as the powerful figures of the Holy City were exerting all their strength to barely stabilize the sealing light, a terrifying roar filled with endless hunger, savagery, and a destructive will suddenly erupted from the depths of the pulsating insect egg!
Several mages with slightly weaker cultivation levels instantly bled from all seven orifices, clutching their heads and howling in agony as they collapsed to the ground!
"Crack...crack..."

A despairing sound of shattering echoed!

(End of this chapter)