A few days ago, while Jacob descended into the hidden depths below the lava sea, the outside world had already erupted into chaos.
The moment the phantom Temple of the Blazing Flames materialized above the lava sea, its towering spires and spectral banner proclaiming its name, a ripple of power swept through the Ashen Mirage Desert—and far beyond.
Forces scattered across the surrounding regions instantly took notice. Powerful soul senses and far-seeing treasures were activated. Messages flew across secret channels like wildfire.
Within an hour, hundreds of figures converged around the flaming sea.
Among them were robed envoys of the Bank, cloaked figures of hidden organizations, treasure hunters, and even wandering Legendary Kings—all drawn by the phantom palace that pulsed with ancient, divine intent.
Yet none dared to approach too close; the aura radiating from the Temple felt like the blazing wrath of a slumbering God. Even getting near the edge of the lava sea made the weaker ones cough up blood and retreat.
But it wasn’t long before the most dominant force in this region arrived.
A convoy bearing the sigil of balance—a sword crossing a pair of scales—emerged over the dunes.
They were envoys and protectors of the Great Temple of Balance, one of the Great Temples under the Cardinal Spirit Temple.
At their center hovered an ornate jade palanquin inscribed with holy sigils.
Floating beside it was a golden totem radiating calm yet terrifying pressure.
From the palanquin descended an imposing figure of an otherworldly man with long silver hair flowing from his priestly cap and wearing golden and scarlet priestly robes. His skin was fair with faintly luminous runes moving beneath it. His presence alone made even Legendary Kings apprehensive.
It was an eminent figure among the Faery Humans, titled as the Knight King, also known as the Archpriest of Balance.
The moment the Knight King appeared, his cold, silvery eyes swept over the gathered forces as he spoke, a voice echoing with authority and threat, "This ancient temple is now under the protection and investigation of the Cardinal Spirit Temple. Any attempt to approach without sanction will be deemed an act of heresy—and met with annihilation!"
The words spread like thunder. Some cursed under their breath; others quietly retreated a few miles back. But no one dares to come forward and defy him because this was the territory of the Cardinal Spirit Temple.
Even the Star Pirates sent by the Champion King were helpless, as they could only report it to the Champion King with everything else that happened.
Soon, the desert winds carried the news far and wide about the Cardinal Spirit Temple that lay claimed on the Temple of the Blazing Flames!
All of a sudden, the Great Cosmic Continent of Leo became the center of attention for many large and small forces alike, including the Life and Dead Factions, which were at war with each other.
The power among the neutral faction suddenly started making moves. At the same time, the Cardinal Spirit Temple’s higher-ups also started to get involved because the Temple of the Blazing Flame seemed to carry some ancient treasure or secret of the forbidden zone.
Soon, a huge undercurrent was surging within the Great Cosmic Continent of Leo.
However, claiming the Temple of the Blazing Flame and entering it were two very different matters. Around the lava sea, the Knight King quickly ordered Rune Artificers and Magic Smiths to assemble.
They erected floating arrays of balance with the help of a legendary king rank Rune Artificer from the Faery Human, to probe the phantom palace’s defenses.
Brilliant runic beams crisscrossed the sky, scanning the palace’s walls, its burning braziers, and the spectral banner crowned by the ram sigil. Yet every probe, every attempt to touch it with law, mana, or artifact sank into nothingness, as though the palace was a dream, unyielding to mortal means.
However, this only made the observers more astounded as they all knew this could only mean this temple was far more powerful than a Legendary King Rank, making their eyes burn with greed and hidden motives.
But for now, everyone only silently observed while they secretly started to prepare in case the temple opened suddenly or the Cardinal Spirit Temple found a way to barge in.
"The flame essence is ancient, older than most living beings," The Legendary King Rune Artificer reported to the Knight King, "And the closer we get, the more the fire laws threaten to incinerate our souls! Maybe, we should seek the Holy Pontiff’s (Holy King) help!"
The Knight King’s brow furrowed. Behind him, paladins and priests of balance whispered nervously, while other legendary forces watched from afar, calculating whether to cooperate or wait for an opening.
Very soon, the Faery Human realized the importance of this treasure and created a vast silver-golden barrier, sealing it further from prying eyes. It stretched across the entire horizon, sealing the region with the power of the Great Temple of Balance.
"By decree of the Holy Pontiff (Holy King) of the Cardinal Spirit Temple," The Knight King suddenly declared, his voice carried by law itself, "This place shall remain sealed until the Temple’s secrets are unveiled! Anyone who dares to come closer to the barrier will be hunted down as per the command of Her Holy Highness!"
Thereupon, from the dunes to the sky, the barrier flickered like a mirage, forbidding anyone from leaving or entering without permission.
Moreover, the observing forces became warier because the enigmatic Holy King of the Cardinal Spirit Temple was coming, and everyone knew how dreadful the Holy King was.
The Star Pirates, still near the lava sea, cursed under their breath, but they could only wait and watch as per the Champion King’s command, which made them doubtful.
Elsewhere, a cloaked figure hidden in the layer of space, stalking the Temple of the Blazing Flames like a venomous snake, also seemed deeply frustrated, "Even the Cardinal Spirit Temple’s Knight King can’t find a way inside. Now with the Holy King’s involvement, I can’t make a move..."
But just as the Faery Human began to direct his forces to erect a long-term outpost and wait for the arrival of the Holy King and more reinforcements, something impossible happened.
High above the lava sea, the phantom Temple of the Blazing Flames suddenly trembled.
At first, everyone thought it was reacting to the probing arrays. Then, before countless horrified eyes, the colossal palace—its spires, domes, and spectral banner—started to shrink.
Like a dying flame drawn back into a wick, the entire structure spiraled inward, compressing smaller and smaller.
Gasps and cries of shock echoed across the dunes.
"What’s happening?!"
"Is someone seizing it?!"
The Knight King and his men paled; his soul sense desperately reached out, but the shrinking palace ignored him as though he were nothing!