Absorbing the boundless celestial aura, Barsha experienced a profound breakthrough, her cultivation reaching an unprecedented peak. Though curious about the origin of the divine energy flooding her surroundings, she did not hesitate, assimilating every drop into her vessel.

The immense power saturated her entire physical frame, causing radiant runic marks to ignite across her skin—a visual phenomenon resulting from the sheer density of her newly acquired aura. Exercising absolute focus, Barsha stabilized and integrated the surge into her internal pathways.

Razor-sharp wind blades materialized around her frame—a manifestation of her heightened command over atmospheric elements. As an assassin, her combat style prioritized extreme speed and lethal, undetectable strikes; wind-attribute magic was the ultimate discipline for her archetype.

Enveloped by the overflowing energy, the surrounding air currents coalesced into hovering, blade-like constructs of condensed mana. They circled her frame like a protective shield, ready to execute high-velocity counter-strikes at her command.

Every warrior within Gayatri's barrier underwent a similar transformation. They felt a surge of unbridled vitality, their internal reservoirs expanding as if capable of absorbing environmental energy without limit.

Watching from the high branches of a distant tree, Aji looked on with a subtle smile. His grueling efforts had not been in vain; the agonizing flaying of his own flesh had paid off in full. He could sense that the squad's combat parameters had elevated exponentially. Aji held complete confidence that they now possessed the strength to hold off the Five Gates and the dark vanguard.

Yet one fundamental truth remained known to him alone: the absolute power of Lord Demon Shura defied all mortal comprehension. To defeat the Demon Lord, Aji had to engage him in a isolated, one-on-one duel without external interference.

Shura's true strength represented apocalyptic destruction—a terrifying reality Aji had witnessed firsthand during the war twenty years ago. If the Sky Squad and regional alliances could neutralize the Five Gates, Aji would be free to eliminate Shura directly, unhindered by the defensive arrays that shielded the dark sovereign.

Absorb as much energy as your vessels can hold, Aji thought, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Do not waste a single drop of this divine nourishment, for you are about to face monsters from the abyss! This is the final gift I can offer you all... my friends.

Leaping from the branch, Aji vanished into the forest, seeking a secluded location to restore his depleted stamina. The Moon Flower would bloom soon—the fourth celestial artifact prophesied by Saint Yonan.

The time had come to confront the next phase of the dark army's campaign. The dark forces had to be dismantled piece by piece. That was his sacred mandate—the duty entrusted to him by his fallen comrades.

"Is everyone prepared?"

Barsha stood elegantly before the entrance of the Sky Squad headquarters, her voice firm and authoritative as she addressed the assembled vanguard. A gentle breeze caught her lengthened hair, framing her fair visage and sharp, decisive eyes—a commanding presence that commanded absolute respect from every operative present.

"Ready, Leader!" the squad responded in unison. Warrior Jiro had already departed for the Frost Line continent ahead of them, scouting the precise coordinates where the Moon Flower was forecasted to manifest.

As the squad prepared to mount their steeds, the thunder of approaching hooves echoed down the cobblestone street.

A high-level delegation arrived, led by Lord Dasatama alongside Advisor Nurin, the official representative of the Orpris continent. The Sky Squad offered formal bows of respect. They had previously secured authorization to deploy on this critical mission to intercept the dark forces targeting the Moon Flower.

"You may proceed ahead using the central transit hub in the capital," Dasatama instructed smoothly. "We will dispatch elite reinforcements from regular military command shortly. Warrior Jiro is currently pinpointing the exact location of the Moon Flower's manifestation. If circumstances permit, I will join you on the front lines personally."

The Sky Squad bowed deeply in farewell.

"May fortune favor your steel, Sky Squad," Dasatama offered as a final blessing.

"We will fight to the end for global peace, Lord Dasatama!" Barsha declared.

With that, the Sky Squad departed. Standing at the perimeter, Dasatama watched the twenty-one young warriors ride off. Having undergone the hellish regimen oversaw by his younger brother Jiro, their presence had transformed entirely.

Their cultivation ranks had ascended to astonishing tiers—a feat Dasatama would have deemed impossible within such a brief window. They were true martial geniuses, assembled from across all five continents to form humanity's ultimate vanguard.

Though the global Mondu purge was still ongoing, the dark army's embedded networks had been crippled significantly. Now, the stage was set for an apocalyptic clash on the Frost Line continent.

Frost Line was the most remote and isolated region among the five continents, characterized by vast primeval forests and untamed wilderness. Though economically less developed than the other four realms, it possessed the richest, purest natural mana in the world.

Ancient historical records foretold that during this precise era, the legendary Moon Flower would bloom. Recognized as the fourth celestial artifact of the realm, the Moon Flower possessed divine properties: in the hands of a dark cultivator, it could grant godlike destructive parameters, whereas in the hands of a righteous master, its radiance could cleanse corruption and illuminate the souls of all who bathed in its light.

The contest for the Moon Flower was about to erupt, drawing out the legendary Five Gates. Concurrently, the Frost Line continent would become the battleground for this global war. Furthermore, rogue factions within the righteous sects might also seek to claim the celestial artifact for personal ambition.

No one could predict the chaotic outcome of the coming battle.

Dasatama knew he, too, had to prepare for open war.

The Sky Squad proceeded directly to the central transit terminal in Prisma City. Because long-distance spatial arrays possessed an operational capacity limit of ten travelers per activation, the squad divided their twenty-one members into three departure groups bound for Orpris City before transferring to Frost Line.

Their final destination was Samarkan City, the sovereign capital of the Frost Line continent, governed by Lord Ronald. Every operative was equipped with custom armaments forged at the Golden Crane Academy, built specifically to counter dark magic.

Hesitation no longer existed in their minds. They had tempered their vessels and refined their skills for this singular purpose: eradicating the dark army.

Though they understood the terrifying reputation of Lord Demon Shura's forces, fear held no sway over their hearts. Even when facing adversaries who surpassed them in raw power, they stood ready.

Aji was assigned to the third group, consisting of seven operatives: Gayatri, Nagada, Alicia, Nora, Sanjo, Arion, and himself.

They waited patiently in the transit lounge as the first two groups dematerialized, awaiting the arrival signal from the receiving hub in Samarkan City. Once the receiving platform cleared and signaled readiness, the central console in Prisma City would recharge to initiate their transfer.

Aji sat quietly on a wooden bench at the edge of the terminal. Gayatri stepped away from the group, approaching him with measured strides.

Gazing up at her, Aji caught sight of her refined features beneath her brimmed hat. "Are you going to ask about the Heart Dragon artifact?" he asked softly.

"I am," Gayatri confirmed, sitting beside him.

A subtle smile touched Aji's lips. Nothing escapes Gayatri's perception, he thought. Her sensory abilities had grown sharper and more absolute. No matter how meticulously he attempted to conceal his actions, her keen analytical mind would inevitably piece the truth together. She was destined to become a monumental asset for global peace.