The Dark Councilor chuckled lightly, "I knew you would never agree, so I never intended to seek your agreement!"

As he spoke, the Dark Councilor waved his hand, and the entire plaza trembled. Countless formation diagrams hidden beneath the square began to emit a faint glow.

"This is... a Refining Formation?!" The Holy Envoy was furious upon seeing this scene. "All those words you said earlier were just stalling to activate the Refining Formation?!"

The Dark Councilor shrugged and said, "Of course. Did you think I was just rambling for no reason? Do you have any idea how much time it takes to activate the Refining Formation?"

The Holy Envoy's vision darkened. He never expected to be trapped by such lowly creatures from Earth!

"Damn it! Die, then! Do you think I'll surrender without a fight? Foolish delusion!" The Holy Envoy roared, enduring the intense pain as power coalesced in his hands once more.

But the Refining Formation instantly absorbed his newly gathered strength, leaving the Holy Envoy in utter despair!

The Dark Councilor spoke flatly, "Don't waste your efforts struggling. Inside the Refining Formation, you can't even self-destruct. You should just obediently offer up your Essence Blood! Consider it repayment for the salvation we've granted you."

The Holy Envoy glared at the Dark Councilor furiously, as though his gaze alone could kill him.

"Dark Church, you've made a grave mistake!" The Holy Envoy said coldly, "The power of Hell's Gate is beyond your comprehension. You're digging your own graves!"

"That's not something you need to concern yourself with," the Dark Councilor replied indifferently.

The pull of the Refining Formation grew stronger and stronger, and soon streams of black energy surged in from all directions, completely enveloping the Holy Envoy.

The Refining Formation now glowed brilliantly, with countless diagrams and runes shining in dazzling hues.

Trapped within the Refining Formation, the Holy Envoy continued to roar and struggle, but within just five minutes, his voice weakened, and the black energy entirely enveloped him. Through the black aura, the Dark Councilor could even see the process of the Holy Envoy's body being refined.

"Father!" At this moment, Les approached the Dark Councilor, his face pale, and spoke softly.

The Dark Councilor paid no heed to Les and kept his focus tightly on the Refining Formation.

Les stood quietly by the Dark Councilor's side, looking somewhat forlorn.

Ever since returning from Huaxia, Les had been obsessively cultivating like a madman, but haste makes waste. Not long ago, his body suffered backlash from forcibly breaking through his limits. If the Dark Councilor hadn't acted quickly, he might have self-destructed and died already!

Even so, the damage to his body was severe and irreparable! This was why he'd been so despondent over the past two months.

Ten minutes passed, and the glow of the Refining Formation gradually subsided. The Holy Envoy from Hell's Gate had disappeared completely, replaced by five drops of emerald-green Essence Blood!

"I didn't expect the Essence Blood of Abyssal Creatures to be emerald green. Interesting," said the Dark Councilor as he stretched out his hand, letting the five drops of Essence Blood slowly settle into his palm, glistening like translucent elixirs.

Les's gaze was drawn to these five drops of Essence Blood, instinctively sensing the immense power contained within them—power he badly needed right now.

The Dark Councilor glanced at the son he once took pride in and spoke flatly, "This is the Essence Blood from the Abyssal Messenger's body. Consuming it will completely heal the dark wounds in your body. It might even help you achieve the Demi-God Domain you've always aspired to reach."

Les's eyes lit up at these words. He looked at the Dark Councilor with eager anticipation and sincerity. "Give it to me!"

The Dark Councilor responded calmly, "I haven't finished speaking. You can feel it yourself—the Essence Blood contains formidable power. I can't guarantee your body can withstand it in its current state. If it can't, you might explode instantly, and not even I would be able to save you again. Even knowing this, do you still want it?"

Determination flashed across Les's eyes. "Father, give it to me!"

"You're not afraid of dying?" The Dark Councilor asked mockingly.

A savage expression appeared on Les's face. "What is there to fear about death?! I, Les, will never endure the disgrace of being driven out again! I am the Child of Darkness. I would rather perish gloriously than live in shame and humiliation!"

Recalling his days in Huaxia, anger and humiliation blazed in Les's eyes. If not for Kevin's desperate sacrifice, he might have already fallen in Huaxia.

The Dark Councilor nodded slightly. Les's resolve brought him some comfort.

"Very well. In that case, these five drops of Essence Blood are yours!" The Dark Councilor waved his hand, and the five drops of Essence Blood fell into Les's hand. "What happens next is out of my hands. Whether you rise reborn or meet destruction like fireworks—it's all up to you!"

Les nodded and immediately swallowed one drop of Essence Blood, sitting cross-legged on the ground.

As the Essence Blood slid down his throat, it exploded into torrents of Blood Qi surging throughout his body. The searing sensation felt as though it was melting his body entirely.

"Ahhh!" Les's eyes bulged, and black flames ignited in his long hair, burning it to ashes in an instant.

The pain was excruciating, like knives tearing into his soul. Les felt as though every cell and nerve in his body was being crushed, reformed, and crushed again!

The agony was so unbearable it nearly drove him to thoughts of suicide.

But he crushed those thoughts immediately. His mind kept replaying the scenes from Huaxia—the sight of Kevin dying before him, the humiliation of being chased away like a stray dog.

"I refuse to accept this! I refuse!" Les roared. "I, Les, am born to dominion! I am the Child of Darkness! I will avenge myself! The disgrace inflicted upon me, I will return a thousandfold! So… how could I fall here? I will not fall!"

Gritting his teeth, Les mobilized every ounce of strength in his body to battle against the Essence Blood.

Gradually, the formidable power within the Essence Blood began to merge with Les's body. While its initial backlash was overwhelming, it was, after all, a masterless force. After overcoming the initial reaction, Les subdued its energy and began healing his injured body.

Les suddenly opened his eyes, a trace of ecstasy flashing across his face. "Haha! It worked! Just one drop of Essence Blood was enough to heal all my dark wounds and even strengthen my body immensely! If I consume the remaining four drops…"

At that thought, a hint of fervor appeared in Les's expression.

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