A month passed by.


    During this month, nothing seemed to change for the group. However, they were unaware that the real danger was only just beginning.


    Inside the Church of the Netherworld, Zirconia, who had taken the form of a woman, spread her arms wide.


    Two streams of doom energy flowed into the ground.


    Immediately, the seeds beside her began to sprout. Zirconia opened her eyes and chanted in an ancientnguage. Then, she remotelymunicated with the six elders.


    "Elders, it''s time."


    The elders received themand and began chanting their spells, and the seeds beside each elder also began to sprout. In an instant, six towering giant trees broke through the ground, covering the entirety of Drakonia.


    Nash heard themotion and looked outside. The scene before him was shocking.


    He suddenly felt the giant trees siphoning his cultivation.


    "This... This can''t be possible..."


    Simultaneously, all the warriors and cultivators in the country were affected by the giant trees, having their true energy drained.


    Nash realized the urgency of the situation and knew he had to destroy the giant trees immediately. At that moment, a massive purple skull appeared in the sky.


    It announced, "To the people of Drakonia and all the living beings in the world...


    "Today, I will absorb all the true energy and other life forces from every being. Do not worry; I will ensure your survival. Once I have absorbed all the power, I''ll be a being surpassing the gods.


    "After that, I''ll tten the existing gods'' domains and resolve all issues. Watch closely, and feel free to challenge us. Your struggles are what we desire. Come, everyone. I, the leader of the Church of the Netherworld, dere that the second War of the End has begun.''


    Upon hearing this, Nash hurried home to check on Hera and his family.


    The situation was dire; some people were already unconscious. At that moment, Nash received a phone call.


    "Hello?!"


    "It''s me." "Dad?"


    "Long story short, the two elders in the state capital are already unconscious. The final directive is to enter a state of highest alert. No


    matter what, we must ne


    all


    resources to eradicate the Church of the Netherworld!"


    Then, the call was cut off with static. Nash checked his phone and saw that the signal waspletely gone.


    "Even the wardens'' signals are being jammed..."


    Nash quickly ensured his family was safe and told them not to go outside. Then, he rushed out himself.


    The streets were in chaos. People


    ePan


    were fleeing in panic, and explosions and screams filled the air. Nash saw purple mes emerging from ground transforming into demon-like figures attacking pedestrians.


    Realizing the severity of the situation, Nash sprang into action, eliminating the creatures with swift punches.


    However, moremotion arose from behind. He turned to see that those who had their true energy drained were also turning into ghostly purple beings. Branches of trees were emerging from their bodies.


    Nash quickly used his true energy to protect his house and himself. The tree-like beings were attacking others as well. He noticed that the true energy emitted by the giant trees was transforming the flesh of those it absorbed.


    Drakonia now resembled a post-apocalyptic scene.


    Nash knew he had to stop this madness. The figure''s ims were clearly false. Zirconia likely had not considered the consequences.


    Nash immediately flew toward one of the giant trees.


    Just as his Shura Sky-Piercing Spear was about to strike the tree, he was ambushed by a powerful force. He had to defend himself first.


    Standing before him was none other than... Arlo.


    "Long time no see," Arlo said with a sinister smile, staring intently at Nash.