The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

It let out a roar that sounded inhuman as it looked up at the sky, and its huge body began to convulse violently, its bluish-purple skin cracking inch by inch.

From the crack, more and thicker black blood vessels surged out, multiplying wildly, intertwining and completely enveloping it into a huge black cocoon.

"What is it doing?"

Hong Yuan asked warily.

"This is bad, everyone back off."

An Changqing immediately gave the order, and everyone involuntarily retreated, distancing themselves from the strange fleshy cocoon.

Hong Yuan was getting increasingly frustrated: "We've been avoiding using our powers, so how could it still evolve?"

Liu Feiyu pointed to the crimson magic circle that had lit up on the ground at some unknown time: "And those people we brought outside, they are probably also caught up in the battle. Now, all our battles have become the key to activating this altar."

"Now, the offering... is about to be released."

He had barely finished speaking.

Rumble.

The entire theater began to shake violently.

Dust fell from the ceiling, and huge cracks appeared out of nowhere, as if something was about to descend.

The fleshy cocoon began to peel away step by step, revealing what was inside: a beating heart.

The heart is the size of a truck cab, its surface covered with wriggling blood vessels, and it is still beating rhythmically.

Each beat produced a dull thud, like the beating of war drums, and a nauseating stench spread, filling the entire theater.

Countless thick black pipes extend from the bottom of the heart, winding their way to connect the theater's walls and floor, weaving the entire space into a living organ.

Liu Feiyu's expression was solemn: "This...this is the core. All the energy we released during our battles was absorbed by it."

"more than."

An Changqing's expression was equally grave as he glanced at the pipes connecting to the ground.

"It's still drawing on the spiritual veins beneath Shanghai; that's the main source. We're just the initiators at best."

These words weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone present except for Chen Guan.

"Hahaha, welcome, welcome everyone to my masterpiece."

Liu Xiao's voice echoed in the space, following the beating of his heart.

"I named it the Cradle of Astaroth."

"You are honored to witness a great moment."

"When the hourglass on the stage runs out, that is the day the cradle is fully activated."

"At that time, the immense power accumulated here, enough to trigger a minor natural disaster, will completely tear open the veil between reality and nothingness, allowing the great divine figure to descend upon this place."

Liu Xiao's voice was filled with an indescribable adoration.

"And you, my dear guests, will be the first witnesses to the arrival of the divine shadow."

The moment he finished speaking.

Click, click.

The theater's smooth floor cracked inch by inch, and pale arms emerged from the cracks. Then, hundreds and thousands of puppets crawled out from underground.

Their eyes gleamed with a scarlet light, their movements stiff yet swift, as they surged toward the crowd in the center of the stage, forming a fearless and endless army of puppets.

"That rat."

Red Kite held the giant axe horizontally in front of her, looking at the dark mass of demonic puppets, her scalp tingling.

Just as everyone was about to be overwhelmed by the wave of puppets.

A dark shadow silently swept over the heads of the group and landed at the very front of the line.

It is an old coffin.

He turned his back to the crowd, staring at the enormous, pounding heart, completely ignoring the army of puppets before him.

"Take care of the heart first."

He spoke, pinpointing a single objective to this chaotic battle.

"Then smash it."

Long Ao said excitedly, his fighting spirit instantly ignited after having a clear goal.

"it is good."

An Changqing's eyes flashed, and he immediately made a judgment.

He loudly ordered, "Long Ao, Hong Yuan, Liu Chengjun."

"The three of you charge in from the front, clear out those minions, and create a straight path to the heart."

"Liu Feiyu."

"exist."

Liu Feiyu immediately responded.

"Disrupt those pipelines, prevent them from continuing to supply power, even if only for a moment, create an opening."

"I'll take the lead in the attack."

Actually, he was already feeling a little regretful, not for coming himself, but for bringing Long Ao, Chen Guan, and Hong Yuan along, even though his father had only told him to come.

This is no longer a matter that can be easily handled.

However, it's no use regretting it now.

All he could do was prevent his comrades from sacrificing themselves before him.

After An Changqing assigned the tasks, everyone quickly got to work.

"clear."

Long Ao was the first to respond, and he crashed directly into the army of puppets.

His punches were powerful and fierce; with each punch, several puppets were torn to pieces by the terrifying force.

"Keep up."

Hong Yuan shouted, swinging her giant axe in a death whirlwind, cutting down all the puppets that tried to surround Long Ao, clearing a flank for him.

As Liu Chengjun looked at the two valiant figures, the anger in his eyes turned into a tangible flame.

This time, his flames were no longer an energy source for the enemy, but the most effective weapon to eliminate these fragile puppets.

The three of them formed a red-hot arrowhead, carving a path through the endless army of puppets.

On the other side, Liu Feiyu clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.

The moisture in the air throughout the theater began to converge wildly around him.

"stop."

He gave a low shout, and the steam from the commotion instantly filled the entire space.

The pipeline came to an abrupt halt, and the energy delivery became noticeably sluggish.

Thump, thump thump... thump.

The beating of that giant heart became briefly disordered.

An Changqing, who was poised to act, seized the opportunity.

His figure moved.

Starlight flowed across his sword, man and sword becoming one, transforming into a dazzling meteor that pierced straight towards the heart, which was showing signs of fragility due to insufficient energy supply, following the path opened up by Long Ao and his companions.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment.

All eyes were focused on that streak of light.

The streak of light arrived in an instant, and the tip of the sword was about to touch the thin membrane of the heart.

A figure emerged from the beating heart and flesh, blocking the sword's edge.

That person was Liu Xiao.

With a smile on his face, he effortlessly extended two fingers to catch the tip of the sword, which was a powerful strike from An Changqing.

hum.

All the light, all the power, all the momentum vanished before his two fingers.