[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea":3,"chapter-i-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea-i-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea-chapter-1204":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1088495,1419,"Chapter 1204 - 695: Shadows Surging (Part 2)","i-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea-chapter-1204",1204,"\u003Cp>Right now, Caleb feels somewhat tired and just wants to return to his post and rest well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there are no other matters, Caleb would never want to go to that tavern again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows what might happen halfway there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Lis invites him to have a drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he hints that something might happen later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caleb thinks for a moment and decides to go with Lis anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realizes that after breaking through to Legend, the world feels far from as peaceful as he used to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His previous experiences traveling various places seem a bit superficial now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trip to Lonely Mountain City is indeed a great opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made up his mind, Caleb sets off with Lis to the Dwarf Tavern he remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On both sides of the streets of Lonely Mountain City, flags flutter, each embroidered with the heroic legends and glorious history of the Dwarf Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flags rustle in the breeze, as if telling the past glories of the Dwarf Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extra tables and chairs are set at the entrances of various taverns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piled high with all kinds of delicacies, the aroma of roasting meat and the rich scent of ale mingle in the air, enticing passing Dwarves to stop and feast heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dwarves toast and drink merrily, gathered around bonfires, celebrating the year’s harvest and reunion with their boisterous and passionate songs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarf children weave through the crowds, waving homemade torches in their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flickering torchlight echoes the large bonfires burning in the distance at the festivals, rendering the entirety of Lonely Mountain City both warm and magnificent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, at the height of the celebrations, the once bright sun in the sky quietly hides behind thick clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark clouds gather quickly, obscuring the sunlight, instantly making the previously clear sky overcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet such change fails to extinguish the fiery enthusiasm in the hearts of the Dwarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Lonely Mountain City, the countless torches lit specially for the Fiery Fire Festival shine even brighter, like scattered stars embedded in every corner of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the sudden overcast skies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dwarves are oblivious or simply indifferent to this abrupt change in weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They remain immersed in the festive joy, continuing their celebrations as the sounds of singing, laughter, and clinking glasses weave together into a joyful anthem for the Dwarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as the Dwarves revel in the joy of the Fiery Fire Festival, a cold wind subtly stirs from an unknown source, threading its way through the lively crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind carries a barely perceptible chills, brushing gently against the Dwarves’ rugged cheeks, seemingly unable to disrupt their festivities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the depths of Lonely Mountain City, the usually silent and soundless mine tunnels begin to exhibit unusual sights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep and shadowy figures seem to come alive, slowly creeping out from the depths of the mines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadows twist and coil, spreading at an unnatural speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the brightest torchlight dims as the shadows pass, leaving behind patches of even deeper darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely gazing upon these shadows gives off an extremely dangerous, eerie feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, some Dwarves notice these swiftly spreading shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those shadows, like beasts scenting blood, suddenly lunge at the Dwarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dwarves don’t have time to react as the shadows instantly morph into black sludge, enveloping them in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black sludge swallows the Dwarves, wriggling briefly as if digesting them completely before resuming their stealthy movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, the Dwarves didn’t notice these subtle changes until the shadows gradually approached, at which point someone began sensing the unusual aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of oppression and unease permeates the air, as exclamations and whispers of confusion start mingling with the laughter and the original warmth of the festival, casting a shadow over its atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadows, like phantoms in the night, silently infiltrate every corner of Lonely Mountain City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, more and more Dwarves are swallowed by these eerie shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as three more Dwarves are engulfed by the shadow sludge, a bright golden light flashes by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sludge melts away instantly, like snow under the scorching sun, revealing the frightened Dwarves behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a Dwarf Priest in heavy armor who intervened, with the golden light emanating from the hammer in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out of here quickly, head to the nearest church.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dwarf Priest says in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s already noticed more shadows approaching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy brass sword suddenly falls from the sky, slashing down hard at the shadows rushing toward the Dwarf Priest on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword blade pierces into the stone bricks, cutting the shadow in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow twists in place for a moment after being hit by the brass sword, then crumbles into ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Dwarf Warrior leaps down from mid-air, landing on the ground with a crash that shatters the stone bricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulls up the heavy sword, his face somewhat grim as he looks at the shadow that crumbled into ash, dispersing it with a kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of thing is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this something those Evil God believers concocted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dwarf Warrior says, slightly puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It should be some kind of modified demon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Priest thinks for a moment and says:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The temple has no records of such shadow creatures, they must be new.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The power of this shadow is roughly at the Silver Rank, not difficult to deal with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Dwarf Warrior and Priest converse, several more Dwarves arrive beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by their weapons and equipment, they include professions like Mage and Shield Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this is a well-equipped supernatural team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They show no signs of panic, having obviously prepared in advance, arriving on the scene at the first sign of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, many similar teams within Lonely Mountain City are fighting these suddenly appearing shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Having Silver Level strength is not bad...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dwarf Shield Guard looks at the countless shadows spreading along the ground and walls, feeling a bit unnerved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But there are too many, aren’t there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation encountered by this Dwarf team is happening throughout Lonely Mountain City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the highest point of Lonely Mountain City, where the Dwarf King Palace is situated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarf King Preston stands atop the palace tower, looking down at the city below, his expression indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those ministers familiar with the Dwarf King know that this ruler is already furious to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the Royal City of my Dwarf Clan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So easily invaded and attacked by those Evil God believers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Letting them so easily slaughter my people...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Lonely Mountain City going to be completely destroyed like those long-eared Elf Royal Court?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preston’s tone appears devoid of emotion, but the Dwarf ministers behind him bow their heads deeply, not daring to look at the Dwarf King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They feel a terrifying pressure from Preston, akin to the Abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Richie is also among the ministers, but his expression is somewhat grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the strong Dwarves surrounding the Dwarf King display a look of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re itching to rush down and annihilate everyone responsible for harming Lonely Mountain City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preston glances at the Dwarf ministers without saying much more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These so-called smart people think their wisdom can solve everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes you just have to knock some sense into them, otherwise various troubles will arise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for the many kingdom affairs Preston didn’t want to bother with, leaving them to the ministers, he wouldn’t expend much thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Preston withdraws the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to the Dwarf elder beside him, he says solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your hard work, Archbishop Liandrel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-bearded old Dwarf nods slightly, gently raising his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a golden pillar of light erupts from his hand, shooting towards the dark clouds in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>",1295,"2026-06-03T10:58:52.165Z","2026-06-03T10:58:58.216Z",1,"novelbin.me","7d68bcba06ca403e25458c86818a0c0518401261f2556736b7e6466124fc3a16","i-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea-chapter-1205","i-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea-chapter-1203",1658,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-ascend-to-the-divine-throne-through-arcane-mea-cover.jpg"]