While Irving was taking action, Elder Astra was also putting his ns into motion.


    Elder Astra''s strategy was quite simple: to create a diversion. He intended to use the ordinary members of the Night des, along with the power of various families in the real world that were coborating with the Night des, to draw Irving''s attention. Once he sessfully diverted Irving''s focus, Elder Astra wouldunch a direct attack on the headquarters of the Ocean Group.


    Elder Astra was well aware that the rtionship between Irving and Vicky was very close. As long as he could pose a threat to Vicky, Irving would surely rush over quickly.


    By the time Irving arrived at the Ocean Group headquarters, Elder Astra would be fully prepared for battle. He was confident that he could trap Irving with his preparations. At that point, the Envoy of Filth would have the opportunity to attack the Angel Guild headquarters.


    Although this n was straightforward, Elder Astra believed it was highly effective. Irving would certainly not allow Vicky to be threatened, and the defensive strength of the Ocean Group headquarters was insufficient. Elder Astra only needed to activate the Dark Portal to ce the Ocean Group headquarters in grave danger.


    As for what actions to take next, Elder Astra had not fully thought it through. While he hoped to use this opportunity to deal a heavy blow to both Irving and the Envoy of Filth simultaneously, he also understood that both of them were quite clever. He had to keep his true intentions deeply concealed.


    Elder Astra deliberately called over two of his trusted subordinates. "Your next task is quite simple. You need to create some disturbances around the Angel Guild headquarters. These disturbances should be just significant enough to attract the attention of the Angel Guild members. However, you must also remember that you absolutely cannot get caught by any of the Angel Guild members. If you get captured, I will not be able to rescue you."


    Elder Astra''s words left his two subordinates feeling quite worried.


    "Elder, isn''t this n a bit too difficult? Our strength isn''t that great. We can''t create disturbances around the Angel Guild headquarters without drawing their attention."


    In response to his subordinates'' concerns, Elder Astra smiled. "I will provide you with the appropriate weapons and items. These weapons and items will give you significant support. You just need to follow my instructions."


    After saying this, Elder Astra dismissed his subordinates.


    Although Elder Astra was secretly plotting to defeat Shadow Celestial, he was far from a good person. Elder Astra had actively joined the Night des and, after bing a member, hadmitted a series of heinous acts. He not only looted the items of other Shelter Game yers but had even killed innocent people in the real world who posed no threat to him. Elder Astra was a man who would go to any lengths to achieve his goals. Essentially, he was no different from Shadow Celestial.


    While Elder Astra''s subordinates were carrying out their actions, he made his way to Starling City. In Starling City, Elder Astra also had some allies. He hoped these allies would be useful to him, but he did not want them to be discovered by the Envoy of Filth. Therefore, he needed to act secretly.


    What Elder Astra did not realize was that everything he did was being watched by the Envoy of Filth. The Envoy of Filth had already begun to suspect Elder Astra''s true intentions, so he followed Astra to Starling City.


    After Elder Astra exined his specific ns to his allies, they were all shocked. "Your n is far too risky! Irving is extremely powerful! We cannot openly oppose Irving!"


    Although the heads of various families in Starling City held a deep disdain for Irving, they understood his strength was formidable. They only dared to feignpliance with Irving behind his back and did not have the courage to confront him directly. Those who had previously opposed Irving had already been eliminated by him.


    Faced with the objections of his allies, Elder Astra simply replied calmly, "You must follow my n. If you don''t, I will reveal your true identities to Irving. Do you think Irving would spare you if he learned that you were coborating with me? Even if you went to ally with Irving now, he wouldn''t forgive you."


    Elder Astra began to directly threaten his allies. In response to his threats, his allies felt helpless. They found themselves unable to refuse Elder Astra''s orders.


    "You really don''t need to worry so much. If this n seeds, you will gain substantial rewards. I can guarantee that once we eliminate Irving, you will be able to take control of Starling City. You can convert the power of other families in Starling City into the strength of your own family."


    Elder Astra did not merely threaten his allies; he employed a carrot-and-stick strategy. After hearing his words, the expressions on his allies'' faces did not change significantly. They believed that while the potential rewards were high, the risks were even greater.


    "It seems you have agreed to my n! Now, prepare ording to my instructions! I will notify you when I decide to initiate the n!"


    Once Elder Astra confirmed that his allies would indeed follow his n, he chose to leave. After he departed, the Envoy of Filth appeared before Elder Astra''s allies.


    "You do not need to carry out his orders. From now on, you only need to listen to mymands. I won''t let you confront Irving directly."


    The Envoy of Filth spoke these words under the astonished gazes of the crowd. Although Astra''s allies did not know the Envoy of Filth''s true identity, they could tell that his strength was at least on par with Elder Astra''s. Therefore, they refrained from acting rashly and decided to wait and see what the Envoy of Filth would say next.


    The Envoy of Filth then outlined his n. His strategy was essentially to be adaptable. As he was still unaware of Elder Astra''splete n, he could not formte an appropriate counter-strategy. However, the Envoy of Filth believed that if he stayed hidden in the shadows, he could secure a steady victory.


    Elder Astra waspletely oblivious to the Envoy of Filth''s actions. He still believed that his n was wless.


    While everyone in the real world was taking action, in the world of the Shelter Game, Shadow Celestial and Sophia brought Elder Lawrence to the ruins of Shadow City. The ruins of Shadow City were located within the Deste Canyon, and after the disasters in both the Abyss of Death and the Deste Canyon, the terrain of the Shadow City ruins had undergone significant changes.


    Shadow Celestial and Sophia spent a long time before they finally entered the underground tomb beneath the ruins of Shadow City.


    Elder Lawrence was constantly thinking of ways to buy time. He knew very well that once they reached the underground tomb, he would have no chance of turning the situation around.


    Shadow Celestial and Sophia nned to use the power within the underground tomb to strip Elder Lawrence''s soul away once again. Shadow Celestial felt that Elder Lawrence''s very existence posed a threat to him. Only bypletely severing the other person''s soul from their body could he gain total control over him.


    Elder Lawrence must still be hiding more secrets. Shadow Celestial hoped to uncover all the secrets that the other party had concealed.


    Sophia''s reasons for her actions were even more straightforward. She had promised to hand Elder Lawrence over to Shadow Celestial, so of course, she should cooperate with Shadow Celestial''s actions. Another reason was her deep anger towards Elder Lawrence. Sophia believed that Lawrence had deliberately prevented her from obtaining the power of the Blood Moon.


    Upon reaching the deepest part of the underground tomb, Shadow Celestial smiled and said, "Here, we can strip his soul away!"


    After hearing this, Sophia nodded. "In that case, let''s not waste any more time! Let''s begin the process! I hope you can help me find the Heart of the Blood Moon soon."


    Upon hearing Shadow Celestial and Sophia, Elder Lawrence hurriedly interjected, "Don''t do this! I can still offer you other assistance! You need me!"


    "Of course we need you!" Shadow Celestial replied with a smile. "But I want you to understand that even after your soul is separated from your body, you can still provide us with help. And at that point, you will be even more serious about it."


    Shadow Celestial had no intention of giving him any chances. After saying this, he immediately cast a spell. Using the power of the underground tomb, Shadow Celestial sessfully separated Elder Lawrence''s soul from his body. He then ced Lawrence''s soul into a sealing container.


    Despite Elder Lawrence''s desperate resistance, he ultimately failed. After all, how could he possibly stand against both Shadow Celestial and Sophia?


    Once the sealing of Elder Lawrence''s soul wasplete, Shadow Celestial smiled at Sophia and said, "In fact, my subordinates have already located the Heart of the Blood Moon. However, the current state of the Heart has some issues. You won''t be able to merge with it directly."


    Sophia''s expression turned slightly impatient upon hearing this. "Just hand the Heart of the Blood Moon over to me! You don''t need to worry about anything else!"


    Shadow Celestial nodded and said, "In that case, let''s set off quickly. The Heart of the Blood Moon is located on the edge of the Deste Canyon; you will see it soon!"