Lin Yao’s heart almost exploded in his chest as the raven’s words reverberated in his mind.
He only learned about the demonic cleaver’s existence because he spent his free time observing Adam’s chaotic yet fascinating adventures.
’I’ll ask him later about the details and find a solution to unbind it from his soul before that horrible prophecy comes true.’
Anything related to demons was an absolute taboo; this rule didn’t apply to this magic world only. He had heard tales of those insidious beings from his grandfather and sect, meaning they had once walked into his original world as well.
He shook his head, shoving his fears and concerns aside. The time wasn’t for pondering. Instead, he had to kill the beast emperor once and for all. Only then would he have time to fix the mess this fool created and prepare for what’s to come.
Yet, something still bothered him enough to distract part of his attention.
’The magus can’t be the one who’ll start the prophesied war. There is more to it, but I was too young and don’t remember much. What did the leaders do again?’
His eyes narrowed in focus as he rummaged through his childhood memories to find the information before the emperor recovered.
’They allied with strange people to create a new technique. I remember now! They hastened the flow of time to form more cultivators who’ll protect the world against an unprecedented danger. Is it the same one?"
He tucked his fingers over his lips, his eyes narrowing as icy dread gripped his heart.
’It looks similar, but I can’t be sure. However, the magus can’t resist it if our three leaders took drastic measures to defy the prophecy. After all, they’re all on his level... Wait! Is it related to the demons?’
Somehow, he doubted it, but since demons could travel to different realms, didn’t it mean other species could as well? What if they weren’t the only threats? What if something they had never imagined struck them from the universe’s depth?
His chest tightened, and his breath caught in his throat as he believed he had found a trail. But he couldn’t waste any more time.
With a deep breath, he reclaimed control over his emotions. His fingers tightened around his blade’s pommel, and his Qi flared through his meridians.
A steely glint flashing in his eyes, he crouched like a dragon and lunged at the emperor.
Metal Qi danced on his sword’s edges as it drew a beautiful silver arc towards his enemy.
’I hope you’ll rot in the netherworld’s darker cell for all the sufferings you caused.’
He saw the still-shaken emperor’s pupils constrict and the fear dancing in their depths.
Yet, fear wouldn’t stop his vengeful blade. Wistful wishes or emotions wouldn’t either.
Sudden flames as hot as the sun engulfed the chaotic battlefield in a dome of blinding milky light before his blade connected with the emperor’s exposed throat.
The blast deafened him as the heat assaulted his melting skin. The pain alone would have driven any man insane.
Yet, he gritted his teeth.
With an inner roar, he injected all his remaining Qi into his hands and pressed forward despite the agony.
However, the sneak attacker revealed himself, his arrogant snort reverberating through the ruined kingdom.
"I can’t believe you failed after all your planning and grand speeches. Shame on you Beast Emperor!"
Selene appeared inside the inferno in another burst of solar flames, his prided blade meeting Lin Yao’s as he kicked the emperor out of the way. Two suns burning in his eyes, he observed the battered cultivator with a smirk and continued.
"Ossian told me you were a monster disguised as a human. I’m disappointed."
He wanted to retort, but breathing the scalding air became torture, much less speaking when it charred his throat. Yet, his melted lips curled into a smirk as his blade roared to life and engulfed the surrounding flames.
’Anything containing life force is my fuel, and your sun element isn’t an exception, bastard!’
He snickered inwardly, feeling his Qi replenish at an alarming rate. Without hesitation, he channelled the wood element, feeling the freshness of nature load his failing limbs and envelop his body in a comforting blanket.
Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, his skin recovered its rosy hue and new verdant hair sprouted on his bald head. A sensation of power coursed through his limbs next as he infused fire Qi into his arms and pushed Selene a few steps back.
Even if his figure continued to burn and heal in an agonising cycle, his smirk broadened to reach his eyes.
"I’m just a regular human. The kind you find at any random street corner. But then, what are you? A petty rogue who relies on ambushes or just a scared dog?"
He saw Selene smirk back at him, unfazed by his sarcastic comment. No, the elf wasn’t gazing at him but rather at his sword.
"Nice blade for a regular human. I’m sure you picked it up on that street corner." Selen’s eyes narrowed. "But if it has nothing to absorb, how are you going to use it?"
With a snap of his fingers, Selene dismissed the milky white flames surrounding them, revealing the Sunfire bastion hovering behind and its horrible cannons pointing at their positions.
Meanwhile, the emperor recovered from his near-death experience. Face contorted into a wrathful grimace, he barked, his heart trembling in terror behind his enraged facade. "Keep him busy! We’ll obliterate him with my next spell! Strike when you have an opening, Ossian!"
Meanwhile, Lin Yao’s blood chilled in his veins, and his hair bristled as his mind raced.
’That elf’s physique almost matches mine. The emperor lost a good part of his powers, but with enough space to cast unhindered, he’ll become a threat, not to mention the ghost and his sneak attacks targeting my soul. Can I win?’
He glanced at the bastion, biting his lips at the additional source of concern, and for the first time since the battle started, he began to doubt his chances to win.