As he spoke, Lu Ce continued walking forward, like someone swimming against the current. All the fleeing crowds ahead parted to either side, clearing a path for his advance.
At this moment, with Pride's aura fully unleashed, this was the most divine mask. Even just catching a glimpse from the corner of one's eye was enough to realize this person's extraordinary nature.
Moreover, the previous divine baptism had naturally given the top ten players a sense of suppression when facing ordinary people.
It was just that Lu Ce had grown accustomed to fighting on the highest-level battlefields, so he didn't really have a concept of this.
Therefore, although no one here knew what was happening, they instinctively regarded this strange counter-flowing figure as their savior.
The further inward he went, the fewer living people there were, and the more living dead.
The closer to the core, the fewer people with self-awareness, and the more controlled puppets!
Carrying his giant axe to the forefront, looking around, everyone had already been corrupted by black energy, becoming people of the [Demon] faction.
One after another, figures emitting black energy streams turned around stiffly in unison, their eyes fixed on Lu Ce.
In just these brief ten-plus seconds, thousands of people had already become demons' puppets.
The next moment, all the puppets simultaneously let out piercing howls and charged toward Lu Ce.
They were no longer restricted by their original physical limitations now, each moving like Olympic sprinters, arriving with black gusts of wind.
In the middle of the stadium floated a black giant egg. At the entrance stood Pride, while from all directions surged waves of people.
"Hmph."
Pride chuckled lightly, carrying what seemed like innate disdain, and strode forward in a charge!
The Extreme Path Battle Axe in his hands circled above his head before sweeping horizontally forward!
Instantly, all the charging demon puppets were split in two. Golden light swept through, and no one could withstand it even for a moment.
And once Pride began his charge, he had no intention of retreating anymore.
Like a tiger plunging into a flock of sheep, he whipped up a golden whirlwind in the center of the arena. Anyone who came into contact instantly turned into minced meat, scattering across the ground.
After just a few flashes, the erupting golden light had swept everything clean along his path.
Finally, arriving beneath the giant egg, he stomped heavily on the ground!
With both hands tightly gripping the giant axe, he spun a circle around his body. The golden light around him transformed into a halo, spreading outward with sharp energy.
Under the powerful force of the Broken Divine Weapon, everything in the surroundings instantly shattered. The tremendous energy could vaporize everything in its path.
Everything created when this Hell Envoy descended hadn't even managed to block Lu Ce's advance for more than a few seconds before he charged right up to it.
"These things are useless!"
Pride stomped forcefully on the ground with one foot. The stadium's grass instantly surged like waves, completely torn open. The rebounding impact propelled his entire body directly into the air.
He even had time to turn mid-air, gripping the axe handle with both hands, and with thunderous momentum, brought it down forcefully on the roughly ten-meter diameter giant egg before him!
"Been waiting for you all this time."
"Can't hatch? Let me help you!"
Boom!
At the moment of collision, golden waves instantly surged into the sky above the stadium, like an ocean suddenly inverted in the heavens.
From every corner of Qian City, people could see this golden sea.
The seemingly incredibly powerful giant egg that appeared to bring about doomsday instantly developed a massive crack, appearing like a small boat in this golden ocean.
Though the interior couldn't be seen, following this axe strike, sharp and agonized wails emerged from within the giant egg.
┗|｀O′|┛！！！
Before Pride, it appeared so weak, like a newborn infant, teetering on the brink.
At this moment, the demon wanting to destroy the world seemed so feeble, while the Saint protecting the world was filled with violent, domineering aura.
"Hmm?"
But even so, Lu Ce still wasn't very satisfied, as if wondering why this strike of his hadn't directly split the opponent open.
"Hahaha!"
Lu Ce laughed loudly three times. Through the cracked fissure before him, a dark red eye was looking at him in terror.
Simultaneously, large amounts of black energy streams sprayed out from within, enveloping his entire body.
It was forcibly trying to assimilate him, to make him join the demon faction!
Trying to mentally suppress Pride?
A ferocious smile appeared on Lu Ce's golden mask. Both hands gripped the axe handle, squeezing forcefully, with violent power filling his sleeves completely!
Then, he once again raised the battle axe in his hands high.
Through the crack, his eyes met the enormous eye inside.
"You seem... afraid?"
......
Just moments ago, three figures simultaneously appeared at Qian City's teleportation point.
One pair was naturally Xie Antong and Chiyo Eine.
As for the other one, the two didn't even see a figure—only a trail of fire streaking across the sky, rushing toward the distant golden sea.
Without even looking, they knew it was Sun coming for a fight.
Xie Antong glanced in that direction before withdrawing her gaze. She wasn't surprised that Sun would come.
But, that golden light in the distance...
Had they started fighting already? And this oppressive feeling—it must undoubtedly be Pride.
Moreover, she couldn't even sense any [Demon] aura from here.
Was Lu Ce's combat power this overwhelmingly dominant?
But, she estimated the Death Messenger would arrive soon too...
"It really is him in this city... So strong."
Chiyo Eine said with an unpleasant expression. Even with all her prejudices against "Sin," when it came to strength, she still respected him.
And although she was in the same [Saint] faction as Lu Ce, because of Xie Antong, she had automatically classified herself as [Demon].
"Normal. If he didn't have this level of strength, this game would be unplayable." Xie Antong said calmly.
"The outcome of the first match is important. Whether this city is destroyed or not is the opening."
"Sun has already gone. The Death Messenger will definitely come too!"
"Then what should we do?" Chiyo Eine asked.
Let's go there first!
......
Boom!
With the second explosion, the golden giant egg fell accordingly, crashing heavily into the stadium below and stirring up clouds of dust.
Lu Ce's body descended from the sky, followed immediately by the third axe strike!
Hum!
In the air, a purple-black barrier materialized out of nowhere, slowing Lu Ce's movement. The axe felt like it was cutting into a soft, fluid substance.
"You've finally come."
"I thought you were too scared to face me."