"¡BOOM!"
A massive shockwave spread across the sky as the Scarlet King and the Demonic Phantom flashed after Death Tide with surging power and killing intent.
There was clear danger in chasing Death Tide, but if that was just all it took to make him give up, then what would the Scarlet King do when he faced the true power of Aether?
Unit's eyes were sharp as he felt the presence of the Scarlet King and the Demonic Phantom coming closer and closer. He had a higher cultivation stage, but the Scarlet King's shadow constitution made his speed overwhelmingly high.
However, just as the Scarlet King was about to reach striking distance from Death Tide, the latter fused into a massive mountain range, making the Scarlet King's eyes widen.
Any Apotheosis Realm Master could pierce through a mountain range, but Death Tide's body literally fused into the earth as if his flesh and blood were a drop of water.
Immediately, the Scarlet King's eyes burst with red light, and he perceived the hidden passage inside the mountain range.
The entrance was cloaked by some sort of mirage, which was why it looked as if Death Tide had simply vanished.
The Scarlet King's eyes narrowed as he perceived Death Tide inside the tunnel, advancing faster and faster back to Karon City.
'This hidden passage must be one of his trump cards to flee from powerful enemies, and there is no way to say what I would find inside.'
Normally, the Scarlet King would have chased after Death Tide into the tunnel. Yet, the events with the ship made him consider the fact that the entire tunnel could be full of explosives and the whole thing was a trap.
The Scarlet King did not diminish his momentum even as he considered his next move. He did not stop the chase due to the dangers, nor did he enter the tunnels. Instead, he moved above the mountain range, keeping a lock on Death Tide as he advanced.
The plan was to strike Death Tide once this one emerged from the other side of the underground tunnels.
Unfortunately for the Scarlet King, he had reached the middle of the mountain range when runes began to materialize above the earth's surface.
"BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!"
An overwhelming burst of energy emerged as the entire mountain range burst into pieces, releasing torrents of sky-blue flames into the sky, annihilating everything in their path!
Although the power of the Runic Formation in the mountain range was directed into the sky, the flames also flooded the lower levels where Death Tide was located.
There was resolve and determination in the Atrox's eyes as he pushed forward with greater and greater speed, fueling the Death Ward with all his power as he protected himself from the flames until finally, he could emerge on the other end.
"CRACK!"
The Death Ward shattered to pieces, showing Death Tide's mangled body. Burning wounds covered the right side of his body, but those injuries could not diminish the battle power of an Apotheosis Realm Master.
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Death Tide gazed with a cold smile at the bursting flame that kept flooding the sky above the shattered mountain range.
'That person. He was astute and cunning, but I managed to use it against him. Still, this Sky Flame Runic Formation cost me half of the total network I amassed over the last fifty years, but now it is gone.'
Just as Death Tide clenched his fists due to the loss of wealth, his eyes widened due to an overwhelming sense of danger that assaulted him. He moved to the side but failed to avoid a red saber from piercing his chest.
The weapon had been aimed at his heart, but Death Tide's fast response managed to save it, losing a lung instead.
Death Tide felt as if the energy in the weapon was ready to burst, destroying his internal organs, but he was a seasoned warrior who had experienced countless life and death trials. So the moment the blade had pierced his lung, his energy had already gathered to fire a spell.
"Deathly Repulse."
A burst of necrotic energy emerged from Death Tide's entire body, repelling Slaughter and the Scarlet King for hundreds of meters.
The Scarlet King immediately regained control over his body and saw how Death Tide had risen into the sky, using a hand to put pressure on the bleeding wound.
Apotheosis Realm Masters, even those who followed the Essence Evolution Path of Power, had overwhelming vitality and could generate hemostasis in most wounds in a second. However, the Scarlet King's energy had destructive properties thanks to the deadly force of the Law of Darkness and the eroding power of the Law of Blood.
"You... How!?"
Death Tide could not help but ask that question as he saw no wound in the Scarlet King's body. Even if the man could resist the power of the Sky Flame Formation, it did not make sense that he was intact unless this one was a God.
"The formation was truly something. However, I could react before its energy flooded the air and sealed space. Through Shadow Teleportation, I was able to escape alive and without injuries, but it was close. A fraction of a second slower, and I would have endured deadly wounds."
The Scarlet King was genuinely impressed by the wits and determination of Death Tide, as it took a lot of courage to trigger the runic formation while you were inside the mountain range. So he decided to satiate the man's curiosity.
However, stating that he came unharmed was a mistake, as the Demonic Phantom had shattered again, and he could not reforge as there was not enough energy. That was why he took an assassin approach and aimed to sever Death Tide's heart.
"My energy pool is nearing its limit, so you might escape if you can endure a little longer. Let's find out."
Shadows covered Slaughter as the Scarlet King infused the weapon with dark force, improving its destructive power and making his Ego Wave explode.