The scorched earth wailed.
Every spatial collapse was a terrifying aftershock of a dead star's fall.
Phainon gazed at the giant crater before him, the flames in his pupils showing no sign of weakening.
The crater was empty.
Phantylia's body, along with her proud 'Abundance' divine miracle, was obliterated in a single strike, leaving not even a speck of dust.
But Phainon's hands, gripping his twin swords, did not relax in the slightest.
Sure enough.
A wisp of ghostly green light, like a will-o'-the-wisp in the dark, appeared out of thin air.
Following that, there was a second point, a third point... billions of light points converged, precisely outlining a human body's meridians.
Blood surged, filling the light-constructed vessels.
A beating heart, wriggling organs, intertwined nerves... and finally, skin and long hair.
In just a single breath, Phantylia had reshaped her divine body.
She lowered her head, examining her flawless hands, a playful smile returning to her face,
"This strike from my benefactor truly made this little one… tremble with fright."
Her voice carried a hint of playfulness,
"If not for the divine miracle of the Ambrosial Arbor supporting me, I fear this body of mine would truly have been utterly destroyed by my benefactor."
She raised her eyes, looking at the cracks on Phainon's body.
Deep within the cracks, brilliant flames were on the verge of bursting forth.
"What a pity," Phantylia's tone was filled with feigned regret, "this undying and indestructible body of mine has no weakness."
"On the contrary, my benefactor, in order to unleash this strike, you have already used your own life as Coreflames, burning it all away, haven't you?"
Her soft chuckle was the final verdict.
"Heh…" Phainon chuckled, his voice hoarse, "So… what?"
He raised his head, his pupils locked onto Phantylia, devoid of fear of death, only endless hatred.
"I even… have to thank the Ambrosial Arbor."
"Otherwise, killing you only once wouldn't be enough to quell the fury in my heart!"
Before his words finished, he had already transformed into an afterimage once more!
He was determined to drag Phantylia into the abyss of death, over and over again!
—
Scalegorge Waterscape.
Dong—
Dong—
Mydei roared, hurling one crimson spear after another fiercely towards a certain coordinate in the void.
There, where Phainon and Phantylia had disappeared, a 'connection' linking two worlds flickered in and out of existence.
But his attacks, each one, were like a stone sinking into the sea.
That connection seemed to exist in another dimension, indestructible and untouchable.
"HKS!"
Mydei's eyes finally locked onto the main trunk of the Ambrosial Arbor that pierced through heaven and earth.
"As long as I completely cut this thing down, the Deliverer will be able to come out, right!"
He no longer engaged in futile efforts, but instead gathered all his power into a single point.
An unprecedentedly massive spear slowly formed above his head.
Every second that passed, the Deliverer was one step closer to death!
"Hold on! Deliverer!"
—
Puchi—
The blade of Invasion Dawn once again pierced Phantylia's heart.
He didn't know how many times he had "killed" Phantylia.
Each time, Phantylia would reappear perfectly intact a few breaths later, with an even more intense mockery.
"How many more times can your body sustain you to swing your sword?"
Phantylia's voice was cold, carrying a hint of scrutiny.
Phainon's body was covered in cracks, like porcelain about to shatter, the flames within him almost erupting from every fissure.
He gritted his teeth, yet his lips curved into a wild grin.
"Until… you can no longer smile!"
"Hmph!" Phantylia fanned herself, certain of victory, "I have all the patience in the world to slowly wear you down. If my benefactor is tired and wants to take a break, this little one doesn't mind."
Phainon forcibly calmed the burning flames within him.
Mydei still hadn't severed that connection… No!
It wasn't that he couldn't do it.
It was that he simply hadn't found a target to attack!
A target… how could he point out the target for him?
In Phainon's mind, the will belonging to The Hunthummed like a taut bowstring.
The Hunt, to pursue, to lock on, and then to kill in one strike!
The Hunt could already transcend space, transcend time!
He understood.
So that's how it was!
"Hehehehe…"
Phainon suddenly looked up, meeting Phantylia's gaze.
In his eyes, an emotion more fervent than madness completely erupted!
Current Emotion: Hatred
Emotion Threshold: 700%
He tossed the Invasion Dawn, blessed by Lan, towards the blood-red sky.
Seeing this, Phantylia sneered, "What? Is my benefactor… planning to surrender his weapons?"
Phainon did not respond.
He merely completely abandoned his suppression of the raging power within his body.
Boom—!
Molten gold flames broke free, instantly igniting his golden hair!
His entire right arm was enveloped by these sacred flames, his flesh and blood sublimating and burning in the inferno!
"What trick is this again?"
Phantylia frowned deeply, a hint of unease flashing through her heart.
Phainon ignored the searing pain of his soul, his pupils reflecting Phantylia's uncertain and surprised face.
"You've already lost, Phantylia!"
"Using my body as a guide, my sword as an anchor!"
He declared his victory, his figure transforming into a streak of light, instantly rushing before Phantyliaand leaping high into the air.
"What exactly do you want to do?!"
"I'm telling that guy outside…"
The next moment.
Puchi—!
The Invasion Dawn, plummeting vertically from high above, precisely pierced Phainon's spine, their blade ignited by the flames on his body!
The sword tip emerged from his chest, directly impaling Phantylia's heart!
The flames, following the sword, instantly enveloped Phantylia!
"…It's time to act!"
—
Scalegorge Waterscape.
Mydei was in the process of condensing an unprecedentedly massive spear, the crimson crystals blotting out the sky.
Just then.
He suddenly widened his eyes.
The previously vague and unlocatable 'connection' before him suddenly became incredibly clear, like a scar ignited by the scorching sun, branded onto the real world!
"Is the Deliverer not resting easy inside either?"
"However, I'll claim the fruits of this victory!"
Before his words finished, the Spear of Heaven's Wrath was already complete.
He used all his strength, hurling this strike, which contained all the power of the Contention Demigod, with a mighty throw!
"Ah—!"
The spear tore through space, accurately and precisely striking the illuminated crimson connection!
Boom—!!!
Space shattered like a broken mirror.
Crimson crystals and golden flames scattered, showering down upon the earth.
A grand rain of blood thus fell.