Chapter 68: The Tian Shen's Invitation, True Name Revealed
Lei Chen's declaration, imbued with the will of the Plane, was like a reassurance dropped into their own ranks, and also like a raging inferno igniting their fighting spirit.
The brilliant light shed by the Golden Ancient Tree and the promises of "post-war resurrection" and "rewards for killing enemies" transformed the panic and unease caused by the Plane collision and the impending powerful enemy into a surging battle intent of shared hatred.
Countless gazes eagerly fixed on the surging dark red tide from across the mountain range, waiting only for an order to strike back head-on.
However, just as this battle intent reached its peak, a soft yet supremely majestic voice, like a cold viper, quietly penetrated the energy turbulence that had not yet fully subsided at the Plane boundary, clearly resounding in the ears of every Douluo powerhouse:
"Hehe… what excellent methods, what splendid spirit. To speak of resurrection before battle, to drive the masses with profit, truly saves a lot of trouble in boosting morale."
The owner of this voice was naturally the Tian Shen. His tone gave no hint of joy or anger, as if he were merely stating a fact.
"Soldiers against soldiers, kings against kings. As the Plane Master, surely you, like this 'unwelcome guest' who has come from afar, should not be mingling among ordinary troops?"
The Tian Shen's voice carried a hint of subtle sarcasm: "The peak of the newly formed mountain from the collision of the two realms would be a good place to observe the battle. I wonder, dare you come for a discussion?"
This seemingly polite invitation was, in fact, an open scheme that could not be refused.
If the Plane Master were to cower behind the army, it would undoubtedly severely dampen their morale; but if he accepted the invitation, it would mean that the highest combat powers of both sides would neutralize each other, unable to directly interfere with the battle below.
The scales of victory would be entirely left to the core forces of both sides to decide.
Upon hearing this, Lei Chen's expression remained unchanged, as if he had long anticipated this move from the opponent.
He swept his gaze over the Douluo Allied Forces, who had already formed their ranks and were radiating a powerful aura, and his voice, calm yet resounding far and wide, declared:
"Below, I leave it to you. Remember, in this battle, there is only advance, no retreat, and merits will surely be rewarded! All enemies from outside can be killed!"
As his voice fell, Lei Chen's figure had already transformed into a faint seven-colored stream of light, appearing almost instantaneously on the peak of the new, towering mountain range that seemed to split the world in half.
On the mountain peak, strong winds howled, stirring the chaotic energy currents from the two Planes, emitting wails like ghosts and gods.
On one side was the still-living scenery of the Douluo Plane, though the land was scarred, the Golden Ancient Tree's radiance stubbornly shone; on the other side was the eternal desolation and dark red of the Abyss Plane, filled with the scent of sulfur and destruction.
The Tian Shen had already stood with his hands behind his back on the other side of the boundary line. He still maintained his sinisterly handsome appearance, his dark purple robes fluttering in the energy wind, dark gold flowing in his vertical pupils, looking at the quietly appearing Lei Chen with a playful gaze, as if scrutinizing prey.
Unexpectedly, no earth-shattering divine conflict immediately erupted between the two; the atmosphere even seemed somewhat… strangely calm.
Both Lei Chen and the Tian Shen knew clearly at this moment that without absolute certainty of quickly defeating the opponent, rashly initiating a divine battle would be meaningless, serving only to exhaust divine power and result in mutual destruction.
Therefore, their most important task at present was to keep a close watch on each other, ensuring that neither could interfere with the battlefield below.
"This is truly surprising," the Tian Shen broke the silence first, a characteristic false smile appearing on his face, his tone as relaxed as if chatting with a neighbor.
"I didn't expect Your Excellency to be so 'hospitable,' actually opening the door and letting us in. This 'grand gift' has left me somewhat overwhelmed."
Lei Chen's expression was indifferent, like ancient, unmelting profound ice, scoffing at the Saint Lord's pretense: "The feeling is mutual. Haven't you also gambled everything, directly crashing your entire Plane here, leaving no retreat? It seems you are indeed 'full of confidence' in devouring this realm."
Hearing Lei Chen's pointed words, the smile on the Tian Shen's face remained unchanged, but a trace of extremely subtle gloom flickered in the depths of his eyes. He did not respond directly but instead changed the subject, asking seemingly casually:
"Speaking of which, we've been clashing until now, and I still haven't had the honor of asking your esteemed name? I can't keep referring to you as 'Plane Master,' can I?"
Lei Chen looked calmly at the Saint Lord and slowly uttered these words: "Tian Shen, you can call me—Lei Chen."
The moment Lei Chen's words left his mouth, the Tian Shen's previously composed face, with its smile that suggested everything was under control, suddenly froze!
His dark golden vertical pupils sharply contracted to pinpricks, staring intently at Lei Chen, as if wanting to see through him from inside out. The obscure yet powerful aura around him also momentarily became disordered due to this sudden shock, causing the surrounding spatial energy to ripple.
"You… how do you know?!" Tian Shen's voice for the first time lost its feigned composure, taking on a hint of unbelievable sharpness and iciness.
"The name 'Tian Shen' has been abandoned since I took control of the Abyss, and no outsider in the universe should know it! Lei Chen… how exactly did you find out?!"
This name was one of the deepest secrets in his heart, related to the origin of his birth. He had never even mentioned it to the Abyssal Kings he trusted most.
Now, being exposed by Lei Chen's single sentence brought a shock far exceeding any form of attack, making him instantly feel a sense of dread at being completely seen through, with nowhere to hide.
Facing the Tian Shen's erratic gaze, filled with suspicion and murderous intent, Lei Chen merely allowed the corner of his mouth to subtly curve upwards, forming a profound and mysterious arc, then returned to his previous indifference, not bothering to answer the Saint Lord's question.
This posture further fueled the Saint Lord's anger, completely shattering his feigned ease and hypocrisy.
His expression darkened, and he sneered: "Hmph! Playing tricks! No matter by what means you pried into my true name, it won't change the final outcome!"
"Your Plane is destined to become the nourishment for my Abyss's growth, and you… Lei Chen, will become my stepping stone to a higher level!"
At this point, a flash of determination and ruthlessness flickered in the Saint Lord's eyes. As if to regain some ground and demonstrate their absolute strength, he immediately let out a deep shout:
"Come out! Let this Lei Chen also witness our 'sincerity'!"
As the Tian Shen's voice fell, two condensed streams of light, one scarlet like blood and one black like ink, suddenly shot out from the abyssal void behind him, like meteors tearing through the dark red sky, stopping steadily beside Tian Shen.
When the streams of light dispersed, the two figures revealed within caused Lei Chen's usually calm gaze to suddenly sharpen.
It was actually them…
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