Chapter 46: Ascendance (6)
The world had transformed into a stage of destruction.
Minerva, in her form as the Matron of Luminary Sylvan Queen, stood tall. Her body shone like a green sun amidst the darkness of space, radiating the essence of life.
On the other side, Xue Shaoran, now in his form as the Carnage Scarlet God, embodied a living nightmare. His body pulsed with blood and darkness, as though it were a living, breathing entity.
Each of their movements reshaped reality, tearing apart space and time.
In the distance, tens of thousands of fully conscious monsters retreated from the battlefield.
They had all activated their Path transformations as a precaution against the catastrophic destruction unleashed by this fight.
The sky, once pitch-black, now bore massive cracks, revealing the cosmic void within.
Crack!
Below them, the once-grand continent had shattered into massive floating debris, as though an entire galaxy had been destroyed to create an arena for the two of them.
Crackle—
Minerva surged forward at an unimaginable speed, her surroundings bursting with towering trees formed from luminous emerald wood. These trees exploded into light, harming the shadows of blood surrounding Xue Shaoran.
"You won't escape this time, Xue Shaoran!"
Her voice echoed like a cosmic bell.
"Kekekekeke."
Xue Shaoran only laughed, his laughter so cold it shattered the resolve of anyone who heard it.
"Minerva, oh Minerva. Do you think your pitiful power can destroy this darkness? Dream on! Darkness is eternal!"
ZZT!
With a single wave of his hand, he conjured the Bloody Corruption Spear, a weapon seemingly forged from frozen blood.
Swung—
He hurled it with a force capable of obliterating stars.
Boom!
Minerva raised the Crown of Sylvan Eternity. The crown on her head radiated a brilliant light, forming a green barrier that stopped the spear before it exploded into countless shards of energy, destroying nearby floating islands.
Crash—
Crash—
As they clashed, the energy waves from their battle obliterated the remnants of the continent.
Each collision of power generated massive explosions that echoed across the galaxy, causing reality itself to tremble.
Minerva advanced with her towering form, her crown glowing even brighter. She unleashed the Death Sylvan Vortex, a swirling green energy storm that manifested thousands of radiant wooden spears.
"Take this!"
The spears shot forward at incomprehensible speed, raining down upon Xue Shaoran.
"Carnage Shield."
He blocked them with the Carnage Shield, a swirling barrier of blood, though some spears managed to pierce through, causing black blood to burst from his body.
But Xue Shaoran didn't stand idle.
"Heh, is that all you've got? Void Abyss Ripple."
Swoosh!
He stomped on the debris beneath him, unleashing a dense black energy wave that rippled through the void, erasing everything in its path.
Crash!
The roots of Minerva's Yggdrasil were ensnared by the menacing waves of darkness, forcing her to shed a large portion of her form.
Swish—
The dark energy and blood corroded Yggdrasil, spreading from its roots to its leaves, killing the colossal tree—larger than a galaxy—instantly.
Thud—
Minerva swiftly leaped into another dimension, raising her hand to summon the Sylvan Wings, green wings formed from the sacred energy of life. She dove toward Xue Shaoran with a speed faster than lightning.
In the heart of the chaos, they collided.
Klang!
Minerva manifested the Blade of Luminary Grace, a sword shining like a star, while Xue Shaoran wielded the Blood Corruption Fang, a crimson blade exuding an aura of destruction.
Ssst—
Chwak!
The clash of their weapons created explosions that shattered the space around them, forming miniature black holes that devoured light and debris.
The sky shattered into fragments, and the space around them warped and twisted, unable to contain the overwhelming power unleashed in the battle.
"The stench of destruction... I like it. May we join in the fun?"
The situation worsened as new entities began to emerge from the shadows.
Swoosh—
A faint melody echoed through the void, piercing the emptiness and dimensions around them.
A golden mist veiled the chaos in the area. A soothing symphony hummed enchanting sacred classics, captivating and serene. Golden birds danced in the void, as if welcoming the arrival of their king.
Tiny angels flanked both sides, carrying various musical instruments while singing mesmerizing, heavenly melodies.
The golden gates opened majestically, releasing a mystical light that illuminated the void, imbuing it with the solemn essence of a noble Path.
Xue Shaoran scowled, his expression darkening as if he had tasted filth.
"Tsk, why are these doves here?"
He scoffed, seemingly reminded of some unpleasant past.
"Haha, that's quite rude, you know."
As the light began to seep into the darkness, Altheia Sunwraithe's figure emerged amidst the cosmic destruction, exuding an aura incomprehensible to any mortal being.
Her body glowed like an eternal dawn, her skin as smooth as marble, radiating a soft golden sheen.
She wore a long white chiton adorned with golden embroidery resembling sunlight patterns that flowed gracefully along the hem.
A golden sun-shaped belt adorned her slender waist, emanating a soothing light that seemed to separate chaos from peace.
On her shoulders draped a long cloak made of translucent fabric that shimmered like the veil of morning mist, fastened with a golden lotus-shaped brooch glowing faintly.
A crown shaped like a solar halo with eight rays rose above her head, a symbol of unmatched majesty.
In her right hand, she held a golden caduceus entwined with two winged serpents, a symbol of both peace and menace.
In her left hand, she carried a radiant shield adorned with constellation patterns, warding off all forms of evil.
Her eyes, twin golden stars, gazed into the very soul of anyone who dared defy her, instilling both a sense of peace and a fear of divine judgment.
Her long golden hair flowed like a sea of light, its radiance reflecting around her, giving her the aura of a goddess descended from Olympus.
Each step she took left behind a trail of tiny luminous flowers that bloomed momentarily before fading into the air, marking her majestic presence.
Her arrival was not heralded by loud noises but by the gentle echoes of angelic choirs that resonated softly around her, creating a sacred atmosphere that silenced all nearby in awe.
"You all know who I am, don't you?"
The woman smiled gently.
That smile, however, had no effect on anyone present, as they were also in the Quasi Realm and had mastered the Sixth Phase of their respective Paths.
Grrr...
Some even growled softly at the woman.
"Altheia Sunwraithe, why are you here?"
A cold tone mixed with threatening intensity came from the monsters near Xue Shaoran.
"Just bored~ As fellow Tianjiao, why don't we have a little fight to pass the time?"
Not far from Xue Shaoran, Minerva appeared and scoffed.
"Heh, does your Celestial Seraph race dare to interfere in our matters?"
"Oh my~ is this our dear Minerva? The lost genius of the Yggdrasil race? What a pity. I'm not here as a bearer of justice for the oppressed, but as a merciless killer~"
Minerva blinked, as though unable to believe the response she received.
The silence around them froze the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, some of the Quasi Realm figures nearby continued to watch and observe the unfolding situation.
***
Far from the scene, cosmic mist floated gently amidst a sea of stars.
A lone church stood silently within the cosmic mist, exuding an air of mystique and allure.
Inside, gray mist shrouded the entire space, leaving only a grand statue standing with authority and dignity.
At the statue's feet knelt a girl, her hands clenched as she spoke in an incomprehensible language. Yet, it was clear from her demeanor that she was praying.