Chapter 213: Asura God

The echo of Aether's voice reverberated through the mountain ranges, but before the familiar figure had even emerged, a rift tore open in the heavens.

From the boundless, abyssal crevice spilled forth a vast, surging power, its target clear: the heart of the Clear Sky Sect.

"A god of this realm, huh…"

Aether sensed the aura—it was unmistakably of the same ilk as the gods Paimon had once encountered.

Just then, a similar energy streaked out from the mountains, hotly pursued by a beam of emerald light.

Aether acted instantly. From the void, he summoned a uniquely shaped longsword. With a flicker of motion, he appeared directly ahead of the fleeing aura.

"Xiao. Leave this to me."

He called to the figure trailing behind the fleeing energy. The emerald light paused, condensing into a solid form—Xiao. He nodded slightly at Aether, removed his yaksha mask, and descended toward the ground.

The fleeing aura, realizing its path was cut off, did not panic. Instead of veering off, it began merging with the divine energy leaking from the sky above.

With its strength being restored, the aura shed its concealment and revealed the figure within.

"Tang San…"

Swathed in divine energy, the figure was none other than Tang San—unconscious and limp like a dead dog.

Beside him manifested a figure composed entirely of energy, resembling Aether's own aura.

This spectral warrior wore dark crimson armor etched with demonic runes, and in his hands, he wielded a massive blood-red greatsword.

He locked eyes with Aether and offered a chilling smile.

"We meet under unexpected circumstances, traveler. Ah, right—my name is Asura God."

"Hand him over."

Aether pointed his sword at the barely breathing Tang San, his voice crisp and clear.

But the Asura God merely shook his head.

"He is essential to our plans. He cannot die yet. And I won't be giving him to you."

As he spoke, his wary gaze shifted toward the youth now standing on the ground.

Had it not been for the sliver of consciousness he'd left in Tang San's body, that youth might've already ended the boy's life.

He'd originally left this fragment to guard against exactly the kind of threat Aether posed.

But to his shock, it wasn't Aether who attacked—it was the boy on the ground who relentlessly beat his avatar down…

If not for the fact that the attacker was also a fading consciousness like himself, and thus limited in power, Tang San might already be a puddle of melted sugar.

He had severely underestimated the people in this world.

So when he sensed Aether's arrival, he'd had no choice but to risk everything and funnel power into his avatar, hoping to use it to stall Aether and save Tang San.

Aether, unfazed by the explanation, shook his head.

"I'm just a traveler. I have no interest in your so-called plans. But today, you're not leaving with him."

"…"

Though the Asura God had reinforced his avatar, Aether's resolute declaration still rattled him.

They had been watching Aether since the moment he descended into this world—just like when Tang San had arrived.

But unlike Tang San, who was no more than a convenient tool to them despite his Mysterious Heaven Skill and Tang Sect weapons, Aether was the real threat.

They had initially dispatched two gods to probe him. The outcome?

Aether didn't even lift a hand—his companions utterly demolished the invaders.

They'd since adjusted their approach, speeding up their plans to avoid him. Yet after all their maneuvering, fate still brought them face to face.

And now—even with the Asura God personally stepping in—there was no avoiding confrontation.

"Are you certain you want to oppose the entire divine realm, traveler?"

Having failed to negotiate, the Asura God now invoked his status as one of the highest gods of this realm.

"I said, you're not taking him!"

Aether's gaze turned razor sharp. Power gathered around him as he brandished his sword, hurling a slash of light toward the Asura God—and shot forward in its wake.

He had more Important things to attend to. There was no time for more meaningless talk.

Seeing the incoming assault, the Asura God's expression darkened. But he had no choice. He had to respond.

The two figures clashed high above, their blows shaking the sky. The energy waves they unleashed could be felt even by those far below.

—

On the ground, Yu Keke saw the emerald light descend and hurried over.

"Big brother! Are you hurt? Thank you for saving us!"

She reached out to help Xiao, but he managed a faint smile and gently waved her off, signaling he was fine—and that she should keep her distance.

Earlier, his aura had been dormant from long suppression, with no outward trace of karmic miasma. But now, after battle, traces of his yaksha aura were seeping out uncontrollably.

Even a single wisp of that corrupt energy touching this girl would weigh heavily on his conscience.

"Big brother, please sit here."

Seeing that he wouldn't let her help him directly, Yu Keke quickly led him toward the others. From her soul tool—a gift from Skywater Academy—she took out a blanket and laid it across a stone, inviting him to sit and rest.

"Thank you."

Xiao saw the warmth in her eyes and didn't have the heart to refuse. He glanced at the distance between himself and the others—still safe—then stowed his weapon and sat down, gazing up at the battle raging in the sky.

"Big brother, some water…"

Yu Keke walked over with a cup in hand, gratitude glowing on her face.

"Thank you… Just leave it there. I'll take it myself."

Seeing her approach again, Xiao quickly stood and backed away, urging her to set it down.

"Oh! Okay…"

Yu Keke gently placed the cup on the ground. Then, as if struck by a thought, she rummaged through her soul tool again and pulled out some dried rations. She instinctively started walking toward Xiao.

"Big brother, you—you should eat something…"

"…"

Seeing him retreat again, she froze, then quickly backed away and placed the food beside the cup. Her voice trembled with apology.

"I-I'm sorry, I'll just leave it here…"

She scurried off and stood at a distance, her expression falling as she stole glances at him.

"Oh no oh no! I must've done something wrong and made him mad…"

"But what did I do wrong…?"

Xiao noticed her crestfallen face. He wanted to comfort her—but had no idea how.

After a moment's pause, he walked over to the offerings she had left. Though he was only an avatar of consciousness, he still picked up the food and sniffed it.

Then he looked at Yu Keke, who was watching him anxiously with clenched fists, clearly on the verge of tears.

His Icy face contorted—just barely—into a soft smile.

He said gently, "It smells really good. Thank you."

A shaft of sunlight pierced the clouds and fell gently across Yu Keke's joyous face.

_

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