Chapter 1902: Three Sides Strike At Once (I) |
Wolves from four regions were on the loose.
The east of the outer region had been quiet for many years. Various overlords were kept busy fighting one another, with pitched battle being rare over the years.
But now that unrest rocked the four regions, the packs of wolves were set free. They stared covetously at various targets in the other regions, ready to throw everything into disarray.
……
At this moment, within the seventh level.
Drifting Life caught up to Ironeater and stopped the giant panda. A metal club swung backward in response, shaking the void and sending ripples of energy in all directions.
Ironeater transformed into a gigantic panda and snarled, “You killed my brothers all those years back and now dare chase after me. You deserve death!”
Drifting Life looked on sternly.
No one would remember what they’d once done to others, just what other people had done to him. Drifting Life only recalled the abject humiliation of yesteryear.
Vengeance would be had today.
A weapon shaped like a millstone appeared in his hand and suppressed the void. This was the cycle of life and death, a world of reincarnation. Life and death were the primary daos of this world and he was a powerful wielder of them.
Although he wasn’t as strong as the Reincarnation master, the worlds changed color nonetheless when the millstone appeared. The strength of an eighth rank swept through the void!
Countless beings that resembled souls materialized in the void and came down on Ironeater. Those countless wronged souls wailed and keened, disturbing the mind.
Whether it was monster spirits or chaos beasts, neither were adept at cultivating the consciousness. Their physical bodies were strong, but their minds were very fragile. Drifting Life had contemplated how to kill Ironeater all these years as he’d wanted revenge. And now, the opportunity was at hand.
The peak seventh rank Ironeater was very strong, but he was absolutely no match for an eighth rank when he lacked his world. It didn’t matter how strong his physical body was.
Souls howled for justice, among them human, monster spirit, and chaos beasts. There were many, many monster spirits. There were even some that resembled corrupted Ironeaters.
At the moment, Drifting Life was a far cry from the usual genteel sight he presented in Reincarnation. A chilly look filled his eyes as he wore an expression of rage.
“Do you see that, Ironeater?” He ground his teeth. “Don’t you like hiding in the four regions? I’ve traveled throughout the eastern region over the years and killed all of the Ironeaters that I came across. Everything was in preparation for this day!”
The Ironeater master flew into a rage! He smashed through the countless souls and roared, “You bastard! Is this all that an eighth rank is worth?”
Their grudge of yesteryear could no longer be traced. It could not be determined who was responsible or in the wrong. But to exterminate an entire region of his race just to vent his rage… this went beyond the pale!
Countless souls filled the void and surrounded Ironeater. Drifting Life watched with a cold smirk on the perimeter. He presented a completely different face from his usual demeanor. He wanted to slowly torture his nemesis to death!
Granted, he was also taking it slow to ensure that he would kill the other. He was highly on guard at the moment and didn’t lose himself with rage. Four seventh ranks circled around him. Drifting Life had also only utilized the dao of wronged souls within the cycle of life and death.
He would wear down Ironeater first!
If no one appeared after a period of torment, then he could easily dispatch the panda. There was no rush. And if anyone sought to go for easy pickings during the fight and ambush him… Well, they thought too much.
……
In the distance.
Earth Yang frowned slightly amid the cover of dense chaos strength. Next to him, Li Hao raised an eyebrow. Drifting Life looked to be a more difficult opponent than they’d previously thought.
The dao of life and death?
How many living beings had he killed to create so many wronged souls? And the key was, these souls actually were restraining Ironeater.
It would be slightly difficult for the Human King to succeed in his ambush. Four seventh ranks hovered around Drifting Life. Although Drifting Life was consuming a lot of resources to deploy his dao, he’d clearly come prepared.
Under such circumstances, Earth Yang was concerned about the Human King not appearing on the battlefield, whereas Li Hao was wondering if the Human King could take on all of these opponents. One eighth rank, four seventh ranks, and the enemy being ready for any trouble. This wasn’t an ambush in the strict sense of the word…
Li Hao was beginning to grow nervous for the Human King. If he didn’t pull this off, he might lose his bait that was Ironeater.
Meanwhile, Earth Yang was irritated. Drifting Life wasn’t as hotheaded or impulsive as he’d thought. He’d thought that the man would be blinded by hatred or rage and completely lose control. He’d expected the eighth rank to throw himself at Ironeater, then be ambushed by the Human King…
Currently, he was very disappointed.
……
On the other side.
The Human King crossed his arms and hugged his blade to himself. The other Ironeater monster spirit behind him looked on worriedly. They were in trouble.
The four seventh ranks hadn’t chosen to split up, and there were two more than originally expected. Their old nemesis was yet to make a move, but his brother was entangled by a portion of the wronged souls.
Tie Han was concerned about his brother’s safety and also shocked by what Drifting Life had brought to bear. The human was so strong!
Drifting Life had not been this strong back in the day, he wouldn’t have almost died to the Ironeater master otherwise. Tie Han then glanced at the unruffled Human King. This… wouldn’t do.
The panda sought to speak a few times, but aborted the attempt after the Human King turned around to look at him. My big brother’s done for if he doesn’t make a move soon!
Those wronged souls were a kind of mental attack. For monster spirits and chaos beasts, this was the most troublesome sort of offense to defend against. They were very strong when it came to purely the physical body, but anything that involved the mind resulted in great injury to them.
Tie Han couldn’t keep it in anymore!
The Ironeaters had been led by the rise of five brothers back in the day, much like the major world of Five Elements. But Drifting Life had killed two, Red Moon killed another, and now only Tie Han and his big brother were left.
They’d even lost their world. If his brother died here… wouldn’t this be the end of the road for the Ironeaters?
They had too many enemies that were too strong. Red Moon, Drifting Life, and the Dragon master were all eighth ranks… Was Tie Han supposed to get revenge on all of them by himself?
The panda shifted to make a move, but the Human King stared him down with uncustomary gravity.
“Watch and wait!” he transmitted harshly. “Wait until your big brother is almost dead and that guy thinks that he’s got it in the bag! No matter whether or not someone purposefully relaxes at a time like that, that is when they’re most off their guard! I’ll make my move then!”
“But…”
“There are no buts!” The stern Human King countered. “You have to listen to me, you can only listen to me! If you go now, you’ll go to your death, alongside your big brother’s! What’s a bit of risk throughout the course of seeking revenge?
“If you’re this lily-livered, then you brothers can get the hell out of here after this. You can get your own vengeance!”
The Human King was tyrannical and utterly removed at present. They’d only just begun! What kind of danger was this? Keep waiting!
Wait until Ironeater can barely hold on or is making his final strike. That is our opportunity then! We either don’t make a move, or we make sure it kills when we do!
They couldn’t only eliminate Drifting Life in their attack. They needed to annihilate the other seventh ranks at the same time.
……
Time passed, tick by tick. The surrounded Ironeater started roaring furiously and madly waved his club around. He smashed through the void and obliterated countless souls. The presence of death filled the void.
Many of these souls were of the exalted emperor level, but they were demolished by one blow all the same.
Drifting Life was quite pained by their loss. Although these souls weren’t the sum total of his strength, he’d spent a lot of time and effort to collect them. This panda in a china shop was crashing right through them today. It was possible that he wouldn’t be able to deploy this technique in the future.
Thankfully, Ironeater was surrounded by death qi and mental attacks. While it appeared from the surface that his injuries weren’t severe, the damage to his mind was driving him crazy!
The giant panda swung and smashed his club all around, heading toward Drifting Life. The presence of a peak seventh rank oscillated through the surroundings as he roared, “You animal! Dare you meet me in direct combat?!”
Drifting Life looked remotely back at the panda. Why should I? It’d be the mark of an idiot to not use whatever methods I have at my disposal.
He smiled at seeing the panda lose control. This might be the best outcome. Although his technique of the wronged souls was useless after today, it was worth it to easily kill a peak seventh rank rival.
“Get on your knees and beg me, Ironeater…” Drifting Life mocked. The crazier his enemy became, the happier he was.
“Roar!” An outraged roar echoed in the four corners as Ironeater waved his club around for all his worth. Drifting Life and the seventh ranks simply lifted a hand to dispel the aftershocks.
This level of recoil wouldn’t harm them.
The seventh ranks were much more at ease at this point. They probed the surroundings to stay on the alert. With such an enormous disturbance, they needed to be careful of outsiders becoming involved.
……
Li Hao continued to watch silently. Next to him, Earth Yang was starting to shift impatiently.
“Cloud Dust, have your people arrived yet?”
“They’re almost here…” transmitted Li Hao. “Don’t worry, senior. The situation’s not right. We might not have a chance to make a move. Given the way things were going, the Human King might not show himself even if he’s actually nearby.”
Earth Yang looked on dejectedly. That was true! That twerp Drifting Life was being all too careful.
Rumble!
A massive collision drew Earth Yang’s attention again. The gigantic Ironeater was attempting to break through the encirclement, but was once more thrown back by the five powerhouses. He was mired in the endless souls again.
Although the panda easily broke them apart, there was no end to them. Drifting Life had killed quite a number of people in his time.
etvolare’s Thoughts
Cicada... oriole... mantis... twerp.