Chapter 494 |
As Maxison spoke, a web-like transmutation array spread across the entire void in an instant, with his body at its center. Nehem raised his staff and tapped the void barrier. Behind Maxison, the spatial rift widened sharply, and from within, the Seventh Holy Tower Expeditionary Legion emerged in full formation—their main cannons glimmering with icy light, all aimed squarely at the Daoyuan Heavenly Sovereign.
“You want to die?” Maxison uttered his second sentence, lifting his right arm and spreading his fingers wide before viciously grasping toward Daoyuan Heavenly Sovereign.
Maxison was not pleased. In the era of the Mage Empire, he had once been Nehem’s vassal. Even though the revolution had changed their formal standings, his respect for Nehem had never diminished. It was Nehem who had guided him onto the path of magic, who had brought him into the revolution, and—after recognizing his true potential—had severed their binding contract and granted him freedom. That was a debt of rebirth. And Maxison would allow no one to show the slightest disrespect toward Nehem in his presence.
From the tips of Maxison’s fingers erupted thousands of chains, some shooting straight toward Daoyuan Heavenly Sovereign’s projected form, others embedding into the surrounding void to connect with the expanding web. This was his True Spirit World of Transmutation—within this domain of magic, he was the absolute ruler. To fight him here was to stand against a world filled with countless ninth-tier lives.
He did not care who the intruder was, nor whether this was a true form or an avatar. As long as he could restrain Daoyuan Heavenly Sovereign, he would find a way to trace the projection back to its source and make the arrogant celestial pay the price.
On the other end, Adam commanded the fleet to retreat at full speed. He had once witnessed the aftermath of a True Spirit’s attack—outside the Qianyuan Realm, during a capture operation where power had been deliberately restrained. Now, Maxison was striking with his full might. Adam could not guarantee the fleet would survive even the residual impact.
Daoyuan Heavenly Sovereign himself could not guarantee survival either. No matter his confidence, this was only an avatar, vastly weaker than the original body. His bluster had been just that—an attempt to reclaim the remnant of the Left Arm of the True Demon through intimidation and celestial authority.
The projection flickered slightly, sending out concentric ripples of light. These waves spread outward, forming rings that collided with the magic web, slowing its advance. Simultaneously, Daoyuan’s hands moved in rapid succession, forming seals that caused the rings to erupt with impossible heat. They fused together, as if a thousand suns had appeared at once, unleashing countless blazing beams that blanketed the void and streaked directly toward Maxison.
Celestial Technique—Great Sun Radiance.
There was no way to dodge. The beams originated from Daoyuan’s own essence; reflection guaranteed a hit. His only options were to neutralize the strike—or be annihilated.
But he was a near-ascended Ninth-Tier Celestial, and his mastery was profound. Two celestial arts bloomed in an instant, cancelling Maxison’s counterattack. Now, reaching the edge of the World of Transmutation, he said calmly, “True Spirit Mage, I bear no malice—”
“Spare me the nonsense.”
Before Daoyuan could respond, Maxison’s enormous foot was already descending. All the energy within this region of the void was stripped away, converted into pure ether, and concentrated beneath his heel—then crashed downward.
Before the towering form of the True Spirit—nearly one hundred thousand kilometers tall—Daoyuan looked like a mere child.
His expression finally changed. Waves of spiritual energy burst forth from his body, and a square seal engraved with the single character (Dao) shot upward against the current, slamming toward the True Spirit Mage.
This was his celestial artifact—Heaven-Turning Seal.
As its name implied, its greatest power was reversal—reversing heaven and earth, even the laws of reality.
Even at a great distance, Adam’s fleet felt the effect. The world around them inverted—up became down, matter became void, energy became stillness. Their souls and mana nearly tore free from their bodies. The Seventh Holy Tower Expeditionary Legion jumped to their side, forming a joint defense barrier to shield the fleet from the devastating backlash.
At the heart of the battle, Maxison could not avoid the effect either. His colossal body began to distort—his downward stomp shifting unpredictably as space itself inverted.
Instead of panic, a wild grin spread across his face.
“So this is a celestial artifact? Interesting!”
Radiant platinum light burst from him, his power soaring once again. He brought his foot down hard upon the Heaven-Turning Seal—smashing it straight into Daoyuan Heavenly Sovereign’s projection.
Daoyuan could barely suppress his frustration. Every one of Maxison’s attacks was lethal in intent, and as a mere projection, he could do nothing but defend and retreat. He didn’t even have time to speak—the True Spirit gave him no such courtesy.
Daoyuan finally dove into the Heaven-Turning Seal, driving it with all his might. The massive seal slammed into the boundary of the Transmutation World, barely forcing open a narrow fissure in space. Then, compressing itself infinitely, the seal transformed into a subatomic speck—a Sumeru Particle—in a desperate bid to flee.
“Trying to run?”
Maxison sneered. His colossal form twisted as both arms spread wide and then rotated downward, refining the void into a roaring vortex that lashed toward the fleeing seal.
Nehem, who had been silent until now, also raised his staff and thrust it lightly into the rippling void. Darkly gleaming magic arrays unfurled across hundreds of light-years, and countless draconic-shaped energy constructs erupted skyward, merging with the vortex to devour the Heaven-Turning Seal.
Facing the combined assault of two True Spirits, Daoyuan knew escape was impossible. He manifested once more and blocked the attacks with his body, speaking quickly:
“The True Demon’s Left Arm shall remain in your hands for now. This sovereign shall soon ascend. When that time comes, True Spirit Mages—you are invited to witness the ceremony in the Celestial Realm.”
Then his body detonated. All his energy poured into the Heaven-Turning Seal, seeking to propel it beyond reach.
The two True Spirits were unmoved. Their magic struck without hesitation—blasting the seal head-on. The crisp sound of shattering echoed through the void. The Heaven-Turning Seal escaped… but one of its corners was missing.
———
With Maxison’s arrival and Nehem’s ascension, the legions now had two True Spirit Mages. Adam, exhausted beyond measure, handed over command. He needed rest.
The Seventh Holy Tower Expeditionary Legion took charge of the remaining battle against the fragmented Demon-Suppression Abyss and the severed Left Arm of the True Demon. The original vanguard legions began returning to Xinyati for recovery. Though exhausted, they were triumphant—heroes of the war.
Yet Adam’s mood was far from light.
He turned the broken shard of the Heaven-Turning Seal in his hand. Whatever material it was made from, it defied electromagnetic manipulation completely. The relic belonged to Maxison, but upon hearing Adam’s request, the True Spirit had casually lent it to him.
“Ascend…?” Adam murmured softly. “What does that even mean?”