Chapter 1222: Past Grievances, Recent Enmity
The Spirit Master False God knelt before the God Position. Initially, no one realized he was actually dead, for they were simply too far from his location. Moreover, the Spirit Master False God had his back to everyone, his two heads facing the God Position with expressions of unwillingness, so they couldn't see the deathly pallor that now covered his faces.
They believed the Spirit Master False God was perhaps performing some special, unknown ritual by kneeling before the God Position. They hadn't even considered the possibility of his death until his body reverted to its normal form and his Guardian Spirit's head dissipated into strands of Yin Qi, vanishing entirely. Only then did they realize the situation was not at all as they had imagined.
Among the Spirit Masters, some seemed to guess the truth, their faces paling with dread. Conversely, on the Underworld Office side, expressions of delight spread across many faces.
As the Spirit Master False God's body returned to its normal form and the Guardian Spirit's head dissolved into Yin Qi, the Spirit Master False God's body then collapsed with a crash, tumbling down the high steps.
Those who had already suspected something was wrong with the Spirit Master False God saw this scene, and their expressions shifted once more. However, due to their differing stances, their reactions varied.
"He's dead, the Spirit Master False God is dead, the Spirit Master False God is dead! ! !"
An Underworld Official realized what had happened and immediately shouted with an excited expression. Though his words carried no special power, the sheer force of his emotion made his voice carry far and wide.
His cry served as an alarm to those who hadn't yet grasped the situation, and to those who were still unsure. Some refused to believe it was true, others knew it was but couldn't accept it, while still others, once they realized, immediately erupted in excited cheers.
"He's dead, truly dead! !"
The Underworld Office side was naturally overjoyed by the death of the Spirit Master False God. Conversely, the Spirit Masters were disheartened, or more accurately, utterly despairing. The Spirit Master False God was their spiritual pillar, the motivation that sustained them through this great war. Now, with this pillar collapsing before their very eyes, their hearts were instantly filled with despair.
On the outer edge of the Apotheosis Platform, two figures still stood suspended in the air, facing each other in confrontation. These two were none other than the Death God and the Talisman Ancestor, both True Gods.
Like the fallen Spirit Master False God, these two great deities were also covered in blood, with numerous wounds across their bodies. It was clear they had endured an earth-shattering battle within the black hole.
Although the two great deities were scarred, they had not, unlike the Spirit Master False God, lost their lives. This was the difference between them. However, from the varying sizes of the wounds on their bodies, it was evident their injuries were certainly not light.
The Talisman Order also belonged to the Spirit Master faction. The death of the Spirit Master False God was a significant blow to the Talisman Masters of the Talisman Order. After all, they were on the same front as the Spirit Masters. The Spirit Master False God's death brought them no benefit; instead, it would subject them to even greater pressure. Fortunately, their Talisman Ancestor had not died in battle like the Spirit Master False God, which was a blessing amidst misfortune for them. Thus, they were merely disheartened, not plunged into despair like the Spirit Masters.
"A dignified True God, resorting to sneak attacks? As a fellow True God, I truly find your actions shameful."
The Talisman Ancestor looked at the Death God facing him. He gently wiped away the blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, then spoke indifferently. His tone was calm, yet his words carried a strong sarcasm.
Upon hearing this, the Death God's cold face showed no emotional fluctuation. However, he did not remain silent, but instead retorted coldly.
"Is it not shameful for the two of you to gang up on me? You're allowed to team up, but I'm not allowed to sneak attack?"
The Talisman Ancestor's expression subtly changed, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Hmph, you're just twisting words!"
The Death God's expression remained unchanged, but a flicker of mockery crossed his eyes.
"Might makes right. The means employed are irrelevant; what matters is the outcome. Right now, he is dead, and I am alive. That is the outcome."
The Talisman Ancestor fell silent for a moment, then nodded, his face grim.
"Indeed, might makes right. You've won this time, but whether you'll be so lucky next time is hard to say."
Upon hearing this, a hint of mocking smile appeared on the Death God's calm face.
"By the sound of it, you're preparing to flee?"
The Talisman Ancestor's expression remained unchanged as he retorted to the Death God.
"What, do you intend to keep me here as well?"
The Death God nodded, then gave a firm reply.
"Indeed, I do intend to keep you here. Since you voluntarily involved yourself in the struggle between our Underworld Office and the Spirit Masters, you are our Underworld Office's enemy. Not just you, but your entire Talisman Order as well. Do you think I would let you leave? If it were you, would you let me leave?"
The Talisman Ancestor sensed the intense killing intent within the Death God's words, yet his expression didn't change much. He remained outwardly fearless.
"You and I are both True Gods. I believe you should know how difficult it is to slay a True God. Our conflict has not been a matter of a day or two. Without external aid, I cannot slay you, and without external aid, you shouldn't think of slaying me either. If you insist on fighting to the bitter end, it will likely only benefit others. Although both of us are not lightly wounded right now, if others wish to seize this opportunity to take us down, they may not succeed, nor may they even attempt it. But if you insist on dragging this battle out, leaving us both with severely depleted combat strength, I believe you understand what the ultimate outcome will be without me needing to say more."
The Talisman Ancestor had expected his words to make the Death God hesitate, but the outcome was somewhat surprising. The Death God's expression remained unchanged by his remarks.
"Our grievances over these countless years have always been personal, never targeting our respective factions. But this time, you've broken that unspoken rule, actually colluding with Spirit Masters to attack my Underworld Office. This grievance is no longer just a personal one; it is now a matter between your Talisman Order and our Underworld Office. Therefore, neither publicly nor privately can I let you go. If others wish to be 'the oriole behind', then let's see if they have the skill and the guts. If they dare to come, I will certainly dare to accompany them to the very end!"
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