Chapter 665: Confronting the Endless River
The white robed youth's calm demeanor shattered the moment the Primordial Emperor Flame appeared. His eyes filled with terror as he swiftly retreated, his hands forming a series of complex seals.
As the seals activated, a blue halo spread outward from him. Yet before it could fully expand, a strand of golden flame caught up to him, clinging to his body.
In an instant, the white robed youth was engulfed in the golden flames.
Xiao Ze frowned, not sparing the burning youth another glance. Instead, his eyes turned to the Endless River itself.
The youth's decisive reaction choosing to awaken the river without hesitation or hesitation spoke volumes. It wasn't the behavior of a normal being. There were no emotions clouding his judgment, only an unwavering commitment to his task.
Xiao Ze observed as the white robed youth was gradually reduced to nothing by the flames. He realized the youth was little more than a puppet created by the Endless River. Despite his human like behavior, his true essence was entirely bound to his master.
Now that the blue halo had triggered the river's awakening, Xiao Ze didn't bother to conceal his intentions any longer. Without hesitation, he burned the remaining figures to ashes, then focused his full attention on the river, which had begun to stir violently.
A Tremor in the Void
The Endless River churned, its waters swelling with a force so immense it caused the surrounding void to tremble.
Xiao Ze felt a vast consciousness awakening within the river.
"You've already obtained the heavenly tier Dou Technique World Destroying Torrent. Why have you come to the depths of the Endless Void?" a voice echoed, its presence emanating from the river.
Xiao Ze didn't allow the consciousness to touch him directly. His soul power created a barrier, isolating the voice's influence while he deciphered its message.
"This suits your purpose, doesn't it?" Xiao Ze replied calmly. "Rather than wait for me to use the World Destroying Torrent, lose myself to your corruption, and be devoured by you, I decided to come here myself."
His words stirred the river, sending its waters into a frenzy. After a brief silence, the voice spoke again.
"Is that so? Would it be so bad to merge with me? My existence is eternal. By becoming one with me, you too would achieve immortality."
Xiao Ze shook his head dismissively. "Eternal existence as a puppet? No, thank you."
The river roared in response, its voice now tinged with menace.
"Since you've entered my domain, your choices no longer matter."
With that declaration, the Endless River unleashed a vast surge of energy. Countless azure beams shot from its surface, each one imbued with enough power to obliterate mountains, all aimed at Xiao Ze.
The attack was as overwhelming as it was precise, targeting Xiao Ze alone.
Fire Against the Flood
Despite the onslaught, Xiao Ze stood firm. His hand ignited with the Primordial Emperor Flame, and from it, countless golden fireballs erupted, each racing to intercept the incoming azure beams.
When the flames met the beams, they ignited as though dry wood had been thrown into a raging fire. The golden flames consumed the azure energy, burning it to ash before continuing along its trajectory toward the river.
The Endless River responded with towering waves, crashing down to extinguish the advancing flames. Though the flames' power was immense, the sheer volume of the waves overwhelmed them, snuffing them out one by one.
For the first time, the Endless River ceased testing Xiao Ze and fully mobilized its might. The immense river began to extend, its flowing waters circling Xiao Ze like a coiling serpent.
Xiao Ze's expression grew serious as the river's encroachment forced him to retreat. Yet as he moved, the void around him revealed faint outlines marks of invisible river channels carved into the fabric of space.
As the river extended, these channels became tangible, creating a massive network of riverbeds stretching across the void.
The river's voice boomed again.
"There's no escape. You've entered my domain, and here, I am absolute."
The river surged with towering waves that transformed into water dragons, each lunging at Xiao Ze with ferocious intent.
Golden flames flared to life around Xiao Ze as he met the water dragons head on. The Primordial Emperor Flame incinerated them effortlessly, leaving no trace behind not even water vapor.
Yet, true to its name, the Endless River's forces were inexhaustible. As more dragons emerged, the strain on Xiao Ze's flames became evident. What began as swift annihilation devolved into mere evaporation, with steam rising from the struggle between fire and water.
The River's Trap
Amid the chaos, Xiao Ze's gaze shifted to the waters beneath him. Unlike the raging surface around him, the river directly below was eerily calm a stillness that concealed a far greater danger.
In the river's reflection, Xiao Ze saw his own image, surrounded by the same golden flames. Yet beyond his reflection, shadowy figures lurked beneath the surface, their faces twisted with malice.
The figures clawed at his reflection, their hands stretching upward as though trying to drag him into the depths to share their fate.
Though his reflection was protected by the Primordial Emperor Flame, Xiao Ze could feel their attacks draining his strength. The flames' energy consumption far exceeded what was required to fend off the water dragons.
Realizing the trap, Xiao Ze attempted to disrupt the surface with his attacks, but the water remained undisturbed, as though it existed in an entirely separate plane.
This strange and insidious assault deepened Xiao Ze's wariness of the Endless River. Its methods were as treacherous as they were formidable.
An Escape Plan
Despite the dire circumstances, Xiao Ze remained composed. He had prepared for this possibility. If the battle became untenable, he could use the Primordial Tree to retreat through the anchor he had left in the Void.
The Endless River, for all its power, could not cross the infinite expanse of space to pursue him.
As long as he remained outside the river's domain, Xiao Ze had nothing to fear. After all, the Primordial Emperor Flame was the ultimate counter to the Endless River's elemental nature.
(End of Chapter)
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