"Void, what are you trying to do?"
The Soul Emperor's gaze was icy cold, his eyes boring straight into Void Swallowing Flame. The two had always maintained a relationship of equals. Though the Soul Emperor had always suppressed Void Swallowing Flame in terms of raw power, he had never attempted to devour him—because the latter was still of great use to his grand plan.
But that didn't mean the Soul Emperor ever let down his guard.
"Hun Tiandi, must you ask what you already know?"
The mask had finally slipped. Of the eight ancient Tou She Jade Flames, seven had already been gathered. Even the most elusive jade of the ancient clans had been secured. One more, and the gate to the Ancient God's domain would open—the legacy of the Ancient God within reach.
The Soul Clan's thousand-year scheme was in its final stage.
And now, the Soul Emperor had been gravely wounded. Could there be a better opportunity for Void Swallowing Flame?
He had schemed for years, all for this one shot at ascending to the Dou God Realm.
Previously, the Soul Emperor's cultivation had kept him under constant suppression. He had no opportunity to break free—otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life venturing into the Titled Palace to steal pills that could push him to the peak of Nine-Star Dou Saint.
He had planned for everything—except that the palace's mount was even stronger than the Soul Emperor himself. That miscalculation had left him heavily injured.
But now, the opportunity stood right before him. As a true antagonist, Void Swallowing Flame wouldn't pass up the chance.
"Hmph. Void, you overestimate yourself."
The Soul Emperor's expression darkened. Though caught off-guard by the sudden ambush, he quickly regained his composure. His gaze swept over Void Swallowing Flame, and a cold sneer tugged at his lips.
"You think you're worthy of striking me?"
Void Swallowing Flame laughed instead of getting angry. What he feared most was the Soul Emperor showing no emotion. That calm demeanor—that was when he was truly dangerous.
They had known each other for millennia. Void Swallowing Flame understood the Soul Emperor's nature well. He was ruthless. If he had the strength to crush Void Swallowing Flame outright, he would have done it already—instead of wasting time talking.
"Heh. If it were before, I wouldn't be your match. But now…"
Void Swallowing Flame's gaze drifted to the gaping wound in the Soul Emperor's abdomen. Silver light flickered faintly as tendrils of life force leaked from the wound.
He shook his head, pride gleaming in his eyes. His figure blurred as a surge of black flame burst from his palm, forming a massive flaming hand that lunged toward the Soul Emperor.
Strike first to gain the upper hand—strike late and suffer the consequences. Strike while he's wounded, take his life!
The black flames roared violently, imbued with terrifying devouring power. Even the space around the Soul Heaven Emperor seemed frozen in place.
"Hmph."
With a low snort, the Soul Emperor's body surged with black mist. In an instant, the massive Blood Vitality Formation beneath him erupted.
A towering pillar of blood-red energy shot upward, surrounding him completely in a protective cocoon. The space trembled as the pillar pulsed with overwhelming life force.
Sssssssss…
Tendrils of blood-colored mist curled upward. The flaming black hand grasped the energy pillar tightly, scorching it with relentless heat.
Frightening energy poured into the black flame palm, gradually consuming the pillar. As the light dimmed and shrank, the Soul Emperor remained still, eyes shut in concentration. Within the pillar, his body radiated thick black mist that surged upward and coalesced into a vortex of dark energy.
"Go."
With a single palm strike, the black vortex above transformed into a massive void—spreading like a black hole. Black mist surged and rapidly enveloped the entire Blood Vitality Formation.
"Fall."
A cold, emotionless command. The void descended from above, bearing down on Void Swallowing Flame.
Looking up at the falling void, Void Swallowing Flame let out a relaxed chuckle.
A black hole? That was his signature move. When did the Soul Emperor gain the right to use his technique?
From within his body, black flames surged out and spread in all directions. In mere moments, the flames blanketed the entire Blood Vitality Formation.
The terrifying aura grew thicker. Black fire blazed across the skies. Void Swallowing Flame raised one finger. Instantly, the flames coalesced into a black vortex, hurtling toward the Soul Emperor's own void vortex.
"Rise."
Sensing Void Swallowing Flame's actions, the Soul Emperor's aura shifted. His gaze dropped to the Blood Vitality Formation beneath him. With a flick of his finger, the formation rumbled violently, releasing an ancient aura that swept through the void across tens of thousands of miles.
"Kill."
The formation awakened. Space shattered. The condensed blood energy transformed into a blood-red blade, leaping forth.
The blood blade pulsed with spiritual energy, its edge gleaming with deadly intent. It tore through space like a living predator.
"Go."
With a flick of his finger, the blade shot toward Void Swallowing Flame.
Void Swallowing Flame paused in surprise. He hadn't expected such a powerful counterattack. His eyes narrowed, but he quickly smirked again.
"Just a last gasp."
His gaze once more locked onto the wound in the Soul Emperor's abdomen. The silver glow pulsed even more fiercely now. Void Swallowing Flame didn't believe he could last much longer.
Whoosh!
Void Swallowing Flame moved. The void beneath his feet crumbled. Black flame poured out of him, transforming into a massive obsidian finger that struck the blood blade from above.
Boom!
A devastating collision. The finger radiated horrifying devouring energy, draining the surrounding power.
Meanwhile, the blood blade continued to release slashing waves of energy, tearing rifts in space and gouging the heavens with every blow.
The black vortex above spread like a net across the sky. Each strike from the blood blade made it tremble violently.
BOOM!
With a thunderous explosion, the net was torn apart. The remaining power of the blood blade gathered into one final strike. The Soul Emperor's eyes flashed with killing intent as he extended a single finger—piercing through Void Swallowing Flame's defenses.
Whoosh!
The blade slashed through the air. The condensed energy of blood and life surged forward. Void Swallowing Flame faltered, his face darkening.
"Damn it… I haven't fully recovered either…"
As the black vortex was shredded, Void Swallowing Flame was reminded of his own injuries. Though he had healed significantly, he was still far from his peak.
As the blade of energy bore down on him, rage flared in his eyes. With a shout, black flames surged around him, condensing into another giant finger that struck forward.
BOOM!
A cataclysmic explosion shook the Soul Realm to its core. A storm of raw power swept across the land, unstoppable and overwhelming.
The Blood Vitality Array churned, scarlet radiance flickering through the surrounding void. Between heaven and earth, a vast and overwhelming devouring force surged forth, causing the entire formation to tremble violently.
Crimson blood essence clashed against black flames, erupting at the center of impact and rippling outward in all directions. In an instant, the force engulfed the entire array, shrouding it in a storm of energy.
Boom! Boom! Boom! …
Thunderous explosions echoed from within the formation, the energy fluctuations tearing through the very fabric of the world. Beneath the feet of the two combatants, the ground split open, revealing bottomless fissures as the earth quaked and mountains swayed.
Boom!
Once again, a single finger strike collided with a blade of energy, triggering another terrifying outburst. Both Void Swallowing Flame and Soul Emperor were blasted backward by the collision.
The aura within Void Swallowing Flame's body dimmed slightly, but his spirit burned brighter than ever. His gaze locked onto the battered Soul Emperor across the battlefield, and a faint smile curled upon his lips.
"Victory isn't always about who's stronger, it's about who lives longer."
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