The lifeless body of Mascar had barely fallen upon the rocky battlefield when the balance of the entire atmosphere shattered. Only moments ago, silence had ruled the battlefield. Now, waves of fury and bloodlust spread in every direction.
The disbelief in Humbha's eyes was replaced by nothing but uncontrollable rage. "Mascar...!" Her scream echoed throughout the Mehan Mountains. For a bit moment, the entire battlefield fell into silence, as if Mascar's death had stolen the breath from every soul present. She gripped her staff tightly with both hands. Crimson and black spiritual energy burst forth from it with terrifying intensity. A crimson glow spread across her face, while her eyes became shrouded in thick black smoke. The sky around her began to tremble. Thunder roared across the sky. It seemed as though even nature itself had become frightened by her wrath.
But Lily did not retreat even a single step. She calmly summoned her own staff. Red and pale white spiritual energy began revolving around her body. There was no fear on her face, only a deep, quiet resolve, as if she knew this fight was no longer about power, but about belief.
Almost instantly, both staffs collided in the middle of the sky with a deafening roar. The impact was so overwhelming that the sky itself seemed to split into two. Waves of spiritual energy spread in every direction. Chaos erupted among both armies standing below. The massive rocky ground shook violently. Many soldiers lost their footing. The echo of the collision still hung in the air when the soldiers of both armies instinctively took a step back.
"No one is to move from their position!" Lith Yakshini's commanding voice echoed across the battlefield. The moment her order rang out, the army of Kankal City immediately regained its composure.
On the opposite side, unrest had begun spreading through the army of the Chintamani Empire as well. Lela immediately stepped forward. "Maintain your formations!" Such authority filled her voice that even the frightened soldiers quickly regained their discipline.
But then King Omas slowly rose from his throne. As he stood, a heavy silence descended over the entire sky, as though the battle had ceased to be personal and had become a war between empires.There was no emotion left in his eyes. He extended his right hand. Within moments, black spiritual energy began swirling around him, and a sharp, terrifying black sword materialized in his grasp.
Without the slightest warning, he shot toward Lily like a bolt of lightning. "Watch out!" Master Jins instantly appeared before him. Their swords collided with a thunderous roar. Violent waves of spiritual energy spread throughout the sky.
Master Jins spoke in a calm yet stern voice. "Omas... I believed you would honor your own word."
King Omas gave no reply. He merely lowered his sword slightly and gestured toward Lela in the distance. Lela immediately understood. She raised her voice and commanded, "Archers! Target~Master Jins!"
Within an instant, thousands of bowstrings were drawn simultaneously. Countless arrows covered the sky as they flew toward Master Jins. Master Jins immediately vanished and retreated. But that was precisely the opportunity King Omas had been waiting for. He rushed directly toward Lily.
His sword crashed against Lily's staff. The tremendous impact hurled Lily several meters backward through the air. Her arms had gone numb, yet the same unbreakable determination still burned in her eyes, as if pain could not stop her. At the same moment, Master Jins hurried to her side.
Now four figures stood facing one another in the sky~King Omas, Humbha, Master Jins, and Lily. There was no room left for doubt. All four of them were cultivators at the Lower Level of the Seventh Stage. For the first time, Lily realized that Humbha's true strength was equal to her own. And Omas... He too stood at the very same level.
Meanwhile, Liora quickly descended and supported the wounded Snehwal. "Are you fine?" she asked anxiously. Snehwal slowly nodded while struggling to breathe. "I... can still fight..." His words were still floating in the air when a wave of worry crossed Liora's face.The shadow behind them suddenly began moving unnaturally. The Shadow Messenger emerged from the darkness itself. His sword was already thrusting toward Snehwal's back when a jolt of lightning shot through Liora's body.
However, Liora had already sensed his presence. She instantly extended her hand. Within a moment, her sword materialized. Their blades collided as she blocked the attack. The resulting shockwave tore through the surrounding air. Liora immediately grabbed Snehwal and pulled him several meters backward through the sky. Her eyes remained fixed upon the Shadow Messenger.
"So... you're at the Higher Level of the Sixth Stage..." she said coldly. "But attacking through deception does not suit you." There was no anger in her tone, only a cold, clear hatred.
The Shadow Messenger laughed softly. Only darkness existed within his eyes. "Darkness... It seeks only victory. No matter what must be done to obtain it."
Meanwhile, Lela raised her sword toward the heavens. Her voice echoed across the entire battlefield. "Army of the Chintamani Empire! Crush the rebels!"
On the opposite side, Lith Yakshini also stepped forward. She raised her staff high into the air. Her voice ignited the hearts of every soldier. "Comrades! Today, evil shall come to an end! Today we do not fight merely a war... Today, we shall establish a righteous king upon this land! Attack!!"
Battle cries rose from both sides, but beneath that roar lay a hidden fear~that after today, nothing would ever be the same again. Moments later, the vast army of the Chintamani Empire collided with the mighty army of Kankal City. Swords clashed. Spears shattered. A rain of arrows filled the sky. The field slowly became stained with blood.
The battle was no longer between merely two individuals... History itself had descended upon the battlefield. And the price that history would demand... Was still unknown to everyone.