“Arrogant wretch!” one of the Quartet Celestial Guards barked, stepping forward as thunder peeled behind his words. “Ms. Dusko, allow me to show this fiend exactly how sharp the temple’s sword can cut!”
Onneas inclined head. “Go… Let taste the weight of the Celestial Palace.”
The guard flickered, one heartbeat, was at Onneas’ side, the next materialized before Soul Devourer, spear driving straight for the demon’s chest. A tidal roar of sanctified energy surged from the weapon, promising to shatter more than flesh.
Shock flashed across Soul Devourer’s face. Black miasma erupted from his core and congealed into a jagged shield, desperate to blunt the holy thrust.
Boom! Light and shadow collided in an explosive wave that cratered the plaza, stone tiles dropping into the earth like dominoes.
The guard’s spear ricocheted. forcing back several paces. Sweat pearled across his paling skin. Across from him, Soul Devourer shuddered, a smear of inky blood sliding from one corner of his mouth.
“A mere guard and yet that strong?” The demon’s yellow eyes widened, equal parts awe and fury. “I truly underestimated Celestial Palace’s hatchlings…”
Yet the truth gnawed at him. Although could still vaporize most level six cultivators with a gesture, facing a Celestial Guard from level right, an elite already rooted in the Human Immortal Realm Level Five, was beginning to tax the ragged edges of his half-mended power.
He had to buy time. Only when his new body finished condensing would everything, heaven, earth, even death itself, lose its power to frighten him.
Once that moment arrived, could stand unfazed even before cultivators from level nine.
The Celestial Guard snarled, lunging again at Soul Devourer. His golden spear carved blazing arcs through the air. Each shimmering after-image felt as heavy as a mountain.
Soul Devourer dared not meet those blows head-on. He weaved aside, swirling pitch-black demonic aura that lashed back like barbed whips.
Gold light and obsidian haze collided above the capital. Thunderous impacts ripped rooftops apart and split the flagstones below Into bottomless chasms.
Across the sky, Caiden, one of the demon generals, darted toward a second Celestial Guard. His midnight spear, slick with sinister aura, shot straight for the guard’s breastplate.
“Courting death!” the guard barked, sweeping up his own weapon to Intercept.
Clang!
Metal screamed. Gold power and black corruption braided together, flaring into a ribbon of searing light.
Shockwaves surged down Caiden’s arm. His muscles quivered, and staggered back several steps before could force his heels to bite into the floating rubble.
The Celestial Guard laughed, cold and contemptuous. “That scrap of strength? You dare strut before us?”
With that, charged once more, and their duel ignited in earnest. Seeing their comrade engaged, the remaining two demon generals hurled themselves at the last pair of Celestial Guards. In an instant, four separate battles blazed across the firmament.
Gold and shadow clashed without pause. The whole of Celestia City trembled, its stone foundations groaning as if the city might crumble any second.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Jared, Aurelius, Artemis, and the others also began their duels against Demonic Cultivators.
On the shattered streets below, Jared moved like lightning. Dragonslayer Sword sang in his grip, golden sword energy coiling around him. Every swing harvested another Demonic Cultivator’s life. He blurred through enemy ranks, a silent reaper no one could pin down.
Aurelius refused to be outshone. His own gold blade swept in broad, devastating arcs, each strike carrying the weight of a falling sky. In the face of his powerful sword technique, the Demonic Cultivators simply didn’t stand a chance.
Beside them, Artemis and the disciples of Herb Sect wove healing light and lethal spells together. Pearls of white energy rained upon the Demonic Cultivators, burning holes straight through corrupted flesh.
