"Roar of Time."
Bai Mu spoke without even turning his head.
"Roar—!"
Z2 seized the opportunity to strike. Its massive serpentine jaws opened wide as a beam of energy capable of disturbing time itself burst forth.
Like a raging torrent, it surged straight toward the Slaughter King.
"Block it!"
The Slaughter King roared hoarsely, forcing all his remaining strength into defense.
Blood-colored wings spread before him, and a dense crimson light condensed into what looked like an indestructible barrier.
But—
Boom!
Crack!
The instant the Roar of Time struck, the barrier shattered like glass, and the energy wave slammed heavily into his body.
"Pfft—!"
He spat out another mouthful of blood, his eyes widening as his body crashed into the rubble, barely clinging to life.
"Well?" Bai Mu said calmly, gently stroking the Slaughter Throne as he turned back to look down at him.
"Bat spirit, do you finally understand how strong I am now?"
"Weren't you arrogant just a moment ago?"
"Go on—be arrogant again. Let me see it."
"I'd really like to know how much strength you still have left."
Ugh—ah!
The Slaughter King struggled to rise, but agonizing pain wracked his entire body. Even moving a finger was difficult.
Despite possessing the regenerative abilities of the Nine-Headed Bloody Crimson Bat King, recovery was impossible in such a short time.
He never imagined that after ruling Slaughter City for so many years—
after successfully parasitizing Tang Chen during the Eighth Trial of Asura—
he would fall so completely, so miserably, at the hands of a young man.
"It's time to end this," Bai Mu said indifferently.
"Finish him. Don't waste time."
"Thousand Arrows."
"Roar—!"
Zygarde roared as green light erupted violently around its body.
Countless arrows condensed in midair, radiating terrifying killing intent as they shot toward the Slaughter King, intent on ending him once and for all.
Swish!
Suddenly, dense crimson light burst from the Slaughter King's body.
The blood-red glow in his eyes faded, replaced by clarity and sharpness.
His face transformed—becoming rugged and resolute—and the aura around him shifted rapidly.
From violent, chaotic killing intent…
to the steady, overwhelming presence of a true powerhouse.
Tang Chen had awakened.
A flash of blood-red light appeared in his hand as the massive Clear Sky Hammer swung naturally.
"Clear Sky Nine Absolutes: Crumble!"
Spirit power erupted from the hammer, forming a vast explosive shockwave that surged outward.
The impact was powerful enough to shatter formations and split the earth.
Though Tang Chen was forced to retreat step by step, he barely managed to withstand the rain of arrows.
"Oh?" Bai Mu raised an eyebrow, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Finally willing to come out?"
A playful smile curled at his lips.
"As expected of the legendary 'Invincible on the Ground.'"
"Tang Chen, you're far more interesting than that bat spirit."
Despite his words, there wasn't a hint of fear on his face.
"Kid, you really are arrogant," Tang Chen said coldly.
"But you do have the right to be. To reach such strength at your age…"
He steadied himself as the crimson light around him slowly receded.
In his hand, the Clear Sky Hammer transformed into the Asura God Sword—pitch black, etched with blood-colored patterns.
Gripping the sword, terrifying spirit power erupted from his body.
Even while suppressed by the reversed Slaughter God Domain and unable to use spirit rings, his presence remained overwhelming.
"Although you injured me," Tang Chen said calmly,
"I gained a blessing in disguise. I passed the Eighth Trial of the Asura God and obtained the recognition of the Asura God Sword."
"If you're willing to withdraw, we can let this end here."
"If you insist on staying, I can appoint you as the Second Priest, second only to myself."
"Hahaha…" Bai Mu laughed openly.
"Don't make Brother Mu laugh."
"Look at the pathetic state you're in. What are you pretending for?"
"Since you won't back down…"
"Then go die."
Tang Chen's figure flashed.
Holding the Asura God Sword, he charged forward.
The blood-colored patterns on the blade lit up, and razor-sharp sword qi tore through the air, carrying power capable of destroying heaven and earth.
"Slash!"
The Asura God Sword came down violently.
Blood-red sword qi followed, carving a deep gully into the ground and tearing a massive裂缝 in the palace ceiling.
"That's it?" Bai Mu sneered, utterly calm.
"Z2, Thousand Waves. Block it."
Z2 unleashed Thousand Waves, earth-shaking energy forming a solid barrier.
Boom!
The blood-red sword qi collided with it, producing a deafening explosion.
Shockwaves swept outward, rubble flying as the palace teetered on the verge of collapse.
"Little Soft, Sacred Fire!"
Little Soft leapt into the air, releasing blazing flames meant to burn and purify Tang Chen, whose hands were stained with countless sins.
"Clear Sky Nine Absolutes: Break!"
Tang Chen's eyes narrowed as he swung again.
Man and sword became one as he broke through the flames, charging straight at Zygarde.
"Extreme Speed!"
White light exploded upward, slamming directly against the sword blade.
Clang!
The metallic clash echoed violently.
Tang Chen's assault was halted, and Sacred Fire instantly engulfed him and Z2.
"Get out of my way!"
With an angry roar, he slashed repeatedly.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Blood-colored sword qi tore through the flames, pouring toward Bai Mu and Zygarde like a storm.
"Zygarde, Thousand Arrows!"
"Roar—!"
Countless arrows erupted from the ground around Zygarde.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each arrow carried the force to tear through spirit power, colliding with the sword qi in a dense chain of explosions.
Tang Chen swung the Asura God Sword continuously, blocking the attacks—but the arrows were endless, and their power kept increasing.
His arms gradually grew numb.
What made it worse—
the other Zygarde also joined in.
A double rain of arrows struck from both directions.
"Ah—!"
Caught off guard, Tang Chen was hit several times in succession.
Blood spilled as his aura rapidly weakened.
"Damn it…"
He felt deep frustration.
Once the strongest man on the continent, he had only just broken free from years of parasitism.
His body was heavily damaged, his strength suppressed by the reversed Slaughter God Domain, unable to use spirit rings or spirit abilities.
Relying solely on the Asura God Sword and the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, he simply couldn't match Zygarde.
If this continued, defeat was inevitable.
"Impossible… how could I lose?!"
Rage and unwillingness burned in Tang Chen's eyes.
Gathering everything he had left, he raised the Asura God Sword once more.
"Asura God Sword—Annihilate!"
A blood-colored sword qi condensed with all his remaining power erupted like a crimson dragon, charging forward in a mutual-destruction strike.
"Tang Chen, stop wasting your strength," Bai Mu sneered.
"You're simply not my match."
"Roar of Time!"
"Roar—!"
Time-distorting energy burst forth once more.
Boom!
The two attacks collided in a world-shaking explosion.
Amid the violent shockwave, the already-ruined palace finally collapsed completely.
"Pfft—!"
As the dust settled, Tang Chen spat out a mouthful of blood and fell amidst the rubble, his aura faint.
"I'll admit it," Bai Mu said as he walked forward, looking down at him.
"Slaughter King… no—Tang Chen. You're strong."
"But you're no longer at your peak."
"Years of parasitism drained you."
"You were beaten half to death by me."
"You were suppressed by your own Slaughter Domain, unable to even use spirit rings."
"With this state—how can you, an old bastard, fight me?"
Bai Mu bent down and patted Tang Chen's cheek, mockery dripping from his voice.
"I heard your Great Sumeru Hammer's Ring Explosion is powerful."
"Why don't you explode one for me to see?"
"Hahaha…"
"Explode it!"
"Why won't you explode it?"
"Is it because you can't summon your spirit rings?"
"Useless."
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