Chapter 187: The Betrayer

Palochevia and Everburning Flame simultaneously eased their attacks. Everburning Flame positioned himself before the Azure Sovereign, while Palochevia rapidly挥出 dozens of tendrils of arcane aura. Each underling caught a wisp upon their bodies.

Receiving this boost of arcane energy, even several dukes experienced notable increases in dexterity. Instantly, they widened the distance between themselves and the ongoing battle.

Even if they possessed the famed weapon Shen An Blessed Gun, Palochevia and Everburning Flame were unprepared for just how formidable the Azure Sovereign’s power proved, so terrifyingly overwhelming that they nearly ended up at the disadvantage despite holding a two-against-one advantage.

Behind the Azure Sovereign’s elegant and composed facade existed terrifying combat power no less formidable than a famed weapon, with attack speed both shocking and otherworldly. United together, he unleashed battle capabilities nigh unopposable, nearly unstoppable.

Though Palochevia and Everburning Flame recognized that prolonging the battle just a little further would cause the Azure Sovereign to collapse spontaneously from sheer exhaustion, during that delay they still faced grave risks.

If facing the Azure Sovereign alone, they would likely consider only the option of dodging their opponent’s fiercest assault. The Azure Sovereign was already in his final phases of life. Each fully-forceful strike drained whatever remained of his life essence, thus he absolutely could not continue like so for long.

Now, the Shadowless Monarch had arrived, and the will to retreat had thus naturally emerged. After all, both mighty Monarchs were at their prime and held no particular desires to give their all against each other recklessly. Even should they eliminate the Sovereign, if it meant suffering serious wounds themselves, then such effort would hardly be a wise investment.

Seeing as the demon-blooded mighty Monarchs intended to withdraw, the Azure Sovereign stated mildly: “Since all of you have arrived, is it too disrespectful indeed to leave without giving some parting token?”

Spreading his hands wide, his fingertips shimmered in azure glow. Threads linked two by two between the glints, eventually forming an intricate network. With one sweep of the hands, dozens of azure strings flew forth like electricity—racing sharply towards the retreating mighty monarchs alongside powerful ducal demonic scions.

As these lines traversing midair, they left nothing more than shadowy fluctuations. Palochevia face suddenly shifted alarmingly with great panic while he shouted: “Do not bother blockinng! Evade at once!”

Too swift to respond fully, however,, his caution lagged just slightly behind. Witnessing those approaching blue streaking threads, two dukes and a sub-duke on instinct chose defense. Yet immediately panic set in. Neither their weapons held firm in hand, nor any grand monarchic dark energy shields, armors worn, nor even the flesh and blood that composed their being, could so much as delay even one azure strand of its swift path.

Once each streaking blue glow passed through the air, it revealed the true nature of the trailing soft shading behind: slices within space itself severed into layers.

The life flames of these three ducal ranked beings immediately scattered to vanishing. Slashed right through down the heart, their arcane nuclei were severed clean. Although both monarch-ranked powers were present, they still lacked even the possibility of saving such fallen.

Of course, despite their remarkable velocity, the azure light threads could not strike down Palowhevia and Everburning Flame in time. What confronted only these two formidable beings were six such azure strings dispatched each way—one thrown merely to prevent their attempts at rescuing others below their command.

This unparalleled power of the azure threads also brought along colossal cost. Blood pressure plummeted instantly immediately after the Azure Sovereign released, dropping straight down one level before stabilizing. Paying such a frightful tribute of his own vitality, with instantaneous elimination of three formidable dukes under both monarchs, even though nearing collapse in this moment, still faintly could observers sense the grand风采 of this peerless figure harking back to the ancient eras.

The Sovereign with his hands behind his back sneered coldly, speaking, “Yet this business remains unresolved…”

He stopped in a sudden hush, staring slightly stunned downward toward the hand protruding from his own chest—the palm holding a blood nucleus glittered like brilliant sky blue jewels.

Reversing with his head, Azure recognized Medonzo, the Shadowless Sovereign. Now Medonzo’s eyelid twitched, expression already grotesque with rage nearly twisted.

To deceive the Azure Sovereign from detecting real locations, Medonzo actively camouflaged aura of the true essence, cleverly leaving deceptive signs deliberately on his approach route. Thus capitalizing completely on familiarity with Raynolt’s tendencies and upon a crucial, exhausted lull post-grand-battle to successfully land a shocking sneak attack—an outcome that caught Medonzo himself almost unprepared. So swift had been success that except confirming the tangible crimson crystal clenched, for a transient flicker confusion took him utterly.

“Indeed, you’re he…” the Azure realization dawned.

Glancing furtively, Medonzo blood surged chaotically within him—clearly emotions remained at their peak of volatility—the ferocity evident in his diabolical smile: “You still prove so sly—to distribute life-secured techniques among others! Yet this only imposes mere trivial inconvenience against what truly awaits. Even had you relocated their refuge toward the highest continent, undoubtedly in future still we would find a means, no evasion ever entirely permanent in our pursuit.”

Yet within the present moment, Azure Sovereign already steadied all astonishment, centuries of experiences having inured his perceptions, calm retorting: “And you betraying Crimson River, having broken with your Queen—as the consequence of treachery looms not long.”

Then rising agitation seized Medonzo: calling aloud in passion, “The Crimson River? Your queen indeed? A joke too ridiculous! Every passing annum carries the Crimson River further from my grasp—I’ve already sensed my mark begin fading from clear! So tell me truly now—are their forsaking of me not the actual treachery here?! If still clinging blindly to dependence to the Crimson River, every last pureblood among us will doomedly fade to extinction without reversal!! Just moments I lose this mark of old…so how can a sovereign rank persist thereafter??”

He paused breathless, before continuing with bitter hatred: “Concerning the Queen—if not sleeping endlessly, know she nothing further beyond!! Throughout eons gone past, has she not awakened rarely—if at all?? Who else governs the day’s affairs both internal and external in her long slumber, if not myself alone? While bearing responsibility across these countless years, has she ever taken heed toward any of my achievements??? She has favored and raised that petty creature Habes far over me!! He being nothing else but some princely scion, lucky only to kindle briefly that flame. What longevity compares against my marking, so old in its foundation!? Furthermore even!! When she alone possessed potential granting of one Source-blood drop—instead granting it not unto my unwavering service?!! How well indeed!! Does she recognize I waited centuries, seeking only a chance for purifying noble descent??!!”

A momentary silence hung, where Medonzo gritted his fangs in rage, spitting, “Don’t worry! She would never awaken and know all happening here! Forever left undisturbed in endless dormant oblivion!! Despite that elusive wandering halls forever wandering in astral void where none could find—we only need block her escape point hidden within Dim Light continent to assure her eternal ignorance!! Let her someday reawaken—already everything far outpacing any attempt at salvation!! And as to you yourself…Azure King…just as her, it’s well passed the time which death overtook!!”

From beside Medenso stepped Everburning Flame’s voice quietly affirm: “He has already expired.”

Startling, Medonso realized in shock that the Azure Sovereign’s vitality was fully snuffed. Still within that sight, the Sovereign held the clear unbroken expression of mercy which pierced deeply in the soul and provoked a sudden flare of senseless fury.

Medonzo eventually recalled his high stature; he snorted and removed his hand out through the chest wound, letting his kill’s body slump into oblivion.

However falling Azure never reached ground—soft waves of ethereal power caught and cushioned his descent, bringing him smoothly floating before Palowhevian presence.

Palowhevia caught the corpse with both hands gently. Then he immediately passed the lifeless body over to a ducal associate beside him, giving instruction: “Transport for decent internment.”

Dutiful bows, this figure summoned arcane force once more; levitating the mighty being above hovered gently ahead atop him. Neither allowing bare arms’ touch nor allowing himself to bear below—thus expressed his immense reverence indeed!

True might always commands great esteem—in the case of this Azure King, three dikes eliminated did not detract slightest honor due to such a noble adversary. Therefore, such respect paid naturally won acceptance by fellow arcane clans.

The sight provoked intense distaste within Medonzo.

The moment Everburning Flame suddenly extended his hand forward: “Hand it over.”

Glancing coldly and narrowing his eyes further: “Still belongs this as our clan matter.”

“The item here sought directly by Emperor Demon Lord himself.”

“Doubt Emperor shall pursue even it?!” Medonzo challenged, resisting further, still clutching it, wishing to conceal it.

Even against all odds, last battle had demonstrated Azure’s exceptional potential—whetting desire to covet the blood nucleis Medonzo.

Comparatively—this Sovereign, in life bearing vastly superordinate bloodline rank far beyond Medonzo’s, even at the precipice of his terminal state still exhibited an approaching collapse-level potency of this core—a perfect gift, offering absorption potential without danger of retaliatory backlash. Valuable so potentially, perhaps even paralleling even so prized a drop from Selene blood!

“But why does a demigod emperor need this??”

Noticing hesitancy to relinquish nucleis from Medonzo, Everburned slightly drew aside while silently, Palwhevia materialized closer at proximity, closing both sides in around Medenzo—threats unmistakably looming.

Everburning calm then murmured: “Having broken with the Night Queen already once—perhaps now seeking betrayal anew toward Emperor Demonic Majesty!! Perhaps consider now—canst thou attempt a bid for protection from the Web-Laced Matriarch—if thou manage somehow yet survive this meeting.”

Huge uneasiness over took Medens, far from that mighty figure Azure himself capable of dominating sky itself. His own chances of escape from a duo such mighties remained near nil. To where exactly could he hope flee? Judging by today’s treachery should Queen awake once more, likely her blade’s first target might become Medo rather than the Demon Clans at War.

With clenched fury restrained but barely contained, he thrust the Crimson Core forward. Declaring: “Loyal still, remain I in faithful servant to Emperor Demon Lord.”

“That’s reassuring to hear. Rest assure—he, will repay you loyalty, most fittingly.” Everburning reached forth carefully taking the artifact.

For no explaination known even to his mind clearly now—a strong unsettling unease crept over him watching Everburn take it away.

Palochevia surveyed his vicinity. Addressing remaining two demon-dukes with commands: “Stay behind here for total cleanup. Ensure absolutely no signs, no remnant, nothing. Complete all before Haubs arrival.”

With post-battle orders laid proper, Palocche via addressed Mendoza again, “The Blood clan requires you maintaining secrecy on all fronts. At no cost before our planned achievement complete must Night-Queen awaken.”

Meek nodding: “Be assured, none now of other Blood-kin remain but I currently operational. Others shall never dare disobey.”

Everburning’s facial gesture shifted slightly, voicing caution: “Remember we still must wary of Habus.”

Dark eyes flashed killing intent as Medens murmured sinisterly: “Otherwise, make it simplest by just forcing him return to the blood pool asleep for another hundred years?”

Palochevia spoke dismissingly: “Dealing with habes, Emperor has distinct arrangement already planned. Best leave such details be. Go!”

Resentfully, but resignedly Medens could only depart.

Emperor’s prior instruction has sternly cautioned all against causing large disturbance—even Sosso previously received it, still equally applied on himself without exception. Demanding each race keep external calm, Emperor himself forbade unauthorize act, meaning that despite his capacity and might to forcibly return Habus sleeping deep in the bloody womb—such action must absolutely not taken lightly unless officially commanded.

Deep within the sanctuary in tiny rock shrine sat alone within the Azure Purgative Pool—Qian Ye stirred gradually sitting upright in this new wakening. This time eyes gleamed with clarity—entirely different from previously lost confusion.

Survey his own person as the once-Azure-infused water had turned plain clear with lifeless clarity now drained completely as every ounce once residing vital energies—transferred and now fully absorbed into Qianye himself.

He stretched the limbs as he began rising slowly beyond the purgative basin’s rim, grabbed the nearby clothings preparatory attire—but suddenly arrested.

His senses detected something crucially altered: both the heart pulsing and arcane core which he perceived once embedded inside his chest cavity were fully absent. Only the slowly rotating Book of the Black rotating serenely in center within chest space left unchanged and intact there.