Chapter 185: The Razor’s Edge of Azure

In the brief span of time it took for Ye Tong and Qian Ye to traverse the void, the ancient castle of the Azure King had crumbled into nothingness, even the mountain on which it was built had been flattened.

Amidst the wreckage, tendrils of black mist wafted through the air, carrying an indescribable stench of decay and ruin. Yet, amidst this desolation, specks of light floated, burning like flames, and they were none other than the purest of dawn origin power.

The Azure King extended a hand, summoning a shield of azure light that enveloped him. Around him, there were dozens of mysterious, black-robed figures, their bodies exuding immense power, firing volleys of bullets at his barrier. Every now and then, one of these robed figures would shoot a wisp of black gas, drifting towards the Azure King’s shield.

Though seemingly insignificant, each wisp of black gas, upon landing, would cause the Azure King’s shield to tremble violently, indicating its formidable power.

Under the relentless assault of the surrounding forces, the Azure King was visibly struggling to hold his ground. The black-robed figure in the center, with a presence as deep and unfathomable as the abyss, seemed even more powerful than the Azure King. Wisps of black gas shot out from his hands, and with each emission, his body would shudder slightly, revealing the immense strain he was under.

These wisps of black gas, upon hitting the Azure King’s shield, would coalesce and adhere to it, gradually eroding it, dissipating only after a long while. If measured by the exchange of origin power, it often took twice the amount of azure gas to neutralize a single wisp of black gas.

Azure gas was the very essence of the Azure King’s bloodline, the source of his greatness, and not to be taken lightly. The grade, or at least the destructive power, of the black gas, was far superior, truly astonishing.

At that moment, the black-robed figure in the center moved, as if to leave, but the Azure King shifted in response, blocking his path, precisely intercepting his direction of departure.

Realizing his intention had been discovered, the black-robed figure slowly removed his hood, revealing a sharp-featured, eagle-eyed elder—a demonkin of the Mesfheld family, and its current patriarch, Palochia. Staring at the Azure King, he said, “You really want to stop me? What is the point of this?”

The Azure King replied, “I knew this day would come, but I did not expect it to happen so soon. Could you not wait a few more decades? By then, I might have already returned to the Blood River and spared myself all this trouble.”

Palochia countered, “Waiting a century longer would not have been a problem, but no one could have foreseen the opening of the new world at this precise moment. Of course, we cannot let such an opportunity slip. Tell me, are you truly willing to protect Ye Tong to the death? Your bond with her is a relic of ancient times. Now, she clearly does not hold you in high regard; her heart belongs solely to Qian Ye.”

The Azure King smiled lightly, “You demonkin are all cold-blooded creatures, never understanding what it means to care. There is no point in explaining to you.”

Palochia retorted, “I indeed do not understand these useless things. What good do feelings and love bring? They only make one weak. You have been influenced too much, and all it does is lead to foolish actions. For example, you are doing something very foolish right now. We want Qian Ye, a mixed-blood who dares to claim the title of Child of Darkness. Why do you insist on protecting him? If you step aside, I can guarantee Ye Tong’s life will be spared.”

The Azure King sighed, “You truly do not understand. I will not step aside. Do as you must.”

Palochia spoke slowly, “When you once ruled the world, I had not yet been born. But now, I wield the Deep Dark Blessing, and you are at the end of your days. The outcome of this battle is clear.”

The Azure King replied, “It is true that the Mesfhelds have reached their current standing under your leadership, but you are mistaken. Even with the Deep Dark Blessing, you may not be able to defeat me. Where is the Everburning Flame? Since you have come, there is no need to hide. Show yourself.”

From the void, a pale flame emerged, vaguely forming a human silhouette, as if in greeting, before vanishing back into the flame.

Facing two demonkin great lords, the Azure King remained unafraid, saying, “Then I shall not hold back.”

The Everburning Flame retreated a hundred meters, indicating he would not intervene for the moment. This meant that the lord of the Mesfhelds, Palochia, wielding the Deep Dark Blessing, would face the Azure King alone.

Palochia seemed pleased, stating, “After this battle, the Deep Dark Blessing may need a new keeper.”

The Everburning Flame’s flames rippled, responding, “If so, all the better.”

The Azure King was patient, waiting for the two demonkin great lords to finish their conversation. In truth, the surface of the land was not ideal for a great lord-level battle, especially not for a coordinated attack. Once a great lord’s domain was activated, the numerous attackers would have to spread out, and the terrain would crumble under the force of the fight.

Thus, the fact that they had chosen to enter this secret valley instead of fighting in the outer void made the Azure King realize that their primary target was not to ambush him, but to pursue Qian Ye and Ye Tong.

Glancing at the distant horizon, Palochia saw the faint azure ring fading away, and decided to act, declaring, “Today, you shall witness the true form of the Deep Dark Blessing!”

The Deep Dark Blessing in his hands transformed into a ball of black light, continuously spewing tendrils of black gas, shooting towards the Azure King.

Still holding his ground, the Azure King asked, “Do you not fear the Queen’s retribution? No matter how strong the Demon Emperor may be, he has not yet matched her accomplishments.”

Undeterred, Palochia continued his assault, “That is none of your concern. Without one of us, how can the bloodline oppose us?”

The Azure King smiled faintly, “You think you can keep me here? How confident you are!”

Suddenly, the previously defensive Azure King moved, tracing a rhombus in the air with his right hand. Pushing forward, his finger released a burst of azure light, forming multiple rhombic mirrors. As the black gas from the Deep Dark Blessing struck the mirrors, it was absorbed and redirected, aiming straight back at Palochia.

Startled, Palochia instantly shot upward, but the Azure King was faster, stepping on a patch of azure light and appearing above him, creating a large mirror in front of Palochia.

Caught off guard, Palochia collided with the mirror, bouncing back!

Whether trying to pass through, break, or even pierce the void, Palochia had expected many outcomes, but never being repelled by a thin sheet of azure light.

He retreated at full speed, but the impact, despite his great lord physique, left him dazed and disoriented.

This humiliation enraged Palochia. With a roar, a storm brewed within ten thousand meters, conjuring thick clouds filled with lightning, as if heralding the apocalypse. The black-robed figures, once besieging the Azure King, scattered to avoid the lightning.

Furious, Palochia summoned the full might of the natural origin power, making the area around him a death zone for weaker combatants. Previously, the Azure King’s purely defensive stance had allowed them to act, but now, with the great lords preparing to engage in a real fight, there was no room for them to interfere.

Palochia raised his hands, channeling a dark aura into the lightning clouds, transforming them into countless dark thunderbolts that rained down. Within ten thousand meters, it became a maelstrom of dark lightning.

Facing the descending bolts, the Azure King held one hand behind his back and traced a line with his sword finger, instantly summoning a field of azure light that blocked the lightning. He then began to trace lines with his sword finger, each one forming a rhombic screen. With a flick of his finger, a massive screen of light sliced towards Palochia!

Palochia raised his hands, shooting out strands of black gas that transformed into axes and swords, chopping at the azure light.

But the light effortlessly sliced through, cutting the weapons in half and continuing towards Palochia’s throat.

Sidestepping, Palochia avoided the light, which grazed his arm, disappearing into the distance.

Turning, Palochia examined his arm. The robe had split, and a fine line of blood appeared on his skin.

The azure light was razor-sharp, capable of cutting through anything.

Palochia’s expression turned grim, saying, “Your understanding of space is profound!”

The Azure King responded, “A mere trick from my past, unchanged over the years.”

He spun his sword finger, and the azure screens in the air began to rotate, slicing towards Palochia along different trajectories.

As a great lord, Palochia shouted, transforming the lightning into sharp blades that cut through the azure screens, finally having an effect. Under the onslaught of the countless lightning blades, the screens were shattered.

But the Azure King suddenly waved his hand, summoning a flash of azure light that appeared in front of Palochia with incredible speed.

Startled, Palochia dodged, barely avoiding the light, but it still cut through his hood, leaving a bloody mark on his cheek.

Even though demonkins were not known for their physical resilience, being injured was a grave matter. Palochia’s gaze at the azure light was now tinged with fear.

The sheer sharpness of the light astonished him, as he had never expected the usually mild-mannered and somewhat weak-seeming Azure King to possess such terrifying power.

The Azure King drew a circle in the air and waved his hand, sending several flashes of azure light towards Palochia. The lights were incredibly fast, and the dark swords could not block them. Palochia roared, using the Deep Dark Blessing to shoot out strands of black gas, entangling the light, while simultaneously dodging.

Despite its immense power, the Deep Dark Blessing was not particularly fast in Palochia’s hands. Only half of the lights were blocked, and three still pursued.

Retreating at full speed, Palochia finally avoided the attacks. But the Azure King, stepping on a radiant light, moved even faster, closing the gap and continuing to slice with the light.

Soon, Palochia was in a sorry state, his lightning rendered useless and becoming a laughingstock.

The Azure King, with a patch of light on his head and another beneath his feet, moved with divine speed, each slash capable of slaying a duke and severely wounding a great lord.

Finally, the Everburning Flame intervened, not waiting for Palochia’s plea. The flame flickered, and he vanished. Appearing behind the Azure King, he launched a direct attack.

The Everburning Flame, almost reaching maximum speed the moment he appeared, was met with a sudden wall of azure light. Caught off guard, he collided with it.