Chapter 270: The Final Countdown

Chapter 270: The Final Countdown

In the vast ocean, a towering tsunami rose, as if a flood was about to engulf the entire world. The waves surged to their peak, and against all natural laws, columns of water shot skyward.

In front of these water columns, a water demon, resembling a fusion of Naga and sea serpent, emerged. It was Basha, the ancient demon of water.

This demon, who was supposed to wreak havoc with floods, fled in panic across the sea, fearing that any delay would allow its pursuers to catch up.

A young man in a white sacred robe strode through the waves, calmly chasing after Basha. No matter how the demon lashed its tail, the distance between them steadily decreased.

This slow torture gradually broke down Basha's mental defenses, filling her with a sense of despair.

Basha had sensed something amiss in Hell.

The demons who had escaped to the mortal realm had their auras disappear for a moment, only to be sealed back into Hell. Then, after a while, their auras would disappear again.

Pandora's Box could only be opened once, and once the demons were sealed back after their brief freedom, there was almost no chance of escape. The disappearance of their auras meant certain death, or at least a near-death state.

First, it was the mountain demon Bogang, then the wind demon Xiao Feng, followed by the thunder demon Zhong Su, the moon demon Zhou Lan, the earth demon Di Kui, and the sky demon Xi Mu. Now, it was Basha's turn.

When Basha returned to the mortal realm, she didn't even exchange a word with the Dark Lord and his followers. She immediately melted into the soil and fled, but not before a young Saint Fighter marked her with a difficult-to-remove location magic.

It was then that Basha realized the truth.

There was a terrifying predator in Hell, and this Saint Fighter in the mortal realm was its accomplice. Once marked by him, she would be quickly devoured upon returning to Hell.

"Damn you, Dark Lord!"

At this moment, Basha even began to resent the Dark Lord who had set her free.

This damn dragon didn't understand their situation at all. No wonder he was still alive; he was clearly being used by this Saint Fighter to open the gates of Hell one by one!

Feeling that his opponent's stamina was almost depleted, Lu Ke stomped his feet on the water's surface, creating a depression. Using the recoil, he swiftly closed in on Basha.

Seeing no escape, Basha abandoned her dignity and turned to beg for mercy.

"Don't kill me, I'm very useful!"

"Eighty percent of this planet is ocean. As long as you spare me, I'll serve you willingly."

Basha shook her head in fear, "Don't be fooled by my current weakness. Just give me some time to recover and regain my demon energy. Whether it's flooding the entire world or calming the seas, I can do it all!"

In response to Basha's plea, Lu Ke calmly shook his head.

"Thank you for your offer, but the future ruler of the world has already been decided, and he can do all that you can, and even better."

Lu Ke extended his right hand, and the miracle of Moses parting the sea occurred once more, but on a grander scale. A path opened up in the ocean, and Basha, repelled by the seawater, fell from the surface and landed on the ground, her face filled with growing fear.

With the blessing of Light Qi and his innate terrifying talent, Lu Ke, the benevolent one, had already reached the limits of this world's power in a short time, just a step away from rivaling an Immortal Deity.

In the sky, endless dark clouds gathered, stretching as far as the eye could see. Amidst the lightning, thunder, and torrential rain, a massive water mass condensed above.

"I curse you!"

Knowing that her opponent had no intention of letting her go, Basha abandoned her retreat and channeled all her magic power. Under her influence, the surrounding seawater surged back, transforming into thick, hideous sea serpents that lunged towards Lu Ke.

Lu Ke shook his head and pressed his outstretched right hand downward.

"Great Tsunami Strike!"

A devastating water cannon blasted through the clouds from the heart of the storm, carving a slanted silver line across the sky and shattering everything beneath it! Basha's resistance was like an ant trying to shake a tree, instantly crushed to pieces, and even the water demon's form was destroyed in this onslaught.

After a few breaths, Basha, who had barely managed to re-form her body, lost all ability to resist. She could only watch helplessly as Lu Ke took out the corresponding Immortal Deity emblem and sent her back to Hell.

The sea surface returned to tranquility.

The final scene of this battle was the sun piercing through the thick clouds, shining upon the Saint Fighter in his sacred robe, standing tall on the sea's surface. The composition of this scene was both sacred and majestic.

Lu Ke looked up at the sky, maintaining his composure and soaking in the atmosphere. He nodded as the Light Qi around him grew denser.

"That should do it."

...

At the same time, the majority of mages in various countries and regions witnessed this battle.

Lu Ke's communication magic, promoted by Dad and his followers, had become known to almost all mages. This live broadcast approach was ahead of its time in 1999.

However, transmitting audio and video was just the basic application of communication magic. This magic, developed by Lu Ke, actually served to establish a connection between two or more related objects.

Except for a few mages in seclusion, everyone was paying attention to this young Saint Fighter.

His act of sealing the eight ancient great demons had become the hottest topic among mages in recent months, sparking endless discussions.

"He's too powerful. Is this something a human can do?"

"The parting of the sea reminds me of the story of Moses. I always thought it was just a legend."

"Not only that, but that final, devastating attack at the end... His power surpassed that of any Saint Fighter before, and he's so young!"

"Eight Ancient Demons, and he's already sealed seven of them. Aside from the weakened Holy Sovereign, the threat to humanity is almost entirely eliminated!"

"But according to the principle of Yin-Yang balance, doesn't this also mean that an equally powerful, or even stronger, demon will emerge from the Dark Energy side?"

Hundreds of White Aura Mages discussed the battle, and the only consensus was that Longnan Ru's reputation was skyrocketing, reaching heights never before seen in the Light Qi forces.

Even the Resurrected Saint Fighters shared this sentiment.

The mages were either elated or worried, all feeling a sense of impending change.

...

"Incredible!"

Xiao Yu cheered with arms raised after watching the live broadcast, feeling a sense of pride.

Did you see that? Such an amazing guy, and he's her almost-boyfriend!

"Without a doubt, Longnan Ru has become a qualified Saint Fighter, perhaps the most qualified in history."

Dad's face was filled with relief, never imagining he could mentor such an outstanding disciple. Tru had also been studying diligently, and he might be well-suited to become a teacher.

Feeling that he might finally be able to break free from Dragonfang in District Thirteen, Tru also smiled. At the same time, he began to reflect on whether he should ease up on his strict education of Xiao Yu.

With Longnan Ru as a safeguard, Xiao Yu probably wouldn't cause too much trouble, and if she were to tattle on him, his situation might become a bit dangerous.

Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, Tru's expression changed, and he glanced at the excited Xiao Yu before revealing a conflicted look and silently retreating from the hall.

He returned to his room, locked the door, and a Magic Hologram appeared before him.

In a desolate, blackened Hell, a gigantic, distorted, and indescribable monster appeared in the projection.

The monster's height reached a hundred meters or more, with black-golden wings on its back, a slightly protruding lower jaw, and a serpent's tail for its lower body. Its body combined features from the Seven Great Demons, exuding an aura of authority and coldness.

"Master, what is this...?" Tru was startled by the terrifying sight and took a step back.

The monster's body rapidly transformed, retracting the demonic traits, revealing smooth skin and Tru's familiar handsome features. Lu Xie, dressed in a black suit, reappeared in the Magic Hologram, lifting his chin with a detached tone.

"It's nothing. I just ate too much and feel a bit stuffed."

If the benevolent Longnan Ru had grown to near-immortal deity status, then Lu Xie, who had consumed the Seven Great Demons, had truly become an entity on par with the immortal deities, and he was also quite powerful among them, not far from his true self.

Lu Xie briefly explained and then asked, "How are the others' tasks coming along?"

"Everything is going according to your wishes, Master."

Tru honestly reported, "All ten masks have been found, and as you instructed, I didn't keep them in one place."

"Excellent. I'll reward you well when I return this time."

He glanced at Tru, "How's your practice with Communication Magic coming along?"

He wasn't referring to the simple Communication Magic used for live broadcasts but the true magic that connected two related things.

Using this magic, one could curse and harm others through the connection or transmit power.

This time, Tru hesitated, "I've mastered it."

Lu Xie nodded, "Good. After consuming the Seven Great Demons, my power is a bit overwhelming, and it's a bit challenging to return through the Hell Gate alone. I'll need you to use this magic to give me a hand."

For a "Saint Fighter" to voluntarily release a world-devouring powerful demon is a character collapse. The Light Qi forces wouldn't allow it, and various unexpected incidents would likely occur, making it a last resort.

However, as a spy, Tru had it much easier.

An emotion of torment spread within Tru, and after much deliberation, he reluctantly spoke.

"Master, regarding the reward, can I ask you not to harm Dragonfang and the others?"

During his time at Dad's antique shop, Tru experienced an indescribable calm and had built good relationships with Dragonfang, Dad, Xiao Yu, and Longnan Ru. He didn't want to see his friends being harmed by the master he served.

Lu Xie's face gradually darkened, "Do you remember what you said before?"

"Yes, Master," Tru replied gravely, feeling especially anxious.

"I said I would never betray you... but Dragonfang and the others are my friends."

Lu Xie's expression grew increasingly stern, and just as Tru was about to succumb to the pressure, Lu Xie spoke.

"Don't be so honest, Tru. There's no such thing as eternal loyalty in this world. If I asked you to harm your mother, would you obey?"

"If a leader deliberately makes unreasonable demands without considering your situation, then they are not worth following."

Lu Xie promised, "I give you my word that I won't harm them."

"Thank you, Master."

Tru's face relaxed slightly.

"What time is it now? In Hell, day and night are indistinguishable, so it's hard to tell the exact time."

Tru checked the calendar, "Great Master, it's December 30th, 1999."

Lu Xie smiled faintly, "The millennium is approaching, and a new century is about to begin."

"When the midnight bell tolls, I shall return and plunge the world into ultimate darkness."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end