Chapter 444 - Ezequiel Vs Everybody (IV)
Despite all of them being Law Engraving existences with four Apocalyptic Stars sealed inside their bodies, there was an immense difference between Ezequiel's battle power and the others.
The strongest of the group was Heinz, who could display offensive might that almost reached Rank 6. Unfortunately, his physical defenses only touched the bottom of the Marquess' level.
After Ezequiel completed his transformations, his aura bordered the Hollow Sun Domain Stage, and unlike the Cultivator, every aspect of his existence attained that level.
The higher the Ranks, the harder it was to jump levels in battle power. For example, Heinz's battle power positioned itself at the peak of the 1st Engraving Stage when he became a Rank 4 Neo-Demon, but now that he was at Rank 5, his offensive strength did not reach Rank 6.
The Neo-Demons' expressions were severe as they perceived Ezequiel's power, but they still felt some confidence in their chances to at least reach a tie. As for killing him, none of them thought that could be possible.
Unfortunately, the Supreme Neo-Demon had not finished with his power-ups.
A red dot of light appeared in Ezequiel's empty eyes, and the next second, a powerful and immensely heavy force burst out of his body.
The red aura allowed Ezequiel's battle power to jump into the Hollow Sun Domain Stage!
Heinz and the others saw with shock how the red aura shattered space and time around the Supreme Neo-Demon, transforming every piece of matter into an ancient form of energy that fed it.
Although they could not tell much about it, they understood that the red aura was self-sustainable, meaning Ezequiel could maintain it active for as long as he wanted, no matter how much damage they did to him.
The Supreme Neo-Demon used the first technique of the Astral Chaos Omega Law, the Astral Destroyer Godslayer Mantle. Just like the All-Devouring Domain, it split into inner and outer cultivation.
The mantle was composed of Astral Chaos Qi, a subform of Astral Chaos Force. The outer cultivation focused on decomposing the matter around the user into Astral Chaos Qi, which will feed the mantle and form a protective layer.
As for the inner cultivation, the user would gradually fuse Astral Chaos Qi into their flesh, blood, and soul, allowing them to grow stronger and capable of using the matter around them as an endless fuel.
Ezequiel's Monster Form, bloodlust, and battle power made him seem like an absolute killing machine.
"Come to me, or I will go to you." The Supreme Neo-Demon's voice was ice-cold as he spoke those words, and the killing intent in it was crystal clear.
Heinz's eyes narrowed and immediately made his energy explode before sending a message to the others.
'I, Tyrus, Juntu, Dante, Rax, and Kylo will keep him occupied. Totto, Zitra, and Sophia, the moment you are ready, fire your most potent spells at him, even if we are still in the destruction radius. Our best chance is to force him to empty his Soul Origin. We must give our all, or he will force us to use our Soul Seeds.'
Determination filled the Neo-Demons' eyes, and their battle intent burned as they prepared to go all out.
Ezequiel saw the kobolds, Magic Creatures, and Cultivator flashing to him, ready to unleash all their physical might. He could also discern Dante transforming one of the bluish-golden spheres into an arrow and the Neo-Demons with the Endless Chaos True Doomsday Body charging their energies.
All that made the monstrous smile in the Supreme Neo-Demon grew even more bloodthirsty.
The first attack to arrive was a blue arrow that carried the power of the wind.
Most would find it very hard to respond to the projectile due to the speed and ever-changing movements, but Ezequiel was not everybody.
One of the hands displayed a monstrous speed and crushed the arrow with a palm strike.
When Dante saw that, his eyes glowed, and then the arrow that had just broken to pieces began to reform while pushing forward.
Even if the wind was fragmented, it could gather back without harm.
One of the eyes pointing backward noticed the arrow reforming and stared at the archer with complete calmness.
A vibrational wave emerged from the hand that destroyed the arrow and disintegrated it again before using the red mantle to consume the pieces.
Dante was surprised by how easily Ezequiel handled the arrow. After reaching Rank 5, he used that projectile against a powerful Devil Marquess and injured him severely.
However, he did learn something. Thanks to his Eye of Life and Creation, he discerned the nature of two Law Essences.
'Other than Lightning Essence, he has Strength Essence. The amount of power on each of his attacks can increase exponentially, and he can also expand his range via vibrational waves.' The Neo-Demon used his consciousness to relay that information, which was much faster than words. After that, he immediately charged another arrow on his bow.
A somber aura appeared in the close-range team when they heard that. Usually, one would need some time to prepare a powerful attack, but Strength Essence would allow Ezequiel to fire a full power strike instantly without any warning. That would mean that any blow they receive could be fatal.
Despite that, none of them diminished their speed. Their attacks landed at the same time, along with Dante's second arrow, displaying remarkable synchrony.
A shock wave that extended for kilometers and threw away the oceans of Elemental Chaos around them occurred the next instant.
The combined might of those attacks could have sunk a small continent, but the Supreme Neo-Demon managed to respond to everyone.
Six arms covered in bones stopped Heinz's lightspeed sword, Dante's supersonic arrow, Kylo's lightning-fire halberd, Rax's gravitational hammer, Juntu's blood spear, and Tyrus's bloody gloves.
The first exchange showed the Neo-Demons how superb was Ezequiel's martial skills and domain over the laws.
Each arm carried a different kind of power that counter the attacks of the Neo-Demons. For those faster, the white lightning allowed better use of lightning and wind, and for those heavy, there was water and earth.
Ezequiel was the third youngest of them, behind Dante and Kylo, but his battle techniques were the highest. Even Heinz's sword-arts were slightly inferior.
Hundred of life and death battles with enemies, countless hours of training, and a perfect dominion over the body allowed Ezequiel's battle techniques to equal his cultivation talent.
The shock did not break the Neo-Demons battle awareness. On the contrary, they immediately continued their attacks, using all the power of their bodies and spells.
If they stop pressuring Ezequiel for even a second and allow him to move freely, they were sure the consequences would be dire.
The cracks in space grew wider and wider as the battle carried on. The six Neo-Demon were doing their best, but Ezequiel's always managed to strike the flaws in their attacks, diminishing their strength, before using his martial skills and laws to nullify the power behind them.
It was a truly fantastic sight. Six arms were moving faster than sound, countering attacks from every direction. Moreover, the one controlling them seemed capable of dividing his mind, allowing him to use a different approach for each of his enemies.
The fight had just started, and trails of blood began to emerge from the Neo-Demons' mouths. They had not received any direct blow, but every time Ezequiel stopped one of their attacks, he would send back vibrations carrying the power of his Primordial Entropy Lightning.
They used their bloodlines and energies to counter the white lightning, but it was not easy. Although wounds were beginning to appear, none of them lost focus.
Soon a message reached the close range team and Dante.
The Neo-Demon with the Daybreak Bloodline roared as two new right arms emerged from his body, allowing his fire speed to improve, while the others made their energy burst and combined an explosive spell with their next attack.
Although Ezequiel responded to all the attacks, they immobilized him for a moment. It was less than a second, but more than enough for the Neo-Demons to move away.
That was the chance three Neo-Demons with the Endless Chaos True Doomsday Body were waiting.
Zitra had nine giant spears of light above her head, the Grim Reaper's scythe packed a deadly and dark force, and Sophia's wings glowed as she prepared to fire a white dragon breath.
Each of those spells had more energy than what a normal Rank 5 life form would have in his entire body.
Unfortunately, just as they were about to blast them at Ezequiel, a three million meters tall humanoid appeared behind them.