Chapter 1017

Chapter 1017: Chapter 445:

When Zhang Zhengdao realized the gap in strength, he focused on fighting near the Titan Giant Mechanism. After all, he was a Perfect Demigod, and the [Spirit Officer Manifestation] was an extremely powerful combat talent. Despite being no match for Lilith, he forced her to expend a considerable amount of energy, providing Divine Power Daoist with an opportunity to strike!

The first technique, Demonic Expulsion, directly unlocked the chains on Zhang Zhengdao’s heart. This wasn’t as easily driven away by the [Silent Judge] as one might think, but rather because Lilith hadn’t directly hit Zhang Zhengdao, simply clashing with him using the battle halberd transformed by the [Silent Judge].

The second technique, Demon-Vanquishing, then took advantage of Lilith’s weakened state, bringing down a pillar of lightning that, with its immense damage bonus against other races, proved successful in a single strike!

This allowed both individuals to breathe a sigh of relief.

The people inside the Titan Giant Mechanism, who initially thought they were doomed, also cheered in joy, with the flames of hope reigniting in their eyes.

However, just when everyone thought a path to survival had appeared, Ashtar’s indifferent voice sounded:

“Wu, stop wasting time.”

“Lilith, already severely injured from her battle with that boy, can at most unleash seventy percent of her power and is prone to trigger the hidden vulnerabilities left by the Five-Person Mud Jar.”

“Previously, I allowed you some leeway, but the situation has changed now. If you still want my master’s promise, then quickly finish this affair.”

Ashtar’s words left everyone stunned, some even doubting their ears.

That terrifying, unimaginably powerful creature was actually in a severely injured state, unable to wield more than seventy percent of its strength?

The most crucial part is…

It was actually harmed by Chen Ce?!

Injured by an Awakener who had only awakened for three years?

Such a claim would likely be laughed off even by the most naive child!

Zhang Zhengdao’s brain froze; having witnessed Lilith’s power, he had wondered countless times how Chen Ce had managed to escape, eventually concluding that he might possess some kind of escape artifact.

Given the Investigation Bureau’s intelligence, it was no surprise he had passed the solo Ancient Trials, possibly acquiring some rare artifact.

But to injure Lilith?

To wound that terrifying creature capable of beating him even while injured?

That’s an entirely different concept!

For a moment, he even suspected Ashtar was engaging in psychological warfare with him by deliberately spouting nonsensical lies.

But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out what purpose Ashtar would have in lying!

Yet to truly accept Chen Ce had the ability to severely injure Lilith…

That’s ridiculous!

As Zhang Zhengdao struggled to understand, Wu gently placed his right hand on his chest, slightly bowing: “As you command.”

In an instant, without any extraneous words, his figure flitted forward, rapidly approaching the Titan Giant Mechanism!

Zhang Zhengdao’s heart tightened; although he couldn’t comprehend the specifics of Ashtar’s words, his instincts honed from battles amidst seas of blood and mountains of bodies quickly snapped him into combat mode, pushing his attributes to the limit!

No matter what, the Divine Envoy named Lilith was already severely injured in the short term, and what followed was a three versus one confrontation!

Chen Huang and Divine Power Daoist, although only Strong Demigods, were formidable in their own right; one as the Sun King’s close aide, the other wielding the [Celestial Master Demon-Vanquishing Map], were undeniable forces!

Without needing verbal communication, the three quickly formulated the best strategic course!

With a thought, Zhang Zhengdao unfurled the Mixed Yuan Taiji Diagram before him, completely shielding those behind him, while forming hand seals with both hands to send rays of light encircling Wu!

This too was a remarkable Taoist technique from the Profound Qing Dao methods, named [Profound Qing Demon Suppression Circle]. Although slower to activate compared to the [Celestial Soldiers Spirit Capture Technique], it boasted a much stronger control effect, suitable for direct combat!

Thick lightning once again condensed in the air, while Chen Huang fearlessly charged forward, shouting loudly to marshal his strength, with the golden spear in his hand bursting forth in dazzling light, mirroring the most powerful thrust he had launched against a fifty Heroic Spirit Horned Demon formation in Peng City, and threw it from his hand.

The three had a clear objective: to have Zhang Zhengdao and Chen Huang bind the target, relying on the [Celestial Master Demon-Vanquishing Map] for a deadly strike on Wu!

Yet faced with their joint effort, Wu seemed to have anticipated it, his mouth beneath the mask curling into a hint of a smile.

Innumerable tendrils surged forth from the void behind him, intertwining before him, with the Profound Qing Demon Suppression Circle wrapping around the tendrils, and Chen Huang’s spear colliding head-on with these overlapping tendrils!

“Boom!”

Dazzling light exploded mid-air, with the outer tendrils seemingly blasted away by an invincible force unleashed in an extremely short time, scattering countless severed limbs in all directions.

The maneuver shared uncanny resemblance to the method previously used to defend against Zhang Zhengdao’s surprise attack! Relying on the astonishing defense provided by these unknown tendrils, they successfully blocked Chen Huang’s assault and prevented Zhang Zhengdao’s [Profound Qing Demon Suppression Circle] from binding the main body.

Despite witnessing this, Zhang Zhengdao and Chen Huang were not at all discouraged; instead, their faces broke into smiles!

“That’s a mistake!”

Their purpose was to delay Wu’s actions; confronting Chen Huang’s attack head-on, even if blocked, meant assuming the full force would significantly reduce one’s speed. On the other side, the tendrils had captured the [Profound Qing Demon Suppression Circle], yet how could such a Taoist secret technique divine technique be so easily broken?

The instant the tendrils made contact, dozens of [Profound Qing Demon Suppression Circles] abruptly expanded a hundredfold, forming loops like packing ropes, securely binding Wu along with the tendrils!

In battles among High Tier Powerhouses, with the increasingly refined divine techniques, the capabilities grow stronger, making combat rely increasingly on information gathering and strategy determination.

In simple terms, early battles focused on comparing values, but later battles have shifted to competitive mechanisms.

Even if you’re crushing in terms of values, a careless move can easily lead to a setback! This is why the Eight Celestial Kings have coexisted peacefully for so many years; no one knows what strange abilities the others possess, and even after assessing one’s basic attributes surpassing the opponent, they dare not lightly initiate combat.

Likewise, this is also why they typically refrain from taking action personally.

No one desires to reveal their true capabilities.

Wu, unaware of Zhang Zhengdao’s skills, inadvertently opted for a defense skill to avoid control, only to find himself securely bound!

“Now then—”

Without any need for communication, with his mastery of timing in the battle situation, Divine Power Daoist launched his attack directly!

In a flash, the Titan Giant Mechanism surged, its massive core energy flooding relentlessly into the [Celestial Master Demon-Vanquishing Map]!

“Boom!”

The pillar of lightning that pierced the heavens and earth once again manifested. This was a force no human could withstand — a divine might capable of vanquishing every demon fiend, reducing all evil spirits to dust under its heavenly power!

“Ah!!!”

In the radiant lightning, all the tendrils around Wu simultaneously emitted sharp wails, disintegrating at a visible pace!

“It’s done!”

The three rejoiced together! The suppression of heavenly divine might would force Wu to endure a full second of lightning punishment!

A second might be fleeting for ordinary people, but for powerhouses, it’s exceedingly long; those sticky tendrils would likely not last even 0.3 seconds, and the remaining 0.7 seconds would be completely endured by Wu’s body!

Resisting such immense energy, even if he survives, he would surely be gravely wounded, like Lilith!

Yet before their smiles could fade, a dark shadow suddenly pierced through the Titan Giant Mechanism.

Zhang Zhengdao and Chen Huang turned incredulously, only to face the bewildered gaze of Divine Power Daoist at the end of the corridor, along with his body cleanly sliced in two.

Wu stood silently behind him, concealed beneath a black robe, with all signs of vitality gathered away, making it appear as if he had casually killed an insect.

“How… could this be.” Zhang Zhengdao’s eyes widened in disbelief, a sudden thought flashing through his mind that made him understand everything instantly.

If it was like that, then everything connected…

Yet this notion prompted a fear-stricken expression, one he hadn’t shown even when facing Lilith!

Why had Wu remained as a spectator on the sidelines, really to vent his dissatisfaction with Lilith? Really too lazy to act?

And how could he easily evade the [Celestial Master Demon-Vanquishing Map]’s attack?

The answer was simple.

He refrained from acting to minimize the chances of exposing his true abilities.

He escaped the [Celestial Master Demon-Vanquishing Map] because…

He was human!

Not a different race, not an evil demon, but a human just like everyone else!

And a human with such powers…

A name emerged in Zhang Zhengdao’s mind that made him shudder.

Celestial King.