Chapter 95: Breath of Immortality
Chapter 97: Breath of Immortality
Having learned from their previous defeat, Yonglan concluded that the failure was due to his teammates dying too quickly, lacking sufficient damage output, and him being unable to carry them alone.
To achieve victory, he had to protect his teammates, allowing Jiali and Enesyin to safely unleash their attacks. It was unlikely that they could defend themselves, not because they were weak, but because they were outmatched. Mirror Corrosion Duke’s Divinity was overwhelming, impossible to dodge or block, leaving them utterly exposed.
Only Yonglan could withstand the Divinity-based attacks, so he shouldered this heavy responsibility without hesitation.
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Since he couldn’t devise a way for Jiali and Enesyin to survive instant kills from Divinity, Yonglan decided to prevent Mirror Corrosion Duke from diverting his attention to the backline. After all, ever since they formed their party, he had always been the one taking damage and controlling the enemy, sometimes even topping the damage charts – a true MVP. This time would be no different.
Yonglan would launch an absolutely fierce offensive, engaging Mirror Corrosion Duke in a relentless struggle, leaving the Fiend unable to split his focus. Even if he attempted to disengage, he might suffer unbearable consequences.
“Boom boom boom—”
Thus, Floating Cannons rose only to be destroyed one after another. Jiali closed her eyes, completely immersed in the art of challenging herself. Enesyin continuously supplied her with Dragonflame, occasionally deflecting the ethereal blue daggers thrown by Mirror Corrosion Duke. Dealing with these ranged minions was not an issue.
The Floating Cannons, imbued with light and flame, rained down upon Mirror Corrosion Duke’s massive form. Even though each shot only caused him to grunt, what about hundreds or thousands of explosions? Yonglan could clearly sense Mirror Corrosion Duke’s power waning; this barrage of firepower was undoubtedly effective.
However, this battle strategy was not without its flaws. Yonglan could indeed resist Divinity strikes better than any Mortal, to the point where Divinity had a minimal impact on him. But that was all. He wasn’t invincible and could still be struck down.
“A clever little trick, but… to think you could defeat me with this is far too naive.”
Mirror Corrosion Duke clashed his dual swords, suppressing Yonglan’s sword-spear. The voice that echoed in his mind made Yonglan frown.
“If you wish to kill me, to grant me release and peace, then reveal your qualifications as a Hero!”
Why were you shouting so loudly!
As soon as the Celestial God’s words fell, accompanied by a brief pause, Mirror Corrosion Duke abandoned all defense and blocking. He allowed Yonglan’s sword-spear to pierce his body, and in return, his dual swords plunged through Yonglan’s chest.
“Pfft—”
Yonglan’s internal organs were immediately thrown into disarray by the violent Spirit Matter, and he spat out a mouthful of foul blood mixed with fragments. Though it seemed like a fatal blow, this single strike wasn’t enough to kill Yonglan instantly.
But Mirror Corrosion Duke, relying on his superior Stats, repeated his tactic, trading blows for blows. Even with the constant recovery from the byproduct of the Remnant Smelter, Yonglan couldn’t reverse the trend.
“Pfft meow—”
His throat pierced by the dual swords once again, no matter how much he had mentally prepared himself, Yonglan’s vision went black, and his consciousness faded.
Upon opening his eyes in the Sanctuary, Yonglan met the gazes of the Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden and the Scarlet girl. Jiali crossed her arms and smiled, “How was this tactic?”
Yonglan replied, “It’s a good start. Let’s go again.”
Thus, the three embarked on their 365-li journey once more, arriving before Mirror Corrosion Duke. As usual, they attacked on sight. Yonglan had no desire for pleasantries, but the Fiend thought otherwise. No matter how fierce their battles became, Mirror Corrosion Duke would drone on, even to the point of lecturing:
“You seem to treat this as mere sport and challenge, but it is not so. This is a trial. Your courage, strength, and judgment; your desires and yearnings; your virtues and qualities – can they withstand these tests? Do you truly possess… the compassion to benefit all beings!”
“Without this willingness to bear the burden of all living things, how can you be worthy of killing me! How can you be worthy of granting me release!”
“Selfish and shallow being, you are not worthy of inheriting the destiny of Hram! Therefore, you cannot kill me!”
With Mirror Corrosion Duke’s repeated enraged roars, Yonglan repeatedly perished under his sword. In the following period, they repeatedly challenged the Fiend, Mirror Corrosion Duke, employing every imaginable tactic.
If this were a normal game where they were stuck, Yonglan would have considered leveling up before attempting the challenge again. But the boast had been made. If they couldn’t defeat Mirror Corrosion Duke, and humiliate him, then they would be the ones shamed. This applied equally to his two companions.
“I have a new improvement plan. I need to spend some time at the workbench,” Jiali said, brushing a lock of hair from her ear after reanimating. The Scarlet girl’s pink eyes lost their seductive elegance, becoming sharp and cold.
Even Enesyin pursed her lips and said, “I’ve learned a new combat technique today. There should be training Golems at Casterly Court.”
Neither setbacks nor failures had caused them to lose their fighting spirit or confidence; instead, they became even more determined to win. After the two women left, Yonglan lay by the candelabra in the Sanctuary, contemplating a strategy. Their tactic wasn’t wrong. After repeated attempts, they discovered the only difficulty was that Yonglan couldn’t endure it.
He couldn’t wear Mirror Corrosion Duke down. This wasn’t like a foolish Mad Hunt Heaven phantom. As a rational Fiend, Mirror Corrosion Duke would never take free damage. To inflict effective damage on him was possible, entirely possible, but it had to come at the cost of someone taking damage. In other words, Mirror Corrosion Duke had to trade blows.
Yonglan had initially thought he wouldn’t fear trading blows, especially since the Soul Devouring Blade directly plundered the opponent’s Spirit Matter for his own use. Coupled with the dual plundering effect of the Remnant Smelter, the results should have been considerable, more than enough for easy victories. But it wasn’t enough. It was still not enough. Both were merely for sustained combat; Yonglan still lacked a true recovery Authority.
As Yonglan pondered, he heard the rustling of dry grass, and the candelabra in the Sanctuary flared for a moment. He turned his head to see a Hram woman in a white dress, with a graceful figure, kneeling beside him.
“Shariel?!” The beautiful woman with cherry-white hair nodded at Yonglan. “I’ve just returned from traveling through various nations. You seem to be facing some difficulties. I believe I may be able to help.”
“How did you know…” Yonglan frowned in confusion. Shariel slowly shook her head, placed a hand over her chest, and said, “I have always been watching you. No matter where or when, I can see everything you see… I apologize; this is not intentional. It is merely a blessing and a prayer that connects us. I hope you can understand my intrusion.”
Wait, you’re spying? Is this blessing any legitimate, I ask!
Yonglan was about to feign anger in a perfunctory manner, but considering Shariel’s generous blessings, he found he couldn’t get angry. It was understandable, perfectly understandable.
Yonglan replied, “That doesn’t matter. More importantly, you’ve come at the perfect time. I do need help… But please, don’t get directly involved. Mirror Corrosion Duke must be slain by my own hand!”
“Of course…” Shariel smiled gently. Yonglan, understanding, extended his hands to Shariel, allowing the Hram woman with cherry-white hair to grasp them. Then, an incredibly gentle sensation flowed from his palms.
[Immortality: 5 → 6]
[You have received the origin of the King of Hram. Although this is not your own manifestation on the path of Immortality, you have awakened an Authority]
[Breath of Immortality]
[As long as the vitality of the spirit continues to flourish, the rhythm of life will never cease]
[It is said that the workings of the world are successive, long breaths that connect all things]
[My breath permeates my soul, and my soul shares the fate of the world]
