Warren Tang, proud and impulsive as ever, finally sensed something was wrong. His gaze darkened as he stared at Fletcher Toba, his sister Diana, and the Witch God Church pair Damien Chi and Mira Xuan. He demanded coldly, "Why are you sneaking around after us? What exactly do you want?"
Damien Chi, his face covered in green markings, gave a sinister smile. "Warren, since you've already figured out our intentions, why bother pretending otherwise?"
Warren Tang and Lila Li both looked grim. Warren pressed, "What are you really after with all this?"
Damien Chi snorted. "The Prime One Church has always suppressed our Witch God and Fire God Churches. If the Saint Son and Saintess of the Prime One Church die here, not only will your church lose face and prestige, even if you train new successors, they'll never measure up to us."
Lila Li cut in, her voice steady despite the killing intent in Damien's words. "You're too naive, Damien. The three great churches don't just have a Saint Son and Saintess—we have backups ready to take our place."
Even if you kill us, the Prime One Church will soon have new Saint Son and Saintess. And they won't let you get away with murder—the best way to restore their reputation is to kill you in return!"
Damien Chi laughed scornfully. "You're right, but things have changed. The Witch God Church and Fire God Church are now allied. Once you die, our two churches will join forces against the Prime One Church. By then, your superiors will be too busy defending themselves to avenge you."
Damien Chi's face was full of mockery.
Warren Tang and Lila Li's expressions changed dramatically again at Damien's words.
After a brief silence, Warren Tang sent a voice transmission to Lila Li: "Junior Sister, if you get the chance, you must escape and tell Master about the Fire God and Witch God Churches' plot!"
Lila Li was deeply moved. "If you're going to die, I'll die with you. I'm not afraid of death, Senior Brother."
Warren Tang grew anxious. "Junior Sister, don't be reckless—this concerns the survival of our sect. No matter what, we must get word back to Master so we're prepared!"
"But—" Lila started, only for Warren Tang to cut her off. "No buts! If you still recognize me as your Senior Brother, do as I say!"
At this, Warren Tang's tone became firm, a hint of resolve to die in his voice.
Fletcher Toba stepped forward, his tone mocking. "Done with your little Junior Sister–Senior Brother chat?"
Warren Tang just snorted.
Warren Tang stared coldly at Fletcher Toba. "Fletcher, do you dare fight me one-on-one, fair and square?"
Fletcher Toba sneered, "Are you an idiot? Why would I fight you alone when I already have the upper hand?"
"Coward!" Warren Tang spat back.
Fletcher Toba shrugged, completely unfazed. "Trying to goad me? Sorry, I don't fall for that."
Fletcher Toba still refused, so Warren Tang barked, "Fletcher, if you really have any guts, fight me! Win or lose, I'll accept whatever you do to me. But if I win, just let my Junior Sister go!"
Fletcher Toba gave a sly, almost admiring smile. "How touching—the bond between Senior Brother and Junior Sister. Fine, I'll give you a chance."
When Fletcher Toba finally agreed, Warren Tang was overjoyed. He strode forward, and a massive black Abyss Halberd appeared in his hands.
"This is the Abyss Halberd, a sixth-grade spirit artifact. Its power is unmatched—be careful, Fletcher Toba!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Warren Tang swung the Abyss Halberd at Fletcher Toba.
Boom!
The air trembled as a silvery light split the void, descending on Fletcher Toba's head faster than the eye could follow.
Fletcher Toba sneered, "Still acting tough before you die? Watch how I crush you."
He casually tossed out a black net artifact.
Bang!
The Abyss Halberd crashed down with titanic force onto the black net, but the devastating blow didn't leave a mark. Fletcher Toba, standing beneath the net, was completely unharmed.
"Warren Tang, you really think you can challenge me with that little strength?" Fletcher Toba mocked.
"Again!" Warren Tang snapped.
With a cold shout, Warren Tang's aura exploded. Divine light surged from within him, making him look like a war god reborn as he raised the Abyss Halberd.
"Kill!"
The Abyss Halberd became a blur, slashing at the black net hundreds of times in an instant.
Crack!
Boom!
The earth shook and rocks exploded. After hundreds of strikes, the black net artifact finally shattered, unable to withstand the assault.
Fletcher Toba dodged in advance, and the spot where he'd stood was now a massive trench dozens of meters deep.
"How about it, Fletcher Toba?"
Warren Tang burst out laughing and swung the Abyss Halberd at Fletcher Toba again.
"Just because I show you a little color, you think you can open a dye shop? Warren, since you're about to die, I'll let you see my true strength!" Fletcher Toba taunted, slipping on a pair of black Silkworm Gloves. At that moment, his aura exploded.
"Late Deity Transformation!"
Fletcher Toba, now in the Late Deity Transformation stage, was far stronger than before. He charged Warren Tang, fists wreathed in black light, ready to kill.
Warren Tang gripped the Abyss Halberd and met the attack head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The two clashed furiously, shaking the heavens and earth.
In the blink of an eye, Warren Tang was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
Lila Li cried out, "Senior Brother!"
Fletcher's silhouette flashed through the air, catching up to Warren. He unleashed another pair of palms, following an intricate and mysterious trajectory.
[Irrelevant webnovel navigation line—skip translation.]
The technique he used was called Dual Force Palm. The moves looked simple, but the power was terrifying. Fletcher had found it in an ancient ruin, and thanks to the benefits he gained there, his cultivation had soared to late Deity Transformation.
Bang, bang!
This time, Warren Tang failed to block. Fletcher's palms landed squarely on his chest.
Brilliant multicolored light flared up, but with a cracking sound, it quickly faded.
"Ugh!"
With a muffled groan, Warren Tang coughed blood and was sent flying again. His face turned deathly pale—the two blows had shattered his magic robe, and a couple more would leave him crippled or dead.
Realizing this, Warren's eyes flashed with grim resolve. Suddenly, blood-red light erupted from his body, halting his retreat. In a blink, he appeared at Lila Li's side, grabbed her hand, and said, "Junior Sister, we're leaving!"
"Senior Brother, you..." Lila Li's heart ached at the sight of Warren Tang bathed in blood-red light. He was burning his own soul—once it was spent, he'd be utterly annihilated, with no hope of reincarnation.
"Don't talk—just run!"
Warren Tang cut Lila Li off again.
But after escaping only a few li, the two slammed into a barrier that blocked their way.
Fletcher Toba and his group strolled up behind them, watching with amusement. Fletcher smiled, "Warren Tang, do you know why Damien told you so many secrets? Why I agreed to your duel?
It's because we needed time to set up this formation and keep you from escaping. If you'd burned your soul and fled with your Junior Sister right from the start, you might've actually gotten away. But now? Just wait for death."