29: Gods Descend on the Battlefield

Shen Xiaochuan's hand was still on Chen Zhanbei's wrist; the medicine bottle had long been empty. He slowly stood up and stuffed the bottle into his pocket.

A wind blew from the east, carrying a faint, metallic scent like rust.

He stood still, the thunder blade held horizontally before him. The blue light on the tip of the blade continued to flicker, once, then again.

"The crystal core."

He said, "Hand it over now."

On the high platform, the God of Dongying sneered, "What do you think you are? You dare to ask for something?"

The God of Paocai Country pressed his hand on his scepter, his gaze shifting behind Shen Xiaochuan. There was movement deep in the woods, and figures in black had already emerged halfway.

Shen Xiaochuan did not look back.

"Ling Feng."

As soon as those two words left his mouth, the woods to the right suddenly fell into chaos. Ling Feng led his men in a direct charge into the group of assassins, the sound of blades entering flesh ringing out one after another.

Chen Yan's side had also begun to act. As the main force pushed forward, the archers were forced to retreat. An arrow grazed Chen Yan's cheek, leaving a bloody trail on his face.

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand, bringing the thunder blade before his eyes. Staring at the light and shadows reflected on the blade's surface, he suddenly spoke, "Three days ago during the Hyakki Yagyō, you killed thirty thousand elderly people and children."

The God of Dongying's expression changed.

"I have no evidence,"

Shen Xiaochuan said calmly, "but I know you did it."

"Nonsense!"

The God of Dongying roared, "That was battlefield cleanup! Not a massacre!"

"Oh."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Then you can try to 'clean me up' right now."

He returned the blade to his waist and then closed his eyes.

The entire field fell silent for a moment.

Some wanted to laugh, but they couldn't. The air was as heavy as an impending rainstorm, pressing down until it was hard to breathe.

When Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes, his pupils had turned a pale gold—it wasn't a reflection, but a genuine light swirling within them.

Fine, bright lines appeared beneath his skin, spreading upward like engraved runes.

The wind suddenly picked up.

The grass flattened against the ground, and dust swirled up around him. The copper gear pendant on his chest swayed slightly before becoming still.

"Zhang Fei."

He called out softly, "Lend me some strength."

The moment the words fell, everyone heard a vibration.

It wasn't thunder, nor was it the sound of a cannon; it was a low "hum" coming from deep underground, a tremor that could be felt beneath their feet.

Chen Zhanbei knelt on the ground, looking up at him. A thin trail of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't bother to wipe it away.

The God of Dongying unconsciously took half a step back, stepping onto the edge of the platform. He wanted to speak but found his throat dry and tight.

The God of Paocai Country gripped his scepter tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Shen Xiaochuan still stood motionless, but his aura had completely changed. Just a moment ago, he was merely a young man, but now it was as if some entity possessed him, making the air feel suffocating.

"I'll say it one more time. Hand over the crystal core and leave. Don't force me to act."

Shen Xiaochuan raised his right hand, fingers spread wide and palm facing the sky.

A rift tore open in the air.

It wasn't disorganized; it was a perfectly straight line that rose from the ground to mid-air, hovering motionless.

A red light seeped from the rift, as if a raging fire was burning deep within.

"This is the first warning."

He said, "The next thing to crack open will be your heads."

Ling Feng had already dealt with the assassins and led his men back to the flank, blood dripping from the tips of their blades.

Chen Yan had advanced to within a hundred meters of the high platform, and the main force had finished forming their ranks. Every soldier's gaze was fixed on the man in the center; there was total silence.

The God of Dongying finally spoke, "You... do you think you can scare us by playing god?"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Shen Xiaochuan, "Surround him! Capture him, and I will reward you with crystal core fragments!"

Thirty swordsmen charged down from both sides of the platform, splitting into two wings to flank him. Archers stepped forward, nocking arrows and drawing their bows.

The God of Paocai Country also ordered, "Seal off his retreat! Don't let him escape!"

Just as the command was given, the wind stopped.

Everyone's movements stiffened.

Because Shen Xiaochuan moved.

He took a step forward.

It was just an ordinary step, his sole crushing a pebble.

But the rift moved with him, directly facing the charging enemies.

The first swordsman rushed within twenty meters and raised his blade to strike.

Shen Xiaochuan neither dodged nor avoided it.

The rift suddenly expanded.

"Boom!"

A pillar of fire erupted from within, striking directly in front of the swordsman. The blast wave sent him flying, and he landed twitching uncontrollably.

As the second person started to move, the rift turned toward them.

Another pillar of fire exploded.

The third person stopped in his tracks, and the fourth retreated.

The archers fired in unison, a rain of arrows falling.

Shen Xiaochuan raised his left hand.

The rift moved horizontally, forming an arc above his head. Flames burst out, incinerating all the arrows into ash.

The fifth swordsman turned and fled.

The others stood frozen in place, not daring to advance further.

The God of Dongying stood on the platform, his face a mixture of blue and white. He wanted to shout in anger, but the sound was stuck in his throat.

The God of Paocai Country looked down at his own hands—they were trembling.

Shen Xiaochuan stood quietly, his golden pupils sweeping across the field.

"Last time."

He said, "Hand it over and leave. Otherwise—"

He raised his right hand and aimed it at the high platform.

The rift rose, hovering directly above the platform.

"—I can't guarantee I'll be able to control it."

Chen Zhanbei lay on the ground, his fingers digging deep into the soil, his eyes full of anxiety. He looked at Shen Xiaochuan's back and suddenly shouted hoarsely, "He's lying to you! Run!"

The crystal core on the platform was still glowing.

The God of Dongying gritted his teeth and reached out for the crystal core.

Shen Xiaochuan's gaze turned cold.

The rift pressed down an inch.

The firelight illuminated his face, making his golden pupils appear even sharper.

"Touch it once."

He said, "And I'll burn through your Godhead."

The God of Dongying's hand froze in mid-air.

The God of Paocai Country suddenly looked up, "You can't do this! This is a struggle allowed by the rules!"

"Rules?"

Shen Xiaochuan chuckled, "I am the rules now."

He took another step.

A crack opened in the ground, extending up the hillside and approaching the base of the platform.

"Ten seconds."

He said, "I'll act as soon as I'm finished."

He began to count down.

"Ten."

Sweat beaded on the God of Dongying's brow.

"Nine."

The God of Paocai Country retreated.

"Eight."

Faint cracks appeared at the base of the platform.

"Seven."

The God of Dongying finally let go, and the crystal core fell back onto the table.

"Six."

He turned to flee.

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand.

The rift expanded, and a pillar of fire shot into the sky, sealing off all paths of retreat.

"Five."

The God of Dongying froze.

"Four."

The God of Paocai Country fell to his knees.

"Three."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at Chen Zhanbei.

"Can you stand up?"

Chen Zhanbei pushed himself up from the ground; his legs trembled slightly, but he stood firm.

"Two."

Shen Xiaochuan reached out his hand.

The rift turned toward the crystal core.

"One."

Before he could speak, the God of Dongying suddenly lunged for the crystal core.

"Give it to me!!!"

Shen Xiaochuan closed his palm.

The rift snapped shut.

A line of fire descended from the sky, slicing across the table. The crystal core soared into the air and landed in Shen Xiaochuan's palm.

The God of Dongying lunged into empty air and fell heavily to the ground.

Shen Xiaochuan gripped the crystal core, his golden pupils watching the two on the platform.

"You can leave now."

He said, "If you still want to live."

The God of Dongying scrambled up, his face twisted with rage, "Just you wait! This isn't over! I'll make you—"

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand.

The rift reappeared, hovering above the god's head.

"You have two choices now."

He said, "Leave, or turn to ash."

The God of Dongying's lips trembled; finally, he gritted his teeth, turned, and stumbled down the platform.

The God of Paocai Country followed, crawling and scrambling.

Shen Xiaochuan did not pursue them.

He looked down at the crystal core in his hand and said softly, "Next, it's your turn."

On the distant hillside, a dozen figures quietly retreated.

In the direction of Skydome City, the sky suddenly brightened. The Believers looked up to see a golden light flashing through the clouds.

Someone dropped to one knee.

More people followed, kneeling down.

The incense value began to climb.

Shen Xiaochuan tucked the crystal core into his robes, the golden light in his eyes still not fading.

He looked toward Chen Zhanbei.

"Can you still fight?"

Chen Zhanbei clenched his fists and nodded.

"Then let's continue."

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand, and the rift slowly dissipated.