170: destiny

Erosion of Darkness's movements involuntarily paused.

For the first time, an expression of surprise appeared on his face.

"This is... a secret art to forcibly elevate one's power level? It can instantly boost your power to this extent."

"This... has already touched the threshold of Fourteenth-Order?"

The curiosity and desire for research in his eyes instantly overshadowed his killing intent.

"Interesting, too interesting!"

Erosion of Darkness didn't panic; instead, he laughed, even lightly applauding.

"There's actually a secret art like this, and it seems to have no side effects."

"Blue Star Alliance, you always manage to bring me some surprises."

Su Jin didn't waste words with him; the God Liberation state consumed a significant amount of his energy.

He raised his hand, fingers together, and made a sweeping slash towards Erosion of Darkness from a distance.

There was no sword, but it was more potent than a sword.

A massive golden sword pressure, condensed to the extreme and a hundred meters long, accompanied by a divine might that twisted space, as if it could sever stars and tear the sky, cleaved down directly at Erosion of Darkness.

Facing an attack powerful enough to severely wound an ordinary Legend,

Erosion of Darkness merely shook his head, a look of regret on his face as if he were observing a crude piece of work.

"It has the form, but not the spirit. Your power, after all, is still somewhat superficial."

He extended a finger, and at its tip, a point of darkness condensed.

That darkness seemed to connect to the ultimate void of the universe, devoid of any worldly trace, and lightly touched the destructive sword pressure.

"Pop."

A soft sound, like a bubble bursting.

The golden sword pressure, starting from the point of contact with that darkness, rapidly dimmed, disintegrated, dissipated, and finally turned into nothingness.

The entire process was silent, yet more chilling than any spectacular phenomenon.

Su Jin's body swayed, and the light from the radiant wings on his back dimmed slightly.

Even with the God Liberation, which amplified his attributes fivefold and touched the threshold of the 14th Order,

there was still a considerable gap between him and a 15th Order being.

"See, this is the gap."

Erosion of Darkness spread his hands, like a patient mentor instructing a student.

"Your power appears vast, but in the face of stronger power, it's like a castle built of sand, collapsing with a single push."

"Can you tell me how much longer you can maintain this state...?"

On Dawn Star.

The crowd, who had just ignited hope, once again fell into despair.

Chen Shanhe's body swayed, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

He had bitten down too hard, tearing the inside of his mouth.

Su Jin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging qi and blood within him.

He looked at Erosion of Darkness, who wore an expression of "I've got you."

Suddenly, he smiled...

"I say, old sir."

Su Jin spoke.

"Are you perhaps a little too confident in yourself?"

"When fighting, just fight. Why so much nonsense, explaining things more enthusiastically than anyone else?"

"Anyone who didn't know would think you became a Legend by talking."

Erosion of Darkness's movements paused, a look of bewilderment on his face.

He hadn't expected that, in such an absolute disadvantage,

the opponent would not only show no fear but also have the leisure to mock him.

"Wielding your tongue is meaningless."

He said coldly.

"Yes, I think so too."

A strange smile suddenly appeared on Su Jin's face.

"So, the warm-up... should also be over."

"Sharp-tongued!"

Erosion of Darkness's patience finally ran out, his expression completely darkened, and killing intent resurfaced.

Su Jin, however, no longer looked at him, closing his eyes.

Everything external seemed to recede.

His consciousness sank into an boundless sea of stars.

This was his Heart Lake.

Unlike Bai Xiao's dead, cold black lake surface,

Su Jin's Heart Lake was a vast universe.

Billions of stars revolved beneath his feet, and brilliant galaxies encircled him like ribbons.

There were no swords, no blades, no weapons here.

There was only a sea of stars.

Su Jin's will echoed through the sea of stars.

He was searching for his "True Name."

Bai Xiao's True Name was 'Annihilation,' the end of all things, the conclusion.

What about mine?

I am a Lord.

My power originates from dominion, from Sublimation, from creation.

My throne is in Infinite City.

My path is Infinity!

Infinity!

At this thought, the entire Heart Lake star sea instantly boiled violently!

Billions of stars seemed to hear a command, beginning to madly spin and converge.

Endless light and darkness, matter and energy, all collapsed and condensed towards the same central point.

In the center of the star sea, a throne, forged from the brilliance of countless stars and the deepest cosmic dark matter, slowly emerged.

It was ancient, majestic, and vast, as if it had existed since the beginning of the universe.

On the armrests of the throne, countless miniatures of troop types and buildings were carved, operating, thriving, and evolving as if alive.

The backrest of the throne was a slowly rotating "∞" symbol, composed of pure laws.

A soul body, identical to Su Jin, appeared before the throne.

He didn't 'pull' anything like Bai Xiao's soul body did.

He simply, step by step, walked up the staircase paved with starlight, slowly ascended the throne, and then...

sat down.

"Boom—!"

The moment his soul body touched the throne, an indescribable will permeated the entire Heart Lake universe!

A grand, majestic True Name, seemingly containing the highest authority between heaven and earth, resounded through his soul!

【Destiny】!

I, am Destiny!

On the Gobi battlefield.

Erosion of Darkness, who was about to strike again and completely obliterate Su Jin, suddenly froze.

He was horrified to discover that the surrounding laws had begun to become chaotic!

No, not chaotic.

It was the 'ownership' of this world...

At this moment, it seemed to be forcibly usurped and overwritten!

An invisible will descended, declaring that everything here was taken over by Him!

Su Jin slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes had already transformed into a deep starry sky.

The golden radiant wings behind him dissipated.

In their place,

was an illusory robe, woven from starlight and shadow, like an emperor's ceremonial attire.

He stood there, yet it was as if he sat at the highest point of the entire world.

"Now,"

he looked at Erosion of Darkness, whose expression had drastically changed, and calmly declared.

"Let me show you true power."