165: Chapter 165 Clash of Light and Darkness, Chaos Shatters Holy Light

The skylight in Mining Area No. 1 was always a sickly shade of mauve.

It was the lingering afterglow of the ring nebula surrounding 'Titan,' the capital star of the Eternal Star Domain 17 kilometers away, filtered through three layers of energy shields. It shone upon the crusher that had been abandoned for 47 years, upon the rusted conveyor belt supports, and upon the half-collapsed walls of the ore processing plant, casting the shadows of all objects into twisted, undefined shades of dark gray.

Chen Hao stood at the feet of chaos unit no. 1.

His right hand pressed against the hydraulic guard of the mecha's knee joint, his palm touching the already cooled metal surface. 508 mechas had dispersed, beginning collection operations between the 37 energy shields in Mining Area No. 1. Based on current progress, the target of 3-5 units of star core energy would take approximately 47 hours.

But he did not enter the cockpit.

He was waiting.

Waiting for the person who had been absent since the beginning of the battle.

---

[Spatial fluctuation detected]

[Rank: Rank 65]

[Type: God Race - Angel Descent]

[Source: Unknown (Beyond scanning range)]

[Target Coordinates: Mining Area No. 1 - Top of Central Crusher]

[Descent countdown: 3 seconds]

---

Chen Hao looked up.

He saw the golden light.

It was not descending from the sky.

It was tearing through from the 'inside'.

At the top of the 47-story high crusher in the center of the mining area, space was torn apart as if by an invisible giant hand, and a golden rift 3 meters wide and 7 meters high unfolded from the Void Realm. Liquid light flowed along the edges of the rift; every drop that fell onto the rusted steel structure of the crusher left a 3-millimeter-deep scorch mark on the metal surface.

Then, a figure stepped out from the rift.

[Angel Legion Commander - Michael]

[Rank: Rank 65]

[Affiliation: God Clan Council - Angel Legion]

[Identity: Seventh Commander of the Angel Legion, Third Strongest of the God Race's younger generation]

[Physique: Light Spirit Body (Fully Awakened)]

[Combat Power Assessment: 97,000-112,000]

[Equipment:]

[1. Archangel Sword - Legendary Grade: Attack +8,700-10,200, Holy Light damage +50%]

[2. Seraph Armor - Legendary Grade: Defense +9,300, Holy Light resistance +70%]

[3. Six-Winged Light Wings (Full State): Flight speed +300%, can trigger 'Light Wing Charge' every 60 seconds]

[4. Holy Light Core (Chest): Automatically restores 15% of max HP every 60 seconds and removes all negative status effects]

[5. Archangel Crown - Legendary Grade: Mental Energy +500, consumption of all Holy Light skills -30%]

---

Michael stood at the top of the crusher.

Behind him, three pairs of fully unfurled light wings stretched out, each with a wingspan exceeding 7 meters. Light particles dripping from the wingtips condensed into fine golden crystals as they fell, landing on the steel frame of the crusher with a crisp sound like wind chimes.

He lowered his head.

He looked at the 508 mechas below.

He looked at the 37 chaos unit no. 1 mass-produced types.

He looked at the 470 guardian type iii mechas.

He looked at Chen Hao standing at the feet of chaos unit no. 1.

---

His voice drifted down from the top of the crusher.

It was not loud.

But every word felt as if it were carved into the metal.

"Just now, who killed my projection?"

---

Chen Hao did not answer.

He simply looked at that figure.

3 seconds.

The cockpit cover of chaos unit no. 1 opened.

He climbed in.

The cover closed.

[Neural connection synchronization rate: 97% -> 100%]

[chaos unit no. 1 - Combat Stance]

---

Michael looked at the silver-blue mecha.

He looked at the sun symbol on its left shoulder armor.

He looked at the muzzle of the particle rifle on its right arm—it was slowly rising.

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

It was an extremely faint, almost imperceptible arc.

"Rank 61 mecha."

"508 units."

"Killed 3 of my Rank 63 projections."

"9 seconds."

He paused.

"Interesting."

---

His right hand lifted.

The Archangel Sword condensed from the Void Realm, the blade 1.7 meters long and 0.3 meters wide, translucent gold in its entirety, with visible flames of light flowing along the edge.

He did not swing the sword.

He simply held it up.

---

"But do you know?"

His voice remained soft.

"Those 3 projections were refined when I was Rank 61."

"Now, I am Rank 65."

"I have refined 7 new ones."

---

Behind him, seven golden rifts unfolded simultaneously in the Void Realm.

Seven light figures walked out from the rifts.

Each one was Rank 63.

Each one held a light sword burning with golden flames.

Each one had three pairs of light wings stretched out behind them.

[Angel Legion - Combat Projection (New)]

[Rank: Rank 63]

[Quantity: 7]

[HP: 47,000 x 7]

[Regeneration per second: +940 x 7]

[Special Effect: Synchronized with the original body, healing effects +50% when received]

---

7 projections.

Plus the original body.

8 golden figures.

Hovering at the top of the crusher.

Looking down at the 508 mechas below.

---

Chen Hao's right hand tightened on the control sphere.

Neural connection synchronization rate: 100% -> 102% (Overload).

[chaos unit no. 1 - Overload Mode]

[Duration: 47 seconds]

[All stats +20%]

[Energy core consumption rate +300%]

---

He did not retreat.

The 508 mechas did not retreat either.

---

Michael watched this scene.

3 seconds.

He laughed.

This time, he truly laughed.

"Interesting."

"But—"

His Archangel Sword was raised slowly.

The tip of the sword pointed at the 508 mechas below.

"You are not enough."

---

[Archangel Judgment - Prepare]

[Rank: Rank 65 - Forbidden Skill]

[Consumption: 30% of current HP]

[Cast time: 3 seconds]

[Range: 500 meters radius]

[Damage: 50,000 Holy Light damage (ignores 50% defense)]

[Special Effect: Targets hit cannot receive any healing for 60 seconds]

[Cooldown: 72 hours]

---

Golden light condensed at the tip of his sword.

That light was not absorbed from the outside world.

It was squeezed from his own body—from that Rank 65 fully awakened Light Spirit Body core.

Every ray of light was a part of his life.

---

3 seconds.

2 seconds.

1 second.

---

The golden light at the sword tip expanded to a diameter of 3 meters.

It was about to be released.

---

Then.

A ray of gray sword light.

From behind the crusher—from deeper within Mining Area No. 1—from a direction no one noticed—

Sliced over.

---

It was not aimed at Michael.

It was aimed at the expanding golden light.

---

[Chaos Heaven Opening - Residual Form]

[Current Divine Power: 47%]

[Effect: Sever the 'pre-cast' of all Law-type skills]

[Cooldown: None (Temporarily self-created)]

---

The sword light entered the center of the golden light.

There was no explosion.

There was no shockwave.

There was only an extremely faint sound, like a soap bubble bursting—"pop".

That 3-meter-diameter golden light, which had been expanding, disappeared.

---

Michael's pupils contracted for the first time.

His Archangel Sword was still held in mid-air.

The tip of the sword was empty.

The forbidden skill, exchanged for 30% of his HP, had been severed by a ray of gray sword light that came from nowhere.

---

Lin Ye walked out from the shadows behind the crusher.

He was wearing the Void Realm battle armor that had been damaged in 17 places during the 72-hour bloody battle in Chaos Valley, and had been repaired by the Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield using the latest material technology.

He held the refined iron longsword brought back from the Trial Ancient Star—the crack in the center of the blade, which had been stained with 47 drops of blood emperor essence blood and had turned completely gray after the Battle of the Blood Altar, was currently pulsing at a frequency of 1.7 seconds/time.

Behind him.

Su Qingyue.

Shi Potian.

Zhou Tieshan.

Chu Yunxi.

Zhao Wuji.

Qin Ruoxue.

Yun Qianxue.

Lu Xinghe.

Eight people.

Eight breaths.

Eight pairs of eyes.

---

Lin Ye stood at the bottom of the crusher.

He looked up.

He looked at the 8 golden figures at the 47-story high top.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Rank 61 mechas are not enough."

"What about Rank 65?"

---

Michael lowered his head.

He looked at this person.

He looked at the person who had walked out of the shadows and severed his forbidden skill with one sword.

He looked at the pulsing gray longsword.

He looked at those eyes that were calm to the point of indifference.

---

[Identity scanning...]

[ID: Night Emperor]

[Affiliation: Heavenly Court]

[Rank: Rank 61 (Dragon Transformation Level 1)]

[Physique: Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body (Unique)]

[Current Divine Power: 47%]

[Current HP: 100%]

[Current Status: Combat Stance]

---

Michael's pupils contracted again.

This time, it was not because of surprise.

It was because of—confirmation.

Rank 28 on the Prodigy list of Ten Thousand Races.

Top of the star rankings.

Commander of the bloody battle in Chaos Valley.

The person who defeated the Blood Prince's projection.

---

"Night Emperor," Michael said.

It was not a question.

Lin Ye did not answer.

He simply held his sword horizontally in front of his chest.

---

Michael looked at him.

3 seconds.

He laughed.

There was no contempt, no arrogance in that smile, not even the "condescension" he had shown when facing the 508 mechas just now.

There was only one thing—the excitement of... meeting a worthy opponent.

"Rank 61."

"Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body."

"Severed my Archangel Judgment with one sword."

He paused.

"Interesting."

"Truly interesting."

---

He waved his right hand.

The 7 projections leaped down from the top of the crusher simultaneously.

Golden light wings drew 7 burning trajectories in mid-air.

They landed 17 meters in front of Lin Ye.

7 light swords.

Raised simultaneously.

---

Lin Ye did not look at those 7 projections.

He looked at the top of the crusher.

He looked at Michael.

"You want to fight?" he said.

"I will fight with you."

"But not against the projections."

---

Michael's light wings stalled for 0.3 seconds.

That was the first time since his Rank 65 fully awakened Light Spirit Body—that he had been looked at like this.

"You want to fight me?"

"Rank 61."

"Against my Rank 65?"

---

Lin Ye did not answer.

He simply moved his sword—that gray longsword—away from his chest.

The tip of the sword pointed at Michael.

---

Michael looked at him.

3 seconds.

His six wings flapped simultaneously.

Golden light particles fell like a rainstorm.

He dove down from the top of the crusher.

The Archangel Sword dragged a 7-meter-long golden arc in mid-air.

---

[Archangel Sword - Slash]

[Rank: Rank 65]

[Damage: 8,700-10,200 + 50% Holy Light bonus]

[Special Effect: Target hit cannot use any movement skills for 10 seconds]

---

Lin Ye's sword, 0.1 seconds before the golden sword light fell—flicked upward.

Gray and gold intersected.

There were no sparks.

There was only an extremely faint sound, like metal being corroded by acid—"shhh".

[Block successful]

[Chaos Power vs Light Spirit Body Power]

[Result: Draw]

---

Michael's pupils contracted for the third time.

On the blade of his Archangel Sword, a tiny, almost imperceptible gray line appeared.

That was the trace left after the Chaos Power completed its erosion.

---

He retreated 7 meters.

Hovering in mid-air.

He looked down at his sword.

3 seconds.

He looked up.

He looked at Lin Ye.

"Chaos Power," he said.

"It can erode light."

---

Lin Ye did not speak.

He simply held his sword horizontally in front of his chest.

The gray crack in the center of the blade was currently pulsing at a frequency 0.3 seconds faster than before.

That was the sign of the chaos origin source being briefly active after devouring the Holy Light energy on Michael's sword.

---

Michael watched that pulse.

3 seconds.

He put the Archangel's Sword into the Void Realm.

Then he raised his right hand.

Palm facing upward.

A crystal, 3 centimeters in diameter and translucent gold throughout, slowly floated up from his palm.

[Michael · Light Spirit Body Core (Partial)]

[Type: Origin Fragment]

[Quality: Legendary Grade]

[Description: A fully awakened Light Spirit Body can separate part of its core fragment from the main body to serve as a casting medium or a temporary enhancement item.]

[Current Status: Activated]

---

He held that fragment in his palm.

Golden light spilled out from between his fingers.

"Rank 61." He said.

"Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body."

"Can erode light."

"Then what if—"

He paused.

"I use Origin to fight you."

---

[Archangel's Judgment · Origin Version]

[Consumption: Light Spirit Body Core Fragment × 1 (Permanent)]

[Damage: 100,000 Light Law damage (Ignores Defense)]

[Range: 100-meter radius]

[Casting Time: 1.7 seconds]

[Special Effect: The target hit will be marked with "Mark of Light", lasting for 7 days, during which no aura can be hidden.]

---

Lin Ye looked at the golden fragment melting in his palm.

1.7 seconds.

He only had 1.7 seconds.

---

He did not retreat.

He took a step forward.

[Chaos Domain · Open]

[Current Divine Power: 47% → 37%]

[Range: 17-meter radius]

[Effect: All enemy units within the Domain have all attributes -30%, allies +20%]

[Additional Effect: Absorption efficiency for Light energy +300% (Natural suppression of Light Law by Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body)]

---

The gray Domain, with him as the center, expanded to a 17-meter radius within 0.3 seconds.

Su Qingyue, Shi Potian, Zhou Tieshan, Chu Yunxi—all were enveloped within it.

The 7 Rank 63 projections, the moment they stepped into the Domain, saw their golden radiance dim by 30% simultaneously.

---

Michael's casting did not stop.

The fragment in his palm was melting.

The golden light grew brighter and brighter.

1.0 second.

0.7 seconds.

0.3 seconds.

---

Lin Ye's sword, at this moment—stabbed into the very center of the Chaos Domain.

It was not aimed at Michael.

It was aimed at "himself".

The blade submerged into that point at the core of the Domain.

That point was the boundary where Chaos Power and Light energy met.

It was also the node where the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body's suppression effect on Light Law was strongest.

---

[Chaos Domain · Devour Mode]

[Effect: Forcibly absorb all Light energy within the Domain and convert it into Chaos Divine Power.]

[Current Absorption Target: "Archangel's Judgment" being cast by Michael.]

[Absorption Progress: 0%... 17%... 31%...]

---

The fragment in Michael's palm melted.

Archangel's Judgment · Origin Version—released.

A destructive beam of light, 100 meters in diameter and composed purely of golden light, erupted from Michael's palm.

It collided with the Chaos Domain.

---

No explosion.

No shockwave.

Only an extremely faint "hiss", like thrusting a flame into water.

The golden beam of light, the moment it touched the gray Domain, began to be "devoured" at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Not neutralized.

Not rebounded.

It was "absorbed".

Those golden rays of light surged into the edge of the Domain, flowing along the countless fine patterns formed by Chaos Power, toward that point at the Domain's core—Lin Ye's sword.

The gray crack in the center of the blade was pulsing at a frantic speed.

0.7 seconds/time.

0.3 seconds/time.

0.1 seconds/time.

---

[Absorption Progress: 47%... 62%... 78%... 91%...]

---

Michael's pupils contracted completely.

He looked at his Archangel's Judgment.

Looking at that Origin-grade forbidden technique capable of killing any Cultivator below Rank 65.

Was, by a Rank 61 Human Race.

Using a Domain.

Forcefully.

Absorbed.

---

[Absorption Progress: 100%]

[Chaos Divine Power Recovery: 37% → 84% (Exceeded Limit)]

[Chaos Domain · Overload]

[Duration Extended: 17 seconds → 47 seconds]

[Domain Range Expansion: 17 meters → 27 meters]

---

Lin Ye's sword was pulled out from the core of the Domain.

The gray crack on the sword's body had now completely turned golden.

That was the "charged" state that appeared briefly after absorbing Michael's Origin Light energy.

He raised the sword.

The tip of the sword pointed at Michael.

---

Michael hovered in mid-air.

His six wings were still flapping.

But the frequency had dropped from 1.7 seconds/time to 3.1 seconds/time.

That was a sign of a temporary disorder in the energy circulation System after the permanent loss of the Light Spirit Body core fragment.

He looked at Lin Ye.

Looking at that glowing gray longsword.

Looking at that Chaos Domain which had expanded to 27 meters.

Looking at those 8 people within the Domain—every single one of them was looking at him.

---

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"...Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body."

"Can devour light."

---

Lin Ye did not speak.

He simply brought the sword—the sword that had absorbed Michael's Origin energy—back to his chest.

Held the sword horizontally.

---

Michael looked at him.

For a long time.

Then he smiled.

There was no anger, no humiliation, and not even the excitement of "meeting a worthy opponent" from just moments ago in that smile.

There was only a kind of extremely weary relief, as if he had finally confirmed a fact he had always been unwilling to believe.

"Rank 61."

"Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body."

"Can sever my judgment."

"Can devour my Origin."

He paused.

"The 'Law of Light' that the God Race has prided itself on for ten thousand years."

"In front of you, it is just—"

He did not finish.

But everyone knew what he wanted to say.

---

Lin Ye spoke.

"You lost."

---

Michael did not deny it.

He descended from mid-air.

Standing 3 meters in front of Lin Ye.

The six wings were folded away.

The Archangel's Sword dissipated.

He looked at Lin Ye.

3 seconds.

"Yes." He said.

---

[System Prompt: Battle Ended]

[Battle Duration: 47 seconds]

[Enemy: Michael (Rank 65 · Light Spirit Body Fully Awakened) + 7 Rank 63 Projections]

[Our Side: Lin Ye (Rank 61 · Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body) + 8 Expedition Team members + 508 Mechs]

[Battle Result: Lin Ye Wins]

[Evaluation: Chaos Domain absorbed Archangel's Judgment Origin Version, achieving perfect suppression of the Light Law.]

[Obtained Item: Broken Holy Feather × 3]

---

[Broken Holy Feather]

[Type: Material / Plot Item]

[Quality: Legendary Grade]

[Description: Three light wing feathers remaining in the Light energy devoured by the Chaos Domain when Michael released Archangel's Judgment · Origin Version. Each piece contains part of the essence of the Light Spirit Body core, as well as a faint Soul mark of Michael himself.]

[Effect:]

[1. Refining: After consumption by a player with a Light Physique, Light affinity increases by 15% permanently, with a chance to awaken the Light Spirit Body (Success rate 23%).]

[2. Enchanting: Can be used for weapon enchanting, granting the weapon the "Light Damage +30%" effect, lasting for 7 days.]

[3. Research: The Seventh Fleet of the Eternal Starfield offers 170,000 Tech Resource Vouchers to acquire it.]

[4. Fusion: The Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body can attempt to absorb this Holy Feather, with a chance to permanently increase the suppression effect against the Light Law (Risk: Michael may track back through the Soul mark).]

[5. Sacrifice: Can be submitted to the Ten Thousand Races Covenant Arbitration Tribunal as proof of "establishing a deterrent relationship with the God Clan Council".]

[Current Status: Unbound]

---

Lin Ye looked at the three translucent golden feathers in his palm.

Each piece was about 7 centimeters long, with extremely fine, living-like squirming light threads flowing on the surface.

He put them into his Storage Ring.

Along with that blood emperor essence blood.

Along with the final instructions sent by the 47 command-type mechs before they self-destructed.

Placed side by side.

---

Michael stood in place.

He did not leave.

He looked at Lin Ye.

"...Your Chaos Domain." He said.

"How many types of Laws can it suppress?"

---

Lin Ye looked at him.

3 seconds.

"I don't know." He said.

"But I can try."

---

Michael was silent.

For a long time.

He turned around.

Walked toward the 7 projections.

Halfway there, he stopped.

Did not look back.

"Mining Area No. 1." He said.

"It's yours."

"3-5 pieces of star core energy."

"Finish mining within 3 days."

"300,000 Spirit Stones—no need to pay."

---

Chen Hao's voice came from the chaos unit no. 1:

"Why."

---

Michael did not answer.

He just kept walking forward.

Walked to the first projection.

That projection automatically dissipated into golden light particles, merging into his body.

The second.

The third.

The fourth.

...

The seventh.

All 7 projections dissipated.

He stood at the foot of the crusher.

With his back to everyone.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Because you let me know."

"Light."

"Is not invincible."

---

Then his six wings spread out again.

Golden light soared into the sky.

His figure disappeared into the pale purple skylight of the mining area.

---

[System Prompt: Relationship with the God Race faction "Angel Legion" changed.]

[Original Relationship: Neutral (Deterrence)]

[New Relationship: Hostility +100]

[Current Relationship Status: Hostile (Potential)]

[Note: Michael personally expresses "recognition" of you, but the Angel Legion's overall hostility toward the Heavenly Court has risen. In the future, when encountering God Race players on the Ancient Star Road, there is a 47% probability of triggering a battle.]

---

Lin Ye looked at the line "Hostility +100".

3 seconds.

He closed the prompt.

Turned around.

Looked at the 8 people.

---

"Mining Area No. 1." He said.

"3-5 pieces."

"3 days."

---

Su Qingyue walked to his side.

Ice-blue eyes looked at him.

"The God Race." She said.

"Will they retaliate?"

---

Lin Ye did not answer immediately.

He looked toward the top of the crusher.

The position where Michael disappeared.

3 seconds.

"Yes." He said.

"But not now."

---

He withdrew his gaze.

Walked toward the depths of the mining area.

Behind him, 8 people.

508 mechs.

Stepped forward simultaneously.

---

[System Prompt: Expedition Team Mining Area No. 1 task progress updated.]

[star core energy Collected: 0/3-5]

[Estimated completion time: 71 hours later]

[Current Mining Area Status: Safe (No hostile factions)]

[Next Stage: Mining Area No. 2]

---

Chen Hao's voice came from the communication channel:

"Boss."

"Those 47 seconds just now..."

He paused.

"Can the Chaos Domain really devour light?"

---

Lin Ye did not answer.

He just looked ahead.

Looking at the abandoned mining area illuminated by the pale purple skylight.

Looking at the 508 mechs standing by for mining.

Looking at the three translucent golden feathers in his palm—they were still pulsing at a frequency of 1.7 seconds/time.

Synchronized with his heartbeat.

Synchronized with the energy core fragments cooling in the wreckage of the 47 command-type mechs at the Blood Altar ruins.

Synchronized with the pulse of that crystal core behemoth in Area 3, 370 kilometers away—possibly synchronized.

---

[Chapter 165 · End]