Chapter 73 - Flames That Purify
The crystal barrier shattered into thousands of fragments.
The duel had ended.
The true battle had begun.
The corrupted Shadow Silver Wolf threw back its head and unleashed a deafening howl.
Darkness spread across the clearing like a living tide.
The ancient trees withered where the black mist touched them.
Even the sky dimmed.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
Emergency Event
Corrupted Divine Evolution
Beast:
Shadow Silver Wolf
Current Corruption:
96%
External Controller:
Unknown
Priority:
Save the Beast
---
Darius gritted his teeth.
His hands trembled.
"No..."
"Please..."
"Fight it."
The wolf looked at him.
For the briefest instant...
One silver eye appeared.
It was filled with pain.
Then darkness consumed it once more.
---
The beast lunged.
Not at Kai.
At Darius.
"Move!" Kai shouted.
He activated Spirit Step.
BOOM!
His Star-forged Spear intercepted the wolf's claws.
The impact carved a deep trench through the ground.
Kai was forced backwards, his boots digging into the earth.
---
The Crimson Flame Fox leapt onto a nearby boulder.
Its nine tails spread like a burning fan.
"Master!"
"The corruption isn't coming from the wolf!"
"It's coming from the crystal!"
Kai looked skyward.
The floating Eclipse Crystal pulsed with sinister black light.
Dark threads stretched from it into the wolf's body.
Like puppet strings.
---
"Then we cut the strings."
Kai smiled.
Darius stared at him.
"You can't."
"Destroying the crystal will kill him."
Kai shook his head.
"Not if we purify it first."
---
Outside the battlefield...
Lunara silently watched.
The ancient silver wolf beside her lifted its head.
"They've noticed."
Lunara smiled.
"Now let's see if the Ninth Sovereign truly understands the bond between man and beast."
---
Kai closed his eyes.
The First...
Second...
And Third Star Fragments emerged from the Book.
They circled him slowly.
Golden.
Crimson.
Sapphire.
Their lights merged into a radiant halo.
---
Skill Activated
Guardian's Covenant
Synchronisation:
61%
New Technique Available:
Starlight Purification
---
The Shadow Silver Wolf roared again.
Six blades of condensed darkness shot toward Kai.
The Crimson Flame Fox answered immediately.
"Eclipse Blaze!"
Crimson-gold fire collided with black energy.
The resulting explosion illuminated the forest.
Aria shielded her eyes.
"That fox..."
"It's becoming stronger with every battle."
Bjorn laughed.
"Good."
"I was worried the tournament would be boring."
---
Kai raised his spear.
Golden runes climbed its shaft.
He pointed the tip toward the floating crystal.
"Starlight..."
"...Purification!"
A narrow beam of shimmering light pierced the sky.
Instead of striking the wolf...
It struck the Eclipse Crystal.
The crystal vibrated violently.
Black energy hissed from its surface.
Tiny cracks spread across it.
---
Far away...
Within a palace hidden beneath endless darkness...
One of the masked leaders of the Eclipse Court suddenly opened his eyes.
"Our control has weakened."
Another masked figure frowned.
"The Beast Sovereign?"
"No."
The first figure smiled.
"The Book of Infinite Beasts."
"So it has begun restoring its original authority."
---
Back in the Labyrinth...
The crystal cracked again.
The black threads controlling the wolf weakened.
Corruption Level:
96%...89%...81%...74%
The Shadow Silver Wolf collapsed onto one knee.
It whimpered.
"Darius..."
The word was barely audible.
But everyone heard it.
Darius's eyes widened.
"You remember me?"
The wolf struggled to stand.
Its tail wagged weakly.
Just like it had before the corruption.
---
Then—
A furious scream echoed across the forest.
The Eclipse Crystal exploded.
Not outward.
Inward.
A rift of darkness tore open in the sky.
From within emerged a gigantic black hand.
Its fingers were covered in crystal armour.
Kai recognised it immediately.
"The Star Devourer?"
The Book flashed red.
---
Analysis
Negative
Entity:
Void Apostle
Affiliation:
Eclipse Court
Mission:
Retrieve Darius.
Threat Level:
★★★★★
---
The hand reached for Darius.
"No!"
Kai and Darius moved together.
Their spears struck the crystal fingers simultaneously.
BOOOOM!
The impact shook the entire Labyrinth.
The giant hand paused.
For the first time...
Kai and Darius fought side by side.
The Void Apostle laughed.
"So..."
"The Beast Sovereign chooses to save even his enemies."
Kai answered without hesitation.
"He stopped being my enemy..."
"...the moment he chose his partner over power."
The three Star Fragments blazed brilliantly.
The Medallion of the First Sovereign glowed.
Deep beneath the World Tree Sapling...
Something ancient slowly opened its eyes.
The Book displayed a message that made Kai's heart race.
Hidden Guardian Detected
The Fourth Star Fragment...
...has already chosen its protector.