Even the thirty-thousand-strong audience could sense the dangerous aura exuded from the basin. The Celestials could not sit still because one of the seven unfortunate souls that were about to be devoured by Field Marshal Awesomo's vengeance was their Celestial King.
However, the stirring among the Celestials was completely useless. That was because, since an unknown period of time ago, the basin demarcated by the cliffs was already enveloped by an invisible domain. It isolated the thirty-thousand-strong audience outside the basin.
After all, the mastermind behind this scheme was the assessment program who had full control over the land of trials, the Infernal Queen. Be it the Celestials, Infernals, or the Transcendents, they were just puppet-like existences she created. Naturally, they lacked the strength to interfere with her plans. They did not even have the right to disturb the trajectory towards despair by even a centimeter.
All they could do was watch helplessly as Field Marshal Awesomo's perfectly recovered body pick its head up from the ground before placing it on his neck with a clean cut.
The bones connected with each other while flesh began exchanging tissue. When the final wound disappeared, it would mark the beginning of an extremely brutal revenge.
"Is the boring and meaningless prelude finally about to end?" Earthbound Yaksha opened its eyes and cast its gaze onto the gigantic shadow that spread across the ground. Its voice sounded somewhat impatient.
It had abided to Shadow Wraith's arrangements, it did not kill Speechless and Mu Lengxi, who made it somewhat worried. It was not entirely because it wanted to allow Field Marshal Awesomo to vent his anger, nor was it because of the Shadow Wraith, who was the Level Lord of the ninth level, had the right to 'order' it.
It was because Earthbound Yaksha was a warrior that reveled in bloodshed before it became an evil spirit from hell. The vestiges of a warrior's honor prevented it from finding depraved delight in attacking opponents who could not fight back.
However, allowing enemies that it could kill immediately live on for another ten minutes seemed like an extremely foolish thing to do. Even though the seven trial-takers were restrained by Shadow Wraith's 'Shadow Shackles', who could be certain that nothing unexpected would happen despite the odds of a reversal happening was infinitesimal?
What made Earthbound Yaksha most vexed and impatient was that it knew the true motives behind Shadow Wraith's actions.
"Yes, the prelude has ended, so let the dirge of despair begin!"
Shadow Wraith let out a hoarse, sinister chuckle.
"Oh, heh heh...Brother Yaksha, don't you know that the prelude is extremely important? Compared to passing a death sentence directly, by sparing them with a pittance of time to live, letting the remnants of hope gradually vanish, their feelings of despair will gradually accumulate. They will hysterically pray for a miracle, and as the timespan of their prayers slows down, it will begin brewing an endless terror. Finally, when the flames of despair spark an explosion, it will be the most beautiful dirge when it reaches the climax! Therefore, the prelude is extremely important."
Shadow Wraith's voice was filled with evil delight.
Earthbound Yaksha revealed a look that indicated it had expected it. It said in a cold voice, "Thy evil delight is something that I cannot agnize even after ten thousand years. In mine own point of view, nay matter how weak the opponent is, nay matter how much advantage exists, excessive arrogance and carelessness can result in disaster for oneself. Besides..."
Earthbound Yaksha turned its head to scan the seven trial-takers on the desolate lands. Its expression turned uglier.
Even though they could not move or their repeated struggles had failed after a long ten minutes, the seven humans, be it that carefree shield youth, or that frail looking silver-haired girl, none of them had eyes that seemed dull despite Field Marshal Awesomo's revenge and torture was about to descend upon them.
Their eyes had remained bright with a sparkle to them. They did not look like eyes people would have in a state of utter despair. No, it should be said that their eyes were clearly filled with hope and fighting spirit!
They were enemies that definitely could not be treated carelessly. Furthermore, it and the two other idiots had given them ten minutes without noticing it.
"Enough! Foolish Ox, apace maketh thy moveth!"
Earthbound Yaksha bellowed angrily. While it was rejoicing over the fact that nothing unexpected had happened in the past ten minutes, it also began having a wariness like what a serious warrior should have.
"No hurry."
Field Marshal Awesomo cracked his neck that he had rejoined. Immediately the crackling of his bones locking in place was heard. As he picked up the battle ax on the ground with a sneer, he turned his head towards the azure-dressed girl that was glaring hatefully at him from afar.
"What's the rush? We still have lots and lots of time. This Field Marshal wants them to experience utter torture, giving them a living death!"
As Field Marshal Awesomo said that with a tone that could barely repress the wrath in it, he slowly walked towards the azure-dressed girl that was at his mercy.
"Killeth those folk immediately. Maketh haste and stop wasting time!" Earthbound Yaksha frowned. Field Marshal Awesomo seemed bent on slowly torturing the seven trial-takers to death. If he was allowed free reign to do so, it would definitely be a waste of even more time. There might be unexpected situations that crop up. After all, the seven trial-takers did not seem like they had given up from the look in their eyes.
Arrogance and carelessness were sources of evil that could land them in trouble easily. They had to nip the threat in the bud!
As a warrior many years ago, it had died under the hands of an enemy that it thought it had killed. How could it make the same mistake?
Earthbound Yaksha's eyes squinted as he slowly unsheathed a samurai sword.
"Earthbound Yaksha, hold your blade! This Field Marshal advises you not to underestimate my anger. Did you not see the pain and humiliation that This Field Marshal experienced just now? If the cruelest of tortures isn't used, how can This Field Marshal vent the anger in his heart?"
Field Marshal Awesomo growled angrily at Earthbound Yaksha. Not long ago, it had been trapped in a tiny space. All the air had been robbed of it. That sense of despair of not being able to breathe and the terror of impending doom was still fresh on his mind. The hatred he had could no longer be described by words.
One could see the instantaneous struggle in Earthbound Yaksha's eyes before it finally let out a sigh.
"It's up to thee."
Earthbound Yaksha sheathed its samurai sword and closed its eyes with flagging interest. It leaned against the cliff to continue its nap. Regardless of the matter, it had a relationship with the foolish ox for ten thousand years. Even though their relationship appeared odious on the surface, it was impossible that it did not feel a thing for the ox.
Furthermore, although it was somewhat wary, it did not believe that the seven humans had any chance of retaliation. That was because it too could not escape Shadow Wraith's 'Shadow Shackles' if it were in their shoes.
It was not worth it to sever all ties with the foolish ox for an unrealistic notion of wariness.
Earthbound Yaksha's compromise made Field Marshal Awesomo release a delighted smile. He turned his head and continued proceeding forward at a speed that wasn't considered fast, but in less than ten seconds, he was already in front of Sunless.
With less than a meter separating him from her, all he needed to do was swing his ax, and the girl would be beheaded, splattering blood everywhere.
But at that moment, looking down at those calm, amber eyes that were filled with killing intent, he was unsure what he should do next.
He was always inclined to enter a frenzied massacre while enjoying the thrill of splitting his enemies into two. However, he did not have much expertise when it came to torturing techniques.
It wanted to make the wretch in front of it be tormented by the cru
elest torture. Typical acts of torture could not satisfy him; hence, he needed to treat her carefully like a treasure. He was momentarily unsure what he should do next.
"Hey, Wraith, you were once the prison governor of the underworld. You are proficient in means of torture when it comes to convicts. Can you teach This Field Marshal? This Field Marshal finally understands today that torturous torment is an important art. Due to the rage I have, it's not something that can be vented even with slaughtering."
Field Marshal Awesomo turned its body to look at the shadow on the ground and asked a horrific question.
"Heh heh heh..."
Shadow Wraith was clearly pleased to indulge Field Marshal Awesomo. It said with a sinister laugh, "Compared to physical pain, mental torture is even crueler. Therefore, constantly trampling on their dignity, letting them feel a humiliation that cannot be endured, making them yearn for an immediate death, letting them suffer a mental breakdown...That is true punishment!"
Field Marshal Awesomo clearly did not understand the underlying meaning behind Shadow Wraith's words. He said in impatience, "What does it mean? Can you tell This Field Marshal what should be done directly?"
Shadow Wraith said with a scoff, "You can't even understand that? You are really a...Forget it. I'll just make it clear. The human you want to torture is a young girl. She is equivalent to an unwed female minotaur in your minotaur race. To an unwed female minotaur, what do you think is the most unbearable humiliation?"
To a foolish ox-like Field Marshal Awesomo, such a direct analogy could not be any better.
How should an unwed female minotaur be tormented?
Field Marshal Awesomo pondered for a moment before he immediately understood Shadow Wraith's intentions. He suddenly widened his eyes as he could not help but reveal a sinister smile.
Hence, he immediately turned around.
His hands had let go of his battle ax. With a twisted pose, he stretched his arm towards the azure-dressed girl a meter away from him!
An indescribable scene that should not have happened in a passionate novel about posturing might have been created by Field Marshal Awesomo. With his identity as a minotaur, he would NTR the male protagonist, so what else could stir the blood of experienced readers with such fetishes?
But!
How can the purity-obsessed author, who deliberately prevented one of the female protagonists from having any scenes with other male supporting actors, allow the female protagonist to be tainted in any way?
Very unfortunately, the antagonist was destined to not even touch a strand of the female protagonist's hair!
Therefore, rejoice, because, at that moment, the arms Field Marshal Awesomo stretched out midway paused in mid-air suddenly. His body that he turned came to a complete halt as well!
"Huh!?"
Shadow Wraith exclaimed in disbelief.
At the same time, they saw Field Marshal Awesomo, whose face had a hideous grin remained stiff on his face, had a fine crack appear from the top of his head. Immediately following that, including his head, his body gradually separated into two pieces as they fell to the ground.
"Slam!"
Field Marshal Awesomo's massive body had crumbled to the ground in two cleaved halves.
And in Shadow Wraith's vision, the azure-dressed girl that had previously been blocked by Field Marshal Awesomo's massive body slowly appeared.
At that moment, the azure-dressed girl was holding a sword with both hands as she raised it high towards the sky. Visible black energy began spreading out from the tip of her silver sword like vines and it formed a spiraling sword energy of darkness that resembled a black fog!
"How is it possible!?" Shadow Wraith bellowed angrily in disbelief. The situation's sudden reversal was clearly not a miracle, nor was it because the shameless author had wantonly change the plot in order to save the female protagonist, but because—the azure-dressed girl who had raised her sword high had escaped its 'Shadow Shackles'!
Without any reinforcements, she had escaped its 'Shadow Shackles' alone and split apart Field Marshal Awesomo, whose back was facing her. Furthermore...
Shadow Wraith slowly widened its nonexistent eyes as it looked at the spiraling black sword energy above the silver sword. Suddenly, it realized something...
"No! Quickly stop her!" Shadow Wraith yelled in Earthbound Yaksha's direction!
"Damn it!" Earthbound Yaksha immediately opened its eyes when it heard Shadow Wraith. With a curse, it immediately unsheathed its samurai sword and wanted to prevent the unforeseen event that was about to happen.
However, as Earthbound Yaksha had a protruded spine, it had especially found a cliff to rest on. It was a distance away from the dismembered body. When the blade beam it slashed out was midway in flight, Sunless had already cleaved down her raised sword!
"Heaven Shrouding Eclipse!"
The spiraling sword beams of darkness slammed at Shadow Wraith suddenly like a black cloud!
Heaven Shrouding Eclipse was one of the higher grade sword techniques of the Ye family. It was also the most proficient sword technique Sunless's brother, Heartless, knew.
However, Sunless, who had only practiced the technique a few times in the past, did not pale in comparison to Heartless with her usage of Heaven Shrouding Eclipse. It was solid proof of her talent in sword arts.
And the reason why she chose to use Heaven Shrouding Eclipse at such a critical moment was that the sword beam formed from Heaven Shrouding Eclipse would absorb all the natural elements of 'darkness' from the surroundings. It would cause the sword beam to have a physical manifestation of 'black clouds'.
Against Shadow Wraith, who was a 'shadow', the black clouds that could shroud the sunlight was apparently the best technique!
As such, when the sword beam came cleaving down, the suppressive sword beam in the form of black clouds fully depicted the reason why it was a 'Heaven Shrouding Eclipse'. The sun was eclipsed and the ground beneath the sword beam was completely covered in darkness!
Darkness immediately devoured the six shadow tentacles of Shadow Wraith!
"No!"
Shadow Wraith bellowed furiously. The devouring darkness did not harm it, but it had dispelled its 'Shadow Shackles'!
The other six humans that were shackled immediately escaped the shadow's imprisonment!
"Move out!"
A male voice filled with a magnetic charm suddenly resounded in the darkness.
It was Speechless's voice!
At the same time, three figures tore through the black fog and charged towards Earthbound Yaksha's location!
The enraged Earthbound Yaksha had similarly taken action. It dashed towards the source of noise with a samurai sword in hand. The youth who had given an order like a leader was an existence that it felt most apprehensive about among the seven humans. It was filled with regret that it did not immediately kill the youth ten minutes ago.
However, no amount of regret could change the past. Therefore, Earthbound Yaksha was determined to kill him 'now'!
Earthbound Yaksha immediately sensed that three auras were charging straight at it.
It swept its gaze and saw that the three figures were the youth with the mithril shield, the Daoist with a talisman in hand, as well as the azure-dressed girl, who left a deep impression on it.
"Scram!" Earthbound Yaksha sneered. A repressive Soul Suppression emanated from its body.
It did not have the luxury of time to waste with the trio. Even the azure-dressed girl was not someone who made it as apprehensive as that youth who was proficient at strategic deployment.
Towards opponents who were a few psionic realms lower than it was, releasing Soul Suppression was enough to leave them stifled.
And indeed, the moment Earthbound Yaksha's Soul Suppression was released, other than Sunless, who did not appear affected, Feng Yuanlin and Liu Yu's pupils constricted and their bodies came to a sudden halt. Their actions appeared extremely slow.
At that moment, a melodious voice so
unded. It was moving and pleasant to the ears. The voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to penetrate the barriers of space itself. Instantly, it filled the entire arena!
"The sky is high and the wind sings,"
"The dream I once relished in joy,"
"That people will one day find,"
"Your firm belief with the eyes of a child!"
"I'm willing to be by your side,"
"Crossing through the frozen forest,"
"So that your eyes won't forever hesitate,"
"in the grief of the world!"
It was unknown when Mu Lengxi had taken off her thick black-rimmed glasses, revealing her adolescent beauty. She spread out her arms and with her eyes closed, she sang with gusto. The wind that blew into the sky suddenly flared the crystalline-like silver-hair that resembled snowflakes into the sky.
At that moment, the bookworm who always buried herself in a sea of books and remained silent was dignified and pure like a goddess. She was as charming and gorgeous as a pixie.
Her voice reached towards the horizons and clear droplets of resplendent light fell to the ground like a drizzle, while illuminating the other six. The courage and hope infused in the voice transformed into surging energy that flowed through their bodies.
The effects of Soul Suppression was immediately reduced drastically, enough for Feng Yuanlin and Liu Yu to conquer it based on their own willpower.
"Wow, wow, wow! Muse Silvermoon's "The Sky is High and the Wind Sings"! And she immediately began with the chorus which is the most exhilarating! Oh! Oh! Oh! Energy is surging, it's all coming!" Feng Yuanlin shouted out in an exaggerated manner. He raised his mithril shield and charged at Earthbound Yaksha. His excited appearance did not look like he was rushing headlong into battle, but like he was rushing to attend a concert.
"This is how a Muse alone can influence the outcome of a battle!" Liu Yu sighed in praise once again.
Although Mu Lengxi's powers were still nascent as a peerless Muse, she was able to shape the outcome of the battle. In the future, she would definitely be a Battle Muse viewed as a treasure by the country. And in addition to her proficiency of magic that far exceeded Liu Yu's understanding, it was unimaginable how impressive a hero she would grow into.
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