Long Yi, Zhang San, and Li Si remained still, not making any reckless moves. A dazzling pillar of light erupted from the center of Tien City, shooting straight into the sky. In an instant, the entire sky above Tien City became densely covered with dark clouds, accompanied by thunder and lightning, resembling a scene from the apocalypse.
The beam of light, directly piercing the sky from Tien City, lasted for fifteen seconds. During this process, an astonishing amount of magical energy was transported into the sky, ultimately forming a massive vortex composed entirely of magical energy over the city.
The diameter of the vortex was at least 500 meters, containing more energy than a typical S-class spell. As it rotated, it generated numerous lightning bolts, making it nearly impossible to look directly at.
"This is too terrifying!" exclaimed the commander of the Blood Lion Knight Order. He was a Level 6 powerhouse, possessing the strength equivalent to a Level 6 overlord. However, when faced with this power, he felt small, as if he could be crushed at any moment.
Is this the power of a Mage King? Is this the magic of the most renowned mage in the empire over the past three centuries? The overwhelming force, the majestic aura, and this energy seemed beyond imagination. The commander of the knight order, felt a sense of insignificance that he had never experienced before. Not only the Blood Lion Order Knight Commander but also the Thunderous Society Heroes displayed shocked expressions. They had never witnessed their president going all out. Now, they finally realized the immense strength of their society's president.
In the next moment, the vortex shrank and concentrated. After compressing the energy to its limit, it ultimately transformed into a massive pillar of light that descended to the ground. With a resounding boom, the exploding shockwave instantly created a meteorite crater-like large hole. In the center of this enormous crater squatted a giant, standing up slowly. Its muscles were pronounced, resembling a solid entity, yet radiating brilliance throughout its entire body.
An unparalleled aura, like a terrifying storm, emanated from the giant's body, instantly covering a radius of dozens of miles, as if a god had descended.
"This is..." Long Yi showed a look of astonishment.
Li Si said in a deep voice, "It's an Arcane Avatar! This is a highly advanced summoning magic, using the caster's spirit as the core and powerful magical energy to form the body. It possesses terrifying destructive power."
The hundred-meter giant was an Arcane Puppet. While many magic users could summon Arcane Puppets or Arcane Avatars, what Luo Zheng used was evidently an S-class skill. The special aspect of this skill laid in summoning not an ordinary Arcane Puppet but an actual incarnation. Although Luo Zheng's magical power was formidable, his physical body was aging rapidly and could not endure excessive strain. Therefore, he utilized his entire magical power to create an Arcane Avatar, connecting his spiritual soul directly to it and employing this endlessly powerful incarnation for battle.
Luo Zheng was already a Level 6 monarch-class Hero. The Arcane Avatar summoned by his magical power undoubtedly reached the strength of a Level 6 monarch. Moreover, Luo Zheng had strategically positioned twenty powerful disciples around him in advance, and the grand magic formation further enhanced his spells.
Hence, it could be stated that the strength of this Arcane Giant approached the ceiling of a Level 6 monarch. Even in his prime, Duke Bachor would find it challenging to defeat this Arcane Giant in a one-on-one scenario. The only viable strategy was to avoid a direct confrontation, bypass the Arcane Giant, and directly attack Luo Zheng's original body to disrupt his spellcasting. However, Tien City was protected by a city defense barrier, the Blood Lion Knight Order and Thunderous Society Heroes were vigilant, and breaking into the city immediately would be no easy task, despite the formidable strength of the forces from the Darkness City.
"Hahaha! Come, Darkness Three Dragons! This is the empire's strongest magical might!" The Arcane Giant Luo Zheng let out a laugh more thunderous than an actual thunderstorm. "Dying by my hands will be the greatest honor of your lives!"
The imminent battle was about to unfold!
"Dark Domain!"
"Earth Domain!"
"Sacrificial Domain!"
The Darkness Three Dragons initiated their respective domains in an attempt to gain control over the battlefield. Simultaneously, the Arcane Giant also unleashed its own domain. The four domains were divided into two factions, clashing against each other. Unexpectedly, they canceled each other out, and none could establish dominance.
"What?!" Li Four's expression changed dramatically.
Back when the Darkness Three Dragons faced Duke Bachor, their two dragon domains could almost match Duke Bachor's, and the third domain could easily overshadow his. However, at this moment, when they joined forces, they could only reluctantly maintain a balance. The strength of a monarch's domain is directly proportional to their power. This indicated that the Arcane Giant Luo Zheng had slightly more strength than Duke Bachor had at the time. The victory against Duke Bachor was heavily dependent on geographical advantage.
And yet, in the current situation, even the Sacrificial Domain was being suppressed. Li Si's support abilities were directly cut in half. Facing an Arcane Giant stronger than Duke Bachor, it was almost impossible to win.Nonetheless, there was no sign of faltering. The Darkness Three Dragons remained unwaveringly devoted to the Demon King, embodying a spirit that was untamed and unafraid of death.
Among them, Zhang San displayed the most audacity and recklessness. Leveraging his formidable defense, he maintained the form of an Earth Drake and led the charge, declaring, "Let's see what you're truly capable of!" The speed was astonishing, akin to a golden flash that instantaneously reached the front of the Arcane Giant. Zhang San, aware of the significant level difference, understood that the opponent's magically constructed body could diminish magical damage. Furthermore, Zhang San, renowned as the strongest Earth Drake for defense among his kin, was confident.
Then, in the subsequent moment, the Arcane Giant raised its fist. The punch was delivered at a speed nearly dozens of times faster than lightning. The shockwave it generated, almost warping space, swept through the forest and hills, instantly reshaping the terrain into a flat expanse. The Earth Drake Sovereign, weighing thousands of tons, was sent hurtling for hundreds, if not thousands, of meters. It crashed heavily onto the ground, scales shattered, and copious amounts of blood sprayed out, staining the expansive ground in red.
The brutality of the situation was apparent. Li Si discerned the scenario, commenting, "This... isn't an elemental attack. It's a pure energy attack!" The Arcane Giant compressed high-density arcane energy with its fist, explosively releasing it as pure kinetic force devoid of elemental attributes. It resembled more of a physical attack.
The Earth Drake Sovereign suffered severe injuries from this punch. If it were any of the other Darkness Dragons, especially Li Si, with weaker defense and health, this punch might not only have been fatal but also rendered them severely wounded, losing combat effectiveness.
"Hahaha! Have you witnessed it? When magical energy is developed to its peak, even a true dragon can't withstand its blow!" The Arcane Giant unleashed its magic, instantly teleporting its hundred-meter-tall body in front of Long Yi. The Dark Dragon King opened its mouth, releasing a breath of dragon fire. However, the flames were repelled by the formidable energy constituting the Arcane Giant's body.
"Demon King! You can meet your end now!" The Arcane Giant completely disregarded the scorching dragon flames. Two arcane spears materialized in its hands, launching a swift assault.
Li Si quickly came to aid, using the energy blast from its seven heads to disrupt the Arcane Giant. Although it could not pose a direct threat, it managed to interrupt the attack. Simultaneously, Zhang San lunged forward again, initiating a gravity suppression, increasing the gravitational force around him by a thousandfold.
"It's futile! Useless resistance!" The Arcane Giant gleamed, dispelling the surrounding energy.
"The Darkness City is on the verge of being leveled! The Tree of Eternity will ultimately be mine!"
"Dare to defy my will, and I'll ensure your souls never find peace!" The giant raised its spear, releasing a barrage of arcane lightning, forcing the Darkness Three Dragons to retreat, making it difficult for them to approach.
With a swing of his arm, Luo Zheng directed all the arcane lightning concentrated on the Dark Dragon King. Long Yi activated the power of dark absorption to counter the attack. Seizing the opportunity, the Arcane Giant swiftly swung its arm, and the colossal spear shot out at an astonishing speed, seemingly about to pierce through.
This strike carried immense power, capable of instantly leveling even a mountain. Despite the Dark Abyssal Dragon's vitality and defense ranking just below that of the Earth Drake Sovereign, facing this attack head-on meant either death or severe injury. Desperately unleashing the power of darkness, Long Yi hoped to weaken the energy of the arcane spear. However, it was evident that it was already too late. This attack was too fast and too powerful!
"The Demon King is finished!" This was the simultaneous realization within the imperial forces. Halyfax, the Mage King, had proven his overwhelming strength in just a brief encounter, successfully suppressing the Darkness Three Dragons. Truly deserving of the title of the empire's most legendary mage, Halyfax lived up to the moniker of Magic King.
However, at this crucial moment, a protective layer of starlight emerged, swiftly intercepting the Arcane Giant's spear assault. Halyfax's expression shifted dramatically. "Who dares!?"
Despite the Arcane Giant spear being weakened by the Dark Dragon King, the fact that it could be repelled by a shield indicated the extraordinary capabilities of its wielder. This was no ordinary individual; their strength surpassed even that of the Darkness Three Dragons!
"Cease your delusions! The Tree of Eternity is a gift from the Darkness City to the elves! As the Elven King of the Chaos Forest, I will never allow anyone to seize it!" The proclamation rang out in a clear and melodious voice as the landscape underwent a transformation. Countless massive roots and vines sprouted from beneath a kilometer-sized divine tree, swiftly enveloping a radius of tens of thousands of meters, ensnaring everyone into this domain.
The Arcane Giant, Halyfax, realized his entire body was ensnared by the roots. The immensely potent energy absorption capability of the Divine Tree Domain swiftly drained energy from his form.
"You are... the Elven King!" Halyfax's expression darkened. Not only was this individual the Elven King, but they were also a Level 6 Elven King! The powerful energy absorption capability of the Divine Tree Domain, combined with the fact that the Arcane Giant was composed purely of energy, immediately placed him in a disadvantageous position. The opponent was at the same level and should possess similar strength. Initially, the situation allowed for domains to mutually offset or weaken each other, but now Halyfax needed to suppress the Darkness Three Dragons while being restrained.
Meanwhile, everyone else had also identified the newcomer. An elven girl, seemingly very young, held the Scepter of the Elven King. She exuded an aura of regality, and the overwhelming domain strength further confirmed her identity.
"Elven King!"
"The Elven King of the Chaos Forest!"
"This Elven King is aiding the Darkness Three Dragons!"
"She must be an ally and support brought in by the Darkness City!"
"Damn it, we were careless. No wonder the Demon King could develop so rapidly! Turns out, there's another force behind him!"
"This Elven King, along with the force supporting her, is likely the true mastermind. The Demon King and the Darkness City are just distractions!"
"This Elven King and her backers are the real puppeteers. The Demon King and the Darkness City are just fronts!"
The Arcane Giant, Halyfax, gritted his teeth. "Are you also a Level 6 monarch?!"
"Truly unexpected. You've concealed yourself so well! The Chaos Forest actually gave birth to such a powerful Elven King!"
"Even if you possess power comparable to mine, you can't possibly defeat me. I not only have the amplifying power of ancient magic formations, but I also have the assistance of numerous disciples. I'm not fighting alone! You are destined to have no chance of winning!"
Nancilia snorted. "Hmph! Don't speak of victory too soon!"
With a simple wave of her hand: "Forest of Burial!" Countless roots flowed out like a river from beneath her feet. The Arcane Giant was submerged in an instant, wrapped in layer upon layer. His energy was rapidly being drained, and he was swiftly growing weaker.
"You think you can stop me with these petty tricks? Foolishness, Elven King. Foolishness!" Roaring madly, Halyfax unleashed his energy. The restraints around him were torn apart one after another. Breaking free from endless binds, he wielded two giant spears in each hand, adopting a hysterical stance, as if he intended to perish together with the Elven King.
However, at this moment, Halyfax was stunned. Taking advantage of the time he was freeing himself, the Elven King activated the Elemental Covenant five times in quick succession. These were the Elemental Kings of Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, and Lightning---each a lesser rank of Level 6 monarch. Though considered the weakest of Level 6 monarchs, they were not to be underestimated, and their actual strength was formidable.
Halyfax, the Arcane Giant, showed a horrified expression. "This is impossible... How can you summon and control five monarch-level entities!"
Nancilia retorted, "What does this amount to? You, a frog at the bottom of the well, have no idea what true power is. You delude yourself into thinking you possess the ultimate magical ability!"
Enraged, Halyfax exclaimed, "You dare to insult me!" Firing two arcane spears, the Arcane Giant conjured endless energy with his hands, unleashing a river-like torrent that gathered into an enormous energy sphere within his embrace.
Was this an attempt to decisively win? Coincidentally, the Elven King had the same idea! Nancilia raised her Elven King's Scepter, and the five Elemental Kings transformed into five powerful energy storms, all converging at the tip of the Elven King's Scepter, compressed into a dense energy sphere that distorted the space around it.
"Shit!" Halyfax's face changed drastically. He had not anticipated the Elven King's extraordinary tactics. This was a full-force attack, depleting the entire strength of all five Elemental Kings.
"Elemental Fusion!" Nancilia released the energy accumulated in her staff. The Arcane Giant also unleashed a supercharged wave of arcane energy. In the moment of collision in midair, the arcane energy immediately dissipated and crumbled, and this force hit the Arcane Giant directly in the heart.
"!"
An Arcane Giant known for being impervious to physical attacks was unexpectedly pierced through and bored a massive hole. Learning from her previous encounter with Yan Qianjun, Nancilia immediately delivered a more thorough follow-up attack. The power of the five elemental forces erupted simultaneously, causing the Arcane Giant's body to quickly develop numerous spider web-like cracks.
It was not that the Arcane Giant was weak, but rather, the Elven King was overwhelmingly powerful. This Elemental Fusion move was not something the Arcane Giant, or even formidable figures like Zhang Nu, could withstand if directly hit. Its potency was even capable of injuring mythic-level individuals, solidifying it as Nancilia's most potent single-target attack.
"No, no, no!"
"It can't be!"
"I can't possibly lose!"
Roaring in madness, Halyfax refused to accept the inevitable. However, regardless of how difficult it was to comprehend, the Arcane Giant eventually collapsed and exploded.
Nancilia breathed a sigh of relief. Dealing with this Arcane Giant was challenging, especially in the midst of a large-scale confrontation between two armies. She had to find a way to end it swiftly. Little did she expect that a single strike would be enough. The Arcane Giant was an incarnation of Halyfax. Though a mere manifestation, it required entrusting one's spirit and soul. Once forcibly destroyed before withdrawal, the caster would suffer intense backlash. If her deduction was correct, Halyfax at this moment must be severely weakened and enduring unbearable pain. From this day forward, Nancilia, the Elven King, rose to fame, becoming renowned throughout the land!
