The Death Phoenix was a Godbeast not much weaker than the Golden Dragon, however, it took several generations before its descendants could finally emerge in the universe.
The possible reasons for this phenomenon were many, but the reasoning didn't matter anymore.
The Dark Phoenix Clan was able to rise to prominence through the power of their racial traits and gain the backing of the Black Dragon Clan. While the other clans participating in the Golden Dragon Clan's downfall were merely in business relationships with the clan, the Dark Phoenixes were true subordinates.
As Astoria approached their base, a prickling sensation overtook her, alerting her of danger lurking all around.
In the sky above, Damien's eyes narrowed as well. He looked deep into the main residence of the clan where the Death Lord resided.
"4th revolution master." He muttered to himself.
It should've been expected from Godbeast descendants, but the rate of growth of these phoenixes was truly terrifying.
To produce a 4th revolution master in less than 100 years was something not many could do.
Nevertheless, it was clear that this master also hid his strength for unknown reasons. If Astoria tried to charge him, she would be instantly killed.
'Is it time to get my hands dirty?' Damien wondered with a smile.
The rest of the clan didn't even have a single extreme peak master, making it obvious that some extraneous means were used to raise the Death Lord to his strength so rapidly.
With these conditions, if Astoria were to challenge the entire clan instead of just the Lord, she would find an even greater challenge than any of her three others.
And while she did so, Damien could also test his new power.
"Astoria, stand back and face off against the experts who try to chase me. I'll be taking the Territory Lord this time," he said through mental transmission.
Astoria pouted for a second before realizing the implications of his words.
"How strong is the Territory Lord?" She asked curiously.
"4th revolution," Damien answered nonchalantly.
"Ehh?!"
Astoria immediately jumped in surprise.
"Master, isn't that a bit too much?!" She asked in a slight panic.
Damien shrugged, grinning to himself. "Don't talk nonsense. This is the perfect challenge."
"Hmm…" Astoria frowned in worry, but she wasn't given even an instant to let that worry fester.
"I'm going in. Follow me if you don't want to miss the fun!"
"Eh? Master, you—"
BOOOOOOOM!
Only when she heard the distant explosion did Astoria realize that Damien was already gone.
She jumped up and ran towards it with an exasperated expression.
"Dammit, Master! Wait for me!"
***
'Starfall.'
It was an entrance gift, a grand ceremony of flames that announced Damien's presence to the world.
The meteorite that sped through Damien's connected portal crashed into the main abode of the Death Phoenix Clan, directly blowing it to shreds and killing several tens of people who were within.
Damien descended into the flames excitedly.
It had been a long time since he met an opponent who could match him.
In recent days, he'd only been meeting those significantly weaker or significantly stronger than him, and it almost felt like he lost track of his strength in this time he spent peerless.
Atop that, he'd been winning too often.
The impossible situations he was able to overcome in the past, he was only able to do so because of the long list of past experiences that supported him.
If he was to become content, if he was to forget his true place in the universe, he was sure to taste karma eventually.
In the end, Sir Theon was killed by the Heavenly Vine, and the Heavenly Vine was killed by Galantis. Arthur was also only killed due to Galantis' interference, and Immortal Blood Asura was driven back by Tiamat.
Damien himself had only contributed to these victories. He never actually had the power to execute them himself.
As the Death Lord, this large and domineering character rose from the flames to face him, Damien felt his blood pumping.
He knew his own limits better than anyone. Now that he'd finally entered the extreme peak, he didn't doubt that he was any weaker than this Death Lord.
But the only way to test that was…!
Bang!
Damien pushed off the air and flew forward, swinging his fist with extreme velocity.
The Death Lord's eyes slightly moved. With a look of superiority clouding his face, he extended his arm, manifesting a black feathered wing that clashed against Damien's fist,
Clang!
Sparks flew from the point of impact. Damien looked into his opponent's eyes as he vanished and appeared on the complete opposite side of where he was, summoning Hel and shooting a terrifying black bullet into the Death Lord's temple!
Bang!
The shot flew true and entered the enemy's head, but unlike what Damien expected, he saw no reaction.
Bzzt…!
Suddenly, Damien felt his connection with the mana disappear.
His eyes narrowed.
"I should've expected it from someone called the Death Lord. It seems this particular law is useless against you," Damien said with a smile.
The Death Lord glanced up at him as he teleported a few meters away and responded, "After attacking me so fiercely, you finally decide to speak?"
"Hey, hey, you can't blame me. It's been so long since I met someone who could match me, I couldn't hold back."
"Hmm, it is true that characters of your strength are rare in this part of the universe. Very well, I have also been itching for a fight recently. Entertain me well."
"Your whole clan might get exterminated while we're fighting, you know?"
"If so, that is their fate."
"Sheesh, the Death Phoenix sure is unforgiving."
"It is but our nature."
"Hmph!"
Damien abruptly teleported, summoning Mirage and slashing out.
'Void Sword Art First Form: Bladeless'
Space tore apart into a proverbial mush of flesh and bones, cutting into the Death Lord's body.
The Death Lord didn't panic, instead summoning his own mana and slashing his arm, shattering the spatial mana into pieces.
"Nice one!" Damien exclaimed as he circled back. Freya appeared in his left while Mirage stayed in his right.
In the next instant, he began a furious assault.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Countless bullets of pure white mana clouded the air. Space was gashed into pieces, and as Damien activated Dance of the Void, a collection of minuscule yet deadly spatial cracks formed in the atmosphere, laying in wait for the enemy to collide with them.
With this opportunity to go all out without worry right in front of him, how could Damien act lightly?
He felt like he was back in his younger days, using every possible means without care and endlessly barraging the opponent until they gave in.
Whether it was Spacetime or Samsara, Damien had spent the last 2 years developing them seriously while training Astoria.
The number of theoretical attacks he was waiting for the opportunity to bring into reality was many.
And the Death Lord was just unfortunate enough to appear at this timing, when Damien was desperate for a fight.
With this kind of barrage assaulting him, would he even have a chance to show off his skills as a 4th revolution master?!
Well, the Death Lord certainly wasn't resigned to such a fate.
He wasn't going to let Damien beat him one-sidedly.
After all, even if he was relegated to a lower position in this siege…
He was still a true 4th revolution master, after all.
