Dark clouds began to form overhead as the battle under the sky became even more fierce with each passing minute. Low rumbling and occasional flashes of lightning added an additional layer of desolation within this bloody carnage.
Spurred on by the stench of death and blood offered by their comrades. The demon army grew many times more vicious following the fall of another. Like roaches that crawl with tenacious will for living, another sprang over the body of others and continue the barrage of attacks.
As the battle rages on, traces of fatigue clearly replace the glow of vigor on the faces of envoys. Their reactions show signs of slowness and injuries begin to accumulate. Even the pressure those fifty-something envoys exerted on the enemy show signs of cracking.
In the blink of an eye, the tides have changed.
At this exact moment, under the penetrating stare of Chu Nuan, Duanxian Yu appears behind the Commander. His tall shadow stretches across the ground as it leans closer to the figure of the commander.
Akin to issuing a challenge, Duanxian Yu's eyes never stray from Chu Nuan's for a second while whispering into the commander's ears. His smile curving into a troublesome grin she's most familiar with.
Following the growing radiance in the commander's face, Duanxian Yu straightened his back with his sight still directed at the same spot.
The sky has fully darkened at this time, covered by layers of ominous clouds. The glow of purple pupils against golden irises became even more apparent under the cover of darkness.
Two opposing figures striving towards similar goals collide with one other through wordless scrutiny. For a second, this battle seems not a clash of demons and gods, but a conflict between two similar people instead.
As if on cue, both raised their hands at the same time to rake strands of fallen hair away. One expression full of annoyance, while another filled to the brim with mirth.
Duanxian Yu spread out his arms with a slight shrug, his deep set of purple eyes narrow at the sky before glancing back at the quiet Chu Nuan. Pale thin lips curve into a lopsided grin as his mouth open to form two soundless words, "It's time."
Suddenly, the dark sky flashes a moment of brightness as the loud roar of thunder strikes at the heavens. Temporarily displaying the existing outlines of fighting soldiers and lying carcasses, a light rain began to shower.
As if sensing something, Chu Nuan immediately brandish her chains to form a protective barrier while commanding, "retreat!" Golden pupils fixate at the ground below with pressed lips.
Snap!
Simultaneously, an ominous black radiance spewed out from the streets along the formation of strange symbols. Those black drawings emit faint threads of demonic energy as they move to connect with one another before forming into a large round array within the boundaries of the dimension.
At the same time, unresponsive black gates hidden in different corners of the city began to rumble whilst emitting a dark light. As if receiving some type of signal, they all sank into the ground momentarily before teleporting into the bounds of the battlefield. Two intricate lamps on both sides of the doors lit up with dark flames. Proceeding, the double doors quake with large movements before erupting open to a flood of spirits rushing out.
Malicious spirits bolted out to the entrance way carrying expressions of triumph until they saw the beam of black light heading their way. Thoughts of freedom and scenes of them wreaking havoc among humans quickly turned into ash the moment their souls touch the light.
"Ah!!"
"Hahahaha!!" The frenzied voice of the commander rang out in the open as he witnessed this view. Running over to the edge of the building, half his body leaned over the fencing while his single eye glued onto the black formation.
To see, in whatever places the black light touches, carcasses and blood disperse into small red particles before absorbed into the array. Akin to an abyss that swallows anything that bars its way, all beings, whether alive or dead, disappear the moment it comes in contact with it. This formation truly appeared too abruptly, even members of the demon army cannot escape their fate of death when it suddenly emerged. Screams of pain and despair echoed along the strike of thunder as showering rain started to pour.
"What is this?" Nan Hai appears behind Chu Nuan with Blackie and the rest of the fifty-something members of their army. The moment Chu Nuan gave her order, all envoys abandoned their battles to regroup. It is due to this abrupt order, that all members were able to avoid the danger from below. But there were still grave injuries for a few who retreated while engaging in battle. All of them now stood gape at the scene happening below.
"It's this again." Blackie hissed in disgust, "the Divine Beneficence."
The Divine Beneficence.
Don't be fooled by its holy name. The Divine Beneficence is actually a sacrificial ceremony in which an array is set with the aim of offering the lives of the living in order to gain unimaginable power. It was created by the fifty-seventh Demon Lord, the weakest ruler in history for the sake of compensating his lack of power. This formation was also used during the battle thousands of years ago, the devastation from that day still lingers fresh in his mind.
True to Blackie's words, with the absorption of even more unfortunate demons, the dark symbols grew continuously bright and dark mist began to appear. As the circle neared completion, it stopped absorbing lifeforms while blackness shroud the grey sky.
"Hahahaha!!" The commander stood on the ledge of the building while spreading out his arms in gratification, "come! Enter the bodies of me and my brethrens!"
On signal, the dark mists wavered briefly before rushing toward the bodies of the demonic soldiers who survived the sacrifice. It surged and entered impatiently through all seven orifices of the soldiers, impatiently trying to occupy their new home. Through both ears, nostrils, eyes, and their mouths, not one opening on their bodies is not flooded with fog squirming its way through. Truly a fitting but grotesque way for demonic fiends to strengthen themselves.
"Hahaha! Power! I feel a large amount of energy flowing inside me! Hahaha!" As he said, bloody red symbols appeared from the edges of his eyes and gradually began to envelope the commander's whole figure.
Not just him, the other soldiers who received the blessing also have strange markings appear on their skin. Like a tattoo being seared onto them, sizzling sounds along with faint stench of burning flesh hover in the air. But as if all this is happening to people else, the demons spread out inside the dimension began to grin widely. Sharp canines glare against the dim glow of the bloody symbols surrounding their bodies, giving out an ominous perception.
Madness.
This is probably the only word fit to describe the scenery happening in front of them. Even a few of the envoys known for their courage cannot help but take a step back. What should they do now? All sights unconsciously direct themselves toward one direction.
At the end of their focus is a young woman looking to be in her early twenties. Wearing a black silk robe inlaid with shimmering cranes and clouds. A swirl of stifling wind caused the edges of the fabric to billow along her hair. Contrary to the look of unease her subordinates have, Chu Nuan pressed her red lips together with a look of nonchalance.
Dull eyes stare at the crazy group of demons twisting and turning in all directions while laughing with their heads aimed at the sky.
"Hahahaha!! Chu Nuan! Do you see?" Trying to prove his worth, the commander clench his fists and strike downwards onto the ground. Web-like cracks immediately split the hard concrete structure before the edges collapse all the way from the building onto the streets "This is my true strength! Fear me! Hahahaha!!!"
Chu Nuan rolled her eyes at his comment as a tinge of impatience flashes by. Sensing her annoyance, the chain on the floor shuddered briefly before rising into the air. Circling over Chu Nuan's body, cold indigo aura seeps out from the chains and slowly dominates the surrounding area. The dullness in her pupils gradually changes into one of extreme frost as her sights lower onto the now subdued array.
Feeling mostly satisfied with its sacrifice, the formation ceased to absorb the demons roaming the streets and instead lent its power to them. But this array still needs a source of energy for it to be maintained. Unfortunately for the ghosts that came through the doorways with naive thoughts, they immediately became food for the activated abyss. Even if the souls tried to return into the gates, it won't let them, they can only go out, not in.
Although she doesn't have any sympathy for those malicious spirits, she cannot let them continue to strengthen the formation. "All envoys listen to my command." A soft but strong voice captured the attention of the subordinates behind her. Their eyes landed firmly onto her small but steady back, waiting for her orders.
The boredom in Chu Nuan's eyes replaced with quiet conviction as she pointed down on the streets. Cherry lips pulled to a grin as her cold voice rang out, "I want to see those doors smashed." Without its source of energy, she wants to see how the array can continue to hold.
"Yes!" With a shout, all the envoys charge toward those black doors.
"After them!" Seeing his enemies move, the commander also gave an order of his own before dashing towards Chu Nuan. Cold steel clashes together as his iron sword drives downwards towards his enemy's neck.
Clank!
A chain wrapped in indigo drove forward and crashed itself on the sword, causing its strike to change direction. Failing to land an attack, the commander quickly rolled to the side before sprinting forward again. Graced by the support of the beneficence, his sword enveloped in dark red slice ahead with chaotic strength.
Left, above, right, upwards, spin, this turbulent onslaught without any form of pattern pushed Chu Nuan backwards as she blocked with her chains. Irritation crawled up her face the longer she defends until, abruptly, she stopped. Facing the approaching attack, Chu Nuan made no move to block, her chains lying on the ground around her forming a semi-circle.
"Enough of this nonsense."
As the ugly face of the commander advanced forward in her view, almond eyes twitched for a second before her clenched fist shot forth. Ignoring the oncoming sword and possibility of defending, Chu Nuan closed the distance between them with an attack of her own.
Bang!
Not expecting her actions, the commander firmly received a punch on his cheek. A monstrous energy burst forth from those slender fingers and sent him flying across once again. Not waiting for him to get up, Chu Nuan ran to where his landing point would be and lifted her leg this time. Like a soccer ball, the commander took a kick and flew a few meters away from the building.
Chu Nuan gave chase.
In the meantime, Duanxian Yu stood far away from the center of battle. Leisurely watching the commander get beaten up, his amused chuckle lowly echoed. Swirling purple pupils narrow in delight at the sight of someone else's misfortune.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, his back stiffens abruptly. Pale fingers tremble along the shaking of violet irises as he bit on the bottom of his lips. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he took a deep, slow breath.
Sweetness erupts from his eyes the next minute he turns to face the figure standing behind him in silence.
Gentle and full of affection, his lips form into a joyful grin. "You're here."
The main character has arrived.