Admiral Tidal Crest realized. After all this time, he finally realized how big of a difference there was between them. He was not a stupid man, so he knew that winning was definitely going to be an almost impossible task. However, he didn't realize that it was worse.
Winning against Yasenia Dravory felt impossible. Because of the security of her formations, the elite squad that always accompanied her, and the evergrowing strength of her own person, Admiral Tidal Crest finally admitted that, yes, they were completely and utterly outclassed. It was as if they had become a second-rate sect, and Yasenia's power was a first-rate sect. There was no chance of winning; only a miracle would reverse this situation.
But there were no miracles.
There were no otherworldly powers that would get involved.
Releasing such a heinous and downright evil formation should've been something that the heavens would punish Yasenia Dravory for. Yet, she was standing in a protective shield, looking down at them with a calm and, if he perceived it well, somewhat conflicted expression. 'So, even she understands that this is not right. Who knew that the creature that I thought was unfeeling and infinitely ruthless, the dragon that had gained the Tyrant Goddess title, in the end, had been giving us face.'
He repeated the words that Yasenia told him in his mind and sighed. 'To think that the way I, Admiral Tidal Crest, would die by suicide. If I told myself this even one hour ago, I would laugh at myself for being ridiculous.'
Taking in a deep breath, Admiral Tidal Crest shouted. "ALL PEOPLE WHO CAN HEAR ME!" His voice rumbled around like thunder, reaching everywhere inside the malevolent realm that had swallowed them all. "MY LAST ORDER AS YOUR HIGHEST COMMAND IS THIS. LISTEN WELL!"
Not only his army but Yasenia and even the [Abyss] creatures looked over. Admiral Tidal Crest smiled wryly to himself one last time. 'What an order to give, eh.'
"I ORDER EVERYONE HERE TO DIE IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT IN YOUR NEXT LIFE! THE CREATURES THAT ARE SLAUGHTERING US CORRUPT OUR SOULS AND MAKE OUR PATH TOWARD REINCARNATION IMPOSSIBLE! IF YOU WANT TO TAKE REVENGE ON YASENIA DRAVORY… DIE! DIE AND KEEP THAT DETERMINATION FOR YOUR NEXT LIFE!"
Admiral Tidal Crest took out his sword and pointed skyward at Yasenia, his face filled with an imposing look worthy of a general while he ignored the Abyssal monsters that were about to rush at him. "GLORY TO THE OCEAN CHASM EMPIRE!"
Then, Admiral Tidal Crest moved his blade and swiftly stabbed himself through the chest, bursting the Epoch Core in the process.
The peak-level Epoch Cores also pointed at Yasenia and followed Admiral Tidal Crest's words. "GLORY TO THE OCEAN CHASM EMPIRE!"
Seeing their top people doing such, they all knew that there was truly no chance, so everyone followed, filling the abhorrent space with shouts of warriors determined to fight in their next life.
Yet, Yasenia saw that Admiral Tidal Crest was not dying fast enough. One Abyssal creature had locked on him and was rushing at him at a terrifying speed.
The dragoness didn't even hesitate as she took a talisman from her storage and broke it, pointing at Admiral Tidal Crest.
The man was confused as a ray of golden light rushed his way. While his senses were disappearing as death claimed his body, he was still aware of his surroundings.
'Hm? Did she change her mind and attack me?'
Everyone that looked at the scene felt rising anger, but that was just for an instant.
The golden light covered Admiral Tidal Crest and created a dome around him.
BOOOOM!
A massive strike that would've deleted him struck the golden barrier.
Then, everyone understood that the Dragon had protected him from the terrible fate of being killed by the Abyssal monsters. Yasenia spoke aloud. "Protect the dying people until they depart in peace." Her face became cold as she looked around. "Nothing should stop their determined actions. Don't let their honor be smeared!"
"Yes, Young Miss!"
The fifty maids used several skills and life-saving treasures, filling the place with protective auras that allowed nearly 95% of the people who killed themselves to avoid being killed by the Abyssal monsters.
Admiral Tidal Crest's lips arched and muttered. "Many thanks, Yasenia Dravory. I hope to become a worthy rival in my next life."
The dragoness answered with a nod. Words were not needed.
After all their prey died, naturally, the monsters locked on Yasenia. However, the dragoness had nothing to worry about.
As soon as everyone that Yasenia considered an enemy died, black and green chains appeared and tied down the dimension itself.
The figure of a black-haired and red-eyed woman appeared in the middle, her bearing unmatched and her beauty beyond words.
The phantom figure of Tatyana lifted a hand, and her words, like the decree of a God, rumbled in the [Abyss]. "Shatter and return to the void."
CRASH!
The chains that had locked everything tightened, and everything shattered as if it were a mirror.
In the sky, the Heavens took this chance to rain Heavenly Lightning and erase all shattered specs.
The rain of Heavenly Lightning surrounded Yasenia's group, but no one was hurt, thanks to the defensive dome around them.
After every single particle from the Abyss was cleansed, the clouds in the sky retreated. The dragoness was a bit confused. "Alaia, I triggered that thing, right? Why have I not received Heavenly Punishment?"
Alaia explained. "The one who will receive such punishment is Lady Tatyana, Young Miss. She is the creator of it. You have no part in this according to Heaven's judgment. Of course, it's not like Young Miss won't be marked, but, since your tribulations are already the strongest they can be, it won't affect you."
Yasenia blinked. "Ah. So using it would've made my tribulation stronger, but since the heavens always use their all to try and kill me, it won't affect me? Then… Isn't this a loophole?"
Alaia smiled. "Don't test the Heavens, Young Miss. It might appear like a loophole, but the Heavens will punish you if you abuse it. Would you tease a Transcendent Cultivator because you thought that you found a loophole?"
Yasenia shook her head. "Most likely not."
Alaia laughed. "Then, don't tease something scarier than that called Heavens, Young Miss."
Yasenia coughed. "Right, sorry, it was a silly thought to have."
"What now, Little Yasenia?" Coraline asked, her voice tired. The influence that the [Abyss] had on everyone was not small.
The dragoness hummed. "I will return to the Astral Sky Sect. Then, when Andrea gives birth and recovers her strength, we'll finish off the Ocean Chasm Empire. Of course, if you think you can do it yourselves, you are more than welcomed. Almost the entirety of their top-tier forces have perished today, so they are like a toothless beast. They look scary but are mostly harmless as long as you are careful."
Yasenia sighed and turned to look at them. "The War is almost over, but your actions regarding what happened have been disappointing. I don't want anyone hiding information again, regardless of the reason. Understood?"
All the leaders nodded.
Yasenia turned around and waved at them. "I am leaving. Deal with everything else as you see fit. After the War, I will be the alliance leader, but nothing else, so everyone can start developing their power as they please. Just…" Yasenia looked at them again. "Don't think I will hold back because we've fought together. I hate betrayal ten times more than I hate people opposing me."
Following her words, the dragoness, her maids, and the rest of the people that came moved and appeared on the top of the Skeletal Warship. With another wave of her hand, the formations activated and vanished from there.
Tengliu looked at the retreating ship and hummed. 'Time is getting closer, isn't it…?' She was actually nervous. 'I hope Little Yasenia has mercy. Our relationship has improved a lot, right?' The harpy sighed.
Coraline asked. "What about Fleia and the rest?"
Loberon commented, his voice complicated. "They were taken away."
Coraline blinked. "What's wrong, love? You are not feeling pity now, are you?"
Loberon sighed. "Well, I am not, but do you really think that Yasenia will do as she said…?"
Coraline hummed. "Probably not."
Loberon blinked. "Huh?"
Coraline snorted. "Knowing that girl, she will probably do worse. She was being considerate toward you, I think."
Loberon stared, stunned. "Oh."
The Mermaid Queen spoke aloud. "We are returning to our capital! Start a more aggressive attack. If we can't finish off the Ocean Chasm Empire now, we don't deserve our title as one of the strongest of the Thirty-Three Clans!"
Meanwhile, in the Astral Sky Clan, a pair of wolf women were leaning on each other, looking at the horizon from a tall mountain. Their hands were interlocked, and their tails were gently rubbing together.
Zephyrith asked. "Sierra, I never really asked, but what would you have done if I had my purity taken away?"
Sierra blinked. "Why? Is that important?"
Zephyrith hummed. "It's not. But… I want to know."
Sierra frowned for a few seconds and sighed. "I probably wouldn't have been that eager to save you. While I admit that my attraction to you is deep, it's not a deep enough attraction to chase after you when you've already been taken."
Zephyrith smiled. "Hm. Good."
Sierra tilted her head and looked at Zephyrith. "Good? What do you mean?"
Zephyrith laughed. "Well, I don't want you to love me just because of my bloodline or my talent. I want you to love me for who I am. Therefore, you not continuing your courting after I've been taken shows that you love me, not my talent, not my bloodline."
"Oho~." Sierra laughed. "That's an interesting way to look at it. But… Not always is it like this, right?"
Zephyrith nodded. "Of course. This is more of our particular situation. For example, I heard that Kali went through terrible hardships, and yet, Yasenia accepted her with open arms. Because, despite what happened, Yasenia could see what lay below."
Sierra nodded. "But. Yes. Zephyrith, I do love you. I love who you are and how you carry yourself. I adore your eyes, and I find your fur attractive. I like you because of your intelligence and ability to evaluate things. Of course, your bloodline and potential are attractive to me, as they were the things that brought you into my sight at first."
Zephyrith laughed and pushed Sierra down, stealing her lips. "I love you, Sierra."
Sierra smiled, caressing the cheek of the wolf mounting her. "I love you too, Zephyrith." Then, the blue-eyed wolf smirked. "Do you want to try to have pups~?"
Zephyrith snorted. "Too early, young woman. Let's wait and see how we are doing a century or two from today, and then we talk."
Sierra turned her around with a swift leg movement, exchanging their positions. "Heh, let's see how much you can resist~."
The sun hid on the horizon while the loving sounds of a couple spread in the mountainous hills. The sounds didn't stop until morning when the sky began being illuminated again.