Erebus was struck by a shaft of bright light. It wasn't clear if he was killed instantly. But one thing was clear - the party was helpless against the colossal figure.
In that pitch-black room, the colossal figure's huge green eyes looked down at the attacking Highgods and said in a deep voice, "Swear allegiance to me. Resistance is futile!"
Han Shuo was shaken as he heard the colossal being's final warning. He immediately decided to use Blood Disassembly to escape. There was nothing he could do for his partners.
He turned to Andrina to look at her one last time, his heart aching. He wished he could take Andrina on his shoulders and help her escape, but unfortunately he was too weak to do so.
However, just before Han Shuo activated the Demonic Blood Disassembly, he noticed that Andrina had begun to glow brightly from head to toe. A glittering and translucent energy crystal emerged from her chest. A blurred image was projected onto the crystal.
When Han Shuo looked closely, he discovered that the blurry figure in the energy crystal was a copy of the colossal figure before the party. Although the pair of green eyes inside the crystal was much smaller, every movement and emotion it showed was identical to the crescent-shaped green eyes high above his head.
"Don't you dare, Andrina!" the colossal figure seemed to know Andrina. It's voice became slightly anxious after it noticed the beautiful energy crystal flying out of her chest, as if it were worried or concerned.
Andrina's eyes grew brighter and brighter as she stared at the crystal in her hand. The crystal began to emit a most mysterious energy as a fine crack began to grow on its surface. Ting! The energy crystal suddenly shattered.
The entire room was instantly illuminated by an overwhelmingly bright light, so bright that everyone had to close their eyes. For a split second, Han Shuo could see the colossal figure in front of him glowing as it let out a deafening scream.
Soon, the light faded. It took the group a moment to come to their senses. They discovered that the colossal figure had disappeared and the room was no longer in pitch darkness. Shattered rocks littered the floor, as if some catastrophe had struck the area.
Andrina, who had been standing still, suddenly fell backwards, powerless. Han Shuo was shocked and rushed to catch Andrina. He saw that her little face was pale with no trace of life and that she had lost consciousness.
Andrina was still clutching the shattered energy crystal with both hands. There were gashes on her palms, as if someone had cut her hands along the lines of her palms. The cuts were so deep that her bones were visible.
Creaking sounds emanated from several energy towers around the chamber before they collapsed with a rumble.
"What happened?" asked Blightsoar. He was still confused and frightened.
"I'm not sure either, but Andrina must have done something to make him vanish into thin air!" Han Shuo, who was carrying the unconscious Andrina in his arms, suddenly remembered that Andrina had shown some hesitation before entering the shaft. Could she have known that this would happen earlier?
Han Shuo hastily fished out a large amount of crystal coins from his space ring and stuffed a handful into Andrina's mouth. He chanted in a low voice, "You'll be fine, you'll be fine!"
Even though Han Shuo had not known Andrina for too long, they had developed a rapport, and Han Shuo was very fond of this mysterious little girl. If Han Shuo had expected this, he certainly wouldn't have brought Andrina along. His heart ached to see Andrina so badly injured.
"Bryan, what are you doing? Are you crazy? Why are you stuffing crystal coins down her throat? Are you trying to suffocate her?" Aobashi shouted as she examined Erebus' condition. She thought Han Shuo had been shocked into a fool.
Of course, Aobashi had no idea that Andrina drew her strength from energy crystals. Han Shuo ignored her screams and continued to stuff crystal coins into Andrina's mouth.
However, Han Shuo soon realised that Andrina couldn't chew the crystal coins in her mouth while she was unconscious, so she couldn't heal.
Concerned, Han Shuo hastily removed the crystal coins from her mouth. He paced back and forth while holding Andrina, trying to come up with a solution. Then a light bulb flashed above his head. He immediately flew to a damaged energy tower, filled it with crystal coins to power it up, and placed Andrina in the centre of the energy tower.
At the centre of the energy tower was a magical matrix for extracting energy from energy crystals. The power tower would light up as soon as it was filled with crystal coins. When Han Shuo placed Andrina on the matrix, a welcome phenomenon occurred - her translucent body automatically absorbed the energy around her. The energy from hundreds of black crystal coins was drained in an instant.
Seeing that the method was working, Han Shuo immediately took several hundred thousand black crystal coins from his space ring and filled them into the energy tower without thinking. The energy extracted from the crystal coins by the energy tower was absorbed by Andrina's body. A trace of vitality returned to her pale face.
The nervous Han Shuo was slightly relieved. However, he dared not pause with the task. He refilled the energy tower with black crystal coins and repeated the process over and over again.
A moment later, Han Shuo had used up all the black crystal coins he had with him. Andrina was finally breathing again and had a pulse. Although she was still unconscious, her body began to repair itself with the energy it had just absorbed.
Han Shuo had seen this situation before. Back then, after being severely injured by the Brovst Trio, she had consumed an obscene amount of Han Shuo's black crystal coins and fallen into a deep sleep. Her body was in a similar state at that time.
Han Shuo could finally breathe a sigh of relief. When the last bit of energy was absorbed by Andrina, the energy tower stopped glowing. Afterwards, Han Shuo took Andrina out of the energy tower and went to the panicking Aobashi. He asked in a low voice, "How is Erebus?"
"He is still alive but in a terrible state. There is an energy destroying his body that he cannot resist. If this continues, he will be dead soon," Aobashi replied worriedly. Suddenly she shouted, "Bryan, aren't you a pharmacist? I heard from Erebus that you saved Carmelita's life twice with your unique art of healing. Can you save him?"
"I will do my best!" Han Shuo replied in a deep voice. He walked over to Erebus and placed a hand on his back. He discovered that there was indeed a bizarre energy in Erebus' body. It carried a hint of the Edict of Destruction, but it was clearly different from the destructive divine energy of a low god, mid god or high god.
This energy in Erebus' body was extremely ferocious and brutal. Wherever it travelled, it left a trail of destruction in its wake. It was too powerful for Erebus' divine energy to defend against. Not only would his bones crack and shatter, but every part of his body would be destroyed down to the cellular level.
Although this energy was somewhat similar to the divine energy Avery had left in Carmelita, it simply could not compare to its power!
As Han Shuo pressed his hand on Erebus' back to probe his condition with the Demonic Yuan, the energy that carried a hint of the Edict of Destruction, for whatever reason, attacked Han Shuo's Demonic Yuan and tried to destroy it.
Han Shuo was shocked. He hastily pulled his Demonic Yuan out of Erebus' body. However, he was a split second too late. Through Han Shuo's palm, the energy left Erebus and flowed into Han Shuo.
The energy no longer wreaked havoc on Erebus' body, but Han Shuo's outstretched left hand began to creak loudly. His bones and meridians were shattering under the attack of the energy.
"Bryan, what's going on?" Aobashi was astonished. She saw that Erebus' condition had improved but Han Shuo was horrified and sweating as if he had seen a ghost.
"The energy has found its way into my body," Han Shuo replied. He did not look well.
"What?!" shrieked Aobashi. She could see how powerful the energy was. If even Erebus couldn't withstand the energy, wouldn't Han Shuo be dead in a moment?
"Don't worry about me. Just take care of Andrina for me!" Han Shuo threw Andrina into Aobashi's arms and quickly sat down cross-legged on the floor.
The creaking sounds from Han Shuo's left hand grew louder and clearer. Aobashi saw the veins in Han Shuo's left hand bursting one by one, spraying blood onto his arm.
Aobashi was stunned by the scene. She wanted to help Han Shuo but didn't know what to do. After grabbing Andrina from Han Shuo, she stood and stared at him foolishly.
"He's not going to make it," said Blightsoar, who had arrived beside Aobashi with a dark face. He said quietly, "If it wasn't for Bryan and Andrina, we wouldn't be alive right now! I checked the area. There are some tunnels underneath. The Godhunters must have used them to escape.
Aobashi's pretty face was etched with fear. She could do nothing but watch as more and more veins burst from Han Shuo's bloody left arm. Gradually, the destruction reached his left shoulder. Aobashi cried, What should we do? What should we do? Bryan found himself in this predicament while trying to save Erebus. What should we do?"
"Forget it. Since even Erebus couldn't resist the power, there's not much hope for Bryan." Blightsoar sighed and continued, "I really did not expect things to turn out this way. All these years we have underestimated the Godhunters!"
"Who said I couldn't do it?" shouted Han Shuo in annoyance. He was fiercely fighting the invasion of energy, but the two of them were busy talking about how his death was certain beside his ears. Of course Han Shuo would be irritated!
"You can still talk?" Aobashi was pleasantly surprised. She hastily asked, "Bryan, tell us, how can we help you?"
"Get Andrina and Erebus out of here. Get out of my sight. I won't die that easily!" shouted Han Shuo.
"Look at you, how can we leave you alone in this state?" Blightsoar couldn't be angry with Han Shuo for yelling at them at such a moment. "Besides, there's no telling if the Godhunters will return. If they do, and there is no one around you, wouldn't that further cement your death?"
"Lady, gentleman, please, I beg you, leave me alone, that is all I ask of you!" cried Han Shuo. "Aobashi, considering that I have saved Erebus and that Andrina has saved us all, leave. Your presence will only disturb my mind!"
Aobashi was startled. After staring at Han Shuo for a long time, seeing that Han Shuo was persistently urging them to leave and his words were becoming more and more rude, she stomped her feet ruthlessly and said, "Very well. I'll leave you to it. Hope to see you again - and alive."
"Bryan, I, Blightsoar, will always remember this favour!" Blightsoar said solemnly before taking Erebus and Aobashi and leaving.
Once Aobashi and Blightsoar were completely out of sight, Han Shuo could no longer hid his pain. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "Come at me, you bastard! Let's see if you can really take me on!"
The energy in Han Shuo's left shoulder was released. It immediately began to travel throughout Han Shuo's body at a tremendous speed.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Crisp crackling sounds emanated from Han Shuo's body repeatedly. The flesh and skin from his head to his toes began to crack and split. He was drenched in blood. He looked hideous and horrible.
The Invincible Omen Body was unleashed, filling every cell in Han Shuo's body with energy and making it immensely tough. The veins and tendons of his crushed arm began to reconnect at a rate visible to the naked eye. Even his bones were being rebuilt. If Aobashi and Blightsoar were around, they would surely be stunned by the scene!
Soon, his bloody left arm was completely healed, not a wound or scar to be seen.
Rattling noises continued to emanate from his body as his veins ruptured and his bones shattered. Afterwards, when the Invincible Omen Body was used, his shattered veins and bones would reattach and reconnect at an astonishing rate.
Gradually, the energy wreaking havoc in Han Shuo's body became weaker and weaker. Its speed was also slowing down.
"Master, absorb this energy and fuse it with your Avatar of Destruction. The energy is self-aware and will greatly benefit your avatar!" The Cauldron Spirit suddenly shouted at Han Shuo.
Han Shuo was shocked. The energy has a mind of its own? That explains why it's such a nightmare to deal with!
"There is indeed destructive divine energy in the energy, but it is different from the divine energy that my avatar possesses. I doubt that my Avatar could assimilate the Energy. Besides, the energy wants to destroy everything. My avatar may not be able to survive it," Han Shuo replied.
"Master, direct the energy to me. I will reshape the energy's self-awareness. After that, it will be completely safe for your avatar to merge with!" The Cauldron Spirit replied immediately.
Han Shuo was elated. Not only could Cauldron Spirit reshape divine souls, it could also reshape this conscious energy!
Han Shuo, practised in borrowing Cauldron Spirit's energy, used the Invincible Omen Body in certain areas to direct the now weakened energy to Cauldron Spirit. Although the energy has conscious, its mind was not at all sophisticated. It would travel along the areas that were easiest to destroy, so it followed the path that Han Shuo had laid out for it.
Eventually, the energy flowed into the Cauldron of Myriad Demon , allowing Han Shuo to relax for a moment. After that, the Cauldron began to slowly move inside Han Shuo's body. The demon generals inside the Cauldron began to flutter and dance. They circled the energy in a strange trajectory, eating away the consciousness in the energy bit by bit.
There were now over twenty divine souls trapped in the Cauldron of Myriad Demon . These divine souls belonged to the fallen godhunters and divine guards that Han Shuo had collected before entering the cave. Eventually, the divine souls would be refined by the Cauldron spirit into demon generals.
The myriad demons within the Cauldron danced, corroding the consciousness of the energy held back by dark radiances. Suddenly, a pillar of green smoke rose from the wall of the Cauldron into the energy held by the demon generals. The energy suddenly began to struggle violently to free itself, as if it knew its existence was coming to an end, and made its last stand.
The strand of green smoke swayed with it for a moment before the energy slowly ceased to resist, as if the energy's consciousness had been subdued. One by one, the demon generals flew away from the captured energy and returned to rest on the wall of the Cauldron. The captured energy had become calm and obedient. The Cauldron Spirit led it to the Avatar of Destruction, who sat within the Cauldron of the Myriad Demon.
"Master, I have reformatted the consciousness within the energy. You can now merge your avatar with the energy!" The Cauldron Spirit transferred into Han Shuo's consciousness.
Han Shuo was elated. He set his mind free and relaxed as he slowly allowed the energy to flow into his avatar.
Everything went smoothly.
After the energy entered his body, he began to absorb it, just as he would absorb the divine energy of a godhunter. As he did so, his avatar's mind received a constant stream of information from the consciousness within the energy. It was all about the deep knowledge and understanding of the Edict of Destruction.
It also included the complete instructions for the creation and use of the Orbs of Destruction.
The Cauldron of the Myriad Demon was indeed incredibly useful and miraculous. After being reshaped by the Cauldron Spirit, the energy did not put up the slightest resistance, but rather cooperated with Han Shuo in the assimilation process. Han Shuo could feel that the divine destructive energy in his body was increasing greatly with each passing second.
The feeling of the energy filling every inch of his body was similar to the Cauldron Spirit's energy flooding his demonic body.
But unlike borrowing the Cauldron Spirit's energy, the Divine Energy of Destruction would always be a part of him! It wasn't temporary, and it didn't strain his body beyond its limits!
Suddenly, abstruse insights and realisations began to enter the Avatar's mind. The destructive divine energy in his body began to spur energetically. It travelled in a certain trajectory and was condensed, similar to how he could condense his divine energy into an Orb of Destruction!
A breakthrough!
Han Shuo could not be happier, knowing that his Avatar of Destruction would soon reach the Midgodhood