At this moment, the thick black aura devoured everything around. This oppressive energy overwhelmed not only Wanda but even the other Grandmasters. If not for Wang Yan's presence, they might not have been able to hold their ground.
"Stay calm!" Wang Yan's voice echoed in their minds.
His words felt like a refreshing stream, instantly washing away their fear. This made Wang Yan appear even more profound and unfathomable to them. They couldn't fathom how he achieved this, and their admiration for him grew.
Unaware of the Grandmasters' thoughts, Wang Yan remained composed, staring into the darkness.
"Ding! Detected divine domain magic talent fragment. Do you wish to fuse?" the system's voice chimed in his ear.
"Fusion will grant you the ability to neutralize certain domain limitations and help allies regain clarity."
Wang Yan chose to fuse the talent fragment without hesitation. With his familiarity with domain magic, he felt no fear.
Chthon's domain should give him control over everything within, unlike the mere Mirror Dimension. Yet, he couldn't shake an unsettling feeling that something was wrong. Despite being affected, these sorcerers quickly regained their composure under the young sorcerer's influence.
Chthon watched Wang Yan with a mix of disbelief and irritation. This mortal stood unaffected in his domain, which should have overwhelmed even the Sorcerer Supreme. This calmness was unacceptable.
"Does this brat think my power ends here?" Chthon's expression darkened.
He raised his hand, summoning an immense black spear, more solid and terrifying than before. This spear, a tangible weapon, radiated tremendous power, with an ethereal glow indicating its deadly potential.
Chthon hurled the spear, which streaked through the darkness with a piercing shriek.
Wang Yan's muscles tensed as he sensed the approaching danger. He swiftly conjured a massive magical shield brimming with protective runes.
Mordo and the other sorcerers, noticing Wang Yan's sudden action, turned to see what he had detected. Soon, they, too, felt it—a dark presence more intense than the surrounding fog.
With a loud crack, the spear collided with Wang Yan's shield, shattering it into fragments that disintegrated into the black mist, amplifying the darkness.
"Impressive, Chthon!" Wang Yan remarked as the spear struck his magical barrier, causing it to crack and splinter.
"Seraphim's Shield!" he incanted, summoning a radiant barrier with angelic wings enveloping him.
The shattered barrier dissipated, but the Seraphim's Shield held firm despite the spear's corrosive energy.
"Such a powerful shield!" Chthon marvelled. Even deities struggled against his corrupt magic, yet this mortal resisted within his domain, where his power was most potent.
Undeterred, Chthon eyed the sorcerers behind Wang Yan. With another spear conjured, he aimed not at Wang Yan but at Mordo.
He hurled it with blinding speed. The spear veered past Wang Yan, heading straight for Mordo.
Wang Yan could block it, but what would he do if it meant letting his friends die? If he left his protective barrier, he would be vulnerable unless he shielded everyone—an immense task.
In an instant, the spear reached Mordo. His shield shattered, and the dark energy surged toward his chest. Accepting his fate, Mordo closed his eyes.
But before the spear struck, Wang Yan lunged forward, grasping the spear.
"Master Wang Yan, you…" Mordo gasped, seeing Wang Yan holding the deadly weapon.
"Boy, protecting these sorcerers will be your downfall!" Chthon sneered. His spear was infused with deadly corruption, far beyond what Wang Yan had conjured.
The other sorcerers watched in awe and concern. Wang Yan had risked his life to save Mordo, displaying a bravery they doubted they could match.
"Your compassion is your weakness, boy," Chthon's voice taunted from the shadows.
Wang Yan summoned another Seraphim's Shield, enveloping the sorcerers, and turned to face the darkness.
"Your spear is powerful, but it won't kill me," he declared, shattering it into harmless black sparks that dissolved into nothingness.
"Annihilation's power? Impossible! What is your connection to Annihilation?" Chthon's voice wavered. As the Dark God, he knew the power of Annihilation, one of the five most significant entities.
"I fought Annihilation," Wang Yan stated calmly, his battle with the cosmic entity having granted him insight and power.
"You fought Annihilation and survived?" Chthon's voice trembled. Almost no one survived encounters with Annihilation. How could anyone live after facing such a force?
When had Annihilation become so merciful? This was beyond belief.