Chapter 25: Rising Tensions
Li Yan stood on the rooftop of a towering building, gazing at the vast city stretching out beneath him. His senses were still reeling from the intense battle with the Suppression Squad, but his carefree grin had not faltered. Despite the chaos, despite the universe trying to throw everything it had at him, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
"Five minutes," he muttered to himself. "Five minutes until the next round of hell. Can't even get a nap in."
As if on cue, a deep rumble echoed through the city. The ground beneath his feet vibrated, and the sky shifted, darkening with ominous clouds. His instincts kicked in immediately. Something big was coming, and it wasn't just any ordinary force.
The system chimed in, its voice calm but carrying a hint of urgency. "Warning: Anomaly-level threat detected. Higher-tier forces are converging on Earth's location. Time remaining: Three minutes."
Li Yan sighed and stretched. "Well, I hope they brought their best. I'm not in the mood for half-baked threats."
The city around him had become eerily still. People on the streets seemed oblivious to the impending danger, though a subtle shift in the atmosphere hinted at the growing power gathering just outside their world.
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The Arrival of the Divine Factions
Li Yan's eyes narrowed as a massive tear appeared in the sky. This was no ordinary portal—this one crackled with raw divine energy. From within, a procession of beings stepped out, their forms cloaked in radiant light. They exuded an aura so strong that the air itself seemed to bow in deference.
At the front of the group stood a towering figure—taller than any mortal, his body radiating a divine presence so overwhelming that even the wind dared not move. His armor gleamed with celestial runes, and a spear of pure light was held firmly in his hand.
The figure's gaze fell directly on Li Yan. "You are the one known as the anomaly—the one who defies the will of the heavens."
Li Yan leaned against the edge of the rooftop, his grin wide as ever. "Anomaly, huh? Sounds fancy. And here I thought I was just a guy minding his own business."
The figure's expression hardened. "The heavens are not to be trifled with, mortal. You are a stain upon the natural order, and your existence must be erased."
Li Yan sighed, rolling his eyes. "You guys never learn, do you? I've already wiped the floor with one group of divine pretenders today. You think a shiny spear's gonna change anything?"
The figure's eyes flashed with cold fury. "You mock the heavens at your peril. We are the Divine Celestial Legion, and you will be judged by the highest authorities."
Li Yan's expression turned serious for the first time. "The highest authorities, huh? Then I guess it's time to move up a weight class. Get ready for a real fight."
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The Celestial Legion's Assault
Without warning, the Celestial Legion attacked. Dozens of celestial soldiers, their armor glinting in the dimming light, charged forward, their weapons crackling with divine energy. Waves of destructive power surged through the air, creating shockwaves that rattled the very foundations of the city.
Li Yan's figure blurred, and in the next instant, he was in the midst of the soldiers, his movements so fast that they could barely react. With a casual flick of his hand, he activated [Heaven's Bane Manifestation], and a wave of golden energy erupted from his body, obliterating a dozen celestial warriors in an instant.
"Is this all you've got?" Li Yan taunted, spinning around as more soldiers closed in. His laughter rang out as he cut through the air, his strikes effortlessly dismantling their formations.
The commander of the Legion, the towering figure who had spoken earlier, raised his spear, his aura surging. "You dare challenge the heavens themselves? I shall be your undoing."
He thrust his spear forward, and a torrent of divine light shot toward Li Yan. The attack was so powerful that it tore through the atmosphere, creating cracks in the very fabric of reality.
Li Yan's eyes gleamed. "Divine Light, huh? Time to show you how I play with the rules."
With a snap of his fingers, he activated [Rule Manipulation], bending the space around him. The light spear twisted and contorted in the air, losing its deadly momentum. It exploded into a thousand harmless sparks before dissipating.
"You can't just bend the rules like that!" the Legion commander roared, his voice cracking with frustration.
"Watch me," Li Yan said with a smirk, vanishing from sight.
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The Battle Intensifies
Li Yan reappeared directly behind the commander, his golden blade already in hand. With a single slash, he tore through the commander's divine defenses. The commander barely had time to raise his spear in defense before Li Yan's blade shattered it like glass.
"You—" The commander stumbled back, blood leaking from the wound, his aura weakening. "You are more powerful than I was told."
Li Yan's grin widened. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
As the Celestial Legion continued to press forward, Li Yan's golden aura surged brighter, enveloping him in a barrier of pure energy. With a motion of his hand, he sent a shockwave that sent the remaining celestial warriors flying backward. The ground cracked beneath their feet, unable to withstand the force of his power.
"You've made a mistake, coming here," Li Yan said, his voice low, full of authority. "The heavens may have their armies, their divine laws, but Earth will not be erased. Not on my watch."
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End of Chapter 25