Chapter 1281: Collapse
Orchid Heart placed her finger on the page silently. Along with this action, the dense characters marked on the page emanated a gentle, multicolor magical radiance. Then, she extended and raised her arm. The characters flew up from the page and spiraled along her finger. In a whoosh, the heavy tome flipped its pages on its own and all kinds of mysterious runes drifted in the air, spun around her fingertip, and developed their own distinct patterns, following an unknown trajectory that went on and on.
“That is…”
Erin twitched her brow subtly as she watched the magic unfolded. As the Dark Dragon, she sensed just how ma.s.sive and powerful the energy coalesced on Orchid Heart’s fingertip, where there were presences of magical, spiritual, and sacred powers emanating from the runes. Not only that, but she also felt a vague aura of death, which meant that the power of undead was also within it! In other words, there were all kinds of power gathered in Orchid Heart’s grasp.
How did she do that?
Although Erin wasn’t experienced in this field, she clearly knew that the purer the power, the more powerful it was. But for one to gather all the different types of power in one spot like Orchid Heart, one would either fail or suffer from an explosive collision. But now, Orchid Heart handled the powers easily and didn’t seem to be losing control. Not only that, but Erin also detected some problems. Even though Orchid Heart was indeed in control, what surprised Erin was that the powers didn’t merge, but were clearly distinct from one another as though they were bound by some unknown force.
“This is really interesting…”
Looking at this scene, Erin couldn’t help but recall the scene where she met Orchid Heart for the first time. Back then, Orchid Heart copied her moonlight cannon and annihilated most of the undead army, forcing Erin to retreat with the remaining troops. It was at that moment that Erin became dubious over Orchid Heart’s abilities. After all, since Orchid Heart simulated her attacks, Erin would definitely be able to realize it. But the problem was that Orchid Heart’s simulated moonlight cannon was entirely the essence of the moon and just as pure as the moonlight cannon that Erin fired. If Erin were to close her eyes, even she would think that the person releasing the moonlight cannon on the other side was herself. For that reason, Erin harbored a lot of doubts about Orchid Heart. After all, apart from Orchid Heart, no one else possessed such an ability. Thereafter, Erin met Orchid Heart several times in the Void Territory and was stunned when she learned that Orchid Heart was just an ordinary human and had nothing to do with the dragon races. This truth bewildered Erin. But later, Erin reckoned that this might just be Orchid Heart’s unique skill. And now, Orchid Heart’s performance proved that her guesses were right.
Erin watched as Orchid Heart commanded like a musical conductor, raising her right index finger high in the air. Her half-opened eyes that seemed to be falling into a slumber glinted in a mocking flash. At the next moment, she lightly stroked her finger downward.
It only took an instant.
Ion didn’t know what happened because at that instant, an unparalleled brilliance enfolded his vision. At a glance, apart from the glaring light, nothing else was seen. The surging power metamorphosed into an unconstrained torrent that gushed and devoured everything in sight. Ion sensed unprecedented fear and tensed up from the overwhelming, violent airwaves. Even though he was hidden in the Chaos fog, he s.h.i.+vered as though his entire body were ice-cold. He backed away hurriedly and even forgot to command his troops. This was the first time he felt so terrified!
Before this happened, Ion didn’t think that the power of Order could be so strong. After he was influenced by Chaos, he personally experienced how terrifying and great Chaos was. Compared to the power that he ‘borrowed’ through cheating, the power of Chaos was much stronger and endless, so much so that he was captivated by it. It was at that moment he defined the power of Order as an incredibly fragile and weak presence deep down in his heart. After all, Order required dependence and control in order to demonstrate its strength. But Chaos was different. It was here, always here, in the past, present, and future. Order could never compare to the enormous power of Chaos!
But now, deep inside Ion’s mind, this was the first time he felt a certain form of fear. Right now, he was like a tiny boat trembling in the raging waves. The huge waves of dozens of meters tall were about to slam onto him slowly and steadily. The waves merged to form an incomparably tall barrier, erected high above the sea, with clear-cut orientation. It showed no signs of disorder. Not only that, but it also left one antic.i.p.ating one’s death.
A death into the depths of the abyss no matter how hard one struggled to survive.
The brilliance dissipated.
But Ion was frightened beyond words. Right before him, the ma.s.sive Chaos army that stretched from the edge of the land of Chaos to the bottom of the city walls turned from ashes to dust without leaving behind any corpses or debris. Not only was the vast land covered in pitch-black burn marks, but that huge, powerful bombardment also punctured several potholes along the originally flat ground. At first glance, from a distance, it looked just like a blue ocean rippling with waves…
“This…”
Looking at this scene, this was the first time Ion’s face became twisted and ugly. He didn’t expect the enemies to be hiding such a powerful force! Not only were the Chaos creatures wiped out, but the surroundings also… It could also be said that all the Chaos creatures on the entire battlefront were annihilated. This power definitely didn’t belong to any ordinary mortal!
Could it be that Erin did this? But it doesn’t feel like it. Even though the power was terrifying, I didn’t sense her dragon aura. In that case, whose attack was it?
While Ion was in a state of shock, on the other side, Erin was staring at Orchid Heart with the same gaze. At that moment, Orchid Heart looked as though she were falling asleep, but Erin’s evaluation of her multiplied by several times! It wasn’t entirely impossible for Erin to wipe out so many Chaos creatures in an instant under the Dark Dragon’s soul protection. But even so, it would still exhaust a huge portion of her strength. But after taking a closer look at Orchid Heart, the young lady didn’t seem tired at all!
This was exactly the reason why Rhode left Orchid Heart behind. Her hidden cla.s.s could be said to be meant for such battles. Although she didn’t have any advantages before the battle began, once the battle lengthened, her powerful strength would immediately affect the core of the battle. Judging from this point, just Orchid Heart alone could take on a well-equipped army with strong firepower.
That attack earlier was, in fact, the collection and coalescence of offensive skills within the one hour of battle. Just that attack alone was enough to deal a fatal blow to a Creator Dragon. Based on this point, Orchid Heart was undoubtedly a powerful murder weapon at the late stages of battle, and no one could compete against her in this aspect.
“Attack… Attack!”
Ion’s voice trembled. But unsure if it were due to fear or anger, he yelled out his command hurriedly. Meanwhile, the Chaos creatures didn’t stop. To them, this attack that was enough to crumble ordinary armies wasn’t effective against them. Or perhaps to the Chaos creatures, this was nothing worthy of a mention. But at that moment, some Chaos Lords apparently had no intention of continuing the fight. Maybe they were sick of this ‘game’ already, or there were other reasons involved. All in all, two Chaos Lords left the battlefield shortly after, retreating in the path of the Horned Behemoth. Even though the remaining Chaos Lords continued to attack, they seemed somewhat powerless…
“Those bast*rds!”
Watching as the Chaos Lords left one after another without even bidding farewell, Ion blew his top and almost went crazy. When did he ever face something so humiliating like this in the past?! When he was the Dark Dragon, the place where the tip of his sword pointed was where the undead army should be. They were invincible and unbeatable! But now… Ion finally experienced what they meant by how ‘unreliable’ Chaos creatures were.
After the Chaos Lords left the battlefield, the steel city wall finally faced fewer threats. In addition to Orchid Heart’s earlier command, the players took breaks and went easy on the Chaos creatures, which allowed the Chaos creatures to arrive at the bottom of the city walls. If the players were serious in their fight and coordinated with the undead army, it would only be normal for the Chaos creatures to fear stepping out of the land of Chaos.
But even so, Ion continued his aggression. He insisted that this was a sign that the enemies were on a deathbed struggle. If not, why didn’t they release such a powerful attack from the start and only when they were on the verge of defeat?
Something must be wrong! As long as I continue to press ahead, I still stand a chance of winning!
While Ion consoled himself with those words, he sent out more Chaos creatures into the battlefield. But after the second wave of Chaos creatures was mercilessly wiped out by Orchid Heart, the borders of Chaos began to tremble and shatter under the ‘saturation attack’. That was when Ion finally discovered that he made a wrong choice. It was apparent that the enemies weren’t on the verge of collapse because facing his attacks, they were still as swift and efficient.
I’ve been played from the start!
At this thought, Ion clenched his fists fumingly. The raging wrath in him surged from deep inside him.
I can’t believe I’m being played. I’ve already gained the power of Chaos. How can the I, with my immense power, be tricked by those lowly Order inhabitants?! I must make them pay!
No!
At this thought, Ion suddenly discovered something, and his eyes glinted in a bright flash.
They have such powers, but didn’t unleash them earlier. Why? Is it just to fool me? No, I know my younger sister well. Even after she became the Dark Dragon, she would never do that. In other words, could this be just a ploy to show their vulnerability and draw my attention toward them? What exactly are they trying to achieve?
Ion recalled something all of a sudden.
Yes, the Darkness Capital…
Earlier on, when he felt like he lost contact with the Darkness Capital, he knew that the city was definitely under attack. However, he didn’t take it to heart because the Order inhabitants were simply seeking death. Moreover, there were also three Chaos Lords to guard his city. Logically speaking, there shouldn’t be any issues. But now… Ion felt like something was amiss! This was the first time he turned around and stared straight into the depth of the fog. This time, his line of sight wasn’t blocked by the Order barrier. His vision penetrated the fog and the Darkness Capital came into view. However, the city was in complete ruins and submerged in blazing flames. Not only that, but he realized that half of his palace had also collapsed!
Those d.a.m.n bast*rds!
Ion’s rage intensified as though a bucket of oil were poured onto his flames of rage. He turned around abruptly and strode into the fog.
The battlefront isn’t important anymore! I’m bound to lose this battle in this state, anyway. But I won’t give up. I will find those bast*rds who trashed my city and squash them into bits!
At that moment, several streaks of light pink brilliance rushed skyward from the palace in the Darkness Capital. They s.h.i.+mmered and resonated with one another, hovering like a pipe organ. Looking at this scene, Ion was stunned. After all, this scene was just too surreal. He witnessed the light pink light columns stabilize and link up to form a star-like magical ritual. Then, subtle, indistinct, tiny spots of light flashed from within.
And that was the end of Ion’s consciousness.
Because at the next moment, an earth-shattering explosion that was enough to destroy everything boomed.
It was like the recreation of the Big Bang. A sphere of black brilliance the size of a fingernail coalesced in the center of the magical ritual, warping and metamorphosing into a ma.s.sive black hole. The instant it took shape, the surrounding fog and radiance were gathered in the center. In the blink of an eye, along with ear-deafening rumbles as though one pa.s.sed through time and s.p.a.ce, everything collapsed. The dazzling rays of explosion scattered in all directions, instantly devouring everything in their paths. s.p.a.ce began to shatter. Time lost meaning. After a pure white light that almost blinded one faded away, it was replaced by a pitch-black emptiness like a bottomless hole that expanded and swallowed all things. In the face of this endless hole, the Chaos fog dispersed rapidly and the Chaos creatures lurking within it couldn’t escape either. The powerful blast unleashed a ring of light that slashed apart the land of Chaos effortlessly like a razor-sharp blade, bringing all things to the depths of nothingness.
———!
The ground shook, ruptured, and crumbled. Even after Rhode did his best to get away as far as possible, the aftermath of the Plane Destruction Bomb caused the border of Order to collapse entirely. Looking out at the end of the horizon, the sky and land fell slowly like shattered gla.s.s that disappeared into the eternal darkness. Looking at this scene, Erin couldn’t help but feel uncertain and worried as though this were the end of the world.
“Why…”
Even though Erin was aware of Rhode’s plan, the devastation of the Plane Destruction Bomb exceeded her expectations. She stared in bewilderment at the true nothingness that eroded from the distance and her slender body couldn’t help but shudder.
Did Rhode and the others even make it out of this powerful explosion?
At this thought, Erin was terrified. She looked around her anxiously, but it was a pity that she didn’t spot Rhode anywhere. And at that moment, the black hole was also seemingly reaching a tipping point of stability. The crumbling horizon of the Dragon Soul Continent disappeared, while the battlefield before her eyes made up one-fifth of the disintegrating land. It looked like the collapse was finally stopping. However, some of the remaining land by the horizon hovered in midair, spinning in the s.p.a.ce storm enfolded in dark purple lightning flashes.
The Chaos creatures were stopped, but… Where were Rhode and the rest?