Chapter 698

"Be careful!" Lilith cried out.

Li An's eyes snapped open, and he saw a massive wave of energy blasting toward them. He drew a deep breath, gathered the power of the Void Core in both hands, and surged forward to meet it.

"Void Barrier!" Li An barked. A transparent barrier instantly formed before him, holding that terrifying force at bay.

Yet that force was extraordinarily powerful, pounding against the Void Barrier without cease. Li An felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, making it almost impossible to breathe.

"Li An, hold on!" Lilith's voice rang out within his heart, carrying a steadfast strength.

Li An clenched his teeth, continuing to prop up the Void Barrier with sheer willpower. He knew that at this moment, he absolutely could not give up.

The night was ink-black, the stars hidden behind a heavy cloud layer, as if even heaven and earth were holding their breath, awaiting the storm about to descend. Upon the Void Altar, a ghostly blue light flickered bright and dim, like the eye of an abyss, peering into every secret of the world.

Li An stood at the edge of the altar, his gaze deep, as if it could pierce through the void and look straight upon that unknown end. Beside him, Guo Yao gripped her fists tight; in her eyes there was both worry and resolve. She trusted Li An, yet she could not help feeling a pang of dread at this sudden upheaval.

"Li An, are you truly going to monopolize this power?" Lei Nuo's voice exploded across the night sky, thunderous and deafening. His figure appeared opposite Li An like a phantom, his eyes blood-red, brimming with fury and unwillingness.

Li An frowned slightly. He had never wanted things to come to this with Lei Nuo, but matters had reached this point and there was no retreat. "Lei Nuo, we both know the power of the Void Core is no child's play—it concerns the safety of the entire world. I am not trying to monopolize it; I am trying to make sure it does not fall into the wrong hands."

"Hmph, high-sounding words!" Lei Nuo sneered. His form flickered, transforming into a streak of light that went straight for Li An's vitals. His speed was so fast it nearly exceeded the limits of what the naked eye could catch, leaving only afterimages trailing in the air.

Li An's body did not move, yet a glint flashed in his eyes. He seemed to have long anticipated Lei Nuo's attack. He shifted his body slightly, dodging it with ease. At the same time, his right hand rose; lightning flickered in his palm, and a slender bolt of lightning shot through the night sky, striking straight at Lei Nuo's back.