[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-218":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828655,2432,"Chapter 218: Battle Hungry Souls","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-218",218,"\u003Cp>Battle Hungry Souls\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine then, I’ll show you my strongest attack!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos raised both hands toward the endless white sky of the soul realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he did—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana erupted from his body like a volcanic catastrophe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOM—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empty world trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson-black mana surged upward in massive spirals, twisting through the sky like furious dragons. The pressure alone distorted the surrounding space as waves of destructive energy spread endlessly outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far above Anos’ head, a sphere of mana slowly formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was only the size of a house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It kept growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel stood silently in the distance, watching with a grin on his face while his silver hair fluttered gently from the mana storms shaking the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sphere continued expanding until it became unimaginably enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gigantic black-red sun floating in the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its size reached nearly three hundred square kilometers, large enough to swallow entire nations whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure radiating from it was enough to crush ordinary beings into dust instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Anos continued pouring mana into it relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The veins along his arms bulged as immense demonic power surged through his body. Even his horns glowed faintly with crimson light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He compressed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive sphere began shrinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process looked simple, but the surrounding world screamed from the pressure. Space folded inward as the gigantic mana mass became smaller and smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mountains worth of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continents worth of destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compressed into something that could fit in one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat slid down Anos’ face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spell consumed absurd amounts of concentration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One mistake—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even he would be obliterated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the entire process, Anos remained completely vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Azriel never moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply stood there calmly with his twin swords resting loosely in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That arrogance...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos knew it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was the exact same arrogance he himself used whenever facing weaker opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana sphere stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A palm-sized black orb floated above Anos’ hand, pulsing with enough destructive power to erase continents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding air cracked merely from existing near it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you done, my junior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips curved upward faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you ready to attack?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words made Anos laugh softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even their way of provoking others was identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" Anos replied while rolling his shoulder once. \"I’m ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you receive this properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for an answer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw the sphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiny orb shot forward silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then instantly expanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOM—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world shook violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana sphere rapidly grew larger as it advanced toward Azriel like a collapsing star. Waves of destruction spread outward from it in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had this existed in the outside world—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entire kingdoms would already be gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spell carried absolute annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"World Ender: Crimson Abyss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos smirked faintly after naming the spell aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gigantic sphere devoured everything in its path as it surged toward Azriel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Azriel merely watched it approach with a vicious smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Anos noticed it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That strange power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible energy wrapped around Azriel’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled mana...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it wasn’t mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled sword intent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it wasn’t that either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy itself felt fundamentally different from anything Anos had ever seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was purer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What is that...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana sphere was now directly before Azriel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No dodging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No defensive spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually raised one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos’ pupils contracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s blocking it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was insanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Anos’ strongest magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even true dragons had suffered injuries from this attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Azriel intended to stop it barehanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant contact happened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive sphere halted completely against Azriel’s palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact alone shattered the surrounding white landscape into countless fractures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOOOOOM—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shockwaves exploded endlessly outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sphere itself...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t advance another inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos’ eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strongest spell—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stopped by one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel stood there calmly while the gigantic mana sphere trembled violently against his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even his expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana sphere fractured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK—CRACK—CRACK—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gigantic spell shattered like glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It exploded into scattered particles of light before vanishing completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos nearly doubted his own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel looked at him and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... is that your best attack?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If so, this won’t be much of a fight, will it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he sighed dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess I’ll need to give you a handicap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monstrous pressure surrounding Azriel suddenly weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll match my mana and spiritualization to your level.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos immediately focused on that unfamiliar term again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiritualization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that strange power truly had a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel continued casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll even use different weapons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twin divine swords Chaos and Serenity vanished into particles of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their place appeared two ordinary short swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or at least they looked normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And don’t bother preserving mana,\" Azriel added. \"Inside this place, your mana recovers instantly after use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His overwhelming aura also weakened considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos could still instinctively feel danger from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying amount of danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But strangely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t feel insulted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap between them truly existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Anos felt slightly disappointed for another reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So I’m still not enough to make him serious...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that disappointment vanished quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because excitement replaced it instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiritualization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknown powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle would teach him things he had never imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos slowly exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This isn’t the time to overthink.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A savage grin spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Right now... I just need to enjoy this fight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos exploded forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground beneath him shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive dragon-bone sword swung downward violently toward Azriel’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel casually blocked it with one short sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collision shook the entire soul realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos immediately followed with another strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each slash carried enough force to split mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel blocked every single one effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks exploded endlessly between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos suddenly twisted his body mid-swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Demonic Art: Crimson Fang Cleaver!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword erupted with violent crimson mana before releasing a gigantic crescent slash toward Azriel at point-blank range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one simple step—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson slash continued flying into the distance before exploding violently across the white world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOM—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos instantly sensed danger behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel’s short sword collided against his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while suppressing himself to Anos’ level, Azriel’s swordsmanship was terrifyingly refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every movement felt perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos grinned wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun aggressively and kicked toward Azriel’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel blocked casually with his elbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Anos immediately chained another spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Black Flame Prison!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark flames exploded around Azriel from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire twisted like demonic serpents trying to devour him whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Azriel simply swung his sword once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SHHHH—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames split apart instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Void Burst!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple compressed spheres of mana appeared around Azriel before detonating simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soul realm shook endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke spread everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos rushed directly into the explosions with his sword raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he entered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel blocked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the smoke, the vampire emperor smiled calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fight too aggressively.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos smirked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you talk too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their swords collided repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white world cracked endlessly beneath their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos attacked like a berserk beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel countered like a calm ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wild destruction versus perfect control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every exchange pushed Anos backward eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after suppressing himself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel remained overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos laughed harder with every clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this was exactly what he desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A battle against someone truly stronger than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel looked at him with visible excitement in his crimson eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’As expected...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor’s smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’No matter the incarnation... no matter how weak...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their swords collided once more violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’In the end... we are fools hungry for battle.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two that shared the same soul clashed their swords, with gleeful smiles on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>",1381,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","339a6b74b8909058c3e32de9486787c0b17a124ed25cd93d378192279e357ab7","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-219","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-217",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]