Chapter 240: Long Time No See, Brother Zhui (Request Monthly Votes! Request Follows)

All things perished, leaving only emptiness.

After a long while, ripples like waves suddenly spread through the space above the land now utterly reduced to ash.

Immediately, a black fissure five meters long abruptly appeared, expanding like a gaping abyss, from which several figures stepped forth.

Zhao Hao, Shokuhou Misaki, Yumemiya Shikie, Uchiha Madara, Aizen Sosuke, Whitebeard, Akuro no Kiba, Gilgamesh… and the replica Zhao Zhui.

These powerful figures, who had recently fought Wu Xian and the Central Plains Team, now all appeared, each radiating boss-level aura, as if the final battle of the grand finale had already begun.

In fact, it was exactly so.

Because of Poros's intervention, the Central Plains Team's location had been completely exposed, and on our side, we now possessed the strength to oppose and even defeat their strongest opponent; no matter how you looked at it, this was the perfect moment to strike.

After all, Shokuhou Misaki's current psychic power level is temporarily enhanced; once the twelve-hour boost period ends, she will revert to her original state, leaving the entire East Sea Team exposed to the eyes of their psychic opponents.

Leaving Zhao Hao aside, the other East Sea Team members who had hidden themselves would almost certainly be found by the enemy and forced to turn their weapons on themselves, causing massive point deductions for the East Sea Team.

If things truly turned out that way, even if they ultimately annihilated the Central Plains Team, the East Sea Team—more accurately, Zhao Hao's gains—would inevitably shrink drastically, something he absolutely could not tolerate.

Fortunately, the current situation is overwhelmingly favorable; as long as Poros can hold off that unbelievably powerful Lunhuizhe, our side's fourth-rank warriors outnumber and outclass theirs—this is essentially won.

Thinking this, Zhao Hao gazed at the striking phoenix silhouette in the distance, already calculating the reward points and subplot rewards he would gain after this team battle, realizing that after fulfilling his promises to the group members, he had a real chance to undergo an S-rank bloodline enhancement.

If he could then break through the third-level gene lock in the future, perhaps he would finally have the qualification to stand against fourth-rank opponents, no longer needing to play the fool or fear being casually swatted dead by these villainous boss figures in the chat group.

"Kid, where is that man? I haven't sensed any aura that excites me. You… aren't playing me, are you?"

Just as Zhao Hao was confidently envisioning the future, Poros's voice, laced with murderous intent, suddenly rang in his ears, dousing him like a bucket of ice water and snapping him back to reality.

"Of course not!"

Suppressing his fear, Zhao Hao explained in as calm a tone as he could: "You've surely seen the video file, Lord Poros—Aizen, Whitebeard, and the others were utterly defeated by that man without effort.

According to the group master's estimate, that man possesses at least the strength of an ordinary semi-god; within the entire chat group, only you have the confidence to stand against him. Otherwise, the group master would never have specifically invited you to descend into this world."

As he spoke, Zhao Hao's forehead broke into cold sweat, terrified this battle-obsessed madman might erupt at any moment.

He failed entirely to notice that behind him, Yumemiya Shikie and Aizen were both smirking, their eyes brimming with unspoken mockery and derision.

"Ah… the Central Plains Team's strong one that Zhao Jun mentioned doesn't seem to be here."

At that moment, Shokuhou Misaki timidly raised her hand and spoke up; when she saw Poros's single eye turn toward her, her body trembled, but after a moment, she gathered her courage and said:

"Although the Central Plains Team's psychic user is powerful, just now, to resist Lord Poros's attack, they diverted their attention, allowing me to glimpse something… that Central Plains Team strong one appears to be heading to a mysterious ruin to seek treasure, and has temporarily left Egypt."

"Left Egypt? How is that possible—did he use some special item?!"

Zhao Hao exclaimed, his curiosity rising: what kind of treasure could make that man abandon the team battle entirely, unconcerned that we might strike the Central Plains Team while he was gone?

"So…?"

Poros murmured, then turned his gaze to Shokuhou Misaki, whose face was filled with fear, and said coldly: "Where exactly is that man?"

"... 'm sorry, but that's all I can currently detect."

As she spoke, Shokuhou Misaki ducked behind Zhao Hao, trying to avoid Poros's gaze—yet at that instant, her expression changed drastically, and she shouted: "Watch out! They've already…"

Without Shokuhou Misaki's warning, everyone present felt a crushing pressure surge toward them, and a clear, ringing bird cry echoed in their ears.

"It's her!"

Gilgamesh's face twisted instantly into a snarl; golden ripples erupted behind him like a vast curtain, and before him appeared a peculiar shield shaped like petals.

But contrary to everyone's expectations, the first to be attacked was not the strongest Poros, nor the psychic user Shokuhou Misaki, but Yumemiya Shikie—who had been quietly standing at the rear of the formation, shielding everyone before her.

Hummm—

A black gap suddenly opened; sensing imminent danger, Yumemiya Shikie immediately decided to flee, activating another of her abilities.

"The Realm of Fast and Slow!"

Realm power—this was the unique ability of the Sage of Demons, Yumemiya Shikie, a force capable of fundamentally overturning all things in the world, and to some extent, even influencing concepts of time, space, and reality.

For instance, the "Fast and Slow" realm she now used could accelerate her own speed while slowing her enemies', granting her, despite her lack of close-combat prowess, the ability to contend with top-tier warriors.

But the problem was, the situation she now faced had nothing to do with speed or slowness.

Thud!

A pale white hand suddenly appeared, as if ignoring spatial distance, striking her shoulder just before she could vanish into the gap.

An immense torrent of psychic power surged forth, forcibly freezing her body and mind; before she could break free, flames symbolizing life and destruction erupted instantly, obliterating Yumemiya Shikie's body, leaving only a wisp of ash drifting in the air.

Sage of Demons—Yumemiya Shikie, dead!

Hummm————!!

Simultaneously, blocks of black mosaic-like squares suddenly materialized beneath the feet of the chat group members.

Caught off guard and momentarily suppressed by psychic pressure, all of them tumbled into the squares, which then snapped shut; the scene was left with only Poros, and Zhao Hao, who had broken free from the psychic bonds with Shokuhou Misaki's help.

"What… exactly is going on?"

Staring blankly at the lingering ash on the ground, a cold sweat slid down Zhao Hao's temple; a terrible premonition rose within him.

…

Clang————!!

In the dark, wind-whistling space, the clash of metal rang out sharply.

Feeling the terrifying force transmitted through his arm, the replica Zhao Zhui's pupils contracted; he stared in surprise at the exquisite face before him—the face he had longed for day and night—and his expression froze for an instant.

"Though you're only a replica, I still want to say… it's been a long time, Zhao Zhui."

Zhao Ying's originally black eyes had transformed into the blue-gold bestial pupils seen in anime, radiating a chilling, indifferent coldness.

"Or… would you prefer I call you 'Zhui-gege'?"

(End of Chapter)