Chapter 1788

"Yes." Lopez nodded.

"You want me to team up with you against him?" Kesi Dilin stared at the photo, furrowed his brows, and after a minute of thought said: "Sorry, I cannot agree to such a thing—I have no reason or excuse to cooperate with you."

"I understand your concerns, so I specially took a photo and brought it to you—if you find it acceptable, we can discuss further." Lopez finished, then turned toward the Cang door and called out: "Come in."

As he spoke, a man walked into the cockpit: "Respected Your Majesty."

The man wore camouflage fatigues and dark sunglasses, his entire face hidden in shadow, utterly obscured.

"Adenbayo, I believe this is the legendary Dark Jesus," Lopez introduced: "You may have misunderstandings, but I hope you can set aside prejudice and join hands to fulfill your dreams."

The man named Adenbayo turned his gaze toward Kesi Dilin, a flicker of wariness in his eyes; then he removed his sunglasses.

The instant Kesi Dilin saw the man's face, his pupils sharply contracted!

"The Black Cardinal of Mount Aerbeisi?" he said, voice low.

In truth, this man was none other than the infamous wanted criminal of the Dark World—Adenbayo!

This fellow had infiltrated the Sun God Guard's escort team!

"I suppose you've already guessed my identity," Adenbayo put his sunglasses back on: "Yes, I am the Black Cardinal—Apollo is the man I hate most."

"Your hatred runs deep," Kesi Dilin's lips curled slightly, revealing a mocking smile: "But you're mistaken—this time, I represent the Tianzheng Papacy at the World Cup final, not Apollo himself. Your revenge has no place being directed at me."

Kesi Dilin was the second-strongest fighter of the Sun God Temple, second only to the Twin Blades Warrior among the Sun God Guards; if Lopez turned against him now, it would be unwise.

Since Kesi Dilin dared to venture alone into Hell, he naturally feared no Black Cardinal!

Upon hearing this, Adenbayo spat out: "Damned Golden Family—I'll kill every last one of you, including you, Kesi Dilin!"

Saying this, he instantly drew the long sword at his waist and slashed toward Kesi Dilin!

The latter leapt sharply upward, evading the sweeping aerial strike.

Kesi Dilin landed steadily and said: "My words just now contained not a single exaggerated element."

Lopez smiled and said: "Kesi Dilin, do you know? This makes me feel some regret."

"What's there to regret? Isn't that true?" Kesi Dilin's lips held a faint smile: "In truth, we both know—should we retreat now, we'll both plunge into irrevocable ruin."

"You're right," Lopez spread his hands, smiled, and said: "But I still advise against teaming up with me against Apollo—otherwise, even if I win, I'll suffer devastating losses."

Kesi Dilin nodded: "I acknowledge your concerns."

This statement was simple, yet carried profound meaning.

Their past battles side by side extended far beyond the Enforcement Holy Hall—Kesi Dilin knew every corner of Atlantis as if he'd lived there; if he truly sought to seize this island from Lopez, the latter might not be his match.

"So what's your real plan?" Lopez asked: "Will you really just watch as Apollo and Ximen Wudi destroy my entire scheme?"

Hearing this, Kesi Dilin sneered: "Lopez, you are my greatest rival—I too wish to eliminate you. But I am not like Apollo."

Kesi Dilin's tone brimmed with arrogance: "He can kill the Sun God—I can kill you."

As he spoke, his right hand slowly rose, clenched into a fist, then slammed down sharply!

Shhh!

A sharp blade of cold light flashed into existence!

Lopez instantly leapt aside!

But this blade of light was not aimed at him—it was aimed at Adenbayo, who stood by the ship's railing!

Keng!

A violent clang of metal rang out as the blade was brutally blocked!

Kesi Dilin's attack missed its target!

Adenbayo stood beside the railing, watching the sparks splashing onto his arm, shook his head, then sharply swung his sword!

Shhh! Shhh-shhh!

Several sword blossoms exploded outward, lashing toward Kesi Dilin's chest!

Though dazzling, these sword blossoms carried lethal intent!

Kesi Dilin's form drifted, sidestepping swiftly, barely evading the blossoms; then he twisted his body, raised his right leg high, and kicked toward Adenbayo's abdomen!

This was a leg technique of explosive power!

Kesi Dilin's attack had already been ferocious—now, with full force unleashed, the kick was devastating!

Adenbayo's sword swept horizontally to intercept!

Bom!

Kesi Dilin's knee slammed hard against the blade!

The sword instantly bent and deformed!

"I hate Chinese martial arts!" Adenbayo roared, shaking his sword violently to break free from Kesi Dilin's knee!

Then he leapt into the air like an arrow, shooting toward Kesi Dilin; with a flick of his wrist, the bent sword spun and shot out through the porthole!

Shhh-shhh-shhh!

Several piercing sounds rang out!

Three or four streaks of dark light shot toward Kesi Dilin's entire body!

Such an ambush was truly impossible to defend against!

This was merely Adenbayo's ordinary attack!

Under these conditions, debris rained down like a storm, engulfing Adenbayo entirely!

Yet at this moment, he felt no fear whatsoever!

A low roar!

Then Adenbayo leapt into the air, the light from his sword suddenly bursting forth!

The falling debris shattered inch by inch in midair, turning into fine powder!

Kesi Dilin saw this, and his pupils contracted sharply!

The long sword in Adebayo's hand, after slicing through the scattered fragments filling the air, viciously hacked toward Kesi Dilin's neck!

The latter's figure suddenly shot upward, then his right hand holding the blade suddenly swept it upward!

Clang!

Blade and sword clashed fiercely!

This time, Adebayo was sent staggering back three steps by the slash!

Kesi Dilin was also blasted back two meters!

His right shoulder had been cut open by sword Qi, with thin streaks of blood flowing across the surface of the skin, but it wasn't serious.

"Heh, the martial-arts world of Huaxia truly hides dragons and crouching tigers. If it were someone else, they probably would have died several times by now," Adebayo said.

"This time, are you trying to bring about the complete destruction of your Atlantis?" Kesi Dilin asked.

He knew he had encountered a formidable enemy today!

Even with his super talent, he now felt utterly stretched thin!

Kesi Dilin clearly realized that his stamina had been consumed far too much. If the stalemate continued, he would lose his last chance of winning!

However, this stretch of sea had previously suffered a missile strike—this was international waters!

Even if Kesi Dilin could get away safely, what about Ximen Wudi and the others?

If they were left stranded at sea, wouldn't they sink to the bottom of the ocean as corpses!

Once they fell into the sea, there would be no hope of survival ever again!

"Adebayo, I don't want to make an enemy of you," Kesi Dilin said.

This was a sign of backing down.

"Are you conceding defeat?" Adebayo sneered with a smile, licking his lips lightly.

"Concede defeat?" Kesi Dilin's gaze instantly turned icy and piercing!

Then, boundless killing intent surged within his pupils!

"This is a disgrace—I am unwilling to bear such a disgrace!" Kesi Dilin roared: "In my dictionary, the words 'concede defeat' will never exist!"

With that, Kesi Dilin stamped his feet on the ground and charged at Adebayo once more!

"Heh, the warrior's soul, is it? But I like it!"