However, at this moment, Sterl did not find the comical appearance of the surrounding players and demons amusing. Instead, he felt an immense pressure and slowly began to retreat.
Although in the realm of mowing down weaker opponents, Sterl had been invincible, this was the first time he faced such a hidden Supreme in a direct confrontation.
It wasn't that Sterl doubted his ability to win. In his rational analysis, he believed victory was assured! However, his consistent cautious nature made him feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy. He had never fought at this level before! He had to be careful, more careful than ever!
Almost simultaneously, the battlefield was divided. Several Supremes under the command of Lord of Evil Spirits retreated. They had their own considerations; after all, Mephistopheles had previously faced the Demon of Terror and Cruelty and managed to block its attack with ease. Therefore—
The depth of Mephistopheles' power was likely far beyond that of the other Supremes under the Succubus Queen. It would be best for them not to get involved in this battle. If the opponent couldn't handle the Demon of Terror and Cruelty, in a moment of desperation, they might seek to drag a few others down with them. It was wiser to watch from a distance.
Otherwise, they risked losing their life-saving items at best, or death at worst!
As for why these Supreme demons had such experience, it was because they enjoyed playing these games. They would deliberately send some subordinates on missions to encircle strong enemies, forcing the foes into a desperate situation and then watching as their subordinates panicked and were taken out by those powerful opponents in their final moments.
The expressions of their subordinates would shift from arrogance to fear, then to despair. This was one of the essential amusements in the lives of these Supreme demons. But they certainly didn't want to become the entertainment themselves!
...
On the other side, among the four Supremes under the Succubus Queen, aside from Flanda, who wore a look of regret, the others were also contemplating. Flanda had originally intended to wait for the queen to enjoy herself before tasting Mephistopheles for herself, but it seemed that opportunity might not come.
"A man who is both powerful and attractive, and for some reason has a perfectly refined aura lately... I may never encounter another like him in my lifetime."
Flanda felt an overwhelming impulse to rush in and rescue him. Because... after practicing the Solidification Method, Sterl was enveloped in an extremely cold and ascetic aura that further enhanced his charm.
For an ordinary person, this might merely mean an increase in attractiveness. But for the Succubus clan, the ascetic aura would incite their desires even more, and the stronger the Succubus, the more intense the effect.
Moreover, each stage of strength multiplied this influence several times over—Legendary, Demigod, God, High God... it was the same for all!
Flanda had often avoided Sterl before because every time she looked at him, she felt herself losing control, teetering on the brink of irrationality! There had been several moments when she had even considered betraying the queen to enjoy Mephistopheles for herself!
Then her life would be complete. She would be ready to die immediately if it meant achieving that.
However, the only issue was that Sterl himself was not particularly interested in Flanda, which made it difficult for her to suppress her thoughts.
This Succubus felt her mind in turmoil and retreated. Meanwhile, the other three Supremes were all smiles as they swiftly withdrew. At first, they had thought they wouldn't be able to escape, especially after facing the Demon of Terror and Cruelty's series of attacks.
No, that wasn't right! They hadn't even managed to block those attacks; they had only survived thanks to their ability to resurrect after death. Each of them had felt a sense of despair, but as seasoned warriors with long lifespans and many experiences, they clung to a glimmer of hope for a miracle to happen, thus maintaining a posture of resistance.
But now... they had Mephistopheles to take the brunt!
"Ha ha! Just in time!"
"Mephistopheles, you're going to die beautifully!"
"We won't let your sacrifice go in vain! If you have any secret treasure locations, shouldn't you tell us in advance?"
[Sun Devourer], enhanced by [Heaven-supporting], was used to execute a new Platinum Skill, forcibly condensing its gigantic body. Sterl noticed that the information detected by Star Insight was rapidly diminishing, indicating that the Demon of Terror and Cruelty's combat power was surging!
Accompanied by a fierce wind generated from the gathering energy, the Demon of Terror and Cruelty surged forward explosively!
At this moment, if the players from the Succubus Queen's faction hadn't already retreated far away, a typical demigod would likely have been swept away, their flesh torn apart by the storm.
Both factions present witnessed countless storms converging, slowly forming a vortex that completely enveloped Mephistopheles's figure. The mere prelude to the release of the technique had transformed into an incredibly terrifying cage!
As for Sterl...
He was not affected in the slightest. Although he had been momentarily distracted by the inexplicably thrown item, it was not enough for the Demon of Terror and Cruelty to catch him off guard.
In that instant of energy accumulation, Sterl had already formed the Flowing Water Blade in his hand. He slowly positioned it at his waist, preparing to draw his sword!
At this moment, under the sweeping storm, countless demons and Swallowing Heaven players still wore expressions of either glee or indifferent disdain. However, what they failed to notice was that the core of the storm was remarkably stable and calm, as everything was frozen and solidified by the sharpness of the blade and the power of space.
Outside, the figure of the Demon of Terror and Cruelty had shrunk down to its normal height of just a few meters. Yet at this moment, it was at its peak, with its power having surged to its utmost limit! With a final, forceful strike...
The Platinum Skill, Four-in-One!
The enhanced [Earth-shaking] erupted!
In an instant, the overwhelming energy coalesced into the technique, radiating a brilliance akin to that of a dazzling diamond, reflecting in the eyes of the onlookers, making it difficult for them to keep their eyes open.
Simultaneously, the Demon of Terror and Cruelty's figure shot downward like a speeding arrow, plunging from the sky into the vortex of the storm's core!
This extremely concentrated strike seemed destined to hit its target. To the outside world, it resembled a meteor accelerated to its limit, plummeting straight down.
In that split second...
The spectators could do nothing but wait in anticipation, ready to witness Mephistopheles's demise! However, the Demon of Terror and Cruelty itself furrowed its brow slightly, feeling an unusual discomfort, a sharp pain rapidly emerging in its forehead.
"What is... this? A sign of death?"
Yet, at the core of the energy storm, even a being as powerful as a Supreme could not sense the internal conditions. Still, the Demon of Terror and Cruelty could perceive that within the storm, an incredibly terrifying energy was brewing.
On Sterl's side, a glimmer of excitement sparked in his eyes.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three crisp sounds echoed.
The purple-gold flames that burned on Sterl's body were the result of maximizing various attribute enhancements!
With each sound, the first echoed forth.
The perfect blade law transformed into an endless stream of sharp energy, cutting through everything around it, even the dust and air, fragmenting them into fine particles and revealing a mesmerizing luster.