Chapter 2290 Awake
Immortal God Millman looked into the skies, only to have his expression change. Whether it was the beast or the fact he could see Nazaire standing atop of it, either one was enough to make him feel a deep sense of foreboding. His mind was in such a mess that he didn't even seem to notice that Dyon was the one standing at the forefront while Nazaire had simply taken a backstep.
'Where the hell is Crane? What kind of beast is that? Is this some sort of hidden trump card of Pill Sword Mountain? That's impossible! We've had control of the sect for the last several billion years. Nazaire became nothing but a figurehead long ago due to his obsession with alchemy.... Unless!'
Millman felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
He suddenly remembered that there was exactly one hidden secret of the sect that they had no opportunity to delve into precisely because of an oath sworn by a sect master of long ago. Then, he remembered that Nazaire had just led that boy into the depths of Peak Mountain.
At first, he thought that it was because the boy wanted to use his reward to exchange for a right to cultivate within the environment of the spirit vein. This was a rare opportunity, but it was sometimes given to elders who had contributed greatly to the sect. So, other than being a bit jealous of Dyon, he hadn't thought much about the trip they took at all. In fact, he felt that it was extremely convenient as it was a chance to get rid of Nazaire with ease.
But, who knew that this was never their goal at all?
"Hm, not bad."
Dyon tossed the formation core in his hand up and caught it a few times. Then, he grasped onto both sides with the tips of his fingers as though he was splitting an orange in half.
In that moment, the formation core suddenly expanded. All of the complex illusory gears and runes hidden within became a whole expansive world. It felt almost as though a whole universe was being projected between Dyon's palms. The sight was almost as mesmerizing as Little Gold herself.
Dyon frowned. "The structure is sound, but it's too rigid. Things will be a bit difficult like that. But, I can make do. First, though... Give me all you got, Little Gold."
QIII QIIIIII
Little Gold flapped her wings and soared into the skies like a bullet on a railgun.
The activity of the lightning skyrocketed. From below, it sounded as though the roars of countless beasts were resounding through the skies. Thick pillars of lightning snaked through the clouds, converging toward Little Gold at faster and faster speeds.
Dyon's eyes flashed with a ferocious light.
In that moment, a golden dragon formed of lightning appeared to his back. Like a mighty eastern dragon emperor, it dwarfed even the skies it flew through.
"[Devour]!"
The mouth of the golden dragon opened wide, swallowing everything it came into contact with, not sparing even the faint traces of violet-gold lightning that had tried to stop Little Gold from awakening.
At that moment, Crane stumbled toward the battlefield, dragging his half-dead body toward Millman. He looked like a man who was ready to die, but refused to do so until he could accomplish just one last goal.
His state was ghastly.
Dyon pressed his fingers together, forming a triangle with his thumbs and forefingers. Then, he drew a circle in the air with both his palms, the formation core hovering before him while emitting an ever brightening light.
Millman's eyes widened.
"Form up! Forget the plan! Form up!"
His roar thundered across the battlefield, shocking the Sapientia who were still biding their time. But, when they looked up into the skies and saw the situation, their expression changed.
How was this possible? Why was the Formation still within the enemy's hand? But, even if it was still in the enemy's hands, why would Millman say to form up? Wasn't it even more important now that they continue to remain hidden?
"I said FORM UP!"
Millman's commanding tone left no room for questioning.
They couldn't feel it, but he could. He could feel that someone had seen right through him. It was a feeling he couldn't put a finger on, nor prove, but his years of experience left his hair standing on end. Just how powerful was this person to hide himself so perfectly from them.
In the skies, Dyon's lip curled. 'He's quite sharp. It seems my soul is a bit too weak to hide myself perfectly from Peak Immortal Gods. But, this is fine too. He's still a bit too slow to realize the person he's looking for is right above him.'
Dyon's hands clapped together forcefully, causing all eight colossuses to open their eyes in unison.
All qi seemed to still, becoming thick and hanging in the air as though it had morphed and become an ocean of liquid.
The Immortals below found that their control over atmospheric qi plummeted in an instant, causing them to shake in fear. Without such control, their battle prowess would plummet by at least 50%, and that was a conservative estimate.
Dyon raised a finger slowly, his features serene and his eyes calm and without ripple.
Millman watched on in horror. He felt as though his life was no longer in his control.
**
If one could see the situation on the mortal plane now, it would be shocking indeed.
The Mortal Empire had faced the joint attacks of several powers in the last several hundred years, yet its capital still stood tall and firm, just as majestic as the day it was left by Dyon. In fact, it had been so peaceful that the citizens of the Empire were still unaware of Dyon's disappearance.
On the Throne, Madeleine sat in silent meditation, only for her eyes to suddenly open, a slight frown marring her delicate brow.
'It's finally waking up...?'
She looked off into the distance toward a place with a familiar green and blue planet. Earth had begun to move. Though it was slight, it didn't escape her notice.