Chapter 299: Chapter 299: The Bottled Prisoner (23)_1
“I think I understand what ‘Sinners’ are all about now.”
Although Yun’s posture was full at the moment, from his recent Zen-like musings combined with the observations made along the way and his own mission, Fu Qian had come to think of another possibility.
What Yun considered to be without care or worry might just be a misunderstanding.
His actions, bereft of ostentation just now, were not about sublimating his essence but changing his form of existence.
Simply put, Fu Qian believed that the act of facing the statue and making motions to connect with the Goddess of Sin and Punishment and then purifying Sinflame could inherently be a kind of ritual.
...
Similar to the ceremonial act when ascending to a demigod status.
Except this one is very special, with almost no restrictions.
One does not need to be at the peak of the Fourth Phase, nor do they require a specific type of ability.
Any Transcendent, as long as they bask in the gaze of the goddess and become tainted with sins and then run to the statue to strike a pose for redemption, can complete it directly.
And the effects after the ritual’s success are equally special.
Transcendents who are purified do indeed undergo a qualitative change, but it’s not about ascending as an independent individual, it’s about combining with the Goddess of Sin and Punishment to form a unified whole in a special way.
It’s like the oath taker and the sworn in a vow.
Only this time it’s the ‘Sinners’ and the Goddess of Sin and Punishment.
That’s why Yun feels his sword swings without care or worry.
Because the sin of that strike has already been undertaken by the Goddess of Sin and Punishment.
And those who have been purified once will no longer feel the pain of the Sinflame, for the same reason.
“I actually have to thank you.”
As he pondered, Yun’s voice rose again.
“It’s fortunate that there’s an individual who can experience this moment; otherwise, it would have been easy to indulge in one’s glory.”
He looked at Fu Qian with a serene smile.
“As a token of gratitude, I will grant you release shortly.”
“You are too kind.”
In the face of the decree of death, Fu Qian’s tone was quite perfunctory.
If his guess holds true, this Goddess of Sin and Punishment really has something of the “divine” about her.
Just like the one who descended upon Ariel, she too is almost a conceptual existence.
In fact, when you think about it, the Sinflame on everyone is itself akin to the physical manifestation of a special concept.
“You really don’t seem to be afraid of dying, do you!”
Yun seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Fu Qian’s excessively calm reaction, his gaze sharpening as he intently stared at him.
“Or do you think that without the advantage of the Sinflame, I’m no match for you?”
“Unfortunately, both guesses are wrong.”
Fu Qian shook his head, not sharing his deduction, and instead, stretched out two fingers.
“Firstly, regardless of the state, you are no match for me.”
“Additionally, I’m not planning to grant you release all too quickly.”
As he spoke, Fu Qian moved his shoulders.
With this simple action, there was an extreme sense of danger; Yun’s expression suddenly became fierce as he almost subconsciously launched an attack.
The shrill sound of slicing air filled the space as his long knife traced an unbelievable arc, followed by a bright blade light that engulfed the entire space.
Thump!
In the omnipresent storm of blades, the invisible black shields around Ailina broke one after another, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
Though lacking the frightening momentum of the Sinflame compared to before, from a level of artistry, it did seem somewhat improved.
The human heart is indeed a wondrous thing, ah, just a bit of self-satisfaction can elevate one to such heights!
Fu Qian, while marveling, spent one of his lives directly.
[SAN Points reduced by 1]
The guests should be arriving soon, it’s best to end this quickly.
The next moment, the sky was blotted out!
Hundreds, no, thousands of black and red tendrils burst forth from his right arm, entwined into a colossal alien limb that, like a glacier crumbling, enveloped Yun and everything around him.
The Biochemical Demon Arm, a move that had once killed the Black Knight in a single blow before reaching demigod status.
Now, as an authentic Whiteboard Demigod boosted by the Mythical Form, its power was incomparable to that of any other day.
Yun’s Blade Storm managed to resist for only half a second before it helplessly shattered to pieces.
So did his body.
After crashing against the statue like a torn rag, his neck was entwined by several thick tendrils and was slowly lifted.
“Please believe, whether it’s the fall from the altar at this moment or the ascent to it in the past, I can understand your feelings,” Fu Qian slowly said, looking at Yun’s face, which resembled belief collapsing.
“And don’t worry too much, you won’t have to endure this pain for too long, just wait a moment.”
While speaking, Fu Qian glanced at the Statue of Sinful Goddess behind him.
Indeed, as the legend stated, it was indestructible; despite such destruction, aside from Yun’s blood, it was unscathed from top to bottom.
Cough! Cough!
At that moment, a suppressed cough transmitted, and a person tremblingly climbed up in the corner—it was none other than Ailina, covered in wounds.
Thanks to her and Cross curling up in the corner, they had not been subjected to a direct hit from the Biochemical Demon Arm.
On the contrary, Yun’s Blade Storm was instantly broken, which inadvertently relieved her pressure; otherwise, she would have inevitably ended up broken and scattered.
However, although the danger to her body was removed, it was evident that she had suffered considerable mental shock.
Completely ignoring the blood-smeared white dress, Ailina stared with an almost vacant gaze at the tendrils wrapped around Yun’s neck.
The demigod swordsman, who just moments ago was unconquerable and transcendent, was now defeated with one move?
And was that move really even something a human could do?
An uncontrollable despair began to spread throughout her heart.
There could only be one winner in this confrontation, and against such a monster, she had no chance of survival.
This being was even more terrifying than the Butcher.
He didn’t even bother to collect Sinflame!
Right at that moment, Ailina felt as if even the strength to flee had vanished.
However, even as her gaze shifted from the statue, Fu Qian still hadn’t glanced at her; instead, he looked beyond the platform.
Subconsciously following his gaze, Ailina thought she heard the faint sound of metal clashing.
This is…
Before she could react, amidst the loud noise, a towering figure leapt onto the platform.
Under the tremendous impact, the entire platform quivered.
Sin Seekers!
Even as she felt her hope was extinguished, the sight of the newcomer almost made Ailina cry out in shock.
How could this thing have come here?
Wasn’t it supposed to chase after the person with the most concentrated Sinflame?
Could it be… She suddenly thought of something and turned her gaze sharply towards the Statue of Sinful Goddess.
When Yun had entered, his body was indeed a torrent of Sinflame, all of which had now been purified.
Therefore, the Sin Seekers, having been greatly empowered, had already killed the Butcher?
Then it must be here for… A chill enveloped Ailina instantly.
In this place, only she and Cross still carried Sinflame, and his was far less intense than hers.
It was here to kill her.
A strong feeling of regret surged in Ailina’s heart; had she not hesitated too long earlier, she wouldn’t have even encountered Yun, who had arrived.
Now, facing the two gods of death before her, her heart was truly filled with despair.