An entire side of Tybalt's body erupted into a rain of blood first. Then, numerous holes began to appear in his body one after another. His skull deformed as though it had been crushed by stones from both sides. In the end, his tongue was split in two, flying from the open gape of his roaring mouth.
In the distance, the collapsed body of Dreame convulsed, his injuries reversing as though they had never happened.
The hearts of those watching shook. Ryu had even awakened this ability?
There were many abilities of the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth Heavenly Pupils that people feared, but Fate Reversal was among the top three on any list. To be able to reverse one's injuries and even force them onto another person… It was the kind of power that could shake the soul.
At this point, even the Sky Gods that were spectating found their jaws clenching, their eyes narrowing in seriousness. Was this really a battle they had to involve themselves in?
"What are you screaming for?" Ryu asked, his soft voice feeling more like the call of the devil than ever now. "Where's your resolve? Didn't you want to save him? This is your chance."
Tybalt continued to roar into the skies. It wasn't just the pain of having his body destroyed, it was also the subtle realization that his Fate was being ripped from his hands and toyed upon the palm of another. It was a tragic sort of irony that both slapped his face and tore at the layers of his heart.
"Release him."
The voice was sudden and powerful. It appeared high in the skies, a robed gentleman wearing robes of warm brown and muted gold. He had greying hair, but he didn't feel old. He had glasses, but his eyes were sharp. His beard was meticulously trimmed and kept. Everything about him screamed perfect scholar.
He had appeared without a word, without an effort, without even a peep. And yet, Ryu didn't seem to react to him at all.
Hiding from his eyes? Was that even possible?
Even if you were a True Sky God, you would have to obediently be found.
Ryu's disregard caused the man's brows to furrow. He had seen this young man before. It could be said that Ryu was actually quite well known in their circle. His feats were second to none his age and beyond many far older than him. There was no one in this world that had reached the Origin Grade faster, and he had done so without cultivation.
There was no doubt that with the seals of his eyes undone, Ryu's skill as a Ruin Master was unlike anything they had been like before. He hadn't even needed to use a Matrix to make his way through the Death Shrine. Granted, that was because the Death Shrine was also very inviting of him, but it was easy as breathing nonetheless.
Such a talent was invaluable. It could be said that the only reason they didn't make efforts to recruit him for bigger, greater things was because he didn't have cultivation at the time, something that was clearly not the case now.
But, it was obvious that he was also far too set in his ways to understand the bigger picture. A talent that couldn't be molded was a useless talent and there was no point in lamenting their loss.
"My name is, Kagan—"
"I know who you are, stop wasting my time. Attack if you want to attack. If not, scram."
Kagan's expression sank, but he still stretched down a finger, a strong pressure descended.
Time seemed to pause. Everyone realized at that moment that the time had finally come. The true powerhouses were attacking. It was their existence that caused none to believe that Ryu could do it, it was their existence that made many so sure that there would only be one winner today…
However, at that moment, Ryu stretched out a free hand.
The two Great Swordstaffs quaked, ripping out of the ground and flipping end over end through the air.
BANG!
One landed directly in Ryu's hand, the second flying over his head and landing right in the path of the beam released by Kagan.
BANG!
Ryu's Great Swordstaff rebounded backward, coming right for him. Unfortunately for Tybalt, his head was in the way of Ryu's palm.
The screaming finally came to an end, a polearm crushing what remained of his deformed skull as though it wouldn't stop until it landed in Ryu's hand.
Kagan's eyes widened as Ryu's qi surged, suddenly causing all the blood in his hand to spiral outward, leaving his Great Swordstaff absolutely spotless.
Tybalt's body fell into the lake of lightning, being incinerated to ash even before he could fall to the ground.
Ryu's aura completely changed, a towering and invisible pillar shooting into the skies and causing the clouds to swirl like a hurricane formation, its center positioned right about the head of the final Tatsuya.
"Let me guess," Ryu began to speak. "Your organization has always been aware of the world outside of Sacrum. In fact, maybe some of your members are lingering or failed pathetic rats just like these Martial Gods, sent here because you couldn't stand shoulder to shoulder with your far more talented and capable counterparts.
"Yet, somehow, despite being worth little else but the dirt at the soles of their feet, you still attach yourselves to their glory, taking pride in their bloodlines, believing yourselves to be greater than you really are.
"Did I get that right?"
Ryu's gaze swept from Kagan, to the other Martial Gods, the half-dead Demigods, and even the pathetic traitors that chose to follow them.
Kagan took deep and slow breaths, allowing the crimson and rage from his eyes to calm.
"Our organization's only goal is toward the prosperity of Existence. The Shrines of Sacrum are invaluable to the evolution of cultivation. The expense of a few families and lives is minimal compared to the bigger picture."
Ryu held out his Great Swordstaffs, his Dao suddenly flourishing at full strength.
The Godhoods of several Sky Gods quaked, bordering on the edge of collapse.
The Rebirth Crown let out a sonorous call, the gorgeous canopy of an Immortal Sakura appearing in the skies, sparkling with radiant blue Heavenly Patterns.
Ryu smiled. "The Prosperity of Existence? Why should I give a fuck?"
His Great Swordstaff rose, pointing right at Kagan.
"Come and taste my blade. Today, your organization will be buried alongside them."
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