Chapter 229: Great Demon Sublimation!
The direct confrontation between the golden-furred fox and Jiang Ziya caused the entire Digital Ocean to tremble relentlessly!
"Filthy taoist, your boring performance should end already!!!"
The red formation imprisoning the golden-furred fox kept making cracking sounds as it began to fracture.
"Yaaaaa————————!!!"
The Yatagarasu took advantage of the fissures in the seal to burst out, their blazing wings fiercely attacking Jiang Ziya, who was riding Sibuxiang!
Sibuxiang nimbly dodged while counterattacking, striking down one Yatagarasu after another!
"What a headache… If the Thought Keys are severed, then the power borrowed from my master and the 12 Shenxians will vanish, and there'll be no way to seal her…"
Unconsciously, sweat began to bead on Jiang Ziya's forehead.
"Crack… crack!!!"
Right in front of the golden-furred fox, a large rupture appeared in the formation!
"Heh, filthy taoist, this time I win!"
As she spoke, the golden-furred fox reached her hand toward the widening gap.
At that very moment, the entire scene around them began to shift!
The dark blue sea gradually transformed, with thick white clouds appearing everywhere?!
"BOOOOOOOOOOM————————!!!"
The ground below began to collapse, and before their eyes, the entire Digital Ocean created by MoonCell transformed into a massive castle floating in the sky!
"I am Amaterasu Omikami!"
A colossal divine tree suddenly surged upward from the depths of the Digital Ocean!
The pupils of the golden-furred fox glowed gold, and behind her, a blazing sun erupted into furious flames!!!
"In the name of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, I am the Supreme Deity in Shinto! And also Beast V, embodiment of the Evil of Humanity—how dare humans defy my divine majesty!!"
The overwhelming pressure from her was something even Jiang Ziya could feel, yet he still struggled to maintain the remaining portion of the formation, risking everything to limit her movements.
"Just a mere taoist… even as a Grand Caster, what can you possibly do against me?!"
The golden-furred fox's voice was overflowing with arrogance — and she had every right to be arrogant.
After all, as she herself declared, being both a god and a Beast, her Saint Graph was fundamentally different from the standard summoned Servants.
"I'm tired too. This boring little game should come to an end."
With just a flick of her finger, the Yatagarasu instantly gathered together, forming a massive wall-like shape.
The red magatama jewels on their bodies emitted an intensely blinding crimson light.
Immediately after, the red magatama hanging from the Yatagarasu fused together, transforming into a single massive Magatama.
"Solar and lunar radiance, divine symbol of Ise — bow before sacred majesty and live forever in terror! Shine forth, Yasakani no Magatama!!"
At that moment, the enormous Yasakani no Magatama began absorbing all surrounding light, amplifying it before releasing it in a violent burst!
Golden light waves rippled out like water — anything touched by it couldn't withstand the searing heat and instantly melted away!
The red formation was gradually being destroyed!
Jiang Ziya's expression grew even more grave.
"If that's the case… if I can't suppress Daji, then I no longer have the face to return and see Yuanshi Tianzun or the Queen Mother of the West!!!"
Thinking that, Jiang Ziya gritted his teeth, pulled out two pills from his sleeve, tossed them into his mouth, and crushed them.
In that instant, celestial energy erupted fiercely, flooding through all his limbs and veins.
"Daji, I absolutely will not let you go free — even if I must sacrifice my own Saint Graph, I'll seal you no matter what!!!"
"Hehe, if you can do it, then go ahead and try!"
Just as Jiang Ziya prepared to risk everything in a final clash, a massive surge of magical energy suddenly shot in from afar!
"BOOOOOM————————!!!"
The golden wave of magical energy struck directly against the golden-furred fox's body!
"What——————?!"
This surprise attack left both sides completely stunned and unable to react.
What shocked the golden-furred fox even more was that the blow left a visible wound on her body?!
If not for the Yatagarasu shielding her in time, she would have taken far more serious damage than expected.
But that wasn't all — even the energy waves from Yasakani no Magatama were knocked back!!!
"Who are you?!"
In response to her furious demand, a blonde-haired knight appeared within her line of sight.
"Apologies. Though this is our first meeting, if you are the Evil of Humanity, then I have no choice but to act!"
Jiang Ziya immediately noticed the Holy Sword held in the hand of the white-armored, golden-haired knight.
"You… could it be you're the wielder of the Holy Sword of the Star?"
"A pleasure to meet you, Shenxian from the East."
The blonde knight promptly greeted Jiang Ziya.
"I am Arthur Pendragon."
"Oh? That name… could you be that famed King of Knights?!"
Jiang Ziya was briefly astonished. What caught his attention even more was that this blonde knight was walking through the air — stepping across a path of flower petals as he approached.
"Also, I'm not some Shenxian. If anything, I don't even possess the qualifications to become one."
"Unfortunately, there's not much time to explain. Please leave this place to me for now. After all, the final sealing still requires you. I ask that you continue deploying your Noble Phantasm."
Though Jiang Ziya wasn't sure of this man's specific intentions, the clarity in his eyes was enough — this man bore no ill will.
"Understood. Then I leave this to you."
Jiang Ziya patted Sibuxiang and immediately leapt into the sky, beginning to reconstruct the formation.
"Yet another tiresome stranger shows up from nowhere."
"Though you may not be the Beast I'm pursuing… since we've met, I won't let you walk away."
Arthur gripped his sword with both hands, his gaze unwavering.
"This is the mission entrusted to the Holy Sword!"
He raised his sword high and shouted:
"Seal•Thirteen — Decision Start!!!"
…
At that moment, below, Ethan and Mash suddenly noticed Arthur preparing to unleash his Noble Phantasm against the golden-furred fox.
"Arthur-san has come too!"
"Merlin, was this part of your plan as well?!"
Having lost track of Saber all this time, Ethan had suspected Merlin might've tricked him and dragged him off somewhere.
"Who knows? But either way, the arrival of the King of Knights is awfully convenient, isn't it?"
Merlin remained as relaxed and cheerful as ever.
"Thanks to him, we've bought ourselves a few more minutes."
"Thank you, Lady."
Just behind Merlin, two figures appeared.
"BB, Sakura-san?!"
Mash exclaimed with both surprise and joy.
"Ugh, how dare she mess MoonCell up like this?! It's beyond fixing now!"
BB was visibly furious, stomping repeatedly as she glared furiously at the golden-furred fox above.
"Sakura, why are you here too???"
As Ethan spoke, he suddenly turned to Merlin, who stood beside him with her usual smile.
"It was you?"
"Looks like since MoonCell's administrative rights were completely stolen, our functions were forcefully halted. But it seems this Lady here temporarily restored us."
Sakura replied with a tone full of gratitude toward Merlin.
"Unbelievable… you even know how to 'repair computers'?!"
Ethan looked at Merlin with skeptical eyes.
"Well, back in Avalon I often spent time watching the outside world out of boredom, so I picked up a few things."
Merlin smiled, calm and unbothered.
...A few things?
Bullshit, this is MoonCell we're talking about — and she actually fixed it?!
But the current situation was too urgent. Ethan had no time to crack jokes. He immediately asked:
"Then what exactly is this plan of yours?"
Merlin didn't answer right away. Instead, she glanced at Sakura, whose hair had now turned completely white.
"Senpai, allow me to explain."
Sakura spoke up without hesitation.
"At the moment, this Beast has completely taken control of MoonCell, treating it as part of its own body. So next, BB and I will use our admin rights to reverse-control it, forcing the Beast currently inside MoonCell to weaken by over half its strength."
"But didn't you lose your authority?"
"That's true. But we still retain self-destruction privileges."
Sakura looked at Ethan with serious eyes.
"Self-destruction?!"
"By initiating continuous self-destruction, we can directly damage the massive Beast — this is the final conclusion MoonCell reached after compiling countless emotions generated by humanity."
Sakura delivered these words with an utterly calm expression.
"Senpai doesn't need to worry. Before the detonation completes, no matter what, I'll forcibly eject everyone else from here."
"Hmph, what a boring bunch of emotions."
BB stood nearby with arms crossed, cutting in coldly.
"As an AI, I must protect MoonCell at all costs. Even if that means sacrificing Senpai and everyone else, it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things."
"BB, that's not MoonCell's decision."
"Haa… and that kind of thinking is exactly why Lip and Meltryllis are so unstable right now."
Though her tone remained annoyed, BB waved her hand dismissively.
"But you're right. If even this place gets taken over by that damn fox, we might as well seal her in here and disappear together."
Seeing BB also consent, Sakura nodded to Merlin.
"Seems like the two of you are decided. But I have one more question for you, Master-kun."
Merlin stepped in front of Ethan.
"They've made their choice. Now what about you? What do you intend to do?"
Ethan fell silent.
Indeed, if they wanted to defeat the golden-furred fox, this seemed to be the only path left.
But if MoonCell initiated its self-destruction, everything stored in the Digital Ocean would be lost forever.
That meant BB and Sakura…
And Lip and Meltryllis as well.
After a moment of contemplation, Ethan looked up.
"Oh? Looks like you've made up your mind."
"I want to defeat Beast V — the golden-furred fox — and save MoonCell at the same time!!!"
Only kids pick one or the other!
This wasn't the time to sacrifice everything — there was still a way!
The moment he declared his answer, everyone around him froze in shock.
"I didn't expect Master to be this greedy."
Merlin instead laughed in amusement.
"Senpai! If we want to weaken her as much as possible, there's only one way — detonation!"
"No, if we adjust it slightly, we can delay the process. Before the core goes boom, we can still steal a little time."
For once, BB showed a rare serious expression.
"But we'd only be able to stretch it out by… about a minute. One minute from now, no matter what, MoonCell will be completely destroyed."
One minute?!
That meant only one minute to defeat the golden-furred fox?!
Could that… even be done?
"Alright, bonus time is up."
Merlin's voice rang out abruptly as she raised her staff toward the sky.
"Looks like our Knight King is just about at his limit. So — is everyone ready?"
BB and Sakura exchanged a glance, then nodded simultaneously.
Petals danced around them and lifted them into the air, sending them straight toward MoonCell's core suspended high above.
"So then, Master-kun — you've only got one minute. Can you do it?"
...
"BOOOOOM————————!!!"
A massive explosion erupted in the sky, sending a shockwave so strong that even Arthur struggled to keep his footing.
"To think she possesses power this immense…!"
The Holy Sword of the Star in Arthur's hand glowed even brighter as it sensed the presence of a threat to humanity.
But after just a few exchanges, Arthur's body could no longer withstand the strain.
With a Saint Graph like his, going up against a god was simply too much…
"Looks like the barrier isn't finished yet. I'll have to buy more time!"
"You annoying pests — then die together with them!!!"
The enormous golden-furred fox once again began summoning the Yasakani no Magatama, ready to unleash a wave of divine fire that would melt everything—
But the next moment, her body was locked in place!
"——————?!"
"BOOM, BOOM, BOOOOOM————————!!!"
Explosions rang out one after another, shaking her body to the core.
Not only that — the space around her began flashing erratically, on the verge of total collapse.
"Could it be—?!"
The golden-furred fox snapped her gaze toward MoonCell's core.
There, BB and Sakura were radiating a deep violet glow, now fully synchronized with the MoonCell that had turned crimson red.
"You intend to die together with me?!"
Realizing their plan, the golden-furred fox let out a furious shriek.
She charged at full force, desperate to stop the self-destruction.
"Enough waiting!!"
At that moment, Jiang Ziya, suspended in the sky, finally completed the barrier.
"Daji — at last, this moment has arrived! I've poured in twice the mana and treasures just to finish this seal!!!"
An immense surge of magical energy erupted once again around him!
"————In my hands lie the peerless treasured blades!"
He barely got a few lines into the incantation before shouting:
"No more stalling! Just give me your mana already!!"
As if responding to his call, the red formation rapidly expanded once more, trapping the golden-furred fox inside once again!
Raising the God-Striking Whip high, Jiang Ziya roared:
"Great Demon Sublimation — Investiture of the Gods!!!"