Chapter 80: Daoist Blue Heavens Sword
A week had passed, and the widespread war across the Pocket World raged with ever-increasing ferocity. Names and groups, both new and old, carved their legends into the chaos. Betrayals fractured old alliances, while new, desperate unions formed in their wake. The formerly somewhat united Supreme Ruling Tribes of the Rudell Region found themselves unexpectedly plunged into a far deadlier conflict than even the Daemon Region, a surprising turn for many. This vast escalation, fueled by large-scale invasions on all fronts and even the appearance of Mortal Shedding Realm experts on the battlefield, pushed the war's grim tendrils deeper into the Fae Region.
Demon armies from the Daemon Region launched a full-scale invasion, supported by various other powerful factions. Among them were many from the Mirehearts Tribe, notorious for their role in the collapse of Rudell's ruling tribes. Norg, a commander for his faction, moved with vicious, lustful eyes.
"Hehehe, oh Aeloria," he mumbled to himself, "just wait for me… I will make you mine!"
Three days later, news of a devastating battle tore through the land, putting everyone on high alert—especially those who had previously dismissed a certain group. The Laughing Blue Reapers, backed by a surge of their newly acquired followers and aided by various other forces, had utterly defeated an army of demons. After this resounding victory, the Laughing Blue Blade Reaper quietly began to be known by another, more formidable name: Daoist Blue Heavens Sword.
Just two days prior, a chaotic maelstrom engulfed a region extending into Rudell territory. Forces clashed violently: followers of the Laughing Blue Reapers, trouble makers, independent heroes, and defending warriors—including the Longbi Clan's Echoing Tribe—allied against a formidable army of Demons, the Longbi Clan's Forest Tribe, and various demi-human forces. Jewleaf and his own contingent were forced into the fray, with reinforcements pouring in from every side.
In the churning heart of the battlefield stood Elton and his core group of Laughing Blue Reapers, their faces obscured by masks, their cloaks tattered, and bodies showing numerous injuries. Facing them was a contingent of equally battered experts: the one-armed Forest Tribe expert—a grim reminder of Zoro's ferocity—two other Forest Tribe Gold Tier 2 experts, a Demon lieutenant serving Norg who had previously encountered Elton's group, and a few other demons. Amongst them, a Mirehearts Tribe member panted with blatant lust, his eyes fixed on the vaguely visible figures of the masked and cloaked young women: Christy, Erica, and the others.
"It's the end of the line for you bastards!!" the Demon lieutenant roared, his voice hoarse. "Surrender to your fate now! Laughing Blue Reapers? Hah!! Our group will crush you!"
"Haaahh… Looks like I've kind of messed up again…" Elton sighed, a bitter edge to his voice, shaking his head.
"It's not your fault, Elton! Heh, let's just do our best to make it out of this, like we always do. It's always an honor to fight with my brothers," Ramiro declared, his damaged mask concealing a dangerous, heroic grin as his eyes glowed with threatening light.
"Heh, well said, third-place Ramiro," Zoro countered, a faint grin beneath his own mask. His dark aura surged to its peak, a mounting pressure, and his katanas shimmered with a dense, compressed black light.
"Oi, Zoro, you bastard!" Ramiro grunted.
"Hahahaha! You guys are truly a pleasure to fight with, even in such circumstances!" Joe-Pine laughed, his voice ringing with camaraderie.
"Don't worry, guys, we will safely make it out of here! It's just like always, you know?" Shayleaf laughed innocently, clinging to Elton's left hand, though a slight tremor ran through her.
"Shayleaf is right! And if we reach the worst outcome, I will simply just—"
Before Erica could finish, Christy cut her off, her eyes blazing with bright red light filled with magical symbols. "There is no need to worry about such things… Elton gē, you can let loose, and I will certainly bring you back."
Elton visibly flinched, jerking his head back to look at her, his wide eyes the only part of his face visible. The others, save for Zoro, exchanged confused glances.
"Christy… You… I understand," Elton murmured, a tired yet dangerous glint entering his eyes.
"I hate to interrupt you all, but they are about to attack!" Kageha shouted, as he and Kuroha readied their own strikes.
"Dispose of these bastards!!" yelled the Demon Lieutenant, and hordes of warriors surged forward in a full offensive.
"Oi, Christy, looks like I'm also going to need your help later. Heh… Oi, Elton, I'm going all out this time!!" Zoro roared, and an explosion of dark Ki energy erupted, washing over the area.
"Hehehe. Ah, Zoro. Compared to him, you are certainly much more aligned with my ideals," mumbled 'Elton,' speaking with the partial influence of the inner voice. He fired ranged attacks at various enemies while aiding allies, his eyes gleaming with an arrogant light as he snarled beneath his mask, watching the flood of attacks.
"Might of the Black Devil Lord!"
Zoro's skin darkened to a deep brown, his eyes became pits of pitch black. His muscles swelled, expanding his frame, and his katanas turned utterly black, burning black, flame-like aura swirling around him. His aura radiated to that of a Gold Tier 3, shocking all who witnessed it. Like a phantom, he appeared behind many of his enemies, his swords already sweeping through them.
"Two Sword Style: Black Devil's Tide!"
A burning wave of black Ki ripped through all the warriors Zoro had passed, leaving a trail of devastation. The one-armed Forest Tribe member barely comprehended what had happened as his body fell to the ground, consumed by burning black Ki. Zoro continued his relentless assault, leaving death in his wake with every slash.
"T-That's the true power of the Double Black Blades Reaper!!!" a warrior shouted with glee amidst the chaos.
"Yeeeeaaaaahh!!!" Excited warriors cheered, fueled by the awe-inspiring display.
"Let's go all out!! We cannot lose!!"
"Yes! Hahaha! If I must die on the battlefield, I will take as many of them as I can with me!!"
With warriors now thoroughly riled up, their adrenaline pumping, this battle transcended typical warfare. Even with more reinforcements constantly arriving and engaging in their own skirmishes, the fight turned into something completely unexpected.
"Hahahaha! Oh, what a fantastic stage this is! Hey, little girl Christy, why haven't you joined the battlefield?" 'Elton' jested.
"My current job isn't to run around on the battlefield. You are currently my top priority… to make sure Elton gē returns with no issue," Christy replied, her voice serious, her eyes shining with intense magical energy.
"Wow, how scary… Hahaha, worry not, Christy, for I will allow it since you are My Woman."
"No! Not your woman! I… belong to Elton gē and him alone," the defiant Christy declared.
"Heh, when will you all learn that I am he and he is me… Mostly, anyways. Well then. It's time for me to deal with that sneaky bastard who's about to try disposing of my good friend Zoro. Hehehahahaha!!!!"
Suddenly, Elton's aura surged, spiking into the Gold Tier 3 stage. A dense mixture of thick Ki and magical essence exploded outwards, sending suppressive pressure across the entire battlefield, leaving many shocked and terrified. For some reason, this Gold Tier 3 pressure felt like they were being suppressed by a monster on the very brink of the Mortal Shedding Realm. Norg's Demon Lieutenant and others, who had been about to go all out, froze in place. Elton walked towards them, his Blue Star Heavenly Destroyer roaring with irresistible might, and he spoke one word: "Get Lost."
"White Star, Blue Lightning: Slash!"
He swung his sword down. The Demons tried to defend themselves, but they were swept away by the immense sword energy, leaving a trail of blood and death in its path.
Then, with lightning-like speed, he became a blue beam of light, crashing into an armored Demon. Both were sent flying tens of miles out of the area, smashing through people, beasts, vehicles, and numerous structures. A roaring aura of Gold Tier 4 exploded from that demon, who became enraged as he assessed his injuries.
"Arrrrggh!! You little monster, I will be sure to end you here!"
"Hahahaha!!! End me, you say?! Well, it's certainly not impossible, since it's not like I have a large amount of time, so why don't you show me what you've got!" 'Elton' laughed with unwavering arrogance.
And so, they fought a battle that lasted twenty-five intense minutes. Unfortunately for the Demons and all of their mixed forces, too many unexpected variables worked against them, and they suffered a crushing defeat. Many sects, clans, and other tribes from all over came into the fray. This also included large-scale forces of Elf Tribes and other allied tribes. The Bright Brilliant Blade Sect and the other sects also made their move, slaughtering a path from another region upon receiving intel that not only would there be large amounts of resources and opportunities available, but powerful members of their sect/clan might also be involved.
Christy, with the help of Kageha and Kuroha, managed to restrain the exhausted Zoro at some point, and Shayleaf used Nature healing magic on him for relief. Not long afterward, Elton, like lightning, appeared before them, covered in injuries yet laughing, as he told them all to flee.
The Demon Elton was fighting had, for some reason, ended up entangled by another expert: a man with a scarred body, a huge greatsword, and long, tangled hair. The demon's status was unknown, but it was rumored that the man was found escaping after slaughtering a group of Demons and a large number of cultivators from certain sects.
Thus, the war in this specific region concluded, and all the different participants scattered to various other areas to either recuperate or prepare to enter another battlefield.