Chapter 200: Escape from the Late Stage Mortal Lord Beast
After a bit of small talk, everyone once again leaped onto Elchris as he flew like a meteorite toward the battlefield between the numerous experts and the many essence beasts. The Winged Serpent flew on its own in a somewhat smaller form, its speed no less than Elchris. Furious roars echoed from behind as they left the many beasts including the two injured Mortal Lords far behind. The terrifying aura and the rumbles of battle with the Late Stage Mortal Lord could even be felt from here.
"How terrifying! Looks like everyone might already be retreating toward the entrance while fending off these terrifying monsters." Jewleaf used a form of magic to concentrate on what was happening further ahead.
"Our direction has slightly changed, but it doesn't matter. We have to get back as fast as we can. I just pray our losses aren't devastating…" Jonovan said grimly.
…
The battlefield was a huge mess of blood and destruction with injuries on both sides. Three Middle Stage Mortal Lord essence beasts—including the giant flying ant—lay laden with injuries on the ground, trembling as they roared in fury.
Somewhat behind them stood a tall, extremely furry creature with one large eye. It resembled a giant version of the mythical Bigfoot, its massive hands and feet far too large for its already towering body. A few injuries marked its form, but they seemed minor overall. Its aura radiated the terrifying power of a Late Stage Mortal Lord.
Other essence beasts and demonic beasts were scattered throughout, many initially fighting amongst themselves, but now most were on the verge of fleeing.
Across from the glaring Mortal Lord essence beasts stood Christian, Murphaus, and Aerlan. Their bodies were stained with blood, but they stood with immense power. Behind them, their allies and subordinates attempted to escape further into the distance, their faces grim with terror.
A booming voice erupted through telepathy from the one-eyed creature as it crashed down with incredible might.
"How… interesting. To think… the likes of… you dared… intrude upon… this place. You must pay… with death!"
It unleashed its aura to an even greater degree and bombarded Christian, Aerlan, and Murphaus with earth-shattering fist strikes that shook the land.
With grim grunts of pain, the three used every defensive maneuver they could while avoiding direct contact with the explosive strikes. The Middle Stage Mortal Lord essence beasts also began indiscriminately targeting them, their attacks partly landing on the one-eyed beast itself.
"Damnit, we can't continue like this! We have to get out of here!" Aerlan said with a grimace, coughing blood from the shockwave of an attack.
Murphaus nodded while going all out as their trio's primary attacker.
Christian stayed silent, hesitation flashing in her eyes before she sighed. Her expression hardened with resolve.
"Let's move now! I sense those kids are returning and close to meeting up with everyone. I have a way to stall these creatures for a moment." Christina clutched a pendant on her chest.
"Alright, Madam Christian, then let's do as you say!" Aerlan answered. He summoned waves of trees that exploded from the ground and wildly attacked, though they were pummeled one by one.
Murphaus unleashed a shocking aura as he entered a sword stance. With a demonic smile, he warped forward, landing directly atop the giant flying ant Mortal Lord.
– 4th Bright Brilliance Sword: Starfall Severance – Asura's Blade –
With a horrific strike, the giant ant was nearly cleaved in half. The evolved version of the 4th Bright Brilliance Sword blasted away many nearby beasts, creating a whirlwind of tragedy.
At the same moment, the Bigfoot Mortal Lord punted Murphaus with its massive foot. Murphaus tried to defend but was knocked far into the distance, blood bursting from his body.
"Damnit, Murphaus! Let's go, Christian!" Aerlan growled as he sped off into the distance, summoning an army of tree creatures that rampaged wildly. Christian nodded, pausing only to glare at one of the remaining Middle Stage Mortal Lords.
Her eyes lit dangerously. She vanished, reappeared at its side, and pierced into its body, forcing a groan of agony.
"I will be taking this as payment for the trouble you caused me." Her voice was merciless as she ripped free an important core, crippling its power. The beast shrieked in pain and fury.
The tree summons were obliterated as the Bigfoot Mortal Lord fired a massive ray of energy from its eye, destroying the area in an instant. Then, with a powerful leap, it landed near Christian, nearly catching her.
"You monster… forcing my hand like this. Since that's the case, you leave me no choice but to use part of my trump card…" Christian said with unwillingness.
"…Grand Papa…"
The pendant on her neck glowed bright red. A massive projection of an eye, inscribed with terrifying Aka Boshi no Tengan magic, appeared. The world seemed to freeze. Every beast in the area trembled, immobilized—including the Bigfoot Mortal Lord.
"Hmph!!! Begone!!"
A huge, overpowering voice erupted from the eye, its influence spreading across a vast distance. None of the allies could hear it—except Christy and, strangely, Elton. Both of them leapt in shock just as they rejoined the others.
"W-what was that?!" Elton said, face pale.
Christy trembled, sensing a strange familiarity but unable to place it. "Well… whatever it is, I'm sure they're on our side. Just a feeling."
"Ehh, what are you both talking about?" Shayleaf asked uncertainly.
…
Christian stood with a tired expression, unwillingness etched into her features. She hated being forced to reveal her trump card—one of her most precious treasures, gifted by her Grand Papa.
She sighed at the frozen Bigfoot beast, which began bleeding profusely as it staggered back in fear before fleeing.
"Kuh!! Mark my words, damnable creature. One day I will return here and make you pay for forcing me to use even a fragment of my Grand Papa's treasured source energy!!" Christian shouted through gritted teeth, her voice raw with youthful anger. She then vanished into the distance.
Five minutes later, the Bigfoot beast returned, its eyes burning with fury as it roared. Another figure also appeared, watching with a calculating gleam.
"No mistaking it… the spiritual aura of a Master Realm expert was here. But it seems the expert themselves didn't appear—only their source energy. Ohhh! How delectable!! It's just too bad I didn't arrive in time. Otherwise I would've killed the owner and devoured it myself, raising my chances of breaking into the Aetherial Soul Stage, and with it, the Master Realm!" the man said greedily. Then, transforming into a massive black-scaled wolf, he vanished with terrifying speed.
By then, everyone had already reached the void divider. Crossing the mountains and colossal trees, they finally left that land behind. The Bigfoot beast barged in after them, but the backlash of its overwhelming Late Stage Mortal Lord aura destabilized the void itself. It was forced to suppress its strength or risk collapse.
Christian, Murphaus, and Aerlan's eyes glinted, but they only shook their heads before continuing with their allies. The beast could only roar helplessly.
"Whooo! We really made it out of there alive!" Jewleaf wiped sweat from his brow.
"Indeed. Things became dangerous, but on the other hand, we've discovered something truly interesting. I suspect we could secretly turn the entrance to this place into a domain for the enrichment of our organizations." Aeloria's eyes gleamed with intrigue.
"…By the way, your eyes just shined while spacing out. That sounded more like a prophecy than a suggestion," Jewleaf said with a shrug.
Aeloria only giggled, offering no reply.
A while later, they reached the other side, back into the original Upperlands, and camped in a ruined city for the time being.