Sovereign of the Ashes

Upon closer consideration, the Magus Civilization’s deployment of its allied forces across the various battlefronts revealed a deeper strategic intent.

The main forces of the Immortal Realm and the Dawn Empire had been deployed on two separate fronts to prevent the ancient animosity between the two civilizations from resurfacing.

The Dragon Clan and the Phoenix Clan had likewise been kept apart, for these two mighty races had never seen eye to eye.

As for the two Great Sages of the Immortal Realm, they were to proceed to the central battlefield of the Magus Civilization.

This was not only because the Magus Civilization shared close ties with those two Immortal Realm powerhouses, but also because their participation would accelerate the overall war effort against the Gallant Federation.

Upon hearing this arrangement, Celestial Venerable Duobao did not object.

Strictly speaking, the forces led by those two Great Sages were not part of the same faction as the Jie Sect Army under his command.

So long as the two Great Sages themselves were willing, there would be no problem.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Celestial Venerable Duobao asked about their upcoming war plans.

“The Grand Cosmic World is most likely a lost cause,” Vivian said bluntly. “There’s no need for the Jie Sect’s main forces to plunge into the quagmire at the center of the battlefield. We should establish our defenses here, at the edge of this vast star domain.”

“Once the armies of the Amenkha Empire break through the Grand Cosmic World, their momentum will inevitably be exhausted to some extent. The pressure we face afterward will be far less severe.

“Moreover, the Grand Cosmic World has long been renowned throughout the neighboring star domains for its wealth. When its inhabitants flee their home star domain, they’ll inevitably carry vast amounts of resources and riches with them. That’s where our opportunity lies.”

The Rank Eight witch did not mince her words when speaking to Celestial Venerable Duobao.

One had to treat different people according to the circumstances.

Since the Jie Sect of the Immortal Realm had chosen to lend its full support to the Magus Civilization at a time when the latter was facing immense pressure, the Magus Civilization naturally had to show the Jie Sect greater consideration in return.

Had it been the Chan Sect or the Buddhist faction of the Immortal Realm arriving at the edge of the Grand Cosmic World battlefield instead, Vivian might very well have patted them on the shoulder and said, “The Grand Cosmic World is filled with opportunities right now. Countless treasures and benefits await within. Go ahead and seize them.”

Celestial Venerable Duobao was calm and steady by nature. Since the passing of Sect Master Tongtian, the Jie Sect had never truly regained its former glory. Even so, it had continued to develop steadily until today, and Duobao’s contributions to that achievement were undeniable.

Celestial Venerable Duobao remained silent for a long time, carefully weighing the Magus Civilization’s proposal.

His gaze swept across the surrounding armies of the Magus Civilization. Throughout the nearby star domain, extensive defensive lines had already been established.

At last, he nodded.

“Very well. Then we shall remain here and face the armies of the Amenkha Empire.”

Phoenix cries rang out through the void, followed by the answering shouts of countless Jie Sect cultivators.

All of them placed absolute faith in Celestial Venerable Duobao’s decision.

***

Grand Cosmic World...

The Cosmic King had sensed repeated space-time flcutuations, along with the overwhelming pressure of numerous overlords descending upon this star domain.

At first, his heart surged with joy.

Yet after holding out for so long without seeing any sign of reinforcements, the Cosmic King could no longer suppress his confusion.

“Where exactly are our reinforcements? What about Master Vivian and the others?”

Aeberton gave no answer to the Cosmic King’s question. He merely stood there in silence, clenching his Dark Blade tightly in one hand.

His repeated clashes with his enemy had left him battered time and again. More importantly, each confrontation exposed him to forces from a realm of power beyond his own.

The Dark Blade in his hand continued to hum incessantly.

During the earlier battles, its edge had been chipped more than once by Makhast’s terrifying power.

And yet, each time, it swiftly restored itself to its original state.

That indomitable Dark Blade was much like Aeberton himself.

Through battle after battle, the Rank Eight knight overlord had come to understand himself more clearly, all while reaching toward a higher realm.

Rather than simply challenging a stronger opponent, Aeberton was actually questioning himself.

Is this truly my limit?

Can I become stronger?

I want revenge!

Consumed by an almost frenzied battle fervor, Aeberton fought on without pause. He became the most conspicuous overlord-level figure on the Grand Cosmic World battlefield, second only to Makhast himself.

The might of his blade swept across the battlefield, earning even a trace of admiration from Makhast after the Third Pharaoh released his seal.

There were indeed many overlords gathered in the Grand Cosmic World at this moment.

However, the only one Makhast truly regarded as a worthy opponent was this Dark Knight named Aeberton.

Unfortunately, he was still a little too weak.

Once again, Makhast blasted Aeberton back with overwhelming force.

Then, the Third Pharaoh lowered his gaze toward the planar barrier of the Grand Cosmic World, which had already been ravaged and riddled with holes.

His pitch-black demonic arm swept forward.

In the next instant, billions of Amenkha Empire soldiers surged downward in a coordinated assault, accompanied by numerous overlord-level powerhouses.

Vivian had her reasons for refusing to let the Magus Civilization legions and the Immortal Realm’s Jie Sect be dragged into the quagmire of war within the Grand Cosmic World.

This was where the Amenkha Empire’s most elite legions had gathered.

Under Makhast’s command, their fighting strength was terrifying. The Magus Civilization would have to be foolish to come here and engage them in a direct clash!

Perhaps from the very beginning, when the Magus Civilization deployed its heavy forces to the Grand Cosmic World, it had never truly intended to help this world defend itself to the bitter end.

It had merely put on a show of strength, made its support known, and then left the Grand Cosmic World to fend for itself...

What a cunning civilization!

The Rank Eight Cosmic King was practically beside himself with frustration.

The Magus Civilization still had a massive force assembled within the Grand Cosmic World Star Domain, including no shortage of overlord-level combatants. On top of that, it had just received powerful reinforcements from the Immortal Realm.

And yet, none of them intervened.

They were content to remain in the outlying regions behind the Grand Cosmic World and watch the battle unfold from afar.

Watching the armies of the Amenkha Empire charge into the Grand Cosmic World felt like watching a knife carve into the Cosmic King’s own flesh.

For a fleeting moment, he truly considered fighting them to the death.

But his lack of strength and fear of death quickly smothered that impulse.

Makhast had always been a shrewd judge of character.

Although the Cosmic King had recruited many overlord-level combatants to aid him, Aeberton was the only one truly willing to fight. The other overlords all had their own schemes and agendas.

They were more than willing to reap benefits from this war.

But fight to the death for the Grand Cosmic World?

Not a chance.

As long as the flames of war had yet to reach their own homeplanes, who would be willing to throw away their lives for someone else?

The Cosmic King retreated again and again, but Makhast had not forgotten him.

The Third Pharaoh sneered.

“Many years ago, I tore off a piece of your hide as a trophy. I only spared your life because you showed sincere remorse and have supplied our Amenkha Empire with vast amounts of resources and wealth every year since. But it seems the life you owed me back then has finally come due.”

His right arm, now unsealed for the second time, reached toward the Cosmic King once more.

The Cosmic King could not defeat Makhast even in his normal state, much less now that he had entered his second-stage unsealed form.

A purple crystal emblem appeared before the Cosmic King.

When facing an enemy far stronger than himself, the Cosmic King had always been far better at borrowing external power than relying on his own.

“Quick! Get Master Vivian and the others from your Magus Civilization to help me!” the Cosmic King urgently shouted to Aeberton on the other side of the battlefield.

At that moment, Aeberton stood leaning heavily on the Dark Blade. Thick blood streamed from the wounds riddling his body and dripped steadily from his wrists.

The surrounding sky had already become a scene of utter devastation. Crimson smoke and flames of war spread in all directions, gradually engulfing the entire Grand Cosmic World.

Countless legions of the Amenkha Empire began forcing their way into the plane.

Amidst them, storms of laws unleashed by overlord-level beings descended upon the world, spreading destruction wherever they passed.

Faced with this apocalyptic sight, Aeberton coldly glanced at the Cosmic King, who was struggling desperately to hold his ground.

Then, gripping his blade tightly, he turned and walked away!

Once Aeberton became the first to leave, Whispering Plume and Violet Thistlestar, the two overlords who had been hesitating nearby, hurriedly withdrew as well.

As for the other overlord phantoms recruited by the Cosmic King, only one or two of the more reliable ones remained. The rest were already beginning to fade away or scatter.

It was not that they no longer wanted the Cosmic King’s generous reward. The opponent was simply too powerful.

Seeing this, the Cosmic King, who was on the verge of being pounded into mincemeat by Makhast, could only stare at them in disbelief.