Concentrated Fire
BOOOOOOOM! "AAAAAH- NOO!!" A large explosion went off.D ark Power Energy directly blew 30 cultivators into the air without their lower bodies and to the sides, the latter without half their sides. Furthermore, whenever a person that didn't have half their brains exploded to remains and tried living through the pain and terror, the dark Power Energy attached to what remained from their lower bodies spread inside them, eating and disappearing their skin, flesh, and bones before eventually dying due to not having cultivation, brains, and Soul anymore.
Whoosh, whistle, sweeeesh! Powerful wind bursts echoed everywhere in a larger area as those cultivators nearby, stunned by witnessing one of those explosions head-on, were suddenly engulfed in the pain and terror of the little black monster’s doings. One of them shouted as he saw Heian Ciemnosc slowly fly above him. The scream attracted Heian Ciemnosc, who tilted his head to the left, leaving it hanging, and looked at the screamer with some mild bothersomeness.
“No, no, please!” The cultivator’s legs were injured, mangled even. Deep, short wounds riddled his leg into a mutilated state. But as Heian Ciemnosc looked at him, the pain left, replaced by mere fear. Heian Ciemnosc landed on the ground as the cultivator slid backwards on his bum. Heian Ciemnosc followed after, shaking nos with his left index finger as he said. “Ah, ah. You’ll be sent out of here and punished, bringing your organization down. Are you sure you want to continue speaking like this? Like a coward?”
“... Then just kill me. Don’t do this any harder… don’t eat me or anything!” The cultivator bawled, mucus and snot coming out of his eyes and nose, simply a show for the naked eye. Heian Ciemnosc looked down, tilted his head to the right in contemplation, and grinned. He was being sarcastic, mildly sassy even, but he didn’t seem to be that way. His actions up until now were… too cruel. He ate his enemies’ bodies as their heads watched, even when taken off their bodies, even if just for a couple seconds…
“Now, why would I? Hmhm, maybe you should’ve continued being a coward. GRAH!” Heian Ciemnosc picked the cultivator up by his arms. His body was… practically paper for Heian Ciemnosc’s 80,000 kg of bodily strength. As the cultivator saw Heian Ciemnosc’s grin, his scalp numbed, and his primitive instincts told him to at least dirty himself so Heian Ciemnosc wouldn’t eat him alive. But his terror was just too much. He couldn’t even form a thought.
Then, Heian Ciemnosc opened his mouth, and his dark fangs, too long for even his teeth to be worth noticing without Claws Out, showed up. The cultivator knew what to expect, what would come next, but he still felt his heart twist and contort as Heian Ciemnosc’s jaw seemed to unnaturally open, breaking his face as it was covered with darkness, leaving only his dark fangs visible as his jaws projected from his skin and gobbled the cultivator’s neck!
CHOMP! The cultivator’s neck disappeared, and Heian Ciemnosc’s dark fangs retracted. His tilted head to the right resumed its natural position to look at the cultivator’s body, whose face was relaxed but sweaty and losing vigor. Sniffling through his nostrils, Heian Ciemnosc let go of his arms as a tiny tube came out of the ground and started slurping the rest of his body. The sound of that bite wasn’t too loud but spread everywhere in his surroundings like thunder.
The enemy cultivators looked on without life, their expressions stiff, knowing they had no chance. Whatever they were doing stopped them from supporting themselves on the ground or off of it and even helping a fellow cultivator or lover. They all became paralyzed, watching Heian Ciemnosc walk past them without much care before stopping. But as Heian Ciemnosc remained still in the same spot, they heard a robust wind burst from the distance, accompanied by a fellow cultivator’s shout.
“Don’t just stay there! Stand up and attack him with us! Together! We can! Take him down!!”
They looked in its direction, and it was a bunch of Broken Crystallization realm cultivators in the later stages, with 30 from the Interchanging Dust Dynasty leading more than 100 behind them. Their eyes widened, gladdened at the sight! Some stood up immediately, jumping from the ground, while others remained on the ground, perplexed as they felt life appear right before them.
However…
WHOOOOSH! From the other side, an equal wind burst echoed, drawing the hurt cultivators to look. They saw over 100 allied cultivators fly towards them. Their strength was similar, but their faces showed determination. Their movement was well-coordinated and didn’t need the use of an Art to continue the synergy. All they utilized was their medallion, probably, and ample training. It could be seen even when the cultivators haven’t gone through any.
‘We’re dead.’ They all thought. Not only the cultivators below but even those flying to their rescue felt the blood leave their bodies, cooling them off entirely. The ally cultivators flew towards Heian Ciemnosc as the enemy cultivators did so in the first place but didn’t change their trajectory even after seeing the former. Heian Ciemnosc remained on the spot, having already hinted to Teno as one of his commanders as the latter came right on time. Otherwise, he would have had to run away again.
WHOOSH, WHOOSH- CRUUUSHH- PAM PAM THUUUD, SPLASSHH!
In one moment, the ally’s teams went past Heian Ciemnosc’s back and met the enemy. Both sides crushed each other in an initial exchange, giving body after body as some exploded and turned into bloody bubbles popping in midair, with a bit of rigorous Power Energy shooting to the other side.
Swish- cut! Pfwaah- Ckrsheeeeeerrrrr! Ckrsheeeeeerrrrr! Ckrsheeeeeerrrrr~!
“Agh- fucker…” - “Let’s goo!” - “HAAAAH!” Additionally, from some of the bloody bubbles, the allies were attacked by the enemy’s remaining rigorous Power Energy. They were cut on the face, chest, or limbs. However, with their previous training, all they needed was a thin layer from their full-out pure energy armor, and they would be fine, with a superficial but painful cut on their bodies.
It was different for the enemy, though. Not only were they not prepared as the alliance, but the ally cultivators also knew what to do when they realized they would die. Heian Ciemnosc taught them and his COs. Especially Arla and the Wrath Nihility Academy veterans, who have seen everything from the previous wars. Although the Academy was quite something, their enemy in the Blackotia Kingdom could only evolve with drastic strides in order to keep fighting. Otherwise, the wars would’ve ended soon after a couple months and not lasted that long.
It wasn’t that Heian Ciemnosc or the Academy veterans told the other ally cultivators to go kill themselves, but it was plain stupid to think they could all survive to the end if worse things came to worst. And well, looking at their mini-stadium’s development, just that happened. It also wasn’t the idea of sacrificing these talented allies’ lives, but it was better than simply stupidly dying in an instant. They weren’t citizens. Even if they turned into smithereens, they had a chance to do something for the last time.
In addition to that, the unprepared enemy was thus weaker than the alliance whenever their people ended up dying without repercussions. And unlike the allied cultivators, the other cultivators were further unprepared by a decisive and mastered deathly technique after death. Few enemy cultivators were felled each time it happened, a fatal discrepancy compared to the alliance’s people barely being hurt.
On the alliance’s side, the cultivators were surprised and then hurt. A lot. On the enemy side, their cultivators die, even if it is just some of them. That was the difference.
Clank, cuuuh- SPLASH! Pshift, pshift, pshift! Whoosh- THUD! Pam!...
Heian Ciemnosc was calmly walking below, slowly collecting corpses, dried corpses, and putting them in his bag. His Vocón Link was himself, part of his body, like his dark Power Energy, Soul, and Spirit Sense. Thus, it had evolved just as much as his tail did. Since he advanced a Step at last, he would need further experimenting. Although he no longer needed living ones, especially since their sexual reactions and organs would be just the same, he simply grabbed a few dried carcasses. He would care about getting prisoners when he was close to a breakthrough after experimenting again. If there was even one.
The battle around him continued for 3 minutes before his side won it. They had not too many deaths, but only 27 of them remained in good fighting condition, while the rest were from injured to almost dying. They were being proportioned medical attention, just like Heian Ciemnosc had his Concealed Ornament Team learn, with none of them being ignorant of it. However, the alliance appeared dorky compared to his team, which has had years of practice.
After 5 minutes, the around 100 ally cultivators, downed after the battle, departed with their commander dying. Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t feeling guilty, though. With his Spirit Sense, he could see the deaths of many Wrath Nihility Academy students, including those on Biston’s team. He became really aware of what this battle royale represented. It was a really intensive and brutal elimination. This had gone overboard.
In every mini-stadium, Wrath Nihility Academy, Phosphorescent Flower Sect, and Obscure Orb Sect’s team were hunted down by the Interchanging Dust Dynasty’s teams. Of course, the alliance wasn’t just getting mauled. They fought and killed back, dominating on some mini-stadium. But the Interchanging Dust Dynasty wasn’t alone. Although it wasn’t supported by every other top 8 organization, it had many vassal organizations going all out, even if unwilling.
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And he was growing tired of it. Heian Ciemnosc located another possible fight 500 meters in front. He breathed in, and when his lungs let go of the air, he dashed forward. He didn’t use his dark tail, simply using his tremendous bodily strength, Wind element manipulation, and dark Power Energy. His speed was still excellent, too much for his current cultivation base. He didn’t stop until he arrived at the desired location.
Whooooosh! Futomp~. Heian Ciemnosc abruptly stopped his body. The air around him waved outwards in all directions just as both sides were charging at each other and were 20 meters from crashing into one another. Avoiding such a brutal head-on attack in numbers much grander than before, which would result in too many casualties for his side, Heian Ciemnosc rapidly glanced at his allies before turning his head to the enemies. His head tilted slightly backwards, and a golden, transparent cube appeared on his right palm facing the sky.
Heian Ciemnosc’s face was casual, seeming somewhat bothered. His eyebrows were far too attractive, bringing everyone’s gazes to his visage. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes seemed clear as golden light burst from his right palm. The world suddenly stilled in coldness as dark smoke engulfed everything from below. This was a first in the mini-stadium, and it was a surprise for everyone, or rather… it was so for the other cultivators.
“Fall back!” The commanders from this ‘large’ group of allies commanded from their medallions. Immediately, as the dark smoke rose from below, the ally cultivators slowly retreated, not bringing much attention to themselves. On the other hand, as many enemy cultivators were still confused and felt their fighting spirit and momentum pause, thinking the hosts had something to say or give notice of, one person finally asked out loud. “Why are they retreating back? That’s everyone!”
“Huh?” - “Huuuh?” - “What the-” - “GASP! This isn’t teleportation bl- black smoke… it’s that little black monster’s-!!!”
WHWOOO WOOO WHOOOO WOOOOSHH~! From everywhere, dark smoke rose like clouds forming. The cultivators surrounded by it didn’t even notice the sound or golden gleam surrounding a part of them that was already fully covered by the smoke. It happened once, then twice, then thrice… The cultivators were thinking and frowning after some time, and when they finally noticed something, looking up at the sitting hosts without moving a finger, they realized what could be happening.
Remembering all those ghastly, inhumane scenes where the little black monster’s appearance became notable after the facts were done, their skin numbed, hearts chilled, and backs sweat coldly. Suddenly, the dark smoke sped up, covering everyone and everything! It seemed like an impossible net. One that could continue to exist and entrap its enemies no matter what! The cultivators wanted to come out! But, at this very moment…
PSHIIIFT! Like the crushing of a large window during a cold, silent night. About 200 cultivators with cultivation bases ranging from the Broken Crystallization realm early to middle stages, a golden light truck behind them all as they tried escaping together. Their plan was working, or so they felt, until the arrival of this sound. Immediately, they stopped, but the moment they did, they also witnessed a golden barrier surround them within a small 100 square meters square tool’s array formation.
“...” - “...” - “Aaah- aah- aaaAAAAAAH!!” Silence ensued as they looked at each other. There weren’t that many, but there were still a lot. They believed that, together, they could face off against this monster before being found and rescued! However, they didn’t know how or when, but they suddenly felt like turning their heads around. Most of the cultivators lowered their stance, so as they looked backwards, they were like thieves being caught red-handed.
As they were still in the midst of doing that, one of them, who probably looked at what was behind them beforehand, started wailing. The cultivator’s voice became more dragged on and incoherent, going up a few volumes until he was screaming at the top of his lungs. Even though it wasn’t backed by rigorous Power Energy, due to his body’s natural enhancement after cultivating thus far, it rang harshly in everyone’s ears. Everyone’s… except Heian Ciemnosc’s.
“Heh heh,” a casual, dull chuckle sounded, coming from Heian Ciemnosc’s lips. Every cultivator’s gaze was not on him. Heian Ciemnosc spread his arms as his Vocón Link immediately extended to the sides and towards them. Its tenebrous, noiseless sound prickled everyone’s nerves, but all they could do was effectuate some Arts and take their Spirit images out. Some fully materialized their pure energy armor to enhance and protect themselves.
However, without mistake, the Vocón Link’s sub-bodies crashed any defensive measures apart, devouring chests, bones, and emotions as Heian Ciemnosc constantly widened his eyes and gasped a little. These new sensations were really feeding him spoiled. He felt like terrorizing villages and towns to his heart’s content. Of course, full of enemies. Otherwise, it would be cowardly, pointless, and unhelpful.
‘Oh, I just knew they would fall for it.’ Heian Ciemnosc thought as he watched his Vocón Link playfully chase those who wisely dodged and ran around, running faster than others, the latter dying, and close to others doing their best to defend themselves. It was such a pleasure to see these stupid, disdainful little acts whenever he started a massacre. They never really considered ganging up on him while dying in the attempt.
No matter how advanced a civilization is, how much culture, history, and intelligence they gain and give birth to. Even one’s nature and emotional quotient can be deranged when faced with survival. It was just that they didn’t dare grab their fellow cultivators and throw them away into the Vocón Link’s sub-bodies’ extreme end for fear of being tagged as cowardly like other fellow cultivators have been since the battle started.
It would be fine if they did that to Heian Ciemnosc’s ally cultivators. Those would be their neutral/enemy, so they could act this cruelly and shamelessly. But since they became allies, they couldn’t send their fellow cultivators to their deaths just for survival. Still, Heian Ciemnosc wouldn’t accidentally kill or purposely slurp up his allied cultivators, but it was still something that the enemy cultivators did to their own people at the beginning before being struck down and having their organization berated into shame.
However, that wasn’t important. Heian Ciemnosc watched the last cultivator run through the Golden Array Snakes while the Vocón Link sub-bodies playfully slowed their speed more and more as the cultivator even used his blood essence before. After a couple minutes, and with the corpses the cultivator was running around, dried up, and mysteriously disappeared each time he took a lap, he finally fell flat on the ground.
His cultivation deviated, and his Dantian broke apart. It had a crack since he used his blood essence, and after a ‘long’ time surviving, he finally landed on the floor, paralyzed. The Vocón Link sub-bodies didn’t waste a second, lunging to his limbs and column vertebral to suck him dry in a second. The cultivator, just like any other, wasn’t spared from torture before dying, and even after death, its Soul was eaten and became Heian Ciemnosc’s nutrients, bringing the cultivator’s whole self into further anguish, even after death.
Pshift! Clacker. Heian Ciemnosc swung his palm from his dark coat’s low, right pocket. The Golden Array Snakes effectuated, dissipating its enormous walls and ‘grumbling’ as it jovially returned to Heian Ciemnosc’s right palm. Heian Ciemnosc looked down at it and gave a rare smile. As if it wasn’t an Artifact but a Relic, or better yet. He talked to it. “What? I saw you dirtied by lots of blood. I just cleaned you. Hm? I’ll see if it’s worth letting you ‘eat it’ too later. So far, you have shown me nothing. Nuh uh, I’ve noticed nothing, nothing at all.”
“You talk to it? It doesn’t even have a Semi-Soul. What are you doing?” From his head, a tender yet mature and pleasant voice emanated. Heian Ciemnosc grinned before quickly easing his expression. He spoke within his mind, “You wouldn’t understand. Anyway, I have a question. Can I tell Elena and my other wives about you?”
“What can I nooot understand?! You underestimate me, kaah!” Sara exclaimed, frowning, and crossed her arms before her tiniest mounds. She then eased up and started speaking with casual indifference. Her hand moved around, showing her palm and backhand constantly. “I know you won’t be telling about me to some random people, expecting them to be your best friends forever, only for that person to betray you and try stealing me away, killing you, stealing your women, and all that. If you were, I would’ve just stayed to see you get cucked and pass the time. Why do you even ask?”
“...” Heian Ciemnosc fell silent, feeling like maybe he should visit his inner self more often, and not just for meditation and studying himself in the never-ending search to know who he was.
“Oh, thank you. Let me just wrap this up,” Heian Ciemnosc said. Seeing Sara nod, then sit back and relax in the pure darkness, Heian Ciemnosc started formidably walking forward as the dark smoke around him disappeared. If those cultivators he just ate knew he was so patient with them and allowed his Vocón Links sub-bodies to play around because they were the last ones, would they even bother trying to survive?
Some might’ve immediately surrendered if it was like he did before and didn’t fool his prey. That would be no fun, nor good for his cultivation base, already eating the 2nd stage after a sumptuous, continuous meal.
Walk~, whoosh, crush, plaah~. As Heian Ciemnosc appeared again within the dark smoke, the ally cultivators were around, taking their weapons or tools from other enemy cultivators that Heian Ciemnosc left out as the small fry looked at him with deep respect. They were within the same dark smoke, killing enemies Heian Ciemnosc didn’t have the time to deal with as he focused on those ‘strong’ Broken Crystallization realm cultivators.
They could see slightly far within thanks to the device Heian Ciemnosc made for everyone, which they paid for. It wasn’t for free at fucking all. And although they could use their Spirit Sense. It could be extended a bit, but they shouldn’t. It would be eaten away by the dark smoke, so they were prohibited from doing it. However, some tested it, only for a shapeless, dark limb to kick them out from the dark smoke.
This was Heian Ciemnosc’s doing. He could effortlessly multitask within any darkness he created, but he didn’t go there himself. It would be far too time-wasting and stupidly exhaustive. But, in any case, they watched him not just walk after a couple seconds but start… raising his hands into the air?
At this moment, the crowd looked astounded. The spectators' eyes weren’t negated within the dark smoke. They could see the massacre occurring there. However, it was nothing they hadn’t seen before, except for the playful nature of the Wrath Nihility Academy’s new Supreme Art. And now that Heian Ciemnosc started formidably stepping forwards quickly, with his arms raising to the sky, they were curious, too.
‘Pipe down…’ Heian Ciemnosc slowly thought in his heart. And a moment later, dark Power Energy started heavily congregating around his sides, armpits, and shoulders. It was about to get good.
…