The Abyss Overlords watched the contest unfold, their interest heightened by the accompanying treats and exquisite wines.
Unsurprisingly, no one stepped up in defense of Overlord Yandi.
Notorious for his impulsive and domineering behavior, Overlord Yandi had made more enemies than allies among the Overlords of the same Abyssal space. Indeed, they were secretly hoping heād get his comeuppance. And the more spectacular his defeat, the better.
Added to this, Wu Mingās formidable power was enough to give them pauseāeven Overlord Yandi was struggling against his few clones. Joining the skirmish would likely lead to a quick defeat for most.
āAll the half-step third realm beings of the Heart Realm lineage are crafty. The genuine treasure has been relocated long ago! These clones are worthless. Even if we destroy a few, weāll get no spoils,ā reasoned the Abyss Overlords.
Were there a chance to seize a treasure, they might be enticed to engage.
But with no such opportunity in sight? They were content to watch the duel, treating it as a form of amusement.
A lengthy lifespan called for some entertainment, after all. And seeing Overlord Yandi on the back foot provided a certain satisfaction to many.
Urgh.
Amidst the excited crowd, the Abyss Sovereign, Sovereign Heshan, was enjoying the company of several women while observing the distant battle.
āSovereign, who do you think will emerge victorious? Theyāre battling like theyāve lost all reason,ā a group of women inquired, their eyes trained on the unfolding clash.
āYandi might be a brute, but his lack of intellect and consciousness, typical of the Abyss lineage, makes him an easy target for the Heart Realmās tactics,ā mused the handsome Sovereign Heshan, observing the battle with an amused smile. āWu Ming is a master of the Heart Realmās three main schools: Red Lotus Fire, the illusory Abyssal Void, and psychic weaponryā¦ Yandi is outmatched.ā
āBut Sovereign, didnāt you mention that Yandiās Body of Sin is a formidable tool?ā a woman questioned, puzzled.
āYes, it is indeed formidable. Itās the very reason heās been able to withstand the Red Lotus Fire and psychic attacks, even managing to retaliate. Look! His Demonic Sound Fork has pierced Wu Mingās body once again,ā explained Sovereign Heshan.
As Xu Jingmingās three clones unleashed their psychic weapons on Overlord Yandiās colossal form, Yandi managed to shake off the effects of the illusory realm. Upon regaining his senses, he struck back, his Demonic Sound Forks appearing out of nowhere to pierce two clones. One clone suffered a grievous injury before dissipating, leaving behind only a psychic spear.
Without hesitation, Overlord Yandi claimed the abandoned Soul Spear.
āAlthough Wu Ming has only deployed eight clones, all of them have sustained severe injuries. Observe, the first clone has finally been completely obliterated, even losing his psychic weapon,ā Sovereign Heshan remarked with a smile. āThe outcome of this battle is still very much in the balance.ā
ā¦
Xu Jingming was relentless in his assault, launching his arsenal of illusory realm and psychic weapons at every chance. Yet, against the odds, his adversary was quick to seize opportunities for retaliation.
His injuries were escalating, even leading to a loss of his psychic weaponry.
Heās even more wounded than I am. Xu Jingming was certain.
Iā¦ Iā¦ Overlord Yandi was wracked with pain that consumed his mind and consciousness. With his mind already severely compromised, being impaled by Dawn Piercerāaffecting nearly 90% of his consciousnessāwas agonizing. He felt his cloneās mental faculties spiraling into disorder.
Regardless, he was committed to fighting till the bitter end.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Enveloped by the Red Lotus Fire and the Abyssal Void, beams of Dawn Piercer ripped through Overlord Yandiās body.
His response was equally ferocious; his sole focus was to retaliate!
Every chance he got, he lashed out at Xu Jingming with his Demonic Sound Fork.
With each assault, Xu Jingming grew more wary. Even when he was stabbed by the Demonic Sound Fork, he forced himself to throw the psychic weapon into the Heart Realm.
However, after the demise of five clones, the three Soul Spears were ultimately claimed by his enemy.
Only three of Xu Jingmingās clones, all severely wounded, remained!
āAhhh!ā Overlord Yandiās consciousness was in disarray. His battle cries echoed as he launched his desperate attacks.
āDie!ā
The remaining three battered clones of Xu Jingming persisted in their assault. Bereft of psychic weapons, they turned themselves into weapons! Their minds and bodies merged to execute a deadly spear attack!
Finallyā
With only two severely wounded clones left, Xu Jingming gazed at the majestic Sin Spring Water, now devoid of any consciousness.
Iāve won, he reflected, a smile gracing his face as he beheld the three psychic spears and two Demonic Sound Forks suspended in the Spring Water.
From start to finish, neither Overlord Yandi nor Wu Ming had called for reinforcements. Overlord Yandi hadnāt sent any additional clones for backup, and Xu Jingming had restricted himself to eight clones. He hadnāt introduced any additional weapons.
I barely scraped a win, depending on my ability to hide and the restraint of my psychic weapon, Xu Jingming reflected. Simultaneously, he collected the consciousness-devoid Sin Spring Water, the Demonic Sound Forks, and other weaponry.
āWu Ming, you are the victor,ā came a voice from the distance. It was another of Overlord Yandiās clones.
Overlord Yandi was speechless.
It might seem like it was only one clone, but in reality, cultivating even one was a formidable task. Over the years, heād only managed to create twelve clones, one of which he just lost.
And Wu Ming? As part of the Heart Realm lineage, he could split into numerous clones with ease! His eight clones were vastly inferior to Overlord Yandiās solitary clone.
āOverlord Yandi, are you interested in this pair of Demonic Sound Forks?ā Xu Jingming asked, his voice transmitted through the air, a smile playing on his lips. āThird-realm weapons from the Demon Sound school that complement each other are quite the rarity.ā
āIndeed, I am interested,ā came the distant reply.
āIf you desire them, I could sell them to you,ā Xu Jingming suggested, transmitting his words. Since he couldnāt use the Demonic Sound Forks himself, selling them seemed the best course of action. Overlord Yandi was obviously a potential high bidder.
āIf you wish to gift them to me, Iāll accept. But buy them? No chance,ā the voice responded, unfazed by the loss.
āAre you certain you donāt want them?ā Xu Jingming probed, again transmitting his voice. āIn that case, Iāll offer them to other high-dimensional beings.ā
āDo as you please!ā The voice had nothing further to add.
If he didnāt want them, he didnāt want them.
He wouldnāt lament his decision.
Xu Jingming merely shook his head with a smile, surveying his surroundings.
āTime to head back,ā he declared, promptly entering the Heart Realm and embarking on his return journey.
As he traveled, Xu Jingming took stock of his loot.
I acquired a complete Abyss Red Lotus and a pair of third-realm Demon Sound Forks. In total, Iāve gained more than 200 drops of Abyssal Mother Blood. Adding what I claimed from the Spirit Cleansing Iceberg, Iāve made quite a haul. I can comfortably afford a third-realm weapon from the Heart Realm lineage, he mused, his journey home filled with a sense of satisfaction.
In the meantime, among the various Abyss Overlords, tales of Wu Mingās exploits over the past three centuries began to circulate.