章 58: LVII
He swung right for his head.
Rokas' eyes flared crimson red as he dashed away, leaving behind seven afterimages which misled the sword master. Afterwards, he called for the Heavenly Demon Saber… and it appeared before him. He grasped it without hesitation and turned to face Xuanyuan Jiantian.
Xuanyuan Jiantian took note of who the real one was and ignored the afterimages, charging straight for him.
Clang.
Xuanyuan Jiantian's eyes glowed azure as he pressed Rokas back on his feet, a powerful flame engulfing his entire body and strengthening him. Rokas slipped to the side and grew a tail with a spiked end.
Clang.
Rokas raised an eyebrow as Xuanyian Jiantian created another sword, blocking his tail.
In the blink of an eye, he exploded into a flurry of strikes…
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Although, with each attack, Rokas managed to evade with relative ease. Xuanyuan Jiantian tried everything in his arsenal, all five elements… nothing seemed effective.
Shew.
He teleported right behind him.
Clang.
Rokas blocked the blow that would've pierced his heart in a second.
"You're good, whoever you are."
Xuanyuan Jiantian remarked, withdrawing to the sky and discarding his spare sword. He raised his crossguard and aimed it at the sky.
Rokas chuckled, channeling his profound energy.
'A Universe of Swords…'
"You, who has withstood my arsenal so effectively… consider yourself worthy of witnessing my greatest pride!"
Xuanyuan Jiantian threw his sword into the air and its reflection seemed to create tens… hundreds… thousands of swords just like it. Rokas continued compressing his profound energy, making it stronger, before stabbing his own sword into the ground and forming a formation around himself.
"I, SWORD MASTER XUANYUAN JIANTIAN, CALL UPON NONE OTHER THAN MYSELF! COME FORTH AND WITNESS MY SWORD INTENT, THAT WHICH HAD BEEN REFINED FOR THOUSANDS OF LIVES!"
"MIGHTY HEAVENLY SWORD GOD'S ART… MAIN BRANCH… FINAL STYLE…"
"A UNIVERSE OF SWORDS!!!"
All of the swords descended at once.
Rokas stood patiently, looking up at the brilliant sight before him as he charged his own attack.
As the swords descended, one after the other, the formation began to show cracks. However, with each crack, another wave of Rokas' seemingly endless profound energy flew in to supplement it. The Universe of Swords was relentless and powerful… but there was a clear difference in power.
Despite being more skilled, this version of Xuanyuan Jiantian could not compare. Rokas' superior physique made all the difference.
Once the storm had passed, Rokas raised his sword from the ground and teleported right next to Xuanyuan Jiantian. He tossed him down with one swing… landing him straight into his formation. Within an instant, he had been chained and suppressed.
Rokas descended, observing the defeated Sword Master.
"You are the greater warrior between us… by far." Rokas admitted, sitting down beside him. "I don't think you remember the game we played together… but I'm grateful for the advice you gave me. It was also a great pleasure to play alongside you. You're a real hooper."
Xuanyuan Jiantian raised an eyebrow.
"A… hooper?"
"Only problem is your ass is a Boston Celtics fan…" Rokas chuckled, shaking his head. "But… I guess it wouldn't be quite so fun without a rival franchise."
"What NBA team do you support, then?" Xuanyuan Jiantian questioned.
"The Lakers."
"... Of course." Xuanyuan Jiantian chuckled. "You do realise… we're meant to fight, right? Like, you're not supposed to have a proper conversation with me."
"I want to." Rokas shrugged, leaning back slightly. "The rules of the fight were that the moment I killed you, the next opponent would come. Therefore, if I don't kill you and keep you unable to fight me, I can have all the free time I want. Hell, I could properly prepare for anything that's coming next. Speaking of which… I should build a few Gundams."
"... You're an anomaly." Xuanyuan Jiantian sighed. Although, he grinned thereafter. "I respect it, young man. Keep hustling and emerge victorious in this trial, no matter how long you must take. While you're doing that… I'll try to break free."
"Thank God you're not Xiao Jiantian, though… I would've been fucked."
Rokas remarked, unleashing his profound energy as he turned to make use of his Essence of Creation.
…
An unknown amount of time later.
Rokas had built an army of Gundams, a wide arsenal of weapons, armour and even creatures from his own blood. He got a little experimental and attempted something he hadn't before - organic Gundams. After all, the greatest issue with his Gundams was that they had durability issues.
Alas, he couldn't quite get it right.
Though… there was potential.
"Hahahahaha… I do have to say, that is a rather clever ploy. To use the first and easiest of the stages to prepare for the rest."
Rokas looked around as he heard Aerion's thunderous voice.
"I mean, there isn't a rule against it, is there?"
"No… I suppose I should have expected as much from you." Aerion acknowledged. "You are quite unlike the barbarians that I am used to dealing with. Alas, you cannot take your toys to the next stage so your preparation was rather pointless, in the end."
"I feel like that's a rule you made up on the fly."
"... You know what. I'll return them to you, in the Trial of Time. Should you even get there, of course…"
Rokas turned to Xuanyuan Jiantian.
"See you later, buddy."
"Best of luck, young man. Ensure that you persevere, no matter how difficult the obstacle may seem. Adapt and overcome."
"I will."
He stabbed Xuanyuan Jiantian in the heart, breaking his formation and changing the scene. The Heavenly Demon Saber practically ate him whole and left nothing left. As for the next challenge, it was a golden-haired individual.
Rokas pulverised him.
'I thought each stage was supposed to get harder.'
The next, was also a golden-haired individual. Although slightly stronger, this one didn't put up much of a fight either.
The next was an even more impressive golden-haired individual who had the Brahma God Divine Power at a substantially greater level than the rest. To Rokas, however, it was a quick fight as he used more of his berserk attribute.
The next opponent… was clearly on a whole different level than the rest.
The battle ground was a round arena of marble white.
His long hair was grey with streaks of gold and his eyes shone the purest tone of gold. Even without him unleashing any profound energy, a golden aura of power engulfed his body from head to toe. He was glowing with might.
"The Heretic God's successor is no more than a devil… of course. Hahahaha, what more could be expected?" The figure remarked with a booming voice, turning to face him. "The stench of the King of the Eternal Night Devil Clan has adapted itself well to the rest. Alas, I know a devil when I see one."
(This is pre plot-twist Mo E... thank you Mars <3)
'If he was reincarnated on earth, I'm sure he would be an unapologetic racist.'
"What difference does it make if I am a devil or not?" Rokas questioned, engulfing his saber with his own raging profound energy. "To me, it's no more than another source of power."
"The darkness corrupts your mind, your heart and your very soul. Darkness is the beginning of all evil and should be purged from this world. The way I am now… the only thing I can do is permanently halt your progress from ascending higher."
He raised his head and called upon a sword that suffocated the entire universe. The Heavenly Demon Saber began to shake in his hands.
"I… am the mightiest sword in all of the Universe, how dare that thing attempt to suppress me!"
"Calm your tits." Rokas remarked.
Six wings sprouted from his back and he used them to cook up his Eternal Elemental Trinity God Art. One focused on creating the pure white Tribulation Lightning, the other focused on creating crimson flames, another focused on the darkness and poison attribute, the other focused on creating pure water, and the other two focused on fusing them all together.
Mo E raised his blade and his golden aura expanded outwards, suppressing Rokas.
He teleported right behind Rokas, aiming to slash his head off.
'This speed…'
Rokas' eyes widened as he barely slipped away… almost at the cost of one of his wings. In the last moment, he had made them considerably smaller and Mo E just missed the mark.
"All of space is mine to control." Mo E grandly announced, grinning slightly. "You can't escape the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword for long, you filthy devil."
As Rokas tried to escape again, the space around him collapsed and led him straight into the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword.
'What…'
Rokas's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down, his chest very clearly pierced by the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword. He coughed out blood while Mo E tossed him to the ground. The Heavenly Demon Saber remained in his grasp, although a bit loose.
"The Heretic God would be disappointed…" Mo E remarked, stepping closer as he raised the ancestor of all swords. "Despite all your bloodlines, is that the best fight you can put up? Heh, I suppose I shouldn't expect much from an inferior devil."
Rokas rolled over to face him.
'So arrogance plagues even Creation Gods…'
The Heavenly Demon Saber remained on the ground, discreetly sucking in all of his blood. Its blade didn't look any different. The energy which he had gathered had been compressed to nothing but an invisible particle… reaching its tip.
"Guess it really is over…" Rokas' face looked depressed. "All the shit I went through to get here… ah… just to lose to a pretentious prick like you."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"It really is depressing."
"You've accepted defeat?" Mo E smiled, raising his blade. "Then there is nothing left to say…"
Right as he was about to stab him, the Heavenly Demon Saber shot up right into Mo E's chest… piercing him.
'Eternal Elemental Trinity God Art: Atomised EVERYTHING!'
Rokas grinned, using the Star God's Broken Shadow to slip away from the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword. Meanwhile, the Mighty Heavenly Demon Saber sucked in as much of Mo E's blood as it could. An emerald aura engulfed him… Li Suo's aura… as his wounds healed rapidly.
"Li Suo aids you…? The treacherous bitch fell for a devil? My son, the Heretic God and even Li Suo… does Xi Ke also have a devil he loves? This… is inconceivable!" Mo E cursed as a sizeable hole in his body had emerged. He tried to grasp it and drag the sword away but it remained within him, refusing to let go.
The Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword left his side and went straight for Rokas…
'Get your ass over here.'
The Heavenly Demon Saber left Mo E and intercepted the blade, clashing against it.
"You… dare stand in my way?" The Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword spoke out, attempting to push away the Heavenly Demon Saber with its sheer power. "I am the ancestor of all swords, you would do well to bend to my will."
"The ancestor of all swords?" The Heavenly Demon Saber chuckled. "What does it matter how old you are? I, the Heavenly Demon Saber… have no equal!!!"
"I'll teach you a lesson, you arrogant upstart!"
Rokas almost raised an eyebrow as he observed the clash between heavenly swords. They were no longer extensions of their masters… but rather, two separate opponents! The Heavenly Demon Saber rose to the skies and clashed against the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword, meeting it blow for blow. It began to crack slightly… wavering under the pressure from the most powerful Heavenly Treasure.
Although, with each exchange, the Heavenly Demon Saber seemed to be feasting on the Ancestral Sword's energy and closing the gap. Its cracks sealed up with even greater power.
'That's my boy.'
Rokas turned to Mo E, who had been badly wounded by his ultimate attack.
"As expected… you are as cunning and malicious as any other devil." Mo E coughed up his own blood, a new sword appearing in his hand. "I shall finish this here and now."
Rokas unleashed all of his profound energy at once as what resembled an entire universe formed at his feet. He condensed this energy, forming it around his body. He created a sword similar to the Heavenly Demon Saber and a trident. Along with that, he grew several arms in which he held various weapons ranging from halberds to rifles.
His wings, as before, sprang out and made use of his seemingly endless pool.
He grew several tails with mouths, dashing forwards.
Mo E thought he would attack, creating hundreds of mighty blades to apprehend him.
Alas, that was not his intent.
He used his new tails to slip in and drain all of Mo e's blood which had graced the marble floor. In that very instant, his body glowed golden.
"... You dare consume my own blood, you devil!?"
Rokas grew horns and the eyeshadow from his devil energy reappeared as he embraced his darkness profound energy fully… evolving to something different entirely. His mere aura had deflected the swords that attempted to pierce him, tossing them all to the side.
[Now Playing: Blinded By Light from FF XIII, metal version.]
'Now that's perfect.'
"That's right… you're not all that special anymore."
Rokas grinned, rising to the skies.
"I'll show you true might."
He transformed into his true form, eclipsing even the sun. Nine heads sprang forth, accompanied by ten wings. A colossal true dragon of endless majesty shook the entire stage. Its crimson body was accompanied by golden scales and feathers while a raging, flame-like orange aura engulfed its entire body.
The nine heads rose to face the skies, all joining their profound energy together to form a supremely powerful sphere of absolute might.
Mo E did not waste any time, teleporting right before him and breaking through space to grasp the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword. He then engulfed it in his golden aura, tossing the blade like a boomerang.
Ideally, it would have cut through all nine of his heads consecutively.
Alas… Rokas shapeshifted from his colossal figure to something no larger than a mouse.
The sword missed him entirely.
"You damned trickster…" Mo E cursed.
Before the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword could teleport to him, Rokas let go of his sphere and aimed it directly for Mo E.
Mo E teleported away, observing it fly into the skies.
"Is that all?"
'Essence of Creation.'
Rokas calmly manipulated the sphere, splitting it into thousands of blades that descended onto the arena.
Again, Mo E dodged.
"Hahahaha, you truly are a fool!" Mo E laughed, grasping the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword.
Once again, he distorted the space around Rokas.
Although, this time, Rokas had the Heavenly Demon Saber ready.
They ended up stabbing each other as Rokas was forcefully teleported into the Ancestral Sword.
"... You think… the same shit works on me twice?" Rokas spat his blood onto Mo E.
Mo E's eyes flashed titanium white as he teleported away and instantly went for his head.
Rokas was prepared to dodge… although, in that very instant, Mo E teleported again. It was but a feint.
Rokas raised an eyebrow as the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword was engulfed in sword intent and Mo E's golden aura. From the skies above, endless reflections of the sword emerged… alongside many others of Mo E.
"This is your end…" Mo E announced, coughing up his own blood.
The laws in the sky collapsed as the Ancestral Sword tore through it…
From that distorted space came an endless horde of true gods.
Rokas chuckled as he observed the spectacle.
'I might be fucked.'
[Now Playing: The Battle Is To The Strong from Fate Zero.]
'... He's so fucked.'
"It doesn't matter how many of them there are… together, we couldn't possibly lose to such weaklings." The Heavenly Demon Saber remarked, flying straight into his left hand. "Right, master?"
"Indeed…"
Rokas felt his body deteriorate as the consequences of the berserk attribute began to burn his body. It didn't help that the Ancestral Sword had pierced him twice. Li Suo's healing alongside his own rapid regeneration was the only thing keeping him going. Although, the Ancestral Sword seemed to create special wounds that could only be healed to a certain extent. He endured past the pain and looked upwards.
His entire body was engulfed in the Eternal Elemental Trinity God Art. Lightning, fire, water, darkness, poison… all joined together perfectly.
"We'll win."
It seemed like the entire world had descended upon him at once.
Rokas created half a dozen perfect clones of himself, each carving a path through the true gods and reflections of the Ancestral Sword. Using a combination of shape-shifting, invisibility and the various skills in his arsenal, he forged a path forward to the aloof Mo E.
Although the true gods were meant to help him… Rokas consumed each and every one of them who stood in his way, growing stronger with each passing moment.
Mo E's expression widened with every second.
This… was a true monster.
Mo E used the last of his strength to distort the space of the entire battle arena…
Rokas' endless profound energy surged out at the last moment, covering everything…
In the end, they both struck a fatal blow.
Rokas collapsed to the ground, the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword having stabbed his heart. Meanwhile, Mo E's subordinates had all been turned to ash, the sword reflections had shattered and the Heavenly Demon Saber had also pierced him.
Though, it seemed like he was the last to perish.
"Your heart… hah." Mo E laughed. "Though I may have fallen, you-"
'SCATTER.'
Except… he had moved his heart through shapeshifting.
All of Rokas' blades from his previous ultimate attack had scattered into pure, malicious profound energy in its purest form… engulfing Mo E and tearing him to pieces. He collapsed onto the ground, no longer capable of forming the strength to keep afloat.
Meanwhile, Rokas grasped the blade of the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword.
"Bend… to me."
His eyes glowed a flaming, divine, orange which danced with the berserk attribute of the Evil God and golden might of Mo E. His grasp tightened as the sword tried to slip away.
"Do not dare to stain my blade, you filthy devil."
'Divine Authority.'
"You're already stained." Rokas blood surged up the blade, slowly but surely turning it crimson. His divine aura engulfed the blade as he drew it out of his chest. His firm grip, despite the sword's best efforts, kept it still. "That's a good sword."
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon Saber joined in his other, left hand.
He held the complete advantage, slowly stepping forward.
Mo E struggled up to his feet, his entire body filled with cuts at every inch. His hair was a wild mess and the imposing aura of might he had earlier had all but dispersed. Rokas' poison had begun to erode at his body and even the blood he had spat at him earlier had slipped into his system… burning him from the inside.
"It seems… that I've… failed."
Mo E, seeing as Rokas held both of their swords, fell on his knees… his head lowered.
"The universe will forever be shrouded in darkness under your rule. I've… failed everything. Myself, my people, those who admired me."
"Quite the opposite…" Rokas countered, stepping even closer. "Your self-righteous moral hill of 'light' has blinded you. If anything, you're the very villain you paint the so-called 'devils' as."
"How could the slaughter of those sinful creatures be considered evil?" Mo E questioned, shaking his head. "You're one of them, how could you possibly understand just how evil those fiends are? Their negative profound energy twists their minds-"
"No, it does not. It only twists the minds of those who are not used to darkness." Rokas countered, frowning slightly. "You couldn't possibly consider the fact that they are just like you, could you? That they have their own clans, their own people, their own friends and family… their own good desires. Darkness profound energy isn't inherently evil. What determines evil is how one uses their power… darkness or light, evil exists on both sides. It is the heart that determines that."
"We could never ever live in peace, you fool… from the beginning of time, we were destined to face each other until one side completely collapsed. That side - was meant to be darkness… that is why they were inherently inferior. That was why we, the gods, defeated them in most of our battles! We were born to destroy the darkness of the universe!"
"... Hmph." Rokas tilted his head. "Is that so? You say you could never live in peace while it was you, Mo E, who actively fought against any chance of it ever happening!"
"Did I?" Mo E chuckled.
"Yes, you did. You had the opportunity to train with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor and settle your differences over time… but what was it that you did? You cut open a hole and sent her out of the Primal Chaos Dimension."
"One of my finer accomplishments." Mo E nodded. "I don't regret it."
"Then you forced the Heretic God to split his daughter into two… a daughter that was born both from the so-called darkness and light."
"Light and darkness could never co-exist-"
"At every turn, YOU ensured that peace could never become a reality… your own hatred, your own so-called righteousness plagued the universe and led to its demise. The bond between the Heretic God and Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor would have been a giant step forward and their child - a symbol for what the future could have been… you somehow fucked up both!"
Rokas was now standing over him, both swords crossed up against his neck.
"And now… I, Long Ke… have to clean up after your mess."
"Go on, then… prove me wrong." Mo E raised his head, looking up into Rokas' eyes. "Establish a long-lasting peace between both halves of the Universe. Make an attempt at having both prosper… without having bias for either side. Can you manage that, 'Long Ke'?"
"It is what I intend to do."
"... Then… do it. Take my divine power and transcend beyond what was thought possible. Although…" Mo E laughed. "I sincerely doubt you'll be able to keep your word. In the end, why should you care about those beneath you? Your heart is inherently selfish."
"If I don't do it, who will?" Rokas questioned. "Given who I am, it's my responsibility to change the laws of the universe. I carry the wishes and dreams of so many gods on my shoulders, especially those who granted their entire essence to propel me forward in my own path. How could I ever be content with turning a blind eye to the broken world around me? To turn a blind eye to those who believed in me?"
"I'm going to build a safe paradise that's open to everyone, so long as they have good will in their hearts. I don't care how many people doubt me, how many scoff at the prospect, how many reject it… I'm going to do it with all the power at my disposal."
"... I almost believe you." Mo E closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. "Go on, do it. Finish this trial and receive your prize."
"Just one more thing…" Rokas took a deep breath. "Fuck you."
"That's it-?"
Slash.
He cut his head off, dropping both blades.
…
The scene changed and he was back at the same Burger King where it all began. Aerion had a slight smile on his face as he looked at Rokas, clapping his hands rather grandly.
[Now Playing: Naruto - Heaven Shaking Event.]
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"What a display!" Aerion remarked, nodding with approval. "You've proven yourself as a worthy prospect. I had my doubts at the beginning but the Heavenly Procrastinator Rehabilitation System has truly made you into someone worthy of my respect."
"... Thanks, I guess."
Rokas was a little dizzy after his fight, resting his head back on the seat padding.
"Though, it's not the System alone. You, yourself, have taken such great strides in your growth… I am not even so much against having you as a son-in-law anymore."
"... What?" Rokas raised an eyebrow. "Son-in-law? That's a good joke…"
"Why dismiss the possibility?" Aerion questioned. "'My Father-in-Law is a Transcendent Being' sounds like a wonderful title to your story."
"... So… what's the prize?" Rokas changed the subject.
"Ah, there'll be time to get to know each other later, I suppose. As for the prize, it's Mo E in his entirety. His complete inheritance, his profound arts, skills, bloodline, soul… you get the gist. You'll take one great leap in terms of becoming a greater divine being."
"That… sounds great."
"I understand that you must be quite fatigued… well, you'll have plenty of time to rest now. See you in the Trial of Space, Rokas."
It felt weird hearing him say his name.
…
"You're awake…"
Li Suo remarked, looking over at him. He looked around, realising that his head was resting on her lap while Cang Yue and Long Yinping all had concerned expressions that subsided slowly. He managed a smile, raising his hands to take Long Yinping down with him.
"You really thought something bad happened to me?"
"Well, daddy was away for a long time…" Long Yinping pouted slightly. "I was scared."
"There's no need to be scared… I was just having a nice nap is all." Rokas kissed her forehead, holding his daughter tight before rising to his feet. "Daddy can get tired sometimes too."
"... Mn." She nodded. "I think daddy works too hard sometimes."
"Daddy has to work hard… because if he doesn't, a lot of bad things can happen." Rokas pat her head, turning to Cang Yue. "How long was I away?"
"Almost a week…"
"I see…" Rokas nodded, feeling his headache. 'What is this…?'
A golden aura engulfed his figure.
'Of course…'
[Now Playing: On My Own - Tokyo Ghoul.]
A crimson beam of light shot up ever upwards, a golden aura swirling all around it like a coiling dragon. The entire Forbidden Land of Samsara shook as Rokas felt his body burning from the inside, actively fighting itself. Knowing what may happen, he flew away from the scene.
'To think that his bloodline was easier to integrate in the trial-'
"ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!"
Although endlessly painful, Rokas' release was not a cry… but a roar of boundless power.
He forced himself further into space, transforming into his true form as the golden aura persisted in integrating itself into his body. White lightning sparked across the endless abyss that was the Primal Chaos Dimension.
…
"This aura… it can't be." The Brahma Heaven God Emperor's eyes widened as his state of meditation instantly shattered. "The almighty Heaven Punishing Divine Emperor… reborn?!"
Qianye Ying'er, who had turned the Violet Queen crimson red with blood, looked up to acknowledge the spectacle. "You never cease to amaze…"
Xia Qingyue observed from the top of the Moon God Palace, the beam shining even from so far away. Her expression was still, calm as a frozen lake yet her heart shook with longing. She stretched out her hand and tried to grasp the beam.
Even in the distant North of the Realm of the Gods, a Devil Queen sensed the disturbance.
Everyone in the Divine Origin Realm with any form of spiritual senses did, for that matter.
It was a monumental event. One that spelled out the birth of a being that had never existed before… one with two shards of the Ancestral God.
~
From the light, Rokas descended. His hair had returned to pure white, dancing majestically in space. Except this time, he had a few streaks of gold. His eyes, rather than gold or crimson, were a burning gold tone… like flames that only grew in ferocity. They glowed with a divine power that hadn't ever existed before.
'It's my will with all my might, to stay strong, put up a fight… I'm so lost but not afraid. I've been broke, I'll rise again.' Rokas sang in his head. 'This track is hitting different.'
He clothes beamed himself some shorts, new kicks and a plain white t-shirt before returning to the Forbidden Land of Samsara.
"You… that… was Mo E's aura." Li Suo remarked, her emerald eyes widening with shock. It was absolutely inconceivable. "There can be no mistaking it… you… took his complete inheritance?"
"That I did." Rokas nodded, smiling slightly. His voice naturally had a sense of authority and power.
"I am reborn with the power to take complete hold of my destiny."
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