Chapter 172 : Shion vs. Mu, Titan Nova vs. Megahorn!
Mu's eyes were tightly shut, his purple hair fluttering in the wind. He slowly knelt on one knee, bowing his head before Shion.
"Teacher, I dare not strike at you, but if anyone else wishes to pass through here, they must step over my corpse!"
Mu's words clearly indicated a resolve to die. Previously, due to his disinclination for combat, he had rarely officially fought.
But Shion was aware of his strength; among this generation of Gold Saints, while Mu was somewhat distant from the top tier of Saga, Shaka, and Li Yu, he was undoubtedly among the top three in the second tier.
However, for Mu to try and block the resurrected former Gold Saints behind Shion with his strength alone was tantamount to suicide!
Shion's expression remained unchanged as he calmly said,
"Mu, there's no need for this. This is a battle between the previous generation of Gold Saints and the current generation. Since you insist on stopping us, I will exchange a few moves with you!"
Shion waved his hand and said indifferently,
"You all go first. Mu is my disciple; I will handle this!"
The remaining eleven former Gold Saints silently walked past the master and disciple.
Mu clenched his fists, fine beads of sweat appearing on his face. Only when everyone had vanished did Mu slowly open his eyes.
A gentle breeze swept through the Sanctuary, leaving only the master and disciple standing there.
Shion took a deep breath, his eyes filled with nostalgia. For countless nights, he had stood at the Summit of Holy Mountain, silently gazing at the human World.
Mu was not in a hurry to attack. Shion, before him, held an extraordinary bond for him. Both of the Jamir Tribe, Mu was raised by Shion from a young age, and Shion showered him with care.
In Mu's heart, Shion was both a teacher and a father.
Now, his father stood before him, declaring he would kill Athena, the Goddess Mu protected with his life. How could he accept this!
Mu made one last effort.
"Teacher, I don't believe you would betray Athena. You must have your reasons. Now that it's just the two of us, master and disciple, please speak plainly."
Shion's expression shifted slightly. He noticed four cold Shadows suddenly appearing around the Sanctuary, then chuckled.
"I gave everything for Athena, only to fall into the frozen hell after death. Now, Hades has given me a chance; as long as I can take Athena's head, he will grant me eternal life. What would you choose if you were me?"
Mu's expression darkened, and he did not reply.
Shion waved his hand.
"Step aside, Mu. My opponent is Dohko. While your strength is good, your heart is too soft. You are not suited for combat!"
Mu's expression gradually firmed. He spread his hands, blocking Shion's path directly.
"Teacher, I dare not strike at you, but please stay with me here until the Sun rises tomorrow!"
Shion's expression gradually turned cold.
"Do you insist on stopping me?"
No more words were needed. In an instant, an invisible wall of psychokinesis violently clashed between them, annihilating and regenerating.
Space collided violently like glass, emitting a grating, teeth-grinding sound.
Shining crystal fragments were both a defensive shield and an offensive spear, carving deadly trajectories in the air, canceling each other out, penetrating, and disfiguring everything around them!
Aries' ultimate technique, Crystal Wall!
Unbeknownst to them, both had already made their moves!
Shion burned his Cosmo, and then a torrent of psychokinesis powerful enough to shatter stars crashed into Mu's Crystal Wall!
Aries' ultimate technique, Stardust Revolution!
Shining stardust particles shattered before the Crystal Wall, which also developed numerous cracks... Shion showed no sign of stopping.
"Use your full power, or you will die by my hand!"
Mu's eyes saw Kiki hiding in the Shadow of Aries Temple. The child's tender face was filled with confusion and fear!
Grandmaster and Master are fighting... What is happening to this World?
Young as he was, he could not yet understand what the Gold Saints were protecting with their lives!
Mu sighed deeply and said calmly,
"Teacher, I apologize!"
Boom!
Two torrents of psychokinesis, powerful enough to shatter stars, collided in the air!
...In Taurus Temple, at the center of the temple, stood two gigantic figures like Titans.
The hard ground of Holy Mountain groaned and cracked beneath their feet.
Aldebaran's massive body was rippling with muscles, and the phantom of a golden bull roared behind him. His aura was as heavy and steady as a mountain, his eyes burning with recognition of his predecessor's power and a determination to surpass it.
"Hasgard, take this, Great Horn!"
Hasgard clasped his hands across his chest. His aura was even more ancient and vigorous, like an old bull that had endured hardships, his White hair fluttering in the wind.
Facing Aldebaran's Great Horn, he grinned and said,
"Kid, your Great Horn is still too green! It seems you haven't properly grasped the legacy I left for you in the Cloth!"
"Anyone can boast; don't act like an old man!"
Aldebaran stood his ground. The golden bull behind him raised its head, its massive horns smashing down violently!
A huge White-haired wild bull appeared behind Hasgard, and the two divine bulls collided!
No fancy techniques, just the most primal, most brutal clash of pure power!
Two golden Impacts, like materialized torrents of destruction, collided head-on!
"Boom!"
A colossal roar, indescribable in words, echoed through the heavens and the earth!
The point of Impact erupted with a light more blinding than the Sun, and a terrifying Impact spread in a ring, instantly pulverizing rocks within a hundred meters!
At the center of the Impact, space twisted and collapsed.
Beneath the feet of the two Taurus Saints, the ground cracked like a spiderweb into bottomless ravines, only to be squeezed and lifted by the subsequent force!
Each outpouring of power was accompanied by roaring muscles and exploding bones. Pure physical strength, at this moment, reached a god-like realm.
Hasgard revealed a satisfied smile.
"Kid, the Gold Cloth isn't used like that. Your power, in my eyes, is meaningless. Do you know this next move?"
Hasgard's Cosmo broke through its limits. Aldebaran seemed to see a supernova about to explode!
"Take this, kid!"
"Titan Nova!"
Boom!
Endless energy completely engulfed Aldebaran!
...The remaining ten former Gold Saints, upon entering Gemini Palace, all frowned. Before their eyes was a void, an endless expanse of stars and an alternate dimension, completely blocking them!
Gemini Saints Aspros and Defteros stepped forward, both revealing cold smiles.
"Displaying an alternate dimension before us? Kid, you're still too green!"
The two Gemini Saints ignited their Cosmos, simultaneously unleashing the incredibly powerful Gemini ultimate technique, Galaxian Explosion!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst the violent explosions, the anomaly within Gemini Palace vanished without a trace!
In the center of the palace, a Gold Saint, clad in the Gemini Gold Cloth, stood his ground!
It was the current Pope, Saga, also known as the incarnation of God!
Saga removed his cloak. He extended a finger, pointing at Aspros and Defteros, and said coldly,
"The Gemini Saints stay; the rest of you move forward!"
Aspros and Defteros exchanged glances. They seemed to have heard the funniest joke, both breaking into mocking smiles.
"Are all Gemini Saints throughout history such arrogant fellows?"
"You want to fight two against one? Do you even qualify?"
Both extended a finger in return.
"One move, within one move, we will turn you and the Gemini Gold Cloth into dust!"