Swish! Swish!
Swish! Swish!
The black spikes tore through the air, their piercing sounds ringing in Xiao's ears. They barely scratched him, but they were enough to torment.
Sometimes they condensed into patterns, forming words that mocked the enemy, laughing at him for being toyed with.
Other times, they scattered, circling around Xiao to form a massive cage, continuing their torture.
Utterly disgusting.
Pheroth reveled in it. This was exactly what he wanted—crushing the subordinates of his enemy, tormenting them. It brought him so much joy.
Gradually, Xiao, who had been desperately dodging, could no longer hold on. He had no strength left. He could only prop himself up with his spear.
How many years had it been since he last felt this? This powerlessness, watching his enemy revel in triumph?
Despair consumed Xiao once more. He had failed. He was a failure—a useless fool who couldn't even protect the one he loved. How unpleasant...
He was exhausted. This was probably as far as he could go. He had no more strength to fight. As much as he hated it, this was reality.
At least... he could go with Bonanus. People often said, "Yakshas have no home to return to." He wondered where they would go after death. He was curious.
If possible, he hoped to go to the same place as Bonanus.
He only felt sorry for Bosacius. Everyone had finally come back, and now only he would be left to guard Liyue. It must be so tiring.
This mission had failed. He only hoped Rex Lapis wouldn't be disappointed in him or suffer because of it.
With that thought, Xiao slowly sat cross-legged on the ground, ignoring the black spikes piercing his body. He quietly closed his eyes, waiting for death.
How unbecoming. A guardian Yaksha, giving up. Even Bosacius would laugh at him.
"Oh? Giving up already?" Pheroth looked at the exhausted figure before him and sneered again.
"This is all you've got?" Pheroth said disdainfully. And here he had been cautious—what a waste.
This Yaksha was already spent.
Where did Pheroth get the nerve to say that? He had only struck when his opponent was depleted—a dirty opportunist through and through.
Still, a win was a win, no matter how underhanded. Whether by sneaky ambush or fair fight, it was only natural for the victor to punish or kill the loser.
He was not one to show mercy.
Xiao ignored Pheroth's taunts. He sat quietly with his eyes closed. Kill me if you will—why all the chatter?
He was devastated that he couldn't save Bonanus. His teeth clenched. The thought of her wounded state gnawed at him, urging him to stand.
But the pain left him helpless. Countless small wounds from the black spikes oozed blood, covering his entire body.
Xiao closed his eyes, feeling the seeping blood, the pain, the black smoke rising from his wounds. He sat there, sensing everything around him.
Seeing this, Pheroth simply shook his head with a smile. Enough torment. Time to send him off.
He pulled the dark spear from the ground and pointed it at Xiao, commanding the black spikes.
In an instant, the dense mass of spikes converged into a massive black spear, ready to deliver the killing blow.
Xiao sensed the power gathering and sighed softly. This body is too tired. Perhaps this is for the best...
The black spear in the sky was enormous, but compared to the God of Contracts, it was nothing.
The Geo Archon could create countless stone spears several times larger, each with the power to shatter mountains and split the earth.
The massive black spear formed from countless spikes shot straight toward Xiao—no hesitation, no mercy.
"Here it comes." Xiao murmured as he felt the air being torn apart.
Boom!
The enormous black spear did not strike Xiao as expected. Instead, it hit a massive stone wall, shattering on impact.
Pheroth frowned. What now? Another enemy? This isn't good.
Hearing the commotion, Xiao opened his eyes in confusion. Before him stood a stone wall—and a tall, reassuring figure.
That was...
Menogias? He was awake? How? Was this an illusion?
Before Xiao could process it, Menogias looked at his battered body with a pained expression. He frowned and spoke in that familiar, gentle voice.
"This isn't like you, Alatus. You're not the kind to give up so easily."
Xiao's eyes widened. This was real. Not an illusion. His second brother was truly awake. He didn't know how, but this was a good thing.
With Second Brother's help, Sister Bonanus could be saved!
"Leave the rest to me, Alatus. Fall back and take care of our little sister." Menogias nodded gently. But the moment he finished, his expression turned feral, as if he wanted to tear the enemy apart.
Xiao nodded. In his current state, staying by Menogias's side would only make him a burden.
He retreated to Bonanus's side. Seeing her pale face, he felt utterly powerless. He held her close, hoping his body heat could warm her cold form.
He could feel it—her will to live was strong. She was not dead yet. Soon, they would leave. Once they got out, Rex Lapis would find a way.
If he could, he wouldn't wait a single second. Every second made Bonanus more critical. But he had no strength left. He could only wait for Menogias.
Crack! Crash!
The stone wall before Menogias crumbled. He glared at Pheroth, radiating killing intent. You dared—dared to hurt his family before his very eyes.
"Oh? You're that crazed Yaksha?" Pheroth looked at him with some surprise.
But beneath the surprise, panic crept in. Just moments ago, this Geo Yaksha was at death's door. Now he looked so spirited?
This was bad. Damn it! He shouldn't have wasted so much time talking. If he hadn't, these Yakshas would all be dead by now.
What a fool he was!
And he had a feeling—if he really fought this Yaksha, he would only get crushed. Pheroth's abilities were especially weak against Geo.
This is troublesome. I need to run...
With that thought, Pheroth turned to flee. But he had barely taken a few steps when a stone wall blocked his way. He tried to go around, but another wall sprang up.
No escape.
"Stop running. Accept your death." Menogias said calmly. If he let this wretch escape today, he'd write his name backward.
You ambushed our little sister. You took advantage of Alatus's injuries and depleted strength. Now face the consequences. Embrace death.
He would not allow someone who hurt his family to live.
"Heh, then come!" Seeing all escape routes sealed, Pheroth turned to fight for his life.
In the old days, before Morax sealed his power, he could have simply floated away. But now, he didn't have enough strength to lift himself.
Menogias said nothing. He slowly enlarged an elemental stone spear in his hand. He would use the same method Pheroth had tried to kill Xiao.
Repent, lest you experience the pain of being pierced by a massive stone spear.
Pheroth trembled at the sight. He took a deep breath. Under his command, the black spikes once again converged into a black spear—his last strength. Whether he lived or died depended on this one strike.
What if a miracle happened?
Boom! Boom!
The two massive spears shot toward each other. Their tips collided, unleashing a tremendous shockwave. Life or death would be decided in this single clash.
If you wish to know what happened next, tune in next time~