BOOM!
The two massive spears collided, unleashing a deafening explosion. Fragments burst from the point of impact, scattering in all directions.
Those fragments flew like powerful projectiles, striking everything around them—the ground, dead branches, scattered bones.
Their force was immense, as if trying to destroy everything in their path. Naturally, some fragments also shot toward the two injured Yakshas nearby.
But they never reached them. Menogias had already raised thick stone walls to shield them.
On a dangerous battlefield, leaving wounded allies exposed was far too risky. Either get them out quickly or protect them.
The clash continued.
Menogias stood with his arms crossed, his expression grim. He looked at the massive elemental stone spear he had conjured, then at Pheroth, who was desperately struggling to hold on.
If this was all he had, there was no way he could ever face Rex Lapis. The stone spears of the God of Contracts struck fear into even most of the gods.
Countless gods had fallen to those spears, let alone mere beasts.
What was a single beast to dare compare itself to a god?
Pheroth only dared to strike when no one was watching. Even with his power sealed by Rex Lapis, he still couldn't behave. He should have stayed hidden underground, living forever in darkness.
Menogias thought darkly. What gave this creature such arrogance? The only tragedy was that Alatus and Bonanus had suffered because of him.
Disgusting.
The thought of his wounded family stoked the fire in his heart. Bonanus and Xiao were his last line.
In short: he was a fierce protector of his little sister and little brother.
"You can die now!" Menogias opened his eyes—eyes that had rarely been opened before. They were bloodshot. He raised his right hand and slammed it down.
In response, the massive elemental stone spear shattered Pheroth's dark spear, scattering the countless spikes that had formed it across the ground.
The moment the black spikes touched the earth, they turned into wisps of dark smoke, drifting slowly into the sky.
Menogias gave Pheroth no chance to leave any last words or make any final threats. Against such an enemy, a single decisive blow was necessary—otherwise, there could still be a reversal.
The massive stone spear pierced straight through Pheroth's body, shredding it completely.
Menogias was always efficient. Unlike those protagonists in novels who spouted endless nonsense before a fight and pulled off flashy moves, real combat left no time for idle chatter.
The remains of Pheroth's exploded body lay everywhere, a gruesome sight. Even Pheroth himself hadn't expected his revenge to end so abruptly at the hands of this Geo Yaksha.
Truth be told, Menogias's victory was so easy mainly because his Geo element naturally countered Pheroth and also because the system had temporarily boosted his attack power and recovery.
The outcome of this battle was never in doubt.
The villain died because he talked too much, because he was too arrogant. That was the pattern. If Pheroth had struck earlier, he might have claimed three more Yaksha lives.
But fate had other plans. The victor and vanquished were decided.
After finishing off Pheroth, Menogias rushed back toward Bonanus and Xiao. His fierce demeanor vanished, replaced by nothing but heartache.
"Alatus..." Menogias looked at Xiao holding Bonanus. He could feel Xiao's utter despair—not just physical pain, but his spirit was also being crushed.
The sight pained Menogias even more. This was what he had dreaded.
He didn't know why his little sister and Alatus were here, but there was no time to dwell on that now. He needed to find a way to treat them.
After a dazed moment, Xiao slowly turned his head to look at Jiangzai's lifeless body not far away. He swallowed hard. Sorry... they hadn't been able to save her.
May you find a good resting place...
"Menogias... we need to find Rex Lapis. He will know what to do." Xiao's voice was weak. The sudden release of tension made him even more sensitive.
His eyelids were heavy, his body trembling uncontrollably. He longed to lie down and sleep, but he had to hold on. His sister needed his help.
Menogias frowned slightly. First, he took the unconscious Bonanus into his arms, then helped support the barely standing Xiao, and quickly said,
"Rex Lapis isn't here right now. He has more important matters. I'll take you back first."
"No... we can't go back." Xiao shook his head vigorously. They had to go to the place they came from—that small hill...
Menogias was confused by Xiao's words. Go where? Alatus's injuries must be worse than he thought—he was starting to ramble.
Just as Menogias was about to respond, his mind suddenly went blank, and his eyelids grew unbearably heavy. With a thud, he fell face-first to the ground.
As he fell, Xiao, whom he had been supporting, and Bonanus, whom he had been carrying, also tumbled down with him.
The system's side effects were kicking in...
But Menogias wasn't the worst off. That was Bonanus. Already on the verge of death, kept alive only by the system, she now served as Menogias's cushion.
The impact nearly knocked the breath out of her. Even the system felt helpless. With a second brother like this... truly a blessing in life.
Without the system, who knows how many times she would have died.
"Menogias?" Xiao was bewildered. He had been fine just moments ago. Now he suddenly collapsed—and Sister Bonanus was pinned underneath!
This was terrible! Her injuries would surely be aggravated by his weight. How unreliable!
Xiao knelt on the ground, the only one still conscious in this dark, desolate place. He didn't know what to do, too weak to move.
The pain made him helpless. He was lost again.
Just as he was feeling utterly abandoned, the system—that little angel—spoke again in Bonanus's mind, its voice audible only to her.
[Enemy confirmed eliminated. Initiating host teleportation...]
The moment the system finished, the three Yakshas vanished from where they lay, as if they had never been there. Nothing remained but bloody remains.
The area fell silent once more.
---
Jueyun Karst
Zhongli frowned slightly. He had been feeling uneasy—a strange sensation, as if something was about to happen at any moment.
He opened his eyes and looked anxiously at the spatial rift. It had been so long. Had something happened to those two?
His frown deepened. Please, come back safely...
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than the rift flickered. Moments later, three figures tumbled out.
The moment they appeared, Zhongli rushed over to assess the situation.
He was momentarily stunned. Menogias—one of the five great Yakshas—had indeed been brought back. The power was real.
But... all three were injured to varying degrees. Two were unconscious. What had happened in there?
"Rex Lapis!" Xiao knelt, barely able to support himself. His voice was weak.
"Please... find a way. Bonanus may not hold on much longer."
Zhongli didn't hesitate. With a wave of his hand, he transported all three to Yujing Terrace in an instant.
He was not skilled in healing arts. He would have to rely on someone else.
Granny Ping's Residence
Zhongli brought the three to the small courtyard. Yanfei was still out handling matters, so only Ping was there.
Granny Ping was surprised to see Zhongli, but seeing the two severely injured Yakshas, confusion and concern filled her heart.
And the one who was already dead... what had happened?
But first, tending to the wounded took priority. Everything else could wait.