The moment the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear flew out, Yang Kai could tell it was slightly faster than last time — clearly the result of improvements to the artifact-forging technique. A welcome change.
However, fast as the Divine Spear was, Hong Hu was faster. The instant the streak of light shot toward him, he had already braced himself, his body weaving and dodging through the confined space of the underground chamber, evading the incoming attack.
Missing the first strike didn't faze Yang Kai. Scenes like this had played out dozens of times over the past two hundred years. He and Hong Hu had clashed dozens of times, and each had long since grown familiar with the other's methods.
His Divine Sense surged, and the streak of light instantly seemed to come alive, nimbly chasing after Hong Hu like a shadow clinging to its master.
Out in the vast void, with Hong Hu on his guard, Yang Kai might not have been able to do much to him. The gap in their strength was simply too wide. But this was an underground chamber beneath the forward camp — spacious, sure, but still a confined space.
In less than half a cup of tea's time, Hong Hu, still frantically dodging the spear, made one misstep and was driven into a dead end with nowhere left to retreat. As the streak of light bore down on him at terrifying speed, a vicious glint flashed across Hong Hu's face. He threw out a punch.
Before his fist could even arrive, dense Power of Ink surged forth, instantly engulfing the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear.
A flash of pure white light bloomed, dispersing most of the Power of Ink. The streak of light did not slow, crashing straight into Hong Hu's body.
Even a Domain Lord-level physique could not withstand the impact unscathed — flesh split and skin tore as the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear pierced three inches deep. The next instant, Hong Hu's body went rigid, then convulsed violently as a heaven-shaking roar erupted from his throat, like a wounded beast.
The Purification Light sealed within the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear had detonated!
In general, while the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear possessed some destructive capability, its damage to a Domain Lord-level powerhouse was limited. The weapon had never been designed for raw destructive power — the Purification Light sealed within it was the true weapon against the Ink Clan.
Roaring, Hong Hu grabbed the spear lodged in his abdomen and yanked it out, a spray of Ink Blood following. Before he could catch his breath, Zhong Li, who had been waiting for precisely this moment, lunged forward.
In an instant, the two were locked in a furious melee, the surrounding restriction arrays flickering wildly.
Yang Kai and Master Trouble hastily retreated to the farthest edge of the chamber before steadying themselves.
The underground chamber's restrictions were layered deep, more than sufficient to withstand the clash between Zhong Li and Hong Hu for a time. Of course, they would eventually give way under sustained pressure — the aftershocks of a battle between an Eighth-Order and a Domain Lord were simply too great.
Zhong Li unleashed one killing technique after another, his killing intent so overwhelming that Hong Hu was forced to focus entirely on defending himself. Under normal circumstances, even outmatched by Zhong Li, a Domain Lord like Hong Hu would not have been defeated so quickly.
But this time, Zhong Li spent less than an incense stick's time reducing Hong Hu to a battered, gasping wreck, utterly stripped of any capacity to fight back.
Moments later, Zhong Li returned looking refreshed and invigorated, while Hong Hu's massive body lay crumpled on the ground like a heap of rotting meat, his aura feeble.
"Twenty percent!" Zhong Li said to Master Trouble, his face bright with excitement. "And that's with Yang Kai's strike — the Purification Light had already begun dispersing before the spear even hit him. If an Eighth-Order like me were the one wielding the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear, it should be able to unleash its full potential. We could reduce a Domain Lord's strength by more than twenty percent — close to thirty, I'd say."
Master Trouble let out a long, deep breath. "It's finally done!"
Although the results of this trial were clearly a success, nothing had been certain until Zhong Li confirmed it.
Two hundred years. Dozens of experiments. Countless days and nights of deliberation and refinement. The Evil-Breaking Divine Spear could finally be deployed on the battlefield.
Twenty percent was the benchmark. According to the Eighth-Order's calculations, if the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear could strip away twenty percent of a Domain Lord's strength, they would be able to slay one with relative ease.
If it fell short of twenty percent, the chances of a kill dropped dramatically. A Domain Lord sensing danger could flee, and once wary, the next time the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear was deployed, its effectiveness would diminish greatly.
A twenty percent reduction might not sound like much, but it was actually quite significant. Take the gap between Zhong Li and Hong Hu — without that twenty percent reduction, they would have needed the better part of a day to determine a winner. But now, Zhong Li had beaten Hong Hu senseless in the time it took an incense stick to burn. If he wished, he could have taken Hong Hu's life at any moment.
Side by side, the contrast made one thing clear: the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear had played the decisive role.
"You've worked hard, Master. Two hundred years of effort, and the clouds have finally parted to reveal the moon!" Zhong Li bowed deeply. "When the day comes that we exterminate the Ink Clan, your contribution shall be foremost!"
Master Trouble waved his hand dismissively. "Humans and the Ink Clan cannot coexist. This old man simply did what needed to be done — I don't care for credit. Just don't forget what you promised me."
Zhong Li's expression turned solemn. "I would never forget."
Yang Kai didn't know what agreement had been struck between Zhong Li and Master Trouble. It involved another's private affairs, and he had no intention of prying. What truly lifted his spirits was the success of the Evil-Breaking Divine Spear. With this weapon in hand, the human race's expedition could be envisioned as a real possibility — though a great deal of preparation would undoubtedly still be needed before that day arrived.