The Komoin Snake Emperor, originally a hundred thousand meters long, suddenly shrank tens of thousands of times in size, becoming a giant serpent a dozen meters long.
On its body, the original scales burst forth with terrifying radiance.
The giant serpent's two eyes fixed on Melinda, the ruthlessness in them making her heart skip involuntarily.
"That's enough! I'm not done yet!"
From within the giant serpent came Leilin's voice: "As agreed, I've come to collect my reward!"
With Leilin's words, the enormous serpent suddenly split open its maw, and within it, a black hole slowly began to form.
"Talent Ability — Devour!"
"No…" Amid Melinda's anguished cry, Leilin's Komoin Snake Emperor form bit clean through one of the Flame Throne's arms, then without hesitation tore open space and fled.
Hummm! Dazzling light flashed across the serpent scales, tinged with streaks of blood.
Leilin had clearly activated some secret technique, vanishing almost instantly from Melinda's perception.
Crash! Golden blood sprayed from the severed stump, drops falling into the void and forming a massive pool of golden flames in the blink of an eye.
Only then did Melinda begin to scream hysterically.
As a sixth-rank Radiant Moon Wizard, the loss of limbs would normally not constitute a serious injury. But what Leilin had just used was his talent ability Devour — what he bit away was not just Melinda's flesh and blood, but also her bloodline! Her memories! Even a portion of her law comprehension and a fragment of her soul!
The pain of having her law comprehension stolen, even her soul torn apart, almost made Melida feel as though she had returned to the moment she had split her own soul.
Even the Flame Throne's willpower, which had previously been suppressed, surged forth once more, launching a vicious counterattack.
"Damn it! Damn you!!!"
Melinda roared, terrifying golden flames spreading outward in all directions.
Other losses she could endure, but the disappearance of her law comprehension and the damage to her bloodline could even cause her to drop in rank. And now the Flame Throne's willpower launching its counterattack left her with no time to pursue her enemy — she could only roar in frustration, pouring her energy once more into the struggle against the Flame Throne.
Scarlet-golden flames gradually filled the entire area, burning even every speck of dust to nothing. Only a golden cocoon at the very center still pulsed rhythmically, as though a phoenix awaited rebirth through fire.
"Chip!"
In a world entirely consumed by flames, the void parted like a curtain, revealing Leilin's figure. He merely glanced at his surroundings before issuing his command without hesitation.
「Ding! Commencing reception protocol. Astral Gate activating!」
Accompanied by the Chip's voice, a massive gate of blue flames slowly coalesced before Leilin.
Leilin stepped through without hesitation. After a single step, the world spun; when he surveyed his surroundings again, he had arrived at the Astral Laboratory in Duze City.
Outside, faint roars and screams carried over — the chaotic scene of Duze City. But outside the laboratory, the forces of Jupiter's Thunder and Joanna and the others still stood guard, maintaining an air of calm.
Amid such chaos, this pocket of order was especially jarring.
Occasionally, some commoners or others came requesting assistance, but were all turned away without mercy. Several corpses on the ground, still radiating powerful auras, served as effective deterrents to any would-be troublemakers nearby.
As for the previous biochemical beasts? Having witnessed the terror of Leilin and his group, they had long since fled as far away as possible. Whether they caused disasters elsewhere was no longer within the concern of Leilin and his companions.
"My Lord!"
Several Morning Star Wizards on guard duty saw the Astral Gate open with only Leilin emerging, and their expressions shifted.
"Mm." Leilin nodded indifferently, then his entire body dissolved into black flames and scattered, vanishing over the horizon in just a few flashes.
These Morning Star Wizards from the other factions stared in the direction Leilin had disappeared, exchanging bewildered glances.
They were at most Morning Star rank. Forcibly trying to stop Leilin was utterly impossible. And having witnessed his cold ruthlessness firsthand, they dared not do anything that might provoke him.
……
High above, blood still trickled from the corner of Leilin's mouth, but his face was alight with excitement.
"Those Morning Star Wizards were sensible enough — saved me the trouble of dealing with them!"
"Chip! Filter out useless memories! Emotions!"