Thankfully , the effect wasn’t strong enough to overpower his skill . It had contained powerful creatures like the Qriz’Ul Goblin King , and Zac had elevated the skill to Late Proficiency since . It would take well over a minute before the pressure exhausted and destabilized Pillar of Desolation] , and he could afford the energy expenditure .
That wasn’t the extent of the mountain’s effect , though . The four chains aimed to bind and drag Zac’s enemies into Oblivion were stopped by an ancient aura of permanence . Out of better options , they slammed into the mountain itself like poisonous needles delivering a deadly payload of nothingness . The old chains of Profane Seal] could drain victims of their energy , and the chains of Pillar of Desolation] had inherited that feature . With the skill reaching Late Proficiency , it simultaneously destroyed the energy it couldn’t siphon off , using the halo of Oblivion .
Apart from profaning the mountain avatar with its aura of Oblivion , the statues started to pull . Zac felt an incredible resistance , but the huge mountain shuddered , dragged a few meters closer . Nothing could resist the pull of Death—it was akin to fighting fate . But the scene only lasted for a second .
The Mentalist sat next to the leader and formed a mudra with his hands . A pillar of deep brown energy rose from him and poured into the mountain peak . He had become a conduit and amplifier . The mountain was no longer just an avatar but a representation of the will of the whole island they stood on . Like a primordial consciousness was slowly stirring . The destroyed energy of the mountain was rapidly being replenished , undoing the work of Pillar of Desolation] .
Zac could tell dealing with the mountain was key to winning the battle . The leader appeared to be pouring all he had into it , and the others were supporting him in hastening its awakening . While it couldn’t compare to the supreme power of Pillar of Desolation] , its aura was still rising .
He needed to make his move , but a pang of danger forced him to phase to move out of the way . A storm of stone shards had appeared where he stood and ripped space apart . Zac didn’t even have time to readjust before he felt his mind slow down , this time not because of the Soulhaze Lily] .
It was as though a mountain weighed down on his soul , slowing his thoughts to a crawl . The sensation only lasted a fraction of a second before it was ripped apart by Indomitable] and his spinning Soul Cores , and Zac heard a groan from the Mentalist . Zac didn’t get the chance to capitalize on the backlash as his danger sense warned him of imminent peril .
The sword-wielder appeared right next to him , her aura fully obscured . Zac had no time to worry about how they could spot him through the obscuration of Pillar of Desolation] , and he frankly didn’t care . One of his enemies had dared leave the protective umbrella of the floating mountain , making this an excellent opportunity .
A small copy of the spirit mountain floated above her head , and Zac saw how energy streams entered her swords as she swung them in a cruel cross aimed at Zac’s head . This strike was not something that could be blocked with his chains , so Zac swung Black Death] to intercept . Meanwhile , the rattling chains of Love’s Bond] began their constrictive dance .
A tremendous shockwave erupted as weapons clashed . The warrior was forced back almost ten meters , while the now-exposed form of Zac only took one step back . The warrior looked at Zac with shock , unable to compute that she’d lost in a clash of pure Strength . Zac’s face was impassive as he advanced , but there was some surprise in his heart .
He’d only narrowly overpowered the enemy in a direct collision , even when using Conviction of Eoz] . Judging by the woman’s aura , it wasn’t because of her own accomplishments but rather the small mountain above her head . It could be considered a War Array that allowed her to borrow the strength of a mountain and the leader .
But the real surprise was something else . Zac failed to catch the swordmaster with his chains , even when using the Inexorable Stance . Alea’s chains had aimed to seal her movements , while Pillar of Desolation] sent out another chain . However , they’d all flown toward the huge mountain . It was similar to his old taunting ability , yet slightly different .
Zac’s senses told him that the sword mistress was the mountain and that attacking her and the mountain was the same thing . The culprit was most likely the miniature mountain hovering above her head , though knowing that didn’t provide an immediate solution . It was like reality had been subverted .
A thunderous crash followed in the wake of the opening exchange , and Zac blanched when his connection with Pillar of Desolation] shuddered . Dozens of earth spears had split off from the mountain and slammed into the underworld river just as Zac was attacked . The leader had made his move , aimed at the cage rather than Zac or the pillar .
Huge cracks spread through the river of the underworld , where one salvo had damaged the seal of his Supreme Pathbound skill by over 15% . The damage would soon be dispersed through the whole river , but it was proof he couldn’t underestimate the geniuses of the Perennial Vastness . Sensing the damage and the still-building energy in the mountain proved the fight wouldn’t last long .
A swirling halo of darkness appeared behind Zac as he grew three meters in a burst . The thick chain of Arbiter of the Abyss] barely had time to wound itself around Zac’s left arm before he reached out and clenched his hand . A tremendous pull kicked the whole area into a frenzy , and even the huge mountain still resisting his pillar was wrenched over a dozen meters closer .
It was like Zac had become a black hole , and the sword mistress was absolutely incapable of resisting the pull . She disappeared in a burst of instantaneous movement , but the Peak-mastery taunting skill wasn’t so easily avoided . In fact , the sword mistress was playing right into Zac’s hands .
She appeared just four meters away with a bewildered expression . A veteran warrior , she gained her bearings quickly and started channeling a skill as her swords pointed toward Zac’s heart . Before she could launch her attack , the surroundings dimmed . Confusion and fear replaced her bewilderment , and fear turned into horror .
Zac had already made his move , and the arbiter’s chain shot forth like a snake striking its victim .
Galvo! - the leader roared from beneath the mountain , and the mountain slightly dimmed as a huge earthen blade sprung up between Zac and the sword mistress .
The blade contained incredible force . Void Zone] was deactivated , but Zac suspected it would still have managed to force its way through . The blade severed one chain of Love’s Bond] and the conjured fetter of Arbiter of the Abyss] , forming an impregnable wall separating Zac and his target . If Zac hadn’t retracted his arm in time , he would probably have also lost it .
The quick reaction allowed the warrior to scramble out of the way , but it was too late . Void Zone] had interrupted the miniature mountain and its redirection ability . She’d then been tapped by the arbiter’s chain , which meant her fate was Zac’s to judge . Five whistling sounds cut through the roar of the deathly river .
No! - the Mentalist screamed .
The sword mistress managed to block four out of five executions of Blighted Cut] with her swords and defensive talismans , but the final one struck true . Zac emerged around the earthen divider just in time to see the woman’s corpse fall apart from left shoulder to right hip . Zac only spared her a glance before his abyssal eyes turned to the remaining cultivators .
The fear and confusion on the sword mistress’s face during her final moments were now mirrored on the others . They clearly didn’t understand what just happened , why their mountain War Array had failed . Furthermore , less than five seconds had passed since the fight started , yet one of their companions had already fallen .