Did it allow them to use the ambient energy to power the barrier? If so , then it would be extremely difficult to crack open .
He’d known his enemies would be dangerous—why else would he have felt this looming threat for weeks? Even then , the situation was far more troublesome than his projections . Being confronted by fifteen people normally wasn’t a big deal for him , but it was different in the Perennial Vastness . The leader alone gave off a pressure that told him he’d have to go all-out . Worse , all her followers had dense auras of elite warriors tempered by blood . They weren’t the kind of glasshouse elites he’d occasionally run into here .
That wasn’t the only issue . Zac was drawing a complete blank . He was certain he’d never seen her before , and her appearance didn’t match the description of any famous high-echelon guests who ran the more powerful coalitions . Who was she , and why was she targeting him? Was it really related to Ultom?
However , the drastic change in Kruta’s demeanor told Zac everything he needed to know .
That’s Valsa Planur , - Kruta said with undisguised fear . - Of all the guests , why her? We’re in trouble . I— -
Don’t worry , - Zac said , glancing at the light dome . - I’ll get you out of here . -
I’m sorry , her origins are too scary , - Kruta sighed . - Contending with her has ramifications beyond this realm . -
I understand , - Zac nodded . - I’ll— -
The roaring sound of a forest sprouting from the ground drowned out Zac’s words . He was gone the next moment , entering the closest tree of Ancestral Woods] before it was fully grown . As he stepped into one sprout , he simultaneously emerged right behind a clump of three guards . Their swords were already ripping toward Zac’s throat when he emerged , but a golden domain strained their movements .
A set of pillars emerged from where Zac once stood as though they’d appeared out of nowhere . Both appearance and position were made possible by starting the activation with Cosmic Energy , then instantly finishing the process with Void Energy at the exact moment suppression would have the greatest effect .
Four vines slightly delayed the incoming attacks , and two small delays were all Zac needed . A condensed scar four meters long ripped right through the warriors before they had a chance to react . From there , it didn’t continue toward the other guards or even Valsa herself . Instead , it shot toward the solitary rune of Conflict floating in the middle of the dome . A shockwave of Void and Dao-empowered leaves created utter chaos that prevented any interruption .
Zac was working against the clock . He could feel the storms of Cosmic Energy surging in the surrounding enemies , like ancient beasts awakening from their slumber . A flash forward and the activation of Void Zone] strangled the Dao and the energy of the mages , who found themselves at his mercy .
Two enemies fell in the blink of an eye , but a scream of deadly danger warned him time was up . Zac tried to move out of the way , when a glowing sword pierced right through the protective barrier of Empyrean Aegis] and tore a huge wound in his side . Eight attacks were right on the heels of Valsa’s strike , and Zac was forced to eat two as he desperately held Valsa back .
It felt like he was caught inside a beast’s maw , with the remaining enemies collapsing upon him . Valsa’s attacks were fast and ruthless , and he was alarmed that he couldn’t match her in either speed or strength . Zac had a hard time imagining her raw attributes were as high as his , but that War Regalia of hers likely provided both offense and defense . Just dealing with her pushed Zac and his technique to the limit , but there were also seven warriors tacking on the pressure .
Avoiding everything was impossible . He blocked what he could while Vivi worked overtime , but it wasn’t enough . He could only prioritize the strikes , making sure lethal attacks were demoted to grievous wounds and that crippling wounds didn’t hurt anything that would directly weaken his combat potential . Organs and innards could be regrown , but he couldn’t lose a leg or his axe arm . That would be the nail in the coffin .
Zac’s body screamed in agony , but a bloody smile spread regardless . This was the kind of situation where fate and paths were tested . It was at the edge of life and death where your convictions crystallized into something greater , where you could glimpse what waited beyond . Zac wanted to test out the properties of the armor , but he had a hard time staying alive , even with less than a second passing .
Waves of murderous intent flooded the surroundings as he stepped forward to fight fire with fire . But he was yanked back , dragged away from a surprised-looking Valsa . It was Vivi who had wound herself around a nearby tree , and Zac entered its trunk after shooting out a burst of Void-generated fractal leaves . Simultaneously , Rapturous Divide] reached the rune in the sky .
Zac appeared right next to a surprised Kruta , inwardly shocked at the wretched state of his body . He’d known these people would be strong , but he hadn’t expected to almost get himself killed by an opening exchange .
A loud rumble shook the whole domain as the spatial blade of Rapturous Divide] ripped into the large golden rune . With two of the mages executed and the remaining duo forced to create shields to block Nature’s Edge] , the rune flickered ominously . Large scars appeared on the dome , but Zac inwardly swore upon recognizing the damage was only temporary . It was just enough for Kruta to turn into a streak of light that shot right through one of the exits , fleeing west .
Hold out! I’ll bring reinforcements . ’
Zac made no sign he’d heard Kruta’s voice , but he still felt some warmth as he turned back toward the armored woman . There were no guarantees Kruta was telling the truth , but Zac believed him . Kruta would try to drag a puppet army to their side . Of course , he wouldn’t bet his life on Kruta succeeding . This was his mess , and he had to rely on himself to clean it up .
His opening gambit was a success . Zac had two goals with his ambush : thin out the number of supporting warriors and provide Kruta with a way out of the cage . He’d considered going for a Void-summoned Arcadia’s Judgement] right out the gate , but his instincts told him it would backfire .
That strategy had served him well before , but these people were too powerful . He’d already been given a taste of the leader’s power . She would have been able to mitigate much of the skill’s damage by herself , and the rest were strong enough to survive the aftershock . Ultimately , Arcadia’s Judgement] was too slow even when activated with Void Energy , and it was better to keep his finisher in the pocket for a time when it simply couldn’t be stopped . By using Rapturous Divide] , he dealt a significant blow without expending too much force .
Surprisingly , the enemies weren’t following up on the initial exchange . They stood like statues , except for one of the mages who sent healing waves to those cut by Nature’s Edge] . Taking a breather was fine with Zac . He was covered in wounds , and the one on his side was especially sinister . This Valsa had at least one Late Dao Branch that was currently wreaking havoc on his organs .
Luckily , his body was incredibly good at dealing with these matters , and the Kill Energy of five dead elites was already pouring into Surging Vitality] . Seeing how desperate the situation was , Zac also fixed some of the more problematic wounds with small amounts of Creation Energy . For a few seconds , no one said anything , until the armored woman spoke up .
I wonder how you accomplished that just now . You carry surprising secrets , - Valsa said , glancing in the direction Kruta fled . - You might have been able to escape if you joined your friend . -
Why would I escape? - Zac said as he cracked his neck . - You’ve been targeting me for a while now , and I finally have you in front of me . -
Oh? You knew? - the woman said , a small smile spreading on her lips . - How embarrassing . -