Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 276 - 277: A Changed Situation [2/3]

"Ah! Ah! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Driven by anger, Xue Tianao resolutely unleashed the power within him. Accompanied by his thunderous roar, the entire palace, and the surrounding mountains were instantly enveloped by a terrifying and formidable aura.

Xue Tianao’s holy energy burst forth at this moment. The holy aura naturally attracted countless abyssal demons in the vicinity.

In the sky above, thousands upon thousands of abyssal demons began to rush toward the ’Divine Martial Hall,’ greatly increasing the pressure on the palace guards.

However, strictly speaking, even if these guards let the abyssal demons pass, it would not matter because the terrifying aura surrounding the ’Divine Martial Hall’ was not something ordinary abyssal demons could break through.

System: [warning: Second Shackle has been released!]

after the systems warning Xue Tianao roared angrily once again.

Just like Mengxi, Xue Tianao, as the chosen one, also possessed a rich holy, and divine power within him. This divine power was his greatest reliance.

However, unlike the Girl of Destiny, the power within Xue Tianao’s body did not release on its own, even when his life was threatened.

It was precisely because of this that Xue Tianao in the previous two lives was easily killed by Xiao. In the first decade of his life, Xue Tianao had been researching how to utilize this immense power within him and how to break free from its restraints. With the help of various system items and his relentless efforts, Xue Tianao finally learned the method to unleash this power.

However, this power was too strong, and attempting to use it would result in a powerful backlash. If fully unleashed, the backlash would likely take him down as well. Therefore, Xue Tianao had to proceed step by step, learning how to control the "degree" of liberation.

In the end, he divided the release of his divine power into three stages. With each release of a shackle, Xue Tianao’s power would undergo a qualitative leap, but the pain he experienced would also multiply. Currently, the peak seventh-stage Xue Tianao could easily unlock the first shackle, allowing his strength to approach the early eighth stage without suffering much backlash.

However, once the second shackle was released, Xue Tianao would have to endure immense pain.

But now, facing such a formidable enemy like the Duke of Black Roses, facing this enemy who had killed him twice, in order to shatter that disdainful and contemptuous face, Xue Tianao hesitated no more and released the second shackle.

In an instant, a surge of golden light appeared...

Amidst the haze and uncertainty, the shackles restraining Xue Tianao shattered once again. A surge of overwhelmingly oppressive divine power erupted from him, akin to a bursting flood, releasing a dense aura.

This unleashed divine power propelled Xue Tianao back into a position of advantage. Influenced by the second wave of divine power, Xue Tianao’s faint golden light clashed with Xiao’s grayish aura on equal footing.

His magical power intensified, reaching the mid-stage of the eighth tier from the earlier stage. Coupled with his solid foundation of formidable divine power, ordinary high-stage eighth-tier experts would struggle to contend with the might of the present Xue Tianao. This surge in momentum instilled confidence in Xue Tianao’s heart.

In the past, he had defeated the Demon King Inferno. Even a monstrous creature like Inferno had fallen before him, so dealing with an eighth-rank human posed no problem whatsoever! It is worth noting that in most cases, abyssal demons are far stronger than humans of the same tiers.

While unleashing his power, Xue Tianao remained vigilant of Xiao’s expression. On one hand, he aimed to thwart any potential sneak attacks, while on the other hand, he observed for any changes in Xiao’s demeanor.

Since the moment Xiao laid eyes on him, a disdainful smile had remained on his face, greatly displeasing Xue Tianao. He was no longer the same as before. Having a Saint cultivation stage at this young age and even vanquished the demon king Inferno, all the formidable individuals across the continent were obliged to show him respect.

No one dared to cast such disdainful eyes upon him, the chosen one. Through the eruption of his power, Xue Tianao sought to make his adversary truly comprehend his strength. He longed to witness a bewildered expression or, better yet, a panicked one!

Unfortunately, Xue Tianao’s hopes were shattered as Xiao’s expression remained almost unchanged. This sight further kindled Xue Tianao’s anger.

"So arrogant... I have long surpassed my former self! Don’t think I am still that insignificant brat you could manipulate!"

’How dare you look down on me in such a manner!’

’You shall pay the price!’

As countless tales depict, the villains who dare to oppose the protagonist will ultimately face the consequences of their arrogance!

"Divine Power Stance - Twin Wheel Strike!"

With this determination in mind, Xue Tianao brandished the two divine weapons in his hands, the ’Heaven Sword’ and the ’Helsiris’s Axe,’ unleashing a dazzling light and an overwhelming force.

He charged forth toward the black-haired man before him, akin to a landslide and a tsunami...

However, Xue Tianao’s envisioned scene of suppressing Xiao did not become a reality.

In the blink of an eye,

Xiao’s eyes flickered with a dark light as he wielded his demonic spear, conjuring a dense gray-white mist and swiftly thrusting it toward Xue Tianao.

*Crack!*

The demonic spear pierced through Xue Tianao’s golden defense,

In an instant,

A violent and tumultuous force erupted from the spear’s tip, unleashing an eerie and sinister power that rapidly enveloped Xue Tianao’s golden defense,

’?!?!’

’This,’

’How…?! How is this even possible?!’

In the ensuing moment,

Under Xue Tianao’s disbelieving gaze, his formidable and dominating golden defense shattered effortlessly against the spear, accompanied by a sharp cracking sound and the surge of thick gray magic. His defense dispersed into countless golden specks in the sky,

Xiao’s swing of the spear also struck and sent flying Xue Tianao’s battle axe and longsword,

"This, this can’t be?!"

Witnessing his attacks being effortlessly dismantled, Xue Tianao’s expression rapidly changed. The confidence, self-assurance, and anger that once adorned his face dissipated, replaced solely by deep shock and confusion. He couldn’t comprehend how his attacks, bolstered by copious amounts of magic and divine power, even utilizing the might of dual divine artifacts, could be rendered so futile…

However,

Xue Tianao no longer had the luxury to dwell on the ’why’,

Because,

To his astonishment, Xue Tianao discovered that after neutralizing his attack, the Black Rose Duke had materialized before him in an instant! Locking eyes with those abyss-like black orbs, cold and devoid of emotion, Xue Tianao trembled uncontrollably, a chilling sensation permeating his being,

’?!?!’

’No, this is disastrous!’

Although he acknowledged the peril, Xue Tianao’s body seemed unable to keep pace with his mind’s reactions,

Just as Xue Tianao was about to execute a defensive maneuver,

With an overwhelming display of power, a horrifying black energy cannon erupted mercilessly from Xiao’s fingertips, crashing into Xue Tianao’s chest.

Instantly, the world shattered, space twisted, and the walls, ceiling, and countless bodies within the "Divine Martial Hall" were reduced to dust by the shockwave.

Xue Tianao, directly struck in the abdomen by the magic beam, and he couldn’t suppress a scream of agony. The pain seemed to rip through every cell in his body, distorting his once handsome face into a grotesque and clownish visage. If his female fans witnessed the current state of their idol, their faith would crumble on the spot.

*Boom! Boom!*

Amidst the terrifying release of power that shook the very foundations of the earth, accompanied by a burst of black light, Xue Tianao, drenched in blood, was sent hurtling through the air, crashing onto a distant gate forged from enigmatic steel.

"Hmm..."

Gazing at the disfigured figure of the golden-haired man not far away and reflecting on Xue Tianao’s earlier words, Xiao lifted his hand and pressed it against his chin, his usually unchanged expression turning serious.

"Um, you have changed?" he asked.

Upon hearing this, Xiao couldn’t help but scoff.

"Is that all?"

"Why do I feel no difference? You’re still... as weak as ever."