Usually, Herrschers were the ones springing surprises. This time, it was clearly different.
Their own lair was infiltrated and utterly ravaged. If Herrschers didn't lack shame, they'd probably be blushing fiercely. But on second thought, it was quite normal.
No one said humans could only be passively beaten.
The tens of kilometers separating them could be ignored, but compared to Hua ordinary strength, that seemingly fierce armored figure was clearly of greater value. The Herrscher of Stars even held back some of her power.
Slaughtering such a strong person was good, but if he were left for the Herrscher of Domination to use as a Dominator, that would be even better. His strength surpassed even the top five Herrschers; he was definitely a high-ranking fusion warrior.
As for who he was, she didn't care. Once captured, his memories would be read, and the truth would be revealed.
"I knew you wanted to capture me alive."
Ryan stood with his halberd. He understood their intentions when that large meteor crashed earlier. This was normal; with the Herrscher of Domination present, a living captive was always better than a corpse.
You didn't expect this, did you? The Herrscher role is also part of my plan.
As a separated energy body, 2000 HW of energy couldn't be replenished; every step consumed some. Fortunately, this power armor had its own energy core, saving a lot of effort.
But this body was not meant for sustained combat; when its energy was depleted, it would naturally vanish.
Still not far enough. He needed to spend time replenishing the expended energy.
He pulled out his halberd and strode eastward, charging forward. Thanks to the Herrscher of Stars's 'help,' many of the dense Honkai Beasts had been eliminated; the remaining ones were all high-level types.
They were enormous and incredibly powerful, but Ryan had changed his tactics.
Only a fool would engage in a head-on confrontation with them.
Boom—
A giant whip smashed the ground. Ryan had already leaped to the side. Facing the incoming ice crystal spear, he plunged his halberd into the ground.
Rise!
His armor groaned under the strain. A hundred meters of ground rose like a giant shield, then was pierced by the ice crystals. He moved through the dust, coming face-to-face with a massive rhomboid object. Its midsection deformed, firing a thick beam of light.
The boulder in front was melted, the dust penetrated. Ryan jumped, seeing a bottomless pit blasted into the ground.
'Aiming for my legs, huh? This Honkai Beast has strong destructive power.'
Ryan thought of a certain Apostle from his novel. He stepped in the air, and Honkai energy formed outstretched wings, carrying him across.
The floating Honkai Beast didn't move. Another beam of light shot out, reflecting off the prism in front of it, turning into dozens of scattered lasers.
Ryan didn't hesitate, shrinking himself into a ball.
Swoosh—
Lasers swept past, cutting out scorch marks. His energy wings were severed, sending him tumbling. He then rolled forward like a spinning top.
'This level of execution is good, but sometimes it's bad. I knew you were aiming for the limbs.'
Having killed countless beings, Ryan understood these Honkai creatures too well. He wouldn't have gambled like this if they were human. The chain scythe roared, the blade-light spinning downwards like a top, hitting the top of the Honkai Beast with a 'bang.'
It was very hard, somewhat like hitting tempered glass. Fine cracks extended under the chain saw, and the massive, five-story-tall body plummeted to the ground.
Ryan stepped onto the fallen beast, turned, and slashed horizontally. Halfway through, his entire body froze.
As if a mountain had been pressed onto his shoulders, his right knee buckled to the ground. Ryan knew the Ninth Herrscher had arrived directly overhead.
Creak, creak...
His joints shook. The inside of his helmet flashed with red warning lights. He stiffly raised his head, finding the air distorted by gravity, yet he continued to analyze information through their shared vision.
'The gravity range can be adjusted, somewhat like an offensive and defensive domain. Even pure energy is affected?'
Every piece of information was crucial. At this moment, he saw a pair of snow-white bare feet appear in the distance, and another Authority mingled in.
'Immobilize, then send the Herrscher of Death to capture. So rational, no flaws to pick.'
As a Herrscher specializing in biological attacks, the Herrscher of Death didn't need overly powerful Honkai energy. She could put the human body into a deep sleep at the cellular level. By the time you woke up, the Herrscher of Domination would have already taken over your consciousness.
Their cooperation was tacit, and there was even a Herrscher suspected of being able to devour energy, forming a complementary relationship in terms of Authorities.
"You really learned some things, but I'm sorry, humans are much more insidious."
Full Overload Mode.
Crack.
The Honkai energy core operated at full speed, erupting its remaining energy. This instantly surpassed the critical point, causing the power armor to shed fragments under the strain.
Hm?
The Herrscher of Stars saw the enemy actually stand up, stepping forward like a slow-motion film, his speed increasing. But he didn't increase his output, because the opponent was already teetering, and any more suppression would shatter him like porcelain.
Hm?
The Herrscher of Death was also startled, realizing there was no effect.
'The Authority should have penetrated by now. Was it blocked by strong Honkai energy?'
She subconsciously increased her power. Rolling black smoke rose, causing even microorganisms in the air to wither.
'Something's wrong!'
A split second later, her pupils constricted. The opponent couldn't possibly resist this output. Why was he still moving forward as if nothing had happened, his steps getting faster and faster, unless—
'This isn't a biological entity at all!'
Thump-thump-thump.
Footsteps like war drums approached. With every step, shattered armor plating fell, but the pace didn't stop, and the body continued its march.
The Herrscher of Death was somewhat bewildered. Her knees bent, instinctively wanting to retreat, when she saw the long halberd flying towards her. She had no choice but to jump aside.
It was this brief delay that allowed Ryan to charge within a hundred meters. His arms spread as if to give her a big hug, and then he felt ten mountains press down on his shoulders.
Crack.
The Herrscher of Stars finally went for the kill. The heavily battered power armor finally began to shatter, and Ryan finally smiled.
'A little too late.'
The Honkai energy core overloaded, the energy body overloaded. He himself burst into a brilliant light, releasing the remaining energy just dozens of meters from the Herrscher of Death.
Explode.
Boom!!!
A brilliant blue pillar of light shot up from the ground, soaring into the sky. The bright cross it formed illuminated the night, and the shockwave slammed outwards, snapping the remaining giant trees in half.
The light pillar appeared quickly and vanished just as quickly. A large pit appeared on the ground, shaped like a triangle with a missing corner. Clearly, self-destruction was also an art; most of the explosion's energy was directed towards the Herrscher of Death.
But ultimately, a corner was missing. A thin figure with reddened skin stood, and in front of him was a blood-red shield. It was a somewhat seductive red, appearing overly deep. Another second passed, and it disintegrated like melting wax.
He turned his head and extended an index finger towards the Herrscher of Death standing behind him: "You owe me one."
The Herrscher of Death would not be shocked, nor would she be grateful. She just nodded coldly. Even if the other party hadn't blocked, she wouldn't have died. For the Herrscher of Death, there was no concept of a fatal injury.
However, she didn't object to her kin helping to provide energy for repairs. Such an instant burst of energy, the opponent could only partially counteract it and partially take it away.
After a brief moment of daze, her expressionless face soon showed a charming smile: "This isn't human at all. My Authority had no effect."
"Then what was it?" The Herrscher of Stars also landed. The hundred-meter crater was bottomless, showing the immense power.
"I don't know. After all, even its shadow was blasted away. Logically, human civilization shouldn't be able to create such a powerful life form. I always feel like something's wrong."
Of course, they couldn't create it. This had already reached Herrscher level. If they could create something like that, then who would be Honkai?
'So, is this what humans call a spirit of sacrifice? It looks like it, but something still feels off.'
"So, is there a possibility?" A Dominator still present suddenly took a step forward and said plainly, "All unknown methods, all strange current situations, can first be attributed to 'him'?"
Upon hearing this, the few Herrschers were stunned for a moment. It seemed to make some sense. The entire combat process quickly replayed in their minds.
A brave warrior charging out, making such a big commotion, his final destination was self-destruction. The other human fleeing in the opposite direction had little presence, yet immediately killed a Dominator.
Coincidence? Or inevitability? Wasn't that person the king of humanity? Why was he personally on the front lines?
The Herrscher of Stars raised his hand and clenched it in the sky. Several 'fiery meteors' rubbed against the atmosphere and disintegrated.
He took down the satellites flying overhead. Numerous questions ultimately converged into one statement: "Gather all combat power. Leave him at all costs. You two prepare."
The Herrscher of Death and the crimson figure exchanged glances. The latter raised his crimson right hand and, without hesitation, plunged it into his kin's chest!