With a roar that almost exceeded the limits of human hearing, the shattered space mended itself again, and Twilight, who had launched the offensive, retreated once more.
Beside her, despite the support from Twilight, this land of abundance, the condition of everyone participating in the battle was still far from optimistic.
"This glowing bald head is ridiculously strong. Are all bald people this powerful…?"
Looking at the large entity in the distance, which, though somewhat battered, was still in better condition than them, March 7th couldn't help but complain. It was only because Twilight's return had significantly improved her mood that she could still joke around in such an extreme situation.
If this had happened some time ago, facing an enemy they couldn't handle even with a group of powerful individuals, she probably would have been depressed long ago.
But even so, March 7th's mood was still not good—the powerful Twilight had evolved and returned to protect her, yet they still couldn't defeat the opponent… Ever since meeting Twilight, March 7th had never suffered such a grievance!
Especially when she thought about how this guy was the one torturing and controlling Twilight, March 7th became even angrier. And what angered her most was the fact that she could only rage helplessly.
"Twilight, what on earth is It?"
"Actually, I'm not very clear either…"
Hearing Caelus's question, Twilight shook her head regretfully. "It is very careful about Its information, unwilling to let any related details leak out—including us, Its controlled puppets. But according to our understanding, It is probably an existence similar to some kind of civilizational consciousness, constantly trying to maintain the existing order. Because It has always shown vigilance and hostility towards all external supernatural forces that might affect the original order, such as yourselves."
"It's protecting the world…? So, that plan to threaten It with the Blue Earth is feasible?"
Welt keenly grasped the information and subconsciously looked around. The Astral Express crew, due to their close relationship with Twilight, were all standing by her side.
A little further behind them stood many others—perhaps the Astral Express crew and Twilight could first desperately hold off the enemy, allowing everyone else to quickly leave and re-execute the previous threat plan—
"It's no use. This plan is too late." Twilight sighed. "Have you noticed? Our battle has become so intense, yet it hasn't destroyed the Blue Earth… This plan might have worked much earlier, but now It has already set up a defensive barrier for the Blue Earth. All external forces not born on this planet will be suppressed, ensuring they don't affect the world and civilization itself."
They couldn't win on the main battlefield, and now even the previously conceived deterrence method had been declared bankrupt. After hearing this news, even Caelus could only sigh, "There's no worse news than this."
"Unfortunately, there is, Caelus."
Twilight forced a smile, but the bitterness was impossible to hide. "I'm running out of time."
"Running out of time…?" Caelus's expression froze for a moment, as if he didn't understand what Twilight was saying, but he also understood that it was just him unwilling to accept that fact—after all, their reunion had been so brief.
"We were originally puppets created by It. We should have disappeared after death… The fact that we can be re-summoned to this world is not because we exist here, but because we are supported by Its almost inexhaustible energy."
In the brief pause during their conversation, Li Bei's attack came again. Although Twilight unhesitatingly stepped forward to nullify the attack, this time even Caelus noticed that, though only by a fraction, Twilight's power had already decreased compared to before.
"Although Shoko allowed me to gain some ability to resist, unfortunately, I am not in my formerly living state. The power maintaining my existence is limited. At this rate, even if he doesn't escalate the battle, I will probably dissipate within a few minutes."
"Wait, don't you still have a plan?! It's not over yet, giving up now or something—"
"It's been too long. I can't really wait until they drag it out to the last moment. If you're still here after I dissipate, It will definitely not let you go." Twilight looked back at the Astral Express crew, their expressions complicated, wanting to say something but unable to speak, and gave an apologetic smile.
"Although I'll be very sorry for their sacrifices, there's no other way… Even if I'm resented, cursed, and fall into hell, your lives are the one thing I cannot risk."
"Get ready. Before my power dissipates, I will send you back along the space-time coordinates the Express used to arrive… This will be somewhat dangerous, but with your and the Express's power, as long as you take precautions, nothing major will happen. It is an entity of this world; It won't cross the world barrier to harm you again."
"After you return, continue to explore the galaxy along the Star Rail. Never come back to this world again."
Without looking at the Astral Express crew any further, Twilight just quietly gazed at Li Bei in front of her, her tone soft yet resolute. "Because by then, there will be no one here for you to find anymore."
The members of the Astral Express did not answer, not because they didn't want to, but because they couldn't. Twilight's power, which originally belonged to their side and was used to strengthen them, had at some point turned into a restraint, holding them firmly in place, unable to move, only able to watch helplessly as Twilight walked step by step towards the unbeatable opponent before them.
"Instead of running away, you're walking towards me?" A mocking smile appeared on Li Bei's lips, although his current glowing humanoid form made it impossible to see his expression clearly. "It seems you're prepared to seek death… Don't worry, after you die, those people behind you won't live either."
"But unfortunately, my current power is still absolutely sufficient to stop your actions." Twilight's eyes were calm but not cold. "You can't keep them."
"Tsk… That's why I'm reluctant to let you puppets meet each other. You just cause trouble."
Li Bei pouted, looking as if he had already lost interest in talking.
The next moment, an unprecedentedly powerful force converged on him and Twilight. Although Twilight had many teammates behind her, at this moment, regardless of whether they were controlled or not, they couldn't get close to the center of the battlefield.
This level of confrontation had completely surpassed their power levels. If they forcibly intervened, not only would they not help Twilight, but they would also distract her, causing even that last sliver of a chance of victory to be lost.
"Puppet that should have disappeared long ago—die."
Before Li Bei's understated declaration even finished, a massive mushroom cloud brazenly bloomed upon the earth.