The purplish-black flames first rose from the red gem near the hilt and quickly spread to the entire blade, even showing signs of intensifying.
Looking at the black flames so close to him, Ming Yu could feel the highly corrosive Honkai Energy contained within, yet he felt no sense of danger in his heart.
Unlike when he fought in the Stigmata Space, the flames then, though equally cold and highly corrosive, were much more violent. The flames now, while not weak in power, gave Ming Yu a faint feeling that he could control them.
However, Ming Yu knew very well that this was just an illusion. If he really overestimated himself and tried to control them, he would definitely be slapped in the face.
What's more, he still had to manipulate Abyss Flower next. Dividing his attention between two Divine Keys, even in the state of Sword Heart, was still more than he could handle.
"Hiyokumaru," Ming Yu called out softly, at the same time carefully handing Jizo Mitama over, reminding her, "Be careful."
Hiyokumaru smiled radiantly, nodded, and took the black longsword.
Before this former Herrscher of Corruption, Jizo Mitama was very respectful. The violent black flames quickly became tame. Not only did they cease their expansion, but they also faintly contracted towards the blade, like a coiled beast awaiting its master's command.
Seeing that Hiyokumaru had truly brought the Divine Key's power under control, Ming Yu also breathed a sigh of relief. Although he knew the little fox would be more adept at controlling this power, he hadn't expected her to be so much better than him.
But he had no time to be amazed. He quickly picked up the other Divine Key that had been placed aside—Abyss Flower.
His fingers slid across the spear's shaft, feeling the cold metallic touch transmitted from his fingertips, as Ming Yu silently recalled the method for using the Zeroth Power.
Among all fourteen Herrschers recorded in the Previous Era, the Sixth Herrscher, the Herrscher of Death, was special. Although all Herrschers were unique and one-of-a-kind, the Herrscher of Death was still extremely special, for It wielded the authority over life and death.
Although in a philosophical sense, the line between life and death is not so clear. Life is the beginning of death, and death is the continuation of life.
But for the vast majority of people in the world, life and death are two completely different states.
However, for the Herrscher of Death, the distinction between life and death was not absolute. Although the Sixth Herrscher's title was the Herrscher of Death, It possessed the power to reverse life and death.
As for why It was called the Herrscher of Death instead of the Herrscher of Life, it was probably because the Herrscher of Death sounded more impressive.
After all, regardless of ability, the Herrscher of Life always sounds like a cleric. Although there are plenty of clerics with explosive combat power, a Herrscher's main job is still destruction and death, which is ultimately incompatible with life and revival.
And as the Divine Key made from the Herrscher of Death's Herrscher Core, Abyss Flower perfectly inherited its authority over life and death, possessing the dual powers of creation and decay.
After reconfirming that the usage method was correct, Ming Yu took a deep breath, cast aside his indescribable sense of shame, and shouted loudly, "
I am the black from the abyss, I am the white from the heavens,
Born before creation, existing after annihilation;
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
Divine Key, Abyss Flower, Zeroth Power—Holy Lance's Welwitschia!"
It had to be said, the act of chanting a spell was quite cool. Accompanied by the resounding chant, a powerful skill would be activated, bringing the battle to a close.
But if the one chanting was oneself, then it was just full of cringe.
When activating a Divine Key, the incantation was not the key. What was important was to focus one's attention on the Divine Key, to stimulate the resonance between one's own energy and the Herrscher Core, and to draw out the vast Honkai Energy contained within.
Perhaps Durandal could unleash an equally powerful ability without chanting, but as a newbie, Ming Yu clearly couldn't compare to that kind of expert, so the incantation was necessary for him.
And following Ming Yu's cringe-filled chant, the silver shaft of Abyss Flower gradually began to emit a faint white light. Though like a firefly in the wind, it was filled with the warmth of life.
But before Holy Lance's Welwitschia could fully activate, Ming Yu's face turned pale, and the Honkai Energy that had been continuously pouring into the Divine Key became scarce.
The most direct external manifestation was that the white light on the knight's lance visibly dimmed, as if it would be completely extinguished in the next second.
Seeing that Ming Yu could no longer maintain Abyss Flower's Zeroth Power, Hiyokumaru didn't hesitate. She immediately activated Jizo Mitama, and the purplish-black flames on the sword split into six streams, coiling around the silver lance like six pythons.
Feeling the invasion of external energy, the Key of Creation was not to be outdone. The black knight's lance within immediately began to counterattack. A thick black mist rose from the spear's hilt and rapidly moved towards the silver shaft, vowing to fight the Key of Corruption to the death.
Sensing the Key of Creation's resistance, Ming Yu couldn't help but frown. But fortunately, this was not beyond his expectations.
Gritting his teeth, Ming Yu once again began to chant the cringey spell, while also increasing his Honkai Energy output, continuing to trigger a stronger resonance from the Herrscher Core.
Facing the joint attack of Ming Yu and the Key of Corruption, the Key of Creation in the middle was clearly outmatched, and the black mist was gradually suppressed. Although it could indeed be treated as two weapons, the White Flower didn't concern itself with fighting, and the Black Abyss alone naturally couldn't form an effective resistance.
More importantly, Ming Yu's mind was simultaneously connected to the Key of Corruption, forming a perfect coordination with his own Honkai Energy.
Simultaneously guiding two Divine Keys, even with Hiyokumaru sharing the burden of controlling the Key of Corruption, Ming Yu, in his Sword Heart state, still felt an immense strain.
Ming Yu knew that under this full-load state, the duration of Sword Heart would be greatly shortened. So, he didn't have much time.
Without waiting any longer, Ming Yu immediately began the third incantation. And with the exceptionally loud chant, the Key of Creation finally gave up its resistance, and the white light gradually became bright and dazzling.
Indeed, with Ming Yu's strength alone, he couldn't possibly support the consumption of a Zeroth Power.
But with the addition of a Key of Corruption, it was just about enough. Moreover, the characteristics of the Key of Corruption could even make the Key of Creation cooperate with him in reverse, thereby increasing Abyss Flower's consumption ratio.
When the light on the silver lance had gathered to its peak, Ming Yu knew the time had come and immediately shouted, "Divine Key, Abyss Flower, Zeroth Power—Holy Lance's Welwitschia!"
In an instant, a brilliant white light erupted from Abyss Flower, filling the entire training ground.
And Ming Yu, being the closest, clearly felt the changes in his body. Under the illumination of the white light, he felt warm all over, with warm currents flowing through his limbs and bones, his entire body feeling more comfortable than ever before.
Although he didn't look in a mirror, the clarity of his mind already told him that his hair had returned to its black color.
This made him let out a big sigh of relief. Although white hair was very distinctive, it was also too conspicuous, and dealing with the curious gazes of others was quite tiring.
Feeling the remaining healing energy within Abyss Flower, Ming Yu endured his body's fatigue and guided it towards Hiyokumaru.
Although it would also be of great benefit to him and could greatly alleviate his fatigue, since the internal injuries had been cleared, the rest was not something that absolutely required Abyss Flower.
Compared to him, Hiyokumaru clearly needed it more.
When the girl was driving the Key of Corruption, he had already noticed that her snow-white wrists had long been infected with terrifying purplish-black patterns.
It was obvious that the danger of using Jizo Mitama was far more serious than Hiyokumaru had let on.
As the white light gradually faded, the girl lifted her tired eyes, a forced smile on her face, and was about to say something. But her body swayed unsteadily, and her figure quickly faded, turning into a speck of light and returning to the Key of Corruption.
Catching the falling Jizo Mitama, Ming Yu nodded solemnly, as if in acknowledgment of the disappearing girl.
But immediately after, Ming Yu was also enveloped by the fatigue welling up from deep within his body. His vision went black, and he too lost consciousness.