The spirit blade shattered inch by inch, the tiny fragments scattering with the turbulent airflow, some even leaving bloody marks on Ming Yu's face.
With wide eyes, Ming Yu stared blankly at this scene, his heart feeling as if it had been struck heavily by a great hammer, and his brain seemed to have stopped functioning, refusing to comprehend what was happening before him.
Although in terms of practical use, Sakura Fubuki was far from comparable to the Divine Key, Jizo Mitama, being only on the level of a typical Pantheon weapon.
But to Ming Yu, this spirit blade was far more than just a weapon. It also carried Yae Sakura's blessings for him, a gift of incomparable value.
Moreover, Sakura Fubuki's conduction and amplification of Sword Qi-type skills were first-class, fully deserving of its five-star rating, and for Ming Yu, it was an extremely useful weapon.
Therefore, although Jizo Mitama occupied a more important position in his overall strength, in terms of affection, Ming Yu was more inclined towards this spirit blade, as warm and gentle as jade.
Since Sakura Fubuki existed as a weapon, there was always the risk of it breaking in battle. But Ming Yu had never imagined that this day would come in such a manner.
Staring blankly at the fragments of the spirit blade scattering in the air, Ming Yu was unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
While Ming Yu was lost in a daze over the shattering of Sakura Fubuki, Dark Xuanyuan on the other side did not let this opportunity go, the Black Xuanyuan Sword in her hand continuing its unabated trajectory towards his body.
"Get out of the way!"
The Principal, in the rear, cried out in alarm. She hurriedly manipulated Judah's chains to wrap around Ming Yu's body, pulling him back.
Shk~
The ancient black sword slashed past, bringing with it a spray of vibrant red, the viscous liquid splashing through the air.
The fiery pain that erupted from his chest pulled Ming Yu back to reality, making him understand that this was no time to be in a daze.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Ming Yu temporarily set aside the matter of Sakura Fubuki. After so much tempering, he knew when he should control his emotions. Although the shattering of Sakura Fubuki was indeed beyond his expectations, there were more important matters at hand!
Glancing at the long, narrow sword wound on Ming Yu's chest that nearly crossed his entire torso, from which blood was continuously flowing, a few threads of worry appeared in Theresa's eyes. The thought of his dazed behavior just now made anger surge in her heart. She was about to scold him, but when she saw the spirit blade in his hand, with less than ten centimeters of its body remaining, the words on the tip of her tongue turned into: "Be careful."
Having experienced the Stigmata Space with Ming Yu, Theresa naturally understood the significance of that blade to him and could understand his current mood, knowing that he must be feeling terrible. Under these circumstances, she couldn't bear to criticize him any further.
However, it was fortunate that the Principal had reacted in time. Otherwise, Ming Yu's injuries would not have been merely skin-deep; being cut in two would not have been out of the question. At that point, Theresa wouldn't have needed to say anything more, she could just start preparing for the funeral.
Even the Soul-Etching Armor, forged from various special alloys, appeared incredibly fragile before the Black Xuanyuan Sword, as if it were made of paper, unable to provide sufficient defense.
After all, the importance of so-called armor was not its defensive bonus, but its combat support. Even for Bronya, who was renowned for her defense, it mostly came from Project Bunny's shield, not the Drive Armor: Yamabuki.
Fortunately, the armor was designed with the possibility of combat damage in mind from the very beginning. So even though the chest plate was severely damaged, the other modules could still function. While not as good as when it was intact, it was at least much better than being unarmored.
After reminding Ming Yu, the Principal once again flicked Judah, and several golden chains shot out from the cross, winding towards Dark Xuanyuan.
Jizo Mitama was still embedded in Dark Xuanyuan's shoulder, its jet-black blade flickering with flames that seemed to devour light. But the black patterns on the girl's body were already showing clear signs of receding, and the influence of the Key of Corruption on her was rapidly fading.
But Ming Yu's attack had ultimately been effective, and Dark Xuanyuan's counterattack had consumed a large amount of Honkai Energy. Facing Judah's chains, she was powerless to resist and was soon bound tightly.
The golden chains clattered, starting from the girl's limbs and coiling around her, spreading circle by circle over her body. The suppressive effect of the Key of Binding also began to take hold.
Excluding the mysterious 13th Herrscher and the despair-inducing Herrscher of Finality, the Herrscher of Binding and the Herrscher of Corruption could be considered the most troublesome Herrschers. The restraint of Honkai Energy and the all-pervasive corrosion had both carved indelible scars upon human civilization.
And at this moment, the Divine Keys made from the cores of these two Herrschers exerted their power in unison, also producing an extraordinary effect, making it difficult for even Dark Xuanyuan, who was fused with the core of a Judgment-class Honkai Beast, to bear. Her previously terrifying Honkai Energy fluctuations began to drop rapidly.
Letting out a beast-like roar from her throat, her gray eyes opened wide. Dark Xuanyuan dispelled the ancient black sword in her hand, freeing her hand to slowly but firmly reach for Jizo Mitama on her shoulder.
Noticing Dark Xuanyuan's action, Theresa frowned slightly and tightened her grip on the chains, the golden links trembling ceaselessly, the clattering sound incessant.
Dark Xuanyuan's movement paused slightly, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes. The Honkai Energy within the Chiyou's Core in her body erupted completely. The red crystals on the rock wall, filled with Honkai Energy, began to flicker, and even the body of the Judgment-class Honkai Beast began to sway.
The next moment, blinding golden lightning surged wildly over the black-dressed girl's body, faintly suppressing both the Key of Binding and the Key of Corruption.
Watching the dazzling lightning on Dark Xuanyuan's body, a hint of surprise appeared on Theresa's small face. Even under the suppression of two Divine Keys, Dark Xuanyuan could still unleash Honkai Energy of this intensity.
It had to be said that although this nearly self-destructive method of eruption had significant side effects, it was indeed the most effective method at present. Amidst the golden lightning, the brilliance of Judah's chains dimmed considerably, and the black flames of Jizo Mitama were almost completely extinguished.
Although Dark Xuanyuan's state certainly couldn't last long, Ming Yu and Theresa couldn't maintain the state of their Divine Keys forever either. If they let Dark Xuanyuan escape this time, it would be even more difficult to capture her again.
The same trick would not work on someone like Dark Xuanyuan.
While maintaining Jizo Mitama, Ming Yu glanced at the Principal who was struggling to hold onto Judah, and his gaze finally fell on the Xuanyuan Sword at his waist.
In this stalemate, as long as enough weight was added to the scales, the situation could be quickly turned around. And the Xuanyuan Sword was undoubtedly such a weight.
But, this sword...
Thinking of what had happened to Himeko, Ming Yu couldn't help but hesitate.
Although the Xuanyuan Sword was indeed very useful, who could be sure on which side this weight would be placed?
"Ming Yu! Think of something! Use that Xuanyuan Sword!"
Seeing that Dark Xuanyuan's hand was about to grasp Jizo Mitama, Theresa quickly shouted.
Although she had heard Bronya mention what had happened to Himeko, she had also heard Ji Lin's promise with her own ears and did not think there would be any problem with this sword. And right now was undoubtedly the best opportunity for Ji Lin to fulfill her promise.
She didn't even need Ji Lin to unleash power comparable to the Zeroth Power; it would be enough if it was on the level of when Ming Yu first used Jizo Mitama.
Hearing the Principal's words, Ming Yu also remembered Ji Lin's promise. But for a person who could hardly protect herself, could the promise she made really be fulfilled?
Still holding doubts in his heart, Ming Yu's gaze swept inconspicuously over Fu Hua, who was still breathing, and he immediately felt a lot more at ease.
With a soft sigh, Ming Yu's right hand slowly gripped the hilt of the Xuanyuan Sword. Although he disliked this feeling of having to rely on external power, at this moment, the Xuanyuan Sword was his only remaining choice.
'If you can truly hear my prayer, then please help Shenzhou one more time! Ji Lin!'
While saying this silently in his heart, Ming Yu slowly drew out the Xuanyuan Sword, and its golden body, as if cast from gold, immediately burst forth with a dazzling golden brilliance.
Surveying the brilliantly shining Xuanyuan Sword, Ming Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. It seemed that even though her body had dissipated and part of her will had merged with Chiyou, Ji Lin still retained a certain degree of power over this Key of Domination.
This time, it's a sure...
Before the word "win" could form, Ming Yu felt a great flash of golden light before his eyes, and his entire being instantly lost consciousness.
It seemed to be just an instant, and Ming Yu regained consciousness, but what met his eyes was no longer the scene inside Chiyou.
Looking at the scene before him, Ming Yu's expression instantly turned ice-cold. Reflected in those jet-black eyes were a blood-red sky and a burning earth.
And not far ahead, a giant red Honkai Beast stood proudly, its crimson carapace seeming to flow with magma, and a scorching heat wave rushed towards him.
"A-g-ni-"
Gritting his teeth and forcing out the name of the Honkai Beast before him, flames seemed to surge in Ming Yu's eyes, the fierce flames of hatred.
PS: There are a lot of exams recently, a two-week midterm period is expected, and then the final exams are in less than a month. Hmm... so, everyone understands, right?