"Bright!!—"

Several Watchers dashed out like arrows loosed from their bows, an anxious Female Watcher running at the forefront. She tripped along the way but showed no hesitation, rolling forward and reaching Bright's corpse first.

"Bright, Bright, wake up! For God's sake, don't be like this..." She collapsed, cradling Bright's head. Biting off her glove, she gently wiped the blood from Bright's face with her slender fingers, softly calling his name.

"Medic! Medic!"

"There's a wounded person here, hurry!"

The mournful howls of the Watchers echoed through the night as the moonlight gradually dimmed. Sleet began to fall, a mix of rain and snow.

Chen Liao turned off his communicator, stepped forward, and leaned close to You Jiu, saying, "Kadell died three hundred meters northeast in the woods. Half his head was blown off, and his sniper rifle exploded too. It seems like he was hit by a heavy sniper rifle."

"Hmm...?" You Jiu nodded, indicating he had heard. He remained silent, his gaze fixed steadfastly on the man sitting beside the Demon King.

Upon learning of Bright and Kadell's deaths, Sakura Kyoko's complexion turned grim. She pressed her hands together, closed her eyes, and whispered, "Rest in peace. The Demon King is dead."

The notion that Kadell and Bright had killed the Demon King but were dragged to Hell with him naturally surfaced in the minds of all Transcendents.

A flicker of sorrow passed through most people's minds. Two mighty comrades who had worked together for many days had just fallen. Bright, in particular, was well-liked, and his tragic death undoubtedly felt regrettable and painful.

However, aside from the Wizard Council and the Watchers, others felt a slight sense of relief. The fall of these two powerful Transcendents signified a weakening in the overall strength of two major powers. Moreover, their deaths meant that the Demon King's abilities had not fallen into their hands.

So... where were the Demon King's abilities?

All eyes gradually focused on the man sitting beside the Demon King. Transcendents had remarkable hearing, and they had clearly heard the man's earlier frenzied, dog-like bark.

But no one cared. Even the Demon King had to tuck his tail and flee their pursuit. What use was a suspected accomplice who had supposedly inherited the Demon King's powers?

"Are you the Demon King's accomplice? A zealous devotee who declared his love for the Demon King?" A Martial Soul Hall Warrior aimed his handgun at Ren Suo, slowly approaching him. "Hands on your head and squat down! Otherwise, we will consider you an enemy!"

Seeing other Transcendents surround him in a fan formation, seemingly intending to execute the Demon King's accomplice on the spot, Chen Liao immediately called over the Huanghe Cultivator. He intended to either snatch the kill or fish in troubled waters, but You Jiu stopped him, advising,

"Don't go."

Chen Liao said, "But if they get the Demon King's powers, we'll have no reason to try and take them..."

"Look at that bear," You Jiu said seriously.

Chen Liao was slightly taken aback and soon spotted Ursa in the crowd. The giant Russian man was crouched at the back, his hands, shaped like iron claws, sparked with electricity. His eyes were intently fixed on the Demon King's accomplice. He looked like a tightly drawn bowstring, yet he didn't rush forward, instead maintaining a safe distance.

"A beast's instincts are much stronger than ours. Even he doesn't dare to rush forward, so don't go throwing your life away," You Jiu said lightly. "Besides, if a fight breaks out later, none of you make a move. I'll handle it."

Chen Liao nodded, saying, "Since you are taking action, sir, there is naturally no need for us to intervene."

Chen Liao cursed inwardly. He had accidentally voiced his true thoughts, which sounded like he was flattering You Jiu. Now You Jiu would definitely respond arrogantly...

However, You Jiu shook his head and said, "No. What I mean is, if even I am of no use, then you certainly shouldn't go and throw your lives away."

"Huh?"

You Jiu, a Fourth-Stage Cultivator, had eliminated several large Sources of Disaster and dozens of medium ones. He was ranked at least in the top five among global Transcendents (considering only Earth's native forces). He was notoriously arrogant and confident; if not for his formidable strength, he would have been killed long ago... Was he actually worried he couldn't win?

"He's truly furious now..." You Jiu whispered.

Chen Liao's heart skipped a beat. He sensed You Jiu might know the accomplice. But before he could ask, he heard a gunshot.

In Flourishing Sakura, only Martial Soul Hall Warriors were permitted to carry firearms, but most Transcendents could use offensive Spells!

As if hearing the starting pistol for a race, all Transcendents acted at once. Those with guns fired, and those with Spells unleashed them!

No single faction could monopolize this sole survivor. Instead of capturing him and engaging in lengthy negotiations, it was better to eliminate him immediately. This would establish a fait accompli, possibly allowing them to gain the Demon King's abilities, soar to prominence in a single bound, and stir up the world!

Many people had attacked, but... what if one of them succeeded?

Compared to a social media lottery, this one had a higher chance of winning and far richer prizes. Everyone was eager to try their luck!

Because of this, everyone unleashed their most powerful long-range attacks right from the start!

And in that instant, a black, mist-like Gauze Clothing suddenly appeared on the accomplice.

The next second, the expressions of almost all those who had launched long-range attacks changed. Their bodies were simultaneously struck by a mysterious and unpredictable force, causing them to scream and fall to the ground.

The Martial Soul Hall Warriors who had pulled their triggers were no exception. The Armor on their chests was pierced, revealing circular bullet holes, as if they had just shot themselves. Meanwhile, Transcendents who used long-range offensive Spells experienced different effects. Those whose attacks were less destructive felt as if they had been punched and thrown back. Those whose attacks had a larger destructive range felt as if their entire bodies had been severely beaten!

One of the Black Armored Warriors trembled and lowered his head. He saw that his "Sukuna-Biko Type I" Armor had been pierced, and blood gushed from the bullet hole in his chest. Only then did his central nervous system register the pain. He staggered back two steps and knelt on the ground, coughing dryly twice. Tears streamed uncontrollably as he cried out, "It hurts... It hurts so much... Someone, help me..."

"It doesn't hurt."

Ren Suo watched the spent bullet casings clatter to the ground. He glanced at Qiao Muyi lying there and gently shook his head, saying, "I don't feel any pain at all."

He touched the black Gauze Clothing on his body and glanced at the Transcendents screaming for medics nearby. A bitter smile touched his lips. "Look at them. Their dancing is so ugly."

"If they scream in pain from such a tiny hole, how much pain were you enduring just now?"

"The gift you gave me... I will use it well to protect myself, and I will use it well to avenge you," Ren Suo spoke calmly, but his pale teeth had already bitten his lower lip, drawing blood in several places. "They will pay for their stupidity."

He tapped the right earcup of his headset, replaying the earlier message:

*Demon King: Can acquire negative emotions and remain unaffected by them. Negative emotions can be used as a universal energy source.*

*Derived Skill ①: Destructive Shadow. Consumes negative emotions to enhance all Spell effects (Attack/Move/Healing/Strengthening, etc.). The enhancement can reach the Spell's upper limit (theoretically, it can be as strong as possible). Simultaneously, all Spells can carry the 'Destructive Shadow' Trait, making all Spells stronger and more efficient at killing enemies.*

*Destructive Shadow: Shelter Gauze. Greatly reduces pain sensitivity, greatly enhances virus resistance, greatly enhances various Spell Resistances, greatly enhances Mental Resistance, and greatly weakens incoming attack power. It consists of three barriers. Each second, it automatically gathers Spiritual Energy to restore one barrier, continuing until the Spell is dismissed or all three barriers are shattered.*

*Attached Destructive Effect: Absolute Blade Armor. For any attack resisted by the Gauze Clothing, if the attack was initiated by a sapient being, the contact surface of the Gauze Clothing will automatically generate 'resentment projectiles' with identical destructive power, which will automatically attack the corresponding sapient being at the same speed. The generation of each resentment projectile will automatically consume negative emotions.*

Ren Suo gathered frost in his hands and gently placed them on Qiao Muyi. He drew upon the nearby Spiritual Energy and moisture, forming an Ice Coffin centered around her body.

Rain and snow fell on the flawless Ice Coffin, blurring Qiao Muyi's features. Ren Suo wiped at the surface with his hand, but it was futile.

"Why did this rain single us out?"

He looked up at the night sky, extending his right hand towards the heavens.

"Destructive Shadow: Wax and Wane."

As everyone watched with bewildered uncertainty, the dark clouds in the sky suddenly burst apart. The beautiful Moonlight seemed to rise from his hand, or perhaps, he was drawing it down from the moon itself.

The Moonlight shone on the perfectly square Ice Coffin, illuminating the Demon King's flawless, sleeping face.

Ren Suo knelt solemnly beside the Ice Coffin, draped in the black Gauze Clothing, like a husband mourning his beloved wife.

But no one underestimated him. The reflective attack he had just unleashed was enough to make the Transcendents treat him with the utmost caution. At the same time, it invigorated them—after all, the Demon King's power was now clearly his!

"Don't be afraid! He's only one person!" A Female Watcher, brandishing Bright's longsword, strode forward boldly, shouting fiercely, "Avenge Bright!"

Ren Suo looked at the approaching Transcendents—some moving cautiously, others with greed in their eyes, still others burning with rage. He chuckled thoughtfully and nodded, saying,

"Indeed. Revenge is humanity's most beautiful pursuit."

The next second, pillars of Fiery Flame shot towards the heavens! Solemn Moonlight pierced the dark clouds, illuminating the sky! An icy torrent froze the ground, and blade-like gales swept across the land!

For Ren Suo, however, the Fiery Flames evaporated his tears, the icy torrent washed his face and clothes, the wild wind styled his hair, and the Moonlight created the perfect stage for him.

He stood up elegantly, a faint smile on his face. He looked at the crowd, battered and terrified by the recent Spellstorm, shook his head slightly, and asked in a puzzled tone,

"She is lying down. Why do you still dare to stand?"

Ren Suo stood as if he alone surrounded them all. Someone in the crowd, unable to help themselves, murmured softly, but the words echoed in everyone's hearts:

"The Demon King has descended."

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