Escape? That word is rarely in Xiao Han's dictionary. Join forces with the bishop? That's like playing with fire.
His gaze fell on the third option, a resolute madness flashing in his eyes.
"Teacher, Your Excellency the Bishop," Xiao Han's voice, transmitted through spiritual power, clearly resonated in their minds, "If you want to live, listen to me. I have a plan to draw it back to the seal. After it's done, my grudges with the Divine Court can be postponed."
Lin Qingxia was taken aback, then nodded without hesitation. "I believe you."
The bishop of the Divine Court's eyes flickered. He glanced at the Chaos-Devouring Beast, which was licking its lips and still staring intently at Xiao Han, and weighed the pros and cons in his mind. He knew very well that if Xiao Han was devoured, the beast's next target would inevitably be himself, a great tonic radiating "divine energy."
"Fine! I'll trust you this once!" the bishop replied through gritted teeth, "If you dare to play any tricks..."
"No time for nonsense!"
Xiao Han let out a low shout, no longer hesitating. He pointed his fingers like a sword and gently drew a line on the tip of his left finger, from which a unique drop of blood slowly seeped out. It was not bright red, but a crystal clear color, as if it contained a cyan-gold blood from the beginning of the universe!
The Chaos Green Lotus Origin Essence Blood!
The moment this drop of essence appeared, the energy of the entire world seemed to freeze for a moment.
"Roar!!"
The Chaos-Devouring Beast's two crimson, swirling eyes widened instantly, its greedy desire transforming into tangible madness. Abandoning all other targets, its massive body moved with an agility completely disproportionate to its size, like a toppled mountain, carrying an aura of crushing everything in its path, charging straight at Xiao Han.
The oppressive aura made even the bishops of the Divine Court feel a chill run down their spines.
"Now!"
Xiao Han flicked the drop of blood essence towards the deep pit in the ground, while he pushed the "Close at Hand, Far A Step to the Ends of the Earth" movement technique to its limit, transforming himself into a blurry shadow and desperately flying towards the entrance of the seal.
"Do it!" Lin Qingxia shouted.
"Divine Storm!"
The bishop knew this was no time to hold back. He brandished his scepter, unleashing a massive tornado of holy energy that slammed into the side of the Chaos-Devouring Beast. Lin Qingxia also attacked once more, sending countless black ice crystals slicing through the air like sharp blades.
However, these attacks, which were enough to severely injure an ordinary Martial Emperor, only caused a ripple when they landed on the Devouring Beast's chaotic scales, not even slowing its movements in the slightest. Its eyes were only on that drop of essence blood, only on Xiao Han!
One step, two steps...
Xiao Han felt like his lungs were about to explode, and the stench behind him almost blew his bones apart. He had succeeded; he had plunged into the deep underground pit and entered that twisted, dark Soul-Suppressing Space.
He turned around, ready to meet the enormous creature that was following closely behind.
However, the anticipated impact did not occur.
Just as the Chaos-Devouring Beast's enormous head was about to rush into the seal's entrance, it abruptly stopped. Its massive body braked sharply at the entrance, and the resulting gust of wind rippled through the spatial barrier.
It remained there, its crimson giant eyes fixed on Xiao Han within the Soul-Suppressing Space. The madness and greed in its eyes were rapidly fading, replaced by an extremely complex emotion.
There was struggle, confusion, and even... a deep sense of fear?
What's going on?
Before Xiao Han, Lin Qingxia, and the still-shaken bishop could react, an even more astonishing scene unfolded.
The Chaos-Devouring Beast abandoned its pursuit of the "supreme delicacy" that was within reach. It suddenly turned its massive body around, and with a casual swipe of its giant claw covered in chaotic scales, it slammed it down on the dumbfounded Divine Court bishop!
At the same time, an ancient, hoarse thought, seemingly spanning countless ages, resounded simultaneously in the minds of Xiao Han, Lin Qingxia, and the bishop:
"You lackeys of the Divine Court... don't even think about getting your hands on the 'key'!"
Changes can happen in the blink of an eye.
The Chaos-Devouring Beast, which had regarded Xiao Han as an unparalleled delicacy just a moment ago, suddenly turned its massive body around without warning. Its giant claw, covered in chaotic scales, carrying a terrifying power capable of shattering mountains, slashed fiercely at the Divine Court Bishop, who had just regained his footing and was still in shock, with an agility and speed disproportionate to its size.
"Smack!"
A sharp, almost comical, loud bang echoed through the deathly silent training ground.
The bishop of the Divine Court was like a fly swatted by a giant hand; the holy radiance on his body shattered instantly, and his protective divine magic was as flimsy as paper. He was sent flying by an irresistible force, tracing a tragic parabola in mid-air, splattering golden divine blood along the way, before crashing heavily into a surviving building in the distance and being buried in the ruins.
This sudden turn of events left both Xiao Han and Lin Qingxia stunned.
"Boom!"
The bishop rose from the ruins, his robes torn, blood dripping from his mouth, a disheveled sight. His face was devoid of composure, only a mad rage and rage. "You beast! How dare you defy the will of 'the Lord'!"
Within the crimson vortex of the Chaos-Devouring Beast's eyes, the savage red light intensified. Ignoring the bishop's roar, an ancient and icy intent swept across the entire area once more.
"Guarding the 'Key' and awaiting the 'Lord of Return to the Ruins' is my destiny! You Pseudo-God followers are all sacrifices!"
Before it could finish speaking, it opened its massive maw, and a dense, chaotic breath, like a bursting dam, instantly rushed towards the bishop of the Divine Court.
Key?
Lord of Return to the Ruins?
Xiao Han's mind raced, and a bold guess instantly formed. The so-called "key" probably referred to none other than himself! Or rather, it was his unique Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul!
This ancient ferocious beast is not simply a sealed prisoner; it is a guardian!
"There's a fragment of a story in the academy's oldest secrets," Lin Qingxia's voice rang in Xiao Han's ears, tinged with a hint of realization, "The first principal's sealing of this beast seems to have had other hidden reasons, not just for protecting the Imperial Capital. So... it was waiting for you."
"Boom!"
Under the relentless onslaught of the Chaos Breath, the Divine Court Bishop was forced into retreat, his divine radiance being constantly devoured and Obliteration, leaving him in a state of utter disarray. He knew that he alone had no chance of defeating this completely berserk guardian beast.
In despair, he crushed a golden badge hidden at the top of the scepter.
Buzz!
A dazzling, holy light instantly enveloped him, temporarily blocking the erosion of the chaotic breath. He stood within the light, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace, his venomous gaze piercing through the battlefield and locking onto Xiao Han at the entrance to the Soul-Suppressing Space.
"Xiao Han! You think you've won? Foolish!" The bishop's voice was shrill and crazed. "The true purpose of the Divine Court has never been you, a mere nobody, nor some remnant of the Eternal Night! It's this! It's what it guards—the fragments of the [World Heart]!"
[The World Heart]!