Streaks of light tore through the clouds, carrying unspent fury and urgency as they crashed into the streets of Apocalypse City.
The instant the eight Saints landed, the laws around them spilled out of control. Halos of gilded and earthy yellow light intertwined, forcing the surrounding cultivators to prostrate themselves, scarcely daring to breathe too loudly.
All eyes turned toward the city center. The battered, hole-ridden Merit Tower was shrouded in a chaotic current of gold, black, and gray.
Within the restrictions, a demonic figure several zhang tall stood in plain sight. As laws circulated around its body, the remaining Merit restrictions, like sheets of thin paper, were ripped open by an invisible force. Every spreading crack was accompanied by the low hum of heaven and earth's laws.
"The Sky Demon is still here! The restrictions haven't broken!"
The eyes of a sword-wielding Saint lit up, the wild delight in his voice nearly overflowing. Crimson-gold flames around him surged at once as he prepared to charge forward first.
"Too late." The white-robed Saint let out a long sigh, then said, "The Sky Demon has already succeeded. The ten of us joined forces, yet from beginning to end, we were played in the palm of his hand. What a disgrace."
He raised his eyes toward the Demonic Body within the restrictions. There was no anger in his gaze, only deep apprehension. "Remember this, everyone. This Sky Demon will be the Divine Court's most dangerous enemy in three thousand years."
"But... that..."
The sword-wielding Saint froze. Pointing at the imposing Demonic Body within the restrictions, he asked in bewilderment, "He's clearly still trapped inside. If we join forces now, we can surely kill him completely!"
The Merit Great Hammer in the barefoot Saint's palm trembled slightly, cracking the floor tiles beneath his