Zhou Xuan's gaze swept over Black Raven's armor.
"An Epoch Artifact is the sort of hidden trump card that could threaten his rule. He couldn't destroy it back then, and he won't let anyone touch it now. Especially not me, the vessel he intends to use to purify chaos."
Zhou Xuan's voice turned cold.
"If he really wanted this thing, his true body would have descended into the Wilds long ago to dig it out himself. Send you to guide me? Are you worthy?"
The underground cavern fell silent.
The divine pressure from moments earlier hung suspended in midair.
Black Raven did not move.
Zhou Xuan flicked his wrist, and Judgment's blade rang out crisply.
"The power in this body is a hopeless jumble. Your true body doesn't dare leave the Divine Court, so you can only sneak here through an avatar. What exactly are you doing here behind your master's back?"
Zhou Xuan stared at that mass of shadow.
"Say one wrong word, and I'll cut down this avatar of yours."
Click.
The broadsword at Black Raven's waist was pressed back into its sheath.
The interwoven divine light of order filling the air shattered. The radiance of the Divine Court faded, replaced by the savage death qi of the Wilds.
Black Raven reached up and removed his helmet.
The shadows dispersed, revealing a gaunt, pale face. Black curse markings covered its right half. His left eye socket was empty, while his right eye was bloodshot.
"You have a sharp eye." Black Raven's voice changed. It was no longer a cold, mechanical transmission of divine will, but a voice hoarse with exhaustion.
He casually tossed his helmet to the ground.
It landed with a dull thud.
"The Divine Court indeed has no room for this weapon. Nor would the Divine