Crushing and Rending

Silence!

A deathly silence descended upon the stretch of space that had, only moments ago, been a scene of intense combat.

Whether it was the Giant Python Immortal and the Monster Race World Lords locked in battle with Moon Princess's squad, or Moon Princess, Beast King, and the others, everyone ceased their movements, staring in horror at the void where the energy had yet to fully subside.

There, only the tall, straight figure of Lu Ming stood, blade in hand, alongside the mysterious vine slowly retracting into his palm.

One strike, and an Immortal was slain!

"Rock Wolf!!!"

The Giant Python Immortal, who had been tangling with Moon Princess, witnessed Rock Wolf being cut down by Lu Ming's blade with his own eyes, and his composure instantly shattered.

He and Rock Wolf had roamed the outskirts of the Lotus Star Domain for many years; though not bosom friends, they were partners with tacit understanding. Seeing him fall now, how could he not be shocked? How could he not be enraged?

This momentary lapse in focus was, for a master of soul-based illusion, a fatal flaw!

"Now!"

A cold light flashed in Moon Princess's beautiful eyes; she had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time!

"Heart Illusion Tribulation—Submerge!"

The snow-white fox tail behind her suddenly erupted with a hazy, seven-colored radiance. An intangible yet soul-piercing, eerie ripple spread out like water, instantly enveloping the shaken Giant Python Immortal!

The Giant Python Immortal felt the scene before him shift abruptly. The warring stars and his roaring companions all vanished, replaced by an abyss of endless, sinking illusions. Countless twisted soul-whispers echoed in his consciousness, tugging at his will, seeking to drag him into an eternal slumber!

"No! It's an illusion!"

The Giant Python Immortal was, after all, an Immortal god with a powerful soul essence. He realized he had been struck and frantically channeled his Immortal divine power, attempting to break free.

But this Heart Illusion Tribulation was one of Moon Princess's trump card secret techniques. Its power was immense, and its effect was particularly devastating when unleashed the moment an opponent's mind faltered!

Though she could not trap him for long, causing his consciousness to fall into a brief state of chaos and struggle was more than enough!

"Take him now!!"

Moon Princess let out a sharp cry, and her prepared attack struck with ferocity!

She formed seals with her hands, and the Immortal divine power around her condensed into a white fox-fire spike, honed to the extreme: Fox Thought Piercing!

The spike was silent yet fast as lightning, containing a dual lethality that tore through both soul and divine body. Taking advantage of the Giant Python Immortal's submerged consciousness, it slammed viciously into his frame!

Puchi!

The white fox-fire spike easily tore through the energy defense on the Giant Python Immortal's body, driving deep into his massive serpentine form!

"ROAR—!!!"

The intense pain instantly snapped the Giant Python Immortal out of the illusion. He let out a shrill, miserable howl, his massive body twisting frantically in the void. Where the fox-fire spike had struck, scales shattered and flesh turned to pulp. His Immortal divine power dissipated like a burst dam, and his divine body suffered a grievous wound in an instant!

Moon Princess's strike had annihilated at least fifteen percent of his divine body!

His strength was greatly diminished!

And just as Moon Princess severely wounded the Giant Python Immortal, Lu Ming moved as well.

After slaying Rock Wolf, he did not pause for a second. His cold gaze instantly locked onto the remaining Monster Race World Lords, who were in a panic following the death of their leader, and the heavily wounded Giant Python Immortal.

"Kill!"

A cold word escaped Lu Ming's lips. His figure flickered like a ghost, instantly charging into the group of Monster Race World Lords!

The Yan Kong Blade in his hand lit up with the radiance of death once more, like a tiger descending upon a flock of sheep!

"Stop him!"

One of the Monster Race World Lords roared, emboldening himself, but his voice was filled with terror.

Yet, their resistance appeared pale and powerless in the face of absolute strength.

Lu Ming's blade light was like the scythe of the Grim Reaper. Every time it flickered, it inevitably brought forth a spray of eerie blood and a scream that ended abruptly.

The gap between World Lords was demonstrated to the fullest at this moment.

Before Lu Ming, these Monster Race World Lords could not even withstand a single strike!

"Run! Run away!"

"He's a monster!!"

The remaining Monster Race World Lords completely collapsed. They no longer cared about military merits or revenge; they only wanted to get away from this human World Lord who fought like a demon god. They scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing in all directions through the stars.

"None of you are getting away!"

Beast King, Blood Blade, and Wind Spirit were now in high spirits. How could they pass up the chance to beat a drowning dog?

The three coordinated with tacit understanding, each using their own methods to intercept and hunt down the fleeing Monster Race World Lords.

The situation on the battlefield had reversed in an instant!

The battle soon drew to a close.

Under the crushing absolute force of Lu Ming and the coordinated pursuit of the rest of Moon Princess's squad, this Monster Race team, composed of two Immortals and over thirty World Lords, was soon completely annihilated.

Even the heavily wounded Giant Python Immortal, under the joint siege of Lu Ming and Moon Princess, eventually exhausted his divine body and perished in the void, filled with resentment.

Broken weapons, fragments of armor, and World Rings floated amidst the starry expanse.

The members of the Moon Princess squad began to sweep the battlefield with practiced efficiency, gathering up all the spoils of war.

They performed this process with extreme proficiency, clearly marking them as veterans of the Outer-Domain Battlefield.

While the others were immersed in the joy of their harvest, Lu Ming distracted himself by communicating with his artificial intelligence, Azure Kite.

"Azure Kite, have the military merits been tallied? Killing two Immortals should be enough to meet the basic requirements, right?"

Lu Ming communicated through his thoughts.

"Master, the total military merit is 318 million."

Azure Kite responded promptly.

"Only a little over three hundred million?"

Lu Ming frowned slightly.

"Even if those two Immortals were mediocre, they shouldn't be worth so little."

"According to the military system's assessment, the Rock Wolf Immortal is worth 200 million, the Giant Python Immortal is worth 100 million, and the remainder was obtained from killing Monster Race World Lords," Azure Kite explained.

"Master, you are now a free agent and may leave the squad at any time, unbound by the military system."

Lu Ming understood.

Indeed, remaining with the squad would only restrict his own movements.

"Flame Edge."

Inside the lounge, the captain, Moon Princess, broke the silence, her gaze complex as she looked at Lu Ming.

"I truly never expected our squad to recruit a powerhouse like you. That vine... it could instantly bind an Immortal burning their divine body, and you yourself were able to kill an Immortal head-on... We all misjudged you. I suspect your strongest asset isn't the Law of Fire, but that mysterious plant lifeform, right?"

Beast King stared at Lu Ming as if looking at a monster: "Flame Edge, you are too abnormal! You can send an Immortal flying with casual blade techniques; you haven't even used your true trump cards, have you? To be able to kill an Immortal Army Lord while still at the World Lord stage, this is simply..."

"Simply not human!"

Blood Blade chimed in with a muffled voice, his usually steady demeanor unable to hide his shock.

Wind Spirit whispered: "I fear only the core secret realm members of the five major powers, or the direct disciples of certain great existences, could achieve such a feat."

Moon Princess nodded: "Among the World Lords in the Virtual Universe Company's Primal Secret Realm or the Giant Axe Martial Arena's God-Beginning Secret Realm, there are those who have cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years and possess insights into the laws comparable to a Marquis-Level, but even then, it is extremely rare to see someone kill an Immortal Army Lord so cleanly and decisively."

The group spoke one after another; although shocked, they all tacitly refrained from prying into Lu Ming's specific background.

On the Outer-Domain Battlefield, respecting a teammate's privacy is a fundamental rule.