The Lord of the Void's form expanded, black Nothingness aura surging like a tide. "Excessive pursuit of perfection is itself a weakness. True strength should accommodate flaws and accept imperfection."
"But you cannot do that. Because you are a 'perfect' creator. Perfection is your essence, and also your shackles."
These words were like a dull knife, slowly carving into Lin Ye's heart.
He knew the Lord of the Void was right. His power came from the concept of perfection, and pursuing absolute wholeness was his instinct. But that instinct had now become his most fatal weakness.
Lin Ye gritted his teeth and continued severing the black threads.
By the time the twentieth soldier had been saved, the black stains on the scepter had spread to 50%. Gold and black formed a stark contrast across it, making the entire scepter look as though it had been torn in half.
"Lin Ye, stop!" Theta's voice came through the Concept Network. "At this rate, the scepter will completely collapse!"
"I know," Lin Ye said calmly. "But I cannot abandon them."
He raised his hand, preparing to sever the twenty-first black thread.
Just then, one of the corrupted soldiers suddenly moved.
He was a young warrior, number 7749. His body had already become semi-transparent, black Nothingness Energy flowing through him. Yet at that moment, clarity returned to his eyes.
"Lord Lin Ye..." he shouted with the last of his strength, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Do not mind us..."
"We have already... been contaminated..."
"If you save us... you will harm everyone..."
After saying that, Warrior 7749 closed his eyes.
The Power of Order spun at high speed within his conceptual core, then erupted violently. Golden light burst from his body and clashed fiercely with the black Nothingness Energy, until the two annihilated each