The Lord of the Void's form expanded, black Nihility Energy surging like a tide. "The excessive pursuit of perfection is itself a weakness. True strength should embrace flaws and accept imperfection."
"But you cannot do that. Because you are a 'perfect' creator. Perfection is your essence, and also your shackles."
Those words were like a dull blade, slowly cutting into Lin Ye's heart.
He knew the Lord of the Void was right. His power came from the concept of perfection, and the pursuit of absolute completeness was instinctive. But that instinct had now become his most fatal weakness.
Lin Ye gritted his teeth and continued severing the black threads.
When the twentieth soldier was saved, the black stains on the scepter had already 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 Nihility 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 yet resolute. "Leave us..."
"We've already... been corrupted..."
"If you save us... you'll doom everyone..."
After saying that, Warrior 7749 closed his eyes.
Order Power spun at high speed within his conceptual core before erupting violently. Golden light burst from his body and clashed fiercely with the black Nihility Energy, until both perished together.
A dazzling flash passed through the air,