Imperfect perfection and perfect imperfection

The Looting Emperor opened his eyes, countless golden lights swirling within them. His gaze settled on the Spirit King. "Where is the Myriad Evils Return-Flow Scripture? Tell me, and I may consider sparing your life!"

"Enough nonsense. Fight me first!" the True-Self Perfect One interrupted.

He appeared before the Looting Emperor in an instant and threw a punch. It was nothing more than an ordinary punch, except its force was immense—immense enough to tear the world apart and annihilate everything.

Facing the True-Self Perfect One's punch, the Looting Emperor answered with a punch of his own.

Their fists collided.

Countless cracks instantly spread across the golden shell covering the Looting Emperor's arm, while the True-Self Perfect One remained completely unscathed.

"Not bad. You blocked that punch. Looks like you're carrying at least thirty percent of the Plundering Empire's power." The True-Self Perfect One abruptly retreated before delivering his assessment.

The Looting Emperor frowned at his golden body. He truly had not expected to be unable to withstand the True-Self Perfect One's fist even in this form.

His golden body was arguably his strongest form. Every movement contained the power to end the world.

He could, quite literally, destroy this world with a breath now.

Yet the True-Self Perfect One had emerged unharmed from their exchange, while he himself had suffered. What did that mean?

Although he had already raised his estimates of their strength, it seemed he had still underestimated their true power far too much.

Run?

For an instant, the desire to retreat sprouted in the Looting Emperor's heart, only to be replaced by unwillingness.

The Myriad Evils Return-Flow Scripture, which he had yearned for day and night, was right before his eyes. Defeat the Spirit King, and it would fall into his hands—yet he lacked the strength to