That will was cold and vast, filled with ancient malice and absolute majesty, like a whisper from the Cosmic Abyss. It surged upstream along Ling's senjutsu chakra-not a simple blast of energy, but an assault on a higher plane, eroding and crushing the very essence of his soul!
Ling's head rang, as though he had been plunged into an endless, freezing abyss. Countless twisted, maddened thoughts howled around him, seeking to assimilate and devour him! This power was countless times more terrifying than Moryo's mental assault!
Hold fast to yourself! His true body isn't here. This is only a projection of his will from afar! Tobirama's fierce warning exploded like thunder in the depths of Ling's soul. At the same time, an even colder surge of soul power erupted, carrying absolute order and unyielding resolve, forming an impregnable shield before Ling's soul!
The two invisible wills collided violently at the edge of Ling's mind!
There was no sound, yet the clash was more terrifying than any explosion!
Ling grunted, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth. His body shook violently, and the hand pressed against the crystal's base was almost flung away. Yet his gaze remained just as sharp, and his output of senjutsu chakra only grew more violent!
"A mere remnant of a soul dares obstruct me?!" The Sacred Lord's will seemed shocked and furious. He clearly had not expected such a tenacious "intruder" to be lurking within Ling's soul.
Seizing that opening, Ling endured the agonizing pain in his soul and blasted every last ounce of his senjutsu chakra into the base!
"Shatter!"
Crack! Crack, crack-!
The massive purple-black crystal could no longer withstand the forces attacking it from within and without. Cracks spread across its surface like a spiderweb, engulfing it in an instant.