Liu Mei's Sacrifice

--- Chapter 421 ---

Rumble! Rumble!

Huo Yuhao can hear numerous thunderclaps when he and Raikou enter the secret realm Liu Mei built to trap the Phantom Lord. 

The secret realm is actually not too big. Huo Yuhao can see many valleys with thunderclouds hovering above them and a sea of lightning in the center of this dimension.

Raikou stared at the sea of lightning and commented, "What a terrifying lightning force. It's much stronger than the Ultimate Lightning I wield." 

"Honey, I think Liu Mei must be in the sea of lightning." 

"I think so, too." Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement. "But we can never be sure because the Phantom is a sly creature. It could have mimicked Liu Mei to lure us into its trap." 

After what happened to Robin, Huo Yuhao knew Phantom wasn't easy to deal with. He couldn't be "too" sure about their tricks until he met and killed them with absolute power.

Talking about the Phantom, Huo Yuhao still has the three remains of the Phantom Emperor that "Batman" killed and gave to him, including many other gifts.

Phantom Emperor's Corpse.

Phantom Emperor's Soul Core.

And lastly, Phantom Emperor's Beating Red Heart. 

At first, Huo Yuhao planned to examine these remains and use them to create an artifact or something. But now? He has an "entirely" different idea.

The Phantom Emperor is the highest form of Phantom, born due to a large gathering of corruption it had done to the world. Even then, the Phantom is actually compatible with the Spirit Master's system, proven by how the Phantom Lord successfully stole Robin's body and cultivation. It was so compatible that he could make a Martial Soul from it. 

The Phantom Emperor is stronger than the Phantom Lord, who robbed Robin's body. So, the Phantom Emperor's remains must have some effect against the Phantom Lord.

Huo Yuhao's eyes glint with a mysterious light. "I think I might have a way to deal with this Phantom Lord quickly." 

"Really?" Raikou's face brightened.

"Yes, now, let's check the sea of lightning." As they went to the center of this secret realm, Azure Emperor's Vault lit up as its spirit (Palu) received an order from Huo Yuaho.

"Awuu~!" A joyful cry echoed in the vault filled with the treasure of gods.

Meanwhile, a fierce fight happened in the sea of lightning. A purple figure riding a crimson dragon fights a massive creature in the sky, creating one thunderous strike one after another.

BOOM!

"You can never defeat me, Liu Mei!" The creature that resembled an ox, eagle, and snake roared at the purple figure.

"YOU AND I ARE DESTINED TO BE ONE! FOR ETERNITY!" 

The purple figure revealed itself. It was Liu Mei, who wore purple-colored battle armor, but it looked worn and torn because of how long she had it on in this time prison. Faint electricity bloomed from Liu Mei's spiritual sea, guarding her from the monster's mental attack.

The crimson dragon beneath Liu Mei trembled in pain. She lost one of her limbs when dodging that last attack, leaving her with one arm only. 

"Are you okay, Sonares?" asked Liu Mei. Although they were in a pinch, no trace of worry was visible on her face. After all, staying in this god-hating place for thousands of years firmed her heart and will. A mere injury isn't enough to make her react strongly. 

In fact, Liu Mei's divinity has been growing steadily, reaching the half-step Godking. 

Of course, she lacked the necessary step, God's seat.

This prison is unfriendly for those who cultivate divinity. 

Sonares gritted her teeth and replied, "I'm fine." 

"Good." Liu Mei's eyes never left the monster. "You said that Robin appeared in the outside world." 

"Yes," Sonares replied, adjusting her state. "Gan Fall said Nico Robin appeared in Sabaody and started attacking the Celestial Dragons." 

Liu Mei pondered at the back of her head. She knew Robin wouldn't do such a provocative action without the backing of someone, so Master must have arrived at this timeline, too. It's just that he might be late to visit her.

"How long have we been fighting?" 

Sonares was confused by Liu Mei's question but still answered, "Around a year." 

"A year. That's a few days outside." Liu Mei mumbled. 

"We should hold on to this monster! We can't let it escape this place."

"But..." Sonares looked at her state and Liu Mei's. They are physically and spiritually exhausted. 

"Master will be here soon." Liu Mei assured Sonares. "When he's here, this thing can make a sound." 

"Fine! Let's kick this up then!" Sonares glowed with mysterious runes as the crimson scale on her body became thicker yet slender, giving her a more streamlined appearance. 

Unfortunately, Sonares loses her arm and can't regrow it because their enemy's power prevents her from doing so.

Liu Mei's head was covered with a black-purple helmet with two oni's horns as she rode Sonares and summoned her innately formed divine sword, a tachi made of pure divine lightning over three meters long.

"Thunder Demon Empress... Such a delicious thing you had there." A fit of laughter echoed in the sky as Liu Mei activated her Martial Soul.

"It really is fate." 

"I will make you mine, LIU MEI!" 

Roar!

The creature charged at the sea of lightning, and Liu Mei swung her divine sword, causing a shift in the area. Space is "effortlessly" distorted into many pieces, divided with countless purple lines.

BOOM!

A massive talon broke all the attacks, reaching for Liu Mei. 

Liu Mei flicked her finger and sent her divine sword at the talon, "Thunder Hell." 

Slash!

Purple blood sprayed as the divine sword cut the talon cleanly. 

Then, another talon appeared.

Sonares saw this and swiftly changed their position, allowing Liu Mei to attack more comfortably. Liu Mei flicked her finger again and launched another fierce sword slash.

CLANK!

A hard object blocked the sword attack, firmly holding Liu Mei's divine sword.

The ugly face of the monster appeared before Liu Mei.

Before Liu Mei could react, Sonares got sent flying to the ground below, gasping for her breath and dear life. 

"Not good!" Liu Mei's attention was on Sonares for a second, leaving the creature a split-second chance to do something.

Liu Mei lost control of her right arm, and the battle armor on the part was nowhere to be seen.

Kacha!

She watched the bones in her right arm turning into mush as it went limp and darkened, corrupted by the power of that creature. 

"Hehehe~! We are finally one Liu Mei~!" The creature laughed joyfully, relishing the disgusted expression on Liu Mei's face.

"Since you like my arm that much, you can take it." Liu Mei grabbed her right arm with her left, charging divine lightning into it.

"Not so fast!" The creature saved the limp arm, making it more muscular and covering it with fine snake scales and feathers.

Liu Mei's expression darkened because this was such a horrible situation for her. Even if she wanted to destroy the arm where this disgusting creature resides, it wouldn't let her.

Liu Mei ran a million thoughts instantly, simulating one scenario after another.

She sighed, "It seemed you left me with no choice." 

"Then, let's destroy each other." 

"No! You don't have the guts!" The creature screamed at the top of its nonexistent lungs. "I know you very well, Liu Mei!"

"You're waiting for a person!"

"You're devoted to that person for thousands of years!"

"You wouldn't dare to kill yourself before that person comes!"

Liu Mei's cold face slowly melted, revealing a warm smile. "What do you know? Master knew my personality very well." 

"I waited for him here because you trapped us together." 

"I don't have any other choice, but..." 

"He'll come." 

"And save me..." 

"No, you're mad! This world is mad!" The creature has bonded itself to Liu Mei's arm. It can't reverse the event that happened.

Liu Mei chuckled, "Goodbye, fool." 

Liu Mei's Martial Soul, Thunder Demon Empress, appeared in the sky, wearing purple-black armor and wielding a massive katana. Twelve spirit rings above 1,000,000 years manifested, shining brightly with the pure purple color of lightning.

It was their last shine.

Then, a fuse was 'willingly' triggered.

TING!

The sound of a ringing bell echoed in the secret realm.

The Thunder Demon Empress cried, exposing Liu Mei's final thoughts.

"Master..." Liu Mei closed her eyes. 

"It's nice knowing you." 

"Unfortunately, we are not fated in this life." 

"If I have one regret, then it would be burying these feelings for you..."

"Goodbye."

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

...

...

As the thunderous explosion occurred, a warm yet gentle hand suddenly reached for Liu Mei's waist. 

"So anxious?" A chuckle entered Liu Mei's ears. 

"You want to leave me that badly, Mei?"