A pyrrhic victory.
Truly a pyrrhic victory.
The Chaos Beasts were better off, their physical bodies were strong.
But the Sword Domain and the Realm of Life and Death were in dire straits.
Chen Fan glanced behind him, his eyes shifting.
Nearly a thousand people had walked out of the Realm of Life and Death.
But now, less than fifty remained.
The Emperor Lords were all wiped out, and only a few dozen Heaven Emperors, including the Mad Emperor, were left.
...
Looking at the Sword Domain again, well... Chen Fan found balance.
The Sword Master had even fewer people behind him, a sparse dozen or so.
"Alas."
The red glow in the Sword Master's eyes receded. He sighed and looked at Chen Fan, "City Lord Chen, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you."
Chen Fan knew what he meant and nodded, "I can, but it will require an enormous amount of energy. Even all the spoils of war from this battle in the Sword Domain would barely be enough."
There was no other way, as too many people needed resurrection.
"It's acceptable."
The Sword Master did not hesitate.
He clasped his fists at Chen Fan, "In the future, should City Lord Chen ever need anything, the people of the Sword Domain will surely lend their aid."
This was a promise.
The powerful individuals of the Sword Domain in the rear all bowed towards Chen Fan.
They had suffered too heavy losses.
The Death Sword Emperor, as the lord of the Sword Domain, said solemnly, "My brothers haven't had the chance to witness the true splendor of Chaos. Thank you, City Lord."
The matter had now been settled.
From afar, the Dragon King watched.
"Dragon King."
The weak Phoenix Lord asked, "Aren't we going over?"
The Dragon King shook his head, "No."
"Then our fallen..."
"It is their destiny."
The Dragon King shook his head, "We Chaos Beasts do not need pity. Being resurrected time and again would cause us to lose the courage to fight for our lives when pushed to the brink. Our Chaos Race must fight for survival, and only through struggle and sacrifice can we achieve it... If we rely on others for everything, the Chaos Race will be close to extinction."
In an instant, all the Chaos Beasts felt a jolt.
That was true.
They had been thinking about being resurrected.
The Dragon King's words served as a wake-up call.
Chen Fan was not a Chaos Beast.
He was human.
Cooperation was possible, but reliance was not.
The Dragon King continued, "The Sword Domain and the Realm of Life and Death have suffered heavy casualties. If we go over now, they will undoubtedly be on guard. Let's leave some people to collect the spoils and the bodies of our kin. We... will go and retrieve what rightfully belongs to us."
"Hmm?"
The Phoenix Lord and the others were stunned.
They didn't understand the City Lord's meaning.
The Dragon King's gaze swept across the Chaos, "Not only people from the Demon Realm died in this battle, but also many Realm Lords and powerhouses from other worlds. Now that those worlds are ownerless, it's time for us to collect our interest."
Upon hearing this, the Chaos Beasts rejoiced.
"Let's go."
A group of lightly injured Chaos Beasts, led by the Dragon King, quickly departed.
Only those with severe injuries or the weaker ones remained.
They began to collect the spoils.
...
The moment the Dragon King and his men left.
The Sword Master and Chen Fan simultaneously saw the relief in each other's eyes.
"Fortunately."
The Sword Master said, "The Dragon King didn't turn hostile."
"Mm."
Chen Fan nodded.
Then he turned and gave an order, "Immediately collect the spoils. Lie Tian, Rain King, Thunder General, Seven Killings, Yu Emperor, Immortal Emperor... You are to strike out immediately and search for unclaimed Tier Seven and Tier Eight Great Worlds."
"So many people have died this time, and there must be lords of Great Worlds among them. We cannot let the Dragon King have all the glory."
"Understood."
Several Tier Eight and Tier Seven experts turned and left.
The Sword Master also gave an order, "Death, take the lightly injured with you. My orders are the same as City Lord Chen's – bring back all the resources."
"Also, be careful. The Tier Five Alliance and the Demon Realm are likely also searching for those Great Worlds now."
"Yes."
A group of people quickly dispersed.
Those who remained were the severely injured, recovering while collecting spoils.
Seeing everyone dispersed, Chen Fan said, "Sword Master, my injuries are not light. Let's postpone the resurrection until later, after my injuries have healed."
"Mm."
The Sword Master nodded, "My injuries are no less than yours. I also need to heal."
They clasped their fists at each other and then parted ways.
Elder Demon Chu was leading his men in clearing the battlefield. Seeing the City Lord return, he quickly approached.
"Old Demon."
As Elder Demon Chu took one look, he saw the City Lord's physical body beginning to collapse once more.
Elder Demon Chu's expression changed instantly, and he was about to use his demonic energy to help.
"Don't."
Chen Fan stopped him, "My body is dying. Guard me, and remember, no one is allowed to approach my healing location."
Elder Demon Chu's face grew solemn, "Understood."
Buzz.
As soon as he spoke, Chen Fan mobilized the last trace of the Great Dao's power within him.
A fragile, small space took shape.
Chen Fan stepped into it.
Elder Demon Chu quickly stepped forward and used his demonic energy to envelop the small space.
Crack.
Elder Demon Chu's pupils contracted instantly.
Chen Fan's figure had collapsed.
This scene was witnessed by no one but Elder Demon Chu.
Without any change in his expression, Elder Demon Chu sealed the small space and sat down nearby, quietly recovering from his injuries.
Buzz.
Elder Demon Chu suddenly acted, summoning the physical body of an enemy.
The bodies of their own people had already been gathered, awaiting resurrection.
The enemies' bodies were the spoils of war.
Without a word, Elder Demon Chu unleashed his gluttonous maw, beginning to devour the energy within the enemy's body.
He had to recover his injuries as quickly as possible to protect the City Lord.
...
From afar, the Sword Master glanced in this direction.
A mere casual glance made Elder Demon Chu's entire body tense up.
He trusted no one at this moment.
Let alone the Sword Master, even the people from the Realm of Life and Death were untrustworthy.
This matter concerned the City Lord's life.
Fortunately, the Sword Master merely glanced and then withdrew his gaze.
Sword intent surged, and he also formed a small space to recover his injuries.
No one knew of Chen Fan's condition except Elder Demon Chu.
At this moment, his consciousness had completely sunk into darkness.
"Where is this?"
Chen Fan opened his eyes from his slumber.
So tired.
The first feeling upon opening his eyes was profound exhaustion.
"I... my body seems to have collapsed again." He remembered.
Slumber.
Right, I fell into a slumber.
When he opened his eyes again, he was here.
This was a very unfamiliar chaotic space.
Beneath the boundless darkness, chaotic energy flowed slowly.
Reaching out to touch the chaos, a sharp stinging sensation was felt.
"This..."
Chen Fan was shocked, "Why is the chaotic energy so violent?"
That stinging sensation just now was the power of Metal from the Five Elements.
Not only that, but there was also fire... so violent it seemed to burn everything.
The Dao of Water was no longer its usual gentle self, but seemed intent on destruction.
"How could this be? Where is this?" Chen Fan was perplexed.
This was clearly Chaos, but why was everything so unfamiliar?
The energy of Chaos was not like this; it did not possess such sharp aggression.
All the energy here was filled with intense aggression.
"It seems..."
After thinking for a long time, he finally came up with a suitable word: "Disorderly."