The Jade Chamber in the sky, perhaps due to its protective shield, had not suffered heavy damage. Ningguang watched the incredibly powerful enemy, noting that even Lord Geo couldn't easily fend them off. Could mere humans possibly defeat such a foe?
"If nothing unexpected happens, we're all likely to die here today. Are you afraid?"
Ningguang glanced at the two beside her. Kamisato Ayato's expression was grim, as if his very beliefs had crumbled. He silently observed a colossal, cubical entity.
He had, of course, witnessed everything that had transpired. He desperately wished for the safety of his own Raiden Shogun, but was that truly possible? After all, even the mighty Kevin and his companions struggled immensely, with several already fallen. This world might truly be doomed.
"How could we not fear death? But we are powerless, unable to devise any solution. So, we can only wait for death to arrive quietly. Perhaps... there's still hope?"
Yes, perhaps there was still a turning point. But where was this so-called hope to be found?
Did they truly possess any possibility of victory?
Meanwhile, Lu Ze lay on his bed, eyes half-closed, his head occasionally twitching as if he were dreaming of something terrible.
"No... don't... don't leave me! Don't!"
The next second, Lu Ze jolted awake, his body covered in a fine sheen of sweat. Before he could even process his surroundings, he looked around.
There was nothing outwardly amiss, yet the occasional explosion from outside hinted that something was indeed wrong.
On the other side, the Herrscher of the End, finding things somewhat dull, noticed the Jade Chamber in the sky. It was quite large; considerable effort must have gone into its creation. "Fine, I'll shatter it myself!"
She directly summoned countless ice shards and rapidly launched them at the Jade Chamber. Just as disaster seemed imminent, the ice shards were engulfed by raging flames, transforming into droplets of water that fell to the ground.
"Hmm, who is this? Why are you interfering?"
However, upon clearly seeing the newcomer, the Herrscher of the End's expression transformed. The playful, mocking demeanor vanished, replaced by solemnity and seriousness.
"I didn't expect you to wake up, even after I went to such lengths. I told you, didn't I? Your body has long since begun to rot; your strength is nowhere near your peak. Why not escape while you still have the ability? Why insist on confronting me?"
Lu Ze surveyed his surroundings and then looked at the familiar corpses scattered about. His rage surged to its absolute limit, his teeth grinding audibly. He regretted not arriving sooner. If only he had been a little earlier, these people wouldn't have had to die, and such regrets would have been averted.
"You ask why? Because you killed my loved ones, you attacked my friends. You ask me why? Do you even have the audacity? Today, it's either you die or I die. Even if I have to pay with my life, I will drag you down to hell! As their accompaniment!"
The Jie Mian in his hand was already at maximum power. With a forceful swing of his right hand, the fiery red greatsword slashed forward, striking the Herrscher of the End's neck with immense force.
However, instead of the expected gush of blood, the sword in his hand trembled slightly.
"I say, you don't seriously think you can defeat me, do you? Heh, I fear you, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you. It would just require a small price, a price I can afford."
Supporting the sword with his left hand, she repelled it, making Lu Ze's arm go numb. Yet, even so, he continued to hold the greatsword aloft.
"Heavenly Fire, unsheathe!"
The greatsword in his hand erupted with even higher temperatures. The fiery waves intensified the region's temperature by five to six degrees Celsius. Anyone who got too close would likely be incinerated, given the intense heat.
"I said, today it's either you die or I die, even if I have to pay my entire price!"
The two engaged in a fierce battle above, with intermittent bursts of white light and flames, accompanied by crackling lightning that filled the sky. The ground below was completely ravaged. They fought to a standstill, neither gaining a decisive advantage.
Those below silently pinned their hopes on Lu Ze. If even he fell, then this world would truly be finished, as there would be no one left to resist.
"Do you think he will win?"
Kamisato Ayato quietly asked Ningguang beside him. She replied swiftly:
"I believe he will. Because all our hope rests on him. If he, too, loses, then we must be prepared to die at any moment. We Liyue people never yield; we only fight until our last breath."
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayato sighed softly. Indeed... all the hope on this continent rested on this one man. If even he couldn't win, then this continent was truly beyond saving.
"Who would have thought such a thing would happen during the holidays? It's utterly absurd."
Acting Grand Master Jean muttered a complaint. She had only come to celebrate, never expecting to witness such a grand, albeit potentially fatal, spectacle.
"Who knows? We'll just have to see if this person can win. At least, it's a good sign for now."
Ningguang took a deep puff of her pipe, her expression heavy as she watched everything unfold. A lifetime of effort might be destroyed today.
Meanwhile, among the ruins, people quickly tended to their wounds, using this moment of respite to fight for survival. It was, after all, human instinct; no one was willing to die here just like that.
"Lu Ze... you have to win! I can't hold on much longer... Don't leave this burden to me."
Kevin gave a pained smile, his gaze drifting towards a distant building. His eyes immediately fell upon Dr. Mei within, who was desperately trying to keep him from leaving. After all, the house offered a degree of safety.
"Kevin! Don't you dare fall asleep... If you fall asleep, you won't wake up! You'll never see me again. I still want to..."
Hearing this, Kevin felt an inexplicable surge of joy. These past times had been quite good; at least with his loved one by his side, he could die without regret.
"Mei... don't you dare come out, or I will never forgive you."
A smile slowly formed on Kevin's face, intending to reassure the person before him. But Dr. Mei, looking up at the Herrscher of the End in the sky, felt a growing unease.
She had experienced the Herrscher of the End's power before. All she wanted now was a normal life. Why must it be like this? Why?