Chapter 287: Stand Strong, You're Amazing

Two minutes ago.

High above the research institute.

The heavy rain brewing within the dark clouds finally fell, accompanied by howling gales. Two calamity-like figures crossed paths like lightning bolts in the pitch-black night sky.

- Transcendent state.

The so-called Transcendent means surpassing the normal upper limit allowed by this world, which is the threshold of the third Energy Level.

And even if one temporarily breaks through this ceiling, the user must still contend with the suppression coming from all directions across the entire world.

But the two combatants locked in battle right now showed absolutely no signs of being suppressed. Instead, they were fighting with ever-increasing ferocity.

Countless barely visible, razor-thin cutting marks flickered in and out of existence through the space, shredding the falling raindrops and the fluorescent green acid liquid alike, fusing them together into the finest mist of green vapor.

And yet, that very vapor was continuously corroding the curse power contained within the slashes at their most microscopic level.

The curse power of both sides was engaged in fierce interaction and confrontation.

Wu Nuo stood firm in the void, his entire body covered in those intricate black patterns resembling tattoos. His hands traced through the air as if performing some secret technique, his gaze indifferent yet utterly focused.

After using the Transcendent Means passed down through generations of Guyue Sect masters to temporarily break through to the third Energy Level, the space compressed within the impermeable field of his Thirty-Three Cavern Heavens had expanded to 99 meters.

This meant the intensity and density of the spatial fluctuations contained within had undergone a qualitative transformation.

And at this moment, simply by releasing the spatial fluctuations of his impermeable force field and manipulating the imperceptible invisible slashes with surgical precision, he had completely suppressed that humanoid demon covered head to toe in green armor.

Shink! Shink! Shink!

Countless fierce, invisible slashes converged from all directions, once again piercing through the fluorescent green curse power around the enemy that seemed capable of corroding anything, instantly slicing him into a dozen pieces.

However...

The opponent's curse power manipulation didn't even show the slightest disorder.

The very next moment, those severed body parts seemed to lose their solid form mid-air, instantly transforming into pools of deep green concentrated acid. They sizzled and dissolved the surrounding air, then rapidly gathered back together in an extremely bizarre manner, reassembled, and restored their complete form once again.

This was already the twelfth time this demon had been sliced apart and reassembled.

On the surface, it seemed like this creature had been completely dominated by Wu Nuo, but in reality, the situation was stuck in a deadlock.

Wu Nuo's attacks couldn't deal any effective damage to it. They merely consumed curse power on both sides.

"What a slippery bastard."

Wu Nuo coldly looked down from mid-air at the demon that had once again reassembled, his mind racing with thoughts.

This creature's spell was extremely bizarre. It probably had no so-called vital points or core. Physical attacks had little effect. What could truly influence it was likely the exchange of curse power between the two sides upon impact.

But the problem was...

An exchange meant he himself would also be consuming power.

And he had long since noticed those concealed curse power gazes in the surroundings.

The enemy was actually broadcasting this battle live through some channel?

For whom?

"What's the matter, all you know how to do is dodge?"

Wu Nuo's mind spun rapidly as a grin stretched across his lips. While continuing to control his slashes for suppression, he started spewing trash talk: "We've been at this for ages, and all you can do is liquefy and reassemble like some snot slug?"

"So slippery. Your true name isn't Slug Demon, is it?"

- A demon's true name often represented its origin of birth and core concept, as well as the embodiment of its spell.

If a demon's true name were exposed, then the effects of its spell would be roughly nine out of ten guessed correctly.

Conversely, demons whose true names were unknown were often the most terrifying. That meant they still possessed hidden abilities whose effects were completely unknowable.

At this very moment.

Hearing Wu Nuo's taunt, that deep green demon manipulated tidal waves of acid to counter the slashes while its voice remained unhurried, even courteous:

"Mr. Wu Nuo, can you still not see it clearly?"

"I am the Acid Demon who brings corrosion and dissolution. There is no doubt about it."

Indeed.

After fighting for so long, the abilities the opponent had displayed were nothing but corrosion and liquefaction. Like pools of acid, it was incredibly difficult to kill completely, and it could even corrode Wu Nuo's curse power to prevent him from reclaiming it. Utterly disgusting.

However, Wu Nuo let out a mocking laugh: "You think I'd believe that?"

"That's just the spell contained within that memory device. Your true spell has never been used."

What stood before him was definitely not some Acid Demon or other, a weak demon representing only something narrow and trivial.

In the past, Wu Nuo had encountered old fogies from other factions who were stuck at the peak of the second Energy Level yet also wielded Transcendent Means.

But...

Without exception, when those people used power beyond the limit, there was a sense of sluggishness and crudeness to it, like a child forcibly swinging a heavy iron sledgehammer, full of openings.

Yet in this clash right now, Wu Nuo could clearly sense one thing.

The opponent's utilization of power at the third Energy Level could only be described as effortless. Whether it was the exchange ratio of curse power or the control over its own consciousness, it executed everything flawlessly, without a single gap.

This meant that in the ancient era... it was absolutely a Great Demon with formidable strength, at minimum at the third Energy Level.

In the past, those powerful demons had fallen into deep slumber due to the decline of the supernatural.

And in this current age where the supernatural was gradually reviving, they would naturally awaken as well.

Such demons, once they obtained a vessel, would easily reach the upper limit allowed by this world, and it wasn't impossible for them to find ways to temporarily transcend the world's restrictions.

And as one of the most special cities in this world, Wind Capital would be the first to bear the impact of their influence.

One of the reasons the Sixth Division had broken away from the Secret State's Sorcerer Association and official organizations was precisely to combat terrifying existences like this.

"You really think I can't tell you're stalling for time?"

Wu Nuo let out a cold laugh. The spatial fluctuations around him surged violently once again as endless slashes squeezed the opponent's room to dodge.

"Hehehehe..."

Acid spread across the sky and ground once again within the rain, carrying the opponent's voice: "If Mr. Wu Nuo weren't so incredibly strong... why would I need to do this?"

"Your performance doesn't resemble a sorcerer stuck at the peak of the second Energy Level who has never broken through."

"For such a terrifying genius to exist in this era, it truly is unbelievable."

"Is that so? But I think it's only natural."

Wu Nuo's lips curled wide open: "Because I am the Strongest."

In that instant.

Under the gaze of all the spectators in Wind Capital, whether they were in the know or not.

Those dense slashes once again drowned the deep green humanoid demon.

Yan Jing and Luo Xi, still locked in battle amidst the pouring rain nearby, as well as their enemies, couldn't help but briefly divert their attention to observe that calamity-like spectacle.

That was the Strongest.