Chapter 116: Opposition

Within the void of the Northern Realm, a ripple began to form.

This was the eternal, unchanging void, the nexus between worlds, existing in a special dimension. At this moment, a light gradually ignited, illuminating the emptiness and freezing a turbulent flow of energy in its tracks.

A shimmer of divine radiance emerged, and amidst the clear light, a handsome youth appeared silently. His golden eyes were deep, radiating boundless divine authority as he gazed forward.

In the distance, another point of light appeared, carrying with it a vast domain imbued with majesty. Faintly, a grand scene seemed to manifest—one of iron horses, clashing blades, and the fervor of battle. As the light receded, a valiant man, appearing as a knight, stood firm. His form was touched with gold, yet tinged with the color of blood.

As both appeared simultaneously, two fragments of stars in the void suddenly flared with brilliance, bestowing their concentrated world-source energy upon each figure. A subtle undercurrent of both hostility and urgency began to manifest. In the physical realm, the world-force surrounding them began to fluctuate, drawing the two toward each other.

Sensing this power, Chen Ming merely shook his head and smiled. "The Ancestral God of the Royal Court, Krisia?"

As he spoke, it seemed to resonate with the laws of heaven and earth. A peculiar sensation arose, confirming beyond doubt that the man before him was indeed the savior of this world from the previous century.

"The God of Nature?" Krisia replied from across the void, his expression calm and composed, carrying a sense of resolve and confidence.

"You are unique," he continued after a moment, observing Chen Ming with a flicker of intrigue. He watched the domain of nature, woven from divine light, that surrounded Chen Ming. "Your domain is very pure. Unlike us Ancestral Gods, it resembles that Demon God."

"Oh?" Chen Ming seemed surprised. "It seems you have already clashed with that entity."

"Indeed."

Hearing his inquiry, Krisia offered a gentle smile, his handsome face softening. It was clear that he was a man of pleasant temperament, perhaps a knight who had upheld the virtues of chivalry throughout his life. Sensing the world-force pressing in around them, a look of remembrance crossed his face.

"My entire life has been a struggle against that Demon God."

"The year I was born, my parents died in a sudden demonic tide. When I was five, He appeared in the place of my birth." Krisia recounted calmly. "Even then, He sensed my uniqueness and manifested in person, attempting to seize me."

"Fortunately, because the demonic tide had just begun, His infiltration of the world was far from what it is today. His avatar's demonic beasts were not even of Calamity-class."

"Yet, even so, it was devastating. My hometown was destroyed, the entire city was slaughtered, and I was the only one to escape."

"After that, I fled to the old Royal Court. As I grew, the demonic calamity worsened, and in the end, I was forced onto the path that you have come to know."

Chen Ming listened to the quiet narration in silence. Though Krisia spoke with brevity and calm, Chen Ming could well imagine the despair and hardship the man had endured in the process of saving the world. Even with the protection of the world's consciousness, the difficulties must have been unimaginable.

"Truly remarkable," Chen Ming sighed. "To rise under such circumstances, Krisia, you are indeed worthy of being the Child of Destiny of the last century—the savior who rescued the world from the brink of catastrophe."

Krisia smiled slightly at these words but did not respond. For beings of their caliber, unless they consciously masked their intent, the emotions underlying their words were understood instantly, transcending the limitations of language.

At that moment, the two stars in the void grew brighter, their celestial pillars slowly colliding.

"It seems the battle below is intensifying," Chen Ming observed, sensing the significance of the shift. "Then, there is no need for further talk. Let us begin."

As these words echoed through the void, they brought their conversation to a close. The next moment, two fundamental essences began to rise, pressing against each other with the intent of their masters.

Boom!

A magnificent light flickered in the void, marking the continuous collision between the two. Each impact sent ripples of power through the void, stirring up turbulent cross-currents. This was a clash of full strength—a raw impact of their fundamental essences, wielding their respective laws in the most terrifying manner.

"Indeed, you no longer possess the power you once held," a thought resonated, instantly spreading to the ends of the surrounding space.

"Originally, having suppressed the Demon God and salvaged the eroding world, your power should not be reduced to this."

Amidst a dim light, Chen Ming’s figure emerged. "It seems that after you suppressed the Demon God, the protection you received as the Child of Destiny born to meet the catastrophe faded for the most part. Now, even with the accumulation of blood sacrifices over countless years, you only possess power at the threshold of the sixth tier."

"While still formidable compared to an average fifth-tier entity, it is no longer an insurmountable gap."

Hearing this, Krisia was startled, a premonition of disaster flooding his heart. He moved slightly, and with his intent, a massive star manifested behind him, instantly empowering him and causing his aura to surge.

Across from him, an identical star bestowed its power upon Chen Ming. Chen Ming looked up, his true spirit stirring. Deep within, a Godhead began to rotate, connecting to countless believers through the threads of faith.

And at that very moment, upon the earth below, a series of events began to unfold.