Birth of the Demonic Sword Chapter 2360. Hunt

The ethereal crystal obviously served as a core nurtured by Heaven and Earth. It bore similarities to the energy they attempted to brew in the final battle, yet the top experts among the army knew exactly what it represented.

Magical beasts possessed bodies, while hybrids and cultivators held worlds. Every being pursuing power eventually formed cores, and the sky's collapse had unveiled Heaven and Earth's own.

However, unlike worlds or other power centers, Heaven and Earth's core lacked any innate authority. The rulers had essentially died in their pursuit of full rebirth, leaving their existence as mere energy and knowledge.

There was no better way to describe it. The sky's downfall had birthed a rank 10 resource ripe for claiming. Nearly everyone gazing upon it understood that absorbing its contents could enable breakthroughs. Still, only select experts could join the hunt.

Noah sensed the numerous losses suffered by his army. Lifelong companions had perished, and the moment to grieve them with drinks would arrive later, but a different task demanded his focus now, and he wasn't alone in it.

King Elbas' eyes gleamed at the ethereal object's sight. A rank 10 material brimming with energy and knowledge lay within his grasp, and his entire existence urged him to claim it.

Supreme Thief felt the same pull. He had been born for precisely this instant. His world centered on that very purpose, and now he could prove his supremacy.

Noah's core group showed similar responses, but they weren't alone. Numerous elite cultivators had endured the assault and claimed strong rights over Heaven and Earth's core. After all, their service had lasted far too long.

Caesar and Marcella shared that mindset. Their confidence had shattered, but a rank 10 core's presence could restore it. They simply needed to seize that extraordinary prize.

No one dared make a move. Those eyeing the item understood a single action might unleash a bloodbath, and none wished to perish in the initial strikes.

Countless stares turned toward Noah, King Elbas, and their allies. These experts had toppled the sky, so others hoped they'd clash first. Weaker beings stood no chance otherwise.

"The time has come," Noah declared.

"We knew it would be like this," King Elbas remarked.

"Weaklings should back off now if they don't want to die in the aftermath," Supreme Thief bellowed.

"Why don't you start by stepping back?" Divine Demon mocked.

"I will never retreat before food!" The pig squealed.

"Oh my," Divine Demon chuckled. "Everyone wants to play demon now."

Silence fell over the group then. Experts determined to claim the ethereal crystal readied their energy for the impending battle. Tension thickened across the region, dismantling the remnants of the space-time formation. The hunt was on the verge of beginning.

The pressure grew overwhelming for lesser experts. Elite cultivators surged ahead first. No words passed between them, but unspoken coordination emerged. They'd cooperate until the ethereal crystal landed in their possession.

Yet, Alexander's bloodied form appeared in their trajectory, halting their charge. The elites couldn't fathom his intent, especially in such a state, but he swiftly clarified his position.

"Don't even think about it," Alexander proclaimed, pausing to cough up blood. "Only one being deserves that resource."

Meanwhile, other hunt participants accelerated forward, with Noah quickly taking the lead. His power had soared to unimaginable levels during the offensive, proven by his astonishing speed.

Marcella edged ahead thanks to her near-perfect condition, but a figure blocked her path, compelling her to halt. She stood stunned before her former ally, yet comprehended her motive.

"We don't deserve it," Decumia declared.

"We'll see about that," Marcella snorted.

"Marcella, Heaven and Earth have lost," Decumia noted. "Taking that core would merely delay the defeat."

"I can surpass them!" Marcella roared.

"Yes, you can," Decumia conceded. "Now that our foes have liberated us."

Marcella had begun channeling her energy, but it scattered. Despair engulfed her as her eyes fixed on the hunt. Every fiber yearned to join the fray, yet she recognized her opportunity had slipped away.

Noah advanced unhindered until lightning bolts amassed ahead, forming June's figure. Her state was dire, riddled with countless wounds across world and body, but her gaze burned with unyielding battle fervor.

June required no words. Noah grasped her resolve instantly. Bolts erupted from her Perfect Circuit, worsening her injuries, but that might abruptly vanished.

"Fight me!" June cried as Noah seized the moment to overtake her.

"We'll have plenty of time for that," Noah murmured while surging onward, though soon an azure form appeared beside him.

"Do you truly believe you can outsteal me?" Supreme Thief challenged, matching Noah's pace.

Noah prepared to strike, but crimson light bathed the area, slowing Supreme Thief. Noah accelerated past, noticing Divine Demon appear above Supreme Thief and perch on his head.

"What are you doing?!" Supreme Thief yelled. "How is this fitting for a demon?!"

"Stealing from my heir would be improper," Divine Demon clarified. "Besides, that item holds no appeal for me. Nor for you, right?"

Sword Saint blinked beside Divine Demon, directing a sharp silver energy mass at Supreme Thief's throat. Blades materialized too, sealing any escape.

"He's incredibly swift," Sword Saint sighed, eyes on Noah. "His blade outpaces mine."

"We're merely letting him lead," Divine Demon guffawed, conjuring three wine cups that drifted to the experts.

"Indeed," Sword Saint murmured, taking his cup. "The path remains long. We'll overtake him soon."

Supreme Thief itched to resist but accepted the wine. He might escape the restraints, but Noah had gained too much distance.

Noah soared unopposed, drawing on his world's full might to near the ethereal crystal, but he braked as golden flames erupted before him.

"Do you know how long I've awaited this?" King Elbas' voice rang from the blaze as it coalesced into his blazing quasi-rank 10 form.

"Don't die," Noah cautioned, lifting both arms.

"I was about to say the same," King Elbas sneered, summoning a fiery spear that drained his faux quasi-rank 10 strength.

A golden energy torrent collided with a massive slash amid the void. The clash eclipsed anything from the global offensive. It resembled two quasi-rank 10 entities battling in that cosmic corner, and the ensuing chaos revealed no victor.

King Elbas and Noah resumed positions after their assaults faded. No wounds suggested a tie, but a black mark formed at King Elbas' chest center, poised to corrupt his flames.

King Elbas excised the tainted flames swiftly, but Noah exploited the opening to pass him. Yet King Elbas reignited his world for the pseudo quasi-rank 10 state and aimed at the departing Noah.

"Our fight isn't finished!" King Elbas bellowed as flames amassed in his palm for the spear, only to lose command of that vast energy.

The spear disintegrated into flames streaming toward a spot left of King Elbas. He whipped around to spot a steaming figure barreling at him, devouring the golden fire.

"Xavieeer!" The Foolery bellowed, inhaling all the faux quasi-rank 10 flames before slamming into his ally.

"What are you doing, you idiot pig?!" King Elbas griped, attempting to reform his technique, but the Foolery consumed any energy exceeding ninth rank.

"Didn't you want the crystal?" King Elbas pressed, struggling to shove the Foolery away.

"But I'd grow too powerful for you," The Foolery reasoned before licking King Elbas' head. "And I don't want you getting too strong. How else could I tease you?"

Noah disregarded the antics trailing him as he pushed ahead. He was nearly there, already sensing the ethereal crystal within reach, but one final foe intercepted his path.

"That isn't yours!" Caesar roared. "I've foreseen it in my fate. I'll expand until the universe bows to my power."

"Your fate lies in ruins," Noah stated coldly before morphing into a piercing slash that tore straight through Caesar.

Caesar couldn't grasp what occurred. Noah had exceeded his perception. Soon, he spied a gaping hole in his torso, its borders widening, impervious to his powers.

Caesar pivoted just in time to witness Noah beside the crystal, swallowing it whole. Curiosity flickered in Caesar's thoughts, but too late. The void spread until his form vanished entirely, consciousness plunging into darkness.

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Author's notes: You probably know this already. The next chapter will also be the last.