Chapter 6: The Trial of Chaos
Zhang Yong and Lilith walked through the ruins of the battlefield, their silence heavy yet oddly comfortable. The carnage around them spoke of Zhang Yong's unyielding brutality, a testament to his unwavering resolve to dominate. Lilith, her crimson eyes gleaming with curiosity, glanced at him from time to time, her lips curled into an amused smirk.
"You're surprisingly quiet for someone who just destroyed half a legion," she teased.
Zhang Yong didn't look at her, his voice calm and cold. "Silence is better than pointless chatter."
Lilith laughed softly. "Fair enough. So, what's next for the great Zhang Yong? Another slaughter? Another conquest?"
Before he could answer, the air around them shifted. A chilling wind swept through the ruins, carrying with it an ominous energy. The ground trembled, and cracks spread like veins, releasing a dark mist that seemed to pulse with malevolence.
Lilith's playful demeanor vanished. Her wings unfurled, and she stepped back instinctively. "Something's coming," she said, her tone uncharacteristically serious.
Zhang Yong's Absolute Krishna Domain flared to life, its golden aura enveloping him like a shield. "Let it come," he said, his eyes narrowing.
From the depths of the mist emerged a towering figure, its body a grotesque amalgamation of writhing shadows and pulsating flesh. Its multiple eyes glowed with an eerie light, each one fixated on Zhang Yong. The creature's mouth split open, revealing rows of jagged teeth as it let out a deafening roar.
Lilith grimaced. "A Chaos Warden. These things are born from the Void Realm. They exist to destroy anything that disrupts the balance of power."
Zhang Yong tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Perfect. I'll destroy it."
The Chaos Warden lunged, its massive claws tearing through the air with terrifying speed. Zhang Yong didn't flinch. His domain expanded, and the creature's movements slowed as if trapped in molasses.
With a single step, Zhang Yong closed the distance between them. His fist, glowing with the power of his domain, collided with the creature's chest. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, shattering the ground beneath them.
The Chaos Warden roared in pain, but it didn't retreat. Instead, its body twisted and reformed, its wounds healing almost instantly.
Lilith cursed under her breath. "You can't just smash your way through this thing. It's a manifestation of chaos. It doesn't die easily."
Zhang Yong glanced at her, his voice dripping with disdain. "Then I'll make it wish it could die."
He raised his hand, and the Absolute Krishna Domain surged. The golden aura condensed into countless chains, each one crackling with divine energy. The chains shot forward, piercing the creature's body and binding it in place.
The Chaos Warden thrashed and howled, its form flickering as it struggled against the domain's power. Zhang Yong stepped closer, his eyes cold and merciless.
"You think you can challenge me?" he said, his voice low but filled with authority. "I'll show you what happens to those who stand in my way."
With a flick of his wrist, the chains tightened, tearing through the creature's flesh. Its howls turned to shrieks, each one more desperate than the last.
But Zhang Yong wasn't done. He raised his other hand, and a sword of pure energy materialized in his grip. The blade hummed with a terrifying power, its edge glowing with the essence of destruction.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yong plunged the sword into the Chaos Warden's core. The creature's body convulsed, its screams echoing through the battlefield. Dark energy poured out of it, consumed by the Absolute Krishna Domain.
As the creature's form disintegrated, its eyes locked onto Zhang Yong. For a brief moment, there was something almost human in its gaze—a flicker of fear, regret, and pain. But Zhang Yong didn't waver. He twisted the blade, shattering the creature's core and erasing its existence.
When it was over, the battlefield fell silent. The dark mist dissipated, leaving only the faint glow of Zhang Yong's domain.
Lilith let out a low whistle. "You're terrifying, you know that?"
Zhang Yong sheathed the energy sword into his domain, his expression unchanging. "Terrifying is what the world needs. Weakness invites destruction."
Lilith grinned, her confidence returning. "Fair point. But you'd better watch your back. If a Chaos Warden showed up, it means someone—or something—sees you as a threat."
Zhang Yong smirked, his gaze distant. "Let them come. I'll destroy everything in my path."