The towering black-purple beam of light did not last long. Like a brief but violent eruption, it rapidly contracted and dimmed after unleashing its accumulated terrifying energy.
However, it was not a fruitless endeavor.
In the instant the beam of light receded and the rift was forcibly closed temporarily due to energy overload, an "existence" was left in the prime material world, on the land of the holy city of Van Rahil.
It was not an inferior splitting organism formed from a mutation of a mouse.
Within the residual energy vortex of the light pillar, a massive outline gradually became clear.
It stands nearly three meters tall, its shape bizarre and terrifying. Its main body appears to be forcibly fused together from countless twisted, charred limbs, constantly dripping a viscous, light-absorbing, pitch-black asphalt-like substance.
These limbs sometimes twitch as if in spasm, and at other times extend sharp, knife-like bone spurs.
It has no head in the conventional sense. Where the head should be, there is only a constantly rotating, bottomless hole. The edge of the hole is covered with layers of sharp teeth that open and close constantly, emitting a low and crazy buzzing sound that seems to tear the soul apart.
It no longer exudes a simple, cold malice, but a more primal and terrifying aura of "nothingness," like a walking, miniature shadow rift, instinctively devouring the surrounding light, sound, and even life.
The ground beneath its feet quickly turned gray and sandy, as if it had decayed for thousands of years.
This is a true "Shadow Abyss Creation," a twisted life form born from the intense friction and collision between the Shadow Abyss and the rules of the Prime Material Realm. It was created by the forced combination of pure Shadow Abyss energy and the remaining matter near the rift (perhaps soil, or perhaps the remains of a previously purified split entity).
In essence, it does share the same origin as Vice, both being manifestations of the power of the Shadow Abyss.
But unlike Weiss, a singularity life form that tends to be stable and possesses "personality," this creation is more like an out-of-control beast born purely for destruction, full of savagery and chaos.
Its appearance made the panic caused by the previous split entities seem like child's play.
"Holy Light... What kind of monster is that?!"
A young Holy Knight was pale, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword trembling slightly.
When the holy light emanating from his body came into contact with the void aura emanating from that creation, it emitted a hissing sound, as if it were being constantly eroded.
"Form the array! The highest-level purification array! We can't let it leave here!"
The experienced commander roared at the top of his lungs, forcibly suppressing the horror in his heart.
More knights of the Holy Punishment poured in from all directions, and the priests raised their holy symbols and chanted loud and urgent purification prayers.
Beams of blazing holy light, like chains, shot towards the Shadow Abyss creation from all directions, attempting to bind and purify it.
"Sizzle—sizzle—!"
The Holy Light reacted violently with the black matter on the surface of the Shadow Abyss creation, bursting out large plumes of foul-smelling black smoke. The creation emitted a painful shriek (more like the noise of space being torn apart), and its massive body twisted violently, making the Holy Light chains clang and almost break.
It suddenly swung a huge claw made of solidified darkness and slammed it hard into the ground.
boom!
The earth cracked, and a shockwave, a mixture of physical impact and shadowy erosion, spread out in a fan shape. Even with the protection of the Holy Light Shield, the Holy Punishment Knights in the front row were shaken, their blood surging, and their formation instantly scattered.
"Stabilize the line! Ascetics, step forward and use the 'Divine Mark'!"
Bishop Helios appeared at the edge of the battlefield, his face ashen, personally overseeing the battle.
His scepter gleamed, and a thick beam of holy light slammed into the body of the Shadow Abyss creation, blasting away a large swath of writhing black matter. But the void was quickly filled with even more darkness.
Several ascetics dressed in simple linen clothes, yet radiating powerful holy energy, rushed forward. Ignoring the corrosive aura of the Shadow Abyss, they slammed their hands, burning with golden flames, onto the limbs of the creation, leaving behind scorching holy marks that temporarily prevented its regeneration.
The Shadow Abyss Creature roared furiously, and the huge hole on its body suddenly pointed at the ascetics, unleashing a powerful suction force!
It doesn't absorb air, but directly extracts life force and holy light energy!
The holy light emanating from the ascetics dimmed at a visible speed, their skin became withered and gray, as if they had aged ten years in an instant! They staggered backward, their faces showing surprise for the first time.
This creation is not only terrifying in physical attacks, but it can also directly attack the source of energy!
The battle instantly intensified.
Holy light and darkness collided and annihilated wildly in this area of the holy city.
The roars of knights, the prayers of priests, the howls of monsters, and the explosions of energy mingled together, shattering the millennia-old tranquility and sanctity of Van Rahil.
The streets were destroyed, and exquisite icons were damaged and shattered. Citizens who rushed to the scene were kept at a distance and could only watch in horror as the terrible sight of light and darkness clashed, with prayers and cries mingling together.
This is no longer a small-scale mopping-up operation, but a real war, a direct battle concerning the survival of faith that has broken out in the heart of the holy city!
Bishop Helios brandished his scepter, his face more solemn than ever before.
He discovered that even with such combined power, he could only barely suppress the monster; completely purifying it would be extremely difficult.
Its core seems to be connected to some unfathomable source of darkness, constantly replenishing its power (although the rift has been closed, its very existence is like a miniature battery).
Moreover, who can guarantee that this is the only one? What if other places also have them...?
He dared not think any further.
We must eliminate it here, immediately, at all costs!
"Activate 'Spear of Judgment'! Quickly!" Helios roared to the team of divine mages behind him.
Several high-ranking divine sorcerers immediately began preparing a complex and powerful combined divine spell, which required time to chant and guide.
The Shadow Abyss Creature seemed to sense the threat, and its attacks became even more frenzied, recklessly assaulting the Holy Knight's defenses in an attempt to interrupt the spellcasting.
The front line was in grave danger.
…………
Linde remained standing in the shadows at a distance, calmly observing the battle he had personally orchestrated.
The power of that Shadow Abyss creation slightly exceeded his expectations, but it was still within his control.
The Holy City's power is indeed formidable, and it can sustain itself for a short period of time.
That's exactly the effect he wanted.
This allowed the church's leadership to witness firsthand the severity of the crisis, to personally experience their own inadequacy and despair, and to demonstrate that their established methods were inadequate in the face of a true "disaster."
Only when all their usual methods fail will they desperately seek any remedy and turn their attention to... those unconventional, "miraculous" powers.
At Linde's fingertips, a faint, carefully blended power—possessing both divine vitality and a subtle sense of order—flickered.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the moment when the Holy City's power is thwarted.
Waiting for the perfect moment to appear as a "savior".
The chaos in the Holy City has only just begun. And he will reap the greatest rewards from this chaos.
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