Chapter 113 : Awakening

After a brief rest, the group set off once more.

They detoured around areas where the corrosive power had accumulated, searching for a new path directly toward the Demon King’s throne.

As they ventured deeper into the core region, the suppression from the demon realm’s power grew stronger.

But this did not hinder humanity’s advance.

The Demon King was severely wounded, only three Archduke-level demons remained, and tens of thousands of elite demon troops had been lost…

In such circumstances, human morale was unprecedentedly high.

Along the way, they encountered several demon ambushes, but they achieved victory each time, slaughtering every last demon.

Perhaps because of Yuxia, or perhaps because her Heavenly Dominion strength had already been exposed.

After that, Lu Mo no longer concealed her power.

Demons emerged from the mist, faces twisted, surging forth.

And she, facing those hundreds of demons, swung her sword down.

In that instant, space shattered!

The mist was severed, and the figures of the countless demons…

shattered apart within that sword intent!

Instantly dyeing the cleaved mist before her a bloody crimson!

“What terrifying sword intent—”

Even the City Lord-level figures trembled in their eyes, then voiced their admiration.

They realized then that Rumina’s words that day were no lie.

Lu Mo truly possessed the ability to kill a wounded Archduke.

At this time, even Solaris, even God-descendants and ancient bloodlines of similar age, had not yet touched the threshold of the Heavenly Dominion realm.

Yet Lu Mo, a girl from the mortal domain, had stepped into Heavenly Dominion when no one believed she could.

Far… surpassing everyone!

“To be able to unleash such terrifying power after only just over a year in the Heavenly Dominion realm?”

“She always reminds me of the Undying Sword…”

Another high-ranking human sighed with emotion.

The Undying Sword was indeed a legendary existence.

No background, no special talent, yet they rose all the way, eventually standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the great powers.

“Lu Mo… is stronger than the Undying Sword in their youth.”

“If she continues to grow, surpassing the Undying Sword is only a matter of time, right?”

“That is, if she doesn’t repeat the Undying Sword’s mistake…”

Back then, the Undying Sword engaged in battle with a powerful Archduke-level existence.

In the end, that Archduke fell.

But the Undying Sword’s realm was also destroyed, completely reduced to a mortal.

Many among them hoped Lu Mo could continue to grow.

The value Lu Mo demonstrated in this expedition was immense.

It had even completely overshadowed Solaris.

***

“Lady Lu Mo!”

Now, whether it was The Holy Sanctuary’s team or other God-descendants and ancient bloodlines, none dared to look down on Lu Mo anymore.

They no longer scornfully called her “that knight.”

Instead, they began to respectfully call out her name, adding an honorific.

“I think I understand why Miss Cecilia has always followed behind Miss Lu Mo.”

“Why?”

“Look, Miss Lu Mo is beautiful, powerful, and aloof… it’s just overflowing with sexual tension, isn’t it?”

“In comparison, besides being a Hero, what does Miss Solaris have that compares to Miss Lu Mo?”

“This generation’s Sequence Hero from The Holy Sanctuary isn’t up to par…”

“Sequence First? Maybe we should just call her the Incompetent Hero…”

Many also whispered criticisms of Solaris behind her back.

Upon hearing this, Solaris’s mentality grew increasingly unstable, her anger so intense she felt her teeth might shatter.

She didn’t understand.

Lu Mo… just why!

And by what right!

“Failed!”

“Failed again!!!”

She tried again and again to grasp that spark of inspiration, to step into the Heavenly Dominion realm.

Without exception, she failed.

Disheveled, she roared within her barrier, letting out a hysterical scream.

Her hands pressed hard against the ground, blood even seeping from under her fingernails.

But this was the cold, hard truth.

She couldn’t do it.

She couldn’t break through to Heavenly Dominion.

She couldn’t defeat Lu Mo.

A Hero, yet she couldn’t even receive the Saintess’s offering.

All she could do was coldly watch Lu Mo from afar.

Incompetent, and appearing sinister and damp.

Lu Mo could feel that gaze.

“The Hero is looking at you.”

At that moment, the woman’s voice also sounded in her mind.

“I don’t like the look in her eyes. I imagine my dear master feels the same?”

“How about we kill her right now?”

The woman’s voice, as before, carried a bewitching tone.

Lu Mo ignored the woman.

Solaris would definitely die.

She had resolved that back in the mist region.

And as they entered the core region, this matter gradually moved up the agenda.

Lu Mo walked forward. Those along the path parted upon seeing her, showing utmost respect.

“Look at these blindly following, foolish masses—”

“They revere you, praise you.”

“But they don’t know… you are the great master of the Sin Armament, possessing a terrifying potential even the Demon King lacks.”

Seeing this, the woman spoke again with a laugh.

“An aloof and pure maiden, yet harboring a fallen and dark side in secret… this contrast is truly irresistible to me…”

She seemed to enjoy this kind of scene, growing increasingly excited, her voice trembling slightly, becoming almost sultry by the end.

Soon, Lu Mo’s killing intent made the woman shut her mouth.

“Such a heartless master… not even willing to let me indulge in a little fantasy…”

“However, I still eagerly await that day’s arrival…”

“The day the great master kills the Hero, kills the Demon King, and truly… ascends to the obsidian throne—”

The woman said in the final moment.

***

Time passed.

In the third month of humanity’s entry into the demon core region, two more demon Archdukes suddenly appeared, leading demon armies to attack the humans.

This battle was a pyrrhic victory for humanity.

The demons were repelled, one Archduke severely wounded.

On the human side, one Heavenly Dominion realm expert fell, and three were wounded.

“The remaining three Archdukes are each more ancient and more powerful than the last…”

“The core region’s suppression on us grows stronger, and the demon forces’ combat power amplification becomes more pronounced.”

“But, the Demon King’s throne is right before us.”

“Having come this far, we must break into the Demon King’s throne no matter what…”

“Kill the Demon King, end this era’s demon invasion!”

After this, humanity pressed on.

The Demon King’s throne was almost within sight.

And on this day, as usual, Cecilia used her Saintess’s blood to nourish the Slaughter Sword, then coldly returned it to Solaris and quickly left.

Solaris looked at the Slaughter Sword, silent for a long time.

She picked up the Slaughter Sword, set up a barrier around herself again, and attempted a breakthrough.

As expected, she failed again.

“……”

She was nearly driven to madness.

She was once the Sequence First Hero.

And the Slaughter Sword was one of The Holy Sanctuary’s most powerful divine artifacts.

She should have raised the Slaughter Sword, earned great renown in the holy war, even ultimately slain the Demon King with the sword!

But now, she had accomplished nothing.

Everything she had was taken by a knight who didn’t even possess sacred power!

She hated!

Hated Lu Mo, hated Cecilia, hated everything that hindered her!

“If I can’t kill Lu Mo… what use is being a Hero!”

“What use is this so-called Slaughter Sword!!!”

She suddenly raised the Slaughter Sword and stabbed it into the back of her own hand.

Intense pain shot through her, her hand mangled and bleeding from her own strike.

“!?”

At that moment, Solaris’s body suddenly trembled.

She sensed something different.

She felt the Slaughter Sword seemed to become an extension of her own body.

She felt… from the deepest part of the sword, a faint pulse.

It seemed, under Cecilia’s long-term nourishment with sacred blood…

and within her own intense, extreme resentment…

The Slaughter Sword… had been awakened!

Golden patterns appeared on the blade, ancient, solemn, and murderous, then flowed toward her wound.

Merging with her blood, appearing in her pupils, even…

imprinted upon her very soul!

“……”

Solaris didn’t speak, just stared blankly at the air before her.

But within the depths of her eyes, golden divine script continuously flowed past.

She seemed to gradually begin understanding everything.

About sacred power, about God-blood, and the Slaughter Sword’s… true power!