Seeing the Platinum Armor completely vanish.
"Haha! Die, die!" Killing Death licked her lips, laughing like she was reaching an orgasm. "This is how it should be!"
Actually, until the very last moment, she still harbored a sliver of uncertainty, a feeling entirely due to the lingering shadow Tang Zheng had cast upon her last time.
Clementine and Four Elements, upon hearing Killing Death's triumphant laughter, quickly looked up in the direction where the Platinum Armor had disappeared.
They both let out a sigh of relief, as if they had just been pulled out of water, drenched in cold sweat.
The utterly defeated and miserable state of the God-Human Captain had put immense pressure and fear upon them, making them dread that Killing Death might also be defeated.
"...Monster."
Clementine gritted her teeth and shakily got up from the ground. Her exposed soft waist was covered in red scratches left from her hasty escape.
Swish—!
The air rippled.
Killing Death turned first, her eyes fixed on that spot, simultaneously adopting a defensive stance.
The next moment, Tang Zheng's figure appeared before the three of them.
"Good work, everyone."
His gentle voice rang out.
Clementine was visibly taken aback. She first glanced at Killing Death's position, then a look of realization dawned in her eyes.
"No wonder!"
Clementine had only known that Four Elements had also secretly pledged allegiance to Tang Zheng; she hadn't been informed about Killing Death.
Now, it seemed even a monster as powerful as Killing Death... Master was indeed a divine being!
"Master!"
"Master!"
Clementine and Four Elements quickly said respectfully.
"You two are quite lucky to have survived; it saves me the trouble of reviving you," Tang Zheng commented as he scanned them, paying particular attention to Clementine.
While this woman's personality was a bit twisted, she showed no hesitation or defiance when carrying out his orders.
That point was quite commendable.
"~Ara."
Killing Death, whose height was just under 160cm, tilted her snow-white neck to stare at Tang Zheng. A lazy, drawn-out girlish voice drawled from her lips, "It's no fun finishing the fight so quickly."
"Being ordered around by you all the way here to do something so boring. Anyway, why use the trump card right off the bat?"
When neither side has a clear understanding of the other's intelligence, the side that uses its ultimate move first is likely to be at a disadvantage.
It also hinders intelligence gathering and concealment!
"Black and dark gray as the color scheme, a very nice outfit," Tang Zheng responded with a light laugh, his gaze shifting to the elderly Kerry that Killing Death was holding with one hand.
"If it got damaged during the fight, I'd have to buy you a new one, which would be quite troublesome. Wouldn't it be better to resolve the fight without contact?"
If the battle were primarily for intelligence gathering, there would be no need for such haste. However, if the goal was a swift resolution, the side that unleashes their ultimate move first would gain the advantage.
After all!
For others, using a trump card might be a choice made with extreme caution, only when absolute certainty was achieved.
But Killing Death was different.
Her innate ability predetermined that her "trump cards" wouldn't be singular. Killing Death possessed a strong counter-ability against enemies targeting her intelligence.
"Ah?" Killing Death's tone heightened slightly.
"Fine, must I tell you that you probably couldn't defeat him?"
Tang Zheng shrugged and said seriously, "That opponent isn't an ordinary enemy. He's likely connected to the Council State, where there's a True Dragon Lord."
"You jerk!"
Killing Death glared fiercely at Tang Zheng with her heterochromatic eyes, but her expression turned serious upon hearing the words "True Dragon Lord."
She probably understood why Tang Zheng had asked her to act as she did.
True Dragon Lords harbored an animosity that could be described as hatred towards divine beings.
The Church had always kept divine beings hidden precisely to prevent intelligence leaks and confrontations with the remaining True Dragon Lords.
If the person in white armor couldn't be dealt with quickly, and he managed to escape, there was a high probability he would attract the Platinum Dragon Lord from the Council State.
"You two, first collect the corpses and magic items of the Darkness Scripture members, then teleport them to the hills."
Tang Zheng addressed Clementine and the "Four Elements," giving his commands.
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
Clementine and the other immediately nodded respectfully, then exchanged a look and quickly departed.
"Bring the God-Human Captain along. We'll leave here first," Tang Zheng stated, not intending to linger in the Tove Great Forest, and said to Killing Death.
"Got it~"
With the God-Human Captain and Elder Kerry, these two unconscious figures were dumped on the ground. Tang Zheng activated teleportation magic and vanished from the forest with Killing Death.
...Abelion Hills.
Deep within.
With a flash of white light, four figures appeared simultaneously.
"Hmph, such trash," Killing Death said, kicking the God-Human Captain, who lay on the ground with fractured limbs, her contempt undisguised.
Blood splattered onto the ground!
"Oh..."
The kick wasn't particularly forceful, but for the already severely injured God-Human Captain, it was adding insult to injury.
Even in his unconscious state, he couldn't help but let out a pained groan.
"He's a companion, after all."
Tang Zheng shook his head at the sight and took out a "Greater Heal" magic scroll.
He still had about seventy to eighty of these scrolls, remnants from when he obtained the world-class item [Two Worlds Mandala].
The scroll was torn open.
Whoosh—!
Sacred, holy light enveloped the near-death God-Human Captain, and healing light points converged on his wounds, rapidly repairing his injuries.
If it weren't for the Platinum Armor deliberately holding back to capture him alive, they would have had to resort to resurrection.
"Rank 6 healing magic, huh." Killing Death's heterochromatic eyes flickered as she watched another scroll appear in Tang Zheng's hand.
Even the legacies of the Six Great Gods didn't possess such high-level healing scrolls.
Killing Death didn't consider that Tang Zheng might have crafted it himself; she believed that as a God-Human, he must have inherited the legacy of some deity.
Mysterious!
Powerful!
Killing Death's eyes shone with an unusual brilliance. He held too many secrets worth exploring.
"...Too bad I haven't seen him use any weapons."
Killing Death had never seen Tang Zheng use any weapon-type magic items or wands. If she could have, she might have been able to touch them.
Perhaps then she could have understood what trump cards he possessed!
She knew that not everyone had powerful ultimate moves like trump cards, but she didn't believe Tang Zheng lacked them.
Five "Greater Heal" magic scrolls were used in succession!
The God-Human Captain's injuries were mostly recovered. He woke from his unconsciousness and, the moment his consciousness returned, quickly leaped from the ground.
"Gun Formation Defense!"
The God-Human Captain roared and activated his defensive skill.
An illusory projection of unseen spears formed a circular gun formation, surrounding the God-Human Captain and creating a comprehensive defense.
...
Detected skill "Gun Formation Defense," requires intermediate-tier job [Guns Master]. Current conditions not met...
Job "Genius" activated, converting to basic job [Warrior]. Learning conditions met. Would you like to consume 1 Skill Point to learn?
...
Tang Zheng glanced at the prompts on his Attribute Panel and gained a general understanding of the God-Human Captain's Job Build.
Simultaneously, the HP recovered by the five "Greater Heal" magic scrolls allowed him to further estimate the God-Human Captain's HP range.
Creak—
The God-Human Captain's hands, gripping his worn spear, were covered in sweat. The memory of being completely overwhelmed made his heart involuntarily skip a beat.
No attack?
What about his injuries?
It was only at this moment that
The God-Human Captain noticed Killing Death standing not far away, her expressionless face causing his eyes to widen abruptly.
"How did you..."
Killing Death let out a cold laugh. "How unsightly. To be beaten so badly."
Whoosh~
Upon hearing the mockery, the God-Human Captain didn't get angry; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"It seems you've repelled the enemy."
"But what's wrong with my injuries... and all the Scripture members are dead..." The God-Human Captain's eyes reddened as he spoke.
At this moment.
He suddenly noticed Tang Zheng standing not far from Killing Death.
"Who is he?" The God-Human Captain frowned and asked Killing Death.
He hadn't fully figured out what happened after he fainted, but since Killing Death had appeared, the crisis should have been resolved.
"Ninth-tier magic: Crimson Nova!"
Tang Zheng, without further ado, began chanting with a blank expression.
Crimson flames instantly engulfed the God-Human Captain!
"Ah—Ah!"
The God-Human Captain screamed on the spot, his hair immediately igniting from the terrifying heat, and his skin rapidly scorching.
"Ninth-tier magic: Crimson Nova!"
"Ninth-tier magic: Crimson Nova!"
Two more identical spells followed. The God-Human Captain had no time to react, his entire body turning into a charred husk before falling to the ground.
Tang Zheng calmly took out a healing scroll and began to heal.
Not long after!
The God-Human Captain's injuries recovered. His eyes bloodshot, he leaped up from the ground and retreated rapidly as if fleeing, creating distance.
"What in the world is going on!"
"Senior Killing Death, what are you doing!"
The God-Human Captain's face was pale, and he roared in exasperation, various thoughts bursting through his mind.
First, he encountered an unknown, mysterious enemy, the Platinum Armor, and now this mysterious young magic caster before him.
Ninth-tier magic?
Was he kidding? That was already the domain of gods!
"Tenth-tier magic: Seven Imperial Censors."
Boom!
Seven blue lightning bolts, several meters thick, suddenly appeared in the sky, like blue pillars of light, striking down instantly.
Their speed far surpassed the God-Human Captain's retreat speed!
With a "boom,"
The Captain stood rigidly in place, crackling with blinding blue arcs of electricity, his pair of blood-red eyes wide open.
"Tenth-tier magic: Seven Imperial Censors!"
Another seven bolts of lightning struck simultaneously.
"...Ah..." The God-Human Captain lay down with a scream.
Tang Zheng's passive enhancement of attribute magic allowed him to unleash the strongest magical power when using attribute magic attacks.
The divine light emanating from the `Greater Heal` scroll reappeared!
This time.
The God-Human Captain didn't flee. He didn't even attempt to attack. When he heard the tenth-tier magic the other party used.
He had already given up on escaping and simultaneously became more certain that Killing Death had likely betrayed him.
"What do you want me to do?"
The God-Human Captain's face turned slightly ferocious. He raised both hands towards the sky, indicating surrender.
"Oh~, you've stopped resisting so quickly."
Killing Death crossed her arms, leaning back and letting out a giggle.
It seemed she found it quite amusing, and perhaps even schadenfreude, to see the God-Human Captain in the same predicament she had once faced.
"Then let's talk," Tang Zheng responded with a smile.
It was unexpectedly smooth!
Once he understood Tang Zheng's objective and that Killing Death had joined his organization, the God-Human Captain didn't hesitate and agreed to join.
Or rather, he had no choice!
Both Killing Death and the mysterious youth before him were stronger than him.
"Since that's the case!"
"Your title is—'Honor'." Tang Zheng looked at the God-Human Captain and said slowly.
'Honor' ranked 8th!
Even though she had always known that the titles and ranks of the organization [Crown] didn't necessarily represent strength, knowing that the God-Human Captain was ranked below her...
Killing Death revealed a proud and happy expression.
"Yes, Lord Crown," the God-Human Captain said respectfully, bowing to Tang Zheng.
With the second God-Human recruited into the organization.
Tang Zheng turned around with a smile, looking at the figure lying on the ground not far away. "Since you're awake, there's no need to pretend anymore."
Killing Death and the God-Human Captain looked at Kerry together. Other than the God-Human Captain's emotions being a little complex, neither of them seemed surprised.
With the strength of the elder Kerry.
It was impossible to feign unconsciousness in front of the three of them. Neither their breathing nor their heartbeats could escape the perception of the three.
"Cough, cough."
The elder Kerry felt a chill in his heart, coughing as he slowly got up from the ground, the wrinkles on his eyes and forehead squeezed together.
He looked up.
Looking at Killing Death and the God-Human Captain standing on either side of Tang Zheng, the elder Kerry didn't say much.
She had heard the conversation just now. Even if she tried to persuade them with words, it wouldn't have much practical meaning. The key was the mysterious young man.
"I wish to know, who exactly are you?"
The elder Kerry's cloudy yet calm eyes made it impossible to analyze his thoughts and emotions:
"Or rather, do you, sir, also wish to pull this old man into the organization you mentioned, [Crown]?"
Tang Zheng shook his head. "I apologize, but [Crown] requires members with strong power, and you do not meet that requirement."
"Is that so?"
The elder Kerry sighed, his eyes suddenly turning cold, and he instantly activated the world-class item [Nation and City Incinerating] on his person.
You're too arrogant—young man!
Dazzling golden light was released from the elder Kerry's golden qipao, transforming into a golden dragon-like phantom that shot towards Tang Zheng.
Killing Death's expression changed, but she didn't seem nervous.
She knew Tang Zheng's cautious nature. How could he know so much mysterious information and not know about the existence of true divine artifacts?
And on the other side.
The God-Human Captain's crimson eyes lit up, and an excited expression involuntarily appeared on his face.
Golden light enveloped Tang Zheng and then dissipated into faint golden light spots.
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