"What? You're all saying Blade should go to Amphoreus to try Castorice?"
"Come on! What level of 'blessing' does Blade have? Even beings like Jing Yuan and Jingliu couldn't kill her. Do you really expect Castorice to grant Blade peace?"
"However, based on the previous Clouds Leave No Trace mission, Blade isn't exactly immortal—it's more like he tends to revive after dying."
"So, with Castorice's abilities, she could still let Blade rest briefly~..."
"Hey! I have an idea!"
"If Blade carries Castorice on his back all the time, would that let him die permanently?"
Astral Express.
March 7th was scrolling through trending videos.
Just then,
Dan Heng's voice came through the live stream.
"Utter silence..."
"Nikador uses this silence as the arrogant war drum of their pride. Beyond this curtain of water... lies the battlefield."
Seeing this,
March 7th quickly put down her phone!
And focused on the real-time storyline!
Now it's time to witness the true power of the Strife Titan!
The Astral Express Crew will also use this as a benchmark to assess the risk level of heading to Amphoreus.
At the end of the road lies a wide waterfall.
The traces of artificial construction and the natural scenery blend together perfectly.
However,
now is not the time to admire the view!
The drumbeats in the background foreshadow an impending great battle!
As they approach the curtain of water,
an ancient chant suddenly echoes!
"Who is crying? My head hurts, it feels like it's being torn apart..." Stelle's pained voice rings out.
"Hold on! Recall your faith, everything you cherish—if you can't, then imagine death instead, that might just keep you alive!"
Pressing forward!
Both sides of the screen begin to glow with a blood-red light!
The chanting in the background grows clearer and clearer!
After passing through another curtain of water,
a vast and magnificent scene unfolds before their eyes!
This appears to be a massive palace, with a huge pool at the front and various exquisite flowerbeds and plants planted on either side.
Just as Stelle is about to move forward,
she is suddenly stopped by Phainon's hand.
His gaze
turns upward.
On the silk-like intertwined bridges above the palace,
stands a burly figure.
It is not humanoid but resembles the form of a giant arthropod.
It holds a spear taller than itself!
Its head tilts slightly upward,
as if noticing the three of them.
The next moment,
it descends from the sky!
Landing right before everyone!
...
"Holy crap! What the hell is that thing!"
"You're one fancy-looking Titan!"
"Looks like a giant insect, with mechanical elements in its body structure, the two fused together into a unique style..."
"I feel like it's man-made!"
"Don't say that! It has a similar vibe to Sam's construction style..."
"If I ran into this thing out of nowhere, I'd drop to my knees on the spot..."
"Are all the other Titans like this too!?"
"Am I the only one who thinks it looks cool? It's oozing power and weaponry! Truly worthy of the Strife Titan!"
...
While the players are marveling, the battle has already begun.
Phainon's voice rings out: "Be careful! Its appearance is different from what I remember."
"What's changed?"
"...Weaker, but also more twisted."
On the health bar,
its name appears.
[Barbarian God, Mad King, Embodiment of Strife]
"This background music is so hype!" Little Gui exclaims.
The next moment,
the Titan makes its move!
It hurls its spear into the air, transforming it into countless light spears that rain down.
Starting off with an area attack.
Phainon's voice echoes in the background:
"You two, clear your minds—"
"Stand by my side, and I will withstand its wrath!"
Immediately followed by another action.
It plunges the spear into the ground,
causing the earth to shake and crack!
Another area attack!
Golden energy currents ignite around its body.
It gains a buff called Titan's Divine Body.
Little Gui notices a golden number "1" appearing above each character's head.
[Characters holding Glory can release Skills or Ultimates to stack Glory layers and gain buffs]
[Characters holding Glory can attack to remove corresponding layers of the Titan's Body]
After reading the prompt,
Little Gui instantly gets it!
"It's just a 12-hit shield!"
"My Jingliu and Dan Heng combo may not excel in other areas, but we sure have plenty of Skill and Ultimate uses!"
"Then you're done for!"
The ensuing battle unfolded exactly as Little Gui had anticipated!
Using this team composition proved incredibly effective!
One might even suspect Jing Yuan had rigged the rankings!
Otherwise, how could the environment be so perfectly tailored for him!?
After a full burst combo.
The Strife Titan's health bar had dropped to a quarter.
But there was no indication of any other phase!
This made Little Gui feel something was off!
It was the same situation when fighting the Lord of Divinity before!
Thinking it was over, only to realize it was all a dream!
Could this be a repeat performance?
"Even gods can bleed..."
"I shall extinguish your Kindling, Titan!"
Phainon's tone was resolute.
The Divine General struck.
A massive blade descended, carrying endless lightning.
Little Gui, at the controls, felt a surge of exhilaration!
Nothing beats the Divine General!
Jing Yuan's stats might have fallen behind, but his visual effects never will!
It was like pouring the Strife Titan into a cup and filling it to the brim!
This single strike.
Brought its health bar down to 1%.
Health lock!
Cutscene triggered!
Phainon leaped into a slash, his Greatsword cleaving a trench through the water's surface, but the Strife Titan nimbly evaded.
It used the momentum to spin its spear.
A golden light ignited, seemingly preparing for a decisive strike!
However.
At this very moment!
Strands of golden threads suddenly descended!
Instantly pinning the Strife Titan in place!
Its arms and spear struggled against the golden threads, emitting constant metallic clangs.
The perspective followed the threads upward.
To the highest point of the palace.
Where the golden threads converged.
A woman hung upside down in the air.
The dazzling light from the ceiling outlined her perfect silhouette.
...
"!!!"
"The Goddess of Beauty descends!!"
"Big Sister, who are you? That pose is absolutely stunning!"
"Difficulty level 999! Score 999!"
"It's Aglaea! She's finally making her appearance, wuwuwu!"
"Wow, how breathtakingly beautiful is Aglaea?"
...
She stretched her body, her expression serene.
Speaking softly, she said, "Proceed."
Phainon responded immediately!
His Greatsword swept through!
The screen flashed black and white.
The water beneath their feet was violently parted by the force!
Aglaea, meanwhile, smiled faintly.
Withdrawing the golden threads restraining the Strife Titan.
She descended slowly, gracefully from the air.
The tip of her high heel lightly brushed against a golden thread.
Merely stirring a single ripple on the water's surface.
Not even disturbing the surrounding petals.
...
"Who came up with the idea of entering by stepping on golden threads? So beautiful! This is truly the goddess weaving the threads of fate [sobbing uncontrollably]"
"Truly beautiful, a divine beauty. I wasn't planning to pull for her, but seeing this scene, I really can't resist [tears]"
"This one is on another level, a mother-tier character!"
"Even if she ties me up and tries to kill me, I'm still pulling for her!"
"Though she's beautiful, this is just another trial Castorice has set for me!"
"The last time my heart raced like this was during Fu Xuan's bullet-catching scene."
"Those aren't golden threads she's stepping on; she's stepping on the strings of my heart [drooling] gone."