The Golden Heaven Dragon crashed into the valley with a deafening explosion.
Its left wing had been torn apart.
Golden blood flowed across the ancient stone platform, causing countless runes to illuminate.
For the first time since the battle began, the Ancient Guardian was seriously injured.
Above the valley, the Void Devourer let out a terrifying roar.
The dimensional rift behind it continued expanding.
Black lightning flashed across the sky.
The pressure alone was enough to make ordinary players lose consciousness.
Lin Chen gripped the Ocean Emperor's Trident tightly.
His instincts screamed at him.
This enemy was on an entirely different level.
Even the Ancient Guardian had been forced back within minutes.
Another communication request appeared.
Lin Chen accepted immediately.
[Unknown Survivor] : We attack together.
[Lin Chen] : Agreed.
[Unknown Survivor] : I'll create an opening.
[Lin Chen] : I'll aim for the core.
The communication ended.
There was no need for further discussion.
Both understood each other's roles.
The Void Devourer slowly descended toward the Mythic Treasure Chest.
Every step distorted space itself.
Its countless crimson eyes ignored the two players completely.
To it...
Humans were insignificant.
The Golden Heaven Dragon struggled to stand.
Its deep voice echoed throughout the valley.
"...Protect..."
"...The inheritance..."
"...No matter the cost..."
Then the dragon charged once more.
Golden flames erupted around its body.
The collision between the dragon and the Void Devourer shook the entire Ancient Abyss Beast.
The opportunity had arrived.
Lin Chen moved.
The Ocean Emperor's Trident burst with blue light.
Water from nearby rivers and waterfalls rose into the sky.
A gigantic ocean vortex formed behind him.
On the opposite side, the masked survivor disappeared.
Not a single trace remained.
Even Abyss Sight struggled to follow the movement.
Boom!
The dragon slammed into the Void Devourer.
The World Boss staggered slightly.
That tiny opening was enough.
Lin Chen thrust the trident forward.
"Mythic Skill!"
"Ocean Sovereign's Command!"
The giant vortex compressed into a single spear of water and lightning.
It pierced toward the World Boss.
At the exact same moment—
The masked survivor appeared above the monster's head.
The silver spear descended like a falling star.
Two attacks landed simultaneously.
BOOM!!
For the first time...
The Void Devourer roared in pain.
Black blood splattered across the valley.
A system notification appeared.
World Boss Damaged
Contribution Increased
Lin Chen's eyes lit up.
It could be injured.
That meant it could be defeated.
The Void Devourer became furious.
Its countless eyes glowed crimson.
Black mist spread throughout the battlefield.
Everywhere the mist touched...
Space began collapsing.
Mountains disappeared.
Ancient trees turned into dust.
Even sunlight seemed to be swallowed.
Lin Chen immediately retreated.
The masked survivor did the same.
Neither dared touch the strange mist.
The Golden Heaven Dragon roared.
Golden flames spread outward, temporarily forcing back the darkness.
"...Humans..."
"...Listen..."
The dragon's voice sounded much weaker than before.
Lin Chen looked toward it.
"...The chest..."
"...Must not..."
"...Fall into the Void..."
Before the sentence finished...
The Void Devourer's tail struck.
Boom!
The Golden Heaven Dragon was thrown hundreds of meters away.
Its aura weakened dramatically.
The guardian was reaching its limit.
Another Team Chat message appeared.
[Su Yao] : Lin Chen.
[Lin Chen] : I'm listening.
[Su Yao] : My Talent is showing another future.
[Lin Chen] : Good or bad?
Several seconds passed.
[Su Yao] : Both.
[Lin Chen] : Explain.
[Su Yao] : If the World Boss reaches the chest...
[Su Yao] : Humanity loses its greatest opportunity.
Lin Chen frowned.
[Lin Chen] : And if I get it?
[Su Yao] : Your future changes completely.
No further explanation came.
That was enough.
Lin Chen had already made his decision.
The Mythic Treasure Chest could never fall into the Void Devourer's hands.
The battle resumed.
The World Boss raised one enormous claw.
A black sphere formed above it.
Space twisted violently.
The sphere rapidly expanded.
One hundred meters.
Five hundred meters.
A full kilometer.
The surrounding air disappeared.
Everything was pulled toward it.
Lin Chen stabbed the trident into the ground.
Water chains anchored his body.
Even so, he was dragged forward.
The masked survivor wasn't much better.
For the first time, their movements slowed.
The Void Devourer laughed.
A horrifying sound echoed across the valley.
Just then—
The Ancient Abyss Beast moved.
The entire continent beneath them shook.
An ancient roar echoed from the depths of the ocean.
The colossal creature had finally awakened completely.
Every mountain trembled.
Every forest swayed.
The Golden Heaven Dragon smiled weakly.
"...It has awakened..."
The next second...
An unimaginably powerful pressure descended upon the battlefield.
The black sphere instantly shattered.
The Void Devourer stopped laughing.
For the first time...
Fear appeared in its countless crimson eyes.
Far beyond the valley, an enormous eye slowly opened.
The eye belonged to the Ancient Abyss Beast itself.
It silently looked toward the invading World Boss.
No attack.
No movement.
Only a gaze.
Yet that gaze alone forced the Void Devourer backward.
A world announcement appeared before every surviving player.
World Announcement
The Ancient Abyss Beast has fully awakened.
Ancient Era Event Activated.
All Monster Tide Final Bosses have received suppression.
The entire world fell silent.
Lin Chen looked at the enormous eye in the distance.
He finally understood.
The Ancient Abyss Beast wasn't merely sleeping beneath the sea.
It had been protecting this world all along.
And the Void Devourer...
Was an invader from another realm.
The battle had entered an entirely new stage.
To Be Continued...