Chapter 14: The Counterattack

Seeing the Light Alliance’s apprentice hero in such a state, Li Mingxing smiled. He knew the man intended to flee, but since Li Mingxing still wanted to obtain a Wheel of Light, he stepped forward heavily, preparing to strike and prevent the apprentice hero from opening an escape portal.

However, both Li Mingxing and the apprentice hero had overestimated the function of the teleportation badge. As the hero gritted his teeth and activated it, Li Mingxing and his companions were suddenly struck by a chill—a sensation Li Mingxing had never experienced before.

Realizing something was wrong, Li Mingxing abandoned the idea of capturing the enemy and instead ordered his subordinates to retreat. They had only backed away seven or eight steps when a blinding light turned the surroundings white. Li Mingxing felt a powerful blast of air throw him to the ground.

When he climbed back up, he found a crater over three meters in diameter. The apprentice hero and his mage follower were gone, leaving behind only a Wheel of Light and a piece of incandescent stone.

Although this suggested the hero and his follower had perished, Li Mingxing sensed something amiss. Rather than approaching the items himself, he asked his two female bodyguards to retrieve them. Though puzzled by his caution, they complied.

Upon returning, one of the bodyguards remarked, "That crater is strange. When we stepped in, we felt a powerful suction. If our strength hadn't been sufficient, we might have been forcibly pulled into an unknown world."

"Powerful suction?" A thought crossed Li Mingxing’s mind: could this suction be a way back to the Light Alliance?

If so, could he use this opportunity to strike at the Light Alliance? He quickly dismissed the thought. He remembered that every time he left the Inner World, he was placed in a separate space to review his performance—a safeguard, presumably, to prevent followers from entering the mysterious bar. Even if he could force his way into the Light Alliance’s mysterious bar, he would likely be trapped in that isolated space with no way out.

Deciding to ignore it, he played with the Wheel of Light and the incandescent stone. Having previously traded a Wheel of Light for valuable goods, he had long wanted to study one, and he wasn't about to miss this chance.

As he toyed with the artifact, Xing Tian appeared beside him. Looking at Li Mingxing, he said bluntly, "We’re going to fight Apollo. Interested in joining?"

"Do I have the strength for that?" Li Mingxing shook his head. "I don't want to watch you gods fight; it would shatter my confidence."

"I’m not asking you to watch us fight; you’re far too weak for that. But you should be able to handle Apollo’s subordinates."

A spark ignited in Li Mingxing’s eyes. Xing Tian was right. While he couldn't touch a god, he could certainly deal with the Sun God’s underlings. Even killing one or two in the chaos would yield massive benefits, given that everyone in this Inner World possessed strength above the sixth tier. Killing even one would provide immense gains for his and his followers' ethereal forms, not to mention the large number of enemies available.

Seeing the excitement in the eyes of Zheng and Aisha, Li Mingxing nodded firmly and followed Xing Tian toward Apollo’s territory.

Meanwhile, Apollo was preparing for his final stand. He had returned from the Forest Goddess’s domain long ago and was well aware of the fates of the three gods who had joined him. He knew the gods of the Inner World had their sights set on him; once he was dead, his territory would be carved up. There was no room for compromise. He had no choice but to fight to the death, and as a proud god, he would do so standing.

As he prepared his Sun Spear, a shadow appeared behind him. As the Sun God, Apollo was sensitive to light and instantly sensed the intrusion. He gripped his spear and said coldly, "The God of Shadows? I didn't expect you to be the first god to come for my head."

"I am the first, but I do not come to fight. I come to make a deal," the God of Shadows replied from within the darkness, seemingly unfazed by the Sun Spear.

"A deal? What could I possibly have to trade with you?" Apollo sneered, already sensing the other's intentions.

"I simply wish to preserve your life. One has already died, another has been subdued; there are only nine gods left. It’s no fun when the numbers dwindle."

"Fun? You think I don't know your game? You’re afraid that losing one god means losing one more shield to stand before you," Apollo said calmly. "But you underestimate me. Even if I die, I will drag at least two gods down with me. If you don't want your conspiracies to go without a scapegoat, you’d best help me when the time comes."

"You don't understand your situation. This is no longer a battle between you and me, but between Light and Darkness. If you die, there will be plenty of others to serve as my shields. I came because I value your strength. Join me, and I guarantee you a chance to survive."

"Spare me. Leave now," Apollo said haughtily, "or you will be the first enemy to die by my hand."

The God of Shadows, displeased by this arrogant dismissal, laughed coldly and vanished. Once he was gone, Apollo placed his Sun Spear upon his chariot, took up a golden harp, and began to play, half-reclining as he sang.

Apollo’s voice was melodic, possessing a warmth and power akin to sunlight. Under his song, the warriors guarding his territory grew resolute, an atmosphere of desperate defiance permeating the land.

Xing Tian and his forces felt the power as they approached. While the other gods remained silent, Xing Tian laughed loudly. "That’s more like it! If he just waited to die, it would be boring. This is worth fighting for."

The other gods, however, had no intention of wasting their strength on the doomed Apollo. Sensing their reluctance, Xing Tian shouted, "You don't have to strike at him, but you must deal with his minions. Those who don't contribute won't share in the spoils."

Knowing Xing Tian was the only god who feared neither battle nor loss—and whose divine power was replenished through combat—the other gods chose not to oppose him. Dealing with foot soldiers was a trivial task for them.

Apollo, however, had no intention of fighting Xing Tian. His eyes were fixed on the other gods. As Xing Tian entered, Apollo had his minions intercept him while he remained on his chariot, singing.

As the first god stepped into the Sun God’s domain, the sunlight intensified a hundredfold. With a wave of Apollo’s hand, the light transformed into arrows, raining down upon the intruder.

Though not the strongest god in the Inner World, the intruder was still a god. He sensed the incoming arrows and instantly raised a wall of water, forcibly blocking the barrage.