Devour

Bonis’s form erupted in a dazzling display of five-colored brilliance, rocketing skyward. Black, blue, red, and yellow radiated with blinding splendor, though the green light, representing the Plant-elemental, was noticeably dimmer. These five torrents of light converged above Bonis’s head, coalescing into a swirling, pitch-black cloud. Immediately, Brockman felt his body become as weightless as a stray leaf, swept by a furious gale, and involuntarily plunged headlong into the ominous black cloud.

The instant he entered the cloud, Brockman’s gaze remained fixed on the Tear Source, which had been hurled towards Number Three conduit. So long as it reached the conduit, Marshal Philip still held a sliver of hope for survival! Yet, the black cloud above Bonis’s head not only drew in Brockman but also acted like a magnet, remotely locking onto the Tear Source. It spun once at the conduit’s mouth, then playfully darted back towards its master!

Brockman’s eyes squeezed shut. ‘It’s over!’ When he reopened them, he found himself immersed in a space of impenetrable, inky blackness, where he couldn’t even see his own hand.

Bonis’s Secret Technique of Devour, true to its name, derived its entire might from the single character ‘Devour.’ All things under heaven originated from the five great elements. Yet, anything imbued with these elements could not escape Bonis’s absorption and consumption. Only those possessing the formidable battle qi of a Margaret-tier powerhouse could hope to flee, or perhaps those like Yetha, who possessed no battle qi at all and had naturally sparse elemental essences within their bodies, might fortuitously escape.

Bonis scoffed, hands clasped behind his back. ‘So, it is you, Brockman. Hmph, await your digestion within my Devourer Space! Soon, your master, Philip, shall join you!’ With that, Bonis reached out to catch the Tear Source as it flew towards him.

But at that very moment, right at Bonis’s fingertips, the Tear Source vanished into thin air without a single warning.

Bonis was thoroughly startled. Was there another master thief lurking nearby?! He roared, ‘Don’t even think of escaping!’ The five-colored brilliance erupted once more. This time, he unleashed battle qi so formidable it was second only to the Divine Emperor Prince himself. The black cloud of his Devourer Secret Technique enveloped a full hundred-meter radius, indiscriminately covering the invisible thief, even at the cost of destroying the surrounding Heaven's Tears Pools.

It was Du Chen who had snatched the Tear Source from thin air. He had been lurking, biding his time, and seized the opportune moment without hesitation. However, Bonis’s Secret Technique was truly formidable, instantly encompassing a hundred-meter radius and enshrouding Du Chen within it as well.

His Wind and Thunder Dual Wings vibrated fiercely. Du Chen tested the limits; his battle qi was nearly equal to Bonis’s, so he wasn’t afraid of being absorbed or devoured. However, Bonis, discerning Du Chen’s location by the resistance, sneered and reached out. ‘You can contend with me in sheer power, yet you lack the face to show yourself?’

Du Chen mused internally, *No wonder Bonis was able to defeat Arthur, whose power was almost on par with his own. The Demon Lord far surpassed Arthur in both the intricacy of his Secret Techniques and his combat skill… But this old man isn't here to fight you. Farewell!*

Du Chen was about to unfurl his Wind and Thunder Dual Wings and retreat, but the next moment, his heart was abruptly startled. Bonis’s hundred-meter black cloud, though unable to absorb Du Chen, was like a sticky paste, clinging to him and preventing his escape!

Arthur’s intelligence had made no mention of this move, nor had Fire Phoenix ever spoken of it. It had to be one of Bonis’s rarely employed, ultimate trump cards!

Since retreat was impossible, he could only fight head-on! Du Chen chuckled softly. ‘Since the Demon Lord extends an invitation, I shall accept!’ His arms, shimmering with cross-shaped lightning, locked onto Bonis’s outstretched right hand. He curled his body, driving his knees forward to ram Bonis’s face. When Bonis’s left arm blocked him, Du Chen merely opened his mouth slightly, spitting a bolt of lightning that struck Bonis’s forehead with thunderous force!

Black mist welled up on Bonis’s forehead, devouring the lightning and pushing him back. He gazed at the suddenly revealed Du Chen. Though Du Chen still wore Chick’s mask, the Demon Lord smiled, recalling the top-secret intelligence provided by Ferdinand. ‘Treading upon the Golden Lotus and breathing forth heavenly thunder – it appears His Majesty, Divine Emperor Francis, has graced us with his presence! Bonis is remiss in not greeting you sooner! Undead legion, why do you not welcome His Supreme Divine Emperor?! Violet-Bloods Second and Third Army Corps, seal the sky with the Devourer Array!’

His voice echoed across the plains, and the Scourge Citadel erupted in a clamor. The Undead, fearing Du Chen’s Holy Light, dared not advance, but the Netherbeasts, unafraid, surged forward! Crucially, the Retainers Bonis had brought to eliminate Philip split into two Army Corps, flying into the sky to weave a net-like black cloud, identical to the one Bonis had just used to ensnare Du Chen!

Du Chen ignored the Netherbeasts, but frowned at the black cloud sealing his escape route. He taunted with a laugh, ‘Is this the Demon Lord’s way of welcoming guests?’

‘The Divine Emperor can still laugh? Truly, a man of remarkable courage! Prince will surely rest in peace with a successor like you!’ Bonis roared with laughter, yet inwardly thought, *According to the Heaven's Tears rules, the Tear Source is merely a third auxiliary controller, supplementary to Philip and me. Francis holding the Tear Source cannot command the army. Therefore, his threat to me right now is not particularly high!*

However, when establishing the Heaven’s Tears rules, Philip had also envisioned a specific scenario: if both he and I lacked the Tear Source, and our commands conflicted, whom should the army obey?! At the time, Bonis reasoned that if the army were to obey him in such a situation, it would clearly show his distrust of Philip. Yet, to declare Philip supreme wasn’t an option either! So, Bonis devised a solution that seemed fair on the surface but was actually more advantageous to him: if their commands conflicted and neither possessed the Tear Source, the army would obey no one and remain on standby! In this way, when Bonis and Philip clashed, the army would remain neutral. But with his five-colored battle qi, Bonis could still toy with Philip at his leisure!

Nevertheless, Bonis was only human, and he hadn’t foreseen today’s predicament. If Philip were to emerge today and issue a conflicting command, then, regrettably, the hundred-thousand-strong army would instantly go on standby. This meant Bonis and his Retainers would face alone an ultra-luxurious hostile lineup: over six thousand Outsiders, along with Philip, Tendon-Severing, Corpse Dissolution, and of course, Du Chen and Andy…

Therefore, Bonis concluded that the crucial point now was to prevent Philip from issuing orders to the army alive!

Bonis roared, ‘Violet-Bloods First Army Corps, fully impede Francis and cover me while I kill Philip!’ With that, Bonis soared towards Number Three conduit—Brockman had tossed the Tear Source in that direction moments ago, clearly indicating Philip’s location!

Du Chen had already learned the Heaven's Tears rules from Brockman, so he now perfectly understood Bonis’s intentions. He glanced once more at the black cloud blocking the sky, then suddenly laughed aloud and followed Bonis, unleashing continuous bolts of heavenly thunder. ‘Demon Lord, this junior wishes to humbly request a few pointers on your Secret Techniques! Andy, clear out the Violet-Bloods Army Corps for me!’ *If Philip can’t issue his orders alive, then I won’t be able to escape either!*

The Snow Wolf leaped from the Mystic Lotus, transforming into its Frost Dragon form mid-air. Its massive wings and ice-wind array blocked the troops assaulting Du Chen! At that moment, Tendon-Severing and Corpse Dissolution, observing the situation from behind Number Three secret passages, saw things clearly. Tendon-Severing exclaimed joyfully, ‘Master, quickly! All it takes is a single command from you to clash with Bonis, and the hundred-thousand-strong Netherbeast Legion will cease all action! Haha, then Francis and Bonis will be entangled, Andy will contend with the Violet-Bloods Army Corps, and we, along with the six thousand Outsiders, will be more than enough to protect your escape… Master, what’s wrong with you!?’

Philip stood rooted to the spot, utterly stunned. His two Undead pupils, along with the massive eye on his shoulder, all three eyes stared blankly through the conduit at the two Heaven's Tears Pools, unable to issue a command immediately!

Bonis had been right beside the Heaven's Tears Pools, and his Devourer Secret Technique, expanded to a hundred-meter radius to engulf the invisible Du Chen, had inadvertently… While the Violet-Bloods Army Corps, skilled in Bonis’s Secret Techniques, remained unscathed, both Heaven's Tears Pools and a vast amount of experimental data were utterly destroyed, all absorbed into the black cloud formed by Bonis’s five-colored brilliance…

‘My life’s work, my, my life’s work!’ Philip suddenly snapped back to consciousness, stomping his foot and beating his chest, then bolted outwards like a madman!

Tendon-Severing cursed inwardly. He knew his Master couldn’t bear the shock of his life’s work being destroyed, his mind so distraught he cared for nothing else. Yet, at this moment, he absolutely *had* to relay an order! So, he goaded, ‘Master, Bonis destroyed your life’s work! Don’t you want revenge? Quickly, issue a command for the Undead legion to clash with him, and you’ll have your chance for vengeance!’

Philip’s massive eye flared with a chilling gleam, a sinister malevolence that struck fear into one’s heart. He snatched up the metal communicator beside the conduit and roared, ‘Undead Legion, kill Bonis for me!!!’

Hiss, hiss—a dull, widespread chorus of strange noises suddenly echoed through the Scourge Citadel, the heavy breaths of the Undead. They looked around, bewildered! They glanced at Bonis, then at the conduit from which Philip’s voice emanated, suddenly freezing in place, looking left, right, up, and down. *It turns out every leader is complicated… whom should we obey?* The Undead fell into deep thought over this weighty question!

Inside Production Room Number Three, Philip grinned ferociously, grabbed two Weapons, and charged out. ‘Tendon-Severing, Corpse Dissolution, gather all Outsiders! We shall lay siege to Bonis!’

Tendon-Severing was greatly alarmed. ‘Master, vengeance can wait! Twenty li southeast of the ancient castle lies a Fiendkind Troop Self-Sufficiency base. Their fifty-thousand-strong Violet-Bloods Army must have already detected the disturbance at the ancient castle and are now on their way!’

Philip waved the Weapons in his hands with frenzied determination, spewing hatred. ‘Before the Violet-Bloods Army arrives, we have ample time to kill Bonis! Let’s go!’ Tendon-Severing and Corpse Dissolution tried to stop him, but Philip’s three eyes glared. ‘Anyone who dares to block me, I will kill!’

Tendon-Severing persisted, ‘But Master, the moment you step out, Bonis will immediately kill you according to the Heaven’s Tears Rules’ hierarchy, thereby securing his complete control over the Legion. Your going out… is simply suicide!’

Philip sneered, ‘I haven’t been blinded by hatred! See for yourself through the conduit—right now, Francis and Bonis are locked in an evenly matched battle. Both need to concentrate their entire battle qi on the other. This way, even if I go out, Bonis wouldn’t dare risk diverting his battle qi to kill me! Hmph, come with me, quickly!’

Tendon-Severing still wanted to persuade him further, but at that moment, Corpse Dissolution gently tugged his sleeve. ‘Tendon-Severing, the Master is right. Bonis wouldn’t dare divert his battle qi to kill us. Come, let us follow the Master to slay the enemy!’ As she spoke, she repeatedly cast meaningful glances.

Tendon-Severing frowned. ‘Alright, even if Bonis doesn’t dare to divert his battle qi, given the current situation, wouldn’t it be safer for us to abandon Francis and escape the ancient castle? Since there’s an opportunity to survive without fighting, why risk it!? The Master’s mind is muddled, making the wrong decision—is your mind muddled too?’

Corpse Dissolution glanced at Philip, who had already run off into the distance, and lowered her voice. ‘Tendon-Severing, you and I have been old friends for decades. I won’t mince words with you, just one question: even if we escape today, what will happen in the future?’

Tendon-Severing gave a bitter smile. ‘We’d definitely be facing a dual pursuit from both humans and Fiendkind…’

‘Exactly! Think about it, both you, I, Flaying, and Deboning are Yessar Saints by origin. Yet our current situations are vastly different—Deboning is a ‘Provisional Pontiff Guardian,’ second only to one, above tens of thousands, while we are reduced to stray dogs… Does that sit right with you? Don’t you want to change your circumstances?’ Corpse Dissolution gave a cold smile. ‘Brockman said that Francis has taken a liking to the Master’s Undead techniques and intends to recruit him! So, whether Philip fights or flees now, he won’t have to worry about his future prosperity! But we are different. We don’t possess Undead techniques, only battle qi that Francis would deem not particularly powerful. What about *our* future prosperity then!?’

Tendon-Severing was rendered speechless. ‘Then, then what do you suggest we do?’

‘It’s simple! The Master is absolutely right—Bonis wouldn’t dare divert his battle qi to deal with us right now. Francis would seize the opening and kill him in a single move! So what’s stopping us from going out? Come, let’s help Francis! Our merits today will be our capital for advancement within the Holy Alliance tomorrow!’

Tendon-Severing pondered carefully, then gritted his teeth. ‘Very well. For future prosperity, who cares if the situation aligns with Master Philip’s interests? We’re not Brockman, nor do we owe Philip our lives!’

Outside, Bonis watched as the Undead and Netherbeasts all ceased their movements. Philip, Tendon-Severing, Corpse Dissolution, and numerous Outsiders then charged at him in unison. He sighed inwardly, *Alas, my worst fears have come to pass. Ahead, a Divine Emperor who is my equal; behind, an army of over six thousand… A dead end!* Bonis slowly closed his eyes, a strange smile suddenly gracing his lips. *A dead end? Then it’s time to fight to the death and find new life!*

Above him, Du Chen attacked again, launching heavenly thunder imbued with Sands of the Hourglass. Bonis abruptly snapped his eyes open, and five-colored battle qi instantly materialized. ‘Devour Soul!’

The five colors converged into a black beam, expanding outwards from Bonis’s core. In a flash, it spread throughout the entire Undead ancient castle, shrouding it in a black curtain. The Undead, the bone walls, Tendon-Severing, Corpse Dissolution, Philip… all were pulled by Bonis, irresistibly drawn towards the black cloud above his head! Du Chen’s heart gave a sudden tremor. *Does Bonis intend to die? He launched such a massive Secret Technique; its range has expanded, but what about its power? When power is dispersed, its might naturally plummets!* Du Chen distinctly felt that after Bonis spread his power across the entire Scourge Citadel, the average battle qi at any given point was merely Eleventh-Tier. Even his own shield was only Eleventh-Tier… Or to put it bluntly, at this moment, Du Chen could crush Demon Lord Bonis with a single finger!

‘No, Bonis wouldn’t truly sacrifice himself!’ Du Chen told himself. ‘Once Bonis dies, and I then deal with Philip, I, Francis, will become the sole commander of the Legion by virtue of the Tear Source. I could easily unleash a million-strong Netherbeast Legion to annihilate the Fiendkind… Bonis couldn’t possibly fail to foresee this outcome, nor would he risk the entire Fiendkind. Therefore, he must have some ulterior motive!’

Considering this, Du Chen did not rashly act in response to Bonis’s strange move. Instead, he used his unparalleled speed to first protect himself—*Of all things under heaven, after my wife and children, my own life is paramount!* This was Du Chen’s unwavering creed!

But at that very moment, Bonis’s dispersed black cloud, its power diminished to Eleventh-Tier, enveloped Philip! Eleventh-Tier against Philip’s Tenth-rank Undead Battle Qi—the outcome was self-evident!

Philip charged headlong towards Bonis and was firmly seized by the Demon Lord. Moments ago, Bonis had simply tossed Brockman into the black cloud after absorbing him—a move intended to replenish his energy. But now, he had no desire for further complications. Grasping Philip’s shoulders with both hands, he forcefully exerted his remaining Eleventh-Tier battle qi, and with a sickening rip, brutally tore Philip apart…

‘Marshal Philip!’ Tendon-Severing cried out in alarm, unable to resist the Eleventh-Tier battle qi, and was sucked into the black cloud!

‘Damn it, a miscalculation!’ Corpse Dissolution groaned, also swallowed whole!

Immediately after, Bonis’s battle qi rapidly retracted, reconvening into five-colored battle qi around him, and he burst into boisterous laughter!

Witnessing all this and hearing the Demon Lord’s triumphant laughter, Du Chen suddenly understood. He touched his nose and nodded. *Indeed, the Demon Lord is ruthless enough!*

Bonis laughed. ‘Francis, are you still wondering about my hidden agenda? Let me tell you, I just gambled the entire fate of the Fiendkind on killing Philip! My bet was that you would suspect a conspiracy, hesitate for a moment, and give me the chance to kill Philip! I won, didn’t I?!’

Du Chen rolled his eyes. ‘So what?’

Bonis chuckled. ‘What else? The Tear Source is merely a backup Undead controller. With Philip dead, I am the primary controller of both the Undead and Netherbeasts! The Undead fear your Holy Light, but the Netherbeasts do not. Netherbeast Legion, obey my command… Kill!’

Du Chen frowned slightly. There was an intercepting net in the sky, a hundred-thousand-strong army on the ground. Beyond the Undead, there were still fifty to sixty thousand Netherbeasts, and even his invisibility and shrinking techniques would be detected by Bonis’s uncanny Secret Technique… *Damn it, if you dare to fight to the death and find new life, why wouldn’t I?!*

Du Chen suddenly roared, ‘Andy, return!’ Once the Snow Wolf re-entered the Mystic Lotus, Du Chen, before the Netherbeast Legion’s Sacred Artifact Cannons could blast him, violently trembled his shoulders. Thousands of iridescent rays of light shot skyward, spinning as they assailed Bonis! Du Chen’s true form also transformed into a streak of light, mingling within the effulgence!

Bonis let out an ‘Oh?’ This Secret Technique bore some resemblance to Brockman’s! In truth, the Demon Lord didn't know that this very move, the ‘Thousand Strands of Benevolent Lock,’ was an improved version stolen and learned from Brockman! Bonis lost sight of Du Chen’s true form and stared intently at the thousands of approaching rays of light. He thought, *What incredible speed, I can’t dodge this. But what if I just take this move head-on?!* He coldly commanded, ‘Sky units, focus on interception! All Sacred Artifact Cannons, seal the escape routes… Francis, come on, Devour!’

The five-colored battle qi suddenly vibrated, transforming into a black cloud that devoured everything. In the blink of an eye, the ten thousand rays of light and Du Chen’s true form were sucked into the black cloud! Bonis’s face was pale, cold sweat streaming down. This strike was Du Chen’s full power, and Bonis had fought with desperate resolve. Although he had successfully devoured Du Chen, Bonis felt as if he had swallowed a razor-sharp blade, his entire body trembling in agony!

But Bonis endured! His gaze swept across the Scourge Citadel and the remnants of Philip’s body on the ground. He raised his arm and bellowed, ‘Violet-Bloods are invincible! Let it be known to all under heaven immediately: Supreme Divine Emperor Francis, venturing alone into peril, has been slain by Violet-Bloods Grand Marshal Bonis in the Scourge Citadel! In the Crimson-Violet War, the Violet-Bloods shall surely triumph!’

‘Violet-Bloods shall triumph!’ The shouts echoed throughout the Scourge Citadel!

Bonis clenched his fists, bending slightly as he muttered, enduring the intense pain. ‘Damn it, devouring Francis will cost me at least ten years of my life… but it’s worth it! With the Divine Emperor fallen, humanity is on the verge of fracturing. I, Bonis, shall live to witness the Violet-Bloods unify the Three Continents!’ With these words, the old Grand Marshal’s eyes welled with tears, and he raised his arm again, roaring, seizing this Heaven-Sent Opportunity to invigorate the Violet-Bloods’ fighting spirit. ‘Rejoice, my brethren! Today, the Violet-Bloods have achieved a historic victory, one that shall be eternally etched into the annals of history!’

But at that very moment, a golden light burst forth from Bonis’s nape, swiftly followed by a second, then a third… Bonis’s body suddenly swelled, instantly becoming like a small mountain. The Demon Lord’s expression twisted drastically, but before he could react, *Thwip!* a colossal golden palm extended from his back, swollen like an ancient behemoth. A second hand followed closely. The two hands pulled apart, brutally tearing Bonis’s flesh. A golden figure leaped out from within his body, standing proudly atop Bonis’s maximally expanded head. Its resplendent, flowing golden wings slowly unfurled, and with a single arm, it gently clasped the Demon Lord’s ravaged, bleeding neck… appearing like a Sharp Gold Divine Demon from primordial times!

His cold gaze swept over the stunned army. He repeated Bonis’s earlier boast, ‘Let it be known to all under heaven immediately: Demon Lord Bonis, overestimating his own strength, has been captured alive by the Holy Alliance’s Supreme Divine Emperor Francis in the Scourge Citadel! In the Human-Fiendkind War, humanity shall surely triumph!’ Du Chen leaned down and patted Bonis’s forehead. ‘Demon Lord, this battle will never be recorded in history, because from this day forth… history shall be written by me!’