"That foolish, arrogant Undying Phoenix... to think she fled without even managing to take half of Evil You Ancestor’s life with her," Crownless God Monarch lamented from deep within the clouds. His entire plan was now in ruins. With everything completely deviating from his script, he was deeply disappointed and uncertain if another such opportunity would ever arise.
"What should we do next, Elder Brother?" asked Absolute Cold God Monarch.
"That old hag still has some use," Crownless God Monarch replied. "We can take her power. Hmph!"
Instantly, Absolute Cold God Monarch understood.
"Younger Brother, now is the time to use your Bridal Gown Divine Skill!"
"Rest assured, Elder Brother," Absolute Cold God Monarch declared coldly. "As long as we join forces and subdue her, her lifetime of power will be nothing but a bridal gown for us!"
"Very well. Let’s go!"
The two of them instantly vanished from the clouds.
"I never imagined all my dreams would be put to the torch like this. Evil You Ancestor, King of Heaven, and my precious disciple... one day, I will kill you all with my own hands! Only then will I be satisfied! Hahahaha... COUGH! COUGH!"
Undying Phoenix spat out a large mouthful of blood. She was weaker than ever, her lifeblood already withered and dry. After so many battles, she knew that if she couldn’t find fresh blood to replenish herself, she would die from utter depletion.
"I’m afraid you won’t get that chance," a voice sneered.
Undying Phoenix immediately looked up to see Crownless God Monarch and Absolute Cold God Monarch arriving. She berated them, "So it’s you two! Why didn’t you help me when I was fighting Evil You Ancestor?"
"We are not nearly as powerful as you. We didn’t dare fight him!" Crownless God Monarch replied with a smile.
Undying Phoenix scoffed, "A pair of cowards!"
"Yes, we are cowards," Absolute Cold God Monarch retorted with a cold smile. "But haven’t you heard? It’s the cowards who live longest."
Undying Phoenix was no fool. She saw their ill intentions at a single glance and shouted, "What are you trying to do?"
"We simply feel that you have warred your entire life. It is time for you to rest. Allow us to fulfill your final wishes for you!" Crownless God Monarch said as he began to channel his power. Absolute Cold God Monarch moved to flank her, their intentions now painfully obvious.
Undying Phoenix roared, "You dare attack me? Are you not afraid to die?"
"Of course we’re afraid," Crownless God Monarch replied. "But it all depends on who we’re facing. You, for instance, are just an arrogant fool! You were dealt such a good hand, and you completely squandered it. That’s why you don’t have what it takes to change the Divine Domain!" He then barked the order, "Attack!"
The two rushed forward, unleashing the Heavenly Gang’s Seventy-Two Skills and Seamless Heavenly Garment.
Undying Phoenix transformed into her true form, meeting their attack with a palm strike of her own. The resulting blast threw all three of them back, and they each spat out a mouthful of blood. They were injured, but Undying Phoenix was clearly in the worst state. The exchange had gone against her.
"The old hag can’t take much more! Attack!" Crownless God Monarch ordered.
The two ignited their Life Force and renewed their assault on Undying Phoenix under the night sky, their battle shattering the surrounding mountains. Just as Undying Phoenix launched a fierce strike at Absolute Cold God Monarch, Crownless God Monarch seized the opening and pierced through her skull.
"ARGH!"
Undying Phoenix let out a miserable scream.
"Younger Brother, now!" Crownless God Monarch urged.
Absolute Cold God Monarch then surged into Undying Phoenix’s Spiritual Spring. He activated the Bridal Gown Divine Skill and began to frantically absorb her power.
In a terrified voice, Undying Phoenix gasped, "The Bridal Gown Divine Skill!"
"Correct. It seems you have some insight after all!" Crownless God Monarch sneered.
Undying Phoenix was furious beyond measure, but she was powerless to turn the tide. Her strength was being siphoned away by Absolute Cold God Monarch. As her life ran out, her power caused his own strength to skyrocket. Thus, a formidable tyrant of the Demon Clan met a tragic end.
Perhaps this was the most fitting retribution for Undying Phoenix.
Absolute Cold God Monarch snorted inwardly. As long as I integrate this power, I’ll become a Half-step Subcestor, with a great chance of breaking through to a full Subcestor in the future. I can still turn this around.
However, at that moment, a hand rested on his shoulder.
"Elder Brother!" Absolute Cold God Monarch said.
Crownless God Monarch smiled. "Younger Brother, it seems your Bridal Gown Divine Skill is quite effective indeed. From now on, it is I who will have to defer to you."
"I wouldn’t dare! We are family. With our combined power, the Divine Domain will one day be ours!" Absolute Cold God Monarch said with a laugh, though he could not contain the thrill in his heart.
Crownless God Monarch then said, "Younger Brother, I feel you are still lacking when it comes to strategy. You are not a qualified leader. So, why don’t you hand that role over to me? The hope of revitalizing the Evil Gods is better left in my hands!"
"Hmm?" Absolute Cold God Monarch immediately spun around, only to find that his power, which should have been cycling through his own body, was being siphoned away by Crownless God Monarch.
He shouted, "You know the Bridal Gown Divine Skill too?"
"Of course. Did you think you were the only one? You are too naive, Younger Brother. Just leave your ambitions to me! Rest assured, I will tell the world you died fighting the Righteous Gods. I’ll make sure your name goes down in history. Your Elder Brother is still good to you, isn’t he?" Crownless God Monarch chuckled mockingly.
Only now did Absolute Cold God Monarch understand the meaning of the saying: ’the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.’ Everything he had done had merely been to prepare a bridal gown for Crownless God Monarch. This was the skill’s true, perfect expression.
He roared, "Even if I die, I will never let you succeed!"
"You no longer have a choice," Crownless God Monarch said, pressing down hard.
"ARGH!" Absolute Cold God Monarch screamed in agony as his power flowed unceasingly into Crownless God Monarch’s body. In moments, he would be nothing but a corpse.
"DIE!"
Mustering a final, unknown reserve of strength, Absolute Cold God Monarch lunged forward and drove his fist into one of Crownless God Monarch’s eyes, destroying it.
"ARGH!" Crownless God Monarch screamed like a slaughtered pig and kicked Absolute Cold God Monarch’s body away, causing it to explode on impact.
"ARGH! ARGH! ARGH!"
Crownless God Monarch let out a series of pained cries. He knew the eye was completely ruined, but after the searing pain subsided, he began to laugh maniacally.
Although he hadn’t managed to absorb all of the power, he had stolen a considerable amount. He could feel that his strength had already reached the realm of a Subcestor. After a short period of stabilization, he would be a true Subcestor.
"In the end, the heavens have not abandoned me! Hahahaha!" Crownless God Monarch laughed wildly.
He knew that within the entire Divine Monarch Mansion, only Heavenly God Monarch could match him in strategy. No one else came close. Absolute Cold God Monarch was the perfect example of this.
He glanced in the direction of the Demon Clan, then vanished completely into the night sky.
No one knew where he had gone, but one thing was certain: with a terrible tyrant like Crownless God Monarch on the loose, peace in the Divine Domain was now an impossibility.