Chapter 36: The Final God-Slaying End

"Pointless assault." The Sun King observed the subtle maneuvers and exchange between Mo Xuanyu and Kain with evident disdain.

Suddenly, a pair of golden steel wings unfurled from his back. Countless iron feathers exploded outward, tearing through the air like bullets toward the pair.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

Mo Xuanyu swung his long blade, creating an impenetrable defense, before he and Kain split up to attack the Sun King from both flanks.

The Blade of Slaughter activated silently. Mo Xuanyu sacrificed 50 points of his own health to convert into 50 points of Blood Soul, imbuing it into *Nightmoon* before striking the Sun King’s neck.

This time, his attack found purchase. *Nightmoon*, like a bloodthirsty tiger, carved a massive gash into the golden armor.

The Sun King, momentarily shocked, raised his longsword and brought it down in a vertical strike toward Mo Xuanyu. With no time to dodge, the latter could only raise his blade to parry in place.

*Boom!!*

The ground beneath Mo Xuanyu’s feet shattered repeatedly. Just as he was about to collapse under the pressure, Kain successfully circled behind the Sun King and brought his forging hammer down hard upon the king's head.

The blow was heavy and powerful, sending the Sun King staggering back five meters, his headpiece severely distorted.

Mo Xuanyu let out a sigh of relief. He stabbed his long blade into the ground to steady himself, his face deathly pale as he covered his mouth, coughing up black blood mixed with fragments of flesh.

Kain’s strike had been so effective primarily because Mo Xuanyu’s previous blow, enhanced with true damage, had shattered the integrity of the Sun King’s armor. Many things that appear indestructible lose their defensive capabilities once a breach is made.

The Sun King realized this as well. He simply discarded his mangled helmet, his golden hair cascading behind him, his eyes cold and indifferent.

This time, he chose to take the initiative. His longsword descended like a cross toward Mo Xuanyu, his 27-point agility attribute sealing off almost all avenues of retreat.

This strike was fatal!

Seeing this, Kain anxiously tried to rush over to assist, but Mo Xuanyu’s lips moved silently. After a moment of hesitation, Kain chose not to advance.

The massive cross-shaped slash grew larger in Mo Xuanyu’s pale blue pupils; time seemed to stand still. Under normal circumstances, the Sun King’s sword would strike downward, using overwhelming force to knock *Nightmoon* from his hand, followed by a horizontal slash to claim his head.

In the fleeting moment, to the Sun King’s confusion, Mo Xuanyu stepped forward. Assuming Mo Xuanyu was throwing his life away, the king brought his sword down without hesitation.

*Ding~~*

The cross pendant on Mo Xuanyu’s chest suddenly ignited, and the Sun King’s downward strike was blocked by a pale golden shield.

Skill "Sanctuary": Activate the pendant to gain a shield capable of blocking three attacks with attributes below 25. The equipment shatters once the charges are exhausted.

"May God protect you."

*Current charges exhausted; pendant shattered!*

The pendant’s shield could only withstand attacks of 25 points, while the Sun King’s strength attribute was a full 27. Thus, the pale golden shield flickered on Mo Xuanyu like a flash in the pan, dissipating after briefly obstructing the longsword.

But that fleeting moment was enough!

Kain seized the opening, swinging his heavy hammer from the side to shatter the Sun King’s sword, then swung the handle from bottom to top with all his might.

*Boom!*

A massive crack appeared in the armor on the Sun King’s chest, followed immediately by *Nightmoon*, which Mo Xuanyu had hurled.

This time, Mo Xuanyu left himself only 30 health points, converting the rest into Blood Soul. As the blade pierced the Sun King’s body, it detonated!

*BOOM!!*

The Sun King’s body plummeted from mid-air. Mo Xuanyu also collapsed to the ground, drained of all strength; the remaining 30 health points marked a body pushed to its limit, only a step away from deathly unconsciousness.

Even with Mo Xuanyu’s full output, the Sun King was not yet dead; he struggled to climb back up from the ground.

Kain patted Mo Xuanyu’s shoulder. "Leave the rest to me."

The Sun King, enduring the excruciating pain, pulled *Nightmoon* from his chest and flung it aside. He then clasped his hands together, summoning an exceptionally exquisite two-handed longsword.

"Is that the Sun Core?"

Mo Xuanyu could sense the immense power contained within that blade; it was clearly the source of the Sun King’s terrifying strength.

"This is the end."

The Sun King swung his sword down, and Kain met it with his hammer. Following a brief collision, a violent explosion of fire erupted from their center. The raging inferno seemed intent on incinerating everything in sight, the temperature horrific.

Mo Xuanyu raised a hand to shield his eyes, curling his body to minimize the surface area exposed to burns.

"Teacher!"

With an unexpected shout, Mo Xiao blocked the path in front of Mo Xuanyu. He used his own body as a shield, throwing himself over Mo Xuanyu to intercept the surging flames. Without this, given Mo Xuanyu’s current near-death state, being engulfed by the fire would have meant certain demise.

The inferno raged for about ten seconds. Mo Xiao’s back was scorched raw, his white bones visible to the naked eye. His sweat, mixed with blood, dripped onto Mo Xuanyu’s cheek.

"It must hurt..." Mo Xuanyu said, recovering from his brief shock, and reached out to heal him.

Mo Xiao frowned, bracing himself as he shook his head. "I'm fine... Teacher, heal yourself first."

He stood up, leaning on his blade, *May Rain*. Mo Xuanyu could see through the thick smoke that Kain had fallen, his life or death unknown. A dark premonition filled his heart.

Kain was down, and the Sacred Geometry had not signaled the Sun King’s death—the result was obvious!

The Sun King was alive!

Mo Xuanyu’s vigilance reached its peak. At that very moment, a golden longsword thrust out from the smoke, aimed directly at Mo Xuanyu’s heart, giving him no time to react.

*Squelch!!*

To the Sun King’s surprise, the sword did not strike Mo Xuanyu; it had impaled Mo Xiao’s chest instead.

For Mo Xiao, his teacher was his entire life. Even if his mind hadn't caught up, his body had instinctively shielded Mo Xuanyu from the strike. It was a result Mo Xuanyu had never anticipated.

"You meddlesome stray dog!"

The Sun King cursed in fury. He had shed his former arrogance and composure, becoming frantic and hideous. After the clash with Kain, his internal solar particles were nearly depleted. He had finally seized a perfect opportunity for a sneak attack, only to have it ruined by Mo Xiao!

He tried to pull the sword out, but Mo Xiao grabbed the blade with his blood-slicked hands, flashing a ferocious, cold sneer at the Sun King.

"I said I would kill you! No matter the cost!"

He trusted his teacher, and Mo Xuanyu did not let him down.

*Swish!*

A flash of black-and-white interwoven blade light cut through the air. Mo Xuanyu, wielding *May Rain*, precisely and swiftly decapitated the Sun King!

[Sacred Geometry Notification: You have killed the World-Class Boss: Amos von Augustus!!]

[You have obtained Soul Crystal x10.]

[You have obtained Points: 10,000.]

[You have obtained Blue Equipment Chest x1.]

[You have obtained Sun Core Blueprint (Fragmented).]

[You have obtained Legacy Profession Scroll: Flame Warrior.]

[Due to your outstanding performance in this world quest, you have received a World Gift: A-Rank Title "One Observed by the World."]

[Sacred Geometry Notification: Your Main Quest is complete!]

[Congratulations on completing your fifth Enlightenment Trial. Upon returning to Sacred Geometry, you will receive an S-Rank trial reward, which is unique.]

[You may choose to return now or continue exploring the world's side quests. You may remain for up to 24 hours, during which you can return at any time.]

The barrage of notifications from the Sacred Geometry left Mo Xuanyu feeling overwhelmed. He chose to remain in the world for the time being, as the faction rewards for the large-scale conflict mission had yet to be settled.

With the death of the Sun King, the entire capital was once again bathed in sunlight, and his body crumbled into ash under the glare of the sun.

Mo Xuanyu pulled *Nightmoon* from the wall and went to Mo Xiao’s side, lifting him into his arms. He attempted to use his healing ability to mend the wounds, but unfortunately, although Mo Xuanyu’s healing power was effective, the fatal wound Mo Xiao sustained was beyond his reach. The Sun King’s sword had not only pierced Mo Xiao’s heart, but the solar particles within it had thoroughly incinerated his life force.

"Teacher, you don't need to waste your energy on me..."

Mo Xiao clearly realized his situation; his death was inevitable. He gave Mo Xuanyu a strained smile. "My life was given to me by you; now... it is time to return it to you."

Mo Xuanyu was silent. He gazed at Mo Xiao with his azure eyes, reaching out to wipe the blood from his forehead. "Thank you, Wolf."

Rays of sunlight spilled down from the palace dome. Mo Xuanyu offered a heartfelt smile. His mental energy flowed into Mo Xiao like a clear spring, smoothing away his physical pain. Though it could not save him, it allowed him to depart in peace.

Mo Xiao could feel his life force rapidly fading, impossible to grasp. He looked up at Mo Xuanyu’s gentle smile, his body feeling as if it were submerged in warm, comfortable water, causing him to drift away.

"I want to know your real name, Teacher... not the one given to you by the Free Commune."

Mo Xiao’s breath was nearly gone, but Mo Xuanyu still heard him.

"I want to meet you again in the next life."

If there truly were a next life, Mo Xiao hoped he would recognize Mo Xuanyu the moment they met.

A pensive look crossed Mo Xuanyu’s eyes. He bowed his head and whispered into Mo Xiao’s ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Thank you, Teacher..."

The light in Mo Xiao’s eyes slowly faded, and he closed them in contentment.

[Sacred Geometry Notification: Your follower "Wolf" has died; World Assistance Card effect terminated.]

[Due to the death of the Dominator, your copied skill: Sword Mastery has been deactivated. Please take note.]

As Mo Xiao’s body also dissolved into particles, only two long blades remained by Mo Xuanyu’s side.

One named *Nightmoon*.

One named *May Rain*.