This Authority-created world was an exceedingly rare phenomenon. Aside from some Heretic Gods Voban had encountered, he had never seen another Campione possess such power.
Not even Voban himself.
Though he had witnessed Heretic Gods wielding similar abilities, he had never managed to plunder them. After all, each Heretic God possessed a multitude of Authorities, and even after successfully slaying one, obtaining the specific power you desired was far from guaranteed.
The primary function of this Authority was to suppress enemies while simultaneously enhancing its master's strength.
Voban sensed his own power being significantly restrained by this realm, and he assumed Phoenix's abilities had been similarly amplified.
This combination of suppression and enhancement widened the power gap considerably, and Voban had no intention of remaining passive.
However, Authority-created worlds had their weaknesses.
Since they were not true realities, their capacity to withstand force was limited. By unleashing an attack exceeding the realm's threshold, one could escape—or even shatter this artificial world.
Before Voban could even prepare to shatter the world around him, Phoenix materialized directly in front of him and unleashed a relentless Reversed Feather Strike, showing no mercy.
Faced with Phoenix's close-quarters assault, Voban, transformed into a massive wolf, tore and clawed fiercely. But he couldn't even graze her.
Instead, he was battered mercilessly by her power-enhanced strikes.
Phoenix had expected the Authority-augmented Reversed Feather Strike to finish him off outright. But somehow, the old man had managed to cling to life.
"Old man, you've got tough bones!" Phoenix mocked. "But this game ends here!"
With that, Phoenix transformed into a colossal Flame Divine Bird wreathed in Li Fire and swooped down upon the wolfish Voban.
Finishing Move: Flying Ash Profound Spirit!
"Damn it!"
Barely clinging to consciousness, Voban watched the fiery avian deity hurtle toward him. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably as the icy grip of mortality tightened around his throat. A bitter regret coiled within him.
His arrogance had blinded him. He thought he had given his Seventh Heaven compatriot due consideration, but now he realized how gravely he had underestimated her.
Phoenix's power far surpassed Luo Hao's, and her true mastery lay in unarmed combat.
Are all women from China this terrifying?
Voban had assumed Phoenix and Luo Hao could become sisters because Luo Hao valued their shared identity as women and fellow Chinese. Now, it seemed the real reason was that Phoenix's strength far surpassed Luo Hao's.
Even though Voban now felt a flicker of regret, surrender was out of the question. His thoughts had shifted from continuing the battle to contemplating a retreat.
As the strange and powerful Li Fire bird swooped toward him, Voban summoned a colossal wolf skull, towering sixty meters high.
The moment the gigantic skull materialized, it lunged to devour the Flame Divine Bird that Phoenix had transformed into.
This was an Authority Marquis Voban had stolen from Fenrir, the apocalyptic Demon Wolf of Norse mythology.
It allowed him to transform into or summon a massive Fenrir skull exceeding sixty meters in height, capable of completely devouring its target. Fenrir, known as the Wolf of Ragnarok, had swallowed the sun itself during the end times.
The colossal Fenrir skull engulfed Phoenix in a single bite. But in the next instant, the Li Fire erupted violently, completely engulfing the massive skull in flames.
Li Fire possessed the power to incinerate all things. Even when amplified dozens of times by the Flying Ash Profound Spirit, it utterly annihilated Fenrir's skull in less than twenty seconds.
But... this also interrupted Phoenix's ultimate technique!
As Phoenix prepared to finish off Voban, she noticed he had already retreated hundreds of meters away.
Moreover... Voban unleashed another Authority.
A pillar of flame descended from the heavens—the Flames of Condemnation, said to be capable of incinerating even gods, Hell's Calamity Fire. It scorched an area roughly the size of a city district within this pocket dimension, reducing it to a charred wasteland.
"Little girl, I admit you're strong, but... if you want to kill me, you'll have to wait another few centuries!" Voban reverted to his human form, taunted Phoenix, and vanished from her Domain Authority.
"Karmic Fire Condemner..."
Watching Voban disappear, Phoenix raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected this Authority to be so potent, capable of tearing a hole in the Seventh Heaven.
As expected... after all, this is merely a world forged from an Authority. It's unrealistic to expect it to possess truly heaven-defying power.
The Karmic Fire Condemner is the Annihilation of Calamity Flame Authority, which Marquis Voban usurped from Zhurong, the Pyro Archon of Chinese mythology.
Voban can extinguish the flames at will, but if left unchecked, they will burn for seven days and seven nights, capable of obliterating an entire city in mere minutes.
I had underestimated this ancient Campione. While his raw power is comparable to Luo Hao's, and his close-combat skills are unremarkable, the sheer diversity of his Authorities is astonishing.
Voban's strength is considerable; he could easily defeat an SSS-rank Valkyrie like White Comet, given his ability to casually obliterate cities.
Without divine keys, most SS-rank Valkyries would likely be no match for him. Of course, a Valkyrie with a divine key and the ability to wield it is a different story entirely.
Ultimately, a Valkyrie's inherent power is only average. Their true strength lies in their divine keys and Herrscher Cores, as every Valkyrie is a potential Herrscher candidate.
Naturally, weapons from the Pantheon Series and Holy Relic Series are also formidable, though they pale in comparison to divine keys.
"Never mind... let's finish this quickly!"
Phoenix opened her hand, and a knight's lance materialized in her grasp.
Since receiving the Blessing of the Lord of Arms, Phoenix had discovered she could wield any divine key with effortless mastery, even amplifying its power significantly, though not quite doubling it.
Grasping the divine key Abyss Flower, Phoenix immediately deactivated her Seventh Heaven Authority and reappeared at her previous location.
The torrential rain and raging winds over Tokyo had vanished, and Voban was nowhere to be seen.
Unconcerned, Phoenix closed her eyes and used her Fenghuang Down-enhanced perception to scan the entire city, instantly pinpointing Voban's location.
Having found him, Phoenix activated the Dusting Step, each stride carrying her over a hundred meters and leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
Chapter 86: Luo Hao, the Headhunter
Having escaped Phoenix's Domain Authority, Voban immediately prepared to flee Tokyo upon returning to the mortal realm.
Phoenix looked barely eighteen, yet she was more terrifying than even Luo Hao, showing none of the vulnerabilities one might expect from a newly born Campione. Voban felt utterly deceived.
Voban had nearly died at the hands of this New King. Now, he no longer cared about reclaiming the Miko Maiden he coveted; all he wanted was to escape. His Cursed Power was dangerously depleted, and his injuries were severe.
He couldn't understand how such a seemingly delicate girl could wield such devastating physical strength.
Although he appeared unscathed after enduring Phoenix's Reversed Feather Strike combo, this was merely Voban's stubborn facade. Having exhausted the Pyro Archon's Authority, he was now utterly defenseless.
Yet, as fate often dictates, what one fears most tends to materialize. Just as Voban was about to flee Tokyo, the person he least wanted to encounter appeared before him.
A peerless beauty, around seventeen or eighteen years old, stood before him. She wore a white Hanfu, and her lustrous black hair—as smooth as silk—was braided into three neat plaits that cascaded down her back, adorned with a lotus flower headdress.
"Luo Hao!"
Voban's gaze turned icy as he glared at the figure blocking his path.
Though Voban showed no outward sign of distress, inwardly, he was beginning to panic. Why would he encounter Luo Hao in Tokyo, especially when he was completely defenseless?
Wasn't Luo Hao supposed to be a recluse who never left her house?
But in the next moment...
Voban had no time to dwell on these questions!
"South of the battle city, Guo Bei lies slain; unburied corpses rot, food for crows. Tell those crows for me: 'Feast, noble guests!'"
"Though unburied corpses decay, how can rotting flesh flee its fate? Murmuring waters, dim reeds; where warhawks clash and perish, weary steeds whinny and linger."
The moment Luo Hao saw Voban, she unleashed an Authority Spirit Speech without hesitation.
This was the Authority, Great Vajra Divine Art, which Luo Cuilian had usurped after defeating the A-Un pair, the two Buddhist Benevolent Kings, Vajrapani and Narayana.
By channeling the power of the Vajra Warriors into her body, she gained peerless physical might—an Authority of utmost purity.
Luo Hao unleashed her Authority, releasing golden particles of the Essence of Vajra Force that merged with the demonic wind of her Dragon's Roar, Tiger's Howl Great Art. This combination formed a colossal golden palm that slammed into Voban.
Completely defenseless, Voban was pulverized into dust by Luo Hao's single strike, dying instantly.
"Hmm? What happened? He's dead already? Is this some kind of illusion?" Luo Hao stared at the unrecognizable remains of Voban, momentarily stunned.
Her Great Vajra Divine Art could crush even the most invulnerable Divine Beast with a single blow, and most Heretic Gods would shatter upon impact. But... this was Voban, her arch-nemesis!
Though she loathed to admit it, Luo Hao knew Voban possessed formidable power. Otherwise, she would have crushed him long ago.
Yet now... this sworn enemy hadn't even withstood a single strike. The reality of it felt surreal.
"Hey, hey... my dear little sister Luo Hao, how could you steal my kill like that? Doesn't your conscience bother you?"
By the time Phoenix arrived, Voban was dead beyond all hope of revival. Seeing Luo Hao standing nearby, looking utterly incredulous, Phoenix pressed a hand to her forehead. All that "hard work" playing with her prey, only for Luo Hao to snatch the kill at the last moment!
Phoenix wasn't surprised to see Luo Hao here. She had contacted her as soon as she arrived in Tokyo. Luo Hao might ignore other matters, but she couldn't possibly stay away from anything involving the sealed Sun Wukong.
What surprised Phoenix was Luo Hao's impeccable timing, allowing her to effortlessly claim the head of their longtime nemesis.
Of course, Phoenix didn't particularly value Voban's head anyway. He wasn't a Heretic God; killing him wouldn't grant her any Crystals or Authority. It didn't matter who finished him off.
"Sister Phoenix... I see now. No wonder Voban was so weak... You were the one who beat him into that state."
Luo Hao glanced at Phoenix, finally realizing what had happened. Voban was no pushover. The only person capable of beating him so thoroughly was her ancient Master, who had lived since primordial times.
The details of Phoenix's battle with Voban remained unclear. Luo Hao and Phoenix had only discussed eliminating the monkey god, without mentioning Voban's involvement.
Luo Hao felt a twinge of guilt at having unexpectedly stumbled upon such a significant opportunity. "Since I inadvertently stole my sister's prey," she said, "I'll compensate by forgoing Sun Wukong's Authority. I'll leave it to you as atonement."
While Luo Hao valued Authority, she didn't hold it in particularly high regard. If they could successfully eliminate the monkey god this time and prevent him from continuing to disgrace himself in Japan, she didn't mind who claimed the Authority.
Sun Wukong, a Chinese deity, being kept and entertained by the Japanese was an unforgivable crime. Luo Hao had long awaited the moment to deliver divine judgment on this abomination. To know of his existence and do nothing to punish him would stain her reputation.
A century ago, when she first encountered him, Luo Hao had attempted to shatter his seal, intending to obliterate both the shrine and the surrounding shrines. But without forcing her way into the Netherworld Corridor, her efforts had failed.
This time... with Phoenix by her side, success was assured.
"There's no need for that," Phoenix said, waving her hand dismissively. "I was only teasing you earlier. Voban was always meant for you to kill. It's only fitting that you personally finish off your nemesis."
Hearing Phoenix's words, Luo Hao shook her head. Phoenix had always intended to help Luo Hao settle her score with Voban; it didn't matter who delivered the final blow.
"Master Sister..." Luo Hao murmured, gazing at Phoenix. A sudden warmth bloomed within her. Having a master who cared for her like an elder sister felt unexpectedly comforting.
"But you should take Sun Wukong's Authority," Luo Hao continued. "I know you need it to summon Heretic Gods. The Authorities I already possess are more than sufficient for my needs."
Luo Hao suddenly remembered Phoenix's relentless efforts to gather miko and witches for summoning rituals. She reasoned that Phoenix must desperately need these Authorities. Though a part of her still hesitated, she ultimately decided to yield. After all, her desire was mild, not absolute.
"Very well," Phoenix agreed after a moment's thought. "I do need Authority right now."
The main quest and the Crystal both required her to personally slay a god. Besides, Phoenix wasn't one to indulge in sentimentality. She could always compensate Luo Hao later.