From the end of the world

Chapter 739 The Death of Mingzhuo
The scene right now is strikingly similar to my first battle with Mingzhuo after becoming the Great Impermanence. Similarly, I used the flames rooted in Mingzhuo's body to transfer my own flames into his body in one go, causing an explosion. The difference is that in the past I relied on the Proclaiming Flame, while this time I'm using my own unique "Solemn Completion Flame."

The flames, infused with the power of true spirits, devoured Mingzhuo's body and soul in an instant, then exploded with a deafening roar. Even with his incredible speed, he couldn't make a suicidal move and died once more.

Immediately afterwards, he miraculously revived on the spot, his body and soul restored to their original state.

How could they not die? Could it be that I didn't inject enough true spiritual power? Or is there something wrong with how I injected it? I was somewhat skeptical, so I poured all my true spiritual power into my flames. Actually, I had already used the full power of the divine seal fragments I could muster just now, and this time I was simply amplifying that aspect, without any significant enhancement.

My flames still lingered within Mingzhuo's body and soul, a fatal mark he could never erase no matter how many times he was resurrected. He seemed to want to open his mouth to say something, but before he could utter a single sound, he was once again blasted to pieces by the flames I transmitted to him in one breath.

Then, he was resurrected again. And this time, I finally discovered the truth behind his immunity to "True Death" and his rebirth. At the moment of his resurrection, I sensed a faint vibration in the divine seal fragment bound to my consciousness, and at the location where he completed his resurrection, I detected the invisible fluctuations of the divine seal fragment's power.

Without a word, I channeled my flames again to kill Mingzhuo. He didn't even have a chance to unleash his magic to resist before he fell to his death. This happened repeatedly, and in the blink of an eye, he had died more than twenty times. During this process, I seemed to be able to hallucinate in a strange space, where a fragment of a divine seal was suspended, releasing powerful divine seal fragment energy to resist my power.

There is no mistake, within the soul of the impure life, there is also a fragment of a divine seal.

My true spiritual power was countered by the power of his divine seal fragments. Although I was able to kill him time and time again, the "true death" part was blocked.

This must have been a trump card he prepared beforehand, anticipating the worst-case scenario he might face. He knew I possessed True Spirit power, and he also knew that the power of the Divine Seal Fragments was True Spirit power. Therefore, to avoid being killed, he would naturally move towards "using power from the same dimension for defense." While it might seem obvious, the effort and difficulty involved in implementing this so quickly, and the unwavering willpower required to overcome it, are unimaginable, especially considering he's not particularly adept at studying Divine Seal Fragments.

Even after reaching this point, he still struggles to survive. His tenacious will to live is truly admirable.

"Is this your last trump card?" I began to send a portion of my flames toward the fragments of divine seal within his consciousness.

The fragments of the divine seal released powerful fluctuations, acting like an invisible wall to keep the flames out. But soon, the power of the divine seal fragments began to falter. The invisible wall slowly retreated, and the flames advanced step by step. While the fragments of the divine seal possessed boundless power, Ming Zhuo's abilities were insufficient to unleash it perfectly. Even if it were only a portion of my flames, suppressing it was only a matter of time.

Mingzhuo, on the other hand, gained a slight respite. Although he was still being continuously attacked, he was able to find openings to unleash his magic. Seeing this, I slightly adjusted the proportions, using another portion of my fire magic to increase the frequency of killing him, suppressing him and rendering him unable to move.

"It's no use..." Mingzhuo laughed dismissively amidst his struggle. "You want to take this fragment of the divine seal? Haha... I have thoroughly studied all the research materials about the divine seal fragments left by Tai Sui in the Gospel Academy, and from them I have reproduced the method of binding the divine seal fragments to my own consciousness, and firmly bound it within my consciousness space... You cannot take it away!"

"As long as this fragment of the divine seal remains with me, your true spiritual power cannot truly kill me... it will all be a waste of your energy!"

No wonder he could use the power of the Divine Seal fragments directly without the aid of formations or rituals. However, given his level of mastery over the Divine Seal fragments, it seems he can only use them to resist my True Spirit power at most, and cannot apply them freely in battle. This is probably his limit.

At the same time, I could hear a hint of bravado beneath his fierce exterior in his voice. Even assuming I couldn't actually kill him, he was already in a hopeless situation. He should still remember vividly—I once said I would kill him for ten years straight, until he died, and I was determined to carry it out.

The me now is completely different from the me who first defeated him. Back then, I had to be completely focused to carry out my threats, but now I am far stronger than him. Even if I turn away and go do other things, as long as I keep some of my attention on him, I can continuously unleash fire attacks powerful enough to kill him, until ten years later.

This is practically no different from killing Meiju, and even more cruel. It's equivalent to placing Meiju alive in an endless, fiery hell of torment, waiting for the day his lifespan ends.

Moreover, I'm not without the confidence to kill him right now.

Considering that I would never have the chance to speak with him again, I took the initiative to initiate a conversation.

"This fragment of your divine seal, was given to you by Enma of Fukuinin...?" I said. "What did Enma promise you? Judging from your current state of still possessing Naraku's immortal body, you probably haven't broken the contract with Naraku's will yet. Are you unable to communicate with Naraku's severely injured will? Or do you plan to break the contract after the final battle?"

"Hmph... As long as the human extermination plan is completed, the massive structure of the human collective unconscious will inevitably fall into a state of near extinction, and at that time, the contract of Naraku's immortality will naturally disappear..." Meizuki said with a cold laugh, "Even if this method cannot achieve its goal, as long as we can borrow the power of Naraku's Gospel, it will be easy to overwrite the contract of Naraku's will..."

"You should worry about yourself first. Judging from your appearance, do you want to burn me until my lifespan is exhausted? Don't make me laugh. You are destined to be unable to defeat the Wheel King—unable to defeat the Mountain Two Elements!"

"Soon, you will die under the power of the Mountain Ryougi... and I will be freed to kill everyone you care about!"

This time, I didn't take Mingzhuo's arrogant words to heart.

Mingzhuo was silent for a moment. He seemed to sense something from my attitude, and his voice became incredulous: "...Wait, you...no, impossible, absolutely impossible! You can't do it...what are you planning to do!?"

“Mingzhuo, we’ve been old ‘friends’ for a while now. Do you have any last words? Although I won’t do anything for you, I can still be of service just by listening to your voice,” I said. “Nonsense… utter nonsense! What right do you have—” Mingzhuo’s voice was filled with anger and fear, “I just wanted to live… I just wanted to live, what’s wrong with that!? What right do you have to take my life… You can’t do it!”

“You are not wrong,” I said. “As long as you do not regret the path you have taken until the very last moment, you will not be wrong. And those who were killed in the past because you wanted to push open the gates of Naraku were not wrong either. They must have wanted to live too, but in the end they still died at your hands. This time it is just your turn, nothing more. Perhaps it will be my turn in the future.”

"No... I don't want to die!" Mingzhuo roared wildly, "I curse you! Zhuang Cheng... I curse you! Soon it will be your turn... You will soon die at the hands of Shan Liangyi! Then I will be freed from your flames—"

“You won’t live to see that day,” I said.

With these words, my flames finally reached the fragments of the divine seal within his consciousness.

Then, the flames touched the fragments of the divine seal.

The binding relationship between the Void Realm Apostles and the Divine Seal Fragments is essentially the granting of the authority to hold the seal, and the manifestation of the qualifications of Void Realm Apostles.

Mingzhuo might be able to simulate this binding relationship through technological means, but it would ultimately be just a simulation. He is not a Void Realm Apostle, nor does he have the authority to wield the seal. Furthermore, his divine seal fragments could even stimulate the divine seal fragments bound to me to cause subtle vibrations, which means that the divine seal fragments he possesses are still "ownerless divine seal fragments."

Since it is unclaimed, it is self-evident what will happen when this fragment of the divine seal comes into contact with the flame that is equivalent to a part of me.

Mingzhuo was clearly unaware of this information.

His divine seal fragments automatically bound to me and then instantly transferred into my consciousness.

Upon seeing this, he showed an expression of utter shock.

Goodbye, my turbid fate.

After saying that, I unleashed my final blow.

"Zhuang Cheng——!!!"

Flames engulfed Mingzhuo, and he let out a desperate, hateful, and unrepentant howl before vanishing into nothingness.

The space in front of me became empty; the other person never revived.

Impure fate, death.

I slowly exhaled.

It's too long...

Mikoto was the first truly unpredictable enemy I encountered since my debut. His shadow had been looming since the time I first met Asaha. I considered him my mortal enemy and thought of destroying him one day, but I could never succeed. Even when I finally found a way, he would escape.

And now, I have finally achieved my wish and ended this cause and effect.

A sense of relief, like completing a mission, filled my heart, and I unconsciously relaxed. I couldn't help but imagine myself reporting to Asaho afterwards. What kind of expression would she have when she learned that I had defeated Meiko, the enemy who had once targeted her life? Although I didn't do this specifically to claim credit, if she smiled with joy, that would be the best gift for me.

However, I cannot let my guard down so soon. Ma Zao and Zhu Shi are still fighting, and Fa Zheng and Jian Fei Xian are also engaged in a fierce battle with Yan Mo. I must hurry back to the other battlefield and defeat the last enemy.

With this thought in mind, I turned around, intending to head towards my destination.

Then, an extremely strong chill suddenly surged into my heart.

(End of this chapter)