Chapter 1749 Vense


    It was impossible that no one would notice. Although the region was already lit up by blood crystals and chaos, hiding the existence of another two was too difficult.


    But that was precisely why Ryu had summoned so many beasts. Even if they noticed, would the beasts allow them to get through so easily?


    Ryu watched as the first pair of eyes landed on him, then another, then another.


    He didn''t flinch, watching them realize what was happening one after another.


    In his opinion, it didn''t matter how many noticed. What was important was how many that could actually do anything about it had noticed.


    The sixth layer had the highest concentration of people, but just to make it to this level, they had to have a certain degree of talent.


    Even so, that didn''t mean that there weren''t large divisions between them, regardless.


    It suddenly made sense why Wunikai was gathering up so many geniuses to support her. She definitely knew far more about this Rotten Sea than Ryu did, so she already expected such a thing to happen. Unless you had a great deal of supporters, making it through the sixth layer was nigh impossible.


    Ryu, obviously, hadn''t known this. But he managed to find a path, nonetheless. And since he was here, he might as well take some time to deal with those on his kill list.


    His gaze shifted and his eyes landed on a Dream Wraith. He was among the first to notice, and it wasn''t surprising. Among the Demon Kings, the sensory sensitivity of Dream Wraiths was certainly near the pinnacle.


    Ryu''s lip curled, his indifference shining through as he met the gaze of the Dream Wraith.


    This Dream Wraith was the one that had spoken to him earlier, but he had placed him on the kill list, nonetheless.


    Of those who jeered... The Dream Wraiths were the ones he needed to put in their place the most.


    Ryu raised a hand and beckoned him forth.


    ...


    Vense was surprised to see Ryu in the sixth layer at all. They hadn''t had the time to jeer at Ryu for overestimating himself because he entered the Rotten Sea immediately, but most had been looking forward to dealing with him once they stepped out.


    Seeing Ryu here, and seemingly supporting two others to break into the seventh layer, how could he not be shocked?


    He looked at the chaos in his surroundings. Was this a coincidence?


    No, it had to be. How could a human cause all of this?


    Even so, seeing Ryu taking advantage of the situation, he was livid. The smile on Ryu''s face just took him over to another level.


    "Support me!" He roared. "I''m breaking through!"


    The three Dream Wraiths around Vense were confused until they saw the same scene he had.


    Their expressions changed, and they immediately understood. In fact, they felt the same rage.


    A formation took shape around them, protecting Vense in the center, and they rushed toward the avalanche of beasts.


    ...


    From the distance, Ryu observed the battle style of the Dream Wraiths.


    Ryu sent out a fist.


    He had realized that controlling a resonance didn''t have to be all in one go. He could take his time, allowing one set of rotten blood to harmonize with what was around them, using them as a catalyst instead.


    Against an enemy who used close combat methods, he wouldn''t have the time to do this. But since Vense insisted on keeping his distance...


    He would have to pay for it.


    A lance of spiralling rotten water shot through the water.


    Vense panicked, feeling that the strength was beyond anything he could have imagined.


    Quickly, he began to put up barriers in the water. Vense panicked, feeling that the strength was beyond anything he could have imagined.


    Quickly, he began to put up barriers in the water.


    Worried that he would have a repeat of what happened last time, this time he didn''t take control of the waters, using a brute force method instead.


    The waters were forced apart beneath his shields. In contrast, more and more water spiralled into Ryu''s attack, forcing the battlefield into two halves.


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    The shields exploded one after another and Vense quickly formed hand seals. He moved like lightning, his gaze suddenly glowing a violet light as his Soul Quintessence surged.


    BOOM!


    Another sound echoed in Vense''s ears, this one even fiercer than the first. Before his attack could even land, his heart lurched into his throat.


    The cyclone of rotten waters, spiralling toward him and radiating a red, suddenly doubled in size. It was instantaneous and immediate, the shockwave of its growth nearly shattering the remainder of Vense''s barriers all on its own.


    Violet flames erupted across Vense''s body, an armor of radiant amethyst coating him from head to toe. He hadn''t expected to have to use his accumulated Soul Quintessence for this, but he had no choice.


    The cyclone of water was already over 20 meters wide. It was an insignificant distance, but Vense truly felt like he could escape no matter where he went.


    Then it came.


    BOOM!


    The spiralling lance doubled in size once again and suddenly accelerated. Its sharp point slammed against Vense''s chest before he could react.


    CRACK.


    A crack instantly appeared and an instant later, the entire armor shattered.


    A reverberating impact echoed out in all directions, causing Ryu''s eyes to narrow.


    That wasn''t the sound of death. The armor had exploded outward in that last moment, pushing away what remained of the attack.


    Vense appeared out from the turbid waters after several long seconds. When he was clear in Ryu''s vision once again, he was nothing more than a husk. He looked like he might collapse any moment now, his body beaten and bloodied, while his bone stuck out in several locations.


    At that moment, behind Ryu, Selheira flashed and vanished. The barrier cracked and the blood crystal was left behind.