SHK CH 724 (Patreon)

Inside Sol’s dimension, a purple-haired Woman holding a sword was clashing against black black-haired man holding a staff. 

The exchange between them was done with no mana or even intent, and yet each of their clashes caused the ground to shake and the air to tremble. It was an intense fight, and from the sweat and all the damage in the surroundings, it was clear that this was in no way easy for the two of them. 

A fierce smile tugged at their lips even as they continued to fight, again and again, and in the end, the purple-haired woman sighed as her sword was broken and the staff stopped an inch away from her head.

“I lost this time.” Lilith raised her hand in surrender, and no sense of loss was visible on her face. The two of them had been fighting nonstop for some time now, and the ratio of victories and defeats between the two of them was more or less equal. “With this, it's 68 victories for you and 52 defeats.” 

Lilith scratched her frayed hair. Even for her, it was hard to stay spotless after fighting for days.

Wukong shrugged as he took away his staff. “The format of our training is not ideal for you. The fact that I lost 52 times despite having the advantage shows I still have much to learn.”

A sword was a murder weapon, and Lilith's concept, <<Severing>>, and sword art <<God Slaying Sword>> were based on cutting and killing. 

In a training where the goal was not to kill or maim, Lilith undoubtedly faced many restrictions compared to Wukong, who used a staff. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that she was incredibly handicapped in this fight.

But it wasn’t as if Wukong was not facing some limitations on his own. In order to grow his skills, Wukong restricted most of his tricks and simply went all out with his staff. 

The results of such matches were clear for all to see.

“You are at a disadvantage, and yet you manage to get the upper hand. I must admit, your mastery of the sword is truly at another level. I have learned much about weapon arts thanks to you.” Wukong may use a staff, but he was in no way a master. He mostly relied on his innate strength and powerful defense to pummel his enemies to death. 

“This is mutual. I also learned how to better handle my body thanks to our repeated combats.” Lilith was still learned how to effectively use her new physical abilities, and fighting Wukong was immensely useful for her. 

They continued to sing praises to the others. But their feelings were sincere and heartfelt. After all, if there was nothing to learn, there was no way they would waste time fighting like this. 

“So, have you decided when you will complete your ascension?” Wukong asked while wiping his sweat. The two of them were already Demigods in many ways. But they lacked one essential thing to complete their ascension. 

A Territory. 

A demigod may not be able to move their territory as they wish. But the creation and fusion with one was essential. 

A territory represented the culmination of a Path, the expression of a Concept. It was necessary for demigods to create their territory while mixing it with the power of their Concepts and create a Heart Core for the Territory to function properly. 

Lilith, who had decided that she would create her Territory in Sol’s dimension, should have already started the procedure, but she knew that once she did, she would fall into a coma and be unavailable for some time. 

There was nothing she could do about this. Transcendence was no easy matter after all. It was a sublimation of life. The moment when one truly sheds their mortality and enters the Path toward Godhood.

She should have already started. In fact, she had already said that she was about to start many times. But each time, she hesitated, and in the end, she never went through it. 

Was it fear stopping her from doing what she needed? 

Indeed. It was fear.

But not for her.

What she feared was the safety of her loved ones. 

It was quite ironic. She had been ready to die and had decided to go down in a blaze of glory once she was sure that Sol and Lilin could take care of themselves.

But now that she was alive, she could not stop worrying about their well-being, and the more time passed, the more anxious she became.

Another reason was that she did not feel at ease with her current power. The next step was one where many great Kings were tried and ultimately failed. No one would remember their names as the names of those who failed held no value.

Now that she had tasted the sweetness of Life, she feared the bitterness and separation of Death. 

“I don’t know…” She said.

“The more you hesitate, the more likely we will need your power in a crucial moment where you are unable to access that power. You should know how Fate works. Though we can fight it, changing it is never a good outcome.” Wukong gave a side glance at Lilith. 

Unlike her, Wukong had no doubt about his success. 

The only thing that had stopped him until now was finding a good place for his territory.

The two of them exchanged a smile, but then sighed discreetly.

The training was good. Great, even. 

They were undoubtedly growing stronger each time they fought. Slowly but surely, accumulating new insights.

Yet a small frustration was building inside of them.

The power they could unleash during such a training combat was minimal. The resulting growth was also limited.

If only…

The two of them were not able to voice their thoughts as a silhouette appeared close between them.

Sol, his expression cold, gazed at two of the strongest fighters he had at his disposal. He did not want to bring them out now. He wished to fight and kill the bastards who dared to kill innocents in his territory. 

But he also understood that he could recklessly charge in what was most likely a trap and needlessly put himself in danger. Most of his enemies were Demigods while he was still but a King. 

“Sol? What is the matter?”

“Lilith, Wukong. Come to me.” Sol gave a fierce grin. “It’s time to slay a god.”