The sky above Planet Xizhuang was dark and cloudy. Three figures emerged from behind the dark clouds, each radiating an aura far more terrifying than Lu Fang. Yuan Jin and Hu Xue felt an overwhelming pressure that made it hard for them to breathe.
Aether gazed calmly at the three figures. She could sense that their power was nothing to be underestimated. One of them stepped forward—a tall man with a dazzling golden robe and an arrogant expression.
[System Detected]
Name: Zhou Liang
Status: Thunder God
Age: 3.800 years
Origin: Planet Xizhuang
Power: Cosmic Thunder Manipulation
The man sneered, his eyes landing on Lu Fang's lifeless body on the ground.
"Hmph. So Lu Fang has fallen? I must have underestimated you," Zhou Liang scoffed with a mocking tone.
Beside him, a woman with long blood-red hair stepped forward. Her eyes glowed a fierce crimson, emanating an aura of destruction.
[System Detected]
Name: Mei Lian
Status: Blood Goddes
Age: 2.700 years
Origin: Planet Xizhuang
Power: Demonic Blood Manipulation
The woman glared at Aether with pure hatred.
"How dare you kill Lu Fang. Do you think fighting the three of us will be that easy?" she snarled.
The final figure appeared—a decrepit old man with a black staff etched with intricate carvings. His wrinkled skin gave no hint of his terrifying aura.
[System Detected]
Name: Bai Xu
Status: Dark God
Age: 6.000 years
Origin: Planet Xizhuang
Power: Absolute Darkness Manipulation
Bai Xu looked at Aether with cold, hateful eyes.
"Lu Fang was reckless. But we are different. The three of us will not let you live," he rasped.
Yuan Jin fixed his gaze on the three figures with a serious expression.
"Aether, are we going to fight all three of them at once?"
Aether gave a faint smile.
"Both of you, keep your distance. They are not opponents to be taken lightly."
Zhou Liang snorted and shot toward Aether at lightning speed. Cosmic purple thunder struck down from the sky, aiming to obliterate Aether's body in a single attack. Yet Aether simply raised her hand and effortlessly absorbed the lightning.
"What?!" Zhou Liang was shocked to see his attack had no effect.
"Cosmic thunder? Too weak," Aether taunted with a hint of disdain.
Mei Lian wasn't about to stand idle. She pierced her own wrist with her sharp nails, causing dark red blood to gush out and transform into a massive blood spear. With a single swing, the blood spear shot toward Aether.
Aether waved her hand, creating a transparent energy shield that shattered the blood spear in an instant.
Bai Xu growled.
"Enough playing around. Absolute Darkness!"
The entire area was suddenly engulfed in total darkness. Yuan Jin and Hu Xue couldn't see anything, not even sense each other's presence.
But Aether merely smirked.
"Ridiculous."
With a single stomp, a brilliant light radiated from her body, dispelling the darkness in a blink. Bai Xu was stunned.
"Impossible... My power... destroyed just like that?"
Aether glared coldly at the three of them.
"You three are too confident in your power. Your dominance on this planet means nothing to me."
Zhou Liang gritted his teeth.
"We'll attack together!"
Without a second thought, the three gods launched a combined attack. Cosmic thunder, demonic blood, and absolute darkness merged into a massive assault that shook both the sky and the earth.
Yet Aether remained unmoved. She snapped her fingers, and a giant magic circle appeared in the sky, absorbing all the energy from the combined attack.
"No way!" Mei Lian screamed hysterically.
Aether looked at them with emotionless eyes.
"You never learn from your mistakes. Now, let me show you real power."
With a single wave of her hand, Aether summoned a colossal pillar of light that engulfed the three gods. Their screams echoed across the sky before their bodies disintegrated without a trace.
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue could only stare in disbelief at their master's overwhelming power.
"Aether... Are they dead?" Hu Xue asked in a shaky voice.
Aether nodded.
"Their power has been erased. Now, we only have Ji Wutian left to deal with."
Yuan Jin clenched his fists with newfound determination.
"If Aether can defeat three gods at once, we can definitely destroy Ji Wutian's army!"
Aether merely gave a faint smile.
"Don't be overconfident. The real battle is just about to begin."
In the center of Planet Xizhuang, Ji Wutian sat on his throne with a sly grin.
"Interesting... Looks like I have to step in myself," he murmured softly.
---
After Aether successfully defeated the three evil gods, a sudden strong wind blew, carrying a dark aura that enveloped the entire planet. Yuan Jin and Hu Xue felt an overwhelming pressure, causing their bodies to tremble.
"What is this...?" whispered Hu Xue with a pale face.
Aether narrowed her eyes as she looked at the sky. "This energy... It doesn't seem like an ordinary power."
Suddenly, a vortex of dark energy gathered in the center of the planet, forming a massive ritual circle. From within that circle, a skeleton slowly emerged, shrouded in thick black aura. Its cracked skull and glowing red eyes made the atmosphere even more terrifying.
"Impossible... Isn't Ji Wutian already dead?" Yuan Jin muttered in disbelief.
[System Detected]
Name: Ji Wutian (Dark Spirit)
Status: Sovereign Spirit Skeleton
Power: Dark Energy Manipulation, Soul Resurrection
Threat Level: Cosmic Catastrophe
Aether scoffed softly. "It seems his anger and hatred haven't truly vanished."
The skeletal Ji Wutian let out a piercing, shrill laugh that echoed throughout the planet. "Did you think you could destroy me that easily?! I am immortality... I am darkness itself!"
Yuan Jin gritted his teeth. "So, he didn't really die?"
"Not completely," Aether replied as she stepped forward. "His hatred was too immense, merging with his residual energy and creating this dark spirit."
The skeleton of Ji Wutian floated high in the air, extending its hand to summon thousands of black spirits from the underground. They swarmed toward Aether and her disciples.
"You will die here! Become victims of my wrath!" Ji Wutian shouted.
Without hesitation, Aether raised her hand, creating a cosmic energy barrier that blocked the spirit attacks. However, the skeleton didn't stop. It gathered dark energy in its palm, forming a giant black orb emitting a destructive aura.
"Now feel this!" Ji Wutian hurled the black orb straight at Aether.
"Aether!" Yuan Jin and Hu Xue shouted in unison.
But Aether merely scoffed. She extended her right hand and effortlessly caught the black orb, making it vanish instantly.
"Is that all? Your hatred is not enough to destroy this universe," Aether said with a mocking tone.
Ji Wutian gritted his skeletal teeth. "So arrogant!"
Aether activated her system once more.
[System Update]
Name: Cosmic Soul Purification Technique
Description: Erases traces of darkness down to the soul's root
Without wasting time, Aether raised both hands and chanted an ancient mantra. Glowing runes appeared in the air, encircling Ji Wutian's skeletal form.
"No... No way! I... I cannot die again!" Ji Wutian screamed in utter despair.
Aether swung her hands downward, and all the runes struck the skeletal spirit. Within seconds, Ji Wutian's body began to crack and shatter into tiny fragments, disappearing into a radiant light.
As the chaos subsided, the planet returned to peace. Yuan Jin and Hu Xue approached Aether.
"Is it over?" Yuan Jin asked with a hint of relief.
Aether nodded. "His energy has been completely eradicated. There will be no more rebirth."
Hu Xue let out a long sigh. "Thank goodness... I thought he would rise again."
---
After destroying the dark spirit of Ji Wutian with the Cosmic Soul Purification Technique, the once dark sky gradually brightened. The remnants of dark energy faded away, and a gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Hu Xue let out a relieved sigh. "Finally... it's all over."
Yuan Jin looked at the ruined city with a saddened expression. "Unfortunately, the city is already devastated. If only we had come sooner..."
Aether raised her hand, calming them down. "There is no need to feel guilty. Hope still remains."
She closed her eyes and extended both hands forward. Cosmic energy began to gather around her, forming a white light that enveloped the entire planet. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Cosmic Restoration: Re-Creation."
The planet's once barren surface slowly turned green. Flowers bloomed from the cracks in the ground, and forests that had dried up were now flourishing with towering trees. Rivers that had dried up flowed rapidly with crystal-clear water, and collapsed mountains formed sturdy cliffs and lush valleys.
Hu Xue was stunned by the miracle. "Incredible... Aether has truly restored the entire planet!"
Yuan Jin couldn't hide his admiration. "This is Aether's true power... Reviving the universe with a single thought."
After the restoration process was complete, Aether lowered her hands and opened her eyes. Planet Xizhuang now looked like paradise, full of life and peace.
"The planet has returned to its former glory," Aether said with a long sigh. "Ji Wutian ruined it with his hatred, but harmony must be restored."
Suddenly, the local residents who had been hiding began to emerge from their homes. They looked around in awe, unable to believe that their planet had been restored to such beauty. Some cried with joy, while others knelt and prayed, grateful for their salvation.
An elder approached Aether and knelt before her. "Sir... Who are you? Are you a god descended from the heavens?"
Aether gave a faint smile. "I am just a wanderer. There is no need to kneel."
The elder wiped away his tears. "Thank you... Thank you for saving our planet."
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue exchanged glances and smiled proudly, seeing Aether being honored by the locals.
"Aether," Yuan Jin said, "What is our next plan?"
Aether looked toward the horizon. "There are still three other gods we must face. We will continue our journey to the center of the universe. There, the truth about the dark power may be revealed."
Hu Xue clenched her fists with determination. "We are ready to follow you, Aether!"
Aether nodded without saying anything more. They continued their journey, leaving Planet Xizhuang, which had now returned to peace and beauty.
To be continued...