The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2333: The Ancient One vs Leader of the Masked Race

Roku and the other two True Depravitas attacked the Ancient One from all directions, unleashing the full range of their power and abilities.

Yet whenever their attacks came even close to connecting, the space between them would simply cease to exist. Distance itself was negated, rendering it impossible to reach him.

It was not limited to physical attacks alone. Energy techniques failed, spiritual assaults vanished, and even soul-based strikes dissolved before making contact. Every attempt to harm him was erased as though it had never been launched.

However, despite his overwhelming power, the Ancient One was not invincible.

While the creator of the Neo-Angels could negate their attacks and generate repulsive forces strong enough to shatter their bodies and send them flying away, there was a weakness in his ability. Each time he activated the power of Negation, he was forced to remain completely still. His killing power was momentarily limited, bound by the very authority he wielded.

That limitation, however, did not last long.

Once the Ancient One gained a clear understanding of their Depravita powers and combat styles, he made his move.

His body vanished.

The sudden burst of speed shocked the trio. The Ancient One reappeared among them like a phantom, his movements precise and merciless. Every blow he landed carried overwhelming physical strength. With each strike, the bodies of the True Depravitas were destroyed—bones shattered, flesh torn apart—forcing their regeneration abilities to work at their absolute limit.

They healed, only to be struck again.

Not even a full minute had passed before the trio was already nearing exhaustion. Their regeneration slowed, their movements grew heavier, and cracks appeared in their Depravita Auras.

Then, just as the Ancient One struck the scythe-wielding True Depravita, the man showed a cold smile.

Before the Ancient One’s fist could fully withdraw from his body, the True Depravita’s soul detonated.

He self-destructed.

A massive explosion of energy and despair erupted in all directions, fueled by his soul and life force. The blast was so immense that it warped the air and pulverized the ground, sending shockwaves tearing through the battlefield.

The Ancient One emerged from the explosion in the next second.

His expression was solemn as he glanced at his arm, where the essence of illness and disease was spreading rapidly through his flesh. The energy clung to him like a living curse, corrosive and relentless.

For anyone else, it would have been fatal.

The self-destruction of a Middle Alpha-Omega Overgod, infused with Depravita power, was capable of crippling even the strongest beings. Yet the Ancient One merely focused his power. As his aura intensified, the disease and toxins began to decay, evaporating into nothingness.

Within seconds, his arm was restored.

He clenched his fists, his body as good as new. Still, a deep frown formed on his face as he surveyed the surroundings.

Roku and the other True Depravita had used the opening created by the self-destruction to escape.

What made it even more irritating was that the Ancient One could not even claim a true kill. The one who had self-destructed had lost his body and soul, but his True Name still existed. Given time, it would reforge him.

”It doesn’t matter,” the Ancient One muttered coldly. ”As long as I cross—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

The Ancient One turned to the side, his eyes sharpening as he clenched his fist and raised his aura. In the Crimson World, there was only one being whose presence could provoke such a reaction from him.

The Demon King.

Yet the one approaching was not the leader of the Life Path.

It was someone else.

A man with violet eyes and black hair stepped forward. His gaze turned cold as he observed the rampant decay corroding the air and ground. In the next second, a pulse of power erupted from him, instantly vaporizing the lingering energies.

Afterward, the man turned to face the Ancient One, his stance solemn and unwavering.

”You are the only one among the new invaders whose power matches that of those who entered during the last opening of the island,” he said calmly.

He paused as his aura began to rise, climbing higher and higher.

”I am Zuko, Leader of the Masked Race,” he declared. ”You and your kind need to leave this island. You can choose to do so alive—or as dust.”

The Ancient One stared at him for a moment. His eyes glowed with a menacing light before a cold smile spread across his face.

”I remember you,” he said. ”All those years ago, you had white hair. The Leader of the Masked Race was another man then. He spoke the same words you just did.”

His smile widened slightly.

”As you can see, he was the one who vanished.”

A flash of surprise crossed Zuko’s eyes. Yet within a heartbeat, it was replaced by absolute calm and focus.

”I remember everyone who appeared during the last opening,” Zuko replied evenly. ”And you were not among them.”

”Wasn’t I?” the Ancient One said lightly.

In the next instant, the space between them disappeared as if it had never existed.

They were suddenly face to face.

Without hesitation, the Ancient One’s hand flashed forward. Immense energy gathered in his palm, so dense that space-time itself seemed to fade upon contact.

Just as the attack was about to reach Zuko—

He vanished.

Shock flickered across the Ancient One’s face, a rare expression for him. It was immediately replaced by razor-sharp focus as Zuko reappeared on his left flank, slashing a dark sword toward his neck.

The Power of Negation activated instantly, eroding reality itself to reject the attack. The sword slowed as if forced through an invisible mire.

That same ability had effortlessly nullified the combined assaults of the three True Depravitas.

Yet this time, it did not stop the blade.

The Ancient One shifted aside, creating distance between himself and Zuko. But the next second, his eyes widened.

A thin line of blood trickled down his neck.

For the first time since entering Origin Island, the Ancient One had been wounded.