Chapter 498: Fifth Apocalyptic Star (III)

The Neo-Demons flew at their maximum speed for more than forty-two hours, and they did not stop until reaching a very secluded corner of the Bloodthorn Forest. 

Zatiel knew that the moment the Tier 1 Eldritch Stronghold found out about the demise of the hunting squad, several Supernova Domain existences would search every corner of their previous location.

Once they found a secure place, they formed an underground cave and covered it with cloaking runes. 

Ezequiel waved his hands, making hundreds of Origin Hearts appear in the cave, filling the air with so much Origin Power that it formed a golden fog around them.

The Supreme Neo-Demon did not stop there. He took a deep breath, and the next second, a nine petal rose appeared around him.

All the petals were illusory and lacked proper structure, but the emergence of the Astral Rose's shadow meant that just like Zatiel, Ezequiel also neared the Omega Seed level.

In the center of the Astral Rose, the orb with the purified vitality and energy of the defeated eldritch life forms was present. Two beams, one for Zatiel and the other for Ezequiel, were fired, nurturing their bodies quickly.

Zatiel also acted, and he made the six True Selves appear in the air. Each of the black figures had dozens of Mind Force spikes piercing them, making any attempt of self-destruction or escape futile.

They were like lambs in front of wolves, waiting for assimilation. The damage from the battle and Mind Force spikes weakened them significantly, so they could not resist what came next.

The only thing the Neo-Demons would have to worry about regarding the assimilation of the True Selves was making sure their True Wills would erase any ego or personality that could emerge in the True Doomsday Bodies.

A month of rest and training went by when suddenly, the Neo-Demons' bodies trembled, and a wave of Astral Origin emerged from them. 

Ezequiel and Zatiel finally reached the limit of how strong their fifth heaven could become. It was time for the Neo-Demons to seal a new Apocalyptic Star!

However, before taking that step in their True Doomsday Body Path of Power, there was another path they needed to advance first, one that had remained in the same Rank for several decades now.

Both Neo-Demons adopted a meditative position in the air and emptied their hearts and minds from any emotion as they proceeded to advance to the Moon Shatterer Rank.

From the Soul Celestial Vault, the golden humanoid descended surrounded by lightning. Thunder filled the sky like a melody depicting the rise of a divine overlord.

To advance to the Moon Shatterer Rank, the Neo-Demon must have a conviction great enough that they know deep inside their hearts that nothing can shatter their wills, no matter how hopeless the situation could appear.

Sophia and the rest of the Sky Breakers reached this level when they decided to fight even though they faced a virtually undefeatable opponent, like Invictus.

Ezequiel reached that level long ago when he met Zatiel and chose to continue living, despite being led to believe that every day would be hell.

Regarding Zatiel's mentality, his will already achieved a transcendent level long ago, and training was the only thing stopping him from reaching the True Will Path of Power peak.

As the True Will advanced to a higher level, a massive amount of Origin Power converged in him and formed a robe over his body.

While that happened inside the Inner Law Dimensions, over the bodies of Zatiel and Ezequiel, white robes began to appear.

At the Moon Shatterer Rank, a Neo-Demon's will is powerful enough to go beyond the energy level and become matter. The first expression of this ability is the creation of the Neo-Godking Mantle.

The Neo-Godking Mantle on Zatiel and Ezequiel were similar in their design. They were not very long and had short sleeves, making them suitable for battle.

However, both had different golden patterns written on the back. The words were still incomplete, and there was no way to discern their meaning, but they did unleash a feeling.

In the Moon Shatterer Rank, a Neo-Demon's will must harmonize with a concept of reality like fear, hate, wrath, love, anger, pride, wisdom, courage, truth, creativity, or nihilism.

The possibilities are endless, but in the end, the concept would be a reflection of their individuality, a core belief born of their soul and experiences. 

Once the Neo-Godking Mantle finished its formation, the True Will's power skyrocketed. The golden humanoid did not waste time and returned to his position in the highest sky as the Soul Celestial Overlord.

With the advance completed, both Zatiel and Ezequiel opened their eyes, which glowed with a glorious silver light.

From a mortal's perspective, those eyes would be like moons in the dark sky, the most beautiful and powerful heavenly body, always present, absolute, and indestructible.

The silver light lasted a second before the duo withdrew it. The willpower of the Supreme Neo-Demon and Neo-Demon Ancestor was so strong that weak life forms could not withstand it, and they would lose consciousness in their presence.

Just like with previous advancements, both Neo-Demons improved their spiritual defenses now that the True Will reached the Moon Shatterer Rank.

Soul invasion attacks beneath the Supernova Domain level would be futile against them. Their Inner Law Dimensions were so stable that to harm them, the spiritual attack must reach the Peak Rank 6.

However, there was a difference now, as the True Will Path of Power enhanced their physical defenses with the Neo-Godking Mantle.

The Neo-Godking Mantle could be considered an artifact made of willpower. It provided defense according to the True Will's power, which at the Early Moon Shatterer Rank meant it equaled an Early Rank 6 Artifact.

The best thing was that the Neo-Godking Mantle did not require energy to fulfill its purpose, and it would regenerate as long as the True Will existed, no matter how much damage it took.

With the advance in the True Will Path of Power finished, the Neo-Demons locked at each other and nodded. It was finally time to seal the Fifth Apocalyptic Star.