Chapter 376: Replacing Gods (2/2)
The chains whipped faster than Li could react, and they obliterated his shoulder. The man screamed in pain, and Arthur stopped attacking.
”I told you that you would die,” Arthur walked toward him, but Li simply gestured in refusal.
”Continue,”
”Do you want to die that badly?”
”I'm not dead, now, am I?” Li said with a hint of pride. ”Come at me seriously.” Arthur frowned before he nodded and raised his arm.
”You've asked for it, Li,” Arthur said as his aura exploded. The aura of creation made the world around them sink. As his arm descended, the chains multiplied and began attacking again. ”Survive this, and you will grow stronger.”
They descended like an army of destructive beings, and they destroyed everything in their path. The ground, the trees, and even Li couldn't survive the onslaught.
”Stop!”
Adrian's voice appeared from above as the wood spirit descended. However, it was too late to stop Arthur. The chains arrived at Li and struck him in every part of his body, destroying it.
Li screamed in agony as he fell tried to dodge, but there was no escape. Before Adrian could do anything, the chains retreated to Arthur, who began walking toward the dissipating Li.
”Wasn't he... your friend?” Adrian muttered with horror. ”What have you done? You've destroyed his spiritual body! He'll lose all of his abilities and memories!”
”Hm?” Arthur stopped in front of the dissipating Li. ”I have so many questions, but they have to wait.”
As he said so, he raised his hand. The chains multiplied further, creating a dome around Li. They left no gaps, and Arthur's aura of creation began growing stronger.
”What are you doing?” Adrian walked closer to them. ”This aura...”
”Li earned this gift,” Arthur replied as his aura grew stronger. ”He might hate me for doing this, but it's the only way for him to contract the spirit.”
”Arrogant,” Adrian spat as he walked closer to the dome. It reached out its hand before retracting it. ”It's the first time that I felt a thirst for power.”
”You can take a bit too,” Arthur laughed. ”I wouldn't mind.”
”As desirable this power is,” Adrian retracted his hand. ”It is as threatening. I might lose myself in it.” The carpenter backed away from the dome before he found a spot to sit down.
”Enjoying the show?” Arthur said as he raised his hands, palms facing upward. His spiritual energy gathered in spheres of golden light, which he merged into one another.
”You are playing the role of god,” Adrian warned. ”I don't care if you do, but the heavens won't be merciful in retaliation.”
”When the gods abandon us, what other choice do we have but to dethrone them and take their place?” Arthur said as he walked toward the dome.
”Ever considered living as a mortal without tempering with the fate of others?” Adrian said mockingly. ”It's a lot easier to accept that we can't control everything.”
”Something being easy doesn't make it the right thing to do, Adrian.” Arthur threw his spiritual energy at the dome, and it lit up like the brightest sun. ”I won't shy away from shooting down gods and demons if it means surviving in this chaotic world.”
”Is that all you want, human?” Adrian stood up. ”Are you sure you aren't pursuing the addictive feeling of being powerful and omnipotent?”
”I have no answer to that because anything I say would never prove otherwise. I can only show you, carpenter. I can show you that I'm different.”
The chains began pulling away from the dome like a yarn ball until they revealed Li's form inside. From the white appearance he had, Li now had strips of golden light all over his body.
As he landed on the ground, Li kept looking around and at his body. Finally, he looked at Arthur silently before falling on one knee, his arm resting on it.
”I wished to grow stronger myself,” Li said with regret. ”But I was too weak until I met you. This debt is one I shall never forget. In this life and the next, I will always serve you.”
”Go get your revenge first,” Arthur waved his arm. ”And don't forget what I told you before. Just help me out when we meet again.”
Li slowly nodded before he started walking toward the palace in the distance. He disappeared from Arthur's and Adrian's sights, going further and further into the city.
”Here's your branch.” Arthur picked up the branch and handed it toward the wood spirit. ”I get two questions today since I helped Li instead of you.”
”Fine... this is the last branch I need, anyway.” Adrian sighed. ”What are your questions?”
”I have a friend who lost her memories and abilities, as you said, but someone told me that happened because she contracted an evil spirit.” Arthur began.