Damned Healer-Chapter 693: What Could Stop Him?

Darian and Niara walked out of the room calmly. At that moment, inside the Academy, all the millions of soldiers were gathered.

It had been two years of nonstop work, but… now, when they took a deep breath and felt the environment outside the planet, the difference was like Heaven and Earth.

A pure energy surrounded the entire universe, and there wasn't a single trace of corruption left. All the galaxies had been cleansed of the Risen, and life across the universe felt reborn, like a heart starting to beat again.

Now there was only one enemy left, and only one place where he was sealed away. The final objective stood right in front of them.

"Master,"

A soft voice suddenly echoed at his side, making Darian turn around.

In front of him appeared a young woman with delicate features and a faint smile, though her eyes shone with unusual intensity.

At first glance, she looked like a human at the start of adulthood, wrapped in an aura of red and orange tones that resembled the light of a sunset — that aura was the pure manifestation of Nether power flowing from her being.

Her black hair was crowned by lupine ears that revealed her lineage, contrasting with her pale skin and dark dress with soft, fur-like details. At the center of it all, the Fiendlight crystal rested on her neck, pulsing in multifaceted colors that made her presence as enigmatic as it was captivating.

Howlyn had naturally reached adulthood over these two years, according to her race. She learned how to use metamorphosis, but after talking with Eleri and Awel, she chose something quite different: she asked for a Nether body just like theirs.

Darian found it strange because by using that body, she wouldn't be able to easily go out and assume her true form. In short, she would have to live in the Nether body all the time. Even so, she said she felt better that way.

In truth, all Abyssal Corrupted Wolves had a frightening affinity with Nether power. Even without using their true form, a body like that still allowed members of this race to fight at a high level; with training, they might even become stronger than in their original form.

On top of that, if something serious happened, they could simply abandon that body and escape in their true form, as if it were a second life.

Of course, Darian couldn't order the wolves to abandon their original forms; that would be extremely rude on his part. Every race had its pride and personal preferences. The vast majority of them would hate living like that.

But Howlyn truly didn't care and liked being humanoid. Maybe it was a reflection of her past life. When she had been a Risen Lord, she only assumed her true form when she needed to flee or move faster.

Using metamorphosis, her endurance and physical power were much lower than her natural state, but she always fought in humanoid form because it was easier to manipulate celestial corruption. Since she wasn't the type to fight head-on, the humanoid form ended up becoming her default all the time.

Back to the present.

"You did it?" Darian asked, looking at the young woman.

She nodded and smiled, her eyes shining intensely.

Darian felt deeply satisfied. With the power of the Fiendlight, Howlyn had managed to develop a third technique on her own. She was still very young, but her intelligence and creativity were shocking.

Six months ago, Darian had only muttered a few ideas and discussed them with Awel while watching the wolves fight. Howlyn, listening beside them, took every word seriously and tried to replicate it.

She really succeeded. She called it *Abyssal Connection*, and by using the Fiendlight power present in all members of her race, she could link them together as if they were part of one massive inscription. They could move energy between each other, communicate, and even perform joint attacks perfectly.

It was incredible. But for it to be used, Howlyn had to be present. Maybe that final detail was her main ambition.

Her eyes locked onto Darian, full of determination.

"She worked really hard and deserves your trust," Niara murmured calmly beside him. "I'm sure she learned everything from you and won't do anything reckless."

Darian snorted softly. He was certain Howlyn was trustworthy and had taught her as much as he could. But she was still too weak; her individual power didn't even reach the equivalent of someone with four rings. That's why he feared she might get hurt.

Even so, when he saw those stubborn eyes and remembered all the effort she had put in over the past months, he couldn't bring himself to frustrate her.

"Alright. You're still too weak to join the battle directly, but with this technique, you'll be able to stay safe."

A bright smile bloomed on her face. "I'll do my best! Don't worry, I won't let anyone get close to me."

Darian nodded and stepped forward, leaving her just behind him, radiant, her fluffy tail swaying energetically.

Everyone was waiting for him, and when he approached, they clenched their fists as if they wanted to attack immediately, without waiting a second longer.

"You did a good job. But… don't get arrogant. Never underestimate a Primordial Beast inside its own universe. If the Celestial Shadow chose to stay put in that galaxy and didn't react when we started the full cleansing of the universe, it's because he has a plan."

Darian spoke seriously. Over the years, he had been checking the karma inside that galaxy from afar from time to time. There hadn't been any major changes, nor many deaths happening; that much he could guarantee.

But at the same time, three months after the Qi returned to the universe, the Celestial Shadow's karma suddenly disappeared, as if he had entered some isolated place within the universe.

Darian could still sense traces of his karma, which pointed to the entrance where he was. But that made it clear he was setting up something dangerous.

Unfortunately, attacking the galaxy earlier wouldn't have helped much. Now that he was just a soul, he could move to any Risen connected to him in the universe, disappearing very quickly.

Maybe attacking anyway, just to stop him from preparing something, was a viable option. But even with everyone chasing him nonstop, how long would it actually take to kill him? Maybe he could still accomplish something little by little, even while running.

The other option was what Darian had done: cleanse the entire universe and corner him completely. That way, when Darian attacked, it would be a battle to the end, and there would be no chance for him to escape.

Two paths, and neither of them seemed completely right.

With nine rings, Darian now held the maximum power of the Ninth Zenith created by his master. His strength had risen to an absurd level; he needed to fight at full force to be sure, but he could probably defeat a Spiritual Sovereign alone now.

Niara definitely wasn't much weaker, especially inside her own universe. With the entire army by his side and thorough preparation for the battle, Darian felt the second option was still the safest.

"The attack will happen in seven days," Darian announced loudly to everyone. "Before that, we'll gather all Spiritual Guardians with nine rings. It's time for everyone to break through together."

His words were met with excitement by many. Leander, Udynes, Barod, and many from other races had finally managed to adapt the Primordial Bead technique over these years. That meant their chances of reaching immortality were just as high as those who had succeeded before.

Darian looked at them, seeing countless new faces.

Over the past two years, the number of people with nine rings in the army had multiplied dozens of times, for obvious reasons. Nearly all the most talented Spiritual Guardians from allied planets had joined the army and broken through again and again.

Without delay, Darian gave the order for the nine-ring Spiritual Guardians to board their flying boats. Almost two million figures moved together toward a completely uninhabited rocky planet in that galaxy.

Lucy, Lucius, and Veyle were with Darian and Niara.

When they arrived, that small group turned to Alear and Alirio.

Both had nine rings and were about to face this great challenge on the path to immortality. It was a direct fight against the heavens, where any mistake or lack of ability would lead to death. It depended entirely on them; Darian and the others couldn't save them if they didn't measure up.

That made the five who could only watch a thousand times more nervous than the two of them.

Darian didn't even want to imagine something happening to Alear. He would be capable of invading the Heavenly Punishment and pulling her out, even if it meant placing himself in certain mortal danger.

"Don't be so tense. The laws of the world are harsh, but they don't scare me. You taught me to fear only being weak and not being able to protect you." Alear spoke softly, looking at her two fathers and three adoptive mothers.

All of them nodded. This young woman had never disappointed them and had grown into someone confident who could stand on her own.

"Brat, she'll be by your side. Isn't that enough for you to prove yourself?" Niara suddenly said toward Alirio.

He clenched his fists and nodded. Over the years, his situation with Alear hadn't changed drastically, but it could be said they were now walking in the same direction. Alear no longer treated him badly and seemed more friendly each day.

"Go. Everyone's stabilizing their minds. In one hour, it'll begin." Darian spoke lightly, and the two nodded and moved.

They entered the middle of the immense army. Everyone was meditating with eyes closed, relaxing. They needed to be in their best physical and mental state.

Darian stopped above a hill, far from the army. The five had to watch from a distance, just like before.

Niara stepped closer to him and saw his distant, thoughtful gaze. She took a deep breath and held his hand.

Right behind them, the other three looked at Darian and Niara's backs with a hint of excitement. That was because, after everyone else, Darian would obviously have to face the great Trial as well. But since he was clearly on another level, he would have to do it alone so he wouldn't implicate the others.

He had already been terrifying with seven rings before. Now, with nine, no one could imagine his limit. If he became an immortal, what could possibly stop him?