In a fight between equals, a colossal body is far less advantageous than a smaller frame. For one, it makes one less likely to be the target of concentrated fire. Furthermore, speed can be increased, and fighting styles can be diversified—this last point being particularly crucial.

So, when the Dragon God manifested in the guise of the black-clad maid, Lin Luo immediately sensed trouble. His alarm turned to sheer dread when he realized that the black-clad maid's true form was likely that great figure from the Book of Contracts who mastered the rules of Equivalent Exchange.

One must remember that this great figure had defeated the Heavenly Dao; otherwise, how could he have survived that initial encounter? Based on this, one could surmise that the real black-clad maid’s combat power was at least at the fifth heaven of the Heavenly Tier. If the Dragon God used the true black-clad maid as a template for transformation, he certainly wouldn't just mimic the appearance. He would most likely replicate the fighting style as well... As for whether he could copy it successfully, there was no room for doubt, because Equivalent Exchange originated with the black-clad maid herself.

If this deduction was true, the outcome was terrifying. Even if the Dragon God’s imitation of the black-clad maid's combat methods couldn't match the original’s true power, simply possessing the form would elevate his combat strength by several levels, as both entities would wield the rule of Equivalent Exchange!

This meant that the enemy they currently faced was no longer the dull Dragon God, but a true Heavenly Tier powerhouse—perhaps even the strongest among the first heaven of the Heavenly Tier!

Lin Luo dared to challenge the Dragon God precisely because the Dragon God was not a true Heavenly Tier expert, but merely a Heavenly Tier rule. Relying on his understanding of Equivalent Exchange, he could even force this rule down from the Heavenly Tier realm. However, he could not restrict a genuine Heavenly Tier expert. Under these circumstances, any advantage he possessed would vanish!

The Dragon God's action completely shattered Lin Luo's predictions and threw his rhythm into disarray. But he was not the type to retreat at the first sign of trouble. Knowing this battle would be incredibly difficult from the start, he immediately calmed himself, reformed his body, and launched an offensive.

After all, in this situation, he was the only one who could confront the black-clad maid head-on.

However, the black-clad maid's speed was overwhelming. Coupled with his reluctance to immediately drop the defenses he had placed on the others, he failed to engage the black-clad maid immediately, resulting in several of his allies being seriously wounded... Thankfully, no one had died yet, which was the best possible outcome. If he had recalled his defenses instantly, someone might have perished already.

Finally, just as the black-clad maid was preparing to deliver a killing blow to Yakumo Yukari, Lin Luo completed his transformation of existence, gripping the Sword of Destruction and bringing it down upon her head.

The black-clad maid had regarded Yakumo Yukari and the others with an air of condescending dismissal, but when she felt Lin Luo's attack approaching, a flicker of gravity entered her eyes.

She spun abruptly, catching the Sword of Destruction in one hand barely an inch from her head. With a forceful squeeze, the sword instantly shattered, sending shards of black flame scattering.

"Hmph. Overestimating yourself!" the black-clad maid declared haughtily.

That voice... Lin Luo hadn't noticed it earlier, but now he recognized it perfectly: it was the same voice he had heard in his dream. Of course, the tone was worlds apart. The voice in his dream carried a gentle and refined quality, whereas this one was proud and dominant.

It remained uncertain what the black-clad maid’s true personality was. Although Lin Luo personally leaned toward the gentle and refined type, inferring from the facts, she should probably be the latter... After all, she was imitating her original self; if the original was gentle and refined, she should be as well.

This realization subtly illuminated where the dissonance he had felt originated.

"Whether I'm overestimating myself remains to be seen through trial!" Although the Sword of Destruction was broken by a single blow, Lin Luo remained unconcerned. Accelerating to his full speed, he instantly closed the distance, manifesting the Sword of Destruction again in his hand and delivering a fierce upward slash.

The black-clad maid leaned back slightly, dodging Lin Luo’s strike. Simultaneously, she raised her right hand, and a Sword of Destruction materialized instantly within it, slamming down viciously towards Lin Luo.

Lin Luo’s initial attack missed, but he did not panic. Before the black-clad maid’s Sword of Destruction could connect, he vanished from his original position, reappearing behind the enemy, unleashing an endless tide of black flames that surged forward like a tsunami.

The black-clad maid sneered. With a shift of her hand, the Sword of Destruction swept backward, slicing through the black flames with a whoosh, shattering them into pieces.

But after dispelling the flames, the black-clad maid found no sign of Lin Luo. A sudden sense of unease struck her. Tilting her head up sharply, she saw a colossal Fire Phoenix descending upon her.

The black-clad maid instinctively swung her sword to strike, but it was too late. In the next moment, she was entirely engulfed by the phoenix, incinerated in an instant.

The black flames retracted, and the Fire Phoenix instantly reverted to Lin Luo. But before he could stabilize, a hand suddenly shot out from the void, its five fingers clenched, wreathed in black flame, and delivered a punch straight to Lin Luo’s back.

Lin Luo could not evade the blow and took it full on, his body instantly exploding.

The exchange between the two had been incredibly fast, completing a mutual kill within a fraction of a second. Yet, the observers nearby had not seen the process clearly. They only witnessed Lin Luo slash with his sword, which then transformed into a fire phoenix that engulfed the black-clad maid, immediately followed by Lin Luo’s own body being blown apart... They could grasp the intensity of the clash, but the details remained hazy.

Even Yakumo Yukari, a quasi-Heavenly Tier expert, could not track the entire sequence.

This alone demonstrated that while Lin Luo’s overall strength might not yet surpass the black-clad maid’s, he had already established a significant gap between himself and Yakumo Yukari and the others—a gap that could not be closed quickly.

When Lin Luo engaged the black-clad maid head-on, the rest of them could only watch from the sidelines. How could they fight if they couldn't even match her speed?

Therefore, when they saw Lin Luo obliterated by a single strike, everyone’s expression changed.

Although they had performed admirably throughout the initial stages of the fight, almost completely suppressing the Dragon God, with Lin Luo serving merely as the 'MT' (Main Tank), everyone knew... their true pillar of strength was Lin Luo, both in terms of power and psychological reliance.

Lin Luo was the trump card and the very soul of the entire team.

No matter how the others retreated, or even if some were heavily injured or killed, they would not lose hope. But if Lin Luo were defeated, everything would end.

It was like a battle between two armies: if the commander falls, the army crumbles.

Though everyone knew Lin Luo possessed the divine skill Nothingness from Non-existence, they could not truly grasp how powerful this ability was. Facing a near-unbeatable Heavenly Tier expert, they lacked confidence. If Nothingness from Non-existence were somehow countered... almost no one dared to contemplate the consequences.

Would Nothingness from Non-existence be countered?

Certainly not!

In less than a second, Lin Luo reappeared, once again standing before the black-clad maid.

Instantly, aside from the black-clad maid, everyone present breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Setting aside the current emotions of Yakumo Yukari and the others, Lin Luo had gained a profound new insight through the exchange: this black-clad maid’s combat power was undeniably Heavenly Tier. Otherwise, given his strength, which was just a single step shy of the Heavenly Tier, no one below that tier could have shattered his body with one punch. However!

The black-clad maid had also fought against St. White Lotus and the others earlier. Although they were still protected by the defenses he had granted them then, given the sheer offensive power the black-clad maid was displaying now, they would have been instantly killed by a single blow. But that had not been the result... In other words, the black-clad maid was significantly stronger when fighting him than when fighting St. White Lotus and the others.

Was she holding back?

Absolutely not!

Earlier, the black-clad maid had been impatient to deliver finishing blows to the Tenth and Third Generations, showing an intent to kill completely. How could she possibly be conserving strength? Thus, the truth was... while the black-clad maid’s attack power at that time was considerably stronger than the Dragon God’s, it was nothing extraordinary.

Yet, when fighting him, the black-clad maid’s strength had increased by a large margin. What did this imply?

Had she instantly become stronger?

If so, that was too absurd.

Then there could be only one truth... Equivalent Exchange!

The punch the black-clad maid threw at the Third Generation, though others might not have seen it, Lin Luo clearly recognized as the Fourth Generation's technique. As for the subsequent critical strikes against St. White Lotus, Tenko, and Remilia, it was even clearer: all the black-clad maid’s abilities, except perhaps for the whirlwind attack used against Yakumo Yukari, were acquired through Equivalent Exchange.

Did this indirectly imply that, apart from the Heavenly Tier pressure, the black-clad maid possessed no inherent combat capabilities? Perhaps even the Heavenly Tier pressure wasn't stronger than in the Dragon God form?

If this were true, the sense of dissonance he had felt earlier would finally make sense... Although Equivalent Exchange was diligently imitating its master, the true black-clad maid, the gap between them was so vast that it resulted in the situation of an ape trying to imitate a tiger and looking like a dog instead. When she used Equivalent Exchange to acquire the abilities of St. White Lotus and the others, her own power drastically diminished. Conversely, when she exchanged for the rule of Destruction, because their levels differed, her resulting strength was greatly enhanced.

Undoubtedly, this was a weakness!

But was this weakness potentially fatal?

Lin Luo dared not confirm it yet, as this was ultimately just his speculation. Even if the guess were true, whether he could successfully manipulate the black-clad maid into exchanging for other people's abilities while he seized an opening remained an unknown. Moreover, if the others lost his protection, even that level of attack would be enough to instantly kill them all.

Therefore, now was not the time to attack this weakness.

All these thoughts flashed through Lin Luo's mind in less than a tenth of a second. Focusing his gaze on the black-clad maid opposite him, he had made up his mind... If you only rely on Equivalent Exchange, then I will let you exchange to your heart's content!

Lin Luo charged forward again, his speed unparalleled, the destructive black flames surging like a tsunami. Naturally, the black-clad maid would not yield, meeting his assault with her own destructive black flames.

However, comparatively, the black-clad maid possessed less destructive black flame.

Was this due to insufficient power?

Certainly not. Although the black flames the black-clad maid carried were less than half of Lin Luo’s, the destructive power she displayed surpassed Lin Luo’s. At the point of collision, Lin Luo's black flames were immediately dispersed, and with a casual wave, her fist, burning with black flame, shattered Lin Luo once more.

In terms of outcome, the black-clad maid’s command over the rule of Destruction was actually stronger than Lin Luo's.

This was only natural; her Heavenly Tier strength was indisputable.

But Lin Luo was not discouraged. With the divine skill Nothingness from Non-existence, he was virtually immortal. He instantly revived upon being shattered and charged again, bringing endless destruction.

The black-clad maid currently had no fatal weakness, but their side had countless vulnerabilities. If he couldn't hold her back, letting her charge through would be like unleashing a tiger upon sheep.

So, he had to stop her!

Once...

Twice...

Thrice...

Ten times...

Twenty times...

A hundred times...

At this moment, Lin Luo resembled a challenger, testing an unattainable existence again and again. Though he failed every time, the moment of failure was immediately followed by the sound of a fresh charge. What perseverance meant, what selflessness entailed—this was perhaps the best explanation.

All the surrounding spectators were stunned, gaping. They had confirmed that even a Heavenly Tier expert could not completely kill Lin Luo, but... what about the sensation of dying?

They had lost count of how many times Lin Luo had died; they couldn't bear to count. Everyone knew death was an unpleasant experience, yet Lin Luo endured it repeatedly, standing before them, maintaining the distance between them and the black-clad maid... Why did he do this? Everyone understood.

If the black-clad maid broke through Lin Luo’s defense line and reached them, few of them would survive. Even if Lin Luo managed to return in time, sacrifice would be inevitable.

In the current situation, Lin Luo was protecting them through his own repeated deaths.

But what had they done?

Everyone suddenly realized that since the Dragon God transformed into the black-clad maid, they had been utterly useless. They felt like viewers watching television, capable only of sensing the plot but unable to participate.

Unwilling! Every single one of them was unwilling!

But what could they possibly do?

Faced with the black-clad maid's overwhelming power, they were completely helpless. Even rushing forward recklessly would only make them cannon fodder—and the kind that dragged the main force down.

Did it truly mean they could only watch?

Everyone looked at their hands and realized that this was indeed the case, because... they were too weak!

Power! They needed power! If only they could be a bit stronger!

But they held absolutely nothing back; the strength they displayed had already reached its limit. How could they possibly surpass themselves in an instant?

Powerless. Truly powerless!

No, if this continued... While others didn't know how many times Lin Luo had died, Lin Luo himself had lost count. His original intent was to hold this defensive line while simultaneously using the combat with the black-clad maid to perceive the mysteries of her use of the rule of Destruction. Since she was a Heavenly Tier expert, her level of Destruction was also Heavenly Tier. If he could learn from it, he might be able to break through to the Heavenly Tier during the battle.

However... he had overestimated himself.

He was not a genius; he never had been. Although his rate of progress was even faster than that of a genius, only he knew that all those breakthroughs occurred on the edge of life and death. He wasn't the type who could learn something just by glancing at it, like Yakumo Yukari.

Now, although he was experiencing death constantly, Nothingness from Non-existence prevented him from truly dying. Therefore, breaking through through life and death was no longer possible, even if he had grasped many concepts.

He was simultaneously saved and hindered by Nothingness from Non-existence.

Lin Luo began to envy true geniuses, but what use was it now to envy talents he didn't possess?

In the end, he could only grit his teeth and charge forward again.

As for the pain of death, did that even matter anymore?

"The only thing about you that earns my respect is this persistence, but..." The black-clad maid’s gaze turned sharp as she launched a punch, shattering Lin Luo into pieces once more, declaring arrogantly, "Strength always has its limits. How long can you persist?"

Lin Luo revived and reappeared, completely ignoring the black-clad maid’s words, raising his sword in a strike.

Of course, he knew his strength had limits. He could even distinctly feel his current limit. He knew he could not defeat this black-clad maid solely with his own power; merely managing to hold her here was already a performance beyond the standard, but... this battle was not being fought by him alone!

Even if some people were confused, terrified, or even despairing right now, he still held his belief.

So, even in this predicament, he had not lost confidence.

Wait. As long as he waited, surely...

Boom!

Once again, Lin Luo’s body was pulverized by the black-clad maid.

At that instant, the black-clad maid flickered and immediately accelerated towards the other side. She no longer wished to be entangled with Lin Luo, but before she could move far, Lin Luo’s figure flashed and he was already blocking her path again.

"So persistent," the black-clad maid couldn't help but frown. By now, she could discern Lin Luo's nature. No one enjoyed dealing with an enemy who could not be permanently killed.

She even felt an impulse to ignore Lin Luo’s attacks and go kill a few others, but the rule of Destruction was not something that could simply be disregarded. Furthermore, she couldn't acquire Nothingness from Non-existence through Equivalent Exchange. If she were to stumble into disaster by accident, it would truly be seeking her own death.

"I already said it: if you want to go on a killing spree, you must kill me completely first."

Lin Luo’s expression was as resolute as ever.

"Then I will crush your confidence until it breaks!" The black-clad maid roared in anger, raising her palm, unleashing a sky-obscuring torrent of burning black flames that instantly annihilated Lin Luo.

"Ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, ten thousand times—eventually, you will..."

"Don't bully my Dad!"

The black-clad maid was trying to undermine Lin Luo’s confidence with words, but before she could finish speaking, a tremendously angry voice suddenly echoed in the void.

Hearing this voice, not only did the black-clad maid turn her head, but even Lin Luo, who was halfway through reviving, and Reimu and the others all turned their gazes. Then, they saw... a young girl, no, a child, appearing a short distance behind the black-clad maid.

The girl appeared to be about twelve years old, dressed in a shrine maiden's outfit. Her delicate little face was puffed out, looking extremely angry, and her eyes were brimming with tears. Anyone could see the grief and indignation on her face.

"That’s... Meimu? It is Meimu!" Although her size and age didn't match, Reimu confirmed instantly that the suddenly appearing girl was her daughter.

"Don't just stand there, hurry and run!" Lin Luo immediately recognized her too and roared. He had no idea how Meimu had arrived here, but this was no time to worry about that.

His revival required time. Though extremely short, Meimu was far too close to the black-clad maid—close enough that the black-clad maid could kill her with a mere touch.

But Meimu paid no attention, staring at the black-clad maid with intense fury. Furthermore... she was actually charging towards the black-clad maid!

"Damn it!" Reimu's face changed drastically, and she immediately rushed forward regardless of the danger, while Yakumo Yukari activated her gap.

But it was futile!

Because at this moment, the black-clad maid extended a finger, and a beam of destructive light shot towards Meimu like lightning.

Reimu did not possess instantaneous movement abilities; no matter how fast she rushed, she couldn't reach in time. As for Yakumo Yukari, the black-clad maid understood her abilities intimately and had already interfered with the gaps within her attack range. The moment Yakumo Yukari tried to enter a gap, she was forcibly pushed back by a powerful repulsion.

As for the others, their speed was even less comparable.

Although Lin Luo had fully revived by this point, the black-clad maid simultaneously turned back to restrain him with a casual gesture as she unleashed her attack.

Consequently, everyone could only watch helplessly as the beam of destructive light sped toward Meimu.

And Meimu, watching the terrifying attack approach, instantly froze.

"No!!!"

A heart-wrenching scream tore out, but the tragic scene had already become unstoppable.

But just as the Light of Destruction was mere feet from Mengmeng, a small figure suddenly appeared before her... Silver hair cascading down, clad in black attire, bearing black wings—it was Suigin-tou!

Possessing the Domain of N, Suigin-tou's speed was by no means inferior to Yakumo Yukari's; it was simply that she hadn't utilized this ability in the preceding fight, so the black-clad maid hadn't prepared for it. Thus, when no one else could offer aid, Suigin-tou arrived via the Domain of N.

But, was this useful?

Had Lin Luo arrived, the rescue would have been complete. Yet, among the assembled group, Suigin-tou’s strength was second only to Mengmeng. Even arriving in time, could she truly intercept a Heaven-rank Light of Destruction?

The answer, of course, was no.

Even Suigin-tou herself knew she was utterly powerless against such an attack.

So, the instant she appeared, Suigin-tou had only one course of action: turning her back to the Light of Destruction, she spread her arms wide... She intended to use her own body to shield Mengmeng from this finishing blow.

Suigin-tou detested humans; aside from the 'Father' figure in her heart, there was practically no one she genuinely liked. Sacrificing oneself for others was something she would never do. Yet, in this moment, even Suigin-tou couldn't articulate the reason why.

When she saw that Light of Destruction hurtling toward Mengmeng, she rushed forward instinctively.

Why would I do such a thing?

Suigin-tou questioned herself, but she could find no answer. Perhaps the answer itself had become irrelevant.

The moment the Light of Destruction struck her body, a faint smile touched Suigin-tou’s lips. Gazing at the girl before her, who was something akin to a sister, she knew she had found the meaning behind rushing forward.

Because I am the older sister, it is only natural to protect my younger sister.

Crash!

The Light of Destruction was gathered from the Black Flames of Ruin. Upon impact, the Black Flames ignited instantly, engulfing Suigin-tou’s body and reducing it to ash in a flash.

The Heaven-rank Black Flames of Ruin required Lin Luo to rely on Ex Nihilo just to resurrect; without that ability, if Suigin-tou were utterly consumed, there was only one outcome... Death!

Mengmeng froze, utterly unable to process what was happening.

Yet, her stupefaction lasted only an instant, because... the Light of Destruction did not halt at Suigin-tou. The moment it incinerated her, it pierced through and ultimately struck Mengmeng.

Just like Suigin-tou, the Black Flames erupted instantly, and in less time than a blink, Mengmeng’s body was also completely burned away.

One light of destruction, two lives lost, almost simultaneously.

Lin Luo was stunned silent.

Reimu was stunned silent.

Yakumo Yukari was stunned silent.

At that moment, everyone stood as if carved from wood.

In the span of a single blink, both were dead? Was this reality?

Impossible, how could death come so easily? They were such young, vibrant lives; this was utterly... senseless!

There was no reason; why did she appear at such a moment?

Why?

Why?

Why!

Lin Luo still vividly remembered the first time he saw Suigin-tou: the girl’s quiet, peaceful posture as she slept. After he woke her, the happy, hopeful smile on her face, and the small sense of contentment as she sat upon his shoulder. When he first met Mengmeng, there was the girl’s hazy yet somewhat cunning nature, the look of awe and excitement in her eyes when he played the role of a chuunibyou, and her cry of ‘Hero!’ when he declared he would save everyone.

Hero?

Did I achieve it? Did I truly achieve it?

All those promises of a happy ending for everyone, the vow that he could protect everything... He couldn't even save these two girls. In the span of a blink, just that single moment... life was too fragile to withstand even an instant!

“Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!”

A roar of grief and rage saturated the entire space. Sorrow and pain drove Lin Luo into a complete frenzy. Tears streamed from his eyes, his face contorted into a ghastly mask, while boundless Black Flames consumed the world.

PS: Speaking of which, wasn't this supposed to be a lighthearted novel? When did it turn so tragic? Alright, everyone calm down, please don’t curse me; we’ll have a divine twist tomorrow.