The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2015: Striking before the first word

The closest continent with a Dark Tree under Azazel’s control, lying opposite the Scarlet Kingdom’s lands, belonged to Calypso. To reach it and begin the destruction of their enemies, the army of the Scarlet Kingdom had to march through one more domain.

It was a land of temples—solemn and tranquil, almost otherworldly in its serenity. The air shimmered with chants that carried across valleys and plains, resonating with peace. Before the rise of the Scarlet Path, a place like this was unique and a paradise for those who sought peace.

In the highest sky above, their leader meditated. A retinue of Prima Deities knelt around him in silence, their faces tense, yet they drew comfort from the presence of their master.

He was an ArchDeity. His appearance exuded an aura of sanctity and detachment. Bald head gleaming beneath the light of the stars in the void, calm eyes set within a serene face, and a crimson mark glowing on his forehead—each detail spoke of spiritual transcendence. Draped in white robes stitched with beads and sashes, he radiated the stillness of a sage untouched by mortal desire.

Despite being only an Early ArchDeity, the force of his Laws and Star Power radiated outward like a pure flame. He was a dual cultivator, whose body and soul marched in harmony. His aura was so immaculate that flocks of luminous butterflies of light manifested around him, fluttering as symbols of purity, transformation, and enlightenment.

The Prima Deities beneath him could not hide their dread as the army of the Scarlet Kingdom entered their domain, banners of blood-red fire blazing like the sun. Yet the ArchDeity remained unmoved, a figure of unwavering serenity. Seeing his stillness, the Prima Deities steadied themselves as well.

Though none of them knew what decision their leader had taken, they trusted in him. And indeed, they reasoned, there was little to fear. The Scarlet King was a monster who had captured countless souls into his realm of eternal torment and killed billions without mercy or hesitation, true, but he was also known to honor justice and fairness. His treatment of DeathSong Heaven proved as much. As long as their leader did not stand against him, there was no reason to believe Cain would strike.

After all, it made no sense for the Scarlet King to slaughter neutrals during his first mobilization. Such a precedent would only sow unnecessary chaos. The more they thought on it, the more assured the Prima Deities became. Surely, everything would end in peace, and maybe they would even join the Scarlet Kingdom in their march.

The Scarlet Kingdom’s army halted at the edge of the temple grounds. Silence stretched. Then Cain himself advanced alone. His aura burned like a scarlet sun, yet his steps were deliberate and calm, with a small smile on his face and golden light in his eyes.

The ArchDeity gestured for his followers to stay behind and rose, drifting through the sky to meet Cain. They stopped just ten meters apart, two sovereigns of their own kind. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Scar—"

The word never finished.

Cain’s fist, blazing with scarlet fire, black starlight, and white flames of entropy, smashed into the chest of the bald ArchDeity with apocalyptic force.

The ArchDeity’s eyes widened as his ribcage shattered. His defenses crumbled instantly. Destructive energy flooded his organs, hurling him downward like a meteor.

Shock rippled across the temple grounds. The Prima Deities froze, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Even Cain’s own soldiers were momentarily stunned. No one had expected such a brutal, sudden strike before even the first word was uttered.

Cain’s body blazed with the fury of Tenth Gear, his blood boiling like a living inferno. He noticed the confusion but did not hesitate, nor did he offer an explanation. Without pause, he plunged after the ArchDeity, piercing toward the crater his blow had carved, ready to deliver the killing strike.

The monk coughed blood, his organs ruptured, his body trembling on the edge of collapse. Only the strength of his refined physique had prevented instant death. He had no time to recover. The Scarlet King stood before him again, fist cocked, carrying raw brutality enough to shatter his skull.

But before Cain’s blow could land, a sword appeared.

Steel rang against scarlet flames.

The strike was blocked.

The entire battlefield fell into stunned silence. The one who had intervened was none other than Azazel.

Cain’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. He looked directly into the abyssal eyes of the True Depravita. Unlike the others, he was not surprised. After all, the name of the bald ArchDeity was Tibet, the same Tibet he saw in the Starfall Heaven.

From the moment Cain had first laid eyes on Tibet and the people of NascenSky Heaven, he had suspected deception. The lack of a Dark Tree was a trick. Tibet’s peaceful image was the bait, meant to lower his guard, so Azazel and his forces could attack.

There had been no way to be absolutely certain. Thus Cain had made his choice: attack with overwhelming ferocity and murderous intent. And now, Azazel’s intervention proved him correct.

Thoughts raced in his mind, but his body never stopped. With a violent twist, Cain pivoted beneath Azazel’s blade, planting his heel into Tibet’s battered body. The force sent the monk crashing deeper into the earth, blood spraying from his mouth.

In the same instant, Cain tackled Azazel, dragging him upward. Their clash ripped apart the sky. Space shuddered as the two titans shot beyond the stratosphere, past the highest sky, and into the void itself.

For a heartbeat, silence reigned.

Then a voice like a lion’s roar shattered it.

"Take control of the continent! Kill anything that dares oppose us!"

It was Leonidas, his voice booming with command. At once, the Scarlet Kingdom surged into motion.

Columns of red energy shot into the ground as massive scarlet pillars were planted into the continent’s soil. Each pillar pulsed with runes, spreading lines of power into the sky and earth, binding the domain with the power of the Scarlet Intercontinent Formation.

And at that very instant, a sound like shattering glass echoed across the world.