Chapter 635: Phantom Purgatory, Enshrouding Millions!
"Indeed, the truly exceptional always rise to the top."
A few minutes passed, and Sterl murmured to himself as he observed the battlefield.
The once vast army, which numbered nearly three million, had now dwindled to just over a million.
Of these remaining million, around eight or nine hundred thousand were members of the Evil Wasps clan.
In this brutal elimination battle, the Evil Wasps clan had managed to endure until the very end.
What's more, based on the current situation, thanks to their mobility and ranged attack capabilities, they could hold on for at least five more minutes before the last of them fell.
It's important to understand that under the overwhelming flood of enemies, the longer the battle dragged on, the harder it became to hold the line.
This clearly demonstrated the immense combat strength of the Evil Wasps clan.
Of course, the key factors behind their survival weren't just their raw strength. Equally crucial were their absolute calmness and unyielding, fearless will to fight.
The survivors of other races, on the other hand, had nearly lost all sense of reason, devolving into crazed beings ruled by fear and brutality.
"Almost there. Such outstanding warriors cannot be allowed to fall completely."
Sterl spoke softly, rising from his seated position in mid-air. His gaze was calm as he observed the battlefield, focusing on the Evil Wasps God and the other gods who were engaged in a desperate struggle.
Then, a vast and terrifying aura erupted from his body.
It was like a domineering and fearsome demon god, revealing its true form.
"It's our Lord! The Lord has recovered!"
"Wonderful, the master is about to strike! These pests are doomed!"
Upon sensing this aura, the other gods were overjoyed, and the pressure that had weighed on their hearts evaporated.
The Evil Wasps God, feeling the overwhelming presence, kept her cold, indifferent gaze. Yet, waves of unease began to ripple within her.
This was the first time she had felt Sterl's aura. Just the aura alone exuded such a domineering force that it seemed like everything in its path would inevitably be destroyed!
On the battlefield below, the remaining creatures froze in shock. Then, a wave of exhilarated cheers erupted from them.
So Ruler really was going to intervene! They were saved!
At the same time, the massive and vicious silver-white flood of Silver Spiders came to a sudden halt. All the Silver Spiders and the flying monsters that had merged with them turned their gaze toward Sterl.
Under the gaze of tens of millions of eyes, even gods could potentially be frightened into submission.
However, Sterl merely smiled slightly, his eyes briefly flashing with a deep and profound light. Through the eyes of these monsters, he seemed to see beyond the distance, piercing through it directly to the central mother entity that lay beyond.
"Don't worry, I'll be coming for you soon. You won't have to wait long."
He murmured softly, before turning his gaze toward the remaining Hellish creatures. He had expected them to seize the opportunity and flee the battlefield, but to his surprise, not a single one of them had run.
Of course, with the remaining army now consisting of ninety-nine percent Evil Wasps, it was hardly surprising. Given the nature of the Evil Wasps, it would have been strange if they had fled.
"Everyone, fall back."
Sterl gently waved his hand, casting a layer of Divine Power to form a barrier between the remaining forces and the Silver Spider swarm. Following his command, the Evil Wasps retreated in an orderly fashion. It was clear they were ready to charge and fight to the death at a moment's notice. Sterl couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
It was ironic, really. In the hellish realm, a place of corruption and evil, creatures could emerge who were more loyal and brave than knights from the main world—knights who were burdened with endless rules and codes. It was almost melancholic.
Fortunately, the Silver Spiders either sensed the great threat emanating from Sterl, or perhaps they were being restrained by the mother entity, and thus did not immediately launch an attack.
This gave the brave warriors an opportunity to pull back.
At the same time, the Earth Wolves, who had been fighting alongside the Evil Wasps God and several of her followers, halted their assault. They moved to the front of the Silver Spider swarm, watching Sterl with keen awareness and a threat-filled gaze.
"Congratulations, my Lord!"
The Evil Wasps God quickly approached Sterl, bowing respectfully.
Sterl gave her a glance. The Evil Wasps God was quite striking, possessing an aura of elegance and cold beauty, much like a queen with absolute power over life and death.
Her exposed upper body was pale and smooth, with a full, rounded chest, covered by dark yellow scales that shimmered, almost hidden beneath the surface. The sight was uniquely alluring.
Unfortunately, her lower body retained the form of the Evil Wasps, resembling a massive, deadly wasp tail. Had it been different, she might have rivaled goddesses like Diana in beauty.
"You've done well. I appreciate your efforts,"
Sterl said, extending his hand and patting the Evil Wasps God on the shoulder with a note of approval.
"Thank you, my Lord. It is my honor to serve you,"
Her eyes briefly flashed with joy, only for her to quickly suppress it. She spoke again with a more serious tone, her respect for Sterl clear.
Other gods' followers gathered around as well. Aside from the god of the Evil Wasps, who appeared somewhat drained, the followers—already enhanced once by him—carried some injuries. This suggested that the silver-winged Earth Wolves were not easy to deal with.
Of course, for him, it didn't matter whether they were Earth Wolves of the divine rank or ordinary Silver Spiders. They were all of little consequence.
"Master, allow us to handle this. These pests aren't worth your personal involvement," Boris said, stepping forward.
"Yes, Master. Your precious body should not be sullied by these lowly creatures," another follower added eagerly. They had been by Sterl's side for a long time without being given a chance to act, and now they were growing impatient.
"Step back," Sterl said calmly, raising his hand.
Upon hearing this, the others could only retreat reluctantly, refraining from saying anything further.
Sterl's gaze fixed upon the endless silver flood before him. If he were to allow his divine followers to attack together, the only possible outcome was clear.
That outcome would be the complete annihilation of Boris and the others, while the Mother… would remain unharmed.
The millions of Silver Spiders, combined with the flying creatures in the air—subtle yet deadly in their attacks—along with five or six divine-level white Earth Wolves, would gradually wear them down. Within half an hour, they would be reduced to nothing more than nourishment for the Mother's reserves. It would all be meaningless.
Moreover, although the souls within these pests were few, they would accumulate over time. Together, they would form a considerable number.
Sterl's gaze descended, cold and disdainful, his expression showing no trace of fear or hesitation. Only a deep, unfeeling contempt remained.
"A group of insignificant insects dares to defy me?" His voice boomed, spreading out in all directions, filled with overwhelming dominance and power. It left those who heard it in awe, their hearts submitting without the slightest thought of resistance.
At the same time, the Divine Power barrier he had previously released slowly dissipated, completely exposing him to the millions of creatures before him. He stood there as if an invincible celestial being, unmoved by the vast army in front of him.
However, the Divine Power barrier was nothing more than a facade. After all, if it came to a pure contest of strength, even he would not be able to withstand the frenzied assault of millions of immortal creatures.
As he spoke, the swarm before him stirred, a series of shrill, rhythmic shrieks echoing through the air, as if they were expressing their fury.
To be precise, it was the manifestation of the Mother's overwhelming fury.
"Heh, still unwilling to submit? Very well, there is no need for words with you lowly insects. Since you insist, I… shall grant you all death!" Sterl's voice was cold, laced with immense power.
He slowly extended his right hand, fingers splayed, directing it toward the oncoming army.
Almost simultaneously, the tidal wave of creatures surged once more. Tens of millions of Silver Spiders charged toward Sterl, and in the skies above, millions of flying monsters aimed their sharp, needle-like limbs directly at him. Several Earth Wolves also bared their teeth, their expressions twisted with cruel intent, as though they wanted to tear him apart.
However, just then, Sterl's fingers curled slightly, and the Phantom Purgatory was instantly activated!
In that instant, a dark, unseen miasma began to spread, cloaking the entire land and sky above Sterl. A terrifying Gate of Purgatory slowly opened in the air above him.
Immediately, a soul-rending force emanated from the gate, sweeping across the entire area. This all occurred in the blink of an eye. The once-charging Silver Spiders suddenly froze, their ferocious assault coming to a halt. The inertia of their movements caused them to crash into each other, crushing many of their own kind in the process.
The flying monsters, poised to strike, were struck as if turned to stone by Medusa's gaze. They all froze, becoming motionless statues of wax, before plummeting from the sky, shattering upon impact.
Even the several divine-level Earth Wolves were not spared. They halted mid-motion, their consciousness stripped away, leaving them in a state of utter stasis.
Within the Purgatory Space created by Sterl, tens of millions of souls appeared all at once!
These souls instinctively tried to flee this accursed place, but no sooner had they begun to resist than countless thorn-like spiritual tendrils shot out, piercing and binding them.
Then, a terrifying Soulforge Fire erupted within the Purgatory Space, enveloping all the souls in a scorching wave.
The Silver Spiders and the fused flying monster souls were no more than a fraction—about one percent—of the strength of a normal living soul. The amount of soul damage they endured was instantly maximized to 100%!
In the blink of an eye, these countless souls, unable to even let out a scream, were reduced to ash, consumed by the flames of purgatory.