Demon Hunter and His Cabin
Chapter 817 - 640 Atlas’s Struggle_2

Chapter 817: Chapter 640 Atlas’s Struggle_2

The tremors in the sky grew more intense. This was merely the aftermath of a single strike from the Tengu Divine Master. He seemed in no hurry, his hand slowly closing. In the next moment, space shattered, and the defenses enveloping the mountaintop were instantly breached!

Boom!

A terrifying force struck Sword Master Funiu directly.

His figure trembled slightly, but Sword Master Funiu withstood the oppression from the heavens. The violent power coursed through his legs, spreading into the mountain beneath his feet.

The ground quaked. Meanwhile, in every corner of Qinglu Mountain, under the direction of Miyanori Chiyoko, countless disciples of the Sword Pavilion mirrored the posture of Sword Master Funiu and the others.

They resisted immense pressure, yet still straightened their spines, raising their hands unsteadily toward the figure above in the sky!

The crushing weight left them breathless, their knees trembling as if they might collapse. But at this moment, their hearts suddenly contracted.

Thump, thump, thump!

This was a sound akin to a heartbeat, resonating not only within themselves but also from their comrades around them, and even from the earth beneath their feet.

Like grains of sand forming a tower or drops of water becoming a river, tiny forces converged together. In the next moment, they heard the steady voice of Sword Master Funiu.

"We carry the bloodline of the Atlas Great Bear. We are the Sky Supporters! We must not be cowed by the challenges before us!"

Whoosh!

The sound of flowing blood filled the air. Miyanori Chiyoko clenched her fist tightly. She beheld the familiar faces around her and, with a surge of emotion, returned to stand behind Sword Master Funiu.

A massive blood-red bear rose from the earth, lifting its enormous front paw and slapping it fiercely at the figure floating in the sky.

The Tengu Divine Master’s eyes shifted subtly—not with shock or retreat, but with a faint trace of mockery.

"Only the weak place their hopes in others."

"Even if a group of trash gathers, they cannot change anything."

[Cleaving]

He stretched out a second arm, thumb and forefinger touching, palm pushing forward, just as the Atlas Great Bear’s paw reached him.

Swish!

Something bizarre happened. The enormous paw passed directly through the Tengu Divine Master’s body. The colossal bear paw that darkened the sky crashed into the ground, causing forests to boil and rocks to churn.

And yet, it did not harm the Tengu Divine Master in the slightest.

At that moment, the Tengu Divine Master’s joined palms separated. Simultaneously, the space beneath his feet seemed to be severed by countless sharp blades, and the massive Atlas Great Bear began to collapse.

Bearing the brunt of the attack, Sword Master Funiu spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. His face instantly turned as pale as paper. Behind him, three others shook violently.

"Hold on!"

With a resolve rising in his heart, Sword Master Funiu gritted his teeth and roared furiously.

"Hold on!"

Rage and defiance coursed through their bloodline, spreading outward. In that moment, every disciple of the Sword Pavilion let out a furious roar.

The Atlas Great Bear, on the brink of collapse, recomposed itself under the reinforcement of their bloodline power. The radiance emanating from its body shone even brighter than before.

The bear’s paw stretched upward, enclosing the Tengu Divine Master within a spherical barrier.

"Fall!"

"Feel the weight of the earth!"

The Tengu Divine Master spread his hands apart, but soon he was startled to discover that the space around him seemed to be completely sealed. In the next second, the world spun as he and the barrier encasing him were together yanked into the earth below!

Rumble, rumble!

Compressed again and again, the trembling ground gradually stilled after what felt like an eternity. With a simple yet monumental effort, Sword Master Funiu was drenched in sweat, his body staggering. A slender arm reached out to steady him.

Turning his head, he met Miyanori Chiyoko’s concerned gaze.

"Is it over?"

Sword Master Funiu smiled faintly, but the bitterness in his expression was evident to all three remaining in the field.

"It’s only just beginning!"

Crack!

The ground split open. A figure floated slowly out from the fissure.

Not a single thread of the Tengu Divine Master’s robe was disheveled. His gaze was cold and faintly tinged with disappointment.

"Is this all?"

"I had hoped to witness the unique strength of the Western transcendents."

"Where is Roger?"

Seeing the unharmed Tengu Divine Master, Sword Master Funiu and the others were ashen-faced. Many years ago, before Sword Master Cold Crow’s rise, the Tengu Divine Master was already recognized as a supreme power.

Yet all signs indicated that the person before them was far stronger than he had been at his peak back then!

The chasm between them was insurmountable, and no number of combatants could bridge it.

"Where is Roger?"

The Tengu Divine Master asked again.

Sword Master Funiu remained silent. Even if he knew the answer, he would not say it.

"Tell me, and I can offer you an opportunity to avoid death, and perhaps even serve me in a different capacity."

"Under my rule, no one will care about your bloodlines or identities. Here, there are only two kinds of people: those who obey, and those who resist."

The Tengu Divine Master looked down from his lofty position.

Finally, he added:

"Think carefully before you answer. You do not represent just yourself."

These words struck harder than any of his earlier attacks. In that moment, Sword Master Funiu felt as though his very spine was breaking under the weight.

To die a heroic death while knowing the outcome was inevitable could be called courage, as had been demonstrated by Sword Master Funiu and his comrades earlier.

Their identities and conflict with the Tengu Shrine predetermined only one ending. For the sake of regional stability, they had chosen to remain behind.

But now, by simply bowing their heads, all within the Funiu Sword Pavilion and Qinglu Mountain might survive.

When he had arrived, the Tengu Divine Master had intended to destroy everything. But the unique potential of the Atlas bloodline had made him reconsider.

If everyone could be forced into his service, combined with the transformative effects of the Land of Eternal Darkness, it might bring an unprecedented revolution to Qinglu Mountain.

With every breath, Sword Master Funiu’s expression grew heavier. As Qinglu Mountain’s leader, he could not make judgments based on personal sentiment alone.

Slap!

At that instant, a slender hand struck him on the back.

"Kitagawa, what are you thinking?" Sword Master Funiu turned his head and saw the fire blazing in Miyanori Chiyoko’s eyes.

In that fleeting moment, that brilliant flame felt as though it had been doused in cold water.

He raised his head, gazing up at the Tengu Divine Master, and uttered two words:

"Never!"

Uttering these two words, he felt the hand pressed against his back weaken suddenly. Without needing to look back, he could imagine the disappointment in Miyanori Chiyoko’s eyes.

The Tengu Divine Master’s surprise flashed briefly before vanishing. "If that is your choice, then you’ll meet the fate I’ve decided for you!"

As he spoke, he clenched his fist and brought it crashing down!

Thud!

Sword Master Funiu raised his arms to block, bloodline power surging. But at the moment of impact, the horrifying force penetrated his defenses. The surrounding space pressed against his body like a mountain.

Both arms gave way, and he spat out blood while helplessly watching a second wave of power barreling toward him.

But then, a familiar figure stepped in front of Sword Master Funiu.

He strained to open his eyes, desperately trying to regain control of his body. But in his stunned state, Sword Master Funiu could do nothing but watch as the violent power shattered defenses and obliterated all life.

"Stop!!"

Sword Master Funiu roared as the immense force struck. A slender figure was sent hurtling into his arms.

Crack, crack, crack!

The ground beneath him shattered. He staggered back furiously, channeling his strength, but the feedback left him with a sinking heart.

Bang!

He caught Miyanori Chiyoko’s body. Her face bore no trace of pain; instead, she even had the composure to turn and glance at him with concern.

"You should’ve accepted his offer."

Miyanori Chiyoko said.

"It’s useless. He won’t spare us."

Sword Master Funiu replied hoarsely.

"But at least it could’ve bought us some time."

As life drained rapidly from her body, Miyanori Chiyoko’s eyes only grew brighter.

"Dying before you... that’s the best ending I could’ve imagined."

The smile on her face froze. With her final words, Miyanori Chiyoko’s life slipped away entirely.

Bang, bang!

Two muffled impacts echoed. Sword Master Funiu lifted his head to see Saito Tsuyoshi and another companion’s bodies collapse, lifeless.

The Tengu Divine Master descended from the sky, his gaze cold as it bore into Sword Master Funiu.

"The struggles of the weak are meaningless."

"In my eyes, you’re nothing more than numbers."

Four arms flailed freely in the air.

"Your turn!"