CHAPTER 335: BACK AT THE BATTLEFIELD

Lumi giggled softly, relief evident in her laughter. [Well, at least you’re still making jokes, Master! That means you’re truly alright.]

Orion chuckled gently before exhaling deeply, consciously willing himself to withdraw from his Sea of Consciousness. Almost instantly, his perception shifted, and he found himself back within his physical body.

To his immense relief, Orion immediately realized he had complete, unhindered control over his physical form. The strange sensation of being merged with the World Tree Seed had not imprisoned him, as he’d briefly feared.

Rather, it had simply granted him another profound state of being within his own Sea of Consciousness.

Reassured, Orion slowly closed his eyes again, purposefully diving back into his inner realm. Instantly, his consciousness merged with the Seed once more, his senses deeply intertwined with its rich and vibrant essence.

Yet this time, instead of anxiety, he felt only calmness. Orion closed his eyes within his inner world, carefully immersing himself in deep, tranquil meditation.

As he meditated, he distinctly sensed a profound, indescribable change slowly emerging from within. It wasn’t something as simple as a physical transformation or advancement in cultivation; it felt far more significant, more meaningful.

This change resonated deeply, not only through his spiritual form but also through his very soul, promising an evolution that was beyond mere power.

He remained suspended within his Sea of Consciousness, immersed deeply in meditation, the serene stillness gently enveloping him. The chaos from moments ago felt distant now, replaced by an overwhelming tranquility.

"Valerian," Orion whispered softly, a hint of fierce resolve flashing momentarily within his tranquil eyes. "Next time we meet, things will be different."

Back at the battlefield, Valerian stood calmly amidst the lingering aftermath of the spatial disruption, his pale hand gradually lowering as he watched the fading remnants of the teleportation portal ripple away into nothingness.

His scarlet eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a flicker of cold amusement dancing briefly within their depths.

Around him, the battlefield had temporarily halted, as if the very world was holding its breath after Orion’s dramatic disappearance.

Valerian’s generals, each radiating fierce, malevolent strength, hovered silently nearby, their gazes fixed obediently upon their leader, awaiting his command.

After several moments, Valerian turned around slowly, his elegant black cloak fluttering gently around him.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held an unmistakable intensity. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft yet commanding, clearly audible to his loyal generals.

"Spread out and find him for me," Valerian instructed calmly, his words precise and chillingly controlled. "I’ve destabilized the portal, and he wasn’t able to leave. He is still here, somewhere close by."

In immediate unison, the ten generals snapped to attention, their expressions hardened into grim determination. "Yes, my Lord!" they responded fiercely, voices echoing sharply in crisp unity.

Valerian’s pale lips curved into a faint smile, subtle amusement flickering briefly through his crimson eyes. He tilted his head slightly, adding quietly but firmly, "And remember, do not kill him. Bring him to me alive."

The generals nodded respectfully, their understanding clear. Without another word, they surged upward, scattering instantly in different directions at breathtaking speeds, leaving only dark blurs in their wake.

Valerian remained where he stood, quietly observing as his subordinates vanished into the horizon. His expression was serene, almost thoughtful, as if he was contemplating a puzzle rather than dealing with an escaped adversary.

Slowly, his gaze drifted toward the halted armies that now stared at him with a mixture of fear, hesitation, and uncertainty.

His eyes met the wary gazes of the Tigerkin, whose expressions twisted with hopelessness, grief, and despair.

They stood shaken, their King’s violent and tragic death still haunting their minds, casting a heavy pall over their ranks. The morale that had kept them steadfast was now frayed and fractured.

Valerian smiled slowly, a cruel and icy expression that chilled those who glimpsed it. His voice rang out softly yet clearly across the battlefield, carrying with it an unmistakable note of dark amusement.

"Oh, please don’t mind us," Valerian said elegantly, extending his hand slightly in a gesture of mock generosity. "You may continue your delightful little conflict. I promise not to interfere further."

His words hung ominously in the air, amplifying the hesitation among the Tigerkin forces. Their expressions hardened further, bitter anger and sorrow clear on their faces.

They were on the precipice of total collapse, their will to fight nearly extinguished.

Yet, on the opposite side, the Lionkin warriors felt a surge of fierce exhilaration. The presence and intervention of Valerian had drastically shifted the odds overwhelmingly in their favor.

After generations of rivalry, bloodshed, and grudges, they finally saw an opportunity to annihilate their long-time enemies completely.

A loud, primal battle cry erupted from the Lionkin ranks, voices mingling into a deafening roar of bloodlust and triumph.

Their forces surged forward aggressively, charging toward the Tigerkin lines with wild abandon.

At that moment, a single Tigerkin warrior stepped forward from the shattered ranks, his face twisted in fury, eyes ablaze with fierce determination and resignation.

His desperate shout pierced the air, rallying his demoralized comrades: "Fuck! If I’m going to go down, I’ll take these motherfuckers down with me!"

His defiant words struck deeply into the hearts of the remaining Tigerkin. In an instant, despair turned to reckless resolve, grief twisted into a burning need for vengeance.

With renewed determination, the Tigerkin met their enemies head-on, the conflict exploding into chaotic ferocity.

Blades clashed violently, magic spells detonated with terrifying frequency, and the battlefield became a merciless slaughterhouse, warriors from both sides consumed by a bitter, bloody frenzy.

Valerian watched it all unfold from atop his ornate, obsidian war-chariot. He leisurely ascended back onto his throne, reclining gracefully as if attending a theatrical performance rather than witnessing a brutal, merciless war.

His pale, slender fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest, crimson eyes sparkling softly in quiet amusement.

With a faintly nostalgic sigh, Valerian’s gaze drifted once more toward the distant horizon, toward the direction he sensed Orion had fled.

A subtle smile played across his lips, chilling in its quiet menace. He murmured softly to himself, voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of violence:

"I wonder how you’ll like this scene, Lil Draconian. I look forward to your reaction when you finally see the true price of your defiance."

Around him, the brutal clash continued unabated, cries of pain and rage echoing harshly. Yet Valerian sat calmly, an aloof, indifferent god watching mortal conflicts unfold, secure in his belief that the inevitable outcome would bend to his will.

He slowly raised his gaze, crimson eyes narrowing gently as he studied the colossal staff towering majestically amidst the chaotic skies. Violent spatial storms raged furiously around its monumental form, cracking the air with powerful distortions of reality itself.

He lightly tapped his pale fingers against the cold, obsidian armrest of his throne, lips curling softly into a thoughtful smile.

"Hmm," he murmured softly to himself, voice velvet with dark amusement. "It will take a few days for the spatial storms to calm down. Enough time to fully savor this delightful spectacle."

Below him, the battlefield continued its merciless descent into bloodshed. The Tigerkin Dukes struggled desperately, faces etched with despair and exhaustion, fighting valiantly yet knowing their resistance was increasingly meaningless.

Valerian watched their futile efforts, smiling gently, relishing every moment of their misery.