CHAPTER 347: DEATH?

The tiny staff swiftly expanded into its magnificent full-sized form, ancient golden runes shimmering vibrantly along its length, emitting an immense, irresistible presence.

"Do not disappoint me, young one," Wukong said calmly, his previously carefree demeanor now filled with seriousness. "Too many people have placed countless expectations upon you. And should you pass this test, I, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, will also place my expectations upon your shoulders."

Orion inhaled deeply, his Draconic heart hammering strongly yet rhythmically, a blend of resolve echoing through his very bones.

He steadied his breathing, allowing the tension to dissipate as his body settled into a confident battle stance, mana pulsing fiercely along his muscular frame.

He raised his blade, his dual-colored eyes glinting sharply, determination blazing brighter than ever.

"Then I shall do everything to meet those expectations," Orion declared solemnly, his voice imbued with profound resolve and unwavering courage.

Sun Wukong’s face brightened with excitement, his half-human, half-monkey form exuding unbridled enthusiasm.

With a playful, fierce grin, the Monkey King leaped skyward effortlessly, ascending above the clouds as he raised his legendary golden staff high above his head.

The staff grew impossibly large, its immense form tearing apart the heavens themselves, stretching endlessly across the cosmos.

Reality seemed insignificant before its majesty, shattering easily beneath the overwhelming presence. Wukong’s powerful voice thundered across the broken skies, echoing clearly with the authority befitting his legendary title. "Here it comes! Face it bravely, child!"

Orion roared defiantly, his energy surging violently as every ounce of power from his Draconic bloodlines and the potent Human Emperor lineage erupted simultaneously.

Immense crimson-gold flames and dazzling azure lightning spiraled chaotically around him, forming an overwhelming vortex of raw, unfathomable power.

Yet, just as he prepared to strike, an irresistible pressure, indescribably ancient and boundlessly mighty, crashed mercilessly upon Orion, threatening to crush his very existence.

He immediately understood the staggering difference between them. This was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, a figure from myths and legends far beyond his comprehension.

For an instant, hesitation flickered through Orion’s heart, the primal instinct to retreat momentarily surfacing.

Yet within him, the mighty Dragon Emperor bloodlines roared defiantly, their proud wills refusing any retreat.

Even more surprisingly, the usually silent Human Emperor bloodline surged forth, its noble pride equaling or surpassing that of the dragons themselves.

They refused to yield. The bloodlines within Orion harmonized fiercely, demanding he face this impossible trial without hesitation, even if it meant death.

"I will not yield!" Orion roared defiantly, voice echoing across the collapsing skies, every cell within his being filled with unyielding pride and unbreakable determination.

Instead of stepping back, Orion forced himself to step forward, sword raised defiantly against the unstoppable force descending from above.

He thrust forward with every ounce of his soul and being, confronting the colossal golden staff head-on, knowing full well it might shatter him completely.

"Come!" he shouted, voice filled with boundless resolve. "I am ready!"

The collision was instantaneous, world-ending, cataclysmic.

Boom!

An explosion of incomprehensible scale tore through reality, shaking the world as Orion’s defiant will collided with the Monkey King’s divine might.

In an instant, the serene world of lakes, greenery, and roaring waterfalls dissolved, fading away into a swirling abyss of chaotic energy. All that remained was a silent void, a place outside time and existence.

Orion stood there, his Draconic chest heaving deeply, each breath ragged yet fiercely defiant. Blood streamed from fresh wounds torn open by the collision, mixing with sweat along his battered scales.

His hand still tightly gripped the Realm Guardian Sword, its blade humming softly, as though comforting its wielder after enduring a struggle beyond mortal comprehension.

Above, standing nonchalantly amidst the boundless void, Sun Wukong smiled gently, his golden eyes filled with approval and amusement.

His golden staff, once immense enough to split the skies themselves, had returned to its usual length, now resting casually across his shoulders.

"You’ve done well, young one," Wukong praised warmly, his voice brimming with genuine approval. "Not only did you choose not to retreat, but you even dared to advance forward against an attack capable of erasing your existence. Few possess such courage."

Orion raised his weary gaze, meeting Wukong’s smiling visage. He remained quiet, struggling to process the enormity of what he’d just endured.

His limbs trembled subtly, exhaustion threatening to overtake him. Yet he felt a flicker of pride at being praised by the mythical being—Monkey King himself.

Wukong nodded softly, a twinkle of mischief lighting his eyes. "You’ve passed this test, Heir of Doomed Path," he said gently. "Remember, great expectations accompany great power. I look forward to seeing how far you rise."

As Wukong finished speaking, the infinite void trembled once more. Orion blinked in confusion, and suddenly the boundless expanse vanished completely, replaced instantly by the familiar sight atop the celestial staff.

The cool winds howled around him, reminding Orion of his surroundings.

The staff’s surface, beneath his feet, pulsed gently with a mystical energy. He quickly glanced around, noticing Valerian was nowhere near him.

Orion’s eyes narrowed sharply, instincts flaring as he swiftly turned his gaze downward.

Far below, amidst scattered rubble and shattered earth, Valerian struggled painfully to rise. His regal, once-arrogant form was now battered, torn, and severely wounded, his proud face marred by cuts and dark blood streaks.

His wings lay tattered and twisted behind him as he stumbled weakly onto shaking legs, his crimson eyes filled with hatred, desperation, and disbelief.

Orion’s gaze sharpened fiercely. His body surged with renewed purpose, thoughts about the staff and the trial instantly forgotten.

Without hesitation, he tightened his grip around the Realm Guardian Sword, stepping decisively off the staff’s edge and hurtling downward toward his hated foe, crimson-gold flames and azure lightning blazing ferociously around his battered body.

His mind focused solely on the vampire lord. He adjusted the runes upon his blade, increasing its density to its absolute maximum, transforming it into an unstoppable weapon of execution.

Below, Valerian’s senses flared, feeling Orion’s rapidly approaching presence. Weakly raising his bloodied face skyward, the vampire lord’s crimson eyes widened sharply in realization and fear.

Orion’s form approached like a meteor descending from the heavens, wielding enough weight and power to obliterate mountains.

Valerian’s desperation surged forth, his pride refusing to yield without a final struggle. Gritting his teeth fiercely, he summoned his final reserves of darkness and blood mana, forming a jagged, sinister sword that crackled chaotically with malevolent energy.

"I WILL TAKE YOU DOWN IF YOU WANT TO KILL ME!" Valerian roared defiantly, eyes wide with madness as he hurled himself upward toward Orion, sword aimed directly at the Draconian’s heart.

Orion’s face remained coldly determined, unwavering in his resolve, eyes devoid of hesitation or mercy. His grip tightened further, his blade descending toward Valerian’s head without pause.

The collision happened instantly.

A chilling, decisive sound of steel slicing through flesh and bone echoed mercilessly. Orion’s blade split Valerian’s head cleanly down the middle, ending the vampire lord’s struggle once and for all.

But at that exact instant, Orion felt Valerian’s blade pierce deeply into his chest, plunging ruthlessly into his heart.

The world seemed to slow dramatically as Orion gasped, eyes flinching slightly as blood gushed out freely from the mortal wound.