The battle around the pyramid was growing more intense by the second, and the situation escalated as new figures began to emerge.

True Depravitas of the Life Path and Neo-Angels of the Freedom Path finally reached the battlefield, each arrival radiating overwhelming power and killing intent.

Although some had perished along the way, more than a dozen powerful experts from each side managed to arrive, unleashing every iota of strength they possessed to crush their enemies.

This was the final battlefield of Origin Island, and would decide which side won this saga.

Cain continued his brutal struggle against the massive Paramount, alongside the Crimson Exarch. Though he could not afford even the slightest distraction, his perception still caught the moment Meylin and the Enlightened One entered the battlefield.

The duo was currently fighting two Neo-Angels and had already suffered serious injuries, yet Cain remained confident in their chances. As long as they did not die, their defeat did not truly matter. Survival was enough.

Besides, while neither side was overwhelming the other outright, the Life Path held a significant advantage. The Ancient One was holding his ground against the Demon King—an admirable feat considering his severe injuries—but he could not take even a single step closer to the pyramid without being blasted back.

It would not be easy, but if the Life Path could endure long enough, Origin Island would eventually close, forcibly ejecting everyone within.

That would not mean the end of the Freedom Path, but it would remove a tremendous amount of pressure crushing down on the shoulders of the Life Path.

Without having to worry about the Eternity Gate, they could wage the war methodically, rather than repeatedly throwing their lives into desperate gambles.

The Ancient One clenched his teeth. His remaining eye burned with an inferno of rage and helplessness so intense it seemed capable of tearing through his chest. The Eternity Gate—everything he had fought for across countless ages—was right there, within reach, yet utterly inaccessible.

And just as the Leader of the Freedom Path thought matters could not worsen, they did.

His eye widened with surprise as he turned to the side. Losing focus in the midst of battle was a death wish, yet the aura drawing near was impossible to ignore.

Even the Demon King grew distracted as a presence approached.

Soon, all the powerful figures fighting at the core of Origin Island turned their attention in the same direction as they felt a massive wave of power and killing intent surge toward them.

It did not take long before the source revealed itself.

A man with dark hair and violet eyes stepped onto the battlefield. His left arm was missing, yet that loss did nothing to diminish the terrifying presence that flooded the area. Even Late Alpha-Omega Overgods felt a chill crawl down their spines under his gaze.

There was no doubt about his identity.

He was Zuko—the Leader of the Masked Race.

His eyes immediately locked onto the target of his fury.

"You decrepit garbage!" Zuko roared.

The Demon King noticed the gaze directed in his direction and felt a momentary unease, but his expression shifted into a wide smile when he realized the fury was aimed at the Ancient One instead.

"Hahaha," the Demon King laughed. "You really know how to make friends."

The Ancient One ignored the mockery and stared at the Leader of the Masked Race with clear confusion. Accepting the risk of immense backlash, he summoned his white plasma wings during the fight with the man and called forth the evolved version of Negation Coffin—this time with a galaxy-devouring black hole sealed within it.

He could not wait to observe the effects of the attack but was certain the Leader of the Masked Race would be spaghettified, his existence trapped and erased within a single moment for all eternity.

Yet reality defied his expectations.

Zuko managed to escape—barely—and at an immense cost.

The Leader of the Masked Race paid no heed to the shock flickering across the Ancient One's face. The truth was that being trapped within an event horizon, twisted beyond space-time, had been a horrifying experience that nearly shattered his will. At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind.

Cut off the Ancient One's head and grind it beneath his feet.

Without wasting a second, Zuko flashed forward like an obsidian streak. One unfortunate Neo-Angel stood in his path. Without a word, Zuko cleaved him in half, dashing through the spray of blood and amplifying his already fearsome presence.

The Ancient One's instincts screamed danger, his eye widening—but before he could react, the Demon King appeared directly behind him. A wide smile spread across the Demon King's face, making it clear that escape was no longer an option.

Zuko charged from the front, wielding a sword capable of cutting through any defense, while the Demon King summoned massive golden hands behind the Ancient One, ready to slam him into the earth.

It seemed all was lost.

Yet as death and oblivion closed in, the Ancient One did not show despair.

Instead, he smiled.

At that moment, time itself seemed to pause. Every being on the battlefield heard the Ancient One's voice echo across the core of Origin Island.

"Very well," he said calmly. "I intended to use this only after crossing the gate, but there is no point in a trump card if I die before then."

The shadows cloaking the Ancient One suddenly converged before his chest, compressing into a dark, pulsing core. For the first time, his true appearance was fully revealed to everyone present.

He was a strikingly handsome man with sharp features and dark hair. His body appeared to be the very embodiment of power and vitality, refined to perfection over endless ages. Every aspect of him seemed flawless, as though he had been honed by time itself.

The revelation stunned everyone. Many had expected an ancient, withered figure—even the Neo-Angels, who had never seen him before.

But no one was more shocked than the Demon King.

His smile vanished as recognition struck him like lightning.

"…Adam?"

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