Chapter 1438: Despair Submits
Once again, Despair encountered despair. The two colliding attacks carried the aura of despair, allowing Despair to feel despair yet again. The Saber of Despair was something he had only comprehended after a near-death experience. When his opponent unleashed the Sandstorm of Despair upon him, all his saber rays were destroyed, and he was dragged high into the sky by the storm. It reminded him of the sandstorm he once encountered in the desert, reminding him of what death felt like.
His mount's strength was lower than his. Thus, the attack caused it to bleed and wail endlessly. If this continued, his mount would eventually die. Despair hurriedly slapped his mount out of the storm. At the same time, he unleashed his third slash.
The third slash was greatly similar to Xiang Shaoyun's Sandstorm of Despair, a type of sandstorm attack Despair had created with a sandstorm as reference. Two attacks collided, filling the sky with sand. Nobody could see clearly what was happening. The only thing they knew was that two attacks were colliding and creating impacts as powerful as the collision of stars that could cause even the sky to crack. All the bandits were dumbstruck.
"What a terrifying young man. He's actually able to evenly match the leader?"
"He might be an ancient cultivator who only looks young. This is getting troublesome."
"Leader's power of despair is unstoppable. Just keep watching."
"Why don't we lend the leader a hand? That way, victory is guaranteed!"
...
"Cough, cough. Just watch. If even the leader can't defeat this opponent, we won't be able to do much either," said Bing Busi.
He had a feeling that the young man they were facing was the recently famous young king among Saints, Xiang Shaoyun. He hoped that his guess was wrong. Otherwise, things would become really troublesome.
Alas, his guess was right. That young man was none other than Xiang Shaoyun. The Sandstorm of Despair collided with the Saber of Despair repeatedly. The two seemed evenly matched as the battle grew more and more intense. It was as though two Great Saints were battling it out.
"You have comprehended the dao of despair as well? But nobody in this world knows the dao of despair better than me. Die!" The longer the battle dragged on, the crazier Despair seemed. He erupted with all the energy in his stars, releasing a certain power in his body that caused his combat strength to rise further.
Prajna Aura!
Endless Despair!
It was as though the god of war had taken over Despair's body, instantly granting him the combat strength of a Great Saint. His saber ray looked even more stunning, releasing boundless despair that not even a Great Saint could resist. This was the most powerful saber attack he was capable of.
Finally, Xiang Shaoyun's expression turned serious. A firm look covered his eyes as he remained unaffected by the power of despair. The only thing worthy of his attention was the saber ray coming toward him.
"Time to end this," muttered Xiang Shaoyun as his body shone with a nine-colored radiance. The primal inception energy erupted from his body, and a multicolored fist shot forward.
"Nine-colored energy! It's really him!" Bing Busi exclaimed in alarm.
The two attacks collided intensely, sending sand and pebbles in all directions. Even the distant bandits were hit by the sputtering sand. If it wasn't for the Heaven Battling Realm bandits working together to stop the shockwaves, many of the bandits would have been killed.
Xiang Shaoyun's primal inception energy displayed a strength worthy of being the most original of powers. It successfully snatched the upper hand as the fist slammed into Despair's chest, causing Despair's chest to cave in. Despair coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
Despair had been defeated!
Xiang Shaoyun looked at Despair indifferently. At this moment, Despair was supporting himself with his saber, preventing himself from collapsing onto the ground. A look of admiration covered his eyes as he said, "So you're Xiang Shaoyun, ranked first on the Saintly Forest Ranking. Th-this defeat is not surprising at all."
"Are you willing to submit to this overlord and follow this overlord in his battle against the world?" questioned Xiang Shaoyun as his presence turned majestic as though he was the child of heavens.
At this time, the other bandits rushed over. They would not watch on as Despair was killed. A barrage of attacks rained down on Xiang Shaoyun, covering the entire sky above him. Unfortunately for them, Xiang Shaoyun was a king among Saints and could kill even Great Saints. Through the profundity of earth, he fused with the desert. Countless pebbles and grains of sand soared into the sky and formed a curtain, covering himself and Despair from the rain of attacks.
"Scram!" With a wave of his arm, the Sandstorm of Despair reappeared and pressed down on the other bandits.
"Please let them off! I'm willing to submit!" Despair hurriedly shouted, worried that Xiang Shaoyun would kill his brothers.
When Xiang Shaoyun heard his words, he immediately pulled back some of his strength. Even so, the Sandstorm of Despair still continued to wreak havoc, sending the 48 bandits flying. Not one of them could stop this attack.
The 48 bandits sank into total chaos due to the storm. Those below the Heaven Battling Realm were seriously injured. If Xiang Shaoyun hadn't restrained himself, they would have been killed.
Despair had a bitter feeling when he saw the sight of that. He had roamed the Desert of Despair for many years and had never expected to suffer defeat in the hands of a young man.
"Do not feel bad. If you remain loyal to me, not only will you become a Great Saint, you might even be able to enter the Rebirth Realm," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Despair will be at your command from now on, master," vowed Despair as he dropped to one of his knees.
He knew very well that even now, Xiang Shaoyun was still hiding some strength. On the other hand, he had already used all his strength. He stood no chance against Xiang Shaoyun.
Of course, the main reason he had decided to submit was that he still needed to avenge himself against his enemies of the past. He was unwilling to die before avenging himself. In any case, Xiang Shaoyun was already the strongest in his generation. Perhaps following Xiang Shaoyun wouldn't be that bad a choice.
"Stand up. Just call me overlord from now on. As for your brothers, those willing to follow me may stay. If not, they are free to leave," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Yes, overlord," replied Despair.
Next, Despair went and gathered his underlings. He first focused on healing the ones seriously injured. He would talk to them after they were done healing.
Xiang Shaoyun did not interfere in what Despair did. Rather, he stood still as though he had become a part of the desert, and he absorbed the earth energy around him incessantly. Thanks to his god body and the Desolation mantra, he had gained the ability to easily enter the human heaven unity state. When Despair saw that, the reverence he felt for Xiang Shaoyun increased.