The digits swung their Shenmo Sword, unleashing a series of fluid attacks against Xie Qing's assault. Simultaneously, Pigeon launched a surprise attack from behind Xie Qing. With a swift turn, Xie Qing parried Pigeon's blow with his Xieling Spear, sending the latter flying back.
Seizing the opportunity, the digits struck, their Shenmo Sword slashing towards Xie Qing's waist. Xie Qing executed a nimble sidestep, evading the strike. He then spun, extending his Xieling Spear as he twisted, launching a barrage of attacks at the digits.
The digits erected their Shenmo Shield, deflecting the onslaught. The sounds of clashing weapons echoed as Pigeon swiftly rejoined the digits, raising their Shenling Shield to block. Xie Qing then reappeared, surveying his opponents.
Pigeon excelled in defense but lacked offensive power and penetration. The digits, on the other hand, possessed fierce attack capabilities but were vulnerable defensively. Had it not been for Pigeon's timely intervention, Xie Qing would have already severely wounded the digits.
Meanwhile, Qing Ling once again intervened, conjuring a massive shield of ghostly energy that enveloped the entire void. Xie Qing felt his power diminish by a tenth, but this was still within his tolerance. He believed he did not need to exert his full strength against the three before him.
Xie Qing stepped forward, unfurling black, gaseous wings from his back. A terrifying vortex of black winds swirled, transforming into a tornado that surged towards Qing Ling. Xie Qing himself charged at the digits and Pigeon. Facing the tornado, Qing Ling spun, her ghostly energy coalescing into a vortex that shot towards the oncoming storm. The two forces collided, the vortex slicing through the tornado like a radiant wheel.
Qing Ling appeared weakened and spoke, "I cannot maintain this state any longer. The rest is up to you three."
Qing Ling's ghostly energy dispersed. Their augmented states had a time limit, and Qing Ling's had expired. She then retreated towards the void, unable to participate further in the battle. The original objective was to help them awaken their memories, which had been achieved. Even if Xie Qing couldn't be defeated now, his brother would eventually intervene.
The digits and Pigeon faced Xie Qing's renewed onslaught. Pigeon focused on defense while the digits pressed the attack. Their Shenmo Sword flashed, creating a massive cross in front of Xie Qing. Xie Qing responded by thrusting his Xieling Spear upwards, unleashing a colossal black blade that clashed with the digits' cross. The black and white cross-shaped slashes exploded. Suddenly, the digits appeared behind Xie Qing, their sword thrusting forward.
Xie Qing spun his Xieling Spear behind him, forming a circular shield. Simultaneously, he drove his fists towards Pigeon's Shenling Shield, sending Pigeon staggering backward with a resounding impact.
Xie Qing then extended his claws, attacking the digits from behind. The digits, raising their Shenmo Sword horizontally, were sent flying by a single claw strike.
After regaining their footing, the digits looked at Xie Qing. "Half strength is still too weak!"
In their prime, they could contend with the Xieling race, but now, even together, they might not be a match.
Xie Qing tightened his grip on the Xieling Spear, which began to lengthen. He charged at the digits, the spearhead aimed directly at their head.
The digits defended themselves, manifesting phantom Shenmo projections from their arms. A luminous shield appeared, but they were still sent flying by the blow.
Pigeon spread its wings and appeared behind the digits, embracing them. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Damn it! If I could unleash my full power, I wouldn't be this suppressed!" the digits exclaimed with frustration. Pigeon replied with a sigh, "Awakening early comes with a price. But in that situation, we couldn't have all died. This world still needs us to protect it."
Xie Qing looked at Pigeon and the digits and said, "I'm getting bored. So, please die!"
A terrifying wave of dark energy erupted from Xie Qing's body, spreading outwards. The Xieling Spear pulsed with black phantom energy.
Xie Qing was now using ninety percent of his strength. If not for the surrounding ghostly energy suppressing him, it would have been one hundred percent.
With a gentle sweep of his Xieling Spear, Xie Qing sent Pigeon and the digits flying backward, blood trickling from their lips.
Pigeon and the digits looked at Xie Qing, realizing the direness of the situation now that he had unleashed his full power. Unless...
"Die!"
The Xieling Spear surged towards Pigeon and the digits. Xie Qing's weapon could change length at his will.
Pigeon raised its Shenling Shield to block the incoming spear. After a strenuous struggle, faint cracks appeared on the golden shield. Pigeon hesitated. The Shenling Shield couldn't hold. If this continued, it would shatter. This was only a fragment and couldn't withstand such an attack.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, a golden orb of light emerged from Chen Tian's waist and shot towards the void. Pigeon reached out to catch it, then recognized it as a fragment they had acquired at an auction. How could something from reality enter the game?
A golden orb suddenly appeared in the void and embedded itself in the center of the Shenling Shield. Pigeon exclaimed joyfully, "It's a fragment! Ha!"
The cracks on the shield instantly mended. Golden wing-like phantoms appeared on either side of the Shenling Shield, coalescing and enhancing its defense.
Xie Qing's Xieling Spear was repelled by the enhanced Shenling Shield. Xie Qing stared at the shield, noticing its increased power. "Then I'll just add more strength."
Terrifying power coursed through the Xieling Spear. Just as Xie Qing was about to attack, a red laser beam struck him from behind. His body twitched, and he turned to face his attacker.
Behind him, a mechanical arm unfurled, its palm emitting laser blasts. The entire arm was composed of machinery, and it continuously fired lasers at Xie Qing.
"Enough!" Xie Qing growled, unleashing a spear blade that struck the mechanical arm. Just as Xie Qing thought it was over, the mechanical arm dissolved into countless silver lights that illuminated the surroundings, creating a starlit expanse. A voice emerged from the starlight: "The mechanical heart endures, the mechanical spirit lives on, Cracked Armor, Engage!"
Countless silver stars converged, and a figure emerged from the center. It was a maiden encased in silver-gray steel. Her arm was mechanical, and behind her unfurled mechanical wings. Giant cannons were mounted on her shoulders, and a silver-gray mechanical visor covered her eyes. Cracks appeared across her mechanical arms.
Hong Mo extended her arm, and a fragment floated from her mechanical hand. Her entire arm transformed into a massive laser cannon, unleashing a colossal beam.
Xie Qing thrust his Xieling Spear forward. An explosion erupted. Hong Mo's wings ejected white propellant, and she soared through the void, landing before Pigeon and the digits.
She said, "Long time no see! I'm a bit late."
"Heh! Not at all, the timing is perfect!" Pigeon replied with satisfaction. The three then turned their gaze to Xie Qing, knowing that the real battle was about to begin.
Xie Qing, looking impatient, asked, "Anyone else? You people are so annoying!"
The digits, Pigeon, and Hong Mo ignored Xie Qing's remark and decisively attacked, dispersing in different directions.
The digits gripped their Shenmo Sword and charged forward. Pigeon circled, searching for an opening. Hong Mo hovered at a distance, her mechanical visor emitting a soft buzzing sound as it analyzed the battlefield.