Samsara Space: They're all begging me to heal them one more time.

The cult's headquarters, the underground secret zone, Agnas Second Laboratory.

The security level here is a level higher than that of the previous Thunder Beast Sealing Zone. The heavy blast doors are covered with alchemical runes that suppress magic power, and the air is filled with a chilling aura that makes one's soul tremble, as if it were an entrance to another dimension.

Zhang Yuan swiped the access card (thanks again to Agnas for the highest-level access card he gave him before leaving) and entered the huge circular hall.

In the center of the hall, a huge transparent container floats.

Inside the container, a broken katana floated silently in the blue liquid.

The scabbard is a deep dark gold, and the hilt is wrapped with white ribbons.

Even though it was broken in two, the knife still exuded a terrifying aura of arrogance, dominance, and the ability to cut through space itself.

【Yamato】.

Virgil's sword, the "key" left behind by Sparta, and... the medium connecting the human world and the demon world.

"Finally, I've seen the real thing..."

Zhang Yuan walked to the container and gazed at the legendary artifact through the glass, a connoisseur's appreciation flashing in his eyes. It wasn't simply possessiveness, but rather recognition of this "top asset" capable of changing the course of the battle.

"Agnus may be exceptionally talented, but using the Yamato Blade simply to create the gates of hell... is a bit of a waste of his talent."

Zhang Yuan sighed softly, his tone tinged with regret, as if he had seen someone using the Imperial Seal of the State to crack walnuts.

After speaking, Zhang Yuan reached out and placed his hand on the control panel.

Just as he was about to press the "Release" button.

Om-!

An extremely sharp killing intent suddenly locked onto his throat.

The surrounding space seemed to freeze instantly, the blue liquid boiled violently, and the broken Yama Blade actually emitted a clanging sound in the container!

sizzle...

Countless blue magical particles overflowed from the blade, rapidly converging and weaving in front of the container.

That wasn't ordinary magic; it was... some kind of lingering obsession called "Power."

A semi-transparent humanoid figure wearing a blue trench coat and holding a katana slowly emerged in the void.

He had his back to Zhang Yuan, his silver-white hair swaying slightly.

Even though it was just a "soul echo" without any consciousness, its overwhelming aura of power still made Zhang Yuan feel uneasy, and all the muscles in his body involuntarily tensed up.

[Target: Virgil's "Soul Echoes"]

[Rank Determination: C+ (Phantom Clone)]

"Power..."

The phantom let out a low murmur, as if it were a whisper from hell.

"I need more power..."

Looking at that familiar figure, Zhang Yuan didn't back down. Instead, he smiled, revealing a long-awaited expression.

"I knew this would happen."

He slowly took out a "special artifact for Virgil" that he had prepared beforehand from his storage space.

It's neither a divine artifact nor a magical device.

Instead, it's a...

White, cheap, and even slightly chipped plastic food stall chairs.

Zhang Yuan stepped forward and solemnly placed the chair behind the illusory figure.

Then he took three steps back and made a "please" gesture.

The next second, something strange happened.

Virgil's phantom was preparing to draw its sword and strike, faithfully carrying out the mission inherent to this phantom clone—to protect the [Yama Blade].

But... it made absolutely no sense, as if a mysterious force from beyond the multiverse was drawing that proud soul to echo.

His movements froze for a moment when he saw the chair.

Then, as if possessed, he turned around and walked towards the chair...

Nourishes—

This was accompanied by an extremely piercing noise, like plastic scraping against the ground.

The strongest swordsman in the demon realm, the eldest son of Sparta, plopped down on this food stall chair.

Not only that, he even crossed his legs, placed his hands on his knees, raised his chin slightly, and looked at Zhang Yuan with a domineering gaze.

Even though he was sitting on a plastic chair, this man exuded the aura of a king.

"Pfft..." Zhang Yuan almost burst out laughing, but he managed to hold it in thanks to his high level of professionalism.

Faced with this situation, even though he already knew what kind of response he would get, Zhang Yuan still cooperated perfectly and uttered that famous line—

"Hey Virgil, give me the Yamato!"

"If you want it..."

Virgil's phantom looked at Zhang Yuan, its voice cold and authoritative, as if stating a truth.

"...then you'll have to take it."

Having said that, he slowly placed his hand on the illusory hilt of the sword.

"But you already knew that."

"certainly."

Zhang Yuan pushed up his glasses, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression that seemed to say, "I'm about to unleash my full power."

"In the East, we also have an old saying."

Zhang Yuan pulled out the newly evolved Redeemer from his pocket; the gun gleamed with dangerous lightning under the light.

"My lord, times have changed."

hum!

Without any warning, Virgil vanished instantly.

The next second, a fierce blue blade of light appeared out of thin air in front of Zhang Yuan!

【Rapid Slash】!

"Too slow."

Zhang Yuan did not dodge.

The cross on his back suddenly burst forth with dazzling golden light, instantly condensing into a huge phantom warhammer burning with holy flames.

The Hammer of the Holy Spirit!

clang!!

The katana and the light hammer collided violently in mid-air.

The massive shockwave shattered all the glass instruments around him. The floor tiles beneath Zhang Yuan's feet crumbled inch by inch, but thanks to his high constitution of 50 points and the parry rating of [Holy Hammer], he managed to withstand the attack.

"Not bad."

Zhang Yuan's eyes sharpened, and he raised his right shotgun, pressing it directly against Virgil's abdomen.

"But your defenses are wide open!"

"Thunderbolt Dual Fiend Mode - Switch: [Thunderstorm]!"

boom!!!

What spewed from the muzzle was not a bullet, but a violent ball of golden lightning!

"Well!"

The Redeemer inherently deals double damage to demonic creatures, and this power originating from the Thunder Beast's core further amplifies its paralyzing and shield-breaking effects.

The combined effect caused Virgil's phantom to be blasted backward by the lightning strike that hit him right in the face. The blue magical cloak that had been condensed on his body was instantly shattered, and his movements froze for a moment.

"Chance."

Without any hesitation, Zhang Yuan's divine authority began to burn.

Facing such a formidable enemy alone, and still thinking about conserving resources is tantamount to suicide.

Innate Power – [Divine Punishment Armament]!

Open!