From that distance, the king’s pressure enveloped Han Wu completely and squeezed the breath from him. The Four Symbols Armament Spirits retreated to his side, joined forces, and resisted the pressure, giving him just enough room to breathe.

The king looked at the Armament Spirits in confusion. He remembered them being his own guardians. Why were they standing with a stranger?

Before he could ask, a column of pure black light erupted behind him. It shot straight up through the tomb’s ceiling, bore through layers of earth, and pierced the sky. A wave of evil Soul Energy burst out along with it.

The king reacted immediately, summoning his strength to force the black column down. However, it was too powerful. No matter how hard he pushed, he couldn’t suppress it.

Outside the tomb, countless mummies were drawn to the black light and gathered around it. The first wave flung themselves directly into it. Even their regeneration could only last a second inside the black column before both body and soul were destroyed. The column appeared to feed on them, growing stronger and wider until it shook off the king’s suppression entirely.

The king collapsed helplessly, resignation settling over his pale face. “It can’t be suppressed anymore. The negative energy built up over tens of thousands of years is far too great. I can’t purify it in time.”

Han Wu heard him and asked, “What do you mean? Explain clearly. And where did my Locust-V go?”

The king looked at Han Wu again and shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I can tell you that the negative energy is about to destroy this space. Everything inside, living or dead, will be destroyed and consumed as fuel.”

“Then go purify it! Purify all of it!” Han Wu urged.

The king shook his head. “I can’t. There’s too much. It’s completely beyond my control now.”

Han Wu frowned.

If the king can’t manage it, then I, a mere clone without my true body present, have no chance at all. Is this really how it ends? Han Wu thought, but he refused to accept it. He had made it all the way to the king’s tomb, only to fail to obtain the legendary Armament Spirit. He couldn’t accept that outcome.

If he could borrow his true body’s strength, he could suppress the negative energy. However, he didn’t have that ability. Only Qin Shuang did, and even she could draw only on her own body’s strength. It had nothing to do with his.

As Han Wu considered his options, a figure stepped out of the black column, nearly identical to the king in every way. The only difference was the color.

The king at Han Wu’s side was a soft white, like warm, mutton-fat jade. Although he was clearly malnourished, with a thin, pale frame, he still carried a presence that inspired instinctive trust.

The figure emerging from the black column was black as ink. His face was indescribable, and he exuded a cold, dreadful chill.

The king stood up and positioned himself between Han Wu and the Dark King. His thin frame couldn’t fully shield Han Wu, but he stood firm, like a mountain that would not fall.

“Die, die, die, die, die...” The Dark King uttered a string of curses. Each voice was different. Children, women, the elderly, and even a dog’s bark sounded at once.

As the curses poured out, the king’s soul started to tremble. It wasn’t from fear, but from the strain of holding them back.

At the critical moment, Han Wu ordered the Four Symbols Armament Spirits forward to help the king. They unleashed their power, easing the pain etched across the king’s face.

The king turned his head slowly and smiled weakly. “The seal is gone. The curse hasn’t spread yet. Run while you can.”

Han Wu hesitated. With his current strength, he could escape the secret realm with his companions without difficulty. Once outside, whatever befell the Divine Weapon Civilization would no longer concern him. Whether it survived or was destroyed would have nothing to do with him.

Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to run. He couldn’t leave behind the ten Divine Weapons he had nurtured or the Armament Spirits he had won through such difficult battles. Nor could he accept failing to obtain the legendary Armament Spirit he had come all this way for. If he fled now, all of it would be lost.

Han Wu made his decision. “I’m not leaving. The worst-case scenario is the death of my clone. If I die here, I only lose a clone. It means nothing.”

The king didn’t fully understand what Han Wu meant, but he heard his resolve. In a moment of crisis, very few would stand their ground and stay true to themselves.

The king regarded Han Wu in a new light and said, “I know what this negative energy fears most. Go and collect every shard of the crystal coffin for me.” He paused. “I can also smell Royal Gold on you. Give me what you have.”

Han Wu complied. With both the crystal shards and the Royal Gold in hand, the king changed. A bright light rose across his face, as though his very soul had been elevated.

“Back to your hole!” the king roared at the Dark King, his voice filled with authority.

The Dark King flinched and began retreating toward the black column. He was halfway inside when he stopped.

Why am I afraid of him? No matter how loud he shouts, the king is nothing more than an exhausted soul that has spent the last of his power. There is nothing to fear. At worst, we can trade injury for death, take him out, and be done with it.

If that happened, the Dark King would be free to openly absorb the resentment released by every mummy in this space. Given enough time, he could break free from this prison, the secret realm, and live an invincible life in the world beyond.

With that thought, the Dark King stepped back out of the black column and looked down at the weakened king. “You think you can order me around? Let’s see how long those old bones of yours hold out.”

The king could only turn to Han Wu, hoping he had some idea.

Han Wu thought for a moment, then recalled the Locust Dragon Seal and the Locust Soul Orb to use Divine Weapon Fusion. With a mighty force, two of the Four Symbols Armament Spirits recombined into a new form, becoming a seal with a gemstone.

Han Wu gripped the seal, pointed it straight at the Dark King, and shouted, one word at a time, “Back... Back... Back...”

His voice, amplified by the seal, carried the full weight of Dragon Fear and enveloped the Dark King with overwhelming authority.

The Dark King was not weak. He had spent 10,000 years building toward this moment inside the seal, and today he had finally broken free. Han Wu wouldn’t drive him away.

The Dark King pressed forward, enduring the fused Divine Weapon’s damage, step by step, until he stood directly in front of Han Wu.

“You are strong, I won’t deny that. But this time, I have to win.” The Dark King opened his mouth wide, every tooth sharpening to a spike, and lunged at Han Wu.