The sun slowly set down on the horizon, giving way for the darkness to blanket the world. The raining snowflakes added a tinge of white to the gray atmosphere. Snow blanketed the city as far as one could see. The temperature dropped to dangerous levels. This winter had proven itself as the coldest one in recent centuries. If the winter wasn't enough, the thusians had to face a vengeful Half Immortal.

Thusia prepared itself for the war against Ghost. They lost all the kingdoms they conquered in a matter of a few days. This showed the entire world how powerful a Half Immortal was. It had been hundreds of years since the world had seen one. Thus, the world had forgotten about Half Immortals and Immortals. Ghost reminded the world with a tight slap. It wouldn't be an understatement to say the entire world was concerned about Ghost.

Even the Empress of Awor gathered all her war gods and asked to formulate a plan to defend their land in case Ghost turned his murderous gaze toward them. She ordered everyone to raise their cultivation levels fast. In fact, the empress ordered the royal blacksmiths, engineers, and runemasters to build a special arena where a Fusion stage cultivator could safely break through to the Half Immortal Stage. Of course, this arena wouldn't save them from the heavenly tribulation a hundred percent, but it would certainly increase their chances of survivability.

Finally, when darkness completely took over the day, Michael arrived at the capital. He didn't bring anyone with him because he didn't need them. He ordered King Gunner, King Baldur, and all his allies to leave the Itholan island. They didn't dare to argue with Michael. They all heard what had happened to the duchy of Valeria. It was indeed a pity they had to leave Golden Port. However, their lives and their soldiers' lives were more important than the city itself.

The golden dome around the capital flickered, indicating Michael's arrival to the thusians. Michael could have blocked these arrays with the system, but he simply didn't. In fact, he wanted them to know. Only that way would they feel helpless and afraid before losing their lives. Granted, he could kill Victoria, her family and destroy the kingdom in a couple of days. But he wanted every single one of them to suffer and live their last moments of life with fear. He wanted them to wish they were dead instead of living in constant fear. As for Victoria and MAxim Barnes, he had special plans.

Michael's glance swept over the capital. Although he grew up in the forest far north of the castle, he knew nothing about the city. His whole world was the sanctuary and the people living in it. Up to this moment, he had no idea about the exact location of the COsmic stream. The system asked three million badass points to pinpoint the stream. However, Michael chose not to pay the system. Since King Maxim Barnes was using the stream to break through to the Half Immortal stage, the location would be revealed automatically to him the moment Maxim Barnes triggered the heavenly tribulation. Unluckily for Maxim, Michael would be waiting to hinder his tribulation.

Michael slowly flew toward the golden dome. It covered the entire city. As much as Michael hated Edith, he had to admire her talents in runes and arrays. Even Elidyr was surprised by some of her runes. The closer Michael moved toward the energy dome, the more ripples appeared in the dome.

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Using his X-ray vision, Michael scanned the city. He found no life signs in the city except inside the castle grounds. The reports Michael heard were right, Victoria evacuated the citizens out of Thusia. Not that Michael would have cared if there were people in the city, but at least now he had a clear conscience.

The soldiers within the castle came running outside. They all prepared the trebuchets, giant crossbows, and flamethrowers ready. These machines were engraved with powerful runes to hurt cultivators. Michaell couldn't care less about them. Even the Immortal killing weapons failed to harm him. The only way to kill him was the god-killing arrows that Michael was still researching about. Michael had a feeling these arrows were somehow connected to the system and its origins. After all, as long as Michael had the system, killing him would be impossible.

Michael shoved all those thoughts to the corner of his mind. At this moment, he completely focused on one thing; the destruction of Thusia once and for all. To Michael's surprise, Evan and Xanali flew through the energy dome to him. The moment Evan saw his Half Immortal level 9, his eyes widened. Thanks to Gaya killing the Blood Prince and some of the vampires who chose not to serve the Dark Lord, Michael gained enough experience points to reach level 9. His god-level cultivation speed startled Evan. It wasn't even a year since he entered the Half Immortal stage. With this rate, Evan could tell Ghost would become Immortal in a few months.

"Ghost, we need to talk about what you're going to do. You already killed Valeria, destroyed all their cities, and took back the kingdom they conquered. Isn't it enough?" asked Xanali. Michael remained silent.

"If you let go of this feud, I'll release Gaya of all the crimes she has committed," said Xanali, only to see Michael fold his arms.

"First, it's not enough. I want this place raised to the ground. Second, Gaya didn't commit any crimes. You and your mother took the throne, which rightfully belongs to Gaya. You two drove the once powerful kingdom into a debt trap and robbed the kingdom of its status. Gaya only tried to save what you've been destroying. As far as I am concerned, you, your mother, and Gaya's father are the criminals,"

Xanali was about to respond to him when he raised his finger.

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"I am not here to talk about Nagaland. I am here to settle some old scores. Get out of my way," A powerful gust of wind shot out of Michael's hand, blasting Xanali and Evan away. They were sent flinging back to the capital like kites without anchors. They couldn't regain their balance until they crashed onto the streets.

Evan and Xanali growled. Blood trickled down their mouths. Evan's mind completely went blank. Ghost almost killed them with just a wave of his hands. His power simply terrified Evan. He used to think he could catch up with Ghost if he ventured into resource-rich places like the Treacherous ocean or even the Demons grave. But now, attempting to reach his level seemed impossible. He didn't think anyone could match up to him.

"Victoria," Michael uttered the name in a creepy way. His tone sent shivers running down everyone's spines. Finally, Victoria walked out of the castle with her battle armor on. Royal guards and ministers surrounded her. However, she didn't take them with her to meet Ghost in mid-air. She hovered behind the energy dome just a few meters away from Michael.

Michael slowly touched the shield as a bolt of energy hit Michael back. If anyone under the Soul Refining stage had touched the shield, they would have turned into ashes. But to Michael, it felt like an ant sting. Michael and Victoria looked at each other without uttering a word. None had any words for each other but only immense killing lust.

"How does it feel to lose everything?" asked Michael.

Victoria trembled. Her eyes turned blood red within a few seconds. Michael enjoyed the pain in her eyes. When she put a dagger through his heart, she had no emotions. It was like she didn't give a shit about Abras or his love. She didn't raise a finger when her soldiers slaughtered everyone without mercy. Their deaths were not painless or quick like Valeria's. Instead, Booth and his men ensured the people in the sanctuary suffered. They vented their anger on the elders and the people for keeping the Cosmic stream out of the world's reach for centuries.

Of course, if Michael was in Maxim Barnes's shoes and he found a power source like the Cosmic stream, he would have coveted it. But Michael wouldn't have slaughtered innocent people in the process. He would have found another way, or if the push came to shove, he would have used the system to absorb the energy source forcefully. No matter what, he wouldn't have slaughtered children for power.

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"No words, huh," Michael snickered, seeing no words coming out of Victoria's mouth.

"You and I both know this shield cannot protect you. You're going to die today, and so does everyone in your capital," said Michael. Afterward, he looked over Victoria's shoulder at the people on the castle grounds.

"Last chance to get out of here," Michael amplified his voice with arch energy. Hence, his words sounded loud and clear in their ears. He genuinely offered the soldiers and the nobles a chance to escape. Unfortunately, they all decided to stay with Victoria to their last breath.

"You are all betting on Maxim Barnes reaching the Half Immortal stage right? Guess what? Even if he becomes one, he has no chance of killing me. And Vikki, do you think I will let him become one? I heard messing with the heavenly tribulation will break someone's meridians. I have to test that theory today," Michael snickered. He still couldn't decide who to kill first, Victoria or Maxim. Nonetheless, they would both die at the end of the day.

Michael devilishly grinned. He toyed with Victoria's mind just like how she played with Abras. While he was riling Victoria up, the soldiers prepared the war machines to fire at him. He didn't mind them at all. No matter how hard they tried, those poor souls had no chance of hurting him at all.

Michael placed his hand on the golden dome, creating ripples in the shield. He leaned forward toward Victoria.

"Are you going to stare at me or try to avenge your mother?" Michael grinned. As Michael expected, the moment he mentioned Valeria, Victoria dashed at him. Her armor lit up like a Christmas tree. The runes glowed in various colors. She could have fought a level 1 Half Immortal with the Cosmic energy and the armor, but she stood no chance against Michael. He simply flew backward, away from the golden shield.

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"Your royal highness!" the royal guards shouted, seeing Victoria dashing outside through the shield. Finally, the battle between Ghost and Victoria began. She had a whole kingdom and an army behind while Michael faced them alone. Despite the advantage of numbers, they all feared Michael. In fact, they knew this was an unwinnable battle. Still, they fought for Thusia out of loyalty.