Chapter 289

Hearing this, the gods who were holding their breath immediately slipped into the 'golden space barrier'.

The upcoming battle was not something that lower gods like them could participate in. Just thinking about a battle between 'Supreme Gods' was suffocating. A stray shockwave could easily tear them to pieces, so they decisively withdrew.

Reporters who were broadcasting live quickly followed up.

"This is Gen Jin's report. The spacecraft just had an explosion that affected the entirety of City A. Fortunately, there is a 'protective shield' in place, and the city remains intact except for some tremors."

"We're unsure of the exact situation at the moment... Wait! The S-class heroes who were fighting have suddenly stopped and retreated into the protective shield! What is happening?"

"To gain a clearer picture, we will take the risk of interviewing one of the heroes who has retreated into the protective shield."

At this point, the whole world was watching current news with intense focus.

King Douya wiped the cold sweat from his brow; his hands and feet were cold. Just looking at that one-eyed alien made him feel as if he could be killed at any moment. Then, a helicopter approached with a low hum.

King Douya looked over. As the god of the Heavenly Water Group, he had been in touch with the mortal world since ancient times, gaining his divine status through cultivation during the Warring States period and adapting to modern society. Naturally, he was familiar with reporters and media.

King Douya's eyes lit up. According to the earlier "plan," spreading influence through the "God's Eye System" or similar methods was a priority. Although this was a violent invasion, the plan was still applicable in parts, meaning there was potential for achieving merit.

Seeing the helicopter approach cautiously, the war reporter held a microphone, shouting with excitement and a hint of fear in his trembling voice: "Mr. Hero! Can we interview you?"

King Douya smiled boldly and waved to the helicopter: "Come here, don't be afraid. I may look sharp-eared, but I'm a gentleman who likes to help others. An interview? No problem, I'll explain everything to you right now."

With that, King Douya leaped into the helicopter.

"Excuse me..."

Facing a global live broadcast, King Douya coughed and explained the origin of the spacecraft, the dark matter pirate group, Boros who could destroy stars, and their Teyvat mission. Of course, he omitted the details about invasion, presenting their intervention as an effort to protect this Earth, stating that there were many parallel worlds across endless time and space.

He explained they were protectors of "Earth's existence." In many backward parallel worlds, they were revered as gods. Whenever "the Earth was going to end," they came to save it.

"First of all, my name is King Douya..."

"This protective shield was put up by one of our allies and envelops the entire Earth. As long as any fighting threatens human civilization, the shield will be activated."

"Do you see that small blue dot over there? That's the strongest individual who has come to Earth to fight Boros, the evil leader of the space pirate group trying to destroy this planet."

King Douya pointed beyond the protective shield. The war reporter continued to explain excitedly.

People across the globe watched as the mysterious hero who protected City A explained the origins of these events. Unexpectedly, they were protectors from a parallel Earth. Without them, Earth would have faced complete destruction. The leader of the Dark Matter Pirate Group, Boros, was said to be powerful enough to destroy stars—an incredible feat that left people in awe.

After the successful interview with King Douya, various reporters attempted to interview other heroes who had retreated into the protective shield. Meanwhile, some focused their cameras on the small blue dot moving like a meteor.

The footage, broadcast via satellite to television stations around the world, showed a woman walking through the air. She had knee-length blue hair and eyes to match, with an aura of ice-blue energy surrounding her. She appeared like a general advancing confidently toward her enemy with a saber in her hand.

Although she seemed to be walking, her speed was astonishing. To ordinary people, she moved like a teleporting being. Heroes and staff at the Hero Association held their breath, watching intently as this powerful individual approached the alien that threatened the entire planet.

Meanwhile, the camera zoomed in on the malevolent one-eyed alien standing atop the spaceship.

The whole world was tense, knowing that an unprecedented battle—one that could determine the planet's fate—was about to unfold. People watching the live broadcast were so captivated that they didn't notice the tea overflowing from their cups.

Boros observed the blue figure approaching, stopping less than a kilometer away, and fixed his single eye on her.

"Is this the representative of this planet, the strongest?" Boros wondered. "I sense immense energy, comparable to mine."

Esdeath glared at Boros, her cold, murderous intent bursting forth instantly. A crazed, almost maniacal smile formed on her lips.

"Very good, very strong. Even without mastering any rules, your strength is incredible. You are precisely the kind of opponent I desire."

Boros smiled in return. "So, you are like me," he said. "I was too strong, and in the end, no one in the universe dared to challenge me.

"I suffered endlessly from boredom.

"It seems you faced the same fate as I did—being far too strong for this planet, with no worthy opponent to spark your interest.

"But I was fortunate. A fortune teller once told me that on a distant planet, there was someone who could challenge me, make me fight with everything I had.

"Twenty years later, I finally found this place. My own subordinates even thought I was making excuses to avoid fighting.

"But now I know that the fortune teller's prediction was true."

Boros's single eye was bloodshot with excitement, and he grinned, showing his sharp, shark-like teeth.

"Since we both desire this fight, there can only be one victor today. Let us make life interesting."

"Before we begin, introduce yourself. I am Boros, leader of the Dark Matter Pirate Group and ruler of the universe."

Click, click, click...

As Boros spoke, a terrifying energy surged within him. The armor he wore shattered piece by piece, beams of energy pouring out from the cracks.

"This divine armor was made to seal away the overwhelming power within me," he explained. "If I am to fight a powerful opponent like you, I must show respect—all my strength, unleashed."

He began to laugh wildly, his energy bursting forth, bright as a miniature sun.

Esdeath sneered, the blue aura around her intensifying until she, too, glowed like a sun. She brandished her saber-like artifact and assumed a fighting stance.

"Heh, I am Esdeath, Supreme God of the Teyvat Pantheon," she said. "And I'm about to take your head."

Boros shouted excitedly, "Come on!" He transformed into a purple meteor and charged straight at Esdeath. The thousand-meter distance between them vanished in the blink of an eye as Boros threw a violent, skill-less punch at Esdeath's head.

Boom—