The battlefield vibrated with the echoes of Li Wei's golden aura, each pulse radiating with the terrifying power of Soul Essence. Dust swirled, debris hung in suspended chaos, and the air itself seemed to hum with an almost palpable tension. For a moment, it seemed that the tide had shifted entirely—the demons were reacting to Li Wei, not the other way around.
But the calm was deceptive.
Kaerath, still seething from the relentless assault, narrowed his single red eye. "This human… he's a problem," he hissed, the hiss curling like fire. His limbs flared, flames dancing along his claws. "Time to end this… with precision."
The Lord Ghost Demon, ever calculating, watched the young Aura Wielder with a mixture of fascination and impatience. "Power alone is not enough, boy," he murmured. "Strength without foresight is meaningless."
And in that instant, the trap was set.
Kaerath moved first, silently, almost invisibly. The red flames along his body dimmed, masking the lethal energy coiling in his limbs. He slipped past Li Wei's focus, moving toward Ishita with the stealth of a predator. His target was clear: the golden barrier, the young girl protected by Li Wei's aura, who had no idea that death was creeping toward her.
Li Wei was still focused on the Lord Ghost Demon, pushing forward with precise strikes. His movements were lightning-fast, each one controlled, each one deadly. He had no idea that Kaerath had already moved past the edge of his perception, his red flames hidden, his intent concealed.
And then it happened.
Kaerath struck from behind, a brutal, unseen blow aimed at Li Wei's right leg. A dark blade formed in his hand, a shadow forged from malice and precision. With surgical efficiency, he cut through muscle, bone, and Soul Essence alike.
Li Wei staggered, a shockwave of pain exploding through him. The golden aura around him flickered wildly, struggling to stabilize the damage. His right leg gave way, and he fell to one knee, his body instinctively bracing for impact.
"You… trickster!" Li Wei growled through gritted teeth, eyes narrowing, aura flaring even brighter. He tried to move, to reposition, but the sudden loss of balance, combined with the intense Soul Essence drain from the injury, slowed him just enough for the next strike.
The Lord Ghost Demon seized the opportunity immediately. His shadows coiled, dark and fluid, wrapping around Li Wei's right hand with crushing force. With a cruel twist, he severed the limb, cutting through flesh, muscle, and bone.
Li Wei's vision flared with pain, golden light flaring uncontrollably as he fell fully to the ground. The combined injuries left him disoriented, but his aura remained—a living testament to his determination. Yet even he had to acknowledge, deep in his mind, that the trap had worked.
Kaerath and the Lord Ghost Demon stepped back slightly, almost in silent admiration. "Perfect coordination," Kaerath murmured, licking a thin line of blood from his claw. "The boy is strong, but he is still human. He can be broken."
The Lord Ghost Demon's shadowy form shifted, tendrils extending like whips across the battlefield. "Now," he said with a predatory grin, "we end this properly."
From Kaerath's side, another energy began to form—a dark, spherical orb of concentrated malice. The Vacuum Ball. Its surface shimmered with the twisted glow of stolen Soul Aura, and within it, Li Wei's movements became increasingly restricted. He felt the immense force begin to pull at him, draining his remaining energy, forcing him to fight against both gravity and his own injuries.
Ishita's scream echoed from inside the barrier. "Li Wei! No!"
Li Wei's eyes glowed with golden fury. His voice, strained but unbroken, pierced the battlefield. "I… won't… let you… touch her!"
But even his words were not enough. The Vacuum Ball's pull increased exponentially, drawing him inward, compressing his body like a vice. His Soul Aura flared wildly in resistance, pushing against the sucking force, but it was clear: this was not just a physical attack. It was a drain of his very essence, a stripping away of the energy that fueled his existence.
Kaerath laughed, a low, cruel sound. "Your aura is delicious, boy. So bright… so fleeting."
The Lord Ghost Demon added, his voice silky and cruel, "Yes… let's see if the boy can fight without his limbs, without his full strength. This will be entertaining."
Li Wei gritted his teeth, golden aura flaring in desperation. Even though one leg was gone and one arm severed, he refused to submit. His Soul Essence surged, burning brighter than ever, pushing against the Vacuum Ball. Pain shot through every fiber of his being, but he focused, using the last of his remaining strength.
"Not… yet…!" he growled, letting the concentrated power of his Soul flow outward in violent, burning waves. The Vacuum Ball trembled, distorting, as if struggling to contain the overwhelming energy.
But the demons were relentless. Kaerath's claws lacerated the surface of the ball, reinforcing it with dark energy. The Lord Ghost Demon extended his hands, fingers glowing with concentrated shadows, adding another layer of suppression.
Li Wei's breath was ragged, golden aura flickering. Each second felt like an eternity as the energy drain intensified. His body was pushed to the limit, his remaining arm trembling with strain. His chest heaved, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth, but his eyes burned with unyielding determination.
And then, with a guttural roar, he released the last of his controlled Soul Essence in a desperate surge. A brilliant explosion of golden light erupted from the Vacuum Ball, splintering its dark shell. The demons were thrown back, partially shielded by the blast, but shocked at the intensity of the counterattack.
Kaerath hissed through clenched teeth, flames flickering violently. "Impressive… but still not enough," he growled.
The Lord Ghost Demon's crimson eyes narrowed. "So much energy… yet still bound by mortality. Pathetic, and yet…" His lips curled into a cruel smirk. "…fascinating."
Li Wei lay in the crater, battered, bloodied, and dismembered, but his aura continued to burn—a beacon of defiance. Though he had lost his right leg and arm, and though the Vacuum Ball had nearly drained him entirely, his spirit was unbroken. His golden eyes, full of fire and determination, scanned the battlefield. His focus remained on Ishita, his resolve unshaken.
Even in his weakened state, he whispered under his breath, "I… will protect you… no matter what…"
Ishita pressed herself against the golden barrier, tears streaming freely. The promise of protection, the boy's unyielding will, resonated inside her. For the first time, amidst the carnage, she felt a glimmer of hope.
Kaerath and the Lord Ghost Demon exchanged a glance, both acknowledging the boy's extraordinary resilience. Yet, they were also aware that the real test was yet to come. He had survived this trap, but survival came at a cost.
Li Wei's body trembled, golden aura flickering violently, and the battlefield seemed to pulse in anticipation. The next move would determine whether he could rise from this, or whether the demons would finally claim victory.