Shuren, despite utilizing the abilities of the Clone-Clone Fruit and acquiring numerous clones, found their combat power only reaching SS-class. Consequently, once Lu Bu and the other two unleashed their full might, these clones failed to last long before being annihilated. Even Shuren's main body was subjected to fierce attacks from Li Chungang.
"Heaven Sever!"
"Demon God Descends!"
At that precise moment, Lu Bu and Li Chungang simultaneously launched fatal attacks against Shuren.
Shuren roared and retaliated with all its might.
After the energy storm subsided, Lu Bu and Li Chungang appeared somewhat disheveled, but Shuren was reduced to a mere tree trunk. Even that trunk was shattered.
The Tree Spirit watched its controlled Shuren being obliterated and flew into a rage. Its colossal divine form swayed, generating wave after wave of energy storms, showcasing its fury. Previously, it had controlled Shuren to launch a relentless assault on Bennedict alongside Im. Back then, it had felt exhilarating, yet also helpless. Now, being cornered by two opponents, it realized how inferior it was to Bennedict. This stark comparison, the greater the disparity, the more it fueled its shame and anger.
"Im, how much longer will you just watch?"
The Tree Spirit created another Shuren clone, imbuing it with power and abilities. Simultaneously, it expressed strong dissatisfaction with Im's continued inaction.
Upon hearing the Tree Spirit's voice, Im arrived in the Tree Spirit's spatial domain. Glancing at the newly created Shuren, Im frowned slightly and remarked, "By luring them into this space, with your abilities, taking them down one by one should not be an issue."
"Even if all three enter, with our combined strength, we can defeat them."
The Tree Spirit refused without hesitation, "Impossible!"
"They absolutely cannot be allowed to enter."
Although its power could be unleashed without restraint in this world, becoming incredibly potent, this was also a matter of its own survival. Once outsiders entered and a battle ensued, the repercussions of being severely injured or killed would be immense. The Tree Spirit was a being that valued its life. Furthermore, it had its own mission. It would rather remain hidden than put itself in mortal danger.
"If it's only like this, then the Xuanwu Navy will inevitably overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule."
"Under the Xuanwu Navy's dominion, your schemes will also fail," Im stated sternly, gazing at the Tree Spirit.
The Tree Spirit fell silent. Schemes? Its schemes were simple. It was merely raising a few wolves in a sheep pen, shrouding the lambs in darkness. This was a command from its master.
With Shuren destroyed, the gazes of Li Chungang and the other two immediately turned towards the Five Elders. The Five Elders' faces contorted in panic as they were targeted. Their strength was formidable, yet they were merely at the peak of transcended beings. Before transcended gods, they were only slightly stronger than trash. Thus, in that instant, the Five Elders' sole thought was to flee. They acted accordingly.
Lu Bu and Li Chungang smiled slightly and then teleported away.
A piercing sound!
The sword-wielding elder sensed the incoming sword energy and turned to counter. However, he saw the sword energy had already pierced his body. One sword, two swords, three swords... in an instant, ten thousand swords pierced his heart.
A thud!
The elder with the curly yellow hair unleashed his fruit ability, intending to invert the world. However, Lu Bu's Halberd descended. The fruit ability had barely reacted before he was sliced in half. His fruit ability vanished, and he died. The other three Five Elders were also successively killed. All of this transpired within mere moments. The Five Elders, who outwardly represented the highest status and power of the World Government, were thus easily annihilated.
"In the face of absolute strength, all resistance is futile."
Bennedict, watching the Five Elders being slain, stated calmly, "Level that place to the ground."
"The new era requires this as its witness."
Bai Qi nodded and issued his orders: "In three minutes, raze Sabaody Archipelago and Mary Geoise."
"All combat members, evacuate the battlefield within three minutes."
After issuing the command to level Sabaody Archipelago and Mary Geoise, he notified the generals engaged in the ongoing battle. Sengoku, Garp, Zhao Yun, and other members, upon receiving the orders, issued their respective commands and acted as powerful rear guards, providing cover for their subordinates' withdrawal. Li Chungang and the other two also departed after dealing with the Five Elders. With their strength, as long as the Tree Spirit and Im did not intervene, they could have easily engaged in countless rounds of combat on the battlefield until all enemies were wiped out.
The retreat of the Xuanwu Navy caused unease among the World Government generals and soldiers who were unaware of the Five Elders' demise. Especially when they saw three atomic bombs once again streak across the sky and descend towards them. Their unease transformed into sheer terror. They had already witnessed the terrifying destructive power of one atomic bomb. The subsequent three atomic bombs had been intercepted and diverted. Now, the entity that intercepted the atomic bombs was dead. How could they possibly resist?
They dropped their weapons, standing, sitting, or lying in despair... At this point, was there any need to resist?
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three atomic bombs descended.
In its silence, the Tree Spirit did not act. Im also remained quiet and did not act. In the sight of the Xuanwu Navy and the entire world, three colossal mushroom clouds rose from Sabaody Archipelago and Mary Geoise.
The immense energy storm whipped up waves that surged outwards. The Xuanwu Navy's warships joined together, raising energy shields. Although they withstood the storm, and Nami intervened, the turbulent waters still rolled in wave after wave, causing all the warships to sway violently.
In the void above, although the floating islands also raised energy shields and were controlled by Yasuo, they were still blown tens of miles away by the terrifying energy.
Approximately ten minutes later, the raging storm gradually exhausted its fury and calmed down. However, even so, the unleashed tempest was still palpable, making approach impossible. But more noteworthy than these effects was the disappearance of Sabaody Archipelago and Mary Geoise. A massive crater had appeared in the Red Line Continent, which had once seemed to stretch endlessly. In countless years to come, this would be a sea region. However, life in this sea region would perish, and even if they survived, they would be mutated. This was the danger of radiation.
Bennedict, with a serene expression, gazed at the leveled Mary Geoise and fell into deep thought. The Tree Spirit and Im had not intervened to stop the atomic bombs from annihilating the Celestial Dragons?