Chapter 572: Calculating the Opponent's Psychology

"It's here! The boss's true World-Shattering Sword has finally descended!"

Long Kun was the most excited among them. Last time, because of Tian Bing'er, he hadn't witnessed the terrifying power of this World-Shattering Sword, which incorporated the "Sleeve Universe" divine ability. Now, he finally had the chance to see it for himself.

Terrifying sword energy rapidly condensed on the surface of the Asura Divine Sword. Its power intensified at a visible, almost exponential rate, like a mercury column rising in a thermometer.

Initially, Kals thought Xu Yang was just bluffing. However, witnessing the sword's unparalleled might firsthand, his heart sank.

"Damn it, where did this kid come from? He's my absolute nemesis! How could a normal sword strike achieve such power? Could it be... the Sleeve Universe technique?!"

This possibility deepened Kals' despair. He couldn't fathom how Xu Yang had managed to learn the Sleeve Universe divine ability. The only certainty was that, empowered by Sleeve Universe, Xu Yang's sword strike was now capable of threatening Kals' life.

"It seems I have no choice but to play my final trump card!"

Kals continued to laugh hysterically, feigning composure while relentlessly provoking Xu Yang. Simultaneously, he frantically activated the final surge of power from the purple crystal within his body.

"Hmph, no matter how powerful, in the end, it will still serve me, won't it? Fool!"

Kals had clearly set his trap and was now just waiting for Xu Yang to make his move. This entire scene struck Shi Lingyun and the others as somewhat peculiar.

"Don't you think Kals' eagerness for this fight seems a little excessive?"

Ling Yao nodded gravely. "Indeed. Could this be another trap?"

Long Kun, however, held a completely different view. "Don't be so paranoid. This guy embodies both Angel and Demon totems; he has every reason to be boastful. If it weren't for the boss, even the three of us together would struggle to defeat Kals in his current state. So, why wouldn't he want to put on a show?"

The two women dismissed their concerns as overthinking, but as it turned out, a woman's intuition is often the most accurate and sensitive.

Boom! Xu Yang made the first move, unleashing the Sleeve Universe divine ability once more, its sword energy now compressed to one and a half times its original potency.

Unbeknownst to Xu Yang, at that very moment, Kals secretly activated the Crystal God's Skull he had swallowed, securely locking onto the incredibly powerful sword energy emanating from Xu Yang.

"It's over!" Xu Yang declared, his voice commanding. The unstoppable, world-shattering sword beam cleaved down from the sky!

As the sword beam was about to obliterate Kals, he burst into unbridled laughter. A purplish-black, skull-shaped energy phantom rapidly condensed around him, completely enveloping his true form.

Simultaneously, the Angel and Demon totems behind him merged, perfectly integrating with the phantom created by the Crystal Skull and Kals' life essence.

"Hahaha, Xu Yang, thank you for making this possible! Without your immense power as a catalyst, how could my life force have endured the pressure needed to simultaneously fuse both demonic and angelic origins? Now, I'd like to see who dares to stand against me!"

The situation had diverged significantly from their expectations. Long Kun was stunned again, this time truly realizing the extreme danger of the situation.

If Kals succeeded in his spell, it would mean he could constantly switch between angelic and demonic forms. While possessing eternal, immortal power would be significant, the more crucial aspect was that he would become immune to being locked down by any single type of energy. Instead, he could freely switch between the two power origins, using his beast-race life essence as a conduit.

This would not only elevate his combat power to unprecedented new limits, but also grant him true immortality under the protection of the Crystal Skull. His life force, having merged with the Crystal Skull, had undergone a complete transformation and sublimation.

Finally, the crystal phantom slowly ascended, swiftly engulfing Xu Yang's incredibly powerful sword beam.

"Haha, Xu Yang, I'll make you understand that the entire world isn't enough to sate my appetite! Today, you'll be the first stepping stone on my path to godhood!"

Xu Yang finally allowed a satisfied smile to cross his face, gazing at Kals with a look of pity.

"In the end, greed has cost you everything. If only you had known when to stop, no one on this battlefield would have been your match. What a shame..."

At first, Xu Yang's words seemed cryptic, almost as if he were merely taunting Kals. But few understood that Xu Yang had seen through Kals' scheme from the start. The sword beam Kals had fully absorbed was not the main body of the Asura Sword's condensed energy; rather, it was only half of the sword beam, which Xu Yang had originally banished to another dimensional plane using the Sleeve Universe divine ability!

Finally, as Xu Yang decided to spring his trap, Kals was utterly dumbfounded. He distinctly felt a colossal power, vast as the void, locking onto his essence, beginning to forcibly tear his soul from his body. It was a terrifying and desperate sensation.

"No! What... what's happening?!"

Kals began to ascend, rising continuously within the embrace of the purple crystal phantom's aura. He had completely lost his ability to control the demonic and angelic soul power totems. Like a rabbit seized by an eagle, he had entirely lost control of his own destiny.

"As I said, if you hadn't been so greedy, forcefully devouring the power of my sword, how could you have ended up in this predicament?"

Kals finally understood after hearing Xu Yang's explanation.

"Clever boy... So, you did trick me after all! You used that half-sword beam illusion as bait, then bound my soul energy, and activated the Sleeve Universe technique! After fusing the two totems, my physical body hadn't fully integrated with my soul, creating a temporary 'soul vacuum.' And you, you seized that single weakness! Very well, Xu Yang, I'll remember this!"

Xu Yang laughed heartily. "You don't need to remember me. Just remember that I'll be keeping the Crystal Skull that remains in your physical body."

Faced with such a dramatic turn of events, not only was Xu Yang in high spirits, but Shi Lingyun and his two companions were also beaming with joy.

"Boss, you're truly incredible! But seriously, how did you know that brainless Kals would definitely devour your sword energy, giving you the chance to set this trap?"

Long Kun still seemed a little unconvinced. Although he knew deep down that the gap between him and Xu Yang wasn't just in strength, but more in intellect and strategic foresight—qualities that couldn't be developed overnight—he knew that as long as he remained under Xu Yang's protection, no one could harm him.

"Heh, a person is most arrogant when they are on the cusp of a long-awaited victory! In the moments just before achieving it, they will unconditionally fulfill whatever you ask, because the allure of what they are about to gain is simply too immense."

After hearing Xu Yang's psychological analysis and explanation, Long Kun and his two companions were utterly impressed.