The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order - Chapter 1657

Chapter 1657: Enjoy eternal torment
The Golden Star King’s eyes widened in alarm as the massive burst of energy exploded across the sky. Before he could even begin to formulate a response or steady his thoughts, Cain’s voice cut through the air like a blade of ice, sharp and merciless.

“Marlin’s incarnated soul fragment within Lady Azure resonated violently with its true source,” Cain stated, his tone cold and authoritative. “If she were at her peak, she might have withstood the pain—but clearly, that is no longer the case.”

A faint smile curled across Cain’s lips as he watched the chaos unleashed by Marlin’s torment. Tremors shook the foundations of the city as her soul’s scream resonated through the air, causing fear to ripple through those who heard it. Cain’s expression shifted as he turned his focus back to the Golden Star King.

“Lie to me again,” he said, “and no matter what alliances you hold, no matter the cost, we will shed blood.”

With that final warning, Cain released the soul of Sorcerer and allowed Lady Azure to return to his Inner World. Instantly, the spectral wails ceased.

The earthquake-like shockwaves and the waves of unstable energy vanished into silence. But the Golden Star King remained tense. His heartbeat echoed like war drums in his ears. There was no longer room for denial.

“Ahh…” The old man exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples as if trying to ease the weight that now pressed against his mind. He stared at Cain for a long moment. A thousand thoughts flooded through his mind—battle scenarios, diplomatic gambits, desperate contingencies—but none seemed adequate.

Eventually, he sighed and looked toward the golden-haired woman beside him.

Makiela’s eyes widened slightly as she caught the look in her father-in-law’s eyes. Was he truly about to yield to Cain’s demands?

“She’s not capable of fighting anymore,” the old king admitted quietly to her through spiritual transmission. “If battle breaks out now, Marlin would be of no use. We must accept this loss—at least until my son returns.”

Makiela hesitated, reluctant to agree. But after a moment’s silence, she gave a nod and disappeared in a flash of light, descending toward the city’s core.

Cain waited patiently, silently. Seconds passed like minutes, tension hanging in the air like a sword ready to fall. Finally, Makiela returned, floating high above the city, holding the frail, decayed figure of Marlin in her arms.

The once-beautiful woman was now almost unrecognizable. Her skin clung tightly to her bones, her frame emaciated and fragile. Her limbs hung lifelessly, barely capable of movement.

Marlin’s descent into this broken state wasn’t solely the result of her old wounds or the cursed backlash—though they played a part. The true cause had been psychological.

For the past month, Marlin had lived in a waking nightmare. Every day she awoke wondering if that would be the day Cain came for her. She didn’t dare run—couldn’t imagine finding safety outside the Golden Star Kingdom—but even their defenses felt inadequate in the face of Cain’s power.

Each passing hour weighed down on her like lead. Fear had eroded her sanity, her spirit, and even her will to survive. And now, when Makiela came to retrieve her, she hadn’t resisted. She had no strength left.

Makiela regarded Cain for a long moment before calmly waving her hand and sending Marlin’s broken body drifting toward him.

Cain reached out, his expression unreadable as he seized Marlin by the arm. A wide, cruel smile formed on his face as his eyes locked onto the glowing golden runes that spread across her body—sealing her energy, suppressing her movements. She was helpless.

“That makes things easier,” he murmured.

Even in her sealed state, Marlin’s eyes radiated pure terror. And Cain drank it in.

Normally, Cain was calm and detached. Even when exacting revenge, he carried himself with an air of calculated discipline. But today, he allowed himself to savor the moment. Just this once, he would enjoy it.

“You hunted me like an animal,” Cain said, his voice low but burning with restrained fury. “You pushed me to the brink of death over and over again. Now, I’ll make sure you understand exactly how much I appreciated all of that.”

His eyes ignited with red and golden flames as he raised his right hand—and then drove it deep into Marlin’s lower abdomen.

The scream that erupted from her was inhuman.

Tears streamed down her face as Cain’s hand emerged moments later, gripping a pulsing, glowing sphere—her Inner Universe.

Even the Golden Star King and the other two Third Realm Masters flinched at the brutality of the act. But they said nothing. They only watched, silent and still. From afar, the Gu Sect’s forces remained silent too. The scene unfolding before them was beyond anything they had expected.

Cain wasted no time. He absorbed Marlin’s Evolution Core into his Inner World. Instantly, the roots of the World Tree lashed out and ensnared the core.

“BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!”

A wave of pure, explosive energy radiated from Cain’s body, his energy reserves swelling in an instant. His Inner World expanded and stabilized further, its foundation now significantly fortified. But that was only the beginning.

Marlin had been a master of the Laws of Life and Water. Now, those Laws were being infused directly into Cain’s Essence Evolution Core, exponentially enhancing his comprehension and command over them.

Cain looked down into Marlin’s eyes one last time. All that remained in them was fear and despair. No hope. No pride. Just the fading remnants of someone who had once stood tall and was now shattered beyond recognition.

There was no sympathy in Cain’s gaze. No pity. No forgiveness.

“She would have destroyed my soul without hesitation,” he muttered. “So I will return the favor—intensely.”

“Enjoy eternal torment.”

With those words, Cain’s eyes flared with red fire. Above him, the Scarlet Throne manifested in its true, unrestrained form. No longer concealed or limited in size, it towered above the battlefield like a judgmental god.

Its massive red gates groaned open, revealing a realm of twisted energy and eternal suffering. The sight drew gasps from both allies and enemies alike.

Without mercy, the power of the Scarlet Throne surged into Marlin’s broken form. Her soul and ego were ripped from her body, dragged screaming into the infernal dimension.

Marlin’s spirit was still shrieking in horror as the gates slammed shut behind her, sealing her fate forever.