Apotheosis

The instant the young man was killed by Zen, every single Noxious Army Ant in the cave threw off his control over them.

They crawled toward the narrow gaps in the walls of the cave.

The four consummate True Gods looked nervous, as they stood close to each other, forming a circle, and used several theurgies for protection. They were fearful of hidden Noxious Army Ants.

In a few seconds, the Noxious Army Ants rushed away in every direction and disappeared.

They turned to look for Zen, and couldn't hide their shock at what he had done.

They had feared the young man and his total control and manipulation of the Noxious Army Ants, but Zen had killed him instantly, without any trouble.

Kenelm did not doubt that Zen was stronger than him and his companions, for he had been to the Sea of Truth before. But his opponent who controlled the Noxious Army Ants had also been a consummate True God and entered the Sea of Truth. He and Zen should have been evenly matched.

Since Zen had killed him in an instant, did that mean that Zen was far stronger than they realized? Or, perhaps the young man had underestimated Zen, and had accidentally left an opening for Zen to defeat him.

Kenelm and his three companions thought the latter was more believable. They thought maybe Zen and his opponent had been equally powerful, and the young man had just been lax and caught off guard.

It was difficult for them to accept that the strengths of two consummate True Gods could be so different. All four of them were of the same cultivation level, and they had been in Excellence City for a long time. They had not seen such a disparity in power before.

"Be careful!

There may still be some Noxious Army Ants that are just hiding. We must still keep away from the ground and protect our heads."

Kenelm kicked off the ground, and rose into the air.

The Noxious Army Ants had lost their master as soon as Zen killed the young man. However, they were still very dangerous and aggressive, and it would be wise for them to stay cautious.

Kenelm and the other three flew towards Zen, keeping a sharp lookout for any lingering Noxious Army Ants.

"Zen, are you all right?" Kenelm asked. He saw that Zen's face looked green, and felt a trace of worry. "We do have some regular antidotes with us. But the poison of the Noxious Army Ant is ferocious and unlike any other..."

Kenelm trailed off. He suddenly realized something. Zen's face

e men in the cave immediately turned towards them. Tanner saw Kenelm and looked astonished. "Kenelm? How did you get in here?"

The young man in purple stared at the intruders. He had asked one of his men, who was strong and capable, to guard the entrance of the cave. He would have blocked these five from coming in, so how had they made it past him?

Kenelm gave Tanner a look of hatred. Sneering, he said, "I'm here to take what belongs to me! I underestimated your shamelessness, Tanner. I didn't expect you to bring outsiders here."

Despite Kenelm's words, Tanner didn't show any sign of guilt. In fact, he looked just as angry as Kenelm. He said, "You are the outsiders here. Have you come to steal the personal belongings of the Stinger Guard? You must reconsider what you are willing to do. It is never wise to take something that doesn't belong to you. Steal from the wrong person, and you will be courting death."

As Tanner spoke, Kenelm's face turned redder and redder. He could barely contain his rage.

The man in purple frowned at Kenelm, Zen, and the others. "Where is Guido? Didn't you meet him, guarding the entrance of the cave?"

Zen smiled faintly. He said, "We met no one. Maybe he found the cave too stuffy, and left for a moment, to get some fresh air."

"Nonsense," said the man in purple. He narrowed his eyes at Zen. Guido was the most powerful and capable among his men, and he was dependable, too. He would not have left at such an important time. Something must have happened to him. The man in purple looked at Zen's bland expression. What had they done to Guido? Anger flashed in his eyes.