Infinite Anime Strategy Guide

"You mean two people? Do you think just those two can stand against our 200,000-strong army and five Imperial Arms users? Don't be ridiculous..."

Before the general could finish speaking, he suddenly felt an astonishing chill, and he was unable to utter the last few words.

"It's so cold! How can the temperature be this low at this time of year?"

With a questioning attitude, the general turned around almost instinctively, but what he saw before him made him unwilling to believe his eyes. What appeared before him was a towering tree, a crystal-clear ice tree that reflected an icy blue luster in the sunlight!

"What on earth happened over there?!"

The entire army began to stir because of this strange phenomenon. Even though it was a plain, the giant tree could be clearly seen from tens of kilometers away, so you can imagine how huge it was!

"Please, please don't let anything happen to you!"

Najenda's eyes showed worry. She only knew secondhand about the relationship between Lin Yu and Esdeath. Although they were superior and subordinate, they acted very closely together. It wasn't love, it wasn't family, and it wasn't friendship. Perhaps even they themselves weren't sure what kind of relationship the other meant to them...

"An interesting ability, as expected of Esdeath."

On the enormous ice crystal tree, Lin Yu constantly dodged the ice spikes that might pierce from anywhere. This ice crystal tree was Esdeath's masterpiece, completed in an instant by her own efforts. Originally, on this plain, there was no question of primary or secondary roles, but after Esdeath constructed such an ice tree, the battlefield became something that Esdeath could manipulate at will!

Lin Yu was certainly no stranger to ice, having acquired ice flames long before Esdeath. However, when it came to manipulating ice, Lin Yu was nowhere near Esdeath's level. At least, he couldn't think of any way to use the power of ice manipulation to achieve the effect of fighting on home ground.

"Not a bad idea, right? I only thought of it before the battle, but it'll come in handy."

Esdeath smiled with a hint of pride. She wasn't just using the ice tree to fight Lin Yu. The ice tree's main purpose was merely to restrict Lin Yu's movements; the real attack was still her own.

"But if that's all you've got, you can't beat me!"

In terms of imagination and creativity, Lin Yu knew he was no match for Esdeath. She was like a warrior born for battle, and any ability in her hands could be transformed into something magical. Lin Yu had researched the data and found that although her Imperial Arm 'Demon's Essence' was one of the most powerful Imperial Arms, there were many users of it in history. However, the performance of Demon's Essence was only mediocre and not particularly outstanding.

Although this Imperial Arm possesses the ability to manipulate ice, it lacks its own unique special move and doesn't even have any particularly outstanding offensive capabilities.

However, the Essence of Demons possesses a unique characteristic that other Imperial Arms lack: the ability to do whatever one pleases!

That's right, it's all about doing whatever you want. It doesn't really have any special moves, but the fact that it allows its owner to control it at will is itself its greatest strength, because it has infinite possibilities!

The Essence of Demons is like a land without any constraints. Some people can only build thatched huts on this land, while others can build skyscrapers. Only Esdeath can build her own castle as she pleases!

"I see. Then let's be a little more serious!"

From the perspective of the original work, Esdeath has undoubtedly given full play to her strength. However, the same person can grow in different environments and achieve different levels of growth. In the original work, Esdeath grew rapidly to become the strongest in the Empire almost without ever encountering an opponent. In fact, some of her special moves were just targeted abilities that she came up with on the spot before the battle.

In the original work, Esdeath is invincible, but in this real world, there is someone like Lin Yu who has defeated her twice!

When a person has reached the peak, they obviously lack the motivation to continue moving forward. However, if there are other people at that peak, or even if they are at a higher position than her, it will lead Esdeath to constantly surpass herself!

"I prepared this move especially for you."

Esdeath's abilities are quite arbitrary. In the original work, she created 'Makapadma' to prevent Tatsumi from escaping. This time, she has obviously created an even more powerful force to defeat Lin Yu!

"Then I'll have to wait and see."

Lin Yu chuckled, purple flames already burning on his body. To avoid the attack of the ice spikes, the fastest 'Pride' was naturally his first choice. Facing Esdeath, let alone just the Flame of Sin, he wouldn't be surprised if she even had to activate the Black Flame.

On the surface, she seemed indifferent, but in reality, she had focused all her attention on it. The fact that the Demon's Essence had no fixed attack method was the most troublesome thing. Lin Yu simply couldn't guess what kind of power Esdeath would use based on the original work.

"I only came up with this idea before I set off, so I didn't have much time to prepare."

Esdeath stretched out her long, slender hands as if embracing something.

"You know what? Ever since we went all out in that last battle and got ambushed, I've been really envious of you."

Although she said that, Lin Yu didn't see any envy on Esdeath's face.

“In terms of quality, we are not far apart, but the quantity you possess is something I simply cannot match. Over the years, I have tried many methods, and although they have had some effect, they are obviously no match for the power you possess.”

Lin Yu was speechless. He had been wondering what he had that Esdeath could envy, but he never expected it would be the immense power of existence he possessed!

"Fortunately, I finally came up with a brilliant idea not long ago. Although my 'capacity' is far less than yours, what if I could store up the power that I don't usually need and release it all at once when I need it?"

Esdeath didn't explain it very clearly, so Lin Yu only understood the general idea. He didn't know the specifics, but the final result would likely be that he would have to face Esdeath's power, which had suddenly increased several times over!

"I started creating an ice knight from the moment I set off. Although the individual combat power is not strong, it can at least be considered cannon fodder. Most importantly, once this ice knight disintegrates, the power I stored in it can return to my body. All I need to do is take back the power I have accumulated over the past few days and release this power several times over in one go!"

Lin Yu now finally understood why Esdeath dared to condense such a huge ice tree at the very beginning of the battle. Although it seemed to cause him a lot of trouble, it didn't actually have much effect.

Now it seems that Esdeath can completely ignore this level of exertion.

"I've given this move a name, it's called..."

"General Binglan!"

A terrifying power began to converge around Esdeath, and the enormous ice crystal tree began to crumble. It was only then that Lin Yu realized that since Esdeath was able to retrieve the power from several days ago, there was no reason why this newly formed ice tree couldn't be retrieved!

In other words, Esdeath has been fighting this far without expending any energy!

The sky had completely darkened, and the thick clouds looked as if the sky was about to collapse. A huge tornado fell from the sky, as if the heavens were angry. Countless sharp ice crystals were mixed in with it. The power of this tornado could definitely flatten a mountain peak in an instant!

"Wow, what an unexpected surprise!"

The purple flames began to turn pitch black, and the golden right eye stared mockingly at Esdeath. Even Lin Yu had to ignite black flames to withstand Esdeath's powerful attack.

However, upon seeing the change in the flames on Lin Yu's body, Esdeath's lips curled into an even more delighted smile.

"finally……"

"I've been waiting for so long!"

A giant black ice blade formed from jet-black flames slashed at the tornado, and the two began a contest of power with their strongest attacks. This battle belonged to Lin Yu and Esdeath, so Lin Yu did not use Tina's power, but merely manipulated the black flames to condense a giant sword to launch an attack.

The two unleashed their strongest powers, clashing fiercely and becoming evenly matched. The area affected by their attacks grew larger and larger, even causing a blizzard to begin in the area where Najenda's forces were located.

"Is this kind of power truly something that humans can possess?!"

Najenda's eyes widened. In the distance, she could vaguely see a giant of fire wielding a giant sword, fighting against a tornado of immense power. This level of combat seemed to have been seen only in myths and legends. However, the stalemate between the giant and the tornado did not last long. The two behemoths vanished without a trace almost instantly, as if they had never existed. If it weren't for the heavy snow falling from the sky, Najenda would have doubted that she was hallucinating.

"What... happened?"

Honestly, the more I wrote, the more incoherent my writing felt. I didn't even know what I was writing or what I was trying to express. I sit in front of the computer every day just to write for the sake of writing. This chapter took me four hours to finish, and my head really hurts.

266. The Price of Losing! [Two-in-One]

"really!"

Esdeath let out an extremely excited voice.

"As expected, Lin Yu, you didn't disappoint me. I've been longing for a battle like this for a long time!"

Esdeath doesn't have the immense power that Lin Yu possesses, but she stores her power by creating ice knights. Just as Lin Yu has always believed, she is a genius, an absolute combat genius!

"They're clearly no match for me in terms of strength, yet they managed to acquire such immense power through such a cunning method. It's truly enviable!"

Despite saying that, Lin Yu's expression remained calm. The Black Flame state didn't actually have a significant impact on his emotions. However, the dominant Original Sin caused Lin Yu to exhibit some strange behaviors, and this verbal envy was one of them.

"Is this the limitation of your current state? Interesting."

Esdeath wasn't annoyed. She had heard Lin Yu say that his Black Flame state came with great limitations, one of which was the variability of his emotions. The Seven Deadly Sins were not fixed in the Black Flame state; what was certain was that one of the original sins would dominate.

"but!"

"In that case, let's plunder them all!"

One moment he was envious, but the next he revealed a smug look of triumph, and a hint of greed began to show in his eyes.

"Oh?"

Esdeath was slightly taken aback, not understanding what Lin Yu meant, but she soon realized that the tornado, which had been evenly matched, was starting to lose ground.

"What's going on? Although my strength is not as good as Lin Yu's, the quality is almost the same, and I have made up for it to the greatest extent possible in terms of quantity. I shouldn't be in a decline so quickly!"

Besides being a genius in combat, Esdeath also possesses exceptional analytical abilities. After realizing something was wrong, she immediately began searching for the source of the problem and soon discovered the real reason why the tornado was suppressed.

"My power is being plundered?"

Esdeath suddenly raised her head. She finally understood that what Lin Yu had said earlier was actually true!

In such a fierce battle, her power was actually being plundered little by little, and was constantly being transformed into the opponent's power!

Having learned of this situation, Esdeath clearly wouldn't stand idly by, and her smile became even more delightful.

"That's what makes it interesting! I just don't know how you're going to counter my next move!"

Ice crystals condensed on Esdeath's arms and ankles. With the ability to manipulate ice, Esdeath also gained the ability to fly. Although not as free as Lin Yu's Ice Flame Wings, it was still quite agile under her skillful control.

What is she going to do?

Lin Yu frowned as he watched Esdeath leave the storm circle on her own. Without her control, the giant tornado would undoubtedly collapse in a short time in the battle against the fire giant. And without this tornado, which had taken a huge amount of effort to form, Esdeath would undoubtedly be completely defeated!

"Although Lin Yu, your ability is very special, even you probably can't break through my next move!"

Esdeath's face was as confident as ever. Her confidence was never blind; it was always based on having enough confidence and the strength to support it. Since she said such a thing, it meant that she was extremely confident that she could turn the tide!

"Could it be that one move that makes Esdeath believe she can turn the tide?"

The biggest advantage of being in Black Flame form is that it doesn't hinder Lin Yu's thinking. Lin Yu doesn't think Esdeath is a naive woman, given her confident approach. If that's the case, then thinking about Esdeath's strongest trump card, Lin Yu instantly understood. However, at this moment, Esdeath's hands also converged in front of the special pattern on her chest that symbolizes the Imperial Arm 'Demon's Essence'.

"Everything will freeze before me..."

Like a soft murmur, yet a voice that sent chills down Lin Yu's spine came from Esdeath's mouth.

"Mahāprabhāṣṭa!"

This move, which takes the chill to its extreme and targets not any one person but the entire space, is so powerful that even Esdeath can only use it once a day. However, as she herself said, everything will freeze in the face of this move, including space itself!

The flames stopped flickering, the tornadoes stopped howling, and the entire world, even the concept of time, stood still. Only Esdeath was able to move within this frozen space!

"Freezing the entire spacetime is my true trump card. Even you probably can't break free from it!"

Despite the immense exertion, Esdeath showed no signs of fatigue; on the contrary, she became even more excited.

From their first meeting, although Esdeath could overwhelm Lin Yu in physical combat, she was far inferior in terms of true strength. That was the first time in her life she had experienced what it felt like to suffer a defeat. It was precisely because of the huge gap in strength at that time that Esdeath became even stronger than in the original story. When she first obtained the Imperial Arms, she thought she was capable of doing it, but the reality was incredibly cruel. Lin Yu didn't even use his true power.

—Back then, she had witnessed the incredible speed and terrifying power of a being enveloped in black flames when thick smoke appeared in the direction of the tribe!

In the last battle, Lin Yu did not use the power of the black flames from beginning to end. Even though Esdeath appeared to be the same as always, she felt a sense of defeat inside.

After that, Esdeath began to develop her abilities and came up with one powerful move after another. However, she did not use any of those moves in this battle because she would only use that power on her own enemies!

Because she wasn't confident enough, Esdeath never considered fighting with all her might again, until one day she finally came up with this idea.

"As long as I freeze the entire spacetime, I will be able to defeat you while avoiding a fight to the death. Thank me, it's a rare and precious move that I put so much effort into."

Mahapadma's power can freeze time and space for a full three seconds, a time long enough to completely reverse the course of the battle. She, who was not far away to begin with, walked to Lin Yu's side.

"Then, it's time to fulfill my long-cherished wish."

With a swift and merciless thrust of her longsword, Esdeath knew Lin Yu's constitution well; as long as his head was intact, his body, formed from torches, would not die. Therefore, she showed no mercy in her attack.

Puff!