Volume 1, Chapter 162: The Death of Diablo (Part 1)

However, the current situation caught him somewhat off guard. The passage leading to the previous timeline was blocked by this thin barrier, making it completely impossible for him to cross.

The only explanation Tregear could think of was a temporal paradox. Because he had already traveled to that spacetime once and triggered the butterfly effect, he had become an entity that should never have existed in that era.

Unlike Tartarus, who also traversed timelines to seek out powerful warriors, Tartarus merely removed them from their original eras. As long as he returned them to the exact same point in time afterward, nothing would be affected. Even if those parallel counterparts were defeated, Tartarus could still use the same method to remedy the situation.

But Tregear was different. He had personally intervened in the timeline and even left a historical trace—albeit a brief one—that had undeniably existed. Combined with the fact that this was a parallel spacetime where a version of him from the future already existed in that timeline, his present self was barred from passing through.

In other words, his idea of continuing to study the Phantom Beast Fist had been completely shattered.

"Could my luck possibly get any worse?" Tregear's face darkened as he had no choice but to turn around and head back to the previous timeline.

After all, Regulos would eventually become a grandmaster of the Space Phantom Beast Fist in the future, and he remembered very clearly that Regulos bore two Phantom Beast markings. From this perspective, Regulos's future achievements would likely not be lower than Master Albeio's.

Asking him for guidance might not be a bad idea after all.

Tregear would never have dreamed in a million years that the future Regulos had mastered not just two sets of Space Phantom Beast Fist styles, but all five sets!

At the same time, under Shinban's supervision, Regulos had begun studying the forbidden arts of the Space Phantom Beast Fist.

When he finished reading the entire forbidden tome, his jaw dropped so wide he could have swallowed a whole ox. For the book clearly stated that as long as one cultivated the Space Phantom Beast Fist to the absolute limit, not only could they forge contracts with multiple Space Phantom Beasts, but they could even summon the Space Phantom Beasts to descend in person.

He did not know how powerful the Space Phantom Beasts were, but even Diavolo, an Absolute Lifeform, had gone so far as to disguise himself as a martial artist just to obtain a contract.

Legends! Those were beings that only ever existed in myths!

Regulos took several deep breaths before finally calming the shock and awe churning within his heart.

Without hesitation, he immediately began practicing the Space Phantom Beast Fist according to the methods recorded in the book. Shinban stood close by, offering personal guidance.

Boom—

At that moment, a loud crash suddenly echoed, and a few loose stones came tumbling down.

"Look out!" Shinban cried out urgently, striking Regulos's chest with a palm. Sending Regulos flying backward with the impact, Shinban used the recoil to leap backward himself.

The instant they left their original positions, a massive boulder rolled down, directly smashing through the ground and leaving a deep crater.

"So this is where you've been hiding. Hehehe..." A cold, sinister voice rang out.

Following that, Diavolo's figure descended from the sky, landing steadily on the ground.

The moment he touched down, his gaze locked onto Shinban. "You were also using the Space Phantom Beast Fist when you rescued Regulos earlier, weren't you?"

Shinban did not speak. Instead, his eyes scanned the surroundings frantically, searching for a way to escape.

However, Diavolo gave him no chance. The moment his words fell, he launched a sudden, ferocious attack, charging straight at Shinban.

"Only I am worthy of possessing the Space Phantom Beast Fist! As for everyone else, die!"

How terrifying was Diavolo's power? The moment he moved, a violent shockwave exploded behind him, propelling him forward to slam ruthlessly into Shinban with a speed too fast for the naked eye to catch.

"Oh no!" Feeling the overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, Shinban's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly unleashed his ultimate technique, the Flaming Crimson Dragon Fist.

"Roar—!"

Amidst a deafening dragon's roar, flames surged from Shinban's body, rising into the air and transforming into a roaring fire dragon that lunged straight at Diavolo.

After unleashing the Flaming Crimson Dragon Fist, Shinban turned swiftly and sprinted toward Regulos, preparing to evacuate him at maximum speed. After all, Diavolo was an Absolute Lifeform; even a moment's hesitation would cost both him and Regulos their lives today.

To his utter astonishment, however, not only did the fire dragon fail to stop Diavolo, but it was smashed directly to pieces by his onslaught, and Diavolo charged at him with undiminished speed.

"Damn it!" Shinban bit the tip of his tongue, forcing himself to a sudden halt. Gathering all the energy within his body into his arm, he spun around and unleashed a fierce punch.

"A contest of strength? How naive!" A savage grin hung on Diavolo's face. Seeing Shinban foolishly attempt to intercept him, his expression carried an even deeper layer of undisguised mockery and contempt.

He threw a punch of his own, meeting the attack head-on.

Crack—

The instant their fists collided, a crisp sound of shattering bones reached Regulos's ears.

Subconsciously raising his head, Regulos saw Shinban's arm shattering section by section, ultimately blasting apart in a mist of blood as his body was sent flying through the air, his fate unknown.

"Master Shinban!" Regulos roared, scrambling desperately on all fours to crawl toward him.

Instead, he was grabbed by the neck and lifted effortlessly into the air like a helpless chick by the approaching Diavolo.

"Regulos, let's see who can save you this time." Diavolo sneered coldly, his five fingers slowly tightening.

"Ugh... Ah-ugh..." Regulos groaned in agony, his limbs flailing weakly against Diavolo.

Yet his pathetic sliver of strength was like a mayfly trying to shake a giant tree when faced with an Absolute Lifeform; it was utterly useless.

As time slowly ticked by, the intensity of Regulos's struggles diminished significantly, and his groans grew fainter and fainter.

Right at that moment, a faint glimmer of light suddenly reflected in his hazy, fading pupils.

"Who's there!" Sensing something, Diavolo whipped around, violently tossing the Regulos in his grip into the air.

Bang—

Regulos collided with a figure, who caught him securely with both hands and then used a gentle stream of energy to lower him slowly back to the ground.

"It's you!" Diavolo finally caught sight of the newcomer's appearance, his expression tightening slightly.

After channeling a warm cluster of light into Regulos's body to ensure his life was no longer in danger, Tregear slowly stood up and straightened his back.

His face remained completely expressionless, yet as a cold wind blew past, the surrounding air was suffused with killing intent.

The gaze he directed at Diavolo was as chilling as if he were looking at a dead man.

Because very soon, Diavolo would indeed become a dead man.

No, perhaps he wouldn't even qualify as a dead man...