Chapter 107: The Power of Rank Suppression

“Rank suppression is a special rule-based ability whereby all attacks from those below a certain level relative to the ability’s owner are rendered ineffective against her. Moreover, it can even absorb lower-level energy to restore herself. This isn’t an innate power of the evil god herself; judging by the target of the energy absorption, it’s likely an ability attached to the crystalline armor formed from the core crystal of a burrowing-grade demon,” Man Yutong explained to Zhuang Xiaoyuan and the others as she watched the fierce battle unfolding between the Guardians and the young evil gods.

“Rank suppression? So that means all our attacks won’t work, and might even provide energy to heal that evil god? What can we do then? Even Senior Mingyue’s attacks are ineffective. Surely the captain’s attacks should work?” Wen Hui furrowed her brow upon hearing Man Yutong’s explanation. She had hoped that with the senior Guardians present, the battle would be swiftly resolved, but this unexpected turn was troubling.

“A king-level evil god fused with a burrowing-grade demon—her actual rank now likely rivals the captain’s. The captain is mid-rank Divine Blessing level; if this demon matches that rank, then attacks of mid-rank Divine Grace level should affect her,” Man Yutong deduced after comparing the young evil god’s strength.

“Mid-rank Divine Grace? Among the Guardians, apart from the captain, is there no one else at that level?” Zhuang Xiaoyuan asked, noticing the serious expressions on Man Yutong’s and Wen Hui’s faces. Though she was somewhat familiar with the Guardians of Maple City, she didn’t know their exact strengths, only that their ranks exceeded hers and Wen Hui’s.

“Besides the captain, the only Guardian above mid-rank Divine Grace is Sister Jing. She’s upper-rank Divine Grace,” Wen Hui replied, a hint of helplessness in her expression.

“But Sister Jing lacks offensive power. All her abilities are defensive or supportive. The only offensive capability she has is the reflective white crystal that bounces back enemy attacks,” Man Yutong added, explaining Wen Hui’s resigned look.

“What about Senior Mingyue and Senior Yutong?” Zhuang Xiaoyuan pondered. Though Wang Mingyue’s recent attack caused some damage, it was quickly absorbed and healed by the young evil god, so perhaps it wasn’t mid-rank Divine Grace level. Just as she finished speaking, a golden light flickered over her body, and the transformed Frozen Armor of Shisano automatically deactivated.

“Senior Mingyue is lower-rank Divine Grace, and I’m only at the Divine Descent level—though I’m close to the edge of Divine Grace, I’m still just one step short,” Man Yutong replied, turning her head toward the shimmering light.

“What happened? Xiaoyuan, are you alright? Your transformation canceled—have you run out of divine power?” Wen Hui asked with concern, noticing the sudden deactivation. Aside from the torn clothing over her chest and the wound being staunched beneath, Xiaoyuan’s face showed no signs of divine power exhaustion.

“I’m fine. The bleeding has stopped. It’s not that my divine power is depleted, just that the skill’s duration expired,” Xiaoyuan sighed softly. The Frozen Armor of Shisano hadn’t demonstrated its full might, largely because the enemy was just too strong; whether or not she had the armor made little difference.

Still, Xiaoyuan could clearly feel the power of the Frozen Armor—it concentrated her abilities, notably reducing divine power consumption, increasing skill potency, and allowing smoother, more natural manipulation of ice, snow, and rain.

However, the Frozen Armor had clear limits: a fixed duration after which, even with ample divine power remaining, the transformation would automatically end. That was frustrating. Fortunately, as more characters gain this ability, the impact of such time limits should diminish.

“Senior Mingyue is lower-rank Divine Grace, huh? Maybe it’s worth a try,” Xiaoyuan said, explaining her status to Wen Hui as she withdrew a card from the nebula-shaped hollow at her chest.

“You still plan to join the fight? Our attacks don’t affect that evil god,” Wen Hui said, somewhat relieved by Xiaoyuan’s explanation but frowning as she saw the card, which resembled the transformation cards seen before. She gently grasped Xiaoyuan’s right hand.

If they couldn’t harm that evil god, joining the battle would not only affect the senior Guardians but also put Xiaoyuan in danger. Facing an opponent immune to harm only cements their invincibility.

“That’s true, attacks are ineffective, but I don’t intend to strike the evil god directly. If we can elevate Senior Mingyue’s combat power to mid-rank Divine Grace, she can harm that demon. Judging from the current situation, if the captain fights alone, we’ll ultimately lose,” Xiaoyuan explained.

If the battle remained deadlocked, the Guardians’ steadily depleting divine power would guarantee defeat. Although the captain, Huaze, is mid-rank Divine Blessing—able to communicate with higher-dimensional realms and seemingly regenerate divine power endlessly—this regeneration is only near-infinite, not truly unlimited.

If recovery can’t keep pace with consumption, the Guardians will fall. And even with continuous regeneration, the battle looked grim. Wang Mingyue had changed tactics—harassing and using physical attacks instead of divine power attacks that the young evil gods absorb—but these assaults barely affected them.

Meanwhile, Huaze, locked in direct combat with the young evil gods, was beginning to show minor wounds. Injuries are inevitable in such fierce clashes, but the young evil gods possessed demonic regeneration. The wounds Huaze inflicted healed rapidly with the subtle movements of the evil gods’ muscles, while the injuries Huaze sustained healed slowly. He could only temporarily staunch the bleeding with his flames. If this continued, not just divine power but Huaze’s blood would be lost.

“Do you have any ability to boost Senior Mingyue’s combat power? Alright, what can I do?” Wen Hui asked earnestly, releasing Xiaoyuan’s hand. Like Xiaoyuan, she couldn’t harm the evil god, but Xiaoyuan had other abilities to aid the senior Guardians. Wen Hui wondered what role she could play.