258 -253- Battle between gods

"This is going to be troublesome."

"What a mess."

Sighs echoed above Sarah's head. Looking up, Sarah's pupils flickered with shock and confusion.

Why would he stand up for me?

Linwin looked down at Illaoi with a puzzled expression, meeting her orange, narrow pupils. While muttering silently, Linwin waved his hands, and the wind magic materialized into entities, sending streaks of green-blue light towards the Siren. Finally, a huge green barrier enveloped the ship.

"Boom!"

The tentacles slammed forcefully, causing the green barrier to dent. The next moment, the raging wind elements shattered the green tentacle into countless pieces.

Green lights scattered, and the tentacle, dozens of meters long, turned into countless green powder, slowly dissipating.

"Where did that mage come from?" Plank frowned.

"Linwin Lorant," Illaoi's expression turned solemn. She reached out her hand to stop Plank from advancing, turned to him, and said seriously, "Plank, step back."

Plank nodded, retreating to a safe distance. Illaoi wouldn't harm him. But a mage who made Illaoi cautious was undoubtedly powerful.

Illaoi looked up at Linwin, who was slowly descending onto the Siren. She tightened her grip on the statue. Stepping under the Siren, Illaoi's tentacles emerged from the ground of the harbor, swaying quietly. But seeing the tentacles still growing, anyone could tell that the battle was imminent. This was just the calm before the storm.

"Do you know me?" Linwin landed on the ship, standing in front of Sarah, looking at Illaoi with disbelief. He never expected his name to come out of Illaoi's mouth.

"In the mage circles, you're quite the figure." Illaoi's expression was grave. He could fly, wield powerful wind magic, and was a handsome young man with black hair. The moment he appeared, Illaoi recognized him.

After all, just a few days ago, the seer from the temple had mentioned him again.

"Why are you here in the Serpent Isles?" Linwin appeared silently in the Serpent Isles. What was his purpose? If this powerful mage wanted to, he could destroy Bilgewater overnight. What was the purpose of such a powerful mage coming here?

"To meet my business partner."

Standing behind Linwin, Sarah heard these words, her eyes flickering with indescribable complexity.

Business partner...

In Bilgewater, these three words didn't carry much weight.

Was this man stupid? They had only known each other for so long. Was he offending the Buhru to save her?

Hah, or did he want to woo her?

"So, is it the person standing behind you?" Illaoi tightened her grip on the idol, asking aloud.

"Can you help me with something?" Linwin nodded and said, "Let them go."

Illaoi looked at Linwin quietly, weighing the pros and cons.

Could the Buhru afford to offend such a powerful mage for Plank? Illaoi could, but the Serpent Isles couldn't.

Forget it, help Plank get his ship back, and then let him take Sarah and the others away.

But just as Illaoi decided to let Sarah go, her statue faintly buzzed in her hand.

Illaoi paused, looked at the statue, then looked at Linwin, who was smiling.

"Mother Serpent."

"I understand, I will let him undergo the trial."

"But."

"I need you to give me more power."

Illaoi murmured softly.

"What can I do for you?" Sarah asked softly behind Linwin.

"Protect yourself. That's the biggest help you can give me now," Linwin said without turning his head. "If I have to fight her."

"Understood... thank you." Sarah tightened her grip on her twin pistols, but protect herself? 

The pirates around retreated the moment Illaoi stepped in. Plank was now far away. Sarah and the people on this ship were like a small boat on the sea, their fate no longer in their hands, all on the boat.

"I don't want the Siren anymore. I can take people and leave Bilgewater," Sarah said quietly.

Raven couldn't help but interject from the side, "But the ship...."

"Rafen, there's no need to persuade me," Sarah shook her head.

"I understand." Seeing the proud captain putting down her pride, Rafen clenched his fist.

"If you had shouted that before Illaoi started pondering, maybe we would have left Bilgewater by now. But now..." Linwin put away his smirk towards Illaoi. Illaoi seemed calm, but Linwin, as a human ceiling, sensed the energy slowly gathering around her. Her aura was growing.

She was calling upon a god.

"Now, it's too late."

"Furthermore, I came to Bilgewater to negotiate with you. If you leave Bilgewater, who am I supposed to negotiate with? Plank? He probably wants to tear Graves and the enforcers apart now. Hell, he probably wants to tear Zaun apart."

"I'll use magic to teleport you far away later," Linwin ordered.

"I can sail the ship. The Siren is fast," Sarah insisted.

"No, the Buhru can summon sea monsters, and the sea will only become more dangerous. You can't escape," Linwin shook his head. Illaoi's aura became even more intense. Calmly, Linwin continued, "I've already spoken with Graves. They'll come for you. By then, one enforcer can handle two of you. You all just need to stay up in the sky for me."

"I understand," Sarah nodded.

Linwin nodded, slowly ascending. Linwin flew to the outside of the Siren's hull.

He stared at Illaoi from a distance of a dozen meters.

Then...

"Boom!"

Three dozens of meters long dark green tentacles struck towards Linwin. Linwin quickly raised his hands, gathering storm in an instant.

No need for incantations, instant magic casting, there are not many mages like this in the world.

"Swoosh!"

Both index fingers raised simultaneously, two swirling storms were thrown out, tiny wind masses changed in an instant, turning into wind blades that cut off three huge tentacles. But after those tentacles landed, they turned into even more tentacles.

Countless tentacles waved violently, causing the crowd at Bilgewater Harbor to scream and disperse.

"It seems we can't negotiate?" 

"Linwin Lorant, in accordance with the command of Nagakabouros, I am now going to test you," Illaoi's body seemed to grow a bit, the icon in her hand changed, and bearded lady seemed to come alive, her stone-carved eyes emitting green light, hooking Linwin's soul.

Illaoi raised the statue high, murmuring a muffled spell in her mouth. The next moment, the sea seemed to respond to Illaoi's voice.

On the surging sea, sea serpents rushed over.

"I have my own faith, please tell your bearded lady, I have no intention of worshiping her," Linwin touched his ring, a huge sword appeared in his hand.

Gripping the Greatsword in his right hand tightly, his left hand reached forward.

"You have no right to defy the commands of the gods!" Illaoi's feet were entwined by tentacles, lifting her high into the air. The moving tentacles were disgusting, but they brought Illaoi to the sea.

Undoubtedly, Nagakabouros is a marine demigod.

As her true follower, Illaoi not only wielded Nagakabouros's power, but she could also summon the "Chosen" of the Buhru, that is, the Son of the Mother Serpent.

The huge sea serpents in the sea are all Nagakabouros's children.

On the Siren, Sarah looked at the scene in front of her, gritting her teeth in despair, but she shook her head vigorously, quickly discarding all negative emotions.

Illaoi seemed like a deity, with the surging sea behind her, several huge sea creatures had already attacked.

These sea creatures were huge in size, just by occasionally revealing their bodies above the sea surface, they were dozens of meters huge, so their body length was definitely over a hundred meters.

Never trust anything that appears on the sea surface, this is a rule known to Bilgewater people.

A hundred-meter sea beast can be dealt with by the weapons on the Siren, but if there are several, Sarah and the Siren cannot resist.

But refusing to accept fate is Sarah's life motto. Miss Fortune threw away her coat, along with her belt, tearing off the white sleeves, she wore a black bandeau, standing on the bow, roaring, "Everyone, pull yourselves together! Load the cannons and prepare to fend off the sea creatures!"

But except for Rafen, the crew were all terrified.

Linwin certainly noticed the hundred-meter giant beast behind him.

However, these are just flesh and blood, maybe they're terrifying for ordinary people, but for mages, they are just living target.

Is being big equal being powerful? Of course not!

Fizz is the best example, giant sea creatures are just toys under this yordle's feet.

Linwin raised the great sword in his hand high, his extended left hand touched the sword body, and the green light wrapped around the Greatsword.

Now, Linwin's attributes have once again increased after using the power of the Ascended. His strength is now: 1563, Agility: 1661, Intelligence: 1932.

"Ha!"

The green storm, accompanied by golden divine power, extended from the Storm Greatsword. A sword aura, several hundred meters in size, slashed towards the sea.

A kilometer away from the Siren, the sword aura entered the sea. For a moment, time seemed to freeze, the sea was split by human power, and a huge vortex appeared on the sea surface, starting to roll, blood filled the sky, a stench rushed towards Bilgewater.

Blood rain fell on the Siren, almost overturning the ship.

"I-It's a god!!"

"God! A god has come to save us!"

On the Siren, Sarah grabbed the helm with both hands, exerting force under her feet. She stubbornly kept herself from rolling on the deck like the other crew members.

Flames of red hair, wetted by the sea, clung to Sara's face as she looked up. The sea had merged, and several huge sea creature corpses floated, rolling in the whirlpool.

"God?"

Thinking of the person who had been deceived by herself in the tavern, but now was considered a god by the sailors.

That's not a god, that's a person.

With this thought, Sara's body floated up.

Then, everyone on the Siren's Call floated up.

And quickly flew towards a certain place.

Illaoi did not stop them; her target had shifted to Linwin.

The Mother Serpent felt curious about his soul, even pleased.

The Mother Serpent wanted to obtain his soul.

Illaoi was to help the Mother Serpent accomplish this.

Linwin didn't hold back anymore because there was no reason to hold back when not fighting. Illaoi's strength was undeniable; even without the blessing of Nagakabouros, Illaoi was one of the strongest warrior in the world, with a naturally powerful body comparable to monsters like Braum.

Flying towards Illaoi, Linwin was more agile.

And stronger too.

"Splurt!"

Tentacles shattered, separating. Illaoi looked in astonishment at the person in front of her.

A mage? This is a mage?

Illaoi didn't know that someone who fought with a sword at close quarters was called a mage!

Looking at the man, taller than herself, shining with golden light all over, Illaoi for the first time in her life felt that she might lose in physical combat.

Of course, this was because Illaoi had not seen Braum, who had crossed the ocean to come here.

Fortunately, the Mother Serpent's power was great. Although Illaoi was at a disadvantage, she did not retreat at all. Instead, countless tentacles severed by Linwin merged, forming even larger tentacles.

"Look at it!"

Eloise raised the statue and aimed it at Linwin.

"Clang!"

Linwin directly swung his sword.

"You are powerful, and the Mother Serpent also acknowledge you. You can pass the trial."

Illaoi said again.

The trial of Nagakabouros was cruel, but as long as one passed, they would definitely receive the blessing of the Mother Serpent.

As a mage, didn't he know how difficult it was to receive the blessing of a deity?

But the response was Linwin's even more powerful magic.

When a white wind dragon emerged, all the tentacles in front of Illaoi were sprawled out. Despite this, Illaoi was heavily blown away and smashed into the harbor, creating a deep pit. When Illaoi climbed out, she was covered in soil.

Looking at Linwin, the strong woman shrugged her shoulders.

At the same time, the situation behind her made Illaoi realize one thing.

That is, there was no more time to delay.

If Sarah and those Zaunites disappeared, then he would have no reason to stay here.

Time was running out.

Illaoi placed the statue in front of her and then knelt down.

Placing her hands together in front of her lips, she murmured something softly.

"Storm's Wrath!"

Huge magical power emanated from Linwin's body, distorting the sky, thunder roaring, and countless tornadoes formed behind Linwin.

The magic formed, but Linwin hesitated.

Storm's Wrath was an indiscriminate ranged magic attack even stronger than what was on the island with Graves and the others.

Once this thing was cast, ordinary people couldn't even run away.

At this moment of hesitation, a pitch-black giant tentacle attacked.

How huge was this tentacle?

So huge that just one tentacle was nearly a hundred meters thick, and its length was even unknown.

"Boom!"

Despite the wind barrier and the power of the ascendant protecting him, Linwin was still knocked away.

In an instant, the wind barrier shattered, the flesh cracked, and blood gushed out. Linwin, who had been dominant until now, seemed like a small red figure at this moment.

Looking ahead, strange things happened beyond the island of Bilgewater.

Illaoi knelt on the ground, quietly chanting.

Behind her and Bilgewater, a huge head suddenly appeared, rising slowly with tumor-like skulls. From the cracked giant mouth, a tooth was the size of a ship, densely packed on the giant face. It had black-red, differently sized eyes, each the size of a house.

As the head continued to rise, her entire body slowly emerged.

Countless thick black tentacles hung under the tumor head, like black beards, twisting and turning like snake bodies, incredibly huge.

She rose from the sea surface, then slowly flew into the air.

Her body twisted and moved, but her tail couldn't be seen.

The huge figure overshadowed Bilgewater. Illaoi stood up, lifting the shattered statue Linwin had chopped.

Nagakabouros, the goddess of life, growth, and eternal motion!

Linwin wiped the blood oozing from his mouth and smiled at Nagakabouros.

Fortunately, he was even stronger than he had imagined.

The enormous and incomparably huge monster in front of him, one of the many demigod of Runeterra, was the real power ceiling of this world.

Even the current Darkin Aatrox might not be her opponent.

But.... He actually withstood her attack?

"Bow down, Linwin Lorant," Illaoi took a step forward, and above her head, the deity swam.

Her eyes bulged, blood vessels filled her eyeballs, and her strong body became limp.

And this was the price of calling Nagakabouros.

The eyes swimming above Illaoi's head emitted a terrifying sound.

The terrifying huge mouth opened and closed. A heavy, hoarse voice came out: "Submit to me."

"Bearded Lady, I have no intention of worshiping you," Linwin raised his sword and continued, "I got a goddess back home and she's much more beautiful than you."

"Woosh!"

Two huge tentacles shot out from Bearded Lady's body, attacking Linwin.

The speed was so fast that in the blink of an eye, Linwin's vision was filled with darkness.

In an instant, he squeezed out the energy in his body, gritted his teeth, resisting Nagakabouros's attack.

When the bearded lady withdrew her tentacles, Linwin's barrier was dim and lifeless.

Illaoi looked at this scene in astonishment.

He was facing a powerful deity.

But even so, he resisted?

The Mother Serpent attacked with deadly force because even if he died, his soul would remain in the body for a short time, and the Mother Serpent could still test him. If he passed, he would be resurrected by the Mother Serpent's power.

"Cough!"

Linwin coughed, covering his chest, his face pale but excitedly looking at Lady Beard.

He withstands it, under the power of ascendant, Linwin can withstand the attack of the demigod.

Although Linwin doesn't know if Nagakabouros is one of those high attack power deity.

After all, the battles between Volibear and Ornn, the two brothers, have changed the terrain of Freljord.

"Submit or Die."

The swimming deity opened its mouth again, its tone much softer.

But Linwin shook his head forcefully.

"I told you, I already have a deity."

"Our deity is much more lovelier than you."

Two black spheres appeared in front of Nagakabouros, her huge tentacles enveloping the black spheres.

As if throwing, the bearded lady threw out two black spheres, accompanied by the black spheres flying over Bilgewater, and below, countless people emitted painful screams, their green souls visibly being pulled out. Fortunately, the black spheres were fast, disappearing over Bilgewater in an instant, appearing in front of Linwin.

Otherwise, if these two black spheres lingered a little longer, most of the people in Bilgewater would likely die.

Linwin looked at the black spheres appearing in front of him.

Feeling anxious because he had only felt this death threat when facing Nasus for the first time.

He could die, if really hit head-on, he could die.

His body tried to fly away, but the surroundings seemed to be frozen in time, with only the spheres, Illaoi, and Nagakabouros able to move.

Linwin stiffly looked at the black spheres in front of him.

However, when a strange, non-compliant breeze passed by, Linwin breathed a big sigh of relief.

She's here.

Linwin smiled broadly; he also knew how to summon gods.

"You agree, right?"

The black spheres in front of Linwin collapsed, shattering space, and the sunken black space made waves and Bilgewater's rocks and soil flew towards that depression.

In just a few seconds, countless things gathered. Sea water, sea creature corpses, countless ships, rocks, even the Siren ship was among them.

They were compressed into a mass by a huge and mysterious force.

But, even so, the black spheres still failed to touch Linwin.

A green barrier appeared in front of Linwin, thin but large, and began to spread to both sides, extending tens of thousands of meters in an instant.

The night turned into day, and the green light dispelled the darkness.

White clothes, white hair, white staff.

The hundred-meter-tall illusionary deity lightly touched the sea surface with her white toes, causing ripples for kilometers but without forming waves.

"Janna."

Behind Linwin, the fury of the storm, the goddess of storms.

"You called?"

Opening her eyes, Janna faced the bearded lady across the island.

Linwin looked at Illaoi.

Janna looked at Nagakabouros.

This will be a battle between gods.

//// Some of you might notice a drop in quality....the author is adding more filler chapters and some chapters are filled with chinese joke that I had to straight up cut off many paragraphs. Feels like I'm rewriting the whole thing and it takes forever...////