Chapter 1062: The Dress Rehearsal for World's End
Chapter 1062: The Dress Rehearsal for World's End
After receiving Li Fan's permission, Tianyang's body transformed in an instant.
A faint cyan light enveloped him, his skin taking on a metallic sheen.
In a voice that was half-mechanical, half-childlike, Tianyang slowly declared, "A body of flesh and blood has its inherent disadvantages. How can it possibly compare to one forged from metal and stone?"
"For one such as I, all the rare and precious materials in the world can serve as sustenance to strengthen this body."
"The only limit to my physical potential is the theoretical peak of the Great Dao itself!"
As Tianyang spoke, he slowly clenched his fist, and a seemingly infinite suction force emanated from his palm.
In the depths of the Spirit Dissolving River, a massive vortex formed in an instant. The immense power it generated made it difficult for even Li Fan and the three Dharma Transmitters, including Huang, to remain stable in the turbulent current.
After gathering his power, Tianyang slowly threw a punch toward Huang.
But Huang was locked in place by the force of the punch, unable to move an inch.
He could only watch as Tianyang's slow-moving fist was about to strike him head-on.
At this critical moment between life and death, a brilliant golden light erupted from the four eyes on Huang's two heads. The sound of his bones shattering inch by inch echoed like a torrential downpour, and his once emaciated body swelled in the blink of an eye, like an inflating balloon.
Covered in muscles as sharp and defined as if carved from stone, Huang let out a furious roar and brought all four of his hands up to shield himself, attempting to block Tianyang's small fist.
A muffled boom, like a distant clap of thunder, resounded.
Fist met hands, and the two were locked in a stalemate.
A moment later, Tianyang slowly retracted his fist. "This time, I used fifty percent of my strength. But that is far from my limit."
"It should, however, be your limit."
As he finished speaking, Huang's body went limp, collapsing like a pile of soft clay.
After a brief moment of alarm, Dharma Transmitters Zhou and Wei could both see that Huang was not in any mortal danger.
It was simply due to immense exertion.
The soundly defeated Huang showed no rage or resentment. Instead, he began to ponder Tianyang's words.
"A body of metal and stone, to replace one of flesh and blood?"
In truth, he had considered this path before.
But as a human cultivator, he had always harbored reservations about abandoning his flesh and blood to become something akin to a mechanical puppet.
Most importantly, there was no precedent to follow.
Once the transformation was complete, there would be no turning back. If a body of metal and stone ultimately proved weaker than one of flesh, wouldn't he become the laughingstock of all the Dharma Transmitters?
But Tianyang's appearance today had shown him a brand-new path, one that seemed to hold limitless potential.
"Perhaps... I could use this to break free from the Heavenly Venerate's shackles and become the only Dharma Transmitter to achieve the Longevity stage." A dangerous thought surfaced in Huang's mind. Once it appeared, it began to irresistibly consume him.
Observing the subtle changes in Huang's expression from a distance, Li Fan knew the seed had been planted. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.
Without the Source Power Essence, it was utterly impossible to reach Tianyang's current level of strength simply by transforming into a body of metal and stone. Once Huang began this irreversible attempt and repeatedly hit a wall, despair would surely set in.
At that point, he would be willing to pay any price to seek Tianyang's help. When someone is desperate for aid, Li Fan would have ten thousand ways to control him.
Using the cover of that last punch, Tianyang had discreetly absorbed a large amount of water from the Spirit Dissolving River.
Seeing that his objective was accomplished, Li Fan had Tianyang revert to his original form and return to his side.
The other two Dharma Transmitters hurried forward to tend to Huang's injuries.
"We shouldn't linger here. Let's return first and discuss this further."
The group then quietly flew out of the Spirit Transformation Gorge.
The disturbance in the Spirit Dissolving River caused by their fight had, after all, attracted the attention of the cultivators guarding the Spirit Transformation Gorge.
However, after a brief investigation, they could not find the source of the disturbance.
Following the Myriad Immortals Alliance's principle of not looking for trouble where there was none, they chose not to report the incident.
Inside Dharma Transmitter Zhou's private small world.
Tianyang's display of power, in which he completely overwhelmed Dharma Transmitter Huang, had unquestionably proven his strength at the Longevity stage.
And so, the group began to formally discuss the next step of their plan.
They were once again on the top floor of the high-rise, overlooking the sea of neon lights.
Huang's injuries had already healed during the return journey. One of his heads had its eyes closed, while the other furtively sized up Tianyang, who stood behind Li Fan.
Tianyang's eyes were also closed, feigning rest.
The discussion was still led by Li Fan, Zhou, and Wei.
"With Huang on our side, the probability of convincing Jiang to convene the Dharma Propagator's Oath is now virtually one hundred percent."
"We just need to lure him out according to the plan."
Li Fan chimed in at the perfect moment. "According to the assessment of the elders from the Federation of All Worlds, taking into account the current situation in the Xuanhuang Realm, we have formulated a recommended course of action."
"We need to create a stir significant enough that no one in the Myriad Immortals Alliance but Dharma Transmitter Jiang can resolve it. And yet, we can't actually destroy the Xuanhuang Realm..."
Li Fan paused, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Take a look, you two. What do you think of this plan?"
He tapped his index finger in the air, and a small golden orb of light flew toward them.
After examining the contents of the orb, a flicker of astonishment passed through the eyes of both Dharma Transmitter Zhou and Wei.
"Excellent." After a brief exchange, they both nodded.
"Good. In that case, the Federation of All Worlds can begin its preparations. But for the act to be convincing, we will need your cooperation."
"Rest assured," Dharma Transmitter Zhou said in a low voice. "Though we have been expelled from the council of Dharma Transmitters, we have deep roots and still hold some sway over the Alliance's various provinces. Assisting your Federation in staging this world-ending drama will be no problem at all."
After discussing the finer details, Li Fan and Tianyang finally departed.
Back in the Spirit Wood Realm, Tianyang poured out the water he had collected from the Spirit Dissolving River. It was handed over to specialists to study whether it could be replicated and mass-produced.
Li Fan, meanwhile, entered the [World-Ending] space and took out one of the test subjects.
Though it was ostensibly an act staged to lure out Dharma Transmitter Jiang, in Li Fan's eyes, this was a dress rehearsal for the true end of this world.
"Many arrangements can be set in place beforehand through the hands of these Dharma Transmitters. The Dharma Transmitters are inextricably linked to the Dharma Transmission Heavenly Venerate. When the time comes, even if the Faceless Immortal and the Immortals of the Immortal Ruins vaguely sense a scheme at play, their suspicion will first fall upon the Dharma Spreader."
"With the Dharma Spreader's current strength, even if he cannot yet contend with a True Immortal head-on, he should be able to hold out for a little while..."
With these thoughts in mind, Li Fan activated Burning Soul at full capacity.
He began crafting the props needed for the world-ending event with maximum efficiency.
Slowly, the once somewhat empty [World-Ending] space began to fill up.
Three months of preparation passed in a flash.
Under the joint conspiracy of Li Fan and the three Dharma Transmitters, all sorts of unusual incidents began to quietly surface across the various provinces of the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
(End of this chapter)
Comments