Chapter 488-493 (Patreon)
Content
488. The Descent of the Martial God Du Yuan, Seeking an Explanation!
Lin Fei returned to the Ancient Covenant. Without hesitation, he entered seclusion. The Zeng family's mystical realm was in his possession, once the Saber World of the Zeng's saber king. Now, this realm lay completely enveloped within Lin Fei's own Saber World, utterly subdued and dominated.
Thus, Lin Fei's consciousness could probe within it. The former Saber World, transformed into a mystic realm, comparable to other such enigmatic lands, its only difference, perhaps, was its slightly lesser expanse. After all, how vast could a realm evolved by a saber king be?
"Saber World, devour!" Lin Fei commanded without a moment's delay, commencing the absorption of this mystical realm.
With a thunderous rumble, despite the realm's strength, it stood no chance against Lin Fei's current Saber World. Under the crushing force of his Saber World, the realm rapidly began to disintegrate, its fragments merging into the Saber World.
Lin Fei's Saber World expanded visibly at an astonishing pace. As time trickled by, three days later, Lin Fei completely devoured the Zeng family's realm.
"Excellent, the Saber World grows ever stronger! If I devour a few more Saber Worlds, then, relying solely on the Saber World, I might even withstand three heavenly tribulations, resisting at least three divine thunderbolts!" he murmured softly, a hint of unusual light flickering in his eyes.
Devouring the Saber World accelerated its growth immensely, an increase nearly exponential in scale. Such a predatory advancement proved highly effective, far outpacing the arduous, step-by-step cultivation.
Having tasted such rapid progression, the traditional path of cultivation seemed hardly appealing. Of course, this was possible due to the uniqueness of Lin Fei's world laws, able to accommodate and even devour other Saber Worlds, allowing his own to expand continuously.
Without these world laws, Lin Fei's Saber World would struggle to absorb others, let alone expand. Thus, only Lin Fei could accomplish this feat. Other Martial Gods could not replicate his method unless another Martial God, like Lin Fei, comprehended the world laws and coincidentally evolved a Saber World. But such a possibility was exceedingly slim.
Yet, Saber Worlds were elusive to find. To date, Lin Fei had devoured only two. Yet, this had led to a qualitative leap in his strength. With his current prowess, passing through three heavenly tribulations seemed feasible. Easily surpassed three tribulations, but to withstand several divine thunderbolts was more challenging.
Lin Fei's ambition was not merely to survive the tribulations. He aspired to plunder more laws, Only through this could he hope to master a complete Path, and thus, ascend to the stature of a Martial Ancestor! Even becoming a Great Martial God or a True Monarch, was not his ultimate aim.
Achieving True Monarch status, and shattering the void, was, in Lin Fei's view, a matter of time. But becoming a Martial Ancestor was a far greater challenge.
Saber Worlds were scarce. What remained was the origin of the world itself. Plundering this origin was arduous. With his current strength equivalent to seven laws, even with the Saber World, even with the Particle World, he could be considered a top-tier Martial God.
But to vie for the origin of the world, to contest for smaller worlds, he was still far off. Unless Lin Fei survived three heavenly tribulations, and in those tribulations, plundered three, four, or even five laws, only then could he qualify to contend for smaller worlds. For now, Lin Fei prioritized stability.
"Then I can only continue to wait for an opportunity."
Thus, Lin Fei quietly waited in the ancient city. Preferring stability, shunning risks. Rather waiting for the next clue about a Saber World than recklessly competing for smaller worlds. For he had no certainty of victory, no assurance, and it would be perilously risky.
While Lin Fei waited silently for an opportunity, Zeng Yushu had already reached the Unity faction, meeting his master, the Martial God Du Yuan!
"Master, I beseech you to stand up for your disciple!"
Upon seeing Du Yuan, Zeng Yushu immediately knelt. His expression was one of utter misery, and he spoke.
"Hmm? What has happened, Yushu?" Du Yuan opened his eyes, addressing Zeng Yushu with a faint inquiry.
"Master, it's like this..."
Zeng Yushu then recounted everything in detail, describing how Lin Fei forcefully seized the Zeng family's secret realm.
Upon hearing this, Du Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "The Great Dream Sect, Lin Fei? People from the Great Dream Sect, indeed, could do such a thing. The Martial Gods of the Great Dream Sect have always acted unbridled. However, Lin Fei has now affronted our Unity faction. I shall not sit idly by in this matter."
"Thank you, Master!"
Zeng Yushu's heart swelled with joy.
Du Yuan glanced at Zeng Yushu and then shook his head, "However, don't harbor too much hope. If Lin Fei is so determined to take your secret realm, he must have significant use for it, possibly even related to transcending tribulations. If that's the case, even if I intervene, I might not be able to retrieve it for you. But regardless, Lin Fei owes you an explanation."
Du Yuan was well aware that getting Lin Fei to return to the realm was difficult. Unless he could completely overpower Lin Fei. But was that so easy?
Subduing a Martial God was no simple feat. Moreover, Lin Fei was a member of the Great Dream Sect. The Martial Gods of the Great Dream Sect, each acting in enigmatic ways, were also strong. Although Du Yuan was powerful, fully suppressing a Martial God was not guaranteed.
Nonetheless, Du Yuan had to intervene. Otherwise, if other Martial Gods bullied their way to him, what face would Du Yuan have left? He might become the laughingstock of other Martial Gods.
"Master's willingness to intervene is more than I could ask for, how dare I expect more?"
Zeng Yushu spoke respectfully. Regardless of whether they could retrieve the secret realm or not, Du Yuan's intervention was a show of support for him.
"Very well, let us delay no longer, let's set off now."
With that, Du Yuan, accompanied by Zeng Yushu, headed straight for the Ancient City.
...
In the Great Dream City, Lin Fei was conversing with a Martial God.
"Hmm? Someone is inquiring about me?"
Lin Fei was somewhat puzzled. He had just learned from this Martial God that someone was seeking information about him.
"Indeed, it's Du Yuan from the Unity faction."
In the Great Dream City, many members of the Great Dream Sect were exchanging information, and news traveled fast.
Lin Fei was immediately aware of the inquiries about him.
"The Unity faction, Du Yuan?"
After a brief contemplation, Lin Fei understood. It must be Zeng Yushu's master. Zeng Yushu's master was a Martial God of the Unity faction. Doubtlessly, Du Yuan would soon seek him out.
However, Lin Fei had anticipated a visit from a Martial God of the Unity faction. As fellow members of the Ancient Covenant, Lin Fei couldn't annihilate the Zeng family. Such an action would change the nature of things, and even the Great Dream Sect might not protect him. But not destroying the Zeng family meant they would eventually seek the intervention of the Unity faction's Martial God.
After all, this matter had to be "addressed" somehow. Otherwise, the Zeng family wouldn't let it rest.
"Right, I heard that the Unity faction has produced many saber kings. If you're looking for Saber Worlds, this might actually be an opportunity," The Martial God conversing with Lin Fei said with a smile.
"Saber kings of the Unity faction?"
Lin Fei's eyes lit up. Indeed, he had almost forgotten about that. The Unity faction was a martial arts sect with a long heritage. It was natural for them to have produced saber kings, even many of them.
The Saber Worlds preserved by them would surely be numerous. Normally, Lin Fei had no excuse to visit the Unity faction in search of Saber Worlds. But this time, he might just have the reason he needed!
Thus, Lin Fei was even feeling a bit of anticipation. On this day, Lin Fei suddenly opened his eyes, and at the same time, a thunderous voice boomed from the sky.
"Lin Fei! Du Yuan of the Unity faction has come to seek an explanation!"
This voice, mighty and resounding, spread throughout the surrounding void. For a moment, the entire ancient city turned its attention to this event.
489. A Test of Strength? Who's Afraid of Whom!
"Hmm? They're here!"
Lin Fei, inside his house, heard the booming voice. Immediately, he knew Du Yuan had arrived. His visit to the Zeng family inevitably led to this confrontation.
Lin Fei was well-prepared for this. After all, among Martial Gods, strength was the ultimate arbiter.
"Whoosh."
Lin Fei stepped out, arriving in the void. He instantly spotted Zeng Yushu and the Martial God standing before him – Du Yuan of the Unity faction.
"Are you Lin Fei, fellow Daoist?"
"Indeed, I am Lin Fei."
"Martial God Lin, for seizing the Zeng family's secret realm, do you have anything to say?"
"There's nothing to say! The Zeng family's realm is crucial for my tribulation. I had initially proposed a fair deal. But Zeng Yushu refused to part with it, leaving me no choice but to take it by force. Since you've come for this matter, I won't shy away. Whatever means you have, I am ready to face them!"
Seeing Lin Fei's straightforward approach, Du Yuan felt a sinking feeling. As he had anticipated, Lin Fei's seizure of the realm was for his tribulation. In pursuit of passing the tribulation, one might go to any lengths! The chance of Zeng Yushu reclaiming the realm seemed slim. Yet, Du Yuan couldn't just let it go.
"Martial God Lin is indeed forthright and generous. Since you've admitted everything, it seems we are headed for a confrontation. If Martial God Lin wins, then let bygones be bygones. But if I win, how shall we proceed?"
"The realm has already been used by me and cannot be returned. But if you win, I will grant you a request. How about that?"
"Agreed!"
Du Yuan pondered briefly. The best resolution at the moment seemed to be this. What other choice did he have? To kill Lin Fei? The Great Dream Sect would never agree.
If he truly killed Lin Fei, would the Great Dream Sect and the Unity faction choose to go to war? That would lead to internal strife within the Ancient Covenant. The Martial Ancestor would never allow it! If he could get Lin Fei to agree to a request, that would be quite an achievement. And a way to save face. Of course, this was contingent on defeating Lin Fei.
"Battle!"
Du Yuan initiated the attack.
Zeng Yushu had no choice but to retreat to a safe distance. When Martial Gods engage in combat, it is no ordinary affair.
Lin Fei was equally serious. This was his first encounter with a Martial God, his first battle against one. Previously, he had only faced Deity Transformation cultivators.
In truth, within the same rank, a Martial God's combat strength surpasses that of a Deity Transformation expert. However, Deity Transformation experts possess stronger survival abilities. Each has their own strengths.
Du Yuan charged straight at Lin Fei, initiating close-quarters combat. This is where Martial Gods truly excel. Once in close range, Martial Gods are nearly invincible!
Lin Fei was no less formidable. As a Martial God himself, he certainly wasn't afraid of close combat. Thus, he too lunged forward.
"Bang, bang, bang."
The two utilized their physical strength in the battle. With pure bodily power, Lin Fei even refrained from employing the strength of his Particle World. A fierce battle ensued. Two shadows clashed incessantly, engaging dozens of times in an instant. A pure clash of strength and skill.
Du Yuan had been a Martial God for tens of thousands of years, having transcended five heavenly tribulations. His laws were approximately seven in number, having withstood two divine thunderbolts in some tribulations. In terms of the number of laws, he was roughly on par with Lin Fei.
However, over these tens of thousands of years, Du Yuan had utilized the world's origin not just once or twice. Thus, his physical strength was extraordinary. In terms of pure physical strength and defense, Du Yuan was stronger than Lin Fei.
Hence, in close combat with Lin Fei, Du Yuan quickly gained the upper hand. Of course, neither used their laws, and Lin Fei had not yet employed his Particle World.
Realizing his disadvantage, Lin Fei hesitated no more.
"Particle World!"
"Boom."
The next moment, Lin Fei's Particle World erupted within him. But it was not the full eight hundred Particle Worlds, merely two hundred Particle Worlds! This was the number Lin Fei had calculated beforehand.
With the eruption of two hundred Particle Worlds, a vast power burst forth within Lin Fei's body. Simultaneously, this formidable force struck Du Yuan fiercely. Du Yuan's body shook violently.
"Hmm? This power..."
He was astounded. Moments before, he had been overpowering Lin Fei in terms of strength. But now, Lin Fei had unleashed a terrifying power that instantly surpassed his own.
Du Yuan found himself at a disadvantage, and the disparity in strength was clear. The situation reversed in an instant.
"Has he employed a law?"
Du Yuan was uncertain. He hadn't sensed any fluctuations of laws, yet, how else could Lin Fei's strength have surged so dramatically?
Du Yuan didn't know, but he decided not to delve into it. To avoid defeat, there was only one course of action: Unleash his law!
"My law is... the Law of Strength!"
A peculiar gleam flashed in Du Yuan's eyes. Few knew his law was that of strength. Thus, in terms of sheer power, few Martial Gods could match him, even among those who had transcended seven, eight, or even nine heavenly tribulations. In strength, they were hardly his match. This was a source of pride for Du Yuan!
As Du Yuan deployed the power of his law, Lin Fei instantly detected the fluctuation of the law. Then, an overwhelming force erupted from Du Yuan, and his strength skyrocketed in an instant, crushing Lin Fei's physical form with an unstoppable, devastating momentum. Even the power from the two hundred Particle Worlds' eruption seemed insignificant before Du Yuan.
"Such immense strength. And the fluctuation of a law. This must be the Law of Strength. Having transcended several tribulations, possessing several laws of strength. Once deployed, the unleashed power is truly terrifying. But in terms of physical strength, I am not inferior to any Martial God!"
A peculiar gleam flickered in Lin Fei's eyes. If it were any other law, Lin Fei might have had to resort to the world law. But when it came to strength, he feared nobody.
"Boom."
In the next moment, Lin Fei didn't hesitate. All eight hundred Particle Worlds within him erupted at once. Suddenly, he resembled a volcano that had been silent for years, now unleashing its boundless power. His physical form swelled to several times its size. Simultaneously, a terrifying force brewed within him. Accompanying Lin Fei's punch, all his power burst forth.
"Rumble."
The collision of physical forms between Lin Fei and Du Yuan twisted the very fabric of the void for the first time. In the void, their contest was a pure display of strength. No tricks or fancy techniques – the stronger force would prevail. Thus, neither yielded. As time passed, the disparity in their strengths became evident.
"Spurt."
Next, Du Yuan's physical form began to disintegrate. Lin Fei's strength gained the upper hand, overwhelmingly destroying part of Du Yuan's physical particles.
"Whoosh."
Du Yuan retreated a distance. His injuries instantly healed, But his expression bore a hint of peculiarity.
"I am defeated!"
Du Yuan slowly spoke, his expression complex. In his proudest domain – strength – he had failed. It was hard for Du Yuan to accept, yet, it was the undeniable truth. Victory is victory. Defeat is defeat. He was not one to shy away from a loss!
490. Defeating Du Yuan, Gaining Another Saber World Clue!
Zeng Yushu witnessed the scene before him, almost in disbelief. His master, Du Yuan, had actually been defeated? In his memory, Master Du Yuan had seldom faced defeat, even against other Martial Gods.
But now, he had not only been defeated but also openly admitted his loss. Du Yuan looked at Lin Fei with a complex expression. His acceptance of defeat was wholehearted. The reason was simple: He had utilized his law, yet Lin Fei had not.
The difference between a Martial God using a law and not was immense. Yet, even without employing any law, Lin Fei had emerged victorious. Though Du Yuan was not injured, what was the point of continuing the fight? If Lin Fei had actually employed his law, Du Yuan's defeat would have been even more embarrassing.
"This matter ends here," declared Du Yuan. "From now on, the Zeng family will not trouble Daoist Lin over this matter. Let's go!"
Du Yuan was true to his word. Zeng Yushu could no longer use the secret realm to trouble Lin Fei. Thus, the issue concluded with Du Yuan's defeat.
"Hold on a moment, daoist fellow!"
Lin Fei suddenly called out to Du Yuan.
"Hmm? What is it, daoist fellow?"
Du Yuan narrowed his eyes, fixating on Lin Fei. He had already conceded defeat. What more did Lin Fei want?
"Do you know of any unclaimed Saber Worlds in the Unity faction? Similar to the one left by the Zeng family, transformed into a secret realm. If so, provide a clue. I will be most grateful!"
"You still need Saber Worlds?"
Du Yuan was surprised that Lin Fei still sought Saber Worlds. And he was eyeing those within the Unity faction, which like the Great Dream Sect, was under the auspices of a Martial Ancestor.
However, Lin Fei was a Martial God himself. As long as he didn't violate the rules of the Unity faction, the Martial Ancestor wouldn't interfere, not even the True Monarch would.
Among martial artists, competition and even plundering were common. If no one died, it wasn't considered a serious matter. Still, this approach would offend many Martial Gods. Lin Fei seemed prepared to pay any price.
However, this presented an opportunity. A Martial God like Lin Fei, with such a promising future and already possessing astonishing strength, posed a serious threat in a life-or-death battle. Should Lin Fei utilize his laws, even Du Yuan might fall to him. Thus, Lin Fei's promise of a "significant reward" was not to be taken lightly.
"If we're talking about Saber Worlds, I do know of some clues," Du Yuan said with a half-smile. "But can you provide what I would ask for?"
"Anything but the origin of the world," Lin Fei replied, aware that Du Yuan most likely desired the world's origin.
"Haha, what else would I need if I had the world's origin?" Du Yuan chuckled. "With that, providing many clues would be trivial."
Du Yuan shook his head; he indeed needed the world's origin. But so did Lin Fei. If he had it, why would he be so desperate for Saber Worlds? With abundant world origin to enhance his physique, Lin Fei could confidently face three heavenly tribulations, and even withstand the fourth or fifth divine thunderbolt!
"In that case, there's nothing more to discuss," Du Yuan concluded, preparing to leave with Zeng Yushu.
"Wait."
At this moment, Zeng Yushu suddenly spoke up, hesitating. But considering the circumstances, he felt he needed to recoup some losses for the Zeng family. Not only had they lost their secret realm for nothing, but Master Du Yuan had also suffered a blow to his reputation. The cost was too great.
With a determined expression, Zeng Yushu declared, "I know where a Saber World is! But, senior Lin, you must agree to a condition of mine."
Lin Fei's heart leapt with anticipation. He nodded and said, "State your condition, please."
"I know of a Martial God who possesses a Saber World, maybe even two, "Zeng Yushu revealed. "I'm not entirely sure about the exact number, but there's definitely a Saber World. If Martial God Lin can overpower that Martial God, you can naturally acquire the Saber World. My condition is straightforward. If Martial God Lin can indeed defeat that Martial God and obtain the Saber World, I only ask for one thing: a Blood Consolidation Pearl from that Martial God's collection."
"A Blood Consolidation Pearl?" Lin Fei was unfamiliar with it.
"This pearl aids in the cultivation of bloodlines for Martial Kings. It's a treasure for them," Zeng Yushu explained.
"Even a Martial King family with a Blood Consolidation Pearl may have a greater chance of producing a Martial God." He didn't hide the pearl's significance.
Lin Fei considered this. The pearl was of no use to him. Moreover, if he could obtain one or even two Saber Worlds, what harm would there be in giving the Blood Consolidation Pearl to Zeng Yushu?
"I agree," Lin Fei responded. "If I can defeat that Martial God, I'll certainly get the Blood Consolidation Pearl for you. Now, who is this Martial God?"
Zeng Yushu inhaled deeply and said solemnly, "In the Black Demon Heaven of the Ten Directions Realm, it's Martial God Mi Tian!"
"Martial God Mi Tian? No wonder..." Upon hearing this, even Du Yuan involuntarily gasped. It seemed he was aware of Mi Tian's reputation. But Lin Fei, new to the Divine Realm and still unclear about the powers within the Ancient Covenant, let alone the distant Martial Gods of the Ten Directions Realm, was unfamiliar with Mi Tian.
"May I ask, daoist fellow Du, what is the background of this Martial God Mi Tian?" Lin Fei inquired directly.
Du Yuan looked at Lin Fei and then explained, "Martial God Mi Tian has transcended six heavenly tribulations. He's renowned primarily because, as a Martial God, he's a rare practitioner of illusion techniques. Martial God Mi Tian has mastered the Law of Illusion. Moreover, his specialty is the most feared among cultivators — the Heart Demon Illusion Technique. In other words, once you enter his illusionary realm, you're essentially facing your own inner demons. Even cultivators stronger than him avoid provoking Mi Tian.
Hence, Mi Tian is also known as the 'Heart Demon Martial God.' Only those with exceptionally strong wills and invulnerability to all demons dare to confront Mi Tian. Otherwise, it's best to avoid provoking him. Once caught in his Heart Demon Illusion Technique, even if you survive, the ensuing inner demons could ruin your path of cultivation."
Du Yuan even wondered if Zeng Yushu was trying to use Lin Fei to eliminate Mi Tian indirectly. After all, Mi Tian was not someone to be trifled with easily. Most Martial Gods and Deity Transformation practitioners would rather avoid him. To actively provoke Mi Tian was almost akin to madness. Even Lin Fei looked disapprovingly at Zeng Yushu.
Realizing the misunderstanding, Zeng Yushu quickly explained, "Master, senior Lin, it's true. Because of Mi Tian's notoriety as the Heart Demon Martial God, he has cunningly obliterated many forces. He has plundered many secret realms, and to my knowledge, one of them is a Saber World. There could even be more Saber Worlds among his conquests. If senior Lin seeks Saber Worlds, then Mi Tian definitely has them!"
Zeng Yushu's words were firm and seemed truthful. However, Mi Tian's unique status made most Martial Gods reluctant to provoke him. After all, being haunted by inner demons was no trivial matter.
"Alright, I understand," Lin Fei acknowledged. "If I do defeat Martial God Mi Tian, I will give you the Blood Consolidation Pearl."
With a wave of his hand, Lin Fei indicated the end of their conversation. Du Yuan and Zeng Yushu nodded in understanding and then left the Ancient City without further delay.
Lin Fei, however, fell into deep thought. Unaware before, but now knowing that Mi Tian possessed Saber Worlds, he couldn't stay idle. But Mi Tian, renowned as the Heart Demon Martial God, was not easily provoked. Lin Fei knew he needed to devise a plan.
491. Lin Fei's Revelation - The Suppression of World Laws
In the grand city of Daming, Lin Fei embarked on a meticulous quest to gather intelligence about the enigmatic Martial God Mi Tian. He spared no effort in his pursuit, leaving no stone unturned.
Gradually, amidst the plethora of information, Lin Fei cultivated a clear and direct understanding of Mi Tian. He was known as the Martial God of Heart Demon, who had weathered six thunder tribulations.
Although in each tribulation they withstood a single heavenly thunderbolt, it was akin to mastering a singular law. Hence, six thunderbolts symbolized six distinct laws. In terms of the sheer number of laws, he possessed fewer than Lin Fei, who had mastered seven.
However, the laws of Mi Tian were extraordinary, rooted in the art of illusion. His profound mastery in illusion techniques especially in delving into the souls of Martial Gods and Deity Transformation adepts was nothing short of miraculous. Once deployed the illusions, he could effortlessly pinpoint the vulnerabilities within an opponent's soul, ensnaring enemies in an inescapable web of inner demons. His ability to defeat opponents without physical confrontation was nearly unparalleled.
Amongst those who had challenged them were some of the most steadfast souls in Deity Transformation and Martial Gods. Many, skeptical of the potency of the Heart Demon Martial God's illusions, found themselves defeated regardless.
One such challenger, a paramount Martial God who had survived eight thunder tribulations and mastered more than ten laws, ranked among the elite. Yet, upon facing the Heart Demon Martial God, even this formidable being succumbed to defeat and spent a lifetime trapped within their own mental flaws. In a desperate attempt, he braved the ninth thunder tribulation but only to perish beneath its wrath.
This victory cemented the renown of the Heart Demon Martial God.
Thus, the Heart Demon Martial God stood distinct from their peers. Eschewing the cultivation of the physical body, they delved deep into the study of illusion arts, even capable of invoking inner demons. Such a technique was indeed profoundly mystical.
Whether it be Deity Transformation or Martial Gods, their greatest fear lay in confronting their inner demons, their soul's vulnerabilities. Did Lin Fei possess such weaknesses?
Undoubtedly, it was an inarguable truth, applicable not just to Lin Fei but even to a True Monarch – all harbored flaws within their souls. Against the Heart Demon Martial God, they were inherently at a disadvantage.
"Inner demons and illusions are indeed troublesome adversaries..." mused Lin Fei, lost in thought. Yet, was surrender an option? That was not his way.
"Then, is there a way to counteract the illusions of the Heart Demon Martial God?" Lin Fei pondered. "His illusions are rooted within his laws."
"Thus, the approach must be through the laws themselves. If one can suppress the Law of Illusion," he continued, "then the Heart Demon Martial God's illusions would be rendered ineffective, or at least, their impact on Martial Gods would be negligible. Without their illusions, the Heart Demon Martial God's strength is hardly worth mentioning."
A spark of realization lit up in Lin Fei's eyes. This was indeed a viable strategy, completely neutralizing the Heart Demon Martial God's advantage – their mastery of illusion.
However, suppressing or completely countering an opponent's laws was no easy feat. Up to this point, few had delved into the study of the suppression between different laws. It seemed there was no clear counteraction between them.
Water may counter fire, but when the Law of Fire is sufficiently powerful, it can overpower the Law of Water. Hence, there is no absolute counteraction, only the question of whether one's own comprehended laws are strong enough.
"Wait, the Law of the World encompasses and contains everything. Theoretically, it should be able to suppress everything!" Lin Fei's eyes brightened with this insight. "Could it suppress the Law of Illusion?"
Evaluating the strength of Martial Gods based solely on the number of thunder tribulations they've survived is misleading; it doesn't necessarily indicate their true realm. It's merely a count of the tribulations they've passed.
The true measure of one's realm is the number of laws they've mastered. The more laws, the higher the realm. In terms of the realm, Lin Fei had already mastered seven World Laws, while the Heart Demon Martial God had only captured six Laws of Illusion – fewer than Lin Fei. If he could suppress them, then the Heart Demon Martial God's illusions would become ineffective.
However, Lin Fei had yet to test this theory. He had only ever fought with one Martial God, Du Yuan, whose laws were of Strength, directly affecting the physical body and not susceptible to suppression.
"Therefore, I need to find a Martial God whose laws are used against enemies," Lin Fei contemplated. The Law of Illusion of the Heart Demon Martial God was indeed used against enemies, as were Lin Fei's World Laws, capable of sealing and suppressing foes. Similarly, some Laws of Flame and others were also employed against enemies.
This task proved to be relatively straightforward. Utilizing the resources of the Great Dream Sect, Lin Fei located a Martial God who had cultivated the Law of Fire and had also mastered seven laws. The two agreed to a simple contest of laws, refraining from using their physical strength.
To everyone's astonishment, when Lin Fei's World Law collided with the other's Law of Fire, something incredible happened. Lin Fei's World Law completely suppressed and sealed the opponent's Law of Fire, rendering it utterly non-threatening to Lin Fei's World Law.
This outcome shocked the Martial God of the Fire Law, as he had never witnessed such a phenomenon before. No law had ever been seen to completely "counter" the law of another Martial God, until now.
Not only was the Flame Law Martial God internally shaken, but Lin Fei himself was equally astounded. He knew his World Law was exceptional; after all, he had chosen it through great effort and ambition.
However, he hadn't anticipated its formidable ability to suppress and counter other laws. This meant that Lin Fei naturally held an advantage over other Martial Gods.
Previously, Lin Fei was unaware of the sheer power of his World Law in suppressing the laws of other Martial Gods. It was only now that he truly understood its strength, filling him with exhilaration.
"It seems that my World Law can indeed suppress the laws of other Martial Gods," he mused. "The Heart Demon Martial God's Law of Illusion, which ensnares others in illusions, is exactly the kind of law my World Law can completely seal. Thus, in a sense, the Heart Demon Martial God might actually be the easiest opponent for me to deal with."
Lin Fei's eyes gleamed with determination. If his theory held true, he could confront the Heart Demon Martial God. Overcoming them would mean gaining control over the numerous Saber Worlds he had dominated.
Additionally, the Heart Demon Martial God, known for their arrogance and lack of powerful backers, wouldn't pose a problem for Lin Fei once defeated. This would relieve him of any subsequent troubles. Of course, this was all predicated on Lin Fei's conjectures being correct. Should his assumptions fail, the risk would be significant.
However, Lin Fei remained undaunted. Although his spirit had its flaws, he was confident that even if he fell victim to Mi Tian, it would not shake his Dao heart. At worst, he might temporarily be no match for the Heart Demon Martial God, and escape would still be a viable option.
With this in mind, Lin Fei ceased to hesitate. "Let's seek out the Heart Demon Martial God!" he resolved. "After all, this is currently the only way to gain possession of Saber Worlds. Once I acquire more than two Saber Worlds, I can even attempt to endure the third thunder tribulation. Surviving three tribulations, given the number of laws I control, would qualify me to vie for minor worlds. Then, I won't have to wait idly for clues about Saber Worlds as I do now."
After making his preparations, Lin Fei left the Ancient City quietly, heading towards the territory of the Heart Demon Martial God.
492. Subduing the Heart Demon Martial God
In the Ten Directions Realm, the Black Demon Heaven was notorious, predominantly ruled by the eminent Heart Demon Martial God. This vast territory, with its multitude of kingdoms, sprawled endlessly under their dominion.
Elevated above all were the Martial Gods, along with Martial Kings, Martial Sovereigns, and countless commoners. Although these mortals found cultivation within their reach, the realm was still predominantly populated by the mundane.
The Ten Directions Realm, a world where strength reigned supreme, was founded by the Supreme of the Ten Directions, who had risen amidst ceaseless bloodshed. In this realm, the powerful were revered and owned everything, while the weak struggled to survive, subservient to the mighty. Thus, within the Ten Directions Realm, a stark disparity existed: the strong lived in opulence, while the weak groveled in hardship.
The Black Demon Heaven, the domain of the Heart Demon Martial God, was equally chaotic. Mighty beings constantly waged war and battled tirelessly. However, the formidable reputation of the Heart Demon Martial God deterred others from opposing them, inadvertently bringing a semblance of peace to their territories. Over time, their domain flourished, becoming the most prosperous region in the Black Demon Heaven.
Yet, the Heart Demon Martial God faced their own turmoil. He was preoccupied with the impending seventh thunder tribulation. Desiring to cross this threshold, he still lacked the necessary World Origin. His ambition was not to become a Martial Ancestor but to survive nine thunder tribulations and reach the realm of a True Monarch, capable of shattering the void, content with a lifespan of a million years compared to his current hundred-thousand-year span.
Therefore, Mi Tian constantly sought World Origin to fortify their physical bodies for the tribulation. However, acquiring World Origin was not without its challenges. Even for the Heart Demon Martial God, who had advantages over Deity Transformation and Martial Gods, obtaining World Origin from emerging minor worlds was a perilous endeavor. Being a Martial God meant that a single misstep could result in permanent death.
Therefore, the Heart Demon Martial God proceeded with extreme caution, often rallying numerous Martial Gods for each venture, to ensure their own safety. However, a considerable amount of time had passed without any news of new minor worlds.
"Could it be necessary to venture into the Fierce Crimson World?" the Heart Demon Martial God murmured softly, their brow furrowed in concern.
Reluctant to visit the Fierce Crimson World unless absolutely necessary, the Heart Demon Martial God was apprehensive. Although the Fierce Crimson World was a newly discovered minor world, it had already gained notorious fame. This was because it was no ordinary world; it was said to be exceedingly peculiar, governed by strange rules.
The most formidable aspect of this world was its curses - one misstep could lead to being cursed, a fate not even Martial Gods or Deity Transformation cultivators could withstand, potentially leading to their downfall. In fact, some Martial Gods had already perished there.
Yet, paradoxically, this danger attracted more Deity Transformation cultivators and Martial Gods. The stronger the minor world, the more abundant its World Origin.
If one could obtain this rich source, a Martial God's physical body might directly withstand nine thunder tribulations, bypassing the gradual accumulation of World Origin and the slow strengthening of the physical body.
Deity Transformation cultivators could also remain in a state of enlightenment, unraveling the mysteries of space and ascending to the True Monarch realm.
Under normal circumstances, the Heart Demon Martial God would not engage in such perilous contests over minor worlds. But time was not on their side. Having achieved the Martial Gods status over seventy thousand years ago, they only had a little over twenty thousand years left to live. There was no longer time to wait for a more suitable minor world to compete for World Origin.
Yet, the prospect of venturing into the Fierce Crimson World left them indecisive and hesitant.
"The Fierce Crimson World is still too perilous," the Heart Demon Martial God mused. "I'll wait a little longer. Another three thousand years. If no suitable minor world emerges within that time, I shall vie for the World Origin in the Fierce Crimson World."
With this ultimatum, the Heart Demon Martial God set a final deadline, confident that no one within these three millennia would entirely claim the Fierce Crimson World.
"Resume the music!" commanded the Heart Demon Martial God, their eyes narrowing slightly as they observed the dance of the court ladies in the hall, wineglass in hand. Skilled in manipulation and illusion, he also excelled at savoring life's pleasures.
To him, cultivation was a means to enjoy life, a philosophy starkly different from that of ascetic cultivators. Of course, this was also linked to his comprehension of the Law of Illusion.
How could one create illusions targeting the human heart without immersing oneself in the joys and studies of life? Thus, their indulgence was, in fact, a unique form of cultivation.
The dancers energetically swayed their bodies as Martial Kings below reveled in drink and merriment. Everything seemed blissful until the Heart Demon Martial God sensed something amiss. The scene before them gradually became hazy and eventually vanished, replaced by a blinding white light.
"Who's there?" The Heart Demon Martial God snapped to alertness. A figure, seemingly distant yet paradoxically close, approached step by step, appearing before them.
"Heart Demon Martial God, esteemed Mi Tian," the figure spoke, "I have come to borrow something from you."
"Borrow something?" scoffed the Heart Demon Martial God, their gaze growing colder. "To come here so stealthily and ask to borrow from me? It seems you do not take me seriously!"
Without hesitation, the Heart Demon Martial God unleashed the six Laws of Illusion within them, enveloping the newcomer in their entirety. Be it Martial Gods or Deity Transformation cultivators, anyone shrouded by these laws would fall prey to their illusions. Not sparing any mercy for one who appeared so silently before him, he prepared to ensnare their uninvited guest.
"World Law, Seal!"
Lin Fei shook his head slightly, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes. He had deployed the Saber World, instantly enveloping the Heart Demon Martial God's abode and isolating it from the outside world.
Furthermore, the Saber World seamlessly integrated with the World Laws – all seven of them infused into the Saber World. This integration was what allowed Lin Fei to approach the Heart Demon Martial God undetected.
Only within the Saber World could the Heart Demon Martial God's Law of Illusion be perceived by Lin Fei. As soon as he unleashed his illusionary law, Lin Fei's seven World Laws had already sealed it.
The color drained from the Heart Demon Martial God's face. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Their once unbeatable Law of Illusion had been sealed and suppressed right before their eyes, an unprecedented occurrence since their ascension to Martial God status.
"How is this possible? Who are you?"
A look of horror crossed the face of the Heart Demon Martial God. This was the first time their Law of Illusion had been suppressed since they became a Martial God.
"Who I am is not important," Lin Fei replied with a slight smile. "What matters is, now that you've lost your Law of Illusion, what other means do you have, Mi Tian the Heart Demon Martial God?"
Lin Fei didn't make a move physically; instead, the eight hundred particle worlds within him erupted with a tremendous surge of power. This overwhelming force soared skywards, enveloping the Heart Demon Martial God.
Under the immense pressure of the eight hundred particle worlds, the Heart Demon Martial God trembled, realizing they stood no chance against Lin Fei. Any resistance would undoubtedly lead to their demise.
493. Grand Harvest – Five Saber World!
"Stop, I concede, don't continue," pleaded the Heart Demon Martial God, quickly speaking up. At this point, he knew he had been defeated. He did not wish to die, especially in such an obscure manner. He couldn't recall having provoked such a powerful Martial God, one whose laws could suppress his Law of Illusion. This was unprecedented in his experience.
Despite encountering numerous Martial Gods, some with stronger or more numerous laws, he had never seen a law that could suppress another's. But now, his Law of Illusion was utterly suppressed, even countered.
Realizing the futility of resistance in the face of complete suppression, the Heart Demon Martial God, wise from his thousands of years, chose to cooperate. He preferred life to prideful defiance.
Lin Fei nodded and stated, "I need Saber Worlds. Those transformed into mysteries will do as well. I want all the mysteries that were once Saber Worlds."
"You only want these Saber Worlds?" the Heart Demon Martial God asked, almost in disbelief. To Martial Gods, these mysteries were not particularly precious, merely spoils they had casually seized.
"Unless you have some World Origin? I wouldn't mind taking that as well," Lin Fei added.
"World Origin? No, definitely not. If I had any, I would have used it by now," the Heart Demon Martial God shook their head. Every Martial God required World Origin, so it was always quickly utilized.
"Then it's the Saber World," Lin Fei confirmed, his request quite modest. Even if he took all the available mysteries, it wouldn't be a significant loss to the Heart Demon Martial God.
After a moment of thought, the Heart Demon Martial God nodded in agreement. "No problem. However, I'm not entirely sure which mysteries originated from Saber Worlds. I can only take you to all the mysteries I know, and you can take any that were transformed from Saber Worlds."
"No problem," Lin Fei nodded in agreement.
As long as there was Saber World, everything else was trivial for Lin Fei.
Knowing Lin Fei's objective, the Heart Demon Martial God had no further resistance and cooperated willingly. He began to guide Lin Fei through the inspection of various mysteries. One after another, they examined numerous sites – the Heart Demon Martial God had amassed an astonishing number of them over tens of thousands of years, so many that even he couldn't remember which were transformed from Saber Worlds.
It was only at the fifth mystery that Lin Fei finally discovered a Saber World mystery, which excited him greatly. If there was one among the first five, how many more could there be in the remaining mysteries? Eager to find out, they continued their search.
Each mystery was unique. After exploring forty-eight in total, Lin Fei was immensely impressed by the Heart Demon Martial God's collection. To his exhilaration, he found that five of these mysteries were transformed Saber Worlds, far exceeding his initial expectation of two or three.
Grateful for this unexpected bounty, Lin Fei's view of the Heart Demon Martial God improved significantly.
"Heart Demon Martial God, for these five Saber World, I owe you a favor," Lin Fei declared jovially. "Should you need anything in the future, feel free to seek my assistance."
Lin Fei was not concerned about revealing his identity. Being from the Ancient Covenant, he knew the Heart Demon Martial God posed no threat to him. Moreover, his ability to counter the Heart Demon Martial God put him in a favorable position.
"Ancient Covenant, Lin Fei?" the Heart Demon Martial God mused, surprised by Lin Fei's distant origin. Though they felt somewhat humiliated by being suppressed and forced to relinquish five Saber Worlds, he recognized Lin Fei's extraordinary laws and potential for future cooperation.
The Heart Demon Martial God responded with a smile, "Martial God Lin, perhaps in the future, I may indeed have matters requiring your assistance."
"If I can help, I certainly will not refuse," Lin Fei replied, ready to part ways. "Esteemed Mi Tian, I take my leave."
Subsequently, Lin Fei did not linger any further. He merely bowed to the Heart Demon Martial God and transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the vast expanse of the heavens.
The Heart Demon Martial God gazed at the fading silhouette of Lin Fei, his eyes assuming an incomparably profound depth. "Ancient Covenant, Lin Fei," he murmured. "This individual possesses formidable strength, surpassing mere mastery of my laws. Moreover, the aura of tribulation lingering about him is not dense, suggesting he has likely undergone a few tribulations. In the future struggle for the origin of the world, perhaps he shall prove indispensable..."
The Heart Demon Martial God also intended to dispatch someone to investigate Lin Fei. These pieces of information were easily ascertainable. Though he had lost face this time, who's to say it wasn't a blessing in disguise? Mere five hidden realms, after all. If it meant befriending a top-tier Martial God, sacrificing five hidden realms would be more than worthwhile!
Lin Fei was unaware of the Heart Demon Martial God's thoughts, nor did he concern himself with them. After departing from the Ten Directions Realm, he swiftly made his way back to the Ancient City without any delays. His heart was set on returning! After all, this journey had yielded bountiful gains. Five entire Saber Worlds! Such a notion was unimaginable in the past.
Previously, Lin Fei had only acquired two Saber Worlds in total. Yet now, he had suddenly obtained five. Once he devoured all five Saber Worlds and merged them into his own Saber World, Lin Fei would even have the confidence to overcome the third tribulation without exerting himself to acquire the origin of the world any longer.
Lin Fei returned to his own secret chamber.
"Let it begin," he murmured.
With that, Lin Fei unleashed his own Saber World, enveloping one of the Saber Worlds directly.
"Crack."
Instantly, the targeted Saber World began to crumble, fissures appearing and rapidly spreading. As the Saber World collapsed, Lin Fei's own Saber World, on the other hand, expanded rapidly.
Time passed bit by bit.
One day, two days, three days...
And Lin Fei devoured one, two, three Saber Worlds... until all five Saber Worlds were consumed!
"Boom."
Several days later, Lin Fei devoured the last Saber World. Simultaneously, his own Saber World had undergone a drastic transformation, even completing a metamorphosis. When Lin Fei's Saber World devoured the third Saber World, the transformation began, continuing until the fifth. In fact, including the two previously devoured, Lin Fei had effectively devoured seven Saber Worlds!
Thus, at this moment, the strength of Lin Fei's Saber World was formidable, especially when merged with the laws of the world, it was beyond imagination, overwhelmingly robust. If he were to encounter Martial Gods like Du Yuan again, Lin Fei might not even need to employ the Particle World. With just a thought, his Saber World could come crashing down, directly suppressing his adversaries!
It was evident just how formidable Lin Fei's Saber World had become.
"So, if I were to face the third tribulation now... how many heavenly thunders could I withstand? And how many laws could I plunder?"
A flicker of thought crossed Lin Fei's mind as he raised his head, gazing into the void, whispering softly to himself.