Chapter 322: Are You Also the Strongest?

Chapter 322: Are You Also the Strongest?

The crimson earth bore witness to the remains of Yamata no Orochi, transforming into a colossal white cocoon. Countless white threads emerged, turning every living being they touched into fuel.

Thump! Thump!

A heartbeat echoed, and white claws pierced through the cocoon, tearing apart the barriers that trapped it with savage ferocity. A dragon, its body entirely white, opened its chaotic golden eyes.

It wasn't the false White King that Helzog had obtained through blood exchange in another world line, but a more direct and pure manifestation of power gained by devouring Yamata no Orochi. Although it still fell short of the true White King, it was already incredibly close.

The Holy Remains had no time to invade before they were devoured by the raging hunger, along with countless sub-dragon creatures within the ecosystem, all serving as nourishment. The newborn White King shed its shell, transforming into a true dragon, its entire body approaching perfection. It leaped out of the Red Well, breaking through numerous obstacles, and stared directly at the shattered shrine.

A thunderous roar shook the heavens and the earth, as if celebrating the rebirth of the King.

...

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea."

Hearing the roar, Yemengaddi received a message from the dragon's language and solemnly recited the contents of the eighth verse of the twentieth chapter of the New Testament's Book of Revelation, her body trembling slightly.

"Although I know that the history of the Dragon Race is a multifaceted blend of various mythologies, primarily based on Norse mythology, reciting the Bible to a dragon seems a bit off."

Lu Ke spoke in a calm tone, gazing at the rapidly approaching white dragon shadow with composure.

"The White Emperor is second only to Nighogg. The era when the two Emperors jointly ruled the Dragon Race was incredibly stable, and that golden age is etched into our minds through bloodline memory. You don't understand what those two Emperors mean to us."

"I'm giving you a chance to switch sides right now."

"Hmph, I'd rather believe that you, who grew from an ordinary person to easily defeat multiple Dragon Kings in just a few years, are trying to manipulate me into betraying you."

Lu Ke replied sincerely, "If we had met under normal circumstances, you could have been my girlfriend. But as a defeated prisoner of war, you're only fit to be a subordinate with the function of a girlfriend. If you betray me again, I'll gain a female dragon."

The term 'female dragon' coming from this scoundrel was no different from calling her a bitch.

Yemengaddi struggled to control her expression for a moment. Just then, she stopped and looked up at the sky with utmost seriousness, "It's here!"

Whoosh!

Intense lightning tore through the clouds, and violent air currents battered the ground. The dense scales shimmered with a metallic luster, beautiful as a work of art. The dragon shadow paused high in the sky, and the surrounding weather became chaotic due to the elemental turbulence.

This creature, primarily composed of the soul of the little demon Lu Mingze, infused with the blood of ancient dragons and the spirit of Jute De Mai, and pieced together with Yamata no Orochi, had descended upon the battlefield.

Ignoring the hissing black snake, the vigilant Odin, and the tense Yemengaddi, the creature, with Lu Mingze's consciousness in the lead, descended straight onto Lu Ke.

"I suppose this is our first formal meeting."

Lu Ke looked at Lu Mingze with detachment, "After all, you always avoid me."

"I have no choice. You're too dangerous. A pure spiritual body is no match for you. Only by donning a sufficiently thick layer of clothing can I dare to appear before you."

Lu Mingze scoffed, her eyes gradually turning cold, "You call Lu Mingfei to Norton's Mansion almost every day. I can't enter that place. The entire Cassel Academy is within your perception range. Most of the time, I can't even get close to him, let alone guide him out of your 'drowning.'"

"Drowning?"

Lu Ke chewed on her words, a slight smirk forming on his lips, "That's an interesting term."

"You've drowned him with your affection. Your care has killed the potential for him to grow into a Supreme Being through hardships. You've kept alive those who were meant to die."

Lu Mingze spoke with emphasis, her eyes fierce as if ready to devour someone, "This is a heinous crime."

"So, you're saying that supporting him in front of his classmates, protecting him at school, playing games with him, giving him a carefree life with a large sum of money—all of that was wrong?"

Lu Ke scratched his ear, unconcerned by Lu Mingze's threats. In a nonchalant tone, he said, "Lu Mingfei is just an ordinary loser. He blends into the crowd so well that no one recognizes him. Like his peers, he enjoys games and food, admires beautiful girls from afar while feeling inferior, and prays for passing grades before exams."

"After graduation, he'll return to my company in China to work. Lu Corporation may not have a suitable position for him, but I can arrange a relaxed job. If he wants to pursue esports, I'll release a few popular competitive games and even set up a club for him. He'll move out of his uncle and aunt's house, marry a nice girl, have a couple of kids, and live a leisurely life. He can even have three children if he wants, in response to the country's call for larger families. He can afford it anyway."

This was the life many people dreamed of.

Lu Mingze fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "Yes, he would find such a life very happy. After all, my brother is a weak and unambitious loser. If Chen Wenwen had accepted his confession, he wouldn't have come to Cassel at all. Compared to other losers, he's already quite lucky. With your protection, he has nothing to fear and nothing to worry about. He only needs to follow your guidance to live a happy and fulfilling life."

"Haha, you're right about that," Lu Ke chuckled, his tone sarcastic.

Ignoring Lu Ke's comment, Lu Mingze maintained his calm demeanor and replied, "But a happy ending doesn't suit him. A script without sacrifice and regret is incredibly dull. How can a story full of bliss touch the readers' hearts? Only tragedies can truly resonate with people. You know what a tragedy is, right?"

Lu Ke shrugged, "It's about showing something beautiful and then tearing it apart piece by piece."

"So many people should die, including Jutei Aki and Ye Sheng, including Norton and Constantin, including Fenrir, including Masami Makoto and most of the people in the Japanese branch."

Lu Mingze paused briefly, his gaze fixed on Lu Ke's expression, "And of course, that includes Uesugi Eri."

At this, Lu Ke's eyebrows furrowed, and the 'Anger' among the Seven Deadly Sins, which hovered in front of him, began to buzz as it was unsheathed and grasped in someone's hand.

"If you're trying to make me angry, you've succeeded."

Seeing this, Lu Mingze chuckled softly, "So, you do know what happens in other world lines. Yet, you, being the existence that you are, still get angry, and it's for a girl. You're a scumbag with so many lovers... Dragon Race may have emotions, but they follow their instincts. Your emotions will be your downfall!"

He took a step forward, his expression turning cold and ruthless.

"Even at this point, I don't understand your identity, your power, or your true purpose. But one thing is clear—your existence is too heavy. The world line can't be reset unless you're eliminated."

"I can be lenient towards characters I like, but I won't show mercy to my enemies."

Lu Ke's demeanor also turned cold, and the air became stagnant. The atmosphere grew tense and silent, but Yemengaddi's face showed a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

According to her perception, the elements in the air were rapidly becoming chaotic, with two different forces acting and opposing each other.

In the increasingly tense and dangerous atmosphere, the weakest among them, Yemengaddi, was the first to lose control. With a powerful surge of her dragon limbs, she charged towards the White Emperor with a whistling sound, her eyes flashing with countless 'eyes'. She unleashed her ferocious strength with exquisite precision, aiming at Lu Mingze.

Suddenly, her hand missed its target, and time seemed to slow down drastically. Lu Mingze's body appeared to dissipate like a phantom, and all she heard was a sigh of regret.

"You're still as beautiful as you were back then."

Whoosh—

What incredible speed!

"You're really not much help at all, the strongest next-generation species."

In just an instant, Yemengaddi was almost killed!

"With the Dragon Bone Cross in my body and in perfect condition, as long as my opponent isn't a complete Dragon King in human form and doesn't use special weapons, I'm the best in close combat."

Yemengaddi, drenched in cold sweat, tried to salvage her dignity as the Dragon King, but her pale face made her words unconvincing.

"There's no need for that."

Pfft!

Without a single mistake, the spear struck its target with deadly precision!

Such an injury was no minor matter, even for a Dragon King!

"Leave, this battle is not for you."

Lu Ke's face paled, and he raised his hand slightly, allowing himself to be teleported without resistance. Yemengaddi, with a complex expression as if she wanted to say something, was sent away.

During this time, Lu Mingze, standing by the pit, turned his attention back to Odin. Both of them were hidden manipulators, and it was unexpected to encounter each other in such a situation.

The complete Dragon King's Dragon Bone Cross was more powerful than a single one but also more challenging to digest and control. In an instant, he made a decision, using the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi to slash his wrist, and the White King's blood fell onto Odin, instantly disappearing into his body.

"You really lost miserably. I had hoped you'd give him some trouble."

Lu Mingze's voice dripped with disdain.

"He's too powerful, beyond abnormal. His physical attributes, soul will, incantations, and unknown abilities are all incredibly strong. He has control over the four elements of earth, water, wind, and fire, and can even manipulate causality and time."

How could a single being be so powerful without any apparent weaknesses?

"I didn't lose. I still have a trump card; I just didn't get the chance to use it."

"Sure, sure. You're the weakest now, so be careful not to die instantly."

Lu Mingze tossed the Ten Feathers of Heaven towards Odin. In the face of a formidable enemy, the two players, like cautious chess masters, decided to eliminate the most troublesome opponent first before engaging in their own battle. He then turned his attention to the black snake, which had shown him gentleness and affection.

"It's great that you're still alive after all these years. I am too."

He reached out to caress the black snake's head, and the snake, equally docile, extended its head towards him. It seemed as though a tender moment was about to unfold between them.

Hiss!

The snake's head suddenly opened its fearsome jaws, ready to swallow Lu Mingze whole. Simultaneously, Lu Mingze swung the Ten-Fist Sword, and both master and pet attacked each other at the same time!

The black snake was too weak. It had been slumbering in the depths of Takamagahara for over a decade, awakened by Xia Mi, only to unleash the world-ending incantation before being crippled by Lu Ke. In contrast, the newly born White Queen, though incomplete, far surpassed the black snake in its prime.

The sword's radiance, capable of slicing through the world, extinguished the last glimmer of life in the black snake's eyes. It collapsed, and Lu Mingze dove into the snake's body. The massive snake's body visibly shrunk, as if its fluids had been drained, becoming withered and rigid.

The black snake was always meant to be a sacrificial offering to the White Queen!

After a few seconds, the snake's corpse trembled and rose. Its nervous system had been usurped by another life form. Lu Mingze began absorbing its Dragon Bone Cross while manipulating the snake's body as a shield, making use of its final vestiges of power.

Thunder, storms, and tsunamis converged, and amidst the chaotic elemental turbulence, the mythical weapons, Ten Feathers of Heaven and Ten-Fist Sword, unleashed a dazzling sword light, aiming to cleave their enemies in two.

Crack!

Both swords were grasped by a hand enveloped in golden light. A faint smile curved Lu Ke's pale face, and the wound in his heart instantly healed.

Even with the Dragon King's robust vitality and healing abilities, it was still difficult to surpass the limits of biology, requiring time to recover. However, for Lu Ke, whose true form was beyond comprehension, the human body was merely an external vessel, and he possessed countless means to heal himself instantly.

This was the power of information asymmetry!

His feigned weakness was not only to deceive the mother dragon that favored boys but also to confuse his opponents.

Despite his lack of combat prowess and the frequent beatings from other Lu Kes, the repeated trials had honed his instincts. He wasn't entirely reckless.

The thunder was extinguished, and the storm and tsunami surged towards their original master. In the frenzied flashes of lightning, Lu Ke clenched his fist, and a force akin to a nuclear explosion erupted in an instant.

The terrifying impact shattered the replica of Ten Feathers of Heaven into pieces, sending Odin flying and back into a near-death state. The black snake's corpse turned to dust, revealing the White Queen within, now perfected from near-perfection.

After consuming the Dragon King-level offering, the White Queen was finally complete!

Lu Mingze chanted in the dragon language, issuing commands to the world.

In this moment, the mental element reached its boiling point, forming a terrifying domain—no, a more complete and solid realm. The chaotic ether element, under his command, began to settle, and the true master of the elements reshaped the earth, water, wind, and fire with a mere gesture.

If the Black Queen brought about the world's destruction, the White Queen heralded its rebirth.

"Interesting," Lu Ke murmured, narrowing his eyes as he witnessed the world's rebirth. In this moment, he saw the elements needed to complete his "Divine Realm."

Behind him, a vast alternate dimension emerged, featuring a towering bronze city, surrounded by mountains reaching a thousand meters high, a bustling Taoist temple, a seemingly outdated Japanese commercial street, and a school engraved with the words "Tokyo Metropolitan School of Cursed Arts."

These disparate elements, seemingly from different worlds, were harmoniously intertwined, as if meticulously crafted by an artist with boundless dedication.

The two miniature worlds, driven by their respective masters, collided with immense force, unleashing an infinite amount of light and heat.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end