novelraw Chapter 279-2: The Corrupted Statue of Enma, Glazed Pure Fire (2)
Chapter 279-2: The Corrupted Statue of Enma, Glazed Pure Fire (2)
[The two of you now stood outside the Main Hall, unsure what to do. The hall contained a statue deeply tainted by Extreme Evil Corruption, just setting foot inside would subject you to uncontrollable malice.]
[And with the Mizugaki barrier sealed outside, you had no way to leave.]
[For the moment, you were caught between advancing and retreating. What will you do next?]
[1. There are more ways to purge malice than slaughter alone. You can bare yourselves to each other and enter the hall again, using the most primal method to dissipate the malice as you approach the statue.]
[2. Such vile conduct is beneath a true gentleman. How could you commit such a beastly act? Better to find some way to break the barrier and escape with Tsukishiro Murasakiyo, if you linger until dawn, you will be discovered…]
[3. Have Tsukishiro Murasakiyo wait outside the hall while you enter alone with Valkyrie, commanding her to continually summon little demons to purge your malice as you advance toward the statue and see if any other rewards can be obtained.]
There were six uses of the Little Demon Shikigami Bell remaining.
To use the Ogiwara Clan Command Banner would cost one point of soul strength, and not only did he lack enough, but summoning five hundred soldiers at once would make so much noise there’d be no need to explore further; he’d be discovered instantly.
In truth, compared to option three, option one would save more bell uses.
But Lin Xun strongly suspected option one was the game’s sick joke. Even if Senior Sister agreed, the rate of malice reduction would be far too slow, in the end, pretend grappling would become real grappling, and they’d both end up dead anyway.If the two of them entered together, the bell’s remaining uses might not be enough to cover them both. If they ran out before even reaching the statue, it would be over.
Lin Xun narrowed his eyes, suddenly struck by a cunning idea.
He set down his phone and, in reality, summoned Valkyrie.
Then he quietly explained his plan to her…
Once the blonde girl had memorized everything, he dismissed her manifestation and returned to the game.
[Tsukishiro Murasakiyo was pondering what to do next. That evil force was too powerful, even her amplified divine arts could not dispel it… when she saw your shikigami doll stride alone into the Main Hall.]
[She was about to reach out to stop it but then remembered the scene inside earlier, your shikigami doll did not seem to be affected by that evil power…]
[Tsukishiro Murasakiyo instantly understood your intention. She leaned close to your ear and whispered, ‘Benefactor, are you planning to have the shikigami doll explore the Main Hall?’]
[Seeing you nod, she finally relaxed and waited with you for the Valkyrie to return.]
[…]
[After a long time, the Valkyrie stepped out through the doors and appeared before you.]
[The Valkyrie shook her head at you repeatedly, she shook it three times in a row…]
This was the agreement Lin Xun had made with the Valkyrie beforehand: first, whether there were any usable items or chests in the Main Hall; second, whether there were any special events that could be triggered; and third, whether there were any clues about defeating the Great General.
The Valkyrie shaking her head three times meant that none of these things existed, inside the Main Hall there was only that corrupted divine statue.
“Don’t tell me I really have to go in personally to trigger the next part of the story…”
Lin Xun narrowed his eyes. For now, there was no other choice but to pick the third option.
He was just about to press the selection and venture in alone.
Then he suddenly remembered an item he hadn’t used in ages, the ‘Withered Flower of Evil.’
He opened the inventory and clicked on the item.
[Withered Flower of Evil (Special Item): …Using this item will absorb malice from a designated target, nourishing the Flower of Evil so it can keep growing.]
[Current Malice Reserve: 3%]
[When the Malice Reserve reaches 100%, the Flower of Evil will enter its next growth stage.]
[You took out a slightly shriveled black flower and reached your hand toward the Main Hall with it.]
[Black firelight mingled with candlelight streamed out through the door crack. The flower suddenly erupted with an invisible, tremendous suction, ceaselessly drawing the malice from the light as if swallowing rivers.]
[The suction was so immense it distorted and bent the malice-laden light, which flowed inexorably into the Flower of Evil, causing the flower to gradually become lush and radiant.]
[Absorbing malice…]
[Current Malice Reserve: 33%]
[You held the flower in your hand and tried stepping into the Main Hall…]
[Tsukishiro Murasakiyo had no time to stop you. She watched you walk inside and look toward the statue deep in the hall…]
[You displayed no abnormality whatsoever and even lifted the flower, waving to her and the Valkyrie to signal them to join you.]
[Tsukishiro Murasakiyo gritted her teeth and stepped in after you. The statue in the depths of the hall still stood there, but all the evil power was converging into the flower in your hand, unable to affect anyone else.]
[You led Tsukishiro Murasakiyo and the Valkyrie deeper into the Main Hall, swiftly approaching the statue…]
[Current Malice Reserve: 57%]
[…]
[Current Malice Reserve: 73%]
[The evil force on the statue flowed unceasingly. Even with the flower absorbing at full strength, it could only draw away a small fraction of the malice, but this was enough to allow you all to safely approach the statue…]
[You tried touching the statue but nothing happened.]
[Current Malice Reserve: 92%]
[…]
[Current Malice Reserve: 100%]
[The pitch-black karmic fire flickered among the tangled branches, seemingly stirred by the sudden thinning of malice!]
[In an instant, the black karmic fire transformed into a pure white flame, bright as resplendent glass!]
[You felt a moment of disorientation, and the scene around you shifted.]
[Before your eyes stretched an endless black ocean. The surface churned violently, tossing up colossal waves. Each wave that crashed down released billowing black mist.]
[You knew this black mist very well, it was an extraordinarily potent malice, the malice of the Extreme Delusional Evil Fruit itself!]
[You and Tsukishiro Murasakiyo hovered above the boundless black sea.]
[Yet you were not alone here. At the sea’s center blazed a tower of flame vast enough to boil the sky and ocean!]
[At times the fire shone with a brilliant glass-like radiance. Bathed in this light, all evil thoughts would quiet, and your mind would be clear and spotless.]
[At times it turned pitch-black, darker than the abyss. When its light touched you, endless malice would surge up, making you long to tear apart all living things and feast on their flesh.]
[At last, the flame held steady in a pale brilliance. A vast consciousness poured into your mind…]
[Child of the Old Gods, He knows that you were guided by Amaterasu to come resist the Evil God.]
[But it is all too late…]
[The Evil God has already sown the seeds of malice in the mortal realm. When the seeds blossom and bear fruit, the Evil God will become the only true god, and all things will fall under His dominion.]
[He and your Father God are nearly powerless to struggle further, and can no longer shelter Their people.]
[Now your only path is to slay the incarnations of the Evil God that walk the mortal world, to slow His devouring of all things…]
[The Evil God’s avatars are countless, scattered across every human kingdom. The one who rules this kingdom has already received a sliver of the Evil God’s power, becoming one of His incarnations.]
[But with your current strength, you will likely be unable to oppose Him.]
[You must find gods who have not yet been corrupted, so they can aid you in this purpose…]
[His remaining power is almost spent. He has little to give you.]
[Only the last vestige of divine grace, as encouragement for you…]
[The pale flame erupted, releasing a dazzling light that shone upon the world!]
[Steadfast Apostle, your current Oath status has changed!]
[‘Ancient Heavenly Enma’ has become your allied Oath Faction. The enemy Oath Faction remains the ‘Extreme Delusion Fruit!’]
[You have been granted the allied Oath Faction’s title: Enma’s Proxy.]
[Due to the recognition of the Ancient Heavenly Enma Oath Faction, your special attribute Calamitous Fallen Karmic Fire can now progress normally!]
[Your equipment Amateru Sakiina’s Harvest Sickle (Legendary+ grade) has been unsealed!]
[…]
[The towering, all-illuminating radiance dimmed and extinguished. The pale fire was gradually tainted by a visible darkness, Glazed Pure Fire was about to transform into Calamitous Fallen Karmic Fire…]
[You felt a moment of disorientation, and the scene around you shifted.]
[When you regained your senses, you were back inside the Main Hall…]
[At your side, Tsukishiro Murasakiyo was staring at you in shock. Then she came to herself, dropped to both knees, and bowed deeply, her voice reverent: ‘Benefactor, no, Lord Proxy!’]
[‘If you ever have need of me, I will gladly go through fire and water, never to decline unto death!’]