novelraw Chapter 184: The Golden Calamity Dragon's Ultimate Path, The Power of Rules!
Chapter 184: The Golden Calamity Dragon's Ultimate Path, The Power of Rules!
The Mental Landscape is the manifestation of one's Personal Reality.
However, Personal Reality is not exclusive to Magical Girls.
As long as one is human, or an individual with independent consciousness, they will possess their own Personal Reality.
It's just that the Personal Reality of a Magical Girl is particularly special, almost like a budget version of a Mind Seed.
Its growth potential and latent power are both remarkably considerable.
For Jiang Si, obtaining the power of a Magical Girl first could be said to have saved him many detours.
Witches also have their own Personal Reality, but the problem with witches lies in using Polluted Magic, making it difficult for their Personal Reality to influence the world.
He himself possessed a witch transformation, so he felt this particularly clearly.
This is also the biggest gap between witches and Magical Girls;
witches are practically locked into a ceiling.
There's simply no hope for any significant growth.In the Witch Association's research, this was also the greatest technical challenge.
In countless experimental records, as long as Polluted Magic was used, the effect of Personal Reality would become extremely minuscule.
This was precisely why that Magical Girl Killer couldn't affect witch transformations earlier.
And if Personal Reality cannot influence the world, it's impossible to obtain a Mental Landscape.
Moreover, the Disaster Control Bureau exercised extremely strict control over Mental Landscape trials.
The Witch Association didn't even know anything about it, lacking any experimental direction, let alone creating a witch with a Mental Landscape.
The Emperor of the Curse Realm might indeed be the world's first witch to possess a Mental Landscape.
And unlike the Heart Image Remnant of Great Emperor Mùjǐn, back then, to seal the Mirror Kingdom, the vast Mental Landscape swallowed many things from the Mirror Kingdom. As a result, although the remnant appeared intact externally later, internally, it was actually in a state of slow deterioration.
The Emperor's Mental Landscape was complete.
It contained the complete rules of her Personal Reality.
Although in terms of sheer scale, it was probably difficult to compare with a Great Emperor.
But when it came to influencing the world, in terms of rank, it likely wasn't far inferior to a Great Emperor.
In this quagmire utterly devoid of hope and miracles.
There was actually someone who could truly create the impossible.
Jiang Si acknowledged her purity.
Most importantly, as a witch's Mental Landscape, its essence was still Polluted Magic, which wouldn't conflict with the Calamity Dragon.
It was practically tailor-made.
This must be the so-called fate.
When the dragon breath vanished, the distant Living Planet remained unscathed.
Although its aura was formidable, even after merging with the Throne of the God of Apocalypse and Slaughter, according to the Azure Cloud Sect's classification, it was only at the level of an AAA-level Disaster Beast, the Lush Leaves realm.
The current strength of the Golden Calamity Dragon was ultimately still far inferior to Shion's.
To shatter a Living Planet with pure energy alone was still a pipe dream.
This Living Planet finally turned its head, locking its gaze onto it for the first time.
This was the future that had devoured worlds, the Disaster Beast named Death, casting its gaze upon it for the first time, as if waking from slumber.
Feeling the surging power within its scales, the Golden Calamity Dragon hesitated no longer.
Its thick, shimmering golden tail, carrying the momentum of a thousand jun, smashed towards the Living Planet with overwhelming force!
After switching to the Golden Calamity Dragon's body, the opposing Death Disaster Beast could finally keep up with its speed.
From within the planet, an equally massive tail extended, and two terrifying tails collided violently in the cosmos!
The Living Planet's tail was directly sent flying!
Meanwhile, the golden-yellow scales instantly split open, flesh torn. Even the blood, enhanced by the Divine Seal armor, was golden!
The splattered crimson-gold blood spread to the distant reaches of the cosmos. From afar, it looked like an endless, meandering Milky Way!
For a brief moment, the Golden Calamity Dragon felt a flicker of confusion.
Is my Calamity Dragon blood really made of gold?
Could it be sold for money...
However, this lapse in concentration lasted only a moment. The Living Planet immediately let out a roar.
Dense tentacles erupted from the Living Planet!
The Golden Calamity Dragon twisted its massive body, trying to dodge, but under the dense barrage of tentacles, its enormous form clearly couldn't avoid them all.
Hundreds of tentacles pierced through the dragon's body, even entangling the Golden Calamity Dragon.
Aging, blood loss, ruptured organs, misfortune, disease, poison...
Countless curses instantly flooded into the Golden Calamity Dragon's body.
In its previous Magical Girl form, this Living Planet had been suppressed to the point of near suffocation, utterly unable to unleash these abilities in time.
But now, the Golden Calamity Dragon's power was on par with its own, giving it the chance to wield its rule-based power.
The originally golden-yellow dragon scales turned dull and blackened by the curses, with some even beginning to fall off.
The Emperor stood upon the Calamity Dragon's head. The Golden Calamity Dragon's current body was so vast that she, standing on its head, was merely a drop in the ocean. The tiny girl spoke like a ghost:
"The rule power of Death is manipulating probability."
"Those curses are actually just amplifying a certain probability of human death. It can turn a one percent possibility into over ninety percent."
"That's why the Death Note is the highest-grade curse, because the Death Note is the most fundamental expression of its rule power."
A girl who originally possessed no curses absorbed the vast majority of the world's curses upon the Golden Throne.
For even a witch with a Mental Landscape, this was a guaranteed death sentence.
Lacking the Witch Association's technology, she could only sit upon the Golden Throne, maintaining her transformed state within her own Mental Landscape.
Even so, the curses from an S-level Disaster Beast, of a higher rank, still dragged her towards death.
From the multitude of curses, the Emperor found the most fundamental power of the Disaster Beast, condensed it, and crafted it into the Death Note.
And she used the Death Note's rules to suppress all the other curses.
This was why she could absorb the world's curses yet remain unaffected by them.
But now that Death, representing the Curse Realm, had awakened, Death, who held all the rules, could naturally control the effects and probabilities of the curses at will.
Making these curses effective even against beings already affected by Death's rules.
Seeing the Golden Calamity Dragon's form had even shrunk somewhat, the Emperor said with concern, "You should still transform into a Magical Girl. My power is ultimately still curse-based. There's no need to take this risk..."
"Why not have more confidence in yourself?"
The Golden Calamity Dragon's booming voice made the Emperor pause slightly.
"Not the Ultimate Path of the Supreme, not the Ultimate Path of Eternity, not the Heavenly Path of Origin, nor even the Complete Path of a World. It's merely the power of rules that can't even reach one hundred percent—a foolish celestial demon that cannot comprehend the true meaning of the Heavenly Numbers."
"Why should I transform!?"
"Just watch."
"My power, combined with your Mental Landscape."
Vast twin wings spread open, the golden dragon wings dazzling and brilliant!
"How does that not count as a Magical Girl!"
No need for appearance, no need for the nature of the power.
There isn't that much difference between Magical Girls and witches.
Ferocious or terrifying.
When faced with absolute despair and death, creating miracles and hope with immense courage and conviction...
Even as a Disaster Beast, even as a witch, one can still be a Magical Girl!
The myriad curses were completely absorbed by the dragon scales. The majestic throne, upon the dragon's head, transformed into a crown!
The Emperor stood within that brilliant, shimmering golden light, reaching out to feel the power that belonged to her.
She tilted her head back, as if hearing the shouts and cheers of thousands upon thousands.
The wishes of the masses transformed into glorious miracles. Within this ugly world, the most beautiful light bloomed.
So warm, so peaceful.
And so, the girl smiled faintly.
She sat down, gently stroking the dragon scales beneath her feet, murmuring, "So this... is what a Magical Girl is."
Even seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn't understand.
Even touching it with her own hands, she couldn't comprehend.
The white Holy Beast spent countless time and effort trying to teach and tell her about love and happiness.
Only at this moment did she truly feel it.
No need for effort, no need for force. A wish that naturally bursts forth from the depths of her heart.
Hoping all the curses in the world would vanish.
Hoping everyone could live safe and happy lives.
Leaning against the dragon horn, the Emperor pressed her forehead against the not-cold dragon scales.
Leaving only an unprecedented peace and satisfaction.
Faintly, she seemed to see that long-dead Holy Beast, smiling as it watched over her.
"That's right, just like that."
Faintly, the almost-forgotten voice of the Holy Beast, gentle and gratified:
"You just need to hold fast to your own wish."
"Use your Personal Reality to transcend the world."
"My Magical Girl."
The golden Calamity Dragon shone like a white-hot star.
Opening its maw, the golden crown rotated. Before the enormous dragon mouth, two massive golden magic circles unfolded.
The terrifying golden dragon breath passed through the magic circles, turning blood-red. The crimson dragon breath pierced through the Living Planet.
Continuously stripping away the myriad curses from Death's body!
Those curses that once clung to the Curse Realm like maggots in bone, that nightmare-like power...
Were completely stripped away by the rules of the Emperor's Mental Landscape, floating in the void!
Death's movements finally grew frantic. It opened its massive maw, madly trying to devour the surrounding curses, so much so that even the nearby comet fragments were swallowed along with them.
However, before it could absorb much, a golden claw smashed fiercely into its mouth.
The claw clamped tightly onto its lower jaw, trying to tear open the Living Planet's massive maw!
Just as its upper and lower jaws were torn apart, splattering jet-black blood, another sizable comet came speeding from the distance!
The Golden Calamity Dragon turned and whipped its tail, smashing the comet, but its tail was almost severed.
Seizing the chance to catch its breath, the Living Planet suddenly clamped its jaws shut, biting onto the Golden Calamity Dragon's claw, and viciously tore it off! Crimson-gold blood sprayed, like a waterfall!
"Be careful! Its rule power to change probability can pull in many comets!"
The Emperor also awoke from her tranquility, unable to stop herself from calling out a warning.
But she heard the Calamity Dragon sneer.
"Rule power? I have that too."
Absorbing the surrounding curses at close range, the Golden Calamity Dragon's originally mangled claw regrew, and even its severed tail grew back.
With several consecutive tail strikes, it sent the surrounding comet fragments shooting over, smashing into the Living Planet's body.
Then it grabbed a nearby broken comet and smashed it fiercely onto the Living Planet's head!
The Emperor watched, somewhat dazed, then asked in confusion, "What rule power did you use?"
I didn't see it? Could my level be too low?
Amidst Death's roars, the Golden Calamity Dragon chuckled lightly:
"Merely changing probability, how can it compare to the physical rule power of the Great Heavenly Venerable Fang Li, the Primordial Force Sage!"
With that, its claw slammed down on the Living Planet once more, smashing it to pieces again!
If you apply force, you can smash it. If you grab and swing it, you can hurl it away. If your strength is great enough, you can destroy its form.
This is the most formidable rule power under heaven!
Death, its aura diminished once more, seemed to remember something and let out a long, drawn-out screech.
The Golden Calamity Dragon charged at the Living Planet again, intending to shatter it, when a massive explosion suddenly erupted from behind!
Immediately after, a tremendous force contracted violently. A small black hole rapidly expanded from behind!
Half of the Golden Calamity Dragon's body was instantly torn apart!
However, this black hole wasn't just devouring the Golden Calamity Dragon;
it was swallowing the Living Planet as well!
This small black hole was far beyond what the current Golden Calamity Dragon and Living Planet could withstand.
The Living Planet struggled frantically, constantly using its rule power to make objects appear nearby to help it fly away, escaping the black hole's pull.
But before it could fly far, the Golden Calamity Dragon had already grabbed it by the neck, turning and flying towards the black hole instead!
For the Living Planet, manipulating probability to induce a black hole didn't mean it could control it, nor did it mean it could survive within the black hole.
Probability can only be changed if there's room for manipulation. Fixed probabilities cannot be altered!
Just as its allotted fate was exhausted, trying to use fate to deduce destiny could only lead to a predetermined death!
When the Golden Calamity Dragon dragged it close to the black hole, half its head was already being crushed by the black hole. Once they fell in, it would clearly be a mutual destruction.
Yet the Golden Calamity Dragon showed not the slightest intention of retreating.
Pressing down on the Disaster Beast, it charged towards the black hole. Until the very last second, the Living Planet finally retreated.
It rapidly changed the probability, making the black hole shrink, even about to disappear. The two cosmic leviathans flew past above the black hole, both with half their bodies shredded.
In the silent space, flesh and blood splattered, forming a zone of debris.
The Golden Calamity Dragon continued to absorb the curses and flesh falling from the Living Planet.
The Living Planet itself was also rapidly regenerating.
As an S-level Disaster Beast, it could not die. Even falling into a black hole would only mean being torn apart, requiring a longer time to regenerate.
But this terrifying beast beside it, constantly devouring the fragments it shed, seizing its power, life, and even its rule power...
From initially being slightly inferior, to now, the Living Planet couldn't even break free from the Golden Calamity Dragon's grip. It could only struggle helplessly, even biting the Golden Calamity Dragon's shoulder, resulting only in a spray of blood, unable to tear its body off!
Various meteorites came crashing towards the Golden Calamity Dragon, but it paid no heed, merely clutching the Living Planet as it sped forward!
The two giant beasts smashed through boulders along the way. Just as Death was about to break free...
The dragon claw completely covered Death's head.
Before Death could react, a tremendous force slammed onto its forehead, brutally ramming it into the surface of a scorching, giant fireball!
The giant beast, like cold water splashing into hot oil, emitted a sharp "Hiss—" sound!
It was a planet resembling a small sun. Though small, the scorching high temperature on its surface was no less intense!
Half of Death's head melted on the fireball's surface. Amidst a heart-rending shriek that shook the cosmos, the Golden Calamity Dragon's right claw also melted. It switched to its left claw, continuing to press Death's head, frantically grinding it against the surface of the giant fireball!
Amidst that slippery, sticky, yet also charred and gritty, teeth-grating sensation of friction, the Living Planet's flesh continuously sloughed off, melted, until the Golden Calamity Dragon's own claws also melted into the high-temperature surface!
But the Golden Calamity Dragon greedily devoured the power flowing from the Death Disaster Beast, its right claw rapidly regenerating.
It continued to press the Living Planet, grinding it against the high-temperature sphere.
As the rate of devouring grew faster and faster, the left claw regenerated quickly, the right claw regenerated quickly, alternating to keep the Living Planet firmly pressed against the high-temperature giant fireball, never loosening its grip.
"Sto... Death, you..."
Perhaps because it had devoured more and more, the roars of the Death Disaster Beast gradually became somewhat intelligible.
"I, we... Death, you... die, will, world, die..."
"Shut up."
The Golden Calamity Dragon sneered, pressing down hard on the Disaster Beast, its crimson-gold eyes filled only with the destructive intent of apocalypse and slaughter. "I am Death."
"None of you are."
Until all the Living Planet's flesh had been scraped away by the high temperature, the Golden Calamity Dragon greedily devoured the power surging from the Death Disaster Beast's body.
After completely absorbing Death, even the high temperature of the giant fireball could no longer melt its scales.
The Golden Calamity Dragon let out a deep, satisfied sigh. Closing its eyes, it could clearly sense the power and realm of the Golden Calamity Dragon rapidly increasing!
The immortality from Death—super-speed regeneration that didn't consume mana, the rule to slightly alter probability, including the power to spread curses.
All the Heavenly Numbers returned to its grasp!
However, the multitude of curse powers and the probability-altering rule rampaged uncontrollably within its body.
Just as it was about to suppress all these powers to absorb them slowly, the Golden Calamity Dragon's entire body of golden scales suddenly dimmed.
When the golden scales turned ash-gray, the Calamity Dragon also sensed something was wrong.
These powers were being drawn by the Curse Realm.
An aura of despair permeated everything. The entire world was rapidly annihilating, turning into formless gray-white.
This was the death of the old world.
The madly spreading ash-gray color caused the originally somewhat spacious cosmos to rapidly contract.
Until the entire cosmos was only as large as a piece of land like East China.
From a Small World, it downgraded into an independent space.
The Calamity Dragon heard the sigh from the Emperor.
Ash-gray Dregs drifted down like snow, rendering everything silent and still.
The Incubator wasn't lying to them about this point.
However, the Calamity Dragon wasn't particularly interested in this.
Because that ash-gray power was spreading within its body, continuously eroding its dragon form.
The Calamity Dragon's power was gradually vanishing amidst the withering...
"Boss!"
Then came a voice it hadn't heard in a long time.
"Save me! Boss!"
Waste Nascent Soul.