Chapter 636: Into the Tiger's Mouth

Chapter 636: Chapter 588: Into the Tiger’s Mouth

Shi Ming was right.

Xiaobai’s body was only at the Holy Hall level. It was already at its limit serving as a vessel for a Nirvana Powerhouse; to contain the source of a higher-order “ancient evil” was indeed pushing its limits.

This body was now at its breaking point.

Faint cracks had appeared in the thorny patterns on her snow-white skin. This meant her body could only last for half a year at most, perhaps even less. If Sinful Heaven couldn’t find a solution before then, its source—having lost both the Colorful Insect, its original body, and Xiaobai, its temporary one—would be left without a vessel and become unstable.

The worst-case scenario was that the two sources would separate again, each developing its own consciousness, splitting Sinful Heaven in two.

This was something no ancient evil could accept.

…

…

…

“Sinful Heaven is nothing but a bygone failure.”

“Remember my venerable name. I am [Three Paths Heaven]—the embodiment of pain, the symbol of sin, the agent of calamity.”

Hundreds of dark green thorns coiled up from beneath the throne, clinging to “Xiaobai’s” ankles and legs. They snaked upward, blooming into flowers at their tips. The alien queen sat upon her throne, stroking a rose that had grown from her palm as if playing with a pet.

“Heh.”

“This member of the Star Spirit Race… in her fragmented memories, you do indeed exist. I have seen the path you traveled, your journey, even your home world—a planet like pure crystal. It has just been freed from suffering but has yet to give birth to true sin. It is a land waiting to be developed.”

“Although they are only fragments,”

“I’ve already grown fond of the place.”

“But compared to that planet, it is your body that fascinates me most. Young, powerful, and full of vitality—immeasurably stronger than the body of this weak Star Spirit. If there is a possibility of cooperation between us, then that is the most tempting bargaining chip you possess.”

The alien calling itself [Three Paths Heaven] spoke with an arrogant, lofty voice.

An imperceptible flicker of fire flashed in Shi Ming’s eyes.

‘Courting death.’

But he also subtly suppressed the display of his power.

The last time he parted ways with Xiaobai, Shi Ming’s strength was only at the Sealed King level. It was inevitable that this alien queen would underestimate him. She didn’t yet know that the Flower of Malevolence, the embodiment of evil thoughts and corruption, had just died at Shi Ming’s hands. Its corpse wasn’t even cold.

‘Soon, she’ll be following that dead Flower of Malevolence.’

…

…

…

The Sword in the Stone finished charging its power.

[Zero] and [Chord] were readied simultaneously. Just as Shi Ming was about to combine the three techniques and purge the sin with his power, a few frames from destiny flashed before his eyes.

They were from the future.

After his Eye of Destiny was promoted to the Eye of the Divine, his ability to foresee the future had also been enhanced. Now, when Shi Ming received a revelation from destiny, he could roughly sense when the vision would occur and analyze more information from it.

The vision before him was from 31 days in the future.

In the vision, the ancestral land of the Star Spirit Race was torn open, creating a connection to the entire Star Sea. Two powerful figures stepped through the rift into the ancestral land, bringing with them a blazing killing intent and unstoppable corruption.

One figure was that of a powerful man.

The lines of his body were violent and rigid, like a natural-born weapon of slaughter.

The other figure’s gender was indiscernible.

Yet it was like an incarnation of beauty. Merely looking at its silhouette evoked a sense of endless wonder and joy, making one involuntarily want to become immersed in it.

Just these two figures alone exhibited a realm and oppressive presence that surpassed the “Xiaobai” who called herself “Three Paths Heaven.”

It also surpassed the former Flower of Malevolence.

Complete-form ancient evils.

Two of them.

…

…

…

‘Complete-form ancient evils have already been born in the Sea of Chaos?’

The Flower of Malevolence and the [Three Paths Heaven] before him were not true ancient evils. This was especially true for the Flower of Malevolence, which had been recuperating alone in the Sea of Chaos, far from the Star Sea; its strength was likely the weakest. But true, fully evolved ancient evils… four of them could rival a god in their prime. While two ancient evils certainly couldn’t match a god, they were still not something the current Shi Ming could handle.

‘Should I kill Three Paths Heaven as quickly as possible and absorb its power?’

‘But even with that kind of boost, it’s not certain I could become strong enough to match two ancient evils within a month.’

…

…

…

In a flash of thought, Shi Ming made his decision.

He put away the Sword in the Stone.

A smile touched his lips. His powerful Spiritual Power formed a barrier, blocking the Colorful Insect’s ability to perceive the outside world. After all, it couldn’t be allowed to hear the conversation that was about to take place.

“Three Paths Heaven,”

“You’re not the first creature to have such an idea. But, compared to this body of mine, there is a far more suitable vessel for you… You may have reached the King level, but the ancestors of the Star Spirit Race once used a divine treasure, the [Wishing Star of All Worlds], to make a wish. They suppressed the backup source of the former Sinful Heaven and its new body separately. That new body, after losing its power, gave birth to a new consciousness.”

“It is the most suitable vessel for your revival.”

Without missing a beat, Shi Ming betrayed the Colorful Insect once again.

He raised his right hand.

A power of myriad colors coalesced in his palm. This was precisely the skill from the Colorful Insect: [Bicolored Celestial Calamity].

Sensing this power, the condescending queen shot up from her throne of thorns.

She had seized Xiaobai’s body but hadn’t inherited all of her memories. She only knew a few tiny scraps of the past from fragmented pieces. But now, this [Bicolored Celestial Calamity]—sharing the same origin as her but from a different branch—was undeniable proof of Shi Ming’s words!

‘No matter how good another’s body is, can it really compare to the original?’

“So, interested in cooperating?”

“You lend me your power to make me stronger, and I’ll return your original body to you. How about it?”

…

Three Paths Heaven snorted, but the thorns coiled around her body retracted.

“My power is not so easily controlled.”

Shi Ming extended his right hand.

“Give me everything you’ve got.”

“I’m extremely resilient in that regard.”

Three Paths Heaven considered it for a long time.

In the end, it decided this was a worthwhile deal.

The thorns spread downward, forming a series of steps. Vivid flowers bloomed upon them. Three Paths Heaven walked on those thorny steps, crossing the void one step at a time until she was before Shi Ming.

“You have a lot of nerve.”

“If you insist, then I shall grant your wish.”

“Open your body and mind. Accept me.”

She extended her right hand and gripped Shi Ming’s. A surging power flowed from her heart of thorns, beginning with a single drop of source blood. Then, more power flooded into Shi Ming’s right arm like a bursting dam.

Hmph.

‘Since you, a mere human, are overestimating yourself and want my power, I will indulge you.’