Doomsday Jigsaw Puzzle

Chapter 298: Chapter 102: Angel and the Wildfire

The black substance in the Soul-Devouring Swamp is a highly concentrated mixture of resentment and various negative emotions.

It possessed immense assimilation capabilities and slowly eroded Away’s Inner World.

Even Bai Wu, who might be able to isolate the conscious harm brought about by these black substances, was still unable to absorb them.

Jing Wu originally thought that he had an unbeatable position, at least the Jing Family’s tactics were unresolvable in the spirit world.

But this time... Jing Wu showed a horrified expression.

This was also the first time he felt a twinge of panic during the current confrontation.

The crimson Karmic Fire could actually burn his Soul-Devouring Swamp! Although it wasn’t absorbed by the phantasmal red house, the flames seemed to have a life of their own, spreading relentlessly, soon making the black swamp seem as though it was carpeted in red.

Countless whimpers and wails filled the land, as if the spirits within the black substance were screaming in agony from the burning of the Karmic Fire.

The burning of the Karmic Fire caused the black tide to begin dissipating at a rate visible to the naked eye.

There was no cry from the phoenix in the sky, but witnessing Zero, or rather Bai Wu, approaching with an endless surge of fire... it was as if he was looking at a phoenix.

For the first time, Jing Wu thought that he needed to dodge Zero’s attack.

He wasn’t afraid of that blaze, yet he had to admit that his own powerful Soul-Devouring Swamp was being suppressed by those flames.

After barely dodging Zero’s strike at a breakneck speed, both Zero and Jing Wu felt the gap between them.

The red house opened, and from the skeletal body burst forth Karmic Fire, the strategies Jing Wu used to weaken Zero were disintegrated.

However, the gap in strength between Jing Wu and Zero remained unchanged.

But Jing Wu also understood that the longer the fight went on, the stronger Zero would become!

He could not let this continue to happen.

"Rising up time and again, you’re but an ant! Killing you seems never-ending! Damn it, damn it! Zero! I will kill you!"

A crack opened on Jing Wu’s forehead. Zero sensed that it was about to do something and once again charged forward!

Zero’s crimson figure was like a comet streaking through the night sky, but as he approached Jing Wu, he was hindered by a powerful black barrier!

A "horn" grew from the crack on Jing Wu’s forehead, a purplish-black horn coated with a shimmering luster. He looked the same as before, but his aura had doubled in strength!

Bai Wu couldn’t imagine that Jing Wu had still been holding back under these circumstances.

But soon Zero’s consciousness corrected him.

"No, it didn’t hold back; it just entered some kind of overload state, planning to use a powerful technique to devour us for a short duration!"

Zero’s judgment was correct, even faced with a weakened Zero, Jing Wu didn’t hold back his strength.

But he also had methods that could amplify his own strength once used, although it meant that it would accelerate his own consumption.

But he was too leery of Zero recovering to his peak strength; he had to stop Zero’s recovery no matter what!

"Extreme Release!"

The horn on Jing Wu’s forehead grew increasingly prominent, and his eyes turned a pure white.

A most peculiar aura began to spread. Suddenly, the world was filled with a thick black fog.

"Stop it!" Bai Wu shouted forcefully.

Bone grew in a spiraling fashion along Zero’s arm, eventually taking the form of a bone spear.

But the growth rate began to slow, lengthening the preparation time for this ability.

"My power... has dropped again..."

The spiral-shaped bone spear burst forth with red flames, launching an assault on the black barrier!

It was like a crimson arrow striking a black shield. The barrier was too thick, and Zero was continually unable to break through this black shield!

Jing Wu made no mocking gesture at Zero this time.

The Extreme Release state was a huge burden for him, causing his domain to expand rapidly. It also continually made the space fill with more and more intense resentment and negative emotions.

The black tide that the Karmic Fire had originally burned was expanding even faster than it was being consumed, and soon the streets of Mechanical City were covered with a layer of black liquid that submerged ankles.

And the black mist in the air, in just half a minute, reduced visibility significantly.

Zero’s strength, originally improving due to the burning off of negative emotions by the Karmic Fire, was being suppressed once more.

Seeing the scene before him, Bai Wu felt this scenario was somewhat familiar.

"It’s Jing Si..." Zero reminded Bai Wu.

Bai Wu also instantly recalled the memory.

Extreme Release state was a special state for members of the Jing Family, one in which they continuously released resentment and negative emotions.

Normally, someone like Jing Wu would not enter this state, because it consumed too much physical energy.

But Jing Si was different; his body was in a state of Extreme Release all year round.

Even more, if Jing Si did not deliberately contain himself, the effects of Extreme Release would keep on expanding.

This was also why, during Jing Si’s Heart Exploration Journey, scientists said that an out-of-control Jing Si would continuously turn the surrounding creatures into Evil Fallen.

Because getting close to Jing Si meant being infected by intense negative emotions.

Jing Si was like a source of contamination.

And now, Jing Wu was entering that very state of Jing Si. While for Jing Si, the Extreme Release state was as natural as breathing to the extent that he had to hold his breath to prevent those around him from being affected by the negative emotions and resentment,

Jing Wu had to expend a great deal of physical strength to enter this state.

But Zero and Bai Wu had to admit...

Even if they absorbed all the negative emotions from that cloud of worry suspended over their head for seven hundred years to transform it into Red Lotus Karmic Fire, it could never outpace the speed at which Jing Wu released the black substance.

The whole Inner World had regained its color after great difficulty, but now it had turned into a gray, dim world again.

And as Jing Wu’s Extreme Release continued, the black barrier that stood between Bai Wu and Zero grew thicker and thicker.

Their offensive methods were no longer able to cope with Jing Wu.

Jing Wu’s voice came through:

"Extreme Release will leave me in a weakened state, I must admit, Zero, your trump card today has given me trouble! But this is where it ends!"

"You will ultimately be overwhelmed by the black tide, your body’s Red Flame may be strange, but it’s too weak. I will kill you when your body is at its weakest limit! That is your only end!"

The black substance in the heavens and the earth grew more and more intense.

And in the Mechanical City below, the spread of the Soul-Devouring Swamp accelerated, and in the city’s streets, the black liquid had already risen above people’s knees.

This highly erosive black liquid was slowly swallowing up the city.

Zero’s body became increasingly weaker.

Bai Wu realized that mere flames like these might work against the Lake God, but they were far from enough against Jing Wu in an Extreme Release state...

Bai Wu also felt Zero’s power, everything Jing Wu did was, in fact, to weaken Zero.

He had launched such a prolonged attack on the weakened Zero, but had never completely killed him.

But if Zero couldn’t recover to his peak state... there was no hope of winning this battle.

"The strength of this fire is not enough, but... there are not many negative emotions left to absorb," Zero’s voice carried a hint of regret.

Zero, who kept colliding with the black barrier, watched as his wings gradually shrank, the giant phoenix that had been vibrant just before was now listless.

In his state of Extreme Release, it seemed there was nothing Jing Wu could do.

But he didn’t need to do anything, because Zero’s power was declining too fast.

When the city was completely engulfed by the black substance, Zero would no longer exist.

The distant Bai Wu, connected to Zero and feeling the black tide that had already reached his waist, suddenly thought of something:

"If the negative emotions that gathered on you over seven hundred years are not enough, then draw from the entire Mechanical City! Absorb those of the Hishou disease-infected!"

Zero was stunned.

"Absorb the negative emotions of the infected?"

It was something Zero could indeed do, but he had never considered this idea before.

Because before merging with Bai Wu, this act would have been tantamount to exacerbating his own Hishou disease infection.

But now it was different. Although Bai Wu couldn’t absorb the black substance of Jing Wu, he could absorb the negative emotions of himself and everyone in Mechanical City.

Those infected with the Hishou virus were essentially an unending source of Karmic Fire!

As long as they relied on them! Perhaps there was still a chance in this battle!

Hope surged in Zero’s eyes, but it quickly dimmed.

He realized he had done something that dug his own grave. Eighty percent of the Hishou virus-infected had been dispatched by him to the underground city in the South District... for execution!

It was likely that by this time, these infected were already crushed under the collapsed ground, their cores already shattered.

It felt as if a way had suddenly appeared to cross the chasm, but that path had suddenly collapsed.

But Zero had no time for despair, even if only twenty percent of the infected were left, he had to try!

Just as Zero set about to do this, an unimaginable expression appeared on his face.

At the same time, Bai Wu, whose information was synchronized with Zero’s, also revealed the same expression.

A miracle that neither of them could have anticipated occurred in the South District.

...

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South District.

"Bai Xiaoyu, have you lost your mind!"

Not long before, members of the Anti-virus Guard Team had locked all the infected individuals into the massive sewer city.

It was awaiting the rage tide, which would destroy this area, causing all the infected to be forever submerged under the enormous earth stones, thus ensuring Mechanical City’s peace during the rage tide to the greatest extent.

The reasoning of the Anti-virus Guard Team was not flawed.

But just as they were about to go through with it, Bai Xiaoyu stood in front of the Anti-virus Guard Team members.

"Don’t do this! Please, I beg you, don’t do this!"

Yan Zizai couldn’t believe that this person who had lived for more than seven hundred years would behave in such an infantile manner.

The members of the Anti-virus Guard Team were overwhelmingly powerful, with their massive weaponry aimed at Bai Xiaoyu, even the Endless Nirvana would be unable to recover if his entire body was instantaneously destroyed by their terrifying force.

"Come back! You idiot!" roared Yan Zizai.

A member of the Anti-virus Guard Team said:

"Please do not interfere with our official duties. Warning, please leave immediately or you will be eliminated along with the others."

Just minutes ago, Bai Xiaoyu and Yan Zizai both received S-class missions, to provide support in the East City District.

But looking at those afflicted by the Lau virus, entering the sewer city of the South District as if walking into an execution ground, Bai Xiaoyu made a decision that Yan Zizai couldn’t imagine.

Bai Xiaoyu gave up the S-class mission, pleading with Yan Zizai to rescue those infected.

This undoubtedly seemed like an act of extreme foolishness. Not to mention what these infected would do to the city once the rage tide arrived.

Just the act of attempting to rescue these infected, facing the fearsome Anti-virus Guard Team, already seemed foolish enough to Yan Zizai.

If Bai Wu was here, he would certainly scold Bai Xiaoyu, too.

Yan Zizai refused on the spot, but Bai Xiaoyu was determined like never before.

Incredibly, he ran alone to face the members of the Anti-virus Guard Team who were about to destroy the sewer.

"Come back! Come back! Bai Xiaoyu, do you want to die?" Yan Zizai shouted angrily.

Bai Xiaoyu himself didn’t understand why he was so persistent.

All these days, he had been observing the Mechanical Race of Mechanical City. Although Lord Yan always said that they were just a bunch of mechanical monsters, not real living beings, Bai Xiaoyu didn’t think so.

Facing the massive destructive firepower, Bai Xiaoyu grew fearful.

Listening to the warnings from the Anti-virus Guard Team, he was terrified, his face streaked with tears, but he didn’t back down.

He spoke as if he knew he was about to die, as if uttering his last words:

"They... all have souls, my lord, they are all alive!"

Yan Zizai was ready to activate Bipolar Transposition. In the necessary moment, he would replace the Anti-virus Guard Team, even though Bai Xiaoyu’s actions were foolish. He didn’t want this person, who despite being very old was also very naïve, to die.

"Didn’t Bai Team say it, my lord? The captain will find a way to break the Lau virus, then they will all become normal people! If they die now... deep inside, they must also be very unwilling!"

"What do you think you are? A savior?" Yan Zizai said furiously.

The members of the Anti-virus Guard Team issued another warning.

Bai Xiaoyu, with tears in his eyes, said:

"I don’t have the abilities... to save the world... that’s something only you and Bai Team can do. I just want to save some insignificant people like myself..."

"I’m not stupid, my lord. I just don’t want to see them die so unwillingly!"

"Seven hundred years ago, the purpose of my life was to save others. Back then, I had to go through various organ transplant surgeries every day. Liver, kidneys, even my heart and brain were constantly being removed and regrown... I hovered on the brink of death daily.

I had no happy childhood. I envied Dandelion for having parents who loved him, envied that people around him loved him..."

"I also wanted to be liked and remembered, only... later I realized no one liked me, and no one remembered me."

Yan Zizai was stunned. He suddenly realized that this kid wasn’t messing around—he truly wanted to save those Mechanical Race beings, which might not even be considered living.

So he probably really thought he was going to die... was he delivering his last words?

Could there really be someone so foolish in this world?

Constantly having organs removed... just because of Endless Nirvana?

"But... I actually don’t regret it. Because there are so many things in life that can’t go as we wish. Even though no one likes me... no one remembers me, at least I saved those people. At least I once saved Dandelion!"

"Just thinking about those happy people that I saved also makes me really happy!"

Perhaps it was exactly because Bai Xiaoyu always maintained such purity that even Evil Fallen such as Dandelion always saw him as the sanctuary of his heart.

"I want to save them, I know I am weak and not a savior, but I still want to save them! Because this was the only value of my life seven hundred years ago... Just thinking about these people’s desire to survive... I really can’t help but care!"

Yan Zizai felt something inside him crumbling.

So, there really were such people in this world...

This coward, clearly so scared that he was trembling, covered in tears and snot, as wretched as one could be.

Yet, when it came to upholding his will, he appeared utterly brave. It had been so for ten years, a hundred years...

And presumably, it would continue to be so for seven hundred years or even longer.

As if a knot in his heart suddenly unraveled, Yan Zizai exhaled a cloud of turbid air:

"Forget it, I’ll just accompany him in his foolishness this one time. The destruction of this city has nothing to do with the interests of the Yan Family! Let’s just consider it accompanying his foolishness!"

In the merciless moment when the Anti-virus Guard Team was about to open fire, Yan Zizai made a decision that he deemed foolish yet was unable to refuse.

"Bipolar Transposition!"

The figures of the Anti-virus Guard Team members suddenly disappeared.

Bai Xiaoyu, who was surprised to see Yan Zizai appearing in front of him, turned his crying into smiling, exclaiming in surprise:

"My lord!"

"I didn’t save them."

Yan Zizai, with his back to Bai Xiaoyu, was warily watching the member of the Anti-virus Guard Team.

What he didn’t know was that the decision he considered "foolish" from Bai Xiaoyu unexpectedly became the key to reversing the entire situation of the battle.

In the Inner World, witnessing this scene, Zero couldn’t imagine that there could be someone so kind, so twistedly kind, in this world.

Bai Wu had said before that twisted goodness is still twisted, and there was something somewhat pathological about Bai Xiaoyu’s kindness.

But this time... this angelic boy had created a miracle.

In the huge sewer of the South District, the enraged Mechanical Race, because of the incoming surge, suddenly fell silent.

At the same time, those criminals committing crimes in the streets and the unconfined infected who were continually unleashing their fury also abruptly stopped in their tracks.

In the Inner World, behind Zero, black conductive wires kept emerging, thousands of them connecting those shadow-like black souls in the Inner World.

In reality, the eyes of all these Mechanical beings displayed the state of data linkage.

The entire city seemed to freeze in an instant!

Only the Core City Temple radiated light that grew hotter and hotter.

In the Inner World, the fire phoenix that kept striking the black barrier in the sky had initially wilted.

But as the massive and seemingly endless surge of negative emotions poured into the red house,

The Karmic Fire suddenly grew stronger again, the blood-red flame like wings, rapidly enveloping Zero in their embrace.

The dense black fog that shrouded the entire city... under the Karmic Fire... became thinner... and even more tenuous.

With the giant phoenix’s impact, Zero finally created cracks in the black barrier!

The protracted battle was finally drawing to its conclusion.

Jing Wu, amazed at the black barrier that was about to shatter, was filled with bewilderment—

How exactly could one kill this mechanical monstrosity?

Why time and again... could he always rise from the ashes?

All of a sudden, Jing Wu seemed to remember something but it was already too late...

Beneath the crimson Karmic Fire were those white bones, he looked at those bones and finally understood why they seemed familiar.

Back on Black Gold Island, he had seen the same kind of white bones.

He had once invited the owner of those bones! And he had also invited that human-turned-Evil Fallen to explore the disappeared cruise ship.

The black barrier completely shattered, the mighty phoenix that rushed forward flapped its wings, sweeping across with boundless Karmic Fire.

In the entire Inner World, all the black substance was slowly turned to nothing under the sweep of the Karmic Fire.

The bone spear imbued with Karmic Fire finally penetrated Jing Wu’s body, and Jing Wu’s gaze rested on Zero but also on Bai Wu.

It finally understood everything...

"So it was you! The greatest threat turned out to be you, Bai Wu!"