Chang Li Yao had barely caught his breath after defeating the Tiger General when the sky above the Purple Heaven Palace darkened unnaturally. Clouds twisted into ominous spirals, and a bone chilling aura swept across the mountains.
From the blackened sky descended a figure cloaked in shadow, wings like jagged blades, eyes glowing crimson. The air itself seemed to resist his presence.
Demon Saint: "Chang Li Yao… your fame spreads even to the depths of the Nether Realm. Today, you will kneel before me."
Chang Li Yao rubbed his temples. "Seriously? Can a guy catch a break for five seconds? I just got done with the Tiger General!"
[System Notice: Demon Saint Encounter Detected. Extreme Threat Level. +50 Breakthrough Points]
[Automatic Realm Breakthrough Triggered: Primordial Stage to True Primordial Stage]
"Nooo!" Chang Li Yao shouted as his body surged with power yet again. The laws of the universe folded around him: space warped beneath his feet, lightning danced across his arms, elemental forces stirred at his command.
He groaned. "Why does every fight have to make me stronger? I just want… quiet… peaceful… life.
The Demon Saint roared and struck, wings slicing the air like scythes. Chang Li Yao leapt, barely dodging, and realized he couldn't rely on brute force. The Demon Saint's aura was crushing, forcing comprehension beyond normal limits.
Divine Might… Purple Bamboo Bloodline… think, think!
He manipulated space to create duplicates of himself, confusing the Demon Saint. Simultaneously, he sent lightning-infused bamboo spikes at the enemy, barely grazing the Saint but enough to distract. Each instinctive move triggered the system:
[Breakthrough Points Gained: 40]
[Automatic Realm Breakthrough Triggered: True Primordial to Heavenly Dao Stage One]
"Ugh, I hate this," Chang Li Yao groaned as his body glowed faintly purple, new laws whispering in his mind. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't even want to leave Great Completion!"
The battle raged on. Using a combination of space, five elements, lightning, and death laws, Chang Li Yao gradually gained the upper hand. He realized that direct combat was dangerous, but indirect strategies were perfect for forcing the enemy into mistakes.
Finally, he exploited a fragment of the battlefield a small crater containing a Heavenly Dao Fragment, pulsing with primordial energy.
System Notice: Heavenly Dao Fragment Detected. Collecting will yield +100 Breakthrough Points
Chang Li Yao hesitated. Collect it, and I'll be even stronger… but probably closer to Hong Mang World. Do I dare?
"I guess… I have no choice," he muttered, snatching the fragment. Energy surged, and his body underwent another unwanted breakthrough.
[Automatic Realm Breakthrough Triggered: Heavenly Dao Stage One to Heavenly Dao Stage Two]
The Demon Saint stumbled back, shocked at his sudden defeat. Chang Li Yao used the momentum to escape, muttering complaints about the system as he soared over the mountains.
"Fantastic. I just fought a Demon Saint, got stronger against my will, collected Heavenly Dao fragments, and I'm still terrified of Hong Mang World. Perfect!"
Yet, even as he complained, a subtle thrill ran through him. He could feel his potential growing, his comprehension of the universe deepening. If he played his cards right, he might collect all the fragments and perfect the Primordial World… without fully succumbing to the system.
He landed on a cliff overlooking a serene valley, finally sitting down to catch his breath. The sky was calm now, but he knew it wouldn't last long.
[System Hint: Uncollected Heavenly Dao Fragments Detected Across Realms. Continuing collection will force additional breakthroughs.]
Chang Li Yao groaned audibly. "Yeah, yeah, I get it… universe. You want me to grow. Fine. I'll play… but on my terms."
And so, with frustration, cunning, and just a hint of mischief, Chang Li Yao began his reluctant path toward absolute power all while trying desperately to avoid the lonely desolation of Hong Mang World.