567: Flowers in the World, Assassination in the City (54k words)

After the ghost-like figure finished laughing, it leisurely asked the burly figure, "Then, City Lord, how much time do you need to prepare?"

"Thirty years!" The burly figure's voice was chillingly cold. "I need at least thirty years to prepare to ensure there are no mishaps!"

"Thirty years? That's not short." The ghost-like figure muttered, but didn't say anything more, only adding, "Then thirty years it is."

As the words fell, the ghost-like figure vanished from the underground secret chamber on the spot. The burly figure slowly walked out.

Yes, that's right. He was the current City Lord of Yun Que City, Bo Shi.

His face was just as rugged as his physique. At this moment, traces of coldness appeared on that rugged face.

"Hmph, Bone Bloom, if it weren't for... how could I, the City Lord, allow you to be so presumptuous!" Bo Shi snorted coldly in his heart.

The ghost-like figure who had been secretly talking to him was naturally the leader of Bone Bloom, Bone Bloom.

Although he had received many benefits from Bone Bloom over the years, Bo Shi had no good feelings toward Bone Bloom in his heart.

After all, the more benefits one took, the greater the leverage naturally became.

Although Bone Bloom had called him City Lord repeatedly just now, the faint hint of threat still made Bo Shi very unhappy.

But soon, he suppressed this emotion and looked toward the high-end residential area, a strange glint flashing in his eyes: "Lin Yang..."

Time passed, and time flew like an arrow. Before he knew it, thirty years had passed.

On this day, Lin Yang temporarily stopped his power cultivation and opened his eyes.

"The absorption by the World has finally stopped."

"For thirty whole years, the vast majority of the resource power I absorbed was taken away by the 'World'..." A look of helplessness appeared in Lin Yang's eyes.

Originally, according to his plan, he should have been able to smoothly advance to the second level in thirty or forty years, and then spend the remaining fifty or sixty years advancing from the second level to the third level.

But the current situation was that not long after he started his seclusion, the power he absorbed and converted was basically all sucked away by the "World". And this absorption rate was as high as ninety percent!

Yes. Ninety percent! He could only keep ten percent of the power he absorbed from the resources, and the remaining ninety percent was all sucked away by the "World".

This resulted in him still being at the first level now. This was a bit of a mess. Because, in these thirty years, he had used up nearly eighty percent of his resources!

Originally, these resources were enough for him to absorb for about a hundred years. But because of the "World's" inexplicable absorption, only thirty years had passed, and the massive amount of resources he had previously prepared were already almost gone.

Even though the "World" had now stopped absorbing, the remaining resources were not enough for him to break through to the third level. Even, let alone the third level, even breaking through to the second level might be a bit difficult.

And without these resources, it meant he had to go get another two billion or so mirror ruins coins to buy more. Otherwise, he would have to rely on absorbing spiritual power to slowly improve.

But two billion mirror ruins coins... that wasn't so easy to get! Don't look at how he had previously looted several Bone Bloom Squads and obtained nearly one billion. But that kind of situation would not happen again.

Whether it was Bone Bloom or other underground forces, after that, every time they finished looting, they would immediately transfer their wealth into the city. So, wanting to rely on looting underground forces outside the city to quickly accumulate two billion in wealth was not that easy.

"World, oh World, you absorbed nearly four billion of my resources; I hope you won't let me down..." Lin Yang sighed, then, feeling both nervous and expectant, began to actively invoke the power of the "World". He wanted to see if the "World" had any new abilities after absorbing so many resources!

Hum. The next instant. The power of the World spread out. "Hmm? There's actually no unique change?" Lin Yang frowned.

This wasn't because he had high expectations, nor was he being greedy, thinking that the "World" must have new changes after absorbing a large amount of resources. It was because this time, the "World" had actively stopped absorbing. Therefore, he felt that the "World" might have some unique changes.

As for there being no changes now, although Lin Yang was a little disappointed, he quickly adjusted his mood. The power of the World had helped him too many times; even if there were no new changes after absorbing so many resources this time, it didn't matter. He would just treat it as a reward for the "World".

It was just that he had a headache about how to quickly get another two billion mirror ruins coins. Without reaching the third level, his power was ultimately still lacking. The leader of Bone Bloom was a peak third-level cultivator who had accumulated many years of insight into Dao rhythm power. To kill the opponent, he must have sufficient certainty.

Lin Yang pondered, beginning to retract the power of the "World", intending to absorb the remaining twenty percent of resources and then come out of seclusion. But— "Hmm? Not right!" "That is..."

Suddenly. The moment Lin Yang retracted the power of the "World", the world before his eyes suddenly plunged into darkness. All the surrounding scenery vanished in an instant. There was only a flower. One. A blood-red flower. It instantly magnified before his eyes.

The blood-red flower bud bloomed layer by layer. In an instant, it had fully bloomed. An eerie red light flickered on the seven blood-colored petals. Then, the petals fell off one by one, leaving a trace of red light in the endless darkness before completely withering and dissipating. It was as if this blood-colored flower had never appeared.

Whoosh... Following that, it seemed like a breeze blew through the darkness. Then. The scene of the blood-red flower bud appearing just now began to repeat itself. The bud appeared, bloomed, and the petals fell off, withered, and dissipated. The whole process took only a few seconds. But every time the petals fell and dissipated, the scene of the bud appearing would reappear within less than a second. One time after another. It was as if it had fallen into some kind of loop.

In Lin Yang's eyes, there remained only that blood-colored flower that kept appearing, withering, and dissipating in a loop. Unknowingly. It had already looped at least ten thousand times. Lin Yang's eyes began to feel sore, and he even uncontrollably shed some tears. His gaze seemed to be forcibly locked onto the loop of that blood-colored flower. Under the stimulation of the eerie red light, his eyes began to be unable to bear it. But the loop of the blood-colored flower showed no signs of stopping.

Finally, Lin Yang's eyes could no longer bear it, and the darkness before him disappeared, leaving only a void. Crack. A sound like glass shattering abruptly rang out. The void in his vision also began to crumble inch by inch. Swish! The next second. A strong light pierced his eyes. The scene before him changed back to inside the Villa.

"Was that just now... an illusion...?" Lin Yang's head buzzed, and he couldn't quite tell if everything before him was real. Although it was the scene inside the Villa, scenes of the blood-colored flower looping would still flash before his eyes. It was like how ordinary people get floaters, where some black dots or shadows appear to drift before their eyes. The only difference was that what drifted before his eyes was that blood-colored flower.

"Hiss!" "So painful!" But immediately after, Lin Yang knew that everything just now was not an illusion. Because his eyes began to ache violently. This made him subconsciously close his eyes tightly. But after closing his eyes, not only did the blood-colored flower not disappear from his sight, but it flashed even more frequently in the darkness.

"What on earth is this?" Lin Yang endured the intense pain and invoked his life characteristic power to inject into his eyes, attempting to alleviate it. His heart was also puzzled to the extreme. How could he inexplicably see this blood-red flower, and it was still looping?

"Was it caused by the 'World'? Does this blood-colored flower have any meaning?" While alleviating the pain in his eyes, Lin Yang also began to think seriously. Based on his understanding of the 'World', anything related to this thing was not ordinary. This blood-colored flower appeared after he invoked the power of the 'World'. Even if it was just a few seconds of continuous looping, it must have some extraordinary significance. Lin Yang had a feeling that if he could grasp the significance of the blood-colored flower's appearance in a loop, he might have some unexpected gains. However, he currently had absolutely no clue.

Suddenly. "Host, the System has detected that you just entered a special Spirit Flash state. This is your first time entering this state. Do you need more specific guidance?" The System suddenly spoke. This made Lin Yang pause for a moment. Spirit Flash state? Guidance?

"System, explain more clearly." Lin Yang closed his eyes, vaguely understanding something in his heart.

"Host, the Spirit Flash state can currently be understood as a state where you are nearly experiencing an epiphany in the face of a certain Dao Method." "In this state, your comprehension and perception of Dao Methods will be greatly improved." The System explained. But these words caused stormy waves to rise in Lin Yang's heart.

"System, what did you say?" "This is a state of comprehension for a Dao Method?!" "???" Lin Yang was extremely shocked. A Dao Method. That was something that only those in the Dao Realm, at least the Transformation Dao Realm, could master! That was a Dao Method. Not a Dao Rhythm technique! Dao Rhythm technique and Dao Method only differ by one word. But in reality, they are things of two vastly different levels. Dao Rhythm is a product extracted from the truly complete Dao. It only has some rhythms and nuances of the complete Dao.

Although by comprehending Dao Rhythm, one can better and more easily perceive the existence of the "Dao" and improve one's true perception of the "Dao."

But the word "Rhythm" itself indicates that what is obtained through comprehending Dao Rhythm is merely a lower-level product of the "Dao."

It is like two similar things: one is a high-end version, and the other is a standard version.

No matter how much the standard version resembles the high-end version, it is only an image of its essence, not the high-end version itself!

The existence of Dao Rhythm is merely a shortcut for comprehending the complete Dao.

Dao Rhythm Methods, although also techniques contained within the complete Dao...

...are still a level or tier below true Dao Method in terms of power and capability.

And true Dao Method...

...is something that can only be mastered after grasping the complete Dao.

Only at the Transformation Dao Realm can one master the complete Dao!

But now...

What did the System say?

He is facing a state of comprehension for a Dao Method?

Is this definitely not a joke?

How could he possibly perceive the existence of a Dao Method?!

In other words, he shouldn't even be qualified to perceive the existence of the complete Dao's Dao Power right now!

Lin Yang was stunned.

But soon, he understood.

"Is it the 'World'?"

"That crimson flower was created by the power of the 'World'!"

"Could it be that the 'World' hides a Dao Method? Does it hide a power capable of allowing someone to directly face and see a 'Dao Method'?"

"Could that crimson flower be the manifestation of a Dao Method?"

Lin Yang was not only stunned but also trembling in his heart!

The 'World' is just too monstrous, isn't it?

"Host, you may need more precise guidance right now. This opportunity to comprehend a Dao Method is rare. The System suggests that you unlock the Myriad World Spirit Flash, enter the Spirit Flash Land, and strengthen your comprehension of this Dao Method."

"If successful, Host will have a high probability of mastering a Dao Method in advance."

The System gave its suggestion directly.

"Myriad World Spirit Flash?"

Hearing these four words, Lin Yang's eyes narrowed, and he said in shock:

"Could the Spirit Flash Land, which one visits after unlocking the Myriad World Spirit Flash, be a place where one can perceive Dao Methods??"

He was shocked again.

The Myriad World Spirit Flash he had obtained before was actually this useful?!

"Host, you can understand it that way for now. Please make a decision quickly; the System detects that the Spirit Flash state on you is gradually disappearing!"

The System urged him somewhat anxiously.

Clearly, being able to perceive a Dao Method was indeed a very, very rare opportunity.

Even the System was getting a bit anxious.

Regarding this, Lin Yang, of course, agreed to unlock it without any hesitation!

No joke!

This was an opportunity to comprehend a Dao Method!

Never mind fifty billion; even if he bet his entire current net worth, it would be worth it!

Before, when he first obtained the Myriad World Spirit Flash and heard the unlocking conditions, he had felt the price was excessively expensive and outrageously black-hearted.

But now, knowing the value of the Spirit Flash Land...

Lin Yang felt that even adding another zero would not be excessive!

Of course, having said that, if they really added another zero, he wouldn't be able to afford it...

"Understood, Host. The Myriad World Spirit Flash has been unlocked. Please be sure to note that you can only stay in the Spirit Flash Land for no more than thirty seconds. After thirty seconds, you will be immediately teleported out. Please cherish your time!"

As the System spoke, a force enveloped Lin Yang.

"Can only stay for thirty seconds??"

Lin Yang was stunned.

Although he knew the value of the Spirit Flash Land, only being able to stay for thirty seconds was really...

"It is indeed a good place!!"

In the second before being teleported, Lin Yang made such an exclamation.

He could only say that the Spirit Flash Land was indeed a good place; spending hundreds of billions of national treasure value to visit it for only thirty seconds!

Just from the comparison between the price and the duration of stay, one could see that the Spirit Flash Land was truly precious!

Swish.

With a blur before his eyes, Lin Yang didn't even have time to see what this Spirit Flash Land actually looked like.

The crimson flower, cycling continuously before his eyes, enlarged again in the darkness...

In an instant, thousands upon thousands of cycles passed by.

Lin Yang's eyes also began to ache, but this time he forcibly endured it, even using his fingers to hold his eyelids open, not daring to let his eyes close.

There was only thirty seconds of time; he had to seize every second!

Blood.

Also flowed from his eyes unconsciously.

But Lin Yang still did not dare to close his eyes.

One second, five seconds...

Ten seconds...

Twenty seconds...

Thirty seconds of time could be said to have passed in a flash.

Hum.

When the thirty seconds ended, Lin Yang's head buzzed again, the darkness before him vanished and shattered, and he saw light again.

He could no longer persist and instantly closed his eyes.

The stinging pain in his eyes spread throughout his entire body.

Even his life characteristic power could hardly alleviate it.

But at this moment, Lin Yang's heart was exhilarated!

Because, in the final few seconds, he had perceived the profound existence of a Dao Method!

Pfft!

Lin Yang pointed his finger, and a transparent, budding little flower condensed on his fingertip.

This transparent little flower looked far different from that crimson flower in terms of form, aura, and the degree of profoundness.

If one had to describe it, the crimson flower was like a noble "King of Flowers," while this transparent little flower was like an unknown wildflower by the roadside, exuding a sense of "cheapness."

But, Lin Yang was excited.

Because, this was a "Dao Flower"!

Although it didn't look like much right now, it was a technique that could grow along with the improvement of his strength and the deepening of his comprehension of the Dao!

This transparent flower could be said to be a low-level form of the crimson flower; one day, this transparent flower could also reach that form, or even be stronger.

"Go!"

Subsequently, Lin Yang tapped with his fingertip, and the transparent little flower bloomed slightly, sinking into the void of the Villa.

Hum hum hum.

In an instant, cracks appeared in the space, with signs of large-scale collapse.

"Such powerful strength!"

Lin Yang couldn't help but click his tongue.

How stable was the space of the Mirror Ruins Realm.

Previously, even when he fused with the power of the "World," it was very difficult for him to cut open spatial cracks, let alone collapse space.

But now, this transparent little flower caused this phenomenon just by releasing its power casually.

It was truly excessively strong!

Lin Yang even found it hard to estimate what kind of damage a single strike from this transparent little flower could cause to a powerhouse of the Boundary Realm.

Regardless, it would definitely be a one-hit kill.

"Too strong!"

Lin Yang was very pleasantly surprised.

A casual strike from this transparent little flower was stronger than the power of his full-force attack right now.

"Even if I haven't reached the third level yet, with the power of this technique, killing the leader of Bone Bloom will definitely be no problem!"

At this moment, Lin Yang also understood what it meant to find light at the end of the tunnel.

A moment ago, he was still having a headache because the "World" had absorbed his resources, leaving him unable to make a move against Bone Bloom.

But in the blink of an eye, he possessed power even stronger than if he had reached the third level.

How could this not make one happy?

"However..."

"The strength is strong, but the consumption is also very high; a single strike consumes almost eighty to ninety percent of my power reserves."

"It can only be used as a trump card; either I kill the opponent in one hit, or I am the one who dies."

After being happy for a while, Lin Yang quickly suppressed his emotions.

The power of this transparent little flower was outrageously strong, but the consumption was equally huge.

A casual strike would consume at least eighty to ninety percent of his power.

In other words, in his current peak state, he could only unleash one strike; if he couldn't kill the enemy in one hit, then he himself would be in danger.

"With such strong power, it's normal for the consumption to be high. I'll look for a more precise way to control this little flower's power consumption later; maybe I can reduce the consumption."

Lin Yang soon leveled his mindset; since the power of the transparent little flower was already this strong, the high cost of consumption was acceptable.

Then, he began to absorb the remaining resources to recover his state.

He planned to see what kind of power this little flower would cause when released with fifty percent of his power after recovering.

After all, he couldn't let this thing drain ninety percent of his power every time he made a move; that was too dangerous.

While absorbing resources to recover his state, Lin Yang also pondered and named this technique.

"Dao in the World, Flower of the World."

"Let's call this flower 'World-in-a-Flower'."

This was comprehended from the "World."

Naming it "World-in-a-Flower," Lin Yang felt it was reasonable and appropriate.

Half a day later.

His state was fully recovered.

Then, he prepared to condense the World-in-a-Flower again to test its power.

But—

Boom!

Two black lights suddenly burst forth from the Villa, striking directly at Lin Yang!

"An assassination attack?!"

Lin Yang's expression sank.

Someone actually wanted to assassinate him in the city?!

"Lin Yang, die!"

The next second.

Not giving Lin Yang much time to think, violent power instantly filled the entire Villa.

At the same time, a cold voice rang out.

Hum hum hum.

Furthermore, the power of a Formation Array also pressed into the Villa, coordinating with that violent power to suppress Lin Yang.

Lin Yang's heart skipped a beat: "The power of a Formation Array?"

People from the City Lord's Mansion, actually making a move against him in the city?!