143: Chapter 143 Taking Action Against the Former Master: The Flame Dragon Empire's Godhood Plan

At the same time.

Yanlong Empire, Qingzhou, Kunlun Ruins.

A terrifying calamity was intensifying.

The Giant Bronze Tripod that had suppressed the ages was now on the verge of shattering into pieces.

Countless pitch-black chaotic rules were seeping and spreading out from the tripod... as if they were about to infect the entire world!!

However, just then,

Swish!!

A white stream of light descended with a boom!

Immediately after, a voice resounded through the heavens and earth.

"I am an Immortal from beyond the heavens, untouched by the ties of the Mortal World."

"Today I come to the land of Kunlun, to suppress the rivers and mountains with a single sword!"

As the voice fell, a youth appeared, carrying a sword.

The youth stepped through the Void Realm and stood upon the clouds, his demeanor transcendent, just like a true "Immortal" from the myths and legends of the Yanlong Empire.

Clang!!

Overlooking the Kunlun Ruins, the youth slowly raised his sword.

With his movement, the white crane feathers on his body began to grow wildly, quickly covering his entire body.

Following that.

Lì!!!

A clear and resonant crane cry echoed through the nine heavens.

The youth's figure suddenly vanished.

In his place, a "Crane" with a wingspan of a thousand feet, radiating holy white light, occupied the space between heaven and earth!

The Crane spread its wings, and countless white feathers of light shot out like sharp swords.

These feathers of light all contained some kind of terrifying Taboo Rule!

The feathers flew across, forming a storm that swept over the Kunlun Ruins, striking the six-armed figure on the scroll and the unknown existence within the Bronze Palace.

Roar!!!

Pierced by the Crane's feathers of light, the six-armed figure immediately let out a painful roar.

Its half-body, which had just emerged from the scroll, was shot full of holes by the light feathers, and black blood fell like a rainstorm.

"A mere taboo dares to be so insolent before me?"

Seeing the six-armed figure suppressed by the feathers of light, the Crane spoke in human tongue, its tone filled with disdain.

"Suppress!"

The Crane gave another low shout.

Its talons lunged down like two closing Five-Finger Mountains, firmly gripping the trembling Bronze Palace.

Rumble!!!

The palace shook violently, and countless rule runes... continuously shattered beneath the Crane's talons.

Even that eerie scroll, under the illumination of the Crane's holy radiance, actually began to roll up bit by bit, sealing the six-armed figure back inside!

This scene.

Was captured by some survivors in Qingzhou using phones and drones, and it quickly spread across the entire Yanlong Empire's internet.

"Holy crap! Is that... a god?!"

"A crane! It's the legendary Immortal crane!"

"I knew it! Our Yanlong Empire is protected by Immortals!"

"The great crane spreads its wings three thousand feet, suppressing the world's demons with a single thought! So cool!"

The internet instantly boiled over.

Some people were even moved to tears, as if they saw the dawn of hope in the desperate darkness... However.

Kyoto, 749 Bureau Headquarters.

The atmosphere did not lighten because of this; instead, it became even more solemn.

"Are the detection results out?"

Xia Xuanyuan stared at the majestic crane on the large screen and asked in a heavy voice.

"They're out..."

A senior researcher responsible for data analysis said with a trembling voice.

"Energy level reaction... SSS-Rank Taboo!"

"And..."

He paused, swallowed hard, before continuing.

"According to our rule analysis, that isn't the power of some 'Immortal'..."

"But... a Taboo Rule!"

"A completely new, never-before-recorded, extremely pure and powerful... rule taboo!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.

SSS-Rank Taboo!

Everyone present knew exactly what that meant.

That was an existence capable of destroying the world!

"In this world, there are no true Immortals."

"It is merely... another kind of horror draped in a holy cloak."

The Heavenly Secret Daoist sighed, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

Many members of the 749 Bureau expressed their agreement with the Heavenly Secret Daoist's words.

In this world, there are no Immortals, and there is no salvation! There is only the bizarre, taboos, and even more evil and extreme... so-called deities!!

"Chief Executive."

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing a white lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses, who had been sitting in the corner, stood up.

He was also one of the Seven Pillars of the 749 Bureau, an s-rank ninth-tier taboo Master, and the Yanlong Empire's top doctor of 'Physics', academician of 'Biology', and doctoral supervisor of 'Bizarre Studies'—Professor Liu.

"That project... it's time to activate it."

Professor Liu pushed up his glasses, a cold glint flashing behind the lenses.

"Whether it's that Evil Buddha we can temporarily cooperate with, or this seemingly 'righteous' crane... they are both uncontrollable threats!"

"Our Yanlong Empire cannot pin its hopes on these anomalies."

"Only the power held in our own hands is the most reliable."

"The Taboo Project is no longer enough; we must begin... the Deification Project!!"

Xia Xuanyuan's eyes flickered.

That was a crazy and dangerous plan, aiming to create "artificial gods" completely controlled by humans through the combination of technology and taboos.

If it failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But looking at the world-destroying crane on the screen, and then thinking of that Evil Buddha in the Land of Rebirth on the Other Shore... Xia Xuanyuan took a deep breath, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

"Fine!"

"Activate... the Deification Project!"

...Land of Rebirth on the Other Shore.

Zhao Linfeng and the others were also paying attention to the changes in the Yanlong Empire.

"SSS-rank..."

Looking at the crane that easily suppressed the riot in the Kunlun Ruins, Zhao Linfeng only felt a chill all over his body.

This world is truly getting crazier and crazier.

If it continues like this... will humans... really still have a place to stand?

"Chief Executive."

Zhou Kai walked to his side and asked in a low voice.

"Should we notify My Buddha?"

"No need."

Zhao Linfeng shook his head, his gaze turning toward the distant west.

"My Buddha said before that He has more important things to do."

...West Continent, Sloda Country.

In the mist-shrouded ruins of the city.

The coughing ghoul clone controlled by Lin Chuan was standing side by side with Sherlock Haigeway.

Not far ahead of them.

The massive Rotten Old Master was still unscrupulously releasing chaotic rules, eroding this land.

"Are you ready?"

Sherlock Haigeway adjusted his tailcoat, an elegant smile always on his face.

"Ready anytime."

A hoarse and cold voice drifted out from the Coughing Ghoul's throat.

"Very good."

Sherlock Haigeway snapped his fingers.

"Then... let's begin."

The moment the words fell.

The large brass alarm clock in his hand suddenly stopped ticking.

Click.

A crisp mechanical sound rang out.

Immediately following.

A bizarre rule fluctuation, centered on that alarm clock, instantly spread out.

That was... [Time Stop]!

Although it was only for a short second.

But for existences of their level, one second was enough to do many things.

Lin Chuan controlled the coughing ghoul clone, seized the opportunity, and directly activated Rule Power!

"Cough, cough..."

Violent coughing sounds came from the Coughing Ghoul's throat.

"Hmm?!!"

In mid-air, the massive body of the Rotten Old Master also noticed the coughing ghoul clone and Xia Lan.

He obviously didn't expect that two mere ants... would actually dare to actively provoke him.

He was enraged and immediately prepared to activate his own rules to obliterate the two ants before him.

But he found that his rules seemed to have been interrupted and paused by some kind of power!

That was Sherlock Haigeway's time rule taking effect!

"Destiny... Displacement!"

Just then.

Sherlock Haigeway suddenly crushed the golden card in his hand.

Crash!!!

A golden pillar of light descended from the sky, directly piercing through the body of the Rotten Old Master.

"Aaaahhh!!!"

The Rotten Old Master let out a distorted, strange cry.

It felt a will that did not belong to it, filled with the aura of a crazy gambler, forcibly squeezing into its body, attempting to seize control of it!

That was... the will of the card game dominator descending!

"Damned little bugs! You dare..."

The Rotten Old Master was completely enraged.

From its body, a terrifying storm of plague rules erupted.