240 – The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

“This anomaly really has taken over the Devouring Immortal Demon Body… It has even condensed the Chaos Body.”

Wang Ping frowned as he looked at the content in the text simulation.

In terms of combat prowess alone, this anomaly already surpassed him, undoubtedly the strongest in his realm.

This strength was established on the basis that he had just acquired the Chaos Body, had not cultivated corresponding techniques and divine abilities, nor comprehended the Chaos Dao Markings.

If he became proficient in controlling the Chaos Body and managed to create chaos-type techniques and divine abilities and comprehended the Chaos Dao Markings…

then his combat power would certainly increase drastically. In the same realm, he would be truly unbeatable.

By then, how powerful he would be was beyond imagination.

“This time, it’s going to be difficult.”

Wang Ping sighed, pessimistic about whether they could kill the anomaly by sheer numbers.

Since the opponent dared to appear so openly, he must be extremely confident, unlikely to act recklessly.

Furthermore, anomalies are mostly like cockroaches that can’t be killed; unless their weaknesses are found, it’s very hard to kill them.

While Wang Ping’s thoughts were racing, the text simulation continued.

【As the anomaly no longer acted recklessly, the pressure on your side instantly surged. Many prodigies died at the hands of the anomaly, their bodies exploding into blood mist and their essences being seized.】

【For this, you felt a chill in your heart, knowing this couldn’t go on. If you continued like this, you would definitely be killed by the anomaly one by one. Besides, there were also traitors among the crowd.】

【Although the anomaly apparently didn’t want to expose minions like Gu Xuan, hoping they would join the Immortal Palace for plotting, if it came to a critical juncture, the anomaly would undoubtedly have them ambush everyone without hesitation. Thus, you had to be cautious.】

【As for letting other prodigies take action against Gu Xuan and his group first, you thought it unlikely. Others might not believe you; perhaps only Ye Chen and a few others would. Not to mention, acting now would undoubtedly worsen the situation.】

【After thinking it over, you made a decision. After transmitting messages to Ye Chen and the others, you unleashed an extremely powerful Spacetime Divine Ability, trapping the anomaly in another dimension for a 1v1 battle.】

【This scene left the others stunned, thinking you were too reckless. However, some were deeply shocked by your strength, realizing you had been hiding your true power all this time, always behaving like an ordinary emperor’s son, when in reality, your combat strength was above all the prodigies on the Three Saint List.】

【Just as you and the anomaly had entered another dimension for a solo battle, leaving everyone surprised, Ye Chen and the others suddenly attacked certain individuals.】

【This scene left others in fury and confusion, not knowing why Ye Chen and his group were attacking their teammates and causing internal conflict at such a time.】

【Ye Chen shouted, stating that you possessed the Origin-Breaking Divine Eye capable of seeing through everyone’s true nature. The people they were attacking were all minions of the anomaly, similar to the shadow in the black mist, and they had to be eliminated first.】

【Then, Ye Chen pointed out the anomaly’s minions hidden among the crowd. His words left everyone in awe, unsure whether to believe him.】

【The people pointed out by Ye Chen and his group refuted angrily, claiming it was a personal vendetta against them.】

【As arguments and battles ensued, the scene turned chaotic, causing the other prodigies to hesitate even more, unsure of who to trust.】

【At this time, the Young Master of the Heavenly Wood Clan stood up, stating that he also possessed the Heaven’s Origin Divine Eyes. Though not as powerful as the Origin-Breaking Divine Eye, he could also see that their auras seemed somewhat similar when they attacked.】

【Hearing this, everyone frowned. The Heavenly Wood Clan had nothing to do with the Taiyi Emperor Palace; there was no reason for them to lie. For a moment, everyone looked at Gu Xuan and his group with murderous intent and began to attack.】

【At this time, there was no room for hesitation. In this dire situation it was better to kill ten thousand mistakenly than to let one escape. Even if they really killed the wrong people and were used as tools, they accepted it. After all, in the future, they would all be competitors for the immortal fate anyway; it didn’t matter if Gu Xuan and his group died.】

【With the other prodigies joining the battle, Ye Chen and his group, who had been suppressed by Gu Xuan and were in mortal peril, instantly breathed a sigh of relief, and an earth-shaking battle erupted between the two sides.】

【While the battle was raging outside, you were also engaged in combat with the anomaly. The anomaly mocked your audacity, saying that sanctimonious warriors like you were annoying and unsightly, so he would seize your essence and make you his lap dog.】

【You ignored the anomaly’s words and continued fighting. Even though you used all your strength, unleashing abilities like the Golden Talent: Ninefold Resonance and the purple talent: Infinite Blade without reservation, and even the Origin-Breaking Divine Eye to see through his essence and divine abilities, you still couldn’t gain an advantage and were at an absolute disadvantage.】

【You felt the power of the Chaos Body, yearning to have such a physique yourself one day to make yourself stronger.】

【Of course, although you longed for it, you knew now was not the time to yearn; you had to find a way to kill the anomaly and turn the tide.】

In the end, you utilized the abilities of Golden Talent: Damage Nullification and Purple Talent: Divine Ability Nullification, combined with a wound-for-wound fighting method, successfully injuring the anomaly, hoping to trigger the effect of the Seven-Colored Talent: Instant Death Attack…

Unfortunately, although you were lucky enough to trigger the sixfold resonance along with the critical hit effect this time, you ultimately failed to activate the Seven-Colored Talent: Instant Death Attack…

This left you helpless, and you had no choice but to employ the ability of Golden Talent: Life-for-Life to exchange lives with the anomaly. You believe that although the anomaly possesses the ability to easily break through to the Supreme realm or even stronger, he has definitely chosen not to break through…

Because once he does, he wouldn’t be able to use the essence of numerous prodigies from the Upper Realm to consolidate his Chaos Body. Therefore, you are certain he is suppressing his cultivation beforehand…

As expected, the anomaly is indeed suppressing his cultivation, his true cultivation level being only at half-step Supreme. Thus, the effect of Golden Talent: Life-for-Life successfully triggers, the anomaly dies, and you expend a life…

However, regarding the loss of a life, you reasonably utilized the Purple Talent: Substitute Puppet to transfer the death effect onto an unfortunate Divine Monarch Realm expert…

Yet, what was expected happens: the anomaly dies but immediately comes back to life, looking at you with a face full of mockery…

The anomaly sneered, stating that your capabilities are quite impressive, allowing him to die quietly once, proving to be quite a surprise. However, it’s a pity that you’re still not qualified to kill him thoroughly…

You are not concerned with the anomaly’s mockery but furrow your brows, analyzing the principle behind its revival. Based on your experience dealing with anomalies in the past, it is likely that its revival principle is transferring the outcome of death to the existence imbued with his powers…

This effect is similar to your Purple Talent: Substitute Puppet, but the level and impact of the ability are far more domineering. The formidable idol-anomaly you once worshiped in several simulations also had a similar revival ability, which was truly troublesome until Sister Liu Mei killed it with a kiss…

You are unsure just how many subordinates the anomaly has left. If it were you, you would estimate spreading your subordinates across the Ten Great Universes, as many as possible. You would cultivate subordinates far and wide, and never use them in your schemes so they would be a safe “resurrection point.” That way, it would be the safest…

In other words, if the anomaly indeed possesses such an ability, it is practically impossible for you to kill him. Perhaps, only an existence far stronger than the anomaly, killing him time and again until all his substitutes are dead, could finally kill him for good…

But achieving such a feat, you think a Supreme would likely fail, and even an ordinary quasi-emperor may not be able to kill the anomaly. Because the anomaly can break through to the Supreme realm at any time. With the strength he would possess after breaking through, even an ordinary quasi-emperor might have a hard time killing him, possibly being exhausted to death…

“I knew the anomaly wasn’t that simple, but this is ridiculous…”

Wang Ping shook his head as he read the simulated content.

“However, this isn’t everything. After all, the anomaly also possesses the ability to curse. When he killed Gu Xuan, Gu Xuan triggered a red light that entered the simulated Wang Ping’s body, forming a red pattern that the anomaly eventually detonated.”

“Additionally, it’s unknown if the anomaly has other abilities. Although I want to force out all his hidden trump cards, it’s definitely not possible today—it was good enough to learn it can resurrect. However, the gains this time are decent; with the ability of the Origin-Breaking Divine Eye, the anomaly’s means to conceal his face and posture are ineffective and have been seen through, his aura has been noted. The following period will be spent slowly finding him…”

“Of course, faces can be disguised, bodies can also be disguised, so you can’t fully rely on that; the most crucial is still the aura.”

“However, finding the anomaly by his aura alone is very difficult and will require gradual effort…”

Wang Ping’s eyes flickered as he continued to stare at the screen, pondering these matters.

Next, the anomaly unleashed terrifying combat strength, directly injuring you, not giving you the slightest chance. However, the anomaly never intended to kill you, always wearing down your strength…

This made your expression change as well, realizing the anomaly’s intentions and abilities. It seems the anomaly wants to seize the essence of others and control them, likely with two prerequisites…

These two prerequisites are: the enemy must be weakened to a certain degree and being imbued with part of the essence, or granted the essence. Of course, it may be possible that he only needs his enemy to be sufficiently weakened to utilize his ability to control them, without such complications. After all, this is the anomaly; his abilities have always been profoundly disgusting and domineering…

To avoid having your strength worn down and being controlled by the anomaly, you made a firm decision, choosing to self-destruct, unleashing the most powerful attack…

The anomaly didn’t expect you would be so desperate, being directly injured by your explosion. Then, you triggered the effect of the Seven-Colored Talent: Instant Death Attack, making the anomaly die once more…

However, the anomaly revived yet again, his face full of displeasure, thinking your hidden cards were quite something, managing to kill him once more, which undoubtedly was a slap in the face…

Just as the anomaly prepared to camp you, preventing you from reviving and escaping, his expression abruptly changed. Because he had just condensed his Chaos Body and was engaged in such an intense battle, causing the Chaos Body to become somewhat agitated…

Moreover, the advent of a defiant physique always attracts a Heavenly Tribulation. But, within this secret realm, he temporarily evaded the tribulation aura, which explains the current tranquility…

However, no matter how strong the secret realm is, it cannot ultimately defy the rules of the Upper Realm, and thus, the Heavenly Tribulation still appeared…

If he continued to stay within this secret realm, he would face devastating blows. The horror of this Heavenly Tribulation is unimaginable. Besides, although this secret realm isn’t small, it is relative to Saints and Saint Kings. His true cultivation is at half-step Supreme level…

The Heavenly Tribulation, aligned with his true cultivation and Chaos Body, is terrifying to an extent that it would undoubtedly obliterate this secret realm. He painstakingly created this secret realm; its destruction would kill him with sorrow…

Thus, although the anomaly wanted to kill you, he chose to leave without hesitation, transferring himself out of the secret realm to an unknown location…

You revived an hour later. Once revived, seeing the anomaly had disappeared, you slightly exhaled in relief, but also furrowed your brows, for you didn’t believe the anomaly wouldn’t even know how to camp…

【It can only be said that the anomaly must have encountered a situation where it had no choice but to withdraw, which is why it left so hastily…】

【However, you can’t concern yourself with the whereabouts of the anomaly right now; you are back in the space-time of the secret realm, witnessing the fierce battle continuing between both sides.】

【It must be noted that although Gu Xuan is no match for you, he is genuinely powerful, leading other anomaly subordinates to suppress Ye Chen and the other prodigies. Ye Chen’s numerical advantage is completely nullified.】

【However, the reason it came to this is that the anomaly had set a trap from the beginning when the prodigies were teleported into the secret realm, killing actual monstrous talents and causing most of the top prodigies to die or get injured. Subsequently, because of the anomaly’s constant attacks, more prodigies perished…】

【Nevertheless, Ye Chen and his comrades finally managed to survive by relying on their trump cards. With your return to the battlefield, everyone except Gu Xuan was slain by you, Mo Shangli among them.】

【As for Bai Tianhong, you ultimately couldn’t bear to kill him personally, even though you knew he was completely controlled by the anomaly. In the end, it was other prodigies who finished him off.】

【Next, you once again faced off against Gu Xuan. You naturally know his background. Hence, you’re conflicted about whether to kill him; if you do, you’ll undoubtedly be cursed, leading to even more troubles.】

【If you don’t act, no one else will dare to kill Gu Xuan. During the previous battles, no one helped Ye Chen and the others against Gu Xuan except for Ye Chen himself, Zhu Huowang, and Huang Yin…】

【Everyone understood that without concrete evidence, killing Gu Xuan would likely invite retaliation from the Eternal Life Gu family, a force so formidable that even emperors feared them, let alone these young prodigies.】

【Thus, none of them would dare to take the risk to kill Gu Xuan, and neither can you bear the consequences. After all, unlike your previous simulation, you have no proof against Gu Xuan’s misdeeds.】

【Besides, killing Gu Xuan means you would have to contend with his dying counterattack.】

【Despite your internal struggle, you did not dawdle and decisively defeated Gu Xuan, subduing him with your Spacetime Divine Ability.】

【Though defeated, Gu Xuan remained calm, expressing his genuine surprise at your deeply hidden strength and formidable power.】

【You laughed lightly, replying with a ‘same to you’ sentiment. Then you turned to contemplate finding a way out, not bothering to ask Gu Xuan…】

【You were certain Gu Xuan wouldn’t answer; you’d have to find your own way. However, this time was different. The anomaly likely had no intention of letting you go; considering the current situation, eliminating everyone to keep the secret would be the best choice.】

【The anomaly was currently missing, but once its business was done, it would undoubtedly return to exterminate you all…】

【Your time was running short; you needed to find a way to survive as soon as possible.】

【In the end, you decided to have everyone search for a solution together. Your words faced no opposition; considering the circumstances and your unmatched strength, no one dared dispute you.】

【Unfortunately, despite exhausting all methods, you found no way out. Time passed swiftly, and another month flew by, heightening your collective anxiety…】

【In your fruitless search, Gu Xuan’s face suddenly stiffened before his body exploded.】

【You were shocked, not knowing why Gu Xuan suddenly died. But you quickly thought of the anomaly, which had life-for-life abilities… meaning the anomaly encountered a life-threatening situation and forced someone else to die in its place.】

【Considering this scenario, the anomaly must be in dire straits. Gu Xuan was its strongest subordinate and highly valuable, used only when absolutely necessary…】

【But didn’t the anomaly already obtain the Chaos Body and leave here? Why was it facing such danger? This didn’t align with its overly cautious nature…】

【As you pondered this, Gu Xuan revived, his demeanor calm and unbothered by his death and revival. He looked at you and said slowly, ‘All prodigies are mere pawns, destined to become bones…】

【With those words, Gu Xuan’s expression stiffened again, his soul shattering, leaving behind a corpse.】

【Seeing Gu Xuan dead, you fell silent, feeling deeply conflicted. Clearly, Gu Xuan hadn’t voluntarily sided with the anomaly but was controlled, becoming its pawn… a tragic fate. No matter how talented, without strength, there was only lament…】

【You then refocused, guessing if the anomaly was truly dead, and if so, how it perished.】

【Though you would never get an answer, you began wondering when those old folks from the Immortal Palace would realize the secret realm had been swapped and come to your rescue.】

【You also fretted over how to explain Gu Xuan’s death. Without evidence, the Gu family wouldn’t be easy to placate. You hoped they could notice the abnormality in Gu Xuan…】

【Otherwise, with Taiyi Emperor Palace’s current state, it couldn’t withstand the Gu family’s wrath. Not even Emperor Tianyu could appease them…】

【After all, the Gu family had terrifying strongmen who refined immortal spirits and were among the world’s strongest, counterable only by the possible ancient monsters in the Immortal Palace…】

“This development is truly unexpected… The anomaly, having just acquired the Chaos Body, is now seemingly on the brink…”…

Wang Ping looked at the simulation text, his expression somewhat subtle.

This anomaly, could it be that it was targeted by the Heavenly Dao, the Heavenly Tribulation was too terrifying, and then it struck him dead?

If that were the case, it could only be said that he deserved it.

Of course, this possibility is quite small.

Wang Ping suspected more that a certain powerful figure captured the anomaly and tortured it over and over again.

As for why they captured the anomaly, naturally, it was to refine the essence of the Chaos Body.

“Goodness, thinking this way, the anomaly is simply a tasty treat. It can be refined again and again, repeatedly squeezed dry.”

Wang Ping’s gaze was quite subtle.

“If the anomaly is really being repeatedly squeezed, I don’t know whether to gloat over its misfortune or gloat over its misfortune.”

Thinking of that scene, Wang Ping couldn’t help but laugh, continuing to stare at the screen.

【While you were contemplating various matters, a terrifying spatial fluctuation suddenly appeared within the secret realm. Then, your body was irresistibly sucked out.】

【Not only you, but all the talents within the secret realm were also sucked out.】

【During this process, you were very clear that the Immortal Palace must have detected the anomaly and decided to intervene.】

【It took more than two months to detect the anomaly and find a solution. This Immortal Palace, truly disgraceful. As you were being sucked out, you were still mocking the Immortal Palace in your heart.】

【After you came out, all the cultivators who were watching the Immortal Palace were astounded, puzzled, and furious. Because so many talents entered, yet less than a thousand came out, this was an extremely terrifying situation.】

【And, didn’t the Immortal Palace say that the secret realm trial wouldn’t result in death? Why did so few come out, and each severely injured?】

【At this moment, the head of the Immortal Palace was also looking over, with a heavy expression. To be honest, they never expected such a situation. The entrance to the secret realm, set by the Immortal Palace, had been silently swapped out, this method was extraordinarily impressive.】

【Moreover, while monitoring the Dream Demon Secret Realm, they didn’t detect any anomaly. The talents were undergoing normative assessments and trials. If they hadn’t noticed something amiss—no one passing the assessments after two months seemed very strange and warranted a thorough investigation—they would still be in the dark.】

【The head of the Immortal Palace deduced several likely reasons for such an incident. Firstly, the conspiracy’s mastermind could be outsiders. Only those from outside the domain, with their mysterious abilities and tools, could transfer the secret realm’s entrance without being noticed and create projections within the Dream Demon Secret Realm even they couldn’t see through.】

【Secondly, there might be traitors within the Immortal Palace. Otherwise, even if the enemies had bizarre abilities and tools, they would also need the opportunity to use them.】

【Thirdly, the enemy might possess a quasi-immortal level powerhouse comparable to the ancestors of the Immortal Palace. Otherwise, they couldn’t create such a special secret realm that even emperors find hard to break, where even the Emperor’s incarnations and weapons couldn’t manifest. Of course, it’s also possible that this was done through abilities and tools.】

【Fourthly, the enemy might possess Calculation Techniques equal to or surpassing those of the Divine Calculators in their Immortal Palace. Without such prowess, arranging all this without the Divine Calculators noticing would be impossible.】

【Of course, it’s also possible that the enemy used abilities and tools to block the calculations of fate.】

【In conclusion, all these conditions were necessary; the enemy’s preparation was undoubtedly thorough, and their methods were chilling. To plot against all upper realm forces including the Immortal Palace in one go was indeed vicious.】

【The head of the Immortal Palace, feeling heavy-hearted, surveyed the surviving beings, especially lingering on those connected to the multiverse, within Abyssal Lands, Slaughter Paradise, you, and the Nine Star Pavilion’s nine-star candidates.】

“The head of the Immortal Palace is certainly more comprehensive in his thoughts. It seems that their actions were even harder to accomplish than I imagined.”

Watching the simulation, Wang Ping frowned.

“The anomaly’s abilities are unique, but it couldn’t possibly possess so many abilities and tools. This means, behind the anomaly, there was also someone supporting it, someone plotting all this from the multiverse.”

Wang Ping’s eyes flickered as he thought silently.

He thought of one person.

That person is the founder of the Nine Star Pavilion.

Could it be, all this was planned by the founder of the Nine Star Pavilion?

If so, then this person’s scheming is too deep.

Creating the Devouring Immortal Demon Body, using the abilities of anomalies, calculating every detail, manipulating all forces, and eliminating all prodigies in one fell swoop; thus, turning them into nourishment to help the anomaly successfully form the Chaos Body.

Then, later, something happened to the anomaly.

Wang Ping couldn’t help but suspect that this was also the work of the Nine Star Pavilion’s creator.

If the creator of the Nine Star Pavilion indeed acted against the anomaly, his purpose must have been the Chaos Body.

It could be said that he had been planning all of this from the very beginning.

This was truly a series of interconnected plans, controlling everyone’s fates tightly.

For a moment, Wang Ping was extremely wary of the creator of the Nine Star Pavilion.

This guy was too dangerous. No one knew his true identity or which force from the multiverse he belonged to.

“By the way, if it is the Nine Star Pavilion, as long as there are high-ranking individuals from the Immortal Palace who have joined, the creator of the Nine Star Pavilion would have a way to call them out. Then, by cooperating with the anomaly’s abilities, it would be very easy to plant spies in the Immortal Palace. After all, an anomaly can easily control others; even the most loyal in the Immortal Palace couldn’t resist the anomaly’s abilities.”

Wang Ping squinted, thinking of a key point.

Thinking of this, Wang Ping sighed deeply: “These old monsters are truly too sinister. Battling with them is exhausting. One could say, if not for my Life Simulator, no number of lives would be enough to contend with them.”

“In the real world, I need to inform Alpha. If I indeed encounter danger, I must be teleported away immediately.”

Wang Ping rubbed his forehead, muttering to himself.

Previously, Wang Ping thought it was unlikely the creator of the Nine Star Pavilion would target him…
Now, he doesn’t think so anymore. The likelihood has significantly increased.

Such a sinister figure is too ruthless. Wang Ping can’t be too careful in guarding against him.

Even outside of simulations, Wang Ping felt uneasy, much less in immersive simulations, where time in the outside world continues to flow… too dangerous.

Therefore, he must have Alpha support him, giving him the ability to escape in an emergency. Otherwise, being trapped and killed in a simulation would be too tragic.

“The creator of the Nine Star Pavilion… feels like a world-shaking adversary. If the story of the Upper Realm were made into a novel, he might be the major boss of the Upper Realm.”

Wang Ping couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Previously, he thought Gu Xuan was the big boss, which was undoubtedly overestimating him.

Gu Xuan was just a minor boss, and clearly a pitiful person being controlled. Most of his actions weren’t of his own will.

Otherwise, with his identity as the Young Master of the Eternal Life Gu family, bargaining with the tiger and doing such things was really unnecessary and low return, completely brainless behavior.

After that, Wang Ping collected his thoughts and continued to focus on the screen, wanting to see how the Immortal Palace would handle the upcoming troubles.

So many prodigies had died, Wang Ping believed all the forces in the Upper Realm would be furious. When the time comes, Gu Xuan’s death wouldn’t cause too much trouble.

【When the Immortal Palace Lord had a heavy expression, an emperor couldn’t sit still anymore and questioned what the Immortal Palace was doing, why only a few people came out, and all of them injured, clearly barely escaping with their lives.】

【As soon as an emperor stood out, all forces began to speak out, questioning the Immortal Palace, their expressions filled with discontent. After all, those who went in were their heirs, the future hope of their forces. If they perished here, it would truly drive them to vomit blood.】

【Faced with external questioning, the Immortal Palace Lord also had a headache, not knowing how to explain. After all, although it was plotted against this time, it was ultimately the fault of the Immortal Palace. They couldn’t shirk the responsibility and had to compensate for the mistake.】

【Just as the Immortal Palace Lord was having a headache, Ye Chen stood up and recounted what happened in the secret realm.】

【With Ye Chen’s description, all the forces were shocked, not expecting such terrifying events to have occurred in the secret realm.】