Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 888

Chapter 888

Chapter 888: The Ignorance of Humanity

Monarch’s response was tepid . “Some sacrifices are necessary in order for our evolution to succeed . Ah, yes – from the fragments of your species’ DNA I acquired some knowledge . During the time of greatest influence your immortal realm had a caste of immortals called the Da Luo . I suspect that if things continue at their current rate I shall achieve this level in no more than a hundred years . From that point forward I can focus on strengthen this immortal realm . You must come, join me . You need only open your heart and allow me to place my mark on your soul . Then you shall be one of us . ”

Luo Xianni sniffed a laugh . “Become one of you? You mean be devoured? Do you think I believe even one word of what you’ve said? It doesn’t matter what you turn into, you’re still an abomination . You will never been human – you can never teach a dog to stop eating shit [1 . Best phrase ever . Use it with your friends and family . ] . It doesn’t matter what you look like or what world you create, the facts will never change . You’ve done nothing more than profit off the hard work my species has done for millennia . So here is my response to your offer; I won’t be your food . Everything you’ve said is idiotic nonsense . ”

For a moment Monarch was silent . When it spoke once again there was a tone of disappointment in its voice . “It appears you humans have grown wiser . Indeed, in my eyes your kind are nothing more than lesser life forms – so much wasted potential . You have lost any sense of how to utilize it, unlike your ancestors . The success of your forbearers to create an immortal realm was magnificent, but in all the time since you humans have squandered your birthright . You’re right, I must continue to feed . Achieving my perfection means I must continue to devour powerful genetic material . I can only get it from your kind . But why do you refuse me? Why is it so unacceptable to be a part of me? Of something greater?”

“Do you think your defiance means something? If you refuse, do you think I will not simply take what I want? If you submit yourself you will save yourself from suffering . I may even chose to preserve your consciousness . But for now… - hngh!”

The remaining fog around Europa gathered together into an enormous hand . It groped for Luo Xianni .

She was ready . In a flash she was far away and out of Monarch’s reach . She was unable to break its defenses, but at least until the monster’s evolution was complete she could still flee . However she could tell from the faded purple light around Europa that the evolution was mere moments from completion .

“It is just a matter of time . All you can do is wait for me to viit destruction upon your people!” Monarch hissed .

Just then several glints of light flickered around Middle Heaven . A series of figured emerged and were heading toward Luo Xianni .

After Luo Xianni’s revelations from before, the truth was quickly unraveled by others . Those that came toward here now were the rest of Skyfire Avenue’s Paragons .

“Aunt, what should we do?” It was the Wine Master who asked her . His face was stern, for though there appeared to be little they could do he could not wait for death!

She answered somberly . “The only thing we can do is wait for Lan Qing and the others to employ the Banishing Stance . Only, they haven’t – “

Before she could finish her thought four rays of light shined out from within Middle Heaven . Turquoise, white, red, blue . Like four heavenly spears they shot out toward where the Paragons had gathered . For a moment it was like all of space was painted in those magnificent colors . Suddenly four more figures joined them .

The lights weren’t from the Banishing Blades . They came from the bodies of Lan Qing, Lan Jue, the Pharmacist, and Zhou Qianlin .

Lan Qing’s entire body radiated the blue-green light, making him look fantastical . Lan Jue flashed with pulses of red light . Zhou Qianlin’s blue aura was ever changing . Finally, the Pharmacist’s light was the most pure, the snow-white purity of murderous intent .

The four of them appeared at precisely the right moment, pillars of strength in a sea of uncertainty . The Paragons were less anxious in their presence . There was a shimmer of light and Li Ke appeared from Lan Qing’s body .

“You’re successful?” The Wine Master asked Lan Jue . He sensed something inscrutable about the young man that wasn’t there before . As a Reflection of Heaven and Earth the old Paragon still couldn’t tell the depths of Lan Jue’s newfound abilities .

Lan Jue responded calmly . “It isn’t clear, we’ll only know once we try . There’s no time to lose . ”

Indeed it was true, they couldn’t wait . Once the evolution was complete their chances of survival fell away to nothing . Everything rested on their ability to enact the Banishing Strategy before Monarch could succeed .

Lan Qing nodded his head . The four sword bearers floated out into space . They didn’t spread too far before stopping and turned to face one another . The lights that radiated from them became all the more resplendent .

Lan Jue’s eyes were sharp and glinted in the starlight . As bearer of Captus he was not leader of the four blades, but he was the strongest Paragon present . It fell to him to lead the attempt .

The reflection of the cosmos reflected in his deep eyes . Star twinkled back making his gaze bright and brilliant . It almost seemed to make all the universe brighter . His aura began to swell and expand . A purple crown appeared placed upon his head as his body became larger . It was his dharmic image, the Middle Heaven Great Emperor of the North Pole Star of Purple Subtlety .

Lan Jue’s Boundless Starlight Domain was contained within . Luo Xianni suddenly sensed her son’s aura surge, surpassing Nirvana and peeking into the realm of the Infinite . In the same moment the pressure of universal protogenia was evident all around them . She could feel Lan Jue’s life force draining .

In the midst of his transformation Zhou Qianlin was next . She swayed and grew, clad in a magnificent fluttering white robe . Guanyin, the Queen of Heaven! Her body flickered a hundred shades of blue, but there was also a shell of white light that emerged from her . The warm light spread until it hung over all four of them . To Lan Jue his body instantly felt lighter as the pain of universal protogenia was forced away .

Very quickly Qianlin’s powers also arose to the Infinite . It was a temporary increase from her dharma and Domain, but she nonetheless commanded supreme power .

Clearly the results of their quarantine were good, better than they might have anticipated . At least their cultivation had reached the upper levels of Nirvana . With Qianlin’s help Lan Qing and the Pharmacist enjoyed good stability from their empowered abilities .

As the four young warriors began to prepare, the Photographer turned to address the other Paragons . “We have to serve as their custodians, this is our last chance . No matter what, we must help them succeed . ”

Her words were cryptic, but everyone knew precisely what she meant . This could very well be their final moments, victory or defeat were near at hand . Only the Banishing Strategy could save them . At Luo Xianni’s instructions they spread out and made a defensive line .

Kang Hui, still seated in the control room, had come back to his senses . When he saw the two brothers appear on his screens, his heart was filled with resolve .

“Listen up . Tyrannosaurus reposition to the fore . Middle Heaven, take up position in the rear…” The armada’s formation was restructured as per his commands .

Tyrannosaurus slowly moved to the front and blocked the Paragons from view of Europa . Poseidon was on their left, Heron on the right, and Middle Heaven behind . The ten fleets took up defensive positions .

If this was their last chance, Kang Hui wasn’t going to allow the aliens to interrupt it .

“You foolish humans . How can you not see that your opposition is in vain?” Monarch’s voice echoed again in everyone’s ear . It was harsh as ever, but if one listened closely they might hear something else in the monster’s voice .

The golden light that surrounded Europa, its shield, began to ripple . It started small, but soon became towering waves of energy that circumnavigated the planet .

It was afraid! Kang Hui’s eyes went wide . He could see the change coming over Europa from the bridge and knew that Monarch was urging more energy into its defenses . It could only mean the monster was afraid of what those swords might do .

The aliens had been ahead of them every step of the way, and their responses had always been spot on . This reaction had significance as well, namely that Monarch must have felt the danger headed its way . This returned a glint of hope to Kang Hui’s troubled heart . By now all the ships were in place, shields glimmered around every battleship and bastion . Lan Jue and the others were covered front, back, left, right, up and down . They were defended on all sides . All the strength of the human armada was turned toward defense, charged with making sure Lan Jue’s mission was a success .

Lan Jue floated calmly in space . “Not copper, not iron, not steel; Once hidden beneath the stones of Mount Meru . ” Suddenly there was a flash of red around him and he was encased in a keen aura . All at once he was like Captus in human form . The power of the sword spilled out of his every pore .

Zhou Qianlin’s crystalline voice followed . “The perversion of yin-yang did not it make; What flame or fluid could dull its edge?” A hundred thousand copies of Demortus appeared, glittering blue like a crystal forest . They spread far and wide, so much that the Paragons defending them were forced to move farther back .