844 The Weakest Link (I)
Di Tian watched Gao Buqin’s liberation and his conversation with Yan Liling, his emotions more than complicated. Was he furious? Yes, he was, but not out of pure anger but the lack of competence of his chosen general.
Secondly, and more importantly, he was furious at himself for making such an obvious mistake.
‘I keep telling myself to be cautious or prudent when dealing with Wang Wei. Yet, I made such a blunder.’
What kind of people were Dao Overlord? Intelligent individuals who can find the flaws in their enemies and use them against them. And even knowing this, Di Tian went on a rampage during the Cleanup, searching for generals.
And when he enslaved Gao Buqin and Gluttony, he did it in the Nine Devil God Continent, right before Wang Wei’s eyes. Such an act was like telling the latter he is my flaw and how to deal with it.
‘After so many years, have I not learned anything? Will arrogance be my downfall again?’
Di Tian contemplated his past, thinking about how things went wrong. The creation of his generals was necessary, given how powerful and talented Wang Wei was. If he did not do the same, the current situation would have been worse.
However, he never should have been so evident with his actions. During that time, he had too much confidence in achieving the Ten Supremacy Foundation and believed Wang Wei’s chances were too slim.
After all, Nine Pillar claimed to have spent his entire life, billions of Yuan Epochs, before only discovering one method. Alas, he forgot how Dao Overlords were people who could create miracles.
As such, a part of him became complacent, prideful, and condescending as victory near him.
‘I made the same mistakes before she died,’ contemplating Di Tian. ‘Could it be that my terrible fate is now a curse from Heaven but the result of my own inadequacy?’
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‘Dao Overlord, Dao Overlord, Dao Overlord…None of this would have happened as I was one.’
His eyes blurred as he imagined what his life would have been like if he had the capabilities to pass the Supreme Outlaw Trial. Ning’er would still be by his side, probably one of humankind’s most extraordinary Eternal Emperors.
Then, together, they would lead Acquired Life against the Innate Beings from the Endless Void while ensuring the supremacy of humans.
He would have watched his disciples grow and become pillars of human society. And with his protections, none of them might have died.
‘There is no point in thinking of what ifs,’ sighed Di Tian, who knew long ago Heaven and Earth were not fair. Some people were born with talents and abilities that others could only dream of. Some people’s endpoints are others’ starting points.
And in life, in the cultivation world, you can only do with the cards handed to you by fate.
‘Now, I only need to think about my next step,’ pondered Di Tian, who had calmed down.
‘The first plan would be to attack the remaining participants.’
Di Tian simulated the result of such a tactic. Wang Wei would intervene and stop him. He will have the advantage since the latter will have to protect these weaklings of his subordinates.
‘Yan Liliing and Li Jun would be fine. As long as Wang Wei buys them enough time, they can escape to the Elemental Dimensions without being affected by our battle. However, Tie Gang would probably not live long, but he is inconsequential.
‘The real threat is Yan Liling and Wang Ju. If he protects them long enough, Wang Wei should create an array that blesses his strength and gives him an advantage in the battle against me.’
According to his simulation, this plan can only work if he goes all out to deal with Wang Wei and can successfully buy enough time to get rid of the others. However, this process would require him to reveal his trump cards in advance and might not even work since he did not know the fullest extent of Wang Wei’s strength.
‘There are too many unexpected variables and unpredictable outcomes with this tactic; it’s better to be safe than sorry,’ thought Di Tian before looking at the battle between Wang Ju and his shadow.
Everything seemed even so far.
‘In that case, I can only rely on Plan B and use that secret technique. If he can catch Wang Ju, it would be even better.’ Di Tian sent a message to his Shadow and waited.
If there were a person he could count on was his Shadow since the latter was one of the remains from the Sleepers. As such, he was talented and fiercely loyal.
Additionally, he needs to take precautionary measures to ensure Gluttony does not follow the same fate as Gao Buqin. He modified the Soul Enslavement to immediately kill him at the slightest signs of interference.
Eastern Quadrant:
Wang Wei was on the highest alert after Yan Liling’s victory. He observed and waited, with no changes to the battlefield.
‘He did not overthrow the board and attack the others? I guess we are closer to checkmate.’
Once things reached this stage, one of his fears for this final battle was for his opponent to destroy the board to end the game, rendering all his plans and tactics useless.
As such, his plan for such an event was divided into two, with the first being obviously protecting the board and not letting Di Tian do as he pleases.
And the second and main one was one of the fundamental flaws of dealing with intelligent people who knew how terrifying Dao Overlords were–being too cautious not to fall into a trap.
‘Caution is good, but it must also be measured,’ thought Wang Wei. ‘If he tried to attack the others, he would have a severe advantage since defending is more demanding than attacking.
‘He could use this occasion to pressure me physically and mentally. And as long as he persisted and was wise with his attack, I would have no choice but to let my team live the battle to protect them, abandoning all my plans.’
Wang Wei secretly shook his head as he had completely figured out his opponent’s mindset and used it against him. Risks were significant in many things, including battles–especially calculated risks.
‘Things are proceeding smoothly. However, I should also be prudent. Who knows what this old monster is hiding as a trump card.’
He would only celebrate once success was at hand. Then, he focuses on the weakest link of this team, who will also play a vital role.
A few minutes ago, the Southern Quadrant:
Tie Gang, wearing Yin Gen’s zombie as armor, looked at Gluttony before him; he controlled his breath to ensure his calmness and rationality, thinking of the perfect battle tactic for this fight.
‘According to the group’s analysis, his strength should be 7-Leaf Peak. However, this strength is not his own but the result of swallowing Di Tian’s attacks before the battle.’
There is a limit to how much strength can increase through the power of Devour. And Gluttony’s limit should be the limit of all mortals.
‘But even without increasing his strength, he can store a vast amount of energy in his stomach. As such, a protracted battle is not ideal.’
With such a large reserve of energy, Gluttony’s stamina will be nigh infinite, and his healing capabilities scary.
‘So, I need a quick and decisive victory.’
The two stared at each other, releasing their aura. However, Tie Gang noticed his opponents seemed cold and lifeless. For a devil to have such an aura should be expected, yet it looked odd on Gluttony.
‘No man, or devil, should have their freedom forcefully stripped from them.’
Tie Gang sympathized with this little devil. Unlike the Myriad Emperor World’s people, who had hatred for such a species embedded deep in their blood and soul, he was from the Lower Realm and had never heard of such a race.
Furthermore, the primary source of his sympathy was his lack of history with the devil race. Tie Gang knew the fate awaiting his home world–the Warring Kingdom World–if a more aggressive world discovered them.
They might have all been killed or suffered a worse fate, similar to Gao Buqin and this devil.
After getting in the best mindset, Tie Gang rushed for the offensive. Yin Gen’s zombie was a body refiner, so Cai Song ensured she kept this property when she turned it into a Puppet Armor.
Boom!
With one punch, Gluttony flew a dozen meters before stopping. A surprise flashed in the devil’s eyes as he could not absorb the force behind this attack.
And inside the armor, Tie Gang sneered. Their team knew about Gluttony’s Dao, so how would they not prepare?
Although the Zombie Puppet was not originally part of the plan. But, before the battle, he practiced many methods to deal with Devouring, Swallor, or Eating Dao.