1249 Five, Four
The star began to quake in the distance, causing hot rings of deathly gases to spring upward.
Dyon looked around to see several nervous expressions, however it didn’t take long for him to realize why this was the case. Until now, the various elders had been shielding them all from the heat of the star. If this hadn’t been the case, those of lower cultivation wouldn’t be so casual while standing a mere several hundred kilometers from a ball of hot gas.
The issue was that they’d all have to rely on themselves from now on. Many would die simply entering the realm…
“Linlin, Biibi, Shere, Sen.” Dyon’s voice, no longer hidden by Melisende’s domain reached out to his beast companions.
Leaping into their toddler forms, the four circulated around Dyon before disappearing into his inner world.
“Do you want to come with me?” Dyon asked Madeleine. Obviously, although he had qualms about allowing others into his inner world, Dyon had no such problems with his wife. If they did things this way, he was sure that they wouldn’t get separated in the beginning.
Madeleine shook her head. While she understood Dyon’s worries, approaching a star like this was a good opportunity to improve her fire intent. As of now, she was still at the 8th intent realm, still looking for opportunities to break into the half-step dao realm.
“Alright, be careful.” Dyon smiled. Despite his words, he stood by Madeleine side. If she showed any signs of wavering, he would step in.
Members of the Flaming Lily Sect couldn’t help but feel their hearts warm watching the couple interact. Who still had the audacity to think that Dyon didn’t care for Madeleine? The upper echelons of the sect had partially panicked with they realized the she no longer had her Primordial Yin, but clearly this wasn’t a problem now.
As for the Vice Master, she found Dyon’s offer odd. If he could take Madeleine, then what was the point of the teleportation plaques? But then she remembered that his beast companions had shrunk down and then everything made sense. How could a treasure that could house higher life forms be large? He probably couldn’t fit them all in.
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As they spoke, the star’s reaction grew more violent, pillars of fire erupting from its surface. First there was only one, but then it quickly grew, shooting up to three, then six, then eighteen. In the end, 108 pillars of several dozen kilometers wide and tall appeared along the star’s surface, increasing the heat to another level entirely.
The peaks of the pillars grew into large miniature suns, lashing out with tentacles of fire.
Soon, these flame appendages connected with one another, swirling and curving into intricate, ancient patterns.
The newly formed array grew. In no time at all, its face was even larger than the star it originated from.
It was at this moment that the geniuses surged forward, their various elders suddenly feeling a suppression they could only back down from. There was only a distance of 100km from where they stood to the newly formed entrance, a distance that was no more than a joke to even saints, let alone celestials. However, it had suddenly become an insurmountable mountain.
Dyon stood at the edge of this starting line, Madeleine to his side. But, they weren’t alone. Whether it be God Goldeen, True God Tatsuya, True God Hydra, or the various other geniuses, they all stood with a glint of battle intent in their eyes.
Some subconsciously looked toward Dyon. They still hadn’t fully understood what that silver light he used to defeated Falkor was. It wasn’t as though they didn’t think of the silver mirror constitution, but since when had it been so fierce?! Many would kill at the chance to have a heaven grade constitution, but that didn’t mean they didn’t understand that even they had limits.
But… Who would have known that instead of showing off whatever this treasure or ability was, Dyon would actually step forward without any protection at all!? It wasn’t just him either, Titus and Falkor stepped forward simultaneously!
It wasn’t until now that those around understood what it truly meant to be a True God. While they had battle intent in their eyes, they had still been biding their time. But did True Gods care about their comparison to others? Their only challenge was defeating themselves!
Dyon’s clothes completely burned to ashes. Without the protection of any energy, how could normal clothes he made on a whim survive in such a harsh environment?
His wide back was revealed to the world, elaborate tattoos of black, white and gold coming into full view.
Madeleine sighed in exasperation while the other women hid their eyes behind their hands, unable to stop their curiosity from forcing them to peak through.
However, the men were focused on something entirely different… He was surviving with just his body! Suddenly, the words of Yandevere rang in their ears once more: undead body!
True God Tatsuya and Hydra looked toward Dyon, a fierce light shining in their eyes as he was set ablaze. While everyone else wanted to use this opportunity to compete, he was using it to train!
Flames of red, silver and gold danced across Dyon’s body as the heat set him on fire. It was only then that his naked body was finally hidden from the eyes of those spectating.
Finally, the remaining geniuses shook themselves out of their stupor and surged forward themselves!
Madeleine didn’t care much for the theatrics, nor did she care for competition. Her only reason for wanting to grow stronger was to stand by Dyon’s side and pay him back for having always protected her. In fact, the only reason she hadn’t stepped from with Dyon was because she was content to protect his back.
A blaze of violet flames erupted from her body. Delicate wing sprouted from her back, separating into detailed feathers of a Phoenix. Her presence became intoxicating, distracting many of those around her even long after she had crossed the barrier.
Soon, after God Goldeen took his own step forward, a leisure expression on his handsome face as flames of gold appeared around him. The call of a golden crow shook the dark space, coming with it a large illusory manifestation.
Dyon wasn’t paying attention to any of this. Instead, his mind and body were racked with an endless pain as wisps of flames rampaged around his body.
His method of body refinement wasn’t very complex and emphasized balance. The Demon Sage had made it clear to Dyon that it wasn’t just about toughening his body, but also balance. This balance wasn’t only about evenly distributing these flames, but also about the kind of pain he put his body through. However, that later caveat wasn’t something he was focused on right now.
Hours passed by as the geniuses slowly made their way forward. Dyon and Madeleine followed a leisurely pace, not allowing others to dictate their speed.
By now, they had been bathed in a world of flames for so long that they were no longer visible to the elders outside the barrier. In fact, even with protection of their energy, it was only possible to see about a meter or so ahead of them. However… Did Dyon have such a handicap?
“Do you believe that I don’t know that you’re there?” Dyon suddenly spoke, still hovering in the air in meditation. His eyes didn’t have to open. From beginning to end, he had had his divine sense locked onto not only all disciples of the Flaming Lily Sect, he had also been monitoring the surroundings.
Since divine sense had difficulty piercing through certain things, it was no surprise that it was difficult for one to maintain theirs in such an environment. In fact, many wouldn’t even dare to release their divine sense in such volatile atmosphere. However, Dyon was different. He had no such fear!
“Not speaking?” Dyon sneered. “I’ll give you five seconds. Go back to the fool who gave you this assignment and keep your life… Or stay and die!”
Dyon heard someone clear their throat awkwardly from ahead. “True God Sacharro, please understand my plight –”
“Four.” Dyon replied blandly.
The voice grit their teeth in growing anger. True God or not, this young man still wasn’t a celestial!