Superhumans of the Dome City-Chapter 1311 - 141: Demon God Metamorphosis (Part 2)

"...Do you know, Alandia." Gongsun Ce said slowly, "Along the way, we have witnessed so many things that I vaguely had some thoughts. I think I can understand the Silent King now, her ideas aren’t wrong."

"Why?" Alandia asked.

"Long-term solidification will inevitably lead to stagnation, and rigid ideals will ultimately result in sorrow. The cost of achieving eternity is freezing the self in that moment, but the world’s changes are vast and profound, that would be the eternity of the past, a faded dream. No matter how noble the starting point, how meticulous the plan, one person’s wild fantasy can never catch up with time and all beings."

Gongsun Ce’s thoughts became clearer, and he couldn’t help but speak faster: "The civilization front line set a thousand years ago has now become a bind of alliance; the vortex of punishment on Zero Island has instead fostered a nest of villains; the Heaven that fulfills the wishes of all beings has also become a haven for maniacs. Therefore, the decay of dreams has become a shackle of reality, and destruction against permanence is the right decision. A world that never changes is like a stagnant pool, unless it is shattered, there is no light or hope!"

The ash figure in the Mandala accelerated its dance, its movements gradually deviating from the Immortal’s ethereal grace, growing wild like an evil demon. At this moment, the gray Mandala stained with the black and red of Tribulation Flame, the complex evolving picture was not like the birth of a new world, but rather a disaster sweeping through the world, burning it with fire.

It was no longer the picture of the Immortal, for he knew he did not seek transcendence. An angry expression appeared on the ash figure’s face, a cold murderous intent flowing with its dance, targeting the annihilation of all life, its dance would stain the world black and red with tainted blood!

"So, do you intend to become the enemy of the world?" Alandia asked.

Gongsun Ce remained seated cross-legged, his expression calm and serene. His mind was filled with thoughts of the enemies encountered along the way, those who he personally killed.

"If all sentient beings are to be burned, what difference is there between me and the eternal logic? Yet, universal love and salvation are the sources of disaster, some people’s wishes should not be realized, and incorrigible villains should not exist in the Mortal World. Therefore, evil must be eradicated, and the guilty must be punished. My flames exist to burn away evil, my sword is forged to protect all beings. This is the glorious destruction, this is the revered annihilation, this is the necessary evil, the impermanent demon!"

The ash figure’s appearance changed with Gongsun Ce’s words, first sprouting long and cunning "horns", spewing murky, polluted speech, that was the "demonic barrier" corrupting morality, the "Māra" that signaled destruction; then it transformed, clad in iron-gray armor, holding swords in both hands, an image of majesty, defending the Twenty-Four Heavens and safeguarding the righteous path, the "Ming King".

But this righteous and noble image contradicted the intent of destruction, as it was a deity born for protection, and so it became thin, indifferent, like a wisp of invisible smoke, an invisible gas, without a face, without emotion, it took others’ sorrow as its own, others’ joy as its own. This is the self-aware lord of change, the demon king Devaputra bringing annihilation.

Gongsun Ce’s train of thought was momentarily stalled, unable to conceive a more suitable image, but wasn’t this formless, colorless demon precisely the indifferent "Formless Phase". Making others’ emotions one’s own strength, embodying oneself through others’ bodies, how was this conduct any different from Situ Yi? Even if he thought all his actions were righteous, wasn’t this biased approach seen by others as demonic?

——You will ultimately become a new king, trampling all beings with your world, raging alone at the road’s end.

The Silent King’s prophecy at their parting now sounded chillingly real. Could it be that he had walked all this way refusing the king’s invitation, only to tread the same dead-end path?

Gongsun Ce set aside his anxious heart. He calmed himself in thought, lingering in long stagnation, allowing the shape-shifting ash figure to dance menacingly within the Mandala, and despite the entangled obstruction in his inner strength, he refused to act rashly. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked to the side, where Alandia still sat, her chest plate bearing the emblem of the Holy Grail.

Gongsun Ce smiled joyfully, the final piece of his contemplation falling into place, remembering the Yama Heaven created by the Red Mage before his death, understanding the path he must walk. The ash figure changed again, becoming a dignified Venerable figure, still bearing an evil demeanor because it was still a demon, the Yama that punishes evil and promotes good. He lacked precisely this reasoning of judging evil, incapable of boasting personal justice but needing to wield the power of destruction for all beings.

Gongsun Ce clasped his hands, changing continuously. The Six Seals of Unawareness, Solitary Thought, Bitter Karma, Illusory Words, Power Rage, and Absolute Hatred were recreated one by one in the six hands of the figure. He stood up, vigorously clapping his hands, a joyous shout echoing in all directions.

"Obliterate the source of evil, transform into the Demon God." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Silent Phase: Manifestation. The Autonomous Immortal Outside Path: Yama Heavenly Māra!"

The dark night met dawn at this moment, the first ray of sunlight shining upon the ash figure. Ashes composing the body dissipated with the morning light, a brand new body born from the erased ash. It bore six arms, each wielding divine skills, blackened skin streaked with fiery streams like veins. The characteristics of previous forms appeared one by one upon it, ash coalesced into horns at the sides of its head, flame cast black, lightweight armor, and attire, the formless, colorless air spinning with its dance, integrating into the Mandala. A fissure opened on its forehead, the Heavenly Eye that sees through illusion was born, perceiving all mental demons that obstruct thought.

Fused technologies created its form, it is Māra, Yama, Ming King, Devaputra, more than that, it is the "Great Self-awakened Heaven" that brings destruction. The three-eyed Demon God danced wildly within the fire, singing freely for destruction and obliteration!

Gongsun Ce watched his accomplishment, his insight. The Six Paths to God Skill was gathered within the Demon God, he naturally controlled the many "privileges" of intent, which was the power of destruction. He discovered he could now see those invisible connections, could understand the world he inhabited, an almost instinctive impulse roaring within him, wanting to spread his insight through his Domain to every corner of this world.

Gongsun Ce raised his hand towards the newly risen sun, the fiery orb paused on his palm like a jewel. He felt capable of controlling everything... that power sufficient to place the world within his grasp!

"The manifested domain is the so-called ’Divine Realm’. The Divine Light will step out of the mental temple at this stage, proclaiming its power to the real world."

Alandia gazed up at the majestic Demon God, her words full of admiration. Gongsun Ce restrained his soaring desires and allowed the Demon God’s manifestation to fade. He touched his nose, laughing: "Hey, Teacher Alandia. How’s my achievement?"

"Beyond my imagination." Dawn Knight smiled, "Even Sky Extreme would praise you."

Her silver hair fluttered in the high-altitude wind, dawn light illuminating her smiling face. Along the way, she did her best to explain knowledge, assist in cultivation, through lesson plans aiding him in mastering this power. Many nights Gongsun Ce saw her at the desk organizing teaching plans until late. Now the long cultivation journey had ended, she praised her disciple’s ingenuity and talent yet didn’t mention her own contributions.

He felt once again like the clumsy youth, filled with gratitude and emotion, unable to find the beautiful words to utter them. As had happened countless times before, he softly said again:

"Thank you, Alandia."