Chapter 859: Chains of Fate

Gu Qing Shan looked at his shadow from a distance.

After the slash, the shadow still remained.

“Huh? Strange, why hasn’t it gone away yet?”

Gu Qing Shan muttered doubtfully.

When he turned around, he found that the Soul Artifact Void Slasher was still floating in the air, gradually absorbing his Soul Points.

Gu Qing Shan slowly understood.

He sent his thoughts towards the Void Slasher.

Sure enough, the Void Slasher gave off a faint sound of vibration.

The shadow then started to fly and stopped right next to Gu Qing Shan.

“In other words…”

Gu Qing Shan glanced at his shadow and raised his sword.

The shadow also raised its sword.

Gu Qing Shan swung and released a light-blue sword phantom.

The shadow also swung and released a light-blue sword phantom.

So it is a lingering shadow.

This Void Slasher Soul Artifact can create a shadow to fight alongside the user.

This was equivalent to fighting two-on-one.

Furthermore, as long as the shadow didn’t take enough damage for it to be immediately dispelled, the user could use Soul Points to make it recover.

As an offensive means, this was quite exceptional.

Gu Qing Shan cut off his connection with the Void Slasher.

The shadow disappeared right away.

The Void Slasher lightly fell down into Gu Qing Shan’s hand.

As Gu Qing Shan silently thought about the test just now, he felt something wasn’t quite right.

He poured Soul Points into the Void Slasher again.

The shadow reappeared.

This time, as he infused more Soul Points into it, the shadow became clearer and clearer until it was almost identical to him.

The only difference was that the shadow was transparent and that it was completely expressionless.

Gu Qing Shan unleashed another crescent sword phantom.

The shadow swiftly followed and produced an even more blinding sword phantom.

As Gu Qing Shan sensed the difference between these two sword phantoms, he almost couldn’t contain his surprise.

The attack from the shadow was actually stronger than Gu Qing Shan himself!

Gu Qing Shan stood frozen in place, completely dumbfounded.

He had never witnessed such a unique weapon before.

The treasure tools of Cultivation-type worlds he knew of had always used the primary Elements or mutated Elements as their foundation, so these kinds of unique weapons didn’t exist.

And Technological products weren’t able to accomplish this either.

Perhaps Magic-type worlds had items similar to this, but they were mostly weak mirror images that couldn’t receive damage.

Chaos-type worlds only had strange items that hurt both yourself and the enemy, and they weren’t quite as strong.

Mystic-type worlds could be discounted for now since they were full of inexplicable things that couldn’t be explained, but maybe similar items existed.

As for Savage-type, Occult-type, and countless others that Gu Qing Shan hadn’t gotten too familiar with, he didn’t know if similar weapons existed, but he instinctively believed that there shouldn’t be too many with similar effects.

Because this Soul Artifact wasn’t only able to create a replica of the user, it could even exert more power than the original!

Through this fact alone, it had already far surpassed other mirror image-type tools.

Gu Qing Shan continued to infuse the Void Slasher with more Soul Points.

His shadow slowly became more solid and detailed, to a point where even the tiny pores on his face would be seen.

Pop!

The shadow abruptly disappeared.

Gu Qing Shan was a bit startled.

So there’s a maximum limit.

From how much Soul Points I poured in, the most that the shadow could exert was an attack that’s one stage more powerful than the original.

Any more and the shadow will collapse.

But the fact that a shadow could surpass the original is already very impressive.

Just think about it, when you are fighting against an enemy who’s about as strong as you are, all of a sudden you unleashed a partner who’s stronger than yourself that fights with you.

The results don’t need to be said.

Gu Qing Shan’s heart was beating fast as he looked at the Void Slasher that was only about the size of his thumb.

With this Soul Artifact, I can unleash power that surpasses Three Thousand Worlds realm, almost to the level of Paragon realm.

No wonder Soul Artifacts are sought after by so many people!

No wonder back in Triste’s collection world, the Progenitor Fiendess didn’t even hesitate to accept the offered Soul Artifact!

Gu Qing Shan carefully put the Void Slasher away.

He regained his calm and went back to the workstation.

There was still a lot of heavy work to do.

He picked up the Soul Carving Knife and began to create the next Soul Artifact.

Time slowly passed.

Before he knew it, Gu Qing Shan had already finished creating another 12 Void Slasher.

While he was still feeling good, he didn’t stop and made the defensive Soul Artifact as well.

The Chaotic Elemental Bombardment Plate.

It was quite an interesting item.

When it was triggered by an attack, it would exert an overwhelmingly powerful aura that would make the enemy hesitate.

At the same time, it will convert the user into an Element most suitable to escape from the particular battle environment and flee.

Gu Qing Shan tested it out.

He wielded the Void Slasher and created a shadow to attack himself.

The Chaotic Elemental Bombardment Plate was immediately triggered and exerted energy waves that far surpassed Paragon realm to scare off this shadow.

Unfortunately, it was just a shadow so it didn’t react at all.

At the same time, Gu Qing Shan felt that he turned into a howling gust of wind that blew past the area and headed towards the deeper end of the Abyssal Jail.

As Gu Qing Shan turned back to look, he saw another ‘Gu Qing Shan’ standing where he did, wielding a sword and loudly roaring with an overwhelming aura on his body, clearly about to risk his life.

What bullshit ‘defense’.

This is clearly a fleeing tool.

As Gu Qing Shan turned back into a human, he sighed emotionally and carefully put this Chaotic Elemental Bombardment Plate away.

He also stashed away the Soul Carving Knife, the 12 Void Slashers as well as every last bit of material left in this place.

Next.

To kill the Demon Dragon.

Gu Qing Shan stepped on the round disk again to leave this workstation area and returned to the control center.

“I want to issue a directive” Gu Qing Shan said.

A cold mechanical voice came from the darkness above:

[Only human teenager to appear in 100 million years, please state your order]

“I want to destroy the weapon: sleeping Demon Dragon” Gu Qing Shan declared.

[Please wait a moment, identity verification is necessary]

A ring of light appeared underneath Gu Qing Shan’s feet and moved towards his head in an extremely slow pace.

Some moments later.

The ring of light vanished.

The mechanical voice came again:

[Identity verified, you are indeed human]

[Are you certain that you want to destroy the sleeping Demon Dragon?]

“I’m certain”

[The Demon Dragon is dead]

“I still insist on doing this”

[Your directive has taken effect, please activate the destruction sequence as the highest authority protocols]

“Got it”

Gu Qing Shan took out one Void Slasher.

A powerful suction force surrounded his Void Slasher, took it from his hand, and into the sky.

The Void Slasher engraved itself into the sky and turned into a blinking star.

Gu Qing Shan took out the second Void Slasher.

This Soul Artifact also flew up and turned into another star.

All 12 offensive Soul Artifacts were engraved in the sky, removing the total darkness within this space to illuminate the entire giant and endless control center.

[Following established protocols to awaken the destruction hex within the Demon Dragon’s soul, please be patient]

[Once everything is complete, you will need to reaffirm the destruction process]

“How do I reaffirm that?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

[You will need to snap your fingers]

Snap my fingers?

Gu Qing Shan didn’t know what to say to that.

“Ok, I understand”

Saying so, he stood still and silently waited.

In the Bygone Era, humanity had placed the power to destroy the Demon Dragon inside its soul.

If the Demon Dragon was still alive, it would definitely notice the changes happening in its soul.

If,

It is,

Alive.

「 You can’t kill me! 」

A roar of extreme anger resounded.

Right in front of Gu Qing Shan, the Demon Dragon’s soul appeared out of nowhere.

Although it was only a soul, it was being restrained by a thick black chain that fully wrapped around its body, unable to move.

The chain was engraved with all sorts of glittering grey runes that gave off sharp, high-pitched noises.

This was a chain strong enough to trap the Demon Dragon’s soul.

Furthermore, invisible waves of energy had surrounded the few dozen meters area around Gu Qing Shan’s body and completely protected him.

The cold mechanical voice came again: [The soul-destroying hex is still being prepared. Defensive measures have been deployed, please do not be alarmed]

Gu Qing Shan nodded and looked straight at the Demon Dragon’s soul.

Compared to the previous time they met, it had changed quite noticeably.

The horns on its head were no longer pointed up, but rather curved along its head to stretch towards its back.

The black horns were flaking away a bit to reveal a gloomy material underneath.

The body was also different from the last time.

Various grey strands of essence were drifting around his body, occasionally being absorbed inside until they finally vanished.

This was obviously not what the Demon Dragon was supposed to look like.

“What did you do to yourself?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

The Demon Dragon’s soul didn’t answer, only stared straight at him and breathed out heavily: 「 You can’t kill me 」

“Why not?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

「 Once I die, there would be no one left to stop the Abyssal Fate Weaver 」the Demon Dragon answered.

“Even if I left you alive you wouldn’t try to stop it anyways” Gu Qing Shan replied.

The Demon Dragon seemed shocked and muttered: 「 You knew? 」

“That’s right, I also know that you think of humans as not worthy of your loyalty and believe only in the power of the Abyss” Gu Qing Shan replied.

The Demon Dragon looked at him and showed a hesitant expression.

For a while, neither of them said a single word.

The mechanical voice came again: [In two minutes, the destruction hex will be activated]

The Demon Dragon abruptly laughed in a frenzy.

「 So a fool has finally arrived, someone actually wants to kill me, ahahahahahaha! 」

Gu Qing Shan looked at him and asked doubtfully: “Have you gone insane?”

The Demon Dragon looked up at the sky and roared: 「 Regretful! Too regretful! I only needed a bit more time to fully become Abyssal and escape from the restraint of my soul, why did a human have to arrive at this point in time! 」

“I’m sorry about that, I was a bit late” Gu Qing Shan replied.

The Demon Dragon suddenly shut up and looked back at Gu Qing Shan again.

He seemed to have regained his calm as he spoke with a gradual tone: 「 From the Bygone Era until now, no human had ever tried to kill me, because I am a faulty weapon 」

“Faulty?” Gu Qing Shan doubtfully asked.

「 Indeed. And what a bit fault it is 」the Demon Dragon smirked and revealed his mouth full of teeth:

「 When you humans created me, you inputted a certain Causality Law into me: Every 200,000 years, I would be woken up to consume every lifeform infected by my Demon Dragon Blood and grow stronger 」

“I know that” Gu Qing Shan nodded.

The Demon Dragon looked at Gu Qing Shan and displayed a mocking look in his eyes: 「 Then did you know, if someone tried to kill me, they would have to take over that Causality Law and become the new Demon Dragon? 」

Gu Qing Shan replied: “I know that that’s why the one who’s going to kill you is the Abyssal Jail and not me”

The Demon Dragon mocked him: 「 Do you think a Causality Law is a joke? You did not kill me yourself, but you are indeed the reason that I died. According to the Law of Causality, you would not be able to obtain the power that I have collected for so many years, you will be transformed into the original, the weakest form of the Demon Dragon 」

Gu Qing Shan froze.

The Demon Dragon grinned triumphantly and continued: 「 From long ago, no human had ever tried to activate my elimination protocols, because none of you were ever willing to give up your identity as a human and turn into an abomination, a weapon that no human would shelter 」

His voice turned malicious: 「 All of humanity will instinctively be wary of you and stay away from you. Because if they touched you even once, they would be infected and turn into a Demon Dragon bloodkin. At that time, they only have the choice to be devoured by you or kill you before that happened 」

「 You will become the source of a curse of certain death 」

「 You will become a disgusting and hateful monster! 」

「 From that moment onwards, for all eternity, you will forever be the only one of your kind, no human will ever approach you. You are doomed to stay by yourself in eternal solitude 」

His tone suddenly turned hurried and full of temptation: 「 That is why, pitiable fool, it is not too late to change your mind. Release me, you will be able to keep your identity as a human, you can return to your world and live as a normal person while keeping everything that you rightfully have 」

Coincidentally, the cold mechanical voice spoke up at this point in time:

[The destruction hex has been fully prepared]

[Please reaffirm your order]

The Demon Dragon looked straight at Gu Qing Shan.

Gu Qing Shan looked down and said nothing for now.

The Demon Dragon’s tone became a bit gentler and tried to convince him: 「 Give up, child, you have a brighter and better future waiting for you, there is no need to turn yourself into a monster 」

Time slowly passed.

A few breaths later.

Gu Qing Shan slowly looked up and sighed: “Fate has never been dependent on our choices”

He snapped his finger.