Crossover Anime: I Became Invincible Starting as an Ajin

Chapter 111 Establishing a Clean Network

"They want to use your tragedy as a way to lure Madoka Kaname into a trap—"

"The final and most crucial factor in becoming a magical girl."

Wang Bai told Sayaka this cruel prediction.

Sayaka was struck dumb, her face turning deathly pale instantly.

She couldn't imagine what it would be like if she really turned into a monster and hurt Madoka, or if Madoka had to sacrifice herself to save her—

"No—absolutely not!"

She suddenly raised her head, her eyes still wet with tears, but with an even stronger determination fueled by anger.

"I absolutely cannot let them succeed! I absolutely cannot—become a tool to harm Xiaoyuan!"

I saw the flame rekindled in Sayaka's eyes.

Wang Bai knew that her inner conflict had not been completely resolved.

But at least she found a new foothold to support her to keep moving forward.

"We can no longer passively respond to their attacks."

Wang Bai frowned. So far, the actions taken were always countered only after the Incubator Civilization had already acted.

"Incubators exploit information asymmetry and human weaknesses, so we must strengthen our defenses."

Currently, Wang Bai's Imaginary Tree is gradually growing through the process of purifying despair time and time again.

This growth allowed the Imaginary Tree to begin taking root in this world.

As long as there is sufficient nutrition, it can completely permeate the entire world.

To change the despairing tone of this world.

Wang Bai immersed his consciousness into his body, and the sapling of the Imaginary Tree that had merged with the Holy Grail grew even stronger than before.

The roots seem to extend into the dimension of emptiness, and the branches and leaves sway gently, radiating a warm glow full of "possibilities".

It is quietly growing by feeding on the world's "despair" and is trying to "rewrite" the world's tone in return.

"Individual purification is ultimately a drop in the ocean, and it can never keep up with the speed at which the incubators create despair."

Wang Bai spoke to Sayaka, as well as Homura Akemi, Mami Tomoe, and Kyoko Sakura, who were subsequently summoned urgently.

The atmosphere was heavy. Although Sayaka's emotions were stable, her past experiences made her appear even more silent and resolute.

When Mami and Kyoko learned of the Incubator's plot to catalyze Sayaka's transformation into a witch in order to provoke Madoka, they both felt a chill.

"We must change our strategy." Wang Bai pointed to the sky and used magic to project the illusory image of the Dream Tree that emitted a faint light.

"It is our stronghold" and the core of our purification.

It can transform despair into nourishment and unleash a purifying power resembling the rudiments of the Third Law.

But guidance and the pooling of resources are needed.

The magical girls didn't understand what the other was talking about, but they could feel the radiance emanating from the Imaginary Tree.

This radiance is the same as the light of the gem that purifies their souls.

"I intend to use the power of magic to create a magic base."

"This magical foundation, centered around the Imaginary Tree, constructs a purification network."

"Every magical girl can become one of the fulcrums."

Wang Bai took out several simple yet mysterious stones.

The stone is engraved with musical notation symbols, but upon closer inspection, it seems as if some elusive information flashes through one's mind, almost like an illusion.

This is a specially made purification rune created by Wang Bai using runes and combining them with the power of the Imaginary Tree.

These runes are no longer just for shielding against interference; they can also subtly and continuously absorb the impurities that naturally accumulate in the wearer's soul gems and, through a mysterious connection, guide them to the Imaginary Tree for transformation.

This can greatly alleviate the daily survival pressure of magical girls.

Each magical girl equipped with a rune can become a mobile node on the magic disk.

Homura Akemi, Mami Tomoe, Kyoko Sakura, and Sayaka Miki sat in a circle.

At the center is the illusory tree projection of Wang Bai, radiating a warm glow.

Holding specially made purification runes in their hands, they relaxed their minds and guided their magic and hope to resonate with the Imaginary Tree, following Wang Bai's instructions.

Gradually, wisps of barely visible black mist were drawn from their soul gems and merged into the phantom of the Imaginary Tree.

The light from the phantom seemed to have solidified a bit more.

At the same time, a warm and calming force returned, soothing their weary hearts from the battle and negative emotions.

"It feels so light and easy," Sayaka murmured to herself, feeling as if a huge weight that had been pressing on her heart for so long had been lifted.

"Indeed, the rate at which the Soul Gem accumulates its filth has slowed significantly." Asami felt her own condition, her eyes filled with hope.

Although Xingzi didn't say anything, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little.

Homura Akemi silently sensed this unique power, which was different from magic and more like a kind of "life force".

Seeing that everyone was gradually relaxing, Wang Bai felt that he could now explain the whole situation to them.

"Perhaps some of you know something about QB, and also about the civilization that incubated it."

"But if you were asked to give specific information about QB and the Incubator Civilization, I'm sure you would be just as clueless."

"We are not facing a single QB, but a highly advanced interstellar civilization called the Incubators. The QBs are merely their terminal execution units, sharing a cold, collective consciousness."

"Their method of perpetuating the universe is not through creating energy, but through the highly efficient harvesting of emotional energy." The energy released by magical girls in the instant they fall from hope to despair is their target. The Seed of Sorrow is merely the residue after energy extraction, serving as bait for the next round of harvest.

"They meticulously crafted a deception: wish to become a magical girl—accumulate filth through battle—become a witch in despair—and be destroyed by other magical girls."

"This cycle is their farmland," and you are the crops that are planted and harvested generation after generation.

"Due to a certain special factor, an unknown change has occurred in this farmland."

At this point, Wang Bai looked at Homura Akemi.

"Madoka Kaname's body is a collection of unimaginable, even unknown, immense causes and effects."

"The Incubator Civilization has been deeply involved in the field of magical girls for many years, and they may not be able to quantify and intuitively calculate the cause and effect in Madoka Kaname's case."

"But the other party will definitely be able to sense the abnormality in Madoka Kaname and will be able to roughly deduce the weight of karma on Madoka Kaname."

"That's why I've always paid close attention to Madoka Kaname's performance."

"In my estimation, Madoka Kaname is very likely to become the savior of 'magical girls'."

"But I have serious doubts about the existence of this savior."

"Perhaps the possibility of Madoka Kaname becoming the savior is a result deduced by the Incubator Civilization."

"To entice Madoka Kaname to make a grand wish that could drastically alter reality—a wish that could potentially lead to a conceptual existence called the Law of Cycles, which would redeem magical girls from the brink of despair."

This is not out of kindness, but rather to optimize, solidify, and consolidate the entire harvesting system, thereby achieving a permanent and stable harvest of energy.

Although Mami Tomoe already knew part of the truth from Wang Bai, she still felt dizzy and angry upon hearing such a systematic and cold explanation.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the teacup, but her eyes were even more determined—this time, she had a partner to fight alongside her, instead of bearing this devastating truth alone.

Sakura Kyoko chuckled, but her smile lacked its usual mockery, revealing only a cold understanding.

"Ha, I knew it. Do they think we're all fools and batteries?"

Her already pragmatic philosophy of survival found a more definite enemy, which made it easier for her to accept and share the same hatred.

Sayaka Miki bit her lip tightly; Wang Bai's words confirmed her worst fears.

But this time, fear was replaced by intense anger and a determination to "never let them succeed."

She looked at her companions and found a sense of belonging and a reason to fight together.

Homura Akemi listened in silence, but her heart was already burning with anger. According to Wang Bai, wouldn't she have become the biggest accomplice in the fact that Madoka Kaname was being used?

The soul gems that everyone had just purified now seemed to have become slightly impure again.

"Calm down!"

A reprimand rang in the ears of the magical girls.

"Although I can help you purify the Soul Gem, the Soul Gem ultimately reflects your inner selves. My method is merely a temporary fix; the true source of self-protection lies within yourselves."

Wang Bai is now somewhat worried. Perhaps his protection will cause the magical girl's heart to stop growing, and in some special situations, she might not even be able to hold on until Wang Bai purifies her.

They must be given tools to combat systemic spiritual pollution. He decided to impart the spiritual power from the wandering traveler—not to pursue destructive power, but to "guard the heart."

"Listen carefully, I will not provide you with purification services indefinitely, especially now that we are fighting against the Incubator Civilization."

"I don't want you to become overly dependent on me and lose the ability to save yourselves."

"Next, I will teach you a power to strengthen your mind."

"artistic conception!"

"Artistic conception is a state of mind. What I want to teach you is not how to attack, but how to protect."

O

"Protect the clarity in your hearts, and in the tide of despair, hold firm to your existence like a reef, and do not be swallowed up by negative emotions."

Wang Bai guided them to build their own "spiritual anchor point" within themselves.

It could be cherished memories, unwavering beliefs, a tenacity for survival, or even purely sensory experiences.

This "anchor point" will become their fulcrum against psychological shocks.

By coordinating with a special breathing rhythm, one can adjust their physical and mental state and calm their mind.

Homura Akemi quickly mastered it and entered a peculiar state.

Next is Kyoko Sakura, then Mami Tomoe, and finally Sayaka Miki.

This reveals the strength of their inner will.

Sayaka Miki's heart is the most fragile, which makes it impossible for her to enter into the state of mind cultivation, but this can only be achieved through her own efforts.

Once they learn to guard their hearts, it's like they're equipping their souls with a layer of armor. This greatly enhances the magical girls' tolerance and resistance to negative emotions, slowing down the rate at which the Soul Gem becomes corrupted.

"After that, you will need to pass on these techniques and runes to every magical girl who joins us."

Wang Bai instructed them to gather all the magical girls and rewrite their hopeless fate.

This matter is of paramount importance to both them and Wang Bai.

Wang Bai's strategy began to show results.

Those specially made purification stones were used by Homura Akemi, Mami Tomoe, Kyoko Sakura, and Sayaka Miki, whose condition was gradually stabilizing.

Like seeds sown, they quietly flowed into the hands of magical girls in Mitakihara City and the surrounding areas who were still fighting alone or struggling in despair.

A magical girl, hiding in an abandoned factory, her soul gem now tainted, trembled as she accepted the runestone offered by Anzu.

The moment that warm light touches the gemstone, the grime that has accumulated over time is slowly drawn away.

The long-lost feeling of ease almost brought her to tears. She was told the basic method of "mindfulness of intention".

Although she was still a novice and confused, the simple steps of focusing on breathing and guarding the light within her gave her a brand new weapon to fight against the endless darkness.

With her inherent elegance and persuasiveness, Mami Tomoe connects with magical girls she once knew but who may have become estranged due to differing ideologies.

She shared the runes, taught the art of guarding the heart, and more importantly, conveyed a message: they were not alone, but a collective trying to break free from the shackles of fate.

Homura Akemi uses her time-manipulation abilities to efficiently traverse the city, precisely delivering resources and information to those who need it most and are most likely to receive help.

Her actions were swift and covert, greatly avoiding a direct confrontation with the QB cluster.

Data flashed wildly in qb's red eyes.

They were able to detect a large number of "small magical nodes" that seemed to be spreading in all directions. These nodes moved erratically, like ants crawling around in a chaotic manner.

A large-scale, dispersed, low-intensity unknown energy field was detected generating in and around Mitakihara. Energy field characteristics and variable "Wang Bai".

Several magical girls experienced an abnormal decrease in the rate at which their Soul Gems accumulated impurities, with decreases ranging from 15% to 40%. Simultaneously, an unnatural smoothing trend was detected in the frequency and intensity of their emotional fluctuations.

The magical girl's location is constantly changing, and her behavior patterns are experiencing "noise interference," making it impossible to accurately locate the core hub.

The variable "Wang Bai" has successfully established a distributed "purification-stabilization" network. This network effectively reduced the output efficiency of "despair" units within the system and enhanced the anti-interference capabilities of individual units. The data stream in the red eyes of the QBs is refreshing at an unprecedented speed.

They tried to trace the origin of the runes and analyze the principles of "artistic conception," but Wang Bai's methods integrated the power systems of multiple worlds.

In particular, the power of "artistic conception," which directly points to the essence of the mind, poses a huge cognitive obstacle for incubators who rely on data logic analysis.

They don't understand how this strange thing works.

There is no trace of the so-called "artistic conception" power in reality, but the changes in magical girls can prove that artistic conception truly exists and plays a role.