A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 314 The Dark World

Guan Luoyang was eating when he received the message from Shenyi.

This place is close to the mountains. Not far ahead is a developed forest park. Occasionally, you can see some shops selling fruits and drinks on both sides of the road.

He bought a box of peeled cantaloupe in front of a fruit shop, which came with a small transparent plastic fork, and ate it as he walked.

The sweet and delicious melon flesh, soaked in ice water, releases a refreshing and delightful liquid as it slides down the throat with each bite, leaving a cool sensation in the mouth for quite some time.

This is the feeling that an ordinary person can get when tasting this cantaloupe. But in Guan Luoyang's mouth now, the deliciousness, hydration, coolness and refreshing sensation of this fruit are magnified almost thousands of times.

That refreshing, cool sensation made this ordinary box of fruits more tempting and captivating than any genetically edited food or the finest wine brewed by immortals, making one yearn for more.

The restlessness of the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra was stimulating genetic martial arts and the Heavenly River Orthodox Method, causing Guan Luoyang to experience an uncontrollable feeling of hunger and thirst throughout his body.

Guan Luoyang had reason to believe that now, let alone eating a box of delicious cantaloupe, even if he swallowed dozens of freshly dissected and frozen cattle and sheep, or even gnawed on trees and absorbed everything in his sight, he would only find it delicious.

Walking along the road leading to the forest park, he ate all the melon and began to sip ice water, deliberately enduring the pain, as if a rain cloud or two had descended in the extremely dry desert, providing insignificant relief.

This allowed him to calm his mind for the time being and perceive the information conveyed by the divine garment more carefully.

"Information processing center... power supply lines... Brahma's brain?!"

Guan Luoyang never expected that the exposure of his identity was actually predicted by a supercomputer.

This is outrageous. I've been to worlds with immortal magic before, and because my cultivation level was high enough, I was able to disrupt their divination abilities and prevent them from seeing through my plans.

However, in a technological world, they suffered from being "predicted" by others.

The emergence of self-aware artificial intelligence is indeed a major problem.

However, his attention soon shifted to another place.

Since obtaining the divine armor's majesty, the combat life fibers that make up the divine armor have resonated with Guan Luoyang's will countless times, and have absorbed so much of his blood, they have long since formed a stable connection of mutual understanding.

The information transmitted was crystal clear, not only completely conveying the process of Liu Anshan's communication with the Brahma Brain, but also meticulously recording the previous conversation between the Liu family father and daughter, even faithfully recording and presenting the emotional fluctuations.

He carefully sensed Liu Anshan's hatred and fighting spirit.

Originally, Guan Luoyang knew about Liu Anshan's past and his experiences before and after becoming a special agent. He had learned about it in detail when he met with Wu Mingjing. However, under the current circumstances, hearing about this past again touched him with a strange emotion.

"Once you've made up your mind, even if the target of your hatred is a behemoth like Hachiyoin, you can remain steadfast and calm for over a decade. But when it comes to your own daughter, you subconsciously want to run away until you're forced to confront her?"

Although the two events cannot be considered to be of the same type.

But at this moment, Guan Luoyang did think of himself.

No matter what difficulties stand in my way, no matter what kind of enemy I face, as long as it is something I believe I should do, a path I believe I should take, I will definitely try, do my best, and forge ahead.

However, he kept avoiding the Heavenly Demon Art.

Perhaps it was because of that bet that he was somewhat wary when he first obtained the Heavenly Demon Skill. The more he learned about the Heavenly Demon Skill, the more he avoided it.

Although he never gave up practicing this technique, he was always trying to break it down into smaller parts.

He sought other mental techniques to counteract the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra, only extracting a portion of its sword intent from the Great Sky Slash, and only taking the method of generating power from the Demon Dragon Emperor Fist without studying the fist techniques. As for the Exploding Spirit Four Eclipses, he only dabbled in them before giving up on going deeper.

"You never know until you think about it, and then you're shocked."

Guan Luoyang pondered, "Back then, the Azure Bird's true form was mysterious and unknown, far surpassing mine, yet I dared to practice, use, and study it deeply. How did I gradually become so pretentious in my treatment of the Heavenly Demon Art?"

This can also be explained by the fact that when he first obtained the true form of the Bluebird, he had no choice and no worries. Later, in the God Space, after many missions, he had more choices and more to consider, and his courage was unconsciously dampened.

"Now that I have already gained so many advantages from the Heavenly Demon Art, and am even trying to master it, how can I be hesitant and fail to understand it thoroughly?"

To think that you can purify and integrate this road before you've even walked it or seen it is just wishful thinking.

Guan Luoyang drank all the remaining ice water, chewing on ice cubes with a crunching sound, and made a decision.

"Without relying on other mental techniques to counterbalance and suppress, I will devote myself entirely to it and see whether you lose control faster or I take control faster."

Whoosh!

Guan Luoyang crumpled the thin plastic box in his hand into a ball and threw it behind him without looking back. Vacuum divine power was poured into it, making it look like a star pellet, round and bright, constantly expanding, spinning and stirring up the boiling atmosphere, and rolling over a long stretch of highway.

Nichiren Yukami raised her hand, her right hand's five fingers bending and stretching, subtly changing two gestures. Her sleeve bulged, swallowing the blazing bullet that had swelled to the size of a person, disappearing into the darkness.

At the edge of the forest park, the two clashed again.

Psionic satellites near this area were drawn in, and their signals were injected.

In Nichiren Yukkai's hands, the ninth-level psionic energy fluctuations were more than just tamed; they were as if they were originally a part of his mind, capable of being either a gentle breeze or a storm that could destroy mountains and rivers.

It makes one wonder if, without a psionic satellite, he could unleash such a powerful burst of psionic energy if he pushed himself.

After they ventured deeper into the mountains, the distance between them widened again.

Nichiren Seimi landed beside a waterfall, her eyes filled with contemplation.

Although Guan Luoyang only used a knife to fight, he could not hide it from Rilian Xuehai. Among the thirty-six seal techniques, Guan Luoyang obtained the divine meaning of two more seal techniques.

"It seems that the matter of the Abhaya Mudra is not a coincidence."

The deep pool beneath the waterfall reflects the figure of the monk in his robes and with his thick beard, as well as his laughter.

"The more the better, but your chances of survival are getting smaller and smaller."

Within a single day, the traces of their battle almost covered the entire Narayan province.

There were seven battles during the day, and one of the battlefields even extended beyond Narayana.

The psionic satellites in the heart of the Hachiyoin region have been mobilized one after another.

Such a large commotion didn't even require the undercover agents to relay messages; the Indra Province and the United Government had already detected the anomaly.

As dusk fell, Master Dazhi finally had a moment to contact Nichiren Sekai.

"Grand Master, please... control your spiritual energy fluctuations. The spiritual energy fluctuations are too strong, seriously... seriously interfering with your communication devices."

Nichiren Yukikawa: "What is it?"

"The psionic satellites are being moved too frequently and at maximum power, making them easy to observe. The spies planted by the United Regime within the Eight Leaves territory have likely obtained the exact coordinates. With the coordinates, they can easily deduce the trajectory within a certain range."

The Great Master said, "Although the Brahma Brain's blockade and our pursuit prevent them from sending messages back, if this continues, even if the united regime relies solely on remote observation, it may still be able to obtain enough data."

As he spoke, he relayed the plan devised by the mind of Brahma.

Nichiren Yukkai considered for a moment: "Alright, then you guys should make the arrangements first, but he probably won't make any moves tonight."

The wise master asked in bewilderment, "Why?"

"During the battle, he has already grasped the profound mysteries of thirty-four hand seals..."

"What?!"

Nichiren Sekai seemed oblivious to the astonishment on the other end and continued calmly, "So, he will most likely come to me on purpose to force out the last two seal techniques, or he will first use those thirty-four to wholeheartedly analyze and ponder, looking for a way to kill me in one blow."

The Great Master calmed down: "The conductor imprint method is extremely complex, a culmination of the Grand Master's wisdom over three hundred years. Even if he possesses the most advanced bionic prosthetic body, he might not be able to imitate its correct usage, let alone crack it. Moreover, given the genetic technology of their united regime, their flesh and blood bodies make learning the imprint method significantly more difficult, and they are highly likely to obtain false flaws, right?"

Nichiren Sekai smiled noncommittally and suddenly said, "Brahma, you're listening too, aren't you? Perfect timing, loosen the information blockade on those infiltrators a bit."

The Brahma Brain responded, "Are you trying to lure Yan Zhen and the others into making such a big move? My advice is to play it safe. If we include all the variables of the united regime, I'll have to recalculate."

Upon hearing a third voice coming from his private channel, the Great Master's face darkened with displeasure. He asked, "And what about your current algorithm?"

"Based on current calculations, if Guan Luoyang leaves tonight, he will definitely be able to leave. Currently, there is nothing in the world that can stop him if he is a step too slow. But he most likely won't leave; if he doesn't leave, he will die tomorrow."

Brahma's Brain stated confidently, "I just calculated the possible consequences after the Grand Master's order is implemented. If Yan Zhen and Fifth Mirror break through the Indra region's blockade and enter the Narayana region when the war starts tomorrow, my central hub will be destroyed by Guan Luoyang. The Grand Master and the three of them will be injured but not killed, but the city will suffer huge losses."

"If they fail to arrive in time, Guan Luoyang's chances of survival are extremely slim, my central nervous system will be damaged, and the Indra region will suffer extremely severe destruction."

"I still recommend against executing that command, because regardless of the outcome, it will result in additional losses."

Nichiren Yukkai smiled gently and said, "Brahma, would you like to calculate what my reaction will be?"

Brahma's Brain grunted, "You are the Grand Master, and the assets of the Eight Leaves are all yours to do with as you see fit. Alright, I'll go carry out the order."

"Haha, Brahma, you've become more and more interesting since you learned to tell fortunes."

Nichiren Yukami stroked her beard and said, "After we deal with this, even if we only chat with you from now on, we can pass the time for decades."

After the communication channels were temporarily shut down, Nichiren Sekai muttered to herself.

"So, will you only study those thirty-four types, or will you try to get all thirty-six?"

He started tracking again.

She only promised not to continue mobilizing the psionic satellites, but even without mobilizing the psionic satellites, Nichiren Yukami was not afraid to pursue such a powerful enemy.

As the day went by, he began to recall some past events.

He had actually heard the name Guan Luoyang once three hundred years ago.

There once was a master swordsman who, in pursuit of the unity of sword and Zen, crossed the sea to the southwest to study Buddhist teachings at Nichiren Snow Sea.

Nichiren Sekai saw that he was carrying too much on his shoulders and that his burdens were too heavy, which were completely different from his own pursuits. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade him, she asked him to look through the notes of previous generations and then said nothing more about his cultivation.

Although their paths were different, that person was one of the few people three hundred years ago who fascinated Nichiren.

A person with a strong sense of responsibility, if they can shoulder their responsibilities, is like going against human instinct. The longer they live and the farther they go, the more brilliant they will be at the moment of death.

Sure enough, a few years after that man went down the mountain, when his name was heard again, it was news of his death.

He died in Guanluoyang.

"No wonder your voice sounded familiar, it's you!"

Nichiren Yukami, her back to the setting sun, thought, "It's a real pity I didn't get to see Sanada's death, but if I could see your death and create your final chapter, it would make up for it a thousandfold."

"Oh heavens, let tomorrow come quickly!"

That night, Guan Luoyang did not launch another attack.

He then entered the city from the mountains, strolling leisurely through the streets and alleys like a slightly tipsy man after get off work.

He acquired thirty-four new imprint techniques. After being absorbed by the Heavenly Demon Art, although he did not have the assistance of a prosthetic body, his spiritual energy and the power he displayed were similar to the original.

However, he had no energy left in his mind for the thirty-four hand seals; he was focused entirely on tracing the essence of the Heavenly Demon Art.

The Heavenly Demon Art has unknowingly incorporated numerous systems, including physical training, internal martial arts, spiritual electricity, and the demonic path of metal and stone. This is because its development path itself already includes these possibilities.

The universe is vast and diverse, and its superfluous offspring are endless.

To be honest, the Heavenly Demon Art would take on a different form if practiced by anyone.

The deeper a cultivator goes, the more they will feel its vastness, its darkness and unpredictability, and the more inexplicable fear they will feel, as if they are facing another version of themselves, a version of themselves with endless darkness as their backdrop.

Whether you deliberately avoid it or throw yourself into it, it seems that in the end you will only gradually head down the path of losing control, be overtaken by another version of yourself, and be swallowed by darkness.

To master it seems like an impossible task.

For Guan Luoyang, defeating himself was not actually that difficult.

Even if they are exactly the same in every aspect, as long as they are in the dark, it proves that there are differences in their thoughts. As long as there are differences in their thoughts, it is nothing more than a battle between equals.

It's a matter of life and death with a single strike.

He might kill me, and I might kill him. There's nothing to be afraid of.

The trouble lies in the darkness represented by the Heavenly Demon Art.

Humans can kill, but they cannot kill darkness.

Guan Luoyang walked in the lamplight, blinked, and stepped into the darkness.

The streetlights in this section have malfunctioned for some time, leaving the area completely dark.

I could vaguely see a figure moving around inside for a while.

He came out again.

Guan Luoyang stood under the street lamp, looked up, and gazed beyond the street lamp and the tall buildings, looking towards the dark sky.

If you're being chased by darkness, then what's chasing you is endless darkness.

Walk in calmly, and it will just be nighttime.

A dark, dangerous, but also real, walkable night.

The darkness can make people feel dazed and confused, but it can also make those who are prepared more perceptive.

Guan Luoyang raised a finger, and a flame ignited at the tip.

"So, this is the Heavenly Demon Art."

What the demon saw was a scene of utter desolation: no country, no city, not a single tile remained, and all lights were destroyed.

In the darkness, millions of flames were scattered.

Narayana, the hearts of all humanity, burn in this darkness, scattered like stars, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, sometimes still, sometimes sorrowful.

It was presented before Guan Luoyang's eyes.

The Heavenly Demon Technique is based on the idea that when people's hearts are disturbed by darkness, darkness will then rule over people's hearts.

Guan Luoyang suddenly looked at the camera at the intersection.

"You've disturbed me..."

He stretched out his hand and hissed, "Brahma!"

(End of this chapter)