King of Assassins-Chapter 698 - 522: That's it?

"Divine Enthronement mode activated, two targets meeting the conditions detected, initiating the Divine Battle."
On a massive platform constructed of countless streams of 0s and 1s in golden light, a mechanical electronic voice announced the rules.
Around the platform was a mesh of digital light formed by wire netting, with layers of spectator stands outside the net.
These spectators were also composed entirely of 0s and 1s. This was a virtual world of zeros and ones.
Much like the Celestial Net virtual world, the difference was that Gao Xuan could see the essence of the world.
Every entity in this world appeared to him as a composition of zeros and ones, just like in that old movie The Matrix, where the protagonist Neo saw everything as streams of digits.
Through the Book of All-Knowing, Gao Xuan inquired about many questions regarding the Investiture of the Gods.
Gao Xuan was not surprised by the changes in front of him.
Gao Xuan could still see three platforms in the distance, belonging to Liu Feng, Liu Ye, and Liu Yun.
The mechanical electronic voice began broadcasting the rules again: "Divine Battle rules, pass through the thirty-six celestial arenas, the first to reach the Daluo Celestial God's Throne is the victor."
The mechanical electronic voice offered no further explanation, and a giant metallic robot appeared opposite Gao Xuan.
Standing six meters tall, the metallic mechanical structure had many exposed pipelines, and at the joints, one could see metal bolts and several transmission devices.
The entire robot looked rather crude, similar to early human industrial products.
Gao Xuan looked at himself and saw the same kind of metal structure. All of his Power, including various Divine Artifacts, was restricted by a strange digital Law.
Gao Xuan understood that in this virtual digital divine world, he couldn't use his Power. Only wisdom and experience could be employed.
This was what he was best at.
Looking at his mechanical body, it bore a resemblance to an old fantasy figure called a Transformer.
Without a doubt, defeating the opponent would lead to the next higher-level arena. The rules were simple.
Gao Xuan took two steps forward, bending and stretching his arms to loosen his neck.
With every movement, the rough metallic mechanical structure made sounds of mechanical gears meshing and operating.
The body was very sluggish and not powerful. Of course, this was from Gao Xuan's perspective.
Gao Xuan noticed numerous weapons placed on one side of his platform, including a massive metal shield, heavy sword, long spear, iron hammer, and more.
These weapons were extremely large and cumbersome. As Gao Xuan turned to glance, he noticed that the mechanical vision was similar to that of a human. Even though it was a robot, it was designed like a human eye, which was an absurd concept.
Gao Xuan mentally mocked this as he manipulated his towering mechanical body to roll forward, dodging the opposing robot's lunge, and seized a long spear from the edge of the arena.
Then he swept low, his spear scraping across the opponent robot's support leg at the knee. The mechanical structure there twisted and deformed, causing the lunging robot to stagger.
Seizing the opportunity, Gao Xuan spun around, delivering a forceful kick to the enemy's back. Then, in a swift motion, he plunged the spear into the opponent's heart, skewering the burning core and pinning them deeply into the arena.
The metallic robot thrashed its limbs in desperation, trying to wriggle free from the spear's hold.
In a matter of seconds, the red glow in the metallic robot's eyes dimmed, and the massive structure collapsed motionless on the ground.
A cheer erupted from the surrounding stands as countless spectators transformed into streams of data converging toward Gao Xuan.
The immense spiritual energy descended upon Gao Xuan's sea of consciousness like towering Divine Mountains.
Though his Divine Soul could withstand it, the volume of spiritual energy threatened to burst his sea of consciousness.
With such immense spiritual energy, it was difficult for him to wield control. He had no choice but to channel the energy into the Celestial Demon Relic.
In an instant, the Celestial Demon Relic swelled significantly.
This did not bring joy to Gao Xuan but worry; should this continue, the Celestial Demon Relic might fail to contain it.
At this moment, the gigantic arena suddenly shook violently and soared upwards.
After a few seconds, the arena stabilized again. Opposite Gao Xuan appeared a sharp-featured beauty. She wore a traditionally styled dress, ample-bosomed with a narrow waist, yet having a long snake tail for her lower body.
Beside the beauty stood a burly man with a scorpion-like face, wielding a large blade in hand.
Accompanying them was a group of Toad Spirits, each armed with long spears and short forks.
Gao Xuan couldn't help but touch the top of his head, finding a small gourd for sure. Looking at his side, there were also six little friends. He couldn't help but laugh: "Well!"
He pointed at the snake spirit beauty: "Monster, take my club!"
The snake spirit beauty and scorpion spirit were rather amusing in their looks but were not lacking in skill. Gao Xuan, limited by his own body, couldn't achieve much advantage in their fight.
The brothers were also difficult to handle, but fortunately, Gao Xuan was the leader, possessing immense strength. Under his leadership, the group of little friends pummeled both the snake spirit and the scorpion spirit.
In subsequent battles, Gao Xuan faced enemies that were all fantasy figures.
Ninjas, fairies, immortals, monsters, martial arts grandmasters, superpower users; these figures left deep imprints on human history and appeared one by one in the Investiture of the Gods arena.
Gao Xuan found it rather enjoyable, as his identity changed every time, differing in usable strengths and techniques.
However, as long as it was a direct confrontation, his wisdom and extraordinary combat awareness, at equal strength levels, could crush any opponent.
With each opponent defeated, Gao Xuan gained immense spiritual energy.
Upon reaching the thirty-sixth layer of the Daluo Celestial Arena, the vast spiritual energy accumulated on Gao Xuan was about to burst him apart.
The battle is easy, but continuously gathering and accumulating vast spiritual energy is quite troublesome.
Gao Xuan also realized that the key to Divine Enthronement is how to transform spiritual energy.
Such a vast accumulation of spiritual energy is a huge burden for him.
Right now, it's as if he's carrying an invisible mountain; if he falters even slightly, the massive spiritual energy will crush him to powder.
Gao Xuan finally understood the significance of the Divine Format. A Divine Format is a stable framework that can contain and transform spiritual energy.
Because the gathered spiritual energy was too powerful, Gao Xuan had to channel the spiritual energy accumulated in the Celestial Demon Relic into the Profound Nether Curse Sea of the Hongyi Sword to relieve the tremendous pressure on the Celestial Demon Relic.
Fortunately, the Profound Nether Curse Sea is vast and boundless, capable of absorbing as much spiritual energy as needed.
After several such instances, Gao Xuan was able to arrive at the Thirty-six Layers in the best condition.
The Thirty-six Layers' Daluo Celestial Arena is a massive plaza.
At the end of the plaza, there are thirty-six steps, with a golden dragon throne atop the steps.
Gao Xuan knew that sitting on that throne signified the official completion of Divine Enthronement.
He noticed a light net on the steps completely separating the throne from the plaza. This meant he had to go through a battle to ascend to the throne.
However, the vast plaza was empty.
Gao Xuan took the opportunity to check the Hongyi Sword. The vast spiritual energy stored in the Profound Nether Curse Sea had been forcibly absorbed by it.
He couldn't control the vast spiritual energy or the Profound Nether Curse Sea.
The conflict between the Profound Nether Curse Sea and the vast spiritual energy allowed him to refine many Profound Nether Curses in the process. This was the most direct benefit.
The Book of All-Knowing mentioned that transforming vast spiritual energy requires a Divine Format.
Gao Xuan knew he didn't possess such a thing, nor could he form a Divine Format in a short time.
The so-called Divine Format is actually a self-imposed rule for a god and the core of divine power.
Or it can be seen as the spirit core of a god, just more complex and exquisite.
With a Divine Format, one can transform spiritual energy and become a god. However, the Divine Format is also a shackle for the god.
Like the Master of Blood, its Divine Format is bloodiness, destruction, and annihilation. Despite its wisdom, it must act according to the law of the Divine Format.
All its emotions, wisdom, and power must submit to the Divine Format. In other words, it is actually a slave to its Divine Format.
A Divine Format inevitably has its limits and restrictions.
In a short time, Gao Xuan had no way to form a Divine Format. He wasn't too interested in the Divine Format either. Thus, he thought of a way to temporarily contain the spiritual energy with the Hongyi Sword.
This containment does not effectively transform spiritual energy.
The way Gao Xuan operates now is like having a nuclear bomb but unable to convert it to normal nuclear energy, only being able to throw it into the sea to fish.
The only gain is being able to pick up fish on the beach.
This method can be said to have a super low conversion efficiency. However, Gao Xuan had no other choice; the fact that the Hongyi Sword could accommodate vast spiritual energy was already a huge surprise.
As for other gains, they were not very important in comparison.
Gao Xuan studied the situation within the Hongyi Sword, concluding that with its current state, it could hold ten times more spiritual energy.
However, this transformation required using the Celestial Demon Relic as an intermediary, making the conversion quite troublesome.
At this moment, a beam of light rose in the plaza, containing Liu Yun dressed in dark blue battle armor, along with a more than two-meter-tall black tiger-headed man.
Liu Yun's armor was like blue crystal, presenting a semi-transparent appearance. The armor shimmered with lustrous spiritual light, looking exceptionally beautiful.
Liu Yun's eyes had turned pure blue, without any whites, her whole persona presenting a crystalline, transparent texture.
Although she remained the same person, Liu Yun now clearly exuded a strong non-human aura.
Gao Xuan was slightly surprised that Liu Yun had some skill, managing to fully convert vast spiritual energy into her own power.
Including that Black Cat, which had evolved as well.
Liu Yun naturally noticed Gao Xuan too. She smiled slightly, "Gao Xuan, you've given me many surprises. Without you sharing the spiritual energy, I wouldn't have been able to withstand it."
She sincerely said, "I have to thank you."
Gao Xuan curiously asked, "How are you going to thank me? You're not just going to say thank you and be done, are you?"
Liu Yun laughed silently, knowing she was just bantering with Gao Xuan. Gao Xuan's response was rather amusing.
She thought for a moment and said, "After I achieve Divine Enthronement, I will transform you into a Divine Servant and grant you the honor of serving me eternally..."
"Is that it?"
Gao Xuan laughed and said, "Even if you achieve Divine Enthronement, you're still petty. Not presentable."
He wiggled his finger at Liu Yun, saying disdainfully, "I really look down on you."
Liu Yun's face suddenly changed, ready to react, when a streak of aqua-colored sword light unfolded before her eyes.
Like a crystal-clear beam of autumn water, the sword light immediately transformed into a vast, boundless flood of water, engulfing everything.