Chapter 1083

The theater.

Screeching—Screeching—

On the dimly lit stage, countless dark figures writhed and fought frantically, resembling a chaotic battleground. But as their struggle intensified, the previously dormant spotlights, as if influenced by some force, began to flicker faintly.

In the flickering light, all the dark figures paused, as if sensing something, and looked up at the spotlights on the stage.

The next moment,

A figure slowly rose from the silent audience.

Red and black flames burned on his face, and as the embers faded, a fearsome Nuo mask reflected a gloomy light in the darkness, like an abyss swallowing everything. His original large red opera robe seemed to have been tempered by the black and red flames, with intricate black patterns outlined on its surface, interspersed with a dazzling hint of gold. The red, black, and gold hues pulsed and transformed in the dimness, emanating an ineffable, oppressive beauty.

Chen Ling's original large red opera robe had been like glaring cinnabar—simple, vibrant, and dangerous. But as Chen Ling donned the Nuo mask, the robe underwent a mysterious transformation, a weaving of theatrical and shamanistic elements.

Compared to his previous performance attire, it was now more intricate, archaic, and mysterious, resembling ceremonial robes.

“Yao…”

A low voice emerged from beneath the Nuo mask. Chen Ling’s purple eyes were profoundly deep. “Your power… I can feel it.”

After Yao’s soul merged with the Crimson Canvas, Chen Ling clearly felt the connection between their souls, activating another long-dormant ability at that moment:

Soul Memory Art.

Chen Ling had never used this skill since acquiring it from Kongwang. Although it could reproduce the abilities a soul possessed in life, it first required a connection to that soul—a prerequisite Chen Ling had never met before.

But now, his soul and Yao’s soul were tightly intertwined.

Under the influence of the Soul Memory Art, Yao’s Shamanic Divine Path enveloped Chen Ling. This was the first time Chen Ling had experienced a Divine Path aura other than that of the Theatrical Divine Path… It was ancient, obscure, and mysterious.

“Divine Descent.”

As Chen Ling slowly uttered these two words, the Divine Descent ritual swiftly formed on the stage. A power surged across the stage and audience, consuming Chen Ling’s soul strength at an alarming rate, forcefully pushing him into the void!

This was Yao’s unique path, the very ritual Yao had used to pray to the Divine Path Star for Chen Ling’s descent the first time, and also the ritual that sent Chen Ling back to the stage from the Land of Divine Sacrifices last time. However, this time, it was Chen Ling himself, not Yao, who initiated the Divine Descent.

Screech!! Screech!!!

The spotlights flickered wildly, like lightning streaking across the stage. As all the lights flared brightly before plunging into complete darkness, Chen Ling’s figure vanished from the audience seats.

The next moment,

A red and black Nuo opera robe appeared ghost-like amidst the chaotic "audience."

Among the multitude of mocking, crimson eyes, the fearsome Nuo mask stood out strikingly. At this moment, all the “audience members” sensed the aura of Nuo, turning their heads simultaneously to pinpoint Chen Ling from every corner!

Those eyes were like a crimson sea in the night, sending shivers down one’s spine at a mere glance. How many rioting “audience members” were on the stage now?

Hundreds? Thousands? Or countless?

Chen Ling didn’t know.

The only thing he knew was that from the moment he stepped onto the stage, he was no longer a headless fly, unable to do anything. Yao had pushed him here with his own soul, and now, the path to reclaiming everything lay clearly before him. The question was whether he could persist and fight his way to the end.

He would either beat all the “audience members” off the stage and reclaim his body, or be swarmed and torn to shreds by them, losing his life and his path.

His destiny, their destiny, the destiny of the era—all were held firmly in Chen Ling’s grasp.

And now, Chen Ling chose to open his palm…

He beckoned with a finger to the countless “audience members,” as if provoking fate itself,

“…Come!”

The next moment, all the rioting “audience members” on the stage surged towards Chen Ling like a tidal wave!

The Boundless Domain.

A large red paper umbrella rested on the “figure’s” shoulder. He suddenly seemed to sense something, and his gaze turned towards the void not far away…

His mocking, crimson eyes seemed to see through everything. He raised his hand and pointed into the air, and the outline of a disc immediately appeared from the void, with countless cracks rapidly spreading across its surface as if under immense pressure!

Before Chao, all methods of the Theatrical Divine Path were as fragile as paper, even those of a demigod.

But the next moment, an anomaly suddenly occurred.

The “figure’s” body suddenly jolted, and a barely perceptible hint of purple crept into those crimson eyes. Red and black flames inexplicably ignited on his body, as if some power within him was continuously surging forth!

The hand that held the umbrella handle began to twitch little by little, and his neck stiffly glanced to the side occasionally. His movements became strangely uncoordinated, as if two consciousnesses were struggling and fighting within one body.

“What’s happening? Why is it suddenly going berserk?” Sun Bumin asked, bewildered.

“Flames are erupting from his body… both red and black ones,” Zhao Yi mused. “Did some master make a move? No… the fire is coming from inside him. This feeling… it’s just like…”

“Spirit Cleansing,” the Skeletal Direwolf beneath him suddenly spoke. “Loss of bodily control, inner self breaking through… It seems like Spirit Cleansing.”

“Yes, yes, that’s Spirit Cleansing, alright…” Zhao Yi said, bewildered.

“But he’s clearly not a Fuser… Isn’t he the Calamity itself? How could he suddenly undergo Spirit Cleansing?”

“That… I don’t know either.”

As they spoke, more and more red and black flames emerged from within the “figure.” Wherever these flames burned, uncontrollable trembling and swaying began, and even the corresponding shadows faintly showed a sheen of human skin.

Light flickered in his crimson eyes. He immediately abandoned attacking the disc, focusing all his attention on himself. Sheets of red paper drifted from beneath the umbrella’s brim, swiftly sealing off the areas where the flames were erupting!

An aura of world-annihilation spread wildly through the void!

Bang—!Bang—!!Bang—!!!

The red and black opera robe crashed through the shadows. With a heavy punch, the dark figure directly in front of Chen Ling had its head twisted, its body sent flying off the edge of the stage, falling heavily into the darkness of the audience seats.

Beneath the fearsome Nuo mask, a murderous glint flickered in Chen Ling’s eyes. Like a god of war on an arena, he twisted his body, and his right leg beneath the opera robe lashed out like a whip, directly kicking down the two closest “audience members.”