Solar Blood Masters (145)

Chapter 145 - Manga Globe

The Grand Mound Arena buzzed with anticipation. The crowd erupted with excitement and bloodlust as they stared at the central platform. Gathered there, were the members of two formidable teams: the Crimson Slithers of Ho Eastern and the Undying Death of the Undying Valley.

Lu Ruby, Hellphet, Splinter Roc, and Lord Lingshi stood on one side, radiating a combined might that had many contenders trembling. Opposite them were Pam Long, Carpus Maximos, and Akai Kage, an imposing trio with a chilling aura of death and decay. Tranus, their fourth member, was conspicuously absent, a casualty of Raphael’s cunning during the Desolate Sands stage.

Muburt hovered between the teams. "Mighty warriors, how do you wish to proceed? A team battle? Or one-on-one duels? The choice is yours.”

Carpus Maximos stepped forward. Those skeletal fingers of his twitched. "Hmph. I alone am enough to handle these weaklings. That fat turtle and I have unfinished business. Come, Lingshi. Let’s settle this once and for all.”

Lingshi nodded. "Indeed. It seems fate has granted us another opportunity.”

“Very well,” Muburt announced. “An individual battle it is! The other team members… Vacate the stage!”

With flashes of light, the remaining contestants vanished from the platform, leaving only Lingshi and Carpus Maximos.

On the Black Wind platform, Raphael watched with narrowed eyes.

“Who do you think is going to WIN?” he asked.

“Lingshi! For sure! He’s at the peak of the Nightmare Calamity Stage! That bone bastard is no match for his ‘World Canvas’!” Lu Jade replied instantly.

Qi Fenwei, however, wasn’t as confident.

“Not necessarily. Remember what I told you about Carpus Maximos. His summoning ability is similar to Anakin Vader’s! He can share his cultivation with hundreds of bone creatures. Which means if he summons a dozen of them, that turtle will be facing twelve 8th Layer Nightmare Calamities, simultaneously.”

Lu Jade gasped. “Hundreds? Against ONE?! I wouldn’t want to be in his shell. Yikes!”

…

On the stage, Carpus Maximos paced back and forth while unleashing a torrent of verbal abuse.

“Fat turtle, you’re so SLOW! So OLD! So CLUMSY! And your paintings? They're all SHIT! Why don't you paint a toilet paper roll for me, turtle? So I can wipe my ass after I take a nice, steaming dump in your shell? And while you’re at it… paint a map! So I can clean up all that blood that’ll be splattered on this platform after I’m done slaughtering you!

Hahaha! I'm going to flip you over AGAIN, turtle! Just like last time!"

“My, my, my. Such vulgarity.” Lingshi sighed while shaking his head in disapproval. "It’s truly a pity that such a potent Solar Essence is housed within such a… crude vessel. But I’ll endure.”

He extended a hand and with a whisper, “World is my Canvas!”

A large, rectangular canvas unfurled before him.

“You won’t get the chance to paint anything, turtle!” Carpus Maximos unfolded his halo of bone arms. Those hundreds of bony fingers twitched and pulsed with a sickening purple light, and all across the platform, swirling black gates materialized.

“Arise, my legions! FEAST!”

From the gates, hundreds of grotesque bone creatures poured forth. Skeletal warriors with swords and shields. Massive bone spiders with glowing eyes. And flying above, monstrous bone vultures with wings that spanned several meters!

The crowd gasped.

“Carpus Maximos, he summoned hundreds!”

“That turtle’s done for!”

“I knew it! Those paintings of his are no match for a real army!”

“Place your bets! Place your bets! Who will win?”

Lingshi remained calm.  “I don’t need to paint anything new. I have something… special… in store… just for you.”

“Kill that turtle! Now!”

Carpus Maximos’s army charged, unleashing a flurry of attacks from all directions. Swords clashed against Lingshi’s shell. Spiders spat venomous webs. And vultures swooped down at him.

But before any of the attacks could properly connect…

Lingshi dipped his hand into the canvas.

And pulled out…

…a sphere!

It was large, smooth, and shiny, with the texture of brown drawing paper. Within it, countless images moved in a chaotic yet strangely organized manner.

“Manga Globe!”

As he spoke its name, the globe expanded! It grew larger, its surface rippled. And then…

WHOOSH!

It began absorbing the bone creatures. They were pulled inwards by an irresistible force.

“What the hell?! What IS this?!” Carpus Maximos hollered.

He tried to resist the pull. He dug his claws into the platform, but it was useless.

He was dragged towards the globe, along with his army.

“NO! I won’t be absorbed by this… this… THING! Bone Prison!”

He summoned more bone hands, hoping to anchor himself.

But they were also sucked in.

“This… This is impossible!”

And with a final, defiant scream…

Carpus Maximos vanished into the Manga Globe along with Lingshi.

The globe hovered above the central stage, spinning slowly, for those potent Solar Essences of those bone armies weren’t simply devoured, it amplified those drawings within.

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

“Where did they…?”

“What is that globe?”

“Is Carpus Maximos… DEAD?”

On the Black Wind platform, Raphael's eyes were wide with disbelief.

“That globe… He pulled it out of his PAINTING? It just… absorbed everything! Where did they go?”

Behind him, Gastaroid said, “Lingshi’s Manga Globe. That’s no ordinary relic, bull. Within it, Lingshi can fully utilize his ‘Absolute World Dominion’. Carpus Maximos is as good as dead.”

“Absolute World Dominion?” Raphael’s brow furrowed. He’d never heard of this ability.

"It’s a godly ability, Raphael,” Thienika explained. She leaned upon her staff.

“Only those with the authority of a created world can utilize it. Within Qi Hawk’s Marble World, for instance, no one can challenge him. Even the Void Emperor would be suppressed, for the law of ‘Absolute World Dominion’ states that the creator has absolute command over everything within their world. They can easily manipulate the very laws of reality, bend them to their will, crush those who dare oppose them.”

She paused, then continued,

“However, a Marble World needs time to germinate. It can take thousands, even millions of years, before the law of ‘Absolute World Dominion’ is bestowed upon its creator. Not every Marble World is imbued with this godly technique.”

She glanced at the Manga Globe that hovered ominously above the stage.

“Lingshi’s Manga Globe is a similar creation. It’s a miniature world, a pocket dimension. Within its confines, Lingshi is a god. He commands the very laws of reality. He is the artist, the storyteller, the creator. And Carpus Maximos… he’s nothing but a character within Lingshi’s grand design.”

"So that’s what Gastaroid meant…" Raphael whispered, now understanding the true power of the Manga Globe. He stared at it with a renewed awe.

…

Within the Manga Globe, a world of painted wonders unfolded. Rivers of beautiful ink flowed with melodic whispers, carving paths through valleys of vibrant green where trees swayed in time with an unseen breeze. Towering cliffs, sculpted from brushstrokes of vibrant color, shifted and danced. Birds with plumage of a thousand hues chirped melodies from branches laden with blossoms that exuded intoxicating fragrances. It was a realm of vibrant beauty, which showcased the artistry of a Painting Sage.

Yet, amidst this idyllic landscape, a figure stood disoriented and afraid.

Carpus Maximos stumbled along a path made of turtle shells. It was a precarious bridge that spanned a stream of swirling blue ink. He glanced around frantically.

“This is… Lingshi’s Marble World? This is bad! Very bad! I have to get out of here, otherwise he can easily suppress my summons with his Absolute World Dominion!”

He searched for an exit, a tear in the painted reality, but there was none. This world, though crafted from ink and imagination, was seamless, a perfect prison.

“Damn that turtle!” He cursed his predicament then his Solar Essence flared as he unfolded his halo of bone hands.

“If I can’t escape by simply walking… I’ll fly!”

The summoning gates materialized, swirling vortexes of black mist and bone fragments. And with a roar that echoed through the painted valleys,

“Arise, my loyal servants! Carry me to freedom!”

From those gates, a squadron of bone dragons emerged. Their vast and imposing skeletal wings beat with a leathery thud as those empty sockets of theirs, glowed with a ghostly purple light.

He leaped onto the lead dragon’s back, “Upward! We’ll pierce through this flimsy sky!”

With a powerful flap of its wings, the bone dragon soared with Carpus Maximos towards the painted heavens. They ascended, passing through swirling clouds of ink and dodging flocks of brightly colored birds whose melodic chirps now sounded like mocking laughter.

Higher and higher they flew, until finally…

They reached the ceiling.

“This is it!” He grinned triumphantly, “We’re breaking FREE!”

The bone dragon slammed into the painted sky. It rippled like water, then with a final, shattering crack, they were through!

WHOOSH!

Carpus Maximos burst forth, expecting to find himself back in the Grand Mound Arena. Instead… he landed with a splash. Water sprayed his mask and robe and his bone dragon’s wings shrunk.

He looked around.

He was in a stream. Turtle shell pathways stretched before him. And all around, beautiful paintings of flowers swayed gently in a painted breeze.

He was back where he started.

“NO!”

He yelled in frustration. He couldn't believe it! This defiance of reality, of his very escape had those necrotic energies flowing outwards in an untamed display of rage and desperation.

“Ok, that’s it! If I can’t escape, I’ll destroy EVERYTHING!”

He unleashed his bone army, now numbering over two hundred.

“Lay waste to everything! Burn those trees! Shatter those mountains! I want this entire world to be nothing but dust and rubble!”

The bone creatures’ movements mirrored his frenzied intent. They began their rampage. They were a chaotic force of destruction. Mountains exploded, trees were uprooted, rivers turned black with ink, and the melodic chirps of birds turned to terrified screeches.

And as this carnage unfolded, Carpus Maximos laughed.

It was a maniacal, unrestrained laughter that echoed through the painted world, sending a chilling dread through its very core.

But then…

A voice.

Calm, yet potent, descended upon him.

“Carpus Maximos… Such a destructive display. It’s truly… disappointing.”

His laughter died.

“Lingshi! You damn turtle! Show yourself! Where are you HIDING?! Get out here so I can crush you!”

His gaze darted around, frantically searching for the source of the voice, but he could only see those magnificent painted sceneries burning.

Then, he looked up.

And his jaw dropped.

A colossal figure was materializing in the sky above. It towered over the world like a god.

It was Lord Lingshi.

His shell was immense, resembling a celestial dome adorned with intricate carvings. His eyes glowed with a gentle, yet imposing light. His white beard flowed like a river of wisdom.

And in his hand, he held a colossal paintbrush crafted from pure bamboo, imbued with his own Solar Essence. It was a weapon of unimaginable power, the embodiment of his will.

He called it ‘Lucid Dream’.

“With this special brush, you will witness… true power.” Lingshi spoke in a heavenly tone.

He then dipped the brush into a pool of shimmering silver ink.

And with a single, swift stroke…

“Ink Transformation – Nephites!”

He painted over Carpus Maximos’s bone dragons.

WHOOSH!

The bone dragons’ forms flickered, then with a series of cracks and pops, they were no longer skeletal creatures.

They were… Nephites!

Magnificent creatures of pure ink that rippled with a life of their own as they spread their newly formed wings that now had feathers of all colors! They soared through the sky.

And then…

They turned their attention to Carpus Maximos.

“KILL!”

“OBEY!”

“REVENGE!”

They swooped down upon him like a swarm of inky fury!

“What the…?!” Carpus Maximos watched in shock. His own summons were transformed into his enemies? This was treachery of the highest order!

He unleashed a wave of necrotic energy, blasting a few Nephites out of the sky. They dissolved into harmless ink splatters.

“Bone Wall! Protect!”

Hundreds of skeletal arms materialized, forming a protective barrier around him.

But…

Lingshi simply smiled.

He dipped ‘Lucid Dream’ into a pool of black ink.

“Binding Chains – Soul Shackle!”

He painted a series of chains beneath Carpus Maximos.

WHOOSH!

The chains materialized. They snaked around his legs, his arms, his torso, binding him tightly.

“No…!” He struggled, but the chains were unbreakable.

Then…

Lingshi looked down at him.

“You are my canvas now.”

He dipped ‘Lucid Dream’ in pink.

With a gentle stroke, he painted over Carpus Maximos.

And then…

The necromancer began to shrink!

His skeletal form contorted, his skull mask shattered, his robes dissolved!

He screamed in horror!

“WHAT are you DOING to me?!”

He was turning into…

…a rabbit!

A small, pink and white rabbit with long, floppy ears.

“No…!”

Lingshi laughed.

He dipped ‘Lucid Dream’ in black again. He painted a massive foot above the rabbit.

“Squash!”

BOOM!

The foot descended from the sky. It was colossal, its shadow engulfed the rabbit.

It screamed as it tried to hop away.

But it was too slow.

The foot slammed down.

CRACK!

A painful echo reverberated through the Manga Globe.

…

On the outside, the audience stared at the globe.

“It’s been over fifteen minutes… What the hell is happening in there?”

Just then…

CRACK!

The Manga Globe shattered!

Carpus Maximos’s body was flung outwards. It landed with a sickening thud on the platform.

Lingshi materialized beside him.

The crowd gasped.

They stared in horror.

Carpus Maximos’s form was a mangled mess. His limbs were twisted at unnatural angles. His neck was broken. His bone hands were severed. A gaping hole marred his chest. His body was flat, as if he’d been stepped on by a giant.

He was dead.

Dead.

Dead!

Muburt who had just returned after calming the spectators near the Emperor’s platform, flew over.

“Carpus Maximos is unable to continue! The victor… Lord Lingshi!”

A massive, swirling Solar Consciousness, a potent blend of purple and black, materialized above Carpus Maximos’s corpse.

Lingshi extended his hand. A ‘World Canvas’ unfolded, absorbing the soul. Then, with a nod of acknowledgement, he vanished from the stage.

On the Black Wind platform, Raphael watched with narrowed eyes.

“Hmmm… Why isn’t he absorbing that soul? It’s huge! It would probably boost his power significantly.”

“He’s already at the peak of the 9th Layer Nightmare Calamity Stage, bull.” Qi Fenwei explained. “If he absorbs that soul, he’ll become an Emperor Calamity. And Emperor Calamities can’t participate in the Great Divine Tribulation as contenders. I’m betting he’s saving it to absorb it after he wins Sindoll’s blessing.”

Raphael grinned. “That old turtle is going to be disappointed. Those 500,000 years… they belong to US! Right, Grandma?”

Thienika smiled and gave him a reassuring tap with her staff. “Indeed, Raphael. Indeed.”