Abyssal Distortion Files

Clang!

On the road, the sound of metal colliding with the asphalt echoed.

Alternating between a dark metal left leg and a flesh-and-blood right leg, Li Yang gripped his Tang sword, each step heavy.

"This is the first time I've integrated metal into flesh and blood. The Pioneer used serpent scales to forge a left leg for me."

"This left leg is exceptionally heavy."

"I think I suddenly understand why the Pioneer rarely moved. That body is too heavy, relying solely on abilities to propel its movement."

"Therefore, its actions can be slow, yet also incredibly fast."

"But I still can't adapt to this feeling, this insensible movement."

"Unable to feel temperature, unable to feel the rhythm of life, everything becomes cold, like a walking corpse..."

«Child, this is just the beginning»

«You will gradually adapt to this feeling»

Adapt to this feeling...

A trace of confusion flickered in Li Yang's eyes. The coldness of the metal was far more numbing than he had imagined.

The structure of this metal left leg is very complex. It's not simply a prosthetic attached to Li Yang's leg.

It extends from the flesh and blood limb. The Pioneer used metal to shape metal bones and connected them to the broken bone.

To achieve this, a section of Li Yang's original thigh bone was removed, and layers of metal skin and flesh were attached.

Because it used serpent scale metal, it is much harder than ordinary metal. Even a typical explosion wouldn't cause any deformation.

In addition to this, the Pioneer also forged a set of metal armor for him.

This armor is as thin as possible, close to the skin, and ordinary weapons and bullets cannot penetrate it.

However, the price is that Li Yang's body is even heavier.

Without using his abilities, he can only drag these metals, moving so slowly and laboriously.

However, the Pioneer allowed him to absorb the crystal core of the Serpent King.

This dim-light level crystal core fused with the crystal in Li Yang's brain, allowing his crystal to complete its first upgrade.

Directly reaching the lower level of the second-stage dim-light level.

Thus, the energy storage limit is higher, and the conversion efficiency is faster.

Even Li Yang's metal manipulation ability has had a new breakthrough. He can now control metal puppets to fight like the Pioneer.

Even though his strength has improved so much, why can't he be happy? This emotion is very contradictory.

"Congratulations, Sword Emperor."

A childish voice came from the side of the road. Li Yang turned his head and saw a barefoot little girl sitting on a street lamp.

He had seen this little girl before, in front of the mine. She is from the church.

"The Prophet sends a message that, starting today, an inner cabinet will be established within the church, called the Council of Five Elders, with a total of five seats."

"Because the Prophet is not within the Council of Five Elders, congratulations to Sword Emperor for being promoted to Chief of the Five Elders."

Li Yang's eyes were indifferent, "Thank you, Prophet, but I'm not interested."

The little girl smiled.

"Don't say that. The real meaning of the Council of Five Elders is that you can establish your own system department within the church and select and train direct subordinates who are loyal to you."

"Please understand the Prophet's good intentions. We all obey the Prophet, so the Prophet believes that their power is too great and wants to reduce it."

"Moreover, doesn't Sword Emperor have many things they want to do?"

"If you have to do everything yourself, how many things can you accomplish in a year?"

Li Yang fell into thought. The little girl showed a smile and continued, "Let me tell you a story."

"Once upon a time, there was a country whose cities were filled with criminals, but there was only one executioner, so he chopped every day, chopping non-stop... and then, he died of exhaustion."

"However, besides the criminals, everyone else in the city was innocent and kind, and no one dared to pick up the butcher knife to become an executioner."

"At this time, the king slapped his thigh and regretted, why didn't he let that executioner take on a few apprentices?"

"That way, even if the executioner died, at least the inheritance could be left behind, don't you think, Sword Emperor?"

"If you die, can you believe that future people will inherit your will?"

"And can you guarantee that the Prophet will always be correct and never lose control?"

"If the Prophet loses control and orders the extermination of all humans, and no one in the church can stop the Prophet, but can only silently execute the order, do you want to see such a future?"

"Sword Emperor?"

"This is not a power struggle, but a bond to ensure that we do not go astray."

"In the deep sea, if we don't want to drift further and further apart, we can only use ropes to tie each other together, seemingly pulling each other, but actually controlling each other."

"We all know what consequences can arise if one person has too much power."

What she said makes sense.

The consequence of one person having too much power is that one person's mistake leads to the collective's error, which is why there is separation of powers.

But there are also many negative examples of separation of powers, such as the War of the Eight Princes.

However, based on the current situation, separation of powers and mutual restraint is indeed the best way forward.

"I understand. I will go to headquarters to see the Prophet later."

...

Jianghai City, within a certain private high school.

It was noon, and Lu Yaozong and Song Jiang were fiddling with something on the rooftop.

"Where did you get this thing?"

Song Jiang grinned, "I bought it online last time to show off. This is different from the previous tattoo stickers. With this, you can draw your own shapes."

"See this paper cutting? Cut out the shape you want, stick it on your hand, then apply this stuff, and after it dries, it will solidify on your skin."

"It's not only waterproof, but also looks very much like a real tattoo!"

Lu Yaozong said, "I didn't expect you to have so many props. Okay, I'll take care of the paper cutting. You stand guard at the door and don't let anyone come up to the roof."

"No problem, but be careful, don't cut it wrong. I only have a few of these stickers." Song Jiang said, squatting next to the door.

Lu Yaozong picked up the scissors, recalling the pattern on Teacher Xiao Jia's hand in his mind as he cut.

After a while, Song Jiang couldn't help but urge, "How's it going?"

Lu Yaozong turned around with two paper cuttings, "Do you think it looks like it?"

"How would I know? I don't even remember what it looks like."

"Oh well, never mind, let's just go with this. Lunch break is almost over."

"But, which hand did she stick it on?"

"Left hand."

The two stuck the stickers on the palms of their left hands, applied the black liquid, and waited quietly.

Time passed by, but the liquid in their hands still hadn't dried. "Do you have sweaty palms?"

"Nonsense, who doesn't have sweaty palms?"

"Then what do we do? We're running out of time!"

Just then, a burst of footsteps suddenly echoed in the stairwell!

Hearing those footsteps, their hearts jumped to their throats, "Is it... is it a person, or... a monster?"

"How would I know?!"