20demayo Chapter 124 Imaginary Doppelganger
Chapter 124 Imaginary Doppelganger
Chapter 124 Imaginary Doppelganger
"Finally, I've become a Sequence 3!"
Lu Xingchen's tone was tinged with emotion. Then, with a slight thought, an invisible spiritual force swept out like a tide, outlining a clear silhouette on the open ground in front of him.
The next second, a golden light flashed, and a handsome man dressed in a well-tailored white suit, with long golden hair cascading down like a waterfall and emerald green eyes like the most translucent emeralds, stood in the center of the room out of thin air.
Otto Apocalypse!
This was the identity Li Mengjie once played. It was through this identity that she helped Lu Xingchen travel among the various families in Tianhai City, not only selling the Blood of God, but also leading those families to support the establishment of the Destiny Company.
However, Li Mengjie was not in the villa at the moment, so this Otto Apocalypse could not possibly be her playing the role.
He was an existence created directly by Lu Xingchen using his authority after Lu Xingchen advanced to the third rank, "Dream Weaver".
"Is it just a blank body?"
Lu Xingchen looked at the handsome man in front of her and couldn't help but frown slightly.
Sequence 3 of the Audience Path: After becoming the "Dream Weaver," all of his previous abilities are enhanced.
Not only has the number of separable virtual personalities doubled, but mental perception has also become incredibly acute. With just a simple glance, one can easily see through the truest thoughts in another's mind.
In addition to the enhancements to his existing abilities, numerous new powers flooded into his mind like a tide: Dream Weaving, Imaginary Doppelganger, Psychological Invisibility, Plague Storm, and Combat Hypnosis.
The latter three are all spiritual means that directly address the human heart.
Psychological invisibility: The ability to create an illusion to conceal oneself, blend into the environment, and become a "non-existent" existence in the subconscious of others.
A pandemic storm can trigger widespread mental pollution, plunging the target into endless panic.
Combat hypnosis can disrupt the enemy's mind in an instant, causing them to reveal a fatal flaw.
But compared to these, Lu Xingchen truly valued only the first two.
Dream weaving, as the name suggests, is the ability to use mental energy as the thread to weave a dream that is so realistic that it can forcibly pull the target into it.
Even more terrifying is that in this dream world he controls, he can weave any near-realistic image, from his closest relatives to his mortal enemies, directly attacking the enemy's weak points in spirit, gradually eroding and destroying their mental defenses.
In dreams, "belief" is "reality".
Once the target is drawn into the dream and believes that everything that happens in the dream is real, then these harms will have a real impact on their mental state.
Even if it leaves no physical scars, it can drive the target to madness or cardiac arrest in endless fear and despair, leading to a silent death.
This is undoubtedly an extremely insidious ability, a supreme weapon for scheming.
Just like in Shrek City not long ago, those who were silently pulled into the dream by Lu Xingchen were affected by this ability.
Otherwise, if it were just a simple nightmare, it wouldn't cause so many people to collapse at home.
When Lu Xingchen was promoted to "Dream Weaver", he tested this ability. In the dreams of those people, they dreamed that they were being chased by Long Yeyue, and then they were so scared that they ran away desperately.
The dream was so realistic that their bodies believed it to be real, causing their adrenaline to surge and their muscles to tense to the extreme, as if they had really been running all night.
That's why ordinary people feel weak all over after waking up, as if all their strength has been drained, and they collapse on the bed unable to move.
This was only because Lu Xingchen showed mercy.
If he were to harbor murderous intent, he only needed to slightly increase the realism of the dream, and those nearly 100,000 targets would likely be exhausted to death in the dream, leaving not a trace behind.
The second ability, the illusion clone, is even more incredible.
It allows Lu Xingchen to detach himself from the identity he once possessed or had a deep connection with, transforming it into a living, independent individual.
More importantly, even if these clones perish in the outside world, they will not have any impact on Lu Xingchen's main body.
This has already touched upon the authority of "creation," the ability to conjure beings with soul power and physical form out of thin air, and is the prerequisite authority for the Sequence Zero "Dreamer."
For example, if Lu Xingchen were to impersonate a silver dragon soul beast or an evil soul master and wreak havoc in the city, people would become aware of his true identity.
With the ability to create an imaginary clone, he can completely separate these two identities, making them independent individuals who can walk the world on his behalf.
Even though his two clones were reduced to ashes, Lu Xingchen remained unharmed.
This is exactly what Otto Apocalypse is like.
Although this identity was initially played by Li Mengjie, perhaps due to the virtual personality, Lu Xingchen was also able to connect with it through some kind of mysticism, turning this identity into his own disguise.
However, this Otto clone that appeared out of nowhere seems to be somewhat underwhelming in terms of strength.
Looking at the handsome man with a gentle smile in front of him, Lu Xingchen said directly, "Show me your spirit rings."
"As you wish." Otto nodded slightly, his smile unchanged, his soul power surging around him, and rings of soul power slowly rose from his feet.
Purple, purple, purple, purple, black.
Five spirit rings were neatly arranged behind him, radiating spirit power fluctuations at the level of a spirit king.
A five-ring Soul King would be considered a top expert in Tianhai City, capable of reaching the middle ranks of various powerful forces and commanding respect.
However, this level of strength was far from what Lu Xingchen had expected.
It's worth noting that when Li Mengjie played Otto, she displayed a Super Douluo-level cultivation in order to intimidate the various forces in Tianhai City.
But the clone in front of him not only had the cultivation of a five-ring Soul King, but was also a complete "blank" Soul King. He didn't even have a Martial Soul. He had Soul Power and Soul Rings, but no corresponding Soul Skills. He was all show and no substance and was of little use.
"Is it because—when Li Mengjie disguised herself as Otto, she only revealed her soul power cultivation, which led to others not knowing enough about her?"
Lu Xingchen was a Sequence Four in his previous life, so he didn't understand the abilities of the Sequence Three Dream Weaver. But now that he was personally using his authority, he had vaguely figured out some of the tricks of the trade.
This imaginary clone, much like the "virtual weaving system" depicted in fan fiction, has its strength and abilities entirely dependent on "the perception of the world."
Only when this identity is known by more people, has a clearer and stronger "setting", and the degree of recognition or faith gathered is deep enough, can the clone truly exert its corresponding power.
Conversely, if few people are aware of it and know nothing about its abilities, then the clone's strength will naturally be greatly reduced.
Although Otto's identity was somewhat well-known in the upper circles of Tianhai City, Li Mengjie acted with extreme caution. Outsiders only knew that he was a mysterious high-ranking executive of Tianming Company, but knew nothing about his martial spirit or abilities.
The lack of knowledge caused the strength of this imaginary clone to remain at the Soul King level.
Having figured this out, Lu Xingchen couldn't help but chuckle.
That's true. If one could possess world-destroying power simply by fabricating an identity, then this imaginary clone would be far too overpowered.
If such a good thing really happened, then he only needed to stage a "Sea God Descends" scene in Tianhai City, making everyone believe that the Sea God had really descended, wouldn't that allow him to directly manifest a Tang San Buddha?
At that time, who in the entire Douluo Continent will be able to stop him?
"Well, having the strength of a fifth-ring level is already quite impressive; at least he's not an ordinary person."
Lu Xingchen sighed softly, and with another thought, an invisible spiritual force swept over him, causing Otto before him to turn into specks of golden light and dissipate into the air, as if he had never existed.
A blank Soul King is indeed of no real help to him now; keeping him around would only be a waste of his mental energy.
Since he has the power of the imaginary clone, he can re-manifest the identity of Otto whenever he wants.
"I wonder what level I would be at on the continent with my current strength? And how do I compare to Yun Ming? Who is stronger?"
This thought arose out of Lu Xingchen's mind without warning, spread rapidly, and made his heart itch.
The battles referred to here are not about hiding in the shadows, weaving dreams to kill invisibly, but about fighting head-on with brute force, in the most primal way of a Soul Master.
"Want to give it a try?"
Lu Xingchen gently stroked his fingertips, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes.
Although he has only recently advanced to the third rank of the audience path, "Dream Weaver," he holds the trump card of "Chaotic Sea," so even temporarily using the authority of the second rank would not be difficult for him.
Even if they are no match for Yun Ming, it would not be difficult for them to escape unscathed.
He took out "0-01" to check Yun Ming's location and found that the other party was investigating a case with Ya Li in the south of Shrek City, while Na'er was also preparing for an unexpected encounter with Yun Ming and his wife.
"It's best not to disturb Na'er, lest she be unable to become an apprentice."
Lu Xingchen shook his head. He couldn't keep taking advantage of Na'er. After all, she had already paid. If his interference caused her to fail to become his disciple, who knew if she would cry?
Having abandoned the idea of sparring with Yun Ming, Lu Xingchen's gaze shifted slightly, and another thought emerged, growing stronger and stronger.
"In that case, let's go to Shrek Academy and cause trouble."
Lu Xingchen muttered to himself, a playful glint in his eyes. "Perfect timing. Shrek Academy follows the rule: those who dare not cause trouble are mediocre. They probably won't back down. And that old hag Long Yeyue, it's time to settle the score."
He hadn't forgotten the old woman who caused trouble on Poseidon Island last time, and this was a perfect opportunity to get revenge.
Having set his goal, Lu Xingchen no longer hesitated. He took a deep breath and began to activate the spiritual energy within his body, unleashing "Flesh and Blood Magic".
"Pfft"
A sickeningly loud groan of flesh writhing suddenly rang out, accompanied by the crisp cracking of bones, as Lu Xingchen's original form twisted and changed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
His skin gradually turned dark and rough, like refined iron that had been forged through countless trials, and his height suddenly increased by several feet, making his entire aura extremely fierce.
A moment later, the noise in the room stopped abruptly.
Lu Xingchen, who had been standing there, had long since disappeared, replaced by a burly, imposing man.
He had long, dark blue hair that flowed wildly like raging waves. He wore a tattered black cloak, and beneath it, his bare chest and arms were etched with strange, winding tattoos that exuded a wild and domineering aura.
(Akunologia)
My name is Acnologia.
Lu Xingchen stretched his limbs, feeling the power contained within this body. His deep voice, slightly hoarse, slowly spoke: "It's a mutated black dragon. Its appearance in this world is to seek revenge against humanity."
He not only changed his appearance and physique, but also created a completely new identity for this body.
If we're going to play, let's play big.
He intends to openly and legitimately enter Shrek Academy as a soul beast and turn that sacred place, known as the number one academy on the continent, upside down!
"Chaos Sea, lend me your power."
Lu Xingchen closed his eyes and silently recited in his heart.
In an instant, a vast and boundless, terrifying power, seemingly originating from the beginning of chaos, surged out from the "Chaotic Sea" within his body, flowing into Acnologia's body like a rushing river.
This is not enough.
With a thought, Lu Xingchen began to mobilize the authority of the "Chaotic Sea," forcibly drawing upon the abilities of Sequence Two.
The second sequence of the audience approach is called the Insightful One.
This is a transformative realm of power. Its power of psychological suggestion transcends the mundane and reaches the level of true authority.
Simply put, as long as the "Insightful One" believes that he is strong enough, then he will truly be strong enough and will not be bound by his own cultivation level or external appearance and physique.
This is a force that borders on idealism.
Even if Lu Xingchen's true cultivation level is only at the level of a level 30 Soul Master, as long as he firmly believes in his heart that he possesses the soul power of a level 99 Limit Douluo.
Then, this power will truly descend upon him.
Of course, such artificially inflated strength is ultimately just a mirage and cannot last forever.
Once the power of the Chaos Sea is exhausted, or his mental will is severely shaken, then this borrowed power will vanish into thin air.
Even so, this almost "idealistic" ability is terrifying enough to be described as extremely terrifying.
As Lu Xingchen felt the surging and roaring soul power within his body, feeling the power that seemed capable of shattering mountains with a single punch, his azure eyes gleamed with excitement.
Shrek Academy, here I come!