Apocalypse Circular

Qi Xinzhu put her pajamas back on and sat quietly next to Lu Luo.

With Qi Xinzhu on guard, Lu Luo could be a bit more at ease with his breakthrough.

Because this breakthrough was unlike any before, he was advancing to the Fifth Tier.

The Fifth Tier represents precision in the abilities of Transcendents; for instance, one starts cultivating the Dust Devil form at this stage.

However, for the Exotic Species, the Fifth Tier is more special because it is the tier of the Lords.

It is also the birth of the Domain power of the Exotic Species.

Humans' cultivation techniques, equipment, inheritance, and skills are far stronger than those of Exotic Species.

But the Domain power of Exotic Species has always been a realm inaccessible to humans.

Generally, humans can only imitate Domains, but not create them.

As for Lu Luo, he had no clue about comprehending and utilizing Domain power, nor had anyone ever taught him.

This made him wonder if he might lack the talent for it.

But now, he could not stop his progress. The situation in the Inner Ring was much more complex and dangerous than in the outer areas.

Only by breaking through could he gain enough safety!

"Let's begin!"

Lu Luo opened the box, revealing a large number of Dark Spirit Stones inside.

These stones weighed more than twenty kilograms, which, under normal circumstances, would be enough for him to break through to the Fifth Tier and even completely fill all the energy acupoints of the Fifth Tier!

The Devourer's tentacles slowly stretched out, piercing into a Dark Spirit Stone.

The Observer's prompt also appeared accordingly.

[The Devourer is absorbing Dark Energy; its current level is 3, with a talent efficiency of 160%.]

Completing the Fourth Tier required consuming a massive amount of Dark Energy, so it couldn't be replenished as quickly as before with the Bride's Tears.

Therefore, they could only rely on the ample quantity of Dark Spirit Stones for accumulation.

This devouring process lasted for nearly an hour before it concluded.

[Dark Energy reserves are sufficient; the Fusioner is formulating an advancement plan, please wait…]

[Host has been detected with Sequence Chain A-00 Nonbeliever, S-02 Devourer, Fourth Tier Essence of Life, all attributes at 200. Host meets the conditions for special lifeform evolution.]

[Based on the current host's talent sequence characteristics, life energy, physical attributes, and Qi He growth. The final plan is summarized as: Extreme State Devourer - Lu Luo.]

[Exclusive Plan - Extreme State Devourer: Based on the Nonbeliever, extended with the Devourer. Self-repair physical flaws, undergo self-centralization. Create an optimal environment with oneself at the center of the Domain, achieving the purpose of a self-centered Domain.]

Lu Luo found that this breakthrough prompt was completely different from previous experiences.

Although he didn't understand what a Nonbeliever Devourer was, it seemed it should be a state slightly more powerful than before, right?

[All preparatory conditions are ready, metamorphosis level: Lord Lifeform.]

[Some unpredictable situations may occur during this breakthrough; please maintain a positive mindset, Host.]

A Lord Lifeform, not just a Fifth Tier lifeform? And there might be unpredictable situations...

Lu Luo hesitated briefly, and immediately, the Observer's prompt followed.

[Friendly reminder: This breakthrough carries a certain degree of risk, and due to your special physical signs, it's unlikely that others can assist you. Prepare psychologically before you break through.]

Lu Luo gave a slight smile. Psychologically prepared? He was always ready for that. But was that useful? For breakthroughs like this, he had no other choice.

"Breakthrough!"

[The Fusioner is integrating physical strength with mental power, preparing for an Essence of Life feature breakthrough, please wait.]

As the breakthrough commenced, all of Lu Luo's acupoints began to naturally rotate.

Even though the final plan was very different from before, the first step of the breakthrough was still the opening of the acupoints.

All nine major acupoints were filled, and then, they began to split simultaneously.

This was very different from the extension and expansion of energy acupoints in ordinary people.

Splitting and expanding nine energy acupoints at the same time was not as simple as just multiplying the difficulty by nine.

It required a Transcendent's precise control of power, a strong physique, and meticulous calculation.

Of course, Lu Luo, who possessed the Fusioner and Observer, was the most stable calculator.

So all he needed to do was stand still and endure the pain.

Calculations, manipulations, and the like would all be handled by the Sequence for him; as for the pain, it wasn't actually that much of a problem—it was manageable.

Soon, Lu Luo's energy acupoints split into eighteen, and then, a massive amount of Dark Energy began to fill them.

But what Lu Luo was least short of at the moment was Dark Spirit Stones!

With the aid of wealth, Lu Luo's new energy acupoints were quickly expanded and filled.

However, this was just the beginning of all breakthroughs.

After the energy acupoints were completed, various powers in Lu Luo's body began to entwine and combine in a chaotic and unordered manner.

Life Energy burst forth uncontrollably and began to actively merge into Lu Luo's original Qi He.

This situation would never occur under normal circumstances.

Lu Luo let out an unnatural groan.

"URGH! URGH!"

His eight Devourer tentacles effortlessly extended, wafting and spreading around the room.

Qi Xinzhu looked on with a strange expression. She had seen Lu Luo's breakthroughs before, but they had never been as bizarre as this one.

The Devourer's tentacles began curling up objects around them.

Tables, stools, and even beds were ruthlessly shattered by the Devourer's tentacles, then devoured into a pool of decay.

This devouring seemed to be unconscious, only retracting somewhat when approaching Qi Xinzhu.

Qi Xinzhu watched Lu Luo with some concern, knowing that it was best not to disturb someone during a breakthrough.

But Lu Luo's condition was just too unsettling at the moment, so she couldn't help asking, "Lu Luo, are you… okay?"

"I'm fine! Xinzhu, take care of yourself."

Qi Xinzhu was a bit puzzled. What did he mean by 'take care of yourself'? Did Lu Luo sense that he was in danger?

Gradually, Lu Luo's body began to swell, enlarging, then suddenly deflating, wilting.

Three halos appeared behind Lu Luo's back: purple Netherflame, green poison, and white lightning.

These halos continuously rubbed and squeezed around Lu Luo's body.

The Qi He was already expanded to its limits and still could not quell this turmoil.

Just when Lu Luo's body twisted to the extreme, the Doomsday Disc finally appeared.

"The Disc!"

Qi Xinzhu's gaze was naturally drawn to the Doomsday Disc.

The power of the disc seemed uncontrollable, resonating with some kind of force in the Inner Ring.

Qi Xinzhu slowly walked towards the Disc behind Lu Luo and gently extended her finger.

DING!

When she touched the Doomsday Disc, Lu Luo, the Disc, and Qi Xinzhu all vanished at once.

「...」

Inside the First Ring, several Church Believers of Light guarding the Dawn Disc revealed puzzled looks.

"The Dawn Disc just reacted; was it an energy response? Is it about to expel impurities again?"

"Did you feel it too?"

"With such a distinct fluctuation, how could I not feel it!"

"We should report this to the Judgment Chief!"

Just as they were preparing to report the incident, the Dawn Disc emitted a burst of radiance.

The expressions of these Believers of Light, once varied, regained serenity.

It was as if they had completely failed to notice what had just happened. They looked at each other in silence without speaking.

Then they crossed their legs and sat again, guarding the seemingly tranquil Dawn Disc.

「...」

In the world of the Doomsday Disc, Lu Luo stood at the center of the disc, with patches of light undulating on his body as if he was absorbing its power.

The Doomsday Disc spun automatically, and Lu Luo involuntarily entered the Devourer-MAX form, the state of devouring the core of the world.

In the state of devouring the world's core, numerous tendrils extended from Lu Luo's body.

These Devourer tendrils connected with the Doomsday Disc.

The shiny runes on the Doomsday Disc flowed along these Devourer tendrils, slowly entering Lu Luo's body.

Lu Luo's physical form became increasingly less distinct, gradually turning into a purple orb of light floating in the center of the disc.

Qi Xinzhu watched Lu Luo worriedly but did not touch him again at this time.

Intervention from external forces means nothing in a breakthrough. She had already disturbed Lu Luo just now, which was a mistake. She didn't want to lose Lu Luo, so at this time, doing nothing was the right choice.

"Lu Luo, you must be okay!"

Lu Luo's body was gradually enveloped in a dark purple, a hue that looked somewhat similar to that of the Nightmare Demon.

But upon closer examination, the differences were apparent!

The purple of the Nightmare Demon leaned more towards death, while Lu Luo's purple was teeming with vitality.

The convergence of radiance lasted for a long time.

The tendrils linking the Doomsday Disc and Lu Luo's body also gradually broke.

These tendrils withered away as if starved of nourishment, decaying but also fostering new life.

This new life was Lu Luo at the center of the disc!

When the radiance faded, the center of the Doomsday Disc was revealed.

Qi Xinzhu stared intently, but Lu Luo's figure was nowhere to be seen.

In the center of the Doomsday Disc, there was only a purple flesh orb!

"Lu Luo?"

Qi Xinzhu wasn't sure what had happened to Lu Luo. After confirming there were no more energy fluctuations, she wanted to check out what exactly that flesh orb was.

But before she could get close, a powerful wave of energy began to spread from the center of the disc.

WHOOM!

Qi Xinzhu, who had already reached Fourth Tier strength, was directly blown away by this force, crashing hard onto the disc.

GRRR!

A low growl came from not far away.

This growling filled Qi Xinzhu's heart with dread.

Lu Luo should be okay, right?

She looked up towards the center of the disc to see the purple orb growing rapidly.

Its nourishment came from the creatures in the void around the Doomsday Disc.

These creatures continuously became the orb's sustenance through the disc itself, allowing the orb to grow swiftly.

Head, torso, arms, legs, tail!

A nearly three-meter-tall humanoid aberration appeared before Qi Xinzhu.

Its strong body, streamlined muscles, rending claws, and sharp fangs all radiated an explosive sense of power.

White lightning constantly flowed around the aberration, a demonic horn channeling the lightning before erupting once more.

Its hands, feet, and back were aflame with purple Netherflame.

With every breath it took, clusters of toxic substance spread around it!

GRRR!

Another roar. This overwhelming power almost suffocated Qi Xinzhu, leaving her in awe.

Although the power displayed by the aberration in front of her was very similar to Lu Luo's power, the monster before her had long since lost Lu Luo's original appearance.

"Lu Luo, are you okay?"

"GRUNT!"

The aberration roared at Qi Xinzhu but did not attack her.

Instead, it stared at Qi Xinzhu with a puzzled expression and then backed away.

It retreated faster and faster, soon reaching the edge of the void.

Suddenly, a Nightmare Centipede burst forth from the void, biting onto the aberration's leg.

The aberration roared in pain, its claws gripping the Nightmare Centipede's mouthparts and dragging its adversary out of the endless void.

HA!

The aberration first spat a mouthful of deadly poison into the Nightmare Centipede's mouth.

The poison, filled with the power of decay, instantly melted the Nightmare Centipede's head.

The aberration stepped on the Nightmare Centipede's body, its immense strength rendering the creature immobile.

Its fingers converged into a blade, white lightning constantly flickering in its palm.

With a sudden solidification—a slash!

SHLICK!

The Nightmare Centipede's enormous body was instantly bisected.

However, the ordeal was not over; the aberration's attacks grew more and more wild as it pummeled the Nightmare Centipede's body with an unrelenting series of punches.

It beat the powerful Sixth Tier monster into pulp, bit by bit.

Even though the Nightmare Centipede possessed ultra-regeneration abilities, without the continuous support of life energy from the Netherflame source, its ultra-regeneration speed couldn't keep up with the speed at which the aberration was tearing apart its body.

Nevertheless, the Nightmare Centipede's ultra-regeneration was still incredibly powerful.

Even as its body was destroyed over and over, it still tenaciously grappled with the aberration.

The aberration, seemingly angered by the Centipede's persistence, bit down on the Nightmare Centipede's head, forcefully consuming a part of it.

And then…

That part simply stopped regenerating.

The aberration clearly paused for a moment, realizing that the chunk of flesh on the Nightmare Centipede's head was no longer regenerating.

Immediately after, the Nightmare Centipede's trunk quickly recovered, wrapping itself completely around its opponent.

At the same time, more and more Exotic Species broke through the limits of the disc's void, squeezing and tearing madly at its edges.

Once they broke through the void's restrictions, they would pounce on the aberration.

The siege was as if they intended to utterly shred the aberration.

Qi Xinzhu watched everything with concern.

She knew the aberration was Lu Luo, but it seemed she could do nothing beneficial for him at the moment.

"Lu Luo, nothing can happen to you!"

More and more Exotic Species were appearing around them.

Although they did not attack Qi Xinzhu, she also faced a certain threat in the process of them pouncing on the aberration.

All Qi Xinzhu could do at that moment was to muster her Holy Radiance, repelling the Exotic Species around her.

Fortunately, her constitution was tremendously robust, making it difficult for even Fourth Tier Exotic Species to pose any substantial threat to her.

Not far away, the aberration was already surrounded by countless Exotic Species.

The Nightmare Centipede was tightly coiled around it, while more and more Exotic Species rushed up to gnaw on its body.

Although its body was harder than the sharp fangs of many Exotic Species, this relentless assault continued to drain the aberration's strength.

Soon, the mass of Exotic Species around the aberration had turned into a sphere of flesh.

"Lu Luo!"

Qi Xinzhu stared dumbfounded at the flesh sphere, no longer able to stand idly by. She brought her hands together, forming a sword with her fingers.

Soul Sunder Strike!