NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1057: Harming Mark?
As Max revealed his infernal demon transformation, Mark immediately noticed that the infernal demon tattoo he had placed upon Max was no longer there. His sharp eyes narrowed in intrigue, for not only had the tattoo vanished, but the very infernal energy that should have been bound to Mark's control now pulsed within Max as though it had become a natural part of his body.
"Tell me, how did you do it?" Mark asked with a smile that carried both curiosity and menace. "You not only erased the infernal demon tattoo, but you also fused the infernal energy into your own body. I am very curious as to how you managed such a feat."
"How about you kill yourself before I tell you?" Max sneered, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a blade.
"Kill myself?" Mark gave a soft laugh as though he had just heard something amusing. "Haven't you heard, Max? I am immortal. I am a god that cannot be killed." As he spoke, he slowly lifted his hand, his fingers poised as if he were about to snap them.
The sight sent ripples of unease through the air. Everyone present stiffened with alarm, for they had all witnessed before what Mark's snap was capable of. The mere gesture was enough to spread dread across the battlefield.
"Max, do not move!" Lady Divine's voice rang out with solemn command as glowing runes surged forth, forming a protective wall around Max. At the same moment, the leaders stepped forward—President William, Aden, the man with the tiger mask, and the three other leaders of the Four God Nation. Each of them moved instinctively to bar Mark's advance, unwilling to allow him the chance to unleash his godlike power on Max.
Mark's sneer widened as he looked at the protective wall and the figures standing in his way. "Do you truly believe that a collection of runes and a group of old men can stop me?" His tone dripped with scorn. "The power of infernal energy was given to me by you, and because of that, I can reclaim it from you at any time I wish."
With those words, he snapped his fingers.
Snap!
The sharp sound echoed through the air like the toll of a divine judgment. Almost instantly, a crushing wave of nausea swept through Max's body, twisting his insides and making his head spin as if the world itself were collapsing around him.
Yet, before the sensation could escalate into something fatal, a radiant golden lotus suddenly blossomed into existence. Its nine petals unfolded one by one with serene brilliance, surrounding Max in a protective cocoon that shone with an ethereal light. The overwhelming force of the snap dissipated harmlessly against its glow, leaving Max untouched.
Mark's eyes widened in surprise. His confidence faltered for the first time, and his voice carried genuine disbelief as he muttered, "A nine-petaled golden lotus is shielding you? What is this?" His expression grew dark, for never before had he seen any being below the Divine Ranks withstand the terrifying authority of his snap.
A hearty laugh rang out, breaking the tense silence. Alexander Draconis, the leader of the Dragon God Nation, stepped forward with a smile that radiated power and certainty. His voice boomed across the field, shaking the hearts of everyone present.
"Mark, your power of causality has no effect on Max. Do you understand why? He has already bloomed nine petals of the Divine Lotus Phenomenon. You should know what that means." His eyes gleamed as he continued, "It means his fate is extraordinary. His destiny does not belong to this world. As one whose fate transcends the boundaries of this realm, no being bound to this world can affect him with causality, not even you."
Mark's lips curled into a faint smile, though the glimmer in his eyes betrayed the irritation that had taken root in his heart. "Oh," he murmured softly, as though savoring the irony. "To think that the boy I once controlled would possess such a fate. Who could have imagined it?" His gaze lingered on Max, who stood enveloped in the resplendent glow of the golden lotus, untouchable and radiant.
At that moment, Max himself was overcome with shock. He had personally witnessed the devastating power of Mark's snap, a force that twisted the laws of existence itself. To find himself standing unharmed before it was almost beyond belief.
His heart pounded as realization dawned on him. 'So his power has limits,' he thought, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. The golden petals around him whispered of a truth he had not dared to consider before. 'At least his ability is not absolute. There might still be a path to killing him.'
"I suppose it is good for him," Mark said with a cunning smile, his eyes gleaming with malice as he turned toward the leaders of the Four God Nation. His voice carried a mocking edge as he asked, "You already know why I am here, do you not?"
"We will never allow you to free the demons sealed beneath our sacred palace," declared the leader of the Bright Buddha Palace. His name was Isaac Abbot, an aged monk with long white hair that cascaded down his shoulders. His voice was calm, yet it reverberated with a force that made the heavens seem to quiver.
Almost instantly, the entire Bright Buddha Palace responded to his will. The earth trembled, and above the sacred grounds a colossal golden Buddha manifested, radiating divine majesty. The figure was enormous, its towering form encompassing the entirety of the palace.
From a distance, one could see how vast the Bright Buddha Palace truly was, for it resembled a sprawling garden where countless abodes stood scattered among ancient trees and flowing streams. Yet despite its sheer size, the Buddha's figure covered it completely, like a guardian watching over every corner of the sacred land.
Mark's expression darkened as the golden light pressed against him. His face twisted several times, contorted by strain, while thin wisps of smoke rose from his skin. The golden Buddha had not struck him directly, nor had it unleashed any visible attack, yet the divine radiance alone seared him as though his very existence were being burned away.
"I have always despised you monks," Mark said coldly. His sneer deepened as infernal energy erupted from his body, coiling around him like red flames to shield him from the oppressive light. The golden radiance clashed against the infernal aura, sending ripples through the air as the two opposing powers wrestled.
With scorn dripping from his words, Mark continued, "You believe your god Buddha is strong? If he is truly so mighty, then let that old fool come out himself. Tell him to face me openly in battle, rather than hiding behind cheap tricks."