Chapter 1286 Constraints
To become a god.
This idea didn't stem from arrogant ambition, but from being forced into a desperate situation on the brink of collapse. Under the gaze of "them," in the eyes of those beings who transcend the rules of the world, the struggles of individuals are perhaps nothing more than fleeting ripples. To find a way out, one must acquire power of equal caliber.
This is not easy.
Fortunately, another "self"—that equally special "Li" who seemed to have chosen a different path—gave her inspiration.
Why insist on "creating" a completely new path? Since the world itself has already nurtured many "possibilities" leading to higher levels, isn't it also a feasible shortcut to choose the "ready-made path" that has the most potential and is most suitable for oneself, and then do one's best to develop and upgrade it until breaking through the original constraints and reaching a level where one can communicate with "gods"?
This planet, this world that has endured the ravages of destruction yet stubbornly nurtured countless miracles, happens to possess excellent "seeds." The core of the powers of those beings known as "Herrschers" is the ultimate manifestation of a certain part of the world's rules, a natural and powerful prototype of a "path."
Especially… the power of “restraint.” It symbolizes the rejection of “abnormality,” the definition of “order,” and the negation and discipline of “power.” In essence, it even touches upon the root concepts of “definition” and “limitation.” If one could fully grasp and elevate it, perhaps one could establish one’s own inviolable “absolute domain.”
For this, she devoted a long period of preparation. She meticulously sculpted and transformed herself, from her form of existence to her fluctuations of consciousness, shaping herself into a form that would most satisfy and make "false gods" known as the "Will of Collapse" of this era feel "satisfied" and "close." Like the most exquisite counterfeit, she deceived the gatekeeper, temporarily entrusting him with the key to the treasure vault.
The plan proceeded exceptionally smoothly. Honkai energy obeyed the call and converged, and the Herrscher's power condensed and adapted smoothly within her body, without encountering excessive rejection from the world itself—perhaps the "false god" was pleased with this outcome, or even secretly pushing it forward, since a more powerful "agent" seemed to be more helpful in fulfilling His "duty" of destroying civilization.
Now, the power is in her grasp. Although it is not yet complete, only a preliminary core of power has been formed, it is enough for her to conduct her first real "test".
The test subject is naturally the same special "self" that I have attracted here – Zijing.
Seeing the solemn expression on his face as he stood within the "binding barrier" she had created, his power forcibly suppressed, Chu Xia couldn't help but feel a strange sense of amusement. This feeling of observing and probing another "possibility" under her control was subtle and complex. After all, in a way, they should have been...like each other.
"Then, let's test the quality of this 'new toy' on you first," she murmured to herself, her fingers twitching slightly.
……
The feeling of his power being instantly "silenced" was very peculiar. It wasn't that it was drained or isolated, but rather that some higher-level "rule" was forcibly imposed, declaring that his power was "not allowed to operate" within this domain. It was like a sophisticated instrument being disconnected from its power source and simultaneously covered with an insulating casing.
However, Zijing did not feel panic. After the initial shock, she quickly calmed down and analyzed the situation.
This power, which directly acts on the "power" itself, suppressing and "nullifying" it across the entire domain... was not unfamiliar to him. After all, this was a one-to-one replica of the Herrschers from the previous civilization.
"From the very beginning, her goal was to become the 'Herrscher of Binding' of this era?" Amethyst stared at the girl whose aura had drastically changed at the center of the barrier, her heart filled with trepidation. "Is she waiting here because she is certain that she will successfully awaken? Or... is she even able to 'guide' or 'choose' the type of Herrscher she becomes?"
There was no time to think it through; the enemy's attack had already begun.
As early summer's thoughts flowed, the desert trembled, and the yellow sand churned. One after another, ferocious low-level Honkai beasts—Chariot-class, Knight-class, and even a few Temple-class—composed of pure Honkai energy mixed with sand grains, crawled out of the sea of sand, growling as they locked their targets on the "powerless" Amethyst within the barrier. They were summoned by early summer's newly born Herrscher powers, serving as "minions" for testing.
Zijing took a deep breath, suppressing the instinctive restlessness within him that was trying to forcefully break free of his "dormant" state. He quickly assessed his current situation: his basic physical attributes had significantly declined due to the dormancy of his power, but his combat instincts, neural reactions, muscle memory, and insight into the battlefield situation, honed over many years, had not disappeared. Weapons? Unarmed. Environment? An open sandy field, except for the scorching wind and the sharp claws and fangs of his enemies.
enough.
As the first tank-class Honkai Beast roared and charged, Amethyst moved. Instead of meeting the attack head-on, he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the collision. With his right hand, he drew a long sword and, in the instant of the exchange, precisely struck a weak point on the side of the Honkai Beast's energy core—a memory etched into his instincts through countless battles. The Honkai Beast staggered, its structure momentarily disrupted.
Immediately afterwards, a second, a third… Amethyst's figure weaved through the horde of beasts, his movements concise and efficient. Every dodge, every seemingly slight touch or use of force against another, was aimed at the gaps in the Honkai Beasts' energy flow or their structural weaknesses. With a mortal body, he performed a battle art honed through countless trials, like dancing on the edge of a knife, thrilling yet never allowing the attacks to truly land on him.
He noticed that while these Honkai Beasts' attacks were ferocious, they seemed to lack higher-level coordination and tactics, more like tools driven by instinct. Meanwhile, Chu Xia, at the center of the barrier, simply watched quietly, her eyes, which had somehow turned golden, filled with keen interest.
(She didn't immediately kill me, and even the attacks from these Honkai Beasts were held back... Was she observing and assessing my ability to cope in this "normal state"? Or was she waiting for something?)
Zijing knew perfectly well that he wasn't truly powerless. The "dormant" power within him was like a frozen volcano. If he was willing to pay a price, risking the backlash, he might be able to forcefully pry open a crack in this "binding barrier" and temporarily regain some of his powers.
But... there's no need. At least not now.
The opponent's attack left room for maneuver, more like a "test" or "demonstration" than an immediate life-or-death struggle. Given this, he was happy to temporarily adopt the demeanor of a "mortal," both to preserve possible backup plans and to observe—to observe the characteristics and application of this newly born "Binding Lawyer's" powers.
