Chapter 155: Three-Star Battle Emperor

When using Kamui, one can transfer a part of their body into a different dimension to phase through enemy attacks, or even send their entire body into the space-time realm. Objects and people within the space-time dimension can also be summoned out with Kamui. Thus, weapons like kunai and shuriken can be prepared in advance within the space-time and then launched through Kamui. The spatial distortion Kamui creates can also be combined with Fire Release techniques.

Kamui, however, has its drawbacks. Its greatest weakness is that when absorbing or releasing other objects, the user’s body must become tangible and cannot remain in an intangible state. Moreover, as one must focus chakra into their eyes to activate Kamui, the user is left highly vulnerable to attack. The Fourth Hokage once deduced this weakness and, as a result, was able to defeat Obito in a single stroke. Konan, too, inflicted heavy damage on Obito for this reason. Since the body must materialize during absorption and the process is relatively slow, intangibility can only be maintained for about five minutes. Konan’s six hundred billion explosive tags could detonate for ten minutes, but Obito survived the prolonged blast by relying on Izanagi.

While intangible with Kamui, one cannot attack enemies; it serves only as a defense. If a target moves at extreme speed, exceeding the rate of absorption, Kamui’s attacks can be evaded.

The final pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan granted Xiao Xie another ability—Susanoo: the third power that can only be unlocked when both Mangekyō Sharingan are awakened, known as the Power of the Gods. Susanoo is a symbol of destruction, and it is said that anyone who lays eyes upon it rarely escapes death.

Since everyone’s Mangekyō Sharingan abilities are unique, Susanoo’s appearance and techniques differ as well. Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo’s Susanoo is bright blue; Ōtsutsuki Indra’s is purple; Uchiha Madara’s is blue; Uchiha Shisui’s is green; Uchiha Itachi’s is red; Uchiha Sasuke’s is purple; Uchiha Obito’s is teal.

“Susanoo, awaken!” At Xiao Xie’s thought, a golden giant clad in armor, hundreds of meters tall, rose behind him like a god descending to the mortal world.

“A golden Susanoo—how fitting for its master! So flamboyant!” Xiao Xiao gazed up at the golden giant behind Xiao Xie, her face alight with joy.

Having savored the abilities of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Xiao Xie turned his attention to the remaining three items. The Earth Spirit Pearl, with the power to summon the Mountain God, needed no further introduction; its might was certainly not inferior to a Dou Emperor’s, though it could only be used three times and thus served as a trump card. The Rat Talisman, too, had its uses, though Xiao Xie had yet to decide how best to employ it, so he stowed it away with the Earth Spirit Pearl for now.

At last, Xiao Xie’s gaze fell upon the Hōgyoku. Its true power lay in manifesting the desires of its wielder’s heart, provided they possessed the strength to realize those wishes. When the host’s abilities reached their limits or their life was threatened, the Hōgyoku could drive them to ceaselessly evolve to the next dimensional realm.

The Hōgyoku could help Xiao Xie shatter the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow. However, as his Zanpakutō had yet to awaken, its effects remained unseen for now. Still, with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and the Hōgyoku, Xiao Xie could eventually evolve his Sharingan into the Rinnegan.

“Are you pleased?” Xiao Xie sensed the benevolent consciousness within the Hōgyoku. Though the Hōgyoku possessed its own will, having been acquired through a lottery, there was no risk of betrayal.

He placed the Hōgyoku at his chest, and it instantly merged into his heart. In that moment, Xiao Xie’s strength surged from the peak of Two-Star Dou Sovereign to Three-Star Dou Sovereign, breaking through the bottleneck by the Hōgyoku’s very nature.

After fusing the Hōgyoku into his heart, Xiao Xie summoned his status panel with a thought, and it displayed:

Name: Xiao Xie
Age: Seventeen
Bloodline: Human, Bomberman, Nine Lives Mysterious Cat, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan

Lifespan: Immortal
Cultivation: Three-Star Dou Sovereign
Profession: Sixth-Tier Alchemist
Cultivation Technique: Burning Formula (Earth Grade, Low Level)
Unique Flames: Amaterasu, Green Lotus Core Flame, Hellfire
Special Abilities: Formless and Shapeless (from the Formless Fruit), Divine Refining Hand
Martial Arts: Northern Darkness Divine Skill, Unrivaled Nine Swords, Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, Taiji Fist
Ninjutsu: Transformation Technique, Grand Fire Annihilation, Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, Tsukuyomi, Kamui, Susanoo, Dead Demon Consuming Seal
Taijutsu: Six Forms—Finger Gun
Qi Techniques: Turtle School Energy Wave, Flight Technique
Soul Arts: Flash Step, Cero, Black Coffin
Magic: Bone Summoning, Thousand Miles of Ice
Immortal Arts: Sword Control, Thunder Flash
Haki: Armament Haki
Skills: Triple Slash, Parry Technique
Dou Techniques: Eight Extremes Collapse, Heavy Shadow Step, Hundred Waves, Tiger Roar, Azure Light Slash
Equipment: Hōgyoku, Earth Spirit Pearl, Rat Talisman, Pegasus Cloth, Asauchi, Thorn Armor, Mark II Iron Man Suit, Doran’s Ring, Spark Prism, Romantic Turret (Imperial Arm), Moon Slash, Super Terminator (Nine-Star Dou Sovereign), Super Infinite Shotgun...
Pet: Amethyst Winged Lion King

Items: Six Senzu Beans, Fragmented Map of Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, Seastone Handcuffs, Teddy Bear, Solar-Powered Apple Phone, Flashlight...
Worship Points: 514,651
Credits: 15,375,891

Having reviewed his status panel, Xiao Xie exited the Worship Space with a thought.

“All that’s left is to wait for the Fallen Heart Flame to erupt in full force!” Glancing toward the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, Xiao Xie let out a soft chuckle, drew his Asauchi, and sat down to cultivate.

...

Deep within the Inner Academy, in a tranquil chamber by a window, two figures stood. One was shrouded in a voluminous black robe, his hair and beard snowy white. His aged face was as serene as a monk, betraying no hint of emotion. With hands clasped behind his back, he gazed out at the verdant shade. After a long silence, he spoke quietly, “Qin Xuan, what’s the situation in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower lately?”

“Great Elder, the Fallen Heart Flame grows increasingly restless. Now it erupts almost every half month. Were it not for the combined efforts of the elders maintaining the energy barrier, there would already have been heavy casualties among those cultivating inside.” Behind him, a hunched elder in yellow robes bowed respectfully as he replied.

“It’s accelerating, is it?” The one addressed as Great Elder sighed softly, murmuring, “When the Dean discovered the Fallen Heart Flame here, he established the Inner Academy. He always said that suppression and sealing could only work temporarily; the tighter the seal, the more terrifying the eruption would be. Judging by the signs of unrest this time, it’s indeed powerful. If we’re not careful, the Inner Academy could be destroyed.”

“What should we do then?” Anxiety flickered across the yellow-robed elder’s face as he whispered, “Should we summon the Dean back?”

“The Dean is traveling, as elusive as a dragon—how could we contact him?” The Great Elder shook his head and waved his hand. “From today forth, all elder leaves are canceled, and the tower guardians must return to their posts. If there’s any sign of unrest from the Fallen Heart Flame, immediately join forces to seal it. Under no circumstances can we let it erupt fully, or the consequences will be dire.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Furthermore, prepare a contingency plan. If the Fallen Heart Flame riots, evacuate everyone from the tower and prohibit anyone from entering!” The Great Elder’s expression remained steady as he issued command after command. “Also inform the Outer Academy. All strong cultivators within the academy must be on standby at all times. Should the Fallen Heart Flame erupt, even the space barrier shrouding the Inner Academy could be shattered. At that time, those fiends in the Black-Corner Region will surely sense the violent waves. If they come seeking, chaos will descend.”

“Great Elder, is it Pill Emperor Han Feng of the Black-Corner Region you’re concerned about?” The yellow-robed elder hesitated a moment before speaking.

A glint flickered in the Great Elder’s eyes. He nodded slowly. “Han Feng is an alchemist; his desire for Heavenly Flames is unparalleled. Years ago, he already suspected the existence of a Heavenly Flame in the Inner Academy, but since he couldn’t confirm it, he didn’t dare make any bold moves. After all, our Jia Nan Academy isn’t to be trifled with.”

“This time, the Fallen Heart Flame’s riot will be more violent than ever before. If the seal is broken, with Han Feng’s abnormal soul perception, he’s sure to sense the Heavenly Flame’s presence—and then, he’ll stop at nothing to seize it!”