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Chapter 474 Deterrence [4000 words]

[Martial Arts Battle in Heavenly Capital, Training Room]

The cultivation room was silent, with only the azure vector force field flowing slowly around Tiandao like the tide, tightly enveloping him layer by layer.

At the edge of the force field, countless materialized rule runes flickered like fireflies, illuminating the entire training room with a faint blue light.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, his consciousness sinking into the sea of ​​knowledge.

He magnified and repeatedly analyzed every detail of the battle with the four Zodiac sign clones with a consciousness intensity that exceeded his limits.

When slaying Cancer, the vector force lines precisely lock onto the subtle manipulation of its core energy nodes.

When dodging a Scorpio's sneak attack, it's about instantly anticipating and leveraging the vector flow direction within spatial folds.

When dismantling the frozen rules of Aquarius, the subtle guidance of using minute lines of force to break down the solidified structure of energy...

Every insight gained in the moment of battle transforms into pure nourishment for the Vector Dao, deepening his understanding of his own rules.

"I see. The core of vector rules is not just controlling the trajectory of matter, but also directly interfering with the energy flow of other rules."

The Heavenly Dao murmured softly, a knowing smile curving his lips, his tone filled with profound understanding.

Then, his fingers unconsciously traced patterns in the air, leaving behind faint blue regular lines. These patterns lingered in the air for a moment before slowly dissipating.

The Heavenly Dao looked at these patterns and rules, pondered for a moment, and then a thought struck it.

The next second, the azure-blue energy field flowing around him suddenly contracted, merging into his body like a receding tide, leaving no excess energy behind.

A more condensed and profound energy fluctuation than before suddenly spread out from his body. This fluctuation seemed gentle, but it contained an undeniable pressure of rules.

The mere aftershocks caused the 'quantum defense matrix' on the wall of the training room to tremble slightly, and even the energy flowing within the matrix experienced a brief disturbance before stabilizing again.

The insights gained from this battle not only enhanced his mastery of vector rules but also subtly brought his strength to the threshold of the mid-stage of the Calamity Realm.

It should be noted that, according to the records of the Star Envoy Association, there is no so-called hierarchical classification among natural disasters.

Because at this stage, simple numerical values ​​are no longer sufficient to measure the limits of natural disasters.

The competition between them is more about 'mechanics'.

For example, the 'vector control' of the Heavenly Dao has, in a sense, expanded from the original material level to the non-material level.

It can even affect other areas that are subject to natural disasters.

However, this change is not simply 'vector control', but rather a result of the accumulation of various personal abilities, including 'Heavenly Dao Cells' and 'Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye'.

It can be said that each of the Star Children reached the level of a cataclysmic event.

Their domains are far more powerful than natural disasters originating from a single star source or core.

The reason is simple: their domain possesses a 'second' or even a 'third' characteristic that ordinary natural disasters do not have.

Of course, everything has its advantages and disadvantages.

A higher ceiling naturally means a greater difficulty in achieving breakthroughs.

Among the current Chosen Ones, only Tiandao has achieved this.

The others basically failed to grasp the threshold of the Heavenly Dao.

After absorbing this gain, the azure-blue Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye of the Heavenly Dao slowly opened, with countless rule runes rapidly flowing within its pupils.

His gaze was like a sharp blade that could pierce through everything, passing straight through the walls of the training room, through the energy shield of the Martial Arts Capital, and through layers of subspace barriers, reaching the core area of ​​the subspace where the Zodiac's main body was located.

At the same time, his perception was like an invisible net, enveloping the core region of the subspace.

Through these, the Heavenly Dao could clearly perceive that there was an intense aura of anger and fear that was so thick it could not be dissolved, as well as countless terrifying energy fluctuations intertwining and colliding.

Clearly, news of the four clones being killed had already reached back immediately, and the original bodies, who had long resided in the core of the subspace and possessed legendary strength, could no longer remain silent.

Although he knew that these legendary beings were no ordinary people, the Heavenly Dao, having broken through to the Calamity level, could already vaguely sense their 'limitations'.

Therefore, Heaven did not have much fear of them.

So, they decided to give these 'guys' a 'gift'.

The Heavenly Dao raised its hand and gently clenched its fist in the void. Countless condensed, azure vector lines surged from its body, rapidly intertwining and entwining in the void.

Like a finely woven spider web, it condenses into an energy mark the size of a palm in the blink of an eye.

The mark is entirely azure blue, its surface covered with complex and incomprehensible vector runes, with a faint golden light flowing between them, which not only embodies his profound understanding of vector rules.

It carries his will and terrifying rule pressure; merely hovering in mid-air, it causes subtle distortions in the surrounding space.

"go."

With a flick of his finger, the Heavenly Dao instantly transformed the energy mark into a dazzling azure stream of light, moving at incredible speed. It pierced through the alloy barrier of the training room without leaving a trace.

Subsequently, the streak of light broke through the defensive array of the Martial Capital and sped toward the subspace where the Zodiac Twelve Palaces were located.

The speed of this mark far exceeded that of the vector force line that attacked Pisces before, almost reaching the level of teleportation.

In an instant, they traversed an endless distance, ignoring the spatial turbulence and energy storms along the way, and appeared directly in the Starry Sky Hall where the Zodiac's main bodies held their meetings.

Inside the Starry Sky Palace, it was dark and gloomy. Ten figures shrouded in thick shadows sat on ten thrones inlaid with abyssal crystals, with two empty seats beside them.

Of these two missing positions, one symbolizes Libra, and the other is completely unknown.

Apart from the two empty seats, each of the remaining thrones exuded a terrifying aura of different attributes, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere.

Pisces' true form was as pale as paper, and the wound on his chest was still throbbing. Black abyssal energy kept flowing around the wound, but it could not be completely healed.

The backlash from the slaying of its clone caused some abnormalities in its body, which deepened its impression of the Heavenly Dao.

"This human must not be allowed to continue growing."

“There’s an Ennet who’s been keeping us in limbo for far too long.”

"If another Ennet were to emerge, it would undoubtedly further slow down our original plans."

In response to Pisces' statement, a majestic and domineering voice rang out.

"It's just that a few clones used for testing have been killed, why make such a fuss?"

The one speaking was the true form of Leo, whose body emanated an aura of extreme rage and fire, causing the space around the throne to distort slightly from the heat.

The embodiment of the constellation is a massive 'golden lion' bathed in flames. And just as Leo finished speaking, a pale blue energy mark suddenly appeared without warning in the void at the center of the Star Palace, bursting forth with dazzling light, illuminating the entire dim Star Palace as if it were daytime.

Immediately afterwards, an extremely terrifying vector pressure spread out like a tsunami, instantly enveloping the entire Starry Sky Palace.

The auras of the ten black figures faltered, and the power of rules within them subconsciously erupted.

On the thrones beneath them, countless ancient runes lit up, forming black energy barriers that completely isolated this 'unique pressure'.

Although they were not affected in any way, this almost blatant act of humiliation undoubtedly enraged them.

"Insanity!"

The Leo's true form roared and raised its hand, unleashing a violent flame rule containing terrifying destructive power towards the energy mark.

The flame was golden in color and hot enough to incinerate the space around it. Wherever it passed, the air was ignited, making a sizzling sound.

But the moment the flame touched the energy mark, it was dismantled and guided by countless tiny vector force lines that were indistinguishable to the naked eye. The originally violent flame energy was instantly diverted into countless tiny flames, which were then completely annihilated by the vector force field, leaving not even a trace of smoke.

After completing its deterrent effect, the energy imprint transformed into countless points of light and dissipated within the Starry Sky Palace, leaving only the cold will of the Heavenly Dao echoing within the palace for a long time.

The Starry Sky Palace fell silent once more, with only the heavy breathing of ten dark figures remaining.

After a long while, the true form of Aries slowly spoke, its voice carrying a hint of indifference.

"Given the fragility of the human body, it is truly a miracle that he could comprehend the rules to this extent in such a short time."

The other signs of the zodiac did not comment further on this.

Because they are all innate legends, they clearly understand the lower limits of the gap between species.

No matter how hard an ant tries, it will be difficult to reach the level of an elephant.

Compared to them, humans are like ants.

But unlike ants, the human race seems to possess some unique characteristics.

Miracles always seem to happen from time to time.

This is the way of Heaven, and this is also true of Ennet.

It seems their plans need to be accelerated.

Meanwhile, inside the training room of Martial Arts Capital...

The Heavenly Dao slowly withdrew its gaze, a disdainful smile curving its lips.

He could clearly sense the changes in the aura of the ten dark figures within the Starry Sky Palace.

From initial anger and disdain to later surprise, it was all within his expectations.

He knew that after receiving this 'gift'...

The twelve zodiac signs will certainly not make any rash moves in the short term.

However, this is only a temporary measure. The twelve zodiac signs have profound foundations, and their main bodies are all legendary-level powerhouses. It is impossible for them to completely give up just because of a "great gift".

To completely eliminate this threat, he needs to further enhance his strength until he surpasses the legendary level and possesses absolute power capable of crushing the true forms of the Zodiac.

Just as Tiandao was calming his mind and preparing to continue immersing himself in cultivation, his azure Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye suddenly lit up again, a cold light flashing in his pupils.

His Star Eclipse Eye detected an unusually violent energy fluctuation, originating from the depths of subspace outside the Martial Capital. The energy concentration was even more concentrated and violent than that of the previous four clones.

The power of the flame rules contained within is extremely domineering, clearly indicating that it is another clone of a member of the Zodiac. Moreover, the primordial power contained in this clone far exceeds the sum of the previous four clones, making it even stronger.

It's obvious that no matter what team or organization it is, there will always be some reckless people.

Leo in the zodiac is a clear example of this, or rather, its rules do not allow it to 'show weakness'.

With this thought in mind, Tiandao moved and instantly disappeared from the cultivation room.

The next second, he appeared in the subspace outside the Martial Capital, his azure vector force field quietly unfolding around him, resisting the subspace's extreme cold and turbulence.

In the distance, in subspace, a golden figure a thousand meters tall is rapidly approaching.

The figure resembled a 'golden lion,' surrounded by blazing golden flames that burned everything in its path, even the turbulent underspace.

And this figure is none other than the projection of Leo's clone, which contains a trace of primordial power!

The Leo clone's gaze was like that of a beast locking onto its prey, its eyes fixed on the Heavenly Dao. Its voice boomed like thunder in the void, causing ripples to spread through the surrounding space.

Without further ado, the Leo clone raised his hand and waved.

In an instant, countless golden fire meteors appeared out of thin air and crashed down toward the Heavenly Dao.

Each of these meteors contained destructive fire rules, enough to incinerate space and melt starships, far exceeding the power of any previous attack.

Faced with the surging, sky-covering fireballs, the Heavenly Dao remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic, as if the terrifying attack before him was insignificant.

With a thought, the azure vector force field around him suddenly unfolded, its range instantly expanding to thousands of miles, with countless condensed vector force lines shooting out from the force field.

These vector force lines rotate rapidly, like countless sophisticated machines, accurately capturing the motion vector of each fiery meteor and then forcibly altering its trajectory.

Before long, the fiery meteors that were originally hurtling towards the Heavenly Dao all changed direction, like a torrent that turned around, and rushed back towards the Leo clone, with even more ferocity than before.

More importantly, the vector control of the Heavenly Dao is not just about returning attacks.

It seems that these attacks have also been given new characteristics.

So much so that the Leo clone, which was originally ruled by fire, let out a sound of astonishment and anger after being covered by its own fire meteor.

Its body began to distort and become transparent.

And Heaven did not give it any chance to struggle.

With a flash, he darted through the raging golden flames like a ghost and instantly appeared in front of the Leo clone.

He conjured an extremely refined azure-blue energy line at his fingertips. This seemingly slender line contained terrifying power capable of piercing through stars, and shot straight toward the core energy node of the Leo clone.

With a soft 'poof' sound, the vector force line pierced through the core of the Leo clone without any hindrance.

Bang!
The Leo clone completely disintegrated, turning into wisps of golden energy smoke that slowly dissipated in the void.

From the moment the Leo clone launched its attack to its complete annihilation by the Heavenly Dao, the entire process took less than ten breaths, even easier than the previous four clones combined. This demonstrates just how powerful the Heavenly Dao has become.

(End of this chapter)