After meeting the brothers Bart and Evans, and learning about the Divine Dragon phantom beast power they wielded, Ye Chui could not resist the urge to modify them a little. Evans and Genji, Bart and Hanzo—they were practically cut from the same mould.
Bart still used a bow and arrow as his weapon. He was a rare bow swordsman. His attack methods also resembled Hanzo’s greatly.
But Bart seemed to taboo Ye Chui’s modifications. He always refused Ye Chui’s proposals. Hearing Bart’s request now, Ye Chui immediately revealed a mad scientist expression. While stroking his chin, he sized Bart up and down, smiling. “Easy, easy. I guarantee to grant you powerful strength. Come, first take off your upper clothes…”
“Take, take off upper clothes!? What are you doing!?” Bart guarded his clothes warily. “Let me say first. Though I want power, I do not want my body replaced with puppet like Evans. Evans was gravely injured then. Body had to use puppet substitute. But I do not need it. If the price is puppet body, I would rather not have this power.”
Evans’s puppet body was undoubtedly very powerful. Lacking pain sense, even heavy injury would not greatly affect combat ability. No one knew how Ye Chui achieved it.
Evans’s puppet technology even far surpassed the Tidal Empire, renowned for puppet masters. Using puppets to replace human body parts had always been the Tidal Empire puppet masters’ ultimate goal: create powerful half-human half-puppet warriors.
But Tidal puppet masters’ technology remained immature. Created half-human half-puppets mostly had great limitations. Evans had no rejection reaction. This alone shocked people.
But Bart refused to become like his brother. Puppet was puppet after all. How could it compare to one’s own flesh! Hanamura Magic Guild still relied on him to pass the bloodline!
Ye Chui chuckled, dispelling Bart’s doubts. “What are you thinking? You are uninjured. How would I modify your body? I just want to tattoo a dragon on your arm?”
“On, on the arm tattoo a dragon?” Bart stunned.
Green emerged from the dilapidated house just then, holding a bottle. Inside red blood. Seeing Bart, he instinctively tried to hide it. But Ye Chui waved, signalling no need to conceal from Bart. Then took the bottle from Green.
“What is this?” Bart asked curiously.
Green somewhat embarrassed scratched his bald head. “Xelas’s blood. Leisha casting healing holy words treating Xelas’s wounds. I quietly drew some from him…”
“What!?” Bart instantly furious. The old man injured so badly, and you still drew his blood?
“Do not worry. This is the key to power.” Ye Chui shook the small bottle.
Their group arrived in Tidal Empire capital. Upon appearance, encountered Xelas releasing Mad Dragon phantom beast. That Mad Dragon greatly amazed Ye Chui. Sparked immense interest in this power.
Phantom beasts belonged to heroic spirits type. But summoning heroic spirits needed medium, contract signing. Phantom beasts used bloodline as medium. Thus Xelas-Xeral family could use Mad Dragon, Divine Dragon power. When modifying Evans earlier, Ye Chui already researched Evans’s bloodline. Using those bloodline traits, he granted Evans Genji skills.
Just rescued Xelas. Perfect opportunity. So Ye Chui had Green secretly obtain some Xelas blood for research. Perhaps he could activate Mad Dragon phantom beast too.
Mad Dragon phantom beast seemed stronger than Divine Dragon. Summoning phantom beast and summoner heroic spirits shared principles. Ye Chui borrowing phantom beast clan bloodline to summon would not be easy. But for Bart using this bloodline, much simpler. Though not father-son with Xelas, bloodline still closely related.
Worth mentioning, Debbie contracting White Ship phantom beast unrelated to bloodline. Purely because Debbie’s summoner mental power sufficiently strong. And White Ship phantom beast then influenced, becoming ghost ship. Bloodline binding minimised. Thus Debbie got huge bargain.
Other phantom beasts not so easily contracted. At least needed some bloodline aid.
“What do you plan?” Bart asked curiously.
“Use this blood as dye. Tattoo Mad Dragon phantom beast image on your body. Add some magic array assistance. Let you summon both Divine Dragon and Mad Dragon for battle at once!” Ye Chui explained. Hanzo ultimate should summon two dragons at once for normal.
Bart stunned by Ye Chui’s idea. “I, I can use Mad Dragon phantom beast power?”
Imprisoned over a day, he witnessed Xelas using Mad Dragon power. Knew it somewhat stronger terrifying force than father’s Divine Dragon. If he could wield, would greatly boost combat power. But possible?
If mere blood allowed using phantom beast clan power, phantom beast clans too cheap.
After astonishment, Bart’s eyes showed great doubt.
“For ordinary people, of course difficult. But for me, no issue.”
Ye Chui smiled confidently. Then summoned Marvel scientist legion—from Ye Chui’s magic guide book summon: Tony (Iron Man), Banner (Hulk), Vision, Ultron, and Hank (first Ant-Man). These genius-minded heroes or villains. Their scientific R&D abilities magically modified to magic. Powerful research in magic theory.
“No delay. Let us start quickly.” Ye Chui briefed his modded scientist quintet on task, eagerly rubbing palms.
Now night. Stars filled sky. Watching quintet surround Bart, hands all over (…) busily working, Ye Chui suddenly paused.
“Wait, I seem to have forgotten something…”
What was it?
…
Capital in chaos.
First Ye Chui’s group appeared, maniacally destroying a street. Then Zenith Palace assaulted. Three heavy criminals in imperial dungeon: Zask, Meidu, Neil whereabouts unknown. Bishop Xis went mad, directly killing into rear bedrooms. Then on street before countless capital citizens, killed Emperor. Incited great public fury.
Others fanned flames. River God worship sect name quietly spread among capital citizens.
Under angry emotions, originally unpopular Church thoroughly abandoned by citizens. Eastern district under-construction grand cathedral directly smashed by citizens. Some followers united, trying resistance. But numbers less than thousand. Defences soon broken. Like street rats, pursued by Tidal Empire.
Countless came to Ancestral God Temple kneeling, begging ancestral god protect empire safety. But shockingly discovered Ancestral God Temple blocked by mysterious power. No one could enter a step.
Zenith Palace interior more bleak.
Emperor and Empress both perished, deaths unclear. Left palace servants, guards, attendants, maids indescribably panicked. Formerly even at night brightly lit Zenith Palace now pitch black.
But in that dark palace complex, one room brightly lit.
Attendants, maids busily in and out.
This place Zenith Palace bath palace.
Bath palace where Emperor, Empress bathed, soaked hot springs.
Zenith Palace built atop huge volcano. Several hot springs for enjoyment. Bath palace springs reputed Tidal Empire’s most perfect. Temperature suitable. Soaking relaxed body and mind. Even wounds healed rapidly. Ultimate enjoyment.
Yet now, in bath palace’s largest spring, a blue-haired girl figure.
Gauze curtains surrounded, only blurry silhouette visible. In-out attendants, maids filled tables outside spring with delicious foods, wines.
A white-clothed middle-aged man respectfully stood beside spring, holding strange white lamp.
This man Maze Lamp clan leader Dapra, knocked out by Ye Chui then handed to Aqua for education.
Undoubtedly, enjoying spring was idiot goddess Aqua.
“Goddess, Tidal Empire’s most precious wines all moved here per your orders. Various appetisers, all incredibly delicious.” Dapra said loyally.
“Dapra, truly worthy of my personal baptism believer. I am very satisfied. Later I will grant goddess reward.” Aqua said contentedly while soaking.
Her current state indescribably indulgent and smug, muttering. “Did not expect such luxury here. Spring so comfortable. And so many. No longer worry my purification turning spring water clear. From now, make here my goddess headquarters. Later call Eliza over too. Develop my followers in this nation. Aqua goddess faith will cover this world. Hmph, then see if Ye Chui still gives me dirty looks.”
Dream on…
—Mm, this was what Ye Chui forgot.
…
And this night, one person returned to capital.
Tidal Empire had twelve clans. [Barbarian Bull] and [Shadow Snake] clan leaders still imprisoned in Star Empire. On way here, Ye Chui encountered [White Ship] clan. Passed [Water Spirit] phantom beast controlling isolation array. Debbie by mistake became White Ship phantom beast controller.
Zask, Meidu, Neil respectively [Sea Beast], [Fire Fox], [Falcon Beast] clan leaders. Plus Xelas representing [Mad Dragon], Dapra [Maze Lamp], Emperor’s [Ancestral God], Empress’s [Witch]. Now, among twelve clans, only [Puppet God] clan yet to appear.
Puppet God, most terrifying among twelve clans.
Because Puppet God power controlled puppets. Clan leader commanded puppet army. Tidal Empire’s most terrifying army!
And now, Puppet God clan leader returned to capital.
