Karni grabbed the Greatsword out of the ground and put it on his shoulder armour. "I suppose you guys won't be willing to liste-" He had to use the Drunken Ghost Dance to dodge Xu Xiaoyan's attempt at holding him down before he could finish his sentence.
Xie Xie was already charging ahead, while Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui took the flanks.
The only person missing from the group was Yue Zhengyu. It seemed that he was still sulking about the Xu Xiaoyan's rejection.
Karni knew how dangerous this would be. He immediately summoned his Battle Armour. He understood they wouldn't kill him, but honestly, he did not feel like just surrendering and explaining things, because he did nothing wrong, and he already tried to explain himself, and they refused to listen.
He had yet to truly revealed to the Shrek Seven Devils why he knew what he knew. Not even Wulin fully knew. Future was a delicate subject.
After this battle, he would be honest with them for once. Revealing some stuff that shouldn't affect the future should be fine. However… he first had to beat some sense into them.
The Guardian fused with multitudes of abilities. The Greatsword Consciousness exploded, combining with Draconic Thunder and Quivering Silver Feathers.
He blocked a hit from Xie Xie and spun. The first hit, basic Disordered Spiral Resonance went to work.
Ye Xinglan rushed in from the side, her Stargod Sword shining with her own comprehension of the sword. Karni spun and blocked that one as well. A magnetic effect activated.
The same effect that would appear on the 9th hit. Karni combined it with Still Harmony, and pulled Ye Xinglan with him in a spin, then using her own weight to throw her away. He had far more strength than her, and she was unable to quickly detach her sword from Karni's.
Xie Xie rushed back, Karni blocked that too, and the same effect as the 18th hit happened. Xie Xie's attack reversed back into him.
Yes, Karni had mastered the Disordered Spiral Resonance to the fullest. Apart from the very first hit which started the technique, each hit had the effect of a major bottleneck. In order they went: magnetism, reversal, explosive release, pressure with suppression and finally, sudden rush of speed.
Yuanen Yehui landed with giant hammers on top of Karni, pushing him into the ground as he used the Greatsword like a giant shield. The only thing he could do to block it directly was to use Royal Paw Pads to make his legs more bouncy and easier to handle strength.
Yuanen Yehui was pushed back far into the air, as if she impacted a trampoline, but then Karni saw the starlight around him. And he had no time to dodge even with precognition. They tied him down good. Their teamwork was simple but effective.
Ye Xinglan and Xie Xie were returning at the same time, grabbing the opportunity, just as the Starlight Shackles suddenly vanished. Karni saw from afar as Xu Xiaoyan was forced aside from nothing. Siduo came.
Karni turned his back to Xie Xie while he fully charged the Greatsword to block Ye Xinglan.
Xie Xie slashed into the Samurai Bamboo Armour that covered Karni's Battle Armour. The cut was deep… which is exactly what Karni wanted. A shockwave exploded at Xie Xie launching him into the distance.
On the other side, at the same time, Ye Xinglan and collided with the Guardian, her third Soul Ring shining, turning her fully gold. A great amount of Sound exploded back in her face, together with silver feathers waving at her, pushing space against her. She was also pushed away.
While Karni could keep them at bay, he did not see an opportunity to strike. He could not even use Shift, as both of his hands were constantly busy defending. Their bombardment was too intense. Karni was already being attacked by Yuanen Yehui again from above, but with greater charge.
Her first, second, and fourth Soul Ring shone brightly. All of them strengthening types. She really did look like a giant, terrifying ape right now. Her hammers fell onto Karni.
But Karni's eyes twinkled in that moment. Flight into the River exploded, while Blooming Loti activated.
Karni dashed out of the way, directly toward Xu Xiaoyan while a field of Loti sprouted from his feet in that moment. The one he left where he stood even enveloped Yuanen Yehui in it.
However, that Loti was destroyed completely. Yuanen Yehui's strength was too overwhelming. Her instincts were sharp as well, because her fifth Soul Ring shone in the next moment. A defensive strengthening.
Into her crashed a mighty meteor, on its very front a giant word 'Destroy' was written. It was Siduo, she had fully joined the fight.
First, she used her new sixth Soul Ring of the Hell Cat. Moonless Smite. A sudden, but completely invisible attack that is stronger with its first attack. It was why she was able to easily disturb Xu Xiaoyan.
Then she waited for an opportunity to aid Karni at an opportune moment. This was it. Her three great strengthenings activated, then she rushed in with Sun Meteor and finally, she used her other new sixth ring. Sun Destroyer. An incredibly powerful attack that destroys anything in its path. Yet the Titan Giant Ape was a Titan Giant Ape for a reason.
Yuanen Yehui took a good deal of damage, but she could still fight. She even switched her Martial Soul to the Fallen Angel and struck back at Siduo. In a single smooth move.
At the same time, Karni reached Xu Xiaoyan with instant Shift, his sword wide to work like a plank so he wouldn't kill her. She ate a few buns for defence that Xu Lizhi gave her, but Karni knew the power of his attacks. He could kill her if he was not careful.
Except he turned it sharp again in the next moment and twisted to the side. A beam of light and a bunch of angels attacked him. The Light element was thick. It was Light vs Space. Yue Zhengyu had arrived.
The two attacks cancelled each other out, but Yue Zhengyu from the front did not see Karni anymore. However, every single member of the Shrek Seven Devils had sharp instincts.
His sword burned with holy light, as did his body. He intercepted Karni's terrifyingly sharp sword filled with consciousness but in a way that Karni was forced to knock him upward. He was sent into the sky.
Karni heard a roar from behind in that moment. He turned to see Wu Siduo transformed into her Hell White Tiger, the tiger glowing Black and White with Yin & Yang Flames. She was going all out. Three people were attacking her. Yuanen Yehui, Xie Xie and… wait no, Ye Xinglan ran after him instead.
Her fifth and fourth Soul Rings shone brightly. Star Sword and Sword Meteor Shower. Her sword glowed and sharpened with starry light, then divided, and the multitudes of stabs pierced toward Karni.
Karni put the Guardian up as a shield, blocking all of those attacks with quite some trouble. His defensive capabilities would have been better if he could fuse Royal Bamboo Panda into the Guardian. He was even confident that he could block it with ease if that were the case.
The Sounds of Future warned him through the Golden Insight. He saw as was being pulled into a bright supernova. Xu Xiaoyan's fifth Soul Ring! The Supernova Divine Light! A skill that transported an unsuspecting person into a vacuum.
The Guardian transformed into Twin Swords as Karni bounced himself around the Sword Meteor Shower. He turned his head, and the Silver Crow Soul Bone appeared. His Nerve Authority connected with the Purple Demon Eyes. Through the Mustard Seed realm he could cause Spiritual Shock. It was time to take out Xu Xiaoyan for now. She was the biggest threat on this battlefield.
Except Yue Zhengyu flew back in to jump in front of Karni's Spiritual attack. He shone with extreme Light element. Of all the people, he might be the best to take on the Spiritual Attack due to his Holy attribute that was quite resistant to it.
More than that, Karni saw the fourth Soul Ring on Xu Xiaoyan shining. The Star Chain connected everyone. The attack now split between all the Shrek Seven Devils.
And then the Supernova Divine Light completed. And Siduo in her Hell White Tiger form simply vanished into nothingness.
Karni landed on the ground. And he… he was furious.
The Shrek Seven Devils could feel it as well, because his Spiritual Power was exploding in the surroundings with the pure rage.
Karni pressed the ground. The anger suddenly vanished. Blooming Loti sprouted and so did Karni's Relaxing Aura.
Just as they were about to attack him, they could not help but pause. They were overwhelmed by the amount of Bloodline that exploded from him, but they also knew how to resist it after knowing Karni for so long. So, Karni's Guardian, in Twin Sword mode, made another move.
Two Black Holes generated on the tips. He sent them flying in a way they would pull away from him to the maximum. Of course, this also used twice the energy, but it did not matter. He didn't have to keep them going for long.
Only for a few seconds, which he bought for himself.
He focused his Soul Power into his leg. His right leg. It was the only way he could end it now.
"Wait, Karni-" Tempest warned him from the inside, but it was too late.
Right Leg Bone—Mercury Cyclone Flower: Mercury Wasteland Domain.
The Shrek Seven Devils were enveloped in a mirror-like world. A wild world. A world of nature, swamps, fields and terrifying silver sea.
Karni could sense them all within, but in a matter of two seconds he could feel pain. Pain seeping from the bone directly into his leg. Mercury spread throughout the leg and started reaching his body.
It only lasted five seconds and Karni cancelled the domain. He was out of breath. His Soul Power was almost fully used up in that short amount of time.
He looked around. The trees and the ground were all flowing with mercury. All the Shrek Seven Devils were lying on the ground, conscious, but unable to move. Their bodies were filled with mercury, all of them were trying to hold back the invading liquid.
"You little shits, jumping to conclusions. All of you! Wulin included!" Karni turned around to Wulin. Siduo had reappeared in this moment as well, perfectly fine, but looking exhausted. She was in a better state than him though, only her power seemed to have disappeared temporarily due to Xu Xiaoyan's skill. She came to Karni to support him.
"Wulin." Karni's voice was cold. "You're an idiot aren't you. I get you're hurt. Trust me, I fucking know. But Wulin. Have you asked yourself why? Why did she leave?"
Wulin was silent, staring at Karni. His eyes were full of frustration.
"It's because you're weak." Karni said what Wulin least wanted to hear, but it was the truth. It was something he should have heard anyway.
"You-" Wulin tried to argue back but Karni shushed him with his control over Sound.
"It's also because I am weak. And because all of Shrek Seven Devils are weak. Do you know what that means?" Karni un-shushed Wulin.
Wulin's eyes gained a bit of clarity. "Because whatever is holding her away is something we cannot face."
"Yes, you little shit." Karni did not regain his smile.
"And all of you." Karni struggled to turn around. His lower body was in incredible pain. He had to keep the mercury from taking over his body as well. He felt Tempest's help, along with her anger at Karni for using the Soul Bone.
"I have kept secrets, so let me tell you what I can. I know the future. And I know the next five or so years, in terrifying detail. That's why I act the way I do at times. It's why I did not stop Gu Yue from leaving, and even if I wanted to, I would not have been able to. She's stronger than me."
Everyone was quiet as they listened to him.
"As for why I will continue not to say anything to you guys, it's because I cannot interfere with your development. Any information I give can influence you badly. But fuck it. I'll give you one detail that might make you stronger instead."
Karni turned back to Wulin. He struggled to move his body more than before. His consciousness was struggling.
"Wulin, do you want to know your end? I bet you don't. It's not exactly fun. You and Gu Yue do not have a happy ending. You two both fall into a coma for thousands of fucking years!"
Karni heard everyone's breathing stop as he said that.
"I made a deal with Gu Yue. For her to follow along with my plan. She knows of this future too. But she is not willing to stop her path unless you guys and I are all strong enough. Do you know what her terms were? Titled Douluos. Just to consider taking a different path."
He looked at them all. All of them in the eyes. A mixture of shock, sadness, revelation and finally—he turned to Wulin—terrifying determination.
Now Karni finally smiled. "Good. Tempest. I'll ask you to please return this area to normal."
He summoned Tempest who wore the shape of a middle aged, refined lady. She looked at him. Her face was contorted... but she sighed and went to work.
Karni sat on the ground. Siduo started pouring in her remaining Soul Power… but Karni soon lost consciousness just as he heard an angry voice of his master. The Sea God's Pavilion Master.
… … …
Karni woke up. He didn't recognise the roof, but he recognised the walls. Walls of the Golden Life Tree of Shrek.
He felt a constant life energy pouring into him.
"Oho, he woke up." Elder Ya Li looked to Karni. She was healing him.
"Good." Yun Ming smiled as he looked to Karni. "Now then, Karni, sorry to spring this on you just as you woke up, but it is necessary. What punishment should the Shrek Seven Devils get? They caused this whole situation."
Karni was shocked.
Ya Li added. "Val Karni, your state of the body was critical. Even with my constant healing, you will have to rest for six months. No use of Soul Power in that time."
"I… wait. That's on me. I didn't need to risk it that much. I was not thinking straight cause I was angry with them."
"Still. They attacked you unprovoked." Yun Ming said and turned around with an angry face.
Only now did Karni notice that the rest of the Shrek Seven Devils were here as well, looking rather sorry. They've been scolded quite a bit, huh. Yun Ming was especially staring at Wulin, since Na'er disappeared.
"It's not his fault, master." Karni said.
Yun Ming was taken aback.
"It was purely the decision of Na'er. If anything, she was reluctant to go because of him but decided to go anyway."
Now Yun Ming was really taken aback. Whatever Wulin might have said, he would not have believed, but Karni… well, he had a knack for these kinds of things.
Yun Ming turned to look at Wulin and sighed. "Fine. I still think they should be punished. Maybe they should be forced to prove themselves as Shrek Seven Devils again."
"No!" Karni yelled.
Ya Li and Yun Ming were now shocked instead.
"I… they can't. I… ugh. I'll tell you guys the full story."
"Full story?"
"Yeah. It's going to be a long and complicated one but… I'm…" Karni sighed. "I'm not from this world."
… … …
Yun Ming was thoughtful as he finished listening to everything. "No wonder. No wonder you didn't want to become a Shrek Devil."
"What does that have to do with him knowing the future?" Xie Xie could not help but ask.
"You idiot." Yun Ming said. "He knew you guys would be the next generation of Shrek Seven Devils."
"So all of our efforts were for nothing? We were going to be Shrek Seven Devils anyway?" Yue Zhengyu could not help but feel… small.
"You idiot." Yun Ming said again. "That's exactly why he did not say it. If he said anything, you would not get here. There is nothing predetermined. If anything, from what he had said, he tried to make it hard for you here and there to make you stronger." He looked to Karni, fully understanding his intentions.
Wulin stepped up. "None of us should overthink this. If anything, we should work harder, because what Karni just told us might influence the future. And we know he cannot tell us some things, and he wants to change some of those things. From what he said, we were not strong enough originally."
Karni stayed silent that that was not exactly true, because Wulin's words could only end up being beneficial.
"Either way, I don't think the punishment should be severe." Karni cleared his throat.
"Fine." Yun Ming let it go. "You'll fix the damage caused to the environment, and that's it. You should be thankful to Karni for being so lenient."
Karni sent a little message to Yun Ming that only they could hear. "Making them feel a bit guilty will also work in my favour, so it's not just me letting them go."
Yun Ming turned to look at Karni in a natural manner and smirked a little. "Alright then, you kids go. Let the injured rest. Karni. You will be staying here for the first month."
"That's fine with me." Karni admitted.
"In that case, we'll leave you alone." Yun Ming, Ya Li and the Shrek Seven Devils left. Siduo and Karni stayed alone. She walked next to the bed and pinched him.
"That was reckless."
"I know. I was just… really mad at how they just did not listen at all. And then they made you vanish as well."
Siduo could not help but chuckle. "That ability is quite scary. It suppressed my senses."
"They are the Shrek Seven Devils. Though Wulin will stand out among them. Our goal is to keep up with him."
"I know, but knowing the treasures he will find… that will be hard. We might want to, you know… steal some of them." Siduo whispered.
"No. Unfortunately all of them are quite necessary for his development." Karni sighed. He wanted some of them, but he also knew that the best path was to make the group stronger and make himself equally as strong. Not by taking, what was there, but by creating his own path.
The two were silent for a while. Siduo decided to cuddle with him in the bed, though she was careful how she was touching him. She sighed. "No sex for a while huh. I'm gonna be needy after, you know?"
"You've become a sex maniac, you know?" Karni couldn't help but comment.
"You say that, but… you're the one that wants more rounds after we finish the first one."
"I mean yea. It's you." Karni pointed to all of her and Siduo couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you gonna do? You can't just lay around." Siduo asked, deciding to change the topic. Talking about sex was making her horny and that was not good in this situation.
"You know, it's about time I properly break through the 7-Star Rank as a Designer. Though I'm not sure of the certain date because I can't access the timeline right now, in a few months, there should a Life Tide and they're gonna go to a training area. I wanna finish studying by then."
"Oh? The Demon Island? You talked about it before."
"Yeah. That one. Either way, I want to make a better Guardian before then. We have anywhere from 3 months to half a year until then I think."
"Oh… you want us to join on the training?" Siduo asked.
"Yeah. It's going to be quite transformative, so we should."
"Okay. In that case I'll also focus on manufacturing in this time. Half a year cannot give me much improvement in other areas until then."
"So, love." Karni made himself sound cute. "Can you bring me my study books?"
She pinched his cheek. "You want to be spoiled, eh? Sure. I'll bring them over."
"Thanks."
… … …
Karni was in the Tang Sect. It's been 4 months. He had just gotten out of the Battle Hall room for his Spiritual Power training and was now finishing up Guardian designs.
He had been considering the Greatsword he got back on Star Luo Continent when the train was attacked. He still had that Mecha weapon. It still had the highest quality metal of all the Guardians Karni had made so far.
Moreover, the design he drew up this time around was one he could improve on later on without trouble. That was why he was considering the high quality, Soul-Refined metal of the Mecha Greatsword. However, part of him was warning him of incompleteness. For example, in this design Karni managed to separate the Bamboo from the Panda, but the Bamboo had no function. He left a lot of space to add functionality, but he didn't know whether it would be enough.
He breathed out, deciding not to use the Greatsword and save it. He'd use the same quality as before. Most of it was One-Thousand-Refined Metal, while the important functions were Spirit Refined.
Designing on round objects really was different than on straight objects. His Greatsword's shape had changed a tiny bit as well. The outside used some oval shapes, but more importantly, almost all the inner pieces subscribed to Ziwen Geometries.
The new design was also more effective. The energy gathered with greater ease in a ball shape; it also travelled easier when the arrays were made around small tubes and wires instead of there just being energy transfer arrays.
He also took the chance to redesign how the Black Hole worked. Since it was a decently new skill, he simply used it to generate Black Holes as the normal skill would. Now he gave the option to generate it inside the Guardian, so the Guardian could have its own Gravity Karni could manipulate. He added the same effect to the Twin Sword mode, where each Sword would have its own pull of a Black Hole.
To have the tiny Black Hole be stable, it was captured inside a sphere, where he yet again made use of the Ziwen Technologies. It was the most complex array out of all of the Soul Ring adaptations so far.
After he finished ironing out a few oddities, he put the designs in a tube system and gave Siduo the access to the design, so she could create it. At her current level, it should not take her more than a month.
… … …
Three weeks had passed. Siduo was working on manufacturing the Guardian next to him while he was meditating. She was about eighty percent done. On the other hand, Karni still hadn't fully healed. He was at around sixty percent of his former power.
However, Karni was waiting for a certain opportunity. The Life Tide. He allowed himself to look into the future slightly, but not in a concrete way. All he knew was that it was close.
He was waiting for the Life Tide for multitude of reasons. First, this would mark the point where Wulin would become the Child of Nature, which would give Karni more bargaining power with Gu Yuena in the future. Second, this would mean they would soon start the Demon Island training. And lastly, Karni hoped to use the Life Tide to heal his injuries in one go.
Karni stood up and sat on a chair where he could watch Siduo work from the side without disturbing her. He enjoyed her serious and focused face. She usually wore a slight smile no matter what she was doing, so such moments were rare.
But his observation was disturbed. He looked around and saw that their hut started to shine gold.
And then came life green.
The Life Tide had begun.
And Karni's vision… turned gold.