In the vast expanse of the true spirit space, countless threads of true spirit intertwined with one another. Their varying colors created a dazzling spectacle that would overwhelm any ordinary observer.
Indeed, if an ordinary person entered this realm, their will would collapse within seconds, reducing them to a mindless husk. Every true spirit thread here carried its own powerful will. Even a few brief glances would stir up one's thoughts, as the external wills exerted their influence.
With such a multitude of threads crisscrossing in every direction, anyone lacking proper defenses would lose control of their will and soul entirely. The inevitable result: pollution, followed by the complete assimilation of one's soul and true spirit.
Yet now, gray ripples—like tsunami waves—continued to impact the true spirit threads throughout this realm. The threads of different colors vibrated under this assault, though most remained intact. Upon closer inspection, however, one would notice that many threads had acquired a faint gray coating.
They were being contaminated further!
If the system's assessment were to be updated, the pollution level of the true spirit had now reached 60%, dangerously approaching the 70% warning threshold it had previously established.
What would happen at 70%? Would the true spirit collapse completely? Would it lose all reason and devolve into a beast? The system had revealed only that it would have "no value" and would not be "recycled." The implications remained ominous.
Shortly after the gray ripples appeared, a low chant emerged from the surrounding void. Though faint, it carried with peculiar clarity to all who might hear it:
"Dream World... Sacrifice!"
BOOM!
Instantly, at the very center of the true spirit space where Lockhart stood, colorful rays of light began pouring forth like water from a broken dam. The flow accelerated with each passing moment, growing faster and more intense.
Every true spirit thread was bathed in this light; every corner of the space filled with colorful dream illumination. Or more precisely, it was the raw power of dreams being released.
The accumulated power of Lockhart's two dream worlds unleashed itself completely in this moment and place. Without reservation.
Had Lockhart wished to preserve this power, he would never have chosen sacrifice as his path.
"Are you mad?"
"Lockhart, this is the foundation of your ascension to godhood!"
"Do you realize that this action will forever earn you the disgust of the dream authorities? You'll lose any chance—"
Mephisto and Dormammu shouted in disbelief as they witnessed the scene unfold.
In their eyes, although Lockhart's power couldn't match their own, he was clearly destined for divinity. Most likely, he had been groomed by the Supreme Sorcerer for this very purpose.
The key evidence was, of course, his dream world. Every god possessed their own dimensional realm, and while Lockhart's dream world might seem somewhat illusory, it was complete in all essential aspects.
His command over the dream world enabled him to channel and even integrate the power of dreams into his being. From Mephisto and Dormammu's perspective, the Supreme Sorcerer had paved Lockhart's path by eliminating the Dream God who had stood among them. That god's origin had become the cornerstone of Lockhart's dream world—how else could it have developed so successfully?
To them, Lockhart had essentially consumed the Dream God and inherited his legacy. With the Supreme Sorcerer's support, his future seemed destined to place him on equal footing with them.
But now, what was Lockhart doing?
He had directly sacrificed his dream world and the primal power of dreams it contained.
What madness was this?
Destroying one's future in an act of incomprehensible folly!
After this sacrifice, not only would he lose his greatest power—the dream world—but he would forever be anathema to the forces of dreams. Consequently, every path to godhood related to dreams would be permanently closed to him.
Wasn't this just self-destruction born of desperation?
"The sparrow understands not the ambitions of the swan," Lockhart's calm voice replied.
Mephisto and Dormammu's expressions darkened. Both were gods who had lived for countless millennia. How could they fail to grasp the meaning behind Lockhart's words?
"You two wanted the treasure deep within my soul? Then come with me!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In an instant, the colorful light intensified, sweeping over them like a wave and enveloping both Mephisto and Dormammu.
Neither resisted. They recognized that Lockhart, in his state of sacrificing the dream world, was nearly invincible at this moment and in this place.
They had initially considered resistance, but Lockhart's words had eliminated any such thoughts. Since he seemed determined to destroy himself anyway, they might as well uncover the secret behind his power.
Their curiosity was genuine. After all, they had perceived only vague hints of an opportunity to achieve eternal power.
Without resistance, the colorful light pushed them forward like a rushing current, bringing them before Lockhart.
What they saw, however, surprised them yet again.
Lockhart's entire form consisted of colorful light—neither a soul state nor a true spirit manifestation. Even Mephisto had never witnessed anything like it before.
"What are you...?" Dormammu hesitated, clearly bewildered.
Seeing uncertainty on their faces delighted Lockhart. It suggested that his plan's probability of success had risen significantly.
"You two sought to find the treasure deep in my soul," Lockhart said with a smile. "I'll let you meet it directly!"
His words carried an unmistakable confidence, as if unconcerned with these evil gods' thoughts or reactions.
Understandably so—after all, these were merely incarnations, not the actual gods themselves. After sacrificing his dream world, Lockhart now far exceeded the power of these divine avatars.
As he finished speaking, the surrounding colorful light transformed into chains that securely bound Mephisto and Dormammu.
Still, they offered no resistance and showed little concern. They could afford this one defeat. What mattered most was discovering Lockhart's secret.
Next time, they would ensure Lockhart had no hope of escape. As long as they survived this encounter, countless future opportunities would present themselves.
Lockhart, of course, understood their calculations but remained unconcerned. He possessed the means to sever the connection between these avatars and their divine selves.
The colorful chains bound Mephisto and Dormammu tightly, suppressing all their abilities. With a gentle wave of his hand, Lockhart summoned a dull-eyed soul to appear beside him.
"How can this be?"
"Who are you?!"
Mephisto and Dormammu were shocked by the sight before them.
For the soul Lockhart had summoned was... Lockhart himself.
With their divine perception, they could tell this soul was complete, including its true spirit, lacking nothing.
Yet if this was Lockhart's soul, then who—or what—stood before them now?
Lockhart had no intention of answering their questions. Instead, he spoke gently to the soul beside him:
"System, let's make another deal."
"These two evil gods will be given to you, along with their original power. Let's meet."