Though he was loath to admit it, Dong Tian really was the greatest genius he had ever met. If Dong Tian had not gone astray, he would probably still be arguing with him in the office before returning to his official duties.
Although the two had appeared to be bitter enemies who wanted each other dead, their relationship had not actually been that bad back then. At most, their original admiration for each other had turned into mutual dislike, but they had never been locked in a life-or-death struggle like they were now.
"Elder Ge, what kind of person is this Dong Tian? Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll win every battle."
Amo asked. Back when he was still a civilian, he had heard the people around him talk about Dong Tian.
A great leader, a leader who practiced the Path of Existence, kind and approachable.
Those positive opinions had always led him to believe that Dong Tian was an unwavering follower of the Path of Existence, but this incident had made him reconsider Dong Tian.
Was someone who could topple the goddess's statue in front of all the Garden's higher-ups, soldiers, and civilians really a leader who practiced the Path of Existence?
If the person leading those who practiced the Path of Existence was like that, then he would feel less burdened about dealing with him. After all, the Garden's policies really were good; even an orphan like him could live well. If Dong Tian had enacted those policies, he would go a little easier on him when the time came.
This was not contempt for Dong Tian, but confidence in his own strength. He could feel that, with the boost from Xiaohe's possession, his power was more than a match for Elder Ge's, perhaps even stronger. The power Xiaohe gave him was so great that he felt he had never been able to use all of it.
"Dong Tian... he's contradictory and conceited, but also an extraordinarily gifted genius.
"The modified soldiers and advanced weapons and equipment you saw were all Dong Tian's work, as was the Garden's mainstay, the Antenna."
At this, he glanced at Xiahou Chan and said, "Without exaggeration, if this weapon unleashed its full power, even General Xiahou, an Emanator, would be gravely wounded. And its creator was Dong Tian. It was an ultimate weapon he completed all by himself."
Everyone present was shocked. Wanmeng and the others turned to Xiahou Chan, who was frowning deeply, his expression grim.
"A weapon that can gravely wound me?"
Elder Ge nodded emphatically.
Xiahou Chan's expression grew grave. At such a critical moment, Elder Ge could not be lying to them, and he would only understate the danger. So a grave wound was the least he could expect.
"A weapon like that... with such talent, has he really never drawn the Erudition's gaze?"
"I don't know, but there's no denying how powerful this weapon is. I learned from a conversation with Dong Tian that it was created to defend the Garden, so the Antenna's energy reserves are linked to the Garden's."
"!!!!"
Once again, everyone was shocked. Its energy reserves were linked to the Garden's! The Garden was an enormous entity, with equally vast energy reserves, and this weapon was linked to those reserves. That meant it had no need to worry about energy consumption when attacking. It could even blast an enemy into cosmic dust before its energy ran out!
"Is this really something a person could make?"
Wanmeng frowned deeply. Such a terrifying weapon had actually been allowed to exist in the world. If someone with ulterior motives used it for invasion and expansion, the consequences would be unthinkable.
"Yes, that's what Dong Tian is capable of. He's not only a brilliant researcher; his talent in martial arts is monstrous too. Only a month after enrolling, he had mastered and integrated every introductory martial art, and had even developed a martial skill of his own. That's the move he injured me with."
Elder Ge lifted the clothing over his abdomen, revealing a clearly defined crimson palm print, ringed with white.
That was necrotic muscle tissue, which had turned deathly pale after losing its blood supply.
"That blow landed right there. I was lucky enough to barely avoid a fatal hit. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to see you now."
Elder Ge gave a bitter smile. If it had been two hands against two hands, he believed he would not have been defeated so quickly. The problem was that Dong Tian now had more than two arms. Though Elder Ge had been unable to win, he had at least been able to hold him off, but the two arms that had suddenly grown out had completely shattered any hope of doing so.
"It looks as though he gathered the power of his Path into a single point, then sent it into his opponent's body on impact and detonated it, destroying the living tissue at and around the point of impact. If that blow had struck the heart, it would have instantly turned it to dust. Even a hit to the chest would have shattered the heart!"
"That's right. Although followers of the Path of Existence can ensure their safety by setting anchors, doing so consumes an enormous amount of power. With my current strength, I can anchor myself twice at most."
Elder Ge angrily punched the air. He was full of resentment. If he had been stronger, he would not have been driven out of the Garden by Dong Tian and forced to flee for his life like a stray dog!
"In that case, Dong Tian's strength really can't be underestimated. Elder Ge may not be as strong as I am now, but he's still on the same level as Wanmeng and Tianque.
"And yet, even so, Elder Ge was no match for Dong Tian. Could it be that Dong Tian's true strength is at the Emanator level, but without an Aeon's blessing as an Emanator?!"
Xiahou Chan's words made Wanmeng nod. Apart from that possibility, she could think of no other way Dong Tian could have defeated a powerhouse on the same level as her.
However, she was not a close-combat fighter. She specialized in formations and divination. She was inferior to Dong Tian in melee combat, but when it came to wearing an opponent down from a distance and dealing damage, she did not think she was any worse than him.
In space
Ayinai floated through space, her tiny body drifting about within a small area under the pull of gravity. Beside her, an iron sphere glowing red hung silently in place as she looked at the person inside the Garden.
Dong Tian!
"Hey, metal head, are you sure you don't want that kid Dong Tian? A weapon that can wipe out a planet with ease, you know. Are you sure you don't think highly of him?"
Ayinai (humanity) spoke in a playful tone. The mechanical sphere said nothing, its red light simply flashing nonstop. Ayinai (humanity) was in no hurry, and floated beside it.
Ten seconds later
The mechanical sphere spoke. "He refused."
"Huh?"
Ayinai (humanity) cried out in surprise. What the heck? That kid actually refused metal head's invitation. Why? Could it be that he won't settle for anyone but me?!
"Why?"
The mechanical sphere turned around, its red indicator light looking at Ayinai. "Because of you."
"Huh???? Me, you mean me?"
"But why? My main self clearly hasn't responded to him at all. Why does he keep clinging to me?"
Ayinai (humanity) did not understand. She really did not understand. My main self has ignored you this much, and you're still being stubborn? I've even come out to run errands, and you think that cold piece of (divinity) is going to respond to you?