The battle between Chen Tian and the Heavenly Dao was taking place above the Sea of Chaos. Chen Tian was at a disadvantage, facing the Heavenly Dao, he had no choice but to endure the onslaught. The Heavenly Dao, as the consciousness at the apex of the Starfall Continent, possessed unimaginable power. As long as Chen Tian remained on the Starfall Continent, he would never be a match for the Heavenly Dao. This was the nature of the Heavenly Dao's consciousness; it was always superior to Chen Tian. As the spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao, Chen Tian was acutely aware of its strength. This was merely a clone formed from a wisp of its aura, the main body had not yet broken free from its seal. If the main body were to appear, Chen Tian would be instantly annihilated.
However, Chen Tian was not without options. To contend with the Heavenly Dao, Chen Tian could control the power that the incomplete Heavenly Dao was wielding. Chen Tian's mastery of energy allowed him to control the power emanating from the Heavenly Dao. The current Heavenly Dao was but a manifestation of its aura. As long as it was not its true form, Chen Tian still had a fighting chance. Chen Tian did not wish to flee ignominiously. His intention was to resolve the matter of the Heavenly Dao. Chen Tian wished to help the Heavenly Dao of the Starfall Continent. Since it was blinded by hatred, Chen Tian would help it break free from that hatred. Otherwise, the beings of this world would forever live in suffering.
Chen Tian and the Heavenly Dao clashed several times. Chen Tian was forced back a few steps, stabilizing himself. The Heavenly Dao looked at Chen Tian, murmuring, "You are strong, but ultimately, you are human. Humans should be exterminated. All humans are the same."
"Your view of humanity is truly..."
Chen Tian was speechless. Simply because the humans of his world had personally sealed him, he now believed all human cultivators across the myriad realms were the same. By sealing the entire Starfall Continent, the Heavenly Dao's thinking in this world was somewhat immature. At least Chen Tian did not think that way. People are not the same, and beings are also not the same. It was no wonder the Heavenly Dao harbored hatred for humans.
Golden armor materialized on Chen Tian's body, and a towering golden figure appeared behind him. Chen Tian stood like a god of war, his aura steadily rising, instantly matching the Heavenly Dao. Chen Tian felt the power within him; this level of strength should allow him to fight the Heavenly Dao on even terms. This state represented ten percent of Chen Tian's power. For some reason, on the Starfall Continent, Chen Tian could unleash ten percent of his power, which was greater than what he could in the Dark Realm.
Perhaps it was due to the peculiar nature of the Starfall Continent or the Heavenly Dao itself. Logically, the Starfall Continent's plane was far inferior to the Dark Realm, and Chen Tian's power should have been weaker here than in the Dark Realm. But that was not the case. Chen Tian was unleashing power that surpassed the Dark Realm's capacity. Ten percent of his power was enough for Chen Tian to face the current manifestation of the Heavenly Dao without fear.
The Heavenly Dao witnessed Chen Tian's might, but what of it? Humans must die!
Chen Tian and the Heavenly Dao moved simultaneously. Two beams of light surged towards the horizon and collided. On the sea, the two streaks of light impacted, causing the waves to surge and the sea to churn. The mere shockwave from the collision caused the entire sea to react.
A water curtain formed on the sea's surface. Chen Tian and the Heavenly Dao stood on the water. Chen Tian swung his fists, while the Heavenly Dao's arms moved to defend. Chen Tian's attacks were like an itch to the Heavenly Dao, causing no real damage. Seeing his attacks completely blocked, Chen Tian unleashed a kick with his left leg. Just as his left leg was about to connect with the Heavenly Dao, the Heavenly Dao's right arm flicked slightly, sending Chen Tian flying.
Inch-force. Chen Tian felt it from the Heavenly Dao's arm. Affected by the inch-force, Chen Tian had no choice but to abandon his attack and perform consecutive backflips to release the inch-force within him. Chen Tian stabilized himself. The Heavenly Dao, at an unknown time, had appeared behind him and swung its fists. Chen Tian reacted, extending his palms. Fists and palms collided, sending waves of energy rolling, and ripples spread across the sea.
The energy waves dispersed, and the ripples expanded. The entire sea seemed to churn without end. Chen Tian and the Heavenly Dao retreated simultaneously. Chen Tian's palm gathered energy, drawing water from the surrounding sea into his palm. Chen Tian pushed his palms forward, and a star-blue water sphere formed from the seawater shot out like a ball of light, hurtling towards the Heavenly Dao.
The Heavenly Dao saw Chen Tian's attack and summoned lightning in its palm. This was the Heavenly Dao's lightning, the power of divine punishment that the Heavenly Dao, as the apex of the world, controlled. This lightning was weakened, but Chen Tian dared not be careless, as a single mistake could lead to serious injury.
This was heavenly lightning, and Chen Tian did not dare to underestimate its power, even in its weakened state. The Heavenly Dao opened its palm, unleashing the lightning, which directly collided with Chen Tian's water sphere. An explosion erupted. Chen Tian's water sphere could not withstand the heavenly lightning for more than a few seconds. The gap in energy levels was too vast. The water sphere was pierced by the heavenly lightning, which transformed into a purple beam of light and shot directly towards Chen Tian's face. Chen Tian showed no panic in the face of this.
Lightning appeared in Chen Tian's palm – the same purple lightning as the heavenly lightning, though slightly weaker. Chen Tian pushed his palm forward, and the two bolts of purple lightning collided. Crackling sounds echoed, and Chen Tian and the Heavenly Dao were forced back by the shockwaves of the explosion. The Heavenly Dao looked at Chen Tian and said, "A spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao?"
Chen Tian did not reply. Chen Tian had also used heavenly lightning. As the spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao, it was normal for him to be able to use heavenly lightning. When the Heavenly Dao was dormant or busy, its spokesperson had the authority to bring down lightning penalties and manage the world.
However, Chen Tian could not use heavenly lightning too often. He was not the true Heavenly Dao, merely its spokesperson. He possessed this right, but not infinitely. The heavenly lightning he could use was limited, not inexhaustible.
"I'll see how much heavenly lightning you have to use."
The Heavenly Dao directly spread its arms, and lightning appeared above its head. Dark clouds gathered, engulfing the sky above. Chen Tian's expression grew solemn. He had no way to contend with this move. The Heavenly Dao was clearly gathering the power of heavenly lightning to unleash its strongest attack. Chen Tian would either have to endure it head-on or evade it.
Whether he endured it or evaded it, he would suffer damage. Chen Tian was in a quandary. What should he do?
Challenging the Heavenly Dao was still somewhat difficult. Even if Chen Tian unleashed his full strength, he would not be able to contend with this attack. Under heavenly lightning, all things perish; this was an immutable law.
Chen Tian had not yet transcended existence; he was still bound by the universe's limitations. The Heavenly Dao's rules and the power of heavenly lightning had an effect on Chen Tian.
Just as Chen Tian was about to give up, a system voice sounded in his mind: "Detected the power of heavenly lightning. The World Tree Seed can absorb and grow."
Chen Tian's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this. Such a fortunate turn of events. He had almost forgotten about the World Tree Seed. After it had been confiscated by the system, the World Tree Seed had sprouted within Chen Tian's body but had not grown since.
Now it seemed the World Tree seedling required the power of heavenly lightning as nourishment to grow.
The Heavenly Dao's attack had been fully charged. The terrifying thunderclouds, under the Heavenly Dao's control, descended above Chen Tian. Chen Tian felt no fear, but rather a surge of excitement.
This confused the Heavenly Dao. What was going on with Chen Tian?