Chang Li Yao had recovered from his encounter with the Void Demon Saint, though his temples still throbbed from the latest forced breakthrough. His broken abilities Reality Imprint, Time Echo, and Primordial Comprehension made him terrifyingly strong, yet the system's relentless push for growth continued to frustrate him.
Ugh… I just want five minutes of peace, he muttered, soaring above the mountains. But apparently, the universe has other plans.
His target was clear: multiple Heavenly Dao Fragments scattered across several dangerous realms. Each fragment promised massive power, but each also carried the risk of yet another unwanted breakthrough, pushing him closer to the dreaded Hong Mang World.
[System Notice: Multi-Fragment Collection Mode Initiated. Breakthrough probability: 100% per fragment.]
Chang Li Yao groaned. "Perfect… just perfect. Collect fragments, get stronger, maybe die from a headache."
The first fragment lay deep in the Frozen Abyss Realm, a valley where time slowed and ice bent reality. Chang Li Yao descended cautiously. His broken abilities flared automatically: Time Echo allowed him to move while the world slowed around him, Reality Imprint left afterimages that distracted the realm's guardians, and Primordial Comprehension let him instantly understand the intricate magical traps.
Within moments, he reached the fragment but before he could grab it, a Frost Saint appeared, wings of ice glinting like frozen steel.
Frost Saint: "No mortal may touch this fragment!"
Chang Li Yao groaned. "Seriously? Can anyone let me collect one without attacking me?!"
The battle began. Every instinctive move triggered the system:
[Breakthrough Points Gained: 80]
[Automatic Realm Breakthrough Triggered: Heavenly Dao Stage Ten to Heavenly Dao Stage Eleven]
Even as he complained, Chang Li Yao used Time Echo to dodge impossible attacks and Reality Imprint to redirect the Frost Saint's strikes into frozen pillars, shattering the enemy's guard. With a flick of his hand, he absorbed the fragment, energy coursing through him violently.
Next, Chang Li Yao flew to the Blazing Inferno Realm, a desert of molten rivers and erupting firestorms. A Flame Saint with molten wings blocked his path, aura scorching the air itself.
"Don't even think about touching the fragment, mortal," the Flame Saint growled.
Chang Li Yao sighed. "You know, I'm starting to think Heavenly Dao Fragments are all guarded by saints who want to kill me. Can I at least get a coupon for survival?"
Using Primordial Comprehension, he instantly analyzed the Flame Saint's technique and mirrored it, creating a counter using his own laws of lightning, death, and space. He manipulated Reality Imprint to leave fiery afterimages that misled the Saint, then snatched the fragment mid battle.
[Breakthrough Points Gained: 120]
[Automatic Realm Breakthrough Triggered: Heavenly Dao Stage Eleven to Heavenly Dao Stage Twelve]
Chang Li Yao groaned loudly, holding his head. "I'm going to lose my mind. Every fragment, every battle… system, enough already!"
Despite the frustration, Chang Li Yao realized he could exploit the system itself. Forced breakthroughs didn't scare himthey were predictable. He began:
Using Reality Imprint to manipulate terrain in battles.
Using Time Echo to undo mistakes in rapid combat.
Using Primordial Comprehension to instantly mimic or counter enemy techniques.
By combining broken abilities with strategic planning, he could now tackle even top-tier cultivators and collect fragments without risking Hong Mang World at least temporarily.
Chang Li Yao smirked as he flew toward the next fragment, energy crackling around him. "Universe, keep pushing me. I'll keep growing. But remember this: I'm Chang Li Yao. You cannot control me… and I'll make sure every breakthrough serves my plan, not yours."
Above him, the skies twisted as distant realms called to him, each fragment shimmering faintly. His grin widened. Reluctant though he was, he was unstoppable now.