Mad Doctor No. 9

He recalled the "Shennong Sacrifice," a secret technique recorded in the forbidden chapter of the "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica." It involved sacrificing one's own life to summon a wisp of Shennong's spirit and gain immense power.

However, the price is burning one's life.

Ten minutes later, he will be completely exhausted and beyond saving.

"Yuwei, Qingyun, Nightingale... I'm sorry," Wang Tian said softly, forming a hand seal and chanting an ancient incantation.

An ancient and powerful aura descended upon him.

Wang Tian's eyes turned pure gold, his long hair danced without wind, and the phantom of Shennong appeared behind him.

"This is..." Wu Ming's expression changed drastically, and he subconsciously stepped back.

Wang Tian unleashed a palm strike, the force of which transformed into a golden dragon, shattering all seven clones! The aftershocks caused the entire space to tremble!

"How is that possible? This is just a legend!" Wu Ming exclaimed.

Wang Tian took a step forward and walked towards the energy core.

Wu Ming tried to escape, but found that his body was restrained and he could not move at all.

Wang Tian stretched out a hand and placed it on the energy core. "Let's end this."

A surge of violent energy rushed into his body; under normal circumstances, this attack would have been enough to burst him apart.

Now, with the help of Shennong's spirit, Wang Tian can transform these powers into his own!

Wang Tian bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood essence that landed on the core.

The crimson runes spread out, and the light at their core quickly dimmed.

The surrounding instruments exploded, and the entire pyramid shook violently.

"No—!" Wu Ming roared in despair, "All my life's work will be destroyed by you!"

Wang Tian said coldly, "It shouldn't have existed in the first place."

The core has been completely extinguished.

Just then, an angry roar came from outside the pyramid: he had lost contact with the energy core!

Wang Tian shuddered as the effects of the Shennong Sacrifice began to wear off, and a feeling of weakness washed over him.

He steeled himself and walked out, determined to leave before his strength ran out.

However, just as he reached the door, a figure blocked his way.

It's the Pope.

"Wang Tian, ​​you did well." A complex expression crossed the Pope's face. "You've ruined my life's work. But do you think... it's all over?"

He took out a gold pocket watch and pressed it down.

The pocket watch projected a star chart with seven points of light twinkling on it.

The Pope smiled. "This is only the main altar. There is a backup altar in each of the other six ruins. If successful just once, the gates of heaven can be opened."

His body shone brightly: "And I... will become the final key. After decades of tempering, my body is now ready to withstand the descent of the divine messenger. Now, let us continue the ritual!"

The Pope's figure slowly floated up and connected with the gradually disappearing vortex.

This time, the illusory image of the divine messenger became much clearer.

Wang Tian was shocked.

He tried to stop it, but found that his body was already unable to move; this was the backlash of the Shennong ritual.

It's black in front of you.

Is that it... over?

Wang Tian, ​​who was about to fall, was caught by a hand.

Qin Yuwei called out, "Master!" Both she and Zhang Qingyun were covered in blood, clearly having just gone through a fierce battle.

Wang Tian hurriedly said, "The Pope will become the vessel of the divine messenger; we must stop him!"

Without uttering a word, Zhang Qingyun drew his peach wood sword and unleashed a bolt of lightning at the Pope.

However, the lightning was blocked by an invisible barrier when it reached within three feet of the Pope.

"It's no use." The Pope hovered in mid-air, his eyes closed. "In ten minutes, I will become the perfect vessel for the divine messenger."

He looked at Wang Tian and said, "I should thank you. If you hadn't destroyed the energy core, the divine envoy's power wouldn't have had a better vessel. You brought about perfection."

Wang Tian gritted his teeth, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Did I... do something wrong?

No, you did nothing wrong.

Nangong Yue walked in with a pale face and a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, clearly indicating that maintaining the "Star Lock Array" had taken a heavy toll on her.

But her gaze remained unwavering.

Nangong Yue said, "Your Holiness, you've miscalculated one thing. You've overestimated your own consciousness. You think you and the divine messenger are fused? No, it's the divine messenger that's devouring you."

"You're talking nonsense!" the Pope roared.

"I am an astrologer; I can see through souls." Nangong Yue pointed to the phantom of the divine messenger in the sky. "This is no merciful god; it is clearly a cruel plunderer. It only needs a puppet, not a collaborator."

Just then, the Pope suddenly let out a piercing scream.

His body began to contort, his face sometimes showing his own features, and sometimes transforming into a perfect, cold face.

"No, no, we promised to rule together..."

"Foolish thing," the Pope said coldly. "You are merely a vessel, a tool. Your mission is complete."

The Pope's eyes had turned completely gold.

The ceremony is complete.

Divine messenger, descend!

The terrifying pressure descended once again, this time several times stronger than before! Qin Yuwei and Zhang Qingyun both knelt on one knee, while only Nangong Yue could barely stand.

"Now, clean up these ants."

Wang Tian tried to move, but found that his body was completely out of his control.

This was the most dangerous moment of the backlash from the Shennong Sacrifice; he couldn't even move a finger.

At that moment, Nightingale's weak but clear voice came through the communicator: "Wang Tian, ​​listen, there's another layer below the pyramid, and there's a... artifact for killing gods there."

A weapon for killing gods?

Nightingale said, "Left by the founder of the Dragon Gate Society... specifically for... dealing with the divine messenger... requiring... the blood of the guardian... to activate..."

The call ended as soon as the words were spoken.

Wang Tian's gaze fell on Nangong Yue.

Nangong Yue nodded: "Nightingale is right. The Dragon Gate Society has long known how terrifying the Divine Messenger is, which is why they made this arrangement. However, activating it also requires a huge price, which is to burn the bloodline of a Guardian."

"I'll go." She walked towards the basement.

Qin Yuwei and Zhang Qingyun both exclaimed in unison, "No!"

"I'm the most suitable," Nangong Yue said calmly. "The Nangong family has been practicing astrology for generations, and our bloodline power leans towards divination and guidance, but our combat strength is the weakest. Burning my bloodline will cause me the least harm."

She looked at Wang Tian and said, "Wang Tian, ​​if we succeed, remember... to live well."

As she spoke, she quickly walked down the stairs.

Zhang Qingyun and Qin Yuwei fought desperately, creating an opportunity for Nangong Yue.

A few minutes later, a strong energy fluctuation came from underground.

The next moment, a silver light shot straight into the sky, pierced through the pyramid, and headed straight for the divine messenger!

"Ah—!" the divine messenger cried out in pain, cracks appearing on his golden body. "What's going on?! Impossible!"