Chapter 572: The Yellow Lantern: Luke Shaw
Against the Colossus
The moment they stood face-to-face with Parallax, the team felt an immense surge of relief. Thank goodness they had followed Luke's plan to set the battleground in outer space; on Earth, the planet simply couldn't withstand the creature.
Parallax's size was beyond imagination, standing nearly twenty kilometers tall and over a hundred kilometers long. Its massive body wielded terrifying power; even a slight movement constituted a world-shattering attack.
"I've never seen a monster this huge," Barry said, gesturing wildly. "Godzilla couldn't even compare to him."
Diana stated gravely, "I just took a swing at its head with my sword, and it had zero effect. Luke, does it have a weakness?"
Luke shook his head seriously. "Parallax is an energy being. If we're truly looking for a weakness..." He looked up, pointing directly at Sinestro in the distance. "He might be one."
Linda suddenly spoke up. "I want to try."
"It's too dangerous."
"What battle isn't dangerous? Only by understanding the opponent's abilities can we take targeted action."
Luke pondered for a moment, then agreed to the slightly reckless decision. "Use ranged attacks as much as possible. Do not get close."
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
Linda leaped up and flew toward Sinestro. Luke signaled to Barry, who nodded and followed closely, ready to provide immediate support.
The Unlikely Power Source
Diana took a metal sphere from her back.
"The things you asked for."
Luke's eyes lit up. He quickly opened it. Inside the sphere, protected by an energy membrane, five exquisitely crafted rings floated, seemingly desperate to break free.
The rings, flashing yellow light, were the Yellow Lantern Rings he had been waiting for.
"My darling, you are my lucky goddess."
Diana gave him a look. "I really don't know what you want with them. I tried them just now, and they didn't react at all."
"You were just using the wrong method."
Luke took a deep breath, extended his left hand through the energy membrane, and grabbed a pulsing ring. The ring struggled fiercely, erupting with a powerful shockwave that made his arm tremble.
This was with the protection of the Divine Wing Armor; without it, his entire arm would have been shattered. Diana's eyes were wide with worry.
"Maybe we should just forget it."
Luke shook his head, forcefully trying to restrain the violently shaking ring. Its power was too immense; even using all his strength, he couldn't hold it still. Luke inwardly cursed and offered a wry smile.
"Could you lend a hand?"
Diana covered her forehead, completely exasperated.
Luke coughed. "This day was bound to come anyway. Think of it as practice."
Diana rolled her eyes. "I never agreed to marry you."
"But I think about it. I think about it every night. I dream of you in a wedding dress."
Diana's face flushed. She quickly looked around, relieved to see no one nearby.
"Don't talk nonsense. If Linda hears you, it'll be a huge mess."
As she spoke, she reached out and grasped the ring. The vibrating ring instantly quieted down. Ultimately, it was a matter of power. Luke's strength was insufficient, but Diana's was not.
She firmly held the ring and carefully slipped it onto his ring finger. Once it was on, she maintained her tight grip.
Luke closed his eyes, forcefully channeling the Fear Essence within his body. In an instant, a faint connection surged from his ring finger.
That feeling... was the power of Yellow Fear.
The Divine Wing Armor automatically retracted. With a thought, a golden-yellow, skin-tight battlesuit materialized on Luke's skin. The circular emblem on his chest was the symbol of the Sinestro Corps.
"It worked! It finally worked!"
Luke laughed in excitement.
Although the Fear Essence was within him, he couldn't use it because he hadn't gained the approval of Parallax. The second requirement was the ring. The ring is the device that converts emotional power, allowing a mortal to wield the force that represents a universal rule.
The Power of Fear!
The Yellow Lantern Ring!
Luke clenched his fist and pointed forward. A giant yellow light beam shot from the ring, striking Parallax right in the eye.
Boom!
An explosion erupted. The mountain-sized eye was completely destroyed.
The Mechanics of the Ring
This sudden attack caused everyone fighting to stop, turning to look in confusion. When they saw Luke's new attire, their eyes widened in shock.
"A Yellow Lantern?"
Hal was utterly astounded.
That face?
There was no mistake! He could never forget it—it was Luke Shaw, the man who stole his Green Lantern Ring and disabled three of his fingers. This man, an "evildoer," was the leader of the Justice League.
His worldview and values suffered a severe impact, and his opinion of the Justice League instantly shifted.
Sinestro's face darkened. He had not anticipated Luke's maneuver. With the Fear Essence inside him, mastering the Yellow Lantern Ring would make Luke's overall strength far exceed a regular Yellow Lantern warrior and allow him to influence Parallax.
This person must not be allowed to live.
Sinestro instantly decided. Parallax roared, pushing past Clark and J'onn's attempts to stop it, and charged toward Luke.
Diana drew her longsword, flashed onto Parallax's head, and began hacking wildly, the sword striking true and shattering vast pieces of its shell.
Luke flew backward unhurriedly. With a thought, a dagger appeared in his hand. The next moment, the dagger changed into a 9mm pistol, then a squeaky duck toy, an Ultraman figure, a Transformer, a computer, a submachine gun, a Gatling gun, a lithography machine, an intercontinental missile, a focusing cannon...
After dozens of rapid tests, Luke gradually understood the Lantern Ring's operational principles.
It was simple, yet also complex.
The Lantern Ring's construct manifestation has three main characteristics:
1. Cost vs. Complexity: The energy cost is directly proportional to the physical structure of the manifested object. The larger and more complex the construct, the more energy and mental focus it costs. Simple, small constructs cost very little.
2. Understanding is Required: You can't just wish for anything. You must have a thorough understanding of an object to manifest it. The deeper your understanding, the faster the manifestation. A lack of understanding prevents a complete, functional construct. This is why Lantern users develop signature combat styles—like Hal Jordan, an ace pilot, who often created firearms and jets, or Carol, who favored simple attacks like spears and meteors (though Luke helped her improve).
3. The Ring is the Source: The manifested objects are not physically real. Any effect—physical attack, energy blast, explosion, fire, or lightning—is powered by the Ring's internal energy. For example, manifesting and detonating a nuclear bomb draws all the heat, shockwave, and radiation pulse energy directly from the ring itself. If the ring's energy or the host's mental focus is insufficient, the effect will be severely reduced.
These were the properties Luke had sensed.
The Lantern Ring was indeed powerful, but it was not omnipotent.
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