GA: Chapter 151: Selecting the Task Participants — A Cocoon at the Heart of a Sea of Blood
Even if he used overwhelming force to suppress Konoha outright, significant casualties would be inevitable. With a little manipulation of public opinion, all kinds of unfavorable names could easily be attached to him.
If it were only himself, perhaps that would be acceptable — he believed that once the corrupting influences were removed, he could guide Konoha toward something better. But he had a wife. A son soon to be born. He wanted to be a figure of positive standing in the eyes of those he loved.
His nature, too, wasn't suited to forcing change upon Konoha. He could only guide it gradually, through patient influence.
"Just wait a little longer. It's not as if waiting is beyond me."
The Third Hokage would die of old age eventually. So would Danzō.
The reins of Konoha would return to the Hokage's hands in time.
As long as he lived — no matter how chaotic the ninja world became — he could hold Konoha steady. Given that, what was wrong with a little patience?
The Konoha of today was corrupt, yes. But at least it was peaceful.
That was Namikaze Minato's conclusion.
Turn Da Gu Into Soup: "I think, based on my current strength, I should qualify for a spot?"
In terms of human form, he couldn't compare to the other powerhouses in the group.
But after transforming into Ultraman Tiga — there were very few among the current chat group members who could match him.
He should have a spot in this. One way or another.
Uchiha Dance King: "I want a spot."
Uchiha Madara stated it plainly in the chat group. His strength wasn't the very highest among the group members, but the number of people he would actually acknowledge as above him was limited — and there was no detailed information on the transmigrator's power level either.
He didn't believe the other party would be stronger than him.
The Oldest Godslayer: "I want one."
Marquis Voban stated it as well. The only thing he cared about was the 50% success rate enhancement opportunity.
He refused to fall behind others — especially when that other person was Grandmaster Luo Hao.
Even a Luo Hao from another world was the same.
Holy Lord: "Three spots. I want one."
In the Jackie Chan Adventures world, the Holy Lord sat upon his throne, crimson eyes flickering as he read through the chat group.
He was a demon himself, after all.
Ordinary Group Leader: "Actually, none of that will make any difference."
Ordinary Group Leader: "I just asked the chat group — the selection is done through a roulette draw."
Ordinary Group Leader: "The chat group automatically places those with sufficient strength and available time onto the roulette, then draws from there."
Ordinary Group Leader: "Like right now."
"Ding — group member selection in progress... Selection complete."
"Ding — group members [Turn Da Gu Into Soup], [Child of Nature], and [Holy Lord] — please make your preparations."
The flat mechanical voice sounded in everyone's ears.
Ordinary Group Leader: "???"
Ordinary Group Leader: "I, the Group Leader, wasn't selected?"
Ordinary Group Leader: "I'm starting to genuinely suspect you're not my Golden Finger at all. Tell me — did I originally have a system as my Golden Finger, and you swallowed it? Or did you eat my Group Leader privileges?"
Ordinary Group Leader: "I have been holding this in for a very long time. You absolute garbage!"
Su Yunqing confirmed her name wasn't on the list and vented her fury into the chat. They were all transmigrators — so why, even as Group Leader, was she still this miserable?
Unbearable.
"Ding — the Group Leader does not possess sufficient strength to participate in this task."
"Pfft—"
The chat group's voice hit her like a needle straight to the chest.
Not enough strength... forget everything she'd just said.
Jiangshi World. A mountain range.
The ground was carpeted in flesh and blood. Corpses littered the area in every direction.
The air was thick with the smell of iron and death.
At the center of this expanse of carnage, a massive pit had been torn into the earth. It was filled with crimson blood — and resting upon that blood was a cocoon of deep red, steadily absorbing the death energy, malevolent qi, and blood essence that saturated the surrounding space.
That seemingly endless torrent of blood and flesh energy poured into the cocoon. As time passed, a slow, rhythmic pulse began to emanate from within it — like a heartbeat.
Then, at some point, it seemed to sense something. The cocoon shuddered violently. From its center, a cold, utterly emotionless gaze seemed to pierce through space itself, fixing on a distant point.
"Has my presence been detected?"
"According to its assessment, this world — where spiritual energy has nearly dispersed — should hold no powerhouse capable of finding me."
"The child of fortune of this world?"
"Interesting."
"But discovery doesn't mean the capacity to resist."
"You are destined to die at my hands. Your death will become the fuel that makes me stronger."
"After that — slaughter every living thing in this world. Strengthen myself further... by then, my power should break through."
"Demon Ancestor... I, the chosen one, am destined to surpass you."
"I will prove through strength who the true king of the demon race is."
As if something had been decided, the crimson cocoon began to pulse violently. A terrifying pressure erupted outward from within it, blood-colored light spreading in all directions. Every tree and flower within the surrounding area that the blood light touched seemed to have its life force instantly drained — withering in an instant.
The Oldest Godslayer: "Not selected."
The Oldest Godslayer: "It seems I'll have to wait for the next opportunity."
Marquis Voban looked at the three names and let a touch of disappointment show in his eyes.
But if those three were the ones going, he had no objections.
Sacred Guard Left Wing: "@Child of Nature — I'm very much looking forward to seeing what you can do."
Not just Hikari — almost every member of the chat group was curious about Bai Xuan's true strength. He had never displayed it, but based on everything he had described about his own abilities, if none of it was exaggerated, the answer had to be extraordinary.
That was precisely why they were so eager to see it.
How much of the [Authority of Nature]'s power would this transmigrator be able to force out of him?
Turn Da Gu Into Soup: "I actually got selected."
Turn Da Gu Into Soup: "Don't worry, Master Nine — with me here, your world will be fine."
Holy Lord: "Hopefully that demon can give me a bit of a surprise."
Holy Lord: "If it's too weak, this won't be any fun."
Lin Fengjiao: "...If it's possible, I'd honestly prefer it to be weaker."
When gods clash, it's mortals who suffer.
The stronger the combatants, the greater the collateral. Significant casualties among ordinary people became very real possibilities.
He had no desire to see the common people hurt because of this.
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
A crisp, dry sound — like brittle branches snapping underfoot — rang out through the air. In the darkness of night, a figure moved slowly through the shadows.
It seemed as though this space held only that single sound. Beyond the faint noise of footsteps, there was no other sound at all.