Chapter 151: The Gods Intervene
However, Chang Wei frowned.
"Did you accept someone's help?"
He questioned Phoenix Man.
"What?"
Phoenix Man was confused.
"Never mind. Whether the gods got involved or not, the fact that you're still getting stronger is a good thing for me."
Chang Wei threw another punch, but this time, Phoenix Man only staggered back two meters before stabilizing himself.
"What terrifying power… Every time, you easily crush my evolution. But this time, it's different!"
Phoenix Man clutched his abdomen—an involuntary reflex from taking such a devastating punch. However, instead of dying and evolving through death, this time, he absorbed Chang Wei's power and evolved.
"Everything… is my nourishment."
Phoenix Man sneered.
"So, due to insufficient evolutionary resources, you evolved into a form that absorbs energy instead?"
Chang Wei analyzed Phoenix Man's new state. Within this space, he could perceive every molecular detail with perfect clarity, so he instantly understood what had happened—Phoenix Man had absorbed his power.
Not just his strength, but also the ambient energy in the air and even his psychic force.
Phoenix Man thought he was countering Chang Wei by evolving, but in Chang Wei's eyes, it was more like his obsession—or whatever was driving him—could no longer sustain his current consumption, forcing him to seek external energy.
The only question was whether the gods had played a role in this transformation.
"Well then, this punch will be twice as strong as the last one. Don't die."
Chang Wei increased his strength slightly, causing Phoenix Man's pupils to contract.
He was confident in his ability to absorb it, but after being instantly killed so many times, he couldn't be sure if he could really take it.
BOOM!
The air exploded instantly, but the punch moved even faster, landing on Phoenix Man's body.
Even with psychic energy coating the area, the force of the punch created a pressure shockwave, compressing millions of tons of force into the now-sealed chamber.
This time, Phoenix Man didn't budge an inch!
Not only that, but he also absorbed all of the pressure.
"I… I've become this strong?!"
Phoenix Man was ecstatic. He had completely absorbed a punch twice as strong as the last one—surely, he could defeat Chang Wei now!
"Getting this strong all of a sudden… Something's not right."
Chang Wei shook his head.
"Alright then, this next punch will be four times as strong as the last one."
Before Phoenix Man could react, Chang Wei threw another punch.
Phoenix Man wasn't just going to take hits without fighting back, so he punched as well.
BOOM!!!
He had reinforced the chamber with even more psychic energy, preventing it from shattering. The immense pressure crushed everything inside, reducing it to dust, which Phoenix Man promptly absorbed.
Phoenix Man remained completely unmoved, like an immovable object.
"Impressive!"
Chang Wei's interest was piqued.
"This next punch will be eight times stronger. Let's see how you handle it!"
This time, Phoenix Man was sent flying.
After all, Chang Wei had increased his power exponentially. No matter how much Phoenix Man could absorb, he had a limit and needed time to digest it.
"How is this possible?! I've already reached this level, yet you're still getting stronger?!"
Phoenix Man was in disbelief.
"Did you ever consider… that I haven't even been serious yet?"
Chang Wei said, looking slightly disappointed. Was this all there was?
At best, Phoenix Man had reached Dragon-level strength, perhaps even better at taking hits than other Dragon-level beings. Above Dragon-level…?
"Don't underestimate me! I've absorbed your power—I've caught up to you!"
Phoenix Man refused to believe Chang Wei's words. If he hadn't even been serious yet, then didn't that mean the Monster Association and himself had been doomed from the start?
Roaring, Phoenix Man lunged at Chang Wei with a punch.
"Oh? You really have gotten stronger."
Chang Wei nodded, then clenched his fist.
Seeing this motion, Phoenix Man immediately became hyper-alert, staring intently at Chang Wei's fist.
"This punch will be ten times stronger than the last one. You should be able to take it, right?"
Chang Wei waited for Phoenix Man to attack first. Yet somehow, his own punch landed first, striking Phoenix Man's body. The dark, lightless tight suit he wore was torn apart.
Damn, did I overdo it?
Chang Wei thought as Phoenix Man was once again sent flying, crashing into his own psychic barrier before collapsing to the ground.
Cracks spread all over Phoenix Man's body, making him look like he was about to shatter completely.
"Don't die. Get up!"
Chang Wei crouched beside him, encouraging him with words and even using telepathy to cheer him on.
Being the strongest hero meant nothing. If Phoenix Man could stand up once more, he could surpass him!
The meaning of life is to burn brightly!
Do you want to be a coward, or a real man—even if only for five seconds?!
…
But Phoenix Man remained motionless, lifeless. His consciousness had faded to zero.
"Did I really kill him…?"
Chang Wei sighed in disappointment. Was this really it? He had just touched the threshold of being above Dragon-level, and now it was over?
What a waste. In that case… I might as well eat him.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Man found himself reliving his past.
Back when he wore the Birdbrain costume, when the TV station constantly set him up for comedic skits.
No one had cared about the bruises and injuries he suffered beneath the costume from all the pranks and gags. If someone had cared back then, maybe he wouldn't have become a monster.
If he hadn't become a monster, he wouldn't have encountered this monstrous hero.
Chang Wei's overwhelming power had driven him into complete despair.
"Stand up…"
A figure appeared before him, extending a hand.
Phoenix Man's eyes widened.
That shadowy figure, whose face was obscured, was someone he knew well—the TV host he had secretly admired.
Forgetting everything else, he reached out and grasped that hand.
The next moment, his body moved.
"He's alive?"
Chang Wei quickly returned to his stance, striking a heroic pose as he looked down at Phoenix Man.
Phoenix Man stood up. The torn remnants of his costume fell away, revealing his grotesque, tumor-covered body.
"So, the gods really did intervene."
Seeing the hideous, tumor-like growths, Chang Wei immediately understood—this was divine power at work.
So, that god had indeed stepped in.
"Die!"
Phoenix Man rose again, now half-shrouded in darkness, half-covered in pulsating tumors. He possessed all of his previous abilities, as well as a new power—Divine Authority.
A barrage of energy blasts erupted from his body, flooding the entire space.
"You've grown a lot stronger."
Chang Wei ignored the onslaught of energy blasts.
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