roccoschili Chapter 792 - 792: Severely Injured Escape, the Last Ray of Hope_1
Chapter 792 - 792: Severely Injured Escape, the Last Ray of Hope_1
Chang Yan looked at the destroyed earth cave, his face pale as a ghost. He had managed to escape from the earth cave and Wang Linchi's clutches, but it had come at a great cost."Irreversible damage, far too much of it... My strength has also fallen to that of a Martial Sovereign, and I'm not even as strong as an average Martial Sovereign anymore."
A bitter expression appeared on his face. This was not the worst part. Of those who had ventured into the earth cave this time, he estimated that none besides him had managed to come out alive.
These martial artists had represented ninety percent of the Human Clan's strength. Now, only about ten percent remained, and the majority of those were students at the Martial Arts University—effectively, just a group of interns.
It wasn't that they were useless, but they were incapable of making a significant difference.
At this moment, he faced a formidable challenge: destroying the entrance to the earth cave to prevent the giant microscopic ecosystem from invading the surface world.
The surface world and the earth cave existed as two separate spaces. Thankfully, as long as this separation was maintained, the invaders would have no way out.
However, a hidden danger remained. The Flesh and blood relic formed by the nobles was still in Wang Linchi's possession. If Wang Linchi wielded their power, he would eventually reopen the connection between the earth cave and the surface world.
"Forget it, that's a problem for another day," Chang Yan sighed.
The pathological changes had caused irreversible injuries and physical losses to his body. Furthermore, the thunder-fire purification had drastically shortened his lifespan. At most, he could live for another ten years; if luck wasn't on his side, five years would be all he had left.
Therefore, there wasn't much he could do to help the Human Clan.
"Chang... Martial God Chang, what has happened to you? Has there been a problem with the earth cave?" A guard at the entrance of the earth cave noticed Chang Yan and rushed over to help him up.
Chang Yan managed to sit with difficulty before instructing, "Notify..."
He named a long list of people. These were the martial artists who kept guard on the surface. Their strength was uniformly at the Martial Sovereign level, making them the current highest commanders on the surface.
"Yes, Martial God Chang." Seeing this, the guard did not press further about what had happened in the earth cave. Instead, he immediately carried out Chang Yan's orders.
Soon, someone came to examine and treat Chang Yan.
"Martial God Chang, your condition is not optimistic."
The medical report arrived quickly, and the doctor's expression was grave. Had Chang Yan not been a Martial God, he would likely already be dead.
"That's not the issue. I just need to know if my body is carrying any pathogens, viruses, or other bacteria," Chang Yan dismissed these concerns. As a Martial God, his awareness of his own body surpassed the precision of any medical diagnostic equipment.
However, the illness caused by Wang Linchi's giant microscopic ecosystem had specifically targeted his vitality, thereby impairing the precision of his bodily control.
"No, even the symbiotic organisms have disappeared, which suggests..." The doctor was about to say more, but Chang Yan interrupted him.
"I understand. It's a good thing." He knew humans harbored symbiotic probiotics, and Martial Gods were no exception.
However, for a Martial God like him, losing these symbiotic probiotics was merely a minor inconvenience.
After all, as a powerful Martial Artist, he wouldn't necessarily die even if his head were gone, and could still be alive and kicking without a heart. Losing a few probiotics was by no means a big deal to him.
"No, Martial God Chang, you don't comprehend the severity of the issue." The doctor adopted a serious tone. "Your body's condition is dire, and now you've lost these..."
"I told you, I know. Just tell me how much time I have left; that's enough." Chang Yan had no interest in such details; to him, they were insignificant.
He could endure, and that was enough.
"A year, at most. Even as a Martial God." The doctor was silent for a long time before finally speaking.
Chang Yan was taken aback. He had expected to live for another decade. However, considering the severity of his injuries and the involvement of factors beyond his knowledge, he realized he had overestimated his remaining time tenfold.
"Okay." Chang Yan instantly regained his composure and replied.
One year at most. This meant he likely wouldn't even last that long; the doctor was merely stating the absolute maximum imaginable.
"This matter must be kept secret; it must not be leaked," Chang Yan spoke calmly.
"Yes, Martial God Chang." The doctor naturally understood that if this information leaked, it could lead to widespread turmoil across the world.
Chang Yan, gravely injured, had escaped from the earth cave. None of the other martial artists, including the other Martial Gods, had survived. This was the biggest problem.
The Human Clan needs a new Martial God to take control!
He certainly remembered Kong Huai's words about developing technology and abandoning the earth cave, even marking it as a no-exploration zone.
But Chang Yan knew he was running out of time. If he had ten, or even five more years, he could have handled these matters.
However, with only a year—perhaps even less—he lacked the confidence to accomplish these tasks.
Hence, the best solution was to cultivate a new Martial God.
Fortunately, there was a chance.
Among the thirteen Martial Sovereigns left on the surface, three are peak Martial Sovereigns. If one of them successfully breaks through to the Martial God level, I can rest easy.
As for whether the one who successfully broke through to Martial God might commit atrocities in the future, that was another matter entirely. He couldn't see that far ahead; after all, with his own life so short, he couldn't concern himself with too many distant possibilities.
The other ten must also be nurtured. It would be best to deplete all resources, forcing them onto the path of technology.
Without resources, their only path to further advancement would be through technology.
In fact, technology was by no means inferior; in some aspects, it was even more advanced than Martial Arts.
"Martial God Chang, you may not be able to use martial arts in the future. Every time you use your vitality, it will cause more severe damage to your body, further reducing your remaining time," the doctor reminded him once more.
"Can't use martial arts? How much time will I lose if I use them once?" Chang Yan was not too surprised; considering his current physical condition, he knew using martial arts would inevitably cause further injury.
"One move might put you on the brink of death," the doctor answered, based on his experience.
"Is it that severe?" Chang Yan frowned. He hadn't expected this. According to his own estimates, he should be able to make at least three moves before his physical condition killed him.
"There might be some discrepancies, but it would be best not to use martial arts if you can avoid it." The doctor hinted subtly, "You are no longer at your peak; it's better to let others do the work."
His implication was that Chang Yan's physical strength and vitality no longer reached the Martial God level. It was better to delegate tasks to other Martial Sovereigns.
This could definitely be detected. After all, aside from the massive resources required for a Martial God's Cultivation, various high-tech equipment was needed as an aid.
The stronger one became, the more inseparable they were from the assistance of technology. This is why they were able to reach the God-King Phase in the Chaotic God World in just a short hundred years.
While other Cultivators explored bit by bit, Martial Gods had direct access to the answers. There was no way they wouldn't progress rapidly.
"I will consider your advice. Prescribe the medicine." Chang Yan didn't pay much heed to the doctor's reminder. In the eyes of martial artists who weren't Martial Gods, physical strength and vitality were key.
However, to Chang Yan and other Martial Gods, willpower could shatter the limits of the physical body.
But the effects of such an exertion wouldn't last long, and breaking one's limits would bring severe repercussions.
Upon hearing Chang Yan's words, the doctor understood he hadn't persuaded him. After all, Chang Yan was a Martial God; despite his current state, he wasn't someone the doctor could easily convince.
Chang Yan's position afforded him a different perspective. Many things weren't a matter of his unwillingness, but rather circumstances beyond his control.
"Martial God Chang, can you accept injections?" the doctor asked.
Chang Yan's stomach, intestines, and other organs were malfunctioning. Oral medications would be difficult to digest and absorb.
Chang Yan nodded in agreement.
"I will cooperate with you." Chang Yan's skin was not something a needle could penetrate. To administer an injection, he had to consciously relax his skin and cooperate. Otherwise, the needle wouldn't be able to enter.
The current medical syringes could only be effective on Martial Kings or lower. For those stronger than Martial Kings, their cooperation was essential; otherwise, the needle couldn't penetrate the body. The injection itself would require Chang Yan to control his muscles, blood vessels, and so on.
Thus, if a martial artist at or above the Martial King level lost consciousness and couldn't cooperate with treatment, they might very well die. This wasn't mere speculation but a grim reality demonstrated in numerous past cases.