Chapter 597: Substitution

Michelle used every method he could think of but could not stop his wife's body from disintegrating. He was at a complete loss, making repeated mistakes even in his spellcasting.

"How could this be? Impossible! This absolutely cannot be!"

Seeing that 'Diana Olivia' on the throne was now only a partial torso, the madness in Michelle Medici's eyes grew even more severe. He even looked down at the magical energy array beneath him, his expression conflicted.

—It should still be in time! If he continued with the sacrificial part that followed, perhaps he could truly resurrect his wife and let her bear the power of this underworld. His hands had already begun forming a magical mudra, but just as he was about to complete the second seal, a voice from behind—Li Chenmo's—made his body tremble slightly.

"Give it up, Michelle!"

Li Chenmo sighed, and at the same time summoned his 'Destiny Sword' from his sleeve again: "I think even if you succeed in resurrecting her now, she would no longer be your wife, nor Angel's mother. You should know what that thing is, Michelle."

"Father!"

Angel was already choked with tears, unable to speak, but she also shook her head firmly: "I cannot allow you to do this. Moreover, we have already failed, haven't we? Mother no longer exists, and I think what you are doing now is definitely not what she would have wanted to see."

At that moment, Michelle Medici aged at least twenty years. The remaining black hair on his head turned silver-white, his face as pale as paper. He stood there dazed and motionless, like a wooden statue. It was not until the last embers of 'Diana Olivia' faded away that Michelle came to his senses and let out a bitter laugh.

"So, I should face reality, right? All of this was nothing but a bubble of illusion I conjured up."

Michelle's words were full of self-mockery: "Then, Angel, tell me, after you realized your true nature, how did you survive?"

If 'Diana Olivia' had long since dissipated in both spirit and flesh, then the mental power that had maintained Angel's existence all these years should have been provided by him.

But his love for Angel, his belief that Angel was still alive, was far less than that for his wife.

So theoretically, after Angel realized the true source of her life, her life should have come to an end, losing the very foundation of her existence.

"Survive?"

Angel did not understand at first, but then she realized. Her body trembled slightly, and she instinctively glanced sideways at Li Chenmo.

Li Chenmo remained silent, his face like still water. The reason Angel maintained her existence was actually more due to the secret method 'Heart of Heaven Mutual Illumination', and he had indeed done some things to compensate for Angel's deficiencies.

"I see! It's Andre, isn't it?"

Michelle seemed to have guessed the answer. He sighed with relief and emotion: "That's good. With you taking care of her, Andre, I can rest assured. Even if I'm not here, Angel can live well, even better than with me."

"Michelle?"

Angel finally realized something, struck as if by lightning. She instinctively grabbed at Michelle's clothes: "You can't do this, Michelle!"

But her hand grasped nothing. Michelle's body, like 'Diana Olivia's', began to dissolve like a phantom of light.

"I'm tired, Angel!"

Michelle Medici complained: "The road ahead, I'm afraid you'll have to walk alone. Fortunately, there's still Andre. Although I was once very unhappy that this guy took away the treasure I had guarded for over a decade, as a man, he is reliable and trustworthy. And in this final moment, I can still do something for you."

At that instant, the black crown that had fallen onto the throne flew up and slowly descended onto Angel's head.

"Don't refuse, my child. This is the final gift from your father, carrying my and Diana's love and longing for you."

The moment the black crown settled firmly on Angel's head, Michelle's figure completely vanished.

But now Angel was sobbing uncontrollably, the immense grief striking her heart, nearly causing her to faint.

Li Chenmo sighed again and supported Angel's hand: "Cry, Angel. But remember, as Michelle said, you still have me. I will be by your side; you will never walk alone."

Yet at this moment, he found it hard to feel deep sorrow in his heart.

For the instant Michelle completely gave up his life, his 'Divine Sky Luck Purple Gold Pagoda' trembled. Boundless merit light came from all directions, rapidly expanding, not stopping even when the number exceeded a million strands.

Moreover, given Michelle's condition, he had indeed found what he sought; this was a release for him. Continuing to live in this world would have been very painful for his father-in-law.

…

"The new Pluto of America?"

At this moment, on a small hill about seventy kilometers from Pittsburgh, Ilse Medici, a purple-clad bishop of the Church of Light, put down his telescope and also let out a sigh: "I didn't expect it would end like this."

"I'm also surprised."

Responding was the Lionheart Druid Kito Medici: "It was inevitable that someone from the Medici family would become a deity, but I didn't expect it to be her, and so powerful."

"She can now confront a powerful god in the material plane. My cousin didn't get what he wanted, but they have indeed achieved a great victory."

Ilse Medici frowned, displeased: "And now we have to worry. This incident might bring disaster to the family."

"It's not that serious."

With these words, the 'Miracle Angel' Weimer Medici also appeared on the hill: "We made no mistakes, Ilse."

"But—"

Ilse frowned: "We stood by and allowed the establishment of this underworld belonging to America. The Medici family should have stopped it."

"Indeed."

Weimer Medici nodded slightly, then explained: "But if we had intervened, the situation would have been worse. Just the act of colluding with demons and liches violates the Codex of Light. That would be an eternal stain on the Medici family, unforgivable by our Lord. And now—"

He didn't continue, but Ilse Medici understood his meaning. Now it was merely adhering to doctrine and inaction; according to the Codex of Light, this was not an unforgivable sin.

"But?"

"There is no but..."

The Miracle Angel shook his head: "The establishment of the underworld coincided with Wiltonstein's apotheosis. We had to make a choice, and His Holiness chose Atlanta. And we did our best, didn't we? As far as I know, the dragon liches and demon legions that died at your hands today number in the tens of thousands, and you also destroyed at least seven nodes of this pentagram array. That's good. I think no one can say the Medici family didn't do their utmost."

Not only did Ilse's expression relax, but the Lionheart Druid Kito Medici also felt relieved. Then he asked curiously: "What's happening inside the Church? I heard that some seraphim, even the King of Angels, betrayed the Lord?"

"A seraph's rank alone couldn't do that."

Weimer Medici looked up at the sky: "I can't say much about the details. You just need to know that in the coming months, there will be great turmoil within the Church. So from today, all members of the Medici family must be cautious and avoid being caught up in it."

"Is this also your opportunity?" Ilse Medici's eyes flickered with a strange light.

"And yours too! Within three days at most, I will have you, Ilse, don the red vestments. As a demigod, not being in the College of Cardinals until now—the Church has been too harsh on you."

Weimer Medici spoke with confidence, then hesitated slightly: "Iquito, expel some family members from the clan recently. They must be relatively talented. The Medici family is too large, too crowded. We must maintain vitality."

The Lionheart Druid Kito Medici was stunned, initially not understanding. But then he realized and looked again toward distant Pittsburgh.

"I understand, Weimer. I will have a list ready by tomorrow at the latest."

He knew that for a deity, believers with divine blood were often the most suitable vessels for carrying divine power.

…

In the newly built hell, Angel sat listlessly in a gloomy hall. She was still in a daze, her eyes vacant. Even after a day had passed, she had not recovered from the grief of her father's death.

Before her now were only Li Chenmo, Anthony Braden, and Bethel Einstein.

"She can't go on like this, A-Mo. Angel's control over the underworld is not stable. Many are still watching her, waiting for you to let your guard down. Also, I have reliable news that Osiris's assistant, the 'Jackal God' Anubis, has returned to this world half a day ago. He is also a powerful god not restricted by the Pantheon."

He spoke while surveying the place. Unexpectedly, this hell, built mainly from the 'Twilight Dragon City', did not have much of a decaying smell. This was probably related to the fact that dragon liches were undead creatures with a bit of a cleanliness fetish.

In fact, most undead creatures were like that; after death, they were even more particular about cleanliness than when alive.

But the hall they were in had obviously been rebuilt. Anthony noticed many modern building materials, likely the result of combining magical power with modern construction techniques.

Li Chenmo was also deeply worried, but he didn't know how to console her anymore. He realized that Angel's pain could only be healed by herself and time; in the meantime, he could only watch over her a bit more.

"I won't let anyone take what my father left me, Anthony!"

Angel spoke unexpectedly, her gaze sweeping over the three before her, her tone puzzled: "Is there something to do, A-Mo? Is it about Professor Einstein's reincarnation?"

But it seemed too early; Diana's magic net was not yet complete.

"I don't know the situation."

Anthony shrugged: "But I guess I can't be of much help."

"Patience, Anthony. A-Mo called you here because he has a use for you."

Bethel Einstein looked at Li Chenmo with a slightly burning and skeptical gaze: "Let me explain the situation. Ten days ago, A-Mo gave me a contract, a guarantee. It tempted me greatly. And as the price for entering into the contract, I must help him today to stop the Chaos Dragon Mother and other possible disruptors, and then sign an additional eternal covenant of subordination. But I'm not sure if A-Mo can fulfill his promise—to use this newly built underworld to complete my reincarnation within a day and reshape my body and soul."

When he said this, both Anthony and Angel turned to look at Li Chenmo, their expressions incredulous.

"A-Mo, are you serious? That seems impossible, doesn't it?"

If it were a mortal's body and soul, Anthony believed Li Chenmo had the ability. For Li Chenmo, who held the divine authority over life and death, it wouldn't be too difficult.

But the 'Master of Truth' Bethel Einstein was the most powerful mage in this world, capable of confronting the Chaos Dragon Mother head-on in the material plane with ease.

"I will do it!"

Li Chenmo glanced at Anthony, then distributed a stack of magical array blueprints to the three present.

"This is the array diagram for Professor Einstein's reincarnation. Note that the array structure is quite precise, requiring an error of no more than one thousandth of a micron. Of course, the material costs are borne by Professor Einstein; we'll bill him after we finish."

Anthony took it and glanced casually, knowing it was designed by Li Chenmo and then improved by Einstein.

Although Li Chenmo's mastery of magic patterns had reached a high level, he still couldn't use them concisely.

"OK! Personally, I'm not optimistic, but given that there have been too many miracles concerning you, I'll reserve my judgment for now."

Anthony had already started working; he was responsible for the eastern part: "I think we can have a competition to see who is faster. A-Mo, we can even make a bet. I can bet a Mechanical God of War, but it's an old model I've retired. But if I win, you just need to give me your 'Divine Order' sword."

The fastest turned out to be Einstein, followed by Angel, then Anthony last, with Li Chenmo third. Post-inspection showed errors within one thousandth of a micron.

"God of Magic Arrays and Alchemy, huh?"

After completing his part, Li Chenmo mocked Anthony: "Remember to deliver your Mechanical God of War to my Sword Manor within three days."

Anthony's face flushed with anger: "Hey! That's not fair. Angel helped you cheat."

Many of the magic patterns Li Chenmo was responsible for were directly structured by Angel using divine power.

This underworld was now equivalent to Angel's divine kingdom.

"You didn't stipulate beforehand that Angel couldn't help. You should have thought of that, Anthony."

After shutting Anthony up, Li Chenmo looked solemnly at Einstein: "I think we can begin, Professor."

"But I'm starting to feel nervous, A-Mo!"

Einstein walked toward the center of the magical array with a bitter smile: "You have to know, the magic net hasn't been built yet. And I still don't know where your confidence comes from. If it fails—I mean if—then nothing can be undone."

Yet he still walked to the very center of the array and sat down in a posture similar to the Eastern cultivation method of 'five hearts facing the sky'.

"I think this is too reckless, A-Mo. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I swear by the name of the Lord of Fate!"

Li Chenmo's expression was resolute: "There will be no mistakes, Professor Einstein. I think you have already prepared, haven't you? Even in a normal reincarnation, you can protect your fundamental spiritual consciousness, right?"

Einstein hesitated no longer. After closing his eyes for just three seconds, his entire vital energy and spiritual mechanism began to dissipate. The method of self-annihilation he used was similar to the Buddhist practice of entering nirvana. At that instant, a massive amount of magical energy burst forth, dispersing into the heaven and earth of this underworld.

At that moment, Li Chenmo also used a beam of 'North-South Polarity Life-Death Divine Light' to irradiate Einstein's gradually dispersing soul substance and body, while instructing the girl beside him: "Angel, do as I told you!"

Angel nodded slightly and covered this underworld realm, less than three hundred kilometers in diameter, with her divine power.

What Li Chenmo asked her to do was not much: one was to strengthen Li Chenmo's divine authority over life and death, and the other was to conceal the abnormal spiritual energy before and after Einstein's reincarnation, preventing anyone from detecting it.

The latter was the main purpose. Currently, in the material plane, only this underworld she possessed could achieve this.

After that, Angel watched Li Chenmo's movements intently, temporarily forgetting the grief and sorrow of Michelle's death.

Even Anthony was now focusing his attention, unwilling to be distracted.

What Li Chenmo was doing now was using his divine authority over life and death to let Einstein's soul undergo a complete death, and then, at the extreme of death and stillness, generate life, completing a process from life to death and from death to life.

This was undoubtedly breaking down the mysteries of life and death and displaying them before their eyes.

Even though Anthony did not hold a divine office in this area, understanding a bit more would do him no harm as the God of Machinery.

Anthony soon realized the advantage of Einstein performing the reincarnation ritual in this underworld.

This place had not yet accommodated any dead, so although it was the underworld, it was still in a state of a blank slate.

As the first soul to enter here, Estatin could easily keep his soul pure, with no impurities mixed in. Thus his fundamental spiritual consciousness underwent no change, nor any wavering, which also made it impossible for the legendary 'enigma of the womb' to occur.

Only three hours later, another 'Estatin' appeared before their eyes.

—It was a soul so young, vibrant and full of vitality that even Anthony felt jealous. It contained no concepts or characteristics related to 'death' or 'aging', and was exceptionally powerful.

At this moment, Li Mochen also withdrew the black-and-white beam he had cast, then asked with a smile: "Are you satisfied, Professor Estatin?"

"It makes me feel like an infant, pure and full of life."

Estatin sensed himself briefly, then inquired: "But you haven't finished yet. What about my physical body, Andre? You wouldn't have me reincarnate or possess someone, would you? Neither path is easy. Also, I sense that my soul is broken, incomplete. In its current state, I'm afraid I can't last more than ten days; after ten days, I will experience another dissolution."

His physical body had 'died', and even if it were preserved now, it was no longer suitable for him—it was already a mass of protein unrelated to him.

Thus, although this soul was young, it was water without a source, a tree without roots.

During his rebirth, Li Mochen had completely preserved his powerful soul. But this also cut off his future path—no newborn infant could bear his current soul, not even those born in the chaotic era.

And if he were to possess someone, the compatibility of the soul would be a great problem and hidden danger. If he were willing to take that path, why would he have painstakingly laid plans to seek rebirth?

As for the soul's brokenness, the reason was simpler: he had not undergone a complete rebirth and lacked certain necessary qualities.

"That will have to be obtained in the next step of the plan, which is why I called Anthony here, Professor Estatin."

A strange light flickered in Li Mochen's eyes as he produced an ice coffin.

Inside lay Estatin in his living state.

Estatin recognized it as a clone cultivated by Li Mochen from his own flesh and blood.

But Li Mochen had used some means to create a close connection between his soul and this 'former life' clone—yet it was still not his physical body and could not solve his problem.

"Next, we need to perform another sacrifice, and the offering is this—"

Li Mochen waved his sleeve slightly, projecting a figure before them using magic.

He would not speak this person's name at this time; as a major deity, the latter would monitor any conversation in the material plane that uttered his name.

Even the location of their conversation, if not in this isolated underworld, would also be sensed by that person.

Anthony's pupils contracted sharply, a look of shock and disbelief flashing across his face, and then he laughed: "What a crazy and bold idea, but I like it. The problem now is, how do we lure him here?"

"I've been setting it up for days. According to Professor Estatin's original plan, he needed to place seven holy relics in this world to help him complete the rebirth ritual and keep his soul pure during the process. Now, the locations of these seven holy relics have been leaked to that prince. But in this battle, we must not only achieve deicide but also deceive all the gods in the process. Angela will help us, but we have to be fast."

Estatin seemed to understand: "Deceive all the gods? A-Mo, do you mean?"

"Completely and fully replace him! With your ability, Professor Estatin, as long as you want, you can deceive any god. And Truth—"

Li Mochen looked at Estatin: "That should be the authority you desire, right, Professor Estatin? I wonder if my plan meets your requirements?"

Estatin took a deep breath, calming the turmoil deep within his soul.

"It exceeds my expectations, A-Mo! This is indeed worth an eternal covenant of vassalage. If you can truly accomplish it, I will serve you as my sovereign deity. The domains of Truth and Law will be your eternal support."

Yet his voice also carried a hint of doubt: "But I think, if you must deceive all the gods, we still need to find helpers. The four of us alone are not enough to kill his true body."

"No need to worry about that! I am confident I can kill him now!"

As Li Mochen spoke, he sensed his 'Divine Fortune Purple Gold Tower' and the two million three hundred thousand strands of merit light atop it. His expression also held unprecedented confidence: "Since it's a secret, the fewer people who know, the better. What you do next, Professor Estatin, is crucial to our success or failure. We cannot allow any possibility of you being exposed."

...

Three hours later, in a sea area deep in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.

Li Mochen and Angela sat opposite each other on the same boat.

It must be noted that the 'boat' they were riding was actually flying in the air. Li Mochen had used part of the 'Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Pith Shuttle' blueprints obtained from the East, combined with Western runeology and technology, spending nearly 2.7 billion golden shields to build this airship, named 'Elena'.

Its capabilities were roughly equivalent to an eighth-level magic tower, though far inferior to 'Fate's Domain', it had the advantage of speed. From Pittsburgh to the central Pacific, it took less than three minutes. Additionally, it had strong impact resistance and could adapt to various harsh environments, even traveling through the earth's core.

Its name was chosen by Angela to commemorate Li Mochen's mother—though the latter didn't really care.

"Dual major divine domains?"

Inside the airship, when Li Mochen withdrew his hand from Angela's chest, his expression was very strange. He looked at Angela with a peculiar gaze.

"It seems fine for now, but you need to maintain a balance between these two powers as much as possible."

At this moment, Angela possessed the divine domain of 'Dreams' at divine rank 10, 'Creation' at rank 5, 'Illusion' at rank 8, 'Wish' at rank 9, 'Death' at rank 5, and 'Soul Mastery' at rank 8.

What amazed Li Mochen was that both 'Dreams' and 'Soul Mastery' were now Angela's primary divine domains!

This should be Michelle's gift; before the event, she had completely given her own essence to Angela, causing everything about herself to vanish entirely from this world.

Although this was a very sad thing, it indeed brought Angela great benefits. In the future, Angela only needed to pay attention to balancing the two primary divine domains and maintaining the coexistence of the two essences.

This was not a difficult task, far easier than the process of cultivating the Dual Element Profound Transformation Method.

"So that's how it is!"

Angela's eyes showed relief, but her mood was even darker, utterly unable to cheer up.

"So, my father really left me no chance. He no longer wants to exist in a world where I, Angela, am present, right?"

Li Mochen smiled bitterly: "Angie—"

"I know! I know."

Angela didn't wait for Li Mochen to finish; she shook her head slightly: "I know my thoughts are very negative. I'll adjust my mindset, A-Mo. Give me some time."

"I think you'd be better off spending your time on other things instead of dwelling on such thoughts."

As Li Mochen spoke, he waved his sleeve and summoned a large pile of magical texts to their side. They were about two feet thick each, roughly over two hundred volumes.

"These were specially selected for you by Professor Estatin. They can deepen your understanding of death, soul, dreams, and illusion magic. I guarantee you haven't seen them before; about 75% come from outer realms. Our Professor Estatin has dedicated channels in the outer realms to collect these precious knowledge."

Estatin had already fully opened the library of the 'Supreme Truth' magic tower to him, and now there were even fewer restrictions. His only requirement was to return them on time and not damage them.

Angela, however, looked listlessly at these books. In the past, encountering such new knowledge would have excited her to roll around in bed and then stay up late reading until she understood and memorized them.

But now, Angela couldn't muster any interest—

Yet after a second, Angela still put all the books back into her magic pocket.

"I will read them!"

She knew what Li Mochen meant: immersing herself in reading might help her forget the pain. It would also benefit her, allowing her to go further on the path of divinity.

Angela indeed needed to strengthen her understanding of death and soul. Relying solely on the mythical artifact left by Michelle, which she had named 'Crown of Sorrow', would not help her hold the throne of the King of the Underworld.

Just then, Li Mochen's expression shifted slightly, and he suddenly looked sideways into the depths of the void.

"See it, Anthony?"

"Of course!"

Anthony's voice sounded in Li Mochen's ear: "Now it's up to Angela. He not only has the divine authority of Truth but also the divine eye that pierces 'Reality'."

At this moment, Angela also roused her spirits and began to施展 her expertise in illusion magic.

Li Mochen, with cold eyes, summoned the 'Longinus Holy Spear' and 'Fate Sword' before him, strengthening his control over fate and time.

"By the name of the Lord of Fate, I command that Angela's illusion today shall not be seen through!"

At that moment, the 'Divine Fortune Purple Gold Tower' directly collapsed and dissipated nearly 120,000 strands of multicolored light.

Li Mochen immediately followed with a second command to 'Fate'.

"By the name of the Lord of Fate, I command that this area within a thousand kilometers in diameter be forbidden ground! Except for the four of us, no mortal or god shall see, perceive, or know—"

Just then, a male figure in golden armor appeared on the sea surface they were watching. He first looked around cautiously, and after detecting nothing unusual, he reached out and pulled at a huge stone coffin located 23,000 meters deep on the seabed, slowly rising from the center of a massive magical array.

But just as the stone coffin rose to less than 17,000 meters from the sea surface, a spatial gate appeared on the sea surface, and Estatin's figure appeared before the 'God of Truth, Justice, and Law', Vansetti.

The 'Lord of Truth' was visibly shocked and furious. He unhesitatingly cast a forbidden spell at the opposing deity, who showed a hint of smugness, unsurprised by Estatin's arrival.

This deity did not engage Estatin head-on; he fought guerrilla-style while continuing to pull the stone coffin upward. But the combat power of 'Lord of Truth' Bessel Estatin was unexpectedly strong. As the battle continued, the 'God of Truth, Justice, and Law' had to invest more and more power into this place.

"Isn't it ridiculous? He even diverts power to seal off time and space and spiritual perception. He's afraid of being discovered by us, afraid of our reinforcements. That old man Estatin is really cunning. For three whole hours, he patiently played along, gradually drawing out this god's power."

Anthony sneered, then suddenly his voice turned serious: "The time is right, A-Mo!"

Indeed, the time had come! Li Mochen also sensed that the main body of the 'God of Truth, Justice, and Law', Vansetti, had fully descended into this prime material plane, risking the blow of the 'Treaty of Separation of Gods and Men', to resist the pressure Estatin exerted.

The next moment, the 'Longinus Holy Spear' beside Li Mochen shot out like a beam of light, flying toward the deity two hundred kilometers away.

"I command!"

Li Mochen's expression was cold and majestic: "The 'God of Truth, Justice, and Law', Vansetti, shall surely fall here!"

At this moment, he once again experienced the power of a major deity! Even such a wish with ample room for maneuver caused nearly two million strands of merit on the 'Divine Fortune Purple Gold Tower' to dissipate by ninety percent!

But it was worth it. The 'Longinus Holy Spear' turned into a blazing white beam, piercing Vansetti's body in one strike, severely wounding his divinity and soul.

Immediately after, Anthony Braden's Type II 'Mechanical God' rose abruptly from the sea under the cover of Angela's illusion. His mountain-like giant fist directly smashed the remaining body of Vansetti into a state of dust particles!

Across from them, Estatin's eyes showed ecstasy. He knew that Li Mochen's plan was already eighty percent successful. The rest depended on him—whether he could seize and replace Vansetti's consciousness and divine domains.