MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 239
Chapter 239: The Dream Source's Revelation
"However, I prefer to call it the transformation stage," the Dream Source's deep voice resonated within the confines of the laboratory.
The massive eye blinked, its gaze seemingly piercing through the walls, observing the world outside. Even trapped within the research institute, the Dream Source possessed the ability to perceive events unfolding across vast distances.
It could clearly sense hundreds of thousands of infectious sources, varying in size, scattered throughout the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Tens of thousands of those infected had already reached the fourth stage, on the verge of giving birth to Dream Beasts.
Yes, Dream Beasts.
That was the name the Dream Source had bestowed upon its progeny.
"I was discussing the four stages of the infected individuals," the Dream Source continued, its voice shifting seamlessly.
"Now, let me elaborate on my own abilities."
"There are only two things you need to remember."
"First, Dream Bestowment. I can grant eternal, blissful dreams to intelligent creatures. In exchange, their bodies become sources of pollution, spreading the Dream Plague. All the members of your Flame Clan now exist within my beautiful dream realm, in a different form..."
"An eternal existence."
The Dream Source turned its gaze towards the entity standing behind it.
It was a blurry, black shadow, its form indistinct and ethereal. It stood unnaturally still, its presence devoid of any discernible substance or features.
The black shadow nodded slightly in response to the Dream Source's words. "And what is the second ability?" it inquired, its voice a soft whisper.
"My second ability is Nightmare Infection," the Dream Source continued, its voice resonating with a chilling power. "With the greenish airflow as the catalyst, it infects all living beings within a vast radius. The infected individuals progress through four stages. Upon reaching the fourth stage, the Transformation Stage, the Dream Beasts, my loyal followers, are born, absorbing everything the infected once possessed."
A hint of fanaticism crept into the Dream Source's voice as it spoke of its creations.
"They're not monsters. They're a new intelligent species! A species with unlimited potential, who revere and worship me as their god!"
"Instead of calling them Dream Beasts, I prefer you to call them the Dream Clan!"
The black shadow nodded once more.
"The Dream Clan are born from nightmares," the Dream Source continued, its voice filled with pride. "They possess the innate ability to traverse dreams and manifest them into reality. They can also merge with their own kind, greatly enhancing their power."
"Therefore, I can confidently say that my Dream Clan is not only a brand new intelligent race, but I have also created an entirely new power system!"
"And I believe," it declared, its voice echoing through the chamber, "that I have already embarked on the path that your Flame Clan so desperately sought..."
The black shadow spoke, its voice a soft whisper. "A path to godhood without ascending the Heaven Ascension Stairs."
"Precisely," the Dream Source affirmed.
A silence descended upon the laboratory.
Then, the Dream Source turned its gaze back to the black shadow. "Have you memorized everything I've told you?"
"I have," the shadow replied.
"Then, I entrust everything here to you," the Dream Source declared.
Faint streaks of light flickered behind the massive eyeball.
The giant eyeball shimmered, becoming translucent and ephemeral until it dissolved into scattered beams of light, vanishing entirely.
Only the black shadow remained, its form twisting and warping until it assumed the appearance of the Dream Source.
In the same deep, resonant voice, it spoke.
"Crimson Queen."
"I'm here," the AI responded promptly.
"How much Dream Plague was left behind?"
"The Source of Dreams took 99% of the stored Dream Plague," the Crimson Queen reported. "Only 1% remains within the research institute."
"Then, open the entrance and release all of it!"
"Understood, Lord Yanxin."
The familiar title startled Yanxin, the newly formed "Dream Source." After a brief pause, it corrected, "From now on, address me as the Dream Source."
"As you wish," the Crimson Queen acknowledged.
With that, a Light Door materialized in the outside world, and a torrent of pale green airflow gushed out, right under Zhuang Zun's watchful eyes. His carefully constructed restrictions were effortlessly shattered, and the Dream Plague surged into the surroundings.
Zhuang Zun's alarm bells rang.
"We can't control this anymore," he declared. "We must enter immediately and see what's inside."
Inside the research institute, having unleashed the remaining Dream Plague, the new "Dream Source" spoke in a low murmur.
"With the remnants of my being," the Dream Source(Lord Yanxin) mused, its voice tinged with a hint of melancholy, "I've exchanged for a dream exclusive to the Flame Clan. Whether it can be realized... I do not know. Whether this deal was a profit or a loss... I cannot say."
With a heavy sigh, the massive eyeball turned its gaze towards the three figures who had entered the research institute - Zhuang Zun and his companions.
"So, the Eternal Clan," it rumbled, its voice echoing ominously. "Let me see how much progress you've made after tens of thousands of years."
Dream Traversal was an incredibly rare and potent movement ability. It allowed its user to shift their position and direction through the dreams of any sleeping being, an effect akin to instantaneous teleportation.
This explained why, when the Dream Beast born within Liu Qingmin activated this ability upon its emergence, even Spirit Realm experts like Quan Chao and Heluo were caught completely off guard.
They could only watch helplessly as the newborn Dream Beast vanished in an instant, its destination unknown.
Just seconds later, the Dream Beast reappeared in a gathering place outside Archean City.
What was once a thriving community of over ten thousand had been transformed into a living nightmare.
Countless third-stage infected individuals writhed in agony, their screams a symphony of torment. Many fourth-stage infected had already succumbed to their nightmares.
Grotesque Dream Beasts of various forms lurked in the shadows, using the nightmares of the third-stage infected as their battleground. They devoured and merged with one another, vying for dominance in a brutal struggle for survival.
In just thirty minutes, the once-vibrant gathering place fell silent, its inhabitants consumed by the Dream Plague.
Three monstrous figures stood at the center of the devastation.
One was a dragon-like creature, over ten meters in length, completely black, with a huge eye on its forehead—this was the Dream Beast born from Liu Qingmin's body.
Another was short and comical in stature, with a humanoid form but dressed in colorful clothes, a clown-like makeup on its face, riding a unicycle, juggling flying knives in its hands.
The last one also had a humanoid appearance, wearing a tight-fitting red cheongsam. She appeared to be a beautiful woman, but she held a red umbrella that concealed her face.
The three victors stood in a triangular formation facing each other. After a long moment, the woman's clear voice emerged from under the umbrella.
"We are all Dream Clan members. Although we can increase our strength by fighting and devouring each other, I prefer expanding our resources rather than infighting."
"While there are still many intelligent beings in Archean City, we can unite to occupy it, feed on their nightmares, and grow stronger."
The clown, chuckling with a sinister laugh, nodded. "I agree. Though this approach is slower, it's sustainable."
The one-eyed black dragon remained silent, its hostility fading.
In truth, the three of them possessed vastly different strengths, and none was confident in emerging as the ultimate victor.
And so, the three Dream Clan members reached an agreement.
End of Chapter 239