Chapter 78: God Of Protection And Battle Buddha Of Golden Enlightenment
[Evangeline added, "And even if they succeed, it's still not guaranteed that their path will be smooth. The formation of a godhead or Buddha core is delicate. One misstep, and all that accumulated energy could be wasted."]
[You glanced toward the rooms where Kyle and Tenzin were in seclusion, your expression hardening. "Let's hope they can pull it off. If they do, then the methods worked. If not… well, we'll have to find another way."]
[Evangeline looked at you curiously, "And if they do succeed? What then?"]
[You smiled slightly, the mood lightening as you turned to her. "If they do, then you're next. But don't worry, I won't let you suffer like Kyle. I'll put you through the meditation method. No way I'm letting you go through the nightmare Kyle endured."]
[Evangeline raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a soft smirk. "Oh? You're going to take it easy on me? I thought you said we'd have to sacrifice for the greater good."]
[You chuckled, leaning closer. "Well, sacrificing others is one thing. But you? I'd rather not have to live in a world without you."]
[She blushed slightly, then teased, "Is that your way of saying you can't live without me?"]
[You grinned, playfully wrapping an arm around her waist. "What can I say? I'm a selfish god."]
[Evangeline leaned into your embrace, her tone softening as she gazed up at you. "Good. Because I wouldn't want to be anywhere but by your side, selfish god or not."]
[The two of you stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the tension of the previous days easing as you shared a rare moment of peace amidst the storm.]
[A year passed quickly, and the experiment bore fruit.]
[Kyle, who had endured the hellish cycle of torture and near-death experiences, emerged from his seclusion stronger, transformed. He had succeeded in forming his godhead.]
[The accumulated energy within him had solidified, and with it, he became the God of Protection—his avatar, Guardian Barrier, had evolved into its Celestial form, gaining the ability to reflect the damage absorbed by his barriers back to his enemies. Kyle's journey had been brutal, but he had finally ascended.]
[Another year passed, and soon it was Tenzin's turn.]
[Emerging from his prolonged seclusion, the old monk had successfully consolidated his energy and formed the core of his soul—a lotus blossoming in the center of his being, marking his transformation into a Battle Buddha of Golden Enlightenment.]
[Unlike many peaceful Buddhas, his path was one of action and strength, wielding his Golden Buddha Celestial avatar with precision and might, akin to a divine warrior. Tenzin had achieved his own enlightenment through sheer perseverance, having spent what felt like eons in the Empty World.]
[It had now been three years since the Outer God's warning, leaving only seven years before the Outer God could fully recover from his injuries.]
[In that time, you hadn't been idle either. While your power level as the God of Invisible Providence hadn't increased, you'd consolidated your foundation, becoming more in tune with the divine power coursing through you.]
[You had accumulated divinity, sharpened your abilities, and adapted to your newfound godhood, ensuring you were ready for the inevitable confrontation.]
[One afternoon, after Tenzin had completed his transformation into a Buddha, you and Evangeline discussed the experiment's success.]
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["It worked," you said, a note of relief in your voice. "Tenzin has proven that the Avatar Meditation Method is effective. That means we have a safe path forward for you."]
[Seated beside you, Evangeline gave a thoughtful smile. "I'm glad the meditation method worked. But more than that, I'm relieved you didn't make me go through what Kyle had to endure."]
[You pulled her closer, wrapping your arm around her. "I wouldn't have let you go through something like that. The meditation method might take longer, but I want you to grow without breaking. You mean too much to me for anything else."]
[She looked up at you, her eyes soft with affection. "I know. And as long as I'm by your side, I can endure anything."]
[You both sat in comfortable silence for a moment, letting the tension of the past few years fade. The battles ahead were inevitable, but this moment was yours.]
[You looked at Evangeline, her resolve clear in her eyes. "Are you ready?" you asked, your voice steady.]
[Evangeline nodded, her determination unwavering. "Yes, I'm ready."]
[With a gentle touch, you placed your hand on her shoulder. Slowly, her eyes fluttered shut as she drifted into a deep sleep.]
[Activating your reality perception distortion, you enveloped her consciousness in the same Empty World where Tenzin had once meditated. This simulated realm would be her trial, a space where she could strengthen her mind and soul.]
[In the Empty World, Evangeline found herself in complete isolation, surrounded by an endless expanse of stillness. The silence was deafening, the loneliness profound.]
[Hunger gnawed at her, thirst clawed at her throat, but her body never weakened. The physical discomfort was there, but it didn't break her—she knew this was part of the test.]
[Evangeline meditated, not for enlightenment like Tenzin had done, but to reconnect with her Winter divinity.]
[She was the former Goddess of Winter, and now she needed to reclaim that power, to accumulate enough energy and comprehension to reform her Winter godhead.]
[As she sat in the silence, memories of Linsley filled her mind. His words, his touch, and the love they shared—these were the anchors that kept her steady.]
[Each time the isolation threatened to swallow her, the thought of him brought her back, grounding her in her purpose.]
[The law of winter became her focus. She delved deep into its essence, understanding the cold, the frost, the stillness, and the unyielding nature of winter itself. Her divinity grew with each passing moment, her connection to her former self strengthening as she built her power.]
[Unlike Tenzin, who had meditated for a million years to achieve his enlightenment, Evangeline's journey was shorter, though no less challenging.]
[She spent two hundred thousand years within the Empty World, slowly accumulating the mental and soul energy needed to restore her Winter divinity.]
[When she finally reached the limit, her eyes opened, and she emerged from her deep meditation.]