Purgatory Artist
Chapter 561: Manifestation

Chapter 561: Manifestation

Night.

Silence.

Liu Ping paced around the room.

The monsters seemed formidable—even the Omniscient and Omnipotent Lord had resorted to faking his death. Yet Liu Ping hadn’t truly faced them in combat.

Not having fought them left him itching for a confrontation—even if he stood no chance.

He still didn’t know where these monsters ranked in the Nightmare World’s hierarchy, nor the structure of their civilization and society.

Stopping by the window, he gazed out at the dark city.

This was his first real infiltration into the monsters’ world.

There were countless secrets to uncover, many things to do—

But one pressing matter loomed:

He still didn’t know what "Manifestation" actually was.

His classmates who might have known were all dead.

Before tomorrow arrived, he had to figure it out.

Liu Ping turned to the door.

It was shut.

So was the window.

But that didn’t matter.

He walked to the window and quietly unlatched it.

Instantly, lines of fiery text appeared in the void:

[You have activated ’Special Effects Artist,’ infusing it with ’Deception’ to make the window appear closed.]

[You have enveloped yourself in ’Special Effects Artist,’ blending seamlessly into the environment.]

Liu Ping glanced at the text, then leaped out the window, landing softly in the yard.

The yard was meticulously arranged with lawns, trees, fences, and even a few dogs—mimicking human habits perfectly.

No one was around.

Looking back, he saw the villa’s front door slightly ajar, voices drifting out.

"If he fails to Manifest, remember my share."

"Relax, everything’s by the rules. His arm is yours."

"Good. I’ll take my leave then."

The door opened.

The bespectacled teacher from school stepped out.

"Father" and "Mother" followed, whispering:

"How are the arrangements for tomorrow?"

"Don’t worry. We’re working through the night to ensure the Manifestation goes smoothly," the teacher said.

"See you tomorrow."

"Yes, it should be done by morning. See you then."

The teacher left without a backward glance.

The "parents" stood on the porch, watching him go.

Seizing the moment, Liu Ping slipped past them into the house, hiding in the kitchen.

They’re discussing how to divide me.

That’s if I fail to Manifest.

But what if I succeed?

Curious, Liu Ping remained still, waiting.

The door finally closed.

"Father" headed to the study, while "Mother" entered the kitchen, washing fruits—apples, cherries, strawberries, oranges—presumably for breakfast.

Once done, she dissolved into gray mist and vanished.

Liu Ping was momentarily baffled but quickly understood.

With "0880" asleep, the charade was over. The monster no longer needed to maintain its disguise.

What about "Father"?

Liu Ping crept to the study door, listening intently.

Faint, rhythmic tapping mingled with barely audible whimpers—

Souls.

Those whimpers belonged to tormented souls.

Without hesitation, Liu Ping activated "Special Effects Artist," cloaking himself in "Mother’s" appearance, and pushed the door open.

The sounds ceased.

The desk was littered with fused skulls, each being meticulously engraved with sinister runes by "Father’s" blurring hands.

The skulls emitted intermittent wails—human souls in agony.

"What is it?" "Father" asked without looking up.

Liu Ping adopted "Mother’s" cold demeanor.

"I didn’t expect a grade-wide top scorer. I’m impatient for tomorrow."

His voice, enhanced by effects, perfectly mimicked hers.

"Father," still engrossed in his work, replied absently:

"Neither did I. If he fails to Manifest, we’ll eat him. Top-grade flesh should be exquisite."

"If he succeeds, we’ll glean some power of the ’Omniscient and Omnipotent Lord.’ That’ll help us conquer the Divine Kingdom and earn greater rewards."

So that’s it.

As the old man had said, once these monsters understood a power, they became invincible against it.

But!

Despite possessing God’s corpse, they couldn’t decipher His power!

Of course.

That crafty old man had faked his death at the first sign of trouble, leaving a trickster to deal with the enemy.

Would he let these monsters acquire his power and drag him out of hiding?

No.

He’d only let the trickster inherit it!

Hence, the monsters had to cultivate humans as vessels to manifest sacred power, then dissect it from them.

Liu Ping probed further, deliberately trailing off:

"Then 0880—"

"Father" paused, admiring his freshly carved rune before answering:

"It depends on what power he awakens. If we can decipher it immediately, he’s worthless. If it’s incomprehensible, we’ll nurture him longer."

"Makes sense," Liu Ping said coolly.

He nodded and exited, closing the door behind him.

Outside, he added in "Mother’s" tone:

"You’re too loud. Keep it down."

"Father," absorbed in his work, barely registered the comment. Still, he waved a hand, soundproofing the room.

Good.

Liu Ping strode to the living room—

Just as space rippled beside him.

"Mother" materialized.

She eyed him suspiciously. "Weren’t you going to the study? Why are you out here?"

In a flash, Liu Ping shifted his disguise to "Father," sitting on the couch.

"Thinking about tomorrow," he said gruffly.

"It’s all arranged, isn’t it?" "Mother" sat opposite him.

"If 0880 fails, we eat him. Top-grade flesh should be exquisite," Liu Ping echoed "Father’s" earlier words.

"And if he succeeds?"

"We’ll gain insights into the ’Omniscient and Omnipotent Lord’s’ power, aiding our conquest of the Divine Kingdom. Greater rewards await."

"Mother" nodded, finding no flaw in the response.

Seizing the moment, Liu Ping sighed.

"One thing worries me."

"What?"

"If he manifests something we can’t decipher, we’ll have to keep nurturing him."

"Mother" smiled. "We’re of the same mind. That’s why I visited the Estate earlier."

"The Estate?" Liu Ping feigned ignorance.

"Normally, we Cultivators aren’t permitted there. But given 0880’s impending Manifestation, they allowed me to register him," she said proudly.

Liu Ping tread carefully. "Smooth process?"

"Yes. If his power is indeed inscrutable, the Estate will take him for advanced cultivation."

Makes sense.

No Manifestation? Death.

Successful Manifestation but decipherable power? Death.

Successful Manifestation but incomprehensible? Sold to the Estate as a "premium fruit"—delayed death.

Tsk.

Every path led to demise.

Liu Ping considered pressing further but decided against it. He’d already gleaned critical intel, and over-questioning risked exposure.

He stood abruptly. "Back to the study."

"I have matters to attend to as well. See you tomorrow."

"Mother" picked up a few bone accessories, primped before the mirror, then dissolved into mist.

Alone in the living room, Liu Ping maintained his disguise until reaching the study door. There, he projected an illusion of entering while stealthily retreating to the yard.

A quick leap later, he was back in his room, window securely relatched.

Done.

Now, sleep.

Though at a time like this, cultivation seemed more prudent than rest.

Liu Ping sat cross-legged on the bed, steadying his Chaotic Star Realm power as he awaited dawn.

(TN: is he Loki? Damn...)