bookbashuk Page 158
Page 158
Wayne Tower, once a symbol of light and order in Gotham City, now stands silently in the city center like a black behemoth, exuding a chilling and oppressive atmosphere.
On its top floor, in the luxurious banquet hall that Lin Tian had transformed into the "Demon King's Palace," the lights were already on, like the blood-red eyes of a giant beast opening, coldly watching the city below that was about to be drawn into the vortex of fate.
Unlike villains in movies who deliberately create a sinister or terrifying atmosphere, Lin Tian didn't. Instead, the banquet hall was brightly lit, with melodious classical music flowing gently through the air. Long tables were laden with top-quality wines and delicacies from around the world, emitting enticing aromas. Well-dressed, smiling robot waiters moved around the tables serving customers.
Everything looked like a truly elegant and luxurious aristocratic dinner.
However, beneath this seemingly "normal" facade lurked a suffocating murderous intent and...endless humiliation. Because, apart from the menacing throne made of an unknown black metal belonging to Lin Tian at the head of the banquet hall, there were...no other seats set up.
This meant that the upcoming "guests"—the heroes of the Justice League—would have to attend this "friendly" banquet standing or kneeling. It was blatant contempt and humiliation. Lin Tian, on the other hand, wore a black silk robe embroidered with dark gold dragon patterns, and leaned lazily against the enormous throne like a true ancient emperor.
To his left was Wanda Maximoff, with fiery red hair, icy eyes, and powerful chaotic energy surrounding her. To his right was Jean Grey, also with red hair, golden phoenix eyes filled with holiness and majesty, and faintly visible seven-colored wings behind her.
Standing on either side of his throne and below him were: Gwen Stacy, the "Spider Queen," clad in a purple-black symbiote suit, exuding an eerie allure and a murderous aura; and Catelyn Snow, the "Frost Queen," with long, silver-white hair, a cold and noble demeanor, and an aura of absolute zero.
Mystique, dressed in a tight black leather outfit, has a hot figure and her golden vertical pupils are full of cunning and seduction.
And the two "Wonder Woman" Diana Prince, who also wore red, blue and gold armor and looked almost identical, but had slightly different temperaments because they came from different universes.
Of course, there are also Selena and Harley Quinn, two "Gotham specialty" beauties. Although they are slightly weaker, they have successfully secured a place in Lin Tian's "harem" with their unique "charm" and "functionality". At this moment, they are serving Lin Tian tea and wine, massaging his legs and legs with a look of worship and fervor, showing their humility and flattery.
As for Pietro, Vision, and the Reverse-Flash puppet Elberd, they stood like the most loyal guards, expressionless, protecting every corner of the banquet hall, exuding a chillingly powerful aura. It could be said that Lin Tian had laid out almost all of his capable and impressive "assets" here... He wanted to use this method to demonstrate his overwhelming strength and... imperial-like "entourage" to the arriving "guests," so that the moment they stepped into the banquet hall, they would completely lose all courage and hope of resistance.
The final tranquility flowed slowly amidst the melodious music and the queens' imposing beauty.
Lin Tian picked up the glass of ancient wine from Paradise Island, which DCEU Diana had personally poured for him, took a small sip, and showed an expression of enjoyment on his face.
He was waiting, waiting for those "brave" heroes to step into the "judgment ground" he had carefully prepared.
Below Wayne Tower, the square that once symbolized prosperity and order was now shrouded in a somber and tragic atmosphere.
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter… the core members of the Justice League,
And all the reinforcements they brought—including dozens of valiant Amazonian female warriors, hundreds of Atlantean elite guards wielding tridents and clad in blue scale armor, and even several mages dressed in strange costumes and exuding a mysterious aura—had already assembled.
They stared at Wayne Tower, a building that resembled a den of demons, exuding an ominous aura. Each face was filled with solemnity, resolve, and… a barely concealed fear. They knew that tonight's battle would be the most difficult and dangerous of their lives!
Their opponents are Lin Tian, who is as unfathomable as a god or demon, and his equally terrifying "Queen Legion"!
The odds of winning are... extremely slim! But they have no other choice!
For the future of the Earth! To protect the innocent! They must... fight back.
"Are you all ready?" Batman looked at his teammates, his voice hoarse but unusually firm. He had already disregarded his own life.
Tonight, he will burn everything he has, just to inflict even the slightest harm on that demon king!
"Anytime!" Superman clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming with the final light of a god among men. He was prepared to sacrifice himself!
"For justice!" Diana raised the sword of Vulcan high, and all the Amazon warriors behind her roared in unison, their fighting spirit soaring to the heavens.
"Go!" With Batman's command, the heroes of the Justice League, along with all their reinforcements, like heroic warriors going against the current, resolutely launched their final assault on the "Demon King's Palace" atop Wayne Tower, a place filled with unknowns and dangers.
The final tranquility has been utterly shattered. An ultimate storm that will determine the fate of the world is about to erupt in its most devastating form.
Lin Tian, holding his wine glass, wore a cold yet pleased smile, as if he were looking at a group of ants about to be crushed.
The show is finally about to begin.
The luxurious banquet hall on the top floor of Wayne Tower was instantly filled with an atmosphere of tragedy, determination, and intense killing intent upon the arrival of the Justice League heroes!
When Superman Clark Kent was the first to burst through the door, leading the heroes and reinforcements behind him like a tidal wave into the dimly lit, eerie hall, the first thing they saw was that figure sitting high on a ferocious throne like a god or demon—Lin Tian!
He maintained his languid yet authoritative demeanor, a playful smile playing on his lips, his deep eyes calmly observing these "uninvited guests" as if looking down at ants.
On either side of his throne and below him stood a dozen stunning queens, each with a distinct style but all exuding a terrifying aura—Wanda, Jean, Gwen, Mystra, the two Dianas, Selena, Harley, and Catelyn—who stared at them with icy eyes like the most loyal guardians, as if ready to pounce and tear them to shreds at any moment!
The sheer scale and aura of that opening scene alone was enough to instill in the previously menacing Justice League heroes an unprecedented and immense pressure! It was as if they were facing not an enemy, but a… true legion of gods and demons!
"Welcome everyone." Lin Tian's voice rang out, breaking the deathly silence.
His voice remained gentle, yet carried a chilling air of authority. "It seems my 'invitation' carries considerable weight. Are all the distinguished guests present?"
His gaze, almost tangible, swept over every hero present, as if he were counting the "offerings" about to be served at the dinner table.
"Lin Tian!!!" Superman Clark Kent could no longer contain his rage! He stepped forward, glaring at Lin Tian on the throne, his eyes burning with fury! "Put away your hypocritical pleasantries! We're here today not to attend this ridiculous banquet, but to... stop you! To bring you, this world-worshipping demon king, to justice!!!"
Backup group ①⑦⑨⑥0③7⑨②
Chapter 141: The Demon King's Feast, the Hero's "Judgment"
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"Stop me? Bring them to justice?" Lin Tian raised an eyebrow, a look of "curiosity" on his face. "You pathetic wretches... who can't even control your own destiny?"
"Whatever your goal is!" Wonder Woman Diana drew her Vulcan sword, pointing it at Lin Tian and shouting, "As long as it harms this world and innocent lives, we, the Justice League, will never stand idly by!!!" Her eyes were resolute, filled with the pride and indomitable spirit of an Amazonian princess!
“Well said, Diana!” The Flash, Barry Allen, stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Superman and Diana! His body crackled with electricity! “We will not let you succeed!!!”
Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Aquaman Arthur Curry, Martian Manhunter Ron Jungs, and other heroes, along with the Amazonian warriors and Atlantean guards behind them, all drew their weapons! Powerful energy surges emanated from their bodies! They were ready for battle at any moment!!!
Only Batman, Bruce Wayne, remained at the very back, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Tian and the women around him, carefully observing their subtle expressions and energy fluctuations, trying to find any possible flaws or opportunities.
He knew! A head-on confrontation today would be certain death! His only chance of victory lay in… surprise! Catching him off guard! Finding Lin Tian's true weakness! And then… delivering a fatal blow!!!
"Heh... What a touching 'declaration of justice'." Lin Tian looked down at the indignant heroes below, who were on high alert, and couldn't help but chuckle, his voice full of mockery and disdain.
"Unfortunately..." His gaze suddenly turned cold! A terrifying pressure erupted from him instantly! Like a tangible tsunami! It pressed down heavily on the Justice League members!
"In front of me!"
"Your so-called 'justice' and 'power'!"
"fundamental!"
"Worthless!!!"
Buzz——!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heroes of the Justice League! Faced with this terrifying pressure, as vast and overwhelming as the might of heaven! They instantly felt as if they had been smashed down by an invisible mountain! Their bodies trembled violently and uncontrollably!
The Flash and Green Lantern, who were slightly weaker, even had their legs buckle and almost collapsed to their knees on the spot!
Even top-tier powerhouses like Superman and Diana felt difficulty breathing! The circulation of energy within their bodies became extremely sluggish!!! It was as if they were completely imprisoned!!!
What...what kind of power is this?! Just the sheer force of its aura?! And it's enough to render these battle-hardened superheroes powerless to resist?!
Fear!!! Unprecedented fear!!! It instantly gripped the hearts of all the heroes!!!
They finally understood! Just how enormous was the gap in strength between themselves and Lin Tian!
This isn't even a battle from another dimension!!! All their preparations! All their plans! All their courage!
Compared to this man, everyone else seemed so ridiculous, so pale and powerless!
"Now..." Lin Tian looked down at the "heroes" below, their faces pale with fear and their bodies trembling. A demonic smile spread across his face, radiating a sense of control and pleasure. "Can we... properly... begin this... 'judgment' now?"
He stretched out his hand and pointed lightly at the empty area in the center of the banquet hall.
Boom! ! !
The ground suddenly cracked open! And rose a gigantic amphitheater made of an unknown black metal!
All around the arena! A ghostly blue flame burned! It exuded a chilling aura!
Above the arena, several enormous holographic screens were hanging! And on these screens, they were playing… the “dark history” of the Justice League members?!
For example! Superman, unable to perfectly control his powers, might accidentally injure civilians or destroy cities during battle?!
For example! Batman, due to excessive paranoia and distrust, harms his companions! He even creates dangerous weapons?!
For example! Scenes where Wonder Woman makes some ridiculous mistakes because of her "ignorance" and "naivety" about the human world!
For example! The Flash, by abusing the Speed Force, caused a time paradox, nearly destroying the world!
For example! Green Lantern's inner fear prevents him from unleashing the ring's true power! There are even scenes where he malfunctions at crucial moments!
Even more! There are some even more private! Even more scandalous… “scandals” about their personal lives or romantic entanglements?!
These images! Like the sharpest daggers! Pierced deep into the deepest pain and darkest corners of the hearts of every hero present!
Let them feel that all their pretense, all their pride, has been utterly ripped apart in this moment, exposed to the sunlight!
"No!!! This isn't real!!!" Superman roared in anguish as he looked at the innocent casualties on the screen caused by his actions.
"Stop!!! Stop it now!!!" Diana looked at the mistakes she had made because of her "naivety" and was filled with shame!
"You monster!!! What are you trying to do?!" Batman stared at his "secret plans" and "dark methods" that had been made public! His eyes were filled with unprecedented rage and murderous intent!
The heroes of the Justice League! Seeing those images on the screen that filled them with shame, anger, and even despair! They completely broke down!!!
Their conviction! Their will! Their pride as heroes!!!
Faced with Lin Tian's utterly devastating "judgment," everything crumbled!
Lin Tian, on the other hand, sat high on the throne, like a true demon king!
He coldly observed the faces of those "heroes" below, contorted with pain and despair! A cruel, gleaming smile of immense pleasure spread across his face!
What he wanted was not just to defeat them! He wanted to... utterly destroy their spirits!!!
Let them understand!!! Who!!! Is the true master of this world!!!
Lin Tian's "trial," which resembled a public execution, continued to fester in the banquet hall on the top floor of Wayne Tower, like the most vicious curse. On the huge holographic screen, carefully "processed" and "artistically treated" "dark histories" and "private scandals" about the Justice League heroes were continuously played.
Every scene, every video clip, is like a poisoned blade, precisely cutting into the already wounded hearts of the heroes, exposing their deepest darkness, vulnerability, and wretchedness to everyone, including their teammates, their enemies, and even... themselves.
Clark Kent, the superhero once seen as a beacon of hope by countless people, now angrily covered his eyes, unwilling to watch the innocent casualties and urban destruction caused by his "mistakes" or "incompetence" on the screen. He had always believed himself to be the embodiment of justice, the guardian of the Earth, but Lin Tian had shown him in the cruelest way that his power could also bring destruction and disaster! His "good intentions" could sometimes cause consequences more terrible than evil! This immense shock and self-denial caused his heart, once as warm as the sun, to feel cold and despair for the first time.
Batman, Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight known for his intelligence and willpower, showed a rare, barely concealed shock and…a hint of panic on his perpetually icy face when his secret plans and "contingency plans" hidden deep within the Batcave, targeting all superpowered individuals, were exposed. He had always considered himself a solitary guardian walking in the shadows, a fanatical maniac willing to pay any price for "absolute safety." But when these plans, filled with suspicion, distrust, and even what could be called "betrayal," were laid bare before everyone, he realized that he, too, seemed to be… just a pathetic creature driven by fear and paranoia? A hypocrite waving the banner of "justice" while actually practicing "control"?
Wonder Woman Diana, upon witnessing the ridiculous mistakes she made due to her "ignorance" and "naivety" about the human world, and the "scandalous news" about her "ambiguous" relationship with Steve Trevor that Lin Tian deliberately amplified, shattered her pride as an Amazonian princess and the dignity of a descendant of gods! She had always believed herself to be the goddess of wisdom and war, a bridge connecting the divine realm and the human world. But now, it seemed she was merely... an ignorant, even somewhat foolish and ridiculous "decorative vase"?
Barry Allen, the Flash, watches as he watches himself on screen, his abusive use of the Speed Force causing him to travel through time in an attempt to change the past, only to trigger more time paradoxes and disasters. His once sunny and optimistic heart is instantly overwhelmed by endless self-blame and fear! He always believed he could use his speed to make up for all regrets and avert all tragedies. But now it seems his power… only brings greater chaos and destruction?
When Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, saw his own "dark history" of being unable to unleash the true power of the ring in crucial moments due to his inner fear and lack of confidence, and even almost causing his teammates to sacrifice themselves, his heart, which belonged to the "fearless one," felt shaken and ashamed for the first time!
Aquaman Arthur Curry, Martian Manhunter Ron Jungs... every hero of the Justice League was forced to confront the darkest, most vulnerable, and most unbearable aspects of their own hearts under Lin Tian's meticulously planned "mental attack"!
Their faith collapsed completely at that moment!
The justice, order, and hope they have always upheld appear so hypocritical, so ridiculous, and so easily shattered in the face of this cruel yet undeniable "evidence"!
So it turns out... we so-called "heroes"... are just a group of ordinary people who make mistakes, are weak, and even do evil? Perhaps... even worse than ordinary people?!
A profound sense of loss, frustration, and utter denial of one's own existence spread like the most terrible plague through the hearts of every hero!
"No...stop talking..." The Flash, Barry Allen, was the first to succumb to this extreme mental torment! He clutched his head, collapsed to his knees in agony, and let out a desperate wail! Tears and snot streamed down his face! He was no longer the image of a superhero!
The other heroes were also mostly ashen-faced, their eyes vacant, having completely lost the will to resist and the pride of being heroes.
Only Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are still struggling to hold on with their strong willpower! But the light in their eyes has dimmed considerably! As if it might be extinguished at any moment!
Lin Tian looked down at the dejected "heroes" below, who resembled defeated roosters, completely devoid of spirit! A smile, like that of a demon king, appeared on his face, filled with pleasure and a sense of control!
Excellent! The psychological destruction is essentially complete!
These so-called "embodiments of justice" have, in his presence, completely become a group of... clay figures that can be molded at will!
Next... it's time for... an even more "interesting"... "physical" "gift"!
“I know,” Lin Tian’s voice suddenly became unusually “gentle” and “magnetic,” like a spring breeze brushing over the already cold hearts of every hero, full of “compassion” and “understanding”. “You must be in a lot of pain, confused and desperate.”
“You must be doubting yourselves, denying yourselves, and even… hating your past ‘stupidity’ and ‘naivety’.”
"But that's okay."
Lin Tian slowly rose from the menacing throne and, step by step, like a true god, descended the high steps towards the heroes who were on the verge of collapse.
A peculiar purple-gold light began to emanate from his body, filled with "temptation," "hope," and even a hint of "holiness"!
The light wasn't dazzling, yet it seemed to possess some indescribable magic! It could easily penetrate the defenses of the heart! Soothe all wounds! Ignite the most primal desires!
"I can... help you." Lin Tian's voice, like a proclamation from heaven, possessed a captivating power! It clearly reached the ears of every hero!
"I can... grant you... entirely new power!"
"A... ultimate power that can free you from all pain and confusion! A power that can truly empower you to take control of your destiny! Even... a power that can allow you to surpass all your past limits!!!"
"A force of absolute freedom... no longer bound by hypocritical morality and ridiculous rules! A force that obeys only the truest desires of the heart!!!"
"As long as..." Lin Tian walked up to Superman, who was swaying slightly due to the huge shock to his mind, stretched out his hand, and stared deeply into him with his purple-gold eyes that seemed to contain the secrets of the entire universe!
His eyes were filled with a burning light, as if he were looking at the most perfect "work of art," and... a hint of undeniable possessiveness!
"As long as you... are willing... to completely abandon those ridiculous 'beliefs' of the past..."
"As long as you... are willing... to give your bodies, your souls, everything you have..."