Chapter 417: Killing One Thousand, Losing Eight Hundred
Uchiha Dali instantly recognized the technique those elite members of the Ōtsutsuki clan were using at that very moment.
It was the same power Àoshiki had once displayed — the Divine Art: Heaven-Defying Form.
Although the enhancement it brought was only temporary, this technique could allow them to infinitely absorb their own replicated clones, causing their strength to skyrocket to terrifying levels.
By using this method, they could go all out in a desperate battle, unleashing an unbelievably powerful force.
"Things aren't looking too good…"
After a brief moment of surprise, Uchiha Dali still wore that amused, mocking smile on his face — one that didn't quite match the words he had just spoken.
Sure enough, as soon as his voice fell, his own replicated clones also began merging with one another.
At their level, there was nothing they couldn't do.
After all, they were beings who had already mastered the Power of Rules — though to varying degrees and strengths.
As Uchiha Dali's clones began to adapt and respond, the Ōtsutsuki elites' clones also underwent further transformations.
They split off even more replicas — from hundreds, to thousands, then tens of thousands — densely filling the entire sky, an endless sea of figures as if infinite.
And those newly divided clones were rapidly absorbed by their original bodies, drastically boosting their power even further.
In the void, Ōtsutsuki Shibai watched the scene unfold and couldn't help but shake his head with a sigh. "Their talent isn't bad… it's just a pity they waste it on the wrong things."
"Besides, these fools don't even realize the fatal flaw of that technique… heh."
"Self-destruction. Even gods can't save them."
Murmuring his commentary to himself, he continued watching the spectacle with interest.
At this point, both Uchiha Dali's clones and the Ōtsutsuki elites were still constantly devouring their own replicas to amplify their power.
Of course, Uchiha Dali's true body didn't participate in such an act.
Meanwhile, the Ōtsutsuki King and Ōtsutsuki Aoshe were still undergoing their evolution.
An immensely powerful barrier — nearly an absolute defense — surrounded them, protecting them from all harm. Attempting a sneak attack now was impossible.
Even Uchiha Dali didn't make a move at this moment.
After some time, the hundreds of Ōtsutsuki elites who had been devouring their clones began to slow down.
It seemed they had reached their limit.
Noticing this, Uchiha Dali gave a playful smile. "What's wrong? Can't eat anymore? Or did you crash and go into a death loop?"
Hearing that, the faces of all the Ōtsutsuki elites darkened — because he was absolutely right. They had hit a wall.
The first problem was that they suddenly couldn't split off any more clones — something that had never happened before.
The second was that they could no longer absorb additional energy — at least not from their own clones.
These Ōtsutsuki elites weren't stupid; they quickly understood where the problem lay.
"Even though our clones aren't created by actual cell division but summoned from the void through unknown means, there's still an upper limit."
"And the energy our bodies can hold — energy borrowed temporarily from other dimensions — also has a cap. So we can't keep increasing our power this way anymore…"
"In that case, we'll just have to fight him as we are! Either he dies today, or we do!"
"Together! It's him or us!"
"…"
With their battle cries echoing through the void, hundreds of Ōtsutsuki elites charged straight at Uchiha Dali.
The sight was indeed quite impressive.
However, Uchiha Dali remained completely composed, not even bothering to attack — because there was no need.
His numerous clones still waited above the void, naturally taking on the task of intercepting the enemy.
In no time, both sides were locked in fierce combat.
One had to admit, after activating Heaven-Defying Form, the Ōtsutsuki elites' strength had increased dramatically.
They could actually fight Uchiha Dali's clones evenly — a far cry from being instantly crushed like before.
Not only that, Uchiha Dali could clearly feel that each time his clones clashed head-on with them, their energy dropped noticeably.
That meant the enemies' attacks dealt real damage — impossible to block or erase — and could only be neutralized by consuming "lifespan."
"Interesting."
Uchiha Dali's gaze burned intensely as he studied them closely.
He wanted to understand exactly what had changed within them to grant such a massive power boost.
After a moment of observation, Uchiha Dali finally caught on.
Those hundreds of Ōtsutsuki elites were literally burning their own life force and souls.
They had fused their chakra with their life energy and soul, forming a new, triune power — and it was this fusion that allowed their attacks to inflict true damage.
However, while true damage was powerful, this method consumed not only their chakra but also their very life force and souls.
Inside their bodies, their cells were rapidly dying.
Although their cells could regenerate, the rate of death far outpaced the rate of regeneration.
At this pace, even if they managed to defeat his clones, they themselves would be finished.
"So it's a suicidal fighting style… no wonder it deals true damage."
Uchiha Dali looked indifferent, curling his lips in disinterest.
A technique that killed one thousand enemies but cost eight hundred of your own — it was no different from mutual destruction.
He didn't need such power.
However, just because Uchiha Dali had no interest didn't mean he couldn't learn it.
After all, he possessed that terrifying passive gift — Heaven-Defying Comprehension.
As long as he witnessed a technique, he would inevitably learn it, regardless of his own will.
At that moment, just as he was about to avert his gaze, a notification sound suddenly echoed in his mind.