"What's the matter? Didn't we agree before that he'd only stop his opponent? Why has it gone this far?" Jeffrey was a little stunned at the side. "This isn't good. I'm afraid Bevis' extreme personality has led to an emotional breakout at rank 6. Quickly, go and stop him! If not, His Highness Leylin…"
Even if the Warlock themselves weren't as strong, metamorphosis to a rank 6 creature was definitely more powerful than that to a rank 5. Jeffrey was worried that Bevis would harm Leylin, which wasn't good for the Warlock Union. After all, Leylin was in the Radiant Moon realm and was one of their executive members.
"That's a rank 6 bloodline growing emotional. I'm afraid it will affect us as well…" Wayde, standing at the other side, grew very worried instead.
"There's no need for that. His Highness Leylin is still there," Offa waved his hands, seemingly very relaxed, "Not only he did see through his opponent's bloodline, he even forced Bevis to fall into his own trap step by step. His Highness Leylin is truly growing more and more amazing… Perhaps he'll give us many more surprises…"
"What?" Jeffrey and Wayde exclaimed involuntarily, "Does His Highness still have more strength remaining?"
"I cannot say," Offa waved his hands as he watched the battlefield with more concentration.
The Misty Fog Giant growled, and large amounts of grey fog seeped out of its pores, forming armour and a weapon. It's destructive power was great enough to shatter space itself with every attack.
Bevis' heart was already filled with anger, and he even wanted to directly kill Leylin. This was very different from his previous intention of just teaching him a lesson.
His shame and anger at being discovered and irritation at his pride taking a blow had erupted. Especially after seeing Leylin's unexpected and incredible strength, the flames of jealousy and insanity in the genes from his bloodline mixed together to form something even more terrifying.
The result was that Bevis' rationality had all but disappeared, and he was prepared to kill Leylin here regardless of the consequences.
"What a pitiful child," Leylin's voice was transmitted from the enormous body of the Kemoyin Emperor. Layers of black runes constantly emerged from its scales, easily blocking even the Misty Fog Giant's fog attacks.
Leylin watched the four-armed Misty Fog Giant in front of him attentively, and it seemed as if a mysterious radiance was shot out of his pupils.
"Eye of Petrification!" The Kemoyin Emperor's gaze turned the four-armed giant sluggish. A layer of ash-grey stone instantly emerged on his skin.
"NO, how can my bloodline lose to this low-ranked creature?" Bevis growled frantically as large amounts of blood-red light burst forth from his body, forcing the petrification out.
However, the Kemoyin Emperor had taken this time to rush directly in front of him, its huge tail sweeping across the horizon. A power that seemed like Armageddon burst out from it.
An explosion sounded as the Misty Fog Giant was swatted away. The large amounts of fog in the surrounding area shattered, exposing the original starry sky.
"This rank 6 Misty Fog Giant bloodline, I'm taking it!" A whisper sounded in Bevis' sea of consciousness. Before he could even figure out the situation, the Kemoyin Emperor had already opened up its maw, its two fangs ruthlessly piercing into his neck.
A terrifying attractive force was transmitted from its fangs, causing Bevis to shriek hysterically. Large amounts of fog shattered with a bang, and the Misty Fog Giant began cracking up inch by inch. Light flashed within the grey fog, and Bevis' true body appeared once more.
Only, the current him had two large bloody holes in his neck, and looked battered and exhausted. His gaze towards Leylin was as if he'd seen some sort of demon.
"Ah…" When he gazed at Leylin's pupils, Bevis seemed to receive a great deal of shock. He let loose a weird shriek as his body transformed into a ray of blood-red light that rushed back to the Morning Star Area with extreme speed.
"Indeed… small and weak…" Radiant flames emerged and Leylin returned to his normal form as well. The lack of battle experience and willpower was a shortcoming that had caused Bevis great losses.
With a card like the A.I. Chip up his sleeve, Leylin had abundant experience and strategies that were shrewd and ruthless.
"It's more or less enough, time to go!" He sneered, looking at a point in space with a dazzling radiance in his eyes.
Soon after, his entire body turned into black flames that disappeared in the sky.
...
Within the Morning Star Area, Offa and the other two Radiant Moon Warlocks looked at each other in dismay. "His Highness Leylin actually discovered us spying on them? But this Tracing Pensieve is a piece of high-grade magic equipment…"
"Forget that. I'm more amazed by his battle strength. Even a Half Moon Magus like Bevis isn't his match…" Wayde crossed his arms, and a strand of short golden hair stood up vertically like a steel spike.
One had to admit, Leylin's military strength gave them a great surprise. Not only was Bevis at the Half Moon stage, he also had a rank 6 bloodline inheritance in the Misty Fog Giant. Originally, he was only second to Offa in the Warlock Union.
And he was defeated just like that? Didn't that mean that Leylin had strength comparable to a peak Radiant Moon?
This conjecture was something too crazy for Wayne and Jeffrey to accept immediately.
"Moreover, His Highness Bevis' bloodline seemed to be slightly damaged at the end. Should we tell His Highness Leylin about this and hope he returns that blood?" Jeffrey asked a little hesitantly.
"Do you think that's possible?" Offa speechlessly rolled his eyes. Now that he recalled, he felt like he'd underestimated Leylin. From the start, he had obviously laid a trap for Bevis, who walked in like a fool. Leylin had played him step by step like a marionette.
'What an interesting kid! He started by stimulating his opponent and causing him to harbour killing intent. Then he defeated Bevis openly and righteously, seizing his bloodline… Did he plan all this out before? Then… if we appeared, did he have other plans for it as well?'
The more Offa thought of it, the more his previous indifference was replaced with fear of Leylin. This junior's tyrannical strength and meticulous planning had left him heavily surprised.
"Maybe he's the one who'll fulfil the hopes of the Warlocks." Offa found growing expectations in his heart.
"Then what about us?" Jeffrey didn't really know what to do. Bevis' defeat was a totally unexpected situation to him.
"What else can we do? Just allow Leylin to go out, he's attacking under his own name anyway. With the Morning Star Area's fortress, even if it's the Blazing Flame Monarch, can he break through our defences directly?" Offa flicked his fingernails, his tone carrying a will that did not allow any questioning.
"Also, increase the security of the Ouroboros Clan and Leylin's relatives by a level, especially for Lady Freya. We cannot allow the Blazing Flame Monarch or any others to find even a single loophole, get it?" Offa looked at Jeffrey meaningfully.
"Yes! I will visit Lady Freya myself soon!" Jeffrey nodded with a bitter smile.
"Our rules cannot be broken. There shouldn't be any desperate infighting within us Warlocks, that is our bottom line," Offa said, "I'll go and remind Bevis about this in the near future." All the Warlocks present nodded in agreement.
After all, if such a thing happened internally to an organisation that was supposed to be unified, it would be a huge blow to their soldiers' morale. Furthermore, if one person crossed the bottom line, the enemy would definitely counterattack with the same level of danger, causing both sides to suffer. Magi were intelligent people, they knew what to do.
The only thing that needed to be done was suppressing Bevis' emotional craziness. After he calmed down, everything would become easy.
"We cannot relax our support for Bevis either. Send the skeletal remains of the Misty Fog Giant in the warehouse to him after this!" Offa suddenly said something that shocked Jeffrey greatly.
"Your Highness… Why?" Jeffrey's jaw dropped.
"If Leylin advances to Breaking Dawn, what will we use to suppress him?" At this moment, Offa stroked his beard and said something that left a deep impression on Jeffrey.
…
"I've gained quite a bit this time!" On the other side, Leylin looked at the bloodline in the test tube in his hands that was emitting a misty luster. A hint of happiness emerged on his face.
"Although the Misty Fog Giant isn't some kind of high-grade being amongst ancient rank 6 creatures, it creates bloodline imprints using its blood as materials, this explains its ability to cast ordinary rank 6 spells…"
It could be said that Bevis had fallen into Leylin's scheme from the moment they met.
Moreover. because the opponent had displayed his killing intent during the battle, even if Leylin forcefully extracted his bloodline those Warlocks could not say anything.
After all, compared to Bevis who was in hot pursuit of him, Leylin was instead very 'magnanimous', even letting Bevis go ultimately.
Probably, even if the current Leylin were to draw blood from him, Bevis himself wouldn't have the face to ask for it back, as it was too embarrassing.
"Seeing from the attitudes of Jeffrey and the others, we can still temporarily ease our worries regarding the bloodline alliance. Surely they will also try their best to contain Bevis, making him calm down. They won't attack my forces!"
A thoughtful glint flashed across Leylin's pupils.
These kind of things were mutual. Once Bevis exceeded the bottom line, igniting the flames of war with him, Leylin would definitely follow suit, even paying back tenfold.
Hence, so long as a Magus had a little rationality, he would not do something like this that caused both sides to suffer.
-x-X-x-
A chandelier hung loosely and emitted a dim orange light in the hazy night. The light from the street lamps was diffused, making one feel sleepy.
Beside the chandelier was a bar that was already closed. A 'Thank You' sign was hung on the door, the surroundings quiet.
After a day's hard work, the residents nearby had already entered slumber in their tiredness. Even the drunkards, tramps, and the like had found their own cosy kennels, not intending on sleeping outdoors on the streets in such cold weather.
At this moment, the sound of leather boots rubbing against the ground echoed through the area. A tall figure walked out of thin air, coming before the door and knocking on it.
*Thud Thud Thud!* The dull sound carried a unique rhythm and charm.
The door opened after a while, exposing the face of an old lady. There was a slight reverence amidst her vigilance, "Sir! You're finally here!"
"I was slightly delayed by some matters on the way." The person walked into the bar and took off his hood, exposing his original appearance. His handsome face was strange, and his long black hair casually stuck to the back of his head. He seemed very youthful and capable. Mysterious spirals spun continuously in his black pupils, even a single glance able to draw in a person's soul.
After defeating Bevis and obtaining his bloodline, Leylin had worked incessantly on turning it into an imprint. He'd even almost missed his appointment with Melinda because of this.
However, Leylin felt like all this was worth it. Spending more time here would add another bloodline imprint to his deck, and was definitely worth more than the cost. After all, he was here this time to deal with a Breaking Dawn Monarch! This was the highest level of existence in the central continent, and Leylin could not afford to not be more careful.
After entering the bar, Leylin followed the old lady to a cellar. Passing through a helical dark and damp passageway that smelled like rot, Leylin finally saw Melinda once more.
"Leylin! You're finally here, we've been waiting for a long time!" Melinda's eyes sparkled upon meeting Leylin, and she spoke a little coquettishly.
"We?" Leylin's gaze twinkled, immediately looking at the few other 'people' in the room.
The old lady had already withdrawn respectfully. There were three other strange figures remaining in the room besides Melinda.
One of them was a hefty fellow who wore black armour, and another was a woman whose entire body was wrapped in a black Magus robe.
The last one didn't even look human anymore, and was simply a black shadow in the mirror.
"Spirit Magus?!" Leylin looked at the shadow in the mirror attentively, and could explicitly sense that he was not using any kind of clone. He couldn't help but utter a deep sigh at the fact that the shadow was his main body.
The spiritual force of a Magus was tyrannical like no other. Even after death, there was a very high chance of transforming into some sort of evil spirit. And if this kind of evil spirit still held their rationality, they could learn spells and become a Spirit Magus!
And for a Morning Star who possessed soul force, transmuting the soul was but a small operation.
Although Leylin had heard some things about Spirit Magi, that circle was very narrow and remote. He'd never expected that Melinda would actually be able to get one here, and a Radiant Moon Magus one at that.
"Your insight is still as good as before!" Melinda gasped in admiration, "This Jin He was once a good friend of mine. The other two are Clarke and Joanna, assistants I've hired."
"As for the Twin Gemini, I've long since heard of you two! I didn't expect that Melinda would actually be able to bring you here as well!" Leylin greeted Clarke and Joanna with a smile.
According to his intelligence, these two Radiant Moon siblings assisted each other in the central continent, and each was fairly famous on their own. They were also the rare type that didn't have any organisations attached to them.
"Your Highness Leylin!" Joanna, whose entire body was wrapped in a black robe, seemed to be bad at socialising. All of these matters were settled by the hefty black armoured Clarke.
"And Sir Jin!" Leylin looked at the shadow in the mirror again. Although he knew perfectly well that he was a Spirit Magus, he still felt as if there was something hidden to this person, their aura making him uncomfortable.
"Zzz… Your… body…" The shadow in the mirror suddenly fluctuated for a moment, emitting the strength of a Conscient, "Has something… that makes me feel… danger…"
"It's what I specially prepared for this operation," Leylin smiled. His right index finger suddenly felt tighter, and a grey ring now on his finger emitted a mysterious light.
This ring would normally be very inconspicuous, as if the shoddy work of some slipshod salesman in an ordinary shop. However, it was indeed notable when it appeared in the hands of a Radiant Moon Warlock like Leylin.
After hearing Jin's words, Clarke and even Joanna who'd been quiet all this while looked at Leylin with interest, as if wanting to find out about his cards.
"Alright! No matter what Leylin brought, it'll be useful to our operation this time." Melinda clapped her hands, "Comrades, don't forget why we gathered here."
"How could I forget?" Clarke let loose a deep howl, blue veins popping out on his hands as his entire person stirred up. Seeing his distorted face, Leylin was certain that he definitely had some painful past related to the Blazing Flame Monarch that was unbearable to recall.
However, this did not concern him at all. He was instead constantly calculating the probability of using him.
"No need to worry, brother! I will help you this time!" Joanna placated Clarke by patting the back of his hand, causing the berserk aura to fade. He then regained his rationality, "Sorry, I was too agitated…"
Clarke, who had sobered up, bowed deeply. There was an unwavering determination on his face, carrying the smell of blood.
"As for Sir Clarke's previous encounter, I've also heard a little about it…' Melinda nodded but did not continue.
"Everyone present here has hatred for the Blazing Flame Monarch. And today, we've gathered to act on it!" Melinda's voice suddenly grew dignified.
"Stop spouting rubbish… I'm only concerned with your promises, when can you fulfil them…" The Spirit Magus in the mirror said with initiative.
"Hm… I agree as well. We're already at this point, you should explain clearly about your plan and the Blazing Flame Monarch's weakness. And what about the benefits that come afterwards?" Leylin parroted Jin's viewpoint.
Joanna and Clarke shot a glance at each other and both nodded, "We agree as well!"
"I only waited for everyone to arrive before I said it!" Melinda glanced at Leylin with a slight look of grievance.
"As everyone knows, there are only two large bottlenecks as a Magus. One from rank 3 to 4 and another from 6 to 7. The challenges at both these times are extremely huge, but a breakthrough also has abundant benefits. It is to the extent that those who do can steamroll over those who haven't…" Melinda began to speak with fervour and assurance.
"We already know all this! There's a limit to my patience!" Clarke yelled deeply.
"Relax, I'm almost there," Melinda rolled her eyes at Clarke.
"The gap between Breaking Dawn and Radiant Moon, although not as obvious as that between rank 3 and rank 4, it is still an insurmountable gap… But at that time, a problem occurred during the Flame Monarch's advancement. There was even a period of time where his strength was at the lowest point! This is why I absolutely had to gather all of you here at this time!"
Melinda's mouth curved in a smile, but it carried an intense hatred!
"The Breaking Dawn Monarchs in the central continent are all very terrifying, they've even begun to touch upon laws and the origin of the world. The Blazing Flame Monarch is the same, in the process of familiarising himself with the laws of fire…"
Melinda's voice seemed to carry a strange attraction, "The Blazing Flame Monarch is at his weakest, almost falling below rank 6. I know the layout of his lair like the back of my hand; if we can kill the opponent at this time, we may even be able to obtain his Law Comprehension Crystals!"
"Law Comprehension Crystals?" Clarke exclaimed, and a sparkle appeared in Leylin's eyes.
"Yes! The Law Comprehension Crystal that contains all of a former Magus' understanding of the power of laws, and even some of his previous experiences, memories and such. It will be very helpful for our promotion to rank 6…"
Melinda looked at the few Magi present, "Even if it's a Breaking Dawn, one's ability to comprehend laws is a huge threshold that divides strength. If we can obtain the Blazing Flame Monarch's Law Comprehension Crystal, we'll be able to attain rank 6 the moment we advance there, and even be at the boundary of rank 7!"
"Indeed, among the rank 6 Magi, the only discernible intra-ranking is whether they can access the laws or not!" There was a clear understanding look in Leylin's gaze.
Breaking Dawns were very knowledgeable in the truesoul and soul force. After reaching rank 6, they would soon near the limit of their spirit, and the only difference would be how much they could comprehend laws.
A Breaking Dawn who didn't have contact with laws and one that was beginning to comprehend its power were on completely different levels.
Once a Magus gained complete control over a certain law or power, they would also enter the rank 7 realm.
Leylin was faintly excited in his heart. He was beginning to vaguely discover the path after rank 5.
'Magi practice spiritual force before rank 4, soul force before rank 7. Rank 7 is when one has gained control of a certain law?' he stroked his chin, 'In that case, what does dreamforce represent?'
-x-X-x-
Based on what Melinda said, whether one had begun to comprehend laws made up for the greatest power distinction among Breaking Dawns. The Monarchs of the central continent had obtained the strength of the worlds they conquered, and each began to touch upon a specific law. This was why they were called 'Monarchs.'
The Blazing Flame Monarch obtained extra strength from the Origin Force of the Fiery World, and began touching on the law of fire.
Once he completely wielded the power of flames, that was when the title of Monarch could be held high in the sky, when one could advance to become a rank 7 Magus that controlled laws.
The knowledge and memories that Magi at this level of strength had about laws was very beneficial to a Radiant Moon like Leylin.
"The Blazing Flame Monarch's power is at a low? How long will this last?" This was what Leylin was focused on.
"At least a month, and it could approach a hundred days. Three months, effectively." Melinda laughed like a little fox, "Because of certain reasons that everyone knows, the Radiant Moons under the Blazing Flame Monarch like Carol and Eugene are dead. This means his defences are definitely weak."
Leylin stayed silent. Those two Radiant Moons had died at his hands. Of course, Melinda had been even more vicious in eliminating the remaining peak Radiant Moon.
Now that he thought about it, everything that Melinda had done so far was to clip the opponent's wings before dealing the final blow. It all had meaning to it.
"I've invited all of you here so that we can take care of the Blazing Flame Monarch in one go. Do you have any questions?" Terrifying energy waves rippled out from Melinda as she spoke, showing a strength at the peak of Radiant Moon. Her voice had lost its childishness, the callousness now as chilling as winter's ice.
Clark started by yelling out, "Alright! As long as I can have my vengeance on the Blazing Flame Monarch, I'll do anything!"
"Brother's decision is my decision!" Joanna watched her brother, her eyes full of tenderness.
"Keke… Law Comprehension Crystals will be distributed without any issues. What's so bad about doing this?"
The Soul Magus in the mirror laughed coldly.
"How about you, Lord Leylin? The Blazing Flame Monarch seems to have you in his thoughts, plotting so many attacks against the Ouroboros Clan…" Melinda seemed rather knowledgeable regarding this matter, which led to a hint of dissatisfaction inside Leylin. However, their goals in attacking the Blazing Flame Monarch intersected, and they would get the same benefits. Leylin nodded.
"I'm joining in as well. One thing though, how will you ensure the benefits are distributed evenly? Can you ensure that each one of us will get what they want?" Having said this, Leylin's eyes twinkled as he watched Melinda intently.
Meeting his gaze, Melinda could only laugh wryly, "I can't guarantee that the operation will definitely succeed, the opponent is a Breaking Dawn Magus after all. However, I can ensure that the earnings from this will definitely be distributed evenly. We can even sign a contract under the Trial's Eye! With our strength, the Trial's Eye we summon will definitely be a clone with its own thoughts. It won't glaze over any loopholes that we can make use of!"
"Alright then, that's fine by me." Leylin nodded his head. Every word of a Radiant Moon had enough weight to it that one could consider that a contract in itself. With the restrictions by Trial's Eye, he had no way to break the agreement.
After all, the Trial's Eye that they could summon was a highly ranked existence that had its own sentience, and was linked to the main body at all times.
With such a Trial's Eye, the solution of the Nefarious Filthbird's feathers would no longer have any effect unless a clone of the Filthbird itself descended as well. However, that would cause too great a disturbance.
"Good! Since everyone has agreed, let's discuss the plan." A streak of light flew from Melinda's hand to the air, forming a translucent screen.
"My intel says that the target isn't hiding in his nest, but instead holed up in one of the world cracks surrounding the Fiery World with many mazes constructed around him. Our objective this time is to launch a surprise attack on his nest— Düz City. The opponent's astral gate and the coordinates to the Fiery World are all there. Afterwards, we'll force our way into the Fiery World and kill the Monarch." Melinda waved her arms resolutely, extremely determined.
She glanced at every one of them, "There might not be a single Radiant Moon in Düz City right now. There's probably just a group of Morning Stars subordinate to the Blazing Flame Monarch watching over it. After we take it down, we can obtain all the wealth of a rank 6 organisation…"
After they listened to Melinda's plan, a light glinted in the eyes of the Magi in the room, save for Leylin. An organisation with a Monarch at its head, its members had plundered the central continent for thousands of years. Even if only a small portion of that wealth was in Düz City, it was enough for rank 5 Magi to grow quite wealthy.
"There's no time to lose. Let's set off now!" Melinda's hands were on her waist, her chest puffed out and her voice back to its original childlike tone. The huge contrast with her solemn expression almost caused Leylin to burst out in laughter.
The other Magi didn't have as many doubts as Leylin. A few streaks of green light rumbled past, and Melinda and the others completely disappeared from the underground room. Endless darkness engulfed the area.
...
Düz City. The capital of the Blazing Flame Monarch's organisation had thick city walls that had many reinforcement runes on them. Giant adamantine cannons had their own great history as they displayed the prowess of the Monarch to his people.
There was an unending flow of wandering Magi and scholars here, each of them having arrived due to its reputation. Most of the new arrivals were full of reverence towards this gigantic Magus City.
This was Düz! With the protection of a Breaking Dawn Magus like the Blazing Flame Monarch, it was said that this place would never fall!
Düz City did not have any floating techniques like Sky City, nor did it have such rich reserves of knowledge, but it did occupy much more land than Sky City. The city was divided into many districts, with the Monarch's residence occupying the centre.
A bundle of unending flames burnt at the heart of the city, radiating a holy light that proclaimed its glory and might to the masses.
However, all of Düz's glory and might would become history today!
It all started with the rumble of an earthquake. The sand on the ground began to pulse without pattern, the vibrations becoming increasingly intense. This earthquake spread through the houses, rocks, and mountains. It was as if the ground had softened, forming constant waves like the sea.
A large number of clouds filled the skies, completely blocking the sunlight. Dazzling white snakes made of lightning rolled about in the clouds, seemingly shattering space itself.Terrifying spells rippled with boundless might, pressing closer towards the city.
Countless Magi within the city looked up, staring at the scene with incomprehension. Only a tottering old man seemed to think of something, beginning to tremble, "SPELL ATTACK!"
*Pu!* He immediately turned into a white streak of light. Grabbing a few youngsters behind him, he ignored the ban on flying and fled quickly.
'There's actually someone who'd dare attack Düz City? We're in a huge crisis!' In spite of his shock, the old Magus' abundant life experience had instantly alerted him of the approaching danger.
An existence that could disregard the might of the Blazing Flame Monarch and brazenly challenge him was definitely no fool. Since they had come here, then they must have been extremely confident.
The Blazing Flame Monarch was a rank 6 Magus, a peak existence in the central continent! Even a finger from either party could crush an old Magus like him. They probably didn't even need that, just the stray undulations from battle would reduce his body to nothingness.
Hence, he immediately thought of fleeing, bringing his descendants away from this place that would soon become a battlefield
"Wha– What's going on, Grandfather?" A youngster was still confused.
Immediately after, he cried out involuntarily, "How's it possible…"
Terrifying earthquakes and thunderstorms could be seen in the direction of his gaze. It was as if a natural catastrophe had struck Düz city, and was now wreaking havoc.
The Magi below the Morning Star realm could not withstand this apocalypse, and died in swathes.
Faced with the ire of high-ranked Magi, all these low-ranked Magi were as minute as ants. The acolytes and regular humans, who were even weaker, obviously suffered massive casualties.
Only those like the old Magus who acted quickly and fled from Düz City left the scope of the disaster with some difficulty, watching Düz City in fear.
"The capital of the Blazing Flame Monarch has been attacked. Oh, goodness. Heavens, am I dreaming?"
A few children exclaimed in shock, "Quick! Look!"
Following the direction of a child's finger, the old Magus looked into the sky where there were five existences that seemed like gods.
The berserk lightning disappeared around them, forming a strange vacuum.
Tens of figures appeared in the air, surrounding them. However, it was the side that had more people that seemed to be feeling dread.
'Perhaps only existences at Morning Star and above have the qualifications to take part in this battle…' The old Magus sighed inside and flew even quicker.
-x-X-x-
Seeing only a few streaks of light fleeing from the range of their attack in Düz City, Leylin sighed in disappointment, "Even Magi have lost their awareness of danger…"
"It's not that they've lost their awareness. It's just that they don't believe it. The safety of Düz City is as guaranteed as the fact that the sun rises in the east and water flows downhill. It is their truth, their law! They never considered that there would be a day when their city is attacked."
Melinda spoke disdainfully, "Magi like these are a disgrace to our Magus World, vermin! Let me purge them!" Her hands pushed downwards with complete coldness.
*Rumble!*
*Ka-cha!*
The earth rumbled and countless lightning snakes crackled, their berserk behaviour intensifying tenfold as they charged towards Düz City. The earth seemed to cave into some formless pressure, forming a pit. It was as if the air itself was being crushed.
Countless acolytes and regular humans instantly turned into a bloody mist.
The thunderstorm crashed down on Düz City, causing the rank 2s and 3s who'd been lucky enough to flee to suffer massive losses.
"Thunder Purgatory! Wash away all that filth!" Melinda's expression was callous, her voice strangely spreading far and wide. Lightning struck down violently, ploughing through the city.
'This woman is insane!' Leylin's pupils shrank as he felt the power hidden within the rank 5 spell.
Though he wasn't any sort of good Samaritan, he wouldn't kill people for no reason at all. His murders were committed for benefits. Melinda's actions made it seem like she was venting some repressed emotions after a long period of time.
Leylin touched his chin, having some conjectures of his own.
"Enough!" It was at this juncture that someone like a retainer to the Monarch yelled from amongst those Magi at Leylin and the rest, "Even if all of you are Radiant Moon Magi, you can't trample on the territory of a Breaking Dawn like this! The Blazing Flame Monarch will punish you!"
The tens of Morning Star Magi surrounding Leylin and the rest all wore Magus robes with flame runes carved into them; it was similar to a uniform. This Magus who was like a Retainer was their leader.
"Hoho! He said they want to punish us. I'm so scared!" Melinda covered her mouth, voice turning into that of a young girl.
"How are you going to punish us? Just burning our souls? It's been long, have you no creativity?" Though she looked innocent, what Melinda said caused the surrounding Magi to shrink back.
"What? Aren't you going to come and punish me?" Melinda took a step forward, and the tens of Magi around her couldn't help but retreat, cold sweat on their faces.
Good heavens! While they were subordinates of the Blazing Flame Monarch, they were only Morning Stars facing five Radiant Moon Magi. If Carol, Eugene or the other Radiant Moon were around, they definitely had the courage to do so, but now?
"Hehe… If you're not coming here, then I'll go there!" Melinda's eyes seemed to flash with white lightning, and she turned into a gust of wind.
"What do you want to do?"
"I won't let you do whatever you want! Morning Star domain! Arcane Art…" The Morning Star Magus that looked like a retainer struggled, the rings of light that represented four innate spells beginning to flicker behind him.
*Boom!* In that moment, Melinda had arrived in front of him and raised her arms, her pale slender palms penetrating his innate defences. Under his astounded expression, the rings from his innate spells were extinguished.
"You… How's that possible?" The old retainer spat out blood. The backlash from his spell being interrupted had even cracked his sea of consciousness.
"Power of isolation again? You really do lack in creativity," Melinda shook her head, grabbing him by the neck.
"Peak Radiant Moon! She's a peak Radiant Moon Magus!" Everything Melinda had just done was executed exquisitely, but even so, it would require a strength at the peak of rank 5. Only that would suffice to suppress a Morning Star Arcane Art and even cause a backlash.
After this was made obvious, the many Morning Star Magi stared at Melinda in immense fear.
The retainer who was being held by the neck flushed red, gritting out a few words from between his teeth, "Ma– Master Blazing Flame Monarch won't let you off!"
"I'll be waiting. Even if your master doesn't come for me, I'll go look for them!" Melinda chuckled. Her outrageous words resulted in even more dread on the part of the Morning Stars.
"Warning! Warning! Large numbers of enemies have appeared. Determined to be at rank 5. Automatic defences have been activated, dispatching Discipline Legion." A robotic voice sounded in the golden flames at the heart of Düz City. This was the spirit genie that controlled the city's defences. The giant adamantine cannons and defensive runes on the city walls that were yet to be destroyed flickered to life with its words.
*Rumble!* A short distance away, two legions of Magi advanced like a black tide.
"Mmm… It reacted in less than ten seconds and even dispatched troops. Not bad," Leylin praised.
"Hehe… That's the Monarch's elite corps, the Crimson Fire Legion and the Discipline Legion. It's a pity that their leaders have all fallen at our hands.…" Melinda surveyed the area, and then asked disdainfully, "Which of you are going to take care of this?"
The moment she jabbed forward, a black streak charged into the Discipline Legion. A gigantic black sword could be seen weaving through the troops, spilling blood and flinging flesh.
Their terrifying magic attacks seemed to have no effect on the giant sword, and the legion immediately fell into chaos.
"Keke… Since Clarke has chosen the Discipline Legion, I'll go for the Crimson Fire. Just as well, I need a large number of spirit bodies as supplements anyway…" Jin snickered from nearby. He currently looked like a hologram, his extremely blurry body suddenly increasing in size. His black robes spread around to cover the Crimson Fire Legion like a curtain.
"Woo woo…" With a strange whistling, the Magi of the Crimson Fire Legion collapsed one after another, rays of light that seemed like souls floating from their heads. These things that were similar to white flames were all absorbed by the black robe.
Whether it was rank 1 and 2 Magi troops, or even the squadrons of rank 3s and 4s, everything completely fell apart. Numerous Magi howled as they cast blindingly bright spells, with some Morning Star Arcane Arts even, but Jin easily blocked them.
With ruthless resolution, the black robe continuously absorbed the souls.
'A spell that specifically targets the soul?' Leylin's eyes flashed. 'Though it can only deal with Magi below rank 5, it's best for harvesting weaklings.'
In their short confrontation, the Blazing Flame Monarch's two elite legions completely crumbled down, and many of their Magi immediately tried to flee.
The few Morning Stars at the corners exchanged glances, coming to a mutual understanding as they turned into streaks of light and disappeared into the distance.
"Don't… Go…" The Magus that Melinda was holding onto by the neck was still struggling, but unfortunately, it was to no avail. In a situation where the two elite legions were decimated, and the Blazing Flame Monarch was not showing himself, the Morning Star Magi would be fools if they continued to stake their lives on this and fight Radiant Moons.
"Let me do something as well," Leylin stood up at the moment, staring at the giant cannons and adamantine puppets controlled by the city's spirit genie, "It'll be strange if I don't." He laughed slightly, producing a few grey test tubes from his pouch and tossing them into the air.
The sound of shattering glass sounded as the test tubes collided in mid-air. A white powder spread from the point of impact, constantly increasing in volume until it covered all of Düz City in a few moments.
The giant adamantine cannons on the city walls creaked as if under an incredible burden, eventually collapsing with a rumble to reveal a frame that had been completely corroded. A thick layer of rust formed on numerous adamantine puppets, as if a long period of time had passed. They turned into a huge pile of scrap iron.
Numerous runes lost their lustre inch by inch, and even the spirit genie's voice from the heart of Düz City seemed to lose its coordination, as if something powerful was interfering with it.
"Hehe, good job Leylin! If the spirit genie continues to control the defensive forces of the city it would've been comparable to a Radiant Moon. Though we aren't afraid of it, it's best to eliminate such troubles." Melinda encouraged him with a smile on her face.
"How did you know?" The retainer in the air widened his eyes in astonishment.
"You don't need that information. Look how the city has crumbled, you should die and rot with it." Melinda sighed, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
*Swish!* At this moment, something strange happened! The void beside Melinda crumbled, and a translucent figure emerged to form a bayonet spike that pierced towards her abdomen.
Rank 5 energy was emitted from this translucent figure, even if only at New Moon. This sudden attack was enough to land Melinda in trouble!
However, she still chuckled as she let go of the retainer's corpse, a crystal shield appearing in front of her.
In the distance, Joanna suddenly ended her inaction. Large amounts of vines spread through the space, wrapping around the assassin.
"So you're the hidden trump card of the Blazing Flame Monarch. A Radiant Moon assassin? Just Düz City alone has tens of Morning Stars and a Radiant Moon guarding it, I'm growing more interested in my future profits!"
-x-X-x-
The translucent figure being bound by the vines had a pair of deathly still eyes. Even though the assassination had been unsuccessful, there were no undulations whatsoever despite his life being at risk.
*Rumble!* A terrifying force from his truesoul formed five different rings of light.
"Radiant Moon Arcane Art…" His voice was hoarse, as if he had not spoken for a long time. The surrounding Morning Star Magi also gritted their teeth, power pouring forth from their point masses to support their Morning Star Arcane Arts.
This Radiant Moon evidently had made contact with these Morning Star Magi at some point and arranged a counter-attack!
*Pak!* Leylin instantly came before a Morning Star Magus, a giant serpent figure from his hands ruthlessly piercing through the other party's innate defences, causing him to cough blood while quickly retreating.
The backlash from a Morning Star Arcane Art being interrupted caused that Magus to howl in agony.
"If the ten or so Morning Stars were to attack me together, I might find it slightly troublesome, but now?" Leylin looked towards Melinda. A terrifying rank 5 energy storm was swallowing the region around her.
However, Leylin could sense Melinda's aura. She was fine.
"After so many years, it's only these few Magi that are loyal to the Blazing Flame Monarch? How pitiful." As Leylin's eyes scanned past the area, the Morning Stars could not stand the immense pressure and the rings of light from their Arcane Arts collapsed behind them. They held their heads and escaped.
*Rumble!* Radiant Moon soul force spread brazenly about the battlefield. A few rays of light suddenly pierced through and dispersed the energy storm, revealing the figure of that rank 5 Radiant Moon Magus.
Although there was a cross-shaped wound on him that was corroding into his body, a terrifying Radiant Moon Arcane Art had taken form in his hands. "Void Flames…" The Radiant Moon murmured under his breath.
A formless flame energy emerged from the void that caused even Leylin's expression to change. 'Melinda and Joanna, those two idiots. How could they let their opponent finish his Arcane Art?' he cursed, fingers pressing on the grey ring causing fog to permeate the area.
Melinda saw her opponent casting Void Flames from in front of her, but surprisingly her expression was as if she'd gotten away with something.
She began chanting, seriousness emerging on her face. Her right hand pointed in the direction of the Void Flames.
"Adhering to the ancient agreement of the truesoul, Void Flames! Devour everything before me for my sake…"
The formless flames crackled and flowed backwards, enveloping the very Magus who'd cast them within. Boiling heat spread through the area as the sound of an innate spell crumbling mixed with cries of disbelief and pain.
"Impossible… Why can you manipulate the Flames… You… You're…" He was cut off at this point, devoured by the formless flames. His blood and flesh separated from his skeleton, and in the end even his bones melted down.
The energy from a truesoul being destroyed spread out, this Radiant Moon Arcane Art even targeted the soul!
Seeing the opponent's figure being annihilated, Leylin removed his palm from his ring, pupils shrinking, 'Controlling a Radiant Moon Arcane Art and causing it to act on the user? This is more difficult than interfering with it. Unless…'
*Swish!* Seeing that their Radiant Moon had fallen and the Blazing Flame Monarch still wasn't showing himself, the remaining Morning Star Magi completely lost their will to battle on. Air exploded and light flashed as they fled or teleported away.
"This Radiant Moon should have been the Blazing Flame Monarch's last line of defence…" Having done all this, Melinda seemed to be in a strange state. She seemed sorrowful yet relieved, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"The rule of the Blazing Flame Monarch hereby ends." Melinda sighed, hand making a grabbing action towards the heart of Düz City.
*Rumble!* A large white palm appeared in the air, grasping the holy fire right at the centre. Under such an attack, even the tower genie was completely wrecked instantly.
Düz City quieted down, and the light from its large-scale defensive spell formation dimmed.
"Could it be… Is Düz City is going to have a different master from today on?"
"What about the Blazing Flame Monarch? Where is he?" The surviving Magi let out noises of disbelief.
Yet all of them had one premonition from the extinguishing of the holy fire. Today would be a turning point in the history of the central continent!
...
Groups of Magi wearing robes with lightning patterns on them arranged the defences outside in an orderly manner, gathering resources and the like. Occasionally, a few old people worked on decrypting the warehouses' defensive formations.
These lightning patterned Magus robes were the signature of Jupiter's Lightning. Besides them were Magi with a Gemini sign on their robes, doing the same thing.
Seeing Melinda and Clarke so brazenly ordering their organisations to plunder the area, Leylin was left speechless.
He hadn't considered these matters when they'd set out. Even if he wanted to dispatch the Warlocks of the Union, he didn't have the authority yet. As for the Warlocks of the Ouroboros Clan? They were too low-ranked, and would only serve to embarrass him.
Melinda approached Leylin and stared at the Magi of Jupiter's Lightning outside, her eyes undecipherable, "My subordinates will set up defensive spell formations and guard them, which will help us gain some time."
She had helped Zegna build Jupiter's Lightning, and now the whole organisation was in her hands. If Zegna were still alive, he might have died of rage.
The Magi with a Gemini symbol on them belonged to Clarke and Joanna. Seeing the bulging sacks under their clothes, it was obvious that they had obtained many treasures.
Düz City was the core of the Blazing Flame Monarch's territory, and the precious items within were innumerable. If not for the Blazing Flame Monarch currently being in a weak phase, staying somewhere else to avoid danger, Leylin and the rest would not have taken the area down so easily.
With the action of five Radiant Moons, the change in leadership of Düz City had occurred smoothly.
Besides Leylin and the rest who had obtained some great items, even their subordinates had gained ample rewards.
*Awoo…. Roar…* At this moment, Leylin saw a monster formed of several gigantic beasts charging forward, showing berserk determination and bloodlust.
"What is that thing?" Leylin stared at what seemed to be a giant mutated slime formed from gelatin and was stunned.
"That's the biological laboratory of the Blazing Flame Monarch. I let out all the experiments being imprisoned there." Melinda took out a mirror and tidied her long hair, not really caring about this.
"Such a dangerous thing…" Leylin was speechless. Some of these monsters were evidently as powerful as Morning Stars. One of them was laying low, and Leylin could sense its desire for slaughter.
Once let out, a calamity would descend on this region. Even Morning Star Magi would be in trouble if they were besieged by these creatures.
"It's not our organisation nor our territory. Is there a need to worry about this?" Melinda blinked at Leylin, seeming innocent.
"Alright! Come with me, everyone. I've already analysed the coordinates of the Fiery World from the astral gate!" Joanna's voice sounded, and all the Magi gathered at the heart of the room.
A flaming astral gate was there, already activated. This was the gate in Düz City's astral laboratory, and the coordinates had been decoded from it. It was also why Melinda was confident in bringing Leylin and the rest to their final target, the place where the Blazing Flame Monarch was hiding.
The Blazing Flame Monarch was currently at their weakest. Leylin and the rest had already plundered Düz City, which would completely offend the Monarch anyway. If they didn't want to be attacked in revenge, the only way was to strike first and eliminate the Monarch!
'Perhaps this was also why this woman had us break Düz first, to compel us to follow through.'
Leylin shot Melinda a glance. The female Magus seemed to be very calm now, but he could see a trace of emotion in her eyes.
"The opponent has hidden the coordinates to the Fiery World within a pile of wrong data, but I still managed to find it!" With a tap by Joanna, a few sparks flew towards Leylin and the others.
[Beep! Discovered spiritual force information, determined to be astral coordinates! No records in database.] The A.I. Chip immediately intoned. All the information in the spark was immediately transmitted to Leylin.
Melinda nodded, "The coordinates to this world was one of the prizes from this operation. We've agreed before on everyone having it." Immediately after, the spark was flicked into the astral gate.
Blue flames flickered violently, forming something like a door. A terrifying boiling heat was transmitted from behind the astral gate.
"The last step in our operation shall be completed in the spatial crack of the Fiery World. Let's go!" Melinda was the first to step into the astral gate.
"We've all left behind puppets or clones here. If the situation is off, we can immediately open the astral gate and return," Joanna spoke slowly, "Outside there's the chaos from the beasts, and we have subordinates keeping watch. We have ample time for warnings."
Having said this, she walked in together with Clarke.
"Let's go!" Leylin watched Jin who was in void form and rubbed his nose. They stepped into the radiance of the astral gate together.
-x-X-x-
Leylin had already experienced spacetime travel several times, and by this point was used to it. The moment he passed through the astral gate, the peak New Moon truesoul in his sea of consciousness began to twinkle, a layer of gentle and quiet yet very solid soul force enveloping his body. Whether it was spatial turbulence or terrifying World's Will, everything was kept out by it.
Even Morning Stars could roam around nearby world cracks using just their body defences. This was no issue at all for Radiant Moons.
Through a soul force scan, Leylin sensed a world full of fire elemental particles. Unlike the Lava World he'd been to before, this place lacked rocks and other energy particles. It was a world of pure red, filled only by fire.
The world's origin force of fire elements was several times greater than that of the Lava World. If the Lava World was a celestial body, then although one couldn't liken this world to a boiling sun, it would be a moon.
'The larger a world, the richer its world origin force. Under the influence of the origin force here, it's not strange for a rank 6 Magus to comprehend some laws of fire…' Leylin sighed.
As a rank 6 Magus that had taken over the whole Flame World, the Blazing Flame Monarch was undeniably the 'World's Child' here. With the support of the world's origin force, his comprehension of the laws of fire could progress rapidly. It was natural for him to understand them.
Leylin suddenly understood a fact, 'It's no wonder that all Magi, whether ancient or recent, frantically take over the surrounding foreign worlds. So there's this type of benefit to it! Once you take over a world, you can gradually combine with the world's origin force and finally comprehend laws, breaking through into rank 7…'
'If one Magus can completely take over the Magus World, which is much more powerful than the Fiery World, and be nurtured by its origin force, what sort of benefits can they get?'
Leylin's heart was set aflame. The Magus World was vast, and even the surface had yet to be explored not to mention the countless subterranean worlds, It was much easier for a Magus now to conquer these areas as compared to the ancient era where there were many existences who comprehended laws.
Just taking over a small world would bring immense benefits. What about taking over the largest, the Magus World?
"If someone can successfully unify the Magus World and obtain the nurture of its world origin force, they can make use of this strength to reach the limits, to reach rank 9!" Leylin mumbled to himself. He could not conceal his desire to enter the highest realm that a Magus could achieve.
Did achieving the peak of rank 9 grant immortality? This was a question that was whirling through Leylin's mind. However, it was also a question that he could probe into only when he did attain that rank.
Immortality was Leylin's goal, magic simply a means to an end. If a rank 9 Magus was not immortal, then he would explore further and look for something else. He would not regret it even if he died in the process!
This was a path of hope. He would not tolerate doubt, weakness; he would not waver.
'Not even ancient Magi could unify the Magus World, but I'll take this task on!' Leylin clenched his fists.
Golden and crimson was everywhere in the flames, and the already boiling heat only continued to increase. The air was very dry, to the point that one felt suffocated. A few fire elementals roamed within the flames. Although the Fiery World was hell for any life form made of flesh and blood, it was their heaven!
Lightning flashed in the void, opening up a gigantic, sparkling door. The door opened to reveal the figures of Leylin and the remaining Magi. Energy at Radiant Moon caused the flames to part automatically, not daring to approach and harass them.
"What high temperatures! The Fiery World really isn't a place for non-elemental life forms." Melinda carefully placed a defensive layer of icy water on her skin, something that caused Leylin to roll his eyes secretly.
She turned around after taking care of her skin, looking serious, "Be careful. The Fiery World is the Blazing Flame Monarch's nest. Most of the fire elementals at Morning Star and Radiant Moon are stationed here. If not for having to suppress the rebellion of the fire elemental particles and the pressure from the world, he would long since have sent these elementals to the Magus World.…"
Leylin and the other nodded. How many Morning Stars and Radiant Moons could a world produce? If they went over to the Magus World, they could probably cause a huge ruckus.
However, there was an issue with this as well. Not considering their duties as guards of Fiery World, a change of environment and the additional suppression from being inside another world were large issues.
The Magus World was one of the most powerful worlds, and its suppression of foreigners would be one of the most terrifying. A drop in several ranks would be considered slight. The unlucky ones would directly be crushed by the world origin force itself, joining the boundless dust in the void.
For Leylin and the rest, going from the Magus World to other worlds was like going from a high-ranked dungeon to a lower-ranked one. The suppression of the world wasn't that serious, and there wouldn't be instances of drops in rank. Things weren't as rosy for those who went from lower-ranked worlds to higher-ranked ones.
For instance, if Scarlet Eye entered the Magus World, he was likely to drop to Morning Star from Radiant Moon. This would be even more serious for elemental life forms like the fire elementals. The most suitable environment for them was the Fiery World.
"The Blazing Flame Monarch is hiding in one of the world cracks of the Fiery World. There are many maze spells as well as powerhouses of the Fiery World guarding it. There are many rank 4 and 5 fire elementals, and this is a world where they get the greatest increase in strength. They'll outperform themselves." Melinda spoke slowly, and Leylin and the rest looked grim.
It would be hellishly difficult to defeat large numbers of Morning Stars and Radiant Moons in a hostile environment and then butt heads with the Blazing Flame Monarch who was at rank 6.
And yet, that was all that was required for a Monarch to fall. The Blazing Flame Monarch was currently at his weakest point anyway, something that allowed Melinda's group this opportunity.
"Don't worry. When the Monarch massacred my people, I vowed to the astral plane that I would use his blood and wash away the humiliation!" Clarke brandished the large black sword in his hands, terrifying sharpness exploding, "My baby is also thirsting for blood…"
"No matter what brother does, I'll be supporting you!" Joanna looked towards her brother.
"Morning Star and Radiant Moon fire elementals are nothing much… Keke...I'm having more expectations towards the Blazing Flame Monarch's comprehension of Laws..." The blurry phantom of Jin snickered.
"Since we're already here, we're prepared for all that!" Leylin chuckled, fingers brushing over his ring involuntarily. The cold surface of the ring felt smooth, giving him more confidence.
"Many thanks, everyone! We'll definitely win this time, and the rewards will definitely satisfy you! Please wait for a while, I'll use a technique to look for the spatial crack that the Blazing Flame Monarch is hiding in!"
Melinda's eyes suddenly changed colour, her pupils shrinking and disappearing to leave just the whites behind. Gazing at her eyes, even Leylin felt as if his mind was empty, all his secrets being exposed. His heart couldn't help but palpitate with fear.
"Found it!" All of a sudden, Melinda opened her palm and a purple daffodil floated out of it. It gave off endless energy waves. Space was pulled apart like a door, revealing a pitch black tunnel.
'So quickly?' Leylin was slightly astonished, but he followed her in anyway.
Light flashed and space rumbled, and Leylin and the rest instantly appeared outside a world crack. Within, the Fiery World was like a blazing sun, filled with dazzling rays of light.
A large-scaled labyrinth floated outside the world barrier, as if the highest ruler of the Fiery World.
Outside the black building, many eyes flickered with various lights. They were Morning Star elementals. Even more powerful auras were transmitted from within.
Leylin even felt like he was being spied on, causing his hair to stand.
Joanna sucked in a cold breath, "Such a complicated labyrinth, and so many fire elementals. This will be difficult…"
"Now is the best opportunity to kill our target!" Melinda did not take another glance at Joanna. "This is the Alanore Labyrinth. Each Magus that enters will be sent to different areas, and we'll only be able to meet again in the main hall. I'll be off!"
Melinda turned into a streak of lightning, and practically in an instant broke out of the perimeter of the fire elementals as she disappeared into the labyrinth.
"Haha… Blazing Flame Monarch, here I come! Tremble! Repent! I want you to pay the price for all that you've done!" Clarke's expression was excited to the extreme as he waved his terrifying large black blade and charged in.
*Schlick!* A three-headed giant fire elemental dog in his way was slashed into two, boiling lava blood flying everywhere. Seeing her brother this way, Joanna sighed and followed closely behind him.
"I hate elemental life forms the most. The lack of souls will cause my works of art lose their beauty!"
Jin muttered to himself, turning into a large black shadow that covered practically half the labyrinth. The black figure began to pervade through the insides.
-x-X-x-
'They're all lunatics!' Leylin could only sigh at how insane his group members were, 'Lunatics with power are the most troublesome lot!'
*Hss—* A tremendous Kemoyin appeared behind him, and a terrifying black hole formed that exerted a tremendous suction force on the fire elementals.
"Devour!" The terrifying might of a rank 5 Kemoyin Emperor drew everything in, be it flames, light, or even space itself.
The fire elementals began to bawl miserably, looking ready to retreat. However, their bodies were constantly being pulled into the black hole, and they were eventually devoured. There was a clear path in the space when Leylin moved.
The five Radiant Moons had successfully broken through the outer layer and entered the interior of the labyrinth. Powerful auras could be felt occasionally from its various parts.
...
At the heart of the gigantic labyrinth, on a throne of pure gold.
A human figure shrouded completely in flames raised their head, a translucent mirror forming in front of them.
Footage flashed, showing Leylin and the others. The Blazing Flame Monarch's eyes constantly twinkled as they scanned past Leylin, Clarke, and the rest. Their eyes rested on Jin's body for a brief moment before focusing completely on Melinda.
"The power of fate has brought everything back to its original trajectory," the Blazing Flame Monarch murmured, two red figures splitting from his form and darting in different directions...
The numbers on the screen of the A.I. Chip were in constant flux until it came up with a conclusion.
[Beep! Scan completed. Determined to be the first level of the Alanore Labyrinth. 12,800m ahead, high-grade energy has been detected, determined to be a rank 5 being. Possibility of it being a fire elemental: 87.18%.]
"So I'll need to break through all the barriers ahead to reach the Blazing Flame Monarch?" Leylin was now walking along a large and wide passageway that was tens of metres high. It looked like an area made specifically for giants, and he seemed minuscule in it.
"It also prevents teleportation, and has such scary confining runes!" Leylin shook his head, "Any loopholes or gaps that can be taken advantage of have been plugged. One can only move forward step by step with momentum!
"Why does this feel like clearing the stages of a game from my previous world?" Leylin touched his chin in speechlessness. The blue light in his eyes did not weaken. The A.I. Chip's scanning ability had been employed to its limit.
This maze-like structure had completely split the five of them apart. Even if Leylin wanted to search for and make contact with his companions, there would be no response. If Leylin was the Blazing Flame Monarch, he would be a fool not to take advantage of this and attack his enemies when they were divided.
Hence, besides being cautious of traps and obstacles, he was very focused on the possible attacks from the Flame Monarch.
*Rumble!* Boiling heat waves blew towards Leylin as he walked out of the passage, and a gigantic lava lake appeared before him.
White air bubbles constantly exploded in the area, giving off a very strong smell of sulphur.
The lake stretched as far as the eye could see, into the boundless red horizon.
'Is the rank 5 creature the A.I. Chip detected in here?' Leylin's eyes focused on the lava lake, seemingly penetrating through the thick lava and into its depths.
"Come out!" he said with a smile on his lips as a gigantic two-headed figure abruptly darted into the lake, splashing around at will. The lava exploded, crashing down everywhere like rain. A black figure grew in size as it suddenly emerged from the bottom of the lake, revealing terrifying mandibles similar to that of an alligator.
*Crack!* The two-headed snake figure was torn up by the alligator's mouth, and the large black figure continued to ascend from the lava lake.
*Roarrrr!* The alligator-like being in front of Leylin had flames burning all over it. Droplets of scarlet lava dripped down from its scales and cracks constantly, its thin body still enormous. Its sinister looking teeth were set in a large mouth, above which were two scarlet soul flames.
It looked like a flame alligator that had evolved vertically, possessing the arms and long legs of humans. Its fingers were like black reverse hooks, and appeared very sharp.
'A.I. Chip, conduct scan!' Leylin ordered without hesitation.
[Beep! Flame Sovereign King, rank 5 being! It is an elemental life form. Strength: 238? Agility: 124? Vitality: 495? Spiritual force: 1523? A unique resident of the Fiery World, it is a rare mutation among hundreds of Morning Star fire elementals, allowing it to be a commander. Innate abilities: 1. Fire Affinity, 2: Fire Skin, 3: Fire Elemental Summon, 4: Unknown…]
The A.I. Chip quickly projected a 3D image of a large Fire Sovereign King in front of him. Beside the image was also a column with data in it that presented the opponent's statistics in detail.
"A rank 5 fire elemental life form with such stats!" The figure of a Kemoyin Serpent Emperor appeared behind Leylin.
If he didn't want to use his trump card, Leylin would have to make use of certain methods to deal with a Radiant Moon rank creature.
"Roarrr!" The Flame Sovereign King snarled, and three dark red bundles of light separated from its body, falling into the lava lake.
Dark red bundles of light constantly expanded and eventually exploded, revealing three fire elemental life forms that had strange forms. Each of them had energy undulations that were at least at Morning Star.
*Swish* Scarlet energy channels appeared at the Flame Sovereign King's legs, and the water level of the entire lava lake sank. With the absorption of a large amount of lava, the toll on it from having a few subordinates separating from it had completely disappeared.
"A summoning spell that allows it to split up into beings with Morning Star strength, and it even has methods to replenish its energy!"
Leylin stroked his chin, "This guy's vitality is just too powerful in the Fiery World. With just a slight misstep, I'll have to deal with an arduous battle, which is rather disadvantageous."
*Roar!* The three Morning Star fire elementals charged out at this moment, accompanied by the enraged howls of the Flame Sovereign King
"Bloodline Seal!" Leylin spread his hands and red bloodline force formed a ring of light, binding a Morning Star fire elemental.
"Icy Sphere!" At the same time, a sparkling giant ball of ice exploded in the air, and snowflakes fell everywhere, even causing the temperature of the lava lake to drop by a few degrees.
The two fire elementals that were attacking were covered by a layer of frost, solidifying and fusing with the ground. They were completely frozen.
[Warning! Warning! Energy in the opposing fire elemental's body has violent undulations, determined to be on the verge of self-detonation. Host, please take note.]
The A.I. Chip's prompt caused Leylin's expression to instantly change. At this moment, the sounds of the Flame Sovereign King's roars were transmitted over.
*Awoo!* *Bang! Bang!* Along with terrifying sound waves, the three Morning Star fire elementals were filled up with a bright layer of red as they exploded, boiling hot heat waves spreading through the area.
Though Leylin had gotten a warning beforehand from the A.I. Chip and darted away in time, he still hadn't escaped completely unscathed.
*Roar!* *Roar!* *Roar!* *Roar!* At this moment, four bundles of glimmering dark-red balls formed four Morning Star fire elementals, and Leylin's expression went dark.
"If I don't take care of the main body, this will be endless!" Demonic black flames formed around Leylin's body, devouring the waves of fire from the previous detonations.
The black phoenix flames raged in the Fiery World, their devouring ability causing the opposing elementals to retreat. Even the Sovereign King was put in fear.
"Obscure Fireplume Technique— Soaring Demonic Phoenix!"
Along with a high-pitched phoenix cry, a large black phoenix appeared in the air, two blazing flames sweeping across the region. The four elementals immediately burst apart, and their flames were absorbed by the black, demonic fire. This allowed the black phoenix to become even more enormous as it charged towards the Flame Sovereign King.
*Roar!* The Flame Sovereign King bellowed, a layer of flaming skin covering it as it collided with the tremendous black phoenix.
Demonic black flames flew in all directions just as the scarlet flames did, both using up each other's strength and devouring each other. The enormous vibrations spread in all directions in the labyrinth...
In another area, Melinda chose a path with extreme familiarity. She'd met almost no dangers along the way, and was moving without obstruction.
Her eyes were now glimmering with something brighter than light itself. "I'm here. Are you ready?"
All of a sudden, the immense waves caused by Leylin travelled here, causing even this path she was taking to shake.
"The helpers this time are very powerful!" Melinda laughed in satisfaction, her figure disappearing into the darkness.
...
*Whoosh!* A giant black blade slashed out, the sword lights instantly causing four attacks that each beheaded an elemental. Four large heads fell, blazing with raging flames.
"You did well, brother!" The sword-wielding fighter was naturally Clarke. Behind him, Joanna stared at him with an unspeakable tenderness within her eyes.
These two rank 5 Magi had somehow bypassed the limitations of the Alanore Labyrinth and were working together!
"Soon, Joanna. Soon, Brother will bring you along to take revenge!" Clarke chuckled.
All of a sudden, his expression changed. "Be careful!"
-x-X-x-
Void shattered, and a red figure appeared beside Joanna. Endless flames lay docile on his body, flickering with scarlet light. This was evidently a peak rank 5 Magus.
He solemnly grabbed at Joanna, pure golden flames turning into sharp claws that caused Joanna's defences to break inch by inch.
"Blazing Flame Monarch!" Clarke howled with fury, arriving in front of her. The sharp, flaming claws ruthlessly grabbed him, causing the steel armour to break. Even the skin underneath had been roasted a charred black, revealing bright silver, metallic bones.
Within the Alanore Labyrinth, there was only one person who could move freely. And that was its owner, the Blazing Flame Monarch!
Clarke spat out fresh blood as he and Joanna were sent flying.
"Brother! BROTHER!" Joanna kept screaming, eyes instantly turning blood red. "HOW DARE YOU HARM MY BROTHER. I WANT YOU DEAD!"
Thin, translucent threads emerged from her hands, and even the void itself was cut through as they headed in the direction of the red figure in the air.
Fierce golden flames struck the translucent threads. Under the burning of the flames, the threads gradually melted. Not far away, Joanna turned pale.
"Joanna, get behind me." At this point, Clarke stood up once again, as if he did not have a life-threatening injury on his chest, "Blazing Flame Monarch, I've waited for this day for a long time."
*Bzzt!* Clarke's hands were on his giant black sword, emanating the terrifying undulations from high-grade magic equipment. The sharp rays of light were bright and dazzling, and even the void was constantly crumbling in front of it.
"Sorrow of Gaia!" Clarke yelled in his anger, the phantom of a vast land appearing behind him. An aura of rot converged on his body, forming terrifying sword glints.
"Death and decay are not something a living soul can control." The scarlet being in the air spoke slowly, a red sword with flames on it similarly appearing in its hands. "In the name of Fire, your only destination shall be the stillness of an eternal death."
The whole world seemed to tremble and cheer as large amounts of fire elemental particles wound automatically around the surface of the flaming sword.
These two longswords that had surpassed the limitations of space connected in the next instant, the dark green force that represented death and wilting up against the scarlet fire. Their collision formed a storm that annihilated everything. Red sword light flashed in the roiling storm, and Clarke's whole body fell backwards.
To be precise, 'half his body' fell back. Everything under Clarke's lower abdomen had completely disappeared, as if he had been chopped in half at the waist. It revealed a mechanical backbone and translucent fluids.
The scarlet figure of the Blazing Flame Monarch was revealed once more as the energy storm dissipated. He stared at Clarke's wounds and suddenly laughed.
"It's not even a mechanical modification, just the puppet of a soul servant. The true Clarke should have died long ago." He turned around, staring at Joanna who had tears in her eyes.
"A pretty good soul division technique. It's no wonder the two of you weren't separated when you came in, you are one and the same. Clarke's your courage, longing and hatred; after removing these qualities, your main body is only left with weakness."
"No, my brother isn't dead." Joanna cried out like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, tears spilling out of her eyes.
"Don't… cry… sister…" The half-bodied Clarke on the ground consoled her with a smile, but the voice grew increasingly rigid, and the sound intermittent. It eventually turned robotic.
"Ah, wait. I seem to remember only a little girl surviving during that massacre then. Was it you?" A strange smile appeared on the Blazing Flame Monarch's face, "You actually placed all your hopes on someone else. Even if you've reached rank 5, you're still trash."
Words that were as sharp as a blade caused Joanna's face to turn deathly pale. "No, I'm not…" She hugged her head, on the brink of a complete breakdown.
The Blazing Flame Monarch looked proud, and just as he was about to deal her another blow and upset her further, his expression suddenly changed.
Joanna was still hugging her head, but streams of black gas were dispelled from her body. A dangerous aura formed around her, one that even had him considering retreat.
'What's going on? Wait, she's the descendant of that deceased clan. Could it be…' The Blazing Flame Monarch's eyes shrank, and large amounts of flaming shackles appeared and shot towards Joanna. He was one step too late.
Joanna looked up and began to scream. An endless terrifying undulation immediately enveloped the whole region…
*Thud!* The terrifying rank 5 fire elemental, the alligator-human hybrid Flame Sovereign King toppled down, the flames on its body extinguishing bit by bit.
The two bundles of soul flames gradually dimmed in its eye sockets. Soul light was constantly dispelled from the body, bringing with it dense fire elemental particles that were like fireflies. They quickly disappeared into the air.
*Chirp!* A high-pitched cry sounded and a large black phoenix descended from the skies. The flames withdrew to reveal Leylin who was within.
"The rank 5 Flame Sovereign King really was quite troublesome. I almost had to use my Arcane Art…"
Leylin stood at the edges of the lava lake. After the death of the Sovereign King, the black walls of the labyrinth at the other side of the lake pushed and pulled each other like toy building blocks, revealing a pitch-black pathway.
"It's hard to tell how many stages there are in the labyrinth, unless…" Leylin stroked the ring on his hand.
A maze set up by a rank 6 Magus was something a rank 5 like him could only solve directly. It required another rank 6 to act to break it, or other special circumstances.
"AAAAAAHHHH…" An ear-piercing screech was transmitted to Leylin's ears, the hatred and terrifying energy it held causing Leylin's expression to change slightly. "It came from there… Did anything happen?"
*Boom!* One of the walls slowly crumbled following the explosion, and large amounts of black dust fell down.
"The labyrinth is already showing signs of collapsing. This power seems to be a unique type that's rumoured to have existed in ancient times." Leylin's eyes glinted coldly.
While he was focused on the energy undulations, space suddenly collapsed around him. A scarlet figure appeared before him like before.
Flames seethed in the opponent's hands, seemingly breaking their limitations to possess a terrifying heat. They caused the other energy particles to constantly draw back.There were only flames within this domain.
"The Origin Law of fire. So you're the one who's been spying on me," Leylin snickered, his right hand unhesitatingly activating the silver ring.
Streams of fog dissipated, instantly forming a world of fog.
"Roar!* The phantom of a four-armed cyclops with hard skin emerged from the ring.
"The Fog Space of the ancient Misty Fog Giant." The world of fog enveloped Leylin and the person who had launched a sneak attack. The opponent's law of fire was already tangled up by the fog, using up its energy.
With the blood from Bevis as the basis, and via in-depth processing by the A.I. Chip, Leylin had successfully created a bloodline imprint of the Misty Fog Giant and sealed it within the ring.
Since it was a spell that could be activated using a bloodline, Leylin's bloodline imprint had reached a might of rank 6.
'Is this… the law of fog?' Leylin could sense a deep-seated force in this world of fog. This was the law that controlled it. Due to its connection with the bloodline imprint, he gained some rudimentary control as well.
Large amounts of grey fog were like the most docile stream of water to him, allowing him to do as he liked.
"Crush him!" With Leylin's command, great amounts of grey fog immediately turned into hardened rock, bringing with them the World Will as they rained down on the red figure.
"This isn't your own ability, it's an ancient rank 6 spell!" The tremendous force caused the scarlet figure to cry out involuntarily.
He was covered by the fog immediately after. Red light constantly penetrated through the fog, yet it grew increasingly dark.
"This is the real ancient Fog Space! If Bevis had used a spell like this, I might have long since been defeated or even killed…" Leylin sighed.
While Bevis did have the blood of the Misty Fog Giant, he had no A.I. Chip and it wasn't as if he could endlessly consume his bloodline for spells. Leylin was different. After being purified by the A.I. Chip, the blood of the Misty Fog Giant now displayed its might like in ancient times.
"Damn it, there's another one." Another voice sounded from within the fog, and it soon turned deathly silent. The world of fog dissipated, returning to the scene of the lava lake from before.
"Another one?" Light flashed, and Leylin's figure emerged. "Looks like it isn't the first time he's been at such a disadvantage, and…"
Leylin stared at where the scarlet figure had been. There was now nothing there.
"A rank 5 clone? Looks like the Blazing Flame Monarch has no helpers nearby, and has no choice but to do this himself…
"Good timing. I'll make use of this." Leylin waved his arms, and the fog that had not completely dispersed spread out, completely corroding the walls of the labyrinth.
*Crack! Crack!* The labyrinth walls that had already gone through immense damage could not hold on any longer and began to break apart inch by inch.
Much of the wall turned into powder, and this was still spreading further.