Chapter 207: Awakening of White Flame and Thunder
The chamber was filled with silent brilliance.
The cocoon of white liquid flames that had enveloped Erica Soloman pulsed in steady rhythm, each wave of light washing across the forbidden zone like ripples through still water.
Elton sat cross-legged nearby, his expression calm but his aura carefully restrained as he maintained the transference link. Christy watched closely with her Kokon Tengan activated, her star-patterned pupils reflecting the shifting flows of power between them.
When the final surge arrived, the flames dimmed to a soft radiance. The shell cracked open, spilling streaks of silver-white light that shimmered like molten glass before fading into the air.
Erica stepped forward from within. Her skin looked almost translucent—pure and flawless, as if cleansed by sacred fire. The faint burn marks and fatigue from their recent training were gone. Instead, a steady, vibrant force flowed through her veins.
Her spirit had clearly ascended. The once-wild white flames that surrounded her no longer raged—they moved with precision, responding to her smallest intent.
Elton smiled faintly. "You did it, Erri."
Erica's eyes opened slowly. Her aura radiated smoothly with powerful white liquid flames surging around her. Sparks of white lightning could vaguely be seen swimming through the flames like tiny dragons.
"I… feel lighter," Erica said with a beautiful smile, looking at her hands, feet, and body. "I feel as though my magic power has not only greatly increased, but it's far easier to control. My body and… my soul both feel stronger as well."
Both Christy and Elton looked at her with satisfied expressions. Suddenly, Elton jolted when he felt faint sensations extending from Erica—like ghostly threads brushing the air.
"Ehh?! You've awakened Celestial Sense?" Elton exclaimed in shock, while Christy's eyes widened in surprise.
Erica stood quietly for a moment, taking in the sensation. "So this is Celestial Sense? Wow… Ah! I can feel yours now, El Onyem! It's far stronger than mine though. It appears as though I managed to absorb some of your insights into that ability, hehe."
"Hahaha! How amazing! Generally speaking, becoming a Middle Stage Mortal Lord is the very earliest one can learn that, with most usually only grasping it after reaching the Soul Realm beyond Late Stage Mortal Lord!" Elton explained proudly. "Well, my case is a bit different because of my cultivation method, hahaha! Congrats, Erri!"
"I've even gained a bit of the properties from the Fanged Elf Tribe, and inferior versions of your cultivation methods with white lightning. You've given me a lot, El Onyem." Erica smirked playfully, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Elton gave a warm smile, admiring her renewed presence—her face, her aura, even her posture seemed reborn.
As the aura between them settled, Christy's eyes narrowed with curiosity. Her Kokon Tengan was still active, its intricate patterns glowing faintly. "Strange… while watching the whole process, I feel as though I've gained so many insights from both of you. It's like my Kokon Tengan recorded everything you two did."
Elton turned toward her. "You absorbed part of it?"
Christy nodded slowly. "Something like that. I think I can imitate certain parts of your skills and techniques."
Elton looked puzzled. "Hmm… actually, it's not that surprising, seeing that you've copied me before. I thought it was something you already knew you could do, though what you did before was more like making them your own."
Christy frowned in thought. "Yes… I realize now I've done it before without thinking. Two moves, specifically—White Star Sword Transformation and White Star Speed Transformation. I could use them years ago, back when I was barely Gold Tier 1. I've even quickly learned a version of your Eternal Dawn Sealing Strike."
Elton blinked in amazement. "This is incredible… since I've never actively taught you how to use any of those skills. In the first place, the first two are techniques specific to my cultivation method. Your Aka Boshi no Tengan was already amazing, but it seems there's far more to your Kokon Tengan than we understand."
"Exactly," Christy said with a small nod. "Truth be told, I never questioned it. We've adventured together, share the same masters, practice some of the same methods, and have done synchronized cultivation many times. So it's like this…" she smiled softly, lost in thought.
"Congratulations to you, Chrissy, on learning more about your eye abilities," Erica said warmly.
Elton's aura flickered slightly—his energy lower than before—but his spirit felt clearer. In exchange for the power he'd given, he had gained new insights into Soloman bloodline magic and white flame manipulation. His Celestial Sense had sharpened, and his eighth meridian pulsed faintly at the edge of awakening.
Christy, still analyzing the residual energy patterns, caught faint glimpses of these shifts through her Kokon Tengan and smiled in satisfaction.
They spent the rest of the night in quiet celebration—nothing extravagant, just laughter, shared stories, and relief. Their connection as comrades and companions felt stronger than ever.
When exhaustion finally overtook them, the three rested peacefully beneath the lingering glow of white flame and starlight.
Later that morning, the trio woke up and cleansed themselves before finally reporting back to Elder Rukia and Master Bluesonics. A look of mild confusion crossed their faces as they studied the glowing magical circle before them.
"Greetings, Master and Elder!" they greeted in unison.
"You three are right on time. It's about time you headed out for your mission," Elder Rukia said nonchalantly.
"Hmm? By mission, you mean?" Elton asked with a questioning expression.
"Don't you all want to go and help your friends in Grimhollow Valley?" Master Bluesonics asked with a knowing smile.
"Ah, of course! If that's the mission, then—"
Before Elton could continue, Elder Rukia cut him off. "Slow your roll there. Listen to what Master has to say first," she said with raised eyebrows.
"Ehh? Is that not the mission?" Erica asked with uncertainty.
Master Bluesonics looked at the three of them with an even brighter smile before shaking his head. "No, that's not quite the mission. Hehehe… Your mission is to put an end to the demon invasion that will soon occur through a dimensional rift connecting to a small continent linked to the Purple Starmist Continent.
"It's located in a certain area within the Southern Central Region. Not only that, but you are to conquer that land, creating a foothold for the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect. At least in name… the true goal is to create something of your own."
"Y-You mean…?" Elton's heart skipped a beat upon hearing those words.
"M-Master?! T-this…" Christy stammered, her eyes wide with shock.
"Are you actually saying that we should…" Erica's voice trembled as she trailed off, unable to finish the question.
"Hahaha, that's exactly right," Master Bluesonics said with a pleased grin. "Well, it's only the early stages for now. White Star Radiance has become too powerful a mixed force — too entangled in these unscrupulous political affairs, which is not ideal for cultivation.
"Creating a main base in the Central Region, under the protection of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect as an allied force, is the perfect way to remedy this while also increasing your influence beyond just the Southeast.
"The Central Region is a place overflowing with opportunity and treasure — but it's also the most chaotic and dangerous, filled with the continent's greatest powers outside of the Northern Empire. The timing couldn't be better. The war with the Purple Starmist Continent is escalating, and soon the biggest powers on both sides will clash."
"So it's like this…" Christy murmured to herself in thought.
"What about Zoro and the others?" Elton asked, still uncertain.
"Ehh, what do you mean 'what about them'? Just fill them in through that little Fanged Elf girl. Isn't that easy? They should all be within the same areas by now, right?" Master Bluesonics said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh… right, there is that. Ah, I understand now." Elton nodded in realization.
"You'll also have various other missions to complete on the surface," Elder Rukia added with a thoughtful tone. "I'll be sending disciples with their own tasks in that region — they'll assist you when needed."
Elton, Christy, and Erica exchanged determined glances before nodding.
"Now then," Master Bluesonics said, clapping his hands together, "off you go!"
The magical formation suddenly vanished and reappeared beneath Elton, Christy, and Erica's feet, catching them completely off guard. A blinding light erupted from below, and in an instant, they were gone.
"Hmm… are you certain they'll succeed, Master?" Elder Rukia asked quietly.
"Hah! They'll succeed for the most part — unless a Middle Stage Mortal Lord shows up," Master Bluesonics replied confidently. "Even then, it's still possible if that guy makes his move.
"Heh… we can probably rely on certain Fanged Elf experts and even that woman from the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan who's so protective of her granddaughter. Not to mention her grandfather, who won't remain silent much longer given the current circumstances.
"There are a few others too… including a certain junior brother of yours, from my last batch of disciples before these kids."
Elder Rukia frowned, her tone sharp. "Eh… by junior brother, you mean that guy? He's always closed off in meditation, claiming he's suppressing his erratic killing sword aura. Such an idiot. Like those other fools who got ahead of themselves and ignored your teachings! Originally, he should have become what Murphaus is now. How pitiful."
"Hahaha! Oh, come now, Rukia. Even if he's the way he is now, he's still stronger than that boy Murphaus," Master Bluesonics said with booming laughter.
Rukia pouted slightly before sighing. "Well, whatever. I love you, Master, so it doesn't matter."
"…Hahaha! You and these jokes again," Bluesonics said with a wry smile. "It's about time you prepare for another breakthrough so you can finally enter the Master Realm."
He waved his hand and disappeared without another word.
"…Even now, you're like this, Master," Rukia whispered softly, her expression faintly unreadable. "A joke, huh…"
A shadow of old emotion flickered across her face — part bitterness, part nostalgia — before fading just as quietly as her voice.