《Alpha Reborn!》
Chapter 1 An Imperial Jester: The Frost Clans Mentally Unstable Heir
?In the bustling capital of the Sun Moon Empire, where the sun zed high in the sky and the moon glowed brightly at night, there was a famous tavern thaty in the northern district. It was a lively hub where people from all walks of life came to indulge in ale and exchange news and gossip.
On this particr day, the patrons were deep in conversation, their voices carrying over the clinking of sses and the sound ofughter.
They were discussing the grandson of the Empire''s Grand General.
"Have you heard about that Evan Frost boy?" one patron said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Oh, you mean the idiot son of the retired Field Marshal?" Snarky Steve replied, sneering as he took a swig from his ale. He was known for speaking ill behind everyone''s back in these alleys. But because he had the strength to back up his foul mouth, nothing had been done about him.
"Hah! That''s the one," Simonughed loudly, his voice thundering in the pub.
After ncing at who was talking, the people looked away. Simon was the henchman of a famous thug. They couldn''t afford to offend him. Even telling him to lower his voice might cost them an arm or a leg.
"Who hasn''t heard of him in the capital? He is born to the most famous Soul Master of this time, but he is more useless than a pig. You can eat a pig after raising it, but nothing can be done about that boy. He can''t focus on anything. He''s always out of his mind," Snarky Steve continued, rolling his eyes.
"He is a useless waste of space," Simon scoffed.
But another patron chimed in, his voice low and conspiratorial, "I heard he has nightmares every night."
"Ha! Figures. He is probably too stupid to even sleep properly," Snarky Steve said, snickering. It was clear that he held a deep disdain for Evan Frost.
"Sounds like that Evan Frost is more of a liability than an asset to his n. I mean, who would give up on themselves just because of reurring nightmares? Maybe if he wasn''t such a spineless coward, he could actually do something useful for once." Simon said.
Snarky Steve chuckled and took another swig of his ale. "Useful? That would be a first. The only thing that boy is good for is being aughingstock for the rest of us."
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom The third patron nodded in agreement. "It''s a shame, really, having such a famous father and grandfather and being such a pathetic excuse of a prince. But hey, at least he''s good for something, right? We can always use him as a good joke to pass the time."
Simon snorted in derision. "Ha! You said it. Evan Frost, the joke of the Frost n. He''s nothing more than a waste of space and air. Might as well just put him out of his misery and save everyone the trouble."
Snarky Steveughed cruelly. "I couldn''t agree more. Evan Frost the useless, pitiful excuse for a prince. He''ll never be anything more than a patheticughingstock."
"ording to reports, he is believed to possess potential; however, he struggles to perform well in his studies and concentrate on training due to being haunted by nightmares throughout the night."
"It''s a fabricated story intended to protect his reputation!"
"The reality will be exposed during the uing awakening ceremony, which is set to take ce in three days. The detector will ascertain whether he truly deserves to be regarded as his father''s son or if he is merely a shameful disappointment."
Meanwhile, at the Frost family estate, Evany in bed with his gaze fixed on the ceiling. He had just woken up from another nightmare, and his body trembled with exhaustion. The images from his dreams were still vivid in his mind, constantly repeating and haunting him like a ghost. He remembered seeing a furry humanoid creature tearing apart humans and squashing scientists with a casual motion of its hand. The thought of how powerful the creature had to be to squash humans like bugs lingered in his mind.
However, unlike all the previous times, Evan did not feel afraid. He epted the visions he had seen tonight with an open mind and smiled happily as though he had awakened from a sweet dream instead of a nightmare.
"I can''t believe it," Evan muttered, putting together the pieces of the puzzle. "The monster was the hero all along, the humans were the real viins, and the captives were the victim of humanity''s greed! The visions I have been having for the past four years weren''t foretelling my doom! I have been paranoid for no reason!"
Heughed joyfully, exuding a sense of freedom that one might expect from a person who had just been liberated from very.
At the tender age of 12, his life was tragically altered when his mother passed away in an ident. Every night since then, he had been gued by terrifying visions that disrupted his ability to concentrate on his studies and training. He was left in a permanent state of paranoia.
As a result of his condition, his grades suffered, and he became the target of ridicule within and outside his n.
Some even questioned whether he, as a mentally unstable individual, was fit to be the Crown Prince of Frost.
Nheless, his father protected him, and he maintained his position.
And finally, after four long years of enduring the same nightmare, he has been cured of his illness!
Chapter 2 Echoes Of A Forgotten Self (1/2)
?The main protagonist of Evan''s "visions" was a guy called Christian Wolfie.
The very embodiment of perfection in the human world, Christian was admired by many for his stunning looks, winning personality, and incredible athletic prowess. But beneath the surface, there was a hidden truth that he kept concealed from the rest of the world. Christian was a werewolf and the alpha of his pack.
As the alpha, Christian had a multitude of responsibilities that weighed heavily on him. He had to ensure the safety and well-being of his pack while also keeping them hidden from the rest of the world. It was a bncing act that required him to be vignt at all times, especially during the full moon when his transformation was at its strongest.
Despite the immense pressure of his position, Christian''s heart was kind andpassionate.
He even went against the teachings of his uncle, who believed that outcasts were not to be helped, and instead, he befriended and protected an outcast from his pack, who was mercilessly bullied for her appearance.
Emily was born prematurely and, as a result, had a weak wolf and poor self-regeneration abilities. She was bullied relentlessly for her physical features but seeing her getting punched and knocked to the ground, Christian''s protective instincts kicked in, and he wiped the ground with her bullies with the strength and majesty of a knight. From that day forward, no one dared to cross her path for fear of incurring young Christian''s wrath. No one wanted to get on the bad side of a muscr stud whose punches hit harder than a bolt out of the sky.
As a kid, he always felt disgusted whenever he saw a group of grown-ass men picking up on a single person who looked like someone that couldn''t fight back. After growing up and bing a teen, that feeling intensified, but now he had the strength to do something about it and thankfully, he did.
Emily was so thankful that she offered to work as his Beta. Christan obviously declined him.
Betas were the closest confidant of an Alpha. That was a good way to put it when in actuality, Betas were ves to an Alpha.
He didn''t want her as his ve. He saved her because he wanted to, not because he was looking for benefits.
Christan''s life was a constant struggle, a delicate bncing act between his human and werewolf identities. As the moon waxed and waned, he had to keep his inner wolf in check, lest it consumed him.
Every full moon was a test of his willpower and control, but it wasn''t just about keeping himself in check. Christan was also responsible for the safety of his pack and the humans around them. He couldn''t afford to lose control, not even for a moment, and he had to be on the lookout on every full moon night to subdue the member of his packs that lost control. The stakes were too high, and the consequences of failing were too dire.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom And then there were the rival packs, always on the prowl, looking for a chance to strike. The war between packs was an ancient tradition, a bloody conflict that had raged for centuries. It wasn''t just a matter of pride or territory but of survival. The strongest packs would survive, while the weaker ones would be consumed and forgotten.
Christan knew the dangers all too well. He had seen the aftermath of these battles, the carnage, and destruction left in their wake, but he was also a warrior, a protector of his pack and its traditions. He couldn''t back down from a fight, not when the honor of his pack and the lives of his loved ones was on the line.
Luckily, there was one thing that kept absolute chaos at bay: the council. They were the guardians of the werewolfmunity, the keepers of their secrets, and the enforcers of theirws.
Thanks to their protection, Christan and his fellow werewolves could fight against the enemy packs without fear of being exposed to the world.
And thanks to the manyws they enforced, packs couldn''t wage war without the permission of the council.
Christan had led his pack to victory in numerous wars, growing their territory and establishing himself as a hero among his kind. He was respected and revered by all.
His father passed on his position to him without any regrets on his 18th birthday.
Even after aplishing so much at a young age, he never let arrogance cloud his mind. He never lost sight of his true values. He believed in freedom for all and refused to enve anyone, even his closest confidants, the betas.
For 18 years, Christian had managed to keep his supernatural identity concealed from humans.
His life was going well until the night his pack was met with a cmity.
Chapter 3 Echoes Of A Forgotten Self (2/2)
?Christian''s world was abruptly upended, violently and irrevocably, when he stumbled upon the atrocious truth: his entire pack had been snatched away and hauled off to ab, left tonguish under the merciless scrutiny of heartless scientists.
As he pondered his options, one stark truth loomedrge: he couldn''t count on the council for aid, not when some of the malefactors behind this vile scheme were in cahoots with them. Their once-hallowed status was now nothing more than a hollow fa?ade in his eyes.
The searing pain of betrayal wed at his heartstrings, an agonizing reminder that his once unwavering trust in the heroes of the werewolfmunity he idolized had been so callously trampled upon.
The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on Christian''s shoulders, and his heart was beating at a rapid pace.
He could feel the sweat trickling down his face as he met with his father and the few pack members who were away at the time of the kidnapping.
They all shared a determined look as they huddled together and devised a n to rescue their pack from the clutches of their captors.
However, with every step they took, the danger increased, and the horror of the situation became more apparent.
Christian could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins as they approached theb where his pack was being held captive after taking down a few organizations.
The smell of smoke and chemicals filled the air, and he could hear the muffled cries of his pack membersing from deep within theb through the mind link, a telepathic connection shared by werewolves of the same pack.
Theb looked heavily guarded.
Despite the risks, Christian and his team remained resolute.
They assassinated the captors, taking them down one by one so as not to alert the enemies until they reached the area where their pack was locked.
The sight of their weakened and tormented bodies only fueled their rage and strengthened their resolve.
As they were releasing them from their shackles, the doors slid open, and countless armed men rushed in, surrounding them with vile grins.
The situation took a turn for the worst. It looked like they won''t be getting out alive.
But in a desperate attempt to save his pack, Christian made the ultimate sacrifice.
He offered up his heart to the moon goddess, a sacrifice that granted them unimaginable power for a temporary period. He knew it was the only way to ensure the safety of his pack, and he did not hesitate to do it.
With his newfound strength, he took down the captors, burned down theb, and fled the city with his pack.
The council wasn''t clean. And they had reasons to believe that someone powerful was backing theb andmitting heinous crimes against the werewolf. There were mad bastards looking to capture werewolfs and use them in their dirty experiments.
Thus, the werewolves couldn''t live in their homnd. They decided to start afresh in a peaceful third-world country in the East, where they could live their lives without fear of persecution or harm.
As Christiany dying on the ground, surrounded by his pack members, he tookfort in knowing that he had lived up to his responsibilities as the Alpha.
His pack members wept and thanked him for his bravery and selflessness while his father cried out to the moon, begging for the Moon Goddess to save his son. He regretted that he passed on the position of the Alpha to his son too soon. If only he were the Alpha, the one who would be dying wouldn''t be his son, but him.
Looking at his father, Christian knew he would have hurt as much, if not more, than his father if he were in his shoes. No man would like to see his son die before him, but he wanted to be selfish this one time.
In his final moments, he looked up at his father, patting his cheek gently, and told him not to cry before his hand fell down weakly.
With a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips, he closed his eyes, content in the knowledge that he had done everything in his power to protect his pack and ensure their safety.
What did Christian Wolfie have to do with Evan Frost, who was born on a different than him?
They may be two different people,ing from differents, that could not possibly be rted, but the truth of the matter was that they shared a special connection, insepratble by space and time.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Evan Frost was Christian Wolfie in his past life!
The visions Evan had been having weren''t glimpses of the future. They were the memories of his past life!
''It''s shocking to know I was such a great guy in my past life.'' Evan thought after reviewing the lengthy vision he had experienced tonight.
Chapter 4 Reborn As The Villain: My Chance For A New Beginning
?Evan''s heart raced as he took in the magnitude of what had just happened. The memories of his past life had tormented him for years. Every time he slept, the most painful events of his past yed out like a never-ending horror show. He had mistaken them for a future where he would die miserably at the hands of a werewolf.
But the vision he had experienced tonight was different than the ones before.
It was real, and he had felt every moment, every emotion, and every detail with such rity that he could swear he had been there. It was like he had been transported to another world, living an entire lifetime as Christian Wolfie. It was this experience that made him believe he was Christian Wolfie in his past life.
Evan was amazed by how different he had been in that past life. He had always thought of himself as wed in his current life, but in the past, he had been kind, brave, and selfless. The revtion filled him with awe and happiness.
Looking around, Evan realized he was no longer afraid of being alone in his room. He used to be afraid that the monster in his nightmares would step out of the shadows and tear him apart limb by limb if he closed his eyes or lowered his vignce. However, his fear had wilted away when he discovered the real identity of the monster, which was himself.
Now, he was no longer afraid of sleeping.
He was also not afraid of having visions. Instead, he was looking forward to experiencing them again.
"I bet my father would be so relieved to know that I''ve finally conquered my paranoia. But telling him about my memories of my past life might be pushing it. I mean, it''s not every day you hear about a 16-year-old with 34 years of memories. I don''t want to scare him off."
In order to prevent his father from regarding him as a monster, Evan decided not to disclose his secret to anyone and keep it hidden forever. It could be seen in his eyes that he had resolved to take it to his grave.
Evan sat up and turned towards the mirror, studying his reflection with newfound appreciation.
The man staring back at him had silky ck hair and sharp eyebrows that nted at the end, giving him a distinct and bold look. His nose bridge was high, akin to Cleopatra''s, and his jawline was smooth and chiseled.
He sat with his lips pressed together, his expression serious and even intimidating. However, what truly caught his attention were his eyes.
They were a striking shade of royal blue, sparkling even in the dark.
The slightest hint of pink was visible in his eyes, a reminder of the vision he had just experienced. This pink hue would onlyst for a short time after his vision ended.
Evan knew from his father that having visions was a trait of a seer, someone blessed with the ability to foresee the future in their dreams.
It was a gift that he might have inherited from histe mother.
However, instead of seeing the future, he witnessed his past each time he had a vision.
This was a unique and unprecedented ability that had never been seen before.
Evan''s father had once told him that his nightmares were ominous signs of his impending doom, a warning that a fierce adversary wasing to im his life. The words of.his father had stirred a deep sense of dread and apprehension within Evan, leaving him in a constant state of paranoia and vignce. Despite his father''s reassuring presence as the Imperial Lord of Frost and the retired Field Marshal, Evan couldn''t shake off the fear that his life was in grave danger.
At times, Evan felt a sense of regret about his prophetic ability. If he wasn''t a seer, why should he be tormented by visions of an uncertain future?
But now that the truth hase to light, Evan has nothing but good words to say about the gift that he possessed.
"In the past, I resented being a seer," Evan mused, "but now I see it as a blessing. It has helped me recall my past life with rity!"
Evan possessed a unique power as a seer that set him apart from others of his kind. While most seers could only catch fleeting glimpses of the future during their visions, Evan had the ability to recall every moment of his past life with vivid detail. This gift allowed him to recover memories of a game that he and his friends had yed before his demise.
The game had taken the world by storm with its breathtaking graphics, immersive storyline, and captivating gamey that ensnared yers worldwide.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Christian Wolfie had been introduced to the game by his friends and never expected to be so enthralled by it. As the star quarterback of his football team and a responsible alpha, Christian had very little free time to spare for gaming. Nevertheless, he found himself getting lost in the game''s world, mesmerized by the magicalndscapes and mythical creatures that roamed within it.
It so happened that there was an infamous NPC in the game named Evan Frost, who had be the bane of many yers'' existence. Merely uttering his name was enough to send chills down the spine of any yer exploring the game''s world.
Evan was born into the Frost n as the crown prince, and he had everything at his disposal. However, his grandfather and the n elders viewed him as ipetent and unworthy of the throne. They pitted him against the most talented youth of the n, and no matter how hard Evan tried, he couldn''t measure up. In everypetition, he was insulted and humiliated by the stepson of the head of the minor families.
Although Evan was the son of the patriarch of the main house, he could never match up to the stepson of the head of the minor families.
This realization shattered Evan, but losing his position to that person drove him mad.
He began plotting against the newly appointed Crown Prince of Frost, even going as far as hiring an assassin to carry out the job of killing him.
Unfortunately, Evan''s attempt at the new crown prince''s life was a grave mistake.
His actions were exposed.
The Frost family had strictws. Even though he was the only son of the n''s patriarch, thew enforcers, backed by the elders of the Punishment Hall, didn''t hesitate to punish him.
Evan was stripped of his privileges, exiled, and subjected to severe physical punishment, leaving him half-dead and bloodied.
While the Imperial Lord of Frost was being suppressed by the Grand General, Evan was thrown into a random portal that teleported him to a junkyard of a world.
Banished from his homnd, stripped of everything he held dear, and separated from his loving father, Evan became a man without a home or a purpose close to dying.
He would have died if he hadn''t been saved by a kind-hearted scavenger who wasn''t exactly a beauty. Her face was average at best, and if he were a swan, she would be a toad. However, her personality was as beautiful as a blooming rose. It was not an easy task to find someone like her on a where the waste of the intergctic empires was dumped.
While she was nursing Evan back to health, he found himself developing feelings for her. It was clear to him that she felt the same way, and perhaps it was because of his charming face. As they spent more time together, they grew closer, and Evan found himself falling in love with her.
One day, she proposed to him, and he immediately epted. He was no longer the crown prince of frost, and it didn''t seem like a bad idea to spend the rest of his life with her.
They lived together happily for half a year. This much time was enough for Evan to realize that beauty is not just skin deep, but it alsoes from within.
The love they shared was pure and true, and he was grateful that someone as kind-hearted and gentle as his wife.
But his good days didn''tst long.
His cousin sent space pirates after him. A tracking chip was imnted in Evan''s body without his knowledge. It happened when he lost his consciousness due to the punishment.
While Evan''s Father, the Imperial Lord of Frost, was desperately trying to find his son, the space pirate hired by Evan''s Cousin easily found him with the help of the tracking device.
The shots fired from the spaceship destroyed Evan''s home and killed his beloved wife. He had been rescued from the rubble by a masked mercenary who had been tasked by Evan''s Uncle, the head of the minor families, to capture him and throw him into a hellhole where he could never escape.
The pain and agony that he had felt at the loss of his wife were indescribable. The memories of their time together were etched into his mind, and he could not help but think of what they had nned for the future. It was all gone in an instant.
While being pulled from the wreckage of his home, Evan felt numb and disoriented. The mercenary acted quickly, grabbing him roughly and shoving him into a waiting spacecraft. Evan was too dazed to resist, and as the ship lifted off the ground, he watched in horror as the ruins of his life disappeared from view.
Days passed as they flew through the gxy, the mercenary keeping him locked in a small, cramped cell.
Evan was only given the bare necessities and medicine to survive, and the darkness had swallowed him whole. He didn''t know who the mercenary was or what his purpose was.
The fear of never seeing the light again nearly consumed him when he was pulled out of the spaceship and sold to a ruthless cartel that smuggled drugs and trafficked humans.
The cartel saw Evan as a valuable asset, a man who could help them expand their operation.
Although he was in a dire situation, Evan wanted to live. He wanted to amass power to avenge his wife. Evan''s past life as the Crown Prince of Frost proved to be his greatest asset. He used his knowledge to help the cartel bypass security checks and expand its operation.
As Evan''s contributions increased, the cartel gave him a hideout to run.
That was his character temte.
He was a boss that yers had to defeat toplete one of the game''s most popr quests.
The yers came to personally hate him, for the target of his operation were noobs and orphans. They despised him for his cruel tactics, never suspecting that he was once a victim himself, a man who had been forcefully taken from his life and thrown into a world of darkness and fear by his own Uncle and Cousin.
"Upon sacrificing myself for my pack''s safety, I reincarnated into a notorious character in a famous MMORPG game. Is there anything more ludicrous than this?"
Evan couldn''t help cursing his absurd fate; his past and present lives intertwined in ways one couldn''t imagine.
It was all so absurd that he couldn''t help but chuckle in anger.
Chapter 5 The Phantom Lord Butler Who Tends To My Needs
?It was the 1st of May.
Evan rubbed his temples, doing his best to suppress the annoyance bubbling up inside him. "I can''t believe I am only three days away from getting fucked over," he muttered to himself. He knew his world would be turned upside down three dayster.
As the Crown Prince of Frost, Evan always felt the pressure to prove himself, leading to his paranoia about his potentialpared to his father''s. For four years, he hadn''t excelled in his studies due to his nightmares, which led others to believe he wasn''t as naturally gifted as the Frost n''s other children.
However, Evan''s potential remained unknown, and his father was the patriarch of the Frost n, which prevented others from speaking up against him. But that didn''t mean he had no enemies waiting in the shadows, ready to strike when the time was right.
If it were discovered that Evan wasn''t as talented as his father, the Frost n''s elders and minor families would have a reason to remove him from his position. In just three days, the n would gather for the awakening ceremony, a tradition that would reveal each member''s potential. Evan knew that day he would be publicly outed as untalented and unworthy of his position as Crown Prince.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® "The nerve of them," he thought, boiling with anger.
The people he trusted, the elders who had looked after him since he was a child, would be the ones to admonish him.
Meanwhile, his enemies would wait in the wings, ready to pounce on his weakness.
"Losing my position means losing everything," Evan thought to himself. "I can''t let that happen. I won''t let history repeat itself."
With a steely determination in his eyes, Evan vowed to do whatever it took to hold onto his position. His survival depended on it.
A sharp rap interrupted Evan''s solitude, and a crisp, authoritative voice called out, "Your Highness, are you awake?"
"Yes."
Evan affirmed his consciousness with a low utterance and instructed the caller to remain stationary as he made his way towards the door. He always fastened both the door to his chamber and the windows within his quarters, due to his developing paranoia. This resulted in an embarrassing situation where a royalty like him had to open the door for a servant.
As he approached the door, Evan sensed a familiar presence emanating from the other side. With a measured hand, he utched the door, revealing the caller''s figure.
It was his butler, Edmund Darkwood.
Edmund possessed a striking appearance, with a handsome and mature face and swept-back white hair that flowed into a ponytail, giving him an air of sophistication.
In the past, Evan held Edmund in high regard, considering him a kind and trustworthy friend. However, following the recovery of Evan''s past memories, his perception of Edmund underwent a profound shift.
Evan learned that Edmund was not only a nice guy but also one of the legendary Phantom Lords of the Frost n.
The Phantom Lords were renowned heroes who had assassinated countless enemies of the Empire, earning a reputation that was virtually unmatched. They were widely regarded as some of the most skilled soul masters in thend.
The mere mention of their names inspired fear and admiration in equal measure!
It was widely believed that anyone who could secure the loyalty of the three Frost n''s Phantom Lords would possess a team as formidable as the Frost n''s 13 Ghosts.
Evan, too, yearned for the allegiance of all three Phantom Lords in his n.
He believed that if he could secure their unwavering loyalty, it would safeguard his position, even if his own talents werecking. However, he was aware that this was an improbable feat, especially given the time constraints leading up to the awakening ceremony.
He knew that winning the hearts of all three Phantom Lords in a mere three days was an unattainable goal.
"May I?" Edmund inquired with a polite bow.
"Come in," Evan''s voice was soft but deep, his tone barely above a whisper. His face remained expressionless as he granted permission to his visitor.
Edmund stepped inside the room, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Contrary to his expectations, the room appeared to be intact and undisturbed. His Highness had evidently not sumbed to one of his unpredictable fits that would leave half of the room destroyed.
Edmund proceeded to take a seat adjacent to the bed. The sudden absence of his Highness''s usual midnight behavior raised questions in Edmund''s mind.
Had he undergone a transformation?
Alternatively, was it possible that he had be so frightened of experiencing another vision that he refused to sleep, despite it being way past his bedtime?
"Sir Darkwood, what''s the reason for yourte visit?" Evan spoke up, breaking the silence as he sat on the bed. His voice was hushed as if the walls might hear their conversation. It was his usual way of speaking,cking authority and firmness.
"The Imperial Lord of Frost wants to see Your Highness in his study. He said it''s optional. You don''t need to meet him if you don''t want to," Edmund said, his expression unreadable.
"Is there anything else?" Evan inquired.
"He wants me to be your escort if you decide to go to his study." Edmund responded.
The studyy just a short distance away from Evan''s room. Despite the absurdity of the request, Edmund did not disy any frustration. Instead, his countenance remained serene and undisturbed, resembling a tranquilke. He understood the affliction that gued Evan - a mdy of the mind that was simr to the one that Edmund himself had acquired during his time in the war. Thus, he could empathize with him.
Evan''s paranoia was severe to the point that he was incapable of venturing out of his room without the presence of a reliable guardian and would sumb to fits of weeping and violence, destroying everything in sight. Evan''s father was aware of his son''s condition and took care of him as best he could.
Upon hearing Edmund''s words, Evan''s heart began to race with anticipation. In the game, there had been no record of his encounter with the Imperial Lord of Frost three days prior to the awakening ceremony. Despite the importance of such an event, there was no mention of it anywhere in the game, leading Evan to conclude that it never happened.
Evan knew he had to meet with his father that night, even if it meant acting out of character and raising suspicion.
After all, it was his first step toward breaking the script!
"Let''s go meet father," Evan said.
Chapter 6 Meeting The Lord Of Winter In The Study
?Evan strode through the opulent corridors of the magnificent mansion, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors. By his side was Edmund Darkwood, whose reassuring presence instilled within him a sense of safety.
As they walked, Evan''s gaze was drawn to the adornments on the walls. The paintings of knights anddies depicted in intricate detail caught his attention, as did the suits of armor standing proudly on disy.
They were equally impressive, and the sheer magnificence of it all left him awestruck
Evan had always been daunted by such grandeur. In times past, even the mere sight of a painting would send shivers cascading down his spine, beset by intense nightmares of a monstrous creature lurking in the shadows. He used to believe that this abominable creature was lurking around every corner, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, causing him to withdraw from society and shun such extravagance.
But today, his fear had dissipated, for he knew that Christian Wolfie was no monster but a reflection of his past life.
Evan''s usual trepidation was reced with a newfound appreciation for the exquisite artistry on disy.
As he examined the paintings, he marveled at the intricate brushstrokes and vivid colors, which seemed to bring the scenes to life before his very eyes. The suits of armor, once intimidating and fearsome, now appeared as stunning works of craftsmanship in his eyes.
For the first time, Evan felt at ease in this grand mansion.
"He has changed. Although the change is subtle, he is headed toward recovery. Magnus''s prayers have been answered." Edmund thought when he noticed Evan''s changes.
After a brief journey, they arrived at the study of Lord Magnus. Evan gathered his courage and rapped on the door.
"Enter," a voice boomed from within.
Evan opened the door to find his father seated behind his desk.
Magnus''s features were perfectly symmetrical as if crafted by a divine hand.
His skin was smooth and wless, with a healthy glow that seemed to emanate from within. His eyes were a stunning shade of green, deep and mysterious, yet warm and weing at the same time.
His hair was a silky cascade of golden threads that fell in waves around his face, framing his chiseled jawline and highlighting his high cheekbones.
His lips were full and plush, with a natural hue of pink that begged to be kissed.
In short, Magnus was a beautiful man. No one would believe that someone who looked as young and youthful as him was in his early forties!
Magnus''s frigid demeanor was enough to deter all from expressing their love.
The surface of his desk was cluttered with books and papers, each one meticulously arranged in neat stacks. The books appeared ancient, their covers cracked and yellowed with age, while the papers were crisp and new, bearing the mark of the lord''s seal.
The room was illuminated by a dim blue light emanating from a crystal chandelier that hung overhead. The light glinted off Magnus''s skin, casting shadows across the room that danced along the walls.
Despite the coldness of his surroundings, Magnus seemedpletely at ease, as though he were in his element.
In the corner of the room, a firece crackled and spat, its warmth offering a stark contrast to the icy chill that emanated from the lord.
It was lit, for Evan''s sake.
Evan approached his father and bowed before him. "Your son humbly greets the Ruler of the Dark Skies, the Imperial Lord of Frost. Please ept my greetings, Father," he spoke with deference.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom The Sun-Moon Empire was an intergctic dominion that spanned several gxies; its vastness and grandeur were unmatched. The Empire''s capital was situated on a that glimmered like a gemstone under the warm radiance of the twin suns. It was called Crystalline.
The Imperial Senate ruled over the empire with an iron fist, and its power was absolute. Its headquarters was located on Crystalline.
The Imperial Senate had one Imperial Master, four Elders, and seven Imperial Lords. The Imperial Lords were the Patriarchs of the Seven Imperial ns, and their influence extended far and wide. The Elders, on the other hand, were renowned for their incredible strength, and they were the true masters of the Army.
The Imperial Master was a mysterious figure whose identity was shrouded in secrecy. Not much was known about him. However, it was widely known that it was because of him that the Empire emerged victorious against the dreaded Daemon, an intergctic warrior race, during the previous war. It was because of him that the Empire had entered a new era of peace, free from the threat of annihtion.
Magnus was one of the Seven Imperial Lords!
"There is no need for formalities when we are alone, my son." Magnus smiled softly as he waved his hand, conjuring a gentle gust of wind that lifted Evan from his knees and helped him back onto his feet.
"Thank you, Father," Evan said, a note of gratitude in his voice.
Magnus gestured to a nearby chair. "Please, take a seat."
His voice was like a refreshing wind on a hot summer day, and there was a hint of warmth in his eyes as he looked at his son.
Edmund, who stood outside the study, couldn''t help but think that his old friend really loved Evan. Magnus''s voice was usually as cold and unforgiving as the ice surrounding him, yet when he was with his son, he was disgustingly kind and soft-spoken.
Evan deliberately walked slowly towards the chair.
The chair was a work of art, crafted from polished wood and upholstered in rich, luxurious fabric. Evan sank into it, sitting opposite his father.
Magnus studied his son''s face, his expression softening as he took in the signs of weariness under Evan''s eyes.
"How has your day been?" Magnus asked, his voice warm and kind.
"I couldn''t have asked for a better day," Evan replied with an unmistakable tone of joy in his voice in response to Magnus'' inquiry.
Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You look tired." He didn''t like his child lying to him.
"I am exhausted, but it''s because I had a vision. But this one wasn''t terrifying like the ones before. This one was different, more like a sweet dream that has left me feeling better than I have in a while."
Magnus leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Do tell."
Evan recounted his dream to his father, leaving out the part which helped him discover that he was Christian Wolfie.
Magnus attentively listened, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Although it''s an odd dream, I''m grateful it had a positive oue. I hope you can now view the world through a more positive lens," he remarked.
"Father, rest assured. I''m sure I''ll recover quickly since I won''t mistake my visions for an impending death anymore," Evan said with confidence.
"I''m d to hear that. However, if you ever require assistance, you know where to find me," Magnus replied, his tone bing gentler.
Evan smiled gratefully. "I appreciate your support, Father. It means everything to me," he expressed.
"Don''t mention it, son. You''re my top priority. I''ll always be here for you, no matter what." Magnus dered firmly, his gaze unwavering.
''I know.'' Evan lowered his head, his bangs casting a shadow over his eyes.
Magnus was the only one who refused to abandon him even when others had. His unwavering love for his son had driven him to challenge even his own father.
Among the four elders, the Grand General of the Empire, Evan''s grandfather, might not be the strongest, but he wielded the greatest influence over the Army. It was with his strength and army that he kept Magnus at bay, stopping him from helping his only son.
If not for the Grand General''s intervention, Evan''s life would have been much better.
"Now, onto more pressing matters," Magnus said after a moment, his tone deep.
Chapter 7 Master Of Souls And Soul Plates
?"I hate that I must burden you, but you must take part in the awakening ceremony in three days'' time. The elders will raise a fuss if you do not participate." Magnus said.
"I understand, father. I will not be a disappointment," Evan replied dutifully.
"You do not need to worry about such things. No matter the oue, you will always be my son, and I will love you as such. You have your own strengths and your own talents. You need not be as skilled a mage or swordsman as your peers to find your ce in this world, nor do you have to exhibit the same potential as I or your grandfather. You have a kind heart and a sharp mind. These are your gifts, which make you a better person than most. And there will be many who will love you for who you are," Magnus said, his voice full of affection.
Evan felt a warmth in his chest, his father''s wordsforting him. "Thank you, father. I will keep your teachings in mind and always strive to be true to myself."
"I hope you will. I will always treasure you as long as you don''t go astray." Magnus said, giving him a reassuring smile.
Evan smiled back, feeling a little better. "Rest assured, father. I wouldn''t change my ways even if I were to lose my inheritance right. Power and status don''t matter to me as much as family."
But Evan knew he was just being a hypocrite tofort his father. He couldn''t give up his position.
His father could protect him from a thousand dangers, but even he wouldn''t be able to foresee the danger Evan would face after his fall from grace.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® There were white-eyed wolves inside the house and thousands of bloodthirsty hounds outside it. In simple words, his father, who was busy with important work that kept the capital of the Empire running, didn''t have the ability to guard him 24/7, and the enemies could always find him when he was alone as the people inside the manor were in cahoots with them.
"You''ve taken after your mother in this aspect. She didn''t value status and wealth either. Such things couldn''t enter her eyes. She cherished her friends and family, and she even¡."
Edmund Darkwood cleared his throat, and Magnus Frost trailed off, leaving Evan in suspense.
"Did she really die in a portal copse?" Evan''s voice was thick with emotion, and he winced as he felt a sharp pain in his head. It felt as if his brain was being poked by a thousand needles. Talking about his mother was taboo for him, as even trying to remember what she looked like would cause him to feel a stabbing pain in his mind. "Whenever I try to think about her, my head hurts. Why is that so, father?"
Even in the game, there was no mention of the Empress of the Frost n.
"It''s probably your old injuries acting up," Magnus answered after a moment of hesitation. "Don''t try to force it, or it will hurt more."
Evan sighed and rubbed his temples, feeling a pang of sadness for his mother. "I will heed your advice."
"What level have you reached?" Magnus asked, changing the subject.
"I am still a step too short of essing my first soul pocket," Evan said, feeling mildly embarrassed.
In the Sun Moon Empire, one out of every ten individuals was born with the extraordinary gift of soul pockets.
These pockets granted their possessors the rare ability to manipte soul energy for offensive, defensive, and auxiliary purposes.
To those not born with open soul pockets, intense training was necessary to unlock this power.
The initial stage of this rigorous training was known as induction, where a person had to introduce soul energy into their body. As the human physique was not built to withstand this force, the process was excruciatingly painful. The induction stage consisted of four distinct levels, and only those who passed all of them were considered ready to open their first soul pocket. Opening it would then lead to their advancement to the soul manifestation realm. Those who reached this stage were called Soul Maniptors.
Upon opening their first soul pocket, Soul Maniptors could store a significant amount of soul energy, which could be used for attacking and defense. They could also undergo a spiritual awakening on the awakening tform and unlock their soul tes, specialized objects containing multiple slots that could be filled with various skills to wield potent and lethal soul techniques.
In the Sun Moon Empire, only individuals aged sixteen or above undergo spiritual awakening and awaken their soul tes. Evan had long reached the minimum age limit and was qualified to awaken his dormant power.
Evan was not one of the empire''s natural talents. He possessed no innately opened soul pocket. Thus, he had to toil hard to make up for hisck of talent. After years of hard work and consuming elixirs like water, he had reached the pinnacle of the soul induction stage.
His nemesis thought was already at the intermediate level of the soul maniption realm, leaving Evan with no chance of victory in a one-on-one battle.
Magnus had anticipated this situation, so he had already prepared the Soul Pocket Opening Elixir for Evan. The Soul Pocket Opening Elixir was a rare solution that was hard to get. Its side effects were negligible unless one had insomnia.
There had been reports of Evan suffering from insomnia.
Magnus handed over two small vials to Evan as he exined, "This elixir will aid you in reaching the first level of the soul manifestation realm." The vial sparkled under the light, its contents swirling like liquid gold. Magnus continued, "The side effects are mild and will disappear after a good night''s sleep. But just in case you suffer from insomnia tonight, I''ve also included a sleeping pill that will instantly put you out for six hours."
Evan couldn''t help but feel grateful for Magnus''s foresight.
"Thank you, father." He took the vials, examining them closely.
The elixir had a sweet, almost floral scent, while the sleeping pill was scentless.
"It must''ve been troublesome to get them for me," Evan said.
Evan knew that it must have been difficult for Magnus to obtain such a rare and precious item for him.
The elixir was not an easy find, but for the Frost n, one of thergest and mightiest ns, it was within their capabilities. However, the elders were already hesitant about providing more of the n''s valuable resources to Evan, which added to the challenge of obtaining the elixir.
"It was no trouble. I made it myself." Magnus said, dismissing Evan with a wave of his hand. "Return to your room and put it to good use."
Magnus had once been a renowned alchemist before the tragic ident that had left him injured and resulted in the death of Empress Frost. His skills were not the same as they used to be, but they were still exceptional!
"Yes, father!" Evan rose from his seat and made his way out of the study, feeling grateful and loved.
It had been four years since the death of the Empress of Frost, but that seat was still vacant. despite the numerous alluring maidens of the upper society eagerly vying for Magnus''s attention, he chose not to remarry. Instead, he poured all his affection on his offspring, the priceless gift his beloved wife had bequeathed to him.
Chapter 8 Unlocking The System!
?As Edmund trailed behind Evan, he mustered up the courage to speak his mind.
"You know, Your Highness Evan," he began, his voice tinged with emotion. "I''ve been serving the Imperial Lord of Frost for years now, and I''ve never seen him show favoritism to anyone."
Evan nced at him curiously. "I know my father can be strict," he replied. "But what are you trying to say?"
Edmund took a deep breath before continuing. "It''s just that... he treats everyone equally, except for you. You''re different. You''re deeply loved."
Evan''s heart skipped a beat at Edmund''s words.
"I know," he whispered, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "But sometimes I wonder if it''s only because I''m his only child."
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom The Frost n''s traditions were steeped in history and held firm by an unyielding rule. Members of the main family were forbidden from taking concubines without just cause, and marrying beneath their status was simply unthinkable.
The rule was born of a tragic lesson learned long ago, during the reign of the n''s second patriarch. He had foolishly taken a famous prostitute as his Empress, unaware of her treacherous nature. The woman had sowed discord and caused immense harm to the n, leaving the second patriarch with no choice but to take her life with his own hands. This traumatic event left him mentally unstable, making him unfit to rule. He was forced to step down, passing the reins of power to the strongest and most capable member of the next generation.
Enter the fifth generation patriarch, the esteemed Grand General of the Empire. He had married just once, and his devoted wife had blessed him with three sons. Among them, the youngest and most capable was Evan''s father. When the Grand General retired, Magnus ascended to be the sixth generation patriarch of the Frost n. Like his father before him, Magnus also cherished only one woman in his life. After her untimely death, he remained steadfastly loyal, refusing to remarry. Unfortunately, this devotion resulted in a dearth of descendants from the main branch.
Recently, the elders of the n had been urging Magnus to adopt children from the minor families, but he refused them each time. He was determined to focus solely on his son.
However, Evan''s future was not guaranteed. He would have to prove himself worthy of his position or risk being passed over in favor of a more qualified heir. Magnus''s love for his son had blinded him to the responsibility of securing the Frost n''s future. But the same couldn''t be said for the Grand General and the elders. If Evan failed, Magnus would be forced to adopt a child from another family and train them to take on the mantle of the next heir apparent.
"That''s certainly a possibility, but I think there''s more to it than just that." At this point, Edmund chuckled, looking at Evan with a yful glint in his eye. "Your father is a stern man, but I''ve seen him soften up whenever you''re around. You have a way of bringing out his softer side."
Evan grinned, "Well, I suppose I have that effect on people."
Edmund raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" A momentter, he teasingly said, "You must be quite the charmer then."
"Oh, you have no idea. I could charm the birds out of the trees with a wink if I wanted to." Evan joked back.
Edmund''s eyes widened for a brief moment, caught off guard by Evan''s sudden disy of humor. However, he quickly regained hisposure and carried on with their conversation as if nothing had interrupted the flow.
"Well, I''ll have to keep an eye on you then. I wouldn''t want you charming all the birds away from the Imperial Pce." Edmund said in a yful tone.
"Don''t worry, Sir Edmund. I''ll make sure to save some for you." Evan yfully bumped the older man with his elbow.
Evan''s lightheartedness and smile were enough to tell Edmund that he had changed. After all, Edmund rarely saw such behavior from him.
The number of times he had joked in the past few years could be counted on one hand. After the demise of Empress Frost, it was as if Evan had been stripped away of his ability to smile.
''It''s amazing how much he has changed for the better once the misunderstanding was resolved.''
Despite the noticeable shift in Evan''s demeanor, Edmund found it refreshing. It was a pleasant break from Evan''s stern and gloomy demeanor.
It made him wonder how great things could have been if Evan had never sumbed to paranoia.
Evan parted ways with Edmund before he stepped back into his room, shutting the door softly behind him.
Without hesitation, he strode across the room and copsed onto the sofa, his muscles rxing as he settled into the soft cushions.
In his hand, he clutched a small ss vial filled with a glowing elixir that shimmered like liquid gold in the dim light. With hands trembling in excitement, he removed the cap from the elixir and brought it to his lips.
The rich, amber liquid glinted in the dim light, sending a tantalizing aroma wafting through the air.
"With this," Evan murmured, lifting the elixir to his lips. "I''ll ascend to the Soul Manifestation Stage."
The first sip tasted sweet, coating his tongue in a sugary haze. But as the elixir slid down his throat, the taste turned bitter, leaving an acrid aftertaste in its wake.
Evan''s heart raced with anticipation as he waited for the elixir to take effect.
Suddenly, he felt a warmth spreading through his body, a sensation that seemed toe from the very depths of his being. It was a feeling that was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
"It''s happening!" He knew without a doubt that the elixir had started to work its magic.
He could feel the power of the elixir building within him, like a raging storm about to break free. As the energy grew stronger, Evan felt a sudden pressure building within him. The force was so intense that it felt as though his body might explode.
"Ugh, it hurts so much." Evan grabbed his chest as he felt his heart beating faster than ever. "But I can''t stop now. I have to see this through," he said through gritted teeth.
He knew that the power he was about to obtain was well worth the pain he was experiencing.
He didn''t have to wait for long before it happened.
The torrent of energy surged towards a certain organ of his body, crashing against the sealed opening of his soul pocket like a tsunami.
Bang! The sound that came from within him was deafening, like the crack of thunder, and it echoed through the room. But it also signified something great.
As the sound faded, Evan felt a new sensation overtaking him. It was like he was floating, weightless and untethered, as if he had transcended his physical body. His mind was sharp, his senses heightened to an almost unbearable degree. He felt like he could see every atom in the room, hear the beating of every heart, and sense the presence of every living thing around him.
And then, just as suddenly as it hade, the sensation faded, leaving Evan with a sense of tion that he had never felt before.
He was happy as he had be a Soul Maniptor!
His first soul pocket had been opened!
[Ding!]
A sudden, piercing ding sound rang through Evan''s ears, startling him.
Evan''s heart skipped a beat as he began to search for the source of the unexpected noise, and just then, he noticed something peculiar happening before his very eyes.
Out of nowhere, a semi-transparent screen materialized right in front of him. It was as if it had been conjured out of thin air.
[Congrattions on advancing to the beginner-level of the Soul Manifestation Realm]
[The condition to unlock the system has been met]
Shivers of excitement rang down Evan''s spine when he heard the notification.
And then, just like that, the semi-transparent screen changed again.
It flickered, and a new message appeared, causing Evan to gasp in astonishment.
The message read:
[You have gained ess to the yer System!]
Chapter 9 Opening Beginner Package!
?Evan delved deeper into the intricacies of the yer System, and his eyes widened with excitement.
The yer System was a masterful creation, carefully designed to help its Host reach greater heights.
By killing monsters and humans alike, Evan could earn valuable experience points that he could use to increase his level directly, breakingmon sense. He could also obtain items like weapons and elixirs by exploring dungeons andpleting quests.
Realizing that his system was simr to the one that all the yers in the game had, Evan''s jaw dropped.
This meant that the quests would be tailor-made for him, with the level of difficulty varying from easy to heroic. He could get a quest by initiating a fight or exploring a dungeon. The harder the quest, the better the reward, although there were instances when an easy-level quest could yield a substantial prize.
"I have lucked out!" he eximed.
Although he didn''t know where the system came from, he was going to use it to his benefit.
[You havepleted a hidden quest byprehending the yer System]
[You have been rewarded with the Beginner Package!]
[Would you like to open it?]
[Yes]/[No]
"What are you waiting for? Do it!" Evan said.
The system immediately processed his quest.
[The Beginner Package has been opened!]
[You have received 1¡Á low-level Soul Energy Maniption Technique card, 1¡Á Minor Skill Card, 1¡Á low-level equipment card, five skills points, and a low-level inventory!]
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Evan was familiar with most of these items, having yed the game before. Although his memories were a bit jumbled up, he knew exactly what each item did.
The Soul Energy Maniption Technique was an essential skill for any aspiring Soul Maniptor. It could be used to harness the soul energy present in nature and bend it to your will. Without this skill, it was impossible to umte soul energy in the soul pocket, and if the soul pocket was barren, one couldn''t use soul abilities. Evan remembered how difficult it was to master this technique in his past life. It took a good few weeks of ying the game for one to two hours a day for Christian Wolfie to advance this technique to the max level.
The Minor Skill Card was another item that Evan was familiar with. It could be used to learn a low-level soul ability. There were three types of soul abilities¡ªOffensive, Defensive, and auxiliary. Evan knew that he would have to choose carefully which ability to learn, as he only had one Minor Skill Card, and it would determine his future.
The low-level equipment card could be used to obtain a low-level weapon with a special effect, something that woulde in handy during battles.
The five skill points were an unexpected bonus. It was quite difficult to get skill points in the game. A yer had to level up twice to get one!
Lastly, the low-level inventory was a mystical storage space thatcked a tangible form. This meant that he could store items without having to carry them around physically. With a simple thought, he could pull any item out of the inventory, whether it be a weapon, a tool, or even a piece of armor. It was incredibly useful!
"Activate the Minor Skill Card," Evan instructed, his voice ringing out clearly in the stillness of the room.
The system processed his request immediately.
[The Minor skill card has been activated.
[Please choose the skill you would like to learn.]
Hundreds of cards materialized out of thin air, encircling Evan like a halo. He gazed at them in awe, his eyes scanning the cards in search of the one he had been hoping for. The skill he wanted to acquire was an offensive soul ability known as Bullet. It used to be a high-level soul ability in the first patch, but it had been downgraded to a low-level ability in the third patch.
If the Minor Skill Card were simr to the one yers received in the third patch of the game, Bullet would be among the many cards that had appeared before him.
Evan searched through the countless cards with a hungry gaze.
Finally, he spotted it - the card he wanted was right in front of him.
His heart racing with excitement, he reached out and grabbed it, marveling at the smooth texture and intricate design.
As soon as his fingers touched the card, the system''s voice rang out in his ears again.
[Congrattion! You have obtained the low-level Offensive Soul Ability Card, Bullet]
The card around him vanished into thin air.
[You haven''t met the requirement to learn the offensive soul ability "Bullet"]
[The requirement to learn the skill are written on the back of the card]
Evan read the words on the back of the card, his brows furrowed in concentration as he absorbed the information.
Only one skill point was needed to learn Bullet in the first patch, but the requirements were changed in the third patch to bnce the skill, and it just so happens that the requirement to learn the ability in his hand was the same as the one he had read about in the third patch!
A slow exhale escaped his lips as he realized what that meant. It couldn''t be learned unless one had advanced their Soul Energy Maniption Technique to the third level.
Chapter 10 Leveling Up Skills And Drawing A Suitable Weapon!
?Evan didn''t need to learn the Soul Energy Maniption Technique that he obtained after opening the beginner package.
As the Crown Prince of Frost, he was no stranger to powerful techniques. He had been taught the secret energy maniption method of his n, a technique known as the Breath of Frost. It was a technique that utilized one''s soul energy, and it had three levels. The first level was simr to other techniques, allowing a person to manipte their soul energy.
But from there on, it was vastly different.
Evan''s mind drifted to memories of his training.
He had spent countless hours pouring his heart and soul into mastering the Breath of Frost, but because of attention deficiency and ack of talent, he had only managed to scratch the surface of the first level.
The second level, which added a chill to one''s soul energy, and the third level, which granted one''s soul energy the properties of ice, had remained out of his reach despite years of effort.
He shook his head, banishing the memories, and refocused on the task at hand.
As he sat there, his eyes fixed intently on the Breath of Frost Technique, Evan''s lips curled up into a grin.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® The Breath of Frost was a technique that required years of practice and dedication to advance from one level to the next. Normally, it would have taken years before he could advance the Breath of Frost to the third level, but with the help of the five skill points, he was confident that he could aplish this feat in a mere moment.
Without hesitation, Evan poured his skill points into the Breath of Frost technique.
[5 skill points have been consumed]
The world around him seemed to fade away as the technique surged to life, its power growing stronger with each passing moment. His understanding of the skill reached another level, and he gained the power to add the properties of cold and ice to his soul energy.
[The Breath of Frost Technique has advanced to the ultimate level!]
The cost of this achievement was high, and Evan was left with no skill points to spare. Advancing the Breath of Frost technique to the second level used up two skills points, and pushing it to the third level depleted another three points.
Despite this, he had no regrets. Now that the Breath of Frost technique had reached the third level, he could learn the soul ability he coveted.
With a sense of eager anticipation, Evan tapped the ability card against his forehead, signaling his intent to learn it.
The moment he made contact with the card, it disintegrated into a shower of golden light, which engulfed himpletely.
Evan felt a torrent of knowledge flood into his mind, overwhelming him with its intensity. It was as if a thousand needles were piercing his flesh, causing him to writhe in pain.
The pain was excruciating, but he held on, his determination unbreakable.
After what felt like an eternity, the pain died down.
[Congrstualtion, Host! You have learned the soul ability "Bullet"]
[When cast, a small amount of soul energy will be consumed to create apact ball half the size of a finger, which can be propelled forward in any direction of your choice at high speed]
The pain died down.
Evan was drenched in sweat, but his eyes were bright!
"Bullet" was one of the most potent soul abilities in the first patch of the game.
It was too hard to dodge as its speed was simr to that of a bullet shot from a handgun.
In other words, Evan had gained a weapon to put down even peak-level soul maniptors!
Moving forward, he activated the low-level weapon card to draw Fury of the Frost Demon!
[You have obtained the Magic item Frost Demon''s Fury]
In this world, there were items with special effects. They were ssified into several levels. Magic items were the weakest, butpared to normal weapons, they were extraordinary!
[Description: Frost Demon''s Fury is a slim sword with a long, curved de made from ckened steel. The handle is adorned with ornate engravings depicting scenes of ancient battles and heroic deeds. The weapon is said to have been forged by a furious ice demon and imbued with its blood, soul, and tears.]
[Abilities: The weapon has the ability to summon ice shards to strike foes from afar. In addition, Frost Demon''s Fury grants its wielder increased strength and endurance, allowing them to perform feats of incredible agility and endurance.]
[Requirements: To wield Frost Demon''s Fury, one must possess the ice-type soul energy]
Evan had reached the third level of the Breath of Frost Technique. He had the ability to change his soul energy into ice-type soul energy. He could wield this weapon without a problem.
As for the low-level Soul Energy Maniption Technique card, he recycled it into skill points.
As a result, he gained one skill point!
The yer system could break down useless soul energy maniption technique card that they haven''t learned into points. This aspect of the yer system won Evan''s heart.
"Character Screen," Evan uttered.
Name: Evan
Age: 16
ss: Soul Maniptor
Cultivation stage: Soul Manifestation Stage
Level: Beginner
Stats:
Strength: 12 (10)
Dexterity: 13
Constitution: 11
Agility: 14 (12)
Stamina: 15
Items:
?Frost Demon''s Fury (+2 Strength, +2 Agility)
Abilities:
?Breath of Frost (Level: Max): Allow the host to imbue his soul energy with the properties of ice. You can use ice-type soul energy to freeze and shatter your enemies.
?Bullet: Allow the Host to channel his soul energy into a single bullet-like projectile, which he can fire from his hand. The bullet travels at high speed and can pierce through solid objects.
?Basic swordsmanship: The Host has basic training in sword fighting, allowing him to wield his weapon more efficiently.
?Inventory: Allow the ability to store and carry a small number of items in a pocket dimension, essible only to him.
"Physically, I am slightly better than the average citizen."
As the Crown Prince of Frost, a vast wealth of knowledge was readily avable to him, and he was keenly aware that the average human boasted a modest five points in each physical attribute.
Despite being a juvenile, he was already faster and stronger than many fully grown adults - a remarkable achievement for one so young.
While he possessed a slight advantage in terms of speed and strengthpared to fully grown adults, he knew that it was nothing remarkable, especially whenpared to his peers.
Regrettably, his current statistics wereckluster, and he desperately needed to improve his physical strength if he wished tomand the respect and admiration of his peers. Time was of the essence, and urgent actions were required to rectify his situation.
Evan''s mind raced as he furiously searched for a solution. He desperately needed a n to boost his physical prowess in order to alter the course of his destiny during the imminent awakening ceremony.
He wracked his brain, poring over every strategy he could conjure, determined to find a way to transcend his current limitations in the shortest time possible.
The weight of the impending ceremony pressed down on him, spurring him on as he tirelessly sought out the perfect n. His fate was inextricably linked to his strength, and he knew that he had to find a way to push beyond his current capabilities in less than 50 hours if he was to have any hope of changing his destiny.
Excitement flickered in his eyes as a sudden idea shed through his mind.
"With my abilities and magic weapon, defeating low-level monsters isn''t impossible. The Kobold''s Den of Mischief should be doable!"
Chapter 11 Havelock!
?In the sprawling expanse of the universe, amidst the countlesss thaty scattered like jewels in the vast expanse of the cosmos, there existed a low-level magic world far from the Capital of the Sun Moon Empire. This world was a ce of magic, where spells and incantations flowed like water and mystic energies coursed through the very fabric of existence.
Magnus Frost had recently led an expedition to this low-level magic and emerged victorious, having conquered it in the name of the Sun Moon Empire. But the world he had imed was not without its dangers and challenges, for it was infested with all manner of monstrous creatures.
On Avalon, the monsters gathered inpact areas known as dungeons, where they lurked and schemed, waiting for unsuspecting adventurers to stumble upon theirirs.
Among these dungeons was the infamous Kobold''s Den of Mischief, a ce of great danger and treachery.
Located deep within one of the many wildernesses of Avalon, this strange and mystical world, the Kobold''s Den of Mischief was a ce where the kobolds, a race of mischievous and cunning creatures, had made their home. It was abyrinthine maze of twisting corridors and hidden chambers, filled with traps and puzzles designed to ensnare and confuse any who dared to enter.
And yet, despite its many dangers, the Kobold''s Den of Mischief was a ce of great importance to the Crown Prince of Frost. It housed the means for him to attain greater strength, as well as an invaluable item that could aid him in his mission to suppress the rebellious members of his ns that were plotting his downfall.
"I''ll set off for Avalon tomorrow. But for now, I really need to hit the hay."
Evan waspletely drained, both mentally and physically. After only two hours of sleep, he had woken up with the memories of his previous life. Gobbling up all that info was just in exhausting. After that, he had a long chat with his dad, and then he made a major breakthrough in his cultivation and set out some ns for the future. After all that, his tiredness had reached an all-time high. He was so worn out that he knew he couldn''t soldier on without some proper rest.
ncing at the clock, he realized that it was way past midnight. With a deep sigh, he plopped down onto his cozy bed and closed his eyes, hoping for a bit of shut-eye. It only took a minute for him to drift off into a deep slumber.
The morning after, Evan woke up feeling like a new person.
"Wow, what a great sleep. I feel like a new person today."
Yawning and stretching, he relished in the feeling of a good night''s rest. This was the best sleep he had had in recent years. Maybe it''s because he had recently regained all his past memories and overcame his paranoia, which made him feel rejuvenated. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt light as a feather, and his mind was as clear as a crystal. Overall, it was a refreshing change from his usual sluggish mornings.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked at the time and saw that it was already 11:30 a.m.
Evan sat on his bed, a devious smile ying on his lips. "I can finally put my n into motion."
Evan''s attention shifted toward the door as he heard a faint sounding from outside his room. He knew what had caused it.
Due to the strict rules that Evan had set down in the past rules, eunuchs were forbidden from being present near his chambers. Because he disliked the feeling of anyone lurking close to his room at night, his servants were confined to the outer premises until morning. But as the day had dawned, the servants were readily avable at his beck and call, waiting patiently outside his room.
"Havelock, enter the room!" Evan called out loudly.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom In close proximity to Evan''s room, a servant of the Frost n was partaking in a rxing ritual of sipping tea and munching on biscuits. Seated adjacent to a table positioned beside a window, he was basking in the sunlight streaming in and illuminating his countenance. He resembled an exquisite angel that appeared to have transcended beyond the realm of the mortal world. It was a sight to behold.
His name was Havelock, and he possessed a face that seemed to have been chiseled by the gods themselves. His features were delicate, yet masculine, and his skin was smooth and wless, free of imperfections. His long hair was a cascade of golden waves that framed his face perfectly, and his eyes were a deep, hypnotic green that seemed to draw people in.
In spite of his masculine birth, his appearance was more feminine and captivating than that of a woman.
His ears perked up as he picked up the call issued by the Crown Prince of Frost.
"Why on earth is that little brat summoning me at this hour of the day? Who the hell does he think he is, bossing me around like this?" muttered Havelock, clearly annoyed.
The actions he took, though, were contrary to his words. He put the cup on the table and stood up, his contorted expression simr to a person suffering from cramps.
Despite not being officially listed as Havelock''s master, it was an undeniable fact that Evan held the eunuch''s life in the palm of his hand.
On the surface, Havelock was a powerful and talented soul cultivator, but behind all that, he was a ve of the Frost n. He had been tasked with the duty of serving whoever was named Heir apparent.
Evan''s well-being was Havelock''s responsibility, though the Eunuch harbored no genuine desire to serve him.
Havelock had long been dissatisfied with his master and had been patiently waiting for Evan to be stripped of his position, but he had run out of patience and was just waiting for a chance to drag him down. Havelock feared that he would only be known as a ve who serves a waste as long as Evan was the Crown Prince. Havelock wanted to serve a morepetent person, someone worthy of being his master. He was tired of wasting his talent for a paranoid man.
As Havelock stood up from his spot, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
Startled, he turned around to see Edmund standing there, looking at him sternly.
....
Important note: Havelock is a woman disguised as a Eunuch!
Chapter 12 Confronting Havelock On Behalf Of His Master
?"Oh, Sir Edmund! You scared me. I didn''t realize you were there," Havelock said, trying topose himself. Internally, he was wondering whether Edmund had eavesdropped on his little talk.
"How could you when you were busy badmouthing the Crown Prince?" Edmund said, his tone sharp. "Speaking ill of the Crown Prince is a severe offense, and ording to the familyw, you could be punished with 50 strikes. But for His Highness''s sake, I will overlook it this once. It would make him sad if you were crippled. Just make sure it doesn''t happen again."
Havelock was taken aback and fell to his knees, bowing before Edmund. "I apologize for my impudence, Sir Edmund. I will be more careful with my words in the future."
Edmund sighed, "You should be apologizing to the Crown Prince, not me. But I doubt you have the humility to do so."
Havelock looked to be in pain, as if he was hurt by the usation, "What pride does this ve have? This ve exists for the Crown Prince and will readily die for him. This ve is willing to apologize a hundred times if it means earning the Crown Prince''s forgiveness."
It looked like Havelock was willing to do whatever it took to make amends. Edmund, however, found his behavior ridiculous. Havelock was not the least bit sincere. Edmund could see it.
Edmund chuckled dangerously, "I have to give it to you. Your acting is great. Your words say one thing, but your actions say another. If I weren''t aware of your true colors, I would have fallen for your act."
Havelock felt surprised, hearing his words. "You know about it?"
"What? That you have been bribed? Or that you have promised to spy on the prince on behalf of the minor families?" Edmund blurted, a hint of anger palpable in his strict tone.
Havelock''s heart shuddered as his suspicions were confirmed.
Edmund knew he had betrayed the crown prince!
Havelock was aware that his deceit would eventuallye to light. However, he was caught off guard by the fact that it urred sooner than he had anticipated. Despite this, his apprehension was short-lived, swiftly suppressed before any visible signs could betray his calmness.
"So you know I have been bribed. No wonder your attitude towards me has changed." Havelock said as he stood up, a malevolent glint shing in his eyes.
There was a sudden shift in Havelock''s demeanor as if it had done aplete 180¡ã turn. The meekness that was once present had dissipated, reced by pride and confidence that emanated from him.
Edmund looked at him without much change in his expression. He was aware that Havelock had a beautiful exterior but a rotten interior. He was a shameless dog that bit the hands that fed it.
Narrowing his eyes at Havelock, he dered, "That''s the person I am familiar with."
Havelock snorted and questioned, "Why should I act meek when you''re already aware of the situation?"
Without allowing Edmund a moment to respond, Havelock leaned in closer, his long, slender finger tracing circles on Edmund''s chest. His tone was suggestive as he spoke, "It''s rather surprising that you haven''t exposed me to the crown prince. Is it possible that you harbor feelings for me and fear seeing me face punishment?" He spoke with a seductive smile on his lips.
"Behave yourself!" Edmund reacted quickly, pping Havelock''s hand away from his chest. With a stern tone, he replied, "I am aware that your influential backers can sway the court''s decision. However, that is not why I have chosen to spare you. I will not be the one to administer punishment. Just wait and watch. You wille to regret your decision sooner than you think."
"You think too highly of that damn brat!"
"You dare disrespect the crown prince in my presence?!"
Their gazes collided in a fierce and electrifying sh that seemed to reverberate through the air. It was as if time stood still as their eyes locked in a tense and unwavering stare-down, each one looking at the other like enemies on a narrow path. The intensity of their shared gaze was noticeable, shaking their surroundings, and it was clear that they were both unwilling to back down or yield even an inch. Their faces were set in grim determination, and their soul energy seemed to emanate from them as if they were each preparing for some kind of battle.
Despite the charged atmosphere between them, neither spoke a word, and the silence only served to heighten the tension.
It was clear that this was a pivotal moment, and the oue of this confrontation could have far-reaching consequences for both of them. But before anything could happen, a voice originated from afar, disturbing them.
"Havelock, have you not heard this prince?" Evan called out impatiently from inside his room. He didn''t know that an intense staredown was taking ce outside or that he had stopped a fight from taking ce.
"You got lucky." The Eunuch said to Edmund.
Havelock didn''t know that Edmund was a Phantom Lord. If he knew, he wouldn''t have dared to put on airs before him. Edmund''s true identity was sensitive. Only a handful of people in the Frost n knew that he was one of the three Phantom Lords that served their family.
Edmund rolled his eyes, "Don''t keep him waiting."
"You are the one who dyed me unnecessarily."
With a smug look on his face, Havelock flicked his luxurious golden locks over his shoulder, sending golden strands cascading down his back. He turned away from Edmund, who was standing a few feet away and started to walk with purpose.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® As he strutted away, he couldn''t resist the urge to taunt Edmund a little more. So, he intentionally twisted his waist in a seductive manner, hoping to get a rise out of the other man. Havelock knew that Edmund hated Eunuchs acting like women and flirting with men.
However, his attempts to ruffle Edmund''s feathers were in vain.
The tall, broad-shouldered man had already moved on,pletely unfazed by Havelock''s childish behavior.
In fact, Edmund didn''t have any more time to waste on him as he was focused on the task at hand.
He was now stationed outside the Crown Prince''s room, standing guard like a valiant knight. Havelock''s petty antics were the least of his concerns, and he was far too focused on protecting the future imperial lord of frost to even give Havelock a second thought.
In the end, Havelock''s attempt at seduction was nothing more than a silly spectacle that left him looking foolish. Edmund had moved on, and Havelock was left standing there, wondering why he even bothered in the first ce.
''Wait! When did he walk past him?'' Havelock thought as he nced at Edmund in confusion.
Chapter 13 Insubordination Detected! Face Slap Initiated!
?Havelock briskly strode down the hall towards Evan''s room.
He felt a jolt of surprise when he was able to open the door by simply lowering the handle - a feat that was typically impossible due to the chambers being tightly locked. For a moment, he stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Evan, trying to make sense of the unexpected turn of events.
Evan noticed Havelock''s hesitation and smirked.
"What are you waiting there for?"
Havelock straightened his posture.
"I''m surprised. You used to open the door for the servants. But now you''re not afraid of the non-existent threat anymore. It seems you''ve changed. I am really happy for you!" Havelock remarked with a smile.
His tone, however, wasced with bitterness. The words dripped with sarcasm and insincerences, and the resentment in his voice wasn''t concealed either.
It was true that it was usually Evan who opened the door for others, including Havelock, which used to fill Havelock with a twisted sense of pride. However, on this particr day, what Havelock was looking forward to didn''t happen, souring his mood.
Evan couldn''t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at Havelock''s condescending tone.
He was already aware that Havelock harbored ill intentions.
It was the 2nd of May. ording to the memories of Evan''s past life as Christian Wolfie, Havelock had already shaken hands with the minor families and betrayed him.
yers could receive the cameo of every single viin in the game after defeating them, so Evan''s life story wasn''t a mystery to them. The game''s developers'' intentions might be to use his life as an example to teach yers that not everything is as it seems, and even the most hideous of people may have a reason for their actions.
But it was because of this that Evan knew that Havelock had betrayed him.
It was precisely in "Evan''s cameo" that Havelock revealed himself to be a spy. He didn''t fear revealing his identity as Evan was no longer the Crown Prince.
He revealed the truth while torturing Evan. The person who carried out Evan''s punishment in the Punishment Hall of the Frost n was none other than Havelock.
Thinking of how badly he was whipped in the cameo of the game, Evan couldn''t help but rage. He really wanted to strangle that bastard, but he couldn''t do it. He couldn''t let his anger get the best of him. He couldn''t dispose of Havelock as he was too precious of a chess piece. He couldn''t do it until all his uses were exhausted.
[A quest has been generated!]
[Quest Name: Treacherous Servant!]
[Description: You know that the servant you used to trust has betrayed you and joined forces with the Minor Families. Although Havelock is still serving you on the surface, his loyalty is questionable, and he might be plotting against your interests. As the target of his ill intentions, you must teach Havelock a lesson and curb his disobedience.]
[Task: Bring Havelock to justice. You must find evidence of his treachery and confront him. You can choose to either forgive him or punish him, but the decision must be made carefully, as your reputation is at stake.]
[Reward: If you sessfullyplete this quest, you will receive a valuable item that will aid you in your future endeavors. Additionally, your reputation as a just and fair ruler will be enhanced.]
[Penalty: If you fail this quest or make the wrong decision, your reputation will suffer, and you may face undesirable consequences in the future. Your enemies will take advantage of any perceived weakness, and your reign may be cut short.]
Evan was about to overlook the Eunuch''s misbehavior when he received a quest, prompting him to find faults with Havelock.
Evan''s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed Havelock. "It seems like you haven''t woken up," he said in a low, menacing voice.
Havelock''s body tensed, his heart racing as he sensed the shift in Evan''s demeanor.
Evan''s eyes bore into him with a fierce intensity, and Havelock knew that he was in trouble.
"Surely, you jest. I''m wide awake," Havelock replied, trying to keep his voice even.
Evan, however, wasn''t buying it. Havelock''s acting was good, but he was acting in front of a person who knew his true colors. His efforts were rendered useless by Evan''s 34 years'' worth of memories.
"Then what is the reason for your behavior? Just because Iughed with you a few times, do you think you can remain intact after looking down on me?" Evan said, his voice growing louder with each word.
Havelock swallowed nervously. Evan''s anger was noticeable. Havelock had never seen him so angry. The Evan he knew was a timid person that didn''t talk a lot and was always paranoid. He definitely wasn''t someone capable of confronting others.
For a moment, Havelock didn''t know what to do.
"My prince, you are misunderstanding me," he stammered, trying toe up with an excuse.
"Shut up!" Evan barked, his voice echoing through the room and poking Havelock like a needle of pain. "I saw everything. You were disrespectful to me and even tried to undermine my authority."
Havelock''s condescending words didn''t warrant such a fierce reaction, but Evan wanted to find fault with him no matter what. What could Havelock do? Bite him? Well, that will just give another reason to punish Havelock.
Havelock''s face turned pale as he realized that Evan had seen through his attempts to disguise his taunt as concern.
He knew that he had to act quickly if he wanted to save his identity as a friend of this paranoid teen.
"My prince, I was merely recalling the past. I didn''t know it would offend you. Please overlook my mistake," he pleaded, sinking to his knees in a show of remorse.
Evan seemed to hesitate for a moment before relenting. "Sure. I will forgive you."
A smile appeared on Havelock''s face.
Because he was bowing down, it couldn''t be seen.
"I knew I could get away with it. He''s still the spineless coward I know,'' Havelock thought. ''Making fun of this brat in front of Edmund was too good to pass up. Maybe I''ll make it a regr urrence.'' Havelock couldn''t help but snicker to himself as he stood up.
And that''s when he saw a taunting smile on Evan''s face.
Evan''s words dripped with condescension as he spoke,
"I am forgiving you only because I don''t want to be known as a stingy person who bullies crippled youth."
Havelock staggered, almost falling back to the ground. Was this prince pulling his leg all along?!
''When did this brat be so annoying?!''
Despite not being a eunuch, Havelock felt irritated by the taunt of the paranoid crown prince, but he kept his emotions hidden beneath a relieved expression. Inwardly, he couldn''t wait to tear apart Evan''s mouth. Outwardly, he showed a smile.
Havelock''s voice filled with respect and excitement as he eximed, "Your highness is fair and merciful!"
Though Havelock may have appeared subservient, Evan was aware of his craftiness, knowing that Havelock was silently cursing him in his mind.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Evan rolled his eyes, feeling disgusted with Havelock. How could a person be so shameless?
"Havelock, you fool. Why are you feeling happy when you only have been forgiven for your minor mistake? You still need to be punished for betraying me."
Evan''s words were like a bolt out of the blue.
Havelock''s stiffened. The crown prince knows that he has betrayed him!
Edmund was shocked. He thought he was the only one who knew that Havelock was a spy. But now it seemed like he had underestimated Evan!
Chapter 14 Confronting Havelock (1/2)
?A grin spread across Evan''s face as he noticed the stunned look that had taken over Havelock''s features. The delight in Evan''s eyes was palpable as he watched Havelock''s expression transform into one ofplete and utter surprise. It was evident that Evan was thoroughly enjoying the sight before him, relishing in the shock that he had caused in Havelock.
Just a day ago, Evan had been under the impression that he and Havelock were the best pair of master and servant, not realizing that his trusted subordinate had already betrayed him. Despite Havelock''s humble beginnings, Evan had thought the man''s exceptional abilities meant he was pure of heart and had only good intentions in serving him. Even when his childhood friend had warned him that Havelock was not what he seemed, Evan had refused to listen, believing only what he saw
It wasn''t until Evan regained his memories of his past life that he realized Havelock''s true motives. Every time Havelock had offered encouragement or praise, it had been a calcted taunt. Looking back, Evan realized how blind he had been, believing he had found a loyal and trustworthy friend in Havelock.
Evan''s smile slowly faded away, revealing a cold expression and an icy gaze that sent shivers down one''s spine. His emotions had been toyed with, and any joy he had experienced at catching Havelock off guard had vanished. It was clear that he couldn''t feel happy.
Havelock was like a deer caught in the headlight as he stared at Evan, who was ring at him with a cold, steely gaze.
"You were sent here to serve me. You weren''t told to spy on me on behalf of the minor families. My father picked you up from the streets, gave you a home and a purpose, and this is how you repay him? How could you betray his trust and go against his wishes? You have crushed my father''s hopes and dreams for you. You have trampled on his feelings, and that is something I cannot forgive easily." Evan said, his voice dripping with anger and disappointment.
Genuine emotions were emanating from him as he spoke; he wasn''t putting on an act. The news of Havelock''s betrayal had deeply wounded him, yet the hurt he experienced from this was nothingpared to the anguish he felt upon learning that Havelock had let his father down.
"I never asked him to!" Havelock eximed, his voice tinged with frustration and annoyance. There was no hint of remorse in his tone as he spoke. "He was the one who felt pity for me and brought me here."
Havelock hailed from a world ravaged by war, where destruction and chaos had be the norm.
Twelve years ago, he was a frail and unkempt street urchin, shivering and suffering from the biting cold of the harsh winter in a deste alleyway. It was at that moment when all hope seemed lost for Havelock that the benevolent Imperial Lord of Frost chanced upon him, yanking him out of the jaw of death.
However, despite this gracious act of salvation, Havelock showed no gratitude. Instead, he brazenly turned against his savior, Magnus, the Imperial Lord of Frost, with no hesitation or remorse.
His reason was simple.
He didn''t think he owed Magnus anything.
Amidst the chaos of the war-torn world, there were numerous individuals akin to Havelock, but Magnus made a conscious effort to rescue only him from the bleak fate that awaited so many others. Wasn''t it because Magnus recognized something in him that was rare and precious?
Havelock had never epted Magnus'' benevolence at face value. After being saved, he was always suspicious that Magnus had ulterior motives. Havelock suspected that Magnus'' kindness was merely a ploy to cultivate him into a valuable asset for his son, and his suspicion was confirmed when he was tasked to serve Evan.
Evan''s features contorted into an expression of disgust. His hand darted towards the vase sitting atop the nightstand beside his bed. He grabbed it tightly before hurling it at Havelock, who was standing at the entrance to his room, with all his might.
The vase collided with Havelock''s head, the force of the impact causing the delicate object to shatter into pieces and injuring Havelock. It was a skin wound, but it looked dreadful.
Blood began to trickle out of the wound, staining his face with streaks of crimson.
Edmund and Evan were aware that Havelock possessed the agility to dodge the projectile easily. Yet, he didn''t even attempt to do so.
They both knew his intent. Now that he was wounded, it would be easy for him to manipte others into feeling sorry for him, thus earning their sympathy and trust. The wound he now bore would serve as proof of his victimhood.
Evan wasn''t going to let things go his way.
"Even a beast knows not to bite the hand that feeds it," Evan spat, "yet you don''t. You''re worse than a beast, Havelock. You make me sick. You are inly disgusting."
His eyes narrowed as he red at Havelock, his contempt for the man evident in every word.
"So what if you find me disgusting?" Havelock made no attempt to hide his true face. "It''s not like you can do anything about it. You are not ready to go against me."
After pondering over the fact that Evan was well aware of his treachery, Havelock had assumed that Evan had also uncovered the identity of those who had granted him the authority to act as he did. They wielded significant influence within the Frost n. Though Evan was the Crown Prince of Frost, he couldn''t afford to confront them directly as they were stronger than him, andpared to them, his reputation in the empire was minuscule.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Furthermore, they were his seniors, capable of reprimanding him if they discovered any ws in his conduct.
Therefore, Havelock believed that Evan wouldn''t immediately take action against him.
Chapter 15 Confronting Havelock (2/2)
?"I am punishing you because you disrespected the Imperial Lord of Frost. Who in the minor families is courageous enough to kick up a fuss when I present such a valid reason?" Evan said with arrogance, befitting a prince.
Evan knew who was backing this ve. There were several minor families under the Frost n. A few of them were ruled by the brothers of the Grand General. These people were the ones who had enticed Havelock into spying on Evan and rying his every action to them.
As for their purpose, it was easy to distinguish. The minor families were aiming for the Ice throne.
Havelock revealed a smug smile upon hearing Evan''s words.
"It will be your words against mine in court."
Even ves had rights in the empire. They weren''t just disposable property to be killed at a whim. They could only be punished if there was a valid reason, and the judges of the Frost n''s imperial Court were the ones that determined whether the reason was valid or not.
The judges mostly came from the minor families of the Frost n. They wouldn''t believe Evan and relentlessly badger him for solid proof to back up his ims.
"This ve''s status might not be as good as yours, but don''t forget, I am more popr than you in the Frost n. Most of the members of the punishment hall are also part of the minor families, and they will definitely stand up for me. The vote of the majority will be in my favor," he said, his voice dripping with confidence. "Without solid evidence, you can''t do much to punish me. You can take away my status as your servant and give me to someone else, but everyone will think it''s because of your paranoia acting up. It will be a small victory, counted as better than nothing. Besides, if you really proceed to do that, you''ll be letting your father down."
In Magnus''s eyes, Havelock was still a harmless child.
"Do you still want to confront me?"
A smirk yed on Havelock''s lips as he awaited Evan''s response.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® As the conversation unfolded, Edmund had remained a silent observer until now. But as he heard Havelock''s words, his fury ignited like a raging inferno. How dare he speak to the Crown Prince of Frost in such a disrespectful manner? How dare he pull the Imperial Lord of Frost into his petty schemes?
"Damned eunuch, You have gone too far!"
Edmund''s muscles tensed. He was ready to pounce on Havelock and teach him a lesson he would never forget. However, before he could make a move, he was stopped by Evan.
"Sir Edmund, lower your hand." Evan said, his tone firm but gentle.
Edmund''s eyes darted from Evan''s face to Havelock''s, torn between his desire to strike the insolent eunuch and his respect for Evan''s authority. After a moment of hesitation, he reluctantly lowered his hand, his anger still simmering beneath the surface.
Havelock''s smile widened, a smug sense of satisfaction washing over him as he observed the mild behavior of his opponent. He felt a surge of triumph within him as if he had emerged victorious in this confrontation.
He couldn''t resist the urge to goad his opponent further, relishing in the moment.
"I had expected more from you, my prince. I thought you had something up your sleeve when you chose today to tear off my mask. But I guess I was just overthinking it," he said, his voiceced with sarcasm. "I take back my words. You haven''t changed one bit. You''re still trapped in the past," he added, with a hint of disdain.
"You are wrong."
Evan''s words hung heavily in the air, catching Havelock off guard.
Havelock''s eyebrow arched in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I have evidence." Evan reached into the folds of theforter, withdrawing his hand to reveal a small, unassuming object sped between his fingers. "Do you know what this is? No, right? It''s a device from a lesser mortal realm. That world isn''t as advanced as ours, but there''s one thing that should be mentioned. Their technology is less sophisticated than ours andcks energy signatures!"
Havelock''s eyes widened to the size of saucers as he realized why he had not sensed its presence before.
He was a sensor. The soul te he awakened granted him the ability to sense the fluctuation of energy in his surrounding. As every person and item originating from the empire had an energy signature, he could sense them if he was in the same room as them. But the voice recorder in Evan''s handcked an energy signature.
Thus, he hadn''t been aware of its presence until now.
"W-What is it?" Havelock stammered out.
"It''s a voice recorder," Evan replied as he smiled.
Evan deftly yed the recorder, and the room was filled with the sound of the conversation that had just taken ce in this very room, every word ringing out clear and true.
The evidence was damning, a testament to Havelock''s treachery, revealing not only his disrespect towards the crown prince and imperial lord of frost but also his nefarious alliance with the minor families.
It also showed that the minor families had the audacity to plot against the main family. The proof was irrefutable.
Havelock felt his breath catch in his throat, realizing that he had yed straight into Evan''s hand. Evan had been setting him up from the very start. He had been leading him to say the words he so wanted to hear, and because he had uttered them, he had signed his demise.
This prince had never been so shrewd. Havelock felt as if the teen before him was an entirely different person than the one he knew.
"What do you think will happen if I release this conversation?" Evan asked in a low and menacing voice.
Havelock''s heart sank.
If the conversation was leaked, he would be utterly destroyed. Not only would he be implicated, but the minor families would also suffer the consequences.
Of course, they would take action to save themselves.
Havelock could already see them vehemently denying any involvement in the matter, cing the entire me on him and ruining his life. The Frost n punished spying and lying to one''s master, and disrespecting their patriarch with a capital punishment. He would be lucky if he survived. And even if he did survive, the entire empire would reject him, leaving him to suffer alone.
Chapter 16 Sealing His Fate!
?''I can''t let that happen.''
Havelock''s malevolent intentions were like a storm cloud that loomed over the room, threatening to unleash its fury. He made a sudden lunge towards Evan. His hand outstretched to snatch the evidence of his crimes from the prince''s grasp.
But Sir Edmund was not a piece of decoration.
In his presence, how could just anyone hurt Evan?
With the reflexes of a seasoned warrior, he leaped into action, intercepting Havelock before he could make contact with Evan.
In a sh, he grabbed Havelock by the wrist, halting his forward momentum, and tossed him out of the room as if he was throwing out trash.
Whoosh!
Havelock''s body hurtled through the air and came crashing towards the thick wall of the corridor.
Bam!
His back mmed against the hard surface with bone-crushing force, and he crumpled to the ground in a pitiful heap.
An excruciating pain wracked his body, and blood surged up his throat.
Havelock raised his head, looking at Evan and Edmund hatefully with red eyes.
His venomous gaze remained fixed on them. He so wanted to tear them apart.
However, he was powerless to act on his vengeful impulses. His weakened state had left him utterly harmless, and he struggled to pick himself up from the ground.
The metallic tang of blood filled his mouth and pricked his senses, and he knew that he had been bested by the very prince he considered unqualified to be his master.
Evan noticed Havelock''s murderous gaze andughed out of anger.
"Sir Edmund, please deliver a well-deserved p to Havelock and knock some sense into him," Evan said with a smirk on his face, issuing an order to Sir Edmund that sent shivers down Havelock''s spine.
Evan was well aware that his own p would not pack as much of a punch as Sir Edmund''s.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® He knew that the man standing before him was a formidable soul cultivator, one of the seven Phantom Lords whose mere presencemanded respect and awe.
Despite his initial shock at the suggestion, Edmund quickly realized that Evan was not joking.
"Me?" He pointed his own finger at himself in disbelief. "Can I really p him?"
"Of course, you can." Evan nodded in confirmation.
"No!" Havelock let out a piercing shriek.
The mere thought of being pped by Sir Edmund was enough to send his mind spiraling into panic.
Havelock didn''t know how powerful Edmund was before, but after getting taught a lesson by him, he was well aware of his strength.
Edmund had too easily suppressed him, meaning he was a powerful soul cultivator, an entire realm above him. If he was pped by such a person, wouldn''t his head explode?!
He still had so much left to aplish in life. He had not yet avenged his nsmen or fulfilled his revenge. He didn''t want to die, not before he had fulfilled his purpose.
Edmund, with a resolute gait and unwavering determination, advanced towards Havelock. As he drew nearer, Havelock''s heart began to shudder and palpitate erratically as if desperately seeking to escape the confines of his chest.
His entire being quivered and shook as though gripped by an overwhelming fear or an uncontainable excitement.
Despite the intensity of his emotions, Havelock remained rooted to his spot, unable to move or even take a single step back. He was being suppressed by something intangible and ethereal.
Meanwhile, after suppressing Havelock with the pressure of his soul, Edmund continued his steady approach, undaunted by the spectacle of Havelock''s quivering frame and seemingly impervious to the raw, unbridled emotions that he had unwittingly unleashed in hispanion.
Evan was awed by Edmund''s disy of power. Without moving an inch, he had suppressed Havelock. The power of a phantom lord was indescribable!
But Evan wasn''t envious of him. He knew that he would be able to reach his level in the future.
"It''s nothing personal. Who asked you to offend His Highness?" Edmund stated sternly as he red at Havelock.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand, poised to strike. Havelock flinched.
"P-Please wait!"
Despite Havelock''s desperate plea for mercy, Edmund''s hand continued its descent. The force of his rage propelled his hand forward as he aimed to deliver a fierce p to the hapless Havelock.
Edmund''s palm went "SMACK!" across Havelock''s face, making him hit the floor like a sack of potatoes. The crisp sound of the p reverberated in the ears of all those present.
"Whoa, Sir! I told you to bring him down a peg, not send him on a one-way trip to the afterlife!" Evan eximed.
"Your Highness, I did hold back. But who knew this dude had a mouth of a sailor but the strength of a limp noodle? I didn''t think my weak-ass p would hurt him that hard," Edmund ced a hand behind his head, feeling sheepish. "But you can rx. He is not dead. I can feel it."
Their taunts poured salt on the fresh wounds of the young eunuch.
Havelock coughed out mouthfuls of blood.
He looked like a beauty who had broken down due to hardship.
"Sorry, but you won''t be earning my pity with that act," Evan said to Havelock before turning to the man beside him. "Sir Edmund, how should a ve who has betrayed his master and let down the Patriarch of the Frost n be punished?"
"ording to the familyw," Edmund began, "the punishment for such a grave offense is severe. The ve in question will be stripped of his rank, title, and any privileges he had previously held. He will then be subjected to a public flogging that will cripple his cultivation before being killed or sold off to the highest bidder. It will depend on the victim''s choice."
The punishment sounded inhumane, but it was necessary as it served as a warning to others who might consider betraying their masters or the n.
Chapter 17 Completing The First Every Quest!
?As Havelock stood there, intently listening to every word that Sir Edmund uttered, his anger and hatred began to fade, leaving behind a ghostly pallor. The weight of Sir Edmund''s words bore down on him, threatening to crush him under their immense gravity. The very notion that he might be killed and not be able to seek revenge for his family, which was the sole reason for his continued existence, struck him like a bolt of lightning.
But that wasn''t the worst of it. Havelock knew a much worse fate awaited him if he was shown mercy and sold instead of killed. After all, if that happened, he would be put up for auction, like some piece of chattel. He currently had the looks of a beautiful man, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to draw people in, but in a ce like the capital, where twisted desires and debauchery were all toomon, his beauty was a curse. The probability of being snatched up by some deviant with depraved tastes if he were to be sold at auction was all too high. The thought of being at the mercy of those with twisted desires was almost too much to bear for him.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® He didn''t want to be vited and disgraced by deranged humans. It seemed like a fate worse than death to him.
Thus, with a heavy heart, Havelock resolved to do whatever it took to avoid such a horrific fate.
With his forehead and mouth oozing blood, Havelock fell to his knees before Evan, his expression simr to a person wracked with remorse and regret.
"I''m sorry," he said in a weak and trembling voice, his wordsden with the weight of his guilt. "I promise I won''t do it again," he vowed with sincerity, hoping that Evan would be moved by his words. "I want to make it up to you," he continued, his voice trailing off as he struggled to convey the depth of his remorse. He didn''t want to beg someone he considered beneath him for forgiveness, but Evan held his fate in his hands. And so, with a deep breath, he pleaded for mercy. "Your Highness, please forgive me," he implored, his words carrying the weight of a man who knew he had erred and was willing to do anything to make it right. He prostrated himself before Evan, his head pressed against the cold ground, his body quivering with the force of his contrition. It was a moment that neither he nor Evan would forget for the rest of their lives.
As Havelock delivered his impassioned plea, Evan observed him with a critical eye, unswayed by the emotional appeal. Though Havelock''s words failed to prate his heart, Evan could not deny the sheer skill and mastery of the man''s craft. In fact, he had to admit that Havelock was the best actor he had ever seen in person. He was pping for him in his heart. This eunuch had a talent for acting!
However, despite his impressive ability to act, Havelock''s social awareness was pathetic. Hecked the ability to read the atmosphere or discern the true feelings of those around him. From the very start, Evan had no intention of bringing Havelock before the court. Neither did he consider killing or selling him, for to do so would be a squandering of a valuable asset. Evan believed that punishing Havelock ording to the strictws of the frost n would be letting him off too lightly.
It was clear to Evan that Havelock did not fully grasp his own value, but as a former pack leader, Evan knew the art of extracting benefits from those around him. He recognized the potential benefits that Havelock could bring him and could not resist the temptation to harness his talents for his own gain.
''I don''t think it will be toote to deal with him after I''ve finished using him.''
Evan was acutely aware that the n he had concocted to manipte Havelock into working for him was hical and went against his morals. However, the one thing his past life as Christian Wolfie had taught him was that treating others with fairness and empathy, irrespective of their potential usefulness, would very well lead to getting betrayed. Christian Wolfie had paid the ultimate price for his benevolence, and Evan didn''t want to repeat history.
The memory of Christian Wolfie''s reluctance to strike even his enemies shed before Evan''s eyes, and he was resolute in his decision not to follow in his footsteps. He refused to squander his benevolence on those who deserved retribution, and instead, he vowed to reserve his kindness for those who had earned it.
Evan fixed his intense gaze on Havelock, saying nothing for a few moments. "Let''s put this matter to rest, but let me make one thing crystal clear. Any future attempts to disrespect me or address me as an equal will not be tolerated, and the consequences will be severe. I won''t offer forgiveness again. Is that crystal clear?" Evan said firmly.
Havelock bowed his head, masking his hatred, and expressed his submission by prostrating once more. "This ve fully understands the gravity of his mistake and will keep the lesson learned today in mind." He responded in a low tone.
"Excellent," Evan said.
[Quest Complete! Well done, Host! Your bravery and perseverance have paid off - the Treacherous Servant has been sessfully suppressed!]
[Congrattions onpleting the quest! As a reward for your efforts, you''ll receive a valuable treasure that will aid you on your future journeys.]
[You''ve obtained the Soul Skill Card Inspection - an incredibly useful skill that will help you urately determine the strength and specialties of those weaker than you.]
The inspection skill seemed useless because it was currently at level 0. Its potential could not be underestimated. The inspection skill was unique as it could be levelled up four times, with each level offering a wider range of uses. At this starting level, Evan was only able to measure the power of those weaker than himself. However, once the skill reaches level 1, he would have the ability to assess the strength of those more powerful than him. And as Evan imagined reaching the skill''s maximum level, he knew that he would have the power to inspect even those who were an entire cultivation realm above him without any difficulty!
asionally missing content, please report errors in time.
Chapter 18 Lirian
?"Okay, stop kneeling. I don''t find pleasure in watching a grown-ass man kneeling to me."
Evan''s voice cut through the frigid air and rang in Havelock''s ears.
Havelock slowly rose from the cold, hard floor, his legs wobbling like a newborn fawn''s as he struggled to regain sensation after being on his knees for too long.
With great effort, he managed to stand up, but his shaky form was immediately met with the intense scrutiny of Evan''s piercing eyes.
Evan eyed Havelock, trying to read his intentions.
Was the eunuch before him feigning weakness, biding his time to exact a brutal revenge?
Or was he truly at the end of his tether and had no means to disobey him?
The only way to find out was to test him. If he failed his test, he would lose his life, but if he passed it, Evan knew it wouldn''t hurt to keep him alive. Evan''s n was to motivate Havelock to serve him through abination of incentives and threats after he passed his test.
"Havelock, I have a task for you. Are you up for it?" Evan asked with an inviting smile, his voice dripping with purpose.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Deep down in his heart, Evan knew it didn''t matter. Having already beaten Havelock once, he was confident that he could do it again. Moreover, he now possessedplete power over Havelock''s fate, including the decision to spare or end his life. He had no qualms about the well-being of those who wanted him dead. He knew he would stop at nothing to eliminate him once and for all if Havelock ever dared to cross him again.
However, he couldn''t help but test him.
Havelock''s eyshes quivered with uncertainty as he tried to guess what the crown prince of frost had in store for him. However, he found it impossible to read his intentions. Evan had changed too much, too suddenly. A ve like him couldn''t possibly know what he was like.
"Your Highness, how may this ve be of service to you?" Havelock asked with humility.
"I want you to inform the Captain of the Phantom Regiment that I wish to meet him."
Evan''s voice carried a hint of warmth as he spoke.
The Captain of the Phantom Regiment was none other than Lirian Shadowfire, the son of the Frost Empress''s closest confidante. When Lirian''s father disappeared after the empress''s death, the Patriarch of the Frost n took him in as one of his own. Although the identity of Lirian''s father remained a mystery, his formidable power was well-known to all.
Evan and Lirian had grown up together, exploring the lush forests and verdant fields that surrounded the pce. As children, they spent countless hours ying games and telling stories long into the night, sharing their deepest hopes and fears with each other.
However, when Lirian was of age, he decided to join the army, and their paths diverged.
Evan stayed behind to prepare for his future as the crown prince, while Lirian set out on a different path, one that took him to far-offnds and through countless battles.
Despite the distance between them, their brotherhood remained unshaken.
Magnus had granted his son''s wish, granting him full control of the Regiment. Evan had used his authority to promote Lirian to the position of Captain of the Phantom Regiment. Over the years, Lirian had given him countless gifts, and Evan felt it was only fitting to repay his friend''s generosity.
Even the device thatcked an energy signature and was used by Evan to catch the disobedient eunuch off-guard was a gift from Lirian, given without hesitation or expectation of reward.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Havelock replied humbly and immediately departed to carry out themand.
As Havelock disappeared from sight, Edmund Darkwook turned to Evan and asked, "Your Highness, may I ask why you let Havelock go? Won''t it be dangerous to keep someone who may be a potential threat?"
Evan paused for a moment before responding, "Sir Edmund, have you heard the saying, ''Keep your friends close but your enemies closer''? The minor families may try to use Havelock against me, but if he stays close, I can use him to my advantage and catch them by surprise. Havelock is more valuable to me alive than dead."
"I understand, Your Highness," Edmund replied, nodding his head in understanding. "It''s a clever strategy¡ but also quite dangerous."
"Indeed it is," Evan agreed, a solemn expression painting his face. "But sometimes it is necessary to make alliances with those we do not fully trust."
"But, Your Highness, what if Havelock proves to be disloyal?" Edmund pressed, as he didn''t want to see Evan put himself in danger.
"Then we will deal with him ordingly," Evan replied firmly. "But for now, we must use every resource at our disposal to maintain our position of power and expand our reach."
Edmund waspletely loyal to the Frost n. As long as Evan was the Crown Prince, he would serve him wholeheartedly. That also meant that he would lose Edmund''s support if he lost his current status.
Edmund nodded in agreement. "I understand, Your Highness. I will trust in your judgment."
"Thank you, Sir Edmund," Evan said with a grateful nod. "Your loyalty is greatly appreciated."
Soon after, Havelock returned to the room, apanied by Lirian.
Lirian ShadowFire was a striking young man with sharp features and a tall, lean build. His piercing blue eyes were framed by thick, darkshes, and his raven ck hair was styled in a messy, windswept fashion. He had a chiseled jawline and high cheekbones, giving him an almost regal appearance.
Lirian carried himself with confidence and grace, befitting the Captain of the Phantom Regiment.
He wore a sleek, ck leather jacket adorned with silver ents and a red silk scarf, which fluttered in the wind as he moved. His boots were made of supple leather and had silver buckles, adding to his overall air of elegance.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Lirian said respectfully as he approached Evan, saluting him.
"Rx, Lirian," Evan replied, causing the young man to straighten up.
"What can I assist you with?" Lirian asked, eagerly awaiting the prince''smand.
Evan studied him carefully before speaking.
"I need you to purchase two tickets to Emerald. We''ll be departing within the hour."
Chapter 19 Evans Masterplan
?In reality, Evan''s true destination was Avalon, but he had intentionally misled Havelock as a test. If Havelock reported their false destination to the minor families, they would undoubtedly send someone after them, as they would not miss an opportunity to eliminate the Crown Prince and his most trusted subordinate, who was gaining fame and power in the empire recently. It would be easier than attempting to strip him of his position, especially since his true potential was yet to be discovered. As a result of their insecurities, they would not willingly relinquish this chance.
If anyone suspicious appeared on Emerald, that would serve as Evan''s cue to discard a pawn such as Havelock. What he required was a person that was willing to turn over a new leaf, a capable ally, not someone so desperate to dispose of him that they would even sacrifice themselves in the process.
Lirian responded quickly and respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness. Shall I also prepare the necessary equipment and provisions?"
Evan nodded, confirming his request. "Yes, please do."
The Captain of the Phantom Regiment bowed and promptly left toplete his assigned task.
After watching Lirian depart the room, Evan turned to Havelock and instructed him sternly, "Under no circumstances are you to reveal my absence to anyone, especially not the minor families. If they somehow discover my whereabouts, you will be the first to be suspected."
Havelock bowed respectfully and replied, "I would not dare, Your Highness."
Evan dismissed him with a curt nod, "Very well. You may leave now."
Havelock promptly exited the room.
Evan Frost then proceeded to copy the file from the voice recorder onto another device, which he handed to Edmund. "If anything were to happen to me, please give this to my father."
Edmund offered to serve as Evan''s escort, but he declined, saying, "No, I want you to remain behind and keep a watchful eye on Havelock and the minor families. If you detect anything suspicious, report it to my father."
While Magnus and the Grand General were not excessively distrustful of the minor families, Magnus had already grown wary of their intentions towards his son. Unfortunately, hecked the necessary proof to prosecute them.
Evan recognized that if Havelock were to betray him and the worst should happen, his father would have the evidence required to hold the minor families ountable.
''How can someone so young be so scheming?''
Edmund couldn''t help but wonder how someone as astute as Evan could be just 16 years old. His mind was abyrinth of cunning schemes and intricate ns. How did he acquire such sharp intuition at such a young age?
Exiting the room and shutting the door behind him, Edmund''s figure disappeared in a flurry of wind.
In a split second, he ascended to the highest vantage point in the Frost n, from where he overlooked everything with a bird''s-eye view.
The manor of the main family, the pces of their members, the splendid halls of the elders, the courtyards of the minor families, and the vast grounds of the Frost n were all visible to him, each detail crystal clear in his eyes.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® He could also hear each word spoken by those in this massive territory!
The power of a Phantom Lord was on full disy!
Ring~Ring~Ring!
Evan''smunicator let out a series of high-pitched chimes, drawing his attention to the device.
He picked it up and immediately recognized the caller ID; it was Lirian, the captain of the phantom regiment, one of his most trusted allies.
Themunicator was a sleek device that allowed citizens of the Sun Moon Empire tomunicate across long and short distances with ease.
As soon as he answered the call, Lirian cut straight to the chase. "You don''t intend to go to Emerald, do you?"
Evan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"What makes you think so?" he asked, curious to hear Lirian''s reasoning.
"Well, Your Highness," Lirian said with a hint of exasperation in his voice, "after thest time someone tried to off you, you became tighter-lipped than a m in a sandstorm. You''re about as likely to divulge your whereabouts to a stranger as a cat is to give up chasing mice. Unless, of course, that eunuch has cast some sort of spell on you that makes him more valuable to you than your life!" Lirian said, his tone indicating his frustration.
Evan could tell that Lirian had just rolled his eyes, even though he couldn''t see him.
Evan chuckled, "Ha! You know me better than I expected. I was going to tell you to cancel the tickets to Emerald if you''ve brought them. But I guess that''s not needed anymore."
"Your Highness, I''ve had the privilege of knowing you since you were a child. Your character is no mystery to me," Lirian said respectfully.
"You can drop the honorifics," Evan said tersely.
"Okay, Frostbite," Lirian said, the teasing edge returning to his voice. "So, what''s the real n?"
"Meet me at the rendezvous point," Evan said, his tone clipped and serious. His nerves were starting to get the better of him as he thought about the dangerous mission ahead. He needed Lirian''s help. "I''ll exin everything there."
Evan swiftly ended the call and exhaled deeply, his mind still racing with adrenaline.
He was in his room, a space he had made his own, with books littering the walls and a king-sized bed dominating the center.
Without hesitation, he strode towards the bed and began pushing it aside, revealing a small, circr spot on the wall.
Evan''s fingers deftly brushed over the spot, and he pressed down with a firm, deliberate touch. With a barely audible whirring sound, the spot receded, revealing a hidden mechanism beneath.
His heart pounded with anticipation as he flicked the switch, and the wall obediently parted ways to reveal a concealed door. The mechanism hadn''t undergone maintenance in a long time, but it was still working! Thank god!
The door was an unremarkable b of metal, but as Evan ced his hand on the cold surface, it slid open noiselessly, revealing a dimly lit tunnel beyond.
The walls of the tunnel were lined with luminescent stones that illuminated the darkness inside in an eerie, greenish light.
He entered it fearlessly.
Chapter 20 The Final Preparation!
?Evan had never been more grateful for his paranoid streak.
After the assassination attempt on his life, which happened a few months after the death of his mother, he had begged his father to create a secret passage for him, something that could lead him to a safe ce and only be essed by him.
Unable to ignore Evan''s plea, Magnus had secretly funded the construction of this passageway, hidden from the prying eyes of the Frost n.
No one in the minor families knew of the passage''s existence, and Evan intended to keep it that way!
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom As Evan stepped into the tunnel, he couldn''t help but feel a shiver run down his spine. The secret passage was his only lifeline in case of danger, but it also served as a stark reminder of the danger that loomed over him because of the treacherous and powerful minor families of the n.
''I will do something about them after I return. They all are in need of a heavy lesson.'' he thought.
He made his way through the winding tunnel, his rapid footsteps echoing against the stone walls.
It seemed to stretch on for miles
It took Evan half an hour of sprinting to traverse the winding secret passage.
By the time he reached its end, he was sweating, beads of droplets rolling down his forehead, and his breaths were shallow and ragged, the silence surrounding him making it feel like he was in a different world entirely.
He wiped the sweat off his face with the back of his hand and raised his head.
Adder leading upwards came into his sight.
When he saw it, a wave of relief washed over him.
''I will reach the secret hideout after I climb it.''
He began to climb the rungs of thedder with renewed vigor.
Thedder was connected to a well, which was sealed by an iron tin. It was there to stop anyone except for Evan from essing whaty beyond the well.
After Evan reached the top of thedder, he pressed his hands against the iron tin, and it moved out of his way as if recognizing its owner.
With the tin removed, Evan was able to emerge from the well with ease.
He appeared in what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse.
The air in this ce was musty, and the silence of the warehouse was broken only by the sound of his own breathing.
Instead of feeling that he was in a ce below his station, Evan felt as if he had returned home.
He had spent most of his childhood in this ce with his best friend and mother, who he could barely remember.
It was also the rendezvous point where he had promised to meet Lirian.
The door to the warehouse opened, and in came a striking young man holding a small bag in his hand. It took him a few moments to adjust to the darkness of the dimly lit warehouse, but he soon spotted Evan, who was taking the covers off of the transfer array.
The Transfer Array was a remarkable piece of technology, capable of transporting individuals to different worlds in the blink of an eye.
However, there was a catch.
In order to make it work, one needed to know the exact coordinates of their desired destination.
"Hey, Frostbite, I''m here," Lirian said as he made his way towards his friend.
Evan stood up and turned to him, "I have been waiting for you." He pointed at the bag Lirian was holding and asked, "What''s that?"
"It''s a bag with a mini-subspace that contains our weapons and provisions."
"Don''t you have something better to hold stuff? You look ridiculous holding that." Evan chuckled
"I do, but it helps me avoid trouble. It''s a charm that blocks gold diggers for me. Whenever I am wearing something better, I am swarmed by them, but I haven''t had any unwanted attention from people who are only interested in a person with wealth since I started carrying it. That''s why I like to carry it around." Lirian said with a smug smile.
Evan chuckled again. "Well, I guess that''s one way to keep the gold diggers at bay."
"So, what''s the big n?" Lirian asked with a tinge of excitement in his voice.
Evan took a deep breath and said, "I''m going to Avalon with the help of the transfer array in this warehouse."
Lirian''s eyes widened to the size of saucers, Avalon? Are you crazy? It''s full of Cosmic Crusaders who hate the Sun Moon Empire. If they find out that you, the son of their sworn enemy, is in their homnd, they will do whatever it takes to kill you."
The Cosmic Crusaders were notorious intergctic criminals, feared and reviled across the gxy.
Their nefarious activities had brought them into conflict with countless empires and organizations, but it was the Sun Moon Empire that felt their wrath the most.
These miscreants were like a gue upon the Sun Moon Empire, constantly appearing when least expected to foil their ns and cause chaos. It was as if they had a sixth sense for trouble, and reveled in causing havoc wherever they went.
Their methods were as varied as they were unpredictable. They were masters of deception, capable of infiltrating even the most secure instations undetected. They were also skilled inbat. Even the weakest of them could take on an entire armed battalion of the empire with ease.
Despite their notoriety, very little was known about the Cosmic Crusaders. They operated in secrecy, their true identities and motives shrouded in mystery.
Some believed they were driven by greed and a lust for power, while others saw them as freedom fighters, rebelling against oppressive empires and dictatorships.
For the Sun Moon Empire, however, they were simply a pain in the ass.
Every time they thought they had neutralized the threat, the Cosmic Crusaders would pop up again like cockroaches.
Just a few weeks ago, there was news that the Cosmic Crusaders had descended on Avalon to protect its resources from being extracted by the Sun Moon Empire. But they were just using it as a means to justify their vinoius actions, which resulted in the death of a million Avalonians.
"I understand how risky it is, but I have no choice. There''s an opportunity that I must seize in Avalon. Besides, sometimes the most dangerous ce is the safest. The Cosmic Crusaders wouldn''t even dream of seeing me in Avalon, and even if they did, they wouldn''t recognize me. I will be going there in disguise." Evan exined.
Lirian looked at him with concern
"But it''s too dangerous. It could get you killed."
Evan met Lirian''s gaze with a determined expression. "I know, but it''s a risk I have to take. And I won''t me you if you don''t want to follow me," he said unwaveringly.
"Don''t even think about it. We promised to tackle all hardships together, remember? Together, we''re invincible," Lirian smirked.
Chapter 21 Teleporting To Planet Avalon
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom ?The vast warehouse was Evan''s secret hideout. It was built to survive an apocalyptic event and contained a portion of his wealth.
It was filled with rows upon rows of towering shelves, stocked with various gadgets and contraptions, and in the center of it was the transfer array.
Amidst the chaos of mechanical trinkets and futuristic gizmos, there stood a small and unassuming cupboard.
It was in in appearance, yet it held within it a collection of tools that could change Evan''s fate.
Evan walked up to it.
He opened the first drawer, revealing a set of ck clothes neatly folded within. These were the garments he had worn countless times before, always in secret, whenever he needed to slip past prying eyes undetected.
He donned the attire, the fabric clinging to his skin like a second skin.
Moving on to the second drawer, he retrieved a small device that resembled a sleek ck box. This was the face changer, a remarkable invention that could transform the wearer''s appearance with the mere push of a button. It didn''t have a energy signal either as it wasn''t a product from the empire.
''Time to change my appearance.''
Evan held it gingerly, his fingers tracing the contours of the smooth surface.
With a flick of his wrist, he activated the device, and his reflection in the nearby mirror morphed into that of a stranger.
It was a strange sensation, seeing someone else''s face staring back at him.
"You should also disguise yourself," Evan said.
"Pass it to me," Lirian replied.
After Evan handed the face changer to him, Lirian used it to transform his appearance. His jet-ck hair was now a soft shade of red, and his eyes had shifted from a piercing blue to a gentle green.
"This version of the face changer is really great. I guess I will never stop feeling amazed no matter how many times I use it."
"Yeah, it''s impressive. As long as we keep our disguises intact and the face changer safe, we can move undetected and blend in with the crowds."
Evan and Lirian couldn''t help but marvel at how the face changer worked its magic, disguising them both beyond recognition.
With their disguises in ce, the two of them proceeded to the third and final drawer.
Inside, a multitude of crystals glimmered in the dim light, each one pulsating with an otherworldly energy.
These were the soul energy crystals, a powerful source of energy that could activate the transfer array and other magical devices invented by the empire.
They took all the crystals from it and approached the transfer array.
Evan and Lirian carefully ced the crystal on the designated spot drawn on the transfer array.
The crystals were reduced to dust as the transfer array sucked all of their soul energy and started glowing, showcasing that it had powered up and was ready to teleport them to their destination.
"Do you think it''s a good idea to have a backup n? I was thinking that if we stationed some of our team on Emerald, it could be beneficial in case something goes wrong." Lirian asked concernedly.
"No. We can''t. I''ve considered all the variables, and I don''t think it''s a good idea. It''s too risky." Evan responded immediately and unwaveringly.
His frustration could be felt in his voice.
He possessed the formidable authority tomand the entire Phantom Regiment, a highly skilled army of soul cultivators. However, he chose not to exercise this power for his own benefit.
There were several reasons behind his decision.
Firstly, calling upon the Phantom Regiment would draw undue attention to himself. He needed to maintain a low profile and operate in secrecy to enter and exit Avalon undetected by the Cosmic Crusades. If they became aware of his intentions, it would jeopardize his mission and put him in grave danger.
Secondly, his ownership of the Phantom Regiment was not a well-kept secret. The minor families had their spies lurking in every corner, including his army, waiting to strike. He didn''t know who and how many spies there were in the regiment, but he was sure that there were spies there.
Mobilizing the army would be like a beacon to his enemies, revealing his exact location and inviting an attack. Evan knew better than to put himself in such a vulnerable position and risk his safety.
"You have a lot of things to be worried about. It sucks to be you." Lirian sighed, reluctantly agreeing to go along with his wishes.
Evan approached the transfer array with cautious steps, his fingers hovering over the console that was attached to it. The machine was aplex piece of technology, its metallic surfaces gleaming under the artificial light of the warehouse.
He had to be careful and precise while entering the coordinates, for one wrong keystroke could send them hurtling into the abyss of space and time.
As he began to enter the coordinates, Evan''s mind drifted to the history of the they were on. Avalon had once been a battleground for the Frost n''s attempt to conquer it. They had established many strongholds on thend, one of which was the Ironn Stronghold.
After the war ended and Avalon was conquered, the strongholds remained, but their purposes changed. They became the safe zones for the soul cultivators of the empire.
The dungeons of Avalon were a ce of rigorous training for the Empire''s soldiers and privileged soul cultivators. It was normal for the citizens to go to and fro from the empire to Avalon as both sides had many transfer arrays.
The soul cultivators of the Empire were categorized into multiple tiers of privilege, with tier-1 being the most privileged and tier-9 being the least. Just being born within the imperial family means that your privilege level will be no less than tier 7. For those born into ordinary families, there was still hope to climb the socialdder. Those who were found to have soul pockets, despite their humble origins, were granted privilege level 9. However, for them to ascend to a higher privilege tier was a daunting task, requiring significant advancement in cultivation level. This was no easy feat, but for those with the grit and determination to achieve it, the rewards were beyond measure.
As for why Evan wanted to go to the Irond Stronghold, it was because it was the closest safe zone to the Mystic Forest, which was home to the Kobold''s dungeon of mischief. Evan didn''t have the coordinates of the Mystic Forest, or else he would have directly teleported there using the transfer array. Instead, he carefully inputted the final digits of the Irond Stronghold''s coordinates into the transfer array.
Vroom!
The machine sprang to life with a low hum, its intricate machinery whirring and humming, its lights flickering in a dazzling disy.
Suddenly, a blinding sh of light enveloped them, and they felt their body being pulled apart at the molecr level.
For a moment, they felt as if they were suspended in a void of nothingness, their senses overwhelmed by the sheer power of the teleportation process.
As the light faded away, they found themselves standing in an alley of a foreign, the air thick with the scent of unfamiliar flora.
The alley was narrow and winding, nked by tall buildings made of sandstone and y.
Evan looked up and saw that the sky was a brilliant shade of orange, tinged with streaks of purple and pink.
The air was warm and humid, heavy with the scent of spices, herbs and a coolness that touched the heart. This sensation could only be caused by a type of magical energy called Mana.
Evan and Lirian nodded at each other and stepped out of the alley, entering a wide street.
The buildings around them were bustling with activity, vendors calling out to customers, and children with fox ears and cat tails running around ying.
The trees around them shimmered with a soft golden light, casting long shadows on the ground. Their leaves rustled in the gentle breeze of summer, and their branches creaked as if alive.
"It''s confirmed. We have arrived at Avalon. This worldcks soul energy but has no shortage of mana. So if you are yet to learn the technique that converts mana into soul energy, try to use as few soul techniques as possible." Lirian said in a voice that was barely above a whisper.
"Got it. Let''s proceed with caution. We don''t want to attract any unnecessary attention." Evan responded, deliberately nodding slowly as if he had all the time in the world.
Chapter 22 Entering The Mystic Forest
?The Irond stronghold stood tall and imposing, its walls towering high above the ground, like a sentinel keeping watch over the realm.
It was a fortress of great strength, designed to withstand even the most vicious attacks from the enemy. Yet, for all its might and power, the stronghold had only two entrances that served both as entry and exit points, and they were heavily guarded by the empire''s soldiers.
The reason for this was not hard to guess.
The cosmic crusaders, who had recently arrived on Avalon, were causing chaos and destruction everywhere they went. They had alreadyid waste to a few cities and towns that existed long before the empire set foot on the.
Their actions alerted the imperial senate.
The Irond stronghold was one of the three most important safe zones that connected the Sun Moon Empire to Avalon.
A lot of resources had been dumped into it since its creation, and it would be a considerable loss if they lost it.
Thus, it was imperative that the stronghold''s entrances were guarded with utmost vignce.
Evan and Lirian headed towards Southern Gate. It was the quickest way out of the stronghold. They strode along the cobblestone path, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the walls of the stronghold.
Soon after, the Southern Gate loomed ahead of them, its imposing presence a stark reminder of the security measures in ce.
As they approached, they were met by a figure whose aura of authority could not be ignored. Captain Valor, the leader of the guards stationed at the gate, stood tall and proud. His armor gleamed in the sunlight, his sword and gun hanging at his sides.
"I can''t see through him. He is probably a realm or two above me." Lirian whispered into Evan''s ears.
Evan''s lowered his head, his bangs casting a shadow over his eyes. Lirian was a second-step soul maniptor. He was in the Soul Fusion Realm. So it could only mean that Captain Valor was in the Soul Embodiment Realm.
Lirian was backing away, but he was pulled towards Captain Valor by Evan, who said, "Don''t arouse his suspicion."
"State your business," Captain Valor demanded in a deep,manding voice as he saw the men who approached him.
Evan and Lirian exchanged a quick nce before Evan spoke up.
"We have urgent matters to attend to. We need to leave the stronghold immediately."
Captain Valor''s expression remained stern. "Security has been tightened in this area. No one can enter or leave without undergoing a proper examination of their identity."
Lirian''s heart pounded in his chest as a wave of unease washed over him. He and Evan had used the face changer to disguise themselves, adopting a new persona in order to slip past the watchful eyes of those who might recognize them as the captain of the Phantom Regiment and the Crown Prince of Frost, respectively. They hade to this ce in haste, without using their authority to prepare the necessary documents that could legally endorse their guise as citizens of the empire for a limited duration.
With no reliable method to authenticate his and Evan''s fake identity, Lirian feared that this mightnd them in trouble.
They might be forced to reveal who they were!
"Rx. I got this."
Sensing his friend''s apprehension, Evan put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Lirian looked at him, and he showed him a confident smile.
The captain eyed them suspiciously, wondering what was taking them so long.
Evan turned to the guard and asked, "We understand. What do we need to do to pass the examination?"
Captain Valor replied, "You''ll need to provide proof of your identity, such as a passport or a letter of authorization from a recognized authority."
Recognized authorities were organizations or ruling families who served the Intergctic Sun Moon empire or were in a partnership with it.
"We have our I.Ds with us. Will that be enough?" Evan asked.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom "Yes." Captain Valor nodded. "Let me examine them."
"Alright," Evan said as he reached out and tapped the dusty ring on his finger. The ring was also disguised by the face changer. Its actual form was beautiful beyond words, with the insignia of the Imperial Frost n on top of it. It was one of the many gifts Evan had received from his father over the years. It was an advanced piece of technology that contained a subspace the size of a room.
To Lirian''s amazement, two identification cards appeared between Evan''s fingers, and he handed them over to Captain Valor.
The captain inserted the I.Ds into the scanner, and after a few tense moments, the scanner turned green, indicating that they were authentic citizens of the empire.
''So that''s why he was so confident. He came prepared.'' Lirian thought.
Evan had been using the face changer for a few years. He had been in a situation where he was forced to reveal his true identity after disguising himself. After that incident, he had registered all of his disguises as actual citizens of the empire in the enormous database. It was easy for him to do so as he was the Crown Prince of Frost. All the I.Ds of his disguises were stored in his spatial ring.
Captain Valor inspected their identities before dering them clear to proceed. "I see nothing wrong with your identities, you may proceed. However, with the current troubled times, I would caution against leaving the stronghold. The cosmic crusaders are wreaking havoc in Avalon."
Evan acknowledged Captain Valor''s warning. "Thank you for your concern, Captain. But sometimes, taking risks is necessary to achieve what is important."
Captain Valor reminded them of the risks involved. "Remember, Sir Daniel and Sir Lucas, the stronghold barrier provides protection to those inside. Outside, you are at your own risk."
Daniel and Lucas were the names of the people Evan and Lirian had disguised themselves as. The identity of their disguise wasn''t bad. They could be considered quite privileged. But they only existed on paper. Of course, Captain Valor didn''t know that.
Evan understood the risks, but he was determined to get what he came here for. "We appreciate your concern, Captain, but our mission cannot wait for things to settle down. We have to go out there."
Captain Valor epted their decision but still urged caution. "Very well, I wish you the best of luck. Be careful out there."
With that, they walked past the captain.
Evan was determined to continue on his mission, regardless of the dangers thaty ahead, while Lirian wanted to help him achieve his goal no matter what.
After exiting the irond stronghold, they took the road that led to the Mystic Forest.
After fifteen minutes, the Mystic Forest finally came into view. The sight of it was awe-inspiring. The dense canopy of emerald green foliage that covered the forest was a sight to behold. It was as if a giant emerald nket had beenid over the trees, creating a lush and vibrant environment.
As they drew closer, the air around them grew cooler and more damp, a wee relief from the stifling atmosphere of the stronghold they had just left. The towering trees seemed to reach up into the sky, their thick and gnarled trunks twisting and turning as they stretched towards the canopy. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
Despite the inherent danger thaty within, Evan and Lirian couldn''t help but marvel at the natural beauty that surrounded them. They knew that the Mystic Forest was divided into two distinct areas. The outskirts were used as a training ground for soul cultivators in the soul manifestation and soul fusion realm, while the inner area was home to some of the most powerful and deadly beasts in existence.
Only cultivators who had achieved the Soul Embodiment realm would dare to venture into the inner depths of the forest. For anyone weaker than that, it was an execution ground!
Just as Evan and Lirian were on the cusp of entering the outskirts of the Mystic Forest, Lirian abruptly turned to hispanion and issued a grave warning.
"Listen to me carefully, Evan," he said in a voice that was filled with caution and seriousness, a stark departure from his normally lighthearted nature. "This is where things get serious. We''re entering the domain of some of the most dangerous creatures in Avalon. You must remain vignt at all times and keep your guard up, no matter what."
"You don''t need to worry. I''ve been through this before," Evan replied confidently, drawing out his trusty magic weapon ¨C a long, slim sword that he kept in his inventory.
As soon as he equipped the weapon, a series of notifications popped up in his vision, informing him of the weapon''s effects.
[You''ve equipped a low-level magic item.]
[Your strength and agility have increased by two points each!]
[You have gained the right to use the special effect of the Frost Demon''s Fury Sword!]
As Evan took in the notifications, he could feel his body growing stronger and faster, the magic of the sword coursing through his veins. Though the increase in his abilities was not significant, it was enough to give him an added sense of confidence as he prepared to face the dangers thaty ahead.
Taking in a deep breath of the cool, crisp forest air, the pair delved into the verdant wilderness ahead. As they navigated through the dense and treacherous terrain, their senses were heightened to every rustle and movement in the surrounding trees. Their eyes scanned the area, searching for any potential threats lurking within the shadows.
All of a sudden, a faint rustling noise caught their attention. Though it was indistinct and barely audible, it was enough to set Evan and Lirian on edge, causing their bodies to tense up.
They immediately turned toward the source of the noise and were met with a chilling sight of a monstrous creature leaping out from the depths of the foliage and hurtling towards Evan with lightning-fast speed.
Chapter 23 First Challenge
?Evan''s heart pounded in his chest as he caught sight of a snake-like monster piercing through the air and hurtling towards him, its triangr head glinting in the dappled light. It showcased that the sharpness of its head rivaledmon des. He knew that one wrong move could mean certain death, but he remained resolute and focused, his piercing gaze locked onto the monster.
Just as he was about to be pierced by the triangr head of the snake, Evan stepped to the side and tilted his body with a quickness that belied his size and experience, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike of the creature. It was just his agility that helped him evade it but also thebat experience of his past life.
It seemed as if time had stilled for a fleeting moment as Evan''s chilling gaze locked onto the snake, which was still airborne and yet to pass by him.
It was in apromising position where it couldn''t evade any attack!
Without any hesitation, Evan made a decisive move, his sword glinting in the dappled light of the forest. In a swift and fluid motion, he swung his sword with all his might, aiming for its life.
ng!
The sh was deafening, the sound of metal striking scaly flesh reverberating through the trees. Evan''s sword had made contact with the body of the snake. The impact was so powerful that the monster spun wildly through the air, its massive body hurtling towards a nearby tree.
Thud!
There was a thunderous thud as the creature crashed into the tree, shaking it violently and sending leaves and twigs raining down on the forest floor.
It slipped down the tree, impacting against the ground weakly.
After whacking it away with his sword, Evan got a good look at it. Its elongated body was covered in scales, and its head was sharp and triangr, shaped just like an arrowhead.
Immediately, Evan recognized it immediately as a Thunder Snake, a rank-1 beast that was infamous for its agility and remarkable defense.
In Avalon, beasts were categorized into ten ranks based on their strength and abilities. The weakest beasts were rank-1, while the strongest were rank-10. Each rank was further divided into ten levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 10 being the highest.
Evan recalled from his past life memories that the number of lines on a Thunder Snake''s body indicated its level.
As he observed the Thunder Snake before him, he counted only four stripes on its body, indicating that it was a level 4 beast of the first rank.
He knew that he had to be cautious as even though it was only a level 4 Thunder Snake, it still possessed a dangerous level of agility and a defense that he couldn''t break with his strength.
Lirian, on the other hand, stood shocked by Evan''s snake-avoiding skills! His mouth was wide open like a garage door that got stuck halfway. He was so stunned he couldn''t even mutter a single word. It looked as if Lirian''s jaw would hit the floor and shatter into a million pieces any moment now!
Evanughed, seeing the face he was making, and couldn''t help but say, "Bro, you''d better close your mouth before a family of birds decides to build a nest in there!"
"Wow, Frostbite, you are amazing with that sword!" Lirian eximed. "I''ve never seen a first-step soul maniptor move so quickly in a fight before. You were able to dodge the sneak attack of the snake and strike back in an instant. I don''t think I could do that."
Evan responded, "Thanks, Lirian. I appreciate thepliment but don''t get involved in my fight. I want to use this chance to warm up."
Lirian nodded in agreement, respecting Evan''s wishes.
"Sure, I''ll leave you to it. Besides, it doesn''t seem like you need my help."
Evan focused his attention back on the Thunder Snake, who was ring at him with red eyes.
Hiss!
The hiss that echoed through the air was enough to make anyone''s skin crawl. The Thunder Snake coiled its body, ready to strike at any given moment.
Evan felt a familiar sense of unease as he watched the creature''s movements. His eyes lit up as he remembered it was a pattern that he had seen before in his past life while ying the game and one that he had learned to anticipate. He knew that the snake was about to lunge at him with its mouth agape, ready to sink its venomous teeth into his flesh.
The Thunder Snake''s exterior was rock-solid, impervious to the strength of even the most skilled soul manifestation realm cultivators. However, Evan knew that its insides were soft and vulnerable, making it easy to pierce with a precise attack.
He bided his time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, knowing that his chance to secure victory woulde when the snake exposed its weakness. He just needed to grab it.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, the Thunder Snake shot forward like a bolt of lightning, its jaws gaping wide as it aimed straight for Evan''s neck.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Rather than dodging like a sane person, Evan stood his ground, thrusting his sword in the creature''s direction.
Squelch!
The sword''s slim de plunged into the thunder snake''s gaping mouth, and Evan heard a sickening voice as its curved tip prated its brain.
The Thunder snake was stopped two feet away from Evan and kept in mid-air by the sword.
Blood sprayed out from the grotesque wound, coating the Frost Demon''s Fury sword in a crimson hue.
The blood slid down the Frost Demon''s Fury sword surface and dripped on the ground drop by drop as the thunder snake remained hanging from its de like a gruesome decoration, its lifeless body twitching in its final throes.
Its movement stopped, and Evan''s ears were filled with the sound of a system notification.
[The intermediate-level Thunder Snake has been defeated! Congrattions on your victory! You have earned four experience points, +1 STR, +1 AGT!]
Chapter 24 Rewards & A Sign To Lirians Hardships
?With a sudden jerk, Evan pulled his sword free from the Thunder Snake''s brain and out of its mouth, causing the creature to fall to the ground with a thud. Its eyes stared nkly ahead, its lifeless body now devoid of the deadly threat it once posed.
He stood triumphantly over the its carcass, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush of the battle.
[The intermediate-level Thunder Snake has been defeated! Congrattions on your victory! You have earned four experience points, +2 STR, +5 AGT, +3 DEX!]
As he caught his breath, Evan felt a sudden warmth spreading through his body. It was as though a surge of power was flowing through him, enhancing his physical abilities and improving his constitution.
His muscles bulged as his strength increased, and he felt his reflexes sharpening as his agility and dexterity improved.
His hand-eye coordination became more precise, and his fine motor skills became more refined.
For a moment, Evan was lost in the sensation of his newfound power. He had earned it through his hard-fought victory over the Thunder Snake, and he reveled in it, but just as quickly as it hade, the warmth began to fade.
The rush of energy subsided, leaving Evan feeling energized.
The system''s notifications popped up in front of his eyes.
[You have earned an additional 12 experience points for killing a monster three levels above you.]
[As this is your first time killing a ranked monster, you have earned a bonus reward. You have gained four experience points and 1¡Á auxiliary-type skill card of the lowest level]
Evan''s face lit up with a broad smile that stretched from ear to ear. The feeling of fulfillment was well-deserved, for he had just earned a total of 20 experience points and a skill card. It was more than he expected.
Evan, who was fully engrossed in his own thoughts, was caught off guard when he felt a sudden tap on his back. It startled him momentarily, causing him to jerk his body in surprise before turning around to see who it was that had interrupted his train of thought. As he faced the source of the unexpected interruption, heid his eyes upon Lirian, who was standing behind him. A glint seemed to sh in Liriam''s eyes.
Evan had be ustomed to the distinct expression that would grace Lirian''s countenance from time to time. There was a certain air about his demeanor that he had grown to recognize all too well, and he knew without a doubt what was to follow.
"What is it? I know you want something. Just say it," Evan said impatiently.
Lirian''s eyes lit up as he spoke with excitement, "The Thunder Snake''s pointy head can be used as a material to create weapons, and its scales can be ground into medicinal powder! They could fetch a pretty penny at the market."
He paused, looking at Evan with a hopeful expression, "Do you mind if I dismember it and store its parts? Please, Evan, this could be a great opportunity for us."
Evan''s face remained expressionless for a moment before he let out a small sigh, "No, I don''t mind. Go ahead."
Evan knew all about Lirian''s irresistible urge to im anything remotely precious that was lying around without an owner and in in sight.
If he stumbled upon it, Lirian would snatch it up faster than you could say, "I found it first!"
To make matters worse, Lirian was tighter than a tick in a dog''s ear! He could make Scrooge look like a phnthropist with his stingy spending habits!
The reason behind his miserly ways was that his old man did a disappearing act without leaving him a dime or any cool stuff.
He went out to buy milk and never returned home!
So now Lirian hoards every penny like a squirrel with acorns.
Although Lirian was notorious for his tight-fisted ways, Evan still held a special ce in his heart for him. They were the ultimate BFFs - the kind that no amount of money could buy. Evan simply couldn''t imagine spending his hard-earned cash on anyone else but his stingypanion!
To be fair, Lirian did have his moments of generosity, especially when it came to Evan''s birthday. He always managed to scrape together enough funds to get his friend a gift - a rare urrence considering his aversion to spending money. It was clear that Evan was the only person Lirian was willing to open his wallet for, despite the pain in his heart. Ah, the beauty of true friendship!
Lirian began to engross himself in the meticulous and arduous task of dismembering the Thunder Snake''s carcass.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Engaging in the gruesome and unsettling upation of dismembering wild beasts was a vocation that society looked down upon, considered ignoble, and generally regarded as a menial task. This line of work provided meagerpensation and was considered a less than ideal means of earning a living. It was not something the Captain of the Phantom Regiment should know. However, despite the negative stigma attached to it, Lirian approached this profession with a sense of satisfaction and contentment, wearing a smile that was almost infectious.
With his hands deftly and expertly maneuvering, he began the process of separating the head from the rest of the body, a task that seemed to be second nature to him.
As he progressed, he focused his attention on the intricate and delicate scales of the creature, methodically removing them with precision and care.
The ease with which he performed these actions suggested that he had honed his skills over a considerable amount of time, and had likely done so on numerous asions before.
Despite the gruesome and demanding nature of the task, Lirian appeared to be entirely unfazed, carrying out his work with the same level of concentration and determination as if he were performing a simple and routine chore.
Chapter 25 Learning A Brand New Skill!
?Evan approached Lirian; his eyes fixed on the impressive disy of skill before him.
Observing how cheerful Lirian was while performing the grim task of dismembering a beast, he found himself pondering on the hardship and adversity that Lirian must have endured to master such a difficult andborious craft.
He didn''t know what he had suffered, but he felt the need to encourage him, and make his day better.
"Wow, Lirian, I''m really impressed," Evan eximed, admiration clear in his voice as he watched Lirian work. "You are really good at it."
Lirian looked up, a small smile forming on his lips as he met Evan''s gaze.
"Thank you, Frostbite. I''ve been doing this for a long time, so it''s be second nature to me." he replied, continuing his task.
At the time of his induction into the military, Lirian happened to be the youngest member of the Phantom Regiment. Despite his potential, he faced an unfortunate circumstance that is all toomon among young recruits who join a group of seasoned veterans. The veteran members of the Phantom Regiment, perhaps due to his youthful and tender appearance, targeted him for their bullying tendencies. This manifested itself in the form of assigning him all the low-level work, such as cleaning toilets, effectively forcing him to endure the grunt work.
Despite the abuse he faced, Lirian kept this incident a secret. He didn''tin to Evan and Magnus, the two figures he considered family, as he found it too shameful. He felt that they had already done so much for him, and he didn''t want to appear as if he couldn''t live without depending on them and burdening them even more. It was a tough decision, but at that time, Lirian was determined to rise above the mistreatment he faced and prove himself through his hard work and dedication.
However, as fate would have it, Lirian''s time spent performing these menial tasks was not in vain. During this period, he was able to cultivate and refine a powerful skill. It was during these long hours of toiling away at the low-level tasks that he learned how to expertly dismember beasts. Though the circumstances under which he learned this skill were less than ideal, Lirian emerged from this experience with a newfound sense of purpose and an invaluable skill set. He never wanted to be looked down upon again.
Lirian''s eagerness to prove himself and the skill he learned during the worst years of his life proved vital in the battles he fought. His efforts helped him earn merits and glory, which catapulted him to fame within the empire. Soon, he became more popr than any veteran of the Phantom Regiment, and those who once bullied him were deeply ashamed of their actions. It was a ssic case of picking up a hammer and smashing your foot.
While Evan gifted Lirian the status of Captain of the Phantom Regiment, it was his own hard work and dedication that helped him earn the approval and respect of the soldiers.
Evan nodded, "I can tell. The way you''re able to maneuver through the scales and remove them so delicately, it''s really something else."
Lirian''s smile widened, his heart swelling with happiness at Evan''s praise. He wasn''t being praised by someone who was insignificant to him. He was being praised by someone for whom he would willingly march into the depths of hell. It was a vastly different experience. He felt validated and appreciated in a way that he rarely did.
"I appreciate thepliment," he said, his voice soft and grateful. "It''s not often that my work is recognized."
Everyone knew that Lirian was the fearsome Captain of the Phantom Regiment, an 18-year-old youth with endless potential, but no one had bothered to learn about how much he struggled to get to this point
Evan reached out and ced a hand on Lirian''s shoulder.
"Well, you deserve it," he said. "You''ve worked hard to perfect this skill, and it shows."
Lirian felt touched by his sincerity and worked ever harder.
Meanwhile, Evan''s mind was drawn to what he had gained recently.
As he contemted the use of the 20 experience points that he had amassed, his mind began to race with the possibilities.
He knew that by utilizing them, he could swiftly ascend to the second level of the Soul Manifestation Realm. However, upon further reflection, he recognized that such a decision could prove disastrous in a world devoid of soul energy. Opening a soul pocket in such an environment could cause him more harm than good, for without proper nourishment, it may wilt away like a fragile flower. One needed to be in a ce with an abundance of soul energy for a few hours to stabilize their soul pockets, and Avalon wasn''t such a ce.
The skill card, however, could help him get what he urgently needed.
He immediately put it to use.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom [The auxiliary-type skill card of the lowest level has been activated!]
Evan activated the card and was immediately presented with an array of options. Hundreds of cards materialized around him, yet he alone seemed to be aware of their existence.
[Please select the auxiliary soul ability that you would like to learn!]
Evan extended his hand, grabbing a card from mid-air.
[The Energy Conversation Skill has been selected]
The card that he chose was the Energy Conversation Skill, which he promptly tapped against his forehead.
No requirement was needed to learn the skill.
Thus, he learned it immediately.
[The Energy Conversation Skill has been added to your arsenal of skills]
[The energy conversation skill allows you to convert the mana in your surrounding into 100 units of soul energy. After it''s used, it will be temporarily unavable. It has a three-minute cooldown]
Chapter 26 The Trap!
?With the Energy Conversation skill at his disposal, Evan noticed that he could convert the mana in his surroundings into 100 units of soul energy without a cost in an instant. One hundred units of energy were enough to fill his soul pocket to the brim!
However, the skill had one drawback: once used, it would be temporarily unavable for three minutes, leaving him unable to regenerate soul energy in worlds without it.
Despite this downside, the benefits of the Energy Conversation Skill far outweighed the loss. He had made a wise choice by learning it!
After Lirian had stored the scales and head of the Thunder Snake in his subspace, they resumed their journey.
As they trekked through the fringes of the Mystic Forest, their eyes were obscured by a dense veil of foliage.
They moved past the dense clusters of trees, and the path opened up before them, revealing a picturesque scene that was nothing like the surrounding forest.
A vast expanse of vibrant and radiant sunflowers stood tall, glistening with dewdrops that adorned their petals like precious jewels. The sunflowers were interspersed with colossal trees, towering majestically over the flower field and providing a canopy of shade from the sun''s intense re.
The area was a stark contrast to the rest of the forest, an oasis of natural beauty that awed Lirian and put a satisfied smile on Evan''s face.
Evan smiled, feeling happy to have finally discovered the entrance of the Kobold''s Den of Mischief.
Lirian took a moment to pause and take in the breathtaking sight before him. The vibrant colors and fresh scent of the flowers invigorated his senses, and he felt a sense of peace and tranquility that he had not experienced in a long time.
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, savoring the fragrant air. It was as if he had encountered Heaven on Earth.
He opened his eyes and rushed towards it, wanting to do nothing but lie down among the sunflowers.
Evan''s eyes widened in disbelief as Lirian suddenly moved towards the field of flowers.
"Don''t!" Evan shouted out to Lirian with a sense of urgency, his heart pounding in his chest.
Lirian froze in his tracks, startled by Evan''s reaction.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Evan took advantage of Lirian''s momentary hesitation and immediately took action. Without a second thought, Evan lunged forward and grabbed Lirian by the hand. His grip was firm and unrelenting, as if he was determined to keep Lirian from moving any further.
He dragged him a safe distance away from the golden field of sunflowers that stretched out before them. It was as if he were rescuing Lirian from a dangerous situation, protecting him from harm''s way.
The force of the pull was so strong that it left Lirian stumbling, struggling to keep his bnce as he was dragged away.
"What''s wrong?" Lirian asked, feeling weirded out by Evan''s odd behavior.
Evan pointed towards the sunflower field, and his voice shook slightly as he spoke, "It''s an illusion, Lirian. The Kobolds have set up a death trap to catch anyone who falls for it. This field is not real, and beneath it lies a giant sinkhole of immense depth. Even a Cultivator in the Soul Fusion Realm would face certain death if they fell into it."
Christian Wolfie had tackled this dungeon countless times in the game with his friends until his character became powerful enough to solo it. As Evan vividly remembered his past life as Christian Wolfie, he knew the dungeon like the back of his hand. He knew that its entrance was a deathtrap disguised like a beautiful field of sunflowers!
Lirian shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if he had not been stopped in time. He trusted Evan so much that he didn''t entertain the idea of him lying to him when it came to matters of life and death.
"Thanks, bro," Lirian said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Had it not been for you, I would have lost my poor life." Lirian continued, "But how did you find out? Even I can''t sense anything odd, and I am a Soul Fusion realm cultivator."
Lirian was an entire cultivation realm above Evan.
It was odd that he failed to see through the illusion, which Evan saw through.
Evan''s face was solemn as he responded, "I have my ways."
Lirian couldn''t help but feel a twinge of hurt.
"Since when did we start keeping secrets between us?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood with a yful elbow poke.
Evan rolled his eyes, but a hint of guilt flickered across his face.
"I saw it in my vision," he admitted.
Lirian''s eyes widened in surprise. He knew about Evan''s recurring nightmares but had never heard of him having a different type of vision. "You saw a new vision? When did that happen?"
Evan nodded slowly. "It happened not too long ago."
Lirian''s curiosity was piqued. "Is that why we are here? Because your vision helped you locate something valuable in Avalon, and you wanted to obtain it?"
Evan''s face was serious as he nodded again. "Yes."
"What else did your vision show you? Did it show you how to dispel the illusion?" Lirian asked, his excitement growing.
Avalon is a world of magic, where supernatural feats are fueled by mana, the source of magic, but it has specific limitations. This illusion, for example, can''t be maintained without a constant supply of mana. The source has to be somewhere near. As soon as it''s destroyed, the illusion will be dispelled." Evan exined to Lirian.
Lirian couldn''t help but feel a hint of skepticism at his words.
"It''s easier said than done." Lirian asked, "How long will it take to find it in this wide ce?"
"It won''t take long," Evan said confidently, a glint shing in his eye.
Chapter 27 Entering The Kobolds Den Of Mischief!
?Evan surveyed his surroundings with meticulous care, his keen eyes scouring every inch of the environment in search of anything unusual.
He scrutinized everything, looking for the slightest hint of peculiarity that might reveal the hidden source of the illusion.
With great care, he cast his Inspection Skill on any object that seemed even remotely out of ce.
[You have detected a tree]
[You have detected a]
[You have detected a stalk of grass]
[You have detected the source of mana sustaining the illusion]
It took Evan dozens of attempts, but eventually, his persistence paid off.
With the repeated use of his inspection skill, He found the mana source that was responsible for maintaining the illusion, which was a massive boulder that had been strategically ced next to a towering tree.
"Smash it to bits!" Evanmanded without hesitation, his eyes fixed on the boulder.
With an affirmative "Got it!" Lirian sprinted towards the boulder without forgetting to channel his soul energy into his soul te.
Soul tes were special objects that soul cultivators obtained after undergoing the soul tes awakening ceremony. They were used to house skill crystals, an object containing power that defiedw and logic. Soul cultivators could manifest the power of skill crystals using their soul energy, but it was painful to use the skill crystal raw. Such an action was considered suicidal. The body of a soul cultivator wasn''t strong enough to bear the burden thates with activating a soul crystal. However, soul tes could bear it!
In a sh, Lirian activated his Metal Body Skill Crystal with the help of his soul te, causing his body to transform into a metallic powerhouse. His soul energy reserves took a hit, but it was a small price to pay for the incredible strength boost he had received.
Swoosh!
With his fists now resembling solid iron, Lirianunched himself at the boulder, throwing a monstrous punch that sent shockwaves through the air.
Bam!
The sound of his fist colliding with the boulder echoed through the air as the rock shattered into countless pieces, sending fragments flying in every direction.
As the illusion faded away, the sunflowers that previously dotted thendscape disappeared from sight, revealing the true and ominous nature of the surroundings.
The scene before them was nothing short of a colossal sinkhole, a gaping maw that seemed to stretch endlessly into the depths below. It was as if the earth itself had ruptured open, swallowing anything that dared venture too close into its perilous embrace.
Remembering that he had been saved from dropping into it, Lirian couldn''t help but count his lucky star.
Evan, on the other hand, was distracted by a sudden notification.
[You have dispelled a low-level illusion. You get +10 EXP! As this is your first time oveing an illusion using your wits, you have been awarded an additional five experience points!]
The system notified Evan. His total EXP had increased to 35 points!
Lirian tiptoed up to the sinkhole and peeked inside what could only be described as an abyss.
"Uh, Frostbite, buddy, this doesn''t exactly scream ''safety first,''" he said, turning to his high-and-mighty Crown Prince.
"It''s a risk worth taking," Evan dered, determination oozing out of his every pore. "These Kobolds are known for their mad skills in digging up treasure. Who knows what riches we''ll unearth down there?" he said, trying to pump up Lirian.
"We''re going to split any loot 50-50, or you can forget about dragging me into that death trap," Lirian countered, hoping to coerce Evan into giving in to his demands.
"Come on, man. Would you seriously be able to sit around and twiddle your thumbs while I brave the danger?" Evan smirked, knowing exactly how to manipte his weak-willed buddy.
How could he let his brother from another mother face danger alone?! No way in hell he was going to let that happen, not under his watch!
Lirian shook his head resolutely before he even realized what was happening.
Damn, he''d been yed like a fiddle!
His attempt to strong-arm Evan had blown up in his own face like a firework.
Evan smirked at Lirian''s antics and quipped, "Calm down. I have good news for you. Because you are my good brother, I will let you take anything you want from the dungeon, except for the few things that I need to survive."
Evan was extremely wealthy, with all the luxuries of the gxy at his fingertips. He wasn''t here to strike it rich. No! He was here to get the item that would change his destiny.
The reason why he, the crown prince of frost, hade to this distant was to unearth a skill crystal that would help him survive his tribtions! It just so happens that that skill crystal was the most valuable item down there.
Lirian could keep the rest of the items they would obtain from the dungeon. Evan had no problem with that.
After all, he was always generous to those who treated him well.
"Seriously?" Lirian eximed, bouncing up and down like a hyperactive monkey.
"My word is worth more than a truckload of jewels. I never fib," Evan dered, giving himself a self-righteous pat on the back.
"Sweet! Let''s go hunt for those hidden gems!" Lirian eximed, pumped up and ready for action.
There was a way down the sinkhole.
A crudely fashioneddder descended deep into the gaping maw of the sinkhole, its rungs haphazardly constructed and a clear indication that the work had been done by Kobolds, creatures known for their rough and reckless craftsmanship.
Without hesitation, Evan and Lirian, their senses heightened and their nerves taut, stored their weapon into their subspace and took thedder to begin their descent, each of its rung groaning under their weight.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the bottom of the sinkhole.
[Ding! You have entered the starting area of the Kobold''s Den of Mischief!]
As their feet touched the ground, they were greeted by a vast expanse that stretched out before them.
The cavernous space was illuminated by a myriad of glowing stones embedded in the walls. The stones were of different hues and sizes, ranging from small and delicate torge and imposing. They pulsed with a life of their own, almost as if they were alive, casting an eerie and ethereal light that illuminated the twisting tunnels that sprawled out before them.
"Ooooh, look at these bad boys!" Lirian squealed like a piglet, practically drooling over the glowing stones. "They''re like diamonds, but better! I''ve never seen anything so stunning in my life. Those rich, high-maintenance citydies would pay a fortune for these babies," he cackled, envisioning himself rolling around in piles of cash.
Lirian''s greedy little fingers tried to snatch one, but it was no use.
"Give it a rest, man," Evan rolled his eyes.
Lirian pouted like a toddler who''d been denied dessert.
What was he supposed to do when he didn''t have the strength or tools to dig these suckers out? Cry? Oh, wait, he already was.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Suddenly, they heard a rumbling sound from deep within the tunnel.
"Did you hear that?" Evan whispered, tapping his spatial ring to summon his Sword. The Frost Demon''s Fury appeared in his hand.
"I did." Lirian nodded. "It''s probably caused by monsters," he said, his voice steady and his expression stern. If he was acting like a jester before, then now he was as disciplined as a soldier, exuding sharpness from every fiber of his being. He looked like a sword sharpened by the blood of countless enemies.
They cautiously made their way through the tunnels, their swords at the ready, their senses heightened for any sign of danger.
As they turned a corner, they came across a group of Kobolds.
"Looks like we found our first challenge," Evan said with a smirk as he and Lirian readied themselves for battle.
Chapter 28 Evan And Lirian Vs A Group Of Kobolds! (Part-A)
?The kobolds were a proud and ancient race; their society was built upon a foundation of honor and tradition. They lived in sprawling undergroundirs carved out of the very rock by their skilled craftsmen.
They looked like small humanoid creatures, standing no more than two and a half feet tall. Their skin was a dark, reddish-brown color, almost like dried blood. Their bodies were thin and wiry, with bony limbs that ended in sharp ws. Their eyes glowed with a fierce, yellow light, like that of a cat.
As Evan and Lirian crept through the shadowy tunnels, they came face to face with a group of six kobolds, their glowing eyes fixed upon the intruders.
The kobolds were d in rough, homespun fabrics, their bony limbs adorned with intricate tattoos that hinted at their rank within the tribe. Four of them wore amulets of polished metal, passed down through generations as symbols of strength and courage.
Those very four carried swords, signifying their status as warriors among their kind, while the remaining two clutched bows tightly in their hands. A quiver filled with nearly a dozen arrows rested upon their backs, hinting at their skill in rangedbat.
Lirian scanned the group of kobolds, taking in theirck of armor. "Looks like they''re not much for protection. Swords should do the trick," he said.
Evan agreed, "I''ll lead the charge. You''ve got my back, right?"
Lirian grinned, "Of course. Wouldn''t want to miss out on the fun."
With the magic sword held in his right hand, Evan rushed forward towards the three kobold warriors who were leading the charge in the enemy group. Lirian was hot on his heels, his eyes aze with the ferocity of a beast.
The kobold warriors uttered a cry and rushed towards the intruders.
As the distance between them closed, it seemed like Evan was going to engage four kobold warriors in fierce closebat, but then something changed.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® "They fell for it," a smirk appeared on Evan''s face as he suddenly halted in his tracks and stretched out his left arm towards the kobolds. He never intended to engage all four of them in a head-on sh. From the very start, he just wanted to bait them into rushing towards him!
The air around him crackled with energy, and icy tendrils of energy crept out of his palm, gathering in a single point above his forefinger where they fused into one, creating a frosty bullet.
It was the size of a nail, and its sudden appearance caused the temperature to plunge rapidly by a few degrees. It was as if winter had approached suddenly.
With a sudden jerk of his hand, Evan released the frosty bullet.
Whoosh!
The shimmering blue frosty bullet took off like a rocket towards one of the warrior kobolds at the front of the pack, whizzing through the air with such speed that the entire group of kobolds didn''t have a moment to react before it struck its target in the temple.
It drilled a perfect hole through the Kobold warrior''s head.
Blood gushed out from its wound and ran down its face as it crumpled to the ground in a heap, its body twitching like a fish out of the water as its life force slowly drained away.
A chilly breath came out of the hole in its head, coating its hideous face in ayer of ice. This not only showcased that the nature of the soul skill changes based on the type of soul energy used to power it up but also cut the kobold warrior''s breath short.
[Ding! You have in a level 5 Kobold Warrior by catching it off guard! You get five experience points and a 3 points increase in your Stamina!]
The system notified Evan. The transparent notification popped up in the corner of his eyes, not disturbing him in the slightest. It was easily ignorable, and he overlooked it as he was embroiled in battle.
Lirian''s eyes widened to the size of saucers in disbelief as Evan took down one of the kobold warriors with a single, icy st. As far as he knew, Evan wasn''t good at fighting, but what he had just witnessed contradicted what he knew about him and surprised him.
"That was...incredible," Lirian was an experienced fighter himself, so his initial shock quickly turned to appreciation as he recognized Evan''s talent, "I didn''t expect you to take one out so quickly."
Evan grinned, "It''s all about strategy. You just have to know how to catch them off guard and hit them where it hurts the most."
Lirian nodded, looking thoughtful.
"I''ll have to remember that." Lirian''s eyes flicked towards the remaining five kobolds. "But I better step up my game if I want to keep up with you. I don''t want to embarrass myself in front of my best friend." Lirian said with augh before charging towards them.
Enraged and furious, the kobolds were filled with indignation at the sight of one of their brethren lying lifeless on the ground.
With a resounding roar of anger, they charged towards Lirian with their swords drawn and ready to strike, ready to avenge their fallenrade.
As they closed in on him, their eyes glinting with malice, Lirian''s figure suddenly vanished in a swirling puff of smoke.
The kobold warriors and archers were shocked by his sudden dissapearece and wondered where he had gone.
In the next instant, Lirian reappeared behind one of the three warrior kobolds, a malevolent grin crossing his face as he prepared to strike.
Puchi!
With a quick and decisive movement, Lirian plunged his fist deep into the chest of the unsuspecting kobold, his fingers curling around the creature''s heart.
As he withdrew his hand, the organ still beating in his grasp, the remaining kobolds recoiled in terror, their eyes filled with a mixture of horror and disbelief at the horrendous sight before them.
Chapter 29 Evan And Lirian Vs A Group Of Kobolds! (Part-B)
?"Here, catch."
In a moment of quick thinking and cunning, Lirian, with a taunting and teasing smile, tossed the still-beating heart towards one of the kobold archers who had drawn an arrow, poised to strike him down.
Lirian wasn''t above ying dirty when the situation called for it, and he knew that survival often depended on taking advantage of every opportunity. So he did it without any remorse.
The unexpected action caught the kobold archer off guard, causing it to instinctively swat the organ away with its bow, disrupting its aim and giving Lirian a crucial moment to react.
Lirian seized the opportunity. How could he not when he did something that disgusted even him?
He activated his movement-type soul ability, blinking away from the kobold archers and past the bewildered kobold warriors who were left momentarily stunned by his sudden disappearance. In a sh, he returned to Evan''s side, his presence felt only as a gust of wind that stirred the dust at their feet.
"You catch on quite fast," Evan remarked, feeling impressed with Lirian as thetter had put his teachings to practical use just after hearing it once.
"I hear that quite often." Lirian boasted shamelessly, "I guess it''s one of my inherent abilities,"
Kuhiiik!
The kobold archers issued amand that pulled the kobold warriors out of their daze as they each swiftlyunched a few arrows in a heartbeat.
Whoosh!
A volley of six arrows flew past the two kobold warriors and headed towards Evan and Lirian with lethal uracy and incredible speed.
Evan, Instead of backing down or trying to evade, stepped up and brandished his low-level magic sword.
"Arise from your slumber, Furious Demon of Frost!"
With a voiceless chant, he activated the special ability of his magic weapon.
Whoosh!
Several sharp shards of ice materialized out of nowhere, hurtling through the air to intercept the iing arrows.
ng! ng! ng!
The ice shards collided with five of the six arrows, shattering them into harmless fragments, but thest arrow flew unimpeded, hurtling towards Evan with deadly speed.
Just as it seemed that Evan''s fate was sealed, Lirian pushed Evan behind him and, with a wave of his hand, released a wave of invisible soul energy that crashed into the arrow, deflecting it away harmlessly.
"I got you covered," he said to Evan with a grin.
"Thanks," Evan replied to him.
Their vignce raised as they watched the two kobold warriors charge toward them with swords raised.
"I will take care of the one on the right. You take out the other one." Lirian said as he swiftly sprang into action.
He moved with blinding speed, shing up to one of the kobolds, intercepting it just as the other charged towards Evan uninterrupted.
The first kobold warrior swung its sword at Lirian, and it was shocked out of its wits as Lirian caught its sword in his hand.
He effortlessly wrenched it out of the kobold''s grip before turning it around and plunging it deep into the kobold''s chest.
Puchi!
The de pierced through flesh and bone, emerging out of the kobold''s back, causing it to crumple to the ground, lifeless.
Meanwhile, the other kobold warrior jumped at Evan, brandishing its sword with deadly intent. Its attack looked so slow in Evan''s eyes that he didn''t bother deflecting it and instead maneuvered his body with such precision and speed that he narrowly dodged the kobold''s de while closing the distance between them.
"This is the end!"
In one swift motion, Evan swung his sword horizontally, slicing off the kobold''s head in a shower of blood and gore.
[Ding! You have in a level 4 Kobold Warrior! You get four experience points and a two points increase in your Strength!]
The two of them had dispatched four out of six of their foes with brutal efficiency, leaving their lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground.
Of the group of six kobolds, only two archers were left.
They charged ahead.
Whoosh!
In response, the kobold archers unleashed a deadly volley in their directions, each arrow aimed at their vital points with deadly precision.
Swoosh!
Evan and Lirian moved with lightning speed, their bodies twisting and turning as they darted between the arrows, every step they took bringing them closer to their assants.
Gasp!
The kobold archers trembled. Evan and Lirian were the ones bending and weaving their bodies in a dance with death, but the kobold archers felt that it was they who would die if nothing was done.
After all, the gap between them was close to being bridged!
Thwack!
Evan Frost brandished his sword with finesse, using its de to expertly deflect an iing arrow straight towards one of the archers.
The arrow pierced through the archer''s flesh, stabbing its heart deeply, instantly ripping its soul out. It groaned, blood gushing out of its mouth, and copsed to the ground with a loud thud, its eyes as lifeless as a dead fish.
[Ding! You have in a level-6 Kobold Archer! You get six experience points and a six points increase in your Agility!]
Another notification popped up at the corner of Evan''s vision, telling him about the rewards he had earned from killing it.
Meanwhile, Lirian Shadowfire leaped towards the remaining kobold archer, his body twisting and turning mid-air to dodge the iing arrows.
He looked like a hawk gliding towards its prey as he moved through the air and punched the archer in the face.
Bam!
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® The impact of Lirian''s fist on the kobold archer''s face was resounding and akin to a surgical strike - it shattered the archer''s jaw and sent its facial features into disarray, and just like that, the kobold archer went from looking like a ferocious monster to a hapless victim of botched stic surgery.
Perhaps the kobold archer was so shocked by the sudden transformation that it promptly lost consciousness and hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Lirian knew it wasn''t dead as he could feel its heartbeat.
As Lirian moved to strike the final blow that would end the kobold archer''s life, a sharp cry from behind made him pause in mid-action.
"Stop!" Evan eximed, rushing over to the archer lying on the ground and brutally stabbing it three or four times with his sword.
[Ding! You have in a level-7 Kobold Archer! You gain seven experience points, and your Dexterity increases by six points!]
"Great!" Evan thought to himself as the notification sounded in his ears.
He grinned in satisfaction as his experience points jumped to 56, more than enough for him to level up twice.
Lirian gave Evan a strange look. "You got some kind of monster-stabbing fetish or something?"
Evan rolled his eyes in disgust. "What are you talking about? Let''s just keep moving."
Evan couldn''t easily exin why he did what he did. It would be hard for anyone to believe that he had a system that helped him be stronger if he killed others. He might be taken for a crazy person.
And if such news reached the ears of the maniacs roaming the gxies, maybe they woulde after Evan to take the system for themselves.
The system was his greatest secret, and he couldn''t tell anyone about it. Otherwise, he would be endangering himself and the people around him.
''Character screen,'' Evan muttered as he and Lirian walked through the tunnel.
A transparent screen containing all the information about him came into his view.
Name: Evan
Age: 16
ss: Soul Maniptor
Cultivation stage: Soul Manifestation Stage
Level: Beginner (Level: 1)
EXP: 56
Experience needed to level up: 20
Stats:
Strength: 16 (14)
Dexterity: 21
Constitution: 11
Agility: 25 (23)
Stamina: 20
Evan couldn''t help but feel better than ever.
After all, except for his constitution, all the other stats have increased significantly, especially his agility. His speed has more than just doubled since he remembered all the memories of his past life!
Chapter 30 A Deadly Surprise!
?Reaching the end of the lengthy tunnel, Evan and Lirian approached a sharp bend in their path.
As they turned the corner, their eyes were met with a zing inferno of radiant light that flooded their vision as if the sun itself had descended upon them. The source of this scorching congration was none other than the malevolent kobold mage lurking within the dank tunnels.
It had been lying in wait like a devious predator with a lethal surprise in store for its unsuspecting prey.
Without warning, the wicked kobold mage brandished its staff, its twisted fingers crooked around the gnarled wood, and pointed it directly at the intruders.
In response, a searing fireball surged forth from the tip of the staff.
Whoosh!
It hurtled towards Evan and Lirian with blistering speed, leaving behind a trail of fiery embers in its wake.
"Energy Barrier!"
Lirian instantly drew upon the deep reserves of soul energy in his soul pockets and soulwork thaty within him, summoning forth a formidable shield from his right palm.
The invisible barrier coalesced around himself and Evan, emanating an otherworldly power that seemed to repel the very air around it.
Bomb!
A deafening explosion shook the tunnel as the fireball collided with the energy barrier, causing a cloud of dust and smoke to rise up in its wake. For a moment, it seemed as if the very walls of the tunnel might crumble and copse under the sheer force of the st.
As the dust began to settle, the kobold mage could scarcely believe its eyes.
It had expected to see the lifeless bodies of its enemies lying before it, consumed by the mes of its powerful attack, but instead, the intruders stood unscathed as if they had been immune to the raging inferno that had just engulfed them.
Not a speck of dust or grime marred their pristine appearance, as if they had just emerged from a peaceful slumber rather than a cataclysmic explosion.
The Kobold mage gazed in utter disbelief at the sight before its eyes, its reptilian features twisted into an expression of sheer shock and awe.
"What...how is this possible?" it stammered in elvish, its voiceced with incredulity. "Your...your bodies are unscathed...how did you withstand my attack?"
As the energy barrier erected by Lirian was made invisible by the special effect of his soul te, the kobold mage couldn''t see it, and its senses weren''t sharp enough to feel it.
Thus, It was bewildered, unable to understand how they''d survived what had killed many in the past.
Lirian and Evan didn''t look surprised at all as they heard it speak in Elvish.
Mages, even if they were monsters, were spiritual beings with intelligence that no normie could match.
Learning anguage wasn''t too hard for them.
"An attack of that level can only work against weaklings." Lirian retorted in elvish.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom As a soldier of an intergctic empire, he had been to manys and interacted with different kinds of people, so naturally, he picked up severalnguages, each one widely used in the ck Eye Gxy.
There were, of course, devices that could trante the manynguages spoken by different races in the gxy; However, neither Lirian nor Evan had brought anything like that, as such devices could be hijacked, and the one thing they didn''t want to happen was for their location to be tracked.
The Kobold mage bristled at Lirian''s words, its pride wounded by his taunting smirk.
"Hmph!" Its nostrils red, and its eyes narrowed to slits as it snorted. "Don''t get too cocky, human. You''ve only faced my weakest spell. You have yet to experience my full power."
Frustrated and enraged by its failure to vanquish its foes, the kobold mage readied another attack.
"Who said you have the time to prepare your spell?" Lirian said calmly and resolutely as, with a deft motion of his finger, he dissolved the energy barrier that had protected them and dashed towards the kobold mage, closing the distance with supernatural speed.
The kobold mage didn''t think the gap would be covered. Lirian was 12 steps away, and it needed only a moment or two to power up its spell. It already seemed to see them getting turned into ashes by the spell it was about to release.
However, Lirian vanished from sight, reappearing before the mage in a fraction of a second, startling it. It was still a second away from realizing its spell, but Lirian had already covered the distance between them.
Bam! Crack! Crack!
Its wish remained unfulfilled as, in a single, fluid motion, Lirian delivered a devastating blow to its gut.
Its rib cage broke, and it doubled over in agony, its staff ttering to the ground.
"Step aside," Evanmanded Lirian coldly and resolutely before Lirian couldnd the finishing blow. "This prince wants to deliver the coup de grace."
"As you wish."
Without hesitation, Lirianplied, moving to the side as Evan took aim at the kobold mage.
With a flick of his wrist, Evan unleashed a frigid bullet that tore through the air, striking the kobold mage squarely in the head with chilling precision.
With a hole in its head leaking blood, It slumped to the ground, lifeless and defeated, as the echoes of the st faded away into the darkness of the tunnel.
[Ding! You have in a level-4 Kobold Mage! You have gained four experience points, and your soul energy reserve has increased by 4 points!]
Evan suddenly felt that his first soul pocket had undergone a transformation.
Its size increased by a small amount.
Before, it was only able to store a 100 units of soul energy, but now it can store four more units than that.
He was taken aback.
''It''s too heaven-defying.'' he thought with narrowed eyes.
In the game, yers could increase their energy bar by killing spell casters and other magic users.
However, they had an energy bar, while Evan had a soul pocket.
The two were not the same!
Thus, he didn''t think that killing mage-type enemies would benefit him.
But now he was proved wrong!
He could widen his soul pocket and increase his soul energy reserve by killing magic-type enemies.
It was simply wonderful.
After all, it was considered impossible to increase the size of one''s soul pocket in the Sun Moon Empire.
Something like this has never happened before.
All those who tried died from their soul pocket exploding!
Chapter 31 Traps!
?Evan felt a bit confused.
After all, the kobold mage he just shot down was only a level 4 rank-1 monster. So how could it cast the Greater Fireball spell that it used to sneak-attack them?! It was a spell that couldn''t be learned by pyromancers below the 9th level!
''Could it be because of the staff? Maybe it is a magic weapon that allow you to use level 2 fire magic.'' Evan thought.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom He inspected the staff that was on the floor.
[Name: memaster''s Staff!]
[Rank: High-Level Magic Weapon!]
[Description: This staff is made from a rare and ancient wood that has been infused with the power of fire. It emanates a warm glow and feels scorching to the touch. The intricate carvings on the staff depict mes and fire spirits of 13 different levels worshiping a man.]
[Effect: The mekeeper''s Staff is a powerful tool for any fire user as it greatly enhances the power of fire spells, increasing their damage and range. It also reduces the cost of fire spells, allowing for more frequent use. Additionally, the staff can be used as a melee weapon, scorching enemies.]
"It''s a good item! It would be a waste to not take it." Evan remarked as he picked it up from the floor.
Lirian watched him curiously. "Useful? That looks like a piece of rotten wood to me."
"It may look like trash," Evan exined calmly, "but it''s actually a high-level magic weapon that''s specifically designed for fire users. It could boost their power by arge margin. "
As Evan exined the true value of the item, Lirian''s eyes widened with greed.
"A high-level magic weapon, you say? Why didn''t you say so earlier? I''ll dly take it off your hands!" he eximed jokingly, not expecting to actually get it.
However, Evan smiled and really handed the item over to Lirian. "Consider it a token of appreciation for all your help so far."
To be honest, Evan didn''t need it. He already knew what type of soul te he''ll be awakening in the future, and the Firekeeper''s staff wasn''t going to be of any use to me as it only benefited fire users, and since he could use it to even the score between them, he didn''t hesitate to do it.
After all, he didn''t want to look like an asshole who took advantage of his friend and made them work for him without giving anything in return.
"Thank you!" Thanking him, Lirian eagerly snatched the item from Evan''s hand, examining it with avarice. "Ha! This little treasure is going to fetch me a fortune!" he eximed.
Evan rolled his eyes, knowing Lirian''s love for treasure all too well.
...
Evan and Lirian delved deeper into thebyrinth of tunnels, with Evan taking the lead.
As they proceeded, the number of luminous stones embedded in the walls seemed to decrease, casting an eerie gloom over their surroundings.
Soon, they came across a path that was barely illuminated by the sparse luminous stones in the walls and mostly shrouded in darkness.
The darkness was so thick that it seemed to swallow up the shine of the glow stick that Lirian had taken out some time ago, making it difficult to see anything beyond a few feet in front of them.
Evan inspected if there was something wrong with the path ahead and abruptly came to a sudden halt, prompting Lirian to ask, "What''s the matter?"
Evan pointed to an intricate design on the ground that Lirian hadn''t noticed because it was too dark. "It is a mechanism that can activate a series of traps if stepped on, and there are many like this in this path. So do not step on them under any circumstances. Just follow me lead and we will be fine."
"I understand," Lirian said seriously, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
Evan and Lirian continued their journey through the twisting tunnels with great caution, their eyes glued to the ground to avoid stepping on any magic symbols.
The silence was punctuated only by the soft sound of their footsteps and the asional drip of water from the walls.
Each step was taken cautiously, as they knew one wrong move could spell disaster.
After navigating several more twists and turns, they came to a sudden dead end.
Lirian punched the wall blocking their way with all his strength but failed to leave a scratch on it.
There was no way he was going to break it!
"This is the first wall I havee across that I can''t break with a punch. What now?" Lirian asked as he turned his head to the side.
"Let me confirm if it''s really a dead end," Evan replied calmly.
Evan took a deep breath and scanned the wall in front to ensure what they were seeing was true.
The Kobolds were quite good at illusion magic. Who knew if this was really a dead end? He had to confirm it first.
[Inspection sessful]
[You have detected an illusory wall! It is a wall made of an illusion that can fool the senses of a human. You can touch it, see it, taste it, smell it, but it is not real.]
''Looks like my suspicion was right on the mark.'' Evan thought as he ran his hand over the smooth surface of the illusory wall, testing its texture and solidity.
It felt like he had touched a solid wall made of concrete.
"What a powerful illusion!" he eximed.
As Evan ran his hand over the smooth surface of the wall, Lirian watched in confusion.
"Wait, what''s going on here?" he asked, clearly not understanding what Evan was up to.
Evan turned to face him with a confident smile.
"This wall isn''t real. It''s an illusion," he exined, gesturing to the wall. "It can fool our senses, but it''s not actually there. However, the illusion is so strong that even you felt like you had hit a real wall when you punched it, so we can''t possibly force our way through it."
Lirian''s eyes widened in surprise. Was this really something made by Kobolds? Such a real illusion could only be set up by an illusionist, and the Kobold racecked the intelligence to gift birth to one.
"So, do you know how we can get through it?" Lirian asked.
Evan paused for a moment, thinking back to the times he had challenged the Kobold''s den of mischief in his previous life.
After a moment, he got the answer he was searching for.
Evan nodded at Lirian as he said, "We just need to keep in mind that it''s an illusion as we step through it."
With a deep breath, Evan stepped forward and passed through the wall as if it weren''t even there.
Lirian hesitated for a moment before following suit.
As they emerged on the other side, Lirian stared at Evan in awe.
"That was incredible," he said. "How did you know what to do? Did you see it in your vision too?"
Evan knew the dungeon like the back of his hand because he hadpleted it dozens of times in his past lives.
"No," Evan sharply declined. "It''s all about paying attention to the details and using deduction."
Seers could only see glimpses of the future. If he kept using the same excuse, Lirian was bound to be suspicious of him.
Evan didn''t want to exin that he had remembered his past life. It was not something he was ready to do as he feared that it might cause unpleasant changes in their rtionship.
Anyone woukd be weirded out if they discovered that their friend had regained the memories of his past life.
Lirian was no exception.
Chapter 32 Against The Giant!
?Upon transgressing the beguiling fa?ade, Evan and Lirian ventured down a secret passageway that led them to a vast and cavernous space.
As they stepped into it, it took a hard moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim lighting that enveloped their surroundings.
Their vision cleared up thereafter, and they scrutinized the area, taking in their surroundings.
It had a staircase leading to an arena and a towering ceiling that seemed to disappear into the darkness above.
Stctites, twisting and graceful, hung from it as if reaching down to touch the ground.
A golem stood tall and imposingly beneath them, right in the center of the arena. It was humongous, standing 16 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Its body was crafted entirely out of dark, rough-hewn stones that carried a mystical property of demoralizing its opponents.
A wave of unease washed over Evan as he looked at it. His skin crawled with a prickling sensation as a chill crept up his spine, his breaths suddenly growing shallow and rapid as if he had been drenched in cold water.
He felt that the very essence of his being was under attack because he looked at the golem.
It was a feeling that seemed powerless to resist.
Every nerve in his body screamed at him to flee.
However, he stood rooted to his spot, not budging an inch nor tearing his gaze away from the source of his fear.
[You have been assaulted by the wave of suppression emanating from the Golem.]
[It can only be endured by cultivators in the Soul Fusion Realm.]
[You have failed the check.]
[The debuff "Fear" is affecting you!]
Evan knew what was adversely affecting him even before the notification chimed in his ears.
After all, he was familiar with the debuff that was overtaking his sanity as he had experienced it in his previous life.
He knew what it did to a person, and he knew how tobat it as well.
The method was self-getion.
It was painful.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® However, each time he had used it in his past life, it had worked.
The unsettling sensation he was experiencing intensified.
A ruthless glint shed in Evan''s eyes, and he decided to go through with it like a man.
He pinched his waist harshly, twisting the flesh mped between his fingers fiercely. The pain that assaulted his senses was sharp and immense, enough to cause a grown-up to whine, but he gritted his teeth, not making a single sound.
Almost immediately, the disturbance in his heart was curbed.
The ripples affecting his state of mind disappeared as soon as they appeared because of his self-cruelty. He was willing to harm himself than be affected by the passive of the golem that was as still as a statue.
[Ding! The debuff has been uplifted!]
The system notified Evan.
Evan turned to look at Lirian, noticing that he was unfazed by the passive skill of the golem.
It was because Lirian was in the Soul Fusion Realm, a state of being that allowed cultivators to endure such effects!
''It''s good to be in the Soul Fusion Realm.'' Evan thought.
He would have tackled this dungeon after reaching the Soul Fusion Realm if he wasn''t hard-pressed. Only a few days were left before the awakening ceremony. He needed to urgently increase his strength within two days, and conquering this dungeon was the best n he coulde up with to achieve his goals.
Lirian''s eyes narrowed in confusion as he stumbled upon the colossal golem in the darkened cavern.
"What''s a golem doing in thebyrinth of kobolds?" he whispered into Evan''s ears so as not to alert the golem.
Evan took a step closer to Lirian, his eyes shimmering in the dim light.
"Thisbyrinth isn''t the work of kobolds," he revealed. "It was constructed by the legendary pair, Kaida Firestorm and Ethan Frost."
Lirian gasped, recognizing the names as the stuff of legends throughout the empire.
Kaida Firestorm was the second-generation Imperial Lord of Fire who set herself apart from her peers by making countless contributions to the empire, wielding the mes of passion and destruction with unparalleled mastery to eradicate all who dared to threaten the peace of her people. She was so popr in her time that the Fire n, a n that valued men over women, begged her to be the patriarch, and she epted their plea as she needed that position to get together with her beloved, who was Ethan Frost, the founder of the Frost n, the paragon of ice magic.
He was also the creator of the Breath of Frost that Evan had mastered.
It was really a mystical technique as it transformed his soul energy into ice-type soul energy, allowing him to use ice spells.
Spells were different than soul skills.
They needed an incantation to be manifested, whereas soul skills did not.
He knew the incantations of a few powerful ice spells, but he hadn''t used them in the battles he had so far because of the high cost.
Lirian whispered to Evan, "You know, I''ve read their biography. The two of them are known as the most romantic couple in the empire. They were so in love they gave up their positions as the Patriarch of their ns a hundred and fifty years ago just to spend more time with each other. So, I''m curious, why would they spend their precious time building a dungeon and leaving a golem at the end? Are you keeping something from me?"
"They left it here as a test of the next generation''s strength," Evan said in a low and hushed as if he was a thief sharing his secrets with a fellow rogue. "and to reward those who prove themselves worthy. The illusion we encountered earlier was also part of their test."
"Why are you telling me something so important only now?" he inquired.
"Where''s the fun in that?" Evan chuckled, his eyes shining with mischief. "And don''t pretend you''re not curious about what can be gained by defeating the golem and passing their test."
Lirian raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. He scrutinized the area but was met with disappointment.
"Where''s the reward you''re talking about? I don''t see anything precious in sight." Lirian asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.
"It''s in in sight," Evan said.
"What do you mean?" Lirian asked.
Evan pointed at the golem and exined, "Behind its formidable outeryer lies a treasure chest. It''s filled with priceless items that could transform our lives for the better, should we seed in iming them."
"Well, that does change things," Lirian muttered as his determination to defeat the golem at any cost strengthened. "Let''s do this, then!"
Chapter 33 Exposing The Truth!
?Evan and Lirian ascended the stairs while making as little noise as possible.
As they stepped into the arena, they saw the golem that had been dormant until that moment stirring to life. Its immense stone body let out an audible creak as it shifted. The gears of its body ground and groaned with each mechanical motion it took to turn and face them.
"Krkrrrr!"
The golem unleashed a guttural roar that echoed throughout the arena. Its roar pinched them like a needle of pain, causing them to wince and rub their ears.
The golem fixated its unwavering gaze upon them, emanating an aura of malevolence that threatened to envelop them whole. Then, it charged towards them with frightening speed, its colossal feet thundering against the earth with each step, pulverizing the ground beneath it and raising a cloud of dust.
The golem''s body was embedded with three glistening crystals, each ced strategically in its chest and eye sockets. These strikingly golden gems glimmered even in the dim light of the cave as it approached them. They were the golem''s life sources, filled with energy that fueled its movements.
Evan, because of the visions he had seen a night ago, knew that it was a boss-type monster and that these golden crystals were not only the source of its strength but also its greatest weakness!
After all, the golem would be weakened if even one of the crystals was destroyed! However, it would also result in its dangerous rampage.
Experienced yers in the game would typically aim for the main life source - the crystal embedded in the center of the golem''s chest. This was because destroying it first would diminish 40% of the golem''s power!
"The most important parts of the golem are its three life sources. Even the destruction of one of them can severely weaken it." Evan, privy to the golem''s secrets through the memories of his previous life, revealed its weaknesses to Lirian. "But if we want to emerge victorious, we must destroy all three!"
"I will create opportunities for you. You can focus on destroying its life sources," Lirian said.
"Fine with me," Evan acknowledged as he sprinted towards the golem.
In a few moments, the distance between them was bridged. Evan sidestepped its frontal charge and brandished his sword towards the golem''s main life source.
As long as it was destroyed, the golem would lose 40% of its speed, strength, and energy!
However, before the sword could hit its mark, the golem swatted it with its sturdy palm, effortlessly deflecting his attack.
The golemunched a massive fist towards him, but Evan instantly leaped upwards, not only dodging the attack but alsonding gracefully on its thick arm.
He was aware of the golem''s attacking pattern hence why he was able to react to it so well.
"I got you now!"
Without wasting any time, Evan thrust his sword forward, its curved tip piercing through the air and charging towards the golem''s main life source.
He attacked so fastly and precisely that the golem had no time to react!
Thud!
The sound of Evan''s weapon connecting with the golem''s main life source echoed through the air. The impact caused a few cracks to appear on the surface of the crystal embedded within the golem''s chest.
He had attacked with all his strength, but it only caused a pitiful of damage to the golem.
''Ick the strength to shatter its main life source in one blow. I need tond a few more hits.'' Evan realized.
But before he could make his move, the golem retaliated with a powerful punch. It was aimed squarely at his head. If it connected, his head would no doubt explode.
Even while knowing that, he didn''t flinch or back away. Instead, he raised his sword and brought it down on the golem''s main life source. The blownded with a satisfying thud, increasing the cracks on the crystal.
He, however, was left with no chance to avoid the golem''s punch.
But before it could connect with him, Lirian shed up to the golem using the power of his second skill crystal and intercepted its punch with his own metal-covered fist
The golem''s attack was deflected by Lirian''s punch, and it caused its body to tilt backwards.
"Nice one!" Evan eximed as he seized the opportunity that Lirian created tond strike after strike on the main life source of the golem.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® The tenth strike caused it to explode.
[Ding! The main life source of the golem has been destroyed]
[The golem''s speed, strength, and energy reserve have decreased by 40%!]
Evan knew that the damage was more than that.
The golem could no longer use its strongest ability, and it was one step closer to its demise!
"Let''s finish this!" Lirian shouted as he went for the golem''s right eye.
Evan nodded as he went for its left eye.
It looked like victory was there.
But suddenly, the tide of the battle changed!
A powerful wave of golden energy burst out of the golem, catching Evan and Lirian off guard. It crashed into them like a mighty wave, propelling them off their feet. They were raised three to five feet off the ground and thrown backwards.
They flew down the arena andnded roughly on the hard terrain of the cave, tumbling across the uneven ground.
Lirian, who was protected by his Metal Body ability, remained unharmed, but Evan wasn''t as fortunate.
The shockwave and the fall shook him to his core. The sword left his grip when he crashed on the ground, and as he rolled across the uneven surface, jagged stones cut through his clothes and pierced his skin, drawing blood.
"Damn! I knew it wasn''t going to be easy. It used half of its remaining energy reserve just to blow us away." Evan stood up as he wiped the blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth.
The blood leaking out of his wounds dyed his clothes red, causing them to stick to his flesh. The skin wounds weren''t deep, but there were a lot of them. And he was bleeding from all of them.
Thus, he looked like a pitiful sight in urgent need of hospitalization.
Despite his injuries hindering his movements, Evan ran to his sword and picked it up from the ground when he saw the golem running towards him. It seemed like it had detected who was the weakest of the two and aimed to get rid of him
"It won''t be that easy to take this prince''s life!" Evan said thunderously.
Chapter 34 Finish It With A Bang!
?Even with blood trickling out of his wounds, Evan brandished his magic sword in the direction of the golem. He uttered a voiceless incantation to unleash the power of his sword.
The Frost Demon''s Fury glowed, and instantly, sharp shards of ice materialized around Evan.
"Show it hell!" Evan said, and the ice shard rained down on the golem, pelting him fiercely.
The golem lost its bnce and stumbled back, trying to regain its bnce. And as soon as it did, it outstretched its hand and fired a golden beam carrying intense heat towards Evan.
"Look out!" Lirian eximed in a panic as he ran towards Evan. The distance between them was more than what his skill could cover.
Evan''s eyes widened as he watched it fire a beam.
He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Bam!
The beam hit a nearby stone, instantly evaporating it.
Evan''s movements were strenuous. He groaned as his injuries ached. He felt as if he was being bitten by a thousand fire ants. The pain was almost too much to handle, putting a thick veil over his eyes. His consciousness was slipping away.
No! I can''t fall asleep. Not now.
Evan bit his tongue. As his teeth pierced into it and drew blood, his mind cleared it.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® But it was already toote! The golem had prepared its attack!
Whoosh!
The golem fired another fiery beam towards Evan.
This time, it seemed as though Evan wouldn''t be able to avoid it.
He was still struggling to get back on his feet.
In ast attempt to preserve his life, he put the sword before him.
Just as the beam was about to hit him, Lirian appeared in front of him, pushing his hand forward. Invisible spiritual energy surged out of his palm, expanding into an energy barrier.
Boom!
The golden beam struck the energy barrier with a deafening noise, and spiderweb-like cracks began to appear on its surface.
Although it didn''t break down, it was clear that it won''t survive another blow.
Bam!
Another powerful beam from the golem shattered it, rendering Evan and Lirian defenseless.
"Lirian, get down!" Evan said as he took aim at the golem and fired an icy, white bullet from his fingers. Lirian hunched, and the frosty bullet flew from above his head.
Whoosh!
The frosty bullet whizzed through the air and collided against the golem''s left eye with an incredible force, piercing through its sturdy exterior and drilling open a sizeable gap akin to that of a finger.
The frosty bullet continued its march. It infiltrated the interior of the golem''s left eye and came into contact with the zing hot energy that rested within.
The sudden encounter of these two opposing forces created a vtile reaction.
Boom!
It resulted in a violent explosion, which blew up half of the golem''s head.
[Ding! The second life source of the golem has exploded ]
[The golem''s speed, strength, and energy reserve have decreased by another 30%!]
The system notified Evan.
"The golem has lost 70% of its original strength, and its energy reserve is only enough to support its movement. We''re almost there!" Evan said with a smile on his lips.
"Let''s keep it up. I''m not stopping until this thing is down for good!" Lirian eximed.
Left with only one secondary life source, the golem couldn''t use any abilities and could only engage them in closebat.
It charged towards them sluggishly. Its movements were uncoordinated, a far cry from the ferocious monster they had been battling mere moments ago.
Lirian shed up to the golem with a teasing smile.
"Come on. Hit me!" Lirian said.
In response, the golem threw a punch at him.
But Lirian met it head-on with his own fist.
ng!
It sounded like metal had shed against metal as the collision of their fists created a shower of sparks, illuminating the space around them like a burst of fireworks.
As it was missing two of its three life sources, the golem was slower thanst time, unable to match the speed of Lirian''s strikes.
The time it took to punch once was enough for Lirian to punch thrice!
Bam! Bam! Bam!
His metal-covered fists hammered relentlessly against the golem''s tough exterior, denting and pummeling it.
He wasnding one powerful blow after another, bending its shape!
Meanwhile, Evan watched on with hawk-like intensity, searching for a chance to strike the final blow. And then, as if by divine intervention, Lirian''s powerful punch caused the golem to trip and fall on its back, presenting Evan with the opportunity he had been waiting for.
[You have used the offensive soul skill, Bullet!]
[Affected by your ice-type soul energy, it has transformed into Frost Bullet!]
Quick as lightning, Evan unleashed a frosty bullet towards the golem''s other eye socket.
Whoosh!
The bullet soared through the air, leaving a trail of icy mist in its wake.
Thud!
It flew past Lirian from between his legs and struck the golem''s right eye with unerring uracy.
Crack!
A deafening crack echoed through the air as thest life source of the golem shattered into a million pieces.
The golem convulsed violently before copsing onto the ground with a thunderous thud. Its bodyy motionless. It was now nothing more than a lifeless husk of the monster it once was.
[Ding! Congrattion. You have defeated a rank-2 Golem. You get 200 EXP, +7 STR, and +6 CON!]
[As you have defeated a boss-type opponent for the first time, you will gain an additional reward!]
[You are rewarded with the Gauntlet of Invincibility!]
The Gauntlet of Invincibility was one rank higher than magic weapons.
Weapons in that gxy were categorized into several ranks ording to their strength and capabilities. At the very bottom of the hierarchyy the standard weapons, which had limited functionality andcked any special features or energy-conducting abilities. Magic weapons, on the other hand, were a cut above the standard ones, imbued with magic that can be activated by their users a limited number of times a day.
In addition to magic weapons, there existed Energy Weapons, Sentient Weapons, and Relic Weapons, each more powerful and rare than thest.
The Sentient and Relic Weapons were exceptionally rare, coveted by many but possessed by few. In fact, within the confines of the Sun-Moon Empire, the only ones known to possess such weapons were members of the imperial family and extremely powerful soul cultivators.
The Gauntlet of Invincibility was an Energy Weapon!
It not only provided a significant boost to a cultivator''s strength and stamina, increasing both attributes by 10 and 5 points, respectively, but it also had two special effects.
The first effect of the gauntlet was to create a barrier. It could be activated once it was fed with soul energy.
The second effect of the gauntlets was even more impressive. Upon activation, the wearer would be granted a full second ofplete immunity from any kind of damage.
During this brief period of time, nothing would be able to harm the user in any way, shape, or form!
''It''s difficult to overstate the significance of this second effect. One second may not seem like a lot of time, but in the heat of battle, it can make all the difference between victory and defeat.'' Evan thought while clutching his badly bruised side with one hand and holding a sword in the other.
The energy weapon appeared in his inventory. Evan could tell that it would just take a thought to equip it!
Chapter 35 The Epic Poems!
?Evan effortlessly stowed his sword in his inventory with a mere thought before hobbling towards the toppled golem while clutching his side.
Lirian tossed a sk at him, saying, "Here, catch."
Evan caught it and inspected it with a raised eyebrow. It was a sk with a round bottom, filled to the brim with a green-colored liquid.
"What is it?" he inquired.
"It''s an intermediate-level healing panacea made from troll''s blood. It may have a nasty stench, but it has potent healing properties. Just ignore the smell and chug it down like a man, and you''ll start feeling better in no time," Lirian encouraged him to drink it.
"Oh well¡ What choice do I have? It''s not like there''s a healing pod waiting for me around here," Evan replied as he twisted off the lid.
A foul odor escaped the sk and rushed up his nostrils, instantly making him feel sick.
"Ugh! It smells worse than a rotten crop!"
Evan''s nose scrunched up because of its horrendous smell.
However, as it could heal his injuries, he suppressed his disgust and emptied the content of the round-bottom sk inside his mouth, gulping it all down in one go. When dealing with such things, the faster you act, the better.
[You have consumed an intermediate-level healing potion]
As soon as the notification sounded, Evan''s injuries started to close at a speed visible to the naked eye.
[You have recovered from your injuries!]
Evan checked himself out.
There was not a single imperfection left on his body.
The potion has helped him recover from all the injuries he had sustained during the battle in a few seconds.
He wasn''t feeling light-headed either. It felt as if he had miraculously recovered from his loss of blood.
Lirian looked at him in shock andmented, "You are the first imperialist I have seen who drank it without anyints."
"Don''t make a big deal out of it. I just did what anyone withmon sense would do if they were in my shoes." Evan shrugged off his praise. "Not to mention, the effect of this potion is better than low-grade healing pods that have recently been introduced in the capital!"
"Well... That''s because they are manufactured for low-budged families." Lirian said.
The low-grade healing pod was a new invention of the empire, and it became a popr item as soon as it was revealed.
After all, it was so cheap that even an unprivileged family could afford to use it once a year.
Evan turned his attention back to the golem. His gaze lingered on the golem for a moment longer before turning to Lirian.
"Help me dismantle it," he requested in a low and steady voice.
"As you wish," Lirian acquiesced, moving towards the golem''s chest and prying it open with ease.
The duo''s eyes darted to the golden vault nestled within. Intricate designs were etched onto its surface, marking it as a work of exquisite craftsmanship.
"It''s locked," Lirian noted after attempting to force the vault open.
Evan drew closer, peering at the patterns etched onto the chest with a discerning eye.
"A magic array is keeping the vault sealed. Basically, we can''t open it unless we use the key that can dispel the magic array," he exined.
It was exactly as he remembered!
Lirian raised an eyebrow, "That seems troublesome. Should I just punch it open?"
Evan shook his head, "Don''t. It''s not a normal vault. It contains a delicate subspace inside. Recklessly attacking it would cause it to destabilize, which would result in some items being lost."
Lirian''s expression shifted to one of concern.
"Then what do you propose we should do?" he asked, eager to hear Evan''s n of action.
Evan teasingly smiled, "Did I ever say I don''t have the ''key'' to dispel its lock?"
Lirian''s eyes lit, hearing his word. He couldn''t help but say, "Don''t keep me in suspense. Hurry up and open it."
"Move aside," Evan said.
ording to the storyline of the game, the first person to get the treasure vault was a notorious NPC called Vera Silvermane - a cosmic crusader who was infamous for all the wrong reasons
Vera was a high-profile viin who had managed to get his hands on the vault, but he was unable to unlock it without the key.
Unfortunately, he was clueless about its whereabouts.
A quest was issued towards the end of the first patch of the game, requesting yers to take down Vera Silvermane. The one whonded the killing strike on Vera earned the sealed treasure vault as their reward.
The victorious yer shared a screenshot of their achievement with everyone. The description box stated that the treasure vault had the potential to grant all the epic and rare drops of the Kobold''s dungeon of mischief, but only if one could figure out a way to open it. The yer went a step further and vowed to reward anyone who could bring him the key with a rare item.
The yer vowed to award anyone who could bring him the key with a rare item.
Many people took the bait.
After all, yers could tackle the dungeon in hopes of obtaining a rare item, but the drop rate was ridiculously low, and it depended on probability and luck. For example, if the drop rate of a rare item was 10%, a yer might not get one even afterpleting the dungeon ten times - that''s how bad the RNG system of the game was. And here they were, being guaranteed a 100% chance of winning a rare item.
Countless yers went all out while searching for the key in the hope of obtaining a rare item.
Evan, aka Christian Wolfie, had refrained from participating as his in-game character was still low-level at that time, and he knew that he would be killed in the crossfire and lose several levels for no good reason.
It was after a week that someone won the yer-initiated event and got their hands on the rare item.
This person eventually revealed the true face of the key to everyone else. It was because he felt bad for keeping the information all to himself even after the yer-initiated event had ended.
The key was an epic poem!
It was so good that it became the slogan for the yers!
Evan remembered it as he had sung it with his band of werewolves a good few times. His memory of those days was still fresh, so he didn''t find it hard to recite it
''Amidst a dismal fate foreseen,
The maidens wail in sorrowful mien,
Countless eyes brim with tears, for warriors march
Towards death, a bleak and certain arch.
But shards of light pierce the darkness of the night,
Transforming chaos into a beautiful sight,
With golden lotuses blooming bright,
A savior arrives to banish the blight.
Dispelling gloom and doom with all his might,
He leads the warriors to glorious heights,
Together they fight, creating a mighty uproar,
That shakes the verses and opens the door.
Let hope and love conquer all,
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom And free the future from the grip of hollows.''
Evan recited the poem emotionally.
In the game, because of the poem, every yer of the intergctic just faction believed that they were the saviors of the gxies. The passion of the development team could also be felt through it. They were really giving it all to make the game better!
Evan finished the poem, and with a ''Poof,'' the magic array vanished in a puff of smoke.
Click!
The sound of the treasure vault opening rang out.
[Ding! The treasure vault has been unlocked]
[Congratualtions! You have obtained 1000¡Á low-level soul energy crystals, 100¡Á Poisonbane herbs, 3¡Á Spirit Surge Elixir, 2¡Á Celestial Connector, 1¡Á Nightshade Nectar, 1¡Á small ck box, 1¡Á de Master Skill Crystal!]
The system notified Evan.
"Literally, everything we see is useful," Lirian said excitedly as he gazed inside.
"I only need these," Evan said as he picked up the skill crystal, the small bottle with the nightshade nectar, and the small ck box and stored them in his inventory. "The rest is for you."
"No. We will share the remaining treasure equally." Lirian said.
He liked hoarding treasures, but he wasn''t the type of person who would wrong his BFF out of greed.
"Okay, let''s do it after we return to the empire," Evan said with a calm voice as he put the remaining items inside his inventory with a simple thought.
Just as they stood up to leave Avalon, a sudden menacing voice dripping with poison echoed from behind them, startling them so much that for a moment, they halted in their tracks, a chill shooting up their spines.
"You can forget about that! You won''t be returning anywhere. This ce will be your burial ground."
Chapter 36 A Change In The Course Of History!
?"You can forget about that! You won''t be returning anywhere. This ce will be your burial ground." said a man from a good distance behind them.
Evan''s and Lirian''s heads snapped towards the source of the menacing voice, immediately on high alert. They had been so engrossed in unlocking the treasure vault and seeing what they''d gotten that they hadn''t even heard anyone approaching, but now as they turned, their eyesnded on a striking figure.
The man before them was young, but his sharp features and a striking scar running down his emerald eye screamed that he was dangerous. His long, white hair fell around his face in waves, and he was dressed in the attire of a cosmic crusader, the emblem emzoned on his chest glinting ominously in the dim light of the cave.
Evan''s eyes narrowed to the size of needles as he recognized the man standing before them.
''Vera Silvermane?! No way! He wasn''t supposed to find this ce so soon!''
Evan felt shocked and confused.
After all, it was mentioned in the game that the hidden cave of Kobold''s den of Mischief remained untouched until Vera Silvermane discovered it on August 7th.
It was still May.
That date was three months and several days away.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
''Maybe my actions have resulted in a butterfly effect, altering the timeline of this event.''
[A variable has taken ce.]
[A change in the storyline has urred.]
[Vera Silvermane has discovered the secret testing site of Kaida Firestorm and Ethan Frost before the due date.]
[It''s detected that you have caused the change! You shall be rewarded for changing the course of history!! You have earned 20 EXP!!!]
The notification from the game confirmed his suspicions.
Evan sighed, ''I''ve unintentionally caused a change.''
Vera was a Sensory-type soul cultivator more powerful than Havelock. He could sense energy fluctuations from miles away, and when they had used skills that required soul energy, it must have garnered his attention and piqued his interest. That''s how he had tracked them down all the way here.
Meanwhile, Lirian stood silently, his gaze fixed on Vera Silvermane.
''I have seen him somewhere. Ah! He is that arse with a huge bounty on his head. I didn''t expect to meet him under such circumstances.''
Lirian could sense that he was strong, but he couldn''t quite estimate how powerful he was. It was a concerning realization.
''He is stronger than me as I can''t gauge his strength, but I don''t feel too threatened by him. He should still be in the Soul Fusion Cultivation Realm.'' Lirian determined.
Seeing how startled they were at the sight of him, Vera''s lips curled up into a mocking and sinister smile.
"You should have looked enough. Die knowing who killed you." Vera Silvermane said as a cold and calcted glint shed in his eyes. He pointed his finger at them, and purplish soul energy began to envelop it, growing stronger and brighter until it burst forth, shooting two beams of shimmering violet light straight toward them.
"Energy Barrier!"
Lirian''s hand shot out, and the colorless soul energy inside of him gushed out of his palm, coalescing into an invisible energy barrier. It materialized just in time to meet the violet beams.
Bam!
The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the air. The violet beams dissipated into nothingness, and the energy barrier broke down right after.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Vera frowned, a deep line emerging between his brows as he said,
"I can''t believe you came out of itpletely unharmed. I have made a mistake by underestimating you. From here on, I will be going all out."
Evan knew that things were about to get intense, so he deftly equipped himself with the gauntlet of invincibility, feeling its weight settlefortably on his arm.
[Energy weapon equipped! STR +10, STA +5!]
Immediately, he felt faster, stronger, and less tired than a moment ago. His strength had increased to 33 points, and his stamina had surged up to 25 points!
He also used the energy conversion technique to restore his soul energy to 105 points. His Breath of Frost technique transformed all of it into ice-type soul energy instantly.
Suddenly, a notification sounded in his ears.
[Ding! A quest has been activated!]
[Quest''s Name: Topple the Cosmic Crusader]
[Description: Vera is the vice-captain of the toon of the cosmic crusaders stationed at the Mystic Forest. The sudden appearance of a giant sinkhole alerted him as he was patrolling the forest. While he was investigating it, he found traces of soul energy in the air. Following them, he bypassed all the obstacles in his way to track you down.]
[Task: Kill Vera Silvermane]
[Reward: Space-Time Transmitter!]
[In case of failure, you will die brutally!]
Evan knew what the Space-Time Transmitter did.
It could transport one or two individuals across the vast expanse of the cosmos to any location within the boundaries of the ck Eye Gxy.
It was a consumable-type item, meaning it could only be used a limited number of times, but it was one of the most popr items in the game as it allowed yers to escape from a sticky situation.
Evan couldn''t help but think how good it would have been if he had it in his possession. He could have escaped from this situation with Lirian without a hitch.
''With my skills and items and Lirian''s help, there''s a chance that I can catch him off guard.'' Evan thought. ''I need to create an opportunity to finish him in one blow.''
"Wait!"
Just as Vera Silvermane was about to make a move, Lirian''s voice rang out, cutting through the tension-filled air like a knife.
Vera paused, curious about what the young man had to say.
"What? Don''t tell me you''re going to beg for your life," Vera said tauntingly.
"We have no enmity," Lirian said, his eyes locked on Vera''s. He knew who Vera was, "Why do you want us dead?"
The Cosmic Crusader sneered. Why would he miss this god-sent opportunity to indulge in pure madness?
Chapter 37 Clash Of Mentality
?"Can''t you tell just by looking at me?" Vera spat, his voice rising in excitement. "I am a cosmic crusader, feared and revered throughout the gxy. And you, you are nothing but a pair of dirtbags from the Sun Moon Empire. When we meet, there''s only one oue. Only one side gets to live."
Evan, who had been standing behind Lirian, stepped forward, his expression stony.
"You may be a Cosmic Crusader, but that doesn''t give you the right to take innocent lives," he said, his voice firm.
Vera chuckled darkly, the sound sending shivers down the spines of his opponents. "Innocent lives? There''s no such thing in this universe," he replied, his eyes glinting with madness. "Only the strong get to survive and flourish. And right now, that''s me. And don''t think I don''t mean it. Ever since I was a child, I have been trained to see anyone associated with the Sun Moon Empire as an enemy, a threat to be eliminated at all costs. I have the blood of Countless "innocents" on my hand. Killing another two won''t affect me one bit."
Lirian and Evan exchanged a look and nodded at each other.
"Let''s fuck him up!" They said in unison.
Vera heard what they said and smirked, "You think you can beat me? What a joke! You have no idea what you''re up against."
Vera''s emerald eyes glimmered with an otherworldly glow, illuminating the surrounding darkness with an eerie green light.
As if summoned by his will, the earth beneath Evan''s and Lirian''s feet trembled, and sharp vines erupted from the ground, their pointed tips inches away from piercing them.
Lirian swiftly teleported out of harm''s way, narrowly evading the wrath of the deadly vines. Meanwhile, Evan jumped back, dodging the vines by a hairbreadth. He retaliated, brandishing his sword in a fierce arc, cutting the vines apart.
"There''s more where that came from," Vera said as he moved his hand, causing the remaining vines to twist in mid-air and attack Evan.
Evan''s eyes narrowed as he watched Vera''s vines surge towards him like a wave.
A glint shed in his eyes as he swung his magic sword and muttered under his breath, "Let''s see if you can handle my icy fury."
In an instant, shards of ice manifested and shot forward.
The vines were frozen solid as the ice shards stabbed them. They fell to the ground with a thud, shattering into pieces due to the impact.
By that time, Evan had created a frost bullet. The bullet was glowing with an azure hue and crackling with icy energy.
"What rtionship do you have with the dog-shit Frost n?!" Vera asked loudly.
Ice-type soul energy was exclusive to the Frost n!
He was sure that Evan, who was in disguise, was rted to the Frost n, the worst enemy of the Cosmic Crusaders!
"A corpse needs not to know," Evan replied emotionlessly.
Bang!
With a flick of his finger, he fired the frost bullet towards Vera. The bullet sliced through the air at lightning speed, leaving a trail of shimmering ice crystal in its wake.
A blinding aura of violet soul energy enveloped Vera''s palm as he raised his hand and, after what seemed like a fraction of a second, brought it down.
Whack!
His pnded on the frost bullet just as it reached close to him, crushing it apart.
"Is that all you got?" Vera said in a voiceced with scorn.
In response, Evan lifted his hand and pointed at him.
"Look at your hand," he instructed, a confident smirk ying at the corners of his lips.
His smile made Vera feel that something was wrong.
Vera nced down at his own hand and felt surprised as he saw that ayer of glistening ice had encased it!
His entire hand was numb. He couldn''t feel it at all!
He frowned, summoning a torrent of violet soul energy from within himself, and released it in a wave of heat and light. The frigid ice around his hand began to melt away, turning into water droplets that ran down his wrist. Even after the ice melted away, no sensation returned to his hand. It was as of it had be useless.
"You are not using a normal type of ice-type soul energy. It''s stronger than the average member of the frost n. You¡ who are you?!" Vera said as he looked at Evan in shock.
''He is entirely focused on Evan. This is my time to shine.'' Lirian thought, and just the very next moment, his body disappeared from where he stood, reappearing next to Vera.
Vera''s vision was blocked, and before he could do a thing, a fist suddenly collided with his face, shattering his teeth as they flew out of his mouth with the sheer force of the blow.
Thud!
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® The impact of the punch sent Vera flying backwards like a rag doll, his body careening through the air before colliding with a nearby wall with a sickening thud. The sound echoed throughout the room as Vera slumped to the ground, his consciousness slipping away as he struggled to regain his bearings. Lirian''s punch was equivalent to several tons in force. It was enough to explode the head of an adult man like a watermelon. Vera''s head didn''t explode because of his high cultivation.
It was a recognized fact that the higher a person''s cultivation, the stronger their body.
Lirian stood tall, his eyes fixed on Vera''s crumpled form on the ground as he cracked his knuckles and grinned with confidence.
"Looks like someone forgot the first rule ofbat," he said in a voice dripping with swagger. "Never take your eyes off your opponent."
While keeping an eye on Vera, Lirian spoke to Evan,
"After taking that punch, his soul should have been extinguished. I think we are done here."
"No." Evan shook his head, "He is still not dead."
The quest wasn''tpleted.
It meant that Vera was alive even though he was sprawled on the ground like a corpse, with blood running out of his mouth and nose and pooling beneath his head!
Chapter 38 The Strike That Changes The Tide!
?Evan took advantage of the situation and used the power of his magic weapon to rain shards of ice down on Vera, but before they could connect, Vera rolled away.
Five out of the seven shards of icended on the spot where he once was, stabbing into the crusty and hard ground, while the other stabbed his arm and leg, causing him to scream out in pain. "UGH!"
The wounded area was quickly enclosed in ice.
Vera suddenly lost control of one of his arms and legs and dropped to his knees.
Immediately, a frost bullet struck his shoulder. Evan was like a merciless ghost. He felt that it was necessary to strike an enemy that was down. He had memories of his past life. He knew that the viins in ck Eye Gxy had so many ways to flip the tide of a battle that they could take out a trump card from their asses if they were sleeveless.
"Why am I losing against you losers?!" Vera screamed in pain.
Evan looked him dead in the eye and said, "It''s because youck something we have. You have no one to depend on, but we can trust each other with our backs. That''s the difference between you and us - you may be powerful on your own, but youck the strength thates from standing together."
"Bullshit!" Vera retorted, "This is a dog-eat-dog world where everyone is looking to benefit. They won''t hesitate to stab someone in the back if it benefits them."
"I''ll let you in on a little lesson I learned from math ss," Lirian said with a chuckle.
Vera looked up at him, confused.
"Two hands can''t win against four." Lirian continued, grinning widely. "Especially not when you''re up against four hands like ours. You are arrogant and don''t acknowledge anyone weaker than you, and you have some serious trust issues. That''s the cause of your downfall."
Vera tried to say something, but Lirian wasn''t finished.
"I have wasted my precious breath on you. So, you better register that lesson in your mind before we send you off to... well, wherever you''re headed after death." Lirian giggled at his own joke.
Vera opened his mouth to tell him to shut the fuck up, but the pain made him groan.
His body was being frozen, and his insides and outsides were being enveloped in ayer of frost. He could feel his blood solidifying and his temperature plunging rapidly. He could feel himselfing closer and closer to death with the passage of each second.
The breath of frost technique was created by Ethan Frost, the legendary founder of the Frost n, so how could it be simple? Not to mention, Evan had mastered its third level, which was the ultimate level of the technique.
His ice-type soul energy contained a chill and freezing property that could freeze a person into a statue of ice.
Vera was experiencing its terror!
"Prepare to die!"
Although it looked like Vera would die in a minute or so, Evan still charged toward him with a sword in hand in order to deal the final blow.
He was never the type to underestimate his enemies, even while they were at death''s door.
Thus, he wanted to deliver the killing blow and end this immediately!
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® "This isn''t ending with just my death." Vera raised his hand and shouted, "I am taking you down with me!"
Violet waves of soul energy surged out of Vera''s palm, churning and twisting with incredible force, condensing into a massive, pulsating purple ball.
The raw power emanating from it was discernable. As it condensed, the air began to vibrate with a low hum, and the rocks on the ground shook violently.
Lirian''s jaw dropped in shock at the sight of it. ''He still has so much power left?!''
He turned to look at the person beside him, but Evan wasn''t there.
Where did he go?
He looked ahead and saw something so unbelievable that he couldn''tprehend it for a moment.
Huh?
What the heck is he doing?!!!
Lirian''s eyes widened beyond the size of saucers, threatening to pop out of his eye sockets as he saw that instead of backing down in the face of the energy st like any sane person, Evan was charging forward straight towards it with rming speed!
It was as if Evan only had eyes for Vera and couldn''t see the shit thetter had pulled out of his hand!
"How foolish!" Veraughed, seeing that Evan was rushing towards certain death.
"If you think you can stop me, you are toote," Vera said as he brought his hand down, directing the giant purple ball of energy towards Evan.
Evan counted the milliseconds, and just as the purple energy ball was about to hit him, he activated the greatest skill of the Gauntlet of Invincibility!
[Ding! One-second invincibility has been granted to you!]
With all the damage being negated by the gauntlet of invincibility, he ran through the st without being harmed.
Evan dashed through the st unscathed, surprising Vera and leaving him vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, Evan plunged the magic weapon in his palm into Vera''s body, impaling him with a swift, powerful thrust. The pain and shock on Vera''s face became apparent as he registered what had just happened, and Evan twisted the sword, not only causing even more damage but also causing him to scream hysterically in pain.
"Please¡ sp-spare¡ me!"
Tears and snorts ran down Vera''s eyes and nose as he begged for mercy.
Evan looked at him mercilessly, pulling his sword out and stabbing the other side of his chest where his heart was. Vera''s heart was located in a different location that an average human''s. Evan realized that fact when he first stabbed him.
"Your death is not unjust. Your actions have already caused countless casualties, and if you had lived, you would have caused even more. I cannot save those you have already harmed, but I take pride in knowing that I have saved those you would have harmed in the future."
These were the words Vera heard before he breathed hisst.
Chapter 39 Events Of The Past: ShadowFall Clamity!
?[Ding! You have killed Vera Silvermane, who is 19 levels higher than you! You get +900 EXP and a 10 point increase in all your stats.]
[For killing a Cosmic Crusader, you shall gain an additional reward]
[All your stats have increased by 10 points!]
The system''s notifications sounded in Evan''s mind, bringing with them a news he found pleasant. In the past, if someone had told him that he would find pleasure in a person''s death, he would have ridiculed them as being mentally ill, but now he was more than just relieved to see Vera dead.
''With this, the quest should also bepleted!'' Evan thought, his eyes curving into a smile.
[By killing Vera Silvermane, you havepleted your mission!]
[You have been rewarded with a Space-Time Transmitter!]
[You can use it to warp to any desired location of your choice only one time.]
The Space-Time Transmitter appeared in his inventory, and as if there was a strange connection between him and his inventory, he felt it.
''I will make good use of it.'' Evan thought as he smiled internally.
Evan pulled Frost Demon''s Fury out of Vera''s body. Without its support, the lifeless corpse of Vera crumbled to the ground. Blood poured out from the sword wounds on his body, pooling beneath him on the ground.
The body of a man, who took no less than ten thousand innocent lives just because he could, was lying lifelessly on the ground.
It was quite a satisfying end for such a disgusting person. He died without gaining any recognition for his sins. He died just like that!
Lirian moved past Evan and crouched next to Vera''s body.
Evan squinted his eyes at him suspiciously. What was he up to now?
Lirian felt his chilling gaze and looked up to meet his eyes.
"Do you mind?" he asked.
The look in his eyes told Evan everything he wanted to know.
"No," Evan replied. "Go ahead."
After gaining his permission, there was nothing holding Lirian back.
Thus, he stripped Vera''s body from all valuables and put them in his subspace. He then beheaded him and stored his head in his subspace too.
Why did he do that?
Well, Vera had a huge bounty on his head. Turning in his head could a person thousand high-purity soul crystals!
A single high-purity soul crystal was worth ten low-level soul crystals. Vera''s bounty was equal to ten thousand low-level soul crystals, which was such an astronomical sum that one could buy a small on the outskirt of the empire with it!
He promised to give half of it to Evan.
It should be mentioned that such a huge bounty was on Vera''s head because he was part of the group that had caused ''The Shadowfall Cmity.''
It was an event that happened 13 years ago.
In the year 4057, the Sun Moon Empire entered the race to colonizes in the ck Eye Gxy, as did many other intergctic powers. Despite struggling to maintain control over her territories, the Empire took action to expand its influence and prevent being overtaken by rival forces. Tensions were notably high during this period.
It was against this backdrop that a regiment of the cosmic crusaders made their move.
They hijacked a spaceship of the empire called the "Aurora" during its tour of the ck Eye Gxy. The cosmic crusaders had nned the hijacking for months, carefully studying the ship''syout and security measures and calcting the best time to strike. Their n seeded wlessly.
Once on board, they quickly took control of the ship and subdued its crew, staff, and passengers, taking them all hostage, and then they demanded a ridiculous ransom in exchange for the hostages'' release.
The spaceship was full of ordinary citizens, along with a few soul cultivators mixed in for their protection. However, for the Empire, all lives were precious and should not be lost, no matter what the cost. Now to mention, the ordinary citizens were mostly family members of soul cultivators who begged the Empire to save them. The Empire couldn''t say "no," or else it might cause a revolt.
Knowing this fact well, the cosmic crusaders pushed for an astronomical sum of high-purity soul energy crystals equivalent to a year''s worth of the Empire''s revenue.
The Empire paid the ransom as they did not want to risk the lives of their citizens.
After taking the ransoms, the cosmic crusaders didn''t release the captives. Instead, they did the unthinkable!
In order to buy time to escape the forces of the empire, they reprogrammed the ship and changed its course, causing it to dive headfirst into an asteroid belt. They themselves abandoned the ship and used their escape pods to get to safety.
The soldiers of the empire that were supposed to chase after the cosmic crusaders in their spaceships and recover the empire''s lost wealth were forced to save Aurora.
But they were a step toote!
Aurora hurtled towards the asteroid and collided with a swarm of debris, causing a catastrophic explosion that destroyed it and killed everyone on board.
The explosion was so powerful that it created a new asteroid field.
All the people on Aurora perished, while the escape pods of the cosmic crusaders jettisoned away from the disaster safely.
The gxy was shocked by the news of the Aurora''s destruction at the hands of the Cosmic Crusaders. This prompted calls for revenge against the Crusaders. All the kingdoms and organizations that were located in the ck Eye Gxy and were allied with the Sun Moon Empire added the Cosmic Crusaders to their KOS (Kill on Sight) list.
The tragedy of that day became known as the ''The ShadowFall Cmity.'' It was a constant reminder of the lives lost and the devastation caused by the cosmic crusaders. It also urged every force in the ck Eye Gxy to purge the cosmic crusaders.
Years have passed, but the families and loved ones of the crew members and the passenger of the Aurora haven''t fully recovered from the tragedy, and they might never will. They might always remain haunted by the knowledge that their loved ones had died in a senseless and violent act caused by the bastards of the gxy.
The bounty on the head of the hedonistic terrorists had just increased with the passage of time as many people, rich and poor, wanted them dead.
Vera and his battalion were part of that regiment of the cosmic crusaders that had caused the ShadowFall Cmity, and thus, they were hunted the most and had ridiculous bounties on their heads.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® It was also the reason why the head of someone like Vera was worth a small!
''I will use my share of the bounty to help the victims of their atrocities.'' Lirian thought as he set Vera''s corpse on fire using a magical lighter and stood up from his kneeling position.
Evan didn''t know, but Lirian was more sympathetic than he was greedy. If that wasn''t the case, he wouldn''t have thought of donating half a to help those who have been wounded!
Chapter 40 Hidden Piece!
?Evan of the past wasn''t interested in history and didn''t care much about learning about the events that took ce in the past. However, even he knew about the event that happened 13 years ago, which had initiated the manhunt for the Cosmic Crusaders that has been ongoing to this day.
Evan just didn''t know that Vera was a part of the group that had caused the ShadowFall Cmity; However, he knew who Vera was because of the visions he hadst night that let him reexperience his past life and because of these very visions, he knew that Vera couldn''t be left alive or thousands of innocents lives will be massacred at his hands in the future.
Thus, he had killed him ruthlessly without letting his emotions or humanity hold him back.
Evan''s mind raced with thoughts as he justified his action.
''It''s fine like this. I took a human life, but it wasn''t the wrong thing to do. Vera''s death is a good thing.''
Evan knew that Vera was supposed to cause unbelievable damage to the empire in the future, but now that he was dead, that event wouldn''t take ce.
No one except for him knew that Vera''s death had saved countless lives.
He was fine with the way things were.
After all, he didn''t do it to be recognized as a hero. He did it out of the goodness of his heart!
Lirian turned to Evan and asked, "Is this your first time taking a life?"
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Surprised, Evan replied, "How did you know?"
"I can see it in your bodynguage," Lirian responded.
Evan looked down and noticed that his hands were trembling. Honestly, he felt shaken up, but his reaction wasn''t as bad as an average person''s. After all, although he hadn''t killed a person in the past sixteen years, he had killed quite a lot of mad people who had kidnapped his pack and wanted to experiment on them in his past life.
The Evan of the past didn''t think he was capable of taking a person''s life, but the Evan of the present had done it, and now that the adrenaline rush had died, his body was instinctively reacting to it.
"It''s never easy to kill a fellow human being," Lirian patted Evan''s shoulder. "But it''s important to remember that sometimes we have to make tough choices in order to protect ourselves and others. And this was one of those times. You did nothing wrong. So don''t feel guilty or remorseful about killing Vera. That guy can''t even be considered humane. Just think of it as you have killed a monster."
Evan nodded softly.
''Vera is the first viin I have killed, but he won''t be thest. I can''t be weak-hearted anymore.''
Evan hardened his resolve.
After all, there were many viins in the ck Eye Gxy that he needed to kill to protect himself and his loved ones.
''I shouldn''t try to be the dark knight that thinks that killing his enemies is wrong and would make him a murderer when I need to be the reaper that kills anyone that deserves to die!''
''This is the only path ahead!''
The second that thought crossed Evan''s mind, his hands stopped trembling.
Lirian looked at him and felt as if Evan had suddenly matured.
"It''s good that you understand," Lirian patted his shoulder twice.
And then he said to him, "Let''s get out of here."
Evan shook his head at him.
"We can''t go back the same way," he replied to Lirian in a low and serious tone. "We don''t know how many more cosmic crusaders are there back in the forest. Fighting Vera had been grueling enough; if we stumble upon a group of Cosmic Crusaders on our way back, we might not make it out alive."
Lirian chewed on his lower lip out of habit. He felt nervous as he knew that Evan was right.
Cosmic Crusaders were like insects. If you see one of them, there''s bound to be more around!
Lirian said to him, "No matter how hard I think about it, we have no better choice."
"Wait! Let me think. I might have a way."
Evan looked like a person lost in deep thought as he searched his 35 years of memories for a solution.
His expression was pensive for a moment before he spoke.
"Actually, we do have one! Follow me."
Evan strode purposefully towards the wall behind the arena inside the cave, and Lirian hastened to keep up with him.
Evan started sweeping through the wall with his bare hands, the veins in his arms bulging with effort.
"If my conclusion is right, the secret mechanism to the hidden piece should be around here somewhere," he muttered under his breath.
Lirian couldn''t hear what he said, but he found his action odd and wondered why he was doing it. He kept silent, though, so as not to disturb him from concentrating on the task at hand.
Evan knew that the game map had expanded significantly in the third patch, prompting the developers to add hidden transfer arrays in the untamed wilderness of thes.
To ess them, you need to find them first. Most of them were hidden in in sight, while the rest couldn''t be essed unless the secret mechanism that hid them was discovered.
The game of the rule was nothinges for free. Either you have to pay for it or work hard to get it!
The transfer arrays were hidden in obscure locations, and they even had a good reason for being there hence not disturbing the immersive gamey.
Since everything so far had been simr to the third patch of the game, Evan assumed that the hidden transfer array of the Kobold''s Den of Mischief might still be in the secret location.
The secret location could be unlocked through the usage of the secret mechanism!
Suddenly, Evan''s fingers grazed a loose stone.
"Found it!" He eximed in joy as he pushed it with a little more force than the others.
Click!
Chapter 41 The Old Transfer Array!
?A sharp click echoed through the cavern, and the walls of the cave began to shake and groan.
Lirian watched in awe as the cave structure shifted.
As if by magic, an opening leading to a room appeared in front of them.
As they stepped forward into the unfamiliar space, Lirian''s eyes roamed over the outdated transfer array in front of them. It was rusty and covered in dust, and he felt a surge of apprehension as he looked at it.
"Is this thing even safe?" he asked, his voice tight.
Evan shot him a reassuring smile and said confidently, "It''s old, but it still works."
Lirian raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering to the faded symbol of the frost n etched onto the array.
"I think this was left behind by the founder of the Frost n." Lirian mused. "Who else but him could be so extravagant?"
Evan shrugged his shoulder.
"Maybe," Evan said nonchntly. "I don''t know."
Lirian helped Evan power up the transfer array with some soul energy crystals. After that, they punched in the coordinates for their desired destination into it.
Vroom!
The transfer array whirred to life, and with a sudden rush of vertigo, they vanished from the cave and reappeared in an abandoned warehouse on Crystalline, the capital of the Sun Moon Empire.
The first thing they did after returning to their secret hideout was removing their disguises by deactivating the face changer. After all, long-term use of the face changer could cause skin damage.
With nothing affecting their looks, their faces returned to normal.
It was time to split their gains.
Evan, with a mere thought, effortlessly retrieved an impressive array of items from his inventory: 500 low-level soul crystals, 50 poisonbane herbs, 2 Spirit Surge Elixirs, and 1 Celestial Connector.
As he summoned them forth, shes of light signaled their appearance on the ground.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® "They''re all yours." Evan offered the items to Lirian without any hard feelings.
"Thanks, bro!" Lirian epted them with gratitude and wasted no time in nning his next move. "I am going to the authorities to turn in Vera''s head and im the reward. I will wire half of it to you."
Seeing how excited he was, Evan felt curious about the worth of the bounty. He couldn''t help but inquire. "For you to feel so excited... how much can it be?"
"Let''s see. Pretax, it''s a thousand high-purity soul crystals. After taxes are paid, it should be 700. If we split it in half, we will get 350 crystals each." Lirian, who was an expert when it came to such things, calcted the numbers with ease.
The empire''s tax on yearly ie was a whopping 30%, and it could go up to as high as 50% depending on the source and the yearly ie of a person.
Evan''s eyebrows jumped as he couldn''t believe his ears. "That''s quite a lot. I didn''t think a psychopath like him would be worth so much dead."
"His bounty is so high because he is part of that group of the cosmic crusaders that caused ShadowFall Cataclysm. Otherwise, he would have the same bounty on his head as the other Cosmic Crusaders in the Soul Fusion Realm - a measly 50 high-purity soul crystal," Lirian said sarcastically.
"Goodbye," Evan bid farewell to Lirian.
"Bye."
Lirian waved back at him and turned away, making his way out of the warehouse that was dimly brightened by the rays of sunlighting in through the windows.
The sound of his footsteps echoed off the concrete walls, growing fainter and fainter as he disappeared from Evan''s sight.
The atmosphere of the warehouse shifted once again as Evan was left alone there with his thoughts.
He had in his possession everything that he went to Avalon to obtain. It was time to put them to good use.
Evan began to sort through the items he had acquired from the testing ground of the powerful ancestors of the Frost and Firestorm ns swiftly, his eyes flickering with excitement. He knew that each one would prove to be extremely helpful to him!
"For now, I have no use for the 500 low-level soul energy crystals, but I can use them to power my personal transfer array 5 to 7 times in the future. I should keep them close by."
All five hundred of them were stored in his inventory. Five of its slots were taken up by the low-level soul energy crystal.
"The Three Spirit Surge Elixirs might just help me level up once."
In the midst of sorting out his items, Evan set about utilizing them one by one.
First up was the Spirit Surge Elixir, a tool for opening soul pockets, albeit with slightly less potency than its modified counterpart, the Soul Pocket Opening Elixir. It was only for low-level soul maniptors. Nevertheless, it was a valuable aid for cultivators who had yet to reach the 4th level of the Soul Manifestation Realm!
Without further ado, he ingested all three elixirs at once.
[Ding! The consumption of three Spirit Surge Elixirs has been detected! Arge amount of spirit energy has been introduced into your body!! The torrents of energy will keep on attacking your Soul Pockets until they open or they evaporate!!!] the system notified.
In an instant, Evan could feel the surge of energy coursing through his body, attacking his soul pockets with a torrent of power.
Bam! Rattle!
His whole being shook with the force of it as if he was experiencing an earthquake, and it was so ridiculously painful that he felt his body on fire, but Evan, the Crown Prince of Frost, endured it with gritted teeth.
He knew that this was the fastest way to unlock his soul pockets, and that was why he did it. So what was there to regret?!
Bam!
The torrents of energy attacked his soul pockets a second time, making him feel as if his body would burst under the assault.
To endure the pain, he tightened his fists so much that his nails piecer into his skin and drew blood.
He could feel that a gap had appeared in the seal of his soul pockets.
"Open for this prince!"
Evan shouted as the torrents of energy attacked his soul pockets a third time.
Boom!
Chapter 42 A Grand Surprise! A Calculative Smile!
?A resounding reverberation rang out from within him, and then the energy within him subsided, and the soul energy in the surroundings began to rush towards him, entering his body as if their home was there.
He watched excitedly as dozens of waves of soul energy entered his body!
He knew exactly what that meant. After all, this was a natural phenomenon that takes ce when a soul cultivator opens more than one soul pocket at a time.
He had seeded in opening more than one soul pocket with the help of only three Spirit Surge Elixirs!
He had done the unthinkable!
''I have absorbed the entire potency of the three elixirs. It should only be possible if I had an extraordinary talent for cultivation, but in the game, it was mentioned that Evan, although born to Magnus the great, didn''t have a special constitution for cultivation. I think I am more talented than I was made out to be in the game,'' Evan thought.
[Ding! Congrattions on leveling up twice!]
[You have gained two SP!]
[Your soul energy reserves have increased to 324 units!]
He heard the notification of his yer system ringing out in his mind, congratting him on his sess, and he grinned triumphantly!
Altogether, he had sessfully opened three soul pockets, pushing his energy reserves up to 300 units, plus an extra 24 units, thanks to the augmentation granted by the yer system when he killed Vera and the Kobold mage, beings that were ssified as mages.
The grin on Evan''s face widened as he thought, ''Maybe in the entire empire, no one other than me could boost such an achievement.''
He was the only one with a mutated Soul Pocket!
The next items he took out from his inventory were the poisonbane herbs and the nightshade nectar.
"The nightshade nectar can help me develop minor poison resistance, and I can strengthen it by using the 50 poisonbane herbs. I should use them immediately."
Evan knew that he needed to urgently develop poison resistance. The reason for this need could be traced back to an experience he had with poison in the past.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® When he was a child, Evan had narrowly escaped death. The ss of warm milk that was meant for him was imed by his naughty and stubborn pet that liked to sulk for weeks if it didn''t get what it desired. It was a beautiful little cashmere cat.
He didn''t like drinking milk, so he let it do as it liked. As a result, it died in his ce.
It turned out that the milk was poisoned!
The maid that delivered it to him confessed that it was her doing, but everyone knew that she wasn''t being truthful.
There was a mastermind behind her.
But who was it?
However, before the truth could be forced out of her mouth, shemitted suicide by swallowing the poison that was hidden in her teeth.
Evan cried that day, unable to understand why anyone would want him, a mere four-year-old, dead. At that time, he was too young to understand that his status as the Crown Prince of Frost was enough for some people to want him dead and for some people to worship him as their savior.
That event traumatized him so badly that he refused to ever take a pet, and after that event, his parents had guarded him closely. His meals were regrly checked before he was allowed to eat.
Another assassination attempt on his life took ce just a while after the death of his mother, but he survived it too as his father came to save him just in time, followed by the guards of the Frost n.
After that, his father had started guarding against the minor families, and then no one had tried to harm Evan using such cheap means.
Maybe it was because the minor families were too afraid of his father, or maybe it was because the minor families thought that there was no reason to dirty their hands with his imperial blood as he would lose his crown prince position sooner orter.
After all, he was in such an important position and yet not in the right state of mind.
He was unfit to rule.
Thus, he was bound to lose the golden spoon he was born with sooner orter without them doing a thing.
Even his grandfather, the Grand General of the empire and the Grand Patriarch of the Frost n, had expressed his dissatisfaction with Evan''s future prospects in public. Though the current Patriarch held some sway, the Grand General''s word wasw, and his disappointment with Evan had only fueled the doubts of the minor ns.
It caused the minor families of the frost n to believe that Evan would certainly lose his position if he didn''t turn out to be talented at the age of 16.
A person''s body reaches full maturity at the that age. Some might take two more years hence why the test to check one''s talent and awaken the soul te was held at such an age.
Anyway, because of all these reasons, he hadn''t faced a major threat to his life in the past few years, but he knew that things would change starting from the Soul te Awakening Ceremony.
All eyes would be on him when he takes the test that would determine his potential as well as his future in the n.
He knew that he had changed after regaining his past life memories and that it wouldn''t be hard to prove himself worthy to cement his position and earn the respect of his entire n. However, if that actually happened, Evan didn''t doubt that the minor families would return to targeting him from the dark. At that time, they might try to harm him using lowly means such as poisoning.
If he could develop a strong poison resistance before then, he would be able to thwart their malevolent efforts with ease and counterattack.
He looked at the nightshade nectar with a pleasant expression.
"With this, I will develop minor poison resistance." He said as he took the nightshade nectar.
[The digestion process has begun.]
[Mediate to obtain the maximum effect!]
Evan sat down on the ground cross-legged and closed his eyes, focusing on breathing as calmly as possible.
After a while, he hadpletely digested it
[Ding! Congrattion. You have sessfully digested the Nightshade Nectar!]
[You have developed minor poison resistance!]
[You have gained immunity to 100 poisons!]
Chapter 43 Mutating Minor Poison Resistance!
?"This is just the beginning. It will be stronger once I finish chewing all 50 poisonbane herbs. The cost to evolve it into the Moderate Poison Resistance would also be reduced!"
Evan knew that while poisonbane herbs can make a good tea to free the body of toxins, its best use was to eat it raw.
A normal cultivator would be poisoned if they ate it raw, but Evan already had minor poison resistance, so even if he ate all the poisonbane herb he had overnight, he wouldn''t be affected.
He was immune to the adverse effect of the herb!
Only that''s why he was daring enough to take such a step to further develop his poison resistance!
He put one in his mouth and started chewing it. The bitter taste that escaped into his mouth was unbearable, but he fought against the urge to spit it out and continued chewing it.
It felt like he was eating sand.
Even an average person would be bothered if they tasted something so weird, and Evan was no exception. It was harder for him as he had grown up eating the best food there was.
However, remembering the benefits that it would bring him, he continued with his reckless action hotheadedly.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® There was no backing down from his dictionary.
[The medicinal value of the Poisonbane herb has been consumed. Your minor poison resistance skill has improved slightly!] the system notified Evan.
If he continued consuming the bitter water of the poisonbane herbs, Evan knew that the Minor Poison resistance Skill would evolve into a special-type skill, which provided a stronger defense against poisons and toxins than the minor poison resistance skill.
A person with the special-type poison resistance skill would also experience fewer symptoms or side effects from being poisoned than a person with a minor poison resistance skill!
In order to get it, he didn''t hesitate to put another poisonbane herb in his mouth.
After what felt like an eternity of eating sand, he digested all fifty of them.
[Because of digesting arge number of Poisonbane herbs right after digesting the NightShade Nectar, you have developed a special type of Minor Level Poison Resistance!]
[On top of being immune to 200 types of poison, you have gained the ability to refine low-level poisons!]
[The skill points needed to evolve the Special-Type Minor Poison Resistance have decreased by 2 points!]
He still needed several points to level it up! It was just that hard to gain Moderate Poison Resistance!
Evan''s face lit up. "It''s nothing too special, but hey, if I am poisoned now, at least I will be able to detoxify myself quickly."
He turned to the remaining items.
"The Celestial Connector pill will show its worth when I reach the peak of the Soul Manifestation Realm. After all, it has the effect of increasing a cultivator''s chance of ascending to the Soul Fusion Realm by 30%."
"As for the de Master Skill Crystal, it can''t be used unless I obtain a skill te that can bear the burden of utilizing it."
He put both items into his inventory. The time to use them still hasn''te.
He turned to thest item.
It was the enigmatic ck box.
Memories of his past life flooded his mind, reminding him of the secrets thaty within the box.
It contained the location of a hidden piece!
He knew all too well that it was only essible to members of the Frost n, and he had to prove his identity to the box before he could unlock its secrets.
He steadied his hand and pierced his finger with his nail, drawing out a small amount of crimson blood. Immediately, he ced his finger over the box and let the blood droplets trickle down onto its surface.
The blood melted into the box, a symbol of its recognition of him as its rightful owner. He unlocked it with ease as he had be its monster.
Its content was revealed. Inside, he found a mysterious treasure map.
It showed that the hidden piece was located at the top of the Monster Tower of the Frost n.
It was on the tenth floor!
He could pour soul energy into the map to see where exactly it was on the tenth floor, but first, he needed to get inside the monster tower.
It wasn''t an easy ce to ess.
He needed to have a valid reason to challenge it.
A scheming look appeared on Evan''s face as he thought up a n to enter it righteously.
"They will bite the bait like fishes if it seems like they can strip me of my position and make it avable for the stepson of the head of the minor families. Yes! That n might just work."
Evanughed eerily in the dim warehouse as a mad n formed in his mind.
He had meticulously nned every move, so he knew that his strength was the most crucial factor for the sess of his n.
If he was weak, his n would not only fail but also backfire on him!
Thankfully, he had a way to increase his strength immediately!
Evan checked his experience points.
His heart pounded with excitement as the number 1160 EXP glowed brightly on his screen.
"With this much EXP, I can level up a good number of times!"
"Use all the experience points to increase my level!" he eximed to the system in his mind.
[Ding! 1100 EXP has been used to increase your level by four times!]
Evan felt his body tremble as more than a thousand EXP was absorbed into his being.
He could sense his cultivation increasing and his body changing, bing more powerful with every passing moment.
[Congrattions on unlocking your fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh soul pockets and reaching the advanced level of the Soul Manifestation Realm! You have gained Four SPs!]
[Your Total Skill points have increased to 6 points]
[Your soul energy reserve has increased to 734 points!]
The system''s voice echoed in his mind!
Chapter 44 Bath
?"Levelling up has never felt so better," Evan muttered under his breath as he felt the newfound power surging through his veins, filling him with an indescribable sense of strength.
"It''s amazing. I can now do so much more."
He knew that with a majority of his soul pockets now unlocked, he could store more ice-type soul energy within him and directly use it to unleash devastating attacks on his enemies.
It might not mean much to a Soul Fusion Realm Cultivator, but it meant a lot to him.
After all, he could show a part of the potential of the Breath of Frost Technique in battles as he had more than several hundred units of ice-type soul energy stored in his soul pockets.
"Status screen," Evan said.
Name: Evan
Age: 16
ss: Soul Maniptor
Cultivation stage: Soul Manifestation Stage
Level: 7 (Advanced stage)
Exp: 60
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® SPs: 6
Stats:
Strength: 53 (41)
Dexterity: 41
Constitution: 37
Agility: 45 (43)
Stamina: 50 (40)
Soul energy: 734
Evan stared at his status screen, and his eyes brightened up as he took in the information disyed on it.
"Wow," Evan breathed. "I''vee really far in a really short time. No one would believe that I grew so strong in only a day!"
He added one skill point to the Inspection Skill.
[The inspection skill has leveled up]
[It has increased to level 1 from level 0]
[You can inspect anyone below your cultivation level with a 100% sess rate!]
[You can inspect anyone one to ten levels above you with a 75-50% sess rate!]
"Level it up again," Evan said.
[Two SPS consumed]
[The inspection skill has advanced to lv 2 from level 1]
[The skill will be 100% effective on anyone below your level and anyone one to ten levels above]
[There''s a 10 to 40% chance of the skill failing to work properly if you inspect cultivators or creatures 11 to 15 levels above you!]
[It can be used to detect a person''s status]
[It can be used to gain a basic description and the background of a person! The sess chance depends on the difference in strength]
[Th inspection skill can not be cast more than once a day on the same person!]
The level 2 inspection skill was infinitely better than the level 1 version of it. There was just noparison!
"I should get home before it''s found out that I am missing."
He was feeling heavy, so he unequipped the magic sword and the gauntlets, and with a thought, he put them in his inventory. His action caused his strength to decrease by 12 points, his stamina to decrease by 10 points, and his agility to decrease by 2 points. Although his agility decreased by an entire 2 points, he was faster than before as he was not carrying a sword or wearing a thick and weighty gauntlet.
He then hurriedly returned to the Frost n estate on foot through the secret underground passageway that was connected to his chamber.
Evan meticulously tidied up his room, double-checking that everything was in its proper ce before proceeding to conceal the secret mechanism behind his bed. He and his father had worked tirelessly on this contraption, and it was imperative that no one else discovered it.
Once certain that it was undetectable, Evan unlocked the door to his chambers and summoned two of his many servants to assist him in taking a bath.
His body was caked in grime, dust, and blood, leaving him feeling utterly drained and in dire need of cleansing. A refreshing bath would surely aid in alleviating his exhaustion.
The two young servants promptly moved to answer his call. One possessed a striking beauty that was difficult to ignore, while the other had a charming cuteness that was equally captivating.
Upon seeing Evan''s appearance, they were taken aback.
"Did he get into a brawl with someone?" Rose said, "Why does he look so messy?"
"Shh! Don''t let him hear you. Do you want to end up like Sir Havelock?" Lily reminded.
"My lips are sealed. I won''t say a word." Rose said, closing shut her mouth.
They remained silent the rest of the walk towards him, knowing full well what happens to servants that attract his ire. The lesson Havelock had recently learned had sent ripples throughout the manor, making each servant discover the need to fear Evan.
They were acutely aware of the Crown Prince''s status and the need to maintain proper decorum in his presence, and they acted on their teaching for the first time in years.
First, it was the right thing to do. Secondly, they didn''t want to be taught a lesson like Havelock.
They escorted him to a restroom with a majestic pool. They promptly filled it with water and warmed it to the perfect temperature. They added something like a body wash to make it soapy, and they spread petals all over it.
Both servants were easy on the eyes, and it was easy to notice that they were meticulously trained and exceptional at their job.
Evan would have dly rewarded them for their services if he were not aware of their allegiance to Havelock.
The probability of any good feelings developing between him and these servants was automatically reduced to zero when he inspected them and found out that they were Havelock''s minions!
"Let''s just do what I came here."
Evan began to slowly remove his blood-soaked clothes. As a prince, he was used to taking baths in the presence of others. Not to mention, he felt confident in his body. So he wasn''t hesitant about stripping to his underwear in one go even though his attendants were still around him.
His chiseled and toned physique was revealed as he took off his clothes, and it immediately caught the attention of the two young and healthy maids present in the restroom.
They couldn''t help but stare at him in admiration, their faces flushed with an appreciation for his rugged masculinity.
While looking at Evan, Lily leaned towards Rose and whispered into her ear, "Can you see it?"
Chapter 45 Confrontation!
?Rose''s eyes widened in amazement as she looked at Evan. His manliness has enchanted her and captured her heart. They were of the same age, and she really really liked and felt attracted to him. So it was even harder for her to move her eyes away from him than Lily.
"Yeah... I can." Rose replied after a moment.
"Did he always look so buffed?" Lily wondered.
"He is my type, so I have checked him out a couple of times in the past. I can confidently say that he didn''t have such a great physique before. I think he has recently put on more muscles." Rose said.
In the Empire, it was legal to get married at the age of 16.
Evan was of age, and he could already get married to anyone he liked. As he was an imperialist, he could take an unlimited number of concubines without a problem. It was normal for young and healthy imperialists like him to marry four to five women at his age.
However, because he was paranoid in the past, Evan hadn''t even thought of getting intimate with a person. He had stayed away from such activities.
"Rose, I thought it was just a rumor that he is the manliest-looking man in the Frost n, but now that I''ve seen it for myself, I guess it''s the truth. Our master is truly the epitome of manliness in our n. The men of our n look beautiful like faery, but he looks handsome like a demon," Lily said as she eyed Evan like a thirsty crow.
Rose nodded in agreement. "His body is perfect like it was sculpted by the gods themselves."
Evan has definitely be more desirable in her and Lily''s eyes.
Lily was awed by his handsomeness, but she had no intention of getting close to him.
She was from the minor families of the Frost n. Evan and her could never get together. They were, on the surface, under the banner of the same n, but in actuality, they were enemies. Evan wanted to keep his position, while she and the minor families wanted to take it from him.
Rose, on the other hand, was a talented soul cultivator that was sold into the Frost n by her parents.
She had grown under the same roof as Evan, and she had been crushing on him for a year. He was blessed with good looks and was the Crown Prince of the Imperial Frost n.
Thus, although he hadn''t excelled at anything so far, it didn''t stop a teen girl like Rose from falling for his charms.
She desired him and wondered whether he would be willing to take her in as his concubine.
She didn''t feel that there was anything wrong with bing his concubine. After all, it would be an upgrade in her status, and she would have him all for herself for at least a year or so.
''I should feel confident in my beauty and talent. I am a powerful and beautiful soul cultivator. If I show I am interested in him, he will definitely reciprocate.''
Rose was a stunning woman with long, flowing red hair that cascaded down her back in fiery waves. Her figure was nothing short of striking, with curves in all the right ces that demanded attention. Her attire was something out of a man''s deepest fantasies, a sexy maid''s outfit that hugged her curves and entuated her assets.
The outfit was a tantalizing mix of ckce and white satin, with a short skirt that barely covered her derriere and a low-cut top that showed off her ample cleavage. Thece was delicate and intricate, adding a touch of elegance to the outfit, while the satin was smooth and silky, glimmering in the light and drawing the eye to her curves. Her legs were encased in sheer ck stockings that shimmered in the golden light of the restroom, drawing attention to her toned thighs and shapely calves. The outfit was the perfect blend of innocence and seduction, making Rose look like the ultimate fantasy of every man whoid eyes on her.
She normally dresses modestly, but she wore this outfit today to catch Evan''s attention!
She looked sexy and beautiful as hell, but she didn''t know he would not fall for her charms as he knew that she had betrayed him.
Rose didn''t know that she was being naive!
She thought that she would be able to hide the fact that she had spied on him on behalf of the minor families while seducing him.
She didn''t know that he already knew! Evan would never let her get close to him!
Even if she submitted to him, he wouldn''t ept her.
After all, he knew that someone who could betray him once wouldn''t hesitate to betray him a second time if things got tough.
As Evan stepped towards the hot waters, he noticed the maids present in the restroom staring at him in admiration.
He knew that Lily was the distant nephew of the head of the sixth minor family of the Frost n sent here 4 years ago to serve him and that Rose was taken in by the Frost n because of her exceptional talent.
He also knew they had both thrown in the towel with the minor families and were under Havelock''smand.
So he tried to ignore them as he stepped towards the waters.
Rose''s eyes moved down to his private areas.
"I wonder what he is packing down there."
Thinking that a dragon could be resting there, Rose blushed furiously and bit her fingers.
"I can tell from the bulge in his underwear that he is huge down there," Lily said as she shamelessly checked her master out.
Not noticing that he was being ogled at by his maids, Evan took off his underwear and threw it away to sink into the hot, soapy water clothless.
Freed from its constraint, his little brother sprang out, standing proudly under Heaven.
As soon as Lily and Rose caught sight of it, their mouths gaped open in awe, so wide that it seemed as though their jaws might detach from their skulls and plummet to the ground.
"No way! That''s insane. How could it be so big and thick?"
"Is this what a man''s penis looks like? I have never seen something like that in my life." Rose eximed.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Rose was beautiful, and her chastity was still intact as she was uncorrupted by the temptations of lust. Moreover, unlike most citizens of the empire, she had never indulged in the crude pleasures of pornography.
Her understanding of men, limited as it was, came solely from thepulsory sex education she had received as a member of the Frost n.
It could be said that this was her first time seeing it!
"Yeah, me neither." Lily snapped back to life and said, "I could tell he was packing a surprise behind his inner garment, but I didn''t realize it would be THAT monstrous. Seeing it reminds me of a skyscraper."
She had had a few sex partners to take care of her needs in the past, but their private parts were iparable to Evan''s. The length of his penis was two or maybe three times that of the partners she had before.
And it was stillid!
How big would it get when it was fully erect?!!!
Would a woman even be able to survive that?!
Chapter 46 Havelock Is A Crossdressing Female?!
?Evan felt disturbed by their gaze and words.
They were a good distance away from him, but he could hear what they said clearly.
It was because of his high stats. Because he had gotten stronger, his senses had also improved!
They didn''t know that he had be strong overnight, so they were being careless.
Evan didn''t want to reveal that he had be strong, so he didn''t confront them outright, instead taking a different approach to deal with them.
He suddenly turned towards them with a raised eyebrow and caught them in the act!
"What are you two looking at?" he inquired calmly.
The maids immediately felt embarrassed and tried to cover their gaze with their hands as they saw his glorious physique in full view.
"Ah! Nothing," the maids stammered, their cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.
"Are you sure you want to lie to me?" Evan asked in a heavy tone.
"Forgive us if we have annoyed you with our indecent behaviors," they bowed to him.
"Just leave and send someone with excellent massage skills to tend to me. You don''t need to return," hemanded in a firm and authoritative voice.
He wanted to take a bath without feeling that he was being eye raped by his maids!
In his mind, he had already made up his mind never to call for Lily and Rose again.
He did consider taking harsher action against them and stripping them of their positions, but then he knew that the minor families would just swap in more of their servants in their ce.
He didn''t want to give them an advantage.
It was better to leave them untouched until he had the power to call the shots in the Frost n!
"As you wish, your highness."
Lily and Rose bowed their heads and quickly scurried away, leaving Evan to bask in the soothing warmth of the water.
Evan watched them leave and then just closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of the water around him. He could feel the water enveloping his body, washing away the dirt and grime of the day.
The sweet scent of the soap filled his nostrils, and he couldn''t help but let out a contented sigh. "It''s good to be rich!"
He was, however, acutely aware that his status was everything - the foundation of his life and the key to his future sess.
Losing it was not an option, not until he got strong enough to remain safe and sound without it.
Momentster, the sound of footsteps interrupted his peace. Though he didn''t turn to look. He already knew it was the person he demanded.
He felt a pair of soft and warm hands settle on his stiff shoulders and start to knead away the knots, and a low groan of pleasure escaped his lips.
Whoever this person was, they certainly knew what they were doing.
"You have a real talent for this," Evanplimented his anonymous masseur.
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness," came the soft reply.
As soon as the words left the other person''s lips, Evan recognized the voice.
It belonged to Havelock!
Evan opened his eyes and rose from the water, turning to face his masseur.
"Why are you doing here?" Evan demanded, a note of suspicion creeping into his voice.
"I was sent by the maids to give you a massage, Your Highness. I meant no harm," Havelock replied to him as obediently as possible.
Evan narrowed his eyes at him.
"You expect me to believe that you have no ulterior motives?" Evan challenged, his gaze piercing.
Havelock met his stare, his expression calm andposed. "I speak the truth, your highness."
"Really?" Evan asked.
"Really," Havelock replied.
Havelock had changed. There was a strange imprability to Havelock this time.
Evan admitted that he had made a mistake by underestimating him.
Relying solely on his experience, he felt like there was no way he could see through Havelock.
He had to rely on his skills. Evan immediately inspected Havelock.
[Inspection Sesful]
[Seraphine''s Status Screen has been provided to you]
Name: Seraphine
Surname: Moonstone
Gender: Female
Status: Head of the Eunuchs serving the Crown Prince.
Real Age: 18
ss: Soul Maniptor (2nd step)
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Cultivation stage: Peak of the Soul Fusion Realm (Close to entering the Soul Embodiment Realm)
Level: 19.7
[Description: A woman disguised as a man living in the main family house of the Frost n. Was betrothed to Evan Frost before she was born. Had grown up dreaming of bing his wife. Everything changed when she was celebrating her...]
[???]
[Inspection skill level is too low!]
[More information about her couldn''t be gauged.]
[Increase the level of your skill to get a better understanding of the characters!]
Evan stood there, frozen, as he processed Havelock''s description.
His jaw dropped, and he couldn''t believe what he was hearing.
Havelock, whom he had always known as a eunuch, was actually a girl in disguise!
The thought of it made Evan''s mind reel.
But that wasn''t the only shocking revtion.
Havelock, aka Seraphine, loved him? Then why was she mixed up with his enemies, trying to ruin him? And to top it all off, they were betrothed before they were even born? Evan couldn''t remember anything about a crazy fianc¨¦ like her.
He couldn''t help but wonder if the system had gone mad.
He looked at Havelock, or Seraphine, as he now knew her with an unwavering gaze that was storming withplex emotions.
"Are you crazy?" Evan asked, unable to contain his shock.
He struggled to look at her in the same way he had before, now that he knew she was a woman disguised as a eunuch.
Seraphine looked back at him, her eyes showing no signs of hurt or anger at being called crazy. The experience she gained from her years of acting was in full disy at this moment.
"No," she replied in a voice that was barely above a whisper.
Her voice was so weak because she was honestly shocked by what she saw when Evan rose from the water and turned towards her.
Chapter 47 Are You?
?Seraphine''s eyes widened in disbelief as she caught sight of Evan''s little brother. She couldn''t believe what she was seeing. Itwas as if her mind had conjured up a fantastical beast out of thin air, ying tricks on her.
Was it real or just a figment of her imagination?
She closed her eyes and opened them again, but the massive creature was still there.
"By the stars, I have never seen anything so colossal in my entire life! How is it even possible for something to be that big?!!!" she eximed in her mind, her throat feeling dry at the sight of it.
Despite her internal turmoil, Seraphine maintained a subservient expression, drawing upon her years of acting experience. She didn''t reveal any sign of the chaos inside her mind as she knew that she wouldn''t be able to afford the consequences if her shameful thoughts were made public.
"I can see that something''s not right with you. So why are you trying to convince me otherwise?" Evan said in a voice that was stern and cutting as he leaned in closer to Seraphine, locking eyes with her.
The proximity between them was almost too much to bear, making Seraphine feel uneasy.
Despite their closeness, there was nothing romantic about the situation.
Evan''s expression was that of a killer as he contemted how best to deal with her. He could expose her lies to the n, a move that could lead to her execution, but he decided against it.
She was a valuable chess piece, after all.
Moreover, she had wronged him many times in this life. The interest was still to be paid. How could he send her to meet her maker without making her pay for her action?
Completely lost in thought, Evan was unaware of the effect he was having on Seraphine. The raw power emanating from his muscr frame was like a wave crashing over her, making her feel strangely weak in the knees.
As he continued to stare at her, she couldn''t help but blush under his prating gaze, feeling as though he could see straight into her soul.
He, on the other hand, thought: Why is she living in the Frost n disguised as a Eunuch? What''s her purpose?
The questions swirled in his mind as he tried to make sense of Seraphine''s true motives. He couldn''t shake off the feeling that there was more to her than what met the eye. She might be more than just a eunuch who had been brought off by the minor families.
Perhaps she was a spy of an intergctic powerhouse, sent to infiltrate the Imperial Frost n and gather information.
Or maybe she had her own agenda, using the guise of a Eunuch to gain ess to the inner workings of the n.
Whatever her purpose, Evan knew one thing for sure - he needed to keep a close eye on her. He couldn''t afford to let his guard down, not when there was a potential threat lurking in their midst.
Evan thought: Someone who can fool my father''s eyes and act like a eunuch for over a decade can''t be simple! If I want to make use of her, I need to know more about her. I must find out about her end goals before deciding whether to use or dispose of her. It will be too risky to keep her by my side without knowing what she is up to. A pawn is only good when it''s useful, but if it has the potential to be too dangerous, it is better to discard it!
He was unaware that the so called pawn was bewildered by her own emotions.
Seraphine thought: What''s wrong with me today? Why am I crushing on him? He is not even the real Evan Frost.
As Seraphine gazed at Evan, she couldn''t help but feel a strange sensation coursing through her. It was a feeling that she had never experienced before, and it left her feeling disoriented and uneasy. Despite her best efforts to remainposed, Evan''s prating gaze made it difficult for her to calm down. Cracks appeared in the stic expression she was wearing.
"Eunuch, why are you being so quiet? Is your tongue broken?" Evan snapped impatiently, the sharpness in his voice cutting through the silence.
He was a human in the end, and realizing that she had fooled not only him but also his father and his entire n angered him, and his anger was clearly felt in his voice.
"I''m not like you," Seraphine retorted, her emotions getting the better of her.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Seraphine realized her mistake. She could see the fury in Evan''s eyes as his expression hardened, and she knew that she had gone too far.
Seraphine''s words had hit a nerve.
Evan was oblivious to the inner turmoil she was experiencing. In his mind, she was deliberately mocking him.
His past struggles with mental illness were a sensitive subject for him, and even though he had already been cured, he didn''t appreciate it being brought up so flippantly.
"Havelock, your attempt to push my buttons has worked. Congrattions, you seeded in riling me up despite my best efforts to remain calm. And now I need you to get the fuck out!" Evan said in a voice that thundered with anger, leaving no room for argument.
He was seething with anger, his tone indicating that he was not in the mood for any further discussion. With amanding presence, he made it clear that Havelock needed to leave, and there was no room for negotiation.
"I''m sorry, it was a slip of the tongue," Seraphine pleaded.
Evan, however, was having none of it.
"Now!" he barked.
Feeling the finality in Evan''s voice, Seraphine knew that she had no choice but to leave.
She hurriedly made her way out of the room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it for support as she tried to process what had just happened.
As she stood there, she couldn''t help but wonder if her pent-up emotions from years of living as a eunuch had gotten the best of her.
Perhaps that was the reason she had seen her beloved in that imposter.
She knew that the current Crown Prince of Frost wasn''t the real one.
It was a fake that had taken the ce of his elder brother.
Yet, everyone had treated him like the real deal for the past four years.
The change had taken ce four years ago when the Empress of Frost died.
She was the only one who knew the truth, and she had to not only protect it but also bring it to light. She had to do the right thing, no matter what the cost, and strip him of the position of the crown prince of frost.
Even though he looked like him, she thought that she shouldn''t try to find bliss in an illusion. The best move was to shatter it.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Maybe then she will find out what happened to her beloved.
Meanwhile, Evan slumped back into the pool with a deep sigh, his thoughts racing with the unexpected turn of events.
He thought: Havelock is a woman called Seraphine. This is the second time things have gone beyond my expectations. Is this really the world I remember?
Evan waspletely clueless about the fact that he was not ''Evan Frost'' but someone entirely else!
Chapter 48 Starting An Investigation!
?Evan emerged from his luxurious bath, the warm water washing away the tension from his muscles and leaving him feeling revitalized. It could be seen in the way he carried himself that he hadn''t let the argument with Serpahine affect his mood. He was the type that didn''t let dogfart stay in his mind rent-free as he considered it a loss.
Walking over to his wardrobe, he scanned the rows of clothes in order to select something that matched his personal taste.
Normally, he would leave it up to his attendants, but today, he didn''t bother calling them, preferring to rely on his own independence and self-reliance. It was because their recent behaviors had left him disgusted. Their tendency to sexualize him was offensive, to say the least.
He wrapped himself in a sumptuous robe, the fabric draping elegantly over his lithe frame. The silky ck materialplemented his raven locks perfectly. He turned to the mirror.
''Good enough.''
Admiring his reflection in the grand mirror embedded in the center of the wall, Evan couldn''t help but feel pleased with how good he looked.
Evan exited the restroom and strolled back to his chambers. On his way there, he didn''t cross paths with Sir Edmund. This was disappointing as Evan was looking forward to meeting him.
Evan thought: Seems like Sir Edmund is still oblivious to my return.
A few momentster, Evan stepped into his room. His eyes darted towards the bedside table, where hismunicatory.
He had deliberately left it behind before leaving, knowing full well the dangers of carrying it with him. It emits energy signals that can easily be picked up by the Cosmic Crusader''s radars, exposing one''s location in an instant. That was why neither he nor Lirian had brought theirmunicators when they went to Avalon.
Swiftly, he picked up themunicator.
He powered it on and quickly contacted Edmund, his trusted ally. Apart from Magnus and Lirian, Edmund was the only person who he could turn to in times of trouble. It was a pitiful realization, but in this vast world, he had only three true allies. Even worse was the fact that Edmund wasn''t truly loyal to him. He was loyal to the seat of the crown prince. The moment he lost it, he would also lose Edmund''s support.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom "Hi, Sir Edmund, it''s me, Evan," he said urgently. "I''m back, and I need your help."
On the other end, Edmund responded, "What can I do for you, Your Highness?"
"I need you to investigate someone for me," Evan said, his eyes narrowing to thin slits.
"Who''s the target of your investigation?" Edmund inquired politely.
"Her name is Seraphine Moonstone," Evan replied, his voice lowering to a whisper. "Doors have eyes, walls have ears." Evan was just trying to be careful.
There was a brief silence, and Evan could almost hear Edmund''s thoughts whirring in his mind.
"Moonstone" was a name that carried great significance, especially for those who were familiar with the history of Selenea.
Once upon a time, the illustrious Moonstone Dynasty reigned supreme over the magnificent of Selenea.
The unique orbit of Selenea created an unparalleled atmosphere, with wild temperature fluctuations and peculiar light conditions that mirrored the cycles of the moon. Not to mention, it was a treasure trove of precious minerals highly valued by cultivators and Gtic Warriors alike, and its strategic location within the ck Eye Gxy made it the envy of all who beheld it.
However, tragedy struck 14 years ago when the dynasty fell victim to a brutal invasion, resulting in the annihtion of the entire ruling family of Selenea. The loss was a catastrophic blow to the and left its people in disarray.
In the aftermath, the Sun Moon Empire seized control of Selenea and stabilized the world, stopping inner conflicts from taking ce and bringing peace.
This also led many to suspect their involvement in the destruction of the once-great Moonstone Dynasty.
They were questioned about their possible role in the tragedy many times, but each time the imperialists of the Dark Tower vehemently denied any involvement and refused to discuss the matter further.
People stopped pointing fingers at them only when the Imperial Master stepped in and warned that strict actions would be taken against anyone who tried to defame his Sun Moon Empire.
His warning rang throughout the Gxy!
It sounded arrogant, but everyone knew that he had the power to back it up, so they stopped making trouble.
For those who remembered the days when the Moonstone Dynasty reigned supreme, the name "moonstone" held a bittersweet resonance. It was a reminder of the glory and power that Selenea had once possessed but also of the tragic downfall that had brought about its demise.
Hearing that there was someone with the surname Moonstone out there in the world was shocking.
"Seraphine Moonstone?" Edmund asked after a moment, "Is she perhaps connected to the Moonstone Dynasty?"
"There''s no second Moonstone Family in the ck Eye Gxy, so I think that''s indeed the case," Evan replied.
Hearing his words, Edmund thought: That might not necessarily be the case.
He couldn''t help but feel a nagging suspicion in the back of his mind. He had been tasked with protecting the Moonstone family over twenty years ago by Magnus himself. But back then, there was no one in the family named Seraphine Moonstone. It was possible that she was born before the dynasty was mysteriously destroyed, but the chances of that being true were zero. After all, how could a four-year-old survive what annihted her entire family??
"Out of curiosity," Edmund asked, his voiceced with intrigue, "why do you want to know about her?"
Evan hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply. "... It''s rted to Havelock," he said, the words flowing out of his mouth.
"Ah, I see," Edmund''s understanding tone was a relief. "Your highness... Thank you for trusting me."
Evan didn''t need to satisfy his curiosity to make him work. He was the Crown Prince of Frost, and Edmund was supposed to answer his call as he had sworn eternal loyalty to the Throne of Frost.
Evan still made an effort to answer him just to show that he didn''t treat Edmund like a stranger.
Evan felt a surge of relief, knowing Edmund was a dependable ally who''d help him solve this. Once he knew who Seraphine Moonstone was, it wouldn''t take much effort to discover her goals.
"So, can you do it?" Evan eagerly asked Edmund.
"I''m more than willing to," Edmund assured him. "But it will take some time to dig up the information you need if she''s really rted to the Moonstone family. Are you willing to wait?"
Evan nodded in agreement, even though Edmund couldn''t see him. He knew that taking this step was the best move, even though it might take longer than he desired.
He could use up his remaining skill points to upgrade his inspection skill to level three and investigate her again to uncover the truth. However, that would mean wasting his precious resources. He didn''t want to squander his skill points on a mere investigation as they could boost his strength and hone his abilities instantly on demand.
"I understand," Evan said to Edmund.
With that, the conversation came to an end.
Chapter 49 Calm Before The Storm!
?The next day, Evan woke up feeling groggy and reached for hismunicator, which was buzzing incessantly. With bleary eyes, he checked the screen and saw that his bank ount had just received a massive deposit of 300 high-purity soul crystals.
His heart raced as he took in the amount. Despite having a considerable bank bnce, not a penny of it was earned through his hard work. This was the first time he had made money on his own, and the sum he received was enough to purchase one-fourth of a on the outskirts of the Sun Moon Empire¡ªno wonder he felt excited.
The source of this astronomical sum was none other than the Bounty Hunter Association. It had taken them longer than anticipated to confirm Vera''s death, but Evan wasn''tining. He was just relieved that the job was finally done, and he and Lirian had received their fair sum.
Evan, feeling unsure of what to do with his day, absentmindedly scratched his head.
He couldn''t go out on a hunt for a hidden piece as the awakening ceremony was at hand. He couldn''t miss it, or he would lose the war before it even started.
Suddenly, a notification from the system interrupted his thoughts, ringing clearly in his mind.
The message read: [A daily mission will be issued to you!]
"New mission alert!" he thought excitedly. "Now we''re talking."
[Misson Name: Slippery Slush Smackdown!]
The mission''s name appeared on the semi-transparent screen before him, and Evan chuckled at how funny and interesting it sounded.
The mission details appeared next, and Evan''s eyes widened as he read through them.
[Description: Go to the training grounds of the Imperial Frost n and train.
First task: Train against an opponent. (0/1)
Second task: Defeat a total of two opponents. (0/2)]
[If youplete the first task, you will be rewarded with the "Phantom Shadow Step" technique. If youplete the second task, you will be rewarded with a skill upgrade card.]
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® [Time Limit: 24 hours.]
[In case of failure, a penalty would be issued!]
"Looks like I''m heading to the training grounds of the frost n," Evan mused to himself with a grin, "This should be fun."
The quest sounded challenging, but Evan was up for it. Even if he wasn''t, he had to do it. First off, the failure toplete the mission in time would result in a penalty, something that had him feeling a bit nervous. Secondly, the potential rewards were worth the risk.
The "Phantom Shadow Step" technique was an incredibly valuable movement-type skill that focused on improving the cultivator''s agility, allowing them to move swiftly and unpredictably in battle. It was best used to avoid attacks from stronger opponents, and it was extremely suitable for low-level cultivators like him.
After all, as a low-level cultivator, it was exactly what he needed to stay one step ahead of stronger opponents.
As for the skill upgrade card, it was a game-changer, capable of upgrading any skill to the next level, no matter its current level. Evan couldn''t help but feel a thrill of excitement at the possibilities this card presented. Even his level 3 Breath of Frost Technique could be upgraded to a higher level using this card!
With all this in mind, Evan wasted no time.
He got up from his seat, freshened up in the bathroom, and quickly donned his imperial attire. Without hesitation, he headed out the door, eager to beat up some unlucky folks of the Imperial Frost n.
The Imperial Frost n had seven minor families. From strongest to weakest, they are as follows:
1: Frostweavers Family
The Frostweavers Family was responsible for the production of weapons for the Frost n. They specialized in creating weapons that were enhanced with ice magic, making them particrly deadly against foes from warmer climates.
2: Ice Fang Household
The Ice Fang Household was made up of expert alchemists who specialized in creating potions and elixirs that were used to augment thebat abilities of the Frost n''s soldiers. They were also known for their expertise in creating cold-resistant gear.
3: House of Ice
The House of Ice had the important task of managing the Frost n''s supply of soul energy crystals, which were a key ingredient in many of the n''s magical weapons and armor and were also used to invest in real estate. They were also responsible for mining and collecting soul energy crystals from different mining zones scattered throughout the ck Eye Gxy and transporting them to the Frost n''s capital.
4: House of Blizzard
The House of Blizzard was known for its expertise in formation. They were often called upon to create offensive and defensive formations that not only protected the Frost n''s strongholds that were on differents from invaders but also retaliated against the assants, showing them hell!
5: Frost Blood Household
The Frost Blood Household was responsible for training the Frost n''s soldiers in the use of ice magic. They were also skilled strategists who helped to n the n''s military campaigns. They had one of the most important roles in the n.
6: House of Harbon Crane
The House of Harbon Crane was responsible for maintaining the Frost n''s diplomatic rtions with neighboring ns and empires. They were skilled negotiators who were known for their ability to make alliances and avoid conflict. They were as important as the Frost Blood Household.
7: Frost Burn Household
The Frost Burn Household was responsible for the production of food and other essential supplies for the Frost n. They specialized in cultivating magic crops and raising livestock for the members of the Frost n. They were the weakest of the seven minor families. Evan liked the Frost Burn the most as they were rtively peacefulpared to the other minor families of his n.
Each of the minor families was important to the Frost n.
It was no surprise that despite being suspicious that they were behind the assassination attempt on Evan''s life, no actions had been taken against them.
As Evan made his way to the Frost n''s training ground, a group of eunuchs and maids led by Havelock followed closely behind him. The group was a necessary entourage for someone of Evan''s status, but he couldn''t help but feel a bit self-conscious with so many people following him around.
"Evan?"
Upon arriving, Evan was immediately confronted by one of his older male cousins, Jack.
Jack was a burly man, standing at 5''8" with a muscr build that was emphasized by his tight ck shirt and military pants. His striking green eyes were entuated by his ear piercings, giving him a somewhat intimidating appearance.
"In this ce, why have you appeared?" Jack questioned Evan with a cold gaze.
Chapter 50 Duel Of Obedience!
?Evan held Jack''s cold gaze steadily, his own expression calm and collected. Once upon a time, he would have felt a wave of unease wash over him whenever Jack directed that icy stare his way, but now, all he felt was a simmering anger.
Jack hailed from the Ice Household, and every time they engaged in a friendly spar, Jack had made it his mission to abuse and torment Evan. His behavior was nothing short of malicious.
Evan couldn''t understand why Jack harbored such intense hatred towards him, but he had reached his breaking point. He refused to be Jack''s punching bag any longer. It was time to take a stand.
"Why can''t I be here? I''m really getting annoyed by your stupid re. What''s the big deal?" Evan said to the big boy.
"The training ground is not for those who are mentally unstable." Jack sneered.
"How dare you speak so rudely to the Crown Prince? Apologize now!" Seraphine, who was in the disguise of Havelock, chimed in, her voice filled with indignation.
Evan turned his head towards her and raised an eyebrow, trying to decipher what her true intentions were. Did she want to stand up for him? Or did she want to add fuel to the fire and watch him burn?
"Why should I apologize?" Jack stubbornly retorted as he stared at Evan and Havelock. "I haven''t said anything wrong."
"You most certainly have," Evan dered firmly. "Just so you know, I stopped having nightmares days ago, and my paranoia went away with it. I am a changed person now. And if you don''t believe me, go ahead and confirm with the Patriarch."
"Congrattions on your recovery," Jack snickered sarcastically. "But I don''t see why I should apologize." He shrugged his shoulders nonchntly.
"You won''t?" Havelock''s eyes widened in disbelief.
Her acting was so fake that Evan''s nose felt itchy. She could fool everyone else, but now him. He could tell that she was just acting to make things difficult for him.
"Who''s going to make me? Your master, who has always lost to me, or... his crippled father?" Jack sneered mockingly.
"You shouldn''t have said that," Evan spoke up, his voice seething with suppressed anger.
"What are you going to do about it, huh? Fight me?" Jack taunted. "Or are you going to back down and run to the Grand Patriarch like a coward? Let me tell you something; he''s already leaning towards our side. Before you know it, you''ll be stripped of your title, and it''ll be given to someone worthy, like Asher or me!" Jack gloated.
"That day won''te in this lifetime," Evan stepped forward, his towering frame overshadowing Jack.
Jack felt like he was being swallowed up by the massive shadow that Evan cast over him. He gulped nervously, wondering when Evan had gotten this big. When did he be taller than him?
Evan scrutinized Jack, his gaze sharp and prating. As he did so, a status screen suddenly appeared before him, disying Jack''s information in detail.
ording to the screen, Jack was 17 years and nine months old, had reached the 6th level of the Soul Manifestation Realm, and had not yet awakened his soul te. Furthermore, his stats were quite impressive andparable to Evan''s own!
Evan was surprised to see that Jack''s cultivation level was two levels higher than what he remembered. Perhaps Jack had deliberately concealed his true strength, pretending to be weaker than he actually was so he could catch his opponents off guard. Or maybe he had consumed powerful elixirs to boost his cultivation rapidly.
"Jack, I challenge you to a Duel of Obedience! Do you dare ept?!" Evan boomed, looking down at Jack with an intense gaze. He stood head and shoulders above the smaller boy, hismanding presence filling the training ground.
The other members of the Frost n who were training nearby were taken aback by Evan''s sudden challenge, their movementsing to a shocking halt. The Crown Prince was infamous for hisck of skill inbat. He was known for being below average when it came to fighting. He had never actively participated in battle unless forced to by the n. This was the first time he had ever openly challenged someone to a duel, and it was against Jack, the person he had always lost to in sparring sessions.
"You''re challenging me?!" Jack scoffed, unable to believe what he was hearing. "And to a Duel of Obedience, no less. Do you even understand what that means?"
Evan nodded resolutely. "I do."
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Many of the other members of the Frost n were unfamiliar with the term, so they felt left out and confused.
"Wait, what kind of duel is a Duel of Obedience?" an intrigued bystander asked.
Havelock took a moment to exin, "It''s a fight where twobatants will engage in a fight, and the winner will earn the right to issue amand or directive that the loser must obey. This isn''t your typical fight - obedience to the victor''smand is the ultimate price of defeat. And failing to uphold this agreement is a severe offense that can lead to the loser being exiled from the n for good or worse."
"Got it, thanks for exining," the bystander said, nodding in understanding.
"Hey, everyone, check it out! His highness and Sir Jack are about to face off!" Suddenly, another onlooker called out, drawing the attention of the others who had not yet noticed.
All heads turned towards them.
The excitement in the air grew as everyone gathered around to witness the highly anticipated Duel of Obedience between Evan and Jack.
"What makes you so confident, Evan?" Jack inquired, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he noticed Evan''s unusual behavior.
Evan chuckled and taunted, "You wouldn''t understand even if I told you. Your head''s so far up your own backside that you can''t see the light of day."
Jack''s eyes twitched as he felt deeply insulted.
"You seem eager for a fight. Well, I''m ready to give you one," Jack retorted, unsheathing his de and lunging towards Evan.
Chapter 51 Anika!
?Evan simply smirked and literally made no effort to dodge Jack''s attack.
"Hold your hand!"
Just as it looked like he would be struck, a stunningly beautiful woman appeared between them in a sh and grabbed Jack''s saber using just her hand.
Her hand, radiating a holy glow, was milky white, the joints and bones distinct under the jade-like skin, clear from any blemishes. Her fingers were long and slender, graceful in their elongated beauty.
"Elder sister Annika? Why are you protecting him?" Jack asked, astonished by her sudden appearance and her striking beauty.
Annika had snow-white hair that cascaded down her back in gentle waves and eyes as blue as the sky on a clear day. Her features were delicate, yet there was an unbreakable strength emanating from her that demanded respect and reverence. She was from the Frost Blood Household and the first daughter of Lord Frost Blood. Because of her temperament, powerful soul te, and seductive beauty, she was the crush of many youths, but she had remained pure and single although she was 20 years old.
"I am not defending anyone. I am just doing the right thing." Annika stated firmly, her tonemanding attention. "This is a sacred space for all the cultivators of the Frost n, and we expect all who enter to act with respect and discipline. You might be the FirstBorn of the Ice Household, but that doesn''t mean you can act wildly here like a baboon. If you seek a ce to engage inbat, the arena is just a stone''s throw away."
Jack let out an irritated click of his tongue, clearly annoyed by Annika''s sarcastic reprimand.
Evan, on the other hand, took the chance to pour salt on his enemy''s wound.
"How illiterate and savage must you be to not know of the n''s rules and assume that we''re so uncivilized as to engage in a brawl anywhere like savages? Your behavior begs the question: were you raised in the slums?" Evan said to Jack calmly, each of his words dripping with utmost disdain.
Evan''s words were like a p in the face to Jack, who seethed with anger at the insult. He could feel the anger bubbling within him, and he could also feel his blood boiling with hatred.
He thought: My behavior suggests that I am plucked from the gutters of society? This bastard! How dare he say such a thing?!! I will wipe that smugness off his face!!!
Jack red at Evan and eximed, "You got lucky just now, but nothing is going to save you from my wrath once the duel starts!"
"Keep that advice to yourself. But even if you do, don''t expect it toe in handy since you have shit for brains." Evan retorted.
The funny thing was Evan wasn''t being fierce. He was speaking calmly as if he was an elderly teacher handling his naughty student!
Jack''s face turned as red as a bum that had been smacked silly as he heard Evan''s words. He felt as if he had been pped on both of his cheeks.
As the onlookers heard what was, a collective gasp escaped their lips. Their eyes widened in shock and disbelief at the brazen vition that had taken ce before their very eyes.
The onlookers gasped, "Man, that''s a vition. Personally, I wouldn''t stand for it if it were happening to me."
In essence, Evan was telling Jack that his opinions were not valued and that he was not worthy of any respect or consideration, at least not until he developed a basic form of intelligence.
Frustrated, Jack leaped onto the nearby arena, eager to prove his worth in a proper battle and put Evan in his ce.
Meanwhile, Evan made his way towards the arena with calm and steady steps, walking at his own pace.
Jack felt deeply insulted by his actions.
Even he realized it, so how could the onlookers not tell that he was vited again?!
Jack shouted, "Hurry up!"
But Evan continued at his own pace, which frustrated Jack to no end
A few momentster, the air was electric with tension as the two soul cultivators stood facing each other in the arena.
Evan exuded confidence as he held his magic sword with a steady grip, his eyes fixed on his opponent, while Jack wore a cocky grin as he twirled the saber in his hand, radiating an aura of arrogance.
The audience was on the edge of their seats, watching with bated breath as the two soul cultivators sized each other up.
A gust of wind blew, and they suddenly moved.
ng!
The silence was broken by a resounding echo as Evan''s sword shed with Jack''s saber in a shower of sparks, each showing no signs of backing down.
Jack shifted his weight onto his sword. The resistance from the enemy became two times stronger, but Evan remained unmoved for a moment.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Evan thought: This confirms it. I am physically stronger than Jack. I can follow his example to retaliate and shove him back, but that won''t be as advantageous to me as putting up a momentary act of weakness to make him drop his guard, allowing me to finish him in one go.
As their weapon remained connected in a stalemate, Evan made a decision in a split second, taking several steps back in quick session, which resulted in his weapon bing disconnected from Jack''s and a gap.
To the onlookers who were deeply observing the frontal sh, it appeared as though Evan had lost the battle. However, Evan had actually made a strategic retreat in order to create space and lure Jack into a trap.
Jack, thinking that he had gained the upper hand, sneered in contempt at Evan''s apparent defeat, not realizing that Evan had made a calcted move to gain an advantage in the fight.
"I hope you''re ready to lose. My saber is sharper than any sword," Jack taunted as he suddenly lunged forward, instantly covering the distance between them, his saber glinting in the moonlight as it sliced through the air and moved towards Evan.
Chapter 52 Beginning Of The Duel Of Obedience!
?Evan reacted quickly, dodging to the side with a graceful spin. The saber managed to rip open a sh in his imperial attire, but Evan was able to sessfully avoid being struck by it by a mere inch.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® The gathered onlookers were left breathless as they witnessed the lightning-fast dodge. It was a feat that seemed almost impossible to achieve, and yet their crown prince, who had always been unremarkable, had done so with ease!
Excited whispers spread throughout the crowd as they marveled at the skill and agility on disy.
"Did you see that dodge?" they murmured to one another in hushed tones. "The crown prince might have a chance after all!"
"Bullshit! He has no chance at all!" Someone from the Ice Household eximed.
Meanwhile, as Jack recovered from his missed attack, Evan seized the opportunity tounch a rapid flurry of sword strikes, each apanied by a burst of icy wind aimed towards Jack.
Jack was surprised to see the gales of extreme cold, but he reacted quickly, effortlessly parrying each strike with his saber and, at the same time, protecting himself from the damaging icy winds using his soul energy.
ng!
The ng of metal against metal rang out through the arena, each strike sending shockwaves through the spectators.
With a smirk, Jack spoke again. "No wonder you so confidently challenged me. You have reached the second level of the Breath of Frost Technique. But if that''s all you''ve got, you''re bound to be disappointed today," he dered, cockily twirling his de.
The onlookers were taken aback. "What? His Highness''s mastery of the Breath of Frost Technique has already reached the second level? That takes years to achieve! His Highness is impressive!" they whispered among themselves.
Evan grinned, his eyes shing with a profound glint. "Oh, you haven''t seen anything yet," he replied confidently.
He wasn''t at the second level of the Breath of Frost Technique. He was at the third level!!!
"Is his highness boosting, or does he really have a way to defeat Jack," said the 18-year-old Ylva, who was standing beside Annika. Curiosity was written all over his face.
Ylva was a young boy with a delicate countenance and a svelte build, characteristic of those hailing from the House of Harbon Crane. He sported a pair of leather boots and a cloak that fluttered behind him as the wind blew, standing tall at a height of 5''11. As he was a descendant of the House of Harbon Crane, his knowledge was extensive, and he was proficient in negotiation. For the very same reasons, Ylva was well-respected among the younger generation of the n, and even the elders were excited about his future.
"His highness seems confident. Maybe he has something up his sleeve," Annika chimed in.
Ylva smiled at her teasingly.
"W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?" Annika asked, feeling oversensitive.
Ylva teased, "You haven''t even been betrothed to him, yet you are already taking his side."
Annika''s face flushed with a rosy hue, a stark contrast to her snow-white tresses that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of silk.
Her piercing blue eyes, normally sharp and focused, now glimmered with a gentle warmth that made her look even more beautiful and alluring. She was usually like an iceberg, cold and distant like an immortal fairy, but now it was as if a burst of life had been breathed into her, transforming her into a radiant and vibrant being that captured the attention of all whoid eyes on her.
"I bet I''m the only one who''s immune to your charms. If you give His Highness a glimpse of such a sight, he''ll be smitten with you! He might instantly agree to your proposal and make you his Queen." Ylva teased.
Annika''s elbow jabbed Ylva''s arm at lightning speed, eliciting a surprised yelp from her friend.
"Hey, what gives?" Ylva protested, rubbing his arm.
"Don''t joke around about this; what if someone hears us?" Annika said, scanning their surroundings.
Breathing a sigh of relief as she saw no one eavesdropping, Annika added, "Phew, thank goodness. Everyone''s too engrossed in the duel between His Highness and Sir Jack."
Ylva chuckled, trying to reassure her friend, "Come on, Annika. Chill out. No one''s around. And even if someone did overhear us, it''s not like we said anything scandalous."
The n had been discussing betrothing Annika to Evan for quite some time now, but it had been dyed numerous times due to the meddling of the frost weavers, who were the heads of the minor families.
Annika couldn''t understand why they had to interfere with matters of the heart. She despised their interference but kept her disdain to herself as she didn''t want to bring trouble to her family.
Despite her cold and haughty demeanor, Annika was a hopeless romantic, eagerly anticipating her marriage to the Crown Prince of Frost. She was told by her mother that she would be marrying Evan Frost when she was thirteen, and ever since, she had grown up believing that she would be his wife. That belief had strengthened in recent years as Evan matured, bing a man from a boy. As she already had a man in her heart, she had never responded positively to anyone who expressed interest in her.
She had caught the attention of many with her alluring beauty. Not to mention, her reserved demeanor only added to her mystique. Many longed to be the ones to unlock the secrets of her untouched body, but they had all been shot down by her icy re.
Despite the countless advances from suitors vying for her affection, she remained steadfast in hermitment to saving herself for the one she would marry. And she wanted it to be Evan as he had captured her heart when he saved her from a dog several years ago, igniting a fire within her that she had never known before.
The icing on the cake for Evan was the fact that she had reserved her chastity like a traditional woman, saving her first time for him. In a world where sexual exploration often began at a young age, finding someone like her was as rare as stumbling upon a phoenix''s feather.
Of course, they had to get married first before anything adulterous could take ce between them.
If word got out that the n''s prized flower only had eyes for Evan, they would be consumed with envy.
Chapter 53 Vikhilk!
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom ?"Look at how shrewd his Highness is. He wouldn''t have started the duel if he wasn''t confident in his ability."
A young man with a cleanly shaved face and a buzz cut interjected, voicing his admiration for the prince''s audacity. The man''s striking brown hair and piercing golden eyes were eye-catching, enough to turn heads wherever he went, and there was a cool tattoo etched beneath his eyes that was truly intriguing. The tattoo was a fierce dragon with intricate details, emphasizing the young man''s status as a 1-star Gtic Warrior.
"Not to mention, in our n, only three individuals have achieved the second level of the Breath of Frost Technique before the age of 18, namely the Grand Patriarch, Patriarch, and Asher," the young man continued, his voiceced with reverence. "But the crown prince is the fourth. Even if he loses, his aplishment will be the talk of the capital soon, earning him instant notoriety. He will be famous overnight. And if he wins, well, let''s just say I''m already his number one fan."
Ylva and Annika whipped around in surprise at the sudden appearance of the neer.
"When did you get here?" Annika asked, feeling incredulous.
"And why didn''t I sense you until now?" Ylva asked, feeling perplexed.
"Let''s wait until the battle is over. I''ll exin everything then," Vikhilk said, shing them a mischievous grin.
He hailed from the Frost Burn Household, whose members were renowned for being advocates of peace. They spent their days tending to their spiritual farms, cultivating magic herbs, and raising spiritual beasts.
Despite being a member of the Frost Burn n, Vikhilk was an anomaly among his kin - he had an insatiable love forbat.
Back in the arena, after trading blows for a while, Jack and Evan both took a step back to catch their breath.
Evan thought: There shouldn''t be much energy left in Jack''s soul pockets. He wouldn''t be able to defend against my attack. It is time to go all out.
Jack shot Evan a withering look, his eyes filled with contempt.
"Listen up, kid," Jack said, his tone dripping with superiority. "I''ll give you a free move. Show me what you''ve got. But if I ovee it, it''s your defeat."
"You''ll regret underestimating me," Evan retorted as he channeled his ice-type soul energy into his sword, causing it to glow with an icy blue light, which illuminated the arena with an otherworldly radiance. The air around him grew colder, as if the very temperature of the world was dropping in response to his raw power.
In an instant, the crowd gathered around the arena was struck with astonishment, their jaws dropping as their eyes bulged out of their sockets in disbelief. It was as though they had just witnessed a great mystery unfold before them, an enigma that defied all logic and reason.
At this moment, there was pin-drop silence. Even the sound of the gentle gust of wind sweeping through the training ground could be heard.
"... Temperature plummeting as if winter has arrived. That is the power of the third level of the Frost Breath Technique." Jack''s eyes bulged in shock. "I can''t content against it. I need to stop him frompleting the move!"
Jack quickly charged forward andunched his saber at Evan, contradicting his earlier words. Evan had expected it. He knew Jack was shameless.
"I won''t let you unleash it," Jack shouted with a twisted expression, bringing his weapon down on Evan.
"It''s toote," Evan said calmly, without even flinching. He brandished his magic sword, which was zed in ice, to meet Jack''s attack.
ng!
The swords shed, emitting a crisp ring that echoed through the air.
Boom!
In an instant, a burst of icy energy erupted from Evan''s sword, sweeping through the arena like a raging tsunami, freezing it and crashing into Jack.
Swoosh!
Jack''s body was thrown back like a rag doll, and his sword was sent flying out of his hand.
The spectators were rendered speechless, their eyes bulging with incredulity as they witnessed the unbelievable scene unfolding before them.
Like a lifeless puppet, Jack was hurled out of the arena, hurtling through the air before crashing onto the ground with a deafening thud.
He was manhandled so badly that it was ridiculous!
"Ugh!
Jack groaned in pain and spat out blood, the metallic taste filling his mouth. His vision was blurry, and he could feel his body shaking with the aftershocks of the impact. He looked up at Evan with a mix of hatred and admiration.
He wasn''t even in the Soul Manifestation Realm a few weeks ago. When did he be so strong?! And now that he is stronger than me, what right do I have to hate him?
Jack''s hatred for Evan came from the fact that despite being their crown prince, he was a pathetic soul that didn''t train as hard as others and hid in his room most of the time.
The Crown Prince of Frost was a person that was supposed to lead their people, but Evan hadn''t shown a single quality of being worthy of such a position in the past.
That was why Jack wanted to ce someone else in his position, and if that person was himself, then it could be even better, but now that he had lost against the very person he looked down upon, he began to see Evan in a new light, his hatred dissipating by a little amount.
With a graceful leap, Evannded in front of Jack, pointing his sword at his throat. "You have lost," he dered in a frigid tone. "Submit to me, or suffer the consequences."
"Fine. You win this time," Jack conceded, feeling the icy edge of the de against his skin.
A wise man knew when to admit defeat. He couldn''t continue the fight in his current state. Besides, he had no intention to.
Evan lowered his sword and stepped back, his icy aura dissipating as he stopped pumping his soul energy into the magic sword.
Chapter 54 Victory
?Jack''s deration of defeat set off an uncontroble chain reaction among the onlookers.
"I never knew His Highness was so cool!" one eximed in disbelief.
"He is simply unstoppable!" another cried out, his eyes wide with amazement.
"What an incredible disy of skill!" a third chimed in, unable to contain his excitement.
"Jack was defeated? That too... by His Highness? This is simply unthinkable! The unbelievable has happened! All hail his Highness, the Crown Prince of Frost!" Vikhilk eximed in shock and joy.
Unlike most members of the Frost n, he had inherited his looks from his mother, who was the princess of a distant desert. His golden eyes and brown hair marked him as an outsider among his people, but his status as a member of the n remained unchallenged.
He wore an assortment of gold amulets and jewelry, giving him an air of extravagance.
"His Highness won because hisprehension of the Frost of Breath technique is better than Jack''s," Ylva remarked, his expression serious.
"How deep is hisprehension of the technique?" Annika asked, curious about the man who might end up as her future husband if the elder of the n stopped interfering.
"I bet you will be surprised to know. Thest move he showed can only be used by a cultivator that has mastered the third level of the Frost Breath Technique." Ylva replied.
"What? Are you saying he reached the third level at such a young age? That''s unheard of! Hisprehension of the Breath of Frost Technique is better than the elders of the n!" Vikhilk eximed in disbelief.
"But how is it possible?" Annika wondered aloud. "It took ten years for the Patriarch to learn it, and he holds the record for the fastest person toprehend it."
"You are overlooking one important fact," Ylva pointed out. "It can''t be disyed by a cultivator below the seventh level of the Soul Manifestation Stage. His Highness is only 16 years old and still hasn''t undergone awakening, yet he is already in the advanced stage of the first cultivation realm. That''s the most impressive aspect about him."
Vikhilkughed heartily. "Hahaha! His Highness had been acting like a pig all this time to eat the tiger."
"Cousin, it seems that you have found yourself a true gem," Ylva teased Annika.
Annika blushed and chuckled nervously. "I''m not so sure about that. I feel like I may be biting off more than I can chew," she replied shyly.
"Don''t be nervous, my dear. A reserved beauty like you is a rare find. His Highness will surely not disagree with the marriage proposal," Ylva reassured her with a warm smile.
Vikhilk interjected, "And with a talent like his, he will undoubtedly be a powerful figure in the future. You will have a bright future together!"
Annika blushed, feeling both excited and nervous about the prospect of marrying someone as talented as the Crown Prince. Who didn''t like a strong and reliable partner? And it seemed that fate was bringing her to the perfect man.
"And if His Highness declines your marriage proposal, and you find yourself without better options, you can alwayse to me," Vikhilk joked, winking yfully at Annika.
"I''ve already told you, Vikhilk, that I only see you as a brother. Love cannot bloom between us," Annika said sharply.
Meanwhile, the onlookers continued to discuss the amazing disy of skill they had just witnessed. They were all in awe of the Crown Prince''s mastery of the Frost of Breath technique and his incredible talent at such a young age. They knew that he would undoubtedly be a powerful figure in the future and lead their n to greatness.
"I have been wrong about him all this time. He isn''t a spoiled apple in a basket of fresh fruit. He is a remarkable young man, a dragon among men," one of the instructors said with admiration.
"Yes, he is a true genius," another added.
Meanwhile, the members of the Ice Household rushed forward to assist Jack, helping him to his feet and preparing to depart.
"Wait!" Evan called out, halting their progress.
"Why are you stopping us? What do you want?"
"You have lost the battle, and it''s time to pay the price," Evan replied.
"Can''t that wait until he''s recovered?" one of the Ice Household members interjected.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom "Stay out of this. I started this mess, and I''ll finish it myself," Jack snapped at them.
Evan thought: Hmm? He does have some redeeming points. I guess I will be able to change his ways after beating him up a few more times.
Turning his gaze back to Evan, Jack asked, "Your Highness, what do you want me to do?"
"It''s nothing too strenuous. I just want you to sincerely apologize for your words," Evan replied coolly.
Jack let out a heavy sigh and hung his head, feeling a sharp pang of regret for his earlier actions. He knew he had made a mistake, and it weighed heavily on his conscience.
"Your Highness, I am truly sorry for my insolence and disrespect. I shouldn''t have insulted you or the patriarch. I deeply regret my actions. Please forgive me," Jack said, his words slow and deliberate.
Evan''s expression remained stern as he listened to Jack''s apology.
"I appreciate your apology, Jack, but I need you to mean it. Can you say it again, but this time with more sincerity?" Evan demanded firmly.
Jack''s eyes burned with seething hatred as he stared into Evan''s cold gaze. He knew that this was Evan''s chance to set an example and prove his dominance and that the unlucky sacrifice he had chosen to do so was none other than himself.
Despite the bitter taste in his mouth, he knew he had no choice but to submit himself to this sacred duel of obedience.
Defeat in this duel meant yielding to the victor''s demands, no matter how unpleasant they may be.
If he refused, he would face the ultimate punishment of expulsion from the Frost n and, with it, banishment from the Empire''s Capital itself.
Chapter 55 New Enemy
?"Do you want me toin to the punishment hall elders?" Evan said. His taunting words cut through the tense silence between them.
Jack gritted his teeth, the weight of his impending submission heavy on his shoulders.
With a deep breath, he fell to his knees before Evan; his head bowed in humble submission.
"Your Highness, I am truly sorry for my disrespectful behavior towards you and the Patriarch. I was out of line, and I regret my actions deeply. I apologize from the bottom of my heart, and I promise to do better in the future," he said loudly, his voice trembling.
As the words left his lips, Jack felt his pride as a man being crumbled apart into pieces as he apologized in the middle of the crowd.
The crowd watched on in stunned silence as the proudful son of the Ice Household humbled himself before his conqueror.
Evan''s expression softened slightly, finally satisfied with Jack''s apology. He helped Jack back on his feet and gave him a curt nod.
"Look, Jack, I am not asking for your liking or demanding your acknowledgment," Evan said, his hands firm on Jack''s trembling shoulders. "But I do demand one thing - respect towards my father and me. Such disdain towards us, my dear cousin, will not be tolerated. If it happens again, the consequences will be more severe. Do we have an understanding on this matter?" His eyes, like an eagle''s, bore into Jack''s own.
Jack felt the weight of Evan''s words crashing down upon him, making him feel helpless, but more harmful than that was the fear that surged in his heart when he caught sight of the look in Evan''s eyes.
Jack could see a ruthlessness towards life in Evan''s eyes, and he couldn''t help but feel a chill run down his spine. He felt as if he was being looked at by a reaper and that if he dared show any sign of defiance, he would be butchered on the spot.
Jack''s back was quickly drenched in cold droplets of sweat as he trembled with fear as he was certain that Evan harbored murderous intent towards himself.
There was murder in His Highness''s mind!
Jack''s thoughts spiraled into a frenzy. How could such fury be ignited in High Highness''s mind by mere words spoken in a moment of carelessness? Wasn''t His Highness known for being kind and gentle with nothing but love towards life?!
Although that question bugged him, his mind was clear enough to recognize the severity of the situation - a misstep could really mean the end of his life.
Lowering his head, Jack swallowed hard, his face turning pale with fear. "Yes, Your Highness. I understand. I humbly apologize for my disrespect towards you and your father. I promise it will never happen again. Thank you for sparing me, Your Highness," he said with a deep bow, gratitude evident in his voice.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Evan gave a small nod, satisfied with Jack''s response.
"Good. I hope we can put this behind us and move forward," he said gently as he patted Jack''s shoulder.
Each time Evan''s hand smacked against Jack''s shoulder, Jack winced in pain.
Evan turned to the youths of the Ice Household and said, "What are you dilly-dallying for? Tend to his wounds immediately."
The member of the Ice Household snorted in their mind, "You were the one keeping him hostage," but they picked up Jack and took him away to nurse his wounds, fearful that Evan might change his mind.
Just then, the notifications rang out.
[Ding! You have defeated Jack, the descendant of Ice]
[Gained +100 EXP]
[Congrattion! You have cleared Task 1 of the Mission [Slippery Slush Smackdown!]
[As a result, you have been rewarded with the movement-type technique, "Flowing Shadow Step"]
Evan''s eyes widened as he read through the notifications that popped up in front of him. He couldn''t help but grin from ear to ear.
He thought: I did it! I defeated my bully and got the technique I was pinning for.
He spared a nce at the semi-transparent mission screen.
The second task was also updated.
[Second task: Defeat a total of two opponents. (1/2)]
"I got no choice but to prey on another unlucky bastard," Evan muttered under his breath as he ascended the grand staircase leading to the arena, his footsteps echoing through the spacious training hall.
With a resolute expression on his face, he strode purposefully towards the center of the arena, causing a murmur of confusion and surprise to ripple through the gathered crowd.
"Look at what he is doing!" whispered one spectator to hispanion.
"OMG!" muttered another.
The wind howled, tousling Evan''s locks in a chaotic dance. A mischievous gleam sparked in his gaze, and it seemed like another pig was about to be put up for ughter!
"Why has His Highness stepped in the arena again?" The crowd was shocked, their voices rising in a chorus of confusion and amazement. "Could it be that he is not done fighting?!"
"He''s already won and proved himself worthy. Why would he risk his dignity like this?" muttered another.
Undaunted by their surprise, Evan squared his shoulders and lifted his chin, meeting the stunned gazes of the spectators with a calm, steady look.
"Does anyone else wish to challenge this prince?" Evan asked, his voice booming with authority ringing in the training ground.
Pin-drop silence.
No one dared to speak up.
The crowd remained silent, their previous zeal forpetition now reced with a trembling fear and deep respect.
Evan''s victory over Jack had firmly established him as the most formidable unawakened cultivator in the younger generation, and they were wise enough not to test his boundless strength.
As the silence lingered in the air, a figure stepped forward from the crowd, his head held high arrogantly.
It was Eric Frostweaver, an awakened cultivator known for his ruthlessness and handsome appearance.
He had a chiseled jawline and prominent cheekbones that gave his face a sharp, angr appearance. His eyes were of a rare silver color, and they shone like polished metal under the sun. They were framed by long, darkshes that seemed to entuate their icy hue.
The most striking feature of Eric''s appearance was his hair - a shock of white that cascaded down his back in loose waves. It was both striking and unique, setting him apart from others in a crowd. His hair had a slight shimmer to it, almost like it was made of silver.
Eric wore fashionable clothes that only added to his handsome appearance. He was also donning a cloak made of the finest materials, with a dark ck color thatplemented his silver eyes. The cloak was lined with golden threads, giving it a regal appearance, and was fastened at the neck with a dark gold sp. It draped elegantly over his shoulders, enhancing his already impressive figure. As he walked through the crowd, his cloak swirled around his legs like a billowing cloud, drawing the attention of all those around him.
The onlookers noticed that around his neck, Eric wore a ne that glowed with a soft, ethereal light, and on his finger was a ring. They looked like simple pieces of jewelry, but they seemed to hold a power of their own.
The onlookers looked away from him as a malevolent glint shed in his silver eyes.
Eric thought: I have long wanted to undermine High Highness Evan. Now that an opportunity has been given, I dare not miss it.
"Your Highness, I request a Duel of Obedience with you," Eric said to Evan, his lips twisting into a sneer.
Chapter 56 Cousin Eric
?As Eric''s shameless behavior unfolded before their very eyes, the onlookers were left stunned and taken aback. The sheer audacity with which he conducted himself was enough to make even the most shameless individuals blush with embarrassment.
"You have got to be kidding me," one of the bystanders muttered, shaking their head in disbelief. They felt as if they have been betrayed, as if what they have seen in the silver screen was nothing but fake. "Is this the true face of the idol I looked up to? I am a fool for stanning him."
"I can''t believe he would do something like this," another chimed in, their voice filled with equal parts shock and disdain.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® But despite the disapproving nces and murmurs of the crowd, Eric remained unfazed.
With a smug grin on his face, he continued to act as if nothing was out of the ordinary, shamelessly unting his disregard for social norms. It was as if he had no shame at all, as if he were impervious to the judgments and opinions of those around him, and at this moment, as he stood there, unrepentant and shameless, Eric seemed almostrger than life, a force to be reckoned with in his own right.
"Eric has already opened all his soul pockets and is already an awakened. His Highness, on the other hand, is yet to undergo the Soul te awakening. How dare he challenge him with a straight face? He has absolutely no shame!" Ylva eximed, clearly baffled by Eric''s audacity.
Annika chimed in, "He must have skin as thick as a rhino''s!"
Vikhilk added, "Even if His Highness refuses the challenge, his reputation won''t be affected. Eric has only seeded in making a fool of himself."
The crowd joined in, cursing Eric for his shameless behavior.
Evan stood with his arms folded, watching Eric with a raised eyebrow. "A Duel of Obedience? What makes you think a shameless bastard like you is worthy of that honor?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain.
Eric''s expression twisted in anger as Evan''s words struck him where it hurt the most.
After all, what he said was the truth.
Eric''s mother was a prostitute who had be pregnant by the head of the Frostweavers. Although the empire''sw allowed for the disposal of fetuses in such situations, the Frost n, with its motto of cherishing life, did not allow it. Moreover, Eric''s mother was a high-profile prostitute who was desperate to escape her current life and live a life of luxury. She constantly pestered the members of the n, who had made the mistake of letting her in to protect the child in her womb. Fed up with her behavior, they threw her to her husband, Eric''s father, to let him deal with the trouble he had caused. Of course, they warned that he must ensure the child''s survival. Thus, he couldn''t raise a hand against her, despite wanting to. And once the child was born, her position was further solidified. The shrewd became a concubine in the harem of the Master of the Frostweaver family.
"There are many reasons, Your Highness. You know it better than I do," Eric Frostweaver sneered back, "But the question is, do you have the courage to go for this opportunity?"
The rest of the courtiers murmured amongst themselves, shocked at Eric''s audacity.
One whispered to another, "How dare he speak to His Highness in such a manner?"
Evan let out a low chuckle, his eyes narrowing in thought. Eric wasn''t just boasting; he knew that much. The Frostweavers were known far and wide for their mastery in the art of crafting weapons, and even Eric had been trained in the advanced methods of creating such weapons. This knowledge could prove to be quite useful to him.
Not to mention, once Evan finally ascended to the Soul Fusion Realm, he would gain the opportunity to unlock a sub-profession through the yer system. It was a chance that every yer came across in the game once they reached the second realm of cultivation, and Evan knew that he had to make the most of it.
Once a sub-profession was unlocked, he would be able to learn it far faster than an average yer. And that was where Eric''s knowledge about weapon creation would undoubtedlye in handy. But first, he needed to defeat Eric in battle, which was a task easier said than done.
''Let''s first see what he is capable of and thene to a decision.''
Evan inspected the Frostweaver. He couldn''t head into the fight without knowing a thing about his opponent.
Name: Eric
Age: 19
Level: 8 ss: Soul Manifestation Realm
Attributes:
?Strength: 35
?Agility: 25
?Stamina: 40
Soul te:
?Name: Guardian''s Shield
Equipment:
?Weapon: Enchanted Mace (Magic Weapon)
?essories: Blessed Amulet, Ring of Protection
[Additional Info (Closed)] [Open? Yes/No]
Evan''s confidence skyrocketed as he scrolled through the character screen, realizing Eric was a defensive-type soul cultivator.
Eric was the type of cultivator that relied on his incredible stamina and sturdy defensive-type soul te to weather enemy attacks while dishing out devastating damage with his mighty mace. Not only that, but his assortment of essories added a whole otheryer of defense and utility, enhancing his survivability on the battlefield.
Take the blessed amulet, for instance - its magical properties allowed Eric to lighten the load of his equipment. And the ring of protection was another game-changer, amplifying Eric''s already-impressive defense to another level.
However, the thing was that Evan had ways of abusing defensive-type soul cultivators with a build like Eric.
"I ept your challenge, Eric," Evan dered with a confident smirk. He wasn''t entirely sure about winning the fight, but if things took a turn for the worse and he was in a hopeless situation, he wouldn''t mind going all out. That might kill Eric as he had no control over his strongest offensive soul ability, but what does that have to do with him? No one asked Eric to court death, alright!
Chapter 57 Eric Vs Evan
?Evan continued, "I have nothing to fear from a mere awakened. But you should know that a Duel of Obedience with me is not something to be taken lightly. If you lose, you will be bound to serve me for a period of no less than ten years. And during that time, you will be at my beck and call like a loyal dog. Do you still dare to challenge me?"
Without hesitation, Eric met Evan''s gaze with a determined look. "Why not, Your Highness?" he answered, his voice steady and unwavering. "Serving you is a lifetime opportunity, and being served by you is an unthinkable dreaming true. I do dare, and I ept the terms of the Duel. I pledge to obey your everymand if I am defeated. And I will make you do the same if I defeat you."
"Good!" Evan bellowed, his eyes gleaming with anger. Thinking back to what he had just heard filled him with a seething rage. How dare this insignificant pup from the Frostweavers, a family that had long relied on the Frost Family for their survival, attempt to enve him? The audacity of it all was almost too much to bear.
His nostrils red as he stalked towards Eric, his powerful frame radiating an aura of pure menace. It was so menacing that it made a young cultivator piss his pants.
Everyone moved away from the pant pisses in disgust.
"How could he have such a thick killing intent at such a young age? It feels like it would materialize and leave a massacre in its wake at any moment," thought a man dressed in ck, who was watching the fun from a distance.
Each step Evan took left frost on the ground,
It was a testament to the sheer magical power he possessed.
He stopped as he towered over Eric, ring down at him with eyes that seemed to ze with an intense fire. "Get up on stage, Eric!" Evan bellowed, his voice ringing out like a p of thunder that pped Eric silly for a moment. "Let''s see what you''re really made of."
Not just Eric, but everyone on the scene could feel the scorn in his voice. Just by his behavior alone, they could tell that he held nothing but utter contempt for the older man!
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Eric felt a chill run down his spine at the sheer force of Evan''s anger. He had never seen him like this before, and it was clear that things were about to get ugly. But so what? He had to beat him up. He didn''t have any personal hatred for Evan, But he was determined to be ruthless to him as that was the only way to gain his Father''s recognization. He had to defeat Evan, no matter the cost, as there won''te another opportunity that he could grasp to impress his father and make him look his way.
Steeling himself, Eric slowly stepped up onto the stage, his eyes fixed firmly on Evan, who stared back with a bone-chilling gaze.
The air was thick with tension as the two men faced off, their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills. It was clear that neither of them was willing to back down, and that this was going to be a fight to the bitter end.
"Shall we start, your highness?" Eric asked.
Evan shook his head and eximed, "The fight shall begin at the count of three! Who is willing to do the countdown?!"
The entire crowd stood up to help.
As the crowd was counting to three, Evan put away his weapon.
"Why did you put it away?" Eric asked.
"Why would I use a magic weapon to ughter a pig when a butcher''s knife is enough?" Evan questioned in return, a taunting smirk ying on his lips.
Eric also put away his weapon in his spatial storage, retorting, "I will also not use my Flesh Crusher to squash an ant to death."
Evan showed a fierce expression outside, but internally he wasughing.
He thought: My n worked. Ahh, he is too easy to fool. Is it because he is a child who never received the love of his parents? Pitiful. But I am not going to pull back my punches.
The second the countdown finished, Eric, without closing the distance between him and Evan, began swinging his fists in a series of powerful blows, each one creating a powerful shockwave that surged forward, threatening to crash on Evan.
"Is that...?" one person gasped.
"It is! Eric is using the ''Shockwave Assault'' technique!" eximed another.
"The ''Shockwave Assault'' technique? I heard that''s one of the most difficult techniques to master for cultivators in the first realm as it requires intense physical training and the ability to channel your soul energy with precision and control!" a third person chimed in. "Eric must have worked tirelessly to perfect it."
"His Highness is in trouble now!" Vikhilk said, anticipating how Evan would respond.
Immediately he was pinched by Annika, who red at him, "Don''t jinx it."
Evan smirked as the shockwaves created by Eric punching the air approached him. They seemed slow as F**k in his eyes.
With lightning-fast reflexes and unparalleled agility, he dodged the shockwaves with the grace of a dancer. They crashed into where he once stood, destroying the spot.
Eric continued punching the air, releasing shockwaves that closed in on Evan from different directions. However, with a quick step to the left, a leap to the right, and a graceful duck, Evan avoided every one of Eric''s deadly blows, moving with an almost inhuman swiftness that left Eric gasping for air.
The onlookers could hardly believe their eyes. The powerful offensive-soul technique that could smash boulders into smithereens from a distance was nullified just like that?! Speed was all Evan needed to ovee one of the greatest low-level techniques of the Frostweavers!
"Eric mastered a strong technique, but it''s useless against his highness since he is so fast that it can''t even brush past him, much less touch him!" Ylva chuckled.
Chapter 58 Taming 1
?"His Highness is moving with such fluidity and speed that it seems as if he is anticipating Eric''s every move before he even makes it. It''s really awe-aspiring!" Vikhilk said.
"I hope he wins and ovee the shameless suppression of the Frostweavers," Annika said, looking at Evan with adoration.
...
''Why can''t I hit him?!''
With each passing moment, Eric grew more and more frustrated. His attacks were met with nothing but air, and Evan seemed to be dodging them effortlessly as if they were nothing more than a mere annoyance. He didn''t know that with a measly 25 points in agility, he could never catch up to Evan, who had 43 points in Agility and above 40 points in dexterity.
"Is dodging all you know?!" Eric cursed.
"Too easy!" Evan tauntingly eximed to piss him off.
Eric red at him, his face contorted with rage. "I''ll show you what''s easy!" he snarled, lunging forward with a wild punch. Evan sidestepped effortlessly, and Eric stumbled past him, his fist hitting nothing but air.
Eric was desperately trying to regain his bnce, but before he could even take a breath, Evan''s foot came crashing down on his rear end with incredible force.
Bam!
Eric was sent hurtling through the air,pletely knocked off his feet by the brutal impact. His body hit the ground hard with a dull thud, and he struggled to get back up, wincing in pain as he rubbed his sore behind.
Evan stood behind him, a smug grin on his face.
"That''s what you get for messing with me," Evan taunted Eric in a voice dripping with contempt.
Eric red up at him, anger bubbling inside him.
"I am done holding back," Eric said as he pulled out his magic weapon and, at the same time, focused all his soul energy on his soul te.
In an instant, his body was surrounded by a blinding light as his form began to shift and twist. His skin became covered in ayer of shimmering silver armor, each piece intricately crafted with countless joints that allowed him to move without any hindrance to his speed and agility.
The transformation had beenpleted before anything could be done to stop it. The armor hummed with power as if eager to be put to the test.
"I almost died of boredom there," Evan said, yawning. "If you are done transforming,e at me. I don''t have all day to teach you manners."
"You still think you can beat me? Don''t make meugh!" Eric taunted, his voice muffled by the helmet of his armor. "I''m a living weapon now, and you''re nothing but a punching bag!"
Whoosh!
Eric charged forward, swinging his mace with all his might. Evan sidestepped the attack andnded a quick jab to Eric''s stomach.
"Ugh!"
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Eric grunted in pain but quickly recovered and swung again, this time aiming for Evan''s head.
Evan ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. "You''re too slow," he taunted Eric. "Let me show you how it''s done."
Heunched into a series of quick strikes, aiming for the joints in Eric''s armor.
With each hit, he chipped away at the defenses until finally, with a swift kick, he sent Eric''s mace flying from his grasp. The mace flew out of the arena,nding on the grass field in the distance.
Eric was stunned.
"How...how did you do that?" he stammered.
How could he be so easily disarmed?!
Evan smiled, "I noticed that your grip on the mace was too tight. By attacking the joints in your armor, I forced you to use more strength topensate, which made you grip the mace more tightly. Your movements became evident as a result. This made it easier for me to anticipate when you would make a mistake, and I capitalized on that opening to disarm you. It was a small detail, but it made all the difference."
The eyes of the onlookers widened to the size of saucers as they realized what had just urred. They had thought that Eric was unbeatable, but Evan had found a weakness and exploited it with masterful precision. It was a move that only a true battle genius could pull off, and Evan had just proven himself to be one!
"Without a weapon, what would he use to fight His Highness?"
"His fist?!"
"Don''t make meugh. He is like a child in front of His Highness. His fist would never connect!"
"Eric has lost this match!"
"So it seems."
The crowd''s murmurs pissed Eric. "Shut up!" he eximed, and the onlookers closed their mouths.
"What are you being angry at them for? They are only speaking the truth," Evan said. "You''re ending up as my servant today."
"This fight is far from over!"
Eric growled like a beast and lunged forward, his fists flying. Evan sidestepped each attack with ease,nding precise blows to Eric''s exposed areas. Eric staggered backwards, blood dripping from his nose and trickling out of his mouth.
"I''ll...I''ll defeat you!" Eric roared.
Evan looked at Eric in the same way a generous man would look at a pitiful and wounded puppy. "No, you won''t," Evan said calmly. "You''ve lost, and you know it."
"It doesn''t end until one of us is down!" Eric eximed as he charged at Evan onest time, throwing a fist at him.
"Foolish till the very end." Evan sighed as he gathered a portion of his strength in a single point, focusing his ice-type soul energy into his fist. Heunched a devastating punch that collided with Eric''s attack head-on.
Eric felt a shockwave of force ripple through his body as he was sent flying across the arena, his momentumpletely halted by Evan''s powerful strike.
Thud!
He hit the ground hard but still struggled to get back up. However, the pain coursing through his body was too much. And he copsed to the ground, his legs giving up beneath him.
Ericy sprawled on the ground, panting and defeated. "H-How...how could I have lost?" he muttered while wheezing and coughing.
"You lost because you underestimated me. You thought you could achieve glory by humiliating me, but you didn''t realize the extent of my abilities," Evan retorted.
Eric felt Evan''s words cut deep, a searing pain spreading through his body as he spat out a mouthful of blood and crumpled to the ground.
The darkness crept in, and Eric''s eyes fluttered shut. He had lost consciousness.
Chapter 59 Taming 2
?[Ding! Congrattions on securing victory over Eric Frostweaver. You get +100 experience points. You have defeated your bully. You will get an additional reward for your bravery. You gained +40 EXP]
[The second task of the mission [Slippery Slush Smackdown!]pleted!]
[Gained +1 Skill Upgrade Card!]
The System''s notification echoed in Evan''s mind, its melodious tone bringing a smile to his face.
Evan stood at attention in front of the assembled personnel of the Frost n, his head held high and his shoulders back. The cold wind whipped through the training ground, but he didn''t feel it. All he could feel was the rush of victory surging through his veins.
"I won the duel of obedience fair and square," Evan announced in a booming voice, making sure his words carried to the very edges of the training ground and rang in the ears of everyone present. "As per the rules, Eric is now demoted to the status of my ve and will be registered as such."
The air was heavy with tension as Evan''s words sank in.
Some members of the frost n looked at him with respect and admiration, while others red at him with hatred and anger.
"You can''t do that," a stern voice cut through the tense atmosphere, interrupting Evan''s triumphant speech. It was a middle-aged man with a stern expression and piercing eyes.
Evan recognized him as Garth, an elder of the n.
"Why not?" he asked, his tone sharp.
Garth took a step forward, his eyes locked with Evan''s. "Because it''s not right. Eric is a frostweaver, and he deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. He doesn''t deserve to be someone''s ve."
Evan''s eyes narrowed in response. He despised being schemed against, especially by someone who was fed by his family but still acted like a dog for the minor families. However, he knew he couldn''t simply walk away and ignore Garth''s words, or else bad rumors would spread about him in the n. He had to give a valid reply, or the situation would turn unfavorable for him.
He didn''t want to bicker with Garth, but thetter had forced his hand.
"You must be going senile. I am not just "someone." I am the crown prince of Frost, and by the authority vested in me by the Frost n, I can demote anyone, even an elder like you, to the status of a ve if I have a valid reason! And I am demoting Eric based on the fact that he lost a sacred duel, granting me the power to decide his life! If you have a problem with that, go andin to the Grand Patriarch or the punishment hall elders. But if you dare to stop me again, it will be considered rebellion. Do you want to rebel, Garth?" Evan said with sharpness.
Garth flinched and lowered his head, "No, I don''t dare."
"I thought so," Evan chuckled.
He then ordered his servants to take Eric away and tend to his wounds. He couldn''t wait to see Eric''s face when he woke up and realized he was no longer Evan''s equal but his ve.
"As you wish, your highness," the servants said as they put Eric on a stretcher and carried him away.
Evan thought: I have got what I came here for. With the quest sessfully aplished, there is no longer any reason for me to linger in the training ground.
He strode out of the arena with his entourage of eunuchs and maids trailing behind him. The air seemed to part for him as he walked, his presencemanding the respect of those around him.
''It''s good to be reborn,'' Evan thought.
After recalling his previous life, he matured overnight. He had transformed into someone superior, someone worthy of admiration and reverence. His metamorphosis was so profound that he felt as though he had been reborn.
The change became more profound when he struck down Vera.
After that moment, he was no longer just a pathetic little prince, but a force to be reckoned with.
He felt proud of the man he had be.
He had be someone who not only instilled fear in those who dared cross him but was also respected by those who had eyes and could see Mt. Tai.
"Girl, he''sing. Time to make your move," Ylva nudged Annika, who stood frozen at the entrance of the training ground.
Annika''s eyes were fixed on the approaching figure - it was Evan, the man she had been waiting for. Her heart raced as she realized that this was the moment she had been preparing for, for years. But now that it was finally here, she couldn''t muster the courage to greet him.
As Evan walked past her, Annika tried to say "Hi," but her nerves got the best of her. She felt like a statue, unable to move or speak, as silly as a broken recorder.
Ylva watched Annika''s frozen state with resignation and sighed. He had seen this before. Young, inexperienced maidens often find themselves overwhelmed in the presence of their future husband. He didn''t expect that his best friend would also be like that.
Ylva stepped forward, cing aforting hand on Annika''s shoulder. "Listen, girl, if you can''t even say hello to him, how do you expect to get together with him? I know how overwhelming it can get when you are in the presence of the person you love, but you need to ovee it. If you don''t, you won''t be the one getting together with His Highness Evan. Next time, you need to summon all the courage you have and make a move, or else someone else will beat you to it." He said firmly but kindly.
Annika looked up at Ylva, her eyes wide with anxiety. "But what if he doesn''t like me? What if I mess it up? What if Ie off as a loose woman?" she said, expressing her fears.
Ylva reassuringly grabbed Annika''s hand and said, "You''ll never know unless you try. And trust me, His Highness is a good man. He is known for being kind and gentle. He''ll appreciate your honesty and your efforts. Just be yourself and give it your best shot."
With those words of encouragement, anyone would be positively affected.
Annika looked up at Ylva, feeling grateful for his guidance. "But how do I do it?" she asked, her voice quivering.
Ylva smiled reassuringly. "You just need to believe in yourself and your abilities. Remember your love for him, and let that drive you forward. His Highness is just a man, after all. He won''t bite."
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Annika nodded, taking in Ylva''s words. She knew that she couldn''t let her nerves get the best of her if she wanted to win Evan''s heart and be his bride.
"Next time, for sure, I will introduce myself properly to His Highness Evan."
...
On their way back to the manor, Seraphine just wouldn''t stop pestering Evan.
"Wow, your highness, you really showed those Frost n prodigies who''s boss. The elders are going to be shaken when they hear about it. You haven''t even awakened your soul te yet, but you still managed to take down two of the top 10 youngest-gen talents. Your future is looking bright. Maybe the whole n will even side with you when you finally awaken your soul te," Seraphine chirped, but Evan could feel the bitterness emanating from her, even without seeing her expression.
The Frost n was massive, and Evan''s generation was still considered the youngest. Eric and Jack were practically his peers in age, with only a few years of difference between them.
Evan let out a sigh, feeling the weight of his future on his shoulders.
"Once my soul te is awakened, there won''t be any peace," he murmured cryptically, confusing everyone listening in.
Seraphine was curious and asked, "What do you mean?"
"You won''t understand even if this prince told you. Now let you continue the rest of the walk in silence. We no longer want to continue listening to your incessant chatters, Havelock." Evan said authoritatively.
Seraphine noticed that he referred to himself as "This Prince," a term he only used when he was in no mood for jokes. Understanding this, she decided to keep her mouth shut and avoid further annoyance, knowing he would retaliate otherwise.
Evan knew that he would be awakening a Control-Type soul te that was considered pathetic by the empire''s standards.
In the empire, cultivators were ssified into several types based on the soul te they awakened.
There were Defensive, Offensive, Sensory, Special-type, and Control Type Cultivators.
For example, Seraphine was a sensor, and her soul te made her extremely sensitive to all types of energy, including a person''s life force. Eric Frostweaver, on the other hand, was a defensive-type cultivator, and his soul te added a defense effect to all his skills.
Chapter 60 Soul Cultivators
?Then there were special-type cultivators whose soul tes possessed two types of effects or effects that couldn''t be categorized under any other category. The best example of this was Lirian, whose soul te added a cost reduction and camouging effect to all his skills and even his soul energy. When a normal person casts a defensive ability like an energy barrier, their barrier would be visible, and most of their energy would be used up, but Lirian''s barrier wouldn''t be visible to the naked eye, and the cost of creating a barrier was also cheaperpared to others.
Moreover, soul tes not only provided special effects to one''s skills, abilities, or techniques but also had skill sockets where skill crystals, items holding great powers, could be inserted. Soul tes had the ability to draw out the power of soul crystals, making them extremely valuable.
It should also be mentioned that every soul te had only one skill slot when it was awakened. However, the number of skill slots typically increases when a cultivator ascends to the next realm of cultivation. For instance, the soul te of a cultivator in the Soul Manifestation realm would only have one skill slot, but the soul te of a cultivator in the Soul Fusion Realm would have two skill slots!
Lastly, some talented cultivators awaken soul tes that came equipped with a skill crystal.
Seraphine was one such lucky soul!
The type of soul te that Evan would be awakening tomorrow was something that most people in the Frost n looked down upon.
Because of its existence, the elders and minor families would try to force Magnus to strip Evan of his position as the Crown Prince of Frost.
Evan thought: It is a heavy burden to bear, but it''s my destiny to face it head-on. I''ve already got countermeasures in ce for those cunning old foxes, but I''ll have to give it my everything to make sure they don''t outsmart me. It won''t be easy, but with determination and hard work, I can make it work. After all, nothing worth havinges easy, right?
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® They made their way back to the manor situated at the heart of the expansive Frost n''snd. Evan was greeted by a eunuch who assisted him in cleaning his face and hands while a maid served him his favorite tea and biscuit. The sun had already set, and it was now the time of day when he could indulge in his love for food like a true gourmet.
"I need to be alone now. Everyone, except for Havelock, please leave," Evanmanded after he was served his desired treats.
He was usually this polite. For the past decade, there had only been a few instances when he spoke rudely, but after the recent events, he had changed, no longer showing respect to those who didn''t deserve it.
"Your wish is mymand, Your Highness," the eunuch replied, and everyone except Seraphine left the grand living area.
Evan relished in the taste of his tea and biscuit, dipping the biscuit into the tea before savoring it. He didn''t bother inviting his Head Eunuch to join him, as he didn''t want to share the pleasure of his high-quality tea and imported biscuit with his enemy.
He could feel her cold gaze on him, but he ignored it.
While Evan relished in his treats, his mind wandered to his recent gains.
Out of the rewards from the two quests, Evan knew he had to save the Skill Upgrade Card for the de Master skill crystal. These cards were rare and unique as they could upgrade not just skills but also skill crystals. Skill points, on the other hand, were only effective for upgrading skills.
The second reward was the "Phantom Shadow Step" technique. In the game, it was impossible for yers to learn an ability manually, but this wasn''t a game; it was real life. Evan realized that he could learn skills if he dedicated enough effort to it.
Therefore, despite the option to use his skill points to learn the "Phantom Shadow Step" technique, Evan opted against it. The first level of any technique was the easiest to learn, and Evan believed that if he could learn it through hard work, then there was no need to waste his valuable skill points.
"If I push myself today, I can reach the entry level of the Phantom Shadow Step," Evan contemted. "But I''m already exhausted from my recent battles, and the fatigue is starting to catch up to me. I think I need Seraphine''s assistance. Her skills would do wonders for me and allow me to perform at my full capacity. Originally, I wanted to get even with her, but now that I need her help, I can only let the matter rest."
Evan knew the Phantom Shadow Step like the back of his hand. It was divided into four levels: Entry, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. Each level was more challenging than thest, and mastering all four would make him a true force to be reckoned with.
To start, he had to pay one skill point to learn the Entry level. Once he mastered it, he could move on to the Intermediate level, which required the same cost. The same went for the Advanced and Expert levels, which would also cost one skill point each. However, each level had different prerequisites, meaning Evan needed to master each level in turn.
But he had a n.
It was to upgrade the Phantom Shadow Step technique after reaching the Entry level. This would allow him to reach the highest mastery level of the technique using the points he had, giving him a major boost in his fighting capabilities.
Evan thought: I need to start training straight away.
"Havelock, bring out your Celo and follow me,"manded Evan as he made his way out of the manor.
Seraphine obliged, following after him after summoning a Celo from her spatial ring. She didn''t know where he wanted to go, but as his ve, she could only give in to his wishes, despite not wanting to.
Chapter 61 The Truth Only Seraphine Knows
?Behind the sprawling manory a dense forest with towering trees that reached up to the sky. The duo appeared there, Seraphine staying a respectful distance of three steps behind Evan.
The canopy above was thick and lush, casting a dappled shade over the forest floor below and masking Evan''s intention. As he came under the shadow, it seemed as if the suppression emanating from him had thickened, quadrupling.
A bewildered glint shed across Seraphine''s sapphire eyes as she narrowed them while looking at his back.
Just a few days ago, it looked like she could read him like an open book, leading her to believe that she had him in the palms of her hand.
However, overnight, everything changed.
Her ns crumbled apart, and now she couldn''t see through him at all.
In fact, what happened today made her misunderstand that he had been acting all along, showing weakness to fool not only her but also the entire empire!
''It''s not hard to see why he''s acting like a big shot all of a sudden. He got power and status, so he can pretty much act however he wants. But what''s got me scratching my head is his sudden boost in strength.''
She pulled at her hair in annoyance as if to mean what she thought.
''You can''t just be a high-level first-step soul maniptor overnight. Cultivation takes some serious effort and dedication. I don''t know how hard it is since I was born with a special physique with all my soul pockets open since birth. Still, I have read in books that even unlocking a single soul pocket takes a good few months of cultivation for talented cultivators who haven''t undergone awakening. He is yet to awaken. His soul pockets hadn''t been unearthed. It isn''t easy to locate them. Even using elixirs has limits. They lose their effects the more you use them, and their effects and side effects vary from person to person. The only possibility left is that he has been letting others undermine him to get a few years of peace.''
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® A person can change overnight if they have been mentally preparing themselves to turn over a new leaf for a month or a few years, but how can a cultivator considered talentless among his peers suppress geniuses as if he was talking a walk in the park?!
Yet, Evan had done it.
''Three days ago, he was known to be in the induction realm, but now he can best a Frostweaver. Only dogs would believe that he had gained such strength in a few days!''
With a simple act of pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, he fooled trillions of citizens.
''Despite being humiliated and looked down upon, he never once revealed his true talent - not until today, which is only a day before the ceremony. It''s a true testament to how shrewd he is. He was willing to drown in a sea of curses and insults just so he could keep his trump card hidden. That takes real guts. I have been fighting someone like him. It''sughable.''
By just acting like a pig for a few years, he made his enemies lower their guard. Weird events stopped taking ce in the Frost n. The assassination attempts on his life also stopped.
This was something that not only she but others in the Frost n also believed.
Of course, it was all just their delusion, a misunderstanding that they had stumbled upon as Evan had done something so outrageous that it couldn''t be exined otherwise.
Seraphine''s misunderstanding continued.
''Hiding his strength for years to make his enemies drop their guards and strike when the time is right. To have thought of so far, His Highness Evan is really admirable.''
She thought sarcastically before proceeding to mock herself.
''I am so foolish for not expecting such a thing from a monster like him and believing what he showed.''
Her mind shed back to the day she first met him after he had taken his brother''s ce and assumed the role of the Crown Prince of Frost.
By then, as if a ridiculous joke, everyone had forgotten about ''Evan Frost.'' Everyone except for her, of course.
She couldn''tprehend how and why everyone forgot that the Imperial Lord of Frost had sired two sons with his Empress, but out of nowhere, as if she had jumped into a different timeline, there was only one left.
She had initially thought that she was being pranked, but her guts twisted, and tears streamed down her eyes like an unstoppable waterfall after she realized that, except for her, no one remembered the older of the twins.
She was certain that the Evan Frost everyone knew wasn''t her ''Evan Frost,'' but rather his younger twin. After all, the number of moles on their body didn''t match. The real Evan Frost had three behind his ears, and this one only had two.
She didn''t know what to make of that, but she knew one thing. Her beloved and all the memories that were rted to him had dissipated into thin air. Someone was behind it. And she was suspicious that it was the younger twin. After all, he was the one to benefit the most from the disappearance of the real ''Evan Frost.''
To get to the truth, she began targeting him, going as far as to join hands with the minor families.
After a few years of spying on him, She thought she had it in the bag. The time when she would be able to interrogate him using the nastiest and the cruelest of means wasn''t far away. But she was pped with a checkmate!
''I know what he is, a monster that didn''t hesitate to take the ce of his brother. But I still fell for his act. I deserve this loss.'' She scoffed, feeling a surge of anger and frustration at herself for underestimating him.
''All my efforts were in vain.'' Seraphine seemed to see a thick veil of mystery surrounding Evan as she squinted her eyes at him. ''There''s no telling when l will get the chance to rip apart the facade.''
Seraphine was lost in thought as she trailed behind Evan, her mind preupied with the desire to find the truth no matter what the cost. She wouldn''t mind turning into a monster if it meant finding out what happened to her Evan Frost.
Without warning, Evan came to an abrupt stop, causing her to bump into his back with a jolt.
Ouch!
She let out a small gasp as her hands instinctively flew up to her nose, which was now throbbing with pain. The impact had caught her off guard, and for a moment, she felt a surge of anger and frustration at Evan for not warning her.
"I can feel your frustration from here. Do you dislike being my escort so much?"
She lowered her hands and felt a bead of sweat form on her brow as Evan turned to her with a sharp glint in his blue eyes. It made him look all the more handsome. He was so simr to the real Evan Frost that she couldn''t help but find her beloved in him, and her heart skipped a beat.
A momentary silence took over as their gaze met.
But it was quickly broken by Seraphine.
She knew better than to let her guard down around him, even for a second.
"Of course not, Your Highness," she replied quickly, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest. "This humble ve is honored to serve as your escort," she added, careful to keep her tone respectful and deferential.
She didn''t dare let her true feelings show - after all, she was just a mere eunuch serving Evan, and getting on his bad side could mean the end of her career, or worse.
"You are bleeding from your nose. How careless of you."
Evan reached out a hand to wipe the blood trailing down her nose using the handkerchief he had just pulled out from his inter-spatial ring.
His touch was gentle and reassuring, falling on Seraphine''s heart like feathers.
She couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of warmth spread through her at his touch.
''Why did he have to look so much like him?''
As she looked at him, she couldn''t help but feel a pang of sadness - Evan was so much like his older twin brother, the one who had been taken away from her all too soon.
He didn''t just die. He was forgotten by the universe itself.
She had loved him deeply, and at moments like this, she couldn''t help but project those feelings onto his younger twin, who was a perfect replica of him, but she was clear about one thing, and it was that she didn''t love this imposter. She hated him as she believed he had a hand in his brother''s disappearance.
As for now, she was just clinging to the memory of her beloved, trying to find a way to fill the void that his absence had left in her heart through the sight of his replica.
It was a disgusting realization.
She abhorred herself for being like this.
''I can''t waver. I need to be resolute.'' she strengthened her resolve, vowing to dissect him to know the truth if she ever got the opportunity.
''What am I doing? And why am I doing this?'' Evan couldn''t help but ask himself as he meticulously wiped the blood off Seraphine''s face.
It was a strange sensation, one that he wasn''t quite sure how to interpret.
On one hand, he knew that he instinctively reached out to help her as he didn''t like the sight of blood as he had developed a trauma when his beloved pet died drinking the poison meant for him, something he hadn''t entirely recovered from even after regaining the memories of his past life, but on the other hand, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind, one that whispered that there was something more to his actions.
"Is it because I am a sadist that gets a kick out of teasing her?" Evan wondered, his brow furrowing in concentration.
He didn''t know if he enjoyed pushing people''s buttons, seeing how far he could push them before they broke orshed out.
After all, he had died without exploring his preference, sexuality, and the world of pleasure in his past life.
Wolfie was dedicated to finding his omega, wanting to mate with her and no one else.
He died, of course, before that could happen.
It was a lifetime regret, but he did what he had to do and believed was right.
"Maybe I''m overthinking things, or maybe I hate her so much for betraying me after I put my trust in her that I want to take revenge.''
Evan''s gaze was intense and unrelenting, his eyes boring into her.
''I wonder what it is.''
Chapter 62 The Truth Only Seraphine Known 2
?Unaware of Evan''s thoughts, Seraphine felt as though he was peering into her very soul, seeing things that she herself was not aware of.
The more intense his gaze, the more it made her feel exposed.
She could feel her heart rate increase as she tried to maintain eye contact with him, willing herself not to flinch or look away.
"So beautiful."
Despite the difort of the situation, Seraphine couldn''t help but be captivated by Evan''s eyes - they were a brilliant shade of ocean blue and seemed to hold an endless depth of emotion.
His eyes were so simr to his older twin''s; it was unbelievable.
It was as if they were two sides of the same coin, but one side had been wiped off the face of the world, not a single trace of his to be found in the ck Eye Gxy.
''She praised me?!''
Evan''s eyebrows shot up in surprise as he heard a word that he never expected to hear from Seraphine''s mouth - at least, not when it was directed towards him.
His mind raced as he tried to process what had just happened.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
He couldn''t quite believe that Seraphine had said what he thought she had said - it was so unlike her to show any kind of positive emotion towards him.
Realizing she had spoken her thoughts loudly, Seraphine felt a jolt of surprise. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes locked with his.
Evan could see the uncertainty written all over her face, and it made him feel strange. How could she show such a sight to him? What was she up to? Was she intentionally taking down the walls around her to make him lower his guard so that she could strike a fatal blow? He couldn''t help but feel suspicious of her.
"I...I said your eyes are beautiful." He had heard what she said, and she knew he didn''t like being lied to, so she gave him an honest reply, saving herself from a scolding. "And thank you, Your Highness, for helping me," Seraphine replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I am not worthy of your care, but I truly appreciate it."
Evan was caught off guard. He didn''t mind being threatened as he knew how to respond to such situations. What he minded was an enemy speaking to him so kindly.
However, he didn''t, for a moment, believe that Seraphine had submitted to him. A leopard couldn''t change its spots.
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the only sound the soft rustle of the wind through the trees.
"You don''t need to remind me. I know you''re unworthy."
The silence was broken by Evan this time.
He broke eye contact and turned away. His lips pressed tightly together.
Seraphine let out a breath that she didn''t know she was holding, feeling a strange mix of emotions - relief, confusion, and something else that she couldn''t quite put her finger on.
They wandered deeper into the forest.
The trees grew closer together, forming a natural canopy overhead that filtered the sunlight and created a green, dimly lit world. The forest floor was nketed with a softyer of leaves, moss, and ferns, creating a cushioned pathway underfoot.
The air felt cool against their skin, and its fragrance, filled with the scent of pine and earthy undergrowth, soothed their souls.
Birds chirped and sang in the trees, their melodies carried by the breeze.
As Evan led Seraphine along, she felt a sense of intrigue and curiosity about where he was taking her and why. The anticipation bubbled inside her like a fizzy soda, and she couldn''t help but wonder what he had in store for her.
The rustling of leaves and the chirping birds gradually faded into a peaceful silence as Seraphine followed after him.
Finally, they arrived at a hidden oasis, tucked away from the outside world.
A wide open space surrounded by a grove of tall bamboo trees stood before them, the graceful stalks rustling in the gentle breeze. The sunlight filtered through the canopy overhead, casting a warm golden glow over the clearing.
The atmosphere was serene and secluded, the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The surroundings were adorned with a touch of luxury as if they had stumbled upon a secret paradise meant only for the most privileged.
In the center of the clearing, a small pond glimmered in the sunlight, its surface shimmering with the colors of the surrounding forest. Heavenly flowers and divine herbs dotted the edge of the pond, their petals a riot of color against the lush green backdrop of the forest. Butterflies and dragonflies flitted about, their wings catching the light and casting iridescent reflections on the surface of the water.
The area was tranquil and peaceful, the perfect ce to rx or train and forget about the outside world.
Evan surveyed the clearing and took a deep breath. "This spot is perfect for training the Phantom Shadow Step," he said, his eyes scanning the area.
As Seraphine stepped into the clearing, she was struck by its natural beauty. She couldn''t believe such a ce existed in thend of the Frost n, and she wondered how she had never known about it before.
Evan seemed to read her thoughts and let out a small chuckle.
"Well, my dear," he said, "this is actually my private property. It''s protected by an illusion formation that hides it from the naked eye. You see, you can''t enter it without my permission."
Seraphine, still dressed in her eunuch attire and still unaware that Evan knew she was a woman, approached him curiously. Her sweet fragrance was a pleasant surprise to Evan''s senses.
"Why have you brought me to such an important ce, Your Highness?" Seraphine asked, edging closer to Evan. Her eyshes fluttered with a hint of uncertainty, casting a shadow across her features.
Evan turned to face her, his eyes gleaming with a hint of predatory amusement. He loomed over her smaller frame, imposingly and dominantly.
"Do I need to spell it out for you?" he teased, his voice low and husky.
A sudden pang of unease shot through Seraphine, causing her to cross her arms defensively across her chest. Was he nning to take advantage of her in this remote location?
"Your Highness, please remember that I am just a ve," she said, her tone formal but with a hint of pleading. "No matter how I look, I am not fit for your affections."
Evan narrowed his eyes and snorted with disdain. His disgust for Seraphine was evident, and he had no intention of entertaining her delusions, no matter how fair of face she might be. Evan''s indignation mounted at the thought of her underestimating him, presuming that he would develop any feelings for a traitorous lowlife who had turned against him in the past and might very well still be betraying him.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® "Curb those filthy thoughts of yours, Havelock," he chided, his voice cold and biting. "I have no room in my heart for someone as despicable as you." He was being as harsh as he could to make it clear to her that he would never ever have a ce for her in his heart.
Seraphine felt a sharp pang of hurt at Evan''s cruel words, but she refused to let it show on her face. However, the twitching of her cheeks betrayed her true emotions, and Evan could tell that his words had hit a nerve.
Despite the pain she felt, Seraphine maintained herposure and gave a humble reply, careful not to disrespect Evan in any way.
"I understand, Your Highness," she said, her tone soft and respectful. "I am sorry for any offense I may have caused you."
Evan regarded her coldly, his eyes flickering with annoyance. "You should be," he said, his tone cutting. "Now, let''s move on to the reason why I brought you here."
Seraphine nodded obediently, her eyes fixed on Evan. "Of course, Your Highness. May I ask what it is that you require of me?"
"You are here to assist me in my training," dered Evan with authority.
"Assist you in your training, Your Highness?" she repeated, unsure of what he meant, as she looked at him with surprise and confusion.
"Yes, you are here to assist me in my training," Evan nodded and dered in a voiceced with authority, "And I require your utmost loyalty and discretion in this matter."
"Okay, but how exactly?" she asked, her voice eager to learn more.
"Your Crescendo''s Renewal Skill Crystal has the power to rejuvenate the body and mind. If you use it on me, it will keep my body refreshed and my mind sharp, allowing me to perform at my best." Evan exined matter-of-factly.
Seraphine was taken aback by Evan''s request. She knew she had two skill crystals, but she had kept the second one a secret. It was a supportive crystal that allowed her to heal and rejuvenate a person''s body and mind using her cello. The only skill crystal anyone knew about was her Celestial Symphony Crystal, which was an offensive type, allowing her to transform her soul energy into sonic waves that could devastate her enemies.
"I...I don''t understand, Your Highness," she stammered, trying to conceal her surprise. "How did you know about my Crescendo''s Renewal Skill Crystal?"
Evan regarded her coolly, his eyes piercing. "I have my ways, Havelock," he said cryptically. "But that''s not important. What matters is that I require your assistance, and I am willing topensate you generously for your services. Of course, you can choose not to. But then, don''t me me for showing your true colors to the entire n."
Seraphine hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say.
She knew that helping Evan in his training would be a risky move. She would be helping her enemy be stronger, but she also knew that if she didn''t, she was done for.
"I understand, Your Highness," she said, bowing her head slightly. "I am at your service, and I will do my best to assist you in any way I can."
A satisfied grin spread across Evan''s face as he listened to Havelock''s response.
"Good, good. That''s what I like to hear, Havelock," he said, his voiceced with taunting approval. "I knew you wouldn''t let me down. With your help, I have a feeling this task is going to be a lot easier than I anticipated."
In the clearing, surrounded by towering trees and the gentle sounds of nature, Seraphine took her seat by the tranquil pond, her cello cradled in her hands.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs before beginning to y.
The melody she crafted was soft and gentle, each note plucked with precision and care. It was as if each sound she made was a stitch in a grand tapestry, weaving together a symphony of sound that filled the clearing with its haunting beauty.
As the music grew stronger, the breeze began to pick up, rustling the leaves and stirring the surface of the pond. The music was imbued with the power of her skill crystal, a power that could heal and rejuvenate all who listened.
Evan felt the music wrap around him like a warm embrace, its notes seeping into his mind and body and filling him with a sense of rity and strength. It was a sensation he had never experienced before - as if the music was reaching deep into his soul and revitalizing him from the inside out.
Seraphine continued ying, her cello singing with a supernatural energy that seemed to infuse the clearing with its power.
[Ding! The perfect environment to train has been created!]
[Buffs will be applied!]
[Increased Comprehension and mental fortitude by +100%!]
[Decreased stamina consumption by 1000%!]
[Decrease basic debuff probability by 10000%!]
''Her skill is too much of a cheat. If loyalty could be purchased, I would have made her mine no matter what the cost!''
Evan knew that anyone would do anything to have Seraphine on their side. After all, she could turn trash into genius.
The idea lingered in his mind, tempting him with its seductive promise. He imagined Seraphine working to death for him and felt a rush of excitement course through him, but even as he indulged in that fantasy, Evan knew that true loyalty could never be bought or sold.
It had to be earned, through trust, respect, and genuine care for another person, something that was impossible between them.
They had started off on a very bad page. She could never be loyal to him, and he wanted to use her to achieve his goal.
Besides, once he solidified his position, wouldn''t he be worthy of her devotion? And even if he didn''t, she would have no choice but to stick with him to ensure her survival.
He didn''t know that she was against him for an entirely different reason than he thought. She wasn''t like the other pawns who were vying for power.
Chapter 63 Training Part 1
?Evan cleared his mind of all distractions and focused solely on the task at hand. The training environment had been crafted to perfection, providing him with the best possible learning experience. He had to make the best use of it.
With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved the Phantom Shadow Technique manual from the semi-transparent system screen. To any bystander, it would have appeared as though he had produced the manual from his inter-spatial ring¡ªnothing out of the ordinary in this world in this highly advanced Empire.
The manual consisted of four pages, each detailing a different level of the elusive movement-type technique. Evan carefully studied the first page, which outlined the entry-level of the technique.
It boasted about its ability to deceive even the most experienced ofbatants and exined how to execute short bursts of movement to instantly cover short distances.
Evan couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at the technique''s power, even at its most basic level.
''I wonder if it''s really as effective as it ims,'' he thought. ''There''s only one way to find out ¨C I have to give it a try!''
Thanks to the mental boost provided by Seraphine''s skill, Evan quickly memorized the first page of the manual.
"There are two skills I need to learn to reach the entry-level," he mused, "the skill to deceive an experiencedbatant''s instantaneous decision based on movement and posture and the ability to eject all the soul energy inside a soul pocket for an instant burst of speed. Let''s start by learning the first skill."
Following the instructions in the manual, Evan adjusted his posture, standing tall with his feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and arms rxed at his sides.
He took a step forward with his left foot, appearing as if he would move in that direction, but in a split second, he used his right foot to push off the ground and moved quickly to the right.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Unfortunately, his attempt was far from wless.
As he moved, his foot caught on a loose stone, and he stumbled, losing his bnce.
Thwack!
He crashed to the ground with a loud thud. Dust clung to his imperial attire, further highlighting the embarrassing turn of events.
Seraphine chuckled at Evan''s expense, but he didn''t find it funny. "You should watch your step, Your Highness," she said.
Evan stood up and brushed himself off, feeling annoyed.
"You think it''s funny to see someone fail?" he asked. "I suppose you''ve never stumbled in your life."
"I wouldn''t say that," Seraphine replied, smirking. "But at least I have the grace not to fall on my face in front of others," she said under her breath, but he heard it.
How daring of her!
Evan scowled, "Well, some of us aren''t born with the same natural grace as you. But at least I have the determination to keep trying until I get it right."
"I didn''t mean to offend you," Seraphine said, her smirk fading. "I''m sure you''ll get it eventually.
"I know I will," Evan said, giving her a tight-lipped smile. "And when I do, I''ll show you just how graceful I can be."
"I will be cheering for you, Your Highness!" Seraphine said, upping the magical melody, causing Evan to feel refreshed and motivated.
After being made fun of by Seraphine, Evan was more determined than ever to master the Phantom Shadow Step.
He knew that it would take time and effort to learn, but he was willing to put in the work. He took a deep breath before continuing to practice the movement.
His movements were slow and clumsy as he struggled to remember the steps and the proper form. He felt awkward and uncoordinated as if he was fighting against his own body. Evan repeated the movement again and again, trying to make it flow smoothly from one step to the next.
However, despite his efforts, he found himself stumbling and losing his bnce at times.
He felt frustrated with himself and wondered, ''I''ve been following the instructions to the letter, but I can''t seem to get it right. I keep failing. It''s starting to weigh heavily on me. Will I ever be able to get it right?''
Doubts began to creep into Evan''s mind, and he started to feel discouraged. He wondered whether he had the skill or talent to seed in this endeavor. He wasn''t a good learner in the past, and it seemed like he didn''t improve even after regaining his past life memories.
Suddenly, he shook his head vehemently. It was as if he was shaking off all doubts and uncertainties, recing them with a burning desire to seed.
The sudden movement of his head startled Seraphine. She could see his eyes widening with a newfound determination and his lips setting in a tight line. The change in his demeanor was palpable, and she could sense the shift in his energy. His bodynguage was no longer defeated and despondent but filled with a sense of purpose and drive!
"What''s gotten into him?" Seraphine wondered. "He was just about to give up. But now it seems like he won''t stop until he achieves what he came here for."
She was startled as he shouted,
"No, now''s not the time to be judgemental! Stop being a self-doubting pussy and man up!"
These words were meant for none other than himself. He was motivating himself as he refused to give up even after facing one failure after another.
"Remember what father said."
Evan remembered the words of the man who was his father in his previous life.
''Every mistake is a chance to learn and improve.'' His father had told him.
"I need to review my training and figure out what I''m doing wrong."
He took a deep breath and pushed aside the negative thoughts. Then he began analyzing his movements, noticing the small errors in his technique. Each time he had stumbled during training, either his posture was slightly off, or he wasn''t shifting his weight properly. He made a mental note of these mistakes.
How to correct them?
Evan furrowed his brow, deep in thought, as he pondered over the technique.
"I think I''ve got it," he said, tapping his chin with his finger.
His realization was that the key to the technique was all in the arms - they acted as clutches to maintain bnce and control.
Evan continued practicing diligently, pushing himself to improve at the technique he had been working on while Seraphine worked for him, ying the Cello tirelessly in the background.
And just like that, after a mere hour, Evan was able to use the first skill needed to learn the Phantom Shadow Step while moving at full speed. It was a true testament to his dedication and hard work!
Next, he moved on to shadow fighting, trying out sudden stops and changes in direction to catch imaginary opponents off guard.
He experimented with different angles and patterns, determined to find the most effective way to confuse and evade his opponents.
As time went on, Evan''s movements became more fluid and graceful, his body reacting instinctively to the attacks of his imaginary opponents. He weaved and dodged their attacks in a zigzag pattern before retaliating, blowing the lights out of them with his barrage of punches.
Just then, a notification sounded in his sound!
[Ding! Congrattions. You have learned Reverse Flow Skills!]
[Reverse Flow: A fluid movement skill that allows the yer to reverse their momentum and flow in the opposite direction, catching their opponent off guard with his sudden change of direction.]
[You haveprehended 50% of the entry-level of the Phantom Shadow Step!]
He had taken the first step towards victory against his own inner demons!
Chapter 64 Training Part 2
?Evan stopped shadowboxing as he had learned the Reverse Flow Skill.
Now, it was time to take the second step in learning the elusive Phantom Shadow technique.
He closed his eyes and pictured himself bing more agile and nimble, his ice-type soul energy creeping out of his soul pockets and flowing smoothly from his head down to his toes. Once he felt the energy circting throughout his body, he took a step forward with his right foot and shifted his weight onto it.
Suddenly, his soul energy burst out from his right leg with incredible force.
Swoosh!
The surge of energy propelled him forward at a ridiculous speed, and he found himself hurtling through the air with no control over his movements.
Thwack!
Before he knew it, he had covered a considerable distance and crashed through a nearby pine tree like it was nothing. The impact left a human-shaped hole in its wake, and Evan found himself sprawled on the ground, upside down.
"Ha ha ha!"
Seraphine''s hands stilled, and a fit of uncontrobleughter overtook her as she witnessed the scene unfold. She knew it was wrong, and she knew it would undoubtedly get her in trouble, but she simply couldn''t help herself butugh at the sight of Evan sprawled on the ground.
"Oh my goodness, Your Highness! That was quite an impressive disy of soul energy! But I must say, yournding could use some work. It''s a good thing you have me here to patch you up if you hurt yourself too badly." Seraphine cackled, struggling topose herself between bouts of giggles.
As Evan watched Seraphine''s reaction from his odd position, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. His negative emotions surged within him as a delicate leaf fluttered down from the tree above andnded softly on his lips. He felt as if even mother nature was mocking him. He instinctively blew the leaf away and sprang back to his feet, ring at Seraphine.
"You think this is funny, Havelock? But guess what. I don''t need your ridicule; I only need your support. So if you can''t do that right, then maybe it''s time to find a new master to serve," Evan said threateningly.
Seraphine closed her mouth, her expression contrite as she apologized profusely.
Evan couldn''t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction at having made his point, but he also knew that he needed to maintain a positive rtionship with the cross-dresser if he wanted to continue getting her help with ease. So, he took a deep breath, and his features softened as he said, "It''s alright, Havelock. Just try to be more mindful in the future, okay?"
"Of course, master. I am truly sorry for my behavior. And I will do my best to support you in every way I can," Seraphine said humbly.
"Continue ying," Evanmanded, and Seraphine resumed working her magic to make training easier for him.
After a short while, Evan got the hang of it too.
[Ding! Congrattion, yer Evan. You have learned the Quickstep Skills!]
[Reverse Flow: A skill that allows the yer to cover a short distance in an instant.]
[You haveprehended 99.99% of the entry-level of the Phantom Shadow Step!]
Evan grinned to himself, knowing he was one step closer to mastering the Phantom Shadow technique.
Evan had reached the final step of his training: the use of Quickstep and Reverse Flow in unison. This was no easy feat for a regr cultivator, as it could take them weeks or even months to master the two skills and incorporate them seamlessly into their movements.
But Evan was no ordinary cultivator; he was a yer!
With a single thought, Evan activated both skills simultaneously and seeded on his very first attempt!
It was a skill that would have taken others a considerable amount of time to master, but for Evan, it was effortless.
He suddenly felt a peculiar sensation wash over him. The sound of a notification filled his ears, and he knew something extraordinary had happened.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. You have learned Retro-Stride!]
[Retro-Stride: A movement skill that involves reversing one''s momentum and striding in the opposite direction, evading opponents and catching them off-guard.]
[You haveprehended 100% of the entry-level of the Phantom Shadow Step!]
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom [The cost to master the Phantom Shadow Step has been reduced to 3 skill points from 4!]
Evan couldn''t contain his excitement as he grinned from ear to ear.
''With the reduced cost of the Phantom Shadow Step, I can master it with the remaining Sps I have!''
Evan focused on leveling up his Phantom Shadow Step technique, his fingers dancing across the virtual interface with practiced ease, allocating his skill points to enhance his abilities.
With each tap, he could feel the power within him growing stronger.
Notifications popped up in front of him.
[Ding! Three Skill Points have been consumed. Your total sps have dropped to zero.]
[Congrattions, yer Evan! You have reached Full Mastery of the Phantom Shadow Step technique.]
Excitement coursed through him as he read them, fully aware of the potential of this skill.
The Phantom Shadow Step technique allowed him to move with lightning-fast speed, leaving behind icy avatars of himself that would confuse any opponent. But that wasn''t all - the skill also gave him the ability to seamlessly vanish into the shadows and emerge from the shadow of any nearby person or object.
It was a game-changer, and Evan knew it.
"The shadows are my allies from here on out!" Evan dered with roaringughter that sent chills down Seraphine''s back.
"Now, I can move undetected in any terrain and strike from unexpected angles, leaving opponents confused and off-bnce," he thought, "But that''s not all - this skill has so many other uses. I can slip past security, ambush enemies, or make a quick escape. It''s the edge I need to ensure my survival against the worst of enemies and achieve my goals in the stickiest situation."
"Its only downfall is its cost. I can''t abuse it or I will run out of soul energy in no time," he noted.
Chapter 65 Testing The New Technique
?"Hmm, let''s test it out on Seraphine," Evan thought, a sharp glint in his eyes.
He closed his eyes and visualized himself merging with the shadows. His ice-type soul energy decreased rapidly, and he vanished from view.
Seraphine was dumbfounded. Where could he have possibly gone? As a sensory-type cultivator, she possessed the ability to perceive even the most obscure movements within her range, yet she couldn''t pinpoint his location.
The signal of his life force has disappeared all too suddenly. It was almost as if he had vanished into thin air,pletely erasing himself from the face of the world.
"What kind of sorcery is this?" Seraphine muttered to herself, looking left and right once more for any traces of the elusive figure. However, to her dismay, her senses failed to detect anything out of the ordinary.
Meanwhile, Evan found himself in the Shadow Realm, a strange sensation washing over him as he melded with the shadows of his surroundings. He could instinctively tell what he needed to do to move. All it required was a thought.
In the blink of an eye, he shed up to Seraphine''s shadow and emerged from it.
Standing behind her, he couldn''t help but notice the bewildered expression on her face at his sudden disappearance. His lips curled up mischievously as he leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "Looking for me?"
Seraphine''s eyes widened in surprise as she whipped her head around, trying to locate the source of the voice.
To her astonishment, she found herself looking up at the haughty gaze of his Highness Evan, and her breath caught in her throat.
"Y-Your Highness Evan?" she stammered as her mouth hung open in shock. It was as if she was unable to believe that he had managed to sneak up on her so easily.
Seeing how shocked she was, Evan couldn''t resist taking revenge for when sheughed at him,
"Close your mouth, Havelock, or else bugs might fly in."
He chuckled at the yful jab, enjoying the way she blushed and scowled at the same time.
Seraphine quickly closed her mouth, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed at his teasing. She tried topose herself and regain herposure, but it was hard when his Highness was standing so close to her. He looked so much like her lover that her heart fluttered every time he stood close to her and was authoritative.
"How... how did you manage to appear behind me like that?" Seraphine asked in shock.
Evan smirked in response to Seraphine''s question.
"Let''s just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve," he said in a voiceced with a hint of mystery before turning on his heels and disappearing into the shadows once more.
''Do you think I am a fool? Which kind of trick can let you pull off a stunt like that?!'' Seraphine thought as she inwardly rolled her eyes.
"Go about your day as you like. Consider it a reward for your effort." His Highness Evan had said before vanishing from Seraphine''s sight.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® She heard his words echo in her mind as she stood there, contemting her next move, wondering what action to take in light of his unexpected changes.
Reporting his behavior to the head of the minor families was certainly an option, but she knew it was too risky. She could feel the hawk-like gaze of someone watching her, monitoring her every move. Going against Evan''s expectations could easily spell disaster, and signing her own death warrant was thest thing she wanted.
In the end, Seraphine decided to leave the forest and take a stroll through the empire''s bustling capital, seeking sce in the sights and sounds of the city around her.
As she walked, she couldn''t shake the feeling that she was being spied upon, but she pushed those thoughts aside and focused on enjoying the moment.
Meanwhile, Evan stepped foot into his home, and before he knew it, Eric Frostweaver was brought before him.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Eric greeted with a respectful tone.
Evan wasted no time before asking, "Eric, I need to know if you''re aware of the situation you''re in."
"Yes, Your Highness. I''m aware." Eric replied with a solemn nod, acknowledging his predicament.
Evan held a significant amount of power over Eric now that he was his ve.
"Good. Going ahead, there are only two paths for you. I can use you as a pawn to fight against the Frostweavers, or I can train you to be a skilled cultivator so that you can assist me in my future endeavors. The choice... is yours."
Evan watched Eric closely, studying the younger man''s reaction as he spoke. It was clear that Eric was struggling with his emotions, his face betraying his inner turmoil. Evan knew that the situation was a difficult one for Eric toe to terms with.
"I-I don''t want to be used against them. And I can''t work for you either. I don''t want to disappoint them." Eric said as his hands balled up into tight fists, the knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. Ignoring Evan''s orders would get him expelled from the n. It was clear it was a hard decision to make.
"Eric, you are making a mistake," Evan said as he leaned forward.
"How is this a mistake?" Eric asked.
"Despite what has happened to you, your parents did not lift a finger to help or check up on you. They just don''t care about you," Evan replied as he looked at Eric with pity. "If you get expelled from the n, you will have nothing to depend on. In the truest of sense, you will be all alone."
Eric''s face fell at Evan''s words, his eyes filling with unshed tears. "So they chose to sacrifice me, huh? What good parents they are." Eric said self-mockingly. Everything he had done so far was to gain his parents'' attention, but they treated him like thin air. Why did they even give birth to him if they hated him so much?!
"I understand how you feel, Eric." Evan sighed, his expression sympathetic. "It''s natural to want your parents to care about you and... to want their approval. But sometimes, we have to ept that those we love may not love us at all. It''s painful, but it''s something that we have toe to terms with."
Eric wiped away his tears, his shoulders slumping.
"I just can''t believe they wouldn''t even check up on me," he murmured under his breath, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions.
Evan put aforting hand on Eric''s shoulder and said, "It''s understandable to feel heartbroken, Eric. But I want you to see this as an opportunity to grow and be stronger. You have the chance to build a new life for yourself, one where you don''t have to seek your parents'' approval. You can be your own person, and that... can be a powerful thing."
Eric looked up at Evan, his eyes shining with a newfound determination.
"You''re right, Your Highness. I can''t change what''s happened, but I can choose how I respond to it. I want to be stronger, both as a cultivator and as a person. I... I am willing to serve you!" Eric said sincerely.
"Excellent. Since you have decided to work for me, we need to do something about your character. It''s verycking." Evan said before extending a hand toward Eric. "I''m not saying you''re a shitty person, but your personality sucks. You seriously need to work on it. I''m willing to help you ovee your shorings, but you need to be willing to learn and work hard. So, what do you think?"
Eric hesitated for a moment before taking Evan''s hand and rising to his feet.
"I''m all ears. Your Highness, Please advise me," Eric said, determined to improve himself.
"I''ll be enrolling you in the Phantom Regiment. Here''s a letter with my original seal. Seek out Lirian Shadowfire when you arrive there. He''ll be your instructor." Evan revealed.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I won''t disappoint you."
Eric nodded, and with heavy but determined steps, he left to embark on this new chapter of his life.
Chapter 66 Beginning Of The Ceremony: Frozen Lake Temple
?On the day of the highly anticipated Soul te Awakening Ceremony, Evan''s entourage of servants meticulously helped him dress up in regal ck clothes, from his ck leather boots with silver buckles to his fur-lined ck hat adorned with a single sapphire. His cuffs were indeed lined with golden threads, and a matching gold brooch adorned his ck satin cravat. Despite the opulent disy of wealth, Evan managed to exude an air of effortless masculinity, with no more than two tastefully simple rings adorning his fingers, the dark spatial stones iid with a hint of silver, a subtle reminder of his powerful lineage.
He was a sight to behold; Seraphine, Lily, and Rose couldn''t help but marvel at how dashing Evan looked, admiring the way the clothes entuated his broad shoulders and strong jawline.
"Your Highness, you look absolutely stunning in those regal ck clothes," Seraphine eximed, her eyes glistening with admiration, but Evan knew she didn''t mean it. He could sense the fakeness in her voice from miles away.
"I couldn''t agree more, Your Highness! The golden cuffs and the Frost n symbol on the back of your robe only enhance your natural charm," Lily chimed in, her cheeks turning rosy.
Despite the charming smile and ttering words from Lily, Evan could sense a hint of insincerity in her praise. Her wordscked the genuine warmth of admiration, and a discerning eye would have noticed the half-heartedness in her tone.
A single usage of his inspection skill made it clear to Evan that herpliments were merely a ploy to win his favor and gain better ess to his private affairs rather than a true expression of admiration or affection.
''She is really a good actor,'' Evan thought after he saw through her.
"You''re going to turn heads at the ceremony today, my lord! You look so handsome I can''t even look straight at you." Rose couldn''t help but blush when she saw the well-dressed Evan, redness suffusing her cheeks.
Evan could tell by Rose''s tone and the way she spoke that she was being genuine. He could see the admiration and respect in her eyes, and he knew that she wasn''t just saying those words to tter him.
Evan let out a heartyugh, "Ah, well, what can I say? It''s not easy being so devastatingly handsome," he said, shing a grin. "I suppose I''ll just have to endure all the attention I''ll be getting today."
With his entourage by his side, Evan made his way towards the Frozen Lake Shrine, nestled at the foot of the towering mountain range.
The air was thin and crisp, and the frozenke was a sight to behold, its crystal-clear waters frozen solid like a massive mirror reflecting the clear blue sky above. The trees surrounding theke were covered in a thick nket of snow and frost, their branches glistening in the sunlight.
The shrine itself was an intricate masterpiece made entirely out of ice, with mysterious carvings and runes etched into its surface. It was in the center of theke, and it seemed to emanate an otherworldly light, casting shadows on the snowyndscape around it.
Despite the cold, there was a sense of peace and tranquility in the air, as if the frozenke and shrine were a sacred ce, imbued with ancient, powerful magic.
As they arrived at the Frozen Lake Shrine, Evan couldn''t help but be in awe of the beauty surrounding him.
"The Frozen Lake Shrine is even more breathtaking than I remember," Evan said, his eyes widening in admiration. He had visited this ce when he was three years old to get a baptism that strengthened his immune system.
A lot of people were gathered there.
Someone noticed Evan''s arrival and eximed, "The crown prince is here!"
His voice rippled through the crowd like a distant rumble before a storm.
Heads turned, necks craned, and all eyes were fixed on the young prince.
Men and women alike gazed at him with unabashed admiration, their eyes tracing every inch of his figure.
Immediately, Evan became the center of attention.
"Wow, have you ever seen someone so handsome?"
"And his outfit is so stylish; I wish I could dress like that."
"I heard he defeated two of the ten youngest generation prodigies yesterday; imagine being both good-looking and powerful."
Whispers and murmurs filled the air as people exchanged excitedments about the young prince''s impable fashion sense and striking good looks.
Some even went so far as to gasp in awe, their eyes wide with wonder at the sight of him.
Evan was receiving overwhelming attention, but he maintained a calm and collected demeanor, exuding an air of confidence and self-assuredness that only seemed to enhance his natural charm. It was as if he was born to be the center of attention, and the crowd couldn''t help but be drawn to him like moths to a me.
"He is already old enough to marry. I wonder who will be lucky enough to be his bride," a frostweaver mused, her frosty breath visible in the cold air of her surroundings.
"It''s obviously going to be our ice princess Annika," Ylva interjected with unwavering confidence, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Annika''s face immediately turned crimson, caught off guard by Ylva''s remark. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable like a maiden in distress.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Jack, who had known Annika since childhood, strongly disagreed with Ylva''s assumption in his heart. He believed that Annika was too pure and indifferent to be tied down to a mortal man and tainted by the red dust of the world.
"Ylva, you are making her feel uneasy with your ridiculous im," Jack said firmly.
"I''m not being ridiculous," Ylva retorted.
"Annika deserves better than to be tied down to a man," Jack spoke.
Annika red at Jack, feeling offended by hisment. The one thing she wanted was to get together with High Highness Evan. Unfortunately, her wish hadn''t been fulfilled because of the interference of the minor families and the n elders, and now even a junior was daring to speak in her disfavor.
"Keep your opinion to yourself, Jack," she said coldly.
Jack was taken aback by Annika''s sudden hostility and apologized profusely,
"I''m sorry, Annika. I didn''t mean to offend you," he said, his voice filled with regret.
"It''s good that you know." Annika nodded, satisfied with Jack''s capittion. "Never interfere in my matters again."
She left a warning behind before she turned and strode away, her head held high like a peacock and her back straight.
Jack watched her go, feeling a mixture of admiration and fear. He knew that Annika was not someone to cross lightly. After all, she had an entire household of extremely powerful cultivators backing her.
While following Annika, Ylva turned around and stuck his tongue out at Jack to add insult to injury. Who was he to decide what she should and shouldn''t do?
Jack''s eyes twitched in response.
"Annika, you are the most beautiful and talented woman in our n. Trust me, you would make a perfect match for the crown prince." Ylva said while walking side by side with Annika.
Annika sighed, "The Frostweavers and their associates won''t let it happen."
"Maybe after today, they will be forced to let it happen," Ylva said with a smile.
Vikhilk, who was standing in the crowd, also noticed his idol''s arrival, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.
"Now that the crown prince is here, the wait is finally going toe to an end," Vikhilk said under his breath.
After a few moments, a woman with blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, a plump and gentle face, and red lips emerged from the shrine.
All eyes were drawn towards her.
Her lush curves were entuated by the simple white robe that draped over her body, highlighting her alluring silhouette. It was impossible for a man not to notice the way her hips swayed as she walked with confidence and grace, but it was not just her physical appearance thatmanded attention.
As the High Priestess of the Frost n, Lady Rosaline radiated an air of holy elegance that filled the air around her. Her presence alone seemed to bring a sense of peace and tranquility to those around her as if they were in the presence of a divine being.
As she approached, her eyes met those of the gathered crowd, and a warm smile spread across her lips, making the crowd feel dazzled.
"Wee to the Soul te Awakening Ceremony, Youngsters of my n," Lady Rosaline dered, her voice booming with authority. "As some of you might already know, the ceremony is divided into two parts - Talent Assessment & Awakening Ritual. In the first part of the ceremony, the soul revtion ball will be used to check the number of soul pockets in your body. Your talent will be determined based on the number of your soul pockets. In the second part of the ceremony, a ritual will be held to help you awaken your soul tes."
The atmosphere was tense, and Lady Rosaline''s words only added to the anticipation. She snapped her fingers, and a table with a mysterious ck crystal appeared before her.
"When I say your name,e up on stage and ce your hand on the soul revtion ball. Do you understand?" Lady Rosaline said, her voice stern.
"Yes, Lady Rosaline!"
Excitement and anxiety coursed through the crowd, and they nodded their heads in agreement.
"Great!" Lady Rosaline eximed, a dazzling smile spreading across her lips. "Let''smence the ceremony!"
Chapter 67 Mathews Past
?The elders of the n and the members of the minor families were watching the ceremony from afar.
Lady Rosaline began to call out the names of the youngsters one by one.
Each name was greeted with a hushed silence and then a collective gasp as the soul revtion ball revealed the number of soul pockets in their body.
"Jack Ice, Eight Soul Pockets! Extraordinary!"
"Ha, Three Soul Pockets! Below average!"
"Wintera, six Soul Pockets! Mediocre."
The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse as each youngster''s talent was revealed.
For some, it was a moment of great joy as they discovered they had more soul pockets than they had ever imagined, but for others, it was a moment of disappointment as they realized they had fewer soul pockets than they had hoped.
Evan was standing at the very back of the crowd, meticulously noting down the names of the youths who showed promise. He knew that these talented individuals would be valuable alliester on, and he wanted to ensure that he didn''t forget a single one.
Suddenly, a pair of hands covered his eyes, blocking his view of the crowd. A mischievous voice spoke up, "Guess who?"
Evan grinned and replied, "Lirian, you can stop ying around."
Lirian pouted, removing his hands from Evan''s eyes. "Ahh, you''re no fun!"
Evan couldn''t help but feel a twinge of fondness for his friend. After all, despite Lirian''s tendency to be childish, he was always there for Evan when he needed him.
"Why are you here? Aren''t you supposed to be busy with your military work?" Evan asked, genuinely curious.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® "I worked overtimest night so that I could be here for you today," Lirian replied with a grin. "This is the most important day of your life, and I wouldn''t miss it for the world."
Evan''s heart swelled with emotions. He was grateful to have him by his side on this important day.
"Frostweaver''s boy, it''s your turn."
Lady Rosaline''s voice echoed through the hall as she called Mathew Frostweaver to the stage.
Evan''s eyes were fixed on the young man, who stood in the front row.
Mathew''s appearance was striking; he had a lean figure, tall and towering over most people his age. His raven-ck hair fell in soft waves, framing his angr features. His dark eyes shone with a fierce intelligence that was hard to ignore, and his tanned skin seemed to glisten under the sun.
As Evan looked at him, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease wash over him. Mathew was the one he had to be most wary of. After all, the visions of his past life had shown him that Mathew was the one who would take his position as the crown prince of frost after his fall from grace.
''I am not going to let that happen,'' Evan thought, his determination palpable.
Everyone in the Frost Lake Shrine was eager to see the limit of Mathew''s talent.
When he was 15 years old, he was an intermediate-level first-step soul maniptor. Now that he was 16 years old, his cultivation level was a mystery, but there was no doubt that Mathew was endowed with the highest talent among his peers.
While talent assessment was the key to unearthing soul pockets, which made it easier to determine their location and unlock them, those under the age of 16 were not allowed to take the test as it could negatively affect their physical and spiritual development. Nevertheless, Mathew''s natural aptitude was so great that he had opened several of them a year before he turned 16, and that too without using external support!
All eyes were on him as he made his way towards the soul revealer.
To know more about his potential enemy, Evan inspected Mathew.
Name: Mathew
Level: 7th Level of Soul Manifestation Realm
Attributes:
Strength: 45
Agility: 35
Stamina: 60
Soul te: None
As Evan scrutinized Mathew''s attributes, his eyes widened with shock. The numbers on the paper didn''t add up - Mathew was far more powerful than he was supposed to be at this point in his cultivation journey.
Evan''s mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of how this could be possible.
After reying the events of the previous day in his mind, Evan realized that his actions had set off a chain reaction. By defeating Jack and Eric, he had unwittingly caused the frostweavers to focus their resources on Mathew, leading to a sudden surge in his cultivation level!
Evan had also received Mathew''s background when he inspected him. He decided to read it as he knew that gaining a better understanding of his enemy would give him the upper hand in their uing encounter.
[Background:
?Mathew was a poor boy who grew up in the slums of the empire''s capital. When his mother fell ill with a mysterious disease, Mathew was forced to seek out a cure. Despite his best efforts, Mathew was unable to find a remedy that would help his mother. It was at this point that he was approached by Nichs, the head of the Frostweavers. In exchange for the medicine Mathew needed to save his mother''s life, Nichs demanded that Mathew train to one day take the position of the crown prince of frost. For ten long years, Mathew endured grueling training and harsh treatment at the hands of Nichs and the Frostweavers. He was constantly pushed to his limits, but he persevered, knowing that his mother''s life was on the line. Finally, the time hade for Mathew to fulfill his part of the deal.]
As Evan uncovered more details about Mathew''s past, a sense of understanding washed over him, and he couldn''t help but feel empathetic towards the young boy who had to make such a tough decision to save his mother''s life. He pictured the fear and desperation that must have consumed Mathew''s heart, as he begged for a way out of his dire situation.
But as his thoughts turned to Nichs, Evan''s emotions took a sharp turn. The mere thought of that cunning man exploiting a young child''s vulnerability for his personal gain made Evan''s blood boil with anger.
Chapter 68 Heaven Shaking Talent Evalution
?Evan''s voice trembled with rage as he said, "Nichs, you''ve crossed a line."
Lirian looked at him quizzically and asked, "What made you say that, Frostbite?"
Evan''s eyes glittered with an icy fury as he replied, "I just had a vision of Mathew''s past, and it''s sickening. That poor boy had to sacrifice everything just to keep his mother alive. He was forced to endure ten years of brutal training and abuse at the hands of Nichs and the Frostweavers. It''s a monstrous act of cruelty that should never have been allowed to happen."
Lirian gasped in disbelief, "That''s horrifying. How could anyone be so heartless?"
Evan''s jaw clenched, "I know. That''s why I''ve made a vow to bring Nichs to justice and make sure that no one else has to suffer because of his selfishness."
He knew it wouldn''t be easy, but he was willing to give his all to prosecute Nichs.
Lirian nodded in agreement, "You have my support, Frostbite. Let''s stop at nothing to ensure that justice is served."
...
Mathew''s heart was pounding with anticipation as he approached the soul revealer. With trembling hands, he ced them on the device and closed his eyes, waiting for the revtion.
A moment of silence hung in the air, thick with tension, as Mathew wondered what the soul revealer would reveal about his talent, and then, like a burst of light, eleven stars appeared in the device.
Lady Rosaline''s eyes widened with awe, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke, "Mathew Frostweaver. Eleven Soul Pockets! A prodigy born once in a hundred years!"
A sense of relief washed over Mathew as he heard the result. For so long, he had feared that he wasn''t talented enough and that Nichs would abandon him and his mother. But now, he knew that he was something special and that only a fool would discard a chess piece like him casually.
Looking around, Mathew noticed the admiration and respect in the eyes of those around him.
The onlookers knew the significance of the eleven Soul Pockets and the potential Mathew held. He would undoubtedly be a seeded disciple of the Frost n, and a lot of the n''s resources would be at his disposal.
"With my talent, I can gain more medicine for my mother by contending for the position of the crown prince. This is an incredible opportunity. I must seize it with both hands," Mathew thought.
"Your highness, you are next in line," Lady Rosaline announced with a courteous bow.
"En." Evan acknowledged her with a nod and began to make his way through the bustling crowd, his regal presencemanding attention.
As he passed Mathew, a venomous sneer curled on his lips, and he couldn''t help but taunt Evan. "I hope your talent is worth all the hype, your highness. Otherwise, it''ll be quite dull when I eventually take what''s rightfully mine," he jeered.
Evan remained unfazed and continued walking, his expression serene as he countered, "Your animosity is misced, young one."
After that, Evan reached the soul revealer unhindered and ced his hands on it, and the hushed silence that followed was deafening. Their curious eyes flicked between Evan and the ck crystal, waiting in anticipation for the results.
A voice rang out, breaking the silence, "Can you estimate how many soul pockets he has?" It was Annika who had spoken.
"Sixteen and unawakened, but his talent is estimated to be in the seventh level of the soul manifestation realm. He must possess extraordinary potential, if not more," Ylva said thoughtfully.
The onlookers continued to discuss Evan''s talent, their excitement building as more and more stars appeared in the crystal. The shine of the stars seemed to engulf Evan''s body, causing everyone to stop breathing as they watched in awe.
At first, the crystal revealed only a few stars, but their number increased every second. The tension was palpable outside the Frozen Lake Shrine as the onlookers held their breath, waiting to see just how talented Evan truly was.
Suddenly, with a mighty boom, an eleventh star appeared, cing Evan on the same level as Mathew. But then, to everyone''s surprise, a twelfth star appeared, causing a chill to run down their spines. All eyes were glued to the crystal, and the onlookers couldn''t believe what they were seeing.
Boom! A thirteenth star appeared, and even Havelock, Mathew, and Lady Rosaline were left speechless, their mouths agape with astonishment.
But their astonishment couldn''t bepared to Evan, who, too, was shocked to see the thirteen stars that represented he had 13 soul pockets.
After all, ording to his past memories, he was only supposed to have eight soul pockets.
''Am I really Evan Frost?'' he wondered in disbelief.
He turned to Lady Rosaline and asked, "Are you not going to announce my result?" His voice trembled with excitement and nervousness, eager to hear the official confirmation of his unprecedented talent.
Lady Rosaline regained herposure and cleared her throat.
"Evan Frost, Thirteen Soul Pockets! Unprecedented talent!" Her voice was filled with admiration as she announced Evan''s result to the n.
The onlookers erupted into cheers, pping their hands and congratting Evan on his remarkable achievement.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Lady Rosaline stepped forward and ced a hand on Evan''s shoulder, her eyes shining with pride.
"It''s a blessing to have someone as talented as you in our n, Your Highness," she said, her voice warm and genuine. "Your potential is limitless. I hope you''ll not let it go to waste."
Lady Rosaline was one of the most powerful elders of the frost n, and now someone as strong and revered as her was being supportive.
Evan felt that he had hit the jackpot.
"Thank you for your kind words, mydy," Evan replied, his voice soft but sincere as he ced a kiss on the back of her hand like a true gentleman. "It means a lot to hear that from someone as respected as you. I''ll do my best not to disappoint and make the most of my potential."
Lady Rosaline, known for her unyieldingposure, felt her cheeks flush with warmth as the young and talented cultivator ced a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
It was a rare sight to see the usually poised Lady Rosaline taken aback like this.
The onlookers couldn''t help but gasp in awe as they witnessed His Highness''s charisma on full disy. It was beyond impressive, leaving everyone speechless and in utter amazement. It also made Lady Rosaline, a 30+ years old virgin, feel breathless.
Chapter 69 Awakening
?Lady Rosaline''s face flushed as she withdrew her hand from Evan''s grip.
"I...I must excuse myself," she stammered before hastily retreating to the gates of the shrine.
Evan, feeling a bit embarrassed, made his way back to the lively crowd.
"Well done, Frostbite!" eximed Lirian, pping him on the back. "You''ve truly outdone yourself this time."
"I can''t tell what you are congratting me for," Evan said with a grin.
Was he congratting him for being the most talented individual, or was he congratting him for making Lady Rosaline flustered, something he had done unintentionally?
"I must admit, I am thoroughly impressed. You have surpassed all expectations, Your Highness." Annika also offered her congrattions while maintaining a respectful distance from him.
Evan was taken aback. Why was the renowned Ice Princess of the Frost n, who was known for being indifferent and fierce, showering him with kind words? Did she eat the wrong medicine today?
"Thank you, Annika," Evan replied with a hint of surprise in his voice. The words that came out of his mouth were so much sweeter than the thoughts in his head. "Coming from you, that means a lot to me. I always strive to exceed expectations, especially when ites to earning the respect of those I admire."
"You''ve definitely done it this time, Your Highness," Ylva, Annika''s wingman, chimed in, "There''s not a single person in the empire who can im to have as many soul pockets as you. Even your father, the Imperial Lord of Frost, who is considered to be the most talented person of this era, only has 12 soul pockets, and that earned him the admiration of the Imperial Master of the Dark Tower when he was young."
Evan looked at the overexcited young man with a friendly gaze. If Annika was the Ice Princess that made her name by eradicating 13 hideouts of the Cosmic Crusaders singlehandedly, then Ylva was the one who had helped her locate those hideouts!
His knowledge was no joke. His informationwork was so wide that even Cosmic Crusaders, that were known for being discreet couldn''t escape its probing. He was a person worth befriending.
"You praise me too much. Having more soul pockets is nothing special. It''s actually rather troublesome. The tribtion I will have to face while ascending to the Soul Fusion stage will be ten times harder than normal," Evan said humbly, pointing out the problem of having more soul pockets.
Ylva urged Annika to speak up with his eyes.
The weird expression he was making made Evan feel weird. What the heck was he doing?
"Don''t worry, Your Highness." Annika said after a moment, "Our two families will do our best to help you survive it."
"Then I will have to thank you for it," Evan said to her with a smile that dazzled her.
Suddenly, a deafening shout shattered the serene atmosphere, causing everyone to turn their heads towards the source of themotion.
"All hail Your Imperial Highness, Magnus!" the voice of a n elder bellowed, reverberating through the hallowed halls of the Frozen Lake Shrine.
As the crowd parted like a flock of birds, Magnus emerged from the throngs, his imposing figure drawing all eyes towards him.
Evan''s gaze was immediately drawn to his father, and a broad smile spread across his face at the sight of him.
Then, like the Red Sea parting to make way for Moses, the sea of people made way for Magnus as he strode towards Evan.
The people bowed down in reverence as Magnus passed by, paying their respects to the imperial highness. However, Magnus gestured for them to stand at ease, conveying his humility and warmth towards his nsmen.
"I''m sorry I''mte," With a reassuring pat on Evan''s shoulder, Magnus apologized for beingte.
"I wouldn''t have med you if you had missed it, Father. But I''m so happy you''re here," Evan said. His genuine affection for his father could be felt in his voice.
Lady Rosaline paid her respect to the Patriarch of her n before she looked at the crowd of youngsters who were yet to awaken their soul tes with a stern gaze that seemed to hold great weight.
"The soul te awakening ritual," she began, her voice low andmanding, "will take ce inside the Moon Goddess Shrine. The Moon Goddess Shrine is where we honor the deity of winter and ice. It is the most sacred ce of our n, a space imbued with divine power. Except for those who are to take part in the ritual, no one else is allowed inside. I hope you can understand."
She paused as if to let the significance of her words sink in. Then, her eyes flickered over the group of youngsters as if assessing their worthiness.
"And for those who are about to experience the Soul t Awakening Ritual, I have one great piece of advice. If you enter the shrine with a pure heart and intentions, the chances of you receiving a blessing straight from the Moon Goddess will greatly increase," she said, her tone almost reverent. "She is the most benevolent, after all."
Evan listened intently as Lady Rosaline spoke, her words carrying weight and authority. He could feel the reverence in her tone as she spoke of the Moon Goddess Shrine. It was clear that Lady Rosaline held a deep belief in the Frost Goddess, and her devotion was evident in her words.
The belief in the existence of God and extraterrestrial beings has been a subject of debate for centuries. However, in the Imperial Frost n of the Dark Tower that ruled the Sun Moon Empire, there was a strong conviction that two such beings yed a significant role in their rise to power. One of them was the Frost Goddess, revered and worshipped by the members of the n.
From a very young age, children in the Frost n were instilled with the values of respect and devotion towards the Frost Goddess. They were taught that she was a divine entity that had bestowed her blessings upon their n, allowing them to prosper and thrive. The members of the n believed that their sess was inextricably linked to the benevolence of the Frost Goddess.
As a result, the Frost n held the Frost Goddess in high regard, and her presence was felt in all aspects of their lives.
The members of the n would often offer prayers and sacrifices to the goddess, seeking her protection and guidance in times of need.
For them, the Frost Goddess was not just a myth or a legend but a real entity that had a profound impact on their lives.
"Andstly, I hope there will be no disrespect towards her," Lady Rosaline warned, her gaze once again fixing on each member of the group in turn.
The attempt made by Lady Rosaline to appear fierce was met with amusement by the onlookers, but to Evan, it only served to heighten his admiration for her. As a High Priestess of the Moon Goddess, Lady Rosaline had taken on a demanding and sacrificial role, requiring her utmost dedication. In order to serve the goddess, she had to abstain from earthly pleasures and maintain purity until the end of her life. Additionally, she had to patiently guide the wayward youth who had be so enamored with the modern world''s pleasures that they could not spare a moment to honor the Moon Goddesses who had helped the Frost n rise to power.
Lady Rosaline stood out from her peers, which only increased Evan''s reverence for her. He couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at her unwaveringmitment and the strength of her character. Hermanding presence and unwavering devotion to the Moon Goddesses were admirable traits that he deeply respected.
He stepped forward, his mesmerizing blue eyes shining with determination. "Lady Rosaline, I swear on my honor as the crown prince of the Frost n that I will show the utmost respect to the Moon Goddess Shrine and to the Frost Goddess herself," Evan said, his voice ringing out with such a deep conviction that it touched the heart of the listeners.
Evan had a deep-seated devotion to the Moon Goddess during his past life as Christian Wolfie. The werewolfmunity believed that the Moon Goddess was their supreme deity and the mother of all werewolves. Fast forward to his current life, and Evan has continued to worship an entity with the same "Name" & "Divinity" as the Moon Goddess of his past life.
''Wait! Could they be one and the same? I think I have stumbled upon a shocking truth!''
As he pondered the possibility of the two being one and the same, he couldn''t help but wonder about the intricacies of the divine and how it transcends lifetimes.
Evan stopped dwelling on the matter as he was acutely aware of the weight of everyone''s gaze on him. He straightened his posture to an unprecedented degree and continued speaking,
"I understand the gravity of this ritual and the importance of showing reverence to our goddess. I will do everything in my power to ensure that no disrespect is shown. I believe my fellow nsmen share the same sentiment." Evan spoke in aposed manner, but his words carried a resounding volume that reached the ears of all those present in the vicinity.
"We definitely do!"
The crowd murmured in agreement, nodding their heads in unison. They, too, shared Evan''s sentiment and were eager to show their respect for the Frost Goddess, who they had worshipped since they were young.
Lady Rosaline gave a small nod of approval, her eyes softening slightly. "I have faith in each and every one of you," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "Let us proceed with the ritual with reverence and devotion in our hearts."
As Lady Rosaline led the youngest generation of cultivators of the Frost n inside the shrine, they were immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of sacredness and reverence.
The air was thick with the pungent aroma of incense, and the flickering candles lining the walls created a mesmerizing dance of shadows that seemed toe alive. The dimly lit room was imbued with a serene energy that was both calming and awe-inspiring.
They made their way towards the main hall, their footsteps echoing on the cold, marbled floor. The vibrant hues of the stained ss windows filtered in soft, colorful light, causing it to cast a mesmerizing glow that illuminated the otherwise dark and somber space.
After leading them into the main hall, Lady Rosaline gestured towards the center of the main hall, drawing the attention of the young cultivators towards the magnificent sight before them.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® "Behold," she eximed, "the divine formation that will awaken your soul tes."
The members of the Frost n were struck with wonder as their eyesnded on the immense, circr structure that dominated the center of the room. The formation was a sophisticatedwork of intricately etched symbols and runes that shimmered with a gentle, blue radiance.
Evan''s pulse quickened as he gazed at the formation. He had been told of its potency since he was young and knew that it held the key to unleashing histent abilities and awakening his soul te.
The mere sight of it sent shivers of excitement and apprehension down his spine in equal measure. Would events unfold exactly as he had foreseen, or would they shift as they had during the talent evaluation exam?
Chapter 70 Awakening 2
?"I have been waiting for this moment for all my life."
Eira, a member of the minor families, expressed her excitement.
"I know how you feel. This is the moment we''ve all been working towards." Jorn, her friend, nodded in agreement.
"It''s incredible to think that this formation will awaken our soul tes. The power that we''ll gain from this is beyond anything we''ve ever experienced." Rina, the second daughter of the fourth elder, added.
"I can''t wait to see what kind of soul tes we''ll have. This is going to be amazing!" Eira''s eximed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Don''t be too happy just yet. The chance of awakening a soul te is one in every three people. Who knows if you can awaken it? And if you don''t, you will be deported from the capital of the empire and live the rest of your miserable lives looking up to awakened cultivators." Garrick spoke with a viinous tone, trying to trample on their spirits. It was evident that he disliked these types of people who had a positive outlook on life. After all, he went out of his way to hurt them.
It is worth noting that within the ck Eye Gxy, various systems of power existed. However, the most highly respected group were the soul cultivators. They possessed the ability to awaken soul tes that allowed them to harness the power of skill crystals, making them the most powerful group within this gxy. Except for them, no one else could do it.
Evan noticed themotion and chuckled internally.
Garrick had signed his own doom by being an arse in the Shrine of the Frost Goddess.
Even if he had the talent to awaken a soul te, he wouldn''t be able to do it now that he had done something the Goddess disliked the most - hurting others emotionally or physically for no good reason.
"The ritual is about to begin. Please sit inside the formation," Lady Rosaline instructed gently as she gestured towards the circle of intricate patterns in front of her.
The Frost n members scrambled to find their ces within the intricate pattern.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® ''I need to upy the central spot.'' Evan thought.
Thanks to his past life memories, he knew that the bulk of the mystical energy of the formation would be concentrated on the person upying the central spot, increasing their chance of awakening a soul te and strengthening their body.
It was something only a yer would know!
This information became public a few months after it became possible to change ss to a soul cultivator.
As the memories of his past life were still fresh, Evan remembered them vividly.
He rushed past the others using the Phantom Shadow Technique.
He moved so fast that they didn''t even notice when he entered the formation and sat in the center of it.
"Moon Goddess, I pray to you. Allow the divine energy to flow through the young ones of my n and guide them towards their destined path. Allow the power of the formation to ignite the souls of the worthy!"
With a voice as soft and touching as a feather''s touch, Lady Rosaline chanted her words, letting them echo through the Shrine''s halls.
As she finished her chant, the runes inscribed on the formation beneath them started to gleam with an otherworldly light as if they hade to life.
With a burst of energy, the runes broke free from the formation and started to enter the bodies of those present.
Some received only a few, while others were fortunate enough to receive more. However, none of them were as fortunate as Evan.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan! You have received the majority of the divine runes from the Moon Goddess''s formation. A total of 50 runes have been focused on you, making you the most blessed individual in the Moom Goddess Shrine.]
[The yer''s chance of awakening a Soul te has increased to 100%.]
[The absorption process has begun]
''Wow, this is a thousand times better than I expected. I''ve hit the jackpot!''
A majority of the yers never got to use such a high-level formation to awaken, even after they changed their ss to a Soul Cultivator. Such privilege could only be enjoyed by members of the Seven Imperial ns and the disciples of the Dark Tower.
Evan basked in the overwhelming feeling of being the luckiest man alive as if he had won the lottery of life itself. His contentment was palpable.
The strange urrence was noticed by everyone around him. They couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy creeping in.
This was the first time the Moon Goddess was showing such tant favoritism! Such a thing had never happened in the past!
What kind of connection did His Highness have with her? Was he her most devout follower? Just what did he do to earn her favor?
These unanswered questions swirled in their minds as they gazed at him enviously.
Suddenly, a vibrant red shadow emerged from Jack''s body, catching the onlooker''s attention. A closer inspection would reveal that it was a strikingly crimson te the size and width of a burly arm.
He had awakened!
Jack''s soul te hovered above him, radiating a fierce red glow that illuminated his face. It was a thing of beauty with seven distinct slots, six of which were sealed tightly. Only one was left open and empty, waiting to be filled.
"It''s an offensive-type."
As Jack gazed at his soul te, an ted grin spread across his face.
Lady Rosaline, intrigued by Jack''s reaction, inquired, "What does it do?"
"It allows me to channel all of my soul energy into one powerful strike," Jack exined, describing the passive ability of his soul te.
Many soul cultivators must undergo extensive training to understand the capabilities and restrictions of their soul tes. However, there are a select few who possess an innate understanding of their soul te''s functions, and Jack appeared to belong to this category, and although his soul te did not possess an innate skill crystal, Jack was content with its capabilities.
Chapter 71 Karma 1
?Jack was one of the lucky few to have his soul te stirred from its slumber during the awakening ritual, transforming him into an awakened soul cultivator. However, as with most things in life, luck wasn''t evenly distributed among the participants.
Equality was an elusive concept when it came to these matters, a shimmering mirage in the distance that never quite materialized in reality. Garrick, unfortunately, was one of the less fortunate souls who couldn''t rouse his soul te even with the ritual''s assistance.
The irony was twisted, for those whom Garrick had once belittled were now awakening their soul tes one after the other. Rina was the first, her eyes lighting up with joy, followed by Eira, whose cheeks were flushed with a sense of achievement. Finally, Jorn awakened his soul te, and his broad smile revealed his relief at the idea of not being separated from his family and the world he knew.
As Garrick watched them, he felt like a pariah, a failure amidst the festive air. The contrast between his dark thoughts and their radiant expressions was stark, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal filled his heart, for he couldn''t help but feel that the Goddess he had once worshipped so dearly had abandoned him.
All his life, he had been devoted to the Goddess, praying to her countless times with unyielding faith. Yet, at this moment, as he felt her absence keenly, he couldn''t help but question why she had let him down. Was this the gratitude he deserved for his unwavering devotion?
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® His thoughts darkened, and he began to wonder if she was even worthy of his sincerity. After all, how could a goddess who turned a blind eye to her followers be deserving of their worship?
At this moment, all the respect he had once held for her died, shattered by the bitter disappointment of not getting what he had hoped for.
Frustration and anger boiled over within Garrick, his expression twisted in a mask of bitter disappointment. "This is so unfair!" he eximed, his voice heavy with emotion. "How could those who are inferior to me awaken their soul tes while I failed to?"
As he spoke, his voice thickened with bitterness, and his gaze locked onto the jubnt faces of his peers. The sight of them reveling in their newfound abilities only served to deepen his envy and his sense of powerlessness. It was a cruel irony that those he had once looked down upon had surpassed him in such a profound way.
"Luck isn''t something that can be controlled, but what you say can be controlled. You should have been more humble and focused on bettering yourself rather than belittling others. If you had kept your dark thoughts to yourself, maybe the Goddess would have overlooked your jerkiness and blessed you with the fortune of awakening your soul te." Rina spoke, her eyes narrowing in dissatisfaction as she fixated her gaze on Garrick, who had always looked down on others with his superior status and chauvinistic ways.
Garrick was a man who held the vilest thoughts towards women and belittled them for the mere fact that they had a vulva instead of a dick. In his eyes, they were just birthing machines that should be obedient to their male husbands.
No wonder the Goddess had not blessed him with an awakened soul te.
He didn''t deserve more power than he already had.
Garrick winced in frustration as Rina''s icy re pierced him, his face twisting even further, looking simr to a grotesque beast.
"You dare talk back to me?" Garrick retorted coldly. "Just because you have awakened your soul te doesn''t mean you are better than me. I can still teach you a lesson any time I like.
Rina remained stern and unfazed, meeting Garrick''s gaze without flinching, something she had never done.
"You may think like that, but the rest of the n doesn''t," she stated firmly. "The rules are clear, Garrick. Those who fail to awaken their soul tes will be expelled from the Sun Moon Empire''s capital. You won''t have the time to make trouble. And don''t act like you have been wronged. You have only yourself to me for facing such a fate."
As he heard her words, Garrick''s fists clenched at his sides as he struggled to control his anger. He looked like a deranged beast to most but a pitiful sight to a certain kind-hearted soul.
"I know this is difficult for you to ept, Garrick," Jorn spoke with sympathy, breaking the silence. He was a kind young man who never liked looking down on others, even if the person in question was a chauvinistic male with Elite syndrome like Garrick. "But you don''t need to act like it''s the end of the world." Jorn continued in a gentle voice, "You can still cultivate and improve yourself on one of the lessers of the empire. Perhaps there, you will awaken your soul te and make your way back to the capital."
The Dark Tower had set a rule that granted Frost n members the opportunity to reside on the empire''s capital, provided that they were fortunate enough to awaken their soul te while staying on one of the lessers. However, such a stroke of luck was exceedingly rare, having urred only a handful of times in the past.
Garrick''s expression hardened at Jorn''s words as he felt that Jorn was taunting him.
"Don''t pity me, you trash!" Garrick spat, his fists clenching even tighter. His face twisted in a scowl, his eyes zing with fury. "I won''t let everything be taken from me without a fight."
His words echoed across the hall of the Moon Goddess Shrine, his anger almost tangible.
"Peh!" Rina sneered at Garrick''s bravado. "You can try, Garrick," she retorted, "but it won''t change the fact that you''re being expelled from the Sun Moon Empire''s capital after the result is made public. After all, the rules set by the Dark Tower are rules that apply to everyone despite their status."
Garrick''s temper erupted like a volcano at Rina''s sharp-tongued remark.
Chapter 72 Karma 2
?His blood boiled with a seething rage, and he couldn''t contain himself any longer. With a wild cry, heunched himself forward, his fist balled up in a tight knot of anger. But just as he was about to strike, something strange happened - it was as if an invisible force had seized his arm and held it back, preventing him from delivering the blow he so desperately wanted.
What followed after was pin-drop silence.
Suddenly, a booming voice shattered the tense silence that had fallen over the shrine. It was Lady Rosaline, the high priestess of the Moon Goddess Shrine, that had spoken up, and her words were like thunderbolts raining down on Garrick''s already frazzled nerves.
"How dare you cause such a disturbance in this sacred ce! Do you have no respect for the Goddess?" she roared, her voice echoing off the walls of the shrine. "Your behavior is utterly atrocious and will not be tolerated!"
Garrick hung his head in shame, hearing her words. His face was flushed with embarrassment and anger as he knew he had messed up. However, it was toote to regret it. Every action had its consequences, and now he was going to pay the price for his foolishness.
Swoosh!
With a swift flick of Lady Rosaline''s wrist, he was sent flying out of the shrine''s massive gates and hurtling across the frozenke.
Thud!
He crashed onto the icy surface with a dull thud.
Then, he heard the sound of a growing crowd gathering around him, murmuring in hushed tones about what had just happened.
Garrick''s heart sank as he realized that he had be the center of attention - and not in a good way.
To even get kicked out of the holiest ce in the Imperial Frost n, just how ugly was his heart?
He could hear the crowd taunting him fearlessly.Their cruel words cut through him like a knife, making him feel like he was drowning in a sea of his own inadequacy.
He wanted to get up and suppress them, to show them that despite falling from grace, he wasn''t someone others could casually step down upon!
As he stumbled to his feet, Garrick was greeted by an even more devastating sight.
His father, the stern and unforgiving Elder Darian, was standing there, ring down at him with a look of utter contempt, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger.
Pa!
Without a word, he raised his hand and delivered a stinging p across Garrick''s cheek, sending him reeling a few steps backwards.
"How dare you embarrass me like this," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You should be ashamed of yourself."
Garrick''s hand flew to his throbbing cheek, the sting of pain spreading across his face like wildfire. The familiar ache of being struck by his father was not new to him; it was a daily urrence. But this time was different. This time, the vicious assault had taken ce in broad daylight, in front of dozens of people.
Garrick''s heart pounded in his chest as he watched his father discard any pretense of being a loving parent. The facade was shattered, and the truth wasid bare for all to see: his father was a daily visitor of domestic abuse, a brutal oppressor who inflicted harm upon his own flesh and blood without remorse. Garrick could feel the weight of their gazes on him, judgmental and pitying, and he hated it.
Looking at how badly Elder Darian was treating his son, Lirian furrowed his brows and let out a frustrated sigh. As a father, Elder Darian had the right to discipline his son, but why was he doing it in front of hundreds of thousands of people? Did he not care about his son''s feelings? How cruel was he?
"He is being too much," Lirian remarked, shaking his head. Thankfully, Lord Darian didn''t hear him; otherwise, he would have be the target of his ire.
Magnus watched the tense interaction between the father and son, feeling a sense of sadness wash over him. Garrick was known as an arrogant troublemaker in the n, but Magnus didn''t me him for his unkind and chauvinistic behavior. After all, it was his father who had instilled these values in him, repressing his wife, stopping her from interacting with her son, and manipting his son.
And now, with Garrick failing to awaken his soul te, Lord Darian was being downright cruel.
"What a jerk of a father," Magnus muttered under his breath.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Sadly, this type of toxic behavior was all toomon within the Imperial Frost n.
In this n, parents would use their children to gain benefits or further their own agendas, disregarding their child''s well-being and emotional needs.
In the past, Magnus had tried to establish rules to prevent parents from teaching their children harsh lessons through physical and emotional abuse, but his efforts had been met with furious resistance from the members of his court, including his ministers and even the Grand Patriarch had told him to back down.
As much as it pained him, Magnus knew that he couldn''t interfere with other families'' matters.
After all, he was injured, a fact that made it hard for him to pressure other using forceful means. Moreover, it had only been a few years since he had taken on the position of n patriarch, and he didn''t want to rock the boat too much.
Thus, he had reluctantly agreed to take a step back, but the thought of all the innocent children suffering at the hands of their parents made his blood boil.
In the center of the crowd, Elder Darian bore his eyes into Garrick''s, a menacing re that seemed to pierce through him.
"Instead of standing there like a befuddled baffoon, scurry back to your quarters and pack your belongings. Your status has been revoked, and your privilege level has dropped to 9. You don''t have the right to stay in the empire''s capital. In precisely an hour''s time, you shall depart for Dri." His voice rumbled with authority as he spoke, leaving no room for argument.
Chapter 73 The Cheat Character Is Born!
?Garrick''s mouth floundered, his words catching in his throat as he attempted to beg for mercy. The weight of his father''s words was like a boulder pressing on him, crushing him under its weight. He had thought that he could rely on his father''s connection to stay on the capital, but the cruel reality was that his father was not going to grant him that luxury.
His father''s cold eyes bored into him, and Garrick felt like he was drowning in their icy depths.
"B-but-"
The plea that Garrick tried to utter was cut short.
"Don''t even bother. Your feeble excuses get you nowhere," Elder Darian interjected, his voice booming with finality.
Garrick felt like he was being sentenced to a lifetime of misery as he heard what was said. He knew how stern his father was. If he didn''t follow hismand, he would be humiliated in public.
Thus, he left the frozenke behind, his heart sinking deeper into an ocean of despair with each step he took.
As he trudged back to his quarters, a deluge of memories flooded his mind, each one a poignant reminder of what he was leaving behind.
The brothels that he had frequented, the courtesan who had pampered him daily, the frenzied nightlife of the capital cities where he could unleash his sadistic and primal urges yet escape unscathed, and the bustling ve markets with their exotic wares - all of it would soon be beyond his grasp.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® The notion of forsaking them all forever was akin to a de piercing his heart. The agony was almost unbearable, and tears cascaded down his cheeks as he ruminated on the life he was being forced to abandon.
Garrick thought: Additionally, how the fuck am I supposed to survive on a foreign with customs and people that I''m aplete stranger to?
The uncertainty was overwhelming, and he felt like he was drowning in a sea of apprehensions and qualms. The weight of his father''s disapproval and the reality of his impending exile made him feel like he was suffocating, unable to breathe or think clearly.
Garrick wasn''t the only one who had fallen short of awakening his soul te.
A legion of others had met the same unfortunate fate, but unlike Garrick, they didn''t put on a show of misery. They epted their defeat with stoic grace and shuffled out of the shrine, their faces crumpled in silent sorrow.
Conversely, there were those who emerged from the shrine with glowing grins and an air of triumph. They had sessfully awakened their soul tes, and it showed in the radiance of their expression.
The parents of the sessful soul te awakeners were over the moon, bursting with pride and joy at their offspring''s achievement. Meanwhile, the parents of those who had failed to awaken their soul tes couldn''t hide their disappointment, their moods as heavy as the thick fog that enveloped the frozenke.
The atmosphere was both positively and negatively charged, emotions running high as excitement and tion mingled with sorrow and regret.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening boom ripped through the air, emanating from deep within the shrine, making everyone jump.
All eyes turned to the shrine, trying to discern what could have caused such a sound.
It was caused by Mathew, who was standing tall and proud and holding a soul te in his hands that was shining with a breathtaking purplish hue.
It was a sight to behold, a special-type soul te with eleven skill slots, ten of which were sealed tight, while the remaining one glittered with a ck crystal.
Lady Rosaline, the High Priestess of the shrine, couldn''t contain her delight at this wondrous sight.
She beamed at Mathew, "Well done, Mathew! You''ve awakened a special-type soul te with an inborn skill crystal. Do you have any idea what marvels they can bestow upon you?"
Mathew locked eyes with Lady Rosaline, a look of unflinching confidence etched on his face.
"Indeed, Lady Rosaline, I am intimately familiar with the capabilities of my soul te and my soul crystal. It''s as if they have always been a part of me," he replied in a voice oozing with confidence. "The special-type soul te I have awakened is called the Realm Maker. It is a rare and powerful soul te that enables me to set up a spiritual boundary in the material world. Once established, I can imbue the effects of my skill crystals into this boundary, amplifying their power to unprecedented levels. And my inborn skill crystal is called Ability Negation skill crystal. When activated, it allows me to negate any soul skill used against me by an opponent."
A grin spread across Mathew''s face as he continued, "With thebined power of my special-type soul te and Ability Negation skill crystal, I can create a spiritual field where abilities that I don''t want to work wouldn''t work! This means that I can render my opponents'' most powerful skills useless, giving me an unprecedented advantage in battle."
The onlookers were left stunned into silence by Mathew''s words, their mouths agape in awe and disbelief. Even Lady Rosaline, who had seen her fair share of soul tes and skill crystals, looked genuinely impressed.
"Mathew, it appears that the Moon Goddess has favored you with her blessings," Lady Rosaline said, her eyes shining with interest andplicated emotions as she spoke.
It was a well-known fact that Mathew was the adopted son of Lord Nichs. The news had even reached the ears of the High Priestess, despite her usual disinterest in the affairs of the secr world.
As Mathew was not rted to the main family line, he did not possess the Blood of Frost.
Chapter 74 Evans Awakening
?Despite this, the ceremony that was meant to favor the cultivators with the frost bloodline had worked in Mathew''s favor, piquing Lady Rosaline''s curiosity.
Why had the Moon Goddess bestowed such favor upon him? What was her intention? These were the questions that gued Lady Rosaline''s mind as she mulled over the enigma that was Mathew.
Lady Rosaline paused for a pregnant moment, taking the time to quell the ripples of concern in her heart.
"However," she continued, "I must warn you, Mathew. You possess a power that has never been seen before, and it may attract ill-intentioned individuals. Be wary of those who seek to exploit your unique abilities and lead you down the wrong path."
Lady Rosaline looked at Mathew with a mix of pity and caution, knowing all too well the dangers that came with possessing such incredible power.
Mathew shed a disarming smile at Lady Rosaline, his voice dripping with sweetness.
"Thank you for your thoughtful words, Lady Rosaline. I greatly appreciate your cautionary advice. I understand the risks thate with my abilities, and I vow to use them for the betterment of society. I will never allow them to be used for evil purposes."
Although his words sounded noble on the surface, a darker undercurrent flowed beneath.
Mathew had his own agenda, one that didn''t involve ying by the rules. He was determined to take down His Highness Evan, the Crown Prince of Frost, no matter the cost, all to save his mother.
Mathew knew that his actions might not be seen as righteous by some, but he was willing to do whatever it took to protect the one he loved.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® She was the only family he had left in this world, and he was willing to risk everything to keep her alive, even if that meant betraying the Main Family and sowing discord in the Imperial Frost n.
Mathew also knew that his actions could have dire consequences if he failed to strip Evan of his position, but he was willing to take that risk for his family''s sake.
Lady Rosaline nodded approvingly at his words.
"I look forward to seeing what you can achieve in the future," she said, her voice filled with both admiration and caution.
As Mathew observed her falling for his facade of innocence, a twisted sense of satisfaction crept over him. He knew he wasn''t a virtuous person, for he always believed that the end justifies the means. To achieve his objectives, he was willing to dive into the murky depths of deceit and do whatever it took, no matter how unsavory it may be.
If Evan had known what Mathew was thinking, he would have heaved a heavy sigh of resignation.
The innocent child was oblivious to the fact that he was being used as a mere pawn in Nichs''s grand scheme.
To make matters worse, Mathew would now be more frequently utilized in Nichs''s nefarious schemes since he had be a major figurehead with the potential to rece Evan as the Crown Prince of the Imperial Frost n, all thanks to the rare Special-type Soul te he had awakened. Such a priceless treasure was an indispensable requirement for anyone seeking to im Evan''s esteemed position.
All eyes were fixed on Evan, who was still in the midst of his awakening. The onlookers were filled with eager anticipation, wondering how he would benefit from the Awakening Ritual.
"What kind of soul te will he awaken?" they whispered among themselves. "Will it be as powerful as Mathew''s, or will it be inferior to Jack''s? Or will he fail to awaken one?"
The tension in the air was palpable, and everyone held their breath, waiting with bated breath to see what would happen next.
Evan''s fingers quivered as he devoured one rune after another, each one setting his entire being aze with a fierce energy. The air around him crackled with electricity as his body hummed with power.
As he savored the rush, a daring thought sparked in his mind. "What if my vision is wrong, and I unlock a unique soul te?" he mused to himself. "Then not only will I prove my worth to all, but I''ll also have unfettered ess to the n''s vast resources. But if I end up awakening a control-type soul te, I will have to immediately start the brutal inheritance war."
Evan''s thoughts churned with a heady mix of anticipation and anxiety while his heart hammered with a jittery excitement that threatened to burst from his chest. He knew that the type of soul te he would awaken would determine his fate in his n and also his future actions.
He focused every fiber of his being on the task at hand: awakening his soul te.
When he consumed the 25th of the 50 runes in his body, a blinding light surged out of him and filled the room, so bright that it seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality itself, the light was so intense that everyone present in the room was instantly blinded by it.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan! You have awakened a Soul te using only 25 divine awakening runes. Your ss has been updated!]
[The remaining runes have been distributed among your basic stats. Your DEX and AGT have increased to 57 points, and your STR, Con, and STA have increased to 60 points]
Evan''s mind was jarred by the jarring ring of the system''s notification.
He couldn''t help but wonder what kind of soul te he had awakened. Was it the same one he had seen in his vision, or was it different?
The blinding light had left him temporarily blinded, and unlike Mathew and Jack, he hadn''t received any information about the soul te he had awoken. Thus, he was in the dark about what it did.
The intense light surging out of his body dissipated after a few moments, and the onlookers saw a strange object hovering above his head.
It was a Soul te, speckled with white and surrounded by a radiant white halo.
Chapter 75 Control-Type? 1
?The crowd let out a soft murmur of disbelief, like a wave gentlypping against the shore. Then, someone spoke up, their voiceced with skepticism.
"White light? Doesn''t it represent...that?" Their words hung in the air, heavy with meaning and unspoken implications, like a dark cloud threatening to burst.
However, before anyone could dwell on the thought, another voice cut in firmly, shooting down the idea. "No! We must be mistaken! How could His Highness, with his unparalleled 13 soul pockets and rare talent, awaken a control-type soul te?"
The words were like a ray of sunshine piercing through the clouds, bringing hope and reassurance.
Despite the reassurance, there was a sense of unease lingering in the air, like a thick fog settling over the group, shrouding them in uncertainty.
Matthew couldn''t help but snicker softly at their naivety, like a mischievous sprite ying a prank on the mortals.
"There''s no mistaking it," he said, his voice dripping with amusement, like honey oozing from a jar. "It''s not like we''re all having a collective hallucination."
Lady Rosaline, everposed, kept her emotions in check as she scrutinized the soul te with a critical eye.
"It''s indeed a Control-type," Lady Rosaline finally uttered, her voice cold and devoid of any emotion.
The onlookers'' murmurs grew into a chaotic hum as the implications of Lady Rosaline''s words sunk in. Control-type Soul tes were known to be the weakest of all soul te types. The fact that not a single crown prince or patriarch of the Frost n had ever possessed one only added to the gravity of Evan''s situation.
Evan''s soul te, a Control-type, seemed to be a curse rather than a blessing. Like dark clouds looming in the distance, his future appeared bleak, and he was bound to lose his position unless a miracle happened.
Despite the pitiful and mocking gazes aimed his way, Evan refused to feel defeated.
His eyes flickered with a fierce determination as he silently vowed, ''I will fight tooth and nail to maintain my position and ensure that history does not repeat itself.''
Evan''s fingers curled into tight fists, his conviction palpable. He was resolute in his quest to obliterate all dead gs and change his fate for the better. He had a spark of hope burning inside him, and he was determined to ignite it into a raging me that would change his destiny forever.
The fierce determination that burned in Evan''s eyes did not go unnoticed by Lady Rosaline. She stepped closer to him and gave him a small but reassuring smile, her hand finding its way to his shoulder.
Lady Rosaline squeezed his shoulder and spoke softly, "Do not be disheartened, Your Highness. While Control-type soul tes may be considered the weakest of all soul tes, they are still soul tes. If you learn to use it properly, you will not be disappointed."
"Thank you, Lady Rosaline," Evan replied, a small smile spreading across his lips. "I know that Control-type soul tes aren''t particrly strong, but I''m not disappointed at awakening one. When used to its fullest potential, it is better than most."
However, Evan''s optimism was met with scoffs and jeers from Mathew, Jack, and several others. But Evan refused to let their mocking words deter him.
''I will prove them wrong.''
The results of the soul te awakening ceremony were immediately announced to the crowd gathered at the Frozen Lake Shrine.
The news of Evan''s awakening spread like wildfire throughout the Sun Moon Empire, thanks to the officials of the Frost Imperial Court who were tasked with spreading the word. However, the attention he received was far from positive.
Evan became the target of ridicule and mockery, and his name became synonymous with failure. Memes and jokes about him flooded social media tforms and other sites, tarnishing his reputation and making him aughingstock.
As Evan stepped out of the shrine, he found himself in the spotlight, but not in the way he had hoped for. The gazes of the onlookers were filled with either pity or disdain, and their contemptuous and sympathetic expressions were a clear indication of what they thought of him. In their eyes, he was not a worthy Crown Prince, and the weight of their disapproval was suffocating.
Magnus, Evan''s father, stepped forward, shielding him from the mocking stares of Mathew, Jack, and the others. He spoke softly to Evan, "Remember, my child, a strong soul te does not determine your worth. It''s how you use it and your heart that truly matters."
Evan nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude for his father''s reassuring words.
Magnus and Evan left the area, their heads held high.
Mathew, who was standing on the stairs of the shrine, couldn''t resist the urge to sneer at Evan''s expense. "He''ll learn soon enough that he''s nothing special," he said with disdain etched on his face. Thankfully, his bullshit wasn''t heard by Magnus. Otherwise, he would have been pped into oblivion.
Jack, who stood next to Mathew, chimed in, "There''s no way he''s going to survive in a n like this with a pathetic soul te like that."
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom Mathew nodded in agreement.
In a n as harsh and unforgiving as theirs, Evan''s weak and feeble soul te would prove to be his downfall sooner than anyone could have imagined, or so he thought!
...
Meanwhile, in the resplendent garden of the Firestorm Imperial n, two captivating women reveled in a tranquil moment of bliss, relishing the taste of their tea.
One was the remarkable Lady Eleanor, the youngest concubine of the reigning patriarch, who surpassed even the Grand Patriarch of the Frost Imperial n in age and wisdom. The other was her beloved daughter, Princess Isabe, a picture of beauty and grace.
Lady Eleanor was a true gem of refined beauty, her auburn hair expertly arranged with delicate jewelry that shimmered in the sunlight. Her slender figure was further enhanced by her finely embroidered attire, attesting to her lofty status within the n.
Chapter 76 Control-Type? 2
?Princess Isabe, no less stunning than her mother, wore her vibrant red hair in a tidy bun that entuated her delicate features. Her dress was alsovishly adorned with intricate designs, an exquisite reflection of her elegance and charm. Her smile, like a ray of sunshine, amplified the tranquility of their surroundings.
Seated at a table bedecked with the finest silverware and tableware, Lady Eleanor and Princess Isabe were indulging in a luxuriant blend of tea imbued with both fragrance and refinement. The garden, a work of art in itself, was aze with the scent of blooming flowers, infusing the air with a sweet aroma.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom "My dearest, have you caught wind of thetest rumor?" Lady Eleanor said in a low voice, leaning in closer to her daughter.
Princess Isabe looked up at her mother with curiosity, her eyes sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight.
"What is it that you''ve heard, Mother?" Princess Isabe inquired, her voice as soft and gentle as a rose petal.
"Word has it that the crown prince of frost has awoken the weakest type of soul te," Lady Eleanor revealed, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Princess Isabe''s expression soured, and she sighed, her disappointment palpable. "I had such high hopes for him," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret.
"Don''t lose heart, my dear. Your knight in shining armor wille in due time," Lady Eleanorforted her daughter, reaching out to console her.
Every woman dreamed of such a ridiculous romance, but they didn''t know that a knight with shining armor was someone whose metal hadn''t been tested!
"Mother, you haven''t revealed my desire to engage with the crown prince of frost, right?" Princess Isabe said, a hint of anxiety vivid in her voice. "I''m no longer interested in him. He''s unworthy of my attention."
Lady Eleanor smiled at her reassuringly,
"Your worries are unfound, my dearest. No one knows about what your heart once yearned for, not even your father. I was waiting to see if you''d make a wise choice before announcing it to the world. It appears you haven''t, and my vignce has spared you from any harm," she reassured her daughter, her words easing Princess Isabe''s fears.
"Thank you, Mother," Princess Isabe said, her gratitude evident.
"Just doing my job, my dearest. After all, you deserve someone with a strong soul te and a noble status, my dearest," Lady Eleanor affirmed, her voice resolute. "And we''ll find him for you, someone who will grovel at your feet and obey your everymand like a pig, just as you deserve."
They didn''t know that they were going to regret their decisions for the rest of their lives.
...
As the opulent doors of the Frostweaver Family''s estate swung open, a young man strode in with a sense of urgency etched on his face. Dressed impably in a ck butler''s attire, his well-groomed brown hair added to his overall sophistication. Sharp brown eyes swept the room before settling on Nichs, who sat regally at a grandiose desk in his study.
"Pce Lord," he began, "the rank-3 anomaly has awakened a control-type soul te with no innate skill crystal. Things are looking rather bleak for him. He''s about as useful as a sack of potatoespared to Jack and Mathew," he added sarcastically.
Nichs'' face lit up with glee as he heard this news, his nted eyes glowing with excitement. Dressed in pristine white clothes, he exuded an enigmatic appearance. His evil grin stretched wider as he leaned forward in his chair.
"This is splendid news!" he eximed, clearly pleased. "We have been awaiting an opportunity like this. Funnily enough, it''s all going ording to the prophecy that was foretold by the warmongers."
The butler looked at Nichs with a questioning gaze, "Pce Lord, should I notify our party members to go on with the n and create chaos during today''s court session?"
Nichs replied with a simple "yes."
Evan, the center of attention yet again, appeared entirely unfazed by the news that had caused a stir throughout the entire Sun Moon Empire.
As an imperialist who was well-known for all the wrong reasons, he had grown ustomed to the endless scrutiny of relentless paparazzi and the vitriolicments of malicious cyberbullies who were consumed by their jealousy towards his privileged upbringing. They loathed him for no other reason than the fact that he was born with a golden spoon in his mouth.
It should be noted that he would have been disgusted by their behavior in the past, but after regaining the memories of his past life, he had be such a different man that he was entirely disinterested in the ridiculous events unfolding before him. To him, the endless chatter about his life was nothing more than fodder for the idle-minded, those with nothing better to do than pry into the affairs of others. He saw no reason to waste his precious time on these people who held no significance in his life.
Instead, he chose to mark his meaningfuling of age in thepany of his closest friend and family, basking in their warm embrace and reveling in their love and support.
For him, this was the only thing that truly mattered.
Magnus congratted Evan on hising of age with a thoughtful gift - a pair of magic-ranked boots called "Silent Steps."
As Evan inspected the boots, his eyes widened with excitement.
Crafted by the finest rune smith in the empire, the boots were said to be infused with a special type of magic that deafened noise, allowing the wearer to move without making a sound.
Lirian had no intention of being outdone by his uncle. He presented Evan with an equally impressive gift - a beautifully crafted magic-ranked item called the "Starlight Amulet."
Evan''s heart swelled with gratitude when he inspected it.
Adorned with a shining star made of pure silver, it had the ability to revitalize the mind and body of the wearer.
Evan expressed his thanks to both Magnus and Lirian for their thoughtful gifts, feeling grateful to have such supportive people by his side as he stepped into adulthood.
Chapter 77 Control-Type? 3
?After bidding farewell to Magnus and Lirian, Evan found himself alone in his room with his newly acquired gifts.
Without wasting any time, he set them aside and retrieved his control-type soul te, inspecting it.
[Inspection Sessful]
[You have gained knowledge about the Skill Weaver Soul te!]
To his astonishment, Evan discovered that his soul te was different from the one he had seen in his vision.
It allowed him to control "Skills" instead of soul energy, a far more advantageous trait for him.
With this soul te, he could manipte anything he created with his abilities with remarkable precision and efficiency.
''Such a control-type soul te can''t be considered weak. It''s applicable in so many situations that it''s ridiculous.''
Evan couldn''t believe the versatility of his control-type soul te, as it was no less amazing than a miracle. His prayer had been heard by the Moon Goddess. It was just that she answered it in a way different than he expected.
Typically, it would take considerable effort and time for an awakened soul cultivator toprehend the workings of their soul te. However, using his Inspection Skill, Evan was able to grasp the effect of his soul te in an instant.
It was a truly awe-inspiring feat.
If someone had witnessed it, their eyes would have popped out of their sockets in amazement and disbelief.
Evan''s countenance shifted into a pensive expression, and he brought his hand behind his back in a manner reminiscent of a cultivator lost in contemtion.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® ''Actually, control-type soul tes are considered weak not because they are worse than others but because there aren''t many skill crystals that arepatible with them. However, I have the perfect solution for that. I have obtained it by risking my life back in the Kobold''s Den of Mischief.''
He knew that theck ofpatible skill crystals was the main reason why control-type soul tes were perceived as inferior by the citizens of the Sun Moon Empire. However, he had the perfect match for his soul te¡ªthe de Master Skill Crystal.
The very thought of it sent a thrill coursing through him.
Without a moment''s hesitation, he plunged the de Master Skill Crystal into the vacant slot of his control-type soul te.
As he felt the crystal lock into ce, a rush of energy surged through his body, setting his nerves alight with anticipation.
Boom!
Suddenly, there was a thunderous roar as the energy of the de Master Skill Crystal resonated with the soul te, demonstrating a perfect harmony between the two.
Evan felt an incredible surge in his power level, and he couldn''t help but grin from ear to ear with satisfaction.
The notification from the system chimed in his mind, its familiar sound echoing through his consciousness. It beckoned his attention, demanding he takes notice of the message that awaited him.
[Ding! Your soul te has been permanently equipped with an offensive-type skill crystal.]
[Congrattions, yer Evan. You have gained the power to use the Thunderous de Wave skill!]
[The Thunderous de Wave is a fearsome supernatural technique that harnesses the frigid power of your ice-type soul energy to imbue your sword with an unparalleled power. Once triggered, the sword will unleash a piercing and destructive arc of ice, slicing through anything that stands in its way each time you swing it. Its chilling st is strong enough to demolish even the most resilient structures and inflict severe frostbite upon any foe caught in its icy wake. Cost per usage: 100 units of ice-type soul energy! Requirement: Melee weapon.]
Evan was intimately familiar with the destructive power of the Thunderous de Wave, having witnessed its devastating effects in his previous life. ording to his knowledge, Vera was ted to learn the Breath of Frost Technique and subsequently use the de Wave against his enemies, but only after first capturing, interrogating, and torturing a Frost n elder. But that future was now forever lost, as Vera had already perished.
Evan knew that inbat, this ability was best suited for taking down heavily-armored opponents or breaking through a siege. The icy onught that could be conjured through the use of this ability was nothing short of breathtaking, leaving destruction in its wake and freezing even the strongest of yers to their core. In the game, Vera had relied on this ability to survive the onught of countless high-level yers for hours before finally sumbing to his wounds.
It was a known fact that with great strength came great risk. In the game, the de Master Skill Crystal was described as a double-edged sword. One misstep and the Thunderous de Wave could just as easily turn against its wielder. Evan, however, didn''t need to worry about that as he could perfectly control it with the passive ability of his control-type soul te.
When using his de Master Skill Crystal in conjunction with his control-type soul te and ice-type soul energy, he could create a destructive arc of ice that he could maneuver as he liked!
"I am not done yet!"
Evan retrieved the precious Skill Upgrade Card from his inventory. It was the second reward he had acquired forpleting the grueling "Slippery Slush Smackdown" Mission, and he had been saving it precisely for this moment.
"The time hase to put you to good use."
Evan felt excited as he gently pressed the Skill Upgrade Card against the smooth surface of his de Master Skill Crystal
As he did so, an otherworldly transformation took ce before his very eyes.
The card, as if summoned by a mystical force, disintegrated into a mesmerizing shower of golden dust that bathed the crystal in a surreal glow.
The energy emanating from the crystal felt ethereal, almost otherworldly, and he struggled toprehend its true nature. It was as if the crystal had been imbued with a mysterious power that transcended his current understanding of the universe.
With a resounding "Ding!" sound, a message materialized before him, bathed in a soft glow. The words glimmered in the air, inviting him to read them attentively.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan! The de Master Skill Crystal has evolved.]
[A new type of power has been unlocked!]
Chapter 78 Initiating The Inheritance War! 1
?Evan''s eyes remained riveted to the semi-transparent screen, unwilling to tear his gaze away for even a moment.
Suddenly, the screen flickered to life, and more words materialized before him. The letters appeared to hover weightlessly in the air, almost as if they were alive and calling out to him.
His heart began to race with excitement as he read the new message.
The power was called Voidde.
It granted him the ability to imbue his sword with a void-like space for an entire minute. Every attack he would make with this power would instantly cut through anything it came into contact with, even other supernatural abilities.
Of course, as with any great power, there was a catch.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® The cost was astronomical - a whopping 500 units of soul energy, regardless of the type.
However, despite the absurd cost, Evan couldn''t help but feel that this new ability was a game-changer.
...
In the dimly lit hallway of the grandiose mansion, Seraphine, hidden as a eunuch, hastened her steps towards Evan''s room.
The intoxicating aroma of polished wood mixed with subtle hints of jasmine filled the air, as if the mansion was a world of its own.
Seraphine''s heart raced as she lightly knocked on the door.
The door creaked open, revealing Evan, the crown prince of the n, lounging on a plush sofa, holding a ss of crimson wine. His legs were crossed, and he exuded an air of nonchnt elegance, savoring every sip of the forbidden drink.
Seraphine sensed a newfound freedom emanating from him, a freedom that came with the awakening ceremony. She couldn''t help but admire the prince''s confidence, despite her misgivings and the growing danger that surrounded him.
"Come in," hemanded as he spared her a nce.
"En."
She gracefully entered the room with sensual movements, her hips swaying in a seductive dance. She knelt before him, her head bowed in respect.
"What news have you brough for me?" Evan''s voice was low and steady, revealing no hint of his emotions.
Seraphine felt a tinge of apprehension in his presence. It was as though the man before him was a brewing storm, powerful and unpredictable. The other members of the n were busy causing trouble for him, but little did they know that he was the very embodiment of trouble itself
"Your Highness," she said to him urgently, "the ministers and officials of the n have joined forces to petition against you in the Imperial Frost Court."
She hoped she wasn''t toote with this critical information. He had entrusted her with the task of keeping him informed of all the news in the n, and she had epted it to demonstrate her loyalty, even though her heart wasn''t truly in it.
Honestly, it was her burning desire to uncover the truth about his brother''s fate that drove her to seek closeness with him. He was the one with the highest likelihood of possessing the answers she so desperately sought.
Evan rose from his seat, his expression inscrutable. His dark imperial cloak, lined with intricate gold threads, billowed behind him like the wings of a fearsome ck dragon poised for battle. Seraphine remained silent, studying Evan''s every move with a solemn expression.
"Trouble was bound toe, but I didn''t think it would be this soon," he remarked calmly, a hint of annoyance glinting in his eyes. "Their foolishness is putting a damper on my fun. I can''t even savor my first drink in peace. They need to be taught a lesson. I''ll attend today''s court session and put an end to their schemes."
''Where does his unwavering confidencees from?''
Seraphine couldn''t help but wonder where his unwavering confidence came from. He exuded the aura of a man for whom victory was not a question, but a foregone conclusion. It was as if everything that was happening was happening ording to his ns, and he knew exactly how to handle it all.
"Your Highness, they will attack you relentlessly if you enter the court. Are you confident you cane out on top?" she asked, raising her head and locking eyes with him.
Was she worring about him? Nah, it seemed more like she couldn''t wait to see him fall into the pit of despair.
Evan met her gaze with a small, self-assured smile.
"The game was set long ago, and now all the chess pieces are in their rightful ce. All that''s left to secure victory is to make a bold move."
Evan had been waiting for this moment. The ministers and officials had foolishly underestimated him, and they were about to learn the hard way that he was not to be taken lightly!
Seraphine couldn''t understand him.
She couldn''t help but feel that the mystery surrounding him was growing thicker by the moment, leaving her wondering if she would ever truly understand the secrets he was hiding behind his mesmerizing fa?ade.
Without another word, Evan left the mansion and headed towards the Imperial Frost Court.
The grand and imposing hall of the court of the Imperial Frost n was a sight to behold. Its walls were crafted from ice so thick that they seemed to emit a radiant blue glow in the light of the chandeliers that dangled from the ceiling, casting a surreal ambiance over the hall.
A throne stood proudly in the center, upied by an incredibly attractive man. His piercing gaze lingered on the dogs that hade to bite the hands that fed them.
The air was icy and frigid, and the ground beneath the ministers and officials was slick with frost, yet none of them seemed to mind the cold. They were all gathered there for a far more pressing matter - the impeachment of Magnus, the Imperial Lord of Frost.
The reason behind this momentous decision was simple - Magnus intended to let his son remain in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, and retain his position as the Crown Prince of Frost in the court of the Imperial Frost n, even though he had awakened a control-type soul te.
Chapter 79 Initiating The Inheritance War! 2
?Such a soul te was deemed an ill omen, and no one in the past who had possessed one had been permitted to remain in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, much less maintain such a critical position as the Crown Prince in the court of an imperial n.
Leading the impeachment were two well-respected members of the n, Alistair and Andrew.
Alistair was the Minister of Defense, responsible for overseeing the n''s personnel and ensuring everyone''s safety within thend of the frost n. Andrew, on the other hand, was the Minister of Culture and the Arts, entrusted with promoting and preserving the n''s arts and cultural traditions.
"Imperial Lord, with all due respect, thews of the Sun Moon Empire-"
"Thews of the Sun Moon Empire be damned!" Magnus interrupted, "I will not let my son be punished for something he cannot control."
"But it''s mandatory. "His Highness" Evan must put down the mantle of the Crown Prince of Frost and be exiled from the Capital of the Sun Moon Empire."
The ministers and officials stood tall and proud, their voices speaking in unison with a conviction that was palpable. It was as if they were chanting, their words resonating throughout the grand hall. The tension in the air was thick, and their demand for Evan''s exile was unwavering.
Magnus red at them, his eyes flickering with anger. He was not willing to give up his son''s ce in the court, and he refused to bow down to their demands.
"How dare you even suggest such a thing?" Magnus voice wasced with venom as he spat out his words. "You can forget about stripping my son of his birth rights until I am the Patriarch of this n."
His words hung heavy in the frigid air, the room silent save for the magical crackling of the ice walls.
The two ministers and the officials under them exchanged nervous nces, fully aware of the delicate situation they were in. They knew better than to cross Magnus when he was angry, but they also knew the stakes were so high that they couldn''t afford to take a step back.
Allowing Evan to remain in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire would not only hinder their propaganda efforts but also risk their loyalty to Nichs, the man they had secretly formed a Clique with despite it being a forbidden and punishable act.
They were treading on thin ice.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on them.
The Frost n had eight ministers in total, but only two were present in the hall. The absence of the other ministers only added to the tension between them, as their support could have swayed the decision in either direction.
The air was thick with uncertainty, and the fate of the Crown Prince of Frost hung in the bnce.
Alistair balled his fists, deciding to take matters into his own hands.
"Imperial Lord," Alistair said, bowing low. "We understand your love for your son, but we have to consider the welfare of our n as a whole. Having someone with a control-type soul te in such a crucial position is just in absurd. We''ll be theughing stock of the entire empire if we let this go on."
Actually, memes about how stupid it all was has already started apppearing all over the inte!
Magnus scoffed, "Were you kicked in the head by a donkey beforeing to attend today''s court session? My son has mastered the Breath of Frost Technique at the tender age of 16. He even bested two of his older cousins in a duel of obedience. He''s more than qualified to hold his position. I won''t let your petty politics stand in the way of his future."
Alistair''s face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation, the reprimand from Magnus weighing heavily on him. However, he was an old hand at this, and he steadied himself rather quickly, taking a deep breath before speaking, "Respectfully, Imperial Lord, it''s not just about that. It''s about the message we send to the rest of the empire."
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® "Silence! I have heard enough. I am done having you fools spreading your stupidity in my court when you are no better than shameless bastards, inciting unrest in such auspicious times." Magnus'' response was swift and harsh, cutting Alistair''s words short, and as he spoke, the air around them grew cold, and the ground beneath their feet trembled, a physical manifestation of his powerful aura.
Alistair and the other officials and ministers present all dropped to their knees, fear and reverence taking hold of them.
Magnus was a beautiful yet terrifying figure, with a face like an angel and a beauty that surpassed the starry night sky, but he was more than just a pretty face, for he held the title of the strongest general under heaven, and had once been a cold-blooded field marshal before being discharged from the army due to injury and returning to his n to resume his role as their patriarch.
The officials and ministers present were terrified, feeling Magnus'' powerful aura threatening to snap their necks like twigs. They trembled, reminded of the true extent of his power and authority.
"Imperial Lord, please forgive us!" Alistair''s voice shook as he spoke, his words barely audible above the howling wind. "We meant no disrespect. We humbly beg for your forgiveness and mercy."
The others echoed his words, their voices quivering with fear. "Please remember that we are your loyal subjects, and we only take action for the best of our n," they pleaded. "Please, have mercy on us."
Magnus regarded them with a cold, calcting gaze, his features unreadable. He wasn''t intending to kill them. He was just instilling fear in their bones so that they would learn to be humble.
For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind, and the officials'' rapid breathing until the silence was broken by a voice that sounded rather familiar.
"Magnus, do not let your emotions get the best of you. It''s not how one should run the n. And think about their proposal thoroughly when you calm down."
Daring to refer the Imperial Lord of Frost by his name. Just who could it be?
Chapter 80 Initiating The Inheritance War! 3
?Everyone turned to see the neer, who had seemingly appeared in the Imperial Frost Court out of thin air.
He was a ridiculously beautiful man with eyes whose beauty could bepared to the moon and hair that shimmered like ice under the light. He was dressed in all-white, and his presence wasmanding yet calming at the same time as if the calm before the storm.
The officials and ministers bowed deeply, recognizing the man as the Grand Patriarch of the Imperial Frost n, Magnus''s father. He was a legend in his own right, renowned for his unfathomable cultivation.
Magnus lounged on his throne, his face propped up on his hand as he surveyed his father with a cool, detached gaze.
He exuded an air of unshakable confidence as he dered, "This court is mine to rule as I see fit, for I am the Patriarch of the Imperial Frost n."
Turning his sharp gaze towards the officials and ministers assembled before him, he spoke with a voice as cutting as a knife through silence. "And let it be known to all who dare to cross my son, that they will face the full fury of my wrath!"
His words echoed like a thundering warning, leaving no doubt in the minds of those who listened that he would stop at nothing to protect Evan from any and all schemers.
Eldrid Frost seethed with indignation. He had never felt so insulted in his entire life. The fact that his own son had spoken to him in such a disrespectful manner, all because of a mere "waste of space" was unforgivable.
In Eldrid''s eyes, Evan was nothing more than a worthless piece of trash, all because he had awakened a control-type soul te. He was a cruel and heartless man that prioritized talent over family.
"Magnus," Eldrid called out.
"Eldrid," Magnus acknowledged his father''s call, his voice void of emotion. However, the sardonic twist of his lips betrayed his true feelings.
"Son, you are making a grave error. I implore you to reconsider," Eldrid warned, his tone heavy with concern.
"There is nothing to reconsider, Father," Magnus retorted with a challenging glint in his eyes.
Their eyes met in a furious sh, and it seemed like a fight would break out at any moment.
However, before their brewing conflict could escte, the doors to the Imperial Frost Court exploded open, and Evan strode in with his head held high.
"Why are you here?" Eldrich asked.
"Grandpa, I am not going to stand by and watch as everything I deserve is taken away from me," Evan dered in amanding voice that reverberated through the Frost Imperial Court.
Magnus''s gaze shifted to his son, his typically unyielding expression softening as he spoke in a gentle tone, "Evan, you don''t need to prove anything to anyone. I won''t let anyone question your rights while I''m around."
Evan acknowledged that his father was indeed a dependable man, but he had a vision of the future that his father couldn''t see.
He knew that if he continued to rely solely on his father, the entire n would eventually turn against him, and he couldn''t let that happen. Magnus deserved all the happiness and sess in the world, and Evan didn''t want to be the one responsible for jeopardizing his father''s legacy.
"You''ve done enough for me, Father. It''s my turn to make things easier for us."
"But-"
Eldrid interrupted with a dismissive wave of his hand, insisting, "Let the boy speak his mind, Magnus. He has every right to be heard," before turning his piercing gaze towards Evan, his eyes challenging him to speak up. "What have youe here to propose? Spesk your mind."
Without hesitation, Evan stepped forward and faced Eldrid and the ministers, his eyes zing with a fierce and unparalleled determination.
"I''m here to fight for what''s rightfully mine," he said, "I won''t let anyone strip away my birthright. It''s my turn to take the reins and lead this n to greatness."
"How do you n on doing that? The mere fact that you possess a control-type soul te is enough to disqualify you from inheriting the n." Eldrid sneered at Evan, his words oozing with condescension.
Evan didn''t answer him. Instead, he posed a question.
"Our n values age and seniority over merit and ability. The eldest son of the head of the main family has the first right to inherit the position of patriarch, even if they''re not the most qualified or capable. Grandpa, you weren''t the eldest among your brothers. How did you be the patriarch of the n?" Evan asked in calm and steady voice.
A sly smirk tugged at Eldrid''s lips as heunched into his story, regaling Evan with the tale of the Inheritance War. It was a brutalpetition established by the Founder of the n to determine who was truly worthy of sitting on the Throne of Frost - a seat reserved for the patriarch of the Imperial Frost n. It could only be initiated by the children of the Patriach. And it still hadn''t been discarded.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® Magnus looked at Evan in shock and pleaded, "Evan, please tell me you''re not nning to follow in your grandpa''s footsteps?"
Evan smiled guiltily at his father.
"I''m sorry, Father, but I want to initiate the Inheritance War!" He dered his intentions boldly
Evan''s unexpected announcement not only startled Eldrid, but also left everyone else in the Imperial Frost court dumbfounded.
"You can''t do this, Evan. It''s too dangerous."
"I must do this, Father. It''s the only way to stabilize the n and curb insubordination."
Magnus, his father, was quick to try and intervene, but the determined look on Evan''s face made it clear that he wouldn''t be dissuaded.
Eldrid, who had been watching the exchange with interest, stepped forward and spoke, "Let the boy try. If he fails, he fails. But if he seeds, he will have proven himself a true member of our family. Child, if you win the war, you will have my approval."
Evan had been waiting for these words, knowing that the support of his father was crucial, but to have the backing of his grandfather, who only cherished talent, would mean that the entire Imperial Frost n would fall into his hands.
He didn''t particrly like his grandfather, but he couldn''t deny the power he presented and his simple nature. Despite his cruel tendencies, Eldrid was straightforward and that appealed to him.
"I am sure you''ll keep your word when the timees, grandpa," Evan said, casting a slightly emotional look at his grandfather before turning to the court officials.
"Announce the initiation of the Inheritance War!"
BOOOOOOOOM!
The sound of horns red throughout the Imperial Frost n, its call reaching every member, even those located on lessers throughout the ck Eye Gxy as if magic.
Notifications were also sent out to all branches of the n, telling them that their heirs in the first stags of cultivation could participate in the Inheritance War if they were willing.
Excitement rippled in the air as the youngest generation of the Imperial Frost n prepared for the inheritance war.
Evan had set in motion a tradition that had not been invoked in generations, and it was causing waves througout the Sun Moon Empire!
Chapter 81 Cultivation Cave
?The Inheritance War was governed by rules that were etched into the very fabric of the n''s traditions. These rules were crystal clear and left no room for ambiguity.
The first rule stated that only those who had attained the same level of cultivation as the Crown Prince of Frost were eligible to participate in the war. There were no exceptions to this rule, which ensured that all contenders would have an equal chance to prove themselves.
The second rule was equally important - the better a contender''s performance in the war, the greater the resources that would be allocated to them. This ensured that the n''s resources were used efficiently and effectively.
However, the most critical rule of the Inheritance War was this - the winner would be adopted by the patriarch of the n and named the crown prince, regardless of their previous status. This was a powerful motivator for the younger generation of the n, as it meant that anyone could rise to the third most important position in the Imperial Frost n if they proved their worth in battle and won the war.
For Evan, the stakes were even higher. If he emerged as the winner - a feat that many considered impossible - his position as the Crown Prince of Frost would be unshakeable. All the members of the n would have to rally behind him, no matter what their previous stance had been. However, if he lost, he will have to give up everything and leave the capital of the Sun Moon Empire with his head held low.
It was a risky move, but Evan had weighed the risks and rewards carefully before making his decision.
It''s important to note that participating in the Inheritance War came with a grave risk - contenders could lose their lives in the brutal and cruel trials. The stakes were high, and the cost of failure was steep. Despite this, many young members of the n still eagerly awaited the opportunity to prove themselves and earn the coveted position of Crown Prince of Frost.
Six hours were left until the Inheritance War would begin, leaving ample time for the youngest generation of the Imperial Frost n to sign up for it.
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® Meanwhile, Evan, the initiator of the inheritance war, secluded himself in the cultivation cave to make the most of his time.
The cultivation cave was a marvel of soul energy density, privately owned by his father, and boasted a beautiful pond - though this was no ordinary body of water.
It was more than just a scenic feature; it was a concentrated liquefied form of the essence that made cultivation easier.
Evan wasted no time before taking off his clothes and plunging into the spiritual pond, immersing himself in its depths.
His sole purpose for being here was to cultivate and unlock his eight soul pocket within hours. It was a lofty goal that required discipline, focus, ruthlessness not towards others but oneself, and unrivaled dedication, but he was up for the challenge. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be here.
Soul pockets were the lifeblood of cultivators, vital organs that served as storage units for their soul energy. These small, finger-sized sacs were originally sealed and ethereal, making it impossible for a cultivator to locate them through conventional means such as X-rays. Only soul energy and simr substances could interact with them.
Prior to the talent assessment test, Evan, like many ordinary people, was akin to a blind man fumbling in the dark, unable to sense the location of his soul pockets. Unlike his gifted peers, Jake and Matthew, who could instinctively locate their soul pockets, Evan struggled to do so. However, following the assessment, Evan''s soul pockets had be somewhat corporal, with a pulse of their own, and he could effortlessly locate the entrance to these sacred sacs through relying on his senses.
In other words, he no longer needed the aid of his system or pills to open his soul pockets. He could now do it manually, thanks to his improved sensitivity and mastery over his own soul energy.
Evan concentrated all his focus on controlling his icy energy, directing it towards the opening of his eighth soul pocket.
Boom!
A resounding reverberation rang out from within him as a wave of icy energy, made up of 100 units of ice-type soul energy, crashed into the opening of his eight soul pocket, causing his body to rock from the impact.
[Ding! The entrance to your eight soul pocket has slightly loosened!]
Evan sighed as despite the massive force behind it, the impact failed to open the pocket.
"I guess I will have to turn up the heat."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Evan relentlessly assaulted the opening six more times in session, each strike causing the dent to deepen and expand. But, his physical body bore the brunt of his maniacal efforts - crimson droplets trickled down from his nostrils, ears, and even the corners of his eyes.
Had anyone been witness to the way he cultivated, they would have been stunned by his audacity. What he was attempting to do was unheard of.
Even a seasoned awakened soul cultivator would only dare to make an attempt to open their soul pocket once per week due to the excruciating agony it inflicted. Yet, Evan had attempted it seven times in a mere minute.
It was as if he was impervious to pain.
But no.
He was not immune to it.
A searing pain was coursing through his body, making him feel that his blood had been reced by moltenva, his entire being seemingly engulfed in mes, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, bearing the pain with the fortitude of a cultivator who had endured endless hardships in pursuit of immortality.
Undeniably, his fervor to emerge victorious in the Inheritance War was palpable in his actions. However, a notification from the system interrupted his efforts, reminding him of his mortality.
[Ding! The entrance to your eight soul pocket has opened by 23%!]
[You have sustained negligible injuries!]
[Warning! Reckless cultivation may lead to cultivation deviation]
[Advance at your own risk!]
The warning shed in front of his eyes.
In reply, he scoffed with arrogance befitting his status as the Crown Prince of Frost!
Chapter 82 An Attempt To Do The Impossible
?Deviation in cultivation was no small matter.
For cultivators, it was a perilous situation that could arise when their soul energy was thrown off bnce or became chaotic, and the consequences were dire, not only hindering their cultivation progress, but also causing harm to their physical and mental well-being, as well as their soul pockets and soul te.
Overexertion, emotional instability, and practicing improper cultivation techniques were the mostmon culprits behind deviation.
For awakened soul cultivators like Evan, the risk of deviation was always present, lurking in the shadows. Losing control of their soul energy could have severe ramifications, even leading to the destruction of their lifeblood, severing their path to cultivation forever.
Hence, it was crucial for cultivators to maintain a delicate bnce in their cultivation and take appropriate precautions to prevent any imbnces in their soul energy.
However, Evan was not one to y it safe. He had no intention of adhering to the traditional teachings and scoffed at the idea of it. He knew the risks of deviation, but he also knew that the greatest rewards in life came from taking risks.
Moreover, he was desperate to increase his strength even by the smallest margin before the inheritance war and it was evident from his expression and the sharp glint shing in his royal blue eyes that he would stop at nothing to achieve it.
"I believe that true cultivation lies in pushing oneself beyond their limits and embracing the pain and hardship thates with it. I am determined to forge my own path, consequences be damned!" Evan thought, with conviction burning in his heart.
He knew that his actions could potentially lead to deviation, but he was willing to take that risk in order to achieve his goals.
With that in mind, he continued to refine the energy of the pond into his own, using the Breath of Frost Technique.
In a matter of minutes, his seven empty soul pockets were filled to the brim with ice-type soul energy, signifying that he was all set and ready to attempt to open his eighth soul pocket.
"Since thest seven attempts weren''t enough, I will continue attacking it until it opens!" Evan thought, his determination unwavering as he continued to push himself further, beyond his limits.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
[Ding! The entrance to your eighth soul pocket has opened by 43%!]
[You have sustained minor internal injuries!]
[Warning! The risk of falling into cultivation deviation has increased to 40%]
He continued his relentless attack, giving no time for the gap that he had created in the opening of his eighth soul pocket to narrow.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As he fought against the norms relentlessly, a loud ding caught his attention.
[Ding! The entrance to your eighth soul pocket has opened by 88%!]
[You have sustained severe internal injuries! You are bleeding from your seven orifices!]
[The Blood Loss Debuff has been applied! If you do not recieve proper treatnent in an hour, you will die!] [Warning! The risk of falling into cultivation deviation has increased to 70%]
Evan''s heart raced as he felt the Blood Loss Debuff taking its toll on him. He knew he had to act fast before it drained him of his life forcepletely, and despite the risk of falling into cultivation deviation, he remained resolute in his reckless ns. His will was unbreakable, and he refused to let anything stand in his way.
"Open for this prince!" he yelled, determination and pain mixing in his voice as he attacked the entrance of his eighth soul pocket once again.
Boom!
A resounding echo filled the air, and Evan''s eyes sparkled with excitement as he sensed the entrance to his soul pocket opening up fully. Finally, after numerous attempts, he had seeded in opening his eighth soul pocket!
[Ding! Congrattions yer Evan for reaching the eighth level of the Soul Manifestation Realm! You get +1 skill point.]
[As this is your first time manually leveling up, you will gain an additional reward. You get +1 low-level skill card!]
Evan''s mouth and eyes released a torrent of blood, drenching his lips and cheeks in a vivid crimson hue. The blood bathed his face, morphing it into a sinister mask reminiscent of a demon relishing in the aftermath of carnage. Though agony ravaged his body like a divine punishment, a wild and maniacal grin crept across his visage, rendering him unrecognizable.
The grin was insane, one that had never before been witnessed.
"Heh," he chuckled, his mirth echoing through the atmosphere, resonating in the Cultivation Cave like the very essence of the heavens. "Finally, my unyielding determination and hard work have borne fruit."
The triumph he achieved today was unparalleled, an aplishment that had never been witnessed in the ck Eye Gxy and would continue to reign unmatched in this generation.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom His reckless behavior had caused severe internal injuries, and the bleeding showed no signs of stopping. He felt weak, and his vision blurred, unable to support his own weight.
As he felt his consciousness slipping away, he mustered the strength to undo the formation sealing the cultivation cave and send a desperate message to his father for help. But before he could do anything else, he lost consciousness and sank deeper into the spiritual pond.
Momentster, a hand reached out and grabbed Evan''s, pulling him out of the water. Looking down at his son with a mix of worry and anger was Magnus, who, with his years of experience, could easily discern the cause of Evan''s injuries with a nce. While he himself was reckless in his youth, he couldn''t help but im in his heart that his son''s recklessness was on another level altogether.
"How reckless!" he eximed, his sigh indicating his frustration, but he was more worried than he was angry, and it was evident through his bodynguage.
Without a moment''s hesitation, he scooped Evan up into his arms, rushed out of the cave, and took off into the sky, ignoring any and all rules or regtions.
Chapter 83 83: Beginning Of The Inheritance War
?Magnus held Evan''s body firmly as they soared through the air. His heart was racing with fear as he focused all his energy on getting his son the help he needed. It had been years since he had felt this anxious.
As they approached the private hospital of the n, a high-tech facility nestled high in the clouds, Magnus hastened his steps. Upon arrival, he cradled Evan''s motionless body with a mix of fear and urgency, before rushing towards the advanced droids and sleek healing pods that lined the corridors.
The hospital''s sophisticated technology, operated by a team of highly specialized droids, had the capability to swiftly diagnose and treat the most severe injuries, regardless of whether the patient was a cultivator or a mortal.
Silently praying that the advanced technology of the healing pod would be enough to save his beloved youngest son, Magnus ced him into the sleek, metallic pod. The pod immediately came to life, glowing with blue lights that cast an otherworldly glow across Evan''s still form.
As soon as Evan was ced into the pod, a notification appeared on the screen panel attached to it: "HEALING PROCESS INITIATED." The pod began to hum softly as it scanned Evan''s body, identifying the extent of his injuries.
Seeing the notification, Magnus knew that the process to heal his son had begun. He waited anxiously for the results.
After a few moments, another notification appeared on the screen panel: "PRINCE EVAN HAS STARTED TO HEAL. ESTIMATED TIME TO FULL RECOVERY: 30 MINUTES."
Magnus breathed a sigh of relief but felt as though the next 30 minutes would be an eternity. He knelt by his son''s side, praying to the Moon Goddess for Evan''s recovery while watching as the healing pod worked its magic.
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, the notification "HEALING PROCESS COMPLETE" appeared on the screen panel of the pod.
Magnus was grateful for the advanced technology and the Moon Goddess''s blessing that made it possible to heal injuries like Evan''s so quickly.
Evan stirred slowly, regaining consciousness. He looked up at his father, who was watching him with a mix of concern and relief.
"Thanks, father," Evan managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
Magnus smiled back at his son, relieved that he was alright. However, his relief was short-lived as he became angry.
He couldn''t believe that Evan had been so reckless with his cultivation, risking his life to achieve a minor breakthrough.
Magnus scolded his son harshly, causing Evan to wince as his father directed his ire towards him. He had never been scolded so harshly by his father before, and thus, he not only felt wronged but also felt a deep sense of shame wash over him.
"I''m sorry, father," Evan said quietly. "I shouldn''t have been so reckless."
"It''s good that you know you''re wrong. Promise me that you will never do it again," Magnus said sternly.
Evan was reluctant, but he eventually agreed. "I promise."
After Magnus went away, Evan pulled out the low-level skill card.
[The low-level skill card has been activated!]
[Which low-level skill would you like to learn?"
"Soul Refining," Evan said.
[Congrattions yer Evan on learning the auxiliary-type skill, "Soul-refining"]
With this skill, he could refine soul energy crystals with incredible speed and transfer their energy into his own being. It was a game-changing skill for him as he had been struggling to bnce the costs of his other abilities, all of which required a substantial amount of soul energy.
He then flew to the Umbra Bank on his hover board to withdraw a thousand high-level soul energy crystals and stored them in his inventory.
With his new skill and ample supply of energy, he felt ready for the inheritance war.
Ding!
Suddenly, a piercing ring sliced through the stillness, startling Evan out of his reverie. The sound reverberated in the air, mimicking the urgency of the message that shed on hismunicator''s screen.
He swiftly reached for hismunicator, fingers fumbling until he finally retrieved the device from his pocket.
With bated breath, he read the official message that had juste in from his n, and his heart skipped a beat.
It was crystal clear - he had to rush to the entrance of the first training ground of the Imperial Frost n, pronto. The inheritance war was about tomence, and his presence was imperative.
In a sh, he leaped onto his trusty hover board, a device with an energy signature that could fly, and wasted no time in racing towards his destination. The wind whipped past his face as he darted through the air, the hum of the board''s engine the only sound he could hear. Eventually, he arrived at his destination, only to be greeted by a bustling horde of people.
A cynical smirk twisted his lips as he surveyed the scene. It appeared that his standing within the n was highly coveted, enough for individuals to forsake their kin and jeopardize their own safety to seize it.
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® "They''ll do anything for a slice of the pie," Evan muttered with a hint of annoyance, a sharp tsk! resonating through the air as he clicked his tongue in exasperation.
Whoosh!
A sudden gust of wind blew through the training ground, sending dirt and debris scattering in all directions.
The crowd shielded their eyes.
Evan tried to make out the source of the disturbance, and he saw a figure appearing from the sky, descending gracefully to the ground. It was a man with striking blue hair and eyes that matched the hue of his locks. His face was oval-shaped, giving him an air of refinement and sophistication.
"Wee to the inheritance wars, young master. I am Keldor J. Lionheart, the host who will be guiding you through the first few trials. It is my pleasure to exin the rules to everyone," said the handsome man.
"A cultivator who can fly?" murmured someone in the crowd. "He must be in the Soul Embodiment stage."
Chapter 84 84: The First Trial-Keldor The Sadist
?Keldor stood before the participants with a stony expression, his gaze unwavering as he spoke, "The inheritance war isprised of several trials." With a swift motion, he raised his hand, and a deep line etched itself onto the ground. The line stretched as far as the eye could see, reaching at least a mile in length. "Your first trial is to cross this line within three minutes. Those who seed will advance to the next round, while those who fail will be disqualified. Now, let''s begin!"
p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1--§ão§® The crowd murmured, unimpressed with the simplicity of the task at hand.
"Is this some kind of joke?" one participant questioned.
"I thought the first trial would be more challenging," another said.
Evan scoffed at their ignorance.
"Numbskulls. The inheritance war is known for its cruelty. It can''t be this easy. Keldor must have something up his sleeve," he thought to himself.
Jack, on the other hand, voiced his disappointment at theck of challenge, eximing, "Well, that was anticlimactic."
At that moment, Keldor''s lips twisted into a sinister grin, and his eyes glinted with malevolent delight.
As if on cue, the air crackled with energy, and the once peaceful and sunny sky was suddenly transformed into a sinister disy of crimson light. The streaks danced and weaved together, forming an intricate magic symbol that glowed with an otherworldly intensity. The eerie, blood-red hue cast a haunting glow over everything below.
All around, the participants of the inheritance war stared up in terror as the symbol of a monstrous beast with razor-sharp fangs took shape in the sky. The image was so vivid and lifelike that it felt as though the creature was hovering right above their heads, waiting to pounce at any moment.
And then it happened!
Boom!
In a split second, an immense pressure descended upon the participants, causing the ground beneath their feet to fracture and break. Those who were weaker crumpled to the ground, unconscious, while others fell to their knees, their skincerated by the jagged shards of the shattered earth. Nausea engulfed them, and they began to retch uncontrobly, some even spitting up crimson-stained bile. They gasped and wheezed for air, their eyes and noses streaming with tears and mucus, respectively.
The scene was a gruesome spectacle that would have made even the bravest of souls shudder in terror. But for Keldor, it was a source of pleasure, evidenced by the sinister grin that twisted his lips and the dark glint in his eyes. He reveled in their agony, relishing every moment of their suffering, with a sickening tent forming in his pants.
He then proceeded to mock them, saying, "Oh, how quickly you underestimate the inheritance war."
At this moment, Keldor''s expression was one of sadistic pleasure, as if he was reveling in their despair. The sight sent shivers down the spines of all who beheld him, filling them with a primal fear of the unknown and the unfathomable thought lurking within the maniacal mind of Keldor J. Lionheart.
Will they have to endure this pressure for three whole minutes? They couldn''t even feel their bodies. If this continued, they might die!
Evan''s blood boiled as he fought against the crushing pressure with nothing but his raw strength and straightened his back, standing tall and mighty. His gaze narrowed as he caught sight of Keldor, who was reveling in the agony of the other participants. The sight filled him with rage.
"I will wipe that smug off his face real quick," he vowed.
With a shift of his weight onto his right foot, Evan''s soul energy burst forth, propelling him forward at incredible speed.
Swoosh!
In the blink of an eye, he had reached the finish line.
The other participants were left in utter shock, their eyes widening to the size of saucers as they watched Evan cross the line with ease. Their jaws dropped, touching the ground as they struggled to process what had just happened.
"What?! How did he do that?!"
"He crossed the line in mere seconds!"
"That''s impossible!"
"What?!" Keldor''s expression was also one of shock and disbelief, as he stood there speechless. He had never expected anyone to be able to pass through his pressure field so easily. His twisted pleasure took a hit, turning into an expression that was a mixture of frustration and admiration. "Impressive... very impressive." he grudgingly admied Evan''s feat.
Keldor then proceeded to acknowledge Evan''s sess, saying, "Congrattions, Your Highness. You have passed the first trial."
Evan replied, "No need to state the obvious."
Keldor sneered, "Please don''t get too ahead of yourself. The real challenges of the inheritance war are yet toe." His tone was polite, but it was clear to Evan that Keldor was a two-faced hypocrite.
Evan raised an eyebrow, a wry smile spreading across his lips.
"Oh, I have no doubt that the challenges will be formidable," he replied coolly, "But I wouldn''t underestimate my own abilities if I were you, Sir Keldor."
Evan''s attention was suddenly drawn to something fascinating that caught his eye.
A man dressed in a sleek ck robe and mask caught his attention. Despite the intense pressure weighing down on him, the stranger moved with an effortless air of nonchnce, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in the park. This enigmatic figure piqued Evan''s interest, leaving him with a burning curiosity as to who he could be and why nobody had mentioned him before in the n.
AWWWWHHHHHH!!!
However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a piercing scream that shattered the silence and shook Evan out of his musings.
It was Jack, who had unleashed a burst of soul energy in a fierce attempt to ovee the pressure and surge towards the finish line. He fought off the pressure of the magic symbol and dashed towards the end with all his speed, crossing the finish line in less than a minute.
Many others followed suit, unleashing their soul energy to resist the pressure of the magic symbol in the sky and charging forward with all their might.
Chapter 85 85: The Second Trial-Hell Forest!
p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® ?Kaboom!
Keldor lifted the rough horn to his lips, feeling the instrument''s coarse texture brush against his skin. He inhaled deeply, then blew into it with all his might, unleashing a thunderous st that resounded across the field and reverberated into the distance.
The first trial of fire had ended, and the inheritance war had imed its first casualties.
Out of the 3,000 ambitious participants who had entered the inheritance war, only 800 had emerged victorious, their strength and cunning allowing them to ovee the merciless trial set up by Keldor.
The rest of the participants weren''t so fortunate.
Of the remaining 2,200 entrants, 1,900y writhing on the ground in agony, their bodies twisted and mangled by the brutal nature of the contest. They were still alive, but barely, their chances of continuing in the war now entirely diminished.
The remaining 300 participants had met a much grimmer fate.
They had sumbed to the deadly challenges of the trial, their lifeless forms scattered across the training ground like discarded puppets, their dreams of power and glory forever extinguished.
The gruesome sight was a brutal reminder of the inheritance war''s savagery, where only the strongest could survive, and the weak were ruthlessly eliminated.
Evan surveyed the aftermath of the unforgiving contest, his gaze sweeping across the field of carnage.
Haiz!
He let out a heavy sigh, unsure if he should pity the fallen or curse them for their foolishness. After all, these entrants had willingly epted the risks and consequences of their actions when they signed up for the inheritance war.
The Imperial Frost n had made it clear that they wouldn''t be responsible for any fatalities during the trials of fire before the start of the inheritance war. While knowing the risks involved, they had signed up for this brutal war, putting everything on the line for power and glory, and now they had paid the ultimate price for their ambition.
''They don''t deserve my pity, but what about their families?''
Evan couldn''t help but feel a pang of sorrow, knowing that the families and loved ones of the fallen heirs would bear the weight of their choices. However, he quickly banished the emotion, understanding that sentimentality had no ce in the merciless world of power struggles and n politics.
"It''s not the time to be sentimental. In this war, it''s either kill or be killed,"
Keldor, who was facing away from him and relishing in the aftermath of the trial, didn''t notice the shift in Evan''s demeanor, but as he heard the prince''s sigh, he couldn''t help but speak his mind.
"Don''t waste your pity on them, Your Highness. They knew the stakes when they signed up for the inheritance war as the Imperial Frost n made it clear that casualties were inevitable. It''s survival of the fittest, and these overconfident buffoons were simply not up to the task," Keldor''s voice dripped with cold ruthlessness.
"Have some respect for the dead," Evan said, regarding Keldor with a frost gaze.
"Yes, Your Highness." Keldor said, hiding his true thoughts.
Evan then turned his attention to the crowd of remaining contenders.
"You have seen it for yourself. Compassion has no ce in this war. We''re battling for power and dominance, and those who can''t handle the pressure will perish. If you want to leave with your live intact, now''s the best chance," Evan warned, his tone matter-of-fact.
This was the final opportunity for mercy he would offer. From here on, he will be speaking with his sword. It would be their blood staining his de!
Hundreds of people could feel the weight of his words bearing down on them.
One of them, a young man with sweat beading on his forehead, stepped forward and spoke up.
"I...I didn''t expect it to be so cruel," he stammered. "I didn''t want to test my luck and die young. I don''t... I don''t want to continue."
Another participant, a woman with tears streaming down her face, added, "I didn''t expect it either. I don''t want my family to mourn my death. I want to withdraw from the inheritance war."
Several others murmured in agreement, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty.
Keldor''s once-smiling expression began to crumble as he listened to the desperate pleas of the entrants. As a respected member of the elder council, he belonged to a powerful force that was entirely devoted to the betterment of the n, owing allegiance to neither the main nor minor families. Every action he took was meticulously nned and executed with the sole purpose of advancing the n''s interests.
Keldor had seen the inheritance war as an opportunity to rid the n of its dead weight, freeing up resources for the gifted young masters who held the n''s future in their hands. However, Evan''s interference had thrown a wrench in his ns, making it impossible for him to achieve his goal.
Keldor couldn''t turn a blind eye to their decision to withdraw; it was too significant to ignore.
"Very well," Keldor said, his voice cold and measured. "Those who wish to withdraw may do so. But know this - once you leave, there is no turning back. You will forfeit any chance at the inheritance and the power it brings."
The 800 participants looked at each other nervously, weighing their options.
Some chose to stay, steeling themselves for the next trial.
Others turned and walked away, their dreams shattered. Still, they kept their lives intact, which was a win-win situation for them.
Keldor looked at the departing participants with disdain, his disappointment evident in his expression. Ah, how much he wanted them dead!
"Weaklings. You were never fit to inherit the wealth and authority of our n."
Keldor''s words stung them in the ce where it hurt the most, causing them to flinch. They knew deep down that he was right. They were a group of cowards who couldn''t withstand the brutal tests and fight to elevate their positions in the n''s hierarchy.
Evan, however, had a different perspective than them and Keldor.
"Don''t listen to the bullshit of a sadistic psychopath. You''ve made the right decision. You didn''t let greed cloud your judgment. Choosing to step back from the war and live to see a thousand sunrises is a wise choice. It''s better than what most of your peers would do," he eximed.
Hearing Evan''s words, they felt their spirits lift, feeling better and more hopeful about their decision.
A teenager turned around and bowed to him, "I would dly serve a man of your caliber without hesitation."
The others, shaken to their core by Evan''s words, also paid their respects to him.
"I hope you emerge victorious in the inheritance war, Your Highness!" they said to him in unison.
With just words alone, Evan had lessenedpetition for himself.
It was admirable!
Chapter 86 86: The Second Trial
?"Now that we''ve weeded out the trash, let us begin the second trial, the Ultimate Test of Survival and Skill," Keldor said, his voice resonating across the field. "In this trial, your survival instincts and hunting prowess will be tested against the natural perils of X, a non-developed, renowned for its ferocious beasts and inhospitable environment. Though it may seem like a straightforward challenge, do not be deceived, for it is far from easy. Each of you will be assigned a unique target to eliminate in X, and you will have a limited amount of time to do so. Should you find your target too formidable, you may try to snatch the task of another participant by taking them out. But here''s the catch - the hunt must be done solo. Cheating is not an option. Your actions will be broadcasted to the council, and any attempt to deceive or cheat your way through this trial will not go unpunished."
"After youplete your task, you need to find your way back home within the time limit. Only then, my dear young masters, will you have truly passed this trial."
Mathew raised a cautious hand, "Do we have any protection?"
Keldor scoffed. "There is no safety, no second chance. If you die, you die. But if you seed, your position in the n will skyrocket. You will receive preferential treatment and resources to aid your cultivation."
Jack interjected with a pressing question. "How can we ensure fairness in this trial?"
Keldor''s grin was malevolent. "Fairness? That is nonexistent in war. The monsters you hunt will be chosen on my whims, so you must adapt and ovee, regardless of the odds. If you feel it is too unjust, you may forfeit your inheritance rights and leave the war."
There were dire consequences for those who forfeited from the inheritance war. They would lose their inheritance rights, hit rock bottom, and receive no resources from the n. They would need to start from scratch and make contributions to the n to rise up the socialdder.
"How do we return?" Evan asked.
"The council of elders has set up bunkers on X. These bunkers hold the key to your safe return home, but you must find them first," Keldor replied.
"What if we fail toplete our task in time?"
Onest question lingered in the air.
Keldor''s eyes narrowed. "Failure is not an option. Those who cannot prove their worth will be deemed unworthy and removed from the inheritance war. However, it''s still better than forfeiting."
With a snap of his fingers, portals appeared in all directions.
"These portals will take you directly to X," Keldor announced as he gestured towards the shimmering portals. "The monsters you are supposed to hunt will be in the terrain you are teleported to. The trial has officially begun. You have three days toplete your tasks. Make sure you use your time wisely."
The entrants stepped through the portals and vanished into thin air.
Evan took a deep breath and stepped into the portal. He was immediately engulfed in a swirling vortex of energy. The sensation was disorienting, like he was being tossed and turned in a violent storm.
When he emerged on the other side, he found himself standing in a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the very heavens.
The air was thick with humidity, and the ground was slick with mud from a recent rainfall.
Evan looked up at the sky and was taken aback by what he saw. The sky was a deep shade of crimson, and the sun was a dim red orb that hung low on the horizon. It was a far cry from the bright blue skies and zing suns he was used to.
He took a step and immediately, a notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding! yer Evan, you have been teleported to the Bloodwood Forest!]
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom He nced around, taking in the unfamiliarndscape. The forest was dense and foreboding, with twisted trees and gnarled roots that snaked across the ground like serpents. The trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like ws. The asional geysers of steam erupted from the muddy ground, casting an eerie mist over the forest.
"I''ve been to some pretty strange ces, but this one takes the cake. The aircks soul energy, and the trees... they look like something straight out of a nightmare. I wonder what kind of monsters are lurking around here."
Ring! ring! ring!
Evan''smunicator rang, interrupting his thoughts.
He quickly checked the message and felt a knot form in his stomach.
It read: [Hunt a Craterborn! (0/1)]
His target was a Craterborn alien lifeform, a level 12 creature that was stronger than any cultivator at the Soul Manifestation stage. To make matters worse, it was always apanied by its ves, the Tendril-wed Xenomorphs. A level 12 Craterborn was bound to have 2 to 3 ves!
"Keldor, that bastard," he muttered under his breath. "He''s really making this trial harder for me."
As Evan rained down curses on Keldor, his attention was caught by a faint rustling sound.
He looked up and saw a creature hovering above him, pping its wings loudly.
"A bat-like creature? It seems like it is nning to hunt me. It is overestimating itself."
Evan''s eyes gleamed with interest as he stared at it.
Swoosh!
The creature swooped down, ws bared and ready to tear into Evan''s flesh.
Evan acted quickly, summoning his magic sword and shing it against the creature''s ws. His sword deflected the attack with a loud ng.
"Hmph. You call that an attack? Try harder, little bat." Evan said mockingly.
The creature screeched in fury and lunged forward, aiming to sink its razor-sharp teeth into Evan''s skin but Evan was too swift for it.
Bam!
He dodged the creature''s w with a sidestep and then smacked its jaw with the hilt of his sword, shattering its teeth and leaving it dazed.
Chapter 87 87: Frost Barrage!
?While the creature was still reeling, Evan struck it with a punch to the gut, sending it flying backwards.
With a sickening thud, the creature collided with a nearby tree, leaving a massive depression in its head. But the impact didn''t finish it off. With surprising speed, the beast regained its footing and took off into the air, desperate to flee. Evan was too powerful to defeat, and the creature knew it would only meet its demise if it stayed.
"Looks like you''re not so tough after all. A little frost magic should put you out of your misery."
Evan''s fingers tingled with energy as tendrils of frost rose from his skin, swirling and twirling around each other in a mesmerizing dance.
The air around him grew colder.
The temperature dropped as the tendrils condensed into a small, frosty sphere of power. It glowed with a blue-white light, crackling with icy energy that threatened to freeze anything it touched.
Whoosh!
And then, with a flick of his wrist, Evanunched the sphere towards the creature, watching as it streaked through the air like aet. The creature attempted to dodge, but its movements were sluggish and ineffective. The strongest soul skill under level 20 hit its mark with deadly uracy, piercing through the creature''s flesh and freezing its insides.
Guwahck!
The creature let out a blood-curdling screech of pain as it plummeted towards the ground, unable to sustain its flight with its stiff wings
Evan watched as the creature crashed onto the ground with a dull thud, its body covered in ayer of frost.
Approaching the creature cautiously, sword at the ready, Evan saw its eyes ring at him with pure hatred.
"You''re still alive? Don''t worry, I''ll make it quick."
The creature was still alive, suffering.
Thus, he plunged his sword into its heart, ending its pain.
[Ding!]
Evan''s attention was pulled away from the fallen creature as a notification popped up in front of him. It was a message from the System.
[Congrattions on defeating a Level 8 Shadow Beast. You have gained +80 EXP, and +5 AGT!]
Evan felt a surge of satisfaction at the news.
As the notification continued, his eyes widened in surprise:
[Congrattions! You have also gained 1¡Á soul pocket refinement stone.]
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom These stones were in high demand among cultivators, as they could help them enhance their spiritual abilities.
Although there was a small chance of beasts forming a soul refinement stone in their bodies, only one in a hundred beasts had such a chance. Moreover, cultivators could only discover if a beast had one by dismembering it.
Luckily for Evan, the System had informed him that the bat-like creature he had just in had formed a soul refinement stone in its body.
Although he had no shortage of soul energy crystals, refinement stones were harder toe by.
A grin spread across his face as he quickly searched the creature''s body and found the stone - small, smooth, and adorned with intricate blue patterns etched into its surface. As he held it, a soft, pulsing energy emanated from it, permeating his entire being. This energy strengthened his soul, deepening his connection with his soul pockets, and improving his control over his soul energy.
[Ding! Congrattion, yer Evan. Your ability to manipte soul energy has improved!]
[You are able to manually control the energy of two of your soul pockets at a time!]
That meant he could manually control 200 units of soul energy with his will!
Thinking about soul energy, he was reminded of the fact that his energy reserve has slighlty decreased during his fight with the shadow beast.
He withdrew a soul energy crystal from his inventory, his fingers curling around it tightly. Using his Soul Refinement skill, he deftly converted the crystal''s energy into his own, filling his energy bar to the brim.
With the task at hand at the forefront of his mind, Evan knew he had to improve his offensive abilities. He rummaged through his memory of the game, considering his options carefully. After a moment of contemtion, he decided to upgrade his Frost Bullet skill.
As he invested his skill point into the upgrade, a notification appeared in his mind''s eye:
[SKILL UPGRADED]
[Frost Bullet has been upgraded to Frost Barrage!]
The new skill was a vast improvement over its predecessor. It allowed Evan to create multiple ice bullets simultaneously and shoot them in a rapid-fire manner in a straight line. The projectiles would move at the same speed as the original Frost Bullet and could cause significant damage to any target in their path.
It only had one drawback.
It consumed more soul energy than its original version.
However, despite the increased energy consumption, Frost Barrage had several advantages over Frost Bullet.
The rapid-fire nature of the skill made it harder for enemies to dodge or block the attacks, and the increased number of projectiles meant that he could deal more damage. He could even control the movement of the bullets using his control-type skill te, making it possible to hit enemies behind cover or those who were quick on their feet.
"With Frost Barrage, hunting a Craterborn and its group of ves should be a breeze," he thought to himself.
Evan resumed his journey through the dense forest, his senses on high alert as he searched for his prey.
It wasn''t long before he caught sight of a faint path winding its way through the trees. Though not surprised to see it, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of hope rising within him at the sight of it.
"The monsters in these parts probably use this path to get around," he thought to himself. "If I''m lucky, it might just lead me straight to my target."
¡
Perched high on a towering Bloodwood tree, two young hounds of the Frostweavers waited in silence. The first hound, a girl with long, flowing auburn hair, scanned the forest floor below with hawk-like eyes. Her gaze was sharp and alert, taking in every detail of the terrain.
Chapter 88 88: Assasination
?The second hound, a boy with jet-ck hair and a mischievous grin, was engrossed in a game on his handheld device.
Mia broke the silence with a confident tone.
"Our target will be passing by here anytime soon."
"Are you sure?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"My soul te gave me a vision. He''s close." Mia nodded confidently.
Her soul te allowed her to see the future, but it was a passive ability that only activated in response to specific questions or situations
Alex put his gaming device aside and stood up.
Suddenly, Mia spotted a solitary figure moving deeper into the forest - it was Evan, the crown prince of Frost."
"There he is, just as I foresaw," she whispered.
Alex nodded, his expression serious. "What''s the n?"
Mia''s voice was firm. "Follow the drill. Take him out before he notices us. Don''t let him escape away."
Alex hesitated for a moment, but remembering that the rules were in their favor and that their master could hide them from the warth of Magnus, he nodded obediently, "Understood."
With a swift motion, Alex lifted his hand, and an explosion of fiery sparks burst forth, illuminating the air with a mesmerizing dance of light. The sparks swirled and twisted, as if performing an enchanting ballet routine before slowly converging to form the shape of a bow. The bow emitted a radiant shade of red, a testament to the immense power of Alex''s Four Wonders soul te and Arcanum''s Bowstring skill crystal.
Thanks to Four Wonders, Alex possessed the passive ability to infuse any of the four elements - fire, water, earth, and wind - into his skills based on sheer luck. And Arcanum''s Bowstring skill crystal granted him the power to create a bow that, upon pulling back the string, would manifest an arrow out of thin air, hurtling towards its target with an incredible force.
As Alex pulled the bowstring back, the weapon hummed with anticipation.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom "Goodbye, Your Highness," he said, "your demise will be a small price to pay for the power and influence it will grant us in the n."
With a sudden release of the bowstring, a fiery arrow materialized in mid-air and streaked through the sky with incredible speed, zing like aet and leaving a fiery trail behind it. The arrow was infused with the power of fire and it charged straight towards Evan.
"Your fate is sealed, Crown Prince. Nothing can save you now," Mia gloated, savoring their imminent victory.
In the blink of an eye, the fire arrow was mere inches away from Evan, poised to strike. However, just as it was about to make contact, Evan vanished into thin air, leaving behind the towering monstrosity of a tree to take the hit. The fire arrow pierced through the trunk, and in an instant, the tree was engulfed in mes, the fire spreading rapidly like a wild beast unleashed.
The absurdity of the situation left asting impression on Alex and Mia''s minds, and they were left wondering where Evan had disappeared to.
As Alex and Mia tried to process the sudden disappearance of Evan, he emerged from the shadows with a magical sword in hand, looming ominously behind them.
The glint of the sword caught Mia''s attention, and her eyes followed the weapon''s path as Evan brandished it with deadly intent.
Whoosh!
The sound of metal slicing through the air filled the room as the lethal de arced towards Alex''s unsuspecting form, poised to strike with deadly force. Mia''s heart was in her throat as the sword sliced through Alex''s neck, severing his head from his shoulders. Blood spurted out from his body, and he fell off the branch of the tree crashing onto the ground, his body lifeless. It all happened so fast that Alex didn''t even realize what was going on until it was toote.
Mia stood frozen, horror-stricken, and unable to intervene as the scene of her brother getting killed unfolded before her eyes. Tears streamed down her face as she watched her brother''s lifee to a violent end.
"You monster! You''ll pay for what you''ve done!" Mia screamed, her voiceced with venom as she pointed a finger in Evan''s direction. Sparks of fire gathered at the tip. In an instant, the sparks converged, forming a scorching fireball that she hurled towards Evan with all her might.
Evan reacted quickly, activating the special effect of his energy-type equipment.
[The Gauntlet of Invincibility has been activated!]
[You have been granted one second of immunity!]
Mia''s fireball whizzed through the air, leaving a trail of scorch marks in its wake, until it collided with Evan, resulting in an explosion. The tree they had been standing on exploded into splinters, sending debris flying in all directions. The force of the st threw Mia off her feet, and she crashed on the ground with a thud.
Did I get him?
However, the very next moment, she watched in horror as Evan rushed out of the mes of the explosionpletely unharmed.
"How are you unscathed? I hit you with my most powerful skill!" Mia eximed, her eyes widening in shock and horror. She couldn''t believe that Evan had survived her fiery attack without a scratch.
"Skill? Can that even be counted as a skill?" Evan asked incredulously
As Evan spoke, the air around him seemed to grow colder and more distant, as if a void had opened up around him. Cold tendrils emerged from this non-existent void, swirling like vortexes of frozen mist, coalescing into solid, deadly projectiles that glinted in the dim light in the blink of an eye.
Mia couldn''t help but feel a sense of dread wash over her as she watched the ice bullets form before her eyes, knowing that they were meant for her.
Evan''s voice was cold and menacing as he spoke, "This is what a skill looks like."
Without warning, the deadly ice bullets shot towards Mia with blinding speed, piercing her body before she even had a chance to react.
Chapter 89 [Bonus ]89: The Person Behind The Assassination!
?The ice bullets tore through her flesh with brutal efficiency, turning her into a sieve.
Mia copsed to the ground like a broken doll, her limbs syed out in a grotesque and unnatural manner. Blood pooled beneath her, staining the ground with a sickening red hue. Her eyes remained open, staring nkly into the distance as her life slipped away.
It was always sad to see lives end like this, but Evan knew he had no other choice. It was either them or him, and he couldn''t afford to show any mercy. If he had spared them, they would havee for him at the most unexpected time and aimed for his life.
With a heavy heart, Evan spoke in a cold and unyielding voice, "I hope this sends a message to any other bastard that might be lurking around here. I won''t hesitate to defend myself."
One had to be heartless and ruthless in order to survive in this cruel and unforgiving world.
Although he was the Crown Prince of Frost, that rule also applied to him.
[Ding! You have subdued the Wonder Duo. You gain +180 EXP, +8 STR, +5 STA, +4 DEX, +7 AGI. Your soul energy bar has been permanently increased by 20 points!]
The lifeless bodies of Mia and Alexy still on the ground as their blood evaporated, leaving behind dry corpses. Suddenly, a burst of crimson energy emerged from their remains, hurtling towards Evan with lightning speed. He was caught off guard, his mind racing toprehend what was happening. He attempted to dodge it, but his reaction was too sluggish. It pierced through his body, but to his surprise, nothing urred. It was not what he had anticipated.
Evan''s mind reeled in confusion as he struggled toprehend the situation.
"What the hell was that?!" he wondered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
In a sh, a notification from the system appeared before his eyes, its red lettering indicating the gravity of the situation.
[Ding! You have been cursed! The curse of attraction has been ced upon you.]
Evan''s eyebrows raised as he read the words on the notification.
He was all too familiar with this curse. After all, it was one of the most dangerous in the game from his previous life. It had the power to lure in a myriad of perilous creatures towards the afflicted.
But why had ying Maya and Alex triggered the activation of this curse?
Evan inspected their corpse.
His Inspection Skill kicked in, allowing him to see Mia and Alex''s background information. As he delved into their past, he couldn''t believe what he was reading.
The Frostweavers were a family who differentiated between legitimate heirs and children born out of wedlock. Thetter were treated worse than dogs, referred to as "hounds," and were trained and brainwashed from a young age to follow Nichs''smands at all costs. Eric, having a shrwed mother who publicized his existence to the world as she tried to bind herself to the n, was lucky enough to escape this fate. He had seen the light of day and couldn''t be trained into a Hound by Nichs, as otherwise, Nichs''s devious actions would have been exposed.
Evan''s eyes widened in disgust as he read on.
These hounds had been sent to kill him, but Nichs, being afraid that they might fail in their mission, had put extra insurance in ce.
If they failed to kill Evan and got killed by him in return, then a curse would activate, causing him to be the prey of the beasts in his surroundings, but this curse wasn''t easily ced in a person''s body.
A lot of disgusting things were needed to be done to make it possible.
The extent of Nichs''s cruelty and maniption truly knew no bounds.
Evan felt a deep sense of anger and disgust towards the Nichs and his sickening practices. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white as he made a vow to the heavens.
"I refuse to live under the same sky as Nichs Frostweaver. I will make him pay for the atrocities he havemitted the first chance I get," Evan vowed, his voice ringing out with ruthless determination, echoing through the dense Bloodwood Forest.
The trees rustled and the air around him seemed to shift, as if the universe itself was responding to Evan''s vow.
Vwooorrr!
The sound of monstrous roars echoed through the air, causing Evan to turn his head in the direction of the source. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of a pack of vicious monster charging towards him. After a short time, dozens of the creatures emerged from the cover of the trees, their bloodthirsty gaze fixed upon Evan''s lone figure.
"Nichs, the n you came up with to kill me legitimately is perfect but you made one mistake. You underestimated me and it''s going to cost you everything." Evan said, a ruthlesless glint shing in his eyes.
In a split second, one of the beasts leaped forward with razor-sharp ws, aiming to tear Evan apart, but he moved at a speed that was almost impossible to follow, evading the attack with ease anding behind the monster.
The magic sword was held tightly in hand, its gleaming de reflecting the faint sunlight that passed through the dense canopy overhead.
Die!
In one swift motion, he struck the monster, the sword cleaving through its body with ease.
Giwuck!
The monster let out a deafening howl of agony as it was cut in half by the magic weapon.
[Ding! You have killed a level 6 monsters. You have gained +60 EXP, and +2 AGT!]
Vwooorrr!
The monsters let out ferocious roars as they closed in on Evan, their fangs bared and ws at the ready.
"You''re no match for me, you pitiful beasts."
When he uttered those words, his magic sword began to glow in a mesmerizing blue hue as his de master crystal drew upon the energy stored in his soul pockets.
Chapter 90 90: Mission Target
?de Mastery: Thunderous de Wave!
With a swift swing of his de, a destructive arc of ice sted into existence, emanating an intense chill that froze the ground and trees in its wake.
The icy arc cut through the monsters like a hot knife through butter, drawing a red line in their bodies.
The very next moment, each creature was cleaved in two, their bodies separated horizontally from the middle.
The force of the blow was so powerful that a sh wound appeared in a hill far off.
"Winter hase."
The aftermath of the battle was akin to a winter storm, with the monsters and the hill encased in a thickyer of ice. It was as though a fierce winter had descended upon this section of the forest, freezing everything in its path!
The system''s notification rang in Evan''s mind.
[Ding! You have decimated a pack of monsters. You have gained 1560 EXP, and +15 AGT, +19 STR, +22 STA, +26 DEX, and more than a 146 points permanent increase in your soul energy bar! As this is your first time killing a pack of beasts, you have gained an additional reward. You get +100 EXP!]
This was the first time Evan had been rewarded so generously from a single battle, but he couldn''t even muster up the strength to smile.
His body felt heavy and weak, and he fell to his knees, feelingpletely exhausted after expending so much energy in the battle. He touched his chest, feeling a dull ache in his heart. It wasn''t physical pain, but something spiritual. He had never felt this way before.
Just then, a series of notifications rang in Evan''s mind.
[The burden of the de Master skill crystal was too much!]
[Your skill weaving soul te has been damaged. Its durability has been reduced by 8%!]
[Remaining durability: 92%!]
Evan felt anxious and summoned his soul te, examining it closely.
There were eight tiny cracks on its surface.
He knew that every soul te had a limited durability, and if it reached zero, the te would be destroyed, cutting off the cultivator''s cultivation path, and he was heading towards such a future.
It happened because he recklessly used the de Master Crystal skill.
The de Master skill crystal was an extremely powerful source of power, meant to be used only after the soul te had been refined once or twice, a process that usually urred during the tribtions one faced while ascending to the next realm of cultivation, but he had chosen to go against the norm, risking everything to use the skill crystal without refining his soul te as he needed its incredible strength to win the inheritance war and secure his position in the n.
In the ck Eye Gxy, there existed a prized artifact known as the repair scroll. This coveted item had the power to restore soul tes, but at a steep price - a single scroll was worth 1000 high-level soul energy crystals, a fortune equivalent to the average price of a small.
Though he possessed the wealth required to afford it thanks to his father''s immense care, the acquisition of a repair scroll was easier said than done. However, he knew that the n''s treasury was bound to house dozens of these scrolls, and winning the war would grant him immediate ess to one of them.
Evan stayed where he was, his eyes fixed on the surrounding chaos.
"The scent of blood is quite strong. It''s concentrated enough to lure the Craterborn and its ves here. They might already be on their way. I''d better stay put and prepare myself for their arrival. After all, this is the best chance toplete my task."
It was clear that Evan was speaking the truth, as Craterborn were infamous for their attraction to such carnage.
He took a deep breath and calmed himself, knowing that he needed to recover his strength before the inevitable encounter.
With a quick movement, Evan''s hand darted to the Starlight Amulet hanging from his neck.
As his fingers closed around the smooth surface, a soft, gentle light pulsed out from the artifact, enveloping him in its warm glow.
In an instant, Evan felt the fatigue and weariness that had been guing his mind and body vanish, reced by a renewed sense of energy and vitality.
[Ding! Your stamina has been restored!]
Wanting to fill up his energy bar before the big battle, he then slowly sat down cross-legged on the ground and pulled out a soul energy crystal from his inventory.
He focused his mind and began to refine the crystal, using his soul refining skill to convert the energy of the crystal into his own. He felt his soul pockets fill up with soul energy, energizing his body and restoring his depleted strength.
As he was a practitioner of the Breath of Frost, Evan the soul energy he absorbed was converted into ice-type energy.
Shaa! Shaa!
A quarter of an hourter, a strange hissing sound pierced the silence, causing Evan''s heart to race.
Soon after, he saw them - grotesque creatures with pointed ears, slimy bodies, and elongated limbs. Five of them were 1.5 meters tall, almost identical in appearance, but the sixth one, the one that stood out, was 2 meters tall, with a menacing aura that would send shivers down one''s spine. This was their master, the craterborn.
Without wasting a moment, Evan unleashed a barrage of ice bullets, each faster than thest. However, their trajectory was linear, and only three of the creatures were hit in their vital parts, instantly dying and encased in ayer of ice. The rest, including the towering craterborn, managed to dodge the attack with surprising agility.
"Dang, they''re pretty quick on their feet, but I can still take them out. U-turn!"
He pulled the uno reverse card on them.
With the creatures closing in on him, Evan willed the bullets that had moved past the monstrous creatures to take a sudden U-turn, attacking them from behind, which was their biggest blind spot.
Chapter 91 [Bonus ]91: Mysterious Jade!
?The monsters didn''t see iting, and Evan couldn''t help but smile as the frost bullets drilled into their backs, freezing them from the inside out.
The Tendril-wed Xenomorphs immediately died, but the craterborn stubbornly held on to its life, slowly advancing towards Evan on all fours like a monkey.
"What''s wrong, big guy? Feeling a bit sluggish? Better pick up the pace if you want to catch me."
Evan strolled away from it tauntingly, a sly grin etched on his face, and the creature let out a fierce gnarl and moved after him, driven by an unrelenting thirst for revenge.
Evan, however, had no intention of letting it have its way.
"Hmm, my magic sword has some interesting properties. Let me show you what happens when I activate it."
As it inched closer, Evan activated the special effect of his magic sword, causing shards of ice to rain down on the creature, impaling it.
"That should do the trick. It is game over for you."
The shards of ice went straight through the creature''s head, chest, and legs with a sickening squelch, instantly putting an end to its miserable life. The ground shook as the creature copsed, its slimy body disintegrating into a pile of ash.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan on defeating Five Tendril-wed Xenomorphs of the sixth level and one Craterborn beast of the 13th level. You get 550 experience points, and a minor improvement in all your stats]
Evan breathed a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush. Thepletion of the first task of the second trial of the inheritance war within a day was a major aplishment that he had achieved. All he needed to do now to pass the trial was to search for the bunker and return to the n.
"Wait!"
Evan paused, lost in thought, as he reflected on the level of the monster he had just defeated.
"That Craterborn was a level 13, which is stronger than it should be. That''s definitely strange. I know their level cap is only 12. How did it manage to exceed that limit?" he mused, the fact perplexing him.
He recalled that the only way for a monster to exceed the level cap was by using treasure formed between heaven and earth, and he concluded that the creature must have been fortunate enough toe across such a treasure.
With eyes glistening in child-like curiosity, Evan gazed at its remains.
[Inspection Sessful!]
He went through its background info and was amazed.
"Interesting. So just a few hours ago the Craterborn stumbled upon a cave filled with unique magic herbs that helped it break through its limit. I''ll have to investigate that cave myself and see what else I can find."
With plenty of time left before the trial''s end, Evan saw no harm in exploring the cave. The possibility of discovering natural resources that could benefit cultivators was too enticing to ignore.
The unique footprints left by the Craterborn offered a promising lead, and Evan eagerly followed them, his keen eyes picking out the distinct features of each imprint. The impressions were deeper and more pronounced than those of other creatures, as it possessed a formidable weight and strength.
After a while, he found himself standing before the entrance to a cave in the forest, and without hesitation, he stepped inside.
The walls of the cave were embedded with ruby rubies, casting a dim but enchanting glow on the surroundings. Evan continued deeper into the tunnel. Soon, he emerged into a wide open area within the cave, where a short field of herbs grew.
Evan approached the herbs, his eyes widened in unmistakable joy.
He recognized them as the Soul Nourishing Herbs, a rare and highly sought-after herb in the empire.
Although they were inedible, these herbs could be refined into pills that were highly beneficial for cultivators in the Soul Manifestation and Soul Fusion stages. These cultivators were also known as first step soul maniptors and second step soul maniptors, respectively.
"I have stumbled upon a hidden gem!"
Evan bent down and carefully plucked the vibrant herbs from the rich soil, taking care to store them neatly in his inventory. Just as he stood up, a symbol etched onto the wall caught his attention.
His curiosity piqued, he inspected it.
[Ding! You have been sessful in inspecting the mysterious symbol!]
A system notification popped up in his field of vision, providing him with information about its purpose.
[This is a hidden mechanism that can be activated to unlock a secret room.]
[You can activate it by feeding it your soul energy!]
The hidden mechanism would only respond to the soul energy of the ice element, a fact that Evan had learned after reading the notifications.
His heart pounded with anticipation as he strode up to the symbol, his eyes fixed on the intricate design etched into the cave wall.
With a deep breath, he poured his ice-type soul energy into the symbol, and watched as it sprang to life, causing the wall to slide open with a soft hiss. A hidden room was revealed before him, and his eyes immediately settled on a pedestal with a small rectangr piece made of green jade resting atop it. His gaze locked onto the precious object, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
"How could something so precious be here? Development hasn''t even begun on X!" Evan eximed in disbelief, his eyes glued to the jade slip.
It was a known fact that jade slips were made of precious gemstones, which were known for their beauty, durability, and unique ability to contain the wisdom of a cultivator so that it can be easily imparted to the future generation.
The unique mechanism of the jade slip made it impervious to hacking or tapping, ensuring that the information stored within was secure.
Thus, cultivators often relied on this precious item to safeguard their most important knowledge and secrets for their descendants.
Without wasting any time, Evan inspected the jade slip, wondering whether it contained the knowledge of a cultivator.
Chapter 92 92: Earthquake
?[Ding! Inspection sessful.]
[This jade slip contains information about the Imperial Swordsmanship: cier Fang Swordstyle!]
[Swordstyle: cier Fang Style.]
[Description: The cier Fang Style is a sword style that revolves around the maniption of ice-type soul energy. Once the yerprehends it, they can create icy structures that can be used to attack, defend, or immobilize opponents. It is a highly versatile sword style that can adapt to a variety of situations.]
Evan''s eyes widened in surprise, a rush of excitement flooding through him.
The cier Fang Style was a legendary sword technique invented by the founder of the Imperial Frost n, Ethan Frost. It was known to be extremely powerful, but it could only be learned and performed by cultivators who had mastered the Breath of Frost Technique.
"I''ve found a sword style that''s extremelypatible with me in a which I never thought I would visit. It''s like hitting the jackpot when you least expect it!" Evan eximed, his heart bursting with joy.
This technique was incredibly valuable to him as he had already mastered the Breath of Frost Technique.
He couldn''t believe his luck at finding it.
But then again, it wasn''t entirely surprising. Ethan Frost and his wife, Kaida Firestorm, were infamous for leaving behind their legacy all over the ck Eye Gxy. There was always a chance of finding their techniques, weapons, equipment, and so on, even on a like this, which was inhospitable to cultivators.
Evan''s eyes remained fixed on the jade slip, almost mesmerized by its beauty and the information it contained. As he poured over the details, a strange sensation began to stir deep within him.
Suddenly, his mind was flooded with memories of his childhood as Christian Wolfie, and the words his father had spoken to him so many years ago. He could still hear his father''s voice telling him that he was destined to be the alpha of their pack, and the moment had left a profound impact on him.
Now, standing before this ancient relic, Evan felt that same sense of destiny begin to take hold once again. It was as if this swordstyle was meant for him, as if it was a part of his very being.
He searched for words to exin the inexplicable sensation that was filling him, but nothing seemed to suffice. The connection he felt to the founder of his n, Ethan Frost, was deep and profound, defyingmon sense andnguage.
The overwhelming sensation of destiny left him feeling humbled and reverential, and a surge of pride swelled within him at the thought of mastering the cier Fang Style. Evan knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he vowed to make the most of it to be the greatest sword cultivator in the gxy.
Not to mention, that would be the best way to honor his ancestor''s legacy.
The jade slipy enclosed within a soft, milky-white barrier, and Evan immediately knew that it was guarded by some sort of protective mechanism.
He cast his inspection skill on the barrier.
Immediately, a system''s notification appeared in his vision.
[The barrier is protected by a riddle that can be found on the pedestal. Solve the riddle and the barrier will be undone!]
Intrigued, Evan turned his attention to the pedestal, where he saw the riddle spread evenly across its surface.
Taking a deep breath, he circled the pedestal, taking in the riddle spread evenly on its surface.
It read: "I am always hungry, I am always in the mood to feast, but I can be used to create a feast. I can be used for both good and bad. The finger I touch, will soon turn red. What am I?"
Evan furrowed his brow, pondering the riddle for a few moments.
''This riddle seems like something Kaida Firestorm woulde up with.''
Evan couldn''t help but agree with his own thoughts. After all, Kaida Firestorm, the wife of Ethan Frost, was known for her love of riddles and puzzles. Her good and bad habits were mentioned in her biography, which Evan had read in his childhood and also his previous life.
As Evan considered the origin of the riddle, his expression changed from one of confusion to one of realization.
"Fire," he said confidently.
Fire was indeed always hungry for fuel and had a voracious appetite for anything that could burn.
It was also an essentialponent in creating a feast, whether for mortals or cultivators.
And, it could be both good and bad, as it could provide warmth and light, but could also destroy and devastate.
And, of course, the finger it touched would inevitably turn red, burnt by its fierce mes.
[Ding! You have sessfully solved the riddle guarding the jade slip.]
As Evan spoke the word "fire," the milky white barrier around the jade slip shimmered before dissipating into thin air. Seeing this, he felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him, pleased with his quick thinking and sharp mind.
He picked up the jade slip carefully. It was smooth to the touch and cool to the skin, emitting a faint aura of ice-type soul energy.
Rumble!
The cave suddenly began to shake violently, and the rocks and boulders in the cave rattled and shifted, making a deafening noise that echoed through the space.
The ground beneath Evan''s feet trembled violently, as if a massive force from deep within the earth was trying to break free. He struggled to maintain his bnce as the tremors intensified, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized that he was in the midst of an earthquake.
Crack~
The walls of the cave began to crack and crumble, sending chunks of stone crashing down around him.
"Damn it, this cave is copsing! I need to get out of here before it''s toote."
In an instant, Evan knew what was happening - the cave was copsing.
Without a second thought, he grasped the jade slip tightly in his hand and raced towards the exit, bursting through all obstacles in his way with raw strength.
Will he be able to escape before the cave caved in?
Chapter 93 [Bonus ]93: Finding The Bunker
?The ground trembled under his feet as Evan ran, and the walls shook and groaned around him, threatening to cave down on him.
With each passing moment, the cave seemed to being apart at the seams, but he didn''t let the fear of death hinder his movement.
"Phew!"
A few momentster, Evan burst out into the open air, his heart racing in his chest.
As he turned to look back, the entire cave crumbled into dust, sending up clouds of debris that filled the air.
"That was close. I''m d I made it out in one piece."
"I got lucky this time, but I might not get lucky again. I better start being careful."
He had narrowly escaped disaster.
Thus, he made a mental note to be more careful in the future and to always be on his guard.
As dusk settled on X, the natural disasters began to strike with a vengeance. It was no wonder that the was so inhospitable. The entrants who still hadn''tpleted their tasks knew they had to find the bunker quickly if they wanted to survive the night. Bunkers were built in a way to survive natural disasters.
"This is really testing me to my limits." Evan raised an eyebrow. "But I won''t let it overwhelm me. Panicking in this situation will do me no good. I have to find that bunker before it''s toote."
Despite the forest ground shaking beneath his feet, Evan pressed on in search of the safe haven. He had heard that the nights on X were brutal and he didn''t want to experience them firsthand.
Fuwaa!
As he moved through the forest, the geysers began to erupt with increasing frequency due to the constant low-magnitude earthquakes.
The mist thickened, impairing his vision and making it difficult for him to navigate through the forest.
"This mist is making it hard to see, but I won''t let it slow me down."
It had be hard for him to see what was ahead, but he refused to give up, refused to let his fear consume him, and he pushed through the fog with steady and fast steps, determined to find the bunker before it was toote.
He felt like he was an emerging from a never-ending abyss of uncertainty when he finally caught sight of the entrance to the bunker. It was a magnificent sight, adorned with intricate patterns, which seem to hold the power to keep beasts at bay.
"Finally, some good news. That bunker looks like it can withstand anything this throws at it. I just hope I can get inside it easily."
Relief flooded through him at the sight of it, and he quickened his pace towards the entrance.
However, as he reached for it, he realized it was locked.
He inspected it and instantly discovered the way to unlock it.
Without missing a beat, he channeled his soul energy into the symbol and unlocked the door with ease.
"Ha, easy as pie. These locks are no match for me. Now let''s get inside this bunker."
With a sigh of relief, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
As he stepped inside, the cool and dry air enveloped him, while the dim but functional lighting cast an eerie glow across his figure. Rows of bunk beds lined the thick and reinforced walls, nked by lockers and cabs for storage. It was clear this bunker had weathered many storms, and its sturdy steel structure offered a sense of security.
Furthermore, the transfer array, situated at the end of a long and wide tunnel, was like a beacon of hope as it called out to him.
He rushed towards the transfer array as quickly as he could. Methodically, he manually inspected its status with his eyes, confirming that it was fully charged and operational.
Without hesitation, he punched in the coordinates for the first training ground of the imperial frost n into the transfer array.
Vroom!
In a sh of brilliance, a dazzling portal materialized before him, beckoning him towards his destination.
Evan took a deep breath and jumped into the shimmering portal before him.
As he did so, a jolt of energy coursed through his body, causing his hair to stand on end.
In the blink of an eye, he was transported through the portal and emerged on the other side, standing in the middle of his desired location. He couldn''t help but grin in amazement at the speed and efficiency of the transfer array.
Suddenly, a voice, familiar to Evan, rang out.
"Well done, Your Highness! You have triumphed over the ultimate test of survival and skill in such a short time," Keldor said, his lips curled into a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes.
Evan looked at him unfriendly.
"Am I the first to pass it?"
Shaking his head slowly, Keldor replied, "No, someone elsepleted it faster than you."
Evan''s curiosity piqued further, and he asked, "Who was it?"
Keldor gestured towards a tree close by, where a figure shrouded in ck robes and a mask perched on a branch.
"Him," Keldor said simply.
Evan recognized the figure as the same person who had sailed through the first trial of the inheritance war, securing second ce after him.
The identity of this enigmatic figure remained unknown, and his face remained concealed behind a mask. He had never been mentioned in the n before, and thus, Evan couldn''t help but feel intrigued by this shadowy figure.
"Let''s take a look at what I am up against." Evan thought to himself.
His eyes narrowed as he inspected the masked figure with an intense gaze, seeking to gain a deeper understanding of his enigmatic adversary.
[The target is only a few levels higher than you. You were sessful in your attempt to inspect him!]
Name: Dante
Level: 10th level of Soul Manifestation Realm
Strength: 98
Agility: 99
Dexterity: 89
Stamina: 99
Soul te: Venomous Command Soul te - Allows Dante to imbue his creations with murderousmands.
Chapter 94 94: Dante
?Skill Crystal: Ink Beast Creation Crystal - Allows Dante to create ink beasts using his soul energy.
Unique physique: Venomous Seraphic Physique - Grants Dante poisonous abilities and immunity to poisons.
Background
Dante took his first breath in a humble vige that was in a perpetual state of survival. The vige was nestled in the Kingdom of Arvindor on the Gaiadon, where the soil was barren, and intion and corruption ran rampant. Despite his father''s tireless work, it was always an uphill battle for Dante''s family to make ends meet.
One dark day, tragedy struck the vige when the king decreed a conscription order, whichpelled all able-bodied men, including Dante''s father, to join the army. The loss of the vige''s menfolk left the remaining families in dire straits, struggling to survive.
Dante''s father was gone at the end of the first week of the war.
The war was merciless, and news traveled painfully slowly.
Months passed before word reached the vige that Dante''s father had perished in battle. The news was a crushing blow to Dante and his mother
Dante and his mother had always been tight-knit with the man. Dante felt a deep ache in his heart when he found out that his father his died, but his mother couldn''te to terms with the loss of her husband. She fell ill, so severely that even walking caused her to gasp for breath. She was in no state to work.
As a result, Dante wiped his tears and stepped up and became the head of the household, doing everything in his power to support himself and his mother.
Things were looking bleak for the duo until winter came, introducing an extra dose of misery to their grief.
It was a cruel winter that only brought suffering and scarcity. Dante toiled away for hours on end, taking any job he could find, but it was never enough to feed his family. As the winter dragged on, his mother''s health declined precipitously. She grew weaker by the day until she could no longer rise from her bed. She implored Dante not to give up on himself, to find a way to survive by himself as the light in her eyes flickered out.
As Dante sat by his mother''s bedside, holding her hand, she squeezed his fingers tightly and spoke her final words to him.
"My son, you are the strongest person I know. You''ve always been my rock, and I hope you''ll continue to be strong after I''m gone. Promise me that you won''t give up, that you''ll keep fighting to survive, no matter how difficult it bes."
Even in herst breath, she was worried about him.
Dante, tears streaming down his face, replied, "I promise."
She smiled at his response, and he felt her grip on his hand loosen. Her hand fell limply to the ground. She had breathed herst.
Dante was shattered by his mother''s passing. He had lost everything that mattered to him and was alone in a world that didn''t seem to care. However, he didn''t end his life, as he had nned. He wanted to keep thest promise he had made to his mother, to keep fighting and living on, no matter how challenging it would be.
After burying his mother, Dante left the vige.
Dante was determined to make something of himself in the city, but the reality was much harsher than he had anticipated. He was met with rejection at every turn, as the nobles and their workers looked down on him for his orphan status and called him names like "street urchin" and "bastard". With no money or shelter, he was forced to sleep on the cold streets.
One night, while shivering in one such alley, Dante was kidnapped and taken to a cave where he was forced to battle poisonous monsters to the death for what seemed like an eternity. He emerged victorious from each battle and consumed the monsters'' flesh to survive, the poison tormenting him every moment of the day. He didn''t die from eating the carcass of the poisonous monsters as he developed resistance against poison. He became a creature of poison.
As if that wasn''t enough, Dante was then subjected to brutal experiments along with many others. Most of them died, but Dante and ten others survived the brutal experiments. They had developed a beautiful friendship as they suffered together, but he was forced to fight the other survivors in a one-on-one battles to the death.
His captors celebrated his every victory, and each one brought him closer to bing the monster they wanted him to be.
Eventually, after winning his final battle, Dante became a true monster.
The captors revealed their true faces and fed him with a spiritual worm that they could control using the worm queen, ensuring that he would never be able to rebel against them.
He asked why they put him through so much.
And they merelyughed in response before taking him to the Imperial Frost n where he was adopted by the Frostweavers.
"Hahahaha!"
Evan''sughter burst out of him like a volcanic eruption, but there was no humor in it. It was a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the room, and even Keldor, a sadistic maniac who delighted in others'' pain, couldn''t help but feel a shiver run down his spine. Dante, too, was taken aback by the intensity of Evan''s anger, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
Evan could guess why Dante had suffered greatly at the hands of the Frostweavers.
They had groomed him to be the strongest first-step soul maniptor in case Evan ever initiated the inheritance war. They didn''t know if he would do it, but they wanted to be prepared for it. The Frostweavers were the strongest among the minor families of the n because they were always prepared for anything.
Evan couldn''t help but feel a simmering anger at their callous disregard for human life and disgusting behaviour, and he recalled the vow he made not too long ago. He will kill Nichs and break the frostweavers before the end of this year!
Chapter 95 95: Memory Of The Jade Slip
?"Make sure to inform me when the next trial is about to begin," he spat at Keldor, his voice low and menacing.
"Yes, your highness," Keldor bowed in his direction.
Exiting the training ground, Evan made his way back to his chambers, eager to cleanse the dust and grime off his tired body with a refreshing bath.
With 58 hours left until the next trial of the inheritance war, Evan saw no harm in taking some time to practice hygiene.
As he stepped into the drizzle of water that ran out of the showerhead, Evan let out a contented sigh. The water was cool and refreshing, washing away the sweat and dirt from his skin.
As he finished showering, Evan muttered the words, "Status screen," with a determined tone.
A semi-transparent screen appeared before him, disying his progress in his journey as an Awakened Soul Cultivator.
The screen read as follows:
Name: Evan
Exp: 2830
Age: 16
ss: Awakened Soul Cultivator
Cultivation stage: Soul Manifestation Stage
Level: Advanced (Lv:8)
Exp required to level up: (0/500)
Soul te: Skill Weaver
Sps: 0
Stats:
Strength: 93
Dexterity: 82
Constitution: 70
Agility: 96
Stamina: 85
Soul energy: 1000
Despite not wearing any equipment at the moment, his strength and agility were both approaching their maximum limit. For Soul Cultivators, the maximum limit for each stat was 100 points. However, there were two ways to surpass this limit. The first way was to be a Gctic Soldier, who specialized in body tempering. These soldiers trained their bodies with such intensity that they could unlock their limiter, bing a 1-star Gctic Soldier and raising their basic stats above 100 points. However, unlocking one''s limiter was not an easy feat. The second way to exceed the 100-point limit was to gain a certain type of physique, but this was an even more challenging task than unlocking one''s limiter.
For Evan, the quickest way to increase his offensive power was to master the cier Fang sword style. With this goal in mind, he reached into his inventory and retrieved the jade slip, pressing it against his forehead.
In an instant, the world around him dissolved, reced by a breathtaking and vivid scene. Before him stood a person with striking snow-white hair, cascading down to their waist in a mesmerizing way. Their chiseled face was framed by high cheekbones and piercing blue eyes that seemed to glow with a cold intensity. In their hand, they held a moon-white sword with a gleaming de that appeared almost ethereal in the pale light of the snowyndscape.
The figure stood alone, basking in the soft glow of the moon overhead. The silvery light caressed their features, casting deep shadows across their face and highlighting the sharp angles of their jaw.
The night was still and quiet, and he and Evan stood there in the whitendscape, soaking in the tranquility of the moment.
However, the peaceful scene was soon disrupted by the arrival of thousands of grotesque demons. Their red skin glowed like hot coals, their menacing horns jutted out from their heads and curved like scimitars, and their bulky physiques towered over three meters tall. The movements of the demon army were as coordinated as a well-trained army, as they marched towards the figure, who Evan could instinctively tell was his ancestor.
Ethan Frost stood against an army with his moon-white sword, cier Fang, emitting a mesmerizing blue glow. He spoke to Evan, but to the demons, it appeared as if he were talking to thin air.
"The cier Fang sword style," Ethan began, "has three formidable forms. The first one, Hidden Fangs Revealed, will bring even the gods to their knees." He thrust the sword into the ground, and towering, icy fangs emerged, turning thousands of demons into lifeless beings.
Despite the pack of demons roaring andunching fireballs at Ethan, he remainedposed.
"The second form, Last Ray of Moonlight," he continued, brandishing his sword. A wave of freezing air emanated from the sword, freezing the fireballs and the demons in their tracks. "As you can see, it can stop any threat to your life."
Ethan''s voice grew more intense as he spoke of the third form, the Blizzard Dance.
"It is the most powerful form of the cier Fang sword style," he said, the tip of his sword glowing with a blue light. "But one must master the sword style thoroughly before using it, or it can cause more harm than good."
He paused for a moment before continuing,
"Now, witness its might, young blood of my empire."
The glow on the sword''s body disappeared, leaving only the tip glowing.
As the demon army advanced towards him, Ethan touched the snow-covered ground with his sword''s tip, and a st of freezing energy turned ten thousand demons into frozen statues in an instant!
Evan''s eyes widened in awe as he witnessed the breathtaking disy of power from the creator of the cier Fang sword style. He recognized the man as Ethan Frost and knew that the message, or more specifically, the memory was meant for the one who acquired the jade slip.
"Wow."
Evan let out a breath of amazement as the vision faded away, and the jade slip burned to ashes.
[You have gained some insights into the cier Fang sword style.]
[You have met the condition to learn it using skill points!]
Evan clenched his fists, a fierce determination surging through his body. He knew that mastering the cier Fang sword style was crucial if he wanted to be a true force to be reckoned with in the uing trials of the inheritance war.
He needed skill points to learn the cier Fang Sword Style.
Thus, Evan made the wise decision to stop saving his EXP and level up.
"Use all my experience points to increase my level," he said.
The system''s notification rang in his mind.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. 2800 experience points have been consumed to open up your ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth soul pockets.]
Chapter 96 96: Comprehending The Imperial Swordmanship
?[You have leveled up four times and reached the 12th level of the Soul Manifestation realm.]
[You get +4 skill points, and your energy bar has increased to 1400 points from 1000 points!]
Without hesitation, Evan used his newly acquired skill points to master the cier Fang Sword Style.
[-4 skill points!]
Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of information bombarded Evan''s consciousness, making him feel as if he was being stabbed by a thousand needles. It was unbelievably difortable, but he gritted his teeth and persevered through the onught. The pain died down once the the information was imprinted into his hippocampus.
"Whoa, this is incredible!" he eximed in amazement.
To his astonishment, the flood of knowledge enabled him to grasp the intricacies of the sword style in a remarkably short time, almost like a miracle.
He discovered that to execute the first and second forms of the cier Fang Sword Style, he needed to infuse his sword with his ice-type soul energy entirely. By thrusting the sword into the ground, the energy would erupt like sharp fangs, while swinging it would unleash a devastating wave of frigid air capable of freezing everything in its path.
However, mastering the third and final form of the sword style required advanced control over one''s soul energy. The cultivator had to concentrate arge amount of energy on a single point in the sword''s body, such as its tip. Every swing upon impact would then release arge st of ice, instantly freezing anyone caught within its range.
"I can''t believe I understood all three forms of the cier Fang Sword Style so quickly. This is amazing!" Evan eximed, feeling ecstatic aboutprehending the three forms of the sword style in less than a minute. It was a feat that would take most talented geniuses months or even years to achieve.
However, understanding the three forms of the sword style was only the first step, and executing them would require a great deal of control over one''s soul energy. While this could be the most challenging part of learning the cier Fang Sword Style for others, Evan was confident he could do it with his skill weaver soul te that allowed him to perfectly manipte up to 200 units of soul energy at a time.
Although his execution might not be as powerful as that of his ancestor, he could still perform all three forms of the cier Fang Sword Style.
Initially, Evan was only able to control 100 units of ice-type soul energy at a time using the Breath of Frost Technique. However, after using a refinement stone to improve his connection with his soul pockets, he was able to double that amount and control up to 200 units of soul energy at a time.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan for mastering the cier Fang Sword Style!] The notification from the system confirmed that Evan''s assumptions were correct.
Without wasting a moment, Evan hurried to the nearby table and pulled out his notepad. He began scribbling down all the valuable information he could remember about the treasures in the ck Eye Gxy, his mind still fresh with memories of his past life. He had spent countless hours ying the game, watching videos, and reading guides, and his knowledge of the game was like second nature to him.
But Evan knew that his memories of the game might not stay as vivid as they were now. He had been reborn into this world, and as he continued his journey, new experiences and challenges would fill his mind, possibly pushing his previous memories to the back of his mind. Hence, he wrote down the most critical information he could remember into his notepad, making sure not to miss any crucial details.
Once he was satisfied with his notes, he threw the notepad into his inventory, where it would remain safe and secure until he needed it again.
He let out a loud grunt as he yanked and cracked his knuckles, feeling the tension slowly ebb away from his body.
"Open inventory."
Evan''s eyes lit up with excitement as he looked at the inventory screen, his gaze fixed on the bountiful harvest he had brought back from X. The numerous amounts of Soul Nourishing Herbs he had discovered there were the greatest harvest of his life. Their value was beyond measure.
The Soul Nourishing Herb was the main ingredient for two different types of pills - the Body Strengthening Pill and the Body Rejuvenation Pill. Beginner-level cultivators and Gctic Soldiers often relied on the Body Strengthening Pill to fortify their bodies, but it was far too vtile for mortals to handle. Even for cultivators, the pill''s potent energy could cause constipation if not bnced with regr exercise. It was a tricky bncing act, and one that few dared to attempt.
The Body Rejuvenation Pill, on the other hand, was a different story altogether. Unlike the vtile and potent Body Strengthening Pill, this pill was a true miracle of alchemy. Its gentle, mild energy was perfect for mortals, clearing their bodies of all the impurities they had umted over a lifetime and rejuvenating their cells. A single pill was all it took to add a hundred years to their lives and make them feel younger than ever before.
For Gctic Soldiers and cultivators, this pill was nothing short of a potent elixir. It could clear their bodies of the filth and impurities that had umted over years of pill consumption. It was a well-known fact in their circles that consuming too many pills could lead to impurities building up in the body, which, if left unchecked, could cause sickness and disease. Unfortunately, there was little research done in this field, and finding a cure for such ailments was a constant struggle. However, with the Body Rejuvenation Pill, such dangers could be eliminated before they could be a problem.
The remaining ingredients for the Body Strengthening Pill were widely avable in the market, but the remaining ingredients needed for the Body Rejuvenation Pill were monopolized by the Dark Tower.
Chapter 97 97: Sudden Initiation Of The Third Trial!
?It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that his progress could be hindered by something as trivial as ess to ingredients. However, Evan knew that that would not be a problem if he won the war. After all, if that happened, he would gain ess to the n''s treasury and get the ingredients he needed to make the pill from there.
The Body Strengthening Pill held no value for Evan, as he could easily increase his stats through other means. However, the Body Rejuvenation Pill was a different story. Having taken numerous pills from a young age, he knew that his body was riddled with impurities. This was a hidden danger that he needed to address as soon as possible, as it could be a bottleneck in his cultivation.
Thus, the Body Rejuvenation Pill was extremely beneficial to him, and he wanted one at all cost.
It led him to be more determined than ever to win the inheritance war.
Twelve hours drifted by, with the suns bidding adieu and slipping beyond the horizon, making way for the moon to ascend to the zenith of the sky. The silver light of the moon illuminated the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, enveloping it in a shroud of darkness. Only a few stars twinkled above, distant and aloof from the world below.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind billowed in through the open window of the Mansion, rustling the curtains and brushing against Evan''s slumbering form. The sudden touch of the cool breeze caused him to shiver involuntarily, prompting him to cover himself with the nket using a swift kick of his feet. Seeking warmth andfort amidst the nocturnal chill, he nestled himself deeper into the soft folds of the nket. He had no intention of rousing from his peaceful slumber just yet, but fate had other ns in store for him.
Brrrring brrrring!
The shrill sound of themunicator filled the air, rousing Evan from his sleep.
"Who could be ringing me up at this hour? I hope it''s not another emergency."
His eyes groggy and unfocused, he fumbled for the device. He was not yet fully awake, so he struggled to find and pick up themunicator. Once he did, he unlocked it, causing a screen to glow out of it.
He peered at the screen, and what he saw caused his heart to skip a beat.
"The second trial, which was supposed tost for three days, is ending prematurely due to unforeseen circumstances. The third trial is about to begin. All surviving participants of the inheritance war are requested to gather at the monster tower within 10 minutes. If you arete, your right to participate in the war will be revoked, and you will be stripped of your status."
The urgency in the message was palpable, and Evan knew he couldn''t afford to waste any time.
"I can''t believe they''re starting the third trial so soon. Something must have gone terribly wrong in the second trial."
He quickly gathered his belongings and wore his equipment, his mind racing with questions. Why was the third trial starting so soon? The second trial was meant tost three days. What had happened to cut it short?
As he mulled over these questions, a usible exnation struck him. Each member of the Imperial Frost n had a life te that indicated whether they were alive or dead. It was possible that the young masters who were on X had met an unfortunate end during the inheritance war, causing their life tes to go dark. This could exin why the second trial ended abruptly and why there was no need to wait for the full three days before beginning the third trial.
"I have no sympathy for those young masters of the branch families of my n. They knew the risks of participating in the inheritance war and chose to do so anyway. It''s their own fault if they met their demise."
Evan held an acerbic opinion of the young masters hailing from the branch families of the Imperial Frost n, who may have met their untimely demise in the ruthless inheritance war. He believed their conduct was nothing short of senseless, as they had willingly thrown themselves into a treacherouspetition for assets that did not rightfully belong to them. In contrast to Dante and Mathew, who were coerced and brainwashed into participating in the war by the frostweavers, the young masters from other families had opted to join in of their own volition, and now it seemed probable that they had paid the ultimate price for their careless decision-making.
In Evan''s mind, the inheritance war was a merciless and cutthroatpetition, where the worth of human life wasparable to that of a mere cabbage. These young masters, nurtured and shielded from the harsh realities of the world by their loving families, did not belong in such a brutalpetitionThey were ill-equipped to handle the ferocity of thepetition, and their naivety had most likely already resulted in dire consequences for them.
After suiting up, Evan darted into the bathroom adjacent to his room, urgently turning on the faucet and letting the frigid water ssh onto his face. The icy shock jolted his senses awake, infusing him with a rush of energy and rity.
Then, with an agile bound, heunched himself towards the window of his room, his feetnding squarely on the surface of his trusty hover board.
Vroom!
The sleek metallic material hummed with energy as he activated it, propelling himself forward with a burst of speed towards the looming behemoth in the distance.
Whoosh!
As he hurtled towards his destination on his hover board, the fierce wind whipped through his hair, the exhrating rush of air igniting a fire within his veins. With every passing second, he drew closer to his destination, and the anticipation of whaty ahead only added to the adrenaline pumping through his body.
He knew that the path ahead would be treacherous and rife with peril, but he refused to let anything hinder his progress.
With an unwavering determination burning bright within him, he was ready to ovee every challenge that he was to face in the war and emerge victorious against all odds.
Chapter 98 98: The Third Trial Of Fire!
?As Evan approached the towering structure that was the Monster Tower on his hover board, his eyebrow raised at the disheartening sight that greeted him.
A group of 300 people had already assembled, each one of them vying for the chance to im the ultimate prize in the inheritance war, but it was honestly a pitiful sight if one were to think about it.
Out of the 3000 members of the n''s youngest generation who had signed up for the inheritance war, more than two-thirds of them, over 2000, had been swiftly eliminated after the first trial of fire, and a few hundred more had quit the war after Evan''s impassioned speech, despite knowing that they would be giving up their birthrights and starting from scratch if they wanted to make a name for themselves within the n.
But amidst all the despair, there were still 600 young masters of the n who refused to back down and dared to participate in the next trial. The second trial of fire of the inheritance war had shed the remaining number ofpetitors in half in just one day. Although it might seem less perilous than the first trial, the reality was quite different. After all, the 600 young masters who had participated in it were the cream of the crop, so strong that they could make it to the Iron Ranking List of the Empire - a list of the top ten thousand soul manifestation realm cultivators in the ck Eye Gxy. Nevertheless, the second trial had still imed the lives of half of them!
Evan took it all in with a heart of ice, his mind calcting that with only 300 remaining, his chances of sess had vastly improved. He could see the fierce determination burning in their eyes as he scanned the crowd ofpetitors.
They hade too far to give up now.
Evan thought: I have to be at the top of my game if I want to stand a chance against such formidable opponents.
His arrival at the gates of the monster tower caused a disturbance in the crowd. People craned their necks to get a better look at him, murmuring in low voices.
Some of the them looked at him with envy, while others regarded him with hostility. After all, they saw him as a threat to their own chances of sess as he was widely regarded as one of the strongest contenders in the cut-throat struggle for the inheritance of the Imperial Frost n, standing on equal footing with the enigmatic ck Horse himself - Dante.
Evan ignored the murmurs of the onlookers. He was well aware that his formidable reputation had preceded him, and he had no intention of concealing his strength or his unwavering determination to secure the inheritance.
"Hey, hey, quiet down!" Keldor barked, his voice slicing through the low murmurs of the crowd. He spoke with an authoritative tone, demanding theirplete attention. "The third trial of fire in the inheritance war is about to begin. Before we start, let me exin the rules. Your task is to climb the monstrous tower looming before you. Take a good look at it. It has ten daunting floors to conquer. For every floor you scale, you''ll earn 100 points. The one with the most points will be dered the winner of this trial. These points are more than just numbers. They can be traded for valuable items from our n''s treasury, but more importantly, they''ll determine your new rank in our n''s hierarchy. Any questions before we begin?"
One of the participants of the inheritance war spoke up, "Are you serious? The Monster Tower is one of the most dangerous ces for soul maniptors. For those in the Soul Manifestation Realm, the mortality rate within the tower is the highestpared to any other restricted area. Climbing it is like asking us tomit suicide!"
In the face of the youth''s desperation, Keldor''s expression remained as stoic as ever.
"You''re not obliged to participate. If you don''t want to continue, you can leave," he said bluntly.
The discouraged teenager started to leave, but Keldor''s next words made him pause in his tracks.
"Wait! Before you fuck off to who knows where, return everything the n has given you," Keldor demanded with a cold glint in his eye. "Don''t force me to take action."
The youth tossed his spatial ring at Keldor, who caught it deftly before turning to leave.
"And your clothes?" Keldor asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
The youth''s eyes flickered with frustration, and he responded, "I bought these with the money I earned from my part-time job!"
"Where''s your proof?" Keldor asked.
"I''ll send you the receipts when I get home," the youth replied in a bitter tone, his fist clenched at his side.
As the young man left, Keldor chuckled to himself.
"What a fool," he thought with a sly grin. "He didn''t need to give anything away. There''s no rule stating that one must leave anything behind except their birth rights if they forfeit from the inheritance war. He could have just declined, and I wouldn''t have been able to do a thing."
The remaining participants fell silent, feeling as though they had no choice but to take part in the trial if they did not want to sacrifice their dignity. Keldor savored their difort, knowing they had signed up for the Inheritance War without bothering to read the extensive list of rules beforehand. Otherwise, they would have known he was bluffing. If they forfeited, they would only need to surrender their birth rights and nothing else!
Jake, the young master of the Ice Household, asked a pertinent question,
"I''ve heard that after passing each floor of the Monster Tower, we can choose to exit. Will there be any penalties if we do?"
Keldor reassured him, "No, there won''t be any penalties." Then he looked at the others with a smile that didn''t reach his eyes. "And passing the first floor guarantees a spot on the Bronze Ranking List."
Evan: ???
Chapter 99 99: Bronze Ranking List
"What exactly is this Bronze Ranking List?"
Evan inquired with a quizzical look, indicating his ignorance about the ranking list. He couldn''t recall hearing anything about it before, and wondered if it was a new addition to the n''s hierarchy.
Keldor cleared his throat before answering Evan''s question, "It is a new system of hierarchy proposed by the council of elders and approved by both the n''s Patriarch and Grand Patriarch. It has been recently implemented," he exined, his voice oozing with authority and confidence, leaving no room for doubt.
Keldor then turned to the curious onlookers and exined the origins of the new rule, shedding light on its significance.
Earning a spot on the Bronze Ranking List of the Imperial Frost n should be considered a significant achievement as it significant that one had earned the n''s unwavering attention, support, and a plethora of benefits. These included ess to invaluable resources, recognition and respect within the n, and the coveted opportunity to receive a soul pocket opening pill each month.
Those who made the list would be part of an elite group, with the n''s resources and backing at their disposal. With such an advantage, they would''ve a much greater chance of ascending the n''s hierarchy and even the empire''s. It was a stepping stone to even greater heights, a pathway to glory that only the most talented and hardworking individuals of the youngest generation of the Imperial Frost n could hope to achieve.
Upon hearing this, the participants'' spirits lifted, and Keldor watched with a sly smile, knowing that he had sessfully bluffed them into thinking the Monster Tower was less of a challenge than it really was.
With a sense of triumph, he announced, "Let the Trial of Indomitable Will begin!"
Keldor''s brawny arms bulged as he pried open the colossal, obsidian gates of the towering Monster Tower.
The participants of the cutthroat inheritance war filed inside, unwavering determination etched on their faces. Evan followed suit, stepping into the tower through the imposing gates.
As he set foot inside, a bone-chilling voice echoed in his ears.
"Wee to the first floor of the Monster Tower, where your mettle will be tested against Fearsome Extraterrestrial Monsters for a grueling three hours."
"Complete the trial, and you shall be rewarded with a Dragon''s Breath Pill. Fail, and you will be forced to pay the ultimate price - your life."
The voice that rang out in Evan''s ears had a haunting quality to it, both feminine and inhuman at the same time. Most people would be spooked if they suddenly heard such a voice, but not Evan. He remained calm and collected, knowing the speaker all too well. It was the spirit of the Monster Tower, which was a Sentient Weapon with its own consciousness and intelligence. A Sentient Weapon was a powerful and rare item that had developed spiritual awareness, and the Monster Tower was one of the most feared and respected examples of this breed in the ck Eye Gxy.
[The trial begins!]
In an instant, Evan found himself in a narrow, ustrophobic tunnel, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The walls on his left and right were lined with flickering torches that cast eerie shadows around him, their mes flickering like ghostly tongues in the darkness.
Despite the presence of the torches, darkness seemed to linger in the corners of the tunnel, ready to engulf Evan at any moment.
Evan knew he couldn''t afford to stay still, not with the "Fearsome Extraterrestrial Monsters" lurking in the shadows.
Evan cautiously navigated thebyrinthinework of tunnels, his senses sharpened to their maximum. Every fiber of his being was prepared for what was toe. He knew from his memory of the game that the second "Fearsome Exterrestrial Monsters" were mentioned, nothing good was supposed to happen.
As he turned a sharp corner, his eyes fell upon the worst sight imaginable - a repulsive Wormface.
The moment Evanid eyes on it, he froze in ce, enveloped in a sudden stillness. He could feel the weight of its disgusting gaze bearing down on him, and for a brief moment, it seemed as if time hade to a standstill. The only sound that could be heard was his ownbored breathing and the frenzied thumping of his heart, echoing through the tunnels like a deafening drumbeat.
The Wormface was an abominable creatures, its elongated bodies writhing and twisting like serpents. Its rough, scaly skin had a sickly gray-green hue and was covered in jagged ridges that ran along its backs like a spine of spiky mountains. Itsrge, glowing eyes were like molten gold, shimmering with an eerie intelligence that sent chills down the spine of anyone who dared look into it. Rows of razor-sharp teeth filled its gaping maws, adding to its already monstrous appearance.
Merely catching a glimpse of the grotesque Wormface was enough to strike terror into the heart of even the bravest of individuals. Yet, despite the overwhelming fear that gripped him at the sight of this abomination, Evan managed to maintain an eerie calm, his silence betraying none of the panic that he felt inside. His heart raced with adrenaline, but he refused to let it control him, instead keeping his emotions in check and his focus razor-sharp. It was as though he was cut from a different cloth than the rest of humanity, possessing a unique strength and courage that few others could match.
As he gazed at the Wormface,, Evan remembered that it was a highly skilled burrowers, capable of moving quickly and silently through the earth. This made it a formidable opponent that could strike unexpectedly from below. Its preferred method of attack was to leap out of the ground and use its razor-sharp teeth to tear apart its prey. In his previous life, Evan had an unpleasant encounter with this type of monster. The memories of that experience were still fresh in his mind, and he could vividly recall how it had caught him off guard before tearing his in-game avatar limb by limb before devouring him whole. It was quite an eerie sensation, and he certainly hadn''t expected to encounter it in thisbyrinthinework of tunnels.
"Huh?"
He had only blinked once but the monster was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter 100 100: Against A Extraterrestrial Monster
"Huh? Where did it go?!"
Evan''s eyes widened in surprise as he realized the monster had vanished, its presence now ominously absent. He had only blinked once, but in that brief moment, the Wormface had seized the opportunity to slink away into the shadows. Evan''s heart raced with adrenaline as he frantically scanned his surroundings, searching for any sign of the elusive creature.
Quake!
Evan was abruptly jolted out of his panicked state by a violent tremor that shook the ground beneath his feet. In an instant, his instincts took over, and he shed his apprehensiveness, recing it with a fierce determination. His features hardened into those of a battle-hardened soldier, and a sharp glint shed in his eyes, showing that he knew what was toe and that he was ready for it.
[You have activated Quickstep!]
Without a moment''s hesitation, he leaped backward with all his might.
"Fuck, that was close."
His body moved with lightning speed as he narrowly avoided the menacing Wormface that burst out from where he stood just a moment ago.
The ground quaked beneath him as hended several feet away from it, quickly regaining hisposure.
Grrr!
The wormface''s razor-sharp ws and teeth gleamed in the dim light of the torches as it snarled in frustration at missing its prey.
The wormface crouched menacingly, triggering a sense of familiarity in Evan. He knew it was about tounch itself at him like a rocket. Having faced numerous wormfaces in the game he yed in his past life, he was intimately familiar with their attacking patterns. He anticipated the creature''s next move and readied himself to react ordingly.
Whoosh!
The very next moment, the Wormfaceunched itself towards Evan with incredible speed, its gaping jaws with rows of razor-sharp teeth aimed straight at his face. Evan''s heart pounded in his chest, and goosebumps rose on his skin as he felt the hot breath of the monster on his face. The distance between them closed in an instant, and it looked like it was the end for him.
But in a split second, Evan vanished into thin air, leaving the Wormface''s jaws to snap shut in vain.
The monster''s momentum carried it forward, and it crashed into the ground with a deafening thud, its frustration palpable.
In that very instant, Evan reappeared behind the Wormface, his imposing figure towering over the monster, filling the space between them with a deadly silence. The fingers of his right hand stretched out, and icy cold tendrils burst out of their tips, swirling and twirling in a fierce and elegant dance. The tendrils weaved around each other, condensing into a frost bullet that made direct contact with the back of the Wormface''s head.
The monster shuddered, sensing the imenient danger it was in. Its body tensed as it tried to move, but it was toote.
"Point nk Frost bullet!" Evan''s voice rang out, filled with fierce determination.
Boom!
The frost bullet exploded from his finger with a deafening roar, drilling into the Wormface''s head with immense force. The bullet pierced through the monster''s thick skull before exploding, releasing an immense frigid air that froze the Wormface''s body in ce.
The once-terrifying Wormface was now a frozen statue, its jaws forever locked in a snarl of rage and frustration. The frigid air had spread through its body at a ridiculously fast pace, turning it into a frozen statue that would never move again at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Unable to move its body, the wormface squirmed its eyes at Evan threateningly, as he looked back at it mockingly.
"My my, it seems you''re in quite a predicament, my dear Wormface. Fear not, however, for I shall put an end to your suffering."
With a swift movement, Evan''s elbow collided with the frozen body of the Wormface. The impact shattered the frozen monster into countless pieces, each shard reflecting the dim light of the torches in a dazzling disy. The shards scattered across the floor with a sharp tter, echoing through the tunnel as they bounced off the walls. The sound was deafening, as if a thousand ss bottles had been smashed at once, leaving behind a glittering and dangerous mess that covered the floor.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. You have killed a level 14 Extraterrestrial Monster. You''ve gained +140 EXP, and +4 DEX!]
[As this is your first time killing a Extraterrestrial Monster above the 13th level, you will gain an additional reward. You get +100 EXP!]
"That was supposed to be one tough bastard," Evan let out a breathless chuckle, surveying the glittering shards of the Wormface''s body scattered across the floor. "But it looks like it couldn''t handle the power of my Frost Bullet!"
...
The massive, sentient skyscraper loomed over the throngs of mesmerized onlookers, who were surrounded by a sea of holographic screens that broadcasted Evan''s epic battle with the monstrous Wormface. The spectators were a mix of awe and terror as they watched in rapt attention, transfixed by the intense battle that was unfolding before their very eyes.
"Is this even real?!" eximed Alistair, casting a skeptical eye on the broadcast. "The Wormface is an extraterrestrial monster known for its unyielding resilience and endurance. Even a team of highly skilled cultivators at level 10 of soul manifestation would struggle to take it down. Yet here we have His highness soloing it!"
"The spirit of the monster tower doesn''t know how to lie," Magnus interjected, before warning with a stern look that demanded absolute obedience whether one liked it or not.
"And I better not hear such careless remarks like that again. Otherwise, there will be a price to pay."
Magnus issued a stern warning to the officials, his voiceced with an undercurrent of malice. His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, warning the bastards that there will be consequences if they made careless remarks.
The officials recoiled under his intense gaze, feeling a chill run down their spine. They knew better than to cross the towering figure standing before them, whose power and influence were legendary in the Sun Moon Empire.
Chapter 101 101: Fighting For Whats Right!
With a collective gulp, the officials, who were on the verge of supporting the minister of defense''s im, swallowed the words that were at the tip of their tongue and sealed their mouths shut. They did not wish to face his wrath.
"I...I apologize, Your Imperial Majesty. It was an ill-considered remark on my part. I meant no disrespect." Alstair bowed his head, his voice quivering with regret.
Magnus gave Alistair a stern re, his eyes narrowed in displeasure.
"It''s not me you should apologize to, Alistair. After all, it''s my son you''ve insulted with your thoughtless words," he said, his tone low and menacing. "Don''t you think he deserve your apology?"
The officials of the Imperial Frost Court in their surroundings were shocked. Magnus, the Imperial Lord of Frost, had the audacity to demand an apology from the Minister of Defense, a seasoned cultivator in the fifth realm of cultivation, to a boy who was still wet behind the ears. Some may have called it daring, but it was precisely this type of fearlessness that made Magnus a force to be reckoned with in thr ck Eye Gxy. He had the courage to take actions that others wouldn''t, and it was this trait that set him apart from the rest.
Alistair''s heart sank at Magnus''s words, knowing that apologizing to the Crown Prince would mean losing face, but refusing to do so could result in severe consequences, such as losing years of his hard-earned cultivation or even his life.
He swallowed hard before responding.
"You''re right, Your Imperial Majesty. I understand the gravity of my actions, and I promise to make amends with Prince Evan as soon as he emerges from the Monster Tower." Alistair''s voice trembled with regret as he spoke, knowing that he had made a grave mistake.
Magnus''s demeanor softened somewhat, but hismanding presence remained palpable.
"Make sure you do just that, Alistair," he warned, his voiceced with authority.
Alistair nodded.
Magnus couldn''t contain his satisfaction, feeling as if he had just won a great battle. The thought of the countless precious gifts he had secured for his beloved son made his heart swell with pride. He could already picture the look of joy on Prince Evan''s face as he received each gift from Alistair with glee. Magnus was determined to ensure that the apologies and reparations were made with the utmost sincerity, for his son deserved nothing but the best.
The holographic screen disyed the terrifying scene of the Wormface poised to strike Evan. The audience was on the edge of their seats, holding their breath in anticipation as they watched with bated breath.
Their eyes narrowed to the size of needles as the Wormface moved in for the kill, and they prepared themselves for the worst, but in a split second, Evan dodged the attack, causing the crowd''s eyes to widen to the size of saucers in amazement.
asionally missing content, please report errors in time.
Chapter 102 102: The End Of The Tunnel.
As for Eldrid and Keldor, they exchanged a knowing look, their interest piqued by Evan''s performance in the battle. They had been keeping a close eye on the young prince ever since he had begun to make waves in the n, and his disy of skill in the recent battle had certainly demanded more of their attention. They could no longer dismiss him as a mere waste of space, as they had once thought.
Keldor''s excitement was palpable, and his admiration for the young cultivator was written all over his flushed face. His gaze was fixated on the holographic screen floating before him, his slender fingers gripping his chin, as if he could extract more secrets from the young cultivator''s incredible disy of power by sheer willpower alone.
"What other tricks do you have up your sleeve, my dear young master? Do I need to crack open your skull to find out?" he mused with a grin.
"Old friend, can you believe it? We totally misjudged him just because of his control-type soul te." Eldrid said, startling Keldor awake from his disturbing thoughts.
Keldor nodded with a grin, "Absolutely, we were way off. His Highness has surpassed our expectations by far."
"My grandson has proved us wrong, and I love it!" Eldrid chuckled, willing to recognize Evan as his grandson only because Evan had proven he was extremely talented. "Remember when we found out he had awakened a control-type soul te? We could have easily overlooked his demands and exiled him from the capital, but we didn''t. And it''s a good thing we didn''t because he''s proven that he is a valuable asset to our n."
Keldor agreed, "Yes, indeed. We should keep a closer eye on him and see what other talents he''s hiding. He might just be our ace card for the uing The Imperial Wealth Redistribution Competition that is to start in the season of the Frozen Void."
"You read my mind." Eldrid nodded in agreement.
If someone had witnessed Keldor and Eldrid conversing like old friends, they would have been utterly bewildered. After all, what kind of status did Keldor hold tomand respect from someone as prominent as Eldrid? Wasn''t he just a member of the elder council? But now it seemed like he had a far greater identity than that.
Meanwhile, inside the first floor of the monster tower, Evan scratched his chin, his eyes narrowed in deep thought.
"It''s worth noting that wormfaces are remarkably susceptible to ice elemental attacks. Armed with this knowledge, I feel like I have a trump card up my sleeve, a surefire way to gain the upper hand in any future encounters with those slimy creatures. Yes, their vulnerability to cold is a significant weakness, but in my hands, it will be a weapon that I will exploit to gain an advantage over them if they ever cross path with me."
Wormfaces were never a crucialponent of the game, as indicated by the absence of online guides or discussions regarding their capabilities and limitations on Earth. Moreover, since Christian Wolfie''s in-game persona belonged to the gctic soldier category, he wasn''t equipped with ice-based abilities, which prevented him from discovering the wormfaces'' vulnerability to ice elemental assaults. Hence, he remained unaware of it until now, which exins why he was taken aback when he unintentionally exploited its weakness.
"How long have it been since I appeared on this floor of the monster tower?"
Evan wondered how much time was left before the trial of the first floor of the monster tower would conclude.
asionally missing content, please report errors in time.
Chapter 103: Evan vs a pack of extraterrestrial monsters!
Chapter 103: Evan vs a pack of extraterrestrial monsters!
The spirit of the tower transmitted every detail of the trial takers'' actions to the rapt audience around the colossal structure, but all eyes were transfixed on the screens that broadcasted Evan''s trial.
As the group of eight hideous wormfaces appeared on the screen, Vikhilk let out a sharp gasp, his astonishment palpable. "Don''t tell me he''s going to fight all of them," he eximed.
Just then, the scene of Evan summoning his magic sword yed on the screen, and Ylva''s voice rose in shock, "It looks like he is!"
A frostweaver in the crowd shook their head and dered, "He must be suicidal. There''s no way a soul manifestation realm cultivator can stand against eight of them."
Meanwhile, Lirian was optimistic and had faith in Evan''s n. "Nah, I think this is going to be epic!" he eximed, eagerly anticipating how the battle would unfold.
...
Skree!
The wormfaces hissed and lunged at Evan with their razor-sharp teeth, glinting menacingly in the faint light and threatening to sink into his flesh, but he seemes to be injected with chicken''s blood as he methodically maneuvered his body like a movement-type cultivator, moving with such incredible speed that he left deep imprints in the ground and blurry afterimages in his wake.
Chomp!
The monsters'' jaws mped shut with a deafening snap, as they bit down on nothing but his afterimages, missing their target by mere inches, their target who darted and weaved with lightning-fast reflexes, evading their savage attacks with astonishing agility. He was like a shadow, impossible to catch, impossible to predict.
And then, in the blink of an eye, he struck.
"cier Fang Style: Second Form - Last Ray of Moonlight!" he shouted, his voice ringing out loud and clear above the din of battle.
His sword glowed with an icy blue hue, fueled by the power of his soul energy as he brandished it with deadly intent.
Whoosh!
The de sliced through the air with incredible speed, leaving behind a trail of shimmering light that danced in the air like stars.
Half of the pack of Wormfaces were caught off guard, unable to escape the reach of his sword in time. The sword struck their bodies with a fierce and unforgiving force, unleashing a st of cold air that engulfed them in a freezing chill. They were frozen solid, their bodies twisted in contorted positions like grotesque statues frozen in time. It was both beautiful and gruesome, like an icy sculpture garden in the midst of a bloody battlefield.
Although ensed in ice, they were not dead. He could tell that as he received no notification from his system confirming that they were dead.
He charged forward to deliver the finishing blow with a sh of his sword, but just as he drew near, two of the creatures rushed out from behind the frozen statues and lunged at him from opposite sides, their ws shing through the air with deadly precision, forcing him to retract his attack and leap back with lightning-fast reflexes, barely dodging their deadly attacks by a hair''s breadth.
"Your n was good."
He tightened his grip on his magic sword, the blue glow of his soul energy pulsing with increasing intensity. Several ice shards materialized out of thin air around him, circling him like a protective shield.
"But it''s not going to be that easy to stop me from getting what I want," he said, his voice low and menacing as he brought his sword down.
The ice shards began to rain down on the frozen Wormfaces, each impact causing them to shatter into a thousand pieces. Theirst cries were frozen in their throats, their eyes full of terror as they died a frozen, gruesome death.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. You have killed 4¡Á level 10 Extraterrestrial Monster. You''ve gained +400 EXP, and +6 DEX, + 2 CON, +2 STA!]
What remained of the pack of eight Wormfaces looked on in fear, unsure of how to tackle this disaster that had reduced their number by half by themselves. Evan was oblivious to their plight, his sword still glowing with a fierce, deadly but mesmerizing Sapphire blue light as he charged towards them like a behemoth, showcasing his intent to face them head-on.
The four Wormfaces frantically attempted to evade Evan''s wrath, burrowing themselves into the earth with incredible speed like frightened moles. Their burrowing was so swift that the ground shook under their rapid descent, and in a matter of seconds, they vanished without a trace.
Evan''s eyes narrowed with a fiery intensity, as if he were possessed by an unrelenting force. His pupils dted and a glint of ferocity shed across them, illuminating his face with an almost maniacal expression. A wicked smile slowly curled onto his lips, revealing a set of gleaming teeth that seemed to belong to a predator on the prowl. Thebination of his intense gaze and ominous grin sent shivers down the spines of those witnessing the broadcast of his trial, leaving them unsure of what to expect next.
"You''ve dug your own graves," he dered with a sneer.
Suddenly, Evan''s reserve of soul energy plummeted, and frigid tendrils crept out from his body, fusing with his magical weapon, causing it to lit up. The eerie, blue glow emanating from his magic weapon was both beautiful and terrifying, like the icy heart of a frozen wastnd.
"cier Fang Style: First Form - Hidden Fangs Revealed!"
Evan drove his sword into the earth.
Boom!
The impact was so forceful that it sent powerful shockwaves rippling through the ground, causing it to convulse violently.
In an instant, as if summoned by the sheer power of his strike, towering ice fangs burst forth from the earth, with two of the four wormfaces that were tunneling beneath the surface impaled on their tips.
The fangs were massive, radiating an icy aura that made the air around them feel bone-chillingly cold, reminiscent of a deste, wintry night. The two unfortunate Wormfaces were left hanging helplessly from the fangs, their bodies freezing up in ce as the frigid aura emanating from the fangs enveloped them and turned them into frozen statues in a sh.
Chapter 104 104: The last battle
Chapter 104 104: Thest battle
Evan''s mind buzzed with the notification from the system.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. You have killed 2¡Á level 12 Extraterrestrial Monster. You''ve gained +240 EXP, and +5 CON, and +3 STA!]
But even without the notification, he knew the monsters were dead.
Looking around, Evan noticed only two out of the pack of eight Wormfaces were still alive. They were pping their hands in a desperate attempt to regain bnce as they flew in an arc through the air. Evan couldn''t help but find the sight quiteical, despite the gravity of the situation.
It was evident that these two Wormfaces had managed to dodge the icy assaultunched by Evan, but the sudden upheaval causes by the eruption of the frost fangs had caught them off guard, sending them flying out of their underground hideout and leaving them feeling disoriented and vulnerable.
Thud!
The force of gravity worked its magic, pulling the Wormfaces down ferociously. With a loud crash, theynded on the ground, their bodies reeling from the impact. The world around them spun, and their vision blurred as they fought to shake off the daze, but soon enough, they regained their senses.
Struggling to regain their footing, the two Wormfaces stumbled about, their bodies still wobbly from the crash.
"This is a golden opportunity for me. I will be a fool to let it go to waste."
Evan saw his chance to strike them dead and he seized it without hesitation.
A glint of brutality shed across his eyes as he brandished his glowing blue sword.
cier Fang Style: Second Form - Last Wave of Moonlight!
A wave of frigid air burst forth from the sword and rushed towards the Wormfaces.
The wormfaces jumped to the sides, moving out of its trajectory.
They thought they had seeded in dodging the attack until grinned wickedly and spread his hands wide, calling upon the power of his Skill Weaver Soul te.
Affected by his will, the wave of frigid air that was supposed to flewst the Wormfaces split into two, each one turning towards one of the remaining Wormfaces.
The Wormfaces were caught off guard by Evan''s attack and had never expected something like this to happen. The first wave crashed into the Wormface on the left, encasing it in ayer of ice. The second wave followed suit, freezing the other Wormface in its tracks. Evan watched with satisfaction as the creatures struggled to break free from their icy prisons, knowing that they would never be able to carry out their intentions in this life.
"Frozen in ce, just as I wanted. Time to show them what I''m capable of," Evan said.
The mobility of the two Wormfaces waspromised by the ice that held them captive, making it impossible for them to dodge any attack that maye their way. It was a good time to bombard them with spells.
"This spell should do the trick."
With a snap of his fingers, Evan manifested several ice bullets.
"Ice bullets, rain down on my enemies! Show them hell!"
As his words fell, all of the ice bullets hovering in the air shot at the frozen Wormfaces. The bullets shattered their icy figures like fragile mirrors, sending shards of ice and pieces of their flesh flying in every direction.
The sharp fragments scattered on the ground, a grisly reminder of the creatures'' defeat.
This sight also signaled the end of the fight.
...
The spectators who had been watching Evan''s trial and cursing under their breath that he won''t survive against the pack of wormfaces, were now rooted to the spot in disbelief.
They couldn''t believe what they had just witnessed - His Highness had taken on a pack of eight Wormfaces and emerged victorious, all by himself!
The scene was simply unimaginable!
Their mouths hung open in a mixture of shock and awe, and their eyes widened to the size of saucers, as if they were about to pop out of their eye sockets. They had never seen anything like this Imperial swordsmanship has been lost for over a century. It''s unlikely that the sword style His Highness used to ovee the pack was the Imperial Swordsmanship," he said.
before, and the memory of this incredible feat would stay with them forever, constantly reminding them how hard they were face pped by Evan
Lirian, Vikhilk, Ylva, and Annika stood in awe, struggling to process what they had just witnessed.
"Sweet snowkes, what in the world was that?!" eximed Vikhilk, stunned by the disy of swordsmanship.
Lirian, trying to make sense of what had just happened, asked, "What kind of techniques are those? I''ve never seen anything like it."
Ylva, usually knowledgeable about every event in the ck Eye Gxy, was at a loss.
"Even with my vast knowledge, I cannot recognize this sword style. It seems simr to the exaggeration mentioned in the biography of the First Patriarch of the Imperial Frost n, but the Imperial swordsmanship has been lost for over a century. It''s unlikely that the sword style His Highness used to ovee the pack was the Imperial Swordsmanship," he said.
Annika, impressed by the sheer power and precision of the swordsmanship,mented, "Regardless of what style it is, His Highness''s swordsmanship is unmatched. He must have trained relentlessly to achieve such mastery."
Little did Annika know that he had mastered it with just the usage of a few skill points!
As the Elders watched Evan''s trial broadcast from their VVIP stands, they couldn''t hide their astonishment. Their faces were a mix of joy and shock as they exchanged nces with each other.
One of them eximed, "The sword style His Highness Evan is using is unmistakably the Imperial Swordsmanship invented by the first generation patriarch of our n!"
"That sword style was thought to be gone forever, yet here it is, being wielded by this young man! To think that he would discover a long lost sword style. His Highness Evan''s luck is enviable," another Elder added.
"He''s not only lucky but also ridiculously talented. A sword style like the Imperial swordmanship should be hard toprehend, much less master, yet he was using it as easily as breathing or taking a stroll in the park. He''s truly a prodigy!" said another Elder, in awe of Evan''s skills.
The other Elders murmured in agreement, recognizing that Evan''s abilities far surpassed their expectations.
Evan had learned the cier Fang Style in minutes.
If any of them knew that, they would have experienced cultivation deviation!
Chapter 105 105: Another Achievement Unlocked!
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Evan''s mind was interrupted by a familiar notification from the system.
The message read,
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. You have killed thest member of the pack of Extraterrestrial Monster. You''ve gained +150 EXP!]
[As this is your first time defeating a pack of Extraterrestrial Monster, you will gain an bonus reward. You''ve gained a major boost in all your stats.]
[Your Constitution has increased to 88 points.]
[Your Dexterity, Strength, Agility, And Stamina has increased to 100 points.]
Evan couldn''t help but grin at unlocking another achievement. He knew it was a significant milestone, but he also knew that it wouldn''t be long before the challenges he would''ve toplete to unlock achievements would be even tougher. After all, he was close to unlocking all the easy ahcivements as a yer.
"Unlocking achievements is always satisfying," he muttered to himself. "But I am not left with many easy-to-unlock achievements. I guess I need to enjoy it while I still can because it won''t be easily possible in the future."
Evan''s smirk widened as he took a moment to appreciate his impressive stats.
He was a soul cultivator with ridiculously high stats in all areas, including but not limited to Dexterity, Strength, Agility, and Stamina. Even the most dedicated body tempering experts who aimed to be gctic soldiers wouldn''t have such stats.
He was essentially a low-level boss monster in human form.
It was incredibly rare for a soul manifestation realm cultivator to have such remarkable physical attributes. Out of a million cultivators at his level, maybe not a single one would have such stats.
His physique was so strong that he might be the only soul manifestation realm cultivator with such raw power in the entire empire. The only person he had seen who came closer to him in terms of physical strength was Dante. However, Dante had gone through hell to achieve his level of physical prowess, while his journey, although bloody, intense and ferocious, wasn''t as painful or miserable.
If there were devices capable of measuring Evan''s physical abilities, the entire empire would be astounded at how perfectly suited he was for bing a gctic soldier. This was due to the fact that Evan had already reached the maximum limit for Dexterity, Strength, Agility, and Stamina - four crucial attributes that determined an individual''s survival skills when attempting to remove their first limiter. The first limiter removal was a daunting and perilous task that only the strongest and most capable body tempering experts could handle. Yet, Evan''s physical capabilities surpassed even the most elite and dedicated body tempering experts in the ck Eye Gxy. His near-perfect mortal physique made him an exceptional candidate for the Gctic Soldier ss.
[You have reached the maximum limit of your DEX, STR, AGT, and STA stats!]
Evan couldn''t help but feel a sense of disappointment as the system''s notification rang in his mind once again. The boost in stats he had been receiving from his energy-ranked and magic-ranked weapons and equipment was now diminishing. He knew that his Dexterity, Strength, Agility, and Stamina had already reached their maximum limit, and couldn''t be improved any further until he became a 1-star Gctic warrior, even if he used magic-ranked or energy-ranked weapons or equipments.
[They can not be improved any longer until you be a 1-star Gctic warrior!]
To achieve that, Evan knew he had to face the daunting challenge of removing his first limiter. It was a task that was considered harder than ascending to the heavens if attempted by a human, but with his near-perfect mortal physique, it might not be impossible. Moreover, he was determined to achieve this feat and be a 1-star Gctic warrior, no matter how difficult the journey ahead may be. Since he was determined, he believed that sess was not impossible to achieve.
Within the Sun Moon Empire, physical strength yed a secondary role inbatpared to the power of cultivation, soul tes, and ability crystals. Why rely on mere muscles when one could harness the power of your cultivation and skill crystals to overpower your opponents and make your point?
It should also be mentioned that not all citizens of the empire were equally gifted or had the same potential as some of them were humans, some were demi-humans, and some belonged to races that might or not resemble humans in shape or form.
For those whocked sufficient talent andprehension ability, the road to mastery was long and arduous. Both body tempering and soul cultivation required significant investments of time and effort. It was not umon for some to remain stuck in the first stage for years, especially if they attempted to practice both without having adequate talent. Meanwhile, their peers, who focused on only one path, soared to greater heights.
That''s why it was often rmended to choose one path and focus on it exclusively. Trying to pursue both simultaneously risked spreading one''s efforts too thin, leading to slower progress and hampered growth.
Even though he knew all that, Evan was resolute in his decision to pursue both body tempering and soul cultivation. He acknowledged that there were benefits to focusing solely on his soul cultivator, but the advantages of being a gctic warrior were too extraordinary to be ignored. Although it was widely acknowledged that gctic soldiers were weaker than soul cultivators since theycked the means of harnessing the power of skill crystals, they possessed many advantages over soul cultivators in thetter stages.
For instance, high-level gctic soldiers could traverse the stars with nothing but the strength of their body, a feat that was unattainable for most soul cultivators. They were revered as powerful and skilled transcendental humans, capable of navigating the gxy with ease and grace, respected wherever they went.
People who haven''t seen the wider world would think otherwise.
Evan thought: It won''t be a challenge for me to pursue both paths, as I have the yer System. With my ability to level up using EXP, it would be stupid to focus solely on one. I will find a way to unlock the first limiter after the inheritance war.
Chapter 106 106: Rewards For Completing The First Trial Of The Monster Tower!
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Evan''s gaze fixated on his character screen as he read through his attributes.
Name: Evan
Age: 16
ss: Awakened Soul Cultivator
Cultivation realm: Soul Manifestation realm
Level: 12 (Legendary stage of Soul Manifestation realm)
Exp: 1200
Exp required to reach the next level: 1500
Soul te: Skill Weaver
Sps: 0
Stats:
Strength: 100, Dexterity: 100, Constitution: 88, Agility: 100, Stamina: 100, Soul energy: 1400
With only 300 EXP left to reach the pinnacle of the Soul Manifestation realm, Evan could already feel the alluring power that awaited him - the power of a Soul Fusion Realm Cultivator. Upon reaching level 13, he would have the opportunity to use the Celestial Connector Pill to advance to the next realm.
Despite this, Evan was cautious and did not want to rush into things. If he were to make a breakthrough during the inheritance war, his enemies would have the chance to use him of foul y, iming it was unfair for a second-step soul maniptor topete against others still in the Soul Manifestation Realm. This would result in the minor families using legal reasons to restart the inheritance war, but with stronger opponents this time. Such a situation was something Evan could not afford to happen.
While considering the ramifications of making a breakthrough during the inheritance war, Evan''s eyes narrowed, and the shadow cast by his long eyshes emphasized the prominence of his cheekbones.
"I want to use the inheritance war to leave no room for doubt about my abilities or my integrity. Despite it being unfair to me, I will not break through to the next realm until the end of the inheritance war."
''Anyway, what should I do now?'' Evan wondered.
Evan was lost in thought, wondering what he should do next when suddenly, the wall of the cravenourous area in thebyrinth split open. Startled by the sound, he turned towards the source, only to see a man stepping out of the darkness.
The man had creamy skin and a sharp, chiseled jawline. His nted eyes glinted in the dim light, and his yellow hair covered his forehead and reached his eyebrows. His red lips were pressed into a thin smile, and he was dressed in a sleek, stylish suit that entuated his confident demeanor.
But it was the man''s aura was what caught Evan''s attention.
It was so thick and dense, like that of a ancient beast.
Evan felt a sense of unease wash over him as he stared at the stranger, his eyes narrowing to the size of thin needles.
He didn''t doubt that the man was stronger than him and could snape his neck if he wantes to. He didn''t expect toe across someone so strong in just the first floor of the Monster Tower.
As he studied the man, Evan couldn''t help but wonder what his intentions were and whether he should be worried. After all, the stranger''s aura was unsettling and powerful, and Evan couldn''t shake off the feeling that he was in the presence of something dangerous. He knew he needed to tread carefully around this individual.
"Quite interesting. I didn''t expect that there would be a climber daring enough to kill all the enemies when the subject of the trial was survival," the man said, his tone tinged with novelty.
Evan was still in shock but managed topose himself enough to ask, "Who are you?"
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marcus, the manager of the first floor of the Monster Tower," Marcus replied with a bow, cing his hand on his chest.
"Floor Manager?" Evan muttered under his breath.
ording to the historic records of the Imperial Frost n, the managers of the Monster Tower were created by the spirit of the tower to oversee and manage the floors of the tower. There were nine of them in total, each with their unique abilities and characteristics.
The managers were said to be powerful beings with immense magical abilities and an unwavering sense of duty to the tower. They were known for their intelligence, cunning, and strategic thinking, which allowed them to devise intricate trials to challenge those who dared to step into and climb the tower.
The appearance of the managers varied widely, but they were all said to be imposing and awe-inspiring figures, with an air of authority thatmanded respect from all who encountered them. Some were described as towering giants, while others were more elegant and refined in their appearance like Marcus.
Despite their fearsome reputations, the managers were also said to be just and fair, always striving to uphold the rules and maintain order in the monster tower and making sure that it''s well kept.
"So you are a floor manager." Evan breathed a sigh of relief.
Floor managers couldn''t harm climbers unless they were provoked.
That meant he didn''t need to worry about his life any longer.
Marcus raised an eyebrow in surprise as Evan''s response revealed that he already knew about the Floor Managers. "You don''t seem shocked at knowing who I am," he remarked.
Evan shrugged nonchntly.
"Well, I know about you guys from the books," he exined.
"I have read that floor managers don''t show themselves in front of climbers unless necessary. What did I do to warrant your attention?" Evan asked.
Marcus''s interest was piqued. A normal person would tremble at the sight of him, but Evan was acting like he was certain that he wouldn''t be attacked.
Marcus was intrigued by Evan''s nonchnt attitude and decided to answer his question.
"You have done something unexpected. The trial was about surviving the chase of vicious monsters for three hours, but you killed all of them in less than two hours, ending it in a way different way than a normie would have. Your performance is way above average. Although not unprecedented, it''s excellent," Marcus said, his voice tinged with admiration.
He continued, "ording to the rules of the tower, forpleting the trial before the time limit and annihting all the enemies, your reward will be tripled."
Chapter 107 107: Second Floor!
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Marcus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial with three pills inside.
"Here, catch."
He tossed it towards Evan.
Evan caught the vial thrown his way with ease, examining its contents with a light hearted smile on his face.
Inside were three pills that glowed a soft blue, emitting a faint, otherworldly energy.
The pills were perfectly spherical and about the size of a marble, and they had a smooth, glossy surface that seemed to shimmer in the dim light of thebyrinth.
The tiny vial held three Dragon''s Breath Pill.
This pill aids cultivators in strengthening connection with their soul pockets, allowing them to control more soul energy with their soul energy maniption technique.
Though it shared simrities with the soul pocket refinement stone, it was far more potent.
The only catch? It took time to refine - no instant gratification here.
The speed of refinement depended entirely on the cultivator''s innate ability to absorb the pill''s medicinal value, making it a waiting game to see when the effects would kick in.
"This is more than I expected. I''ve been struggling to deepen my connection with my soul pockets, but now with these pills, it''ll be so much easier."
His eyes shone with excitement.
He turned to Marcus, his expression grateful.
"Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it."
With a casual wave of his hand, Marcus shrugged off his words of gratitude nonchntly. "You deserve it."
Marcus then snapped his fingers, and a portal was created out of thin air.
"You have passed the trial of the first floor," he said, grinning at Evan. "You are free to go above. This portal will take you beyond the first floor."
"This is it¡ªthe moment I''ve been waiting for since the start of the first floor''s trial."
Evan didn''t hesitate as he stepped forward and leapt into the portal. As he passed through, a strange sensation washed over him, as if he was being lifted and carried away by an unseen force.
After a few moments, he emerged on the other side and found himself standing in a white room that was almost blindingly bright. It was like nothing he had ever seen beforepletely featureless, with no doors, windows, or furnishings of any kind. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all the same pure white, as if they had been carved from a single block of pure, white marble. Even the air seemed to be tinged with a faint white glow, giving the entire room an ethereal, otherworldly quality.
Evan blinked, taking in his surroundings. He had never seen a ce like this before, so pristine and otherworldly. It was as if he had stepped into a dream.
[You have arrived at the waiting room]
[The next trial will begin in 1 hour 32 minutes]
"1 hour 32 minutes? That''s enough time to refine the three Dragon''s Breath Pill."
Evan concentrated his mind, pouring all of his attention into the refinement of the three Dragon''s Breath Pills. It was a painstaking process that demanded precision and patience, taking nearly an hour and a half toplete.
As Evan finished, he felt the medicinal value of the pills coursing through him, strengthening his connection to the soul pockets within his being. With ease, he could manipte the soul energy within eight of them simultaneously, utilizing the formidable Breath of Frost Technique. This was no small feat, for it meant that he couldmand a massive 800 units of soul energy - enough to amplify the power of his three sword forms by an astonishing 300%!
He looked at the timer.
Only two minutes remained before the next trial would begin. Evan knew he had to act fast. He reached for the Starlight Amulet and willed it to relieve him of his exhaustion. The amulet released a holy, milky white light that enveloped him, relieving him of his exhaustion.
[Your stamina has been recovered!]
Instantly, his stamina bar filled to the brim with the energy of the amulet, and Evan felt revitalized.
"Though Lirian isn''t physically by my side, I can still feel his presence and unwavering support, as if he''s fighting alongside me in this war."
Evan raised his fist in excitement inside the tower. Watching Evan''s broadcast, Lirian mirrored the gesture without hesitation. Despite being born to different mothers, they shared a bond that surpassed blood. Their camaraderie was so strong that it transcended distance, making its presence felt even through the digital interface. Evan couldn''t see Lirian''s response, but he could feel it, and that warmed his heart.
The onlookers who were watching the Evan''s live broadcast were confused, unable to make sense of his action.
The timer hit 0, and a notification popped up in front of Evan.
[The second trial will soon be starting!]
In an instant, Evan''s world turned upside down as he felt a sudden shift, and his surroundings vanished.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in apletely different ce, and he wasn''t alone. There were many others with him.
"Well, that was one heck of a trial," eximed a young man with icy blue hair, hailing from the House of Blizzard. "But I did it! I seeded!"
Beside him, a doppelganger with the same blue hair breathed a sigh of relief.
"I almost got devoured by a spider before the trial ended and I got transported here. Can you believe my luck?" he remarked with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
Another individual, who looked almost identical to the two young men from the House of Blizzard, stepped forward from the crowd.
"I would have been devastated if my little brother didn''t make it through the trial," he said with a hint of emotion in his voice. "I''m just d that we''re all together again."
Evan''s eyes widened in recognition as he gazed upon the three young men before him. They were none other than the infamous trio hailing from the House of Blizzard - known for their mischievous behavior and troublemaking tendencies.
He couldn''t help but feel a sense of wariness in their presence.
He looked away from them and silently took in his surroundings.
Chapter 108 108: The Second Trial!
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Tall, majestic trees surrounded them, their branches stretching upwards to the sky like outstretched arms, and right infront of them stood a towering structure, its massive form looming over them like a behemoth. It looked like a building of some sort, with its sharp edges and towering height. Its walls were made of a pristine material, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance.
And above them stretched a breathtaking sky adorned with a vast expanse of shimmering stars. It was as though the universe had carefully scattered sparkling speckles of light across the dark canvas of the night sky.
It was an unbelievably beautifuly sight.
"Wow, what a sight!" eximed one of them, captivated by the celestial disy.
But the other scoffed and retorted, "Idiot! What are you being mesmerized for. It''s not even real."
The one who had dismissed the beauty of the starry sky continued, "We''re inside a tower, you moron. That ''sky'' above us is fake. It''s just the ceiling of the tower painted to look like the night sky."
Despite his words, the stars still twinkled overhead, making them feel it was real.
It was a strange feeling, being enclosed within the walls of the tower yet feeling as though they were standing beneath the vast expanse of the gxy.
Evan''s eyes scanned the group.
The third trial of fire in the inheritance war had attracted hundreds of young participants, but now only 150 of them remained. It was clear that the first floor of the minster tower had taken the lives of many of the contestants.
It''s heartbreaking to see how cruel this world can be at times.
Evan sighed and looked away from them, his eyes resting on the only thing that seemed out ofce in this area.
The colossal building that loomed in front of them was truly extraordinary, with a pristine door that towered above them at a height of at least forty feet. Its sheer size was enough to make anyone feel insignificant in its presence.
The colossal, immacte gate of the towering building groaned as it creacked open, revealing an abyssal void beyond its threshold.
In the darkness, a figure emerged, striding confidently on two legs like a human.
However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was no ordinary human.
It was a crocodile - an enormous, formidable beast draped in obsidian armor adorned with gilded bracelets on its bulging biceps and glossy, chocte-brown boots that seemed to shine even in the dim light. The creature loomed at an intimidating height of 2.5 meters, its presence alone enough to send shivers down the spine of the youth who stared at it.
Its zing, red eyes flickered like scorching embers in the darkness, and its entire body was encased in rough, brown scales, devoid of any hair. The only thing that seemed out of ce on this terrifying creature was a peculiar watch on its left wrist - an incongruous addition to an otherwise fearsome creature.
"Ahoy, ahoy, my dear climbers, wee to the Monster Tower''s Second Floor," the croc greeted in a silky-smooth voice, his lips curling into a slight smirk. He paused, letting his sharp eyes scrutinize the group before him. "I do hope your venture through the First Floor was to your liking, for I assure you, the challenge you''ll face here will be far more daunting."
With each word, the croc gesticted extravagantly, showcasing his grandiose ir like a seasoned performer. His thick fingers fluttered through the air with the elegance of a skilled magician.
The youngling from the Imperial Frost n couldn''t help but feel their insides churn with disgust as the croc''s charming demeanor shed with his malevolent appearance. The feeling intensified as they gazed upon his menacing figure, dressed in obsidian armor and adorned with gilded bracelets that clung tightly to his bulging biceps.
"What''s the challenge?" Evan inquired.
"The goal is to climb to the third floor within a day, and you can do so by entering this building," Prince Charming gestured towards arge, ominous-looking building behind him. "But you need to earn 5 points to unlock the door and enter it. Simple enough, right? Any questions?"
Matthew spoke up, "It seems straightforward, but how do we earn points?"
"By taking out your fellow contestants," Prince Charming replied with a menacing tone, his eyes scanning the crowd of 150 participants.
A tall woman with short-cropped hair stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "Wait, so we have to kill each other to earn points?"
"That''s right," Prince Charming confirmed with a wicked grin. "Each contestant you kill will you one point. But beware, because the same is true for them. Remember, you are all predators here, fighting for points in a wilderness that will not hesitate to kill you."
As the crocodile-man spoke, the sound of his clock clicking against the silence of the second floor added to the sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the air. His sharp eyes surveyed the crowd, relishing in the tension that simmered just below the surface.
A murmur ran through the participants, and Prince Charming''s grin widened.
Jack''s face contorted with anger, his nostrils ring. He pointed a trembling finger towards Prince Charming, and spat in disgust,
"What kind of sick game is this?"
So far in the inheritance trial, not a single trial had forced nsmen to kill each other. Such a choice was indeed presented, but it wasn''t emphasized. The previous trials aimed to test their skills, not their capacity for bloodshed. However, this trial of the monster tower demanded nothing short of murder, a demand that would stain their hands with the blood of their own kin.
Evan''s expression darkened. He knew that most of those who had joined the war were driven by selfish motives or a desire to prove themselves to the n. But they weren''t killers, and many of them had never taken a life before. In contrast, the hounds of the Frostweavers had been groomed from a young age to be ruthless killing machines, devoid of remorse.
Chapter 109 109: Murdureous Intent Thick In The Air
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Prince Charming turned to face Jack, his eyes stern. "This isn''t just a game," he said in a deep voice. "It''s a trial. A test of your strength and will to survive."
Jack frowned, his hands balling into fists. "But why?" he asked. "Why does it have to be this way? There are other ways to test our abilities and determination, aren''t there?"
Prince Charming''s expression didn''t waver, showcasing life was as cheap as cabbage to him. It didn''t seem weird, as he wasn''t a human, but rather a monster, a being who was foreign to the concept of kindness.
"Only the worthy are allowed to ascend the tower," he said. "The ones who possess the skills, cunning, and ferocity to outsmart and vanquish their opponents, despite their ties. The rest, well, they deserve to be disposed of."
"So inhumane."
"What did you expect from a monster."
The crowd let out a collective gasp, and Prince Charming chuckled softly.
"Don''t act surprised," he continued. "You knew what you were getting into when you entered the tower. It''s evident in the way you carry yourselves and the way you dress. But participating in this challenge is optional. If youck the courage and ruthlessness topete, I suggest you leave the tower now. You''ve earned that right because of reaching the second floor. But once the trial starts, it will be toote. After all, you can''t use that privilege during the trials of the floors."
Jack''s jaw clenched as he met Prince Charming''s gaze. "I didn''te all this way just to give up now. I''m in this until the end. Whatever it takes to reach the next floor, I''ll do it."
Others in the crowd nodded in agreement, echoing Jack''s resolve.
Some, however, decided to leave the tower, content with their newfound status within the n. They had already elevated their standing in the Imperial Frost n by making it to the top 150 of the inheritance war, and they were unwilling to risk their lives any further.
Prince Charming strode towards the gaping entrance of the building, his gaze fixed on the pitch-ck expanse beyond.
"The trial willmence shortly," he said, looking back at Evan and the other participants. "Before it starts, you''ll be teleported randomly into the wilderness. Where you end up after getting teleported depends on your luck."
Then, he pped his hands, producing a sharp sound, and a mystical symbol materialized under the feet of the contestants.
"May the odds be ever in your favor," he quipped before vanishing into the building.
As soon as Prince Charming stepped inside, the heavy doors mmed shut, and the participants were whisked away to different locations in the wilderness by the glowing magic symbol under their feet.
Evan squeezed his eyes shut, disoriented from the abrupt teleportation that had whisked him away to an unknown location.
Dizzy and confused, he squinted to make out his surroundings, but everything seemed hazy and unfocused, like an impressionist painting.
He staggered, iling his arms to steady himself. The squishy sensation beneath his feet and the sloshing noise that echoed around him made it dawn on him that he was submerged in water. The putrid smell emanating from it and wafting in the air was overpowering enough to make him gag, revealing to him the severity of the filth he was in. He also realized that the water was shallow, as his feet was pressed against the murky surface.
Gradually, his vision adapted to the dimness of the surroundings, allowing him to take in his surroundings.
He found himself smack dab in the middle of a swamp, murky water churning about his ankles. The unclean liquid stuck to his flesh, suffocating him with its nauseating stench.
"Ugh, it reeks!" He recoiled in revulsion, wrinkling his nose in disgust, and attempted to inhale through his mouth to avoid the repulsive odor.
''Being a prince, I have never been to such a filthy ce before.''
''This is pure torture.''
He knew whining wouldn''t get him anywhere though.
Thus, he sucked it up and pushed through, trying to make sense of where he was.
He nced up and saw the same starry night sky that he had seen moments ago when he appeared on the second floor. It was then that he confirmed he was still on the second floor of the Monster Tower, his doubts cleared. However, his surroundings had drastically changed. Gone was the bright and sunny area, reced by a dim and damp environment.
Thick and dense trees encircled him, casting creepy shadows on the murky water''s surface. The gnarled roots of the trees contorted above the waterline, while small vines and mossy tendrils clung to the tree trunks, slithering down towards the water like serpents.
The air was thick with a putrid stench, and an eerie silence hung around him, enveloping him like a nket.
"Where have I been teleported to?"
He scrutinized his new surroundings with caution as.he made his way through the swamp.
Ssh!
Abruptly, the quietness was shattered by the sound of a frigid snort and a ssh of water that seem to emerge from not too far away.
Evan''s heart raced.
He wasn''t alone in this unsettling ce!
He whipped his head towards the direction of themotion and spotted a pack of ferocious Hellhounds stepping out from behind the tree. Their eyes glowed like fireflies in the dark, and their razor-sharp teeth shimmered under the moonlight. Each hound was a towering two meters tall, unting bulging muscles and ws that appeared to hold the power to slice through magic weapon with ease.
And if that wasn''t enough, a towering Minotaur emerged from behind a nearby tree, wielding a blood-soaked axe that seemed to have witnessed countless battles. The beast was even taller than the Hellhounds, standing at least three meters tall. Its fur was mangled and smudged with dirt, and its nose bore a silver ring, adding -4 charm points to its already ominous appearance.
The Minotaur''s eyes gleamed with a savage, bloodthirsty light, while its horns appeared sturdy enough to pierce through concrete.
Chapter 110 110: Evan Vs Hellish Creatures!
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Evan''s eyes sparked with excitement as he surveyed the intimidating figures that have from the looks of it undoubtedlye to take his life.
Their insidious thought was written all over their faces.
"Whoa, talk about a warm wee party! I didn''t expect to meet sources of EXP so soon," Evan eximed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Evan was aware that his every move was being broadcasted to the n by the Monster Tower. However, the broadcast did not include his voice, which meant he could speak his mind without any worry.
Anyway, he knew he was going to have a thrilling time defeating them.
These beasts were at a high level, which meant he could earn plenty of EXP by taking them down.
It was clear that their arrival was not perceived as a threat but a free gift sent by the Goddess that would aid him in leveling up.
The Minotaur growled, "You''re a bastard who trespassed on ournd. Why would we wee you? We are here to drag you to hell!"
Evan looked surprised as he could''ve never expected even in his wildest dreams that the Minotaur, a mere monster from the hell realm, would have the ability to speak in his mother tongue.
"You can talk in themonnguage of the Sun Moon empire? That''s quite unexpected," he eximed, taken aback.
The Minotaur''s lips twisted into a snarl, and its eyes narrowed. Evan''s remark seemed to have incited its wrath.
"You thought I couldn''t? How dare you underestimate me!" the Minotaur roared, charging towards Evan with intense murderous intent.
The Hellhounds followed their leader, snarling and growling as they approached Evan on all fours.
"Weaklings. This prince isn''t someone the likes of you can trample upon."
Evan brandished his sword, unleashing a powerful st of icy wind.
Whoosh!
It cut through the murky water and froze it solid as it surged towards them.
The Minotaur sprang to the side with impressive agility, evading the frosty gust.
"Your attack missed me!" it taunted Evan.
Evan grinned, revealing his pearly whites. The Minotaur''s words had the opposite effect, and Evan didn''t seem disheartened in the slightest.
A glint flickered in his eyes, indicating he had something else up his sleeve.
With a smirk, he retorted, "It wasn''t meant for you."
Simultaneously, Evan flicked his wrist.
As if magic, the icy st split into five arcs of frigidness, each streaking towards the Hellhounds with lightning speed. The attack caught them off guard, leaving them unable to react in time.
With a deafening crash, the five icy arcs struck the Hellhounds, opening up bone-deepcerations in their bodies. The beasts yelped in pain, but their misery didn''t end therr as their wounds burst forth with coldness that enveloped their fur with a thickyer of frost. Because of the cold assaulting them, the fiery glint in their eyes dimmed and their bodies became numb, causing them to stumble and fall into the shallow, murky waters, where they struggled to stay afloat.
The frigid tendrils creeping out of thecerations in their bodies seemed to have a life of their own, swirling around the Hellhounds, creating a frozen prison that held them captive.
Grrrrrrrrrr!
The Hellhounds thrashed wildly, snarling as they attempted to break free from their icy prison. mes erupted from their bodies, slowly melting the ice, weakening their frozen hold.
Evan furrowed his brow as he watched the scene unfold, knowing they wouldn''t remain trapped for long.
"I need to act fast," he said, desiring to weaken the Minotaur before the Hellhounds broke free.
"MooOOOoooooo!"
Seeing its pets writhing in pain, the Minotaur let out a guttural roar that echoed across the swamp, sending ripples through the murky waters.
"I knew you were tougher than you looked," the Minotaur growled, its voice thick with malice. "But that just makes this all the more interesting. I''ll take my time breaking you," it said as it hurled its axe towards Evan.
Whoosh!
The axe sted through the air, humming ominously with dark energy as it hurtled towards Evan, who stood his ground, staring down the monstrous beast.
In a blink of an eye, the razor-sharp edge of the weapon drew perilously close to Evan, poised to cleave him in two, and just then, he made his move.
With what could only be described as masterful precision, Evan deftly maneuvered his body, tilting to the side and avoiding the deadly arc of the axe by a hair''s breadth
The axe flew by him with a bone-chilling swoosh, leaving him unscathed.
"You are mistaken if you think you''re stronger than me. The one who will be breaking bad is me, and the one who is going to break is you!"
As he spoke, Evan maintained his intense gaze on the Minotaur, a maniacal yet cool expression spread across his face. His eyes glinted with an otherworldly intensity, and his lips seemed to have curled into a devilish grin.
"Underestimating me, aren''t ya?" The Minotaur chuckled, taking short, angry breaths. It raised its hand, and with a flick of its wrist, the axe that had lodged into the tree behind Evan teleported into its grasp. The weapon gleamed menacingly in the dim forest light, and the Minotaur''s grip tightened around its handle as it prepared to strike again. "What a foolish move! I''ve sent countless climbers like you to their doom, and your name will be added to that list today."
Evan said nothing, his gaze shifting between the Minotaur''s eyes and its axe.
"Your resting ce will be this very spot!"
The minotaur bellowed a thunderous cry as it brandished its massive axe in a sweeping motion. Its de ignited, releasing a fiery whirlwind that spiraled towards Evan with scorching intensity. The heat from the mes was so intense that it felt like the air around him had turned into a furnace.
Yet, despite the overwhelming ferocity of the attack, Evan seemed surprisingly calm and collected.
It was as if he believed he wasn''t in mortal peril!
Chapter 111 111: The Real Hunt Begins.
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Evan''s eyes remained rippleless as the fiery whirlwind barreled toward him.
With only a second to react, he summoned his magic sword from his inventory.
In a fraction of a second, the sword materialized in his hand, its surface radiating a brilliant blue hue, fueled by six soul pockets worth of Evan''s ice-type soul energy.
cier Sword Style: Form Second - Last Ray of Moonligh!
With a swift motion, Evan brandished the sword and a fierce gust of frigid wind erupted from it, colliding with the fiery vortex in an explosive sh.
Boom!
The sh resulted in a deafening sound that echoed throughout the swamps, steam rising from the point of impact, engulfing Evan and the Minotaur in a thick cloud of mist.
Evan''s eyes glinted sharply.
''Now, the real hunts begin.''
Using the thick steam, Evan concealed himself and his actions from the Minotaur.
Despite the mist, the Minotaur''s imposing figure was still apparent, itsrge and muscr frame unmistakable.
With his target in sight, Evan steadied himself and readied his aim, careful not to give away his position.
[The soul skill Frost Barrage has been activated!]
With a singr intent, he projected streams of cold that extended from his form. These streams slithered across the surrounding mist, churning and coalescing until they condensed into miniature frozen balls, each roughly the size of a human finger.
A bird''s eye view of the scene would reveal that the Minotaur was encircled by a ring of icy projectiles, each one poised to strike like deep sea predators.
"Time to end this," Evan said, snapping his fingers.
Whoosh!
The ice bullets shot forward, moving too quickly to track as they closed in on the Minotaur from all directions with deadly uracy.
The creature struggled to see beyond three feet due to the dense steam. As a result, it didn''t spot the frigid bullets hurtling towards it until they were too close to evade.
Puchi!
The first bullet hit the Minotaur''s shoulder with lethal precision, creating a gaping hole in its flesh and freezing its arm, causing the creature to bellow in agony.
Puchi! Puchi!
The second and third bullets followed suit, drilling two finger-deep holes in its neck with surgical precision, releasing a burst of ice that encased the monster''s neck and face in a frozen shell.
With its face, neck, and arm trapped in ice, the Minotaur staggered and stumbled, moving sluggishly as it tried to resist the icy onught. However, the ice bullets kepting, relentlessly piercing their target with deadly intent.
Each time it was hit, the Minotaur''s vision grew hazier, its consciousness fading away.
It wasn''t long before the creaturey half-submerged in the murky water of the swamp, covered in ice and riddled with holes.
It was still alive, thanks to its unparalleled vitality, but it was hovering between life and death.
It was clear that Evan''s quick thinking and Frost Barrage skill had sealed its fate!
It was clear that the Minotaur''s reign of terror wasing to an end!
The Minotaur''s breathing was shallow andbored, and its eyes had lost their luster, revealing the agony it was experiencing.
Evan''s sword gleamed under the dim light, as he walked towards the Minotaur, his steps full of menacing purpose.
"Your tenacity is indeed impressive. But it''s time to ept the inevitable. Your stubbornness won''t save you, not from me or from death. And don''t think it''s unfair. You brought this upon yourself with your arrogance. You refused to back down even when it was clear you were no match for me. It''s time to face the consequences of your actions."
Evan''s voice oozed with both hostility and sophistication as he sneered.
With a swift motion, he lifted his sword high into the air, and the moonlight filtered through the thick canopy above, creating a menacing glint on the weapon''s sharp edge.
The sight was both elegant and threatening.
Whoosh!
With a swift movement, he brought it down with all his might, plunging it deep into the chest of the Minotaur that was encased in ice.
The Minotaur convulsed in pain, its body shuddering as blood gushed out of the wound, mixing with the murky waters around it.
Wrrraaaaaaah!
It jerked awake and let out a deafening roar that echoed through the swamp, as its heart froze and its body hellish began to grow colder.
Evan watched, unfazed, as the Minotaur''s struggles grew weaker and weaker until it finally breathed itsst breath, its eyes slowly closing as its body went limp.
Immediately, Evan heard a notification chime in his mind.
[Ding!] it sounded, [Congrattions, yer Evan. You just yed a level 8 creature from the firstyer of the Hell Realm. You''ve gained 160 EXP!]
The notification went on,
[Since this is your first time ying a hellish creature, you''ve earned an additional bonus. Your constitution has increased by +5 points!]
"Okay, 160 EXP, and +5 to my constitution. That''s not too bad," Evan said with a slight smile. "At least all the effort I put in to hunt this creature was worth something."
The mist lifted.
Grrrrr!
The Hellhounds'' enraged snarls filled the air as they discovered their leader''s lifeless body beside Evan''s feet.
Without a second thought, they lunged at him with ferocity, their teeth and ws glinting in the pale moonlight, but Evan maneuvered his body with incredible speed, not only nimbly dodging their savage bites, but also effortlessly swerving around their razor-sharp ws.
Then he retaliated.
He weaved through the hellhounds with ease, his sword moving faster than the eye could follow. The ferocious beasts couldn''t keep up with his lightning-fast strikes.
"By barring your fangs at me, you practically begged me to send you after your master. Don''t do that in your next life," he taunted, drawing red lines across the Hellhounds'' forms with his sword as he moved past them, stopping just behind them.
Shling!
The sound of flesh tearing apart filled the air as the hellhounds were ripped in half.
Plop! Plop!
The two halves of their bodies plunged into the murky water. Blood spurted from their gory wounds, blending with the revolting liquid to form a grisly sight.
Chapter 112 112: Frost Clan Triplets
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Evan heard a notification from the system ringing in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congrattions, yer Evan! You''ve eliminated the servants of a low-level Hellish creature. You''ve gained more than a 100 EXP!]
Evan''s face lit up with a small grin as he saw his experience points jump to 1499. He was only one EXP away from leveling up again and reaching the peak of the Soul Manifestation realm, a peak that belonged solely to him.
"It''s not safe to unlock a soul pocket in this ce that''s devoid of soul energy."
With a keen gaze, he surveyed the area around him, and his brows furrowed upon noticing the dearth of soul energy. It would be too risky to unlock a soul pocket in such an environment, so he resolved not to level up, even if he earned thest EXP point he needed until he exited the tower. Despite possessing the Soul Refinement skill, which could nourish his 13th soul pocket before it atrophied, he chose to stick to his decision as he preferred to y it safe when it came to his cultivation. He had learned a lesson thest time he had been reckless with his cultivation. It had ended badly. Besides, he had made a promise to his father to not recklessly cultivate.
He nced at his soul energy bar to check how much energy he had left.
[SE: 130 units]
He had expended a significant amount of his soul energybating the hellish creatures. As a result, his soul pockets were depleted, and he felt an intense desire to urgently replenish them. After all, without soul energy, a soul cultivator couldn''t exhibit their full potential.
"I should replenish my soul pockets before I encounter more trouble.''
He retrieved several high-purity soul energy crystals and proceeded to refine them using his Soul Refinement skill, gradually replenishing his soul pockets with pure soul energy.
With the activation of the Breath of Frost Technique, the soul energy in his soul pockets was converted into ice-type energy.
After that, he set out to explore the swamps in search of prey, jumping from one tree to another like a ninja.
Points.
He needed them desperately.
No sounds were made as he moved, thanks to his magic-ranked boots. The boots he wore were a gift from his father, enchanted to silence his movements. They were bestowed upon him when he came of age.
His palms were empty as his trusty sword was stowed away in his inventory. He remained vignt, alert for any sign of peril, ready to summon it at a moment''s notice.
...
Meanwhile, the triplets of the House of Blizzard traversed the murky swamp with ease, their movements fluid and precise. Their steps seemed to avoid the muddied terrain and putrid water with ease, and they moved as one unit.
The magic item of the eldest of the triplets assisted them in determining the location of a fellow contestant.
They immediately went after her.
Their search had been fruitful, and the trio had located their prey quickly, working together seamlessly to take her down.
It was the eldest of the triplets who had struck the final blow, ending the skirmish mere seconds after it began.
An awakened soul cultivator of the sixth level was butchered like a pig, unable to retaliate.
Truly, their teamwork was terrifying.
"That was amazing, Liam!" Enzo eximed, his excitement palpable in his voice.
Kian, the second triplet, however, frowned, seeing that Liam had stolen his kill yet again. He couldn''t help but feel annoyed.
"Again?! How are we supposed to earn points if you keep taking them all?"
"Don''t worry about it, Kian. I won''t leave this floor without you guys. I''ll help you collect points after I''m done." Liam chuckled in response, his calm demeanor soothing the tension.
"Fine, I guess," Kian begrudgingly epted.
"Let''s move on and find our next target," Enzo, ever the optimist, changed the subject.
"Liam, use the radar to find our next prey." Kian agreed with the youngest of the triplet and proceeded to speak to Liam demandingly
"Sure."
Liam didn''t act offended. Kian''s attitude was usually nasty when he felt he was taken advantage of, and his brothers were already used to it.
"We would really be lucky if it shows that a prey is close to us."
Liam deftly pulled out the device and infused it with his soul energy.
The radar glowed with an otherworldly light, disying a detailed map of their surroundings with various dots representing beings nearby. Most of the dots were red, indicating the presence of beasts, but one was blue, indicating a human, and it was brighter than the others, indicating immense power.
Seeing the brightness radiating from the blue dot, Liam''s eyes widened to the size of saucers in surprise.
"W-what?! This guy''s power level is over ten thousand!" Liam blurted out in shock.
A soul cultivator''s strength was measured by their capacity to hold soul energy. Therger their capacity, the higher their power level. This made sense, as a soul cultivator''s soul energy served as the foundation for their cultivation and was essential in activating their soul skills and soul crystals.
Soul Manifestation Realm Cultivators who were considered average, usually had a power level between 400 to 600. Exceptional geniuses like Jack could reach a power level of 800. However, none of them couldpare to the cultivator that appeared on the map projected by the radar. His power level was above 1000, and what was even more astonishing was that he was still in the first realm of cultivation!
Liam waspletely taken aback by this revtion.
Kian and Enzo were equally bbergasted.
Kian furrowed his brow.
He seemed to be deep in thought.
After a while, he opened his mouth.
"There are only two contestants with the potential to reach that power level: the adopted son of the Frostweavers Mathew, and His Highness Evan."
"Butst I heard, Mathew was still in the seventh level of the Soul Manifestation Realm," Enzo spoke up. "As for His Highness Evan, I don''t know much about him as I never had the opportunity to get close to him. However, given that the cultivator revealed by the radar has a power level of above 1000, it''s highly likely that it''s him. After all, it''s a fact that his potential to achieve such a high power level while still in the first realm is unmatched. And let''s not forget how effortlessly he defeated Jack and the frostwesver bastard when he visited the training ground. It''s possible that he has actually been a level 13 soul manifestation stage cultivator all along."
Chapter 113 113: Hunted
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"Now that I think about it, it does make sense." Liam''s attracted the attention of his brothers. "He started the inheritance war because he was confident in his abilities, but what could''ve given him that confidence?"
The triplets exchanged thoughtful looks.
The answer was right in front of them.
Liam continued, "His confidence stemmed from the fact that his power level was unparalleled in the Soul Manifestation Realm! It''s definitely him that we are seeing on the map."
"If he is indeed the strongest contestant in the inheritance war in terms of power level, are we sure we want to hunt him down?" Kian expressed his skepticism, his apprehension clearly visible on his face.
Although they were ustomed to fighting opponents stronger than themselves, they had never faced someone like Evan before. His very existence defiedmon sense and made them question their ability to take him on. Before him, there had never been anyone with 13 soul pockets, and there might not be anyone like him after him.
Kian acknowledged that Evan was a unique cultivator.
Liam had the same worries as him.
"We''ve faced tough opponents before ande out on top. Besides, His Highness Evan''s all alone. With the three of us working together, we can take him down easily." Enzo, ever the optimist, grinned, his confidence unwavering despite the factsid down before him.
The youngest triplet didn''t seem to mind the situation, so why were they being so pathetic?
Liam and Kian decided to shrug off their worries.
"Let''s do it, then."
"Time to show everyone what the triplets of the House of Blizzard are capable of."
The triplets set out in search of Evan.
Maneuvering their way through the murky swamps using the radar, they deftly avoided the monsters and swiftly closed in on Evan.
Minutester, they caught sight of Evan''s silhouette in the distance.
"He seems to be unaware of our presence. Now''s the best time to attack him. Enzo, do it."
Liam immediately motioned for Enzo to catch Evan off guard.
Enzo, the brawniest of the triplets, summoned a javelin from his spatial ring, clutching it tightly in his palm as his muscles bulged in preparation for the throw. The ground beneath his feet cracked, and spiderweb-like fissures spread outwards as heunched the javelin towards Evan with all his might.
Whoosh!
The javelin sliced through the air with incredible speed, seemingly akin to a speeding rocket hurtling through space, homing in on its target with deadly precision. Kian used the special effect of his magic-ranked staff to boost the javelin''s velocity to an even greater degree. Its already impressive speed doubled, transforming into a formidable attack that could take down even a Peak Soul Fusion Realm Cultivator.
On this particr night, the putrid swamp was an unexpected haven of tranquility, with the full moon hanging like a gleaming silver tter high above. The reflection of its light on the murky water illuminated the swamp. The air was thick with a foul odor, yet the quietness of the surroundings was almost soothing. There wasn''t even the usual chirping of insects to break the silence.
Thus, Evan heard a sound that cut through the stillness of the night like a sharp knife. It was the unmistakable sound of a javelin hurtling through the air towards him.
His neck whipped towards the source of the noise, and he caught sight of the projectile shooting towards him from the corner of his eye.
The suddenness of the attack sent a shiver down his spine, causing chills to course through his body.
He reacted instinctively, responding to the situation at hand ten times faster than what was humanly possible. His foot stomped down on the branch of the tree he was about tond on. The branch shattered into pieces as the recoil sent him hurtling downwards with explosive speed¡ªa ssh shot upwards in all directions as he plunged into the murky water.
A split secondter, the javelin that was meant to impale him impaled the tree next to him, and every inch of it, including all its leaves, was frozen solid.
Evan swallowed hard, realizing that if that had hit him, he would have been frozen solid as well.
''Fortunately, my high stats aren''t just for show.''
In addition to his exceptional level of physical fitness, the 90+ points in his constitution greatly enhanced his cognitive abilities, neural processing speed, motor skills, attention span, and reaction speed. His abilities in these areas were nine times superior to those of the average well-trained citizen of the empire. It was because of these advantages that he was able to save himself from the brink of death just in time.
Evan''s throat tightened as he took in the sight before him. It would''ve been his fate if he was even a fraction of a second slower.
''Whoever tried to assassinate me must be skilled in the art of ice-type soul energy maniption and must not have an ordinary identity.''
He scurried to the nearest tree, the effect of his magic-ranked boots nullifying the sound of his movements. He knew he couldn''t afford to make noise, or he would risk giving away his location to his attacker/s.
"Where did the attacke from?"
Taking cover behind the tree, he swiftly surveyed his surroundings.
In the distance, he caught sight of three figures emerging from the dense foliage.
They wore fur coats with the emblem of the Blizzard Household stitched onto their sleeves.
They seemed to be moving toward him.
It was as if they could determine where he was!
"Your Highness, don''t bother hiding. Our radar can detect your position," Liam stated confidently.
Liam''s words were not just empty threats.
As if to prove them true, Enzo withdrew a javelin from his spatial ring and hurled it forward with all his might. The sight of the javelin made Evan''s eyes narrow. He reacted quickly, using the Quickstep skill to sh to his right, narrowly avoiding the malevolent glinting tip of the javelin that had pierced through the tree behind which he was hiding just a moment ago!
Chapter 114 114: Sealed!
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Despite Evan''s swift dodge, the triplets didn''t seem upset.
They had another ace up their sleeve to deal with Evan.
Liam, who was standing a few feet behind Kian, spoke up, his voiceced with confidence.
"I curse thee. May you lose ess to your soul pockets for half an hour." As soon as Liam caught sight of Evan, he drew the power of his skill crystal to ce a curse on him.
He had a curse-type skill crystal that was named Demonic Misfortune. This skill crystal allowed him to ce a curse instantly on any target within 200 square feet, with himself as the epicenter. The effect of the Demonic Misfortune was un-dodgeable.
Upon being roused from its slumber, the skill crystal would instantly ce a curse on Liam''s target, inflicting them with a random affliction.
But it dide with its fair share of downsides. Firstly, the curse generated by it was random, which meant that Liam had no control over what kind of curse would be ced on the target. It was like a double-edged sword, as the curse could either be a minor inconvenience or a major setback, giving him little to no advantage in battle. Secondly, he could only curse a person once a day, which was a significant limitation.
Despite all its drawbacks, why have a think-tank like Liam chosen it as his first skill crystal?
Well, the reason was quite simple.
However, Liam had found a way to circumvent the limitations of the Demonic Misfortune by pairing it with his offensive-type soul te, the Curse Magnifier. The Curse Magnifier amplified the power of curse-type skill crystals inserted in it several times. Using the two in tandem, Liam could choose which curse to ce on his target, and he could do so with a simplemand.
The Curse Magnifier amplified the power of curse-type skill crystals inserted in it by several times.
Using the Demonic Misfortune and the Curse Magnifier in tandem, Liam could choose which curse to ce on a person, and he could do so by simply issuing amand and sacrificing his soul energy.
The more powerful the curse generated by the skill crystal, the greater the sacrifice he would''ve to pay.
That''s why he only dared to seal Evan''s soul pockets for a limited time. That alone had cost him all his soul energy. If he had demanded something atrocious such as cripple Evan, the curse would''ve failed, as he wouldn''t have been able to pay the appropriate price.
[A curse has been ced on you.]
[Your 12 soul pockets have been sealed by a mysterious force! The seal will be uplifted in 29 minutes 57 seconds!]
"Fuck!"
As soon as Evan realized that his soul pockets had been sealed, he couldn''t help but curse under his breath.
This was a severe and deadly setback.
However, he didn''t let panic take over his senses. He couldn''t afford it. He proceeded to quickly assess the situation at hand.
He was against three awakened cultivators, each equipped with a magic-ranked item. With his cultivation sealed, his chances of winning the battle were slim to none.
In such a situation, the best move was to use the strongest survival skill ever mentioned in the history of cultivation.
"With your soul pockets sealed, how are you going to fight us?"
"Just give up and let us take your life!"
"We will send you off painlessly if you don''t struggle."
The triplets moved forward.
"You overestimate yourself," Evan said with the confidence of a thousand war horses galloping towards one cripple - one''s side victory was ensured. His confidence was so unparalleled that the triplets stopped in their tracks, feeling wary. "I still have an ace up my sleeve, powerful enough to im lives! Check it out!" eximed the Crown Prince of Frost, as he pulled off a move he''d never attempted before.
The triplets jumped backward, thinking highly of his threat.
But Evan, with his head held high, spun around and made a mad dash towards the north like a dog, leaving his enemies choking on his dust.
Tug your tail between your legs and run for your life. That was the only way for a being relying on his physique to survive against a party of cultivators.
As he fled, he couldn''t resist rubbing their stupidity in their faces.
With his arm raised and his middle finger standing proud, he shouted, "Sayonara, bitches!"
The ones watching Evan''s broadcast were gobsmacked. Their mouths dropped so low they could have caught flies. They were more stunned than a deer in headlights.
Lirian eximed, "As expected of Frostbite!"
Magnus chuckled. "My son is too sassy for the world to handle."
Keldor rolled his eyes. "It is like watching a penguin twerk - equal parts hrious and bewildering. But there''s nothing great about it."
The triplets who witnessed it all were so stunned their jaws hit the ground and bounced back up like a game of catch.
Never in their wildest dreams could they have thought that the person sitting in the third most revered position in the entire Imperial Frost n would be capable of such shameless behavior.
Boy, were they wrong!
"Kian, block his escape route," Liammanded, pointing to the direction Evan was heading.
Enzo, go and slow him down.
He then turned to Enzo, "Buy us some time until Kian creates the barrier to trap him."
"But-"
"You can do it; he''s unarmed and without his cultivation. And with his soul pockets sealed, he can''t even summon one from his spatial ring to arm himself."
Soul energy was the key to interacting with spatial rings.
Without it, it was considered impossible to draw out what was stored inside.
"Understood," Enzo and Kian replied in sync.
Enzo rushed towards Evan, snatching the juvenile he had hurled earlier and bracing himself for an eventual battle with thetter. However, despite his muscr build and years of training, he struggled to keep up with Evan''s lightning-fast speed.
They were both human, cut from the same cloth, but Evan was frustratingly faster than him!!!
Chapter 115 115: Confrontation!
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"Man, I''ve been bulking up since I was sucking on a bottle. Every muscle in my body is chiseled to perfection. If I hadn''t awakened my soul te, my folks would have pushed me into bing a gctic soldier. Even after I became an awakened soul cultivator, they still think it''s a big waste of my potential not to take that path. And yet, why is he still beating me in a battle of speed?" Enzo thought to himself as he struggled to keep up with Evan''s lightning-fast movements.
Despite Enzo''s best efforts, Evan was quickly getting farther away from him. The distance between them was increasing with each passing moment, leaving Enzo feeling disheartened and frustrated.
Meanwhile, Kian was focusing on conjuring the power of his skill crystal in an attempt to block Evan''s escape route.
"By the power of my Abyssal Barrier Crystal and soul, let a fortress rise," Kian chanted as he fed his soul energy to his skill crystal.
"I set down the rules. None inside shall be allowed to exit it, but those outside of it shall face no hindrance entering it," he continued, pouring more energy into his crystal.
"Let this one wille into effect as I dere this area as my unholy ground," Kian finished.
Kian''s skill crystal allowed him to create a defensive barrier, and with the passive of his defensive-type soul te, he could mold the barrier as he pleased, even sacrificing some of its properties to strengthen others.
If he had the soul energy to cover the cost, the power of his skill crystal would take form as per his will.
Two-thirds of his soul energy dissipated as the power of his skill crystal manifested itself.
A massive dome-like barrier rippled into existence, enveloping Evan and the triplets inside. The barrier shimmered with a bluish hue, almost like a reflection of the water''s surface on a moonlit night. Its surface was smooth and seamless, like a giant soap bubble that refused to pop, and Kian reinforced the barrier with the power of his magic staff, making it unbreakable.
Evan narrowed his eyes, fixating on the barrier with a ferocious re. He drew back his arm, muscles bulging and veins surfacing beneath his skin as he gathered all his strength.
"Break!"
With a fierce battle cry, heunched his fist forward in a devastating punch that connected with a resounding reverberation.
Bam!
Shockwaves burst out as the barrier rippled and swayed, absorbing the impact with ease.
p¦Ánd¦Á---no¦Í?1,§ão§® To Evan''s dismay, the barrier remained unscathed, his strongest punch failing to damage it in the slightest.
"You''re like a rat in a trap. There''s no way out of this battle," came a menacing voice from behind.
Evan spun around to face Enzo, who stood with his arms crossed and held a javelin in his hand. Enzo''s lips were twisted into a wicked smirk, his muscr frame exuding confidence.
"A rat caught in a trap, huh? I should say the same to you. Look around. It''s just you and me here," Evan said with a smirk, his lips curling up into a twisted smile. His eyes glinted with malice as he red at Enzo, who looked visibly unsettled by Evan''s words. The smile on Evan''s face grew wider, revealing his pearly white teeth as he savored the fear in Enzo''s eyes.
"You are empty-handed. How are you nning on fighting against me?" Enzo gulped down his fears and snorted.
"With my trusty magic sword, of course!" In one swift motion, Evan pulled out his magic sword from his inventory, but to Enzo, it seemed like he had pulled it out of thin air.
Seeing this, Enzo was obviously shocked, his eyes widening to the size of saucers. "How did you pull that out? Your soul pockets are supposed to be sealed. You shouldn''t have the ability to interact with your spatial ring," he blurted out in disbelief.
"What good would that knowledge be to a dead man?!" Evan retorted.
Without a moment''s hesitation, Evan charged towards Enzo, wielding his sword. Enzo nimbly sidestepped Evan''s attack and retaliated with a series of swift blows. Evan skillfully parried each strike with his sword.
ng! ng! ng!
They weaved in and out of each other''s paths, their weapons colliding with a loud ng that reverberated in the air, igniting sparks as they struck with great force. They fought with fierce determination, each blow being met with an equally powerful retaliation.
It seemed that they were evenly matched, but the reality of the situation was that Evan was simply luring Enzo into a false sense of security. While Enzo believed he was doing a good job at holding his own, Evan was carefully analyzing his opponent''s every move, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
When the opportunity finally presented itself, Evan seized it like a tiger pouncing on its prey.
He put his full force behind his sword as he swung it towards Enzo, whose javelin met it in a loud sh.
ng!
Enzo''s palms shook from the impact as his weapon was sent flying from his grasp, and he stumbled backward in shock.
Evan''s sudden surge of strength caught Enzo off guard, and he was shocked.
"You''ve been holding back," Enzo used.
"It was all part of the n to catch you off guard," Evan replied, "Now that you''re disarmed, you''re at my mercy."
"Not necessarily," Enzo said as he charged at Evan with a punch.
In the eyes of a yer, such attacks were ridiculously easy to dodge. A slight shift in one''s figure was more than enough. Evan tilted his neck, and Enzo''s fist missed its mark. The wind from the punch raised Evan''s hair on edge, and he dodged it by a hair''s breadth. With a quick flick of his wrist, Evan brandished his sword, aiming to cut Enzo''s head off. The attack wasunched from an extremely close range, and Evan felt confident that he had won.
But his expectations shattered as Enzo suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke, and in his ce appeared a fat insect that was quickly dispatched by Evan''s swift sword strike.
[Ding!]
[Congrattions yer Evan for killing a low-level poisonous Beetle. You have gained +1 EXP!]
He had obtained thest EXP he needed to level up!
Chapter 116 116: Nearly Transmigrated!
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Enzo appeared out of thin air, not too far away from Evan''s current location. It was the spot where the dung beetle had been a moment ago.
"My skill crystal grants me the power to swap ces with any visible living being at light speed, as long as theyck the will to resist. If it weren''t for that, I would''ve been a goner. I used to think the rumors about you being the strongest contender in the inheritance war were baseless, but now I realize they are true. Your abilities certainly back up your reputation." Enzo remarked, touching his neck and wiping the cold sweat that had formed there. The near-death experience had left him shaken. His voice trembled like a belly dancer as he spoke.
Evan''s eyes narrowed at Enzo''s words, his lips pursing in irritation.
"I don''t need yourpliments," he said coldly.
Just then, Kian and Liam caught up, panting heavily from the exertion of their sprint.
Kian and Liam had caught up by them, and Kian instantlyunched into action, attacking Evan from behind with his staff, hoping to catch him by surprise, but Evan, whose senses were nine times better than the average citizen of the empire, heard him approaching. His enhanced agility allowed him to dodge the attack with ease, his lithe body twisting to avoid the iing blow.
Kian''s staff missed its mark, and then without hesitation, Evan retaliated with a powerful kick to Kian''s stomach.
The back kick was renowned as the deadliest move in Taekwondo, but empowered by Evan''s physical strength, its deadliness quadrupled.
Kian felt as if a truck had rammed into him when he got kicked.
Ugh!
The sound of Kian''s gasp echoed through the swamp, his saliva spraying out of his mouth as he was thrown backwards like a ragdoll. He collided with a nearby tree, the sound of the impact reverberating through the swamp like a p of thunder. For a moment, he hung there; his body crumpled against the tree trunk like a discarded rag.
He was bleeding from his seven orifices, his body as still as a corpse.
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á---n?¦Ía| §ãom It seemed as if he had died.
However, Evan was certain that Kian was still alive. How could he be sure? It was straightforward. His system hadn''t alerted him of Kian''s death yet. As a yer, Evan always followed one rule - to have faith in the system''s prompt over his senses. He could be misled, but the system couldn''t be fooled, not in a million years.
Kian''s acting skills were impressive, but they didn''t fool Evan. Without hesitation, he deployed the full power of his magical weapon against Kian, unleashing a barrage of icy shards towards him.
Liam was perplexed, as the utilization of magic weapons required the utilization of soul energy, but Evan''s soul pockets were sealed, making it impossible for him to tap into his soul energy. So how did he do what he did?
Enzo was equally astonished and found himself struggling toprehend the situation. He wondered how someone with sealed soul pockets could demonstrate such proficiency with their magic weapon. Perhaps Evan had already ovee Liam''s curse?
However, little did they know that Evan''s weapons were unique, as they were generated by the system and didn''t require the consumption of soul energy to unleash their special effects. Unlike the weapons produced by the empire, Evan''s weapons only had a cooldown period to wait for, nothing more.
Just as the deadly shards were about to strike, Liam sprang into action, sprinting in between them, pulling out a shield from his spatial ring and using it to intercept the iing attack. The ice shards nged against the shield, causing a shower of sparks and a loud ringing sound that echoed across the arena.
Tsk!
Evan clicked his tongue.
Liam rushed to his brother''s side, his face creased with concern.
"Are you okay, Kian?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"I''m-"
Kian coughed, his eyes screwed up in pain. He was trying to act brave, but it was clear that the kick had left him winded. He could feel the force of the blow reverberating through his body even now, his internal organs rattling like dice in a cup. Was Evan some kind of monster in human form? How could his kick pack such a punch?
"I''m fine." he gritted his teeth to endure the pain as he spoke.
"Are you still in a condition to fight?" Liam asked.
"I am." Kian nodded and stood up.
"You''re stronger than we anticipated," Kian stared at Evan with bloodshot eyes and wheezed, trying to regain hisposure. "But don''t think for a second that you can take on all three of us."
"It''s three against one, and yet you still have the nerve to unt it," Evan sneered, his eyes shing with a dangerous light. "Do you have no shame?"
"We are in the midst of the bloody inheritance war. Shame is a foreign concept here. And it''s not like you''re any better."
With a flourish of his wrist, he released three waves of soul energy from his palm, each wave pulsing with a deadly intensity.
The first wave surged towards Evan, who deftly dodged the lethal energy. As the wave crashed into the murky water below, it created a shower of filthy water droplets that stung Evan''s eyes, causing him to stumble backwards and rub his eyes.
The second and third waves sunk into the swamps, raising a massive tige of putrid water that surged towards Evan. The attack''s range was vast, making it impossible for him to escape with his physical strength alone.
He had the option to utilize the gauntlet of invincibility to nullify the damage, but he chose not to. He had two reasons for his decision. Firstly, the gauntlet was so effective that it should only be utilized in a life-threatening situation. Secondly, he didn''t want to disclose this powerful card to the triplets just yet.
The revolting water mmed into him with such force that it propelled him into a nearby tree.
Bam!
The impact was excruciatingly painful, and Evan felt a sharp pain in his back as he coughed up blood.
Chapter 117 117: Hunting!
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Evan gritted his teeth, refusing to give up or let pain and frustration cloud his judgment.
Despite the excruciating experience of fighting multiple soul cultivators with his soul pockets sealed, he was determined to see this through to the best of his abilities.
This battle would only end with one side dying, and he was ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that it wasn''t him.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with the back of his hand before rising to his feet. Despite the ghastly appearance of the attack, it was merely murky watercking in density and ferocity. It was not at all simr to a water-type soul skill. Thus, although he had taken the attack head-on, he had not suffered significant harm, which could be attributed to his sturdy physique.
Kian barked out, "Enzo, take him down!"
Enzo''s response was immediate, and his eagerness was palpable as he replied, "With pleasure."
He raised his javelin, and water began to rise from the tips of his toes, swirling and spiraling upwards, forming a dangerous vortex of water around him.
Evan could see that it was condensing into a powerful soul skill slowly but steadily.
''I need to do something to survive. But what?''
What exactly can he do in this situation to save his life?
Evan''s mind raced, and he settled upon doing the unthinkable.
"Level up,"
[1500 EXP has been consumed!]
[You have advanced to the peak of the Soul Manifestation Realm. Your 13th soul pocket is unlocked.]
His 13th soul pocket remained unaffected by Liam''s curse. It signified that what Evan thought was right. Liam''s curse wasn''t like a gue that could spread.
Carrying on with his n, Evan reached into his inventory and retrieved a dazzling yet tiny soul energy crystal. The small soul crystal was concealed in his palm, so the triplets didn''t notice anything out of the ordinary.
The soul refinement skill was activated, and the energy of the crystal was instantly extracted and dumped into his 13th soul pocket, filling it to the brim.
It all happened in what seemed like an instant.
While the quantity of the soul energy wasn''t much, with only 100 units at his disposal, it was enough to give him a fighting chance. He needed to be quick and nimble to evade the uing attack, and the extra energy would help him do just that!
"Try to dodge this. I dare you!"
Enzo''s javelin glowed with a piercing blue light as he aimed it at Evan.
"Blizzard Spear Style: Second Form - Water Javelin: Water Dragon''s Wrath!"
As he spoke, Enzo thrust his Javelin forward, and from its tip emerged a water dragon with long whiskers extending from its face. The dragon''s scales shimmered, reflecting the moonlight that filtered through the gaps in the canopies overhead. Its eyes zed with a deadly gleam as it emitted a thunderous roar, baring its razor-sharp teeth and hurtling towards Evan at lightning speed, leaving a trail of sparkling blue droplets in the air.
As the dragon closed in, the corner of Evan''s mouth curled up. He moved quicker than a cheetah on Red Bull and melted into his own shadow, disappearing from sight.
The dragon, unable to change direction, crashed headfirst into a towering tree, and the sound was louder than a DJ concert. The old trunk shattered like a ss vase, and splinters went flying everywhere. The surrounding area went quieter than a library during finals week, as the debris rained down like confetti.
Where had he disappeared to?
The triplets looked as confused as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.
The smartest of the triplets swiftly pulled out the radar from his pocket. As he examined the map projected on its screen, he noticed a peculiar urrence. A blue dot appeared to ovep with his own location on the map. It was signaling the presence of something ominous beneath them.
Liam immediately grasped the gravity of the situation and panicked.
He opened his mouth, wanting to exim, "Enzo, teleport me now, hurry!"
But before he could speak, Evan sprang out of his shadow like a fish out of water and sneered, "Toote!"
His sword was already hurtling toward Liam''s body.
Killing Liam first was the smartest move. After all, eliminating the source would break the curse that bound him!
Evan''s sword made contact, and Liam felt a sharp pain as it pierced his chest, threatening to strike his heart, but just as the de was about to sink deeper, Liam vanished, reced by a ck serpent with countless tiny wings.
It was the handiwork of Enzo, and it all happened so fast that Evan was caught off guard.
The winged serpent pped its numerous pairs of small wings and struck, sinking its venomous fangs into his flesh.
"The ck mamba isn''t native to these swamps. I brought it with me. Its venom is lethal to Soul Manifestation Realm Cultivators, capable of paralyzing them in an instant. It''s my trump card in case I encounter someone like you, Your Highness. You''ve lost to me. Once the venom invades your system, you won''t be able to move." Enzo revealed to Evan,
As if he had heard a joke, Evan chuckled darkly, his lips curling into a wry smirk.
"Is that so?" He asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think a little snake like that can take me down? You really have no idea who you''re dealing with, do you?"
The type of poison that could killSoul Manifestation Realm Cultivators could only be ssified as low-level, and Evan had a unique type of Minor Poison Resistance that made him impervious to over 200 poisons and granted him the ability to refine low-level poisons. Therefore, the venom of the ck mamba was useless against him!
¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á---n?¦Ía| §ãom Enzo''s eyes widened, threatening to pop out of his sockets, as something unbelievably shocking happened.
Despite being bitten by the serpent, Evan remained unaffected by its venom. Enzo couldn''t believe what he was seeing.
Chapter 118 118: Poison? Ha!
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Evan swung his sword with lightning speed, slicing the serpent in half. Blood gushed out from the point of separation as the serpent''s lower body fell into the murky water, while its upper body remained attached to Evan''s flesh through the fangs it had sunk in. Nheless, Evan yanked it off and tossed it away.
Enzo, standing still in disbelief, asked, "How is this possible? How are you still able to move after being bit by the ck mamba?!!!"
Evan shed a light smile and responded, "Isn''t it clear? I''m immune to poison."
Evan and the triplets stood frozen in a stalemate, their gazes locked in a tense standoff.
"He''s using soul skills. I think he''s broken through your curse," Kian remarked to Liam, eyeing Evan warily.
"That''s unlikely. I felt it when the curse was ced on him. And the curse can''t be undone before the imposed time limit." Liam replied, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Well, how do you exin it then?" Kian snapped, growing increasingly frustrated.
"I''m not him. How would I know?" Liam retorted with a shrug, the absurdity of the situation not lost on him.
The situation was so absurd that even if they twisted their brains like a pretzel, they still wouldn''te up with a believable answer. It was like trying to exin why pineapples belong on pizzas ¨C a mystery that baffles and disgust most of mankind to this day!
"Should we just call off the hunt?" Enzo piped up, trying to diffuse the tension.
"No!" Kian eximed, his voice sharp and resolute.
"All our efforts will be for nothing if we do. I don''t want that. I believe none of us do," Liam said firmly.
Meanwhile, Evan was sweating bullets on the inside. Using the movement technique had depleted his thirteenth soul pocket by half, and the rest of his soul pockets remained sealed, with another ten minutes before the seal would be lifted. His soul refining skill was still on cooldown, and thus, he couldn''t restore his energy either. Basically, he was in a tight spot with only 50 units of soul energy to rely on.
"Let''s suppress him with our battle formation. We got no better choice."
The triplets began to surround Evan.
"I can''t let them have their way. If they surround me, it will be the end of me."
Quickly, Evan activated his Frost Barrage Skill, but he could only summon five ice bullets before his soul energy waspletely drained.
With a flick of his finger, the ice bullets zoomed towards the triplets like a pack of hungry wolves. But just as they were about to get hit, the triplets teleported.
Enzo had used his skill crystal with his sensory-type soul te to swap their position with the insects and other tiny, powerless creatures of the swamps. His ability was not limited to a specific number of people. As long as he could sense them and they were willing to be teleported, he could execute the skill wlessly.
The triplets breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved as they had evaded the ridiculously fast ice bullets.
But little did they know Evan was far from over. He tapped into the power of his Skill Weaver Soul te and redirected the ice bullets towards the trio like a boomerang on steroids.
Enzo''s skill crystal was on cooldown, leaving them with no choice but to run like a pack of scaredy cats!
The triplets scampered away like three blind mice, using the trees and terrain to dodge the ice bullets that were hot on their tails.
Even though he had managed to chase them away temporarily with his ice bullets, it didn''t do much to improve his current situation.
Evan was still in a tight spot.
After all, it was like spitting in the wind.
He was still trapped in the barrier.
It was at this moment that a sudden and unexpected voice rang in Evan''s mind, causing him to jump in surprise. It was as though lightning had struck him, jolting him to the core with its force. He felt a rush of adrenaline surge through his veins, making him acutely aware of his surroundings, but even then, he failed to find who had spoken.
"Your Highness," the voice seemed to belong to a boy who was undergoing puberty, its tone unpolished and childish, "I possess the ability to lift your curse, but in return, you must promise to coborate with me until the end of this trial. If you''re willing to ept my offer, please provide me with a sign of your agreement." The voice of the boy had an almost immature quality to it, brimming with a type of youthful energy that did nothing to reassure Evan of the offer''s authenticity.
Instead, it made him think whether it was even real.
However, beggars can''t be choosers. They could also not be thinkers.
His options were really limited. The triplets were close to dealing with the ice bullets that were keeping them at bay. It was only a matter of time before they woulde after him. The situation was dire, and the gravity of it weighed heavily on his mind, forcing him to make a decision immediately.
Thus, although reluctant, Evan gave a slight nod, signifying his agreement to the childish voice''s proposal. Although he had no idea who this person was or what they wanted, as long as they could lift the curse that had befallen him, their identity was inconsequential to him.
"Your Highness, I''m about to use my skills to lift the curse that has befallen you. It might feel a little strange, but I assure you that it won''t cause you any harm. Please don''t feel rmed," the boy mentallymunicated to Evan from his hiding spot.
"Do it!"
[A purification skill had been used on the yer!]
Immediately, Evan felt a strange sensation wash over him as though a warm light was enveloping his body.
Suddenly, the notification of the system appeared in front of him once again.
[The curse guing the yer has been lifted!]
The curse that had been sealing 12 of his 13 soul pockets had dissolved away!
Chapter 119 119: Pikachu Face!
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"Now that my soul pockets are unsealed, I can finally hunt the hunters. This is going to be fun." Evan''s lips curled up into a wicked grin, his eyes glinting with endless malice. "Those triplets from the Blizzard Household are in for a world of hurt."
After sessfully evading the relentless onught of icy projectiles, the triplets returned to Evan, oblivious to the fact that he had found freedom from the curse and regained control over his soul pockets.
"We''re back for round two!" the triplets said to him in unison.
As his preys came to him of their own volition, likembs to the ughter, Evan''s smirk widened into a full-blown grin that stretched across his face, revealing sharp teeth glinting in the light of the moon.
"You have no idea what''sing," Evan said in his signature voice, one that was low and menacing enough to send chills down the spines of the triplets.
Then, without warning, Evan vanished into the shadows like a ghost.
The triplets were still ignorant of the fact that the tiger they had crippled had already regained his strength. Unfortunately for them, Evan was not in the mood to fight or talk. He was only in the mood to butcher pigs.
A momentter, he emerged from Liam''s shadow, striking outwards with his sword. However, Liam had seen the attacking with the help of his radar and signaled to Enzo for backup.
The sword failed to find its mark as Enzo teleported Liam away just in time.
Liam appeared a short distance away from Evan, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as he shed a cocky grin at his opponent.
Little did he know that he had fallen into Evan''s trap. If he had realized, he wouldn''t be grinning so smugly.
The one he was grinning at was the afterimage Evan left behind when he moved with incredible speed to appear behind Liam.
The triplets'' eyes weren''t actually on Evan but on his afterimage, which, as if it had overstayed its wee, disappeared!
Immediately, Liam''s smirk was wiped off and reced with endless fear.
The bubble was popped.
Enzo and Kian both felt fear for Liam as they saw Evan standing behind him, their faces ashen white like a ghost century old.
At this moment, Enzo''s skill crystal was still on cooldown, so he couldn''t use its power to teleport others away. Kian was too far away to intervene in this situation, and Liam was unaware that the reaper was standing behind him menacingly.
In short, nothing could save Liam!
.....
Liam was about to check his radar to see where Evan had gone when a voice from behind interrupted him.
"Don''t bother."
The swift sound of a sharp de entering flesh followed, and Liam was instantly deprived of his life. Evan withdrew his swords and watched as Liam fell into the murky water, his body lifeless and still.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan, for killing an Awakened Soul Manifestation Realm Soul Cultivator. You get +80 EXP!]
After he killed Liam, Evan felt a scorching sensation rising on his palm. When he looked down, he saw the number "1" had appeared on the back of his hand, indicating the number of points he had earned in the trial.
Ignoring the sensation, he shifted his attention to Kian and Enzo.
"It''s your turn next," he said, a murderous glint shing in his eyes.
Enzo''s eyes were brimming with rage and tears as he spoke,
"You''ll pay for what you did. My brother''s death will be avenged. I''ll ensure you suffer the same fate as him."
"You failed to kill this prince when all three of you were fighting together. What makes you think it''ll be any different now that you''re down by one?"
Evan retorted.
"Anger is not going to get you to paradise. Emotions don''t have the capability to harm. But since you''re stupid enough to think otherwise, you are a waste of oxygen."
"I do not like wastefulness. So I will send you down to meet your brother in a minute."
"Empty Farts!"
Irked by his words, Enzo made a move to kill Evan.
He threw his javelin, and it seemed to transform into a wingless water dragon as it hurtled through the air and charged towards Evan.
Thunderous de Wave!
Reacting swiftly, Evan swung his swords, and a magnificent arc of ice appeared under the moon''s glow, freezing everything in its path. The arc charged forward with unstoppable force, slicing the water dragon in half and causing it to freeze over instantly. Its frozen halves fell and crashed against the thickyer of ice that had formed on the surface of the murky water, leaving Kian and Enzo stunned.
Enzo suffered from severe frostbite due to the chill of the icy arc, which threatened to dismember him, but before it could be a reality, he swapped ces with an insect perched on a tree several meters behind Evan.
As a result, Enzo saved his life, but his skill crystal was now on cooldown, creating the perfect opportunity for Evan.
[Frost Barrage!]
He seized the moment and unleashed an offensive soul skill, firing fast and merciless ice bullets at Enzo and Kian.
With no ability to teleport out of harm''s way, the two could only be impaled by the bullets. Enzo''s mobility was taken away when the ice bullets pierced his legs, while Kian was fortunate to only lose the use of the arm where he was hit.
Enzoy immobilized on the ground,pletely at Evan''s mercy, but the young prince had none to spare for a treacherous viin like Enzo, who had worked together with his brothers to take his life.
Like a ghost, Evan appeared before him, wielding a sword with ruthless efficiency.
Swoosh!
The sword was swung powerfully and ruthlessly.
Enzo didn''t have the physical ability to counter Evan''s lightning-fast attack, and his skill crystal was still on cooldown, rendering himpletely helpless.
He could only watch as Death approached.
In a split second, Enzo''s head was separated from his body in a split second, flying through the air beforending on the frozen surface of the filthy water and spinning to a stop.
Two of the three triplets were dead.
The number on the back of Evan''s hand changed from 1 to 2!
"Die!" Meanwhile, Kian snuck up behind Evan, swinging his staff with the intention of bashing his head.
Evan pivoted around. He was so unfazed by the iing attack that he didn''t bother dodging it at all. He cast a disdainful nce at Kian and smirked.
Thwack!
Kian''s staff connected with Evan''s temple with a thud.
And then...
...nothing happened.
Chapter 120 120: Teaming Up!
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"H-how?" Kian asked, strutting.
"I''ve more than just one trump card," Evan replied. He had used the special effect of the Gauntlet of Invincibility to nullify the damage!
Bam!
A loud bang reverberated through the air.
Kian was shot in the back of the head.
He was facing Evan, so it was evident that someone other than Evan had pulled the trigger.
Kian''s corpse copsed forward.
Evan sidestepped to avoid getting hit by the falling body.
Kian''s body hit the water with a sickening ssh, face down, and the murky liquid immediately engulfed him.
Searching for the person who stole his kill, Evan scanned the area, and just after a moment, he spotted a shadowy figure descending from a nearby tree.
The shadowy figurended gracefully on the surface of the murky water, their feet not sinking in and ripples appearing beneath them.
The figure belonged to a young boy, a head shorter than Evan, dressed in a pitch ck outfit that blended perfectly into the darkness of the swamp at night. A fox mask adorned his face, adding a touch of mystery to the sophisticated air surrounding him and concealing his identity. The mask was a beautiful, intricate piece of art with sharp, angr features that caught Evan''s eye.
Only his hair, which was as white and shiny as the moon in the starry night sky, was visible.
Evan couldn''t help but stare at the boy''s outfit, which looked like something straight out of an RPG game. The boy wore a ck hooded robe with several spatial pouches and hiddenpartments attached to his belt for easy ess to his weapons and tools. The most striking feature was the metal bracers on his arms, which had intricate engravings and sharp des that extended from the edges.
''Is this kid suffering from eighth-grade syndrome?''
Evan was forced to wonder.
The leather boots on the boy''s feet seemed to hold the ability to nullify sound as he moved without making a sound. The barrel of a sniper rifle peeked out from the back of his cloak, suggesting a deep connection to the army.
Such weapons were strictly regted in the empire, and not many people could get their hands on them. Their firepower was equivalent to Evan''s frost bullet skill, which was why he hadn''t bothered to acquire one. Additionally, the weapons emitted energy signals that could be detected by sensors as advanced as Vera or Seraphine, making them impractical for covert operations.
As Evan observed the weapon in the hands of his opponent, he couldn''t help but make a deduction. ''Since he''s able to acquire such a weapon, he must be from the Frost Blood Household.''
After all, in the Imperial Frost n, only members of the main family and the Frost Blood Household had sufficient connections with the army to acquire energy-ranked weapons, such as a sniper rifle for their young master.
It should also be noted that these sniper rifles were not normal, as the shells they used were made of high-purity soul energy crystal. In essence, every bullet was equivalent to a high-purity soul energy crystal, making them incredibly powerful. Depending solely on their personal wealth, only the wealthy elite of the empire could afford to use them inbat, due to their exorbitant cost.
Evan asked, "So, which young master from the Frost Blood Household are you?"
''As expected of the Crown Prince. Intelligent enough to determine which Household I''m from based on my appearance alone.''
The boy seemed hurt and responded, "Can''t you recognize me? We used to y together when we were young."
e¦Áglesn?¦Íel With that, the boy removed his mask, revealing a youthful face that immediately struck a chord with Evan.
His eyes widened as he took in the boy''s features.
The teenage boy had plump lips that curved slightly at the edges, giving him a mischievous look. His almond-shaped eyes were a stunning shade of amber, glinting with a hint of humor as he gazed back at Evan. The teenager''s face was slender, with a well-defined jawline that added to his chiseled appearance. His nose was straight and pointed, further entuating the sharpness of his features.
Adding to his overall appearance was a single earring he wore in his left ear, a simple stud that gave him a touch of rebelliousness.
"Ey, Aiden?"
Evan recognized him immediately.
He was the youngest young master of the Frost Blood Household and the renowned Ice Princess''s only sibling.
Aiden was younger than Annika but over a year older than Evan.
As Evan looked at him, memories flooded back.
He recalled that he had been given the opportunity to establish a friendly rtionship with the sessor of the Frost Blood Household when he was young. Aiden was precisely that sessor.
Under the meticulous nning of their fathers, Aiden was pushed to be his studypanion.
That was how he became acquainted with Aiden.
At that time, he had the heart of the child, and he quickly befriended him.
He didn''t know that he would be saying goodbye to his new friend in just some months.
It had only been six months since they became friends when an unfortunate incident shook the entire empire.
The assassination of countless people had taken ce, and no one knew who was behind it or why they had done it. The assassins had been ruthless, killing thousands of people overnight and sparing not a single one of their targets, which included women, children, and toddlers. Their motives could not be discerned as they indiscriminately killed members from both ordinary and extraordinary households. It seemed like their only purpose was to kill. It was announced as such, but who were they kidding?
Everyone knew that there was a deeper, darker reason behind the mindless killings!
However, they couldn''t quite put a finger on it, no matter how hard they racked their brains.
The crux of the matter is that Aiden had been a victim of that night. The assassination attempt had failed as his mother had protected him, but she had been severely injured in the process.
Chapter 121 121: Aidens Decision
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From that moment on, Aiden had be determined to be stronger, to be able to protect himself and those he loved. He had withdrawn from being His Highness''s studypanion and, with the help of his father, enlisted in the army.
The army was a major part of the Dark Tower that ruled the Sun Moon Empire, and in the army, life was different from the ordinary lives of the citizens. In the army, one could undergo the soul te awakening ceremony at any age if they were willing, despite the risks involved!
Aiden''s luck had been on his side, and he had sessfully awakened his soul te without any mental or physical disabilities when he was 8.
It was something to be celebrated, but from that point on, his downfall had begun.
After awakening his soul te, he fell from grace and was quickly forgotten.
Evan had only heard Aiden''s name being mentioned a few times in the past.
His name was spoken in the same breath as the trashiest young masters of the imperial ns with dim future aspects.
"Yeah, you guessed right. I am indeed Aiden."
Aiden''s lips lifted at the corners, curving into a subtle smile. The movement was almost imperceptible, yet it brought a certain warmth to his face and a sparkle to his eyes as if he was savoring a private thought or relishing a pleasant memory.
"It had been so long since west met. I wasn''t sure if you''d recognize me, but it looks like you haven''t forgotten your old friend after all."
"It''s hard not to when you''re the only person I know who have features like that."
Evan wasn''t kidding.
With his chiseled facial features, ck locks, and icy blues, he was like a ck rose blossoming on a snowy mountaintop and bathing under the light of the moon.
He was extremely attracted, but his attractiveness paled inparison to Aiden, who was more like the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, his amber eyes and white hair perfectlyplementing his handsome appearance, tempting all of humanity to take a bite.
Aiden''s unique features were fit for television or, even better, the modeling industry. He had what it took to make it big - the looks, the charm, and the background. He had the potential to achieve what many could only dream of - a legion of fans across the ck Eye Gxy.
Unfortunately, he chose to join the army and was forgotten after his fall from grace.
Hardly anyone paid any attention to him, although he was the youngest young master of the Frost Blood Household.
Thus, there wasn''t a picture of him on the inte.
Evan scrutinized the teen with narrowed eyes and uttered,
"I didn''t expect to chance upon you during the inheritance war. The workings of fate are indeed mysterious. Look at how it brought us together."
Evan was being friendly because he believed that Aiden had no ill intentions towards him.
After all, if Aiden had been aiming for his life like the hounds of the Frostweavers, he wouldn''t havee to Evan''s aid when he was besieged by the Triplers. Instead, he would have joined the Triplers in an attempt to kill him.
It''s worth noting that Evan is the most menacing figure in the interdimensional war, with the highest chance of winning.
As a result, many wants to eliminate him.
Aiden returned Evan''s gaze unflinchingly and responded with a polite tone, "If you have something to ask of me, please don''t hesitate Your Highness. I will provide an answer to your questions unhesitatingly."
"I was told that you were in seclusion, trying to break through to the Soul Fusion realm. The allure of the inheritance war may be strong, but how can it possibly deter you from taking the crucial step that you''ve been striving towards for a whole decade?"
They both know that if a descendant of the Imperial Frost n manages to reach the Soul Fusion Realm, their status will be promoted to Core Disciple.
Although Core Disciples are ranked one level above Outer Disciples, they are still inferior to Seeded Disciples. Nheless, they are viewed as the n''s future and are granted numerous privileges, including exclusive teachings and guidance from n elders, as well as ess to abundant resources.
Had Aiden taken that crucial step, he too would have ascended to the coveted rank of a Core Disciple.
"So I want to ask you, why exactly are you here?"
Aiden didn''t appear to be vying for the Crown Prince title, as he had the opportunity to strike Evan down but didn''t. The only other advantage he could gain from the inheritance battle was to secure a spot as a seeded disciple.
The top 150 participants would earn that distinction, but if that was his aim, he had already aplished it. So, why was he stillpeting in the inheritance war?
The situation was perplexing, and it was no wonder that Evan was intrigued.
"I came here because of you."
Aiden''s response was straightforward.
Hearing his words, Evan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Me? What do you mean?"
eaglesnov?1,§ão§® Aiden gave him a serious look and exined,
"I am here because I''ve been tasked with assisting you in winning the inheritance war and emerging victorious," Aiden said.
Evan furrowed his brows in confusion.
"The Frost Blood Household has always maintained a neutral position in the n''s political affairs, staying aloof. So, what brought about this sudden change in their stance?" Evan spoke after a moment.
"Countless folks out there want to bring you down, but there are others who''d much rather see you as the Crown Prince of Frost than a dog adopted by the Frostweavers. I can''t vouch for the entire Frost Blood Household, but my sister and I are on your side. Me being here to help you is the best proof of that. I hope you won''t take my words for empty farts."
Aiden expressed,ying his heart open.
Chapter 122 122: Blood Vow!
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Evan''s brow furrowed as he mulled over theplexity of the situation surrounding the Frost Blood Household.
The responsibility of this household was to train and prepare the younger generation of the imperial Frost n for enrollment in the army.
Furthermore, many members of this household held esteemed positions within the army.
General Edward, the head of the Frost Blood household, was known to have sired five children, but only Aiden and Annika were legitimate heirs as they were birthed by his primary wife, Catherine, who had a huge background.
Just like Evan''s mother, Lady Catherine was from the Firestorm Imperial n!
Due to unforeseen events, Aiden''s right to session was taken away. Annika, on the other hand, had established herself as a distinguished army major after obliterating several Cosmic Crusaders'' bases. Despite her outstanding achievements, her gender prevented her from inheriting her father''s position and leading the family.
Furthermore, it was revealed that Lady Catherine had reached her limit. Her treasure pce had run dry after giving birth to two children who possessed the rare talent for soul cultivation. Her womb was like a barrennd, unable to nurture life. She could no longer be impregnated. She could no longer give birth to a male heir for her husband.
Consequently, the councils of elders stepped in, creating an opportunity for General Edward''s illegitimate sons topete for the chance to be his sessor.
Nevertheless, the amount of wealth Annika would be inheriting from her father would be quite substantial, and she was already a famous Major.
The army has a hierarchy of ranks, each with its own responsibilities and duties. The lowest rank is the Private, followed by the Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, General, and the highest rank, Field Marshal.
How young was Annika?
She was in her twenties. Yet, she was already a Major!
Having the support of someone like her, it meant a lot!
Of course, Evan was grateful for Aiden''s assistance as well.
"I can''t believe I am being backed by you two siblings. I thought I''d be fighting alone in this war," Evan remarked.
Without warning, Aiden kneeled on one knee and ced his hand over his chest.
"I can''t promise you victory, but I swear on my life and my title as the youngest young master of the Frost Blood Household that I will fight alongside you till the end and give my all in ensuring that you''ll emerge victorious in this war," Aiden vowed like a general, his amber eyes radiating sincerity.
Aiden had only lost his right to fight in the session war of the Frost Blood Household. He was not disowned. Thus, he could still be considered the young master of the Frost Blood Household.
[A blood vow has been made!]
Evan felt his blood heat up at the blood promise, a solemn vow that could only be made between two parties who had the Blood of Frost running in their veins.
The blood promise bound one to their words, like a knight swearing loyalty to their lord.
[Any vition of the blood vow would cause the vitor to suffer from excruciating pain!]
Betrayal was not possible; if Aiden went against his words, his blood would solidify, and he would die a painful death.
Nowadays, few would dare to make a blood oath, as it bound them to an eternal promise. Aiden had essentially pledged himself to be Evan''s sword, but whether Evan would ept this offer or not was entirely up to him.
Rumors of Evan''s paranoia and trust issues had circted, and Aiden had not seen Evan in years, so he had no choice but to rely on those rumors. In an effort to demonstrate his sincerity, Aiden made a bold move. However, Evan was not aware of Aiden''s intentions, as he could not read his mind.
In his eyes, Aiden had gone too far in trying to prove that he was loyal to him. His actions left him feeling bewildered and suspicious.
Clearing up any misunderstandings between them was crucial, as misunderstandings were like dark clouds hovering over a rtionship, obscuring the truth. It could lead to mistrust, resentment, and ultimately, the copse of the rtionship. Like a small seed, if not addressed, it could grow into a big, ugly tree, choking the life out of the connection.
Evan could sense Aiden''s desperation, but he couldn''t fathom the root of it. Luckily, he had a way to find out and resolve any misunderstandings immediately.
He looked at Aiden with narrowed eyes, and Aiden couldn''t help but wonder what Evan was up to.
[The target has been selected, and the inspection skill has been cast!]
[Inspection Sessful!]
Since Aiden''s cultivation was lower than Evan, Evan could see through him and understand him better.
Evan was presented with Aiden''s stats and past.
Name: Aiden
Cultivation Realm: Soul Manifestation Realm
Level: 8
Soul te: Energy Maniptor
Skill Crystal: Heavenly Touch.
Stats:
Strength: 88
Agility: 92
Stamina: 90
Aiden had decent stats. He must have worked his butt off, put in hours of hardbor in the army. When it came to physical strength, Jack and Eric didn''t hold a candle to him. Aiden was nearly on par with Mathew and Dante in terms of stats alone.
Not to mention, with the power of his skill crystal, Aiden could purify anyone, himself or others, of debuffs caused by curses and so on instantly. He was a walking and talking talisman against all sorts of witchcraft and evil. In Evan''s own words ¡ª Aiden was a potent repelling agent whom he had been missing all along.
However, he knew Aiden''s skill had its limitations, and it couldn''t be exploited without consequences. The cost of using Heavenly Touch was directly proportional to the severity of the debuff¡ªthe more intense the debuff, the greater the price that must be paid for purifying it.
Most importantly, this power was not to be wielded recklessly. After all, If a person with weak cultivation dared to use it to eliminate a severe debuff, they would pay for it with their life!
Still, there was no denying that with such a person by his side, Evan''s chances to win the war had increased significantly!
Chapter 123 123: Aidens Motive
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When the news became public that Aiden was stripped of his session rights, the reasons were also given.
He had awakened the Energy Maniptor and a non-offensive skill crystal, both of which didn''t suit the temper of the Frost Blood Household.
Thus, long before he inspected Aiden, Evan knew what type of Soul te Aiden had awakened.
Evan thought: ''They'' deemed Aiden useless merely because of his awakening of the Energy Maniptor. The sheer stupidity of their actions makes me wonder whether tough or give them a hard p to bring them to their senses. Ruining the potential of a talent that could be honed into a powerhouse just because of their ignorance is outrageous.
The entire empire was wrong. The soul te "Energy Maniptor" was not a useless piece of junk.
Aiden''s soul te granted him the ability to control the soul energy he could manipte using the Soul Maniption Technique with unmatched proficiency. Mastery over soul energy was the foundation of every soul skill, and being adept at manipting it allowed one to execute soul skills that werepatible with their Soul Energy Maniption technique far quicker and smoother than others. Nevertheless, learning soul skills was the most challenging process. It necessitated a deeper understanding of theirplexities, which depended on one''s inherent aptitude andprehension ability.
Anyway, it was a hardcore fact that the energy maniptor was allowing you to do what you could already do with the Soul Energy Maniption Skill.
Because of all these points, Energy Maniptors were considered useless!
However, what many failed to understand was that even a novice Energy Maniptor, who had just achieved the first level of their energy maniption technique, possessed the ability to generate a fire that could incinerate anything.
This was a unique skill that only they could perform.
The Energy Maniptor wasn''t as useless as the entire gxy had thought!
Evan thought back to his past life.
The yers in the game were an entric bunch.
They had a knack for delving into every nook and cranny of the game, poring over every tiny detail, and scrutinizing every soul te and skill crystal.
Though,ing into contact with such stuff in the game was no walk in the park.
yers had toplete the ss advancement quest that they received after they reached level 20 to interact with soul tes and Skill Crystals.
No one, however, dared to deny that Soul tes and Skill Crystals were the most enticing aspect of the game. The way the soul tes'' passives worked in tandems with the skills generated by the skill crystals left yers spellbound.
One such entric yer tried to do the impossible. While everyone was busy ying the strongest ss, he picked the weakest one and tried to climb to the top of the game.
The Energy Maniptor ss was once perceived as a feeble one by the yers, but it was the entric yer called "Just Gains And Two Big Balls!" wielding the Energy Maniptor Soul te that captured the world''s attention in the e-sport tournament!
Against all odds, he emerged victorious in the preliminaries, taking down the toughestpetitors with ease and advancing to the finals, creating a buzz in the gamingmunity.
Although he faced an undefeated champion in the finals, whose build was believed to be the strongest in the game and lost, he had debunked the notion that control-type soul tes were worthless with the remarkable show he put on for the entire world in the tournament.
Based on his impressive performance in the e-sport tournament, the slogan "It is the soul cultivators who are ipetent, not the soul tes!" emerged.
This catchphrase encapsted the idea that soul tes were not the problem when it came to deciding who was weak or strong but rather thepetency and mindset of the soul cultivators.
Just Gains And Two Big Balls victories against pros in the e-sport scene served as proof that with the right mindset and gaming abilities, one could dominate the game even with an underdog ss like Energy Maniptor.
The Energy Maniptor who made waves in the e-sport tournament also generously shared tips and tricks about their ss.
Due to all these reasons, Evan wasn''t worried about awakening the Energy Maniptor on the day of the awakening ritual. There was a trick that an Energy Maniptor could use in the Soul Manifestation Realm to overwhelm their opponents.
Who knew that things wouldn''t follow the script and he would awaken the Skill Weaver?
It changed nothing for him, though.
He still faced discrimination and was forced to initiate the inheritance war earlier than nned.
Anyway, the tips and tricks he knew could prove to be helpful to Aiden.
But before that, he needed to clear the little misunderstanding he had about him.
In the semi-transparent screen, Aiden''s pastid bare to him.
''When would I read it if not now?''
e¦Áglesn?¦Íel Evan went through it without shame.
Aiden was born as the legal sessor of the prestigious Frost Blood Household, the second most powerful minor family of the Imperial Frost n. For reasons alone, he became a target of assassination at a young age. He didn''t lose his life as his mother saved him, but she got severely injured in the process.
The event left a profound impact on him.
Consequently, he set out on a journey to be stronger, with the sole purpose of protecting his loved ones.
Despite his young age, Aiden disyed remarkable talent in sniping enemies from afar and soon became a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, earning the moniker "White Death."
For the first time in history, the enemies of the empire learned to fear a child soldier.
However, fate dealt him a cruel blow when he awakened a control-type soul te, which was deemed weak and ineffective inbat and frowned upon in the empire.
As a result, he lost his session right and had to abandon his dream of leading the Frost Blood Household.
Nheless, he persevered and continued to train hard in the army, determined to be strong enough to reim his birthright.
Chapter 124 [Bonus ]124: Teaching A Secret Technique
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Aiden''s hard work eventually paid off as he founded an extremely powerful technique that shattered all preconceived notions that control-type soul tes were useless.
However, he kept it a secret to avoid attracting the attention of his stepmothers and half-brothers, who were vying for the session of the Frost Blood Household, thinking him useless and harmless. But Aiden knew that once they realized his true potential, they woulde after him with all their might. He shared his secret only with his sister, who has always been supporting him.
When the Crown Prince of Frost initiated the inheritance war, Aiden was approached by Annika, who begged him to assist the prince. She knew that he could be of great help to Evan. Aiden couldn''t refuse her, as his sole aim in life was to protect his mother and sister and make them happy. He wiped the tears in her eyes and agreed to lend his support.
After careful consideration, Aiden realized that if he helped the Crown Prince of Frost win the inheritance war, he could gain the support he needed and finally reim his birthright and aim to be the head of the Frost Blood Household.
With that in mind, he resolved to do his best in this task, knowing that his help could make all the difference in the oue of the inheritance war.
''Annika begged him to help me?''
eaglesnov?1,§ão§® Evan was taken aback. He had never even dreamed that she would go to such great lengths for him. For Evan, Annika had always been a memory from the past, a distant image in the rearview mirror of his life, and he assumed that she felt the same way, but now, seeing the extent of her loyalty and devotion, Evan knew he had been mistaken all along.
Learning that Annika begged to provide him with help was a huge surprise. It made him feel indebted and also helped him realize that she was an exceptional woman, possessing all the qualities he held in high esteem, but it also left him uncertain about how to repay her kindness.
''I will think about how to repay her for the kindness she had shown me in the future. For now, I need to focus on winning the inheritance war.''
Aiden, on the other hand, had more self-serving motives, but Evan didn''t find him disgusting or distasteful. After all, it was a cold hard fact that when someone goes out of their way to help you, they usually expect something in return. In this case, Aiden wanted Evan''s support to fight the decision of the council of elders and get the Imperial Frost court to legally return his birth rights in exchange for his help in the inheritance war.
''By helping me deal with the triplets, Aiden has already proven to be valuable. Without his help, I might still be struggling to survive the assault of the triplets.''
''He deserves to be rewarded for his services so far.''
''If I win this war, I will act like Santa us and dly fulfill his wish.''
Evan wasn''t a saint by any means, but he also wasn''t a bad guy.
He believed in fairness and justice, and he had a clear sense of right and wrong.
His philosophy was simple - he would reward evil with evil and good with good.
If someone crossed him or did something malicious, he wouldn''t hesitate to retaliate in kind.
However, on the other hand, if someone showed him kindness or generosity, he would repay them in kind as well.
Evan didn''t believe in taking the moral high ground just for the sake of it. He believed in being true to himself and standing up for what he believed in.
To him, being fair and just was more important than being a saint or a viin.
For Evan, fulfilling Aiden''s wish was simply being fair and just. Aiden had already helped him once in the inheritance war, and Evan believed that it was only right to fulfill what he would request in the future in return.
As for now, he imparted something unique to Aiden - a cheat skill that only Aiden, with his Energy Maniptor Soul te, could execute wlessly. The process didn''t take long, just a few minutes.
''if Aiden is able to grasp the concept, my odds of triumphing in the inheritance battle will improve even further,'' Evan thought.
Aiden looked at Evan in disbelief, eyes wide open, "Fire that can even extinguish soul energy? How can something like that be possible?"
"Just follow my teachings, and you will realize if it''s possible or not," Evan responded.
Aiden hesitated, "The requirements for executing it seem challenging. I doubt I can do it."
Evan rebuked, "With that attitude, you will fail naturally."
Aiden was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Evan was speaking as if a change in attitude would make a world of difference.
"I''m going to disclose a closely guarded secret, so listen well. The Energy Maniptor is far more special than other soul tes because it''s directly influenced by its user''s will. Even if you use a soul skill with its assistance, it might still fail if you''re not entirely devoted." Evan shared knowledge only yers were privy to with Aiden. "However, if you have confidence in yourself and believe you can do it, even if it''s your first time and the chances of failure are high, you will still seed."
This principle applied to other control-type soul tes as well. Evan''s skill weaver was directly affected by his will. As long as he thought it was possible with enough confidence, the skill Weaver would give it all to make it happen. For example, he had been able to deconstruct extremely powerful attacks with its help, something that was unheard of!
"So I just have to believe in myself?" Aiden asked.
Evan affirmed, "Trust that you will seed, and your soul te will find a way to make it happen."
Aiden followed Evan''s instructions, and it worked like a charm!
A fire appeared in his hand.
It was not like a regr fire.
It was gray in color!
And its presence increased the surrounding temperature by several degrees.
Chapter 125 125: Collecter
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Aiden''s eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at the ghastly fire flickering vividly in his hand, illuminating the surrounding darkness. The mes seemed to dance and writhe, casting an ethereal glow upon his face. He was utterly captivated by its otherworldly charms, unable to tear his gaze away from the enchanting disy. It was as though the mes held a hypnotic power over him, drawing him into their fiery embrace with a maic pull that he couldn''t resist.
"Be warned, my friend, that the ghastly fire you''ve conjured is like a double-edged sword, dangerous yet mesmerizing. Its intense ferocity can give a swift end to your enemies, but it can also turn on you in an instant if you''re not careful. You don''t want to experience what it''s like; it''s a dreadful sight."
"The ghastly fire''s power should never be handled carelessly; those who''ve made that mistake met a tragic end, their screams silenced as they were engulfed by the relentless mes and reduced to nothing but smoldering ashes." Evan noticed that Aiden was falling prey to its snare and immediately spoke up to warn him, his eyes gleaming with concern.
Aiden was taken aback by the shocking revtion and flung the Ghostly fire away in surprise. In a sudden burst of energy, the fire shot forward andnded on a nearby tree, setting it aze with a violent hiss. As if struck by heavenly lightning, the tree was reduced to ashes in an instant, the mes devouring every inch of its wooden flesh with a fierce intensity. The ashes from the burnt remains fell to the ground like snowkes, scattering everywhere in the murky swamps with an eerie stillness, as if the very air itself was holding its breath in awe of the Ghostly fire''s devastating power
"Fuck!"
Aiden''s jaw dropped in sheer disbelief, his eyes widening in awe and amazement. The Ghastly Fire soul skill''s untamed ferocity wasparable to the secret technique he had founded during his days in the army - a technique he had honed through sweat, blood, and tears.
''No. I am wrong.''
As he stared at the devastation caused by the mesmerizing mes, he realized with a growing sense of wonder that it was even better, more powerful, and more intense than his own creation. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt.
Aiden turned to Evan, looking at him with a gaze full of usation.
e¦Áglesn?¦Íel "Your Highness, you should have warned me about the perilous nature of the Ghastly Fire soul skill before teaching it to me," he said to Evan softly.
Evan faced Aiden, sensing his friend''s aggrieved state reflected in his using gaze.
"I know I am wrong."
Evan acknowledged that he had been wrong in this particr case since a slight slip-up in handling the Ghastly Fire could have resulted in Aiden turning into ashes. Nevertheless, he had his reasons for not warning his friend beforehand.
"However, had I cautioned you about the hazardous aspects of the Ghastly Fire soul skill beforehand, you would have likely been uneasy. As you know, the Energy Maniptor is highly susceptible to changes in one''s thoughts and emotions. It wouldn''t have been as effortless for you to grasp the skill," he exined.
Realizing that Evan had acted in his best interests, any ambivalent emotions that Aiden had harbored towards his friend dissipated.
Aiden addressed the imperial figure, "Your Highness, I have not heard of such a sophisticated soul skill before. It''s likely to be created by you recently. May I ask how you came up with it?"
Among practitioners of soul cultivation, it was a widely epted fact that soul skills were divided into two main levels: low and high. These levels corresponded to the grading system used for soul skills by the yer System, ranging from levels 1 to 4. What''s intriguing is that some skills, upon maxing out through the utilization of soul skill points, could surpass the effectiveness of high-level soul skills. Evan''s Phantom Shadow Step and imperial swordsmanship were prime examples of such skills.
So the ssification of the ghastly fire soul skill as high-level truly demonstrated its incredible power and magnificence.
The process of creating the Ghostly Fire was no small feat. It required the rubbing of a significant amount of soul energy with an equal amount of soul energy, precisely a hundred times within a fraction of a second. This outstanding achievement could solely be aplished if one have a soul te simr to Aiden''s, which signifies that only Energy Maniptors could execute this technique. It also implies that the creation of such a sophisticated soul skill required profound insights that could only be possessed by a high-level cultivator. However, why would someone with such a high level of cultivation waste their time inventing a method that only a particr group of individuals could execute?
Thus, Aiden was certain that the creator of this technique could be none other than His Highness Evan. But that left Aiden inplete awe of the incredible insight possessed by thetter.
Evan shook his head, "It''s a secret. I can''t share how I invented the Ghastly Fire Soul Skill, even with you."
Aiden''s heart sank a little as he felt a twinge of regret for not being able to indulge his insatiable curiosity about the workings of a great mind, but he knew he was in no position to satisfy his curiosity as Evan was above his station. Not to mention, he didn''t want to risking across as intrusive or impolite by constantly badgering him with his inquiries.
"I understand," Aiden said with a nod. It was clear that he didn''t want to risk souring their rtionship by annoying him with his incessant curiosity. Instead, he wanted to improve it. "And I''m thankful that you taught me something so valuable without asking anything in return. I will not forget this favor. I will do my best to repay you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Evan briefly nced at Aiden and couldn''t help but notice how much he seemed to be struggling with "eighth-grade syndrome." Evan couldn''t help but feel a bit exasperated as he sighed inwardly.
"Don''t feel the need to thank me. We''re in this together now. I simply did what I believed was necessary to ensure that our boat remains afloat until it safely takes us to the other side." Evan ced his hand on Aiden''s shoulder, offering a reassuring gesture. The pat seemed tomunicate encouragement and support to Aiden.
Chapter 126 126: Rapid Kills!
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Despite the tempting allure of the magical artifacts, including Liam''s radar, Evan disyed no inclination towards looting the triplets'' corpses. It wasmon knowledge that the empire''s magic items were bound to the first person who used them, thereby limiting their use to only their rightful owner. Without the help of a skillful hacker, this effect couldn''t be removed. Evan was well aware of this fact, and based on this, he made the uplicated decision to leave the items untouched. He knew that meddling with them would be a pointless endeavor hence why he chose to move on without them. If someone ignorant had been in his shoes, they would have made a different decision and regretted it straight after.
"We have no choice but to search for opponents ourselves!" said Evan to Aiden.
The second floor of the monster tower was divided into four distinct terrains.
Only nine participants were teleported to the swamps.
Regrettably, five of them were ruthlessly butchered by the triplets, who were eventually defeated by Evan and Aiden.
Consequently, the swamp was now devoid of any other contestants.
After wandering through the swamnd for an hour, their stamina waning, they realized this fact.
"Looks like it''s just us left in the swamp. How about we switch up the scenery?" Evan suggested.
"Sure, sounds good. But would you do me the honor of allowing me to be your guide? My time serving in the army has sharpened my senses and given me valuable knowledge. While I might not be as skilled at sensing monsters as a sensory-type cultivator, I can ensure that we steer clear of any potential danger," Aiden offered.
"Of course, I''d be grateful for your assistance. Your expertise coulde in handy and ensure that we save our stamina for the battles that truly matter," Evan nodded.
The two control-type cultivators set off, making their way through the murky swamp.
The thick canopy of foliage and the shroud of darkness made it a daunting task to gain a clear perspective of their surroundings, but with Aiden''s astute guidance, they were able to avoid any potential hazards and navigate their way through the treacherous terrain without engaging in useless battles.
As they made their way to another terrain, Aiden recounted some of his personal experiences and shared his army wisdom with His Highness Evan, narrating his army stories in a captivating tone. His vivid storytelling painted a picture of a world that fascinated Evan.
The all-epassing darkness of the swamp gave way to the brightness of Aiden''s memories as he made their journey seem like a leisurely stroll in a serene park, even though the harsh reality of their surroundings could not have been more different.
Aiden''s life story clearly indicated that he had encountered both the positive and negative aspects of the world. Evan couldn''t help but let out an inward sigh, acknowledging that this world was really cruel to children as, despite Aiden''s youthfulness, he had already experienced the highs and lows of life.
After traversing through the murky swamp, they finally emerged and were greeted by a breathtaking view of undting hills and verdant flora.
"This terrain of the second terrain lookspletely different than the first one," remarked Evan, admiring the picturesque scenery.
The stark contrast between whaty behind and ahead of him was almost unbelievable; just one step behind himy a dim, murky, and putrid swamp, while ahead of him stretched out a panorama of lush greenery and rolling hills.
It felt simply amazing!
Aiden, scanning the area, added, "I can spot the building we have to enter once we gather the required points from here."
The rolling hills stretched as far as the eye could see, with a carpet of lush greenery covering the gentle slopes. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. High above, a few fluffy ck cloudszily drifted across the starry night sky,pleting the idyllic picture.
It was a tranquil oasis amidst the rugged wilderness that surrounded it.
While sprinting through the lush scenery, basking in the peacefulness of their surroundings, the distant sh of swords and grunting sounds caught Evan and Aiden''s attention.
"Let''s go check it out."
They followed the noise until they reached the edge of a clearing, where they stumbled upon a group of participants bullying someone they knew all too well ¨C Jack O''Ice.
e¦Áglesn?¦Íel The poor fellow was being tormented to the point of death by the frostweavers'' hounds!
Aiden, devoid of any opinion on the matter, looked to Evan for guidance and asked, "Do you wish to intervene, Your Highness?"
Evan quickly replied without hesitation, "Yes, I do. But it''s not for a noble cause like you might have thought. We need points, and there seem to be quite a lot of them within our reach."
Aiden, without batting an eye, grabbed his sniper rifle and, like a soldier, dered, "I will provide you with backup, Your Highness."
One of the Frostweavers caught sight of them. Suddenly, Evan disappeared from his view, causing the Frostweaver''s eyes to widen in shock and confusion. Before he could even inform his teammates of their appearance, he felt a cold, sharp object approaching him from behind. As he turned around, he saw a glint of steel before feeling a searing pain in his neck.
Blood sprayed out of the wound like a gruesome fountain, painting the white snow in crimson. The young hound of the Frostweavers looked down to see his own body, now headless and twitching in itsst moments of life. Horror and fear gripped him as he realized the gravity of the situation, and then he saw Evan standing behind his headless corpse with an expressionless face.
The sight of his own beheaded body was too much for him to bear, and his brain short-circuited with the realization that he was dying. He took his final breath as his lifeless body slumped to the ground, surrounded by the macabre scene of blood and death.
Chapter 127 127: Rapid Kills 2
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[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan, for killing a level 9 Awakened Soul Cultivator.]
[Gained +90 EXP!]
[Gained a slight increment in your constitution stat!]
Evan heard the notification ring in his mind, and without dy, he retreated into the safety of his shadow once more.
Thud!
Just then, a thump sounded as the frostweaver''s head, which Evan had sent soaring into the sky with a brutal sh, crashed onto the ground.
The noise reverberated through the clearing, immediately grabbing the attention of the frostweavers who were busy tormenting Jack.
They pivoted around to face the source of the sound, only to be confronted with the ghastly sight of their younger cousin''s headless corpse lying nearby, while his severed head rolled a short distance away, its eyes staring nkly into the distance.
Blood was spurting out of the stump of the neck, staining the grass beneath it in a gory crimson slush.
It was a horrifying sight.
"Be careful. There is something nefarious lurking in this clearing."
The person who had spoken felt a sharp, searing pain surge through his body, causing him to wince in agony. As he looked down, he saw a glimmering sword thrust through his stomach, its icy de emanating an unbearable chill that seemed to freeze him from the inside out. He could feel the piercing coldness of the de coursing through his veins, numbing his senses and leaving him disoriented.
"I''m afraid you realized that toote," a low voice that sounded dark and menacing taunted him from behind.
Those were the final words he heard before the sword impaling him released a frosty breath, causing him to be enveloped in an icy prison that encased him from head to toe. The cial tendrils of the frozen block that he was trapped in seemed to cling to him with a relentless grip, numbing his senses and leaving him paralyzed in a frigid stasis.
Evan raised his sword and struck the frozen figure with the hilt, shattering the ice into a thousand pieces. The tiny pieces reflected the scarce light in the area, sparkling like diamonds and raining down on the clearing, resembling a shower of frozen crystals.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan, for killing a level 7 Awakened Soul Cultivator. As a result, you get +70 EXP and a +2 point increment in your constitution stat!]
The remaining frostweavers finally became aware of the identity of their mysterious attacker, who had been causing chaos among them.
And they felt afraid.
After all, it only took half a minute for Evan to im the life of their leader and vice-leader.
Their attention was elsewhere, so Jack, who was covered in injuries, took the chance to escape their encirclement and escape with his life. Before rushing into the trees, he shot Evan a grateful look.
"You! You killed my boyfriend! You took away the only person I loved in this world! Prepare to pay with your life!"
A woman with vibrant blue hair, who happened to be the girlfriend of the man Evan had just taken down, stormed out from the pack of frostweavers. Her hair and eyes were sparkly like stars in the night sky, and that made her stand out. In her hand was a sharp dagger that she charged with lethal force before hurling it forward.
Whoosh!
The dagger hurtled through the air and charged straight towards Evan.
Thanks to his impressive DEX and AGT stats, Evan was able to evade the attack by quickly sidestepping, barely avoiding the fatal blow by an inch. The dagger moved passed him and hit a tree that was behind him, causing it to explode. Wooden shrapnels were sent flying in all directions.
"Looks like I need to work on my reflexes," Evan said.
"You won''t get the chance," she hissed and took out another dagger, sprinting towards Evan with lethal intent.
Evan''s figure moved so swiftly that her eyes couldn''t track his movements. Suddenly, he appeared right in front of her, almost as if he had teleported. Before she could react, his fist connected with her pretty face, unleashing a crushing impact that shattered her delicate features like a ripe watermelon. The sound of the impact reverberated through the air, punctuated only by the sickening squelch of the blood squirting from the stump of the headless corpse.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan, for killing a level 7 Awakened Soul Cultivator. As a result, you get +70 EXP and a +2 point increment in your constitution stat!]
"You know what? Regardless of whether my reflexes improve or not in the future, you''ll never get the chance to witness it." As he gazed at her lifeless body, Evan dered emotionlessly.
"Impressive strength," a frostweavermented, and Evan turned towards him, only to hear. "But against ourbined might, you shall also fall."
"You know what''s funny? The triplets of the House of Blizzard had said the same thing when they fought me. But now they''re transversing the river Styx, and I am still alive." Evan retorted indifferently.
The Frostweaver was enraged, and he said, "Show him what we are capable of when we work together!"
The Frostweavers lifted their swords in perfect synchronization, and a mist of frost began emanating from beneath their feet. Gradually, the vapors amassed into a single point, hovering between the tips of their des. Soon, the energy condensed into an enormous ice spell.
The ice spell was a breathtaking and fearsome spectacle, resembling a whirlpoolprised of razor-sharp ice shards.
They brought their swords down in unison, and the ice spell above them hurtled forward at an astonishing speed, tracing a direct path toward Evan with lethal precision. Its force was so immense that it made the air vibrate and shimmer with an ethereal radiance.
Evan, on the other hand, appeared nonchnt, his countenance disying a self-assured smile. He refrained from acting until it appeared to those observing that he had sumbed to the ice spell''s fury. Just as the ice shard whirlpool appeared to be on the brink of engulfing him, he disappeared into a blur of motion, yet the massive bulk of the vortex obscured the onlookers'' view of what had urred.
Boom!
A resounding reverberation rang out, and the ground trembled as the massive ice spell that was created with thebined effort of four frostweavers struck the earth, triggering a massive explosion that instantaneously froze half of the clearing in a shower of glittering ice crystals.
Chapter 128 128: Next Trial!
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Evan emerged from the shadows cast by the frostweavers. His lips curled into a smile as he noticed that the frostweavers were all looking in the direction of the explosion as if awaiting the settling of dust to confirm the sess of their hunt.
"Certainly, your collective might is noteworthy. Nevertheless, it proved to be futile as it didn''t achieve its desired effect."
No one noticed his presence until he spoke.
But by then, it was already toote.
He had brandished his sword and decapitated one of his opponents while he was remarking!
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan, for killing a level 5 Awakened Soul Cultivator. As a result, you get +50 EXP and a +1 point increment in your constitution stat!]
"Four vs. one?" Evan seemed to be in an imminent threat as thest four members of the group lunged towards him, wielding their weapons aggressively in his direction. "Not fair!"
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
The sound of four gunshots echoed loudly, as each of the assants was instantly taken down. The precision of the shots resulted in a fatal blow to their heads, causing them to copse lifelessly before evennding their intended attacks on Evan.
"You got them good, Aiden!" Evan excalimed while looking at a certain direction.
Aiden emerged stealthily from the dense thicket, having sniped three of his opponents, and headed towards Evan. Evan was standing at the center of the half-frozen clearing, seemingly waiting for him.
"We''ve been led astray by Prince Charming." Aiden dered with a hint of frustration as he stood beside Evan.
"In what way?" Evan inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"This trial is not just about sheer strength or the determination to survive and climb the tower," Aiden exined. "Defeating numerous opponents on your own is an impossible feat, especially if you are a regr soul manifestation realm cultivator. The real key to victory lies in teaming up with your fellow contestants, nning strategies, negotiating, and forming alliances. It is imperative to be wise in selecting our teammates and even be willing to betray them if the situation calls for it. But he made us think otherwise. Only after seeing the frostweavers working together did I realize what a blunder we''ve made."
Truly, Prince Charming''s words had sown seeds of mistrust among the contestants, making them extremely wary of each other. The only exception were the hounds of the frostweavers, who had entered the trial as a team, and hence, were immune to the prince''s maniption.
It was only after witnessing their exemry teamwork that Aiden hade to this realization, and although impressive, this knowledge proved to be of no use at this point in their journey.
They had already collected the necessary five points to progress further, making Aiden''s sudden epiphany irrelevant!
"Well, we''ve already got all the points we need, so this information is no longer useful to us," said Evan.
Aiden couldn''t help but express his frustration, "Yeah, I know, but it''s frustrating to think about how badly that Croc tricked us."
After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Evan spoke up again, "Let''s head over to the building in the distance andplete the second trial."
"Absolutely," replied Aiden, "but we need to be extra careful and keep an eye out for any other contestants we might run into along the way. We must be prepared to fight if the need arises."
They made their way towards the towering structure that loomed over the undting hills. The moon''s ethereal light lent a mystical quality to the grassy terrain, creating an otherworldly ambiance.
After a while, they stood before the formidable entrance. They cautiously ced their hands on the doors, which swung open effortlessly, beckoning them inside.
Without a moment''s hesitation, they stepped through the foreboding threshold, only to find themselves instantly transported to separate rooms,pletely isted from one another.
.....
[You have entered the Backroom!]
Evan found himself standing in the middle of a room. The room was spacious, with a high ceiling adorned by an elegant chandelier that hung in the center, casting a warm glow across the room.
He looked around, taking in his surroundings. The walls were decorated with intricate patterns, and there were several pieces of antique furniture ced strategically around the room, enhancing the room''s exquisiteness. There were five doors in the room. Who knows where they led to?
"Is there no prize for passing the trial on the second level?" Evan muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Before he knew it, a humanoid figure appeared in the room as if from nowhere. He was the manager of the third level, a tall and lean man with a serious expression on his face. He wore a crisp ck suit,plete with a matching tie and polished leather shoes. If not for the bat-like wings on his back, he would look like a true gentleman.
"Ascending to the third floor and gaining the exclusive right to exit the tower at will are the rewards bestowed upon you by Prince Charming himself forpleting the trial of the second floor," Victor D''Angelo replied to Evan in a deep and patient voice. "You can verify it by looking at the back of your right hand."
On the back of Evan''s hand, there was a tattoo featuring a door with the number 1 at its center. Strangely, it appeared there when he walked into the building, and he had beenpletely unaware of its presence until Victor drew his attention to it.
"I see," Evan said, "So this number represents the number of chances I have to leave the tower, and it remains effective even during an ongoing trial, right?"
Victor D''Angelo nodded in agreement.
"That''s correct," he replied.
Evan Frost then looked around and asked, "Is this the third floor?"
Victor D''Angelo shook his head and exined, "No, this is the room that contains pathways that lead to the third floor. You can ess those pathways through the doors you see behind me."
"I understand," Evan said, his curiosity piqued. "So, what''s the trial of the third floor, and what do I need to do to pass it?"
Locking eyes with Evan, Victor provided the details, "The trial is rather straightforward. You''ll be facing off against the clones of the first-generation members of the Imperial Frost n! To pass the trial, you must defeat at least one of them. However, if you manage to take down all of them, you''ll earn additional benefits."
Chapter 129 129: Challenge Initiated
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Evan''s knowledge about the first generation of the Imperial Frost n was extensive. Although he had never met them, he was well aware of their might.
Around 120 years ago, the Hell Realmunched an unprecedented attack on the ck Eye Gxy. The Hell Realm existed on a different ne and was inhabited by hordes of demons who were notorious for their malevolence and insanity.
The invasion was merciless and unyielding. Demons poured into the ck Eye Gxy through portals from the Hell Realm, eager to spread destruction and chaos. No one was safe from their cruelty, with humans, demi-humans, and aliens alike bing victims of their insatiable thirst for bloodshed.
The situation was dire. Therefore, the various forces vying for dominance in the ck Eye Gxy put aside their differences and joined forces to battle theirmon enemy.
Several forces coborated to fight against the Hell Realm, but it was the founders of the Frost n who made the most significant impact. Their role in the war against the Hell Realm was what truly set them apart from the rest. They confronted legions of demons single-handedly and emerged victorious every time, pushing them back into their own realm. No matter how formidable the opposition, they never faltered!
In the war against the hell realm, they didn''t fail a single mission that was assigned to them!
Their contributions in the war earned their n immense power in the empire. As a result, their n was bestowed with the title of the strongest of the seven Imperial ns.
The Hell Realm was no match for the might of the ck Eye Gxy, where all forces were united, and as a result, the demons were defeated.
"How can I even stand a chance against the formidable founders of my n with my meager cultivation base? They are all experts capable of single-handedly destroying legions of demons," Evan muttered in despair, his mind consumed by the daunting task thaty ahead.
He feltpletely powerless and inadequate in the face of such legendary heroes, and he couldn''t help but wonder if his journey in the tower was destined to end here. However, Victor D''Angelo''s reassuring voice snapped him out of his self-doubt.
"Don''t worry, Climber Evan. You won''t be facing clones modeled after their prime version. The spirit of the Monster Tower is incapable of performing such a daunting task. It will only generate clones based on your current level of cultivation."
"You mean the clones I''ll be facing in this trial will only possess the same level of strength as the founders had when they were in the Soul Manifestation Realm?" Evan asked. Since it concerned his life, he wanted to be sure.
"Yes." Victor D''Angelo bobbed his head.
Evan''s concerns were eased upon hearing his reply, and then, a spark of excitement ignited within him. He would be fighting the Frost n''s legendary founders on equal footing. Why would he not feel his blood boiling?
"That sounds fair enough. How many clones are there?" he asked eagerly.
"There are a total of five clones," Victor D''Angelo replied. "You can challenge them by going through the doors behind me. The difficulty of each challenge is determined by the color of the door. The green door is the easiest, while the ck door is the hardest. If you manage to defeat the clone behind the green door, you''ll earn the right to skip the trial of the next floor and go directly to the fifth floor. Defeat the clones behind the red and green doors, and you''ll gain direct ess to the sixth floor and so on."
Evan''s eyes widened in excitement. It seemed like he could reach the top of the tower faster this way and carry out his ns.
"And what if I defeat all the clones?" he asked eagerly.
Victor D''Angelo chuckled, "It''s presumptuous of you to assume that you can defeat all of them. Despite your humble looks, you''re quite arrogant. But... I like it. If you manage to defeat all five clones, you''ll gain direct ess to the tenth floor."
"So, I''ll be able to skip six floors in total if I defeat the clones of all five founders of my n," Evan counted in his mind, a smile spreading across his face.
Victor D''Angelo''s tone turned serious. "It''s not going to be easy, Climber Evan."
Evan beamed.
"Better once than never," he said. He didn''t want to miss this golden opportunity. He was determined to give it his all.
"Whenever you''re ready, Climber Evan. Step through the door, and the challenge will begin," Victor D''Angelo said, gesturing towards the doors behind him.
Evan used the Starlight Amulet to fully restore his strength before he confidently strode towards the verdant door. He grasped the handle, lowering it and pushing the door open. The moment he stepped through the door, he was hit by a sudden jolt that sent a shiver down his spine and blurred his vision.
After regaining rity, he found himself standing in the midst of a colossal, circr arena with high walls made of smooth, polished stone. The space was illuminated by a soft blue light that emanated from the walls, casting a gentle glow over everything within and making it easy for him to see everything around him with great rity.
Across from him stood a rather attractive stranger. The stranger''s face was strikingly handsome, with delicate yet defined features that could easily capture anyone''s attention. He had plush lips that were slightly curved, giving the impression that he was always ready to smile. His peach blossom eyes were his most captivating feature, their rims adorned with blue spots that sparkled under the light of the walls, seemingly inviting anyone to peer into their depths. They were framed by thick, darkshes that made them stand out even more. His nose was straight and narrow,plementing the rest of his facial features. It was neither too small nor toorge, and it perfectly bnced his other delicate features. His broad shoulders were squared, and he wore a crisp white shirt, impably tucked into ck trousers, and a pair of ck sports boots that shone under the blue light of the wall. His choice of weapon was gloves.
"So this is what the Fist Emperor looks like in real life!" Evan said.
Chapter 130 130: Too Strong!
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As soon as Evanid his eyes upon the imposing figure before him, he recognized him as Dn Frost, the Fist Emperor. Evan knew much more about him than just his biography, having delved deeper into this ancestor''s history.
Evan had never enjoyed learning history and had made it clear even from his childhood. However, as the Crown Prince of Frost, his personal preferences held no weight in the grand scheme of things. Understanding the lives of his ancestors was crucial, considering they were regarded as the greatest heroes of the Sun Moon Empire. Hence, the Imperial Frost Court, under themand of the Imperial Lord of Frost, made it mandatory for him to acquaint himself with their anecdotes andmit their biographies to memory. The Council of Elders endorsed this decree, leaving Evan with no choice but toply with their wishes. As an ignorant child at the time, Evan felt indignant towards the injustice he endured. He loathed the enforced learning and the penalties he faced for not conforming to their demands. However, he now appreciates that they forced it upon him against his will. The knowledge he acquired about the founders of his n in his childhood is proving to be invaluable in his current endeavors, such as the trial of the third floor of the Monster Tower.
Thanks to what he was forced to learn, he knew that among the founders of the Imperial Frost n, Dn Frost was the only one who was not a Soul Cultivator but rather a renowned Gctic Soldier. It was said that he had attained such an impressive level of physical strength that even his peers with supernatural abilities considered him a force to be reckoned with. In the war that urred around 120 years ago, he annihted an entire fleet of demons with a single punch!
However, it was interesting to note that Dn''s avatar was just a body-tempering expert, and his stats might not be better than Evan''s.
Wanting to confirm it, Evan cast Inspection.
Character Name: Dn Frost
Level: 9
ss: Body-Tempering Expert
Attributes:
Strength: 92/100
Agility: 89/100
Stamina: 100/100
Skills:
Iron Skin Technique (Level 3), Earth Shattering Punch (Level 3), Thunder Strike (Level 4), Reflexes of a Panther (Level 4), Endurance Training (Level 4)
The moment Evan was done going through the information, he grinned.
"Oh, this is going to be easy," Evan strode towards Dn''s avatar, his head held high with a smirk on his face. His strides were confident and steady, and his demeanor exuded arrogance.
Dn''s eyes twitched in response to Evan''s disdainful remark, his body tensing in anticipation of theing battle. He met Evan''s gaze with a steely stare, his jaw set in determination.
"You''re going to regret underestimating me!" Dn warned, his voice low and threatening. As he spoke, he lowered his body, readying himself for the fight ahead. In an instant, his entire demeanor changed, transforming him into a beast ready to pounce on its prey.
Bam!
The arena shook with the force of Dn''sunch as he propelled himself towards Evan, his fist shooting out like a bolt of lightning. The attack was so fast that it seemed impossible for a soul manifestation realm cultivator to dodge it. However, what happened was contrary to popr belief, and it left everyone shocked to their core. With just a tilt of his head, Evan dodged the iing attack by a hair''s breadth. The fist moved past his face and hit empty air, producing a shocking air st that spread outwards and smashed on the wall, causing it to crumble apart.
The audience watching the live stream on the screens projected by the spirit of the Monster Tower were stunned by the sudden turn of events. Their eyes bulged out of their sockets, widening to the size of saucers in disbelief, and their jaws hung as low as they could possibly go,pletely agape at the sight before them. They watched speechlessly as the Fist Emperor''s lightning-fast attack was effortlessly evaded by the Crown Prince of Frost.
Then, gasps and murmurs of surprise echoed throughout the crowd standing outside the Monster Tower, and many were left speechless.
"I have witnessed a miracle!"
"The attack of the Fist Emperor was dodged so easily? Impossible!"
"How did he do that? I am a Soul Fusion Realm Cultivator, but even I am not confident about dodging that attack!"
"His Highness''s reflexes are truly incredible!"
The disciples of the Imperial Frost n were awed by what he did, but they were utterly clueless about the significance of Evan''s aplishment. They couldn''t fathom the magnitude of what had just urred before their eyes. However, the elders of the council and the officials of the court were more insightful. They knew precisely what had happened, and the implications were profound. And they couldn''t believe what they had just witnessed.
One of them shook his head in disbelief and said, "I''ve been watching fights for decades, but I''ve never seen anything like this. The Fist Emperor''s Thunder Strike, which he founded when he was a youth, is famous for being nearly impossible to evade for those at the peak of the soul manifestation realm. But here we are, watching His Highness dodge it with such ease that it''s as if he were born to do it."
Another elder chimed in, "The Fist Emperor himself was renowned for his exceptionalbat skills. He was the only Gctic Soldier who could hold his own against Soul Cultivators in the early stages of their cultivation. And yet, this young man, I mean, His Highness, flipped the table and made fighting him look like child''s y. It''s truly remarkable."
The elders exchanged stunned nces, realizing that His Highness Evan was not only talented in the field of Soul Cultivation but also had the potential to be a Gctic Soldier!
"When I saw His Highness Evan daring to challenge the founders of our n, I thought he was biting off more than he could chew. But he proved me wrong," one of the officials remarked, impressed by Evan''s skills.
"I had the same thought as you," another official added, nodding in agreement. "I thought that this fight would be over in a matter of seconds with His Highness Evan''s defeat. But now, it looks like this is going to be an intense match. Both fighters are immensely talented and powerful."
All of the spectators watched with bated breath, eager to see who woulde out on top in this epic showdown.
Chapter 131 [Bonus ]131: Mister Plumbers Plumbing Skills
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Meanwhile, Dn was equally surprised by Evan''s ability to dodge his Thunder Strike.
''That was supposed to be my trump card, yet he dodged that without moving a single step away from his position! I''m in deep shit."
This thought shed in Dn''s mind
The very next moment, Dn''s heart leaped into his throat as he watched in sheer horror as Evan''s hand clenched into a tight fist. The chilling sensation of cold sweat that broke out on Dn''s back was a testimony to the mounting fear that enveloped him. He knew precisely what was about to happen, yet he felt utterly powerless to escape it, as if it was inevitable.
Whoosh!
Evan''s punch was delivered in the most unremarkable way, executed with lethal simplicity, but its blinding speed was nothing short of astonishing. It hurtled through the air, closing in on Dn with deadly precision.
''His move is so swift that it is beyond my ability to evade.'' Dn''s eyes widened in fear and amazement.The weight of the blow was immense, like a sledgehammer poised to crush him into submission, and Dn''s heart sank as he realized hecked the ability to dodge this simple yet devastating attack. ''It feels as though getting hit by it is inevitable!''
''The absolute suppression that he is casting upon me is a testament to his perfectly tempered body, a power that can only be possessed by a true monster! This boy is nothing short of a marvel! It''s really my misfortune to fight him."
Dn''s efforts to dodge the punch were nothing short of frantic, yet it seemed to follow him like a relentless predator tracking its prey. The feeling of being trapped like a rat in a cage overwhelmed him. His struggles were rendered futile as the punch bore down on him with an unstoppable force.
Despite the lightning-fast reflexes that rivaled those of a panther and his speed that was nine times faster than the average human, he was outmatched by Evan''s simple yet swift attack.
He felt defeated even before he was defeated!
Bam!
The punchnded squarely on Dn''s jaw, and the impact was devastating, no less impressive and sickening than a symphony of bone-cracking and pain. As a result, Dn soared through the air like a majestic eagle... if that eagle was gettingunched out of a cannon. All of his teeth decided it was the perfect time to evacuate his mouth, like a bunch of tenants breaking their lease. His enamel and bone fragments rained down like confetti, which would have been festive if it weren''t for the blood gushing out of his mouth. Looking at his teeth dancing in the air and feeling the pain coursing through his body, Dn felt like he was auditioning for the part of "drowning victim #2" in a low-budget horror movie. It was distasteful!
"As you can see, there''s nothing to regret."
Evan watched coldly as the Body Tempering Expert version of the Fist Emperor tumbled through the air. His eyes gleamed with a ruthless glint, and because his body was being illuminated by the blue light of the walls surrounding the arena, he looked like a demon who walked straight out of hell.
[Notification:- yer Evan has activated the QuickStep skill!]
He mmed his foot on the ground and vanished in a blur. In the next moment, he caught up to Dn, his hand stretching out like the w of an eagle.
Dn was bbergasted and terrified. Although still reeling from the impact of Evan''s punch, he retained much of his rity, yet he couldn''t follow Evan''s movements at all, and he felt a sudden dread in his heart as thetter''s cold fingers sped around his head in a deadly grip.
With one swift move, Evan seized Dn by the head and mmed him forcefully onto the ground. A terrifying noise traveled out as the ground cracked, and Dn''s spine snapped from the impact.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom...
Evan showed no intention of stopping as he repeatedly raised Dn and mmed him into the ground like a ball.
The spectators looked on with their eyes as wide as dinner tes and jaws dropped so low they practically touched the ground. They couldn''t believe what they were seeing as Evan lifted their idol, Dn, the Fist Emperor, like a sack of potatoes and mmed him onto the ground repeatedly. It was like watching a ragdoll being tossed around by a toddler having a tantrum.
Their expressions could only be described as a mix of shock and amusement. It was like watching a circus act gone wrong, and they couldn''t help but wonder if Evan had been practicing his moves on the local farm spiritual beasts.
As Evan continued his relentless assault on Dn, the young and old spectators looked at each other with a mixture of confusion and hrity. It was like watching a scene from a pstickedy, and they couldn''t decide whether to cover their eyes or burst outughing.
In the end, they did a bit of both. They covered their eyes in horror and let out nervous chuckles at the absurdity of the situation. It was a moment they would never forget, and they knew that what Evan had done today would be the talk of the n or maybe... even the entire empire for years toe.
Meanwhile, the elders'' eyes widened in shock and disbelief as they watched Evan manhandle Dn.
They gasped.
"What the fuck am I seeing?"
"The clone of the Fist Emperor, who is a Body Tempering Expert, ispletely at the mercy of the Crown Prince of Frost? I have never seen such a disy of strength before!"
"The man who was known to be a beast in human form when he was only in the Body Tempering Stage ispletely outmatched by His Highness Evan!"
"I thought that it would be a hard-fought win. But this... This ispletely unexpected," the second seat of the council of elders said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Chapter 132 132: Putting Up A Show To Gain Attention
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The leader of the council of eldersughed, "Second Seat, you have been proven wrong yet again. Since the beginning of the inheritance war, His Highness Evan hadn''t failed to surprise us with his impressive skills, abilities, and unpredictable nature. Even I can''t tell what he can and can''t do. So it''s impossible to know what he has nned. iming to know will only lead to humiliation in the long run."
Despite being a high-ranking member of the Imperial Frost n, the council''s leader made sure to add honorifics before Evan''s name as a sign of respect and admiration. It was evident that he held Evan in the highest esteem and wanted everyone to know where he stood. By using honorifics before Evan''s name, he demonstrated the immense value he ced on Evan, and honestly, Evan had earned it.
"I guess I will stop judging usingmon standards when ites to His Highness Evan." the second seat of the council said
The other elders of the council of elders nodded in agreement.
"Yes, His Highness Evan is not like anyone else we have seen before. He can''t be judged bymon standards."
"He has truly surpassed our expectations and proven himself to be worthy of his position as the Crown Prince of Frost!" The Head Elder eximed.
"I am d to see that he is winning the inheritance war." the second elder said with a smile on his stiff face.
Nichs watched in frustration as the entire Council of Elders seemed to be siding with Evan. His blood boiled in anger, and he clenched his fists, gnashing his teeth in frustration.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" he roared in his mind, unable to contain his emotions.
.....
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the arena, Evan, the embodiment of a true douchebag, was still assaulting his own flesh and blood like it was a damn family tradition. He was ruthless in his pursuit of driving his ancestor towards the afterlife.
Can someone please give this guy a model human manual?
Poor ancestor Dn''s strong and imposing self was reduced to a weak and defenseless coward by Evan. The beating was so savage that even the diators local to the empire''s capital would have felt sorry for him.
Not to mention, the ferocious blows left Dn vulnerable to what was toe!
Haiyah!
Remembering his past life''s second biggest idol, Evan pulled out his inner Jackie Chan andunched Dn sky-high like a SpaceX rocket, except the only thing he would be reaching was the ground. He plummeted down like a brick, only to find himself in a "punch buffet" where fists were the main course, and pain was the side dish.
The punchfest was on, and it was like Dn was the guest of honor. Evan''s punchesnded with the force of a runaway train, shaping Dn''s body into a whole new form faster than a stic surgeon could say "botox." His bones were rearranged by Evan at a ridiculous speed, and his organs were in disarray. Evan, on the other hand, looked like he had seen two seven on the screen of the slot machine and was close to winning the jackpot. What a sicko!
Vikhilk spoke up, his voice trembling with shock, "I can''t believe what I am witnessing. This is beyond anything I could have imagined."
Ylva, who was standing beside him, nodded in agreement and said, "For Soul Manifestation Realm cultivators and Body Tempering Expert, His Highness Evan truly is an unrivaled existence. I think our greatest fortune is that we are from the same n, and we would never have to face him in battle."
A loud and audible sound of cracking emanated.
Evan had broken Dn''s neck with his fist. The gruesome act left no room for doubt ¨C Dn''s bodyy on the ground lifelessly.
"I hope this is sufficient to prove to them that I am deserving of their unwavering allegiance," Evan muttered under his breath.
All of Evan''s actions so far had been deliberate. He had defeated Dn by relying solely on his physical prowess to showcase his true capabilities to his nsmen so that he would earn their support. And his n had proven to be a sess, as the entire council of elders had aligned themselves with him. And he didn''t feel that there was anything wrong with what he did. The one he fought wasn''t a real being, to begin with, so it didn''t matter how cruel he was to "it."
[Ding! The challenge has beenpleted!]
Immediately, a portal opened up in the middle of the arena.
Taking it teleported Evan to the Backroom.
"Marvelous job, Evan the Climber!" Victor D''Angelo''s voice boomed with excitement as he spoke. "For vanquishing the clone that was designed to mimic the teenage version of the Fist Emperor, I have granted you the privilege to bypass the fourth floor of the Monster Tower and progress straight to the fifth floor. Just consult with me if you want that, and I will open the passage to the fifth floor for you. Additionally, you have earned the right to take on the next challenge of my trial! The decision is entirely yours."
Victor''s words of praise didn''t faze Evan as he strode past him and headed straight for the second door that was in the back room. It was apparent that he was looking for a new family member to beat up after beating up Dn.
Positioned before the door, Evan cast a nce over his shoulder, meeting Victor''s gaze head-on. "Manager, my resolve remains steadfast. No amount of persuasion can sway my decision. I will emerge victorious against all five of my ancestor''s clones and advance directly to the tenth floor!" His words carried an air of assurance that made it seem like his victory against the remaining four clones was already a foregone conclusion
Click! ck!
The door opened wide, and as Evan confidently marched through it, he was teleported to his next destination, where he would face his next challenge.
The surroundings bore a striking resemnce to where he had previously battled Dn. It was another arena, and standing across from him was an alluringly stunning figure.
Chapter 133 133: Lady Fiona
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The alluring figure''s countenance was akin to that of an angel''s, with small, cherry-red lips, a cute nose, andrge, captivating eyes that reflected the azure beauty of the vast ocean on a clear day. Her porcin skin was wless, without a single blemish in sight. Her hair, a beautiful shade of blue resembling the sky at dusk, flowed down her back in voluminous waves, reaching all the way down to her ankles. She seemed like a female siren that could hypnotize men and women alike into serving her.
Despite her modest attire, consisting of blue trousers, tunic, and scarf - traditional clothing for women of the Imperial Frost n - her curvaceous figure was impossible to ignore. Her voluptuous body left everyone spellbound, and it felt like the eye of every person in the world was fixated on her.
A collective gulp echoed through the space as the spectators took in her magnificence.
"I have heard about kingdom toppling beauties, but now I have seen it."
"She''s breathtakingly beautiful!"
The captivatingdy''s appearance on Evan''s live stream immediately captured the attention of the viewers. Her striking beauty and impable style were impossible to ignore, and her mere presence exuded an undeniable aura of grace and sophistication. Many teenagers of the Imperial Frost n were smitten by her charm and elegance.
.....
"I can''t take my eyes off her. Her porcin skin, cherry-red lips, and captivating eyes are absolutely stunning. She is truly a work of art."
When Lirian saw the captivatingdy on Evan''s live stream, his heart skipped a beat. He was instantly smitten by her striking features and alluring aura, and couldn''t help but feel drawn to her. She seemed to embody everything he ever wanted in a partner. However, he was frustrated by not knowing her identity, and longed to discover who she was.
"Hey, who''s that?" he asked the person sitting closest to him.
"You do not know her? I guess it''s because you are not from our n. Let me tell you about her. That''s Lady Fiona, the younger sister of our ancestor, Ethan Frost. But that''s not all. She''s also one of the five founders of our n. Back in the day, she was widely regarded as the most stunning woman in the entire Sun Moon Empire." Vikhilk replied.
Lirian was taken aback when he realized that Lady Fiona was over 120 years old. However, he had always been drawn to older women, and besides, the average lifespan of citizens in the Sun Moon Empire was 200 years, with cultivators living even longer¡ªThe more advanced one''s cultivation, the greater their longevity. It was a widely known fact. So despite the revtion, Lirian''s heart remained unbroken and he continued to long for Lady Fiona, his first love.
"Is she currently seeing anyone?" Lirian inquired.
"How would I know? She ascended to a higher ne 100 years ago." Vikhilk responded.
Right then, a glint shed in his eyes as he seemed to remember something.
"It was mentioned in her biography that she cultivates the heartless dao. She took that lonely path because she is devoted to cultivation. There''s no space for messy affairs in her heart. So chances are that she is single."
Lirian let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that Lady Fiona was not seeing anyone.
"Good!" he eximed.
Vikhilk narrowed his eyes at him in suspicion, "May I know why you''re asking?"
Lirian was mesmerized by Lady Fiona''s stunning appearance, but he knew that he had to be careful about expressing his feelings too openly. He was aware of the potential danger that could arise if anyone found out about his romantic intentions towards the n''s revered founder. He knew that the consequences could be severe, and he could even face punishment, or worse, death. To avoid any risk, he concealed the intensity of his feelings behind a fa?ade of nonchnce, keeping a tight lid on his emotions. And he chose his words carefully before opening his mouth to give Vikhikk a reply.
"I was just curious," Lirian exined, "She is such a remarkable woman, and I couldn''t help but wonder if anyone had been fortunate enough to capture her heart." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And I am sad to hear that no one has seeded," he lied through his teeth, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
Vikhilk: "¡" Bro, I was just teasing you. You didn''t have to go that far. I can already tell that you''re head over heels for her. I don''t have a problem with you having feelings for her, though. You aren''t from my n, to begin with. Not to mention, she is on a higher ne than us. Your one-sided crush on her is bound to be futile.
Vikhilk wanted Lirian to understand that pursuing a rtionship with Lady Fiona was not only risky but also highly unlikely to seed, but he didn''t speak his mind.
He just sighed.
....
"His Highness is going to fight Fiona!" the leader of the council of elders eximed.
"It''s quite unfortunate that His Highness Evan''s luck isn''t on his side this time. Despite her delicate appearance, Lady Fiona is extremely ferocious. She made a name for herself by killing countless hell realm experts in the war that took ce 120 years ago. Thebination of her soul te and skill crystal allows her to unleash attacks that cannot be avoided. Her attack power is so strong that it can shatter even the strongest of cultivators like fragile ss. It begs the question: How will His Highness cope with such a formidable adversary?" Said Alistair, the Minister of Defense.
"It''s indeed concerning to see that he hase up against a seemingly insurmountable wall, but I hope to see another miracle. Maybe he will give a good show this time too." the leader of the council of elders said.
Andrew chimed in, "Elder, you are overvaluing him. If His Highness Evan values his life, he should reconsider challenging Lady Fiona and give up before it''s toote."
"You''re nothing but a Minister of Culture and Arts. What could you possibly know about the heart of a cultivator?" scoffed the leader of the Elder Council, rolling his eyes at Andrew''s remark.
Andrew, taken aback by the council leader''s disparaging tone, tried to exin, "I may not be a cultivator, but I know it''s a fool errand to face her with a meager cultivation base. He is entering a battle he''s not prepared for."
Magnus, who had been listening in silence, spoke up, "I have faith in my son''s abilities. He is not a fool and knows the risks. If he were afraid of Lady Fiona, he wouldn''t have challenged her in the first ce. Just watch. He will prove you wrong and clear whatever doubts you have."
Just then, boisterous cheers burst out from the crowd!
"The battle between His Highness Evan and Lady Fiona is about tomence!"
Chapter 134 134: Angering Her To Death!
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Lady Fiona''s eyes widened with interest as she set her gaze on Evan.
"I can see the Blood of Frost coursing through your veins. You must be a descendant of my brother." As she spoke, her long eyshes fluttered delicately, like the wings of a butterfly, revealing her fascination. The clone was created using Lady Fiona''s genes, memory, and soul shard. It was unsurprising to hear it speak in a manner that resembled her own.
"You''re right. The First Generation Imperial Lord of Frost is my great great great grandfather." Evan nodded.
"What type of soul te do you possess?" she inquired, her voiceced with curiosity.
"I have a control-type soul te," Evan replied confidently, meeting her gaze.
Immediately, a sly smile yed on Fiona''s lips.
"Ah, I see. I was looking forward to a fun fight, but I guess I won''t be getting it," she murmured, the brightness in her eyes dimming. "As a control-type cultivator, breaching my defense would be an impossible feat for you. You might as well surrender now. At least then, you''ll walk away with your life."
Evan stood tall, unfazed by her words.
He was well aware of Lady Fiona''s abilities. He knew that her skill crystal, Inevitable Death, allowed her tounch an unavoidable attack, but it required a 1.5-second channeling time. He also knew that her special-type soul te allowed her to flip the effect of her skill crystal, turning it into an absolute defense skill that allowed her to dodge any attack. She could deactivate its effect anytime she liked.
She seemed like the final boss that one would encounter at the end of a video game. However, he had a n that could potentially help him emerge victorious against her.
''I can win if I goad her into a rage. I guess I gotta act like a rascal to achieve my goal.'' Evan thought to himself.
"You underestimate me, Lady Fiona. I am not like those control-type cultivators you have faced before. One hundred years have passed since you have ascended. A lot of things have changed since then. For example, unlike them, modern men believe in equality between the two genders. I won''t hold back my punches against you." he retorted.
Lady Fiona''s expression soured at Evan''s retort, and her features contorted into an unattractive scowl. His words seemed to be implying that all the fights she had won so far were because her opponent held back because she was a woman, and it pissed her off.
However, despite her effort to appear menacing, her beauty remained undeniable. Her sharp, striking features only emphasized the twisted expression on her face, making it all the more incongruous.
Lady Fiona scoffed, "I already warned you, but you''re too arrogant to recognize the obvious difference between us. Don''t me me for putting you in your rightful ce."
Immediately, Lady Fiona''s hand darted towards her belt, her fingers deftly undoing the sp. Held in her hand, the belt transformed into a dazzling white sword. Its white de shimmered in the blue light emanating from the surrounding walls, radiating an otherworldly energy that was palpable even to Evan.
Whoosh!
Her movement was swift and graceful as she leaped towards Evan, her white sword poised to strike. As she closed in, Evan braced himself for the attack, ready to implement his n to provoke her.
"About time we fought," Evan smirked.
Lady Fiona was a force to be reckoned with, her lithe frame moving with the grace and precision of a predatory cat as she unleashed a barrage of sword strikes. Her de shed in the light, glinting with deadly intent as it sliced through the air. Each strike was executed with a fluidity that belied the immense power behind it, her movements almost mesmerizing in their ferocity.
But even as her sword moved like a living thing, Evan was unfazed. Thanks to his past life memory and his recent dreadful battles, he was like a seasoned warrior, and his years of experience had honed his reflexes to a razor''s edge. He moved with a fluidity of his own, each motion calcted and deliberate as he dodged each of her strikes with effortless grace. His eyes never left hers, his focus unbroken even as he evaded each of her attacks with ease.
He winked at her as he dodged her attacks.
In that moment, it was clear that he was flirting with her!
How dare he! Lady Fiona exploded in rage.
"Little rascal, why can''t I hit you?" Lady Fiona asked angrily as she attacked him.
"It''s because in my eyes you''re swinging that sword of yours like a drunkard, Lady Fiona. It''s too easy for me to read. So naturally, it''s too easy for me to dodge." Evan grinned mischievously, ducking under another one of Lady Fiona''s furious sword swings.
Lady Fiona rolled her eyes at Evan''s taunts. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that you can effortlessly decipher the intricacies of my Serpent Sword style?" she scoffed. "It''s a highlyplex technique, and yet you im to have it all figured out. You must be kidding me." Evan''s arrogance was getting on her nerves, especially since he seemed to underestimate her abilities.
"Well, you did a good job calling out my bluff. If only you had a few more brain cells, you would have recognized that my speed makes me an elusive target. With your current strength, you won''t be able to do any damage to me." Evan taunted.
His words only served to anger Lady Fiona further. It was exactly what he wanted. A visible tick appeared on Lady Fiona''s smooth forehead, her patience wearing thin at Evan''s persistent taunts.
"Your arrogance knows no bounds," she retorted, her voiceced with annoyance. "You underestimate my skills and overestimate your own. I may have failed tond a hit on you using my sword style, but it''s not the only offensive technique I know. I will keep on changing my methods until I seed."
In the very next moment, sapphire blue soul energy emanated from Lady Fiona''s body and flowed into her sword, illuminating it with a vibrant blue hue. In an instant, several serpentine forms burst out of the tip of her sword as she swung it, their movements swift and lethal as they shot towards Evan like arrows.
"Hmph! You aren''t the only one with a magic weapon." Evan said as he reacted quickly, activating the effect of his magic sword. Instantly, sharp ice shards materialized in the air, raining down on the snakes and impaling them, causing them to disintegrate on the spot.
"Let''s see if your Absolute Defense can truly live up to its name," Evan remarked with a sly grin.
To test the waters, Evanunched an attack of his own, but despite the Frost Bullet incredible speed that would have made it nearly impossible to dodge, Lady Fiona evaded it effortlessly, as if the universe was conspiring in her favor.
Seeing this, Evan clicked his tongue in annoynace. ''Probality type skill crystals are really tricky.''
"You are far worse than I thought you would be. I guess the only thing you got going for you is your beautiful self. You suck as a souk cultivator."
Evan, the rascal, didn''t forget to hurl another insult at her. One must understand that as long as Lady Fiona''s Absolute Defense was on, she couldn''t be hit. He could only win if she shut it down. And she would only do that if she wanted to use the real effect of her skill crystal to kill her target.
"So far I have only been ying with you. But now I''m done holding back. I will crush you with my full strength!" Lady Fiona said as she deactivated the effect of her Soul te in order to unleash the true might of her skill crystal.
Little did she know that Evan had been waiting for this moment since the beginning of the fight, patiently biding his time.
"Finally, my chance has arrived," he thought.
Lady Fiona was entirely focused on channeling her move when, in the blink of an eye, Evan vanished from his spot, and before she could react, he appeared behind her, his de whistling through the air. She was caught off guard. She never knew that he had a skill like that that allowed him to instantly appear behind his enemies as he had never used Phantom Shadow Step against her until now. She turned her head, toote to evade the lethal blow.
Puchi!
With a sickening sound, the de sliced through Lady Fiona''s slender neck, severing her head from her body in a spray of crimson blood that sttered across the ground.
Her body slumped to the ground, twitching and convulsing in itsst moments of life, while Evan stood over her, his face twisted into a cold and triumphant smile!
Chapter 135 135: Evan Vs Darian
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A creak sounded as Evan pushed the orange door open, and as he stepped inside, his eyes widened in surprise as a curious sight greeted him.
Standing before him was a plump figure with a face that appeared to be stuck in childhood. The man''s weed-like white hair stuck out in all directions, a stark contrast against his dark, brooding attire, and Evan couldn''t help but feel a bit unnerved by the man''s piercing gaze - those steely grey eyes seemed to bore straight through him as if sizing him up for some nefarious purpose.
The man''s face was so chubby and soft that he seemed harmless enough, but Evan was on high alert as he knew that appearances could be deceiving.
Not to mention, amongst the five legendary figures who had founded the powerful imperial frost n a century ago, only one had been known for his unkempt appearance - Darian Frost.
It was said that Darian had been the wildest of the founders, a man who lived life on his own terms and followed his own path, heedless of anyone else''s opinions or expectations. He had been a force of nature, a wild card whose unpredictability had made him both feared and respected in equal measure. Even now, long after his ascension from the ck Eye Gxy, Darian''s legend lived on, his name still spoken by those who revered the heroes of thest war.
Darian looked at Evan with a prating gaze as if sizing him up. "Are you the one my data was generated into a clone for?" he asked, his voice low and measured.
Evan met his gaze steadily. "Do you see anyone else?" he replied, a hint of dry humor evident in his tone.
Darian nodded, seemingly not annoyed with Evan''s response. "Very well then. Let us begin," he said, his demeanor shifting to one of focused intensity.
"I am a defensive type soul cultivator," he continued. "My forte is defense - I can create shields that are nearly imprable, and I have techniques that can nullify even the most powerful attacks. If you seed in breaking through my strongest defensive technique, I will admit defeat. But if you fail, it''s your loss. Are you fine with these terms?"
"Yeah, I am." Evan nodded calmly, his eyes never leaving Darian''s.
His mind was focused on one thing - proving his worth to his n. He had epted Darian''s challenge not just for the thrill of battle but also as a way to demonstrate his skills and show that he was capable of oveing even the strongest defense-type soul cultivator.
For Evan, this was a pivotal moment. He knew that the eyes of his fellow n members were on him, watching to see if he had what it takes to be the true inheritor of the n''s legacy. He couldn''t afford to hold back - he had to reveal his full potential and prove that he was worthy of their respect and support.
The n''s elders were an impressive group, with formidable knowledge and strength that was unmatched. Their training had made them incredibly observant, with an unwavering attention to even the tiniest details. As Evan and Darian spoke, the elders fixated on their lips, using their sharp eyes to read their conversation. With their skill in lip-reading, they could decipher the exchange between the two awakened soul cultivators with ease.
And it was safe to assume that they were bbergasted by Evan''s quick eptance of his opponent''s terms.
"How could he agree to those conditions without even thinking?!" eximed one of the elders, unable to contain his disbelief.
The leader of the council of elders was furious, his eyes shing with anger.
"Not even hesitating to scam our crown prince. That Darian bastard turned out to be shameless even when he was young." he dered, with no one daring to reprimand him for speaking ill of one of the n''s founding members. They all knew that Darian had risen to power without repaying his debt to the leader, making his anger justified.
Another elder nodded in agreement. "It''smon knowledge that no cultivator in the same realm as Darian can prate his defense. Our crown prince has truly been swindled," he said, shaking his head in dismay.
The second elder spoke rashly.
"His Highness Evan has sealed his own defeat."
But what the spectators didn''t know was that Evan was well aware of what Darian was capable of. He had done his research and knew all about the legendary defense techniques that the man was famous for. But Evan was confident in his own abilities to defeat him. That''s why he had epted the challenge so calmly - he knew that he had what it took to emerge victorious.
A golden barrier shimmered into existence around Darian, leaving the spectators in awe of his abilities. It was created by channeling the power of his skill crystal - the Absorber. What made the barrier truly unique was its unique ability to absorb iing attacks and use them to regenerate. Even if an attack was powerful enough to create some cracks in the barrier, it would not shatter and instead repair itself by absorbing the attack. In this situation, only an attack with enough force to shatter the barrier immediately would be effective against it.
But how could a Soul Manifestation Realm cultivator summon that much power? Evan''s chances of winning this match appeared slim, no matter how one analyzed the situation.
Not to mention, The situation was far more precarious than it appeared at first nce. What made it even more daunting was the fact that Darian''s soul te had the ability to twist the effects of his skill crystal in his favor. Hence, if his shield absorbed an attack, he could unleash it back on his opponent, turning the tables of the battle in an instant. It was evident thatunching repeated attacks would not be a wise strategy. Daring to do so would only result in Evan getting injured instead of his opponent.
Chapter 136 136: In A Heartbeat!
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Evan approached the barrier and swung his sword unremarkably. The tips of his sword glimmered a bright purple, imbued with the full power of his de Master skill crystal. The attack struck the defensive shield that enveloped Darian, cutting through it with ease as if it were a knife slicing through soft butter.
What happened next caused the spectators to stand up in disbelief.
"That''s impossible! How could he slice through that shield like it''s nothing?"
"I''m almost a hundred years old, but I''ve never seen anything like this before!"
"I can hardly fathom it! How could this even be possible? Ancestor Darian''s defensive shield is renowned as one of the most robust defensive techniques in the empire, yet it was sliced apart as though it were nothing more than a mere breeze!"
"It''s simply iprehensible."
Their mouths opened wide in shock, and their eyes popped out as they watched Evan''s sword slice through the defensive shield with ease, as if it were made of paper!
Darian, who had been standing confidently behind the shield, was equally shocked. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stumbled back, barely managing to stay on his feet. He had never imagined that someone could break through his shield so easily, let alone with such a casual swing of a sword.
Amazingly, Evan aplished the task, defying all odds and beliefs!
For a moment, Darian simply stood there, staring at Evan in disbelief, unable toprehend what had just happened. Actually, he simply didn''t want to believe it.
The clone''s personality was modeled after Darian, and he was a haughty individual, so how could he simply ept that Evan had effortlessly conquered his most powerful maneuver? It was too hard a pill to swallow for him.
With the barrier gone, Darian was left defenseless.
Seizing this opportunity was precisely what Evan had been anticipating.
To be specific, even before the fight started, he was aware that Darian was far from trustworthy, yet he had agreed to his challenge.
Why?
The answer was twofold: firstly, to make a point, and secondly, to be prepared to take advantage of this very moment!
''I am certain that he wouldn''t give up without a fight. However, I was not interested in engaging in a battle with him. So let''s end it here. If I fail to act now, I will live to rue this rare opportunity to secure an easy win.''
Thus, while Darian was still grappling with the shock of his shattered shield, Evan seized the moment and thrusted his sword forward with remarkable precision.
Puchi!
A sickening squelch echoed as if the very ground had recoiled from the sound. It was a sound that no one could mistake, the sound of flesh being torn apart, of bones being crushed, and of a heart being stabbed.
Evan''s sword has found its mark, impaling Darian!
Thud!
With a loud thump, Darian''s body hit the ground.
On his knees, Darian looked up at Evan, who stood silently towering over him. Suddenly, Darian''s eyes flickered, and the grey color of his eyes changed to an unnaturally bright hue, giving off an eerie impression that he was possessed by some mysterious force.
Evan inspected Darian closely, hoping to uncover any clues about his identity or intentions, but his efforts proved fruitless. It was like trying to unravel a puzzle that refused to be solved. Why was it like that? He could easily guess that it could only be because thetter''s level had suddenly skyrocketed, bing many times greater than his own!
As he looked at Darian, a thought struck Evan.
He wondered if he was standing in the presence of the True Darian - the third most powerful founder of the Imperial Frost n, who had left the ck Eye Gxy behind and ascended to a higher realm more than 100 years ago!
Darianughed. "Hahaha, interesting. I... I didn''t think anyone in the Soul Manifestation Realm could break through my shield."
Blood was flowing out of his mouth, but he was acting like he couldn''t feel pain.
"Dear ancestor, there''s a first time for everything," replied Evan with a nonchnt tone, his gaze fixed upon Darian.
"How did you do it?" Darian said while coughing blood. The clone was made to be extremely realistic.
"It''s simple," Evan replied. "I trained my crystal to reach its full potential, unleashing its second form, which ultimately led to your defeat."
His words left the lip-reading experts in shock. What he said was so unexpected that it caught them off guard, and they struggled to process the implications of his statement. Despite their expertise, they were taken aback by the sheer magnitude of his im.
Darian also appeared skeptical. "But how? You''re only a Soul Manifestation Realm Cultivator. How could you possibly unlock the true potential of a skill crystal?"
"I may be a mere Soul Manifestation Realm Cultivator, but I am not limited by expectations," Evan retorted with a smug expression. "Unlocking the true potential of a skill crystal might be solely based on one''s level of cultivation and the amount of effort and determination they put into the act. But for me, it''s as simple as inhaling and exhaling air. Believe it or not, Ites to me naturally."
Evan wasn''t bullshitting. After all, a single skill upgrade card was more than enough for him to unlock the true potential of his skill crystal!
Hearing his words, Darian seemed taken aback.
After a moment, he couldn''t help but say,
"I can see that you have recently awakened. There''s no other way to exin it, so I trust you. Common sense cannot be applied when ites to you, and you have an unusual way of thinking. I guess you''ll eventually find your way to the higher realm. I look forward to seeing you in the Holy Ground of cultivation - the Flying Empire."
Darian''s eyes lost their shine the moment he finished speaking. He seemed to have died!
Evan hurriedly checked Darian''s pulse but to no avail. As he suspected, Darian had passed away.
Chapter 137 137: Encountering Ethan Frosts Clone
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Just then, a series of notifications popped up in front of Evan, issued by the spirit of the monster tower.
"The third challenge of the trial has beenpleted!" the notifications read. "You may now proceed to the fourth challenge or ascend directly to the 7th floor of the tower."
Just then, a portal appeared in the middle of the arena.
Evan wasted no time and stepped into the portal, transporting himself back to the backroom, where he readied himself to take on the fourth ancestor by abusing the power of his amulet to recover his strength and stamina. He pushed open the bright white door with red stripes and stepped into the arena, where the next challenger awaited him.
''He seems awfully familiar.''
Evan couldn''t help but feel a sense of familiarity with the opponent that stood before him in the arena. Although his features were slightly immature, highlighting his young age, Evan could recognize him immediately.
''It is undoubtedly Ethan Frost.''
Evan was taken aback by this unexpected revtion. He had always believed that Ethan was the strongest among the five founders and had anticipated facing him behind the fifth door of the backroom. But reality proved otherwise, as Ethan stood before him behind the fourth door of the backroom.
Ethan met Evan''s gaze, and a small smile yed on his lips. "I am well aware of what I myself am, and I can feel that my blood flows in your veins. You must be a direct descendant of mine." Ethan remarked, his voice carrying a sense of pride. His chest swelled with pride as he felt good knowing that someone as strong as Evan was his descendant.
"Yes," Evan replied, meeting Ethan''s eyes. "I am your great great grandson."
Ethan''s expression softened, and he teased, "I didn''t expect I would have such a cute little descendant."
A feeling of warmth spread across Evan''s cheeks, causing him to blush as he heard Ethan''sment. Evan had heard many stories about his ancestor''s yful nature and teasing ways, but he never expected to experience it firsthand. Meeting his ancestor in person and being teased by him was something he never thought possible!
Although taken aback at first, Evan found sce in the knowledge that his bloodline had a strong tie to a highly esteemed and influential figure in their history. Standing tall, he felt prepared to confront any challenges that Ethan might have in store for him and prove himself deserving of his ancestral heritage.
Ethan''s expression turned serious as he looked at Evan. He said firmly. "I don''t want to harm my own blood. I won''t be engaging you in a battle to the death. Instead, I will give you three opportunities to attack, while I myself will only defend. If you manage to kill this clone of mine in those three moves, it will be my defeat. But if you fail, you should ept your defeat like a gentleman and use the power of the rune on the back of your hand to leave the Monster Tower."
Evan listened intently to Ethan''s proposal, realizing that this was a fair way to settle their challenge without causing any harm to himself.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Ethan. I will do my best." He nodded in agreement, epting the terms set by his ancestor.
Evan inspected Ethan carefully, trying to get a better understanding of how exactly strong he was. As he focused his attention on his ancestor, a screen suddenly appeared in his mind, disying Ethan''s stats and abilities as if he were a game character:
Ethan Frost
Level: 12
Soul Manifestation Realm
Strength: 100
Agility: 96
Stamina: 99
Soul te: Nullify
? A special-type soul te that nullifies the cost of all skills used by the user.
Skill Crystal: Copycat
? A crystal that allows the user to copy any skills they see being performed before them.
? Copied skills can be used as long as they are in the user''s skillset.
The statement "copied skills can be used as long as they are in the user''s skillset" means that Ethan can only use the skills that he has copied and added to his skillset. In other words, he cannot use any skill that he has not yet copied or any skill that is not within his current skillset. Once he has copied a skill and added it to his skillset, he can use it at any time, as long as he has the necessary energy or resources to perform it, but that was not a problem as his special-type soul te, named Nullify, would allow him to perform any skill in his skillset without any cost!
Evan''s eyes widened in shock as he read the details of Ethan''s abilities on the game-like screen in his mind. "Damn, this is too broken," he eximed.
He had expected it, but he still couldn''t believe the power that his ancestor possessed. Thebination of Ethan''s Nullify soul te and his Copycat skill crystal made him an almost unbeatable opponent.
Evan formted a n to beat Ethan. He decided not to use any of his movement or defensive skills and instead go all out with his attack in the very first move. Evan knew that his movement skills were too good, and if Ethan copied any of them, it would be difficult or even impossible to defeat him.
It should also be mentioned that the n was centered around the element of surprise, which Evan was sure would catch Ethan off guard.
Thunderous de Wave!
He brandished his sword, and the de began to glow with a shimmering blue light.
Whoosh!
An icy cold arc shed into existence, and as it traveled towards Ethan, the chill emanating from it cast ayer of frost on the arena.
The attack was incredibly fast, but Ethan managed to dodge it with a simple but equally fast leap to the side.
However, the arc took a sudden turn towards him.
Seeing this, Ethan felt so shocked that his eyes widened in surprise, and profanity left his mouth. "The fuck?!"
Chapter 138 138: The Most Broken Character? Part 1
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''H-He''s a control-type soul cultivator? But how could this be?!''
Ethan could never have imagined in his wildest dreams that Evan, who had already defeated the clones resembling the younger versions of the three founders of their n, would be a control-type cultivator.
It really shocked him to the core, which was more than enough for him to be caught off guard by Evan''s attack.
Puchi!
The chilling arc of icy, cold energy pierced through his body, splitting him vertically from his head to his groin. Ethan''s blood gushed out in torrents, sttering the arena floor in a grotesque disy of violence. With a sickening thud, Ethan''s two halves fell onto the ground, lifeless and defeated.
The spectators watched in horror as the scene unfolded on the holographic screen. Evan''s chilling attack sliced through Ethan''s body, causing blood to spray and organs to spill out onto the arena floor. The spectators'' mouths hung agape, and their eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at the bloody mess before them in disbelief, struggling toprehend what had just urred.
"No... this can''t be happening," gasped Nichs while pulling at his hair. He was going mad. "Ancestor Ethan was considered the strongest cultivator of his generation. How could the clone modeled after his younger self have been defeated so easily?"
The second seat of the council of elders shook his head in disbelief. "His Highness Evan''s power... it''s unlike anything we''ve ever seen before. He''s not just controlling his powers using his control-type skill te; he''s wielding them like a weapon. That''s what allowed him to triumph over Ancestor Ethan''s clone so easily."
"To control his cultivator powers like that... it''s beyond anything we''ve ever seen!" remarked one spectator in amazement. "It seems like control-type cultivators are not as useless as we all think."
"Or maybe he''s a genius among geniuses, and even awakening a control-type soul te can''t stop him from reaching glorious heights." remarked the leader of the council of elders. "I don''t think anyone in the same cultivation realm can stand up to him!"
The crowd murmured in agreement, their shock and awe palpable. They knew that they were witnessing a momentous event, one that would go down in their n''s history. Evan had just cemented his ce as the most formidable cultivator among his peers, the youngest generation of the n, thanks to his unprecedented disy of power and unparalleled control over his skills.
Eldrid nced at the person next to him and voiced his opinion. "I believe that he is the strongest Soul Manifestation Realm cultivator in our gxy. Don''t you think so too?"
Keldor J. Lionheart nodded in agreement. He replied, "Old friend, I share the same sentiment as you."
Back in the arena, a small smile spread across Evan''s face as he felt pleased with how his n had yed out, securing him an easy victory against his ancestor.
The next moment, Evan''s attention was captured by a flurry of notifications that materialized before him. They were issued by the spirit of the monster tower, and he quickly focused his attention on them.
"The fourth challenge of the third floor''s trial has beenpleted!" the notifications read. "You may now proceed to the fifth and final challenge of this trial or ascend directly to the 9th floor of the tower."
Then, the same thing happened as the previous time when he defeated Ancestor Darian.
Without hesitation, Evan took advantage of the portal that appeared in the middle of the arena. He made his way into it, and it instantly transported him back to the backroom.
As Evan emerged from the portal in the backroom, he was greeted by Victor D''Angelo''s warm smile.
"Congrattions, Climber Evan!" Victor eximed, patting him on the back. "You''vepleted the fourth challenge of the third floor''s trial with flying colors!"
Evan grinned at the praise but was caught off guard by Victor''s next words.
"I advise you not to take on the final challenge of this trial, Climber Evan," Victor said, his tone serious. "Instead, take advantage of the opportunity provided to you and ascend to the ninth floor of the Monster Tower."
Evan was puzzled. He asked, "Why?"
"Behind the ck door is a monster stronger than all four of the opponents you''ve faced so far," Victor exined. "I fear that you may not be strong enough to defeat it and could suffer severe injuries in the process."
Actually, Evan could tell that behind the ck door was the clone modeled after the teenage version of the most mysterious character amongst the five founders of the Imperial Frost n. After all, the frost n only had five founders. He had defeated four of them. So thest one was bound to be him.
This founder happened to be none other than Ethan Frost''s adopted brother. Countless rumors and whispers surrounded him, but there was a distinctck of information about him; no photographs or books existed that could offer a glimpse into his life.
However, as he was the Crown Prince of Frost, Evan had managed to acquire an exclusive biography of this enigmatic individual, which revealed a heart-wrenching backstory.
It told of an orphan, lost and alone on the unforgiving streets, until he was rescued by none other than the forefather himself, Ethan.
This act of kindness was a turning point for him, for he had never experienced gentleness before.
From then on, he followed Ethan like a devoted hound, unflinchingly loyal and obedient.
The biography went on to describe him as Ethan''s strongest shadow guard, a formidable protector who would stop at nothing to keep his brother and their family safe. He was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes. If Ethan ordered him to take a life, he would carry out the task without a moment''s hesitation. And if anyone dared to threaten the Imperial Frost n, he would eliminate them on the spot, his deadly efficiency striking fear into the hearts of even the other founders.
"I appreciate your concern, Floor Manager Victor," Evan replied, his tone firm and resolute. His bright blue eyes locked with Victor''s enigmatic ones, conveying his determination to press on despite any obstacles. "But I must press on and challenge the fifth ancestor."
Chapter 139 139: The Most Broken Character? Part 2
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Evan continued, "I understand that it''s going to be a tough road ahead, but I can''t let this opportunity pass me by. I need to prove to my n that I have what it takes to face the best of the best, even if it means taking a risk."
That was not the reason why Evan was determined and unyielding in his decision.
To be honest, from his father, Evan had heard of the daunting trial that awaited one on the ninth floor. As a Soul Manifestation Realm Cultivator, he was aware that hecked the strength to ovee it without being gravely injured, but he couldn''t afford to get severely injured, for he had to reach the tenth floor unscathed in good condition in order to make use of the treasure map and attain the treasure he sought. Andpleting thest challenge of this trial was the direct path to the tenth floor. That''s why he was adamant about facing the renowned Hidden Sword of the Imperial Frost n.
Although he could sense Victor''s concern, Evan had to trust his instincts and take a chance. The fifth ancestor was a crucial figure in the Frost n''s history, and defeating him would secure mean increasing his chances of securing his position as the Crown Prince of Frost to 99%!
Sigh~
Victor''s realization that Evan was resolute in his decision prompted a deep sigh from him.
"Alright," he said to Evan, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "You can do as you please, but make sure you''re cautious. Your life is valuable, and it should be your top priority. Just surrender when you have absolutely no other option. At least then you''ll get to keep your life and have a chance to fight another day."
Evan chuckled at Victor''s concern. "It''s my life, but you''re worrying about it more than I am," he remarked yfully. "But don''t worry, I won''t take any unnecessary risks. And if I find myself in a situation where victory is impossible, I''ll do my best to preserve my life."
Evan opened the ck door, stepped through it, and found himself face-to-back with a person sitting on the edge of the arena, oblivious to his presence.
The figure had hair that resembled the color of blue skies, and Evan couldn''t help but stare at him in shock. He seemed somewhat simr to Keldor, that bastard.
Curiosity overtook Evan, and he decided to immediately cast the inspection skill to gather more information about the figure.
A game-like character screen materialized in his vision, revealing the identity of the person before him.
Name: Dn J. Lionheart
Evan couldn''t help but think, ''Dn J. Lionheart? That''s interesting. Keldor shares the same middle name andst name as him. It seems they''re rted. Blood rtives, perhaps?''
Evan then went ahead and read all the information about Dn J. Lionheart on the character screen.
[Level: 10th Level Soul Manifestation Realm
Soul te: "All-in-One."
?Grant the user the universal passive of all types of soul tes!]
When Evan saw that Dn J. Lionheart had an "All-in-One" Soul te that granted universal passive of all types of soul tes, his eyes widened in shock as if a sudden realization had hit him. He remembered reading in the game that three of the seven Phantom Lords of the Sun Moon Empire resided in the Imperial Frost n. Sir Edmund was one of them, and Evan already knew about him. The second one was his father''s shadow guard, but the identity of the third Phantom Lord was a mystery. However, from the vision he had seen earlier that night, he knew that the third Phantom Lord possessed the All-in-One Soul te. Since the All-in-One was hereditary, and both Dn and Keldor were J. Lionhearts, it was highly likely that Keldor also possessed the same soul te, making him the third Phantom Lord of the n!
With that realization, a great mystery was solved in Evan''s mind. It all seemed to make sense now.
The game-like screen in Evan''s mind had more to show. Apart from Dn''s identity, it also disyed his stats and skills.
Dn''s stats were as follows:-
Strength: 100
Agility: 100
Stamina: 100
As for his skill crystal, it had a unique name and an even unique effect.
It was called "Ethereal Revenant."
The description of the skill crystal stated that it allowed Dn to absorb the spirits of his defeated opponents and use their abilities as his own.
The clone of Dn, which was created by the Spirit of the Monster Tower, was designed based on the same Dn who had assimted the spirits of several first-step and a handful of second-step soul maniptors. As a result, the clone possessed expertise in several offensive soul skills as well as a few movement-based soul skills. Essentially, this made the clone an intimidating adversary for any soul maniptor who dared to cross its path.
''Wow, Founder Dn''s stats are off the charts! They are as good as mine. And that skill crystal... ''Ethereal Revenant''... that sounds dangerous. Absorbing the souls of defeated opponents? That''s insane. And he''s already defeated several first-step and second-step soul maniptors? This clone is going to be tough to beat.''
Evan''s heart sank a little as he realized he was about to face an opponent with not only exceptional stats but also a rare and powerful soul te and an overpowered skill crystal.
''But I can do this. I''ve picked up multiple secret pieces by risking my life and trained hard to learn multiple powerful soul skills exactly for this moment. Time to show what I''m made of.''
However, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for the uing challenge.
Dn lounged on the arena''s edge, his back facing Evan, appearing nonchnt as he let his legs dangle off the side. Despite his casual posture, Dn spoke with a measured and confident tone, his words carrying an unmistakable weight.
"I didn''t anticipate that the data I left behind at the Monster tower would be used to create a clone only a century after my ascension to the higher realm. You really are an interesting guy." Dn stated, his voice infused with amusement as he stood up and turned around to face Evan.
Chapter 140 140: A Fierce Dance
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Evan cleared his throat before speaking up, his eyes fixed on Dn''s imposing figure. "Seems like you were already aware of my presence but just acted like you hadn''t noticed my arrival. May I ask why?"
Dn raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "I was simply testing you," he said simply, his tone cool and detached. "If you had sneak attacked me, I would have really felt disappointed. A guy without morals is not worthy of being a descendant of my brother''s Frost n. If you had failed my test, I would have attacked you with full force and aimed to kill you."
Evan''s face showed a mix of relief and astonishment as he realized he had unknowingly passed the founder''s test and even managed to impress him!
Wanting to confirm, he asked Dn, "Since there are consequences for failing the test, I assume there are rewards for passing it as well?"
Dn nodded and replied with a hint of amusement, "Of course, there are rewards for those who pass."
Curiosity sparked in Evan''s eyes as he inquired, "What would be my reward then?"
"You have proven yourself to be a good seed, and it would be a pity to kill you. I won''t be using any weapons to fight you, but you''re wee to use your weapon if you like. I''ll be fighting barehanded," Dn said.
Evan deliberated for a moment, mulling over whether he should use his magic weapon or not. Nevertheless, after some contemtion, he stowed it away in his inventory. He stepped back and shifted into abative posture, fully prepared to confront Dn with nothing but his own two hands and soul skills.
Dn was taken aback by Evan''s unexpected action. He had anticipated that Evan would rely on his magic weapon to fight him, but Evan''s decision to fight unarmed went against everyone''s expectations, including Dn''s.
"Why did you put away your weapon? You would undoubtedly have the upper hand in this bout if you used it," Dn inquired, thoroughly impressed by Evan''s choice to fight without his weapon.
Evan beamed and responded, "Although my magic weapon might give me an edge, it wouldn''t make for a fair fight. I''ve always believed in doing what''s right and avoiding any regrets. I refuse topromise my values just to gain an advantage over you. Since you''re unarmed, I''ll fight you without weapons as well. Besides, this fight isn''t solely about winning; it''s about proving myself to the n and earning their respect. I believe that respect is gained through deeds, not just victories. Hence, I''ll battle you without the aid of my magic weapon and earn that respect."
"I like you. Show me what you got," Dn said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Evan grinned, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "As you wish," he replied before darting towards Dn in a flurry of swift movements.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The sound of fists and limbs colliding filled the air as the two cultivators shed with immense force. Every punch and kick produced a resounding thud, apanied by the sounds of grunts and heavy breathing. They fought relentlessly, neither of them backing down even an inch.
Boom!
Suddenly, a resounding reverberation echoed throughout the arena as their legs collided in a ferocious sh. The shockwaves produced by the impact were so powerful that the ground beneath them cracked, causing the two cultivators to back off momentarily as they attempted to regain their bnce.
"You know what, I gotta admit it. You''re not bad at all. In fact, you''re even better than I expected. But don''t get too cocky, because I''m just getting warmed up." Dn said to Evan.
"Cockiness is not my style, Founder Dn," Evan replied calmly, his voiceced with a subtle confidence. "I prefer to let my actions speak for myself. And if you think you''ve seen all I''ve got, then you''re in for a surprise." With a faint smile on his face, Evan took a step forward, his eyes locked onto Dn''s. "Let''s continue this dance, shall we?"
Dn grinned, impressed by Evan''s cool and collected response. "Boy, you''ve got some nerve. But I like that." He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing through the room. "Let''s do this. I''m ready for anything you''ve got." He then crouched down slightly, assuming a fighting stance. "Come on then, show me what you''ve got."
Dn and Evan moved with blinding speed, their movements so quick that even the spectators struggled to keep up with them. They darted around the arena, their bodies a blur as they exchanged lightning-fast strikes in a dizzying disy of skill and precision. Every time they shed, the impact produced a deafening roar that echoed throughout the arena, apanied by a shockwave that shook the ground to its core.
Their movements were so fast that it was impossible to follow their techniques. It was like watching two lightning bolts dance around each other, each one trying to outmaneuver the other. Their fists and legs moved so swiftly that they appeared to blur, leaving behind only the afterimages of their strikes.
Yet, despite their incredible speed and power, neither of them seemed to gain the upper hand. They were evenly matched, each one anticipating the other''s moves and countering them with lightning-fast strikes. The intensity of their battle was palpable, and the spectators watched in awe as they continued their relentless assault.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Evan threw a lightning-fast punch at him.
Swoosh!
With lightning-fast reflexes, Dn narrowly dodged Evan''s punch by turning his head at thest second.
"Got you!" Dn eximed as taking advantage of that opening, he seized Evan''s head and drove it into the ground with incredible force.
"Not really," Evan retorted yfully, as much to Dn''s surprise, he promptly sank into his shadow, evading Dn''s grip and the pain that awaited him if his head had impacted against the ground.
Dn was stunned to see Evan disappear into the shadows, but he quickly regained hisposure and searched for Evan. He remained alert, scanning the devastated arena for any signs of his opponent''s next move.
Chapter 141 141: Dylan Vs Evan
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Dn''s eyebrows shot up as he felt a sudden fluctuation of energy behind him. The sensation was so subtle that even Seraphine, a sensory-type awakened soul cultivator at the peak of the Soul Fusion Realm, would have missed it.
Acting on instinct, Dn swiftly turned around and raised his arms in a cross formation, bracing for impact as Evan''s foot came hurtling towards him.
Bam!
The force of the impact sent Dn skidding back ten meters, but he managed to keep his bnce and quickly regained his footing, preparing himself for Evan''s next move. He knew he couldn''t afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment, as Evan was a formidable opponent who could strike from anywhere like a freaking ghost!
"Not bad," Dn grinned, impressed by Evan''s skill. "You nearly caught me off guard there."
Evan smiled superficially, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Dn coolly.
"Founder Dn," he said, "your soul type is a real cheat, allowing you to sense even the slightest change in your surroundings. If it weren''t for that, this match would have already ended with me being dered the victor."
The All-in-One soul te was widely recognized as the most powerful soul te in existence, and with good reason. This remarkable soul te provided its user with thebined benefits of offensive, defensive, control, and sensory-type soul tes, making it an invaluable asset in any battle.
To begin with, the All-in-One soul te enhanced its user''s offensive capabilities by an impressive 30%. This meant that the user''s attacks were significantly more powerful than others in the same cultivation level as them and could deal devastating damage to their opponents. Additionally, the soul te bolstered the user''s defensive capabilities, providing increased resilience and the ability to withstand even the most brutal attacks.
Moreover, the All-in-one soul te improved the user''s control over their soul energy, allowing them to perform almost any soul skill with ease. This meant that they could executeplex maneuvers and unleash powerful attacks with greater efficiency and precision.
Lastly, the All-in-one soul te provided its user with heightened sensory perception, allowing them to sense their opponent''s movements and anticipate their attacks. This gave the user a significant advantage in battle, as they could dodge attacks with ease and strike at the right moment to stay one step ahead of their opponents.
It was precisely because of all these reasons that Dn was able to catch on to Evan''s movement even though he was moving through the Shadow Realm. Dn''s All-in-One soul te had heightened his senses, allowing him to sense even the slightest fluctuations in energy. This had enabled him to anticipate Evan''s movements and react ordingly, giving him a significant advantage in their battle.
Dn chuckled. "You''re not wrong. But that''s just one of the advantages of my soul te. While it has more advantages than other soul tes, it also has a distinct weakness. I''ll leave it up to you to figure out what it is. I mean, your chance of victory lies in recognizing it and making good use of it. I''ll be doing the same, of course. After all, everyone has their own strength and weaknesses, and it''s up to us to make the most of them. So, shall we continue?"
Evan''s expression shifted to a contemtive one as he pondered over Dn''s words. Deep down, he couldn''t help but feel grateful for the valuable tip that his opponent had given him, not to mention the level of respect Dn had shown him.
As Evan reflected on Dn''s soul te, he realized that while it allowed Dn to be a jack-of-all-trades as an awakened soul cultivator, it also meant he was a master of none. In contrast, Evan''s own soul te enabled him to execute all of his skills with unparalleled precision.
A wry smile danced across Evan''s face as he considered how he could utilize this to his advantage against Dn. However, it was easier said than done. Dn was a highly skilled and seasoned cultivator, and Evan knew that it would be no small feat to outmaneuver him.
Evan nodded resolutely. "Let''s do this."
And with that, the two soul cultivators who had awakened their potentialunched themselves back into the fray, each one determined to emerge victorious in this intense battle.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Both Dn and Evan pushed themselves to their limits as they traded blows, each one more powerful than thest. They exchanged punches, kicks, and elbow strikes, each strike delivered with incredible force and precision. The sound of their impacts echoed throughout the arena, punctuated by the asional grunt or shout of exertion that they released when they got hit or attacked.
As the battle raged on, both cultivators began to show signs of wear and tear. More bruises covered their bodies, and blood flowed like rivers from the cuts on their faces.
Despite this, Evan appeared to be in better shape than Dn, who now had panda eyes.
Dn wasn''t the type to fight passively. Even though he looked more injured than Evan, heunched a attack. Evan''s eyes glinted with newfound confidence as he spotted an opening in Dn''s defense. With lightning-fast reflexes, he dodged Dn''s fist with an agile turn of his body and unleashed a swift kick at Dn''s side. Dn was unable to react in time, and he was sent flying, crashing into the arena wall.
"Ugh!"
Groaning in pain, Dn struggled to catch his breath as hey on the ground. But with sheer determination alone, he forced himself to his feet, his gaze fixed on Evan.
"Impressive," Dn said, his voice strained but filled with respect. "But don''t get too confident. I''m not done yet."
"I know you aren''t. We''re both equally powerful. So how can I not tell that you''ve been holding back all this time. You''ve been reluctant to hurt me because I am your brother''s descendant. But I do not want that. I know you have more in you than what you have shown me so far. So, show me your worst!" Evan responded.
Chapter 142 142: Evan Vs Dylan Finale
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"You asked for it. Don''t use me of bullying you when you end up losing." Dn responded, his voice low and intense
Dn lifted his hands, and an immense surge of soul energy gushed out from his body like a turbulent stream, forming a swirling vortex around him. Gradually, the energy gathered above his head, coalescing into a concentrated mass of elemental soul energy that crackled with electric sparks. The atmosphere around him hummed and crackled with electricity as the energy whirlpool expanded in size, bing more and more dangerous.
Evan''s eyes widened in wonder as he blurted out, "This must be the infamous Maelstorm, a powerful soul skill that''s as devastating as a raging inferno!"
However, as it was conjured by a Soul Manifestation Realm cultivator, its full potential couldn''t be shown.
"Indeed it is," Dn replied, his hands lowering with a mighty force thatunched the energy maelstrom straight at Evan. The powerful torrent of energy rocketed towards Evan at a staggering pace, leaving behind a trail of destruction in its wake.
"Soul skill, Frost Barrage!"
With his eyes fixed on the iing attack, Evan swiftly retaliated by unleashing a spell of his own,unching a volley of ice bullets hurtling towards Dn.
The impact of the two spells colliding resulted in a colossal explosion of energy that reverberated throughout the entire arena. The shockwave was so massive that it swept both Dn and Evan off their feet, propelling them towards the walls of the arena behind them at incredible speed.
After the dust settled slowly, the spectators witnessed Dn grappling to get back on his feet. Evan, on the other hand, emerged unscathed, having escaped into the shadow realm at the veryst moment, evading the impending collision with the wall.
"I know what can defeat you. This is where things get serious." Evan said.
The conviction in Evan''s statement was palpable, creating a sense that he had indeed uncovered a means to ovee Dn once and for all.
"If someone else has said this to me, I would''ve dismissed their words as nonsense, but you¡ you are not to be underestimated. Your words have my full attention," he remarked, as he wiped away the blood from his mouth.
As Dn''s words trailed off, he bolted towards Evan, his fists coiled tightly, poised for impact. However, just as Dn''s fist was about to connect, Evan deftly shifted his weight and altered his trajectory, utilizing the Reverse Flow maneuver to sidestep the iing attack.
Evan''s swift change in direction caught Dn off guard, and he staggered forward, his punch missing its intended target. Seizing the opportunity, Evannded a swift blow to Dn''s midsection, causing him to let out a grunt of difort. Nevertheless, Dn regained his footing quickly, demonstrating his own proficiency as a skilled awakened soul cultivator.
Dn altered his battle strategy, attempting to anticipate Evan''s movements by interpreting his muscle twitches, but Evan''s Reverse Flow technique presented an arduous challenge, rendering Dn''s efforts nearly futile. Dn''s every assault was effortlessly evaded by Evan, who countered with speedy jabs and kicks thatnded on Dn''s weak points.
As the fight progressed, Dn''s movements became more sluggish and clumsy, while Evan''s attacks were bing quicker and more precise by the second.
Gradually, Dn waspelled to continually retreat, with the objective of creating distance between himself and Evan, but every time he did so, Evan would utilize the Quickstep skill to close the gap, leaving Dn no time to regroup his thoughts or catch his breath.
Subsequently, Dn''s endeavors to evade Evan''s lightning-fast assaults proved to be fruitless. Every strikended on him with crushing impact, shattering his bones and causing severe fractures. Evan''s kicks were so severe that they shattered Dn''s legs, rendering him motionless.
Exploiting this opportunity to the fullest, Evan delivered a definitive and conclusive blow by releasing a punch towards Dn''s neck.
Bam!
The impact was savage, causing Dn''s body to go ck as he plummeted to the ground, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
The intense fight hase to an end!
The spectators of Evan''s live stream erupted into resounding cheers as they watched him emerge victorious from his fight against Dn. They shouted and apuded, expressing their admiration for his skill and bravery.
Some of them were jumping up and down in excitement, while the girls were hugging each other in joy. The chat box of the Imperial Frost n''s Wiscord group was immediately flooded with messages of congrattions and admiration for Evan.
Farmer who is addicted to fighting: "His Highness Evan has defeated Founder Dn''s clone!!! Too fucking amazing! I never expected him to win against such a formidable opponent!"
Lady Catherine: "Me neither."
I am Annika''s father: "By defeating all the founders, he''s proven himself to be the strongest soul maniptor. Finally, someone worthy of my daughter has appeared in our empire!"
All the founders were said to have defeated Peak level Soul Fusion Realm Cultivators when they were still in the Soul Manifestation Realm. Since Evan had emerged victorious against all of them, it was reasonable to assume that he was unparalleled among Soul Maniptors, invincible in his realm!
He really seemed worthy of Annika, the cherished but fierce flower of the Imperial Frost n!
Lady Catherine: "My daughter will only marry someone she loves! Don''t you dare force a arranged marriage on her! Or you will get it from me!"
I am Annika''s father: "..." Dared not speak!
"His Highness has defeated all five founders and has earned the right to advance to the tenth floor of the monster tower. No one has ever done it before. This is truly a remarkable achievement." the leader of the council of elders said in praise.
Second Seat of the Council of Elders chimed in, "Indeed. And not only that. Once he steps onto the tenth floor, he would have earned 100 points, the maximum amount that one can earn in the third trial of fire of the inheritance war. And since he would be the first one to do so, he''s sure to be named number one on the Bronze Ranking List of our n!"
Chapter 143 143: Position Cemented!
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The Council of Elders'' senior members eximed, "This is a momentous asion for our n. Since the establishment of the Monster Tower, we have not witnessed a member triumph over the clones of all the founders of our n. His Highness Evan''s victory has brought immense honor to our n. We must etch his remarkable aplishment in the n''s Hall of Fame!"
"Absolutely, His Highness Evan''s feat is truly exceptional, and it will undoubtedly inspire our younger generation to strive for greatness and follow in his footsteps. It deserves a ce in the Hall of Fame." The Imperial Frost Court''s officials and ministers nodded in agreement.
The crowd looked on in awe at the unprecedented harmony between the Council of Elders and the Imperial Frost Court. It was the first time they had seen the councils and the courte to an agreement on something, and it felt like they were witnessing a miracle.
It was all because of His Highness Evan. Even though he had not yet seeded the Imperial Lord of Frost, he had already proven himself capable of uniting the various factions of the n. He had the rare ability to bring people together, inspiring them to set aside their differences and work in harmony towards amon goal. His exceptional leadership skills were truly remarkable.
In front of his charms, the Council of Elders and the Imperial Frost Court were no exception. His Highness Evan''s achievement had brought them together, putting aside any differences and conflicts to recognize and honor his remarkable aplishment.
It was clear that someone like him was a figure with the potential to inspire and lead them towards a bright future.
Meanwhile, Magnus, Evan''s father, was feeling incredibly proud of his son. As he watched Evan conquer the clones of the founders of their n in the Monster Tower, something that had never been aplished before, Magnus felt an overwhelming sense of joy. He believed that his son had worked hard to achieve this victory and was thrilled to see him seed. Indeed, Evan had put in a lot of hard work in the past weeks to get as strong as he did, and it was all paying off.
As he watched Evan on the screen, he said, "Well done, my boy!"
As the crowd marveled at the sight of the victorious Highness Evan, Eldrid, the instigator of the previous inheritance war, was also impressed. Eldrid himself had only triumphed in three challenges during the trial of the third floor of the monster floor and had drawn against Ethan, but Evan had astoundingly defeated all five founders. His exceptional performance had earned him the profound respect and admiration of everyone present.
Eldrid couldn''t help but remark, "My grandson is nothing short of a colossal monster in the guise of a small pig."
Even someone like him, who had initiated and won the previous imperial frost n''s inheritance war, could no longer deny the talent and strength of his own grandson.
Despite Evan possessing a control-type soul te, in light of his remarkable achievements, it held no significance whatsoever. His incredible performance had surpassed any limitations that may have been associated with his soul te, proving that his talent and strength were unmatched. His abilities and achievements were so outstanding that any preconceptions or expectations based on his soul te were rendered meaningless.
Keldor also expressed his admiration for Evan''s extraordinary talents, remarking, "It is clear that he is destined for greatness, and his exceptional abilities would undoubtedly take our n to new heights. Should we initiate the protection n and eliminate all those who seek to harm him?"
Eldrid shook his head in disagreement, "No, we should not pamper him like a fragile flower. Cultivators must temper themselves through life and death battles. If we treat him with excessive care, we will not mold a leader, but rather a weakling in need of constant protection. We do not need to eliminate his enemies; instead, we can use them as a means to temper him into a sharp sword. With each challenge he faces, he will be stronger and more skilled, preparing him to take on any future threats to our n."
Eldrid knew that for Evan to truly be a great leader, he needed to experience challenges and difficulties that would help him grow and mature. As per his life experience, it was through oveing obstacles that one could be stronger and more capable. Therefore, the best course of action was to let Evan face his enemies and use those experiences to be an even greater asset to the n.
Countless people were happy to see that Evan had done the impossible. However, there were some who were not pleased with this oue.
Nichs was one such individual. He seethed with anger at the thought of all the time, effort, and resources he had invested in the n, only to be overshadowed by someone he deemed a "mentally ill bastard."
''I can''t believe this! After all the years I''ve dedicated to this n and the money I''ve spent roping in people, it''s a mentally ill bastard who gains everyone''s support! All my hard work has been for nothing. I was supposed to be the one to determine who leads the Frost n next. But now, with Evan''s victory, all my ns have been foiled.''
Nichs''s face contorted into an expression of pure disdain.
''And it''s all because of those bastards. Evan has already passed the trial of the Monster Tower''s third floor, yet they''re still stuck on the second floor. They will pay for this dearly once the inheritance war ends.''
Matthew and Dante were the targets of Nichs''s wrath as he deemed them ipetent and responsible for Evan''s triumph. To Nichs, their failure to keep Evan in check had allowed him to surpass them, and for this, he promised to punish them like the disobedient dogs they were.
Lastly, Nichs refused to ept defeat. He was still determined to regain control of the situation no matter what!
Chapter 144 144: The Tenth Floor!
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Nichs thought, ''What am I going to do now? Am I going to give up? No! I cannot simply let this go. I need to find a way to assert my dominance once again. He might have won this battle, but the war is far from over.''
Nichs was a man who always got his way and didn''t give up easily. Even with the setback, he maintained his confidence and believed that he could reverse the situation and reim his position of authority.
Keldor perceived it all, and a sharp glint shed in his eyes as he saw right through him.
"Nichs doesn''t strike me as someone with good intentions. On top of that, he has been causing problems for our Crown Prince for quite a while now. What do you think, should I take care of him? Evan might not be able to handle him on his own. It wouldn''t be fair to pit them against each other," Keldor murmured to Eldrid.
Nichs was said to be at the peak of the Soul Embodiment Realm. Evan, who was only a Soul Maniptor was really not his match.
"Let it be," Eldrid replied.
"Why let the problem fester when you can nip it in the bud?" Keldor raised an eyebrow and inquired.
"He is the only brother I have left," Eldrid said.
"Nichs is your brother, but he is also a danger to the stability of our n. If we leave him unchecked, he will only create more chaos and obstruct our growth." Keldor cautioned him.
"I understand," Eldrid sighed. "But I cannot just abandon him. Despite our differences, we are still family."
Keldor shook his head. "Sometimes, themon good muste before personal attachments. I hope you won''t regret this decisionter on."
Eldridpsed into silence, acknowledging the truth in Keldor''s words. He couldn''t afford to let his emotions obscure his judgement, especially when the fate of their n hung in the bnce. He had to devise a n to handle Nichs, but the idea of causing harm to his own kin made him hesitant. Moreover, Nichs was the one who had assisted him the most in his rise to power, and thus they shared a very strong bond. Eldrid couldn''t bear to harm him as he felt a deep fondness for his youngest brother, whocked any exceptional aptitude for soul cultivation but had still managed to ascend to the position of Frostweaver household head with Eldrid''s support.
....
Meanwhile, Evan, who was still in the arena towering over the broken clone of Founder Dn, received a surprising notification from his system.
It read: [Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. Because you have defeated the clones of the founders of the Imperial Frost n, you havepleted a hidden mission!]
[As a result, you have gained 1¡Á EXP Bundle]
Evan felt a rush of excitement upon receiving the EXP Bundle as a reward forpleting a hidden mission he never knew existed. The EXP Bundle was a coveted item in the game, known for its ability to bestow yers with thousands of EXP points upon being opened. Though not a game-changer in and of itself, it was a valuable addition to any yer''s inventory, offering a substantial boost to their EXP Bar without tipping the scales too heavily in their favor.
The following moment, through the portal that had materialized in the midst of the arena, Evan returned to the backroom, wasting no time in urging the manager to generate a portal to the tenth floor.
"Manager, dy no longer. Generate the portal to the tenth floor," Evan insisted.
"Your wish is mymand, dear climber."
Without hesitation, Victor, the manager, promptly conjured a portal, and Evan stepped through it, teleporting to the tenth floor in an instant.
As soon as he arrived, Evan found himself hurtling through the air, and he let out a yelp of surprise. However, he quickly regained hisposure, realizing that he needed to act quickly to prevent himself from sustaining injuries or worse. Just before he was about to crash into the ground, he deftly employed the Phantom Shadow Step Technique, sinking into the shadows and saving himself from certain doom.
After a moment, he emerged from the shadows, looking around to get his bearings.
Evan found himself in a spacious clearing, enclosed by towering trees that formed a natural boundary. The yellow sun was shining brightly in the sky, unobstructed by clouds, casting a warm glow over the surroundings. However, the sense of peace was quickly shattered by the sight of semi-transparent walls, hemming him in as if to trap him with the monster that was already present in the clearing.
The monster looked like a demon from hell.
''Let''s inspect it and see what it is,'' Evan thought.
However, all too suddenly, the voice of the Monster Tower''s tenth floor manager resounded in his ears, jolting him back to reality.
"You are in an area where teleportation devices are disabled. To escape this area, you mustplete the first challenge of the tenth floor of the Monster Tower!" the manager''s voicemanded.
"What is it?"
Evan''s heart raced as he listened to the next instructions uttered by the mysterious manager.
"Challenge 1: Defeat the Horned Fire Demon," the manager announced to Evan, leaving thetter with a sense of dread and excitement, knowing that he had to face a formidable foe to escape.
Across from him in the clearing stood a colossal humanoid demon, its body easily towering over nine feet tall. It had a fearsome presence, with its skin mottled with warts and its eyes glowing with an insatiable hunger. Two sharp, curved horns protruded from its forehead, while its skin appeared to be cracking, revealing a searing fire coursing through its body.
Evan''s senses were immediately assaulted by the intense heat and the pungent odor of sulfur radiating from the demon. As a result, It immediately became evident to him that the creature hailed from the fiery depths of the secondyer of the hell realm, known for harboring some of the most formidable monsters in existence, with strength levels ranging from 10 to 20.
Judging by the demon''s massive size and imposing form, Evan surmised that it was likely at least an impressive level 18 demon!
The demon turned to face him and grinned menacingly, revealing sharp, pointed teeth.
"Human... I will use you as an ingredient for my dinner tonight!" the demon snarled, its voice reverberating throughout the clearing.
Chapter 145 145: Evan Vs Fiert Horned Demon!
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Evan didn''t flinch in the face of the demon''s ominous threat.
He stood his ground and delivered a defiant retort.
"I''m sorry to disappoint, but I''m not on tonight''s menu. I''ve got other ns that don''t involve bing part of a horrendous and smelly demon''s dinner recipe."
Evan''s eyes locked onto the demon''s, daring it to make a move.
The demon''s grin contorted into a vicious snarl as it bellowed, "How dare you insult me? Such arrogance will not go unpunished!"
The demon''s voice boomed, resonating with incredible loudness that mmed into Evan like a wall of pain. He winced and squinted his eyes, trying to endure the agony. The pain was sudden and intense, causing blood to trickle out of his ears, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through it. Evan refused to reveal any weakness in front of the demon. After all, these demons were mankind''s arch-nemesis, and he despised them with all his heart.
How could he, the Crown Prince of Frost and the sessor of the Imperial Lord of Frost, allow himself to appear vulnerable while facing them?
It waspletely uneptable!
"Quite impressive for a mere human," the demon remarked as it observed Evan''s bravery. Demons from the fiery pits of hell had a peculiar code of conduct. They revered strength and courage while despising weakness and cowardice. Despite being imprisoned in the Monster Tower by Ethan Frost, this demon was still capable of being impressed by Evan''s valiant disy. Demons had long lifespans, and this one was over a century old! "This could be very interesting."
As the demon''s word fell, it charged towards Evan, its ws bared and teeth gnashing. The ground trembled beneath its massive weight as it closed in on its prey, intent on making an example out of the impudent human who dared to make fun of it.
"Today, I am going to butcher a demon from the secondyer of hell. Come!"
Despite the danger, Evan remained resolute, and his racing heart steadied as he observed the demon''s movements. He took a deep breath, his eyes locked on the demon''s figure, scrutinizing every motion it made.
Swoosh!
Moving with a ridiculous amount of speed that made it seem like a ray of red in the eyes of the spectators, the demon closed in on Evan rapidly, reducing the distance between them by half in the blink of an eye. Without warning, the demon lunged towards Evan, but he had anticipated the attack and reacted swiftly. He dodged the demon''s lunge and delivered a forceful kick to its midsection. The attack was executed with lightning speed andunched from very close range.
With its speed and reflexes, the demon had no way of dodging it. It was caught off guard, and Evan could already envision it writhing in pain.
Boom!
A resounding reverberation rang out as the kick dozens of times stronger than an ordinary empire''s citizennded on its target.
For a fleeting moment, Evan experienced a sense of satisfaction as his attacknded on the demon. However, his tion quickly dissipated when he saw the demon grinning menacingly. It was then that he realized the awful truth: the demon had emergedpletely unscathed from his strike, which was powerful enough to destroy boulders and shatter iron. Its resilience was truly remarkable, and Evan was forced to acknowledge that the attacks of a peak body tempering expert were utterly ineffective against it!
He cursed, "F**k!"
"Hahaha! The look on your face is quite amusing."
The demonughed at Evan tauntingly, relishing in thetter''s shocked state.
"With that level of strength, you can''t even scratch my itch," it sneered, exhibiting its arrogance and superiorityplex. "Let me show you--"
Just as the demon was in the midst of gloating, Evan acted swiftly. With a single thought, he retrieved the Frost Demon''s Fury from his inventory and unleashed it in a fierce thrust that seemed to contain the force of a natural disaster behind it, causing shockwaves to erupt as it hurtled through the air. The spectators were awestruck as, in their eyes, it seemed as if the sword had materialized out of thin air before the powerful attack wasunched.
And it should be mentioned that Evan''s strike was so sudden and precise that the arrogant and proudful demon that was busy taunting Evan with shitty words had no chance to defend itself.
"Puchi!"
The sound of metal-piercing flesh reverberated through the air as the de sliced through the demon''s body with ease. The sword prated the demon''s heart, and after a moment, its tip emerged from the demon''s bulking back with a sickening squelch.
The demon''s sneer quickly turned to shock as its body throbbed, a great wave of pain washing over its consciousness.
From the demon''s wound, blood that could melt flesh and bones spurted out. However, Evan skillfully blocked the demon''s fiery blood from falling on him with his ice-type soul energy.
The demon was far from death. Hence, Evan tightened his hold on the hilt of his sword and deftly twisted it, intensifying the demon''s agony and causing it to writhe in pain. Under Evan''s sadistic assaults, the demon''s earlier confidence was nowhere to be seen. All that was left was a face full of misery as if it had withered through countless trials and tribtions, only to be faced with another arduous challenge.
Witnessing the demon''s arrogance vanish so quickly, Evan couldn''t resist taunting it, "You see, this is why you should keep your talking to a minimum during battle." His sadistic assaults had left the demon in a pitiable state, a far cry from its earlier confident demeanor.
Evan''s taunt had hit a nerve, and the demon responded with a menacing roar, "You bastard! I will kill you!!!"
Saying so, Itunched a lightning-fast punch towards Evan.
However, Evan was quick on his feet and reacted promptly.
He rapidly retreated to a secure distance, evading the demon''s fierce fist in a blur of motion that left behind an afterimage, but not before swiftly pulling his magic sword out of the demon''s chest, dealing it yet another massive amount of damage.
Chapter 146 146: A Furious Execution Of Ones Bloodline Skill
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The demon was consumed by an intense fury, its wrath surging to a level it had never experienced before. Even when it learned the truth behind its survival, that it was spared from being killed like its kin only to be locked up in the foreboding Monster Tower as a training tool for the younger generation, it did not feel this outraged.
At that time, it burned with hatred, yet the intensity of that emotion paled inparison to the present moment.
The demon''s mind was now consumed with thoughts of sinking its teeth into Evan''s flesh, tearing him apart, and devouring him.
It was prepared to make this happen, even if it meant sacrificing its own life!
Its vitality surged. A miracle took ce. It wound closed at a visible rate!
Swoosh!
Without warning, the demon charged towards Evan with surprising agility for its massive size.
But, just as it was about to strike, Evan swiftly swung his sword.
The de connected with the demon''s body, and with a sickening sound, the creature was cleanly bisected vertically from the middle. Its two halves tumbled to the ground with a heavy thud.
It was followed by a moment of eerie silence as the spectators registered the scene of a demon from the secondyer of hell being killed by Evan in stunned silence. They were awestruck by the sight and couldn''t help but feel a sense of admiration towards the young prince.
"It is said that even a group of soul maniptors would struggle to y a demon from the fiery depths of hell. Yet, His Highness Evan has managed to single-handedly take it down with his unrivaled swordsmanship," one of the spectators murmured in awe.
"He is not a single person. He is an entire fucking unit!" eximed another, unable to contain his excitement.
But their celebration was short-lived as one of the more experienced cultivators among the crowd cautioned them, "Hold your horses; the battle isn''t over yet."
Perplexed, a spectator asked, "What do you mean?"
The cultivator''s response was solemn as he cautioned the spectators, "Killing a demon from the fiery depths of hell is never an easy task. Its kind possesses extraordinary regenerative abilities that make them extremely difficult to y. We must always remain vignt when fighting them and never let our guard down. It was ignorance of their regenerative capability and a generalck of caution that led to the deaths of many cultivators in the previous war. If His Highness was attentive during history ss, he would know not to underestimate the Fire Horned demon."
The warning from the experienced cultivator sobered the spectators, and they shifted their gaze to the screen broadcasting Evan''s battle in the Monster Tower.
All eyes were fixed on the two halves of the demon lying motionless on the ground, waiting to see if there would be any sign of life.
The air was heavy with tension as they held their breath in anticipation.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence as they waited to see what would happen next.
Evan, being the willful prince he was, had never been one to pay much attention in history ss. As a result, he was unaware of just how formidable the fire-horned demon''s regenerative abilities could be, but he had another way of knowing whether the demon was truly dead or just acting the part.
A moment passed, but he was still yet to receive the notification from his system that would confirm the demon''s demise. This realization hit him like a ton of bricks - since he hadn''t received it, it could only mean that the damn demon was still alive!
"What a tricky opponent," Evan muttered under his breath, realizing how tricky his adversary truly was. It was still alive, but it was acting like a corpse to catch him off guard.
Even cutting it in half didn''t seem to do the trick, leaving Evan wondering what could possibly kill it.
''Let''s see.''
With a scrutinizing gaze, Evan examined the demon and activated his inspection skill to uncover any potential weaknesses that could be exploited to defeat it.
Name: Fire Horned Demon Level: 18
Attributes:
? Strength: 120
? Agility: 88
? Stamina: 170+
Skills:
? Innate Regeneration: Allows the demon to heal from any wound, making it incredibly difficult to defeat.
? Bloodline Skill - Fiery Wave: Releases a powerful wave of fiery energy that scorches everything in the demon''s surroundings.
? Skill Crystal - Second Life: Allows the demon to create a Life Orb that, unless destroyed, makes it virtually invincible. The Life Orb is stored in the demon''s head and can be used to regenerate its health when necessary.
''I see. So that''s the secret to its immortality.''
Evan focused intently on the demon''s severed head and made a swift move to plunge his sword into both halves. The demon was caught off guard and panicked at the sight of Evan''s unexpected action.
Although it was taken aback, it took appropriate actions within time to save its life.
Suddenly, the demon''s body convulsed, and it stood up, swiftly dodging Evan''s attack before merging back into oneplete entity.
"Fiery Wave!"
Its eyes emitted an eerie glow as it extended its hand. A fraction of a secondter, a burst of fiery energy surged from its body, consuming the clearing, liquefying the barrier, and igniting the trees in the vicinity. The mes were incredibly intense, reducing everything they touched to ashes at a rate visible to the naked eye.
The spectators of Evan''s live stream gazed at the humanoid devil disyed on the screen, a blend of unease and terror etched on their faces.
"What in the world was that?" they cried out in bewilderment.
"I have witnessed infernal beings from the secondyer of hell utilizing this ability during the previous war. It''s known as their lineage skill - Fiery Wave! It''s a merciless assault they resort to when their sole intention is to annihte everything in their sight!" the elderly cultivator elucidated before joking, "It seems like His Highness Evan had angered it to the point it lost its sanity."
Chapter 147 147: Ending In A Flash Part 1!
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"What became of His Highness Evan? Is he still alive?" queried one of the spectators.
"It''s hard to say," replied the elderly cultivator, a mysterious glint in his eyes. His dark, foggy gaze held a certain intrigue.
Wait a minute, someone with ck eyes in the Imperial Frost n? That''s odd!
But amidst the intense battle between Evan and the demon, nobody seemed to notice this peculiar detail. Had anyone caught on, it would have certainly raised some questions.
Annika stood among the spectators, her hands sped together and her eyes closed. She was silently praying to the Moon Goddess, fervently requesting Evan''s safety in her heart. Though she had never directly expressed her feelings to him, it was apparent to her best friend that she harbored a deep affection for him. Thest thing she wanted was for him to be harmed.
Maybe her prayers were heard as Evan had reacted to the demon''s sudden attack with surprising reflexes and managed to escape the deadly attack by quickly sinking into the shadows and entering the shadow realm. Had he not responded promptly with his strongest movement skill, he would have suffered the same fate as the unlucky trees and the clearing that was reduced to ashes due to the fire!
"Damn it!" the demon eximed, scratching its head in frustration. "I should have known better. These humans are weak creatures. How can they survive my fire? Why didn''t I hold back? Now I can''t have a tasty human for dinner!"
The demon thought that it had gone overboard with its attack, reducing its dinner to nothing but ashes. It had no idea that Evan had narrowly escaped its swift and destructive strike.
With a heavy sigh, the demon turned around to leave the devastated area, intending to return to its cave and maybe hunt a few games along the way.
As it was about to disappear into the trees, Evan stepped out of the shadows, appearing just behind the nasty demon. The demon remained oblivious to his presence,pletely at his mercy. Meanwhile, the spectators watching the live stream were ted at the sight of Evan, and their eyes lit up with excitement.
Without a moment''s hesitation, Evan directed his attention towards the demon''s head and thrust his sword forward.
The attack was sessful!
The demon''s eyes, bloodshot and wild, grewrger than saucers as if they might burst from their sockets any moment as it felt a frigid and razor-sharp de plunge deep into its brain.
The sensation shook the demon to its very core as though the ground beneath its feet was slipping away.
At that moment, the demon heard the voice of the man it had believed to be dead.
"There''s plenty more where that came from!"
Upon hearing Evan''s voice, the demon was seized with disbelief.
Had Evan crawled out of the fiery pit of hell just to haunt him?
The demon''s heart pounded in his chest as he struggled toprehend the impossible.
cier Fang Style: Last Ray of Moonlight!
With the infusion of Evan''s soul energy, the Frost Demon''s Fury sparkled with a striking blue brilliance, and a wave of frigid energy surged out from its tip, invading the demon''s skull and prating its very soul.
AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!
The demon''s response was a blood-curdling howl, as it contorted in anguish, while the frosty grip of Evan''s soul energy tightened on its fiery soul.
Suddenly, its screech was silenced, as the icy metamorphosis initiated from its head, swiftly expanding to envelop its entire form.
The demon''s body became encased in a frozen shell, the chill seeping into its very core until it was nothing but a frozen statue!
However, even this attack of Evan had failed to destroy its life orb, and because of its bodily heat, the ice trapping it was melting rapidly.
Tsk!
Evan made a clicking sound with his tongue and released a rapid session of icy projectiles.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Every single one hit the exact same spot with precision.
The demon''s head burst like a smashed watermelon, and the orb that was maintaining its life shattered as well.
As a result, the demon lost its life.
Evan observed as the demon''s body gradually disintegrated into a heap of frost, leaving behind only a puddle of water that immediately vaporized due to the scorching temperature of the surroundings.
[Ding!]
As Evan was observing the remains of the defeated demon with a hawk-like gaze, he heard a notification sound from the system ringing in his mind.
The message read: "Congrattions, yer Evan, for sessfully defeating a level 18 Fire Horned Demon. You have earned 180 Experience points and a few points increase in your CON. Your Constitution attribute has reached its maximum limit!"
Evan grinned in satisfaction at his aplishment and took a deep breath.
Whooz!
A momentter, a sudden buzzing sound caught his attention.
He swiveled his head in the direction of the noise and spotted a flying bug emerging from behind the trees.
The creature''s body was covered in vibrant stripes of ck and yellow, much like that of a honey bee. Its head was small and round, with tworge, bulging eyes that seemed to peer right through him. The creature''s wings buzzed loudly, making a distinct humming sound that filled the air.
But what was truly terrifying about the creature waa its stinger. It was like nothing the spectators had ever seen before, stretching over a meter long and glistening menacingly in the sunlight. The stinger was as thick as His Highness''s Evan arm and had a sharp point that glinted in the light. They couldn''t imagine the pain that woulde from being stung by such a weapon.
They weren''t too shocked to see it. There were all kinds of creature in the monster tower. It waa not odd to see a giant and deadlier version of a honey bee.
Whooz! Whooz!
The buzzing of the bee''s wings grew louder as it charged straight towards Evan, its stinger poised for attack.
Chapter 148 148: Ending In A Flash Part 2!
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Acting on instinct, Evan swiftly sidestepped the oing attack, narrowly avoiding the deadly stinger.
Right after, with his heart thumping ferociously in his chest, Evan drew his trusty sword and swung it with all his might.
Whoosh!
The de glinted in the sunlight as it sliced through the air, striking the giant bee with pinpoint uracy.
Puchi!
There was a sickening sound as the sword cleaved through the bee''s body, cutting it cleanly in half.
Thud!
The two halves of the insect tumbled to the ground, each with a resounding thud that echoed through the air.
Immediateldy, a notification rang in his mind, jolting Evan out of his triumphant reverie.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan. You''ve sessfully defeated a Level 8 Giant Honey Spirit. As a result, you have earned 80 Experience Points.]
"80 experience points?" Evan''s eyebrow raised. "That''s it?"
It was not bad, but it was not good either. If he had still been a newbie yer, then 80 EXP would''ve mwant the world to him. However, now that he was experienced yer with a experience bar brimming with points, 80 EXP meant nothing to him.
Anyways, defeating the Giant Honey Spirit was a small feat for him. So it didn''t matter how little he benefited from ying it.
Thus, he couldn''t dwell on his disappointment for long and moved on.
As Evan trudged forward, the roars of monsters rang out in the distance, echoing through the empty ins. At first, he thought it was just his imagination ying tricks on him, but as the sounds grew louder, he realized that something wasing.
His heart racing, Evan scanned the area from his spot and caught sight of a huge wave of monsters at the edge of his vision.
Their eyes were locked on their prey, and the prey reflected in their eyes was none other than him!
They were sprinting towards him with an rming speed. It seemed that it wouldn''t take long for them to bridge the gap between them and Evan.
"This is the second andst challenge of the tenth floor. Survive the onught of all the monsters in the tenth floor and find a way to get to the peak of the Monster Tower! Waves of beasts wille after you one after another. The longer the dy inpleting the challenge, the greater the disadvantage you will found yourself in."The voice of the Monster Tower''s tenth floor manager seemed toe from everywhere. Hence, it was impossible to pinpoint his position.
Evan''s expression shifted as he came to a realization. His father had never spoken much about the tenth floor, likely never thinking that Evan would make it this far. However, Evan had stumbled upon some information about this ce in the Records of Eldrid. It wasmon knowledge that Soul Lord Eldrid was an excessively self-absorbed person. He had gone to the lengths ofpiling his aplishments into a book, publishing it, spreading it throughout the gxy, and even cing it in the n''s library and Hall of Fame for all to see.
It could be said that Evan had benefited from Eldrid''s narcissistic behavior. After all, it was thanks to Eldrid''s book that Evan had been able to gain insight into the Monster Tower''s trials and prepare himself ordingly.
ording to the book, the tenth floor''s trial was unbeatable, and one should flee as soon as possible.
At the time, Evan had blindly believed it because Eldrid was the strongest figure of the Imperial Frost n. If Eldrid had said it, then there must have been a reason. However, today, Evan had finally grasped the reason.
It was simple: two hands couldn''t triumph over four. For a cultivator at the Soul Manifestation Realm, it was even more impossible to fight against waves of beasts. In addition, it was worth noting that the beasts on the tenth floor varied in level. The first wave alone consisted of creatures ranging from level 5 to level 20, with the leader being the most powerful of them all. Who knows how powerful the beasts in the second and third waves will be!
Even someone as exceptional as Evan could only handle the first wave before bing injured and drained of stamina and soul energy.
Actually, he had no intention of battling the beasts. However, he also did not use the authority he had earned from Prince Charming forpleting the trial of the Monster Tower''s second floor to flee to safety.
His decision to stay put raised concerns among the spectators.
Leader of the Council of Elders inquired, "Why is he still on the tenth floor? Has he not read the Records of Eldrid? The trial on this floor is unbeatable, even for the most talented cultivator. He should have left as soon as possible!"
Second Seat of the Council of Elders responded, "Perhaps he has a n? He did make it to the tenth floor, after all. We should wait and see."
Minister of Defense Alistair wore a regretful expression as he said, "But what if he fails? We cannot afford to lose such a talented young cultivator."
"Indeed, we should have stopped him from attempting the trial in the first ce. His Highness''s father would never have allowed it," Andrew, the Minister of Arts and Culture,mented.
"If I don''t believe in him, who will?" Magnus retorted.
"It''s quite presumptuous of you to assume what the patriarch would think. It seems like you are forgetting your ce," Eldrid stated as he appeared there with a single step and admonished the foolish minister.
The minister apologized and hung his head low.
"Actually, we should all be wishing for his sess? After all, if he seeds in passing thest challenge of the tenth floor, it could be a historic moment for the entire Sun Moon Empire as a whole. Mayne this achievement would be praised throughout the ck Eye Gxy," Keldor said, appearing in the area where the elders, officials, and the patriarch of the Imperial Frost n were gathered.
Chapter 149 149: Ending In A Flash Part 3
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"Not to mention," he continued, his voice carrying a flicker of excitement, "if he can conquer the formidable Monster Tower, unimaginable power will be ours tomand." His gaze intensified, as if he could peer into the very depths of a hidden world, where untold wonders awaited.
Legends whispered in hushed tones echoed in Keldor''s voice as he spoke, his words descending to a hushed whisper that carried the weight of ancient secrets.
"It is said," he breathed, his voiceden with reverence, "that whoever scales the towering heights of the Monster Tower shall ascend as its rightful ruler."
A momentary pause ensued, the silence pregnant with the gravity of his revtion. Only he possessed this knowledge in the current era. After all, he was the sole keeper of a well-guarded secret. Ethan Frost, moments before ascending to the divinend of cultivation, the Flying Empire, had entrusted this secret to his adopted brother Dn, who had then passed it down to his own son. The lineage of the J. Lionheart family bore the weight of this sacred knowledge, and he was precisely from this lineage.
Keldor was nning to keep it a secret as he knew that countless greedy fools would try to conquer the tower with their very life on the line if it was made known that conquering the monster tower would grant you ownership over it.
But now that Evan was a single but also the most toughest hurdle away from bing the owner of the Monster Tower, Keldor exposed this secret.
Actually, if he wasn''t certain that Evan would be able to conquer the Monster Tower, he wouldn''t have divulged the closesly guarded secret.
That raised a question.
Just what was his power? Did it allow him to predict the future? Or was he so capable that he could peek into the future!
"As you all already know, the Monster Tower, an enigmatic creation brimming with sentient malevolence, harbors ten ancient entities of immeasurable wisdom and formidable power, each managing their respective floors." Keldor continued, his eyes shimmering with a cocktail of desire and trepidation. "To possess it is to be the master of these otherworldly beings."
His eyes shimmered with desire and apprehension. "The Monster Tower itself stands as an impregnable fortress, an invincible stronghold. It wields indomitable power, capable of crushing even the most skilled Soul Maniptors like insignificant insects. Made from the sturdiest materials found in the ck Eye gxy, It''s also like an imprable shield capable of even blocking attacks more powerful than soul skills. It can render the efforts of Soul Embodiment Realm cultivators utterly futile!"
Keldor exhaled softly, a low breath of contemtion escaping his lips.
"Obtaining such a relic would elevate him beyond the realm of ordinary Soul Maniptors," he mused, his voice tinged with a hint of incredulity. "To wield a weapon of such magnitude... it is a tale yet untold, an inconceivable feat that defies the boundaries of imagination."
The Monster Tower was a Special-Grade Sentient Weapon. Among the hierarchy of Sentient Weapons, categorized into four levels of power¡ªlow, medium, high, and special¡ªthe Monster Tower reigned supreme, its uses unparalleled. It boasted an exalted status not only due to its sheer might, but also for its unique ability to bestow upon its owner ten loyal and formidable subordinates.
The floor managers were bound by an unbreakable pact, and so they would undoubtedly answer to the ruler¡ªthe one who had proven their worth by scaling the treacherous heights of the Monster Tower.
Moreover, within its towering structure, the Monster Tower housed an ancient force that surpassed mortalprehension. Once you be its owner, you could subjugate them or use your brain to enve them, making them work for you. If you seed in enving them, you would gain an army of monsters under you!
Thus, it was not wrong to say that to hold the reins of such an extraordinary relic was to transcend the realms of ordinary Soul Maniptors, stepping into a realm of power and influence that was as coveted as it was perilous. It was a privilege that could reshape destinies, a feat so extraordinary that its very existence defied the boundaries of imagination.
"How do you, a mere elder of the Council of Elders, possess such knowledge?" Alistair questioned, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of skepticism.
"Mere elder?" Keldor chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that reverberated through the area. The leader of the Council of Elders shot Alistair a warning nce, his eyes gleaming with a cold, dangerous light.
"Watch who you''re talking to if you value your life," the leader retorted, his voice sharp as a de. Then, turning to Keldor, he added, "Master, please don''t let his words affect you. He is nothing but an ignorant buffoon who fails to grasp your greatness."
Keldor nodded, his expression calm andposed. He seemed unfazed by the ignorant buffoon''s questioning, as if he had long grown ustomed to such reactions. Although his expression remained stoic, a glint shed in his eyes. Noticing it, Eldrid knew that someone was going to die right here and now.
Keldor had many reasons to kill Alistair. He was the Minister of Defense but he had failed to live up to his resposibility years ago when Evan was almost assasinated. At that time, Evan''s worth was less than Alistair so Keldor had spared thetter. But now that the situation was different and Alistair had offended him by being ignorant and acting out of ce, he was nning to get rid of him. He couldn''t kill Nichs without Eldrid''s permission, but crushing an ant like Alistair was an easy feat totally up to him.
''Fuck! I messed up big time. Me and my damn mouth.''
A sudden realization dawned upon Alistair, hitting him like a lightning bolt. He had seen Mt. Tai but failed to recognize it for what it truly was. There was only one person in the entire n whom the leader of the Council of Elders would address as "Master" with such reverence and fear. It could only be the Grand Leader of the Council of Elders himself. The enigmatic figure whose true identity remained shrouded in mystery.
Alistair''s mind raced, struggling to process the gravity of the situation. To encounter the Grand Leader in the flesh, here of all ces, was beyond his wildest expectations. The Grand Leader was renowned for his short temper and swift judgment, extinguishing lives at the slightest hint of disagreement. He was a force to be reckoned with, possessing unimaginable strength, and a close confidant of Eldrid, the n''s esteemed Grand Patriach. No one within the n dared to challenge the Grand Leader''s authority.
Realizing his errors, Alistair mustered his courage and spoke with a voice tinged with humility, addressing the Grand Leader directly. "I offer my sincere apologies, Grand Leader. I failed to recognize your presence and understand the magnitude of your greatness. Please forgive my ignorance."
The room fell into an expectant silence as all eyes turned to the Grand Leader, awaiting his response. His piercing gaze bore into Alistair, his expression inscrutable. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, time seemed to freeze.
Finally, the Grand Leader''s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. His voice, like velvet wrapped around steel, cut through the air. "Consider yourself fortunate. Valerius Stormraven consideration for me bought time for you to make the right decision. Your acknowledgment of your mistake and your swift apology have spared you from the consequences of your folly. Learn from this encounter, and remember your ce."
Alistair nodded, a mixture of relief and gratitude flooding his being. He had narrowly escaped the Grand Leader''s wrath, realizing the magnitude of his misstep. The power and authority held by the Grand Leader were not to be taken lightly.
With a simple yetmanding gesture, the Grand Leader dismissed the matter, his attention shifting back to the weighty situation at hand. He was looking forward to seeing how Evan would aplish the impossible.
Meanwhile, Alistair''s heart raced as he silently vowed that he would start treading carefully and think twice before speaking in the presence of such formidable figures.
Eldrid expressed, "If he triumphs in his quest to conquer the towering structure, it shall herald auspicious news for our cause. The Imperial Master has bestowed upon his most trusted ally an imperial decree. The onset of the evesting winter is imminent. We stand to lose much amidst this spatial frost, but the younger generation holds the key to preserving our position as the mightiest within the imperial family, along with all the apanying advantages. I had expected that he would lose our spot to the firestorms, but if he emerges as a powerhouse, that wouls change."
Magnus, the esteemed Patriach of the Imperial Frost n, concurred with a nod. The eternal winter was the best time for the Imperial Families to settle their dispute and change their rankings in the Dark Tower! It was bound to be bloody!
"We should have faith in his abilities and see his choices to the end. Time and time again, he has shown his prowess and resourcefulness. I have faith that he shall rise to the challenge once more."
Chapter 150 150: Command Token
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Evan seemed to take out a small, ck box from his spatial ring.
The onlookers watching his livestream were filled with curiosity as he utched the box and carefully extracted a worn-out map. Doubt started to creep into their minds, questioning how a simple map could possibly save him from the horde of monstrous creatures. The idea seemed unrealistic,pletely devoid of hope.
One of the spectators with too much free time chimed in, "Is this just a staged performance?"
Evan''s staunch critic added, "I believe so. Maybe he''ll run out of the tower when his life is truly in danger."
Despite the imminent threat of the approaching beasts, Evan remained strangely calm. Deep inside him burned an unyielding determination to do the impossible as he infused the map with his own icy soul energy. The map''s intricate design responded only to the unique soul energy signature of the main family of the Imperial Frost n. Any other energy source would fail to elicit a response.
Suddenly, a magnificent golden treasure chest materialized on the surface of the map, serving as a clear marker for the location of the Monster Tower''s most coveted prize. Alongside it, a series of numbers appeared at the top of the map, revealing the precise coordinates that whispered the secret whereabouts of the treasure.
Evan nodded at the sight of it.
Right after, from his inventory, he retrieved the [Space-Time Transmitter!] from his inventory. This valuable item had been rewarded to him for sessfully oveing a dangerous mission after he reached the Soul Manifestation Realm and activated the yer System.
The onlookers had never seen a time like this. They were bewildered by its appearance. What is it? Why is it in his possession? And why had he taken it out at this crucial junction? Just what was he up to?!
He hadn''t uses it until now as he was reserving it solely for an asion like this.
The [Space-Time Transmitter!], resembled a handheld contraption with its intricate keypad.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
With a calcted series of taps upon the keys, he entered the precise coordinates and pressed the enter key.
Consequently, in an ethereal disy, an azure portal materialized before him.
Remarkably, before the first wave of adversaries could close the distance, Evan dissipated from his original position, swiftly enveloped by the closing portal that sealed shut after swallowing him whole.
No trace of his presence remained, leaving the beasts that were looking forward to devouring his flesh disappointed and the spectators that wanted to know what made him confident enough to confront the toughest challenge of the Monster Tower shocked!
[Ding! You have reached the top of the Monster Tower!]
[Ding! You have reached the top of the Monster Tower!]
The notification chimed as Evan reappeared at the summit of the Monster Tower, which seemed to be on the tenth floor, instead of a special area above it. To reach it, one needed to possess enough strength to cleave through a wave of monsters or have a special teleportation item like Evan.
Evan stood upon the edge of a floating rock, its jagged contours cloaked in an ethereal mist, obscuring the world below.
Several meters ahead of him, a rose-shaped monument stood proudly, ensconced within an barrier.
The barrier was semi-transparent, granting him a glimpse of the altar nestled at the monument''s core.
It was an ancient construct imbued with various runes and mystic significance. After all, on top of it rested the greatest treasure of the Monster Tower, [The Command Token!]
The Command Token is an extraordinary artifact that allows its possessor to exert control over the Monster Tower. Whoever acquires it bes the ruler, possessing the power tomand not only the spirit of the tower but also its ten floor managers.
Within the game, the Command Token was revered to be the rarest item of the third patch, worth more than 3 million dors. Sentient weapons were incredibly rare, rarer than the mythical Phoenix''s feather. In the game, encountering one was nearly unheard of, with only the top-ranked yers possessing one in their arsenal of rare and epic weapons, and even the top-ranked yer had mentioned that there was only one special-grade sentient weapon in the third patch that the yers could interact with after meeting certain conditions such as forming a strong rtionship with the Imperial Frost n by helping them with their troubles, but it wasn''t possible to obtain it. After all, only a carrier of the blood of frost could be its owner, and none of the yer had it!
Evan, however, possessed the necessary ingredient to unravel the barrier safeguarding the Command Token as he had the blood of Frost flowing through his veins.
''One left step remains.''
Drawing his magic sword, he made a deliberate sh across his hand, allowing his blood to spill onto the barrier.
As if responding to the blood of frost, a gap materialized in the previously imprable barrier. Seizing the opportunity, Evan stepped through the opening, entering the monument and making his way towards the altar where the Command Token awaited.
After reaching it, Evan extended his bloodied hand, and the Command Token absorbed the crimson essence from his palm, establishing an unbreakable bond between them. It became his bound item, incapable of being relinquished. Even if someone were to steal it, they would be unable to utilize its power without his permission. Moreover, an inexplicable connection formed between Evan and the token, allowing him to sense its presence at all times. Tracking it down would be an effortless task.
The yer System congratted him.
[Ding! Congrattions, yer Evan on bing the owner of the Command Token!]
The yer System''s issued a series of notifications, revealing the privileges that came with owning the Command Token.
[Congrattions, yer Evan, as the owner of the Command Token, you now have the authority to control who enters and exits the Monster Tower. You have be its Ruler.]
[In addition, you have the power to manipte the size of the tower. In simpler words, you can make it morepact and portable at your will.]
[As a Soul Manifestation Realm Cultivator, you can now issuemands to the managers of the first, second, and third floors. Because they are bound to an ancient pact that works in the favor of the party with the Blood of Frost, they will bepelled to carry out your bidding with unwavering obedience.]
[Once you reach the Soul Fusion Realm, you will gain dominion over the managers of the fourth to seventh floors, expanding your control further. And when you ascend to the Soul Embodiment Realm, the managers of the eighth to tenth floors will be subject to your absolutemand.]
Evan couldn''t help but be impressed by the extent of his newfound authority.
"To think that I now hold the power to all these things," he murmured in awe. "This Command Token is considered to be best item in the imperial frost n for a reason. The possibilities that lie before me are staggering."
Chapter 151 151: Shedding Light On Evans Big Brain Move!
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Evan felt satisfied.
''Everything happened as I nned.''
Every two faced bastard in the Imperial Frost n had their own agendas and schemes, but none of them grasped the truth that they were just mere pawns in Evan''s grand game ever since the Inheritance War started.
Like marites with invisible strings, they had danced unwittingly to his whims and desires.
His mind could be considered to be no less impressive than a twisted web of cunning and calction as he had orchestrated this entire y when he received the treasure map left behind by Ethan Frost!
To exin it in simple words, Evan had made a n to enter the Monster Tower long before he was forced by circumstances, which led him to start the inheritance war.
Whenever this war happened, the Monster Tower served as the battleground. Even during thest war, which was started by Evan''s grandfather Eldrid, the participants were made to climb the tower.
Starting the inheritance war was Evan''s best opportunity to enter the tower because there were two conditions for entry. First, one had to be an Awakened Soul Cultivator in either the Soul Manifestation or Soul Fusion Realm. Anyone above or below that level couldn''t enter the tower due to the tower''s spirit. Second, during normal times, permission from the Imperial Frost Court was required. However, most officials and ministers in the court were against Evan and wouldn''t allow him to achieve his goal. If they had known his intentions, they would have done everything possible to stop him.
That''s why Evan resorted to extreme measures.
Not to mention, he didn''t have any other options.
He was on the verge of being exiled from the capital after his identity as a control-type soul cultivator was made known.
Hence, he had resorted to ruthlessness and initiated the inheritance war, fully aware that it would result in casualties.
Human greed, he believed, was a truly unpleasant trait. If his fellow n members hadn''t harbored ambitions for his position, they wouldn''t have beenpelled to join the inheritance war and lose their life.
In an attempt to ease his conscience and find justification for his actions, he convinced himself of this reasoning.
''I can''t deny that I yed a part in their deaths, but I had to prioritize my own survival.''
However, he acknowledged his partial responsibility for their deaths, knowing that he had presented them with the opportunity that led to such consequences.
''Justifying my actions doesn''t erase the consequences or the guilt, but it''s the only way to keep moving forward.''
Though he felt guilt, he refused to let it sway him.
The world was a harsh and unforgiving ce, and one couldn''t afford to be tender-hearted orpassionate.
''Soft-heartedness has no ce in a world where survival depends on tough decisions. I don''t think it was a mistake to embrace the cold-heartedness demanded by this unforgiving world in the pursuit of my goals. If I hadn''t gone to such lengths, it would have been me who would''ve died.''
Had he hesitated when the opportunity arose, he would have faced deportation from the capital, and without a doubt, he could surmise that he would have been eliminated shortly thereafter. Nichs and those who desired his permanent removal wouldn''t have hesitated to bring about his demise, after all.
"Time to put the baby birds in their ce."
After assuming his position as the Ruler, Evan wielded his newfound authority like a absolute hegemon and expelled all the participants of the inheritance war, except for himself and Aiden, from the Monster Tower.
...
On the second floor of the towering structure known as the Monster Tower, the participants were fully engrossed in their trials.They dedicated themselves to oveing challenges, unaware of the sudden turn of events awaiting them.
However, without any warning, they suddenly found themselves expelled from the tower, and disbelief washed over them.
"???"
Their eyes widened with surprise as they were abruptly transported outside of the Monster Tower.
This caught them off guard and left them momentarily stunned.
For a moment, their minds struggled toprehend what had just urred.
Among the bewildered participants, Mathew couldn''t help but feel a mix of frustration and confusion. As his mother''s life and death depended on his performance in the inheritance war, he had been diligently working his way through the trials, giving his all, and the unexpected expulsion left him questioning what had gone wrong or if he had missed a crucial detail.
"What just happened? One moment, I was battling through the trial, and the next, I''m abruptly expelled from the Monster Tower? This is unbelievable!" Mathew eximed, his voice filled with frustration.
Dante, too, felt the weight of disappointment as it settled heavily within him. His progress and efforts on the second floor had suddenly been rendered meaningless, causing him to feel so devastated that his words got caught in his throat, suppressed by his emotions.
"I... I..." he stammered, struggling to express the magnitude of his letdown.
Beneath his outward image as the distant nephew of the seventh seat of the Council of Elders and the cherished favorite of Nichs, the leader of the frostweavers,y a stark reality: he was nothing more than a mere tool. And what fate awaits a tool once it has served its purpose? It gets discarded. Dante harbored no desire to meet such a grim end. However, he was acutely aware that failure to meet Nichs''s expectations would undoubtedly result in his demise.
No wonder Dante was overwhelmed with emotions. The weight of his predicament pressed down on him, causing a whirlwind of conflicting feelings to swirl within. Fear gripped his heart as he contemted the consequences of falling short of Nichs''s expectations. The thought of facing a grim fate, cast aside like a useless tool, sent shivers down his spine.
"I was so close topleting the trial and advancing to the next floor! Who could have done this? Was it some kind of malfunction?" Dante finally managed to say, his voice tinged with the pain of his dashed hopes.
Chapter 152 152: Calling The Managers
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"This is ridiculous!"
Meanwhile, as the participants absorbed the shock, anger and frustration surged within them. They couldn''t help but question how they all had been ejected simultaneously.
"Did the tower malfunction? How could we all be expelled at once? It feels like we''ve been robbed! Someone must have sabotaged us. But who could possess such power? We demand an exnation!" they voiced their collective outrage at the members of the council of elders.
Keldor stepped forward to address the misunderstanding of the angry young masters and young misses.
"You all are quite imaginative but no, nothing of that sort transpired. You were expelled from the Monster Tower by its ruler, not due to any faults or shorings on your part. Take a moment to observe the screens projected before you. His Highness Evan, through his cunning and skill, has already sessfully reached the pinnacle of the tower. As a result, he has rightfully imed the position of its master. It was his will that led to your current predicament, and there is no wrongdoing in this. You must understand that this is a war¡ªa fiercepetition where undermining your opponents is an essential strategy. He grabbed the strongest opportunity and used it in a way that best benefited himself. Even I am left impressed!"
Keldor''s words were spoken with a sense of calm authority, as if he were delivering a necessary truth that the participants needed to ept.
Hanging on Keldor''s every word, a sense of defeat washed over the faces of the participants. The weight of the truth bore down upon them heavily, sinking their spirits. They had beenpletely outssed by His Highness Evan, who had ascended all the way to the illustrious tenth floor, while they struggled to make progress on the mere second floor. The disparity between their achievements was so vast that it felt insurmountable. There was simply noparison to be made.
The chasm separating them from His Highness Evan''s remarkable feat seemed impossibly wide, leaving them disheartened and dispirited!
At the same time, upon hearing the name Evan, Mathew''s eyes zed with fury.
"So, it was him. He ruined everything for me." he muttered under his breath his voice filled with indignation.
Because of Evan, his mother might die! Mathew, who loved his mother to death, began to hate Evan even more.
.....
At the pinnacle of the majestic Monster Tower, on its lofty tenth floor, stood a splendid prince. His hands were behind his back and his gaze was sharp and profound. That stance and that gaze made him look like a sword immortal.
Suddenly, he parted his lips to speak with grace and authority befitting his esteemed status.
"Managers, heed the prince''s call."
It was evident from the speaker''s voice that the prince in question was none other than Evan.
Without a moment''s dy, three individuals emerged in response: Victor D''Angelo, Prince Charming Croc, and Marcus. They stood before their ruler, ready to serve.
"We, your loyal servants, answer your call," they dered in unison.
"Since we''ll be journeying together, let''s take the opportunity to understand one another better. Please, share your stories, strengths, and anything else you''d like to reveal. I invite each of you to open up and express who you truly are and what you are capable of." Evan said to the three of them.
''The ruler turned out to be different than I expected.'' Prince Charming found himself taken aback by the prince''s genuine curiosity. He had long held the assumption that their role under a ruler would solely involve serving, with no regard for trulyprehending their individuality. Aforting warmth enveloped his heart as he recognized a resemnce between Evan and their creator''s creator, Ethan Frost.
Victor had the same thought as Prince Charming.
Marcus, on the other hand, expressed his surprise, "You wish to learn about us?"
"I don''t recall speaking in an unknownnguage." Evan responded with a touch of amusement.
The managers introduced themselves to Evan.
Through their words, Evan discovered that the managers were part of the esteemed group known as the ten hidden swords of Ethan Frost. Although no one knew how they looked like, these individuals were held in high esteemed in the empire as they had gained significant recognition during the previous war against the hell realm and were hailed as war heroes across the Gxy.
Among them, Marcus was considered the weakest and had the cultivation base of a Spirit Master. Prince Charming, on the other hand, was in the same realm as Marcus but had reached its peak-stage. Victor was stronger than them both. He was a remarkable Spirit Grandmaster.
Beyond the initial three levels of Soul Cultivation, namely Soul Manifestation, Soul Fusion, and Soul Embodiment, there existed four additional levels: Spirit Master, Spirit Grandmaster, Spirit Lord, and the ultimate rank, Spirit Emperor. Notably, all Seven Imperial Lords and Four Elders of the Dark Tower were Spirit Lords. In the vast expanse of the ck Eye Gxy, there was only a single Spirit Emperor though. He was known as the Imperial Master, the strongest under the heavens.
The final four realm of cultivation belonged to a cohesive stage, distinct from the initial steps of soul cultivation such as soul maniption and embodiment. This meant that while they stood far above first-step and second-stage soul maniptors, as well as third-step cultivators, namely soul embodiment realm cultivators, there remained a possibility for individuals within the cohesive stage to triumph in battles against others at the same stage, regardless of their cultivation realm.
It''s worth noting that such instances were umon and mainly urred during carefully orchestrated assassinations.
In any case, it was clear from this revtion just how invaluable Evan''s new subjects truly were!
Moreover, each possessed unique traits and professions that held great potential.
Prince Charming is heavily into being stylish and cool, exuding a passion for fashion. He is an excellent makeup artist and also possesses powerful disguise skills, capable of assuming various personas with remarkable finesse. He could change his body structure and features to look like a human from a Humanoid Croc and blend in with societyFor infiltration purpose, he should be the first choice for any sane person.
Victor is a professional chef. He can create delicious food that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also has beneficial effects on cultivators and Gctic Soldiers. His culinary creations have the potential to enhance their cultivation and strengthen their bodies.
Marcus, in his ownid-back manner, enjoyszing around and prioritizesfort above all else, earning him the endearing nickname of a "salted fish." However, this rxed approach has its advantages. He likes enjoyingfort. Thus, Marcus has dedicated his time to developing unique soul skills that improve the quality of his life. These skills, although unconventional, can prove invaluable in various scenarios.
Undoubtedly, the collective knowledge and abilities possessed by Prince Charming, Victor, and Marcus held immense potential for benefiting Evan.
''Their distinctive talents and professions will bring a wealth of advantages to my future endeavors,'' Evan thought a merchant-like glint shing in his eyes.
Chapter 153 153: End Of The Third Trial Of Fire!
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"Hey, Sir Victor, could you teleport Aiden over here?"
Evan respectfully addressed Sir Victor, seeking his assistance. Despite being Victor''s superior, Evan acknowledged Victor''s age and strength, choosing to use honorifics as a sign of respect. Evan understood that respect is earned, and he hoped that by showing respect to Victor, he would receive the same in return.
"Absolutely, I can do that," Victor responded with a nod, affirming his ability to fulfill Evan''s request.
"In that case, do bring him here."
Although Victor''s existence was born from the tower''s spirit, his strength was undeniably real. He was a true Soul Grandmaster, someone so strong that he would be respected no matter where he went in the ck Eye Gxy.
With a casual wave of his hand, he effortlessly tore through the very fabric of reality, creating a portal to another ce.
Victor swiftly stepped inside, disappearing from sight.
Momentster, he emerged from the portal, apanied by Aiden.
Aiden''s expression mirrored his confusion and shock as he scanned his unfamiliar surroundings, trying to make sense of his sudden teleportation. He looked like a little lost kitten.
.....
Outside the tower.
"Look at his confused expression, it''s rather adorable."
Observing Aiden''s confusion, a youngdy from the imperial frost n remarked, finding his expression rather endearing.
"Did he always look this attractive?"
Her friend added in awe, marveling at Aiden''s attractiveness.
"He''s Annika''s brother, so it''s in his genes to be charming. You just didn''t notice before because, in your eyes, his obvious handsomeness was overshadowed by the fact that he was a control-type soul cultivator,"
In the midst of the gathering, a sigma male boldly revealed an ufortable truth about the girls'' perception of males, not Aiden in general.
This left both girls feeling embarrassed.
.....
Inside the tower.
"Shocked, aren''t we?" Evan chuckled, finding Aiden''s bewildered look quite amusing.
Aiden turned to Evan and asked, his voice filled with curiosity, "Where on Earth are we?"
"We''re at the peak of the Monster Tower," Evan calmly replied.
"This is the tower''s summit? That means I''ll receive 100 points, just like you. The third trial of fire will end in a tie between us. You didn''t have to do this, my prince. If you hadn''t brought me here, you would have gained a significant lead over the others. You would''ve truly stood out from the crowd. Why did you give me this opportunity and undermine your own standing in the n?" Aiden''s voice wasced with emotion, his happiness and tears evident in his words and eyes.
Evan responded with sincerity, "I always repay my debts, and I know you''re not interested inpeting for my position. cing you above others but below myself in the inheritance war didn''t feel like a difficult decision."
Evan was the type of guy who repays a drop of water with an entire spring. The members of his n had only seen his ferocious nature so far, but now they had also witnessed his benevolence. And they had to say; it left them impressed.
"Thank you for cing such immense trust in me, my prince," Aiden expressed his gratitude.
To which Evan replied, "You''ve earned it."
After that, Evan, along with Aiden and the managers of the first three floors stepped out of the Monster Tower.
The grueling third trial of the inheritance war, engulfed in mes, had finally concluded.
The Bronze Ranking List of the esteemed Imperial Frost n became immediately adorned with an abundance of names.
Unsurprisingly, Evan''s name imed the prestigious top spot on the list.
Right below him, Aiden''s name gleamed with pride.
Dante, Mathew, and Max secured the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively, showcasing their exceptional prowess.
"¡ hmm?"
Evan''s lips curved into a gentle smile as he perused the list, for a familiar name caught his eye.
There it was, Jack''s name, nestled in the seventh position.
It seemed like a pleasant surprise for Evan.
''It''s good to see that he didn''t waste the chance I provided him.''
"I never got the chance to say it earlier, but I truly appreciate you saving my life," Jack expressed with genuine gratitude, leaving the members of the Ice Household in awe of his humility.
Surprised by Jack''s unexpected disy of gratitude, Evan remarked, "I had assumed you''d be too embarrassed to acknowledge it. It seems I misjudged you. You''re not as ungrateful as I initially thought."
Curious about Evan''s impression of him, Jack mustered the courage to inquire, "Is my reputation truly that tarnished in your eyes?"
"You were my bully, Jack. We had a heated argument not too long ago. First impressions matter, and yours was a miserable failure."
Evan''s response was straightforward, his voice tinged with lingering memories of their tumultuous past.
Jack''s face fell, remorse evident in his eyes.
He took a deep breath and spoke sincerely,
"I''m truly sorry for my past behavior, Evan. I''ve reflected on my actions, and I promise to do better. You won''t have to worry about me causing trouble anymore."
With a nod, he turned and quietly left, leaving Evan to contemte the sincerity of Jack''s words.
"Son, everyone here is curious about one thing. Themand token, how much control does it grant you over the tower? Would you mind enlightening us, old folks?" Magnus inquired, his eyes filled with genuine intrigue.
"No, not at all," Evan replied confidently. "Having the Command Token in my possession grants me unparalleled authority within the Monster Tower. I can bend its inhabitants to my will, reshape its very structure, and hold dominion over its loyal floor managers."
To demonstrate his assertion, Evan reached out and grasped the towering structure known as the Monster Tower. The colossal edifice, towering above average skyscrapers, began to shrink and shrink until it was norger than a mere speck, fittingfortably in the palm of Evan''s hand!
"That''s possible?!"
"OMG!"
Gasps of astonishment and awestruck murmurs reverberated through the crowd, their voices filled with a mix of amazement and disbelief. Evan''s disy had left everyone in attendance spellbound, marveling at the unimaginable power he wielded.
Chapter 154 154: The Last Hour!
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The elders, awestruck by what they had just witnessed, took deep breaths, doing their best to calm down. After a while, they calmed down enough to regain their ability to speak.
"My, oh my! It''s simply incredible! To have such control over the Monster Tower, a special-grade sentient weapon, is truly extraordinary."
"Indeed, the Command Token grants meplete control over the Monster Tower. Its destiny now rests firmly in my hands." Evan replied, exuding confidence through his sparkling ck eyes.
"Your Highness, your luck is really good!"
"It''s not luck, dear elders. I worked my butt off to get this far."
The crowd hummed with excitement, their awe undiminished as they remained captivated by the astonishing disy. Evan''s extraordinary abilities had left an indelible mark on their collective memory, ensuring that his name would be forever etched in the annals of their history.
To possess a special-grade sentient weapon at the mere age of sixteen was an unprecedented feat, one that had not been witnessed since the very inception of the illustrious Sun Moon Empire. It was a testament to Evan''s exceptional talents and a sign that he was an unparalleled leadership figure that they should follow. Otherwise, they would regret it!
Just then, Keldor made an announcement, his voice reverberating through the air,manding everyone''s attention.
"Attention, everyone! Listen closely. We now have a mere hour remaining in the inheritance war. During this final hour, the top five contenders will have the opportunity to challenge one another to a duel. Each contender can issue a challenge only once, and no challenge can be refused."
"Here''s the important part: when you issue a challenge, you are not only representing yourself but also your families and guardians. Should you be defeated in the fight, the one who issued the challenge will have the right to demand anything from your backers. And let me emphasize; this demand must be fulfilled. Failure toply will result in you and your representative getting punished in the harshest of ways as dictated by the n''sws. However, if you emerge victorious in a challenge, your name will be swapped with that of the defeated opponent on the Bronze Ranking List. The individual whose name stands first on the list when time runs out, or the challenges conclude, will earn the title of Crown Prince of Frost."
"Now, young masters, prepare yourselves thoroughly. This final hour will determine not only your own fate but also the destiny of your households and guardians. The choices and actions you make in this crucial time will shape the path ahead," Keldor proimed.
"I have a question," Mathew raised his hand and inquired, "Can someone be challenged more than once?"
Keldor acknowledged Mathew''s query with a nod. "Yes, indeed. The same person can be challenged multiple times, as long as they haven''t reached their limit of challenges, which is 2."
Following Mathew''s query, Date spoke up with a concerned expression.
"What happens if, unfortunately, someone loses their life during the duels?"
Keldor reassured him with a firm yetforting response.
"Rest assured, there will be no fatalities. We have taken precautions to ensure your safety. Each one of you will be provided with a life-preservation amulet meticulously crafted by the skilled artisans of the Ice Fang Household. These amulets are guaranteed to work. When your life is endangered, it will teleport you a safe distance away from the battlefield. However, that will signify that you have lost."
His words carried a sense of relief and reassurance, alleviating the worry that had crept into the hearts of the few weak-hearted contenders. The assurance of protection added ayer offort amidst the impending battles that would unfold in the final hour of the inheritance war.
"Understood," Dante said.
"Can all types of weapons be used?"
"No. Only magic weapons and energy-ranked equipment are allowed."
Evan sighed. If there was no rule like that, he could have just used his Monster Tower to crush all his opponents!
"Since no one else has any further questions, let the inheritance war''s final trial of firemence!" Keldor''s voice echoed, signaling the beginning of the duels.
Suddenly, a resonant voice emerged from the midst of the crowd, drawing everyone''s attention. All eyes turned toward a young man who confidently stepped forward, proudly disying an emblem depicting a wolf on his chest. "I am Max, hailing from the illustrious House of Ice Fang. I hereby challenge the fourth-ranked contender on the bronze ranking list."
Max stood out from the crowd with hismanding presence. He was tall and confident, exuding an air of strength. His ash colored hair was neatly styled, framing his face and drawing attention to his sharp features. His eyes, with a nted shape, mirrored his determination, and his thin lips held a hint of a disdainful smile. It was clear that he didn''t put control type cultivators in his eyes. Evan was a rare case, but he didn''t believe that Aiden was the type. In his eyes, Aiden was a lucky dog. If he wasn''t Evan''s friend, he wouldn''t have gotten such a high ranking position in the n''s bronze ranking list!
Max wore gloves adorned with pentagrams, adding a touch of mystique to his appearance. Leather boots adorned his feet, reflecting his fierce spirit. Notably, he chose to enter the challenge without any visible weapons.
''Maybe he is going to rely solely on his own abilities and strategy to win against Aiden. What a foolish man.'' Evanughed at Max internally.
He had easily assessed the situation and offered his valuable insight to Aiden.
"He believes you''re an easy target. Show him the error of his assumption."
Aiden, resolute and determined, nodded in agreement.
"I will prove him wrong."
With Evan''s words spurring him on, Aiden prepared himself mentally and physically for the impending battle.
The stakes were high, and he understood the importance of emerging victorious in this critical confrontation.
''I will not hold back in this battle. If pushes to shove, I will reveal all my trump cards!'' Aiden thought with a fiery conviction zing in his eyes as he stepped forward to respond to Max''s challenge.
Chapter 155 155: Aiden Vs Max
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"Where are we going to fight?"
"Your fight will take ce in the arena."
"Arena? I don''t see one here."
"Hmm... Take another look."
With a snap of Keldor''s fingers, a stage materialized before the crowd, instantly creating the battleground for their duel.
In the blink of an eye, Max and Aiden, wearing the life-preserving amulets provided to them by Keldor, stepped onto the stage.
Taking his position on the stage, Max locked eyes with Aiden, looking down on him with a challenging gaze.
Filled with confidence, Max boldly dered, "This fight will end as quickly as it began."
In a moment of wonder, a breathtaking blue symbol materialized in the open sky. From within the mystical symbol emerged a creature of immense grandeur.
The Ice Hawk, towering at an impressive height of five meters, captivated the spectators with its majestic presence. With sharp ws primed forbat, graceful wings poised for flight, and a regal horn adorning its noble head, the Ice Hawk was a sight to behold.
As soon as it appeared, the surrounding atmosphere grew increasingly cold, as if the air itself shivered in response to its power.
"Finish him," Maxmanded.
Following his order, the Majestic Ice Hawk exhaled a powerful burst of icy air from its mouth. The cold st froze the air vapor as it descended towards Aiden.
Aiden swiftly retaliated, summoning a torrent of spectral fire that surged forth from his outstretched hand. The spectral mes danced and flickered with an ethereal glow, meeting the frigid st head-on beneath the expansive sky.
Boom!
A resounding reverberation rang out as a mesmerizing sh ensued above the arena. The ghastly fire''s illusory grey hues engulfed the frozen air, casting a warm but dim glow against the wintry backdrop.
Gradually, the relentless fire emerged triumphant, consuming the icy chill and leaving behind a lingering heat that filled the arena with an enchanting warmth.
Max''s eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he witnessed Aiden''s ghastly fire overpowering the chilling st. His confidence wavered for a fleeting moment, a mix of surprise and uncertainty crossing his face. The unexpected turn of events sent a jolt of surprise through his veins, forcing him to quickly reassess his strategy.
The crowd, on the other hand, sat speechless as they watched in awe as the victorious mes surged forward, leaving a trail of dissipating frost in their wake.
The torrent of ghastly fire collided with the majestic Ice Hawk, engulfing it in a fiery inferno. The intense mes greedily devoured its once elegant wings and feathers, transforming them into charred remnants. The majestic creature, now aze and crippled, lost its ability to stay afloat and plummeted towards the ground with an ominous descent. As it crashed, the impact resonated through the air, echoing with a dull thud that reverberated in the hearts of the onlookers. The once regal presence of the Ice Hawk was now reduced to a smoldering wreckage, its fiery demise leaving a trail of smoky tendrils mingling with the crisp air!
Aiden fixed his eyes upon Max, a derisive smirk ying upon his lips, as he confidently remarked, "Your prediction proved true, indeed. This battle concluded as swiftly as itmenced, with the victor standing before you¡ªme."
The crowd erupted into a mixture of impressed gasps and enthusiastic apuse at Aiden''s taunting remark.
"This lowly fucker¡"
Max''s face contorted with a mixture of frustration and anger as Aiden''s taunt pierced through his pride. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. A visible twitch ran across his jawline, revealing the extent to which Aiden''s words had unsettled him. He failed to conceal his emotions, and his narrowed eyes burned with a potent mix of disgust and disdain. The source of his revulsion was evident ¨C it stemmed from Aiden being a control-type cultivator. Within that disgusty an intense desire to dismantle Aiden, as if tearing him apart would somehow purge the distaste Max felt toward his opponent.
Evan, observing the myriad expressions that flitted across Max''s face, marveled at Aiden''s finesse in provoking such a range of emotions. He muttered under his breath, "He truly possesses the knack for getting under someone''s skin, doesn''t he?"
Annika, standing somewhat shyly next to Evan, couldn''t help but release a soft chuckle at her younger brother''s audacious nature. With a hint of pride in her voice, she quipped, "That''s my brother for you."
Ylva leaned closer to Annika, her voice barely above a whisper, and shared her insight, "Aiden''s words possess a cutting edge, don''t they? It''s as if he has a keen sense of knowing exactly what to say to rattle his opponents. To me, it seems like Max''s emotions might get the better of him. If he acts shamelessly and allows his anger to drive him, he''ll only be ying into Aiden''s hands."
"Let''s see what happens," Evan remarked with a curious tone, unsure of how the escting situation would unfold.
Back in the arena, Max, his emotions boiling over, responded to Aiden''s taunt with an angry and unwilling tone.
"I won''t let you get away with this."
In an act of desperation, Max channeled his soul energy into the wounded Ice Hawk, its body bathed in a vibrant surge of revitalizing power. The majestic creature, rejuvenated by this infusion, emitted a resonant hum as its wounds slowly healed and its strength was replenished.
With amanding gesture, Max directed the Ice Hawk to unleash its wrath upon Aiden. The creature responded eagerly, its massive wings beating with renewed vigor as it soared towards its target. Every feather glimmered with a newfound intensity, ready to strike with a force that echoed the depths of its master''s fury.
"By sumbing to anger and behaving like a child, you''ve only seeded in further humiliating yourself, Max." Aiden taunted, his voiceced with a mixture of arrogance and disdain.
With amanding gesture, he raised his hand, causing waves of shimmering Soul energy to surge forth from his palm. The energy swirled and twirled, coalescing into a colossal blue orb, crackling with raw power.
Chapter 156 156: Celebrating His Victory!
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With a swift motion, Aiden swung his hand downward, unleashing the formidable orb that hurtled through the air with rming speed.
The massive sphere closed in on the Ice Hawk, threatening to engulf the majestic creature in its destructive embrace. The hawk''s talons, poised for attack, seemed momentarily frozen in the face of this formidable assault.
The attack struck with such ferocious speed that the Hawk had no chance to evade in time. In a split second, the collision between the pulsating blue orb and its intended target unleashed a deafening explosion, causing dust to billow and shockwaves to ripple outward.
Reacting swiftly, Keldor erected a protective shield to shield the onlookers from the brunt of the impact, ensuring their safety amidst the chaos.
As the dust settled, the aftermath of the detonation became painfully apparent. The once mighty arenay in ruins, reduced to a mere fragment of its former self. Only a solitary corner remained intact, serving as a haunting reminder of the battle that had taken ce. In the center, where the arena had once stood proud, now existed a gaping pit, an empty void where the ground had been consumed by the tremendous force of the explosion.
Amidst the destruction, Aiden stood alone, seemingly unscathed. His opponent, Max, had been forcefully teleported outside the arena by the power of the life-perserving amulet, separated from the devastated battlefield. The shattered remains of Max''s amulety scattered on the ground, its protective power shattered along with it, leaving Max vulnerable and defenseless. It also signified that Max had lost this battle. Not to mention, if he dared to continue asking for a beating, he would be risking his life!
Seeing the aftermath, Evan felt that he had greatly underestimated Aiden.
''So powerful! This must be the secret technique Aiden developed during his time in the military. It''s truly impressive!''
It was at this moment that the voice of Keldor, the Grand Elder of the council of elders, resounded through the air, dering, "The winner is Aiden from the Frost Blood Household!"
The announcement punctuated the intense atmosphere that had engulfed the battlefield, confirming Aiden''s victory.
The crowd erupted into a mix of apuse, cheers, and murmurs of admiration for Aiden''s formidable performance.
"Unbelievable skills!"
"Aiden is a force to be reckoned with!"
"What a breathtaking battle!"
"Max put up a good fight, but Aiden proved to be unstoppable!"
"Truly a disy of soul skills mastery!"
"Aiden''s soul skills are on another level! I felt like I was watching a soul embodiment cultivator fight!"
"After Annika, the Frost Blood Household has produced another extraordinary soul cultivator!"
The acknowledgment of his triumph echoed through the arena, solidifying his status as the second strongest of the youngest generation of the Imperial Frost n!
"As the winner of this duel, you can ask the Ice Fang Household for anything." Keldor reminded Aiden.
Then, Keldor added with enthusiasm, "And feel free to be as assertive as you want. The council will spare no effort to get them to fulfill your requests."
Aiden responded calmly, "I don''t have anything specific in mind right now. If I ever want something from the Ice Fang Household, I''ll think about it carefully."
"As you wish," Keldor said.
As Aiden rejoined Evan, his sister, and their friends, Evan praised him, saying, "Good job, Aiden. You showed everyone how powerful we Control-type soul cultivators can be."
Aiden responded with gratitude, his voice filled with sincerity, "Thank you, Evan. In reality, I should be the one expressing gratitude. Without your guidance, my prince, I would not have had this opportunity."
"Aiden, your skills were truly remarkable. You disyed not only power but also finesse and strategy. It was a sight to behold." Ylva, with a smile, added his admiration.
Aiden, with a yful smirk, couldn''t resist the opportunity for a narcissistic reply. He quipped to Ylva, his tone dripping with jest, "Well, of course, Ylva. It''s only natural for someone as talented as me to put on such a dazzling disy. But don''t worry, I''ll let you bask in my glory as well by letting you stand beside me."
Ylva rolled his eyes.
"I''ve always known you had it in you, Aiden. You''ve made our family proud today," Annika chimed in, her voice filled with sisterly pride.
Turning to Annika, he replied with a warm smile, "Thank you, sis. Your belief in me has always been a driving force. I''m grateful to have made you and my parents proud."
Lirian, a fellow soldier who had fought alongside Aiden in the past, expressed his deep appreciation.
"Aiden, your dedication and relentless hard work have finally paid off. Your victory today is undeniably well-deserved."
Having witnessed Aiden''s unyielding determination firsthand, Lirian knew just how extraordinary his efforts were. While others would rest and recover afterpleting their daily training, Aiden would push himself tenfold, going above and beyond the required regimen. If a hundred miles were the goal, Aiden would defiantly conquer a thousand and ask the instructor if he could run even farther. Lirian knew Aiden was an exceptional and relentless individual, and it was precisely because of the relentless drive that defined him that he had reached such heights.
To Lirian, Aiden responded with a grateful smile, his voice tinged with appreciation. "Thank you, Lirian. Actually, the experiences we''ve shared in the army resulted in the creation of my Soul Skill, Spirit Bomb. I couldn''t havee this far withoutrades like you by my side!"
Vikhilk, their steadfast ally, joined in the praise. "Aiden, yourposed demeanor and adaptability are trulymendable. It''s a rare sight to see such qualities in young individuals these days. That alone sets you apart from others."
Aiden, deeply touched by Vikhilk''s words, replied with heartfelt appreciation.
"Vikhilk, your support and unwavering belief in me mean the world. You''ve been more than just an ally; you''ve been a brother figure to me. When it seemed like the world had turned its back on me, you stood by my side without hesitation. It''s because of people like you that I was given the strength to persevere through hardship."
Aiden wasn''t like Evan. He hade this far, thanks to the help of countless people. Meanwhile, Evan''s sess could be attributed to his yer System and his ability as an entric Seer that could see the past instead of the future!
Chapter 157 157
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"We still got a good chunk of time left before this crazy inheritance war wraps up. There''s still a chance to fight for some changes, you know?" Keldor said.
"Father, should I go and challenge his highness Evan?" Mathew asked uncertainly.
Nichs said, "Hold up, Mathew. Dante, I want you to go and take on Evan head-on first. Push him to show off every damn skill he''s got so Mathew here can take notes. Also, wear him down so Mathew can have the upper hand when he faces him. Mathew, keep a close eye on their brawl. You''ll know which tricks to banish when it''s your turn against Evan, if you decide to go for it.
"Understood, pops." Mathew nodded. One thing that should be mentioned is that he really respected Nichs. It was because of his continous support that his dear mother was kept alive, after all.
''That twisted bastard finally decided to throw me to the wolves.'' Dante silently cursed Nichs.
Nichs was pitting Dante against Evan for Mathew''s benefit. What a sick son of a gun!
Dante maintained a stoic expression, however, hiding his true emotions. He didn''t show any of his feelings on his face.
He proceeded to step onto the stage, challenging Evan.
Evan promptly leaped onto the stage in response.
In that very moment, Danteunched an attack. A massive wolf, formed from ink, erupted out of Dante''s shadow and pounced on Evan.
Evan swiftly swung his sword, slicing the ink wolf in half. The creature exploded into a chaotic mess of ink. Employing his quick step skill, Evan skillfully evaded being sttered by the ink.
"I advise you to go all out starting now or you won''t have the chance to Evan mockingly remarked.
"I advise you to go all out starting now or you won''t have the chance," Evan mockingly remarked.
Dante looked undeterred by Evan''s taunting, but he was really shaken. The ink wolf was as powerful as a level 10 beast, yet Evan took it out with a single blow. Evan was ridiculously powerful. How does one win against a monster like that?
He responded, "Oh, don''t you worry. I''ve been saving my best for this very moment."
Evan grinned.
"Bring it on, Dante. Show me what you''ve got."
"As you wish."
Without hesitation, Dante tapped into the power of his skill crystal, unleashing its potential and summoning dozens of ink beasts.
"Summoning dozens of level 10 beasts in an instant. That''s quite powerful!"
The spectators gasped in astonishment as they witnessed Evan being surrounded by this formidable army of ink creatures.
"No way a Soul Manifestation Realm cultivator can ovee this," someone in the stands murmured, expressing their disbelief.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, all the ink beasts lunged at Evan, ready to overwhelm him. However, Evan appeared unworried, as if he was not the one facing imminent danger.
Seeing them approach, He raised his gleaming white sword high, its entire de zing with a vibrant blue hue
Thunderous de Wave!
In a split second, he swung his sword down, releasing an arc of icy energy. The arc possessed an extraordinary sharpness and power, apanied by an intense coldness. Anything it touched was instantly cleaved apart. The dozens of beasts that had leaped towards Evan were swiftly sliced in two, their frozen forms disintegrating faster than the naked eye could follow.
The icy arc surged forward, heading straight towards the summoner of the ink beasts.
Dante, taken aback, did not anticipate his ultimate move to be demolished with such ease. Caught off guard, his life-saving pendant shattered, and in an instant, he was teleported out of the arena, escaping the imminent danger.
The individual who had confidently believed that Evan would inevitably lose fell silent, a sense of embarrassment washing over him. Realizing his error, he sheepishly admitted, "Okay, I take back what I said."
After emerging victorious in the match, Evan imed his hard-earned right to demand anything from Dante''s guardian.
In the esteemed Imperial Frost n, the guardian holding this significant role was none other than Sam, the seventh seat of the Council of Elders.
Sam, a man in his thirties, possessed a plump figure that left no clear distinction between his neck and face. It appeared as though hecked a neck altogether, with his face seamlessly melding into his shoulders.
While hecked exceptional talent, Sam had secured his position through his influential connections. His father had previously held the prestigious seventh seat, and upon retiring, he had passed on this mantle to Sam.
Sam, acknowledging Evan''s victory, inquired with curiosity, "What is it that you seek from me, Your Highness?"
Evan looked at him with a sharp gaze, and Sam felt a chill go up his spine. Sam felt as if he had read like an open book!
Name: Sam Realm: Soul Embodiment Realm (Middle Stages) Strength: 140 Agility: 135 Stamina: 130
Defensive Soul te: Turtle Shell
Skill Crystals:
Ink Maniption - Allows control over ink-based creatures and formations.
Shadow Step - Enables swift movement through shadows, granting enhanced mobility.
Illusionary Veil - Creates illusions to confuse opponents and evade attacks.
Background: Sam, the son of the previous seventh seat of the Elder Council, harbored deep-seated jealousy towards his immensely talented twin brother. Consumed by his own feelings of inferiority, Sammitted a heinous act when they were mere children, orchestrating his brother''s demise and disguising it as a tragic ident. The tragic incident was epted as a camping mishap, with authorities attributing it to a Shadow Bear attack. No one suspected a six-year-old to be capable of such malevolence.
The death of his brother didn''t bring his any joy. His parents were so lost in mourning the death of the talented twin that they forgot to show him any love.
This caused his inferiorityplex to deepen.
Haunted by an overwhelming inferiorityplex, Sam was driven to seek greater power.
In his relentless pursuit, he resorted to conducting cruel experiments, and it was through these nefarious endeavors that Dante came into existence.
Dante, unknowingly, became the pinnacle of Sam''s experiments, possessing a lifeline intricately tied to Sam''s own machinations.
Chapter 158 158: Last
As Evan pondered the circumstances surrounding Dante and Sam''s rtionship, a realization struck him. Based on his knowledge thus far, there appeared to be only one item capable of exerting control over Dante¡ª the Mother Gu. The system''s revtion that Sam held the power to determine Dante''s fate seemingly confirmed the presence of the Mother Gu within Sam''s possession.
Evan couldn''t help but smile inwardly. The employment of Gu was strictly forbidden within the confines of the Imperial Frost n. Exposing this forbidden practice would lead to the downfall of the Seventh Seat and his associates. However, concrete evidence was crucial before making any moves.
Knowing Sam''s narrow-minded nature and his deeply ingrained inferiorityplex, Evan surmised that he would conceal the evidence of his crime on his person.
But... where exactly? He couldn''t strip the venerable seventh seat naked without a valid reason, now could he?!
"Perhaps it''s within his spatial ring?" Evan pondered, considering it a usible hiding spot.
He employed his Inspect Skill once more, this time focusing on Sam''s spatial ring.
Sam''s Spatial Ring:
Items:
Mother Gu. Ancient Scroll of Forbidden Knowledge.
Potion of Enhanced Strength. Shadow Cloak.
Soul Restraining Shackles. Essence Absorption Devil Stone. Illusionary Mirror. Phoenix Feather. Void Crystal. Ledgarof Illegal Deals.
Almost instantly, Evan''s suspicions were confirmed, as the evidence he sought indeedy within Sam''s very own spatial ring.
Evan immediately came up with a n to fuck them both and executed it.
"I want Dante!"
Evan boldly expressed his desire to im Dante as his own, stating it directly to Sam.
"You are being ridiculous. Dante is not a thing!"
However, Sam scolded him, reproaching Evan for referring to Dante as a mere possession.
The onlookers were also taken aback, disturbed by Evan''s unusual request. They were unaware of his peculiar interest.
Meanwhile, Dante himself was perplexed, unable toprehend why Evan would want him. The situation puzzled him greatly.
Evan''s grin widened, satisfied with Sam''s reaction. He retorted, "Sam, you''re being a hypocrite. You insist that Dante is not an object but a person, yet you treat him as nothing more than a weapon. Where was your conscience when you kidnapped children from lesser worlds and forced them to battle each other, all in the pursuit of creating the Gu King? The Gu king that is Dante!"
"He knows!"
Sam was shocked by Evan''s knowledge. How did he uncover such secrets? His surprise did not go unnoticed by the council elders, the patriarch, the grand patriarch, and the grand leader.
Sam''s eyes darted towards Nichs, who stared at him with a stern gaze, silently warning him to remain silent.
Sam''s eyes darted towards Nichs, who stared at him with a stern gaze, silently warning him to remain silent.
Evan''s words created a stir among the crowd. They couldn''t believe what they were hearing.
Keldor interjected, questioning the validity of Evan''s ims, asking if there was any truth to his words.
"Hold on a moment! Your Highness Evan, are your ims based on any truth? Can you provide evidence to support your usations?"
Keldor interjected, questioning the validity of Evan''s ims, asking if there was any truth to his words.
"I-"
Before Evan could evenplete his sentence, Sam shouted!
"This is preposterous! I categorically deny these allegations! How dare His Highness falsely use me! I may have a bad temper, but I have never stooped to such actions! I am an elder of the n, and I have served the n wholeheartedly for years. How can His Highness ssh dirty water on my character?!"
Evan rolled his eyes. "Sam, your acting sucks." he spat out nonchntly. "The more you act like this, the more it bes evident that you are desperate to hide your and your partner''s crimes."
"Your Highness, using an elder without substantial evidence is a serious matter. I urge you to reconsider your statements and consider letting the matter rest. It could have severe consequences if proven false."
Keldor addressed Evan.
Although Keldor and others with keen perceptions sensed the truth behind Evan''s words from Sam''s behavior, they were hesitant to expose Sam publicly. The Frost n''s reputation was at stake.
Evan, however, was not inclined to let the matter rest. He knew that if Sam escaped, he would destroy all evidence, leaving Evan with little chance of unveiling the truth.
"Who said there''s no evidence?" Evan proimed confidently. "After creating the Gu King, Sam colluded with Nichs and his group to obtain a Mother Gu and a Child Gu. I don''t think I need to exin what they did next. The child Gu is inside Dante while The Mother Gu is in Sam''s possession!"
Nichs retorted, challenging Evan''s ims. "Anyone can make baseless usations. Where is your proof?"
Evan countered, "You want proof? This prince will provide it! Victor, retrieve Sam''s spatial ring and reveal its contents to everyone."
"Yes, Master," Victor responded promptly, preparing to carry out Evan''smand.
However, as Victor attempted to apprehend Sam, he was blocked by several cultivators who belonged to the same n as his master. Reluctantly, Victor held himself back, not wanting to cause unnecessary conflict.
"You don''t need to hold back," Evan reassured him.
"Really?" Victor questioned, seeking confirmation.
Evan nodded, signaling his approval.
Evan nodded, signaling his approval.
He then turned to Marcus and Prince Charming, instructing them, "Go and support him. Knock down anyone who stands in your way. Show them no mercy. They are aiding evil and deserve to be taught a lesson!"
With Evan''smand, Victor unleashed his full strength. Marcus and Prince Charming joined the fray, swiftly engaging inbat. Within seconds, they managed to defeat the henchmen of Nichs and Sam, clearing the path for Victor to proceed.
During the battle, not a single powerhouse of the n moved. It seemed lile they were in a tactic agreement with other. They wanted to know where the show would go. If it ended in Evan''s favor, then he would really be worthy of being their Crown Power. But if it didn''t even if Evan won the inheritance war, they wouldn''t like him as a person. They would tolerate his existence but not befriend him.
Quickly, Sam was apprehended.
After his spatial ring was investigated, it was revealed that he really possessesed the Mother Gu.
On top of that, documents containing all the crimes that had beenmitted and a ledger containing the names of his partner in crime were also revealed.
They hadmitted unbelievably henious crimes. So they were punished with execution. Their crimes were to he made known to the entire empire and they were to be executed in public.
Nichs was also implicated.
This time, Eldrid did nothing to help him. He watched as his brother was killed.
The documents proved that the members of the other imperial families were also involved in these crimes. They were punished in the same way, beheaded at dusk under the watchful eyes of the imperial master.
That''s how Evan cleared the entire Imperial Capital of its filth, bing a respected soul cultivator throughout the empire, the True Crown Prince of the Imperial Frost n, its future Patriach, and the sessor of the Imperial Lord of Frost.
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