"This guy's cultivation technique is just a little strange, nothing special," Laura said.After relaying Felix's telepathy message, she stepped back. Her words had the intended effect. Everyone let out a sigh of relief. If more of those kinds of monsters started appearing, who could possibly stand against them?Though the situation had finally settled down, Felix wasn't the least bit happy. While his own troubles had just ended, the ordeal was completely unexpected. Logically, he still believed in the Phaeron Codex. After all, he had been practicing it himself and understood its power. If what was written in it was true, then there was no way for any of the wraiths to leave Corpse Town. So how did that old man get out?He decided not to dwell on it for now, as he had his own path to walk first.A few days later, in Imperial City, the Emperor and his sons sat in gloomy silence, staring at the three Celestial Royals standing at the forefront."You all saw what happened at the foot
For martial artists who reached the Transcendent Realm, the first three years were crucial for growth. After that period, their strength would be practically set. Hence, that phase determined the gap between those at the same level.Cordelia, for example, had attained her current level of power three years after reaching the Transcendent Realm. Given how things are unfolding, Felix only needed six months after activating Lone Paragon to reach his current strength. It was highly likely that he could reach her level as well.However, before he could dwell on these thoughts, a phone call from Xena completely disrupted his focus.To be honest, Felix was caught off guard. This was a phone exclusively used in Martial City. If Xena hadn't saved her number on his phone before he entered Martial City and mentioned that she might contact him one day, he would have never believed it."You entered Martial City?" Felix asked, puzzled. Xena wasn't someone who could just waltz into Martial City f
"The reason that creature suddenly lashed out so violently was because of the formation covering Martial City," Xena explained. "Based on my observations, this formation prevents Malevolent Phantoms from entering. That old man only got in because someone deliberately used a token to bring him inside. Even though he made it through, the formation still affected him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have killed so openly like you described."Malevolent Phantoms were already difficult to deal with, and intelligent Malevolent Phantoms were even worse. But that raised a bigger question. How were they created?"Since you've already taken care of it, I can at least report that much," Xena continued. "Felix, I really hope you can finish your mission soon. The capital desperately needs the warriors of Martial City to step in."With that, the call ended. Felix hadn't gained much new information, so all he could do was continue following his plan.After arriving at Misty Ridge, Felix immediately sens
Felix was stunned. What were the odds? He had just run into one of Nerissa's family members. On top of that, he was a highly respected elder. "Hello, sir."Since he wasn't officially engaged with Nerissa yet, Felix wasn't sure how to address him. Hence, he simply nodded at him in greeting and handed him a few pills hurriedly.Westley was dumbfounded as Felix offered both fasting pills and ones for recovery. As the fifth elder of the Xavier family who mastered Transcendent Realm, he was experienced enough to know that these pills weren't something just anyone could casually offer. "Thank you very much."Half an hour later, Westley had finished regulating his condition. Although he hadn't fully recovered, he could move freely again."What's your name, young man? I owe you a huge favor. Once we get out of here, I'll repay you."The sincere gleam of his eyes revealed that Westley was a man who never left a debt unpaid. It made sense. After all, how else could he have raised Neriss
"What is this thing?" Westley asked."This thing created all the mist in Misty Ridge," Felix replied.He didn't bother explaining the origins of the Infinite Shield in detail. Instead, he simply raised his right hand and touched it.In an instant, the Infinite Shield transformed into a streak of green light and disappeared into his body.As he felt the shield merge with his soul, a lingering sense of unease crept over him as he recalled Ophelia's warning.When dealing with the Three Forbidden Lands, the order of entry was crucial. If done incorrectly, the consequences would be disastrous.He had entered Echo Cavern first by pure luck. Back then, he had been ambushed by Dean and the Grand Elder. Both of them had mastered Transcendent Realm. Hence, Felix hadn't had the luxury of choice. Just surviving had been enough for him.It was only thanks to Ophelia's guidance that he had avoided stepping into Misty Ridge back then. Otherwise, who knew what would have happened?Even though
The moment a disheveled old man appeared, Felix knew that it was no coincidence. The old man had come looking for him on purpose. However, the real question was why he dared to do that."I believe this is our first meeting, right, Kevin?"Kevin grinned. "Yes."Felix rolled his neck. After all, he anticipated this fight a lot. During his fight against Cordelia, he felt the need to hold back. However, he didn't have to do that this time. After all, Kevin was one of the best fighters. There was no doubt about that."Did you come to avenge your mentee Aiden?" Felix asked.To his surprise, Kevin shook his head. "No. On the contrary, I should be thanking you for killing Aiden. I believe in fate, and I never try to manipulate it. "When the three Celestial Royals joined forces against you at the foot of Trirock Mountain, I was certain you would die. However, fate took a turn."Felix frowned, struggling to make sense of why he would want to thank him."So many things I thought were des
What Kevin said next left Felix utterly shocked."Forget Eloise. If the miracle doctor were to release the seals on all nine of your fellow apprentices, I wouldn't stand a chance against a single one of them."Seals on all nine of his fellow apprentices? What did that mean?No matter how much Felix tried to goad Kevin for more information, he wouldn't say another word. He had no choice but to dismiss it as nonsense.After another ten minutes, Kevin suddenly unleashed a devastating strike, which sent Felix flying backward. However, by doing so, Kevin left himself exposed. For the first time, Felix landed a clean hit on him."Felix, now you'll witness the moment I've been waiting for all these years. Without this full-power battle between us, I never would've reached this point!"With that, Kevin pulled out an object. As his upper garments shredded apart, he pressed it against his chest.Felix grew anxious as he had seen that object before. It was the same bone that had flown away
Felix had no other choice. Whether he would succumb to darkness or not was a problem for later. Since his Ethereal Constitution was still incomplete, he could only unleash Lumen in an attempt to kill Kevin.His strength was beyond anything Felix had anticipated.Just when he thought it was about to be over, Kevin suddenly stood still. A crimson glow flickered around him, then condensed into a shield the size of a plate. It perfectly intercepted Lumen just inches from his forehead."What?" Felix was utterly shocked. This was the first time anyone had ever blocked Lumen. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have thought it was a dream.Kevin sneered. "Aren't you the miracle doctor's mentee? Do you really think that once a martial artist reaches a certain level, they wouldn't have some understanding of the soul? If I wasn't fully prepared, do you think I would have revealed myself to kill you?"Kevin had a soul-defense weapon similar to the Infinite Shield. Felix found i
The guide said, "This is where the selected contestants rest. The yard is huge and has everything you need. As long as you don't leave this yard, you're free to move around. I'll bring you to your room now."The yard looked huge, with fixtures of bridges and flowing rivers. Felix even passed by a fake mountain. It was large enough for hundreds of people to climb, standing thousands of feet tall and looked quite majestically.No one on Earth or Aquamarinus could have built such a luxurious residence. Felix could even see a bar and massage parlor, showing how indispensable technology was in the universe. His room was luxurious, around 2000 square feet, and was decorated with traditional but modern touches. "This is your room. I'll take my leave now, goodbye." The young man left with a bow. Felix turned around and stood on the patio. Outside his room was a large lake, with even fish swimming inside."A new neighbor? Did you just arrive today?" The sudden voice came from the patio
Felix arrived at the location of one of Nine Flames, where the guards instantly collapsed, their eyes rolling back as they fainted.By now, darkness had arrived. He walked forward without any hesitation, his right hand touching the flame.There was no need for any special tools. The flame simply vanished, and only Felix knew that it was absorbed in an instant by his Starmark.With the disappearance of the flames, people in many places immediately dropped to their knees.The light that should have lasted throughout the night vanished, and the darkness of Desolated Lands descended almost instantly. Every light went out in an instant.Screams echoed everywhere, and panic spread like wildfire. Even though their loved ones were close by, they couldn't see them with their eyes and could only communicate through voice.Scenes like this were unfolding in many places, even in Cloud City."It's really started," Eira said. She was in Cloud City. Although Luigi was standing on her left, h
Despite Thiago's murderous glare and overwhelming killing intent, Felix wasn't scared. In fact, it made him smile.Due to the unique trait of the Dragon Rebirth, his opponent had to harbor a true desire to kill him in order for Felix to grow stronger. Otherwise, it would all be meaningless. At least so far, everything was unfolding just as he expected.Meanwhile, Holt was silently praying like crazy as he lay on the ground. The battle had already begun, and his companion had understood his message. This was their only shot, however slim, at killing Felix.As time passed and the afternoon crept past 3:00 pm, his companion started to falter. His attacks were growing sluggish. He hadn't been injured, but he was clearly on the defensive now.Seeing this, Felix completely lost interest. Once his opponent lost the will to kill him, the Dragon Rebirth would no longer grow.Still, the battle wasn't for nothing. He'd made solid progress and was a little closer to becoming a Celestial Realm
Felix had clearly found Holt's weak spot. These guys were so desperate to extend their lives that they turned the entire Aquamarinus into a breeding ground. Obviously, they were terrified of death. As long as there was even the slightest chance of survival, they'd take it.And sure enough, Holt immediately agreed. He pulled out some kind of device and flew off, clearly contacting his comrades."But even if I agreed," Holt said, "the three of us split up and searched in different directions. Even if they rush over, they won't make it until tomorrow."The fear in his eyes was obvious, so much so that Felix couldn't help but laugh."How interesting," Felix said. "You made a deal with the Ant Queen, right? Couldn't she at least give you something to help you move freely through Desolated Lands at night?"Holt shot him a bitter smile. "The Ant Queen's children—the soldier ants—are born hunters. That instinct can't be erased. And honestly, we've never needed to go out at night anyway."
Lumen flew out and quickly returned. Felix's expression eased completely, and with a step, he vanished from where he stood."Chasing me was fun last time, huh? Did you think it'd go the same this time?" he asked.When he reappeared, someone was already lying on the ground about ten yards ahead. It was a figure fully shrouded in a gray robe, a man named Holt Bovington.That was Felix holding back. Otherwise, Lumen's previous strike could've shattered Holt's soul on the spot."Felix Zeller? It really is you!" Holt's voice was full of shock. Whatever he'd planned to do was already too late. His soul had taken a devastating blow, and he no longer had the strength to fight."Yeah, it's me. Just like I suspected, you people really aren't all that strong when it comes to soul power."Felix had spared his life because he wanted answers."If you answer a few questions honestly, I'll let you live. Even with your soul badly damaged, I assume someone who knows about Nine Flames and Desolate
Three months later, deep within a mountain on Aquamarinus, a meeting was taking place. Who would've imagined palace-like structures hidden within the mountain itself?In one of the chambers, a sky-blue dome adorned the ceiling. Beneath it, three figures in gray robes sat cross-legged, their bodies cloaked in shadow. Their faces were completely obscured."I went to see the Ant Queen yesterday. There's definitely something wrong.""Enough with the vague talk. Be specific.""In just three months, the Ant Queen has lost millions of her children. Do you even understand what that means?"The atmosphere shifted as all three took a sharp breath. A long silence followed before one finally spoke, "Perhaps our earlier theory is right. Is someone hunting soldier ants in Desolated Lands at night?""It has to be. How else do you explain millions of casualties? At this rate, we're down to just a million soldier ants across the entire planet. If this keeps up, they'll be wiped out in a month. An
"I didn't expect you to be a doctor, too. Thanks," Myles said, but then suddenly froze. His mind started racing.Wait a minute! He took down a tiger of True Blood Realm. On top of that, he was extremely skilled in medicine. That could only mean…"You figured out who I am?" Felix asked with a smile, trying to put Myles at ease. Despite that, Myles couldn't hide his fear. "You're Felix Zeller?""That's right. Judging by your reaction, I take it I've become a traitor to The Recovery Association? Or maybe some kind of unforgivable villain?"The air grew a bit awkward, and Myles shot him a strained smile."Not exactly… It's just that you took down the Flame Monarch. That's kind of hard to wrap my head around."His expression shifted again."Actually, everyone's still pretty confused. When we woke up this morning, every city, town, and even the smallest villages received a message. Five days from now, the Flame Monarch is holding a Flame Ceremony."Felix paused, frowning. "What's t
With Lumen and Indigo attacking and the Infinite Shield defending, Felix held his ground. Occasionally, he cast minor spells that barely consumed any soul power. Even as the monsters surged toward him like a tidal wave, not one of them could so much as scratch him.Feeling the steady stream of energy flooding into him, Felix grinned. If things kept going like this, there was a high chance he'd break through to the next major soul realm—Soul Overlord Realm.If he could level up again during the elimination rounds, his odds of winning the whole thing would increase significantly. Especially since Soul Overlord Realm required soul enhancement, it was a whole different league compared to Aetherium Realm.Once he hit Soul Overlord Realm, he was confident he'd be able to go toe-to-toe in a soul battle with the powerful figure who had chased him during dusk.That guy didn't dare appear in Desolated Lands at night, which likely meant his soul wasn't strong. In that case, Felix might actual
The sun had already begun to set. After fleeing in a panic, Felix had no idea if there was even a single place ahead that could shield him from the coming darkness.A few minutes later, the presence chasing him within his domain disappeared. Logically, the pursuer should've caught up in less than ten minutes, but they gave up. Still, Felix didn't relax for a second. The darkness was about to fall, and that could only mean two things. Either the pursuer wasn't confident they could survive the desolate night themselves, or they assumed there was no flame nearby and Felix was as good as dead.Either way, this was the most dangerous moment yet.After sprinting several more miles, Felix finally stopped. All around him stretched a barren wasteland with no end in sight. Even though he had memorized maps to identify different areas, they were useless now. As darkness swallowed the land, all reference points vanished."Damn it! I guess I'll have to see for myself what the hell comes out i