By 4:00 pm, Felix and Donna arrived at Zuera Airport. The Green Soul Scout had said that the private paradise was located here, but he wasn't sure where the mall was. It was the reason Felix came here in the first place.Besides, the Green Soul Scout never dared to confirm the information as it was hearsay. "Well, I'll have to trouble you for this then, Ms. Webster. I'll wait to hear from you."Donna made an okay gesture with her fingers and was about to walk off, but Felix thought of something. "You won't get chased away by S-tier Malevolent Phantoms here, right?"She gave him a blank look. "From the moment I step foot here, the S-tier Malevolent Phantoms have already sensed it. I can't guarantee if they would drive me off or not, so hurry up. I have to go."Her answer shocked Felix. However, once she left, Felix was about to call for a taxi to the hotel when Luna called. "Luna? Have you arrived in Dragonia?""Mm-hmm, I've been here for a while now. Fortunately, you found o
Somewhere in Zuera, Specter, the S-tier Malevolent Phantom Donna knew, lay naked on the bed. A beautiful woman lay next to him. Despite being a little older, she was still beautiful. Even young men would be highly attracted to her. He sighed. "Compared to soul fusion, this feels so much weaker."The woman laughed. "That's right! What a pity we can't reproduce. Otherwise, why would we use such a low-level way to please one another?"Their "reproduction" was the fusion of souls. It was how the Malevolent Phantoms multiplied. However, before being sent here, they had rules in place. Despite being S-tier Malevolent Phantoms, they were temporarily forced to please themselves through human methods instead.The two of them felt it almost at the exact same time. "Huh? Donna came to Zuera? What is she doing here?" Specter muttered as he turned to look at the woman. "Mackenzie, she doesn't know who was at Laurel Resort—the one who used to live in Zuera. You can definitely pretend to be th
That couldn't be helped. Most countries had short histories and lacked the means to fight against Malevolent Phantoms. Unlike Dragonia, which had 5,000 years of martial arts histories that were passed down through generations, contributing to the society."Tell me about your winery plans. What do you need help with? Don't be all polite with me. You know how I am!"Gratitude filled Luna's eyes. She was truly lucky to have met Felix. Otherwise, their family would've been replaced, and they wouldn't have survived. "The first and biggest issue is paperwork from the authorities. The powerful people I knew before had all turned against us because of our family's downfall. They wouldn't help us at all." Felix smiled. "That's a small matter. I can solve it with one phone call. What else?"Of course, knowing Felix's strengths, she didn't hold back. "Land is also a big issue. I actually came here to check out the land before, but I didn't expect that the land I liked was still for sale. H
Felix's expression changed immediately. It was like hearing the news about Laurel Resort again."What do you mean? Is there an S-tier Malevolent Phantom in Zuera whose soul core is about to break?" After saying that, he felt that something was wrong. He could kill one, and he could kill another. The chances of winning were much greater than before. It shouldn't be the same problem.Sure enough, Donna's answer confirmed his assumption."How can there be so many S-tier Malevolent Phantoms with their soul cores on the verge of collapse? That probability would be one in 10,000! It has a very, very slim possibility."Felix was confused. "Then, what exactly is going on? Why are you warning me like this?"After a pause, Donna said, "The S-tier Malevolent Phantom here came and asked me to leave."That was it? Felix didn't reply, waiting for her to continue. He couldn't leave so soon, especially if it was just for that reason. "When we arrived in Zuera, I immediately sensed two S-ti
"Yes, Felix. You've told me this before. I won't do anything stupid." Although Luna hoped Felix could stay with her—even fantasizing about sleeping with him again—she realized it was all wishful thinking as she watched his departing figure.Felix had bought an electric bike that cost over 10,000 dollars from a nearby store. He rode it to the doors of a closed shopping mall and sat on the bike, just watching. The mall wasn't in the center of the city, nor was it too remote.The location was extremely average. However, it had been open for over a decade now, and the interior had undergone drastic renovations, indicating that it still made money. According to Donna's text, this mall was called Orchard Square.It was the place the Green Soul Scout mentioned. "A soul barrier…" Felix muttered to himself as he observed. With his current strength, there shouldn't be a problem dealing with the Black Soul Scout. However, Donna still warned him because of the soul barrier.The "soul barrier
Felix was dumbfounded. What did this have to do with Xena? "You stupid fatso, are you messing with me?" To his surprise, Billy remained serious. "Damn it! Just get this straight—you managed to get Dahlia to leave without taking those favors. If you hadn't helped me out this time, do you think I'd be willing to waste my time? "This is a huge hassle, okay? I'm making sacrifices, too." Seeing this, Felix could only continue questioning, "Tell me why you need Xena, then. Won't someone else work?" Surprisingly, Billy actually explained, "As you know, martial artists have many different body types, each with their own characteristics. The more powerful the constitution, the rarer it is. "And the same applies to souls. You don't actually believe everyone's soul was created the same way, do you?" Felix had actually pondered this question before, but he never found any relevant information about it. Even the book Billy gave him and the Phaeron Codex never mentioned it. "So, you'
Holy crap, this sounded like some kind of tantric sex magic to Felix. No wonder Billy had mentioned ethics and good values earlier. Felix asked, "So, people with Soulhunters are super powerful, right?" Billy snickered and said, "How could that be possible? Life may never be fair, but it doesn't build anyone a direct path to the top. "Take the Soulhunter, for example. To keep advancing this way, you'd need to throw away all your good values and keep performing Spirit Binding with the opposite sex. "And if you do it with the same person, it only works the first time unless the other person levels up again." Now that Billy had mentioned ethics again, Felix looked uncomfortable. "So… does Soul Binding really feel good?" Billy sighed and gave it to him straight. "I won't lie to you. This thing is way more intense than regular lovemaking. Put it this way—people with poor self-control would get hooked after just one time. "But you can't do Soul Binding too often, or it causes pe
Felix studied the card carefully for a long time, his expression darkening. With his abilities, he couldn't have mistaken Madeline for someone else. The woman on this card looked exactly like Madeline. There might be lookalikes in the world. But aside from identical twins, strangers couldn't possibly look this similar. Felix was Madeline's good friend. Since he had stumbled upon this, he definitely needed to investigate. For someone like him, this kind of small matter was hardly any trouble at all. He dialed the number on the card, and someone answered quickly. "Do you need a massage?" "Yeah, the woman on your advertisement card looks nice. Can you send her over?"But the response made Felix even more annoyed. "Sorry. She's our top model. Two days ago, a client booked her for a whole month and took her on a world tour. "But don't worry. All our young women are exceptionally beautiful. Just tell me what type you prefer, and I'll arrange someone right away. We even have wome
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
When Eira and Luigi saw that Felix was determined to go through with it, they moved instantly. Appearing right in front of him, they dropped to their knees."Please, Felix! For the sake of all those innocent lives, stop.""If you're really set on taking this flame, then kill us first."Seeing the two of them so resolute, Felix hesitated. The lives of hundreds of thousands—maybe even millions—now hung in the balance, all dependent on one decision from him."I haven't known you for long," Eira continued. "But from the way you avenged the 200 people of Innswood Village, I know you're not someone who kills without reason. You'd never turn a blind eye to the lives of ordinary people. "Please show them mercy. They've already suffered enough."Tears streamed down her face. The purpose of The Recovery Association was clear—overthrow the Flame Monarch, destroy the Nine Flames, and return Aquamarinus to what it once was. However, when it came to principles and morals, they were unwaveri
Felix thought that Gerald's advice really was spot-on. If he hadn't achieved Extreme Mastery, he could still beat the Flame Monarch. However, his subsequent journey would have been difficult. Winning first place in the Rank-Ascending Competition to protect Earth would've been almost impossible.With a casual wave of Felix's hand, the Flame Monarch collapsed to the ground. Thankfully, no one was around to see it. Otherwise, they'd have been scared out of their minds.The most powerful being on Aquamarinus, the Flame Monarch, just got instantly wiped out by Felix. To Felix, it was like crushing an ant and required no effort at all."It's time to complete the mission," Felix said.Just like that, he vanished. His speed was insane because Nine Flames were all scattered far apart. Since travel was banned at night, he couldn't afford to waste even a second.Honestly, he was curious what it would be like to go out at night. However, after thinking it over, he decided it just wasn't worth
Under the sunlight, Innswood Village looked even lonelier. If it weren't for Felix standing in the open field, the place would've looked like a dead town. Soon, a sound broke through the silent air. A person stood 30 feet in front of Felix. It was the Flame Monarch, whom Felix had met once."I really thought you were a member of The Recovery Association and that you'd laid a trap here. But it turns out, you're really alone."Felix replied, "I am a member of The Recovery Association, but why do I need a trap to kill you?"Oh? A member of The Recovery Association? The Flame Monarch smiled. "You're really brave, you know. You're the first person in Aquamarinus who dares to face me like this. Even the leader of The Recovery Association had been in seclusion, trying to reach Heavenly Realm before facing me."I don't know where you get your confidence from."Initially, Felix wanted to attack immediately. But he still had questions to ask. "There are only the two of us here. Sinc