Theo had been gone for over two hours. Yuki and the girls were dead with worry. The only certainty that he was fine was because the ark was still in place. It was common knowledge that the moment the owner died, the ark, which was an artifact, would return to miniature form, breaking the link it had with the former owner. In addition, there were also Zaira and Zaika, who were Theo's contract animals and could feel through the connection that the two girls had with him that Theo was fine.
Another thing that made the girls sure he was fine was the soft, feminine voice that echoed in their minds. 'Theo is okay. He is going through a different type of Heavenly Tribulation. As soon as he finishes, he will come back. You guys need not worry.'
Although they didn't know who that being was who had spoken, Aomi and Mizuki strongly suspected that she was the same girl who took Theo out of the [Ninth Hell].
"Yui is worried..." Little Yui said, her pretty face full of distress. She looked at the distant sky close to where Theo disappeared and sighed.
Despite understanding that Theo was alive, this did not stop the girls from worrying. It was difficult for them to endure Theo's sudden disappearance. The girls' only emotional support was the words of that soft, feminine voice, and that the ark continued to fly overhead.
*
Cold air blew and blew... A mass of white energy acc.u.mulated in one place, growing more and more. It got to the point of being so big that it was difficult to see the whole without moving farther away. Theo, seeing this, frowned and made his body temperature warm-up. Even he was starting to feel cold because of the mass of energy, which looked more and more like a giant ice ball.
While waiting, Theo noticed that two hours had passed. He started to worry because he had suddenly disappeared and left the girls behind without any explanation. In addition to this, a sense of malice, as if someone was observing him and looking forward to his demise, made Theo stay on the alert. He still remembered that Isis told him that there were powerful divine beings watching.
['Rya, in addition to overcoming the limit of a skill, is there another way to evolve a skill?'] Theo decided to take a chance. If he could manage to evolve his illusion ability, he might as well hide everything he was doing so that he could also use .
As much as the golden flames were useful, Theo noticed that it was not as good as . Theo, at that moment, felt like he was in a steakhouse and many people were eating delicious meats while he was left hungry, having to eat a plate full of tomatoes. Although he liked tomatoes, knowing that there were tasty meats he could eat, it was inevitable that he would want the meat.
A cute little white creature appeared with the sound of *Puf!*, and with a sweet, childlike voice, said, ["Yes, Master! There is a stone of skill evolution. It is very similar to a stone of enlightenment that helps one to enter the state of enlightenment, however, when using the stone of skill evolution, it will force the skill to evolve and give the cultivator who used it the necessary knowledge of the skill which evolved."]
['How much does it cost?'] Theo asked.
["Master, I need to warn you that while the skill evolution stone works, it may take more than 1 skill evolution stone depending on the skill you are evolving. If it is just going to raise the skill level, it would not be a problem, but when forcing an evolution, it may take more than 1 skill evolution stone. In fact, answering what the Master asked before: each stone costs 500 Crystal Points,"] Rya said.
"..."
Theo took a deep breath and decided. ['Okay, buy me two of this skill evolution stone and use it on the skill: Illusion of the Nine Heavens.']
Rya spun in the air and said softly, ["Right away, Master."]
_ _
[Two Skill Evolution Stones purchased for 1000 Crystal Points]
[Use Skill Evolution Stone on the skill: Illusion of the Nine Heavens?]
_ _
Seeing this, Theo clicked "Yes".
When he did, his perception shook a little, and a wave of knowledge appeared in his mind. Theo did his best to not show signs of anything happening on the outside, even using his best skills to hide it. The more he could hide, the better.
After a few seconds, Theo saw the pain in his head that he once felt had passed, and he was able to understand a little more about his ability to use illusions. However, it was still not enough to evolve the skill.
['Rya, use the other Skill Evolution Stone,'] Theo said mentally.
["Right away, Master,"] Rya said softly and did as Theo asked.
_ _
[Use Skill Evolution Stone on the skill: Illusion of the Nine Heavens?]
_ _
Without having to think twice, Theo once again clicked "Yes".
New information appeared in Theo's mind; it even gave him several different ideas of how to use the skill: Illusion of the Nine Heavens. However, even after more than 1 minute had passed, what Theo expected did not happen.
"..."
Taking a deep breath, Theo said, ['Rya, buy 2 more.']
Rya instantly understood what he meant. ["Yes, Master."]
_ _
[Two Skill Evolution Stones purchased for 1000 Crystal Points]
[Use Skill Evolution Stone on the skill: Illusion of the Nine Heavens?]
_ _
Just like before, the moment Theo clicked "Yes", the skill's information began flooding into his mind. However, it still didn't seem to be enough. Theo could only sigh and ask Rya to use another stone. The next instant when he used a Skill Evolution Stone for the fourth time, something different happened.
Theo's mind was getting overloaded, his consciousness became weak, but he was able to keep himself from passing out. In his eyes, a strange light flashed. Before, Theo's illusions which could barely deceive these divine beings, had now become much more powerful! A moment later, Theo, who almost closed his eyes, opened them abruptly!
_ _
[Congratulations! Illusion of the Nine Heavens: Level 10 evolved into: Illusion of the Nine Illusory Heavens: Level 1]
_ _
"Hahaha! Is that brat scared now?" From inside the illusory room, Semyaz was pleased to see Theo standing still, not moving an inch with his eyes closed. For him, this was a sign of surrender and weakness.
Up until that moment, the other divine beings were finding this strange too, and upon hearing what Semyaz said, everyone agreed that this golden fox was afraid after seeing what was forming in the Divine Heavenly Tribulation.
Seconds later, they saw a golden aura surrounding Theo.
"What a joke!" Semyaz did not recognize the aura that was around Theo. He even thought it was just a futile attempt to go against the third stage of the Divine Heavenly Tribulation.
Moments later, he was forced to shut up; an even more powerful aura had expanded from Theo's body. Semyaz was amazed at Theo's aura, but then everything disappeared like smoke. It was as if it never existed.
Theo at that time had already started using his new illusion ability. As an evolution of the Illusion of the Nine Heavens ability, he was already familiar with the workings of it. However, it still needed to be improved. He did some tests, but he didn't know how to be sure if he would be able to deceive these divine beings.
["Don't worry, Master. Now, as long as the Master wants, not even the strongest of those beings who are in the illusory room will be able to see through you!"] Rya said with certainty in her voice.
_ _
- Drop some power stone, please <3
{Edited by: Azurtha}
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