Chapter 152: Unforeseen Challenges

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Several moments had passed since leaving their initial spot and the trio had made ample progress.

"Up ahead, when we come to a fork in the road, we'll turn right. I learned the hard way that the leftward path only leads to a dead-end," Typhir warned before pausing. His memory of the path wasn't completely instantaneous, it required him to recall all the various paths. After all, this labyrinth was exceedingly large.

In comparison, a human's body wouldn't even take up one-ten thousandth of the entirety of this layout. Nevertheless, they still moved forward rapidly.

Upon coming across the fork, the trio took the right path without any hesitation. Due to Apollo's special trait, he was well aware of the genuine directions Typhir was guiding them with. 

However, after doing so, Typhir held out his palm, "Something isn't right. From here… it should be a straight path for over a kilometer, but, that isn't the case right now. Not only has the path been cut in half, but there are now three paths. Could the layout of the labyrinth be changing?"

Apollo's countenance fell as well. He dropped to one knee, placing his hand on the ground. He was looking to see whether or not anything in his vicinity was shifting. Now that he acquired the mental resistance trait, he immediately ruled out falling victim to another illusion. 

Sure enough, after his perception burrowed far enough into the ground, he came to realize a few shifting plates underneath the ground. Additionally, the layout of the walls was shifting minutely at a set interval of 10 seconds. If one didn't spare this ample attention, they would have been none the wiser of this fact.

"It is as you think, this place doesn't conform to one set layout, it is constantly experiencing change. This means committing the earlier shape to memory is useless. What we need to do is return to actively sensing our surroundings and acting on that," Apollo stated with a heavy tone. 

In truth, Typhir's way of travel was much faster than doing this because the speed he could recall the path he took was quicker than creating an immediate image. Unfortunately, they weren't left with many options. 

"Hmm...I've been keeping this under wraps, but I'll guess I'll have to utilize it," Typhir nodded after sparing the matter some thought. His prior hazel pupil now blared with a fervent blue light. So much so, even Apollo and Nadida could see it. But, Nadida's reaction was much greater.

Unlike Apollo, she had experienced Irauk's teaching. Thus, she was privy to both matters and techniques Apollo wasn't. For example, this technique Typhir was utilizing was one unique to a Spirit Cultivator. It was known as Mind's Eyes. It allowed one to imbue their Soul Conscience into their eyes bolstering it to obscene heights. 

Of course, as with any technique, there were increasing levels of mastery. Typhir's utilization was merely the most basic iteration of the technique. Not to mention, his control was subpar as a large volume of his spirit was being wasted instead of properly flowing into his eyes.

Nonetheless, to be able to wield that technique at his young age of 16 was a commendable feat. Until now, even Nadida at 18 was unable to use it properly. In fact, amongst those Irauk took in, only Adeon was able to wield this technique.

"Hm? Those eyes, are they allowing you to see more than you typically could? If so, how much greater is it?" Apollo questioned, noticing a change in Typhir's temperament upon activating these eyes.

"Yes, as for the amount, it varies. Also, to become a true Glory, one must be able to utilize this technique. Even if you have high potential but can't use this technique, then you're not truly a Glory. All this does is link one's Soul Conscience inside the temple to their eyes. This can also be done with the other senses but, only when you attain complete mastery can you do so to all senses simultaneously," Typhir answered, before taking a tempestuous step forward.

A gale of dirt was kicked up by his new movement speed that surprised even Apollo. Unbeknownst to him, Typhir was now fortifying his body with a special flow of Natural Essence unique to this family. As Apollo assumed when he first met Typhir, his family—the Estrada lead the way in Body Cultivation.

Even the Supreme Families paled in comparison when it came to the matters pertaining to the body. What's more, the Supremes often sought guidance from Typhir's grandfather to find special ways to meld both Spiritual and Natural Essence together to fortify the body.

Sadly, that was something easier said than done. To combine both entities into one required a specific balance that had yet to be seen.

Naturally, Apollo couldn't let Typhir speed ahead by his lonesome. As he was about to accelerate, he paused, glancing back at Nadida. Since his identity as a "Spirit Cultivator" was revealed, he spoke up, "I suggest you utilize some of your Zul Knight cultivation base to keep up. We'll be trying to beat the labyrinth before more changes can occur."

Just as he left this message, Apollo zoomed forward, kicking up his own sizable cloud of dust. Soon enough, he caught up side by side with Typhir by utilizing his Partial Shade Silhouette at maximum capacity. Luckily, the consumption peaked at 1 unit of Demonic Anima per second. In other words, he could use his top speed for 3,000 seconds before he was void of energy in this space.

"Did you clear all the monsters here?" Apollo asked. Now that he took a look, he came to realize there was no prey to provide points left on this route. 

"Of course, I need points as well. But, keep in mind, I didn't travel far on this path and this isn't the completely same path. After I sensed you, I proceeded in your direction instead of advancing. So, there should still be a fair share of beasts for you to slay," Typhir nodded. 

Behind them, Nadida gazed at their back with a competitive expression, 'You two aren't the only one who is fast.'

Under her feet, small springs of the Wind Element formed. However, that wasn't all. Crackles of lightning assaulted her legs. With her next step, a small sonic boom sounds. By infusing her limbs with dual speed augmenting attributes, she increased her speed to their leagues. Just, her expression wasn't as lax as theirs. 

There was a certain amount of pain that came along with utilizing techniques in this manner. Hence, why it wasn't recommended to do so unless one's body reached at least the Zul Knight standard. Even a Zul Warrior only wielded their essence through weapons.

Seldom did cultivators under that standard use their bodies. The strength of the elements that made up Natural Essence was not to be underestimated, lest they provoke unforeseen damage to their bodies.

While advancing, both Typhir's and Apollo's ear twitched. The sounds of clashing entered their ears but it didn't appear to be any beast involved. Based on the signatures of the fluctuations, the energy colliding together came from humans.

"Do you think it's them?" Apollo asked. 

"No, the fluctuations are too weak. Even if the Glories hold back, the fluctuation still possesses a certain vibe. In these clashes, they are lacking," Typhir responded.

But, as they came closer, Apollo squinted. He recognized two of the auras present. In fact, he had spent some time with both of them. 'One of them is Xineen but the other...what is her name? Violeta, I believe?' Apollo thought inwardly.

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Meanwhile, on the other side, 

"Y-youu! Why did you target my party? You could have advanced without ruthlessly attacking up," Xineen scowled, dropping to one knee. Despite putting up a prolonged defense, her reserves were running out. Under the assault of Violeta's attacks, she was forced to exhaust herself.

"Heh, you already know of the feud between the Kaiser and Shaanti, why ask such a silly question? To see you fail is in my best interest," Violeta chuckled, summoning a dark purple orb in her hand.

As she held in before her, thin whips lashed at Xineen who defended with her damaged sword. Inside Violeta's attacks seemed to be a corrosive aura that continuously weathered Xineen's blade.

"Don't you think you should just give up and accept your fate? You're the only one left standing in your party. At this point, entering an academy is simply a pipe dream. You should just die!" 

"N-no! The Grand Elder has asked us to enter an academy and he has treated us well. I will not let my family down," Xineen retorted, a desperate aura exuding from her body. But, in return, Violeta presented a cruel smile. In her other hand, she conjured an even stronger dark orb.

However, when she unleashed it, her eyes widened. It was deflected with ease as a silhouette appeared before her very eyes.