Chapter 396 Shapeless Flame
[Ace POV]
As we continued to fly in the skynat a moderate speed that was neither fast or slow, the emperor and I continued to talk about several things as we made our way closer to the battlefield yesterday.
I made sure to pay a little attention to what the emperor was saying but most of my attention was on my thoughts.
Thoughts of which rank 1 pill should I create next apart from the three I'm used too.
There are the mana related pills I want to create and there's my cultivation manual as well.
For some reason I had a feeling that cultivating would be very beneficial to me.
Apart from the cultivation, there were also the rewards that were given to me and my team and apart from a single spell in the neutral magic grimoire, I've not practised any of the other three rewards and all these four could potentially increase my combat prowess by several levels.
Apart from all this, there were the corpses in my storage ring I wanted to conduct a few experiments on.
Hmmmm.
I really want to head to my basement in the alternate dimension and start alchemy quietly again but it seems a lot is about to happen in the true world and I also don't want to miss this.
Hmmm.
So troublesome.
As I thought of these things, the emperor suddenly called out to me and asked a question, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"What do you think of that ogre king?" He asked.
"Strong", I simply stated as a reply.
This was my most direct thought about the ogre king.
He was strong. Way too strong as a threat in fact.
To my reply, the emperor gave a simple nod and did not speak again, leaving me to return and fully focus on my thoughts again.
It was only after a few more minutes after flying moderately in the sky for a while did the emperor speak again.
"We're here", he said.
Hearing the emperor's words, I was brought out of my thoughts and turned to look at the surroundings below me ahead and what I saw left me in a daze.
Perhaps blue also felt the same thing because he stopped flying ahead and just stayed in mid air as we observed the destruction that laid in front of us.
As we soared through the skies, the dense forest below gradually gave way to a vast clearing, an expanse of emptiness amidst the towering trees. It was as if a colossal force had swept through the area, eradicating any signs of life and leaving behind an eerie void.
The once-thriving woodland had been transformed into a desolate wasteland. The ground was barren and devoid of vegetation, the earth cracked and parched. The surrounding trees, now reduced to charred stumps, stood as silent witnesses to the cataclysmic event that had unfolded.
The air hung heavy with a sense of stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves carried by a gentle breeze. The absence of bird songs and the scurrying of woodland creatures accentuated the haunting emptiness of the clearing. It was as if nature itself held its breath, mourning the loss of the vibrant ecosystem that had once thrived there.
Looking closer, the ground revealed intricate patterns of hardened soil, like a web of fissures that snaked their way across the clearing. It seemed as if the very earth had been scarred, its surface marred by some unfathomable force. The soil itself appeared warped and twisted, as if it had undergone a process of intense
Despite the desolation, a strange sense of serenity permeated the air. The stillness and isolation created a profound atmosphere, inviting contemplation and introspection. It was a place that seemed to exist outside of time, untouched by the frenetic pace of the world beyond.
As we hovered above the clearing, curiosity washed over me.
I knew who was responsible for this though.
The emperor.
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Meanwhile in another part of the true world, Emma and Chris were heading home and according to their calculations, they will be back in the alternate dimension in 2 hours at most.
It was because of this Chris wanted to use his origin ability once before heading home since he knew he would at least spend a day in the origin world and use sleeping to wash away all the accumulated stress he had.
He was not going to fight during this time so he wanted to activate his origin ability for the first time. He was curious as to how it was.
His origin ability, shapeless flame, according to the primordial chronicle, was fire without form but burned intensely.
Emma had no problem with this and was very supportive of the idea of Chris finding a monster to fight to test out his origin ability.
Like Chris, she had not activated her origin ability before since it was quite unique and not combat related.
Chris origin ability was a combat related one but the reason he did not use it in the fight against the drake was because of his unfamiliarity with it.
No one wanted a fight or themselves included to get messed up from their own ability.
Seeing as there was no issue between themselves, they made their way to find a monster.
********
[Rank 1 Ice Snake Level 50],
Chris stood before the formidable adversary, the Rank 1 Ice Snake, a creature of chilling power that slithered and coiled with deadly intent. Its icy scales glistened in the pale moonlight, reflecting the coldness that emanated from its very being. The air around them seemed to drop in temperature, as frost formed on the surrounding vegetation.
With his sword in hand and determination in his eyes, Chris prepared to unleash his dormant origin ability, the shapeless flame. Emma stood nearby, her support unwavering as she observed the impending battle.
Chris took a deep breath, centering himself as he tapped into the depths of his power. A surge of energy coursed through his veins, and he felt the essence of fire awakening within him. Flames began to flicker to life around his body, wisps of ethereal fire that danced without form or shape, reflecting the elusive nature of his origin ability.
The shapeless flame embraced Chris, its intense heat radiating from his very core. He felt its power enveloping him, empowering his every move. With newfound confidence, he charged towards the Ice Snake, his blade gleaming with anticipation.
As the clash began, the Ice Snake unleashed a torrent of freezing breath, attempting to encase Chris in a frigid prison. But the shapeless flame acted as a shield, protecting him from the icy assault. The fire repelled the frost, allowing Chris to manoeuvre swiftly and strike with precision.
Swinging his sword with skillful grace, Chris brought forth the merging forces of his blade and the shapeless flame. Each strike was imbued with the scorching heat of his origin ability, leaving trails of sizzling fire in its wake. The Ice Snake recoiled as its icy exterior met the searing touch of the shapeless flame, its scales melting and crackling under the intense heat.
The battle raged on, a clash between opposing elements. Chris, fueled by the fiery power of his origin ability, deftly dodged the Ice Snake's relentless attacks. With each evasion, he retaliated with ferocity, striking with calculated precision. The shapeless flame danced and flickered around him, its ethereal presence fueling his movements and imbuing his strikes with an unyielding intensity.
As the battle reached its climax, Chris unleashed his ultimate technique. The shapeless flame coalesced into a concentrated inferno, enveloping his sword in a swirling vortex of pure, untamed fire. With a mighty swing, he unleashed the devastating blow upon the Ice Snake, the impact sending shockwaves through the air.
The Ice Snake, overwhelmed by the blistering heat and relentless assault, finally succumbed to its wounds. Its frozen form shattered, dispersing into icy fragments that melted rapidly upon contact with the scorching ground.
As the battle came to an end, Chris stood amidst the dissipating flames, his form flickering in the residual heat. He had emerged victorious, harnessing the power of the shapeless flame to overcome a formidable opponent.
Exhausted but elated, Chris extinguished the remnants of the shapeless flame, its intensity subsiding. He turned to Emma, a triumphant smile gracing his face. They had witnessed the true potential of his origin ability, the shapeless flame, and it had surpassed their expectations.
Knowing that they had time before returning to the alternate dimension, Chris and Emma made their way back, their hearts filled with a newfound sense of accomplishment. The battle had been a testament to Chris's growth and his ability to harness the untamed power within him.
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