Chapter 268 265: New Form!

Chapter 268 265: New Form!

Outside the cave, the Withering Devils raised their hands and channeled the collective hatred and regret that had spawned them into one spot, forming a concentrated vortex of dark energy that could destroy all manner of life.

They then pushed their hands forward, hurling the vortex against the talisman's barrier surrounding the cave with ferocious force.

Boom!

A deafening explosion sounded as the vortex slammed into it. The resulting impact was enormous, causing cracks to spiderweb across the invisible wall of energy surrounding the cave.

"If they hit it like that a few more times, the barrier won't hold. It will shatter."

He had to do something about it, and he had to do it fast. There was no more time to lose.

At this moment, Val remembered one particular detail about their weaknesses.

They were vulnerable to specific elements designed to grasp the soul. It was a long shot, but perhaps his elementalized soul energy could work

He had only ever used it to activate the Shadow Bind Rune to immobilize his enemies, but he had never used it directly on a living being. This time, circumstances forced him to use it for a different purpose. And who knows, it might just work!

With absolute focus, Val thought about attacking the Withering Devils using his elementalized soul power in his mind.

Reacting to his thoughts, his arcane heart released layers of darkness that represented his elementalized soul power. These layers wafted off of him one by one, coalescing around him in a swirling aura of shadowy might.

Val intuitively felt that he could control this aura to attack and defend.

The barrier was designed to keep things out, not in, which meant he could project his power through it.

Taking a deep breath, Val let the darkness coalesce around his outstretched hand.

Then, with a thought, he unleashed it.

A torrent of shadowy soul energy surged from the cave's entrance like a tidal wave of darkness. The power in it was concentrated and deadly, filled with all the elemental properties capable of grasping a soul. It roared through the air and smashed into the Withering Devils, completely catching them off guard and blasting them into smithereens.

Their dark forms dissipated like smoke in the wind for a moment before slowly reforming.

They weren't about to give up so easily.

The Withering Devils raised their arms once more, attempting to channel their collective regret and hatred into another vortex of dark energy.

But before it could take form, Val unleashed another surge of his elementalized soul energy, blasting them with it.

His shadowy aura disrupted their focus, scattering their malevolent energy before it could coalesce. Their efforts to channel their powers into a devastating attack were thwarted by a single move from Val, and it all went down the drain.

A semi-transparent screen popped up in front of Val.

[System notification: Despite designating you as a target, the Withering Devils failed to hunt you down within the given time limit. They will now face the backlash of their own power.]

Val intently watched as the Withering Devils disintegrated before his eyes, their forms crumbling into indistinguishable particles before vanishing entirely from the face of the earth. They had been formidable foes, possessing a terrifying ability to seal anyone's fate by teleporting a mere five times. However, they had paid a high price for their failed endeavor. Their unique abilities had come with severe conditions, and now they faced the ultimate consequence of failing to meet them: a devastating and irreversible self-destruction.

[System Notification: Congratulations, Host! You have successfully eliminated 5 Withering Devils. You have been rewarded with 15,000 EXP and a Profound Elixir of Ethereal Passage.]

Val's eyes widened at the sight of the item description. He couldn't believe his luck.

[Profound Elixir of Ethereal Passage: This rare elixir is a wondrous concoction that grants the drinker a teleportation ability that greatly mirrors the unique powers of the Withering Devils. Once you consume this elixir, you gain the ability to designate any individual as your target merely by focusing your thoughts on them. From that moment on, you can teleport to that designated target up to five times, irrespective of their location or whether you can actually see them. What makes this elixir even more astonishing is the lack of repercussions for using its power. You won't suffer from any side effects or face the dire consequences that the Withering Devils did.]

"Whether I decide to kill the designated target or not, there will be no side effects? Damn, this elixir is a formidable tool," Val mused, already considering the myriad ways this new ability could serve him. He realized it would be especially useful against Clea Thunderspear.

After all, the elixir's power directly countered Clea's rune ability, which allowed him to teleport to safety when facing imminent death.

Without a second thought, Val pulled it out of the semi-transparent screen.

Then he uncorked the small vial and brought it close to his lips.

Gulu, Gulu was the sound produced as he drank the Profound Elixir of Ethereal Passage.

'It feels funny.'nOve/lb-1n

As the liquid slid down his throat, he felt a tingling sensation spread throughout his body, as if new possibilities were being unlocked within him.

[System Notification: Congratulations, Host! You have acquired the Ethereal Passage skill.]

Val couldn't help but feel elated; he had not only defeated formidable foes but also gained an invaluable tool that could very well change the course of his future battles.

Now that he had dealt with the source of danger and also benefited greatly from it, Val finally allowed himself to give in to the overpowering sense of exhaustion.

He didn't have unlimited willpower as despite having the status of a devil god, he was a human being in the end. He couldn't keep relying on his willpower to stay awake like an actual God who could bend reality according to his will. He needed to relax and rest to recover.

Besides, the power of his talisman was protecting the cave. He didn't need to worry about being killed in his sleep. He closed his eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.