Chapter 264: Setting Hell Aflame

Chapter 264: Setting Hell Aflame

Hell looked pretty nice, actually.

As Jack and his trusty crate were spat out of teleportation, his Dao perception caught glimpses of tall, lush trees, and chirping birds, and grass all over. To be fair, I dont know what I was expecting. Flaming cauldrons?

Almost immediately, however, his attention homed in on the people around him. A steady workforce of cultivators was moving crates from the teleporter to a starship parked just to the side. Jacks crate, too, was picked up by a man who looked like he was half-bear. He lifted the crate like it weighed nothing.

Jack couldnt inspect these people, as he didnt have visual contact, but he hoped they were E-Grade. What kind of immortal did chores?

Thankfully, nobody seemed to notice that two of the crates were warded. Jacks crate was loaded into the waiting starship, as was Shols. When all of them were on, the ramp connecting the starship to the ground slid closed, sealing off the hold, and the starship took off.

Observing the world solely through Dao perception was a dizzying experience. Jack had an idea of his surroundings, but it was like watching through really bad glasses. He could make out no details. Everything was fuzzy and bleeding into each other, while static was everywhere.

Regardless, he focused on the present. Theyd gone unnoticed up to now, but they were bound to get discovered eventually. This starship was probably taking them to some population center. It was moving quickly, too, so they were probably flying over wilderness.

If they reached their destination, only bad things could happen. Therefore, this had to be the prime time to escape.

Jack could not contact Shol through the latters ward, but he was confident in his deduction. With fast and smooth movements, he pushed all the fish aside and slipped out of his crate. Shol followed only seconds later. You stink, he commented.

Yeah, because your friend put me in a crate of fucking fish.

The friend who staked her life and reputation to help us?

Im kidding. I appreciate it. If we get out of here alive, Im buying her dinner.

Oh, shed love that.

Shol turned to his crate and placed an open palm on it. Soon after, a Dao ripple passed over the crate walls, and Jack felt his perception shift slightly as the magical warding was dissolved.

How did you do that? he asked.

A Dao burst. You can do it, too. Just send a sharp ripple of Dao into the crate.

Wouldnt the people in the starship notice that?

They havent even noticed us, so dont worry. Theyre probably E-Grades. Their perception is far too coarse for anything not in their immediate surroundings.

Jack turned and gave this Dao burst thing a shot. His first attempt was slightly too weak, only stirring the warding without dissolving it. He succeeded on the second try.This chapter made its debut appearance via N0v3lB1n.

Good, Shol said. Now, lets just telep

A wave of Dao passed over them like an ocean current. Jack felt it crash and break against his body, part of it reflected back to where it came fromthe front part of the starship.

Shit, he said, at the same time that the starship ground to a halt and an imposing voice washed over them.

SHOW YOURSELVES!

Jack and Shol exchanged a glance. Do we run? Jack asked.

Suddenly, however, Shols eyes were hard. There was no hint of humor in them; only sadness and expectation. We cannot be discovered yet, was all he said. Jack understood. His stomach fell. Dark feelings flooded his brain, but he embraced them and came out stronger.

I understand, he replied, setting his jaw.

Can you handle it?

Yes.

This was it. His reason for coming here. It was starting. And he hated it as much as he knew it was necessary.

A menacing aura spread out of Jacks body as he prepared for battle. Ripples of Dao shook the starship. The air drummed with power. The Fist descended, hard and resolute.

The meteor crashed into the foliage, easily breaking through. Trees bent and were blown away. Branches flew. The birds hurried to escape, barely dodging the explosion that shook the ground like an earthquake and released a shockwave that upset the entire forest.

Where there once stood a thicket of massive trees, now only a deep crater remained. The starship was completely broken. The two cultivators were mangled beyond recognition and dead beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Level up! You have reached Level 147.

The System notification was unsuitably cheerful. Jack shook his head. He was sad.

You acted with determination, Shol said, appearing by his side. Good job.

Jack couldnt bring himself to smile. We couldnt leave any evidence behind.

Thats exactly correct, though one could call a massive crater evidence. How do you feel?

Hollow. But its okay. These arent the first people I kill, nor will they will be the last. I will do what I have to.

Good. Now, lets go. Were still not far from civilization, so people might come to investigate.

Jack nodded. Lead the way.

With a wave of his sleeve, a strong breeze blew over the crater and extinguished the flames. Then, Jack willed the free points from his level-up into Physical, as he usually did, and took a brief look at this status screen. From now on, it would change rapidly. He wanted to have an idea of where it started.

Name: Jack Rust

Species: Human, Earth-387

Faction: Bare Fist Brotherhood (D)

Grade: D

Class: Cosmic Fist (King)

Level: 147

Strength: 855

Dexterity: 805

Constitution: 825

Mental: 120

Will: 190

Dao Skills: Meteor Punch III, Iron Fist Style II, Neutron Star Body II, Brutalizing Aura II, Space Walk II

Daos: Dao Tree of the Fist, Dao Root of Indomitable Will (fused), Dao Root of Life (fused), Dao Root of Power (fused), Dao Root of Weakness (fused)

Titles: Planetary Frontrunner (10), Planetary Torchbearer (1), Ninth Ring Conqueror, Planetary Leader (1)

It was impressive. A source of pride. He remembered the times when just five attribute points had made all the difference in the world. How long ago that seemedbut it was only a few short months.

Take us away, Shol, he asked tiredly, but the monk only shook his head.

I cant teleport us that far. Well have to fly. Follow me.

An orange streak cut through the air, soon followed by a purple one. They flew away faster than sound, until the smoking crater disappeared behind them. As far as the eye could see, there was only forest.

Soon, there would be war.