by Zhuang Bifan
Chapter 273 - Level-Sixteen
Luckily, Lin Li's reaction was fast enough. Just casting Hastening Spell, he already felt a surge of heat coming from his back. Lin Li did not panic, though. He just raised his Aether Staff and cast a Delaying Spell on the Hellfire. While making use of this chance, Lin Li managed to cast a Levitation Spell when it was almost too late, flying past the Hellfire's head.
While already being in the air, Lin Li did not stop. There was a hasty recitation coming the sky, and then there was a bone-chilling magical wave, tearing apart the scorching air in an instant.
"Ice… Thousand Miles of Ice!" The thousands of mages seated at the spectators' area had seemingly been affected by the Group Fixation Spell. They all were in a daze simultaneously, and all of their gazes were fixed on the area above the Aurora Square, staring at the young mage that was levitating.
"I-I-I… I'm not mistaken, right?" Some of them that had a weaker spirit even pinched themselves hard to make sure that they were not dreaming.
With the pain coming from their t.h.i.g.hs, they knew everything was real…
"F*ck, this really is living hell…" Macklin sprang up from his seat and his old face's expression showed that he found it unbelievable. He did not imagine that Felic was only level-fifteen in the previous round and had suddenly actually broken through during this round, using Thousand Miles of Ice straightaway!
Macklin was right…
When he cast the Levitation Spell, Lin Li seemed to have caught onto something. All of a sudden, he felt that his mind was suddenly enlightened. Suddenly there were answers to whatever he could not understand previously. The breakthrough this time came really weirdly, and it was even more without reason. It was different from previous times. This sort of feeling was equivalent to being struck by a gigantic pie from the sky while walking on a road casually…
The most confusing part for Lin Li was that this pie not only hit his brain, but it also taught him how to make pies.
Even though the breakthrough this time round was sudden, it was not enough to cause Lin Li to panic. After all, during this period of time, he had been fighting all sorts of magical beasts in the Cinder Woods. After that, he had been submerged in studies at the Omniscient Tower for almost half a month. Additionally, there were a few consecutive high-level battles today. Strictly speaking, this breakthrough could be considered smooth sailing.
But at the same time, Lin Li shockingly discovered that his brain seemed to have gained something…
Indeed, there was something else.
For example, when he cast that Thousand Miles of Ice just now, Lin Li clearly remembered that he had never come in contact with the recitation for Thousand Miles of Ice before today. After all, it was a genuine level-sixteen spell. No matter how much of a genius or how hardworking Lin Li was, it would be difficult to rely purely on the elemental sequencing to model out the casting process of the Thousand Miles of Ice before he had even reached level-sixteen. Without mastering the process casting, it would naturally mean not mastering the spell. Even if he had memorized it thoroughly, it would have been useless.
But, at that moment, the recitation for the Thousand Miles of Ice had suddenly appeared in his mind. Lin Li did not have to ponder or consider; he merely followed his instincts and recited the spell, casting this genuine level-sixteen spell.
At this time, Lin Li even suspected that he actually had amnesia… If not, why did he know the incantations for the Thousand Miles of Ice, yet forgot where he had learned it…
But such worries quickly disappeared.
… Because in the next moment, Lin Li again discovered that even weirder things were appearing in his mind…
Oh no, it's not weird…
These things that suddenly appeared in his mind might seem to be messy, but after carefully tidying them up, everything seemed understandable. Lin Li then f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y split them into three categories.
This first category would be incantations similar to the Thousand Miles of Ice. Lin Li had heard or seen at least ninety percent of them, but this was not important. At least Lin Li could use the structure of the language to f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y decipher that there were indeed some incantations of the spell.
The second category would be weirder. If Lin Li was correct, those were mostly magic laws, and they were the most core laws at that. However, something was off. These magic laws had mostly undergone changes. Although the changes were not much, Lin Li could still feel it. This discovery give Lin Li a sudden bone-chilling feeling…
Indeed, powerful mages were able to change the magic laws, but the more core the laws were, the harder it was to change them. The several laws that had appeared in his mind… even a powerhouse at Aldwin's level would face difficulty trying to change any of them.
As for the third category, Lin Li decided to temporarily set it aside.
It was because he could not make head nor tail of it after researching for a while. He could only make a rough guess that these were part of abandoned magical knowledge, but as to what sort of magical knowledge, Lin Li had no clue at all. So, he cleverly made the choice to give up for now.
One had to admit that Lin Li's adaptability was really good. Under such weird and random circ.u.mstances, he could still remain calm. His spell casting speed was not affected, either—he had already released Thousand Miles of Ice in an instant.
Currently, Lin Li was floating in the air. With this Thousand Miles of Ice, the Infernal Golem that was wreaking havoc had been frozen instantly.
This time, even Matthias was stunned…
"What the hell!?" Matthias spat out angrily, but he quickly regained his composure. He held onto the magic staff tightly and started reciting quickly as well. He also used the Levitation Spell, and was level with Lin Li in midair in the blink of an eye.
The distance between the two was twenty meters…
"Pity, it's a little late…" Matthias stared at Lin Li, and his gaze had a tinge of disdain and pity.
From Matthias' perspective, the opponent's breakthrough this time round was too late. The breakthrough from level-fifteen to level-sixteen would be different from the other times. The appearance of the four signature spells also meant that the opponent would require a large amount of time to study and learn them before truly grasping the power of a level-sixteen.
"No, no, no, it is still not too late…" Lin Li shook his head instead. Probably only he knew that such a weird thing happened to him when he'd broken through.
This feeling that was similar to being self-taught made Lin Li brim with confidence. Now, even if he were to face a true level-sixteen Archmage, he would be confident enough to win. After all, what he had obtained just now was not just a level-sixteen incantation, but also a related core magical law that had been modified.
Unfortunately, Matthias did not believe it…
"Unless you have suddenly broken through to level-seventeen, just a single Thousand Miles of Ice would not save you…" Matthias was in the air, and his lips carried a scornful smile. He waved the magic staff in his hand, and the Hellfire in the Aurora Square immediately vanished in the air. Afterward, there was a hasty recitation, and a gigantic net instantly appeared in front of Matthias…
"I'd be damned, Rain of Sacrifice!" Hoffman's eyes were wide open instantly. This time, he clearly saw for himself that this Matthias was definitely the Ashen Warlock's disciple. It was because this Rain of Sacrifice was a spell created by the Ashen Warlock.
People that had seen Rain of Sacrifice for the first time would most likely treat it as a normal Rain of Fire spell. Only people that truly understood the powers of the demons would understand that the destruction wrought by the Rain of Sacrifice would not be less than that of a level-eighteen spell. This process of casting this spell was not different from Rain of Fire's—even the incantations were almost identical. It was only that before casting it, the demon that was summoned would have to be sacrificed as the price. Even a Legendary powerhouse would have no choice but to feel s
omewhat fearful of that incomparable demonic power that was gained at that time.
"It's over…" Hoffman's face instantly turned pale. Although Felic had just broken through to level-sixteen and obtained the genuine power of an Archmage, the Rain of Sacrifice was no joke. Back when they were surrounding the Ashen Warlock, countless Sky Knights were instantly turned into ashes just by a single Rain of Sacrifice falling from the sky.
"Is that so? What about this…" Lin Li only smiled, and waved the Aether Staff in his hands. This was followed by a swath of aquamarine light appearing.
At the same time, Matthias' Rain of Sacrifice was released.
In an instant, the whole sky was dyed red, and there were countless flares, swallowing Lin Li's body like a gigantic net immediately.
"it really is the Rain of Sacrifice…" There were cries of shock coming from the spectator seats. The spectators that knew the prowess of the Rain of Sacrifice simultaneously started panicking for that mage from Jarrosus. They knew how powerful the Rain of Sacrifice was, and they were even concerned whether this battle would come to a close with this Rain of Sacrifice.
But immediately after, they saw a swath of aquamarine light radiating…
"Oh my god, it's Water Shield!" There were waves of cries of alarm in that instance. The noise was not any softer than when the Rain of Sacrifice had appeared. A few of the mages that had inferior psychological quality had started to curse in their minds. F*ck, this fella called Felic is indeed not a normal monster. It was just an instant, and he had already used two level-sixteen spells in succession…
They really wanted to ask: Did you really just f*cking break through to level-sixteen? How is that I keep thinking and feeling that you are more experienced than those senior Archmages that have been stuck at level-sixteen for tens of years?
Honestly, the current Lin Li was really giving people such a feeling. He was terrifyingly proficient as though he had broken through to level-sixteen tens of years ago. Be it Thousand Miles of Ice or Water Shield, they all seemed to be at his fingertips. There was no need to think or ponder. He only needed to instinctively recite, and he could exhibit the most suitable spell for the situation.
Luckily, they were all only cursing in their minds. If Lin Li were to hear such words, this fella would most likely shamelessly say, "If you guys were the same as me, having tons of incantations and almost ten core magical laws appearing in your mind while breaking through, then you guys would definitely be as proficient as me…"
Chapter 274 - Rules
In an instant, there were a thousand meteors falling from the sky. Countless flares were dispersing, and there instantly were ripples appearing on the aquamarine light.
"F*ck, this guy really took some drugs…" Lin Li gritted his teeth as he cursed. The prowess of the Rain of Sacrifice was definitely not something a normal spell could match up to. Tens of thousands of meteors landed on the aquamarine light, and it immediately made Lin Li feel dizzy and blinded. It was just an instant, yet the Water Shield was only left with the last thin layer.
This time, it gave Lin Li such a fright that his hair stood up.
While being panic-stricken, Lin Li hurriedly stimulated his mana to the maximum and desperately replenished the Water Shield that was on the verge of collapse. Fortunately, Lin Li was also a monster, and his near-infinite mana surged out. Although it was unable to reverse the adverse situation, it was still able to sufficiently maintain the Water Shield.
Lin Li stared at Matthias while continuously conjuring mana. This guy was too abnormal. It had only been more than a month or so, yet he had already become so powerful. He consecutively used so many spells, and each was more sinister than the other. If it wasn't because Lin Li had broken through just now, he might have been pounded into meat sauce by that Hellfire, not to mention this Rain of Sacrifice that was like plague, continuously sapping his mana…
This terrifying corrosion was in effect for at least ten seconds. It happened until a certain monster with infinite mana started feeling weak before the Rain of Sacrifice started to dissipate. At this point, Matthias' incantation started to near its end. The low and hoarse voice started to be sharp and loud like a warm-hearted prayer. A blue phosphorescent light started to ignite on Matthias' palm. The Mental Protection Field became a gold brilliance and was steadfastly protecting Mental Protection Field, preventing him from being affected by spells such as the Mana Retroaction.
"Felic's in deep trouble now…" Hoffman clenched his fists and stared right at the sky above the Aurora Square.
"I think this battle is coming to an end…" Herza only give out a slight sigh. This old man from the Supreme Council was very clear. Even with his own powers that were near the Legendary-level, it would be difficult to change the situation in the Aurora Square. There was no choice, the disadvantage for the mage from Jarrosus was too big. Matthias' incantation was coming to an end, and he was also under the protection of the Mental Protection Field. There was a perfect mix of defense and offense, not allowing a single chance for the opponent.
At this time, the only chance at victory would be to use absolute strength to destroy the Mental Protection Field and deliver a fatal blow to Matthias with Mana Retroaction again. Otherwise, the only thing that was waiting for the mage from Jarrosus would only be a painful defeat.
However, how could forcefully destroying the Mental Protection Field be an easy task?
The current Matthias had the strength of at least level-sixteen. There was not a single chance to break down his Mental Protection Field without a thorough understanding of the core magical laws and Legendary-level mental strength. This was because forcefully destroying the Mental Protection Field was breaking magical laws in itself. Other than absolute strength, there was no other method…
"Sigh…" Hoffman shook his head, and his fat face was filled with regret.
Probably only Hoffman himself knew that the thing that truly made him regret was not that enormous wager, but the genuine genius that only appeared once in hundreds of years. This young man from the Jarrosus Guild of Magic was a rare genius. Not only was his magical strength terrifying, he even had miraculous attainments in Pharmaceutics. Not only did Hoffman have high opinion of him, even the person of authority for the Felan Kingdom's Pharmaceutics, Balbo, has expressed his admiration for this young man repetitively.
It was such a pity…
Just when Hoffman was shaking his head, there was a sudden change in the battle in the sky above the Aurora Square.
The sharp and loud incantation suddenly stopped. It was like a large invisible hand had suddenly choked Matthias' throat. The whole Aurora Square went silent, and there was only a swoosh…
Then…
"Ah…" Matthias let out a shriek, and plummeted down from the sky just like a kite that had its string cut off.
In that instant, every mage clearly saw that when Matthias struck the ground, there was blood spewing everywhere, and it left a red trace in the sky…
Matthias had actually been injured!
Nobody had thought that Matthias, who was dominating the whole match, would be injured at this time. One had to know the thousands of mages at the spectator seats had even concluded together just now that Matthias would come out victorious in this match. In fact, the progress of the battle back then was indeed as such. But just a moment later, Matthias actually gave out a shriek, and then he plummeted down from the sky…
This, this, this… what the f*ck is happening? Almost everyone's mind had simultaneously came up with this question.
Although Matthias had desperately used a Levitation Spell to stabilize his body at the instant when he fell to prevent himself from falling to his death, that pale face and weak magical wave as well as that pool of blood in the Aurora Square made it very obvious that Matthias was injured.
Victory and defeat could change hands in an instant. This was how cruel and exciting a battle between mages could be.
Of the thousands of spectators present, probably only
those few with the best judgment like Aldwin, Englos, and Sendros would know what sort of shocking change had happened just now. As for the rest, they were still lost, with a face full of confusion.
Even the strongest Archmage, Mr. Macklin, who knew Lin Li the best could only follow his habitual guessing. At that moment, that fella Felic must have done something bad. As for what it was, even Macklin was not too clear.
"What is going on again?"
"This trial apprentice of yours is indeed a miracle creator. Constantly giving everyone surprises…" Aldwin shook his head with a wry smile. "If I am not mistaken, just now, Felic must have used strength, f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y tearing through Matthias' Mental Protection Field, and then he used a Mana Retroaction to disrupt the opponent's casting. As for that Wind Blade at the end, it could only be considered a given…"
"What did you say?" It was as if someone stepped on Macklin's tail. After a scream, he almost jumped up from his seat. "Break, break, break… Broke through Matthias' Mental Protection Field?"
It was fine if the president did not explain. After explaining, Macklin's face immediately turned ghastly pale. He was known as the strongest Archmage. How could he not know what kind of power was needed to tear through the Mental Protection Field?
… The mental strength of at least Legendary-level as well as the thorough understanding of the core magical laws. Just thinking about these two terrifying conditions, Macklin felt cold sweat all over his back. Forget about the mental strength—after all Felic, that fella, was a natural monster. No matter how strong his mental strength was, Macklin would not even be surprised, but the understanding of the core magical laws? It almost made Macklin go mad from fright on the spot…
In the world of magic, rules were everything. The more proficient and more knowledgeable you were, the more powerful your power would be. This power was not referring to strength, but a realm that was hard to comprehend. It was like a butcher spoken of in legends. After butchering tens of thousands of times, his understanding of the cow's body would be very profound. At the end, he could use a small knife and dismember a cow in an instant with his eyes closed.
