MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 205
Roda and his group numbered nine Spirit Realm experts.
The Divine Dao Alliance, on the other hand, boasted over twenty.
However, the Divine Dao Alliance was a loose coalition. Within its ranks, Spirit Realm experts were considered equals.
This presented a problem.
Who would guard the checkpoint between the Inner City and the Imperial City District? Who would venture into the Imperial City to seek treasures, opportunities, and perhaps even the divine inheritance?
Groups formed out of self-interest were prone to internal conflict and eventual collapse due to those same selfish desires.
Fortunately, Li De possessed a certain charisma and cunning. He had managed to temporarily unite the group, assigning four Spirit Realm experts to guard the crucial checkpoint.
But four was far from enough against Roda and his eight companions.
A deafening explosion shattered the air.
At the border between the Inner City and the Imperial City, Roda and Uncle Lu spearheaded the attack, their combined might sending the four Divine Dao Alliance guards flying.
The breach was swift and brutal.
One of the four guards died instantly, while the remaining three, overwhelmed and terrified, turned tail and fled.
Roda didn't pursue them. Instead, he used the keys to unlock the gate to the Imperial City District and barked out a command, "Charge! Everyone, charge! Don't waste time here, head straight to the designated location!"
The commotion was bound to attract the attention of the Divine Dao Alliance.
Any delay would allow their Spirit Realm experts to return, making entry into the Imperial City District far more difficult.
For now, the cooperation among the nine individuals led by Roda was seamless.
At the very least, no one faltered at this crucial moment.
They moved with impressive speed, entering the Imperial City District and rushing towards their objective as a unified force.
Unbeknownst to them, in a hidden corner of the Imperial City, Li De slowly opened his eyes.
"They're here," he said, a cold glint in his eyes. "It's time for us to act."
He rose to his feet, followed by the other Spirit Realm experts of the Divine Dao Alliance.
There were over twenty of them.
But there was also a glimmer of good news.
Lu Ming's Basic Breathing Technique had advanced from Proficient to Master level.
This meant increased cultivation efficiency.
Moreover, the increase in efficiency wasn't trivial.
In just three hours, Lu Ming's tiger-like body shuddered as he absorbed the mysterious factors from the entire underground space, leaving Roxin gasping for air as the Origin Energy density plummeted. It wasn't until more energy flowed in from the outside world that she could breathe comfortably again.
Meanwhile, Lu Ming remained seated in meditation, seemingly oblivious to the commotion he had caused.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he opened his eyes.
He immediately checked his attribute panel.
Name: Lu Ming (Status: Self-Limitation State)
Level: Mortal Realm, Level 9
(Note: You can advance to the first level of the Physique Realm at any time.)
Strength: 9,078,080
Physique: 9,076,467.2
Agility: 9,070,873.6
Free Attribute Points: 0
Divine Origin Points: 40
His attributes had doubled again, and most importantly, he had gained 12 more Divine Origin Points.
The harvest was substantial.
But the biggest change was in his list of superpowers. The Void Domain, the ability Lu Ming had been eagerly anticipating, had finally advanced!
Void Domain (Intermediate): This is a special ability that can break the rules of time and space! However, due to your current level of the Void Domain, you can't fully manifest the power of this ability!
- When used against an enemy: You can pull their consciousness into the Void Space. Their body in the outside world becomes immobile, while their consciousness in the Void Space experiences a terrifying time acceleration of 1 second = 1 day. During this time, you can move slightly, and the effect lasts until your Origin Power is depleted!
- When used on yourself: Your consciousness can enter the void space. At this moment, a day in the void space is equivalent to an hour in the outside world.
The upgrade from the basic Void Domain to Intermediate didn't bring about drastic changes.
The effect on enemies had been altered slightly - from complete immobilization to allowing slight movement. Lu Ming would need to experiment to understand the extent of this "slight" movement.
However, Lu Ming cared less about its effect on enemies and more about its supplementary cultivation function.
When used on himself, the Intermediate Void Domain allowed him to experience a time dilation of 24 to 1!
Lu Ming breathed a sigh of relief. He was quite satisfied with this upgrade.
A 24-fold increase! The implications were staggering. It meant Lu Ming could gain 23 additional days of cultivation for every single day spent in the Void Space.
"It wasn't in vain for me to risk entering this ruin..."
Lu Ming's original intention had been to find an opportunity to break through to the Void Realm. He had been willing to take a considerable risk for that chance.
But now, it seemed the gamble had paid off handsomely.
This time, Lu Ming also noticed another interesting phenomenon during his advancement.
"First, the Physique Realm. I can enter it at any time."
After all, the threshold from Mortal Realm to Physique Realm was based solely on physical fitness, and his physique had long surpassed the requirement.
"Second, the Divine Origin Points. I can still mine them!"
He had gained 2 more Divine Origin Points from his advancement from Level 8 to Level 9. While his strength continued to grow, the points were becoming scarcer, indicating that the Divine Origin "mine" was nearing depletion.
But it wasn't empty yet.
He had to keep mining.
"Lastly, the Void Realm can still be upgraded!"
This made sense. The Flame Clan Ruin was vast and showed no signs of collapsing, even after Lu Ming had drawn so much power from it. This meant there was still untapped potential within this massive "mine"!
"Then..."
With a surge of determination, Lu Ming channeled even more Origin Power.
From an outsider's perspective, it would appear as if a colossal vortex had suddenly formed in the Inner City District, with Lu Ming's residence at its epicenter.
He had become the eye of the storm.
Origin Power from across the entire ruin was being drawn towards him, converging on his location.
Lu Ming hadn't intended for this to happen.
He hadn't anticipated that his advancement would cause such a massive disturbance.
But even if he had known, he wouldn't have hesitated. Would he sacrifice his progress just because it caused a commotion?
However, this spectacle naturally attracted unwanted attention.
Not only from the explorers wandering Flame City but also from the members of the Divine Dao Alliance.
And not just the rank-and-file members...
Near the Imperial City District, a Spirit Realm expert sensed the unusual phenomenon. He frowned, his gaze drawn towards the source of the disturbance.
"Isn't that where Roda's hideout is?" he muttered.
"So, there are other Spirit Realm experts protecting Roxin?"
"This task Li De assigned me might not be so easy after all..."
With a thoughtful expression, he continued on his path.
Faint sounds of bargaining reached his ears – "You'll have to pay more" – as he approached Lu Ming and Roxin's location.
End of Chapter 205
