Chapter 519: Chapter 32: Flame of the Cauldron
Palmer felt as if he were facing an exploding sun; in the blink of an eye, a storm of flames erupted, and the surging fire enveloped the combat chamber.
After his promotion, Bologue’s Secret Energy influence expanded significantly and freed itself from the constraint of requiring hand contact.
During his sparring with Palmer, Bologue gradually became familiar with his Secret Energy, discovering that although he broke away from the hand-touch limitation, he still needed to disperse his Ether, covering other substances with the form of this high-concentration Ether flame.
This indicated that Bologue’s Secret Energy still had some imperfections. Just as he needed a moment to let his Alchemy Matrix cover himself during the Condensation stage, now, as a Prayer Believer, the transition from release to Commanding Matter for Bologue also required a brief moment for the flames to burn.
But compared to his former self as a Condenser, Bologue’s release speed was without a doubt much faster now, almost completing the coverage in an instant.
Fierce flames engulfed the surrounding substances, a bright Alchemy Matrix extending upon them, with Bologue standing amidst the inferno, while the rapidly approaching blade light also pierced into the sea of fire.
Bologue raised his hand to attempt to Command Palmer’s Flying Knife, but it was wrapped in Palmer’s Ether, making it difficult for Bologue to invade and Command under the Ether Mutual Exclusion.
If Palmer’s Ether could be visualized, the clash between the two now would resemble two colliding ocean currents, repelling each other yet intertwining under high pressure.
Amid countless vanishing moments, Bologue detected a hint of anomaly. Under the interference of his Ether with the Secret Energy, the hurling Flying Knife began to wobble slightly, as if deviated by some force.
Bologue didn’t have much time to think. It all happened quickly, almost simultaneously, with air pressure and violent winds pushing through, a sharp shriek tearing through the eardrums, followed by continuous stone walls rising from the ground.
In their previous exchanges, Bologue had already witnessed the intensity of Palmer’s series of attacks. During the Condenser stage, Palmer always lacked effective offensive means; after advancing to a Prayer Believer, Palmer, through his application of air pressure and fierce winds, had perfectly compensated for this shortcoming.
The Perfect Path of the Clarks, Path of Wind Fury.
Bologue remained vigilant as the stone walls were repeatedly built, and then thunderous collisions continued, with the sturdy stone walls instantly pierced through with several large holes, like being hit by cannonballs.
Palmer cheered loudly, for in the Clarks’ records, this Secret Energy application technique was referred to as the Wind Gun.
Bologue was not only combating Palmer but also confronting the Clarks’ century-old accumulated knowledge and techniques.
The horror of the Perfect Path was gradually revealing itself. In the swirling dust, stone spears erupted from the ground, enormous and immediate, transforming the reachable ground into a dense forest of spears, stabbing towards Palmer in the sky.
Bologue took a deep breath, such large-scale terrain transformation was a significant drain on him, with Ether evaporating from his body, an intense withdrawal sensation lingering in his nerves.
These expenditures were necessary. Palmer could not remain airborne indefinitely; he would eventually descend, and these towering spears concealed Bologue’s figure, causing him to vanish from Palmer’s sight.
"Do you think you can escape?"
Palmer shouted, thinking Bologue underestimated him. Despite not seeing Bologue, from the disturbed air currents, Palmer could sense Bologue’s route of action.
Touching the strap on his waist, Palmer counted his remaining Flying Knives. Palmer’s Wind Gun required "ammunition," which was a flaw for him, but in battle, his ammunition supply was already sufficient.
Palmer was like the King of the Wind, with the winds heeding his commands to conquer or pardon.
Secret Energy·Furious Wind Pardon.
Palmer went all out. Bologue was an Undead, so there was no need to hold back. The Wind Gun roared, ready to launch the Flying Knife, but just before it was thrown, the airflow disturbance that Palmer had been monitoring suddenly split.
The orchestration of Secret Energy came to an abrupt halt. From Palmer’s perception, Bologue split into two in a flash, and this division continued, with Bologue turning into a multitude in places Palmer couldn’t see.
Palmer instantly realized that Bologue was misleading him. As partners, they both understood each other’s Secret Energy and style too well.
Gazing over the spear-studded ground, Palmer was certain that Bologue was already on the attack. But where would he come from?
Palmer remained on high alert, striving to perceive the fluctuations of Ether, finally tracing some anomalies amid the noisy clamor.
Swiftly turning around, Palmer didn’t hesitate at all, throwing a Flying Knife, and the Wind Gun burst forth, hammering a deep pit in the side wall.
On the path of the resounding advance, Palmer didn’t see Bologue’s shattered, scattered body, but rather another withering stone puppet, with crumbling suspended steps beneath its feet.
After advancing to a Prayer Believer, Bologue’s Ether intensity and Ether capacity had both received further upgrades. Now, he could even spend a vast amount of Ether to have the Commanded matter float to a certain degree.
Another feint! Palmer understood Bologue well. When Palmer thought he had discovered Bologue and launched an attack, he was already at a loss.
Without the slightest hesitation, Palmer shouted.
"Hold on! I admit defeat!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Palmer belatedly felt the breeze brushing past, his gaze darting around as burning stone spears floated before him, nearly sealing off all possible escape routes, densely packed, like a fiery rain of arrows.
The Flame of the Cauldron burned wildly.
If this weren’t combat training, but a real fight to kill, Palmer believed he’d already be smashed into a gory corpse.
Bologue has always been like this; even when delivering harsh words, he likes to beat the enemy half to death before arrogantly mocking him.
Palmer swallowed hard. The flames extinguished, and the stone spears fell, shattering upon the ground.
Bologue sauntered out, his leisurely demeanor carrying a hint of fatigue. Having grown accustomed to the limited Command of the Summoning Hand, suddenly acquiring such a wide range of Command made Bologue a bit uneasy.
He had just grasped this new Secret Energy and needed time to train and familiarize himself with this power. Thus, in several large-scale Commands, he made many unnecessary expenditures—a situation that required further practice for Bologue to manage the Flame of the Cauldron efficiently and swiftly.
Bologue envied Palmer once more; he had the experience of predecessors, needing only to diligently follow and learn, whereas Bologue had to explore everything himself, slowly.
The Flame of the Cauldron could easily alter large-scale terrain, move mountains, and fill seas, but corresponding costs would increase. Ideally, what suits Bologue best for Commanding Matter is Deceitful Snake Scale Liquid, that kind of Alchemy Armament.
It inherently possesses excellent Ether conductivity, making manipulation smooth and significantly reducing his own consumption.
Thinking of this, Bologue considered whether he should find Aimou to help him transmute another Deceitful Snake Scale Liquid—this strangely characterized Alchemy Armament is recorded within the Sublimation Furnace Core, so recreating one shouldn’t be too difficult.
But he couldn’t let Aimou work for free; Bologue pondered how he could commission her and offer related gratitude.
During Bologue’s contemplation, the Cultivation Room stirred, and the expansive live combat room started to revert, the warped and reshaped earth returned to level, cleanly rectangular bricks were laid one by one, and shattered debris seamlessly fused back together.
This bizarre building was alive and possessed Life Force; its restoration returned everything to the beginning as if the battle between the two hadn’t happened at all.
Looking at the two below with their arms around each other’s shoulders, the light in Geoffrey’s eyes faded. During their battle, Geoffrey had been watching the battlefield intently, ready to freeze them in case of unexpected incidents.
Geoffrey asked Lebius, "What do you think of it?"
"As the heir of the Clarks, with the Perfect Path: Wind Fury Way..." said Lebius, "I’m looking forward to Palmer’s future growth."
"Wind Fury Way, huh? Truly fitting for an ancient Extraordinary Clan; this is indeed worthy of admiration."
Geoffrey nodded in agreement. As a Prayer Believer, Palmer’s current power wasn’t yet terrifying, but he had already preliminarily demonstrated his versatility. When he reaches a higher Tier, the accumulated strength will mold him into a formidable force.
Geoffrey asked again, "What about Bologue?"
Observing the effect of Bologue’s Secret Energy: Flame of the Cauldron ultimately turned into praise for Palmer.
"Bologue? He’s brilliant; I can’t think of words to evaluate him," Lebius unexpectedly straightforward.
"Did you notice anything unusual during his battle? Particularly his actions against the Wind Gun assault."
Lebius continued, "The Clarks’ power isn’t much of a secret within the Order Bureau, so many can recognize the tactics of the Wind Gun."
Geoffrey recalled but shook his head, "I didn’t pay much attention; I was more concerned about ensuring neither of them ended up dead or injured."
Mainly Palmer, that guy is downright unlucky, and his opponent, the violent Bologue—if Bologue accidentally kills Palmer, the Clarks will undoubtedly come knocking.
Thinking of that peculiar family located on the Wind Source Highlands gives Geoffrey a headache. They maintain a laissez-faire attitude toward Palmer, but if someone really kills him, these folks definitely won’t let it go easily, and Geoffrey couldn’t hold Bologue accountable either.
Having an Undead pay a life feels like a provocation to the other party.
"Alright, I just think the Flame of the Cauldron isn’t that simple; after all, it’s Xilin’s power. As Bologue advances, the mysterious veil of this power will gradually be unveiled..."
Lebius’s voice gradually lowered. His proficiency in Ethereal Skill far exceeded others, allowing him to sense that, in the moment their offensives clashed, the Flame of the Cauldron broke through Palmer’s Ethereum Mutual Exclusion, mildly interfering with the trajectory of the Flying Knife.
If Bologue were given the necessary time and adequate Ether support...could he break through the constraints of Ethereum Mutual Exclusion and directly Command the opponent’s commanded matter?
Lebius didn’t continue pondering this; Belli excitedly slapped a few of them, signaling the spoils distribution after the bet.