Chapter 199: The Crystal Being
Chapter 199: The Crystal Being
Each Phantom City has its unique cultivation method, and Bowen's practice is known as the Thunder Refinement Body.
By tempering the physical body with thunderous power, one can eventually achieve an indestructible state.
Based on Bowen's interactions with other Divine Messengers of Phantom Cities, the Thunder Refinement Body is exceptionally effective in physical enhancement.
Among Divine Messengers of the same cultivation level, few could match him in a direct confrontation.
But now...
"Boom!"
"Crack!"
Bowen felt as if he had collided with a solid object made of vajra, causing him to retreat a step. His once-proud bones shattered on impact.
"Ah!"
With an angry roar, Bowen's body transformed into thunder, and his legs unleashed a series of rapid kicks, filling the arena with afterimages.
The massive amount of thunderous power stored within him erupted in an instant.
"Boom!"
Several figures were blasted backward simultaneously.
Bowen trembled, his legs shaking as he hovered in mid-air, a bitter expression on his face.
The Crystal Being's body was unyieldingly hard, and even with Bowen's full strength, he couldn't truly break through its defenses.
Moreover,
The force that warped everything also tore at his flesh, muscles, and even bones upon contact.
After a brief exchange, Bowen felt his legs were almost ruined.
"Huff..."
Thunder Invocation!
His eyes focused, and a pillar of thunder connected heaven and earth appeared out of thin air. It not only repelled the approaching Crystal Being but also replenished Bowen's energy.
Swallowing heavenly thunder to strengthen oneself.
This was also a unique technique of the Thunder Refinement Body, but using such a secret art caused significant damage to the body.
"Bowen!"
"My friend."
A familiar voice made Bowen's eyes widen in disbelief.
"Dif!"
His eyes flickered with confusion: "How... how are you here?"
The Crystal Being extended its arms and slowly approached, and although it didn't speak, its voice was heard.
"The divine flame has extinguished, and the Phantom City is no more. I answered the call of my kin and transformed into a crystal, gaining an immortal body."
"You..." Bowen's eyes widened in shock:
"A Crystal Being?"
Could a Crystal Being be formed from a human?
"Yes!" Dif nodded:
"This world is heading towards destruction. All life will perish, and only by transforming can there be a chance for survival."
"Bowen, my friend, not everyone is blessed by the crystals to become one of us. You and I are special cases. Look at your legs."
Bowen lowered his head, and his eyes widened involuntarily.
His legs had somehow developed a crystalline layer on the surface, filled with tiny particles. The warping force not only damaged his body but also affected his flesh.
"Surrender to the crystals and become one with us."
Dif spoke:
"Friend!"
"This is a blessing from the great crystals. Accept it, embrace it, and you too can become immortal."
"..." Bowen's expression turned blank, his consciousness fading, and the crystals on his legs rapidly spread upwards.
In just a few moments, his calves had fully crystallized.
"Crack!"
"Snap!"
The thunderous light surrounding him gradually dimmed, almost extinguishing, and his heartbeat slowed.
Just as his heart stopped beating...
A self-preservation mechanism suddenly activated.
"Boom!"
A thunderous power, brighter than before, erupted from his heart, instantly dispelling the strange force that was affecting his mind.
Damn!
Could this thing even affect one's sanity? Bowen's face paled with fear, and his body flickered, transforming into a ray of thunder as he attempted to escape.
"Friend, where are you going?"
Dif's figure appeared before him, his bewitching voice echoing in Bowen's ears, the strange force continuing to assault him.
"Get away!"
"Scram!"
"Boom..."
Bowen roared in anger, unleashing his power, unaware that his escape path was a continuous circle.
He remained within the range of the Crystal Being's influence.
"Surrender!"
"Unify!"
"Immortality!"
"..."
The voices continued to assault Bowen's mind, his consciousness fading, and his resistance weakening.
"Divine Messenger Bowen?"
A strange voice called out, but Bowen, in his dazed state, instinctively punched out.
"Die!"
"Crack!"
A gentle yet powerful force enveloped Bowen, and Karl shook his head, lightly swinging his arm: "It seems Divine Messenger Bowen isn't quite himself. Let's take a little break."
With immense strength, Karl effortlessly tossed Bowen aside like a cannonball.
The three Crystal Beings paused, sensing danger from this newcomer. Their crystals flashed rapidly.
"Swoosh!"
One of the Crystal Beings suddenly lunged forward, its simple action containing terrifying power.
Karl narrowed his eyes, punching out in response.
"Boom!"
Both figures retreated simultaneously.
As Carl's eyes twitched in surprise, he encountered something unusual within the First Rank realm—a being that could match his physical strength with its own.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh, whoosh!"
There was no time for astonishment as two Crystal Beings rushed forward, one throwing a punch while the other kicked sideways.
"Bang!"
"Boom..."
Carl employed his agile movements to block their attacks, but he was forced to retreat continuously under the assault of three Crystal Beings, his breath momentarily halting.
[6◇9◇Book◇Bar]
It wasn't just about strength.
There was also a bizarre power that distorted everything, accompanied by a strange mental force relentlessly attacking his inner sea of consciousness.
Odd!
"Hmmph!"
With a muffled grunt, Carl formed hand seals and struck horizontally with both hands.
Thousand Buddha Hands!
"Bang!"
The Thousand Buddha Hands of the Hundred Hands Realm exponentially enhanced his strength and explosive power, instantly sending one of the Crystal Beings flying.
"Huff..."
Seizing the opportunity, Carl retreated from the encirclement, quickly performing hand seals, and behind him, a Buddha's shadow appeared with tentacles extending, menacing and ready to strike.
Second Rank Arcane Spell—Fear Aura!
The level suppression caused the charging Crystal Being to suddenly halt.
The next instant—
Thunder Seal!
Blinding thunderous light erupted from the chest of the Crystal Being, its terrifying power tearing through the outer crystal layer.
"Crack..."
"Bang!"
The Crystal Being instantly disintegrated.
Source Essence +1
Carl was taken aback.
He hadn't expected to obtain Source Essence by killing this being, and certainly not so easily.
'It seems that while its defense is strong, it only has a single layer of protection. Once the attacking power surpasses its defensive capabilities, its body won't be able to withstand it and will directly collapse.'
'But it's Source Essence...'
'Comparable to ten Great God Vaughn's!'
Carl's eyes lit up, and he dashed towards the other two Crystal Beings, using the same method to swiftly destroy them.
Source Essence +1
Source Essence +1
...
The Temporary Camp.
The Cloud Messenger, Bowen, curled up, his face pale and trembling as if enduring a harsh winter.
Dozens of Magic Stones were arranged in a specific pattern on the ground, emitting gentle halos from time to time.
A long moment passed.
"Huff..."
The Cloud Messenger, Bowen, exhaled heavily, his face filled with exhaustion:
"Thank you, Carl."
"You're welcome," Carl said calmly:
"Why did you come so far, Bowen?"
"The Phantom City's mines are becoming increasingly difficult to extract Divine Marrow from," Bowen's voice rasped:
"The Cloud Messenger, Lynn, researched and said there's an abandoned Phantom City here where we might be able to mine Divine Marrow."
"Umm..."
"Where are you from, Carl?"
"A very distant place," Carl replied, looking up at the shattered blood moon in the sky and shrugging:
"I'm currently looking for a place to stay temporarily. I hope you can accommodate me, Bowen."
"Oh!" Bowen's eyes flickered, and he hurriedly asked:
"Carl, you've been surviving outside all this time. Do you have any extra Divine Marrow on you?"
"No."
"Then you must have Magic Stones."
Bowen sighed, his voice carrying a hint of regret, but he quickly regained his composure:
"To be able to travel far in such a world, your strength must be exceptional, Carl. No wonder you could kill the Crystal Beings."
Carl glanced at the Temporary Camp, deep in thought.
In this Collapsing Divine Realm, Magic Stones were indispensable, as only they could resist the pervasive, bizarre power that filled the world.
And Magic Stones.
Could only be produced in Phantom Cities.
Once one left a Phantom City and was without Magic Stones, they would continuously be affected by the bizarre power.
According to Carl's understanding, the Collapsing Divine Realm caused Sanity Value to drop. Once the Sanity Value was insufficient, one would go insane and eventually become an Abomination.
Phantom Cities,
On the other hand, could restore Sanity Value.
The Temporary Camp was akin to a miniature version of a Phantom City, capable of restoring Sanity Value, but at a slower rate, and it consumed Magic Stones rapidly. Only in specific locations would such Temporary Camps be established.
"When I return, I'll discuss this with the Cloud Messenger, Lynn..."
"He'll agree," Bowen assured.
"Hmm?" Carl's eyes flickered:
"Bowen, did no one tell you I went to the Phantom City?"
"Did they?" Bowen was taken aback:
"No one mentioned it."
"Then..."
Carl stroked his chin:
"I've met MacKin. He said he'd take care of my matters..."
"This is a trap! The Cloud Messenger, Lynn, sent me here with no intention of letting me return..."
(End of Chapter)
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