In a single second, everything reversed so quickly it left Nathan dizzy.

He lunged forward to grab Gideon, but Elder An blocked him by rushing in. The old man, previously just Tier 1, suddenly received some kind of strange power, swinging claws toward Nathan.

Dark arcs appeared, making him shudder, but he managed to dodge in time. With the village head's speed, Nathan saw it like slow-motion footage. He didn't hesitate to throw a powerful punch at his enemy.

An explosion blew Elder An backward. Nathan immediately turned back to Gideon.

The wood-aspect mana user was kneeling, clawing at his own throat. His mouth gaped open toward the sky, trembling as he gasped for air. His eyes rolled back. Steam rose from around his body. Blood flowed as his fingernails dug too deep. But what dripped to the ground carried a foul stench, bearing a pitch-black color.

Nathan had barely approached when Elder An charged again, with even greater strength than before. The aged face seemed to disappear, replaced by madness and fanaticism. He bared his teeth in a grin, blood flowing from between them from Nathan's punch, showing no fear.

Ignoring this, Nathan conjured a white mana sphere, firing it at his opponent. He split part of his attention to maintain that while continuing to find a way closer to Gideon.

But the challenge didn't stop there. From beneath the ancient stone floor, black sand particles carrying golden glints moved upward like flowing water, clinging to Gideon. From them emanated tremendous pressure that weighed on Nathan.

Not stopping there, the ancient tree inside the temple shuddered. Those withered, sharp branches twisted, pointing toward the courtyard, shooting dangerous long stakes.

Nathan was forced to dodge after trying to counter with strikes. Combining both [Amplifying Strike] and [Flowing Strikes], he still couldn't stop them. His mana explosions echoed through the night without achieving results.

"Na...Nathan..." Gideon groaned, his entire body being covered by the flowing sand. "Sa...Save them!"

Nathan straightened, turning his head toward the children. He couldn't stop Gideon's transformation process, so at least he needed to save them.

Spears from the ancient tree pierced the ground behind him as he ran toward the small figures writhing on the ground.

He threw one child over his shoulder, then tucked another under his arm, despite their uncontrolled thrashing. He continued by creating mana tendrils to bind them to his body. Ten children, then twenty. But at the twenty-first child, he cried out in horror.

The skin of the girl with hair covering her face suddenly split apart, blood vessels clearly visible. From this, black particles formed, flying straight toward Gideon. In that moment, the little girl's body went limp, motionless, no longer breathing. Her breath had completely stopped.

Nathan roared with fury, grinding his teeth as he moved faster, burning mana in his body to increase his speed. He became like lightning across the courtyard, abandoning those wretched adults, the villagers who smiled despite the pain surrounding them, those gazes that chilled his spine.

Yet he still couldn't save them all. More than ten children died before he could reach them.

Those near him had their corruption process slowed thanks to the powerful suction he maintained. Relentless streams of black energy rushed into his mouth, nose, and pores. These uninvited guests joined the cluster of black smoke beside the black hole inside him.

Meanwhile, he still had to maintain firing mana spheres to push back Elder An. The leader of this small cult in Emberwood was truly possessed by a divine spirit. No matter how many wounds Nathan inflicted, he could still stand up and pursue him. Whether pierced through the heart, liver, stomach, or with broken legs, he never stopped.

Then his legs buckled, launching him far from the village. In midair, he gathered the children and checked them. The pain had knocked them unconscious. However, none were without fever, their breathing sometimes rapid, sometimes interrupted, their entire bodies drenched in sweat.

Certain they were no longer affected by whatever evil plagued this village, he sent an urgent message to Qingfeng, requesting she bring the Cloud Glider to the village gate immediately to take the children away from here.

He had eliminated most of the potential threat, but nothing guaranteed something hadn't remained within these small souls. And he had no time to investigate deeper.

Elder An knew reinforcements would come. So the plan certainly wasn't to engage in battle. This wretched deity wanted to flee after devouring the people here. That meant Gideon would be killed completely.

Though their contact had been brief, Nathan still sympathized with this unfortunate young man. He wanted to help him if possible. More than that, he didn't want there to be another village like Emberwood, swallowed by some dark force.

Wind like blades wanted to tear his cheeks as he rushed toward the temple courtyard once more. With his Tier 3 sword in hand, he swung his most powerful strikes. Slashes carrying terrifying energy blazed through the night. They were blocked by the constantly rising black sand and shots from the ancient tree.

Gideon was now encased in a cocoon that Nathan couldn't penetrate no matter what type of attack he used. Moreover, the repulsive force from the tremors was large enough to keep him outside.

Villagers around gradually lost their breath as the black smoke flowing from their throats grew more intense. Their bodies seemed drained dry, becoming corpses of only skin and bones. But even before death, they still smiled, hands still raised in worship. Their mouths murmured joyful words at being gathered within the deity they had worshipped their entire lives.

Elder An finally couldn't maintain his frenzied state. He regained some sanity, dragging his broken body toward the sand cocoon in the center of the courtyard. All the life force had been drained from him, returning him to his previous frail appearance. He knelt down, his body full of holes Nathan had created. Then he bowed once to the cocoon, then once to the ancient tree.

Trying to spread his arms, he struggled to find breath to speak in a dry, hoarse voice.

"I will become one with You! I will reunite with my wife, children, and parents. What I have done will be rewarded today."

After speaking, his entire body shuddered once, then collapsed to the ground. A stream of black smoke rushed toward the sand mound.

Nathan watched coldly as the unworthy creature collapsed. He had been fighting the cocoon for a while by pushing the power to absorb this dark energy into his body. However, his ability couldn't compare to his opponent. He was only delaying the process.

This plan had been prepared long enough to require success. It might be interrupted because of him but wouldn't stop.

While fighting, he ran around to absorb as much energy as possible. To add to the annoyance, he also swung Crescent Moon Slash toward his opponent, using lightning-aspect mana. But the sand cocoon still stood firm, its surface only echoing dull thuds without any damage.

Then a deafening roar rose from inside the cocoon, making Nathan clutch his head and stop. Opening his eyes, he saw the sand gradually separating, falling like a hanging curtain lacking anchor points.

From within stepped Gideon. Or rather, not Gideon.

Simultaneously, the ancient tree behind writhed, breaking into small pieces flying forward.

The entity regarded as a deity turned black eyes toward Nathan. It bore human form but was covered entirely by a centipede's shell, divided into segments like an insect. On its head grew two red antennae that swayed, and from the chin that had once been human sprouted two additional sharp fangs. From the neck down, everything was similarly encased in armor like hands and feet.

Not stopping there, the wooden layers from the ancient tree behind joined in like essential final nutrients. It made the red flesh brighter, more vibrant. The joints were additionally reinforced for durability. The antennae previously curved on its head became sharp and rigid. From the joints on its back sprouted curved lines like centipede legs. They swayed with clicking sounds.

The strange entity before Nathan exhaled, a stream of air that polluted the entire space.

It wasn't pleased; its eyebrowless eyes narrowed, hair floating with its gaping mouth.

"Damn human," it said in a raspy voice, as if lacking breath. "You have hindered me at the crucial moment. You will pay for preventing me from reaching Tier 3."

Nathan curled his lip in obvious contempt. Inside, waves of triumph surged, delighted to discover that everything he had done was not in vain.

"Those children," the human centipede spoke up. "I just need to claim them. Their abundant life force will compensate for the deficiency. Yes! That's exactly right."

Nathan flew into a rage, charging forward. His punch swung out in a flash.

Boom!

Shockwaves spread around them. Dust rose in thick clouds.

His entire clenched fist was held completely within the enemy's large palm.

The transformed Gideon tilted its head, eyes narrowing.

"You are only Tier 2," it said curiously. "Even including Physical Cultivation, you couldn't possibly have such power."

Nathan gritted his teeth, anxiety blaring in his mind.

He had spent months training and testing. Initially, it seemed like a step back when he lost [Titan's Descendant]. Then he discovered his combat ability hadn't diminished at all by mixing both paths of cultivation, Physical and Spirit. The explosion from mana combined with bodily compression made his attacks surprise even himself.

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And the existence before him was blocking them as if nothing had happened.

Nathan used his other hand to strike forward. When Gideon raised his hand to block, he changed direction. His feint succeeded in getting his hand toward the opponent's chest, materializing his Tier 3 sword.

Clang! Sparks flew with tremendous repulsive force, both sides separating.

Nathan slid across the courtyard, shaking his trapped hand. The centipede-human's force was truly immense. Without the Titan bloodline, he was still Tier 2 Phase 7.9 of Physical Cultivation. His flesh was much tougher than ordinary people. Yet being gripped briefly already caused lingering pain.

Gideon looked down at his chest, where a scratch had appeared on the red shell. Then he raised his head to look at Nathan with fury, charging forward.

The strange entity's speed was so fast that the next second Nathan found himself crashed into a house wall. Bricks, wood, and dust fell on him.

Standing up and shaking his hands, Nathan stepped out, becoming irritated.

On his body, he wore different Tier 3 armor, not the Tier 4 received after The Shifting Trials event. Tier 4 armor had broken through to another category; wearing it without energy to maintain would easily collapse. It was created to protect even the Nascent Soul, so the pressure was enormous.

Using Tier 3 armor was different. Though using less mana prevented it from unleashing full effectiveness, the material quality exceeded Tier 2 items, making Nathan decide to invest.

Currently, that armor was just beginning to reveal itself, bearing an ancient bronze color. It had concealment functions, what he had aimed for when spending money, only appearing when receiving sufficient damage.

The previous blow not only penetrated his mana shield but also struck through the armor, making his body ache unbearably.

Using spirit vision, he estimated the enemy must be Tier 2 Phase 9, equal to Argentius. But in terms of damage and defense, it couldn't be evaluated by level alone. Though it couldn't use Tier 3 skills yet, it was still a difficult Tier 2 opponent.

Sword and fist ready, Nathan took a prepared stance. He eliminated his mana shield, replacing it with a disturbance field. If at [Martial Art Mastery] level 2 he could sense through air observation, at level 3 this skill elevated his senses to a new height. When he reached higher Phases, the surrounding area could expand further. Currently, three meters was enough for him to maneuver.

Leaving afterimages, the centipede-human rushed toward him faster than lightning. He brought his sword to the right while simultaneously kicking forward.

After a metallic clash and a dull thud, the entity possessing Gideon was pushed back, hands covering its face.

It stood up and attacked again.

Nathan advanced and retreated with his enemy, fighting not just with normal sight but with his spirit as well. However, this strange thing still made him unable to predict with those writhing legs behind it. In moments too close, he was still stabbed by them.

His armor persisted in defending. At the same time, it was eating into the mana in his core.

Both sides fought like a storm, the ground beneath cut into pieces.

Nathan spread his arms wide, about to strike when his foot sank down in alarm.

Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.

Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.

A forest of sharp wooden spikes from underground rushed straight up at him. Stakes at various angles appeared in just a blink, leaving him unable to counter in time. His Tier 3 armor tried to resist with sparks. To increase defense, a blinding yellow barrier formed. But just a moment later it shattered when the centipede-human pointed down from above.

Trapped in the middle, Nathan was like being locked in a prison.

His armor showed cracks from behind his back, gradually spreading to other sides. Tier 3 armor that couldn't unleash Tier 3 power, while the enemy continuously delivered overpowering strikes, ultimately couldn't resist.

Nathan spat blood when a wooden stake pierced his stomach.

The mouth that had once been Gideon's sneered, walking slowly toward Nathan. Its hand extended, joyfully saying, "What you absorbed, you should return now."

Just when it was a finger's breadth from Nathan's hair, he vanished.

Blue lightning flashed. He fell from above, sword in hand sizzling with electrical sounds. His eyes blazed. A slash downward.

The red shell of the centipede-human once again blocked him. The two horns on its head extended as if to stab Nathan. He spun in midair, arm swinging out, forming two electrical whips on the horns. Then he pulled hard, creating a vertical vector, both feet kicking straight into the enemy's face.

The centipede-human stood up, raising its hand to wipe the smear Nathan had left on its cheek.

"I was wondering when you use this power of yours," the centipede-human said with interest. "According to that human's memory, you shouldn't have an aspect, should you? Then how can you do this?"

Then it opened its eyes wide looking at Nathan, lips curling as it licked around its mouth, a mouth so deformed it was barely recognizable.

"You are a perfect vessel," it beamed. "That power, that body. Magnificent. This human's wood aspect can't compare to you."

The centipede-human stepped forward, extending its hand in invitation.

"Young man, do you want absolute power? Do you want to trample the world beneath your feet?"

"From what I remember, I was the one who just trampled someone," Nathan sneered.

"Imbecile!" the entity roared, its legs clicking against each other. "You cannot defeat me yet still act so arrogant?"

"From what I see, that's mutual," Nathan pointed back and forth between them. "You can't do anything to me either."

"Oh, you're mistaken."

Nathan staggered, suddenly collapsing to the ground, both hands trembling.

He coughed up much more blood. Looking down at his stomach wound, there were no signs of healing. He had become so accustomed to pain that he forgot he was injured.

Circulating essence from the wine stored after drinking Thunder Embrace in his body, he regulated the flow to fight against the strange energy corroding his internal organs.

Gritting his teeth, he looked up at the one gazing down at him with pitying eyes.

"See? You're not that strong after all."

"Oh, you're mistaken."

Nathan stood up, raising both hands, pushing Berserker to 33% using [Anger Management].

Without giving the enemy time to rest, he charged forward.

Boom! A shallow crater appeared in the ground. The centipede-human was already behind him. Sharp wooden stakes rushed forward.

Nathan vanished in a blue flash.

He stabbed forward from behind the enemy again. The centipede-human didn't bother defending, letting its back receive the blow. The surrounding claws extended sharp, shooting toward Nathan.

He moved erratically to dodge. The ground was pierced with deep holes. The sword in his hand slashed out to block. His mind worked at full capacity to defend.

While he was forced into defense, the enemy had approached again, its hand formed into a blade, stabbing forward. Nathan barely managed to dodge through system warnings, spirit field, and lightning speed.

He breathed heavily, looking down at his left side where a chunk was missing. He had been that fast yet still got injured. Black dust clung to the exposed flesh, mixing with blood, making him increasingly dizzy.

"You truly are a stubborn one," the centipede-human said irritably, the two fangs from its cheeks trembling. "Die so I can absorb your nutrients. I know you're waiting for reinforcements. But it would be truly negligent if I hadn't arranged several diversionary formations. Two hundred years just to be burned in an hour?"

Nathan struggled to exhale, finally knowing why reinforcements hadn't arrived. He had delayed long enough. His wounds were progressing from light to serious. If no one came, the situation was truly unstable.

I have to take the risk, Nathan told himself.

Reinforcements would come; they were just lost for a bit. He just needed to try a little harder.

He pulled out a small vial, using his remaining lightning power to increase distance when the enemy's claws wanted to grab his head.

Without hesitation, he swallowed the vial's contents.

After a moment, the centipede-human was in front of him. He unleashed all his power, striking madly. [Martial Art Mastery] helped him predict the opponent's moves, keeping his wounds limited.

Then the solution he had drunk took effect. He bit his teeth as unbearable pain rose in his throat. New mana and essence were directed to both his hands.

Blood vessels in his arms seemed to swell, his skin darkened, and red-orange lights sparkled. Gradually, covering around his hands was a layer of molten lava.

Lava Drake's core.

During training, he remembered the essence surge from swallowing the Vermilion Ape Leader's mana core, so he had thought of this plan as a new trump card. Of course, he wouldn't be crazy enough to drink the entire core. The level difference could burn him to death from inside out.

He had worked with Celene and an Artificer in Maelivar to grind the core down while destroying the last remnants of the Lava Drake's will. After that, he experimented with cooking combinations, sprinkling this ingredient like seasoning.

The first result was a complete disaster; he found himself coughing up burning clotted blood and was paralyzed for a full day waiting for his body to recover. After that, he refined the approach, using more balancing herbs to develop the least harmful method.

Concentrating all that aspect into his hands, creating a weapon terrifying enough without knocking him unconscious midway.

When the centipede-human approached again, Nathan raised his lava gauntlet covering up to his elbow, swinging down hard. The punch created a wave of scorching, suffocating fire. But the effectiveness was undeniable.

Lava drops clinging to the centipede's shell armor made it wiggle its antennae, fangs clacking together. Its panic was evident.

"Damn it," it wailed in pain. "Fire, lava. Damn it!"

Its wood aspect had met its natural enemy, making its face show human features as if belonging to Gideon.

Nathan smiled, once again drawing his sword, inserting Standard Mana Stones then raising it high. The sword blazed with essence from the Lava Drake's core.

Gripping the firestorm in his hand, he slashed forward. The centipede-human screamed in fear and fled.

Lava and fire poured around like relentless waves.

Through the night rang the screams of the entity Gideon had called a demon, being burned. The shell it had been proud of for its seemingly absolute defense was penetrated by lava, burning gradually deeper, revealing pockmarked wounds like festering sores.

Nathan released his grip, sheathing his sword back into his spatial ring.

The phase of using this destructive aspect was over. He couldn't maintain it longer without affecting himself. If he weren't a Physical Cultivator, he wouldn't have dared use it. Thanks to his enhanced body, he dared take this risk and wait for healing.

His hand looked like charcoal, emitting a burning smell. However, it could still move. He had studied somewhat on PsiLink about his situation. Other cultivators had never used mana like he had. Introducing mana aspects not his own into his bloodstream would only lead to rejection or adverse reactions, immediate injury rather than application.

So he concluded this was the result of the Omnipotential he possessed. At the same time, he thought his usage was wrong somewhere but could only fumble through it. Before desperation, he absolutely wouldn't seek out that hateful white-clad man.

The air around echoed with crackling sounds from the fire. Grass and moss on the ancient ground burned completely. Only scorched earth remained, along with a disgusting entity writhing in agony.

When Nathan approached to finish it off, those legs shot out frantically. Several broke midway from becoming brittle under the heat, several still landed on Nathan.

He didn't care, letting the remaining armor do its job. He even wanted to use this to pin down the enemy. Those legs piercing his body as he approached the centipede-human.

He towered over those black bulging eyes, his entire body tattered and torn, his stomach wound sealed by heat, his blackened smoking hand.

Nathan looked more like a devil than his opponent. He grinned, showing his white teeth.

"You lost," he said.

Pulling back, he raised his fist, gathering all his remaining strength, preparing to strike.

A cloud of black smoke shot toward him, making his punch fall through empty air. The centipede-human had used its rear legs to crawl backward while its face remained upward.

It laughed loudly, pointing at Nathan.

"You can absorb demon energy, so I had to try killing you earlier in the cave," it said weakly. "But I don't believe it! I don't believe you can keep absorbing without going mad. You'll become like those villagers. Insane and become my nourishment."

Nathan felt bloated. His entire body seemed to swell yet be compressed. Blood and breath couldn't circulate.

He went inside his body to observe. The mass of invasive black smoke that had been separated was growing larger. They spun in a corner. But this area wasn't enough. It was overflowing, gradually moving toward the black hole in the center.

Just then, the black hole spun once, drawing mana from the adjacent core.

Two energy streams collided. Initially resistant, looking like they would explode and send Nathan to hell. Then under the black hole's influence, they merged like braided rope.

This transformed energy stream struck directly into Nathan's core.

Using spirit vision, he could see the core's previously milky surface was now tainted black.

Most importantly, Nathan felt he could use it.

With things at this point, he accepted the test. Because he could sense the friendliness of this new energy source.

He claimed it.

His spirit was suddenly pulled violently. He passed through the river of time, seeing massive existences like dim shadows flashing by.

Whispers became increasingly clear.

"...bloodline Titan. Lost but still remaining, in another form..."

"...so the first foundation stones have been laid..."

"...Child, don't be afraid..."

"...this is the way..."

"...creation and destruction. They're just one..."

Nathan's eyes burst open, his entire body transforming.

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