"Huh, wait don't tell me, these Flames aren't just used for attacking, they're also like a cheat for cultivation?" Vin was shocked by this discovery.
These Flames, they weren't just devouring the karma of whatever it burned, they also refined their targets into essence and transfered that pure essence into Vin, the essence was like what he had gotten from the Flaming Phoenix.
But their quantity and quality differed alot, probably because these trees and beasts here were weaker entities, so they barely improved his body and cultivation but this was still great, all he had to do was devour the stronger ones.
It was like, each time he attack someone with his Flames, the Hell Flames would devour their karma, while he would devour the target itself.
But he couldn't help but notice that since he was only discovering this now, then that meant that he couldn't devour the essence of humans "Or maybe I'm not just strong enough to do that yet, I'm guessing I just need more practices.
"If only I discovered this during my fight with the Tenebrous Taskforce, I might have broken through to the Spirit sea realm by now, and it would definitely have helped in my battle against Thorne a few hours from now."
"I've heard rumors, that the reason why he still remains undefeated is because he had already reached the Spirit sea realm, and this would be my first battle against one. Well, I guess this is just another opportunity to push past my limits.
"Eye of the midnight sun, you vile beings have become my enemy, and now you shall become my nutrients" Vin proclaimed as he gazed into the night sky.
After a while he left and returned back to the sect, in a few hours he was going to fight a terrifying opponent, his greatest so far, he needed to make some preparations.
********
The sun rose over the horizon, bringing light to a new day and the entire arena was packed full with people filled with high spirits for the upcoming battle.
And now the stage was set for the ultimate showdown as Vin, the challenger, faced off against Thorne Thunderforge, the reigning Mortal King, in the Mortal Lords Ranking Tournament. The crowd was electric with anticipation, knowing that this battle would be a clash of titans.
As they both stood across each other, the crowds could feel the intensity of the upcoming battle but before that...
"You're not actually trying to fight me with you strength still sealed right" Thorne asked Vin.
"Of course, I wouldn't dare to" Vin smiled as he took off the braces on both of his feet, and immediately he flared his aura, revealing his true cultivation for the very first time in the sect. The ninth stage of the Body refining realm.
The crowd erupted in uproar as they didn't know he was still suppressing his strength but still....
"If you're only this strong, then I don't think you stand a chance to win against me" Thorne said as he too flared his aura and immediately a huge Spiritual pressure enveloped the entire arena.
Those in the Spirit Sea realm and above were not affected, but those below that felt like there was a huge mountain pressing on his back, and that was only the after effect, one could only imagine how Vin who was the true target felt.
But contrary to their expectations, Vin wasn't all that affected because of his powerful body, and to offset the rest of the pressure he enveloped himself in Hell Flames.
'This is the spiritual pressure of someone in the first stage of the Spirit sea realm, although he's not as strong as Delmos, he's definitely as strong as the other two, Silas and Brix.'
Vin, aware of the monumental task ahead, steeled himself for the fight. His skills, though limited, were honed to perfection: Sword One, the essence of his basic sword mastery; His self created technique ~ Fallen Petals, a gentle yet devastating flurry of attacks; and Tears of Asura, a powerful skill that could shatter the resolve of his opponents. However, he knew that Thorne, an entire realm above him, possessed a vast array of skills that could potentially overwhelm him.
Thorne, confident in his abilities, grinned at Vin. His skills, forged through years of intense training, included Thunderclap, Storm Surge, Lightning Bolt, and Tempest, among others. He could summon the fury of the thunderstorm, unleashing devastating attacks that could annihilate his opponents.
"Well then shall we?"
"Indeed!!!"
The battle began, and Vin charged forward, his sword flashing in violet light. Thorne laughed, summoning a Thunderclap that sent Vin flying across the arena. Vin struggled to his feet, his body battered but unbroken.
He unleashed Fallen Petals, a flurry of attacks that danced around Thorne's defenses. Thorne countered with Storm Surge, his speed and energy increased as he struck Vin with a series of lightning-fast attacks.
Vin stumbled back, his defenses breached. Thorne seized the opportunity, unleashing a Lightning Bolt that threatened to incinerate Vin. Vin, his reflexes honed to perfection, raised his sword, and the bolt struck the blade, sending shockwaves through his arm.
Vin gritted his teeth, and unleashed Tears of Asura, hundreds of reddish-black teardrops attacked his opponent, shattering Thorne's concentration.
Thorne stumbled back, his eyes widening in surprise. Vin seized the opening, his Sword One strike flashing towards Thorne's heart. Thorne, his skills returning, summoned a Tempest, a thunderstorm that raged around him, deflecting Vin's attack.
The battle raged on, each combatant exchanging blows, their skills clashing in a spectacular display of power and precision. Vin's Fallen Petals danced around Thorne's defenses, seeking to find an opening, while Thorne's Thunderclap sent Vin flying across the arena, his body battered and bruised.
As the fight wore on, Vin's chances of winning seemed to dwindle. Thorne's skills, honed through years of training, seemed insurmountable. Yet, Vin refused to yield, his determination and spirit driving him forward.
In a final, desperate bid to turn the tide, Vin unleashed his Tears of Asura cry, and something seemed to click on his mind as this time around there were thousands of teardrops attacking Thorne and shattering his concentration.
Tears of Asura had finally been completed.
Thorne stumbled back, his defenses breached, and Vin seized the opportunity, his Sword One strike flashing towards Thorne's heart.
Thorne, his skills returning, summoned a Lightning Bolt, seeking to incinerate Vin. Vin, his reflexes honed to perfection, raised his sword, and the bolt struck the blade, sending shockwaves through his arm. Vin gritted his teeth, his sword trembling with the force of the impact.
And then, in a stunning turn of events, Vin's sword began to glow in reddish-black and violet light, Vin had decided to do some crazy, which he hadn't done before.
With Sword one as the bridge he raised his sword and casted his two incredible techniques at the pinnacle of completion.
"Nine Chronicles of Hell: First Chronicle ~ Tears of Asura."
"Seven sins of chaos ~ Fallen petals"
"Sword one"
An Ethereal violet glow immediately enveloped Vin at that moment.
Thousand and thousands of Sword qis left his body through his Void calamity sword, these sword qis then fussed together to form thousands of violet colored petals around him like leaves on a tree with Vin as it's trunk.
And then thousands of reddish-black teardrops grew out of those branches that were also formed by his sword qi like fruits.
Looking at it from an outsider's point of view, it looked like a violet colored tree, with pristine violet colored petals and reddish-black fruits in shape of teardrops.
This scene, it was like a replay of what he had used against Arkeon, but this time with the addition of these reddish-black teardrops, it looked even more beautiful, adding an evil but wild charm to it.
"Thorne Thunderforge, this is the combination of all my skills at the pinnacle of completion, as my show of respect towards you. You shall be the very first person I'll use my full strength against" Vin stated
"Is that so, then let me match that with my greatest skill." Thorne laughed out loud.
"Wrath of the ThunderGod" he said as he raised both hands up And immediately the image of an immense being formed out of pure lightning appeared behind him.
This being held a trident made from condensed lightning and thunderforce, and the being raised the trident up like it was going to strike soon.
"Let's determine who deserves to be the strongest"
"Exactly my thought"
"ThunderGod destruction"
"Engard!!!"
At his command, the immense being behind Thorne threw the trident towards Vin. And it tore through the as air with incredible speed and power.
And with a downward motion of his sword, tens of thousands of violet colored petals and reddish-black teardrops whizzed through the air with precision.
The moment they were about to clash with the trident, hundreds of them separated from the main group and shot towards Thorne.
Thorne had expected this as this was what Vin had used against Arkeon, immediately he condensed a lightning barrier around himself for protection.
"Booooooom!!!!"
"Booooooom!!!!"
"Booooooom!!!!"
***********