NOVEL NEXT Chapter 233: We’ll Definitely Make It Through This!
Reon's thoughts raced.
'I had mastered triple-casting of First-Circle magic after casting spells thousands of times using the Magic Guide Book...'
'If I cast three 1st-Circle Barrier Spells simultaneously, and combine them with Cloudia's defensive ability… maybe—just maybe—we can hold off those Elemental Qi-infused blades!'
Cloudia turned to him, her expression tense but resolute.
"Master, the moment my defensive ability begins to break, cast your barrier spells inside the cocoon—immediately!"
"Understood, Cloudia." Reon nodded firmly.
Cloudia extended her slender hand, murmuring softly yet firmly—
"Silken Mist Cocoon!"
In an instant, radiant threads of spiritual silk and gentle mist spiraled outward, weaving together into an ethereal cocoon around them.
From the inside, everything was crystal clear—but from the outside, it appeared as a shimmering, mist-wrapped shell, dense and impenetrable.
It was one of the innate abilities of her Mist Cloud Fox bloodline—a powerful defensive technique unlocked upon reaching Intermediate Completion of her Unique-lineage.
While still at the beginner stage, it possessed enough strength to withstand even 1-Star Elemental Qi.
"Now… I'll wrap it in my Mist Aura. Let's see how you dare harm my master," Cloudia declared, her voice cold and fierce.
With her other hand, she channeled her 6-Star Mist Aura, pouring it into the cocoon from within.
WHOOSH!
The outer layer of the cocoon became enshrouded in a soft, flowing veil of mist—like a dreamlike mantle guarding a sacred treasure—greatly enhancing the barrier's durability.
From within, Reon's eyes widened in surprise.
"She can channel her Aura into the barrier? That's just like us weapon cultivators using Aura Expansion!'
But to channel a 6-Star Aura so effortlessly after awakening it just a few days ago… just how profound is her understanding of aura control?'
Though fear clung to her heart—fear of losing her master—Cloudia turned slightly and gave him a warm, courageous smile.
"Don't worry, Master. We'll definitely make it through this. We've survived countless life-and-death battles before… this is just another one."
Reon smiled back.
"Of course, Cloudia. No one's dying here today."
And then—
BOOOOM!!!
The four elemental blades slammed into the cocoon with devastating force, shaking the ground beneath and sending shockwaves into the air.
But to their surprise—
Nothing happened.
The cocoon held firm.
The mist barrier didn't even waver.
Reon didn't even need to cast his barrier magic.
Maybe… his previous Swirling Fire Storm had weakened the Elemental Qi, even if it hadn't shown on the surface.
Cloudia's eyes sparkled in relief.
"Master… we did it!" she exclaimed, joy bubbling in her voice.
But Reon narrowed his eyes. His pupils glowed faintly as he activated Identify.
He shook his head slowly.
"No… this isn't over yet, Cloudia. He's still at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm. Be cautious."
"Understood, Master."
A low chuckle echoed through the air.
"Hoh…?"
Just twenty meters ahead, Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with interest.
"Your little tricks actually blocked my Elemental Blades? That little fox of yours... she's not ordinary, is she?"
He slowly raised his right hand toward the sky.
WHOOOOSH!
The air trembled.
Hundreds of Elemental Blades materialized above him, each gleaming with elemental hue—over fifty burning with Fire-Qi, around thirty swirling with Wind-Qi, twenty glowing with Water-Qi, and ten heavy with Earth-Qi.
Four distinct forces, each radiating lethal power, all infused with 1-Star Elemental Qi.
Xiao Yan grinned arrogantly.
'Though this body lacks even a trace of Elemental Energy, with Elemental Consumption activated, I can absorb nearly limitless Elemental Energy directly from the environment…'
"Let's see how your cute little cocoon holds up against this!" he roared.
SWOOOOOSHHH!
SWOOOOOOSH!
A storm of blades howled through the sky, descending like a meteor shower of death.
Cloudia's eyes widened, her voice trembling.
"M-Master! Hundreds of blades… like before... I-I don't think the cocoon can withstand that many!"
'Damn it, how did he create so many Elemental Blades? Isn't this way too much of a cheat ability for a protagonist who just awakened?' Reon thought to himself.
Still, his voice remained calm.
"Don't worry, Cloudia. I'll try something different…"
Reon swiftly extended his right hand, fingertips grazing the surface of the cocoon. He poured his Spiritual Energy into it, skillfully transmuting it into raw Aura.
Whoosh!
In an instant, a new layer of Awakening-Stage Dark Aura blossomed above the swirling Mist Aura, wrapping the cocoon in a shadowy veil.
Reon closed his eyes, sinking into a deep, focused trance.
'No… not enough. Far from enough.'
'Concentrate. Channel every ounce of energy into the cocoon and compress it tightly.'
'A life-or-death battle is the only time you truly push beyond your limits.'
The Dark Aura flared violently, intensifying to a searing pitch that pulsed around the cocoon like a storm.
Suddenly, a series of system notifications rang in his mind, one after another:
[Congratulations! The Host has reached Refinement-Stage of Aura Expansion.]
[The Host has advanced from Novice-Level to Apprentice-Level Sword Adept.]
[Congratulations! The Host has reached Mastery-Stage of Aura Expansion.]
[The Host has advanced from Apprentice-Level to Proficient-Level Sword Adept.]
But Reon barely spared a glance, wholly immersed in the moment.
With a calm murmur, he raised his left hand and intoned,
"Triple-Casting: Barrier!"
Whooosh!
Veins along his left arm glowed as Mana surged forth, spinning three intricate magic circles before his palm.
A stray thought flickered across his mind.
'Can I cast magic with Spiritual Energy?'
He shook it off swiftly.
'No time for that now. That's a question for if I survive this fight.'
The three shimmering barriers materialized instantly, layered within the cocoon's protective embrace.
Then—
BOOOOOOOOM!
Hundreds of Elemental Blades crashed against their defenses, releasing a cataclysmic explosion that shattered trees and turned miles of earth to rubble.
The cocoon endured, repelling the first twenty blades with stubborn resilience.
But as the assault intensified—
CRACK!
A sharp crack echoed through the air—
The cocoon shattered, despite the reinforcement of two powerful Auras.
Only Reon's triple-cast barriers remained between them and death.
"AHHHH!"
Reon roared defiantly, clutching his hands together, summoning every bit of his remaining strength.
"Triple-Casting: Barrier!"
"Triple-Casting: Barrier!"
"Triple-Casting: Barrier!"
"Triple-Casting: Barrier!"
One after another, fifteen first-circle barriers ignited before him—each a shimmering wall of light and force.
Yet—
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Each barrier shattered like glass under the relentless onslaught.
Reon's eyes widened, panic and rage flashing within.
"WHAT NOW?!"