Chapter 1220 Dripping in nether
n(/o--v.)E.(l--b))I--n
"Going to the Spire of Ascension right now is pretty much like committing suicide. No. You should absolutely not do that." Tilia stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest and firmly rejected the idea as she stared daggers at the elf.
However, Eldrin only scoffed at this response. "If you stay cooped up here then you won't get anywhere. Your time will run out and after your world integration, your girlfriend will personally come to visit you."
"Actually no. Considering all the trouble you have caused her, she might just end up blasting away this entire world without bothering to look for you first. I mean she is probably going to do that even if you are alive or dead." Eldrin shrugged.
"That's just how higher beings think and act. If there is even the slightest chance of their shady business getting exposed, they will erase the whole world and blame it on a failed integration. That's one way to settle scores and also clean the slate."
"I am not even joking. Why don't you ask your fairy here?" Eldrin pointed his eyes at her. "I think she hates you secretly or something. She is guiding you in the wrong direction."
Tilia's brows raised in anger at the words of the arrogant elf. "Are you dumb? Why would I guide him in the wrong direction?"
She turned to Liam and spoke to him directly. "This guy is a lunatic. Only a higher being has the power to eliminate entire worlds and I don't think the priestess you have crossed paths with is a higher being. Otherwise..." Tilia hesitated. "You would already be..."
"Hmmm." Liam nodded.
"You get my point. Even if that was not the case, you should still leave for the Spire a few years later. Your world is rapidly exploding at the moment and would no doubt give birth to powerful treasures. Claiming these for yourself would give you a huge boost in strength."
"That too you are bonded with the world tree. I have no doubt that your haul would be amazing. It's best if you claim these treasures and then head over to the Spire to reach the next stage."
Eldrin let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head. "Yes. Sure. Keep searching for worthless things and get massacred by the big girl in one shot. That's a very intelligent thing to do. Let me correct my words. This woman is not your enemy. She is just dumb."
"Also, during integration, after some point the barrier starts to weaken. So it is not a guarantee that your enemy will wait for you until your world is completely evolved and integrated."
Tilia quickly refuted him. "That's not true. There is only a chance of something like that happening. It is not always possible and even then maybe only after half the integration is completed."
A year is not that much when compared to this sort of increased lifespan. At the same time, in their current condition, Liam felt that a year was all that he could spare.
Perhaps Eldrin was motivated by his own selfish benefits but a year's preparation is what he could allocate before trying to attempt this Spire of Ascension.
And within this year, he had to reach Level 999.
After setting this goal for himself, Liam hurried out of the magic shop. Maybe his decision was not the right one but he could only do the best that he can. He could not afford to start doubting and double-guessing his every move now.
If allowed the fact that the fate of an entire world resides on his shoulders, he would only make the wrong decision.
Heading outside the shop, he first called for Luna and headed over to the nether region. After his 'special meetings' with Alex, he felt as if he was close to a breakthrough with nether manipulation.
Although his progress in Dao Seed of Ice Elemental is currently the best, Liam doubted if it would remain the same. After all, he had a lot more experience using soul energy and a natural affinity for nether which felt as if he was using an extension of his body part.
Besides, Liam felt that he had stayed enough among the living. It was about time he stepped into a nether-filled world and experienced the true corruption of the energy to fully understand it.
Luna activated her teleportation skills and the duo arrived at the other half of the world in minutes. Just like he expected, the entire region was chalked full of nether.
The landscape was eerie and desolate, a stark contrast to the vibrant and life-filled areas he was accustomed to.
The air was thick with the oppressive, cold energy of nether, almost fully devoid of mana, making every breath feel different. The sky was a perpetual twilight, casting long, haunting shadows across the barren land.
Liam stood there for a moment, taking in the surroundings. He felt an odd sense of familiarity with the nether energy, as if it resonated with something deep within him. This was a dangerous place, yet it felt strangely like coming home.
He began to focus, allowing his senses to extend and feel the nether energy around him. As he closed his eyes, he could sense the ebb and flow of the dark energy, its intricate patterns, and its chaotic nature. It was like a turbulent sea, unpredictable yet full of potential.
His nether core inside his heart started churning wildly. This was it. He needed to come here.
Without taking another step forward, he sat down and started meditating right at the border between the two worlds as he felt a rush of insights seeping into his mind. More and more nether rushed towards him as he sat there still and silent.
Before long, he became a black vortex, sucking in all the nether from the air around him. Liam smiled. It felt good. It felt so suffocatingly good.
