Chapter 54: Level Soaring
Accompanied by a series of increasingly powerful throbbing sounds rising from the magma, ripples spread, layers of tremors quivered, and the viscous, golden-red lava pool stirred with waves.
Then, a humanoid figure wrapped in crimson flames and colorless light slowly rose from the golden-red magma.
"Huff."
A deep exhale carried scorching hot wind, stirring the distorted air. Molten lava clung to the figure's body, slowly dripping off, yet the person seemed utterly oblivious.
He raised his head, staring straight into the high sky. His gaze seemed to pierce through the gloomy clouds, able to see the massive black dragon silhouette in the distance.
*So strong.*
Uttering a heartfelt sigh inwardly, Joshua stood in the slowly solidifying lava pool, feeling the scorching heat all over his body. Yet there was no trace of relief in his eyes—only immense gravity.
This time, it wasn't arrogance or confidence. He truly hadn't expected that the Black Dragon's breath could become so powerful under the convergence of chaotic mana, reaching such a level—*damn it*, even in his past life, he had never seen such a shameless degree of enhancement! If the officials dared to play it like this, they'd definitely be beaten to death!
If his own battle qi hadn't also leaned toward fire and combustion, and if the Steel Armor Breathing Art hadn't recently improved due to prolonged combat, he might have been completely finished this time. Even if Joshua managed to withstand the terrifying destructive power of the dragon's breath, he would certainly have died from the continuous burning of the magma afterward.
Of course, the nature of his battle qi and breathing art wasn't the real reason he survived the Black Dragon's attack this time.
"My choice was definitely right!"
*There's always a way out if you don't back down!*
His left fist clenched empty, producing a massive sonic boom that shook the boiling, distorted air. The warrior's battle qi surged throughout his body, instantly blasting all the surrounding magma away with a tremendous force, leaving only a set of twisted steel armor hanging crookedly on him. Now it was clearly visible: protected by an immensely powerful force, Joshua's body had suffered no damage whatsoever—not even a single hair was burned. Only his armor hadn't been well protected, reduced to mere remnants.
At this moment, within the warrior's body, a terrifying power surged like an avalanche and tsunami. Before his retinas, an endless stream of experience points skyrocketed wildly, flowing without pause, bringing a series of notification messages.
Just moments ago, while Joshua chose to ignore the Black Dragon's attack and directly kill the Chaos Monster—the Great Aias Golden-armored Dragon-hunting Spider—the Azure Orb hanging on his chest instantly released an indestructible, invisible light barrier. It effortlessly blocked most of the breath's power. The terrifying light cannon, capable of destroying hills, could only barely destroy his armor when it struck the warrior.
You have completed the Class Quest — Purification Sacrifice!
You have fulfilled the unlocking conditions and fully inherited the inherited power of the Chaos Warden!
Your class level +5
You have gained new class talents: Purifying Radiance, Chaos Nemesis
You have gained new class traits: Blazing Evil's Radiance, Mobile Sanctuary
After completing the class quest Purification Sacrifice, Joshua finally experienced what it truly meant to possess the Blood of Chaos and the Source of Burning Flame!
Fire is the primordial source, the origin of life. It brings light and heat, existence and hope. Fire shapes order, enlightens wisdom. Civilization is born from fire, and the human world thrives because of it.
Using the Gold-rank powerful chaotic force within the Hunter Spider as fuel, the colorless and formless Order Flame blazed fiercely within Joshua's body, transforming and strengthening his physique. At the same time, all the experience points the warrior had accumulated from charging forward, slaughtering countless magical beasts along the way, were fully unlocked, causing his level to skyrocket!
35, 36...
Accompanied by the leaping numbers, the colorless Order Light once again pierced through the warrior's entire body, healing and purging all internal injuries, lingering aftereffects, and residual chaotic forces from previous battles. With his breathing, the free energy in the atmosphere rapidly condensed around his body as the core. In just that instant, including the five-level boost from inheriting the Chaos Warden class, he had risen ten consecutive levels in a mere dozen seconds!
His heart pounded and surged; blood flowed rapidly through Joshua's tendons and bones, rushing like a vast, unending river. This could no longer be called being in good condition or returning to full strength. The power within the warrior was now incomparable to before—it was almost like transforming into a second form!
Although level increases don't always represent combat power improvements, the enhancement of physical attributes inevitably brings improvements in all aspects. Joshua, whose physical qualities had just been greatly elevated by the Order Force, was undoubtedly stronger than he was just a few dozen minutes ago—not just a little, but significantly stronger!
He forcefully exhaled a breath, mixed with gray-black air, striking the lava. It pierced a hole, producing a "hissing" sound while also emitting murky smoke. Crimson battle qi surged, and the violent power within Joshua even melted the nearly solidifying lava pool again, then pushed it apart. As he walked, the viscous magma parted completely, revealing a small path leading to normal ground.
Stopping, standing on the black frozen earth outside the lava pool, Joshua raised the silver-white greatsword in his right hand and communicated with his Divine Mechanism.
"Ying, are you alright?"
The Divine Mechanism Girl replied energetically, "I'm fine, Master! Just a bit hot, but the Divine Mechanism can withstand higher temperatures—no problem!"
She wasn't at all worried that her master had nearly died just moments ago—Ying, who unconditionally trusted Joshua, believed that even in that situation, her master could forcefully carve a path to survival from the deadliest predicament!
"How much longer can you maintain your Divine Mechanization state?"
Joshua, who indeed had some trump cards, didn't mind his Divine Mechanism's almost worshipful trust. Now that he had truly obtained the inherited power of the Chaos Warden, he could use many powerful skills from the Ultimate Essence that were previously unavailable. Coupled with the formidable strength from instantly rising ten levels, he indeed lived up to that trust.
Moreover, after the enhancement, his physical condition was sufficient to sustain prolonged use of the Divine Mechanism. Now it was up to Ying to see how long she could maintain her Divine Mechanization state.
"Just now, a powerful Order Force flowed back from your body through the contract... Hmm, I think I can support a little over an hour!"
Pausing, probably to calculate, the silver greatsword transmitted the girl's mental fluctuations. Her voice was a bit uncertain at first, but then she confirmed, "To be precise, one hour and twenty-seven minutes!"
"Excellent. That's more than enough."
Nodding, a slight curve lifted the corner of Joshua's mouth.
*That Black Dragon dared to sneak attack me from behind while I was fighting?*
Behind him came the scorching heat of the lava pool, while the cold wind mixed with white frost and sand swept past his front, stirring up snow dust. Recalling what seemed like a distant past life—the mercury sword thrust from behind—a ferocious and violent grin appeared on Joshua's face.
He looked up at the sky again. Dark clouds gathered, black mist spread, and evil power covered the heavens. The Chaos Warden's class traits allowed him to quickly identify the figure hidden among the clouds.
*No need to wait long—Black Dragon, you're finished now!*