Chapter 258: The Corrosive Flame Empress's Breakthrough
It had been over ten months since the birth of the White Star Radiance Sect.
Currently, within the White Star Radiance Sect, quite the commotion was underway. It had been close to three months since anything significant related to war had occurred. On both sides, whether from Purple Starmist or Desert Red Star, many of the stronger experts and their armies had already left the Pocket Dimension to participate in the main battlefields across the ocean. The White Star Radiance Sect itself, especially as a newly established sect, was partially exempt and allowed to remain behind as one of the forces tasked with watching over the Pocket Dimension.
Within the sect, a massive swirl of energy was being drawn toward a single location within nearly a two mile radius. The surrounding atmosphere radiated an intense heat, yet the towering forest trees within the sect glowed with a green light, neutralizing the violent temperature fluctuations. Inside a laboratory within the main sect building, a blazing white cocoon radiated overwhelming power as streams of essence energy surged into it from afar.
Standing beside the cocoon was a beautiful woman in mage robes, appearing no older than eighteen. Her long, luscious hair and flowing robes whipped violently as she smiled. In the next instant, her entire being burst into flame as countless dense magic symbols and complex circles appeared within and around her. Her form transformed into a living inferno as she slowly phased into the cocoon, merging completely with the being inside.
Outside the laboratory, the ground trembled as a mighty presence revealed itself.
Elton, Shayleaf, Christy, Zoro, Ramiro, Bolland Soloman, Erin Soloman, Amberleaf, and Joe-Pine each sat along the walls of the laboratory, their expressions filled with joy, awe, and anticipation. Shayleaf was surrounded by a verdant magical aura, a glowing magic circle beneath her feet. Outside, the massive mini World Tree shimmered faintly with green light as it helped ease the violent influx of essence energy flowing into the sect.
As time passed, the concentration of power within the cocoon grew immense. Eventually, the pull of surrounding energy abruptly halted. Fine cracks began forming across the cocoon's surface as an intense heat flooded the room. Everyone present shuddered slightly under the suffocating pressure.
"Waaah… This Princess would be set ablaze by this terrifying magical energy if I were here alone…" Amberleaf gasped as she wiped sweat from her brow.
"Yeah… it's really something," Ramiro muttered, taking a deep breath. "It's a stifling, sticky heat. Almost fluid like water. Or maybe lava? Though I've never touched lava before."
Elton smiled calmly. "This is simply a testament to Erri's power after her breakthrough. I'm just glad everything went smoothly."
Everyone nodded in agreement as the cracks rapidly spread across the cocoon. Thick white, liquid-like embers seeped from within, slowly dripping downward. Moments later, the cocoon shattered completely, exploding into burning fragments as a beautiful figure emerged, unclothed and covered in flowing liquid flames.
The white flames suddenly flared brightly, blocking everyone's vision for a brief moment. When the light dimmed, the young woman stood dressed in elegant blue, white, and gold mage attire. Her long brown curls cascaded down her shoulders, and the magical rune beneath her right eye glowed faintly white before settling into a deep black. An elegant, noble presence filled with overwhelming power radiated from her.
With a graceful wave of her hands, seventy-five percent of the hardened cocoon fragments lifted into the air. A strange crystal flew from a shelf within the laboratory and hovered above Erica's head. From another corner of the room, a wooden staff crafted from a branch of the sect's mini World Tree flew toward her.
Bathed in a majestic white glow, the cocoon fragments erupted into corrosive liquefied flames that compressed and fused within the crystal. Moments later, the flames condensed completely, transforming the crystal into a perpetually glowing white gem etched with countless tiny magical inscriptions. The gem then embedded itself into the staff's core, instantly elevating the staff's aura to an entirely new level.
Erica grasped the staff with a gentle smile. In the next instant, it burst into flame, shrinking into a small sphere before shooting directly into the magical rune beneath her right eye.
"Eh?! Wow, Sister Erri!" Shayleaf exclaimed excitedly. "You've shown us so many amazing things the moment you finally broke through!"
"Magic really is unfair," Ramiro sighed. "Compared to this, Ki is so linear in how it works."
"Hmm… I need to study that," Christy murmured quietly to herself.
Elton listened to his companions with a warm smile, his gaze drifting toward Erica's parents as they watched with overwhelming pride. Five of his closest comrades had now broken through into the Mortal Shedding Realm. It was truly a joyous occasion.
"My dear Erri, I'm so happy I could cry!" Erin exclaimed as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Not only have you become a Mortal Lord, but an Apex Mortal Lord! My daughter and her friends are all so incredible!"
Bolland stood silently, his chest tight with emotion as he gazed at his daughter. Then he glanced at her companions and suddenly burst into laughter despite his normally stern demeanor.
"Hahahahahaha! The Soloman ancestors have truly blessed me with such a daughter… and a son-in-law!"
Erica, already flustered from everyone's praise, completely froze when she heard her father's words. A deep blush spread across her face as she rushed toward him and clamped her hands over his mouth.
"D-Dad!! What are you saying?! Geez…" she protested with a pout.
Everyone present burst into laughter.
Elton smiled and gave a light cough before speaking. "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Erri. Just like Zoro, Ramiro, Chris, Shay, and of course myself, you've finally become a Mortal Lord. And like the rest of us, not just any Mortal Lord, but an Apex Mortal Lord. Amber and Joe-Pine, you two still have work to do, just like our other longtime comrades."
"Hahaha! Oh Elton, you know I won't just sit around while you all leave me behind," Joe-Pine laughed proudly. "That said, with your current strength and status, you already qualify as an Elven Grand Elder. You're stronger than most Middle Stage Mortal Lords."
"Hmph! Shay said she would let this Princess receive your cultivation training!" Amberleaf shouted shamelessly, turning her head away with a bright blush. "You can't go back on your words!"
"…Oi, but Elton wasn't the one—" Ramiro started, only to be interrupted as Seralily suddenly burst through the doorway.
She rushed over and clung to Ramiro before turning toward Erica with excitement. "Congratulations, Lady Erica! Our sect has truly become a tremendous powerhouse. We absolutely meet the strength requirements of a true two-star sect now. That gives us real leverage, even beyond our major allies like the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect and the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan."
Everyone smiled as the reality of her words sank in.
Erica took a steady breath and walked toward Elton, her expression gentle and sincere.
"Thank you, El Onyem, for helping me reach this stage of my life, especially at such a young age. Thank you for allowing me to stay by your side as well. I have regrets from our early childhood, but I'm so happy we were able to reconnect." Her gaze softened as she continued. "And to my sisters, Chrissy and Shay, thank you both for always being there for me. That includes you too, Amber, even if you're not around as much. Big Brother Ramiro and Big Brother Zoro, you're both incredible in your own ways. I'm proud to have such powerful brothers. This also includes you, Joe and Sera."
Her voice trembled slightly as she turned to her parents. "And Mom, Dad… thank you for all the sacrifices you've made, especially recently, when it comes to the clan."
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Aww, don't get all teary-eyed on us!" Ramiro laughed loudly. "Let's go celebrate!"
Zoro gave a rare, quiet smile and nodded. In truth, he wasn't sure he would have survived his ordeal over five months ago if not for what Erica had done when he struggled against the Devil Lord within him.
Elton gently pulled Erica into a hug. Christy and Shayleaf quickly joined, forming a tight group embrace. Amberleaf hovered nearby with an unmistakable look of jealousy before snorting and forcefully inserting herself into the hug, prompting laughter from everyone.
The White Star Radiance Sect had officially become a power to be feared.
…
Back in Brawlmanica, the situation was far less optimistic.
The Iron Dog Alliance had temporarily assisted the Brawlmanica Kingdom in repelling demonic beasts within the Stone Forest Zone, but their aid was short-lived. Many of their experts were soon recalled to the larger battlefields across the Desert Red Star and Purple Starmist Continents.
Under normal circumstances, Brawlmanica might have secured a much-needed reprieve. Unfortunately, disaster struck when forces lurking within the kingdom's shadows finally made their move. With no king yet seated on the throne, the situation was precarious. Though Hunter Helmsley was the Crowned Prince and highest authority by law, he was still not officially king, a weakness that emboldened certain vipers to bare their fangs and plunge the kingdom into chaos.
Hunter sat at the head of a specially constructed battle tent, his expression sharp as he reviewed the latest report. He exhaled slowly.
"So the day has finally come," he muttered. "Those fools are so terrified of White Star Radiance and my connection to them that they lost patience and acted now. How short-sighted. Even if they succeeded, the kingdom would be left on the brink of collapse."
A determined smile slowly formed. "Looks like it's finally time to put everything into motion. It's not as though I couldn't seize the crown as a Golden Lord. I more than qualify. Hahaha… everything is proceeding about sixty percent as expected, though at a faster pace."
He retrieved a high-level communication talisman reserved exclusively for the royal family and activated it.
"Eh—ah! Yes, Uncle Hunter? Is there something you need?" a familiar voice replied.
Hunter smiled. "Dear niece Helga, it's good to hear your voice. How have you been?"
"I'm doing fine, Uncle. What's going on?"
"I need you to relay a message to your future husband," Hunter said seriously. "The fate of Brawlmanica depends on it."
"…Huh?!"