historical

*BOOM!*

A powerful explosion shocked the surrounding area, engulfing more than a couple meters surrounding the old priest as the Flaming Magical Sphere that was launched by Lady Pyre crashed against the invisible barrier the bronze masked robed servant of the Ancient One had set up.

The Fiery Sphere, as it exploded, didn't vanish all at once but reacted as if it was some sort of infernal flower. Like a bud that smelled the fresh spring breeze, it opened up, revealing its cathartic secrets. The flaming petals hugged the invisible force that stood before it and its target, greedy and thirsty to gobble up more and more with each passing moment.

Giant, invisible waves rippled across and distorted the air, as the protective warding tried its best to absorb all of that immense momentum, inertia, and overall energy that singular attack carried.

Yet, ultimately by itself, it would have been unable to do so. The burning infernal construct, this attack was formed by the usage of a higher tiered energy compared to what the old priest had access to.

It contained [Soul Power].

It was already established that [Soul Power] was simply better compared to its lesser counterpart in almost every aspect. Be it in terms of overall effective conversion ratio it was several layers higher. It was also much more stable, less prone to accidents, or the so-called 'Wild Magic' or 'Chaos Magic', which heavily relied on the highly volatile, uncontrollable nature of pure [Mana] found in the air.

Perhaps the only aspect that [Mana] still had the opportunity to outshine [Soul Power] was its very difference in their respective natures. Whilst [Soul Power] transcended the mortal plane and was used as the universal source, acting in some way as the first stepping stone and bridge between the Divine and one's Soul, [Mana] was closer to reality.

Unlike the other one, [Mana] rarely came in its purest, natural form, but in most cases was attuned to one of the aspects of nature. Like with the old pre-rebirth Lady Pyre, he had an overabundance with [Fire-attuned Mana.]

One could already see that with the already volatile nature of [Mana] by itself, adding the most dangerous and violent element, the end result would be a disaster unless there was a proper base, a sufficient technique to control such a keg of highly explosive spiritual 'powder'.

Unfortunately for Lady Pyre or her family, they had no such technique nor could they acquire any through any of the official channels. Thus, they could only go the other way around, by controlling the host and making sure there weren't any winds, or tides causing any emotional storm inside.

Whilst it worked more or less for a time, her parents knew it wasn't the optimal solution as well as it would rob their daughter of her future.

Anyways, that time was in the past now, and the new, reborn Pyre was not the same as her old self. Her [Fire-attuned Mana] have been separated during his evolution, forming pure [Fire Essence] that was kept in her [Primal Core] whilst almost all of her resulting [Pure Mana] has been upgraded to [Soul Power]. Only a small bit was kept, even that was gradually chipped away and through her newly gained abilities and inherent knowledge was slowly converted as well.

Compared to her, the old priest's spell, whilst it was a relatively high level and ancient-type spell, a bona-fide Rune Word, it was still reliant on [Mana] in the end. Even if the priest had a vastly superior resource pool, he couldn't possibly support the protective barrier against these two demonesses.

He was already struggling to keep pretenses up against the buxom woman from behind and withstand his constant chipping, hoping that she would run out of her stamina sooner rather than later. Initially his plan was to keep himself protected only for as long as his attack would be completed and would be unleashed.

The resounding Draconic Cry should have rendered all [Draconic Skinks] paralyzed with their inborn fear, and unless they were trained by the church directly, they would have had no chance of resisting it.

Such a thing never happened. Even the exceedingly rare, few rare genius seeds in the [Temple Guards] that have reached their natural peak in power and have evolved by the grace of their God, those Sauruses were still weakened by its effects.

Unless you were specially trained by the Church or the High Priest, no one should be able to react like the way these two women had done. They simply ignored it.

No, it was even worse. They seemed to be triggered by it, increasing their zeal, the ferocity, the added power behind their attacks. The flurry of blows coming from behind was one proof, as they have grown exceedingly wild, and unrestrained. Each strike, each blow could have caused fatal injury to the old skink if his barrier would be shattered.

Focusing all his attention, the old priest could no longer stay calm and arrogant. His expression turned serious as he raised his arms, and began channeling his [Mana]. As it began to revolve and circulate in his frail body, the old man could only grit his teeth and withstand the pain.

The resulting explosion of the blast caused the old man's knees to quiver and wobble under the immense pressure he was suddenly facing. Bulky beads of sweat began to perspire under his bronze mask and slowly, gradually carve themselves a path in a downwards slope, slowly but surely reaching towards freedom, the ground beneath his feet.

Still, he could not care for some slight discomfort, as his full power was now actively circulating in his body, his old, weary bones had to once again function at peak efficiency. He could feel that with each passing second a huge amount of his reserves was used up. He was rapidly squeezed dry, causing his stout presence to swiftly transform and match his otherwise visual appearance; a feeble old man.

*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

As if he could ever forget, the priest was jolted awake by the repeated banging that came from behind, adding even more to the already unbearable pressure he was forced under.

The flurry of blows coming from behind was like a constant drain, that now joined together with the huge ripples just increased the draining of his energy.

The old priest frowned, realizing that the situation was rapidly reaching the critical point and with his failed attack, he could potentially lose in such a humiliating, shameful way.

No. That could not happen. He would not be turned into a laughingstock. Even if he were destined to lose here. He would at least drag some pleasurable company along with him.

Realization struck his mind and shifted his expression. A crazed look appeared behind his bronze mask, his lips curved higher and higher as suddenly he exploded into a violent, crazed cackle.

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>>>Check out my latest novel: The Strongest Demon Lord in the Modern World<<

It's an urban modern-day styled story, with a reverse transmigrated ('Banished') immortal entity from the fantastical world of Nova!

Planned Tags and Genre: # CULTIVATION # R18 # BETRAYAL # TRANSMIGRATION # URBAN # ACTION # ANTIHERO # OVERPOWERED (romance maybe at some later point)

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/shaele