When her assimilation ended, Jayna became more enchanting. That reddish hue on her hair and every part of her Transformation cast off the pure and somewhat childish vibe from her.
When she opened her palms, a greenish-red flame was ignited on both of them. By clasping her hands together, she shaped it into a flaming figure of a bird that seemingly came to life which flew around her. It's only a minute later that the firebird was extinguished automatically.
"Daisuke. Thank you!"
When she came to her senses, Jayna immediately ran towards me and jumped in my arms.
"You earned that, you don't need to thank me."
I patted her head. Seeing her this close and still in her Nature Nymph form, I could say she's really giving off an adult vibe now but yeah, it's still Jayna, the curious and somewhat innocent girl.
"But you took it for me. Look, your skin still looks dried from that heat."
She lifted my arm to show the burns made from that extreme heat.
"It will be fine. Now tell us, what are you feeling after absorbing that Earthfire Essence?"
It's not only me who wanted to know, everyone was eager to hear her talk about this Mystical Flame called Earthfire.
"Uhm. Powerful? I think I can now fight a Noble Spirit alone. I can produce and control Earthfire using my Spirit Energy."
She opened her palms again and a hint of Spirit Energy appeared from it before it was ignited and turned into the greenish-red flame. The heat from it didn't seem to bother her but for us who were looking at it, we're all starting to perspire.
For her to power up that much, the only question I have is, how strong of a Noble Spirit can she defeat? Can that Earthfire be used to gain an advantage against a Peak Noble Spirit?
Well, it's an item from a higher dimension, I expect it to be like that but it still probably depends on how well she can control it.
"I also feel like it's not that strong yet, it adjusted itself to my current strength. Once I grow more, the Earthfire will also grow stronger."
Jayna continued as she cheerfully explained what else she could do with it.
"That's great. I'll be going to rely on you in the future."
I patted her head but that only made Jayna cling on me further. I could see Yumiko shaking her head a bit but when she saw me looking at her she gestured how she's fine with it.
After the demonstration and Jayna being satisfied, I asked Yumiko for us to take a break in this spot for at least 6 hours.
I used the excuse of refilling my Flux Energy to better support them.
None of them can cultivate here as they haven't adapted to the inherent energy of this dimension.
Even Jayna's forceful breakthrough was aided by the Earthfire Essence itself. That 5th River of hers wasn't solidified properly since the connection from here to the Spirit Ocean was thoroughly weakened.
But that restriction of not being able to cultivate doesn't apply to me. Since earlier, I already wanted to try cultivating here. No matter how close I am to Yumiko, I'm still ways off to approach the real strength of Heroes. If I was the one who fought the giant Ruin Dweller, it will probably take a long time before I break those scales covering its body, what more killing it?
I'm growing, yes, but still lacking currently in strength. I could fight a new Noble Spirit but it would depend on our skill who will emerge victoriously. I have various tricks I could use to cope with the gap but if faced with an unavoidable situation, I could only rely on my orbs to somehow escape from it.
Now that she got that upgrade, Jayna could probably defeat me using that Earthfire. The heat it was producing was too terrifying. My Energy Shield skill which Zerina gave me was easily bypassed by it.
That's also the reason why her earrings didn't activate during her time there. The properties of an Earthfire could probably bypass any energy or just an energy at the same level as its source.
I'll try that later. That Energy Shield was already Level 2 but I'm planning to create my 4th Augmented Skill as another Energy Shield to compliment it. As for the 5th Augmented Skill, I also already have an idea on what I should create.
"Alright. For our only support, we'll stay here for a few hours. Anyone who disagrees, raise your hand."
Yumiko declared and asked for their opinions.
Practicing democracy eh? But with the difference in strength and the importance of me as the only one who could replenish their lost Spirit Energy, they would have no choice but to accept.
I thanked Yumiko and the others to show my gratitude. Err… It's also to ease their slight dissatisfaction.
During the following hours, I sat a few meters away from them as I started cultivating my three paths.
My Adaptability could wait and it's still steadily increasing even without me doing anything.
Also, the time I asked wouldn't be enough to level it up, so by the process of elimination, it's time for me to make some progress on my cultivation.
I closed my eyes and felt my overflowing Flux Energy stored in that invisible container. Because of the ratio at which the unknown inherent energy was being converted, filling it up just by relying on the conversion speed was already on par when I put all my focus to exercise control over the inherent energy of the world.
In less than 6 hours, the unknown inherent energy surrounding me was stirred as a burst of Flux Energy coming from my body startled everyone who was resting a certain distance away from me.
"Eh? I thought he's only filling up his energy?"
Abe questioned.
"One can cultivate here?"
The rebellious Spirit Beast was also filled in doubt.
"He's like the Priestess. That's probably what's unique with him.
Jagu answered them as he intently watched my undergoing breakthrough.
Because it will be my three paths rising a level at the same time, it became as eye-catching as that night when I activated Flux Energy State.
Once my 4th Stream materialized and my envisioned Augmented Skill was created, a series of notifications rang out inside my mind.
[Current Connection: 4 Streams]
[Advanced to 4th Stage Augmented Realm]
[Support Professional System has leveled up to 4]
[Gained 9.5 Strength, 9.5 Endurance, 0.2 Intelligence]
[Due to the Conversion Debuff, gained Strength and Endurance will be reduced by 45% until the debuff was lifted.]
[Added one slot for Supported Individuals]
[Acquired a Passive Skill: Shield Duration(Energy Shield)]
[Support Bonus has been enhanced]
[Level 2 Psyche Boost: 1.4 Int>1.6 Int]
[Level 2 Physical Boost: 8.4 Str>9.6 Str]
Like Jayna, my Stream wasn't properly solidified because of the weakened connection to the Spirit Ocean. This place is probably too far or too high level for it to penetrate through.
When I opened my eyes again, the Spirit Beasts were in awe at what just happened.
"He's only a Fused Spirit? How can he be that strong already?"
Rane voiced their doubts while the other Spirit Beasts nodded their heads.
They clearly saw that what I materialized was only a Stream hence their doubt and also awe. All this time they probably thought I'm also a Transformed Spirit like them.
"How come your breakthrough became that flashy, Daisuke?"
Yumiko couldn't help but comment with a wry smile when I was on my way back to their side.
"It's not actually only 1 breakthrough. It needed 3 times as much for all my current paths to breakthrough at the same time, hence the flashiness."
I explained to her but I doubt she will understand it clearly.
"Even as a Fused Spirit, only Yumiko or Jayna could probably best you now, Daisuke."
Ren patted my shoulder as he commented with a bitter smile. He and his sister weren't some kind of genius but their diligence to be helpful to Yumiko brought them to their current realm, seeing me becoming even stronger than them, it's unavoidable that he will feel like this.
"Don't worry, like Jayna, you two will also get your fair share of fortune here."
I returned his pats before continuing to Yumiko and Jayna's side.
Now that I managed to breakthrough, it's time for us to continue. The remaining time wouldn't be enough to rush to the 5th Stage after all.
After urging everyone to prepare, Yumiko went to the front again as our previous formation was restored.
Well, with Kupa being sent out, we revised it so that there wouldn't be any opening.
"Wait. Look at that wall!"
Someone exclaimed. From the voice, it's that rebellious one.
We were about to set off when the wall where the Earthfire Essence was embedded earlier suddenly cracked and crumbled revealing the scene behind it.
There's another path in there and from a distance, we could see a waterfall. From where we were, we could see that it's not running at all, the water was seemingly frozen from where it is. That's probably why we couldn't hear any signs of running water. While still in liquid form, the water from the falls was magically frozen there.
"Is that the 1st landmark?"
Jayna asked.
From the map, they only drew a straight path but here, the landmark only appeared before us when the wall crumbled.
"It seems like we couldn't rely on this map anymore."
Yumiko said as she started folding it.
"Did the path change or was it the ruin itself who's moving by itself?"
Jagu voiced the thoughts that are running in his mind.
With this, we have a choice to continue on our previous path or try and investigate that landmark.
"Yumiko, what do you think?"
I always consult her but she always pushed it back to me. This girl…
"You're the one I want to ask. Will there be danger if we passed through this crumbled wall?"
See. She even added a question.
"My Adaptability isn't picking up anything but let me be the lead this time."
I trained my eyes on the crumbled wall but it now look as ordinary as any other wall around us.
"No! Let me! I've been stupid since earlier and I know I'm probably not trusted by any of you. Let me prove that I want to continue the exploration with you and you can trust me this time!"
The rebellious Spirit Beast went in between us before I could declare that I will lead and pleaded. Did he really come to his senses or someone urged him?
In any case, we really needed a volunteer. My role was important as I'm the only one who they could rely on when they ran out of Spirit Energy.
I looked at Yumiko and nodded at her, indicating my acceptance.
"Alright. We'll be behind you and will assist you if you ever fall in danger by passing through that wall."
Yumiko nodded before telling the decision to everyone.
"Thank you for this chance!"
Ah. With him as a volunteer to lead, I could also take it easy to see the change in our surroundings properly. This ruins exploration was getting more and more complicated but it became a huge chance not just for me but for everyone here.
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