Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

Furthermore, `Flame Burst` plus thunder created `Blazing Annihilation`—a super-high-temperature plasma flame and the signature trait of a conventional `Two-Star` `Fire-Thunder Magic` class.

Through the weaving trait of his `Five-Star` `Authority` class, `Grand Elemental Master`, `Su Chen` could use specific `Rune` combinations to perfectly replicate traits that typically belonged only to `Dual Element` or tri-elemental `Magic` classes.

Even without unlocking new traits, `Su Chen` could still add a layer of bonus `Element` damage.

”Something’s coming up behind us.”

At that, `Su Chen` deliberately slowed his flight speed, seemingly intending to let them catch up. Half a minute later, he landed as silently as a falling leaf.

`Yan Ruoruo` didn’t say a word, merely following him in silence. The hem of her windbreaker billowed as she landed lightly on the ground.

The forest behind them appeared empty. Dusk settled heavily, and the branches hung still.

But on closer inspection, the air had changed.

Wisps of `Wind Fluff` swirled inexplicably, as if stirred by an unseen hand, forming a strange, upward-spiraling vortex.

In `Su Chen`’s `Element` `Perception`, which he had opened specifically for the `Dark Element`, nothing could hide. The outline of an invisible `Wind Demon Wolf` materialized over fifty meters away.

The `Wind Fluff` coiling around its body quietly receded. It too came to a stop, panting slightly. It had clearly been tailing them this whole time.

It had to be said, this was a golden opportunity. `Su Chen`’s canvas backpack was stuffed to the brim, the hilt of his `Holy Sword` peeking out. His right hand held a large bag of piping hot `Demon Antelope` takeout, while his left casually carried a large shoulder bag.

`Yan Ruoruo` was in a similar state. The quiver slung across her back was full, and both of her hands were occupied with bags of clothes.

Both of them had their hands full, appearing completely unprepared for a fight.

It was a massive opening.

The assailant had probably been struggling to resist the urge to attack even before they left Qixia Border Town. Now, having been suddenly exposed, they didn’t consider retreating. Instead, itching for a fight, they stepped forward.

As they stepped into the hundred-meter range of `Su Chen`’s `Global Perception`, two hidden figures materialized.

’Still pretty cautious.’

Neither of these two was the real person.

’Fine.’

He loosened his grip, and the takeout bag and large shoulder bag he was holding fell gently to the ground.

All the cards were on the table now; the pretense was pointless.

In that instant, receiving its master’s command, the `Wind Demon Wolf` could finally hold back no longer.

It lunged forward and opened its maw. The compressed `Wind Element` in its throat erupted, and a terrifying `Spiral Wind Cannon` blasted toward them.

But the attack had only just been launched.

”Don’t knock over my takeout.”

`Su Chen`’s expression was grim.

SNAP!

With a snap of his fingers, the Shadow Curtain `Rune` embedded in his black `Rune Gloves` activated. An invisible curtain instantly descended, forming a dark barrier in front of him.

The `Wind Cannon` slammed into the curtain, creating massive ripples and a distinct bulge. However, it failed to pierce through and ultimately dissipated without a trace, like a stone sinking into the ocean.

The next moment, `Su Chen`’s figure vanished into thin air.

He left not a single ripple of `Shadow` nor a shimmer of spatial distortion.

Aided by the new trait of his `Shadow Jumping Skill`, `Ghostly Traceless`, he teleported behind the `Wind Demon Wolf` like a phantom. He didn’t disturb even a wisp of air, and his target remained completely unaware.

At close range, `Gravity Skill` Lv7 erupted, revealing its new trait: `Dual Vector Position`.

VMMM!

Two diametrically opposed gravitational fields simultaneously acted upon the single target.

One was an intensifying gravity field, pressing down on its head like an invisible sledgehammer. The other was a gravity anchor, locking onto its waist and pulling it upward with a reverse, weightless force.

CRACK!

Under the tremendous opposing forces, its head was violently torn from its torso.

It died without even a chance to whimper.

”Ugh...”

A muffled grunt came from the branches of an ancient tree in the distance.

’So the mute can cry out in pain after all.’ `Su Chen` raised an eyebrow. When a `Summoned Beast` dies so suddenly, the `Soul Contract` is forcibly severed by an external power. Once that bond shatters, the magical backlash strikes the master’s own `Sea of Consciousness`.

This was the one significant drawback to the otherwise advantageous `Summoning Skill`.

The caster’s real body was exposed.

At almost the same moment, the two doppelgangers charged forward.

Though they were phantoms, they had inherited 90% of the caster’s stats and could use three `Runes` in sync with him.

However, `Su Chen` paid them no mind. The instant they took their first step, a formless, intangible wisp of shadow flame had already attached itself to each of their bodies.

This wisp of `Netherworld` `Fire` seeped into their very bones like a clinging disease, and they didn’t even notice. Of course, given the fragility of the doppelgangers, they crumbled into dust and scattered like popped bubbles before they could even take a second step.

「At the same time.」

`Su Chen` used `Shadow Leap` again, following the source of the sound to appear suddenly on a branch of the ancient tree.

A second `Shadow Leap` in such a short time couldn’t activate the `Ghostly Traceless` effect.

However, his opponent was a conventional `Two-Star` `Dark Element` class—a `Dark Warlock`—and he seemed to predict `Su Chen`’s destination, sensing his landing spot in advance. Without a moment’s hesitation, he raised his weapon and fired two shots.

Just that morning, he had done the same to a `Fire Element` `Warlock` who was overconfident in his indestructible Lv6 Flame Shield. Two bullets to the exact same spot had been enough to create a small opening and pierce right through the man’s head.

This time, he repeated the same trick.

But the result...

Muzzle flashes tore through the night sky. Two high-armor-`Piercing` `Rune` bullets shot straight through the spot where `Su Chen` appeared, only to pass through a dark afterimage.

The figure rippled like ink in water, shedding no blood, and there wasn’t even the muffled thud of a physical impact.

This...

This sharpshooter, a former `Mercenary` who had worked abroad, felt his pupils constrict. His entire view of the world was shaken. ’How can there be an `Illusion and Reality Transformation` between `Elements`?’