The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 755: Fire Tribulation (II)

Surviving this baptism requires an understanding of the essence of the Law of Fire, harnessing its energy to fortify rather than destroy oneself. Usually, a grasp of the Laws and a robust foundation would suffice to survive such a trial.

If an Apotheosis Master had reached an Extreme Law Fragmentation mastery over the Law of Fire, surviving the Fire Tribulation would not have been a problem. Therefore, with his Medium Law Integration mastery, Cain should have faced no challenge at all.

However, the flames assailing Cain were unlike the ones that challenged all other Apotheosis Masters in Aether. In them was imbued with a far more profound and potent Law of Fire, showcasing the might of Extreme Law Integration or perhaps even ascending to a realm previously unexplored in Aether.

Cainʼs eyes radiated red with intense focus as he unleashed the full might of his Ego Wave. He then delved into the Primordial Pathʼs Fire Integration, channeling his comprehension of the Law of Fire as he began to commune with the divine flames around him.

It took merely a moment for him to attune, and then, unencumbered by fear, he began to inhale the divine flames, allowing their formidable power to flow through him.

An expression of agony emerged on Cainʼs face as he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth due to the overwhelming heat and power inside the fire that now marched through his veins. Yet his concentration never wavered.

Despite the divine fire subjecting his body to unbearable temperatures, his profound mastery over the Law of Fire enabled him to circumvent its chaotic and destructive nature, instead channeling its force towards refinement.

The powerhouses above the Azure State could not divert their gaze from the ocean of divine fire cascading from the reddish-hued sky surrounding the young man who was channeling them through his veins.

Enduring those flames without any protection would be nearly suicidal. Not even a True Titan known for formidable defensive abilities, like the Diamond Saint Duke, would dare to assimilate them into their bodies.

None of the powerhouses dared to get closer, not just because they feared the divine flames but also because it might be misconstrued as an attempt to strike the Scarlet King while he faced the Fire Tribulation.

They were certain that the great generals of the Scarlet Alliance would attack them with pure killing intent if they dared to take a single step forward. Many even felt a sharpness at their necks as they sensed the gaze of the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar and the three swords floating around him.

The pillars of fire continued to descend from the sky for nearly three hours, spreading their destructive and fiery tendrils for hundreds of kilometers. The only entity not incinerated by this onslaught was the young man who kept absorbing those flames.

Cainʼs eyes were closed as he concentrated on harnessing the flamesʼ tempering power, ensuring his Radiance of Life would mend the damage. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open as he noticed the pillars of fire from the sky pause momentarily, and the aura within the Fire Tribulation began to change.

”KRAAAAA!”

Suddenly, something new manifested for all those witnessing the Fire Tribulation as the cry of a majestic bird echoed. While many had faced the Fire Tribulation before, they had never experienced something like this, indicating that the Tribulation Cain had invoked differed from theirs.

Cain felt his instincts screaming danger, and he focused on the sky, anticipating the power that was about to be unleashed. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he observed his own skin glowing, quickly bursting into flames.

The second phase of the True Fire Tribulation engulfed Cainʼs body in dark red flames, penetrating not just his exterior but also invading his internal organs.

The pain was agonizing, and the destruction so vast that it overwhelmed the power of the Radiance of Life, endangering Cainʼs life. However, just as he was about to lose control and blackout, the rune on his right hand began to glow, prompting him to burn his own life force.

Cainʼs vitality burst with overwhelming power as he consumed his life force, allowing him to withstand the dark red flame. Yet, this was only a temporary solution; at this rate, he would burn 25% of his life in less than half an hour, and continuing to burn his life force beyond that would result in lasting damage that could cripple him.

Immediately, Cain pushed his focus to its limits as he sought a method to confront this flame. Panicking would not aid him, so he took several breaths, adopting a meditative stance on the ground, concentrating on the power and intent within the dark red flame.

ʼIt contains overwhelming destructive power that seems to destroy all in its path, but thereʼs something more. The nature of the flames is profoundly more complex.ʼ

Cain emptied his mind of everything except the dark red flame, ignoring even his dwindling life force. With each passing second, his understanding of the flame deepened until, after ten minutes, he opened his eyes, a sense of enlightenment within them.

The Tier I Rebirth Mark ceased glowing, and without burning his life force, Cainʼs vitality could not withstand the dark red flameʼs destructive power. However, he did not resist the destruction; instead, he allowed the dark red flame to unleash its full potential.

Each time the dark red flames obliterated some of his cells, the same power began reconstructing them!

The mysteries and power behind this force were incredibly profound and ephemeral. Still, Cain was able to grasp it thanks to not only his mastery over the Law of Fire but also his experience during his True Flesh and Bone Calamities.

The second phase of the True Fire Tribulation involved the powers of the cycle of death and rebirth, mimicking the nirvana cycles of the legendary phoenixes. It was an extremely potent force, showcasing one of the highest manifestations of the Fire Law, one that Cain had yet to touch directly but which he could access thanks to the Tribulation.