Infinite Regeneration In The Apocalypse

Chapter 159: Vogue’s Help…

This time, however, the rotation speed increased far more dramatically than before. The artifact spun faster and faster, gradually merging its lightning and blazing fire elements into a unified force rather than keeping them separate. As it built momentum, it began emitting a strange, high-pitched humming sound that made everyone’s ears ring uncomfortably.

The other people felt their spirits become tense and excited as they stared intently at the spectacle, sensing that something genuinely impressive was about to occur.

After maintaining the acceleration for nearly a minute, the Lightning Fire Spike had apparently achieved some kind of threshold. The fire and lightning had truly fused together into a single energy. Bizarre scarlet-colored lightning continuously arced across its entire surface, creating a mesmerizing and terrifying display.

This unprecedented phenomenon caused everyone’s hearts to stir with a mixture of awe and unease. They began thinking considerably more highly of both the artifact’s capabilities and Madam Violet’s skill in wielding it.

Even Vogue found himself genuinely impressed. That fusion of dual elements into a unified attack force is remarkably sophisticated, he analyzed. The technique required to achieve that level of integration would normally take decades to master. This woman clearly has extensive experience with her artifact.

"Break!" Madam Violet commanded with absolute authority, her voice echoing through the hall.

With an ear-splitting sound of tearing wind, the Lightning Fire Spike—now brimming with condensed scarlet lightning and completely unified elemental power—vanished from sight entirely. It moved so fast that even Luminous Realm cultivators barely registered its movement before it had already struck the crystal wall for a second time.

This time, the result was dramatically different from the first attempt.

There was no massive explosion of light or thunderous detonation. Instead, there was only a light popping sound—almost anticlimactic given the build-up.

With assistance from its tremendous rotational speed and the penetrating properties of the scarlet lightning fusion, the spike managed to actually pierce into the crystal wall! It bored through the supposedly impenetrable surface with only a moment of initial resistance before beginning to drill deeper.

Everyone’s eyes went wide with shock and excitement. Could she actually succeed?

Once the drill had embedded itself in the wall, its forward progress slowed considerably—but under Madam Violet’s continuous incantation gestures and steady channeling of spiritual power, the spike continued pulling forward, drilling with determined persistence.

Marcus and Mr. Yun both revealed unconcealed delight on their faces. This was far more progress than they had ever achieved during their previous attempts!

Sean and the other Klein Family members watched the scene with complex emotions—nervous anticipation mixed with uncertainty. It was unclear whether they privately hoped Madam Violet would succeed or fail, given that success would cost them priority selection rights.

Vogue, however, simply maintained a faint smirk on his otherwise expressionless face. He already knew with absolute certainty what was about to happen.

A Saint-level protective formation won’t be defeated by simple brute force drilling, Vogue thought with dark amusement. The barrier will respond to intrusion with a counterattack. It’s not a question of if, but when.

No one else noticed Vogue’s subtle change of expression—except for Sean, who had unintentionally glanced in his direction at that exact moment. The young Klein heir looked startled for a second and revealed a trace of confusion at seeing Vogue’s knowing smile, but he didn’t comment on it.

The Lightning Fire Spike continued boring into the crystal wall, making steady if slow progress. After perhaps thirty seconds of sustained drilling, it had managed to penetrate approximately one foot into the barrier’s depth.

But that was apparently the limit of what the formation would tolerate.

Without any warning, the previously still and passive crystal wall suddenly erupted with brilliant blue radiance. Countless threads of scorching white light—far more intense than the spike’s own lightning—emerged from deep within the wall’s structure. The threads moved with predatory speed, wrapping tightly around the embedded Lightning Fire Spike in a profusely glimmering, binding display.

"No! Pull back!" Madam Violet shouted in alarm, immediately attempting to recall her treasure before it could be damaged.

But she was already too late.

"BOOM!!!"

A tremendous explosion erupted as the wall’s defensive counter-mechanism activated fully. The Lightning Fire Spike—caught in the formation’s grip and overwhelmed by the barrier’s vastly superior power—detonated violently.

The resulting blast was so intense that everyone had to raise defensive barriers or risk being injured by the shockwave. Fragments of destructive energy scattered in all directions before gradually dissipating.

When the light finally faded away and visibility returned, they could see that the crystal wall had completely restored itself. There wasn’t even the faintest mark remaining where the spike had penetrated—the barrier was once again pristine and perfect, as though nothing had ever touched it.

More devastatingly, Madam Violet’s prized Lightning Fire Spike artifact had been utterly destroyed. Not even fragments remained—it had been completely annihilated by the formation’s defensive response.

Madam Violet’s face had gone deathly pale. Her entire body trembled slightly as she struggled to control her reaction.

The Lightning Fire Spike had been an ancient treasure she had expended vast amounts of effort and resources to acquire over many decades of searching. It had been her most powerful weapon and most valuable possession. Losing it so completely—not just damaged but erased from existence—caused such intense distress that she felt a burning sensation rising in her chest as if she were about to vomit blood from pure emotional shock.

The other cultivators stood in stunned silence, deeply alarmed by what they had just witnessed. The formation’s counterattack had been swift, decisive, and absolutely devastating.

Fortunately, Madam Violet was an experienced and mentally strong cultivator despite her apparent frailty. After several moments of tense, barely controlled rage and grief, she managed to take a deep, steadying breath. Through sheer force of will, she suppressed the emotional turmoil threatening to overwhelm her and calmed her wildly fluctuating internal energy.

She turned to face the others, and despite her obvious distress, managed to produce a bitter, self-mocking smile:

"It seems I’ve made quite a fool of myself, Fellow Cultivators. The barrier formation is truly worthy of its legendary reputation—far more formidable than I anticipated. I have no further methods available for breaking through such defenses. However, perhaps one of you possesses abilities or techniques better suited to this challenge?"

With that acknowledgment of defeat, Madam Violet took several deliberate steps backward, gesturing her resignation from further attempts.

Marcus’s friendly smile had long since disappeared, replaced by a troubled frown. He could only sigh with genuine disappointment. "Despite your considerable efforts and the sacrifice of such a valuable treasure, the attempt ultimately failed. This is truly an unfortunate outcome for all of us. Are there any other Fellow Cultivators willing to make an attempt using different methods?"

Marcus’s gaze swept across the assembled group, lingering particularly on Sir Collins—after all, the dwarf was supposed to be a formation specialist of considerable renown.

But after witnessing the complete destruction of Madam Violet’s ancient treasure, any interest the others might have had in volunteering their own artifacts had been thoroughly extinguished. The risk was simply too high, and the probability of success too low. Who among them would dare gamble their most precious possessions on attempts that would likely end only in catastrophic failure?

Sir Collins, despite being the expedition’s designated formation expert, remained completely silent as he stood in his corner of the hall. Although he did possess some theoretical understanding of ancient protective barriers, he had never actually encountered anything on the level of a Saint-realm creation. He certainly had no practical knowledge of how to overcome such defenses, and he wasn’t about to volunteer himself just to make a public fool of himself or lose his valuable equipment.

The silence stretched uncomfortably as everyone avoided making eye contact with Marcus, each person clearly unwilling to step forward.

At that moment, Vogue—who had remained quiet and observant throughout the entire proceeding—suddenly spoke up with casual confidence:

"While I make no claims of exceptional talent in formation breaking, I would like to make an attempt using my own methods. Would that be acceptable, Family Head Marcus?"

His tone was light and almost offhand, as though he were proposing something trivial rather than attempting to breach a barrier that had just destroyed an ancient treasure.

These unexpected words caused genuine surprise to ripple through the entire assembled group. Multiple heads turned to stare at Vogue with varying expressions of shock, skepticism, and curiosity.

Marcus was particularly astonished, his eyebrows rising dramatically. But he quickly recovered his composure and responded with diplomatic encouragement:

"Of course, Fellow Cultivator Vogue! Please, by all means make whatever attempt you feel appropriate. We would be grateful for any success, no matter how it’s achieved."

Sean looked at Vogue with mixed emotions—surprise, concern, and something that might have been guilt. But he said nothing, simply watching to see what would happen.

Vogue calmly stepped forward toward a section of the wall that hadn’t yet been attacked. The other cultivators automatically moved aside, giving him space to work while maintaining safe distances from potential backlash.