novelraw Chapter 497 - 278 River of Blood_2 Modified:
Chapter 497 - 278 River of Blood_2 Modified:
Simply put, it's all about binding knots.
This most ancient human recording method, after thousands of years of evolution and inheritance, has been elevated to an incredible level.
Using knots as locks and ropes as cages.
Ropes made from the tanned skin of vile creatures not only imprison and seal their souls but can also serve as nourishment for incubating and nurturing curses. Various miraculous uses left Ji Jue dumbfounded, feeling as if he had met a rival in this dark field.
Just glancing at the workshop adorned with knots, he couldn't help but wonder how many curses and evil souls were inside, making him feel like his head was spinning.
And when he saw the second place competitor chasing right behind him, a chill ran down his spine, and he began to break out in a cold sweat.
Andre Angel Gonzalo, nineteen years old, a year younger than Ji Jue, belongs to the Imperial Legendary Workshop·Clock Tower.
It is said that the Master of the Bell Tower skipped over his students to personally guide and nurture this grand disciple. Tracing back, he is a distant indirect disciple of one of the Three Grandmasters of the present day, a Carrion Eater, truly a noble lineage in alchemy.
However, compared to heirs like the young master of the building, his style is completely different.
His entire appearance could only be described as neat, not sloppy, with rough fingers covered in stone chips and dust, looking like a stonemason exposed to the elements.
From start to finish, he showed no reaction to the bombarding attacks of the invaders, not even a single expression.
It wasn't out of arrogance but a sort of visible... dullness.
Silent and wooden, focused purely on his work, as if forever locked in his own world, indifferent to all external changes.
His workshop, a grand hall purely sculpted and built from stone, was just like him, simple and straightforward, without any apparent sharpness.
Only when the workshop was activated, with the Divine Essence flowing through each stone carving, could one sense the breath incredibly close to the essence of Superior.
In an instant, the stone sculptures were infused with god-like spirituality, turning the workshop into a divine sanctuary, like the reappearance of the ancient Pantheon.
If it was just this alone, it would merely be a rare strong enemy. What truly made Ji Jue's scalp tingle was the domain formed when the holy statues operated.
For example, waterflow freezing, fire halting, raging winds solidifying.
All flow and change, suppressed by the workshop, became sluggish and dulled, almost inoperative, as if deprived of response and spirit, sinking into dead matter.
Blocking all changes with constancy against variability...
He was simply Ji Jue's nemesis!
Whether it's Fluid Alchemy or solid alchemy, they both originate from the same source, differing only in direction.
Their essence lies in the interaction between spirituality and material, the former ascending with spirituality, the latter sinking with material.
But in front of Andre, the interaction between spirituality and material was interrupted. If they had never been united from the start, there would be no chance for change within his sanctuary.
Thus, Fluid Alchemy couldn't elevate material to show changes, and solid alchemy couldn't trap spirituality. Without combination and circulation, it was like becoming loose sand.
Not to mention, he naturally adapted different strategies based on the situation. Once transformation was blocked, Ji Jue's abilities would be more than halved.
"Sweating, right, kid?"
Outside the arena, Jiang Tongguang eyed Ji Jue's solemn expression and started to gloat.
Even as the host, he couldn't believe it: a single test produced two rare monsters, each completely different.
One changeable and capricious, one steadfast and unshaken.
"Hey, Old Gu, who do you think will win?"
Jiang Tongguang added with a touch of excitement: "How about we add some fuel... hey, I have an idea!"
With that, his eyes brightened, raising a finger: "Let's limit the number of blessings in the exchange list, the rarer, the fewer, some with only one, and add an auction mechanism..."
Gustav glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something. It was unclear if he wanted to remind him to remain impartial as an examiner or to advise him to be a bit more humane.
However, it seemed they need not add more fuel.
After watching Ji Jue's replay, although Andre remained silent and expressionless, he was still in a daze for a long time. The moment he reacted, he spent most of his points without hesitation, exchanging for the major blessing of the Tian Yuan System·[Receiving the Talisman]!
With the granted talisman, responding by action.
It represents divine authority.
In other words, all but me are traitors!
It is indeed extremely useful, as the eternal pure white moonlight in the hearts of the Chosen Ones of the Tian Yuan System, but it is also exceedingly rare, unless one truly dominates an area, establishing rules with themselves, and occasionally obtaining it, or in some orthodox regalia worshiped for over a hundred years.
Its effect is the extreme enhancement of control over one's domain, completely isolating any interference from outsiders, elevating the already exaggerated suppression power of his sanctuary to the limit.
Simultaneously, Ji Jue also almost cleared all his points in an instant.
Exchanging all for blessings.
"Oh? Finally serious now?"
Jiang Tongguang's eyes lit up, leaning in close: "Let's see... a large number of battle-tempered blessings, Ascension's Spirit Origin Flow, hmm? Ember's Material Spirit Interaction, and the White Deer's Seize Day Raid?
Hey, these kids, one by one, it's all Ember in their bones."
Battle-tempered, used to enhance weapon destructiveness, speaks for itself.
Not only do many Chosen Ones love this blessing, but Ember does too, madly in love.
It's just too convenient for weapon crafting.
Though the weapons crafted need blood and death to grow, the vile creatures on Luye Island are plentiful... with Ji Jue's fierceness, common artifacts wouldn't last two days as dissection tools before filling with resentment, grudges, and blood curses.
Spirit Origin Flow enhances the quality of spirituality, forming a qualitative change, boosting spirituality and flow changes, perfect for resisting Tian Yuan's suppression. Material Spirit Interaction further enhances the conflict between material and spirituality, amplifying changes and explosive power.
As for the White Deer's Seize Day Raid, it's purely for plundering the enemy, using war to nourish war.
No need for the judges and hosts to say any more.
The true Ember, upon seeing a peer, would already be grinding their flashy blades on stones!
"Fight! Fight!"
Jiang Tongguang, seeing their ready-for-battle stance, could barely contain his laughter.
Not just Ji Jue and Andre, under the intimidation of these two monster-level catfish, the entire pond began to stir.
Just like the storm's approach, everyone started gritting their teeth, climbing once more.
Their eyes glowed red.
Come on! Hurry up!
I want to see rivers of blood! In the mouth!