Chapter 972 - 482: Reflected Illusion

Chapter 972: Chapter 482: Reflected Illusion

After acquiring the Scythe of the End, the four split into three groups to rest and train individually, because Inanna was always clinging, and Li Ang had to find ways to avoid her gaze.

Since the Dragon Maiden was exceptionally weak in special combat, it was easy to handle her. Li Ang could use the remaining time for final preparations.

First was to fill in those two changeable skills.

In the past, there indeed were equipments that acquired different efficiencies through different cores, some even produced by ancient civilizations and priced highly. However, few were willing to buy, because the cores used for replacement were non-renewable, diminishing with use, and the weapon’s comprehensive cost could match two to three interchangeable ones.

Later, some artisans imitated this form, but few artisans could create such equipment that received genuine favor.

Unexpectedly, Zosia Shaher from the Star of Dawn conceived this idea at the birth of the world.

He, who could use Dragon Race essence to create life, was also unchallenged by this matter.

The potential of the Spiritual Forger was still very, very vast.

Li Ang sat cross-legged, the Fire Scythe suspended before him, held by a force field. He raised his palm, deliberately refraining from gathering even a bit of magic power, fearing its power draw again.

His fingertip touched the dark gold handle of the giant scythe, instantly seeing the illusion of a red lotus engulfing everything, as if his entire body was swallowed by flames, his organs incinerated, fiery spray emerging from his pores...

Li Ang promptly withdrew his hand as if struck by lightning, the burn-like pain persisting endlessly.

Previously, attempts to use a prosthetic hand to touch it resulted in no reaction from the giant scythe, seemingly unrecognizing it as part of Li Ang’s body.

Prior attempts by Liluliss and Inanna to grasp the weapon only allowed a brief hold.

Looks like he needed to create a "scabbard" or bind the handle to seal its power for free holding.

Perhaps using Spirit Casting Art could adjust it, but Li Ang’s control over the Apocalypse Device was still too shallow, not knowing how to do it.

Li Ang had to first use magic power to constrain a temporary forging furnace, then pick materials obtained from the Mechanical Creation Furnace to craft a hand guard for the giant scythe.

This hand guard’s strength was at Tier Seven, utilizing blue iron which was relatively compatible with Water Element and the high-tier Water Attribute Array Stone "Sea Sound Stone," to maximally block the passive heat emanating from the Apocalypse Divine Artifact.

After half a day’s work, he could finally touch this weapon.

Feeling the heat that even Pure Magic Water couldn’t block, Li Ang looked towards [Annihilation Revelation · [Unfilled]] for the second skill, which required a Legendary Law to fill.

He relied on the system which controlled the Melting and Gathering Law, his only usable Legendary Law, being the sole choice now.

Coordinating with the system to extract the power of the Melting and Gathering Law, Li Ang suddenly felt a trace of emptiness, since he hadn’t truly mastered the Legendary Law, it was prematurely utilized via the [Path of Laws] panel. After extracting it, even though casting memories and law principles remained in his mind, lacking power level, without Law Protection, he couldn’t use the Decomposition Beam anymore.

Upon finding other Legendary Laws, he could reinsert them and return the Melting and Gathering Law.

The dark gold axe blade of the great scythe ignited with flames; the firelight resembled the furnace flames of the Mechanical Creation Furnace, mixing with illusions of various melted high-grade materials.

As the flames gradually quelled, the second skill slot also exhibited changes.

[Skill: Annihilation Revelation · [Fragmentation]]

[Activation Method: Holding the Eternal Rebirth Scythe]

[Melting and Gathering Law grants the Apocalypse Divine Artifact ultimate destructive power against matter, obtaining a limitbreak strike when cutting material.]

Limitbreak strike? What is that?

Li Ang hadn’t heard of this concept.

Since it’s called "limitbreak," it signifies it’s targeted at previous "limitations," what kind of limitations are those?

Defense? Magic array? Power limitation? System limitation?

Li Ang contemplated for a while until a seemingly implausible option flashed through his mind.

Could it be the world’s limitation?

All beings in Nebis have a magic power level up to Level 10, a limitation set when the world was born.

Since individual power achieving Legendary status couldn’t replicate those fantasy tales on Earth where cultivation reached the zenith to sink continents single-handedly, shatter the void, hurl nebulas, and obliterate cosmic principles... Therefore, when self-ability reached a level difficult to further break through, one would expand horizontally, seeking powerful equipment and Summoned Beasts, etc.

Even the "Eternal King" Esauo Shalem had the World destruction Six Punishments as company, similarly unexceptional.

The Dragon Ancestors expanded their bloodline numbers, while the Six Dragons originally stood on heights to coordinate the Great Spirit, mobilizing world elements, born among those with golden spoons, only to have this advantage erode post-cataclysm.

The Deus People relied on Star Soul to temporarily dominate the skies.

Was the Apocalypse Divine Artifact a trial by Zosia in this aspect?

Then, is the so-called limitbreak breaking the Level 10 restriction?

It needs to encounter a corresponding adversary to know.

Grasping the hand guard and swinging towards the sky twice, the original dark gold axe blade not only slashed out Fire Blade, but also seemed entangled with a layer of scorching red light akin to the power similar to the Decomposition Light Wave.

Sitting back down, Li Ang turned his gaze to the third skill.

[Power of the Shining Sun·[Unfilled][Concept]]

This skill required high-tier materials. He took out a Tier Nine Fire Attribute Pure Star Crystal and handed it over. The radiant gemstone was immediately incinerated by its flames.

Scarlet starlight danced on the surface, adding faint sparks of fire to the dark gold axe blade.

[Power of the Shining Sun·[Star Crystal][Concept]]

[Activation Method: Wielding the Eternal Rebirth Scythe]

[Due to the power of the Pure Star Crystal, the fire attribute array’s Light of the Star Soul that syncs with the wielder’s magic power enhances fire attack power by one tier. For those without the Light of the Star Soul in the fire attribute array, the effect is halved.]

It’s a concept-enhancing skill similar to the "Eternal Reverse" on the Oathbreaker’s Vengeance Thornlance, but with simpler activation conditions and much stronger effects.

It’s like saying that this skill was specially prepared for Zoe and Othella. Oh, I don’t know if Dorothy’s Star Crystal Flower Branch counts, but it actually covers a wide range.

If there were more Pure Star Crystals, equipping the entire team with the array equipment that contains the Light of the Star Soul might give everyone a tier-one boost. But even without it, with half the effect, it can greatly increase the power of the flames.

When both abilities are filled, the Eternal Rebirth Scythe is considered to have complete power, even though there’s still the possibility of adjusting skills to complement each other. But this is not what Li Ang needs to worry about now. Currently, his power can’t even swing this giant scythe a few times.

With the preparations for the Apocalypse Device complete, the next focus is himself, the Spiritual Forger.

Unlike conventional professions, after Li Ang switched panels, he didn’t directly learn all the Spirit Casting Arts, but he can already see the unlit skill tree.

The skill tree extends downward in rows. You must first learn some Spirit Casting Arts to be eligible to unlock the ones below.

Apart from the speed control he realized, the Spirit Casting Arts he has stolen and Dissolving Fluctuation, Eye of Celestial Destiny, and Force Field Control obtained from Jenova are already lit.

Among them, the Eye of Celestial Destiny is positioned lower, worthy of being a power Esauo passed to Jenova, unlocked in advance.

Meanwhile, the Apocalypse Device is located at the very bottom.

Professional points can be invested in various positions to unlock and master, but the skills mastered in advance cannot be fully grasped through point investment, likely indicating Li Ang’s own power is insufficient.

Therefore, he needs to use the remaining time to practice the Spirit Casting Art [Eye of Celestial Destiny] and then see what Spirit Casting Arts in the skill tree can supplement his current strength.

"Let’s see... Scattering Brand, Reflected Illusion, Life Chain, Finger of Submission, Emperor’s Decree..."

Each one is very powerful, but each is also quite expensive.

The first row, a single Spirit Casting Art requires between 2000 to 4000 points, just learning one will plummet an originally ample reserve by ten thousand.

Recalling Arunak’s various abilities, Li Ang chose the Spirit Casting Art [Reflected Illusion].

[Hint: Acquired Skill [Spirit Casting Art: Reflected Illusion]]

[Spirit Casting Art: Reflected Illusion]

[Activation Method: Analyze and replicate target’s spirituality]

[Quickly analyze the target’s spirituality operation method, dissect their power utilization, and briefly cast a reflection imbued with their same power for attack. Either neutralizing origins with origin or returning the favor with their own means.]

This Spirit Casting Art, Li Ang feels, is the strongest in the first row, aside from Dissolving Fluctuation and Speed Control, directly consuming his 4000 professional points.

But its effects are entirely worth the expenditure, for adversaries who haven’t contemplated how to face themselves, this move can directly reverse the outcome.

The trickiest thing about Arunak is the endless arcane pre-preparations and that stealing technique to acquire others’ masterpieces, but how would it face another of itself created by Reflected Illusion?

The next period just involves waiting for Lily to recover.

Three days later, the black-haired young girl found Li Ang and the others, hands on her hips, saying: "I feel I’ve recovered a lot. It’s about time to go look for that guy now."

"Mm," Li Ang nodded, "You seem more vibrant than before."

"But why do I feel like you’re more drained?" Lily said.

Inanna quietly lowered her head and took a half step back, while Li Ang grinned and pretended nothing had happened under Diona’s intense, scorching gaze.

"Where is it? You just don’t understand us casters, magic power disrupts the spirit."

To be honest, Li Ang isn’t exactly lying. His physique, strengthened by the Power of Dragon, wouldn’t suffer any loss now; it’s probably just some change in temperament that Lily noticed.

Li Ang redirected the topic back to the Dragon God Witch: "You said you’ve recovered a lot, is that because you can fully transform now?"

"Not yet." Lily shook her head, "If I could, I could beat that monster."

The black-haired young girl pointed at Li Ang: "But with the kind of enhancement you gave me before, it should be enough."

Spiritual Activation, huh?

Li Ang began casting: "Then let’s give it a try."