Chapter 160: The Elemental Domain

The private research room remained bathed in the multi colored radiance emanating from the Nemesis Hydra. Kale Ardentis stood motionless beside the stone workbench, his green eyes scanning the glowing blue text windows suspended before his retina.

The Lesser Ravager rank evolution had altered his primary beast’s physical and energetic structure to an extraordinary degree.

The dark scales covering Neo’s three thick necks shimmered with a deep, obsidian lustre that absorbed the surrounding torchlight. Its four hearts beat in a heavy, synchronised rhythm that vibrated softly through the laboratory’s stone floor.

The hydra’s wings had expanded by nearly half a meter, their membranes reinforced by dense, elemental veins.

Lazek Oberon stepped forward from his wooden chair and took a slow puff from his curved smoking pipe. The Fleshcraft Grandmaster’s dark eyes narrowed as he examined the dense aura radiating from the three-headed hydra.

He tapped his pipe against his palm and blew a thin ring of grey smoke toward the stone ceiling.

’The energy density radiating from your beast has crossed the Ravager threshold completely, disciple.’ Lazek noted, his voice carrying a rare tone of quiet solemnity. ’It no longer resembles any known species recorded in the Association archives.’

’Neo is no longer bound by traditional classification, Master.’ Kale replied flatly, his voice calm and precise. ’The living filter network has allowed the five elemental streams to fuse into a unified force.’

Kale focused his mind on the newly unlocked skill window, inspecting the Elemental Domain’s detailed parameters.

The ability let Neo project a thirty-meter aura in which the environmental mana of fire, earth, water, wind, and light submitted entirely to its command.

Within this field, enemy elemental attacks were severely suppressed, while Neo’s abilities gained immense amplification.

To test the limits of the new skill, Kale guided Neo to the central testing circle at the rear of the laboratory. The circular floor was reinforced with three layers of enchanted steel and runic dampeners designed to absorb high-tier magical impacts. Neo hopped onto the metallic plate, its six golden eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence.

’Deploy the Elemental Domain, Neo.’ Kale commanded softly through their shared soul link.

The Nemesis Hydra opened all three maws simultaneously, releasing a low, resonant hum that vibrated through the deep bedrock.

A shimmering dome of translucent, multi colored light erupted from its frame, expanding rapidly until it enveloped the entire testing circle. The air within the thirty-meter radius instantly grew dense with concentrated elemental force.

The soft orange glow of the Ignis Core inside its glass vat flickered violently as its fire mana was drawn toward the domain. The ambient temperature inside the barrier shifted instantly according to Neo’s mental intent, dropping to cold before surging into heat. Loose mineral dust along the floor hovered in midair, suspended by localised wind currents.

Lazek Oberon leaned over the safety railing, his dark eyes sparkling with intense scientific fascination. He held out a thin silver rod coated in volatile fire mana, extending the tip into the outer edge of the shimmering barrier.

The moment the silver rod crossed the threshold, its flame was instantly extinguished, its energy absorbed directly into Neo’s aura.

’An absolute suppression field.’ Lazek remarked, his voice filled with genuine appreciation for the breakthrough. ’Any elemental spell cast by an opponent within this domain will be stripped of its stability before it can manifest.’

’It is both a defensive barrier and an offensive catalyst, Master.’ Kale explained, watching the multicoloured light pulse. ’By controlling the local environment, Neo eliminates the opponent’s energetic advantage.’

Kale signalled for Neo to close the domain, and the shimmering dome dissolved back into the hydra’s dark scales with a quiet hiss. The ambient air in the laboratory returned to its stable, comfortable state regulated by the auxiliary slime catalyst. Neo hopped back onto Kale’s shoulder, its three heads resting contentedly against his leather coat.

A heavy, rhythmic knock echoed off the laboratory’s iron-reinforced entrance, shattering the quiet atmosphere.

The protective runic arrays along the steel frame flared softly with a golden light, signalling the approach of an official imperial guest. Lazek unbolted the iron locks with a heavy turn of the brass key and pulled the steel door open.

Grandmaster Kraul stood in the stone hallway, accompanied by Rando and four gold-armoured imperial guards. The muscular judge carried a heavy wooden chest under his left arm, his broad face flushed with triumphant satisfaction. He stepped into the private research room, his heavy boots clattering against the polished stone floor.

’The church paladins have completely evacuated the capital perimeter, Kale.’ Kraul announced with a booming laugh that echoed off the high walls. ’High Inquisitor Luke left Sector 9 in total disgrace after his scrying mirrors revealed nothing but ancient dust.’

’Luke’s political standing within the High Cathedral has suffered a fatal blow.’ Rando added, stepping forward from the door’s shadow. ’Prince Renard has already lodged a formal protest with the Grand Synod regarding the Church’s unlawful harassment of an Association Master.’

’The Dragon Church will be forced to restrain its Inquisitors for the foreseeable future.’ Lazek noted, blowing a ring of grey smoke. ’They cannot risk further public humiliation while the royal family holds the political upper hand.’

Grandmaster Kraul set the heavy wooden chest onto the stone table beside Kale’s surgical tools. He unlatched the two brass deadbolts and opened the lid, revealing six glowing crystalline tablets surrounded by dark velvet padding. Each tablet was carved from ancient obsidian, etched with intricate runic diagrams that pulsed with a steady, deep purple light.

’These were recovered from House Morrow’s secret vault during Prince Renard’s raid on the eastern district.’ Kraul explained, gesturing toward the tablets. ’They contain the preserved research notes of the late Archduke Morrow regarding ancient spatial arrays and subterranean rift gates.’

Kale approached the wooden chest, his green eyes shimmering as he activated his energy vision to inspect the artefacts. The runic diagrams etched into the obsidian surface contained complex mathematical formulations for stabilising artificial rift pathways. The discovery represented a massive leap in spatial engineering, far surpassing standard Association protocols.

’Dorn Morrow was attempting to construct an artificial spatial gate connecting the capital directly to the eastern border.’ Kale noted flatly, analysing the runic equations. ’He intended to bypass the royal border posts to smuggle unrefined beast cores directly into his private estate.’

’Precisely.’ Rando confirmed, his yellow eyes sharp under his dark hood. ’Prince Renard has authorised you to retain these research tablets for your private study. In exchange, His Highness requests your assistance in investigating a sudden anomaly near the eastern boundary.’

’What manner of anomaly has manifested near the eastern border?’ Lazek asked, setting his smoking pipe onto the table.

’A localised spatial rift opened three hours ago inside the Blackstone Gorge.’ Rando revealed, taking a sealed parchment map from his coat. ’Sensors have detected high-density elemental fluctuations originating from within the rift structure.’

’The High Council believes the rift leads to an undisturbed ancient vault from the early founding era.’ Kraul added, his expression turning serious. ’However, the Divine Fist Sect has already dispatched a squad of Peak Master martial artists to claim the entrance.’

’The Divine Fist Sect seeks to secure the rift resources before the Crown can establish a permanent garrison.’ Kale observed, examining the parchment map. ’They intend to use the ancient cores inside to compensate for the loss of their trade alliance with House Morrow.’

’Prince Renard desires that you lead an Association strike team to secure the Blackstone Gorge rift.’ Rando stated, bowing toward Kale. ’His Highness has placed a squad of eight elite imperial artificers under your direct operational command for this expedition.’

’The timing is ideal.’ Kale said flatly, storing the six obsidian research tablets securely inside his spatial storage. ’Neo has just achieved the Lesser Ravager rank, and the rift environment will provide the perfect testing ground for its new capabilities.’

Lazek Oberon nodded in agreement, his dark eyes gleaming with quiet approval as he looked at his young disciple. ’Take the auxiliary catalysts and the Ignis Core Mark II with you, Kale. The eastern border region is volatile, and the Divine Fist Sect will not hesitate to use lethal force.’

’They will find that their physical martial techniques are useless inside Neo’s domain.’ Kale replied, his voice calm and unyielding.

Kale checked his twin silver daggers, ensuring the vibrating edges were fully calibrated and sheathed securely at his waist. He adjusted his grey headband over his hidden gold mesh seal, his green eyes cold and focused. The Nemesis Hydra shifted into its matte black state on his shoulder, its four hearts beating with quiet, deadly precision.

Accompanied by Grandmaster Kraul and Rando, Kale stepped out of the private laboratory and walked toward the secret lift. The heavy steel door locked behind them with a firm mechanical thud, returning the research room to peaceful standby.

They descended to the main courtyard of the Fleshcraft Tower, where eight elite imperial artificers stood waiting in pristine silver armour. The artificers bowed in formal respect as the green-haired young master approached, their eyes fixed on the powerful beast resting on his shoulder.

Kale mounted a swift grey steed provided by the royal guards and took the reins in his left hand. With a single gesture, he led the strike team through the Association’s arched gates, riding toward the eastern district as the morning sun climbed higher.