Chapter 2743: Chapter 2744: Mist Technique and Petrification
As Vay attempted to decipher the Mist Technique, a group of Wizards watching from the edge of the arena also observed the fog enveloping the arena skies.
"An interesting Mist Technique," Angel remarked after a moment of observation.
"Another one neglecting their proper duties... How does their Merchant Organization train such apprentices, every one of them like this?" Dox shook his head and sighed.
Listening to Angel and Doxâs comments, Kaier was completely baffled.
Kaier knew that Mist Technique was actually a general term and depended on the apprenticeâs performance. However, at this distance, compounded by spiritual powerâs inability to penetrate within, Kaier couldnât discern how the Mist Technique was released inside and could only infer from Angel and Doxâs words.
But the more he listened, the more confused he became.
"Is there anything unusual about this Mist Technique?" Kaier couldnât help but ask.
"Thereâs nothing unusual about it, itâs just very... unique," Dox replied. "Just like that Shepherd opposite, very unique and neglectful of proper duties."
Doxâs explanation left Kaier still puzzled. How did it relate to the Shepherd again?
At this point, Angel explained, "This Mist Technique has nothing to do with mist, the fog is formed by a special kind of fungal thread."
"Fungal thread?" Kaier exclaimed in surprise, "Floating Fungal Barrier?"
Dox snapped back, "Do you think an apprentice can create a Floating Fungal Barrier in such a short time? Besides, Floating Fungal Barriers require very stringent conditions, and none of the metrics here meet those requirements."
Floating Fungal Barrier was once the broadest-spreading fungal barrier disaster in the Southern Domain Wizardsâ Realm, causing the most casualties among extraordinary lives. Called a fungal barrier due to the dense interweaving of fungal threads, creating an environment resembling a fog barrier. An inadvertent step inside could result in fungal threads infiltrating the body, becoming a breeding ground for fungi.
Even Official Wizards could fall victim if careless, so for apprentices, Floating Fungal Barriers were terrifying.
As for why it was the "once" widest-spreading fungal disaster, itâs because when Eternal Night Countryâs dome appeared, it replaced the Floating Fungal Barrier, becoming the greatest fungal barrier disaster.
Currently, in the Southern Domain Wizardsâ Realm, thereâs a viewpoint that suggests those controllable light points escaping from the dome, which can be controlled even by Official Wizards, are artificially cultivated special fungi. Hence, itâs classified among fungal barrier disasters.
Of course, this isnât the mainstream viewpoint, but gossip magazines have widely spread this idea, ultimately the dome disaster of Eternal Night Country was hijacked by public opinion, replacing the Floating Fungal Barrier as the most dreadful fungal barrier disaster.
Angel remarked, "Although itâs not the Floating Fungal Barrier, it reluctantly qualifies as a fungal barrier, doesnât it?"
Once a Floating Fungal Barrier spreads, it can nearly engulf small nations completely. But the fungal barrier on the arena seemed cloud-like, maybe just able to obscure a hundred-meter range, nowhere close to comparing with the Floating Fungal Barrier.
However, it is a fungal barrier with characteristics of invasiveness, spread, and proliferative multiplication.
Invasiveness and spread, as literal meanings that need no explanation. But proliferative multiplication is very peculiar; itâs like an earthworm, most of them can split into two bodies when severed mid-section, rather than dying outright. Similarly, fungal threads in a fungal barrier when severed donât lose activity, instead, they multiply more.
This multiplication surely has a limit, but when the number reaches a certain extent, even with a limit, you canât eradicate the fungal barrier just by severing fungal threads.
While there arenât many fungal barriers on the arena, Vay could still cut them down to the limit. However, if only Vay undertakes this task, it might take a long time.
Vay couldnât afford so much time severing fungal threads, besides there was a menacing ghostly shadow nearby eyeing him.
"Is there any other way besides severing the fungal threads to crack this Mist Technique?" Kaier asked. If Vay doesnât quickly dismantle the Mist Technique, it would be extremely difficult to locate the ghostly shadow. Without uncovering the ghostly shadow, Vay basically canât win.
"It depends on the properties of the ghostly shadowâs fungal threads and what substance they fear," Dox said, "This is easily discerned with laboratory tests, a little examination can reveal it. But do you think Vay has time for testing?"
Kaier asked, "What should be done now then?"
"Since Vay canât do the testing now, he can only rely on luck, starting with the most conventional methods for breaking fungal barriers and try them one by one. If none works, then he can only endure the mist and duel with the ghostly shadow," Dox replied.
Upon hearing Doxâs explanation, Kaier sighed, thinking to himself: as expected, he should have gone up first.
The ghostly shadowâs abilities were overwhelmingly targeted at Vay.
But itâs too late to talk about this now, Vay was already on stage, one could only hope Vay finds a way to break the fungal barrier quickly.
...
Vay, upon whom great hope was placed, was looking pallid at the momentâfrightened.
Despite not fighting for a long time, Vayâs battle theory was very advanced. After all, Vay rarely ventured out of Mesomyia, apart from dwelling in his own divination shop, his greatest pastime was watching matches at Mesomyiaâs Sky Tower. Watching duels for decades, even if he didnât personally participate, his battle theory was exceedingly rich, enough to be deemed a verbal master in combat.
And because of his strong battle theory, Vay instantly adhered to the theoretical process for combating the Shadow Series and began identifying the opponentâs Mist Technique upon seeing the ghostly shadow releasing it.
Once the Mist Technique is broken, defeating the ghostly shadow should be as simple as taking from a pocket, shouldnât it?
However, when Vayâs spiritual power probed into the mist, he was terrified.
What sort of mist is this, itâs packed with countless fungal threads, itâs a fungal barrier!
Moreover, these fungal barriers seem to react to spiritual power, as soon as Vayâs spiritual power entered the mist, he sensed a numbness, transmitted back from the spirit tentacle to the mental center.
Just in a moment, Vay forcibly lost focus.
Firstly, the appearance of the fungal barrier frightened Vay. Secondly, to suffer a lapse in focus during a battle leads to dire consequences, Vay was well aware, it might create a golden opportunity for the enemyâs one-hit kill. The combination of these factors led Vayâs complexion to turn pale.
The reality was indeed as Vay anticipated, the ghostly shadow chose to strike at that moment.
Even though Vay had already fortified his defense, and even placed energy-triggered earth spikes within the probable expansion area of his shadow, he still fell into the trap.
Because the ghostly shadow did not follow the conventional shadow sneak attack, but instead transformed into an entity, swooping down from mid-air towards Vay.
When Vay sensed the wind overhead, he realized he had been deceived, trying to expand his defense upwards, but it was too late.
For most apprentices, if their head was exposed to an energy blast without protection, survival was unlikely. And Vay, incidentally during a lapse, panicked and only thought the enemy would attack his shadow from bottom to top, forgetting the opponent could revert from energy form to flesh, directly assaulting his head.
If Vay suffered this blow, aside from winning or losing, walking off the arena standing would be questionable.
In this critical moment, Vay knew he couldnât hold back, decisively activating the bloodline of the Noah Clan.
Almost instantly, Vayâs entire head petrified.
The inheritance of the Power of Earth is the transcendent secret hidden within the Noah bloodline.
However, the reaction time was ultimately too short, and aside from turning his head to stone, Vay failed to address many details; for instance, the petrification was too rapid without a firm support point.
Because of this, aside from protecting his head, he took the full brunt of the impact elsewhere.
The tremendous force sent Vay flying, bouncing off the ground several times before crashing heavily from the sky.
Vay didnât have time to consider his injuries. As he was falling, he immediately wielded the power of the earth to create a completely enclosed stone prison around himself.
The Stone Prison Technique is a spell technique of control type, used to restrain an opponentâs movements. But at this moment, as Vay applied it on himself, it became a powerful defense spell.
With the protection of this stone prison, Vay could catch his breath and adjust his condition.
Vay briefly perceived his injuries, and aside from some inevitable external wounds, he was basically unharmed. However, there was a large dent in his head, signifying the significant strength of his opponent. This wasnât like the frail shadow apprentices he had seen competing in the Sky Tower, who focused on shadows and neglected their physical bodies.
Though his head had a dent, it didnât matter since it was completely petrified.
Vay gently tapped his ear, and the dent recovered.
After restoring the dent in his head, Vay decisively pulled out three potions from his brooch.
The three bottles were different in style: one was conical, another had a chain, and the last was encircled with vines.
The potion in the conical bottle was the Glowing Fluff Potion, a low-level potion that could quickly heal external injuries.
The potion with the chain was the Pheromone Transmutation Water, which could swiftly block extraordinary connections related to pheromones, while also altering or concealing them.
The potion encircled with vines was the Karissa Antidote.
All three were basic potions, but aside from the Glowing Fluff Potion, which was popular among the general public, the Pheromone Transmutation Water and Karissa Antidote were rare and valuable potions in the market, with a hefty price tag.
Furthermore, the Glowing Fluff Potion had the most pronounced effect, while the other two were more of a precautionary measure for Vay at present.
The Pheromone Transmutation Water was a precaution Vay took against his opponent exploiting pheromones. After all, he had suffered external wounds and must have bled. If there was some kind of curse-like method enacted through the pheromones in his blood, it would be a misstep.
The Karissa Antidote served to prevent and counteract toxins and was resistant to energy toxins to some extent. Vay took it as a precaution, fearing that the opponentâs attacks might be "poisoned."
After all, in his mind, if one could attack with shadows but instead used physical assaults, there must be a hidden secret. Perhaps it was poison, so taking the antidote was a respectful precaution.
This was probably an exhibition of monetary strength.
Although the apprentices couldnât see through the stone prison, the official wizards present could see all of Vayâs actions.
For this behavior, Dox criticized his wastefulness over the Mind Ribbon.
The Pheromone Transmutation Water and Karissa Antidote were a complete waste.
Kaier also agreed with Dox, but he dared not say it aloud.
Instead, Angel was murmuring under his breath, and upon closer listening, it turned out he was reciting names like: Maca Scent, Light Blue Potion, Bruno Amplification Potion, Black Charm Soup, Sunlight Praise...
These were all names of potionsâeach useful for preventing various tricks in advance or for power enhancement.
Initially, Dox didnât understand Angelâs intent, until Angel commented, "If heâs going to drink, he might as well drink these too, for better security."
Dox: "..."
Angel: "Though most are not really useful, if potions are to be used to guard against opponentsâ tricks, one should be thorough."
At that moment, Dox once again realized the disparity of the world, and the gap in wealth.
Perhaps Dox and Kaierâs gazes were too "heated," making Angel glance back at them and softly say, "This is just a personal little suggestion, your battle experience is greater, so these are actually unnecessary."
Angelâs words tactfully made them feel for themselves.
More battle experience? Unnecessary? No, they could use them, just couldnât afford it.
Angel, thinking he had resolved the awkwardness with high emotional intelligence and empathy, changed the topic to the changes in the dueling ground.
Angel: "For his head to be able to elementalize, Vay achieving this during the apprentice period is indeed surprising."
Dox: Are you surprised? Why didnât I see any signs of surprise?
Dox internally scoffed yet still followed up on Angelâs words, saying, "Vay mastered petrification early; it should be related to the Noah bloodline..."
Reaching this point, Dox glanced at Black Earl, and seeing no reaction, he continued, "He even defeated my younger self with this move. It counts as his trump card, and revealing it so early might pose some challenges ahead."
Angel agreed with Doxâs assessment.
Earlier, when the Shadow Ghost attacked from top to bottom, it was clear he was holding back. Not because he didnât dare to use a killing blow, but because he knew that with his ability, even if he hit Vayâs head with full strength, he likely wouldnât be able to kill him.
The reason for holding back was that the Shadow Ghostâs main focus wasnât damage; he was assessing.
Assessing Vayâs abilities.
Vayâs trump card: Petrification, was so easily probed out by the Shadow Ghost.
It can be said that even in such a short clash, the gap in practical experience between the Shadow Ghost and Vay was quite vast.
However, Vay wasnât entirely without chances.
After all, Vay had another trump card: monetary power.
As long as Vayâs monetary power was enough to compensate for the practical experience gap with the Shadow Ghost, itâs possible to turn disadvantage into advantage.
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