Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2179: Chapter 2180: Advancement

Dangross was still in a daze when Toby opened his mouth with a furious roar, simultaneously spewing a breath of fire that burned Dangross from head to toe.

Dangross was first pushed aside, then sprayed with fire all over, leaving him completely baffled, unable to understand why the ancestral descendant he worshipped treated him this way.

Toby snorted coldly, responding to his confusion with action.

Toby gradually reverted from a giant Gryphon back into a little seabird, then flew onto Angel’s shoulder, holding his head high as he strutted back and forth, demonstrating his dominance to Dangross.

Previously, when Dangross wanted to talk to Toby, he climbed onto Angel’s shoulder. Now, Toby has claimed the high ground of the shoulder, posing in a provocative manner, making Dangross understand his intention.

——Angel’s shoulder, this sacred place belongs to him, and it shall not be infringed!

A low laugh with a throaty sound emerged from the mouth of Magma Midir: "It seems the Flame Gryphon has a very good relationship with Mr. Pat."

Angel already understood Toby’s meaning when Toby yelled "get off" at Dangross.

Watching Toby swaggering back and forth on his shoulder, Angel found it amusing. But being in someone else’s territory, he couldn’t undermine Toby’s act and could only pretend not to understand, smiling faintly without speaking.

Magma Midir didn’t dwell further on this topic, retracting his smile as he said to Angel: "Although it might be a bit presumptuous, I would still like to offer a suggestion to you."

Angel looked at Magma Midir, waiting for him to speak.

"The World’s Harmony is a grand event for all creatures in the Tidal World, lasting a whole day during which many lives will be born, and many lives will undergo leap transitions in their life’s essence, radiating new life," said Magma Midir, "Of course, this is not only beneficial for us. Mr. Pat and this newly leveled Flame Gryphon can also gain great enhancements from the World’s Harmony."

"And within the Region of Fire, the place most deeply bathed by the World’s Harmony, is right here."

By this point, Angel already understood his implication.

Although Toby’s Gryphon form has just leveled up, Angel can still clearly feel that most of the flame energy in the volcano’s crater is pouring into Toby’s body, and his inner Flame Power has yet to reach its saturation limit.

If pursued through normal cultivation, Toby might require many years to reach the upper limit of flame endurance, but if he takes advantage of the Elemental Tide, in the place where the energy level is highest in this Region of Fire, he can certainly reach saturation at the fastest speed.

Considered from future prospects, Toby should indeed stay here to continue enhancing at this moment.

This is the suggestion given by Magma Midir.

At this time, Angel felt a bit torn. Although Magma Midir’s suggestion was good, he was worried about the risk of leaving Toby alone here.

Seeing Angel’s hesitation, Magma Midir seemed to have discerned it, gently saying, "The World’s Harmony also brings substantial benefits for Teacher Magu, so after the World’s Harmony concludes, you might want to seek out Teacher Magu."

Angel understood that the best plan was to accompany Toby here, but since this is Magma Midir’s nest, he felt embarrassed to voice this thought.

Since Magma Midir provided an opening, Angel naturally took it and stepped down graciously.

"Sorry for bothering your Highness."

Magma Midir indicated that it was no issue.

Only then did Angel let Toby revert back to a Gryphon, continuing his dip in the magma. Toby too wished to continue advancing here, though he was a bit worried that once he left, Dangross might snatch his spot.

Angel, with a chuckle, reassured Toby that Dangross would not be allowed to climb up, only then was Toby satisfied to transform back into a Gryphon, re-entering the magma.

While Toby began enjoying the magma bath, Angel did not forget about Earl Mi.

Although Earl Mi is an awakened Demon Person, having taken a different path in the power system, the essence of elemental energy remains unchanged across different worlds, Earl Mi can still receive augmentations through the Elemental Tide.

Earl Mi also transformed into a shadow of fire, entering the magma pool, silently experiencing the baptism of the Elemental Tide on the other side of Toby.

While both benefactors are quietly enhancing, Magma Midir looked to Angel and said: "Mr. Pat, you could also cultivate the Flame Power here just like them."

Angel smiled wryly and shook his head: "My research on the Fire Element is not profound, and I’ve already reached elemental saturation."

"I see." Magma Midir nodded, his gaze shifting to Angel’s left earlobe, where the flame mark still shimmered with red light: "Perhaps you could let this flame mark absorb the power of the World’s Harmony, it appears to be quite eager for flame energy."

Angel glanced at Magma Midir lightly, sensing that Midir seemed to speak calmly, but his eyes sparkled.

It’s evident that he hasn’t given up on probing the flame mark.

Magma Midir laid so much groundwork earlier, presumably to propose this suggestion, intending to leverage this chance to uncover the flame mark.

Angel had already discerned Magma Midir’s motive, yet he hadn’t planned on refusing.

Because Magma Midir’s proposal was indeed correct, the flame mark bestowed by Odeclass was exhibiting such flickering behavior for the first time, and as its bearer, Angel could distinctly feel the flame mark’s unparalleled thirst for external elemental surge.

The power of the flame mark had waned considerably since leaving the Abyss, and if it could replenish its strength during the Elemental Tide, it would be a boon for Angel too.

Therefore, Angel indeed intended to seize this opportunity to allow the flame mark to get replenished.

As for Magma Midir wishing to research... let him research, since the power of the flame mark stems from Odeclass; if it can indeed be studied, it would be quite an achievement.

Angel nodded towards Magma Midir: "Many thanks to your Highness for the suggestion, I indeed share this intention."

Magma Midir’s eyes lit up, his breath seemingly quickened.

To avoid revealing his eagerness, Midir restrained his excitement, saying to Angel: "Then I’ll head to the other side, so as not to disturb your immersion into the World’s Harmony."

"Dangross, follow me."

Magma Midir took along the still baffled Dangross, instantly withdrawing to three hundred meters away from the volcano’s mouth, seemingly closing his eyes to meditate, but Angel was convinced that Midir was still monitoring the situation here. The reason for retreating so far, presumably truly feared disturbing the flame mark’s absorption of Elemental Tide power, considering it would indeed be difficult to conduct research if disturbed.

Angel ignored Midir’s little schemes, leaning against the rock wall, meditating quietly while activating the flame mark.

With just a thought, the flame mark immediately transitioned from a closed-off state to sensing the Elemental Tide.

The Elemental Tide energy previously completely insulated from Angel now began pouring into his earlobe.

The speed was fast, the energy surging, even forming a torrent of fire in front of Angel.

The abrupt appearance of this fire torrent mesmerized Magma Midir’s gaze, his eyes filled with inquiry, seemingly trying to peer through the fire torrent to observe the terrifying flame mark.

The fire torrent continued for a full half day, during which Magma Midir’s gaze never faltered.

After another two hours, Angel finally felt a sense of fullness from the Flame Mark.

The Flame Mark had been replenished after the washing of the Elemental Tide, refilling all previously consumed energy. Although it did not absorb Odeclass’s strength, it was sufficient to release Flame Power matching Odeclass’s energy level.

This further enhanced Angel’s self-protection strength.

Initially, Angel considered continuing to absorb the power of the Elemental Tide to enhance the Primeval Flame within the Flame Mark. However, the Primeval Flame showed no reaction to the Elemental Tide’s washing, and even the Elemental Tide’s power dared not approach the Primeval Flame within the Flame Mark.

This demonstrates that the energy level of the Primeval Flame is far higher than the strength of the Elemental Tide.

It is worth noting that the power of the Elemental Tide is almost akin to the special rules of the Tidal World; yet even so, it still cannot compare to Baiyuan’s flame...

Angel could only helplessly shut down the power of the Flame Mark.

Once closed, the Flame Mark ceased to flicker, reverting to an ordinary pattern, appearing unremarkable. However, all who witnessed the previous flame torrent knew the vast power this Flame Mark held.

Previously, Midir might have harbored some intentions for force, but now, such thoughts were completely dispelled by the awe the Flame Mark instilled in it.

Angel calculated the time and realized there should be about two hours left before the Elemental Tide ended.

Since he had nothing else to do, he decided to begin collecting the fire elemental crystals falling from the sky.

Although these fire elemental crystals were not particularly valuable demonic materials, they were plentiful, and the quality of flame within them wasn’t bad, akin to a miniature manifestation of the Elemental Tide.

He planned to collect as many as possible, and then use the Extraordinary Extractor to store the Flame Power, which could be used for alchemy in the future.

This was far superior to the so-called Treasure Liquid of the Shannon Royal Family.

Perhaps this power could be integrated into more powerful tools, refining works above the Intermediate Rank.

However, this was merely a conjecture, and whether it could be successful still required actual research.

After collecting ten thousand fire elemental crystals, Angel used the Extraordinary Extractor to concentrate them, having done so nearly a hundred times already, yielding a bottle of extremely dense transcendent red light within the extractor.

At this point, the "fire rain" from the sky ceased, and the Elemental Tide entered its countdown stage.

Angel cautiously packed the special collection bottle and then turned to look at the approaching Midir.

Midir did not ask Angel what he was doing, merely nodding respectfully at Angel and handing over Dangross: "I gained a lot during the Elemental Tide and might need to retreat for a few days. I hope to communicate with you again upon emergence."

Angel: "You’re welcome anytime."

Midir finished speaking, flapped its massive demon wings, and flew into a crevice within the volcano, disappearing from sight.

Watching Midir’s figure gradually vanish, Angel knew clearly that Midir hadn’t engaged in much cultivation during the Elemental Tide, nor could it have gained anything from it. However, its claim of having gained substantially might not be unfounded, likely having researched something from the Flame Mark, prompting its hasty retreat.

Angel didn’t intend to inquire further, knowing the owner of the Flame Mark was Odeclass, rendering any discoveries inconsequential to him.

Instead of this, Angel was more concerned about the harvest of Toby and Earl Mi.

Angel looked down at the volcano’s interior, Toby had finished its cultivation already, treading flames as it chased a fiery silhouette flying up from below.

The fiery silhouette was Earl Mi, who came to Angel’s side, seamlessly merging into his shadow.

Toby caught up and circled Angel’s shadow a few times, loudly trying to pull Earl Mi out from it.

Angel initially thought Toby and Earl Mi might have fought below, but upon closer listening, he realized Toby’s surge in strength had inflated its pride, chanting provocatively about the "Wildcat in Bloom" to engage in another grand battle with Earl Mi.

Yet, Earl Mi completely ignored Toby’s presence, not bothering to acknowledge it.

Unable to get Earl Mi’s response, Toby ultimately reverted to a small seaside bird, sulking on Angel’s shoulder.

Upon seeing Toby, Dangross’s eyes lit up with admiration, seemingly forgetting the previous cruelty of being swatted away, and clung to Angel’s clothing trying to climb to Toby’s side.

However, before it could reach the shoulder, Toby kicked Dangross away again.

Toby cursed at Dangross, who didn’t seem to grasp it fully, but certainly dared not approach Angel further.

Angel then summoned the Hand of Magic to pinch Dangross.

Toby leapt to Angel’s head, settling atop his hair.

Angel intended to pull Toby down but considered Toby’s current psychological state, merely attempting to express territorial rights; removing Toby might provoke its rebellious spirit.

"Just this once," Angel transmitted to Toby, granting it face.

Toby chirped in acknowledgment.

Angel then ignored Toby and looked at Dangross: "Next, I’ll trouble you, lead us to meet Teacher Magu."

...

After flying for about ten minutes, Angel finally reached the vast expanse of the Lava Lake.

During the journey, Angel encountered many fire element creatures, including the previously sighted Phoenix.

Perhaps due to past battles, Phoenix held a bit of hostility towards him, but due to the New King’s orders, Phoenix did nothing too disrespectful, merely uttering a harsh parting threat as Angel departed.

This threat was not directed at Angel; it expressed its desire to fight Earl Mi once more.

Angel responded as he did with Midir, saying "you’re welcome anytime," before swiftly distancing himself from Phoenix.

Aside from Phoenix, other fire element creatures showed no hostility towards Angel; he had barely acted before them, and even when he did, they failed to notice.

These fire element creatures were curious about Angel but refrained from approaching, opting only to observe from afar.

Angel found this somewhat regrettable, as his purpose of visiting the Tidal World included sourcing information on Feng and another objective: acquiring an elemental companion.

Among these numerous fire element creatures, there were certainly ones suitable for him, and establishing cordial dialogue might allow him to entice them away...