Why is there a level 5 crack in the air?
This thought raced through the minds of every supernatural in Woodstone City as they sensed the chaotic energy swirling above after the third wave. Even the demonic supernaturals, who were the cause of the entire situation in the first place, froze in shock.
Immediately, the idea of retreating took root in the minds of all the demonic supernaturals. If there was one thing they valued more than power, it was their lives. To save themselves, they wouldn’t hesitate to abandon their so-called partners without a second thought.
As expected, the moment the demonic supernaturals sensed the chaotic energy of the level 5 crack, they began to withdraw. This wasn’t just because of the appearance of a higher-level crack—it was also because their original plan involved evacuating after the third wave.
The monsters that would appear in the next wave were already at level 4, on par with the strongest individuals in Woodstone City.
Every Super Association branch had a manager, and to qualify for that position, one needed at least a Master Rank cultivation level, the fourth realm in the cultivation system. In a backward outpost like Woodstone City which was considered so even in the world of supernaturals, this level of power was considered the peak and sufficient enough.
This was why the demonic supernaturals had believed the level 4 crack would be sufficient to destroy the city or, at the very least, cripple most of it. The plan was meticulous—unleashing chaos before the level 4 crack, which was supposed to be the grand finale.
But why was a level 5 crack appearing now?
The demonic supernaturals who had already started withdrawing felt fortunate for their foresight. As for their partners who were still embroiled in battle when the level 5 crack revealed itself, they didn’t care. The plan to cause more chaos till the third wave had been executed successfully, and what happened to the rest was their problem.
Or so they thought.
Barely a few minutes later, the level 4 crack, which was supposed to take time to fully break, shattered instantly.
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Like Michael, every supernatural was caught off guard by the sudden escalation.
Unfortunately, the monsters gave them no time to think. Chaos reigned as the creatures attacked indiscriminately.
Two things became constant during this mayhem: more people—ordinary and supernatural alike—died, and for the first time in living memory, members of the Super Association and demonic supernaturals were forced to work together for survival.
However, none of this had anything to do with Michael.
Nor did it concern Mira and her companion Liliona.
But it did involve someone else.
Someone who had no idea that his recent battle had unleashed such chaotic energy into the area, causing nearby cracks to mutate.
That someone was Brian.
Brian sat cross-legged in mid-air within the dark void.
The chaotic energy that had once scattered across the space during his battle with Peter had finally settled.
There was no longer a trace of the blue flames caused by his law, as he had absorbed them to heal his injuries before attempting to advance.
This was why Peter had referred to the law as a cursed one—not because it was truly cursed, but from another perspective.
To most other master- and king-ranked cultivators, this law was considered broken.
It was also why the flames generated by the law, and the law itself, were often spoken of as the flames of a phoenix. Phoenixes were creatures of fire, famous for their ability to be reborn.
Though not as mighty as the phoenixes described in ancient stories, Brian’s law shared certain characteristics and traits, earning it the comparison.
At the moment, a strange aura emanated from Brian’s body.
As he sat cross-legged in the dark void, his body radiated a strange aura, and a level of intensity grew around him.
The Law of Eternal Embers.
It was a terrifying, destructive force, one rooted in both the principles of perpetual burning and the rebirth that came from fire.
This law was not only about destruction; it was about eternal persistence, about something that never ceased, always burning and regenerating.
As Brian focused, his understanding of his law deepened.
He felt the flames within him flare with more ferocity, their heat intensifying, pushing him past the threshold he had long struggled with.
Suddenly.
A surge of power broke through his body, his cultivation level shifting.
Brian aura rippled and expanded outward,
It was intense yet only continued to grow stronger slowly.
Brian didn’t know how much time he had spent in this state, but by the time he came out of it, he was a new man.
“So this is the realm of kings?”
Brian felt the power within him and couldn’t help but be shocked.
The energy coursing through his body was so strong that he thought it might be an illusion.
But it was real.
This was his power.
Finally.
After fifty long years, a king was born.
However, the joy of reaching a new realm could be celebrated later. To avoid further complications, Brian had to quickly stabilize his realm before anything else.
In that moment, Brian realized he had forgotten something important.
The city he was meant to protect…
Had already turned to ruins.
Michael looked at his surroundings with a frown.
He didn’t know how much time had passed, but the last griffin in his location had fallen to Lucky’s vines.
Unfortunately, the destruction caused by the battle had nearly leveled the community.
Though Michael made sure no one died, he couldn’t guarantee that they had a home to return to.
No.
It wasn’t only them.
Michael turned to look outside the community, his sharp eyesight seeing more than an ordinary human could ever perceive.
Above, the sky was still filled with flying monsters.
Occasionally, Michael saw them drag a living person up into the air, only to drop them.
With the destruction that had befallen Woodstone City, it was a wonder if anyone would have a home after this.