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And as he started getting those Skills to higher Levels the boost they provided became more ridiculous albeit only applicable in very specific circumstances

The other Yggdrasil Skill was Architecture of Yggdrasil One method he considered to boost YggdrasilÆs power was to revamp the complex runic symbols that covered the whole of the World Tree This Path would hopefully push him in that direction

Meanwhile Shadow Beyond the Threshold would focus more on the Stillborn Phoenix Specifically Randidly hoped it would improve some of his ability to predict and anticipate which was the only reason that he hadnÆt been blasted to oblivion by whatever strange being possessed TechetadoreÆs body Although the Swacc Family seemed now to be on the run for hiding the Skull of Truth Randidly couldnÆt help but suspect that this wouldnÆt be the last time he fought against RaymundÆs brother Both his future prediction Skills tingled in anticipation at the thought

Shal too RandidlyÆs expression shifted into something guilty and pale as he saw ShalÆs slumped shoulders He clenched his hands into fists Although fighting was the way he taught me to communicate perhaps a dialogue is what I need to reach him

The final Path he considered was the one related to Cutting Tides of Amenonuhoko which would hopefully consolidate his combat related abilities Honestly this was the Path that tempted him the most but the possibility of it spawning its own image made him hesitate This amalgamation toward a Skillset needed to be handled carefully

For several seconds he shifted between the three options Yggdrasil Stillborn Phoenix combat Skills With great hesitation he eliminated the Stillborn Phoenix option from contention That was a reactionary choice his current Grim Intuition and Skills had already proven effective He didnÆt need to improve them further The other two aimed at improving his own strength

Finally Randidly selected the Yggdrasil option And in turn he decided not to finish the general Architecture of Yggdrasil and instead just complete the specific Skill Paths Mostly he appreciated that he would be able to finish both of those Paths at once whereas the Violent Currents would take over half of his remaining PP He started with Genesis the Considered which earned him 1 Wisdom and 1 Resistance for every 20 PP he spent

Congratulations You have completed the Genesis the Considered Path Before the Great Seed sprouted there was nothing The infinite grey stretched in all directions How long did that seed lay dormant It is impossible to estimate But it is beyond doubt that all that has occurred since the World Tree bloomed is a split second flash compared to the primordial emptiness As you proceed down this Path you manage to capture the slightest hint of that timeless weight and momentous alteration The substance of your gaze grows strong

She frowned over at Randidly after she had steadied herself Trying to start a fight

Satisfied with the evolution of his Skill Randidly hid a smile and shook his head No I think we are done here ItÆs time to return to the Nexus and make sure we arenÆt missing too much

Instantly ClaudetteÆs expression became serious He could see her wrestling with what their return meant they had improved about as much as they could expect to before Don BeigonÆs party assuming it would still happen Now that the Nexus was coming to pieces it would be much more difficult for her to slip away and put so much effort toward improving her abilities At the same time Randidly was worried about interacting overmuch with Don Beigon before he knew what he wanted with his favor

But all thatÆs for later Randidly told himself as he pulled out his PhilosopherÆs Key Claudette floated over toward him and waited for him to open up a portal They proceeded through and found themselves in a stretch of empty space filled with cosmic dust To their left was a floating camp of the Elite Squad but the vast stretch below them

What happened here Claudette whispered looking down

RandidlyÆs frown steadily grew He hadnÆt forgotten all about the issue of Don Beigon binding the Frost Matriarch but he figured that offending all the Pinnacle Seekers was not worth whatever contributions he could earn by turning her into Military High Command The best option was that she would quietly leave and he could honestly say that she was more powerful than he was and escaped

She vanished alright taking all traces of her planet with her Not even pebbles or tiny bits of ice were left in her wake

Likely she fled Randidly said IÆll explain

But before he could continue to speak they were both struck with an inexorable urge to raise their heads and peer in a very specific direction For a brief moment time and space didnÆt seem to matter Both responded instinctually to a sudden presence the feeling was like a window being opened and sunlight shining on their skin Randidly licked his lips and his heartbeat quickened

His eyes narrowed

The Nether King had opened a door to the Path to the Pinnacle but he had only stayed within for a short amount of time and come out without causing much of a stir Randidly suspected that the Path to the Pinnacle was only a means to an end for him Meanwhile this

Someone is attempting to reach the Pinnacle Claudette said with awe in her voice the issue of her teacher forgotten This image

Why does it feel so vaguely familiar Randidly wondered

But the next instant his senses were overwhelmed by similar impressions each tied to a different sensation Four new images echoed outward as others made their bid to seize the Pinnacle on the heels of that leader

The second after that eleven images radiated outward muddying the waters even further

And in the third second a horrifying monstrous pressure that Randidly definitely recognized revealed itself Elhume was on the move making a beeline toward one of the attempts to reach the Pinnacle

Chapter 1798

With a surprisingly delicate tinkling the second barrier shattered Another blast of primordial air puffed out to fill the central area In its wake the undulating plant body of the Patron of Blooms rolled forward generating in Edraine the sharp desire to stumble backward out of the way She immediately suppressed that desire studying this second Patron carefully and standing her ground

Especially now These concentrated unyielding targets were excellent practice for her image

The Patron of Blooms took a deep breath and stretched her creaking limbs Oh my Oh oh the restrictions of the Sanctum make it difficult to see everything around us but I can sense some things The Nexus has certainly fallen to pieces while IÆve been away havenÆt they

Velio DunnÆs expression darkened Elhume continues to make a mockery of the original goal

Shush child IÆm busy thinking The Patron of Blooms waved her hand and blessedly Velio didnÆt continue through one of his anti Elhume rants The thorny vine creature seemed to be considering Small strands of plant matter twitched and tightened keeping her person in a state of constant motion Now my children eh This my home planet is Oh but I sense several strong wait why canÆt I Has everything truly been lost

As her muttering became softer Edraine could feel the PatronÆs image shifting erratically The powerful chaotic impulses wracking her mind were so intense that they leaked beyond the bounds of her body and spread out through the air Edraine pursed her lips If nothing else releasing these powerful individuals ones who seem to be slightly tainted by the edge of madness from their incarceration should distract Elhume for a fair amount of time

But it would be foolish to believe that there wonÆt be unintended consequences now that they are at liberty

Velio looked at the Patron for several seconds while she continued to whisper quietly to herself Then he turned to look at Edraine LetÆs take a short break to recuperate and then we can proceed to the next Patron Based on the reaction I believe the Patron of Blades should be

Yes yes IÆll leave this place to you too I have some small matters to take care of The Patron of Blooms interrupted suddenly done with her whisper monologue She waved her fingers at Edraine and Velio and then strode for the door thick vines slapping against the stone ground and pulling her forward Edraine glanced at Velio and raised her eyebrows