53 The Anguish of the Defeated

In the mountains north of the Strafhmapton territory a man walked through a forest, wherever he passed gigantic beats made way, some of them cowered and ran, and others approached the man with their heads low.

He was barefooted and wore a robe made of plants, the grime all over his body made him look like he didn't take shower for months, from time to time he talked, yet, if anyone was close to him, they would think he was crazy, as there was no one talking to him or responding his question.

He kept walking north until he sensed something, he turned south and saw a colossal fire pillar on the horizon. -" What is happening? Its looks like it's occurring in my home?" The man had a frown on his face. " Is this a Greater Elemental?" The man waited as he gazed at the air next to him as if was waiting for a response.

-" This doesn't make sense, how can a Greater Elemental appear there? I never encountered this rift." The man was worried about his family. " I need to go there, if a Greater Elemental descends, all the surrounding areas will be destroyed." The man kept staring at the air. " I know that we need to go to visit Vinestump, but, something like this can't be ignored." Traces of annoyance appeared on his face. "Sod, even Saline agrees with me, we need to investigate this matter now!" The man kept arguing alone as he walked in the direction of the fire pillar.

On another distant mountain, Magnus Lewin was sitting in his abode, he played with a flower in his hand as he thought about Philip's visit and the expedition to his territory, the worry on his face was evident. -" I just hope that Madeline is safe, but I can't keep letting Ector lock her like this." Magnus gave a heavy sigh. " Yet, I shouldn't interfere in this matter too heavily, Roseen is already angry with me."

As the man wallowed himself in pity, the flowers in his hand suddenly started to tremble, Magnus had the flower for years, but, it never bloomed, he tried to keep it near every type of treasure, yet, it was all in vain.

-" Why is the Dream Sunflower blooming?" Magnus's shock was enormous, the Dream Sunflower was a mythical flower, her supposed origin was from the Elementals Plains of Fire, Igneos. " The myth tells that the Dream Sunflower only blooms when it witnesses the birth of a Greater Elemental." Magnus mumbled his words as if he didn't want to believe what was happening.

-" Will a Greater Elemental truly descend? Magnus was anxious, he needed a way to bloom the flower, the descent of a Greater elemental was something of legends, so he never thought this would happen. " Looks like I won't need that treasure after all." As Magnus prepared to go where the Greater Elemental was descending his face paled.

He looked in the direction of the energy, a fire pilar was taking over the skies, the pilar looked like another sun rising. Sweat poured all over his face as noticed. " Isn't it in the direction of the territory of Philips? Fuck, I hope Madeline is safe." Magnus rushed out, he didn't even bother to tell anyone he was going out.

As the two men headed towards the fire pillar, Seth the Left Guardian of the Heigong was staring at it too, he needed to obtain the treasure, so he decided to stay close to the battlefield in case of an unexpected situation. -" I was right in coming too, What is happening there? Did Magnus come?" Seth looked with interest at the Fire Pilar.

-" I will first focus on the treasure, if he came things will be complicated." Seth had a grin as he started to fly towards the treasure. " Anyone who stays in my way of obtaining this will face death." Seth's eyes flashed with fury, deep in his iris gleams of purple could be seen.

Philips was staring at Luckas who kept screaming without end, He could feel that Luckas wasn't in any danger physically, but, he was suffering great mental strain. Philips felt helpless as he watched the young man suffer.

At his side, Paul was feeling even worse, as he lost control of more and more parts of his fire, he was losing life essence too. For a Cultivator of the Heigong losing life essence was their most dread nightmare. After sensing how he was losing control even more of the fire he decided to cut his connection to it.

Paul began to absorb the little he still had control over, however, when he began to absorb it he became desperate. The fire was resisting him, even the part he still had control of began to act frenziedly. Paul's eyes were full of bitterness, he knew that he needed to cut the fire completely, losing him decades of Vital essence he cultivated.

As Paul cut his connection with the Vitality Consuming Fire, his transformation ended, and the sudden decrease of his vitality made his strength weaken. Paul now could barely be considered an Immortal Soul Cultivator.

Philips noticed Paul's aura dropping, as he couldn't help Luckas his current situation, he decided to finish Paul, after all, it was better to do something other than just watch the youth wallow in despair.

Paul now looked much older than before, his hair even turned white, he tried his best to run away from Philips, however, his speed now was way slower. Philips reached him easily and thrust his spear.

An enormous ray of white aura shoot from his spear and closed on Paul's back, seeing that the attack would hit him, he tried to use his wings to block it, but, the aura shattered Paul's wings as soon as it hit.

The white ray completely engulfed Paul's, Philips didn't stop and swept his spear sending one aura slash towards Paul. Paul felt anguish, this was supposed to be the Heigong grand reentrance into the world after hiding away for so long, yet, he was defeated.

He looked over the fire pillar and Philips, he regretted setting fire to the camp, if he hadn't lost control over his flames he was pretty confident of winning the battle against Philips. Paul conformed himself, even if the Heigong was victorious in the other battle, he wouldn't share their glory, he was only left with the shame of losing.

Paul crushed a jade white stone and his body started to dissipate. Philips saw this and grinned. -" Oh, A Space Rendering Stone? You must be quite the coward to bring it to the battlefield." Philips mocked Paul as he slowly vanished from the area.