Chen Tian watched the Firebreaker before him, realizing he had no way to defeat him.
At the same time, on Chen Tian's other side, Hydro and Fire Dragon Cloud had also begun their battle.
A colossal tremor resounded, drawing the attention of both Chen Tian and Firebreaker.
Nodding in unison, they then turned their gaze towards Hydro's battlefield, their own fight could wait. They needed to assess their teammates' situations first.
As Hydro and Fire Dragon Cloud clashed, Hydro unleashed a terrifying power. Fire Dragon Cloud exclaimed in surprise, "You've reached the peak of King-tier mastery! No wonder Firebreaker chose me to face you!"
Fire Dragon Cloud tensed his entire body as he looked at Hydro. The two were about to engage.
Simultaneously, Chen Tian activated his Divine Eyes, instantly grasping the information of both Hydro and Fire Dragon Cloud.
Water Element King Hydro
Race: Water Element Elf
Identity: One of the Water Element Kings
Level: 65
Health: 19610/19610
Constitution: 51635
Element: 26650
Strength: 96000
Speed: 9100
Skill Mastery: 52153
Armor: 600
Traits: Elementalization, Water Element Mastery, Water Element Fusion
Abilities: Special Frost, Extreme Cold Divine Ice
Skills: Water Curtain, Water Dragon, Water Dragon Ball, Drowning Seven Armies, Water Curtain Descends
Unlike the Hydro he had encountered before, Hydro was now level 65, a full ten levels higher. Chen Tian was curious how this was achieved, as leveling up typically required hunting King-tier bosses. How had Hydro managed it?
Chen Tian then noticed something amiss. Hydro's stats no longer listed the 'Water God's Art' skill. He questioned aloud, "Could it be that the Water God's Art can only be used once?"
Seeing Chen Tian's confusion, Firebreaker made no move to attack. The elf before him was peculiar, and he wished to observe further. If what that person had said was true, was this the one who could help him? This remained to be seen, as the information had been vague. He also needed to gauge Chen Tian's strength. Only those he deemed worthy would he follow.
Hydro and Fire Dragon Cloud locked eyes. In Chen Tian's view, Fire Dragon Cloud was level 70, but the five-level difference meant Hydro could still contend. Their gazes burned with fury – one for a slain brother, the other for a fallen kinsman. Both unleashed fearsome power.
Raging torrents and scorching flames erupted, instantly manifesting on their arms. Water currents coiled fiercely, while flames blazed intensely. Gentle streams of water contrasted with wild, reddened flames, painting the sky as their figures simultaneously surged forward.
Fists encased in water collided with fists wreathed in flame. The ensuing clash of water and fire elements created a massive energy reaction, with mist engulfing the entire area. A thunderous explosion followed, sending both figures reeling backward. Hydro retreated over ten meters, while Fire Dragon Cloud staggered back three steps.
"As expected of one who received the Water God's boon," Fire Dragon Cloud declared, looking at Hydro. "You are worthy of my seriousness."
"You are no slouch either. If not for the Water God's boon, I might not be your match. Perhaps I wouldn't even be able to withstand a single blow from you!" Hydro replied with relief. The Water God's boon was a special power granted by the Water God after the Water God's Art, capable of increasing Hydro's level or evolutionary mastery. Hydro had won against Fire Cloud with the Water God's possession, and the Water God's phantom, pleased, had bestowed this boon. This reward was entirely at the Water God's discretion; if they wished to bestow it, they would; otherwise, not. It was akin to gods who could grant any wish, but not all wishes would be fulfilled. Gods needed to observe, understand a person's character and contributions, and deem them worthy of a wish or reward.
Human desire is infinite, as are wishes. Fulfilling one leads to another. This is the nature of existence; one never reaches the pinnacle of the world. Only when you climb to the summit do you realize it was merely a small hill, with a grander mountain awaiting your ascent. Because Hydro's performance was deemed worthy, the Water God chose to aid him in increasing his level and elemental mastery. For a high and mighty deity, changing someone was easy, just as destroying them was. Deities acted purely on their whims, their arrogance stemming from their power, yet their strength was undeniable. Even with a five-level deficit, Hydro, having received the Water God's boon, could still fight.
Hydro roared, his eyes slowly opening, now filled with countless swirling water currents. He fixed his gaze intently on Fire Dragon Cloud. Chen Tian's expression changed. This was the first time Hydro had displayed a self-created skill; he hadn't used one against Fire Cloud. "Looks like I can research a new skill!" Chen Tian exclaimed joyfully. Observing battles of this caliber increased his chances of comprehending skills.
Then, the azure water currents around Hydro's body coiled like vipers, as if he were entirely enveloped in clear water. Inscriptions of azure symbols flashed and resonated on the swirling water. Fire Dragon Cloud, seeing Hydro's full effort, decided not to hold back. He unleashed a torrent of flames, which coalesced into a solid, fiery armor covering his entire body. His hands transformed into flaming claws. Curved spikes grew along his back, extending towards his legs, resembling a Spinosaurus.
With successive thuds, Chen Tian activated his Divine Eyes to discern the battlefield. The combatants were too fast for him to see otherwise. Hydro's fists, wrapped in water, formed azure gauntlets that then froze into solid ice. He unleashed a punch. Flaming claws shot out. Their attacks collided. Chen Tian raised his arm, a dark purple shield instantly appearing before him. The fierce shockwave struck the shield, pushing Chen Tian back several steps. In the center of the battlefield, Hydro's fists rained down like a storm, attacking relentlessly, as if he were fighting for his life. Fire Dragon Cloud was no different, his claws flashing with a cold glint, leaving claw marks across the sky. Both had chosen an all-out offensive, with no defense. The battle was now a contest of who could maintain their offensive rhythm faster.
Another massive explosion erupted. Chen Tian observed both combatants retreat. The water currents around Hydro began to mend, reconnecting and swirling around him again. Chen Tian inferred the skill's general function: the water currents, imbued with peculiar energy imprints, would help Hydro distribute damage and protect him, even repairing themselves if broken. He estimated the damage reduction to be around 15%. His assumption was correct. This skill was Hydro's self-created 'Waterflow Armor,' which allowed him to share incoming damage and reduce his own consumption. As long as Hydro's element value was sufficient, he could maintain it, only expending element value for repairs. Thus, Hydro didn't need to worry about depleting his element value while maintaining this state.
Fire Dragon Cloud looked at Hydro and declared, "Only one of us will survive today! And it will not be me! Perish!" His body was engulfed in a faint, blazing flame that soared into the heavens, dyeing the sky a deep red, like the last rays of a sunset. It was a beautiful sight. Chen Tian, captivated by the scene, brought his fingers together in a square, and with a click, a photograph was taken. He found the scenery beautiful and wished to preserve it forever.
Hydro watched Fire Dragon Cloud, his back erupting with a terrifying torrent of water, like a raging tsunami, as both charged their skills. Fire Dragon Cloud's flames formed a colossal, fire-breathing Saber-toothed Tiger, its massive, imposing form carrying fearsome flames towards Hydro. But behind Hydro, a terrifying tsunami surged, manifesting as curtains of water that obscured the sky like a vast cloth. Wave after wave crashed towards the fiery tiger, which charged forward towards Hydro.
Rumbling sounds and crackling echoed as the two attacks collided. Steam evaporated into the air. The fiery tiger, wreathed in flames, illuminated the heavens. The blue water curtain surged relentlessly. Skills: Saber Tiger Fire God's Wrath! Skills: Drowning Seven Armies! Their skills clashed, resulting in an explosion and a void, a swirling vortex appearing between their attacks. They looked at each other, surprised by the stalemate. Both had expected their full power to overcome the other. Yet, the battle continued.
In Hydro's palm, a tsunami vortex coalesced, transforming into an azure light wheel. Chen Tian clearly saw Hydro's element value plummeting towards zero. Chen Tian's expression was one of shock. Hydro was attempting to create a self-made skill, a desperate gamble! This was madness! If he failed, he would perish! "Hydro, I hope you succeed!" Chen Tian murmured with concern.
Hydro then threw the tsunami vortex, a light wheel carrying the surrounding water power, transforming into sharp blades, directly striking Fire Dragon Cloud's lotus. "No, you've already comprehended it! You comprehended it long ago!" a shocked voice emanated from within the lotus. But it was too late. The azure tsunami vortex, a light wheel formed into water blades, shattered the lotus. Azure light wheel, tsunami vortex, water blades, water droplets scattered across the sky, gathering but not dispersing! Skill: Water Wheel Destroying Vortex Kill!
The sound of a slicing light wheel filled the air, followed by an explosion. Hydro turned and fled as the explosion ensued. True men never look back at explosions! Hydro landed on the ground, utterly drained of combat strength. Chen Tian watched Fire Dragon Cloud's body fall to the ground, his health bar at zero. That final move had depleted Fire Dragon Cloud's health and armor completely. Hydro was in a similar state, his attributes reduced by more than half, and his level dropping from 65 to 45. Chen Tian looked at Hydro with elation; his Divine Eyes had shown that Hydro had comprehended a divine-tier skill. The immense damage inflicted on his own body had caused his current state. Firebreaker and Chen Tian exchanged glares. It was now their turn to duel.