The Evolution of a Goblin to the Peak

In Zone 5...

Roar!

Li Guan unleashed a roar and swung the baton in his hand. Spatial Whisperer skillfully evaded it and delivered a forceful strike to his stomach.

"Your released form is rather unconventional, enabling you to exchange blows with me. Your regular form is too feeble, but this unleashed state is a different story. As expected of the descendant of the Monkey King. It's formidable, but there must be a drawback, correct?"

Spatial Whisperer launched another strike.

Bang!

Li Guan crashed to the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Cough!

Li Guan had reverted to his normal form. He breathed heavily, his body riddled with wounds. His released form was unique, a gift inherited in part from his deity. However, he couldn't maintain it for an extended period, even though he had reached the peak of the fourth stage.

While his released form allowed him to contend with opponents of higher levels, he could only sustain it for one minute, lest his monster orb shattered. No amount of training could change this limitation. Even if he were to reach the fifth stage, the same constraint would apply. His deity, the Monkey King, had explained this to him. Only upon reaching the monster lord rank could he address this issue.

That's why, during his earlier battle against the Wingless Crow expert, despite being at a disadvantage, he refrained from employing his released form. Shen Yao had even assisted him in eliminating that expert.

Huff!

Li Guan remained on the ground, observing Shen Yao as she battled Poisonous Vine and Spatial Whisperer on her own. His capabilities were limited to inflicting injuries on Poisonous Vine, leaving the rest in Shen Yao's hands.

Suddenly, he widened his eyes and turned his head to the side.

"This... the Blood Lightning Monster?! His aura is nearly akin to that of a fifth-stage monster! So, this is the might of the strongest fourth stage!"

In Zone 10...

Genzu and Black Blader halted their battle, simultaneously turning their heads in a specific direction. Both of them sensed an exceptionally oppressive energy.

"This... Souta!"

Genzu identified the distinct energy signature.

The foreboding energy radiated in every direction.

Asfrith, Adel, and the others also perceived the surging energy. They couldn't resist turning their heads toward the location of Souta's battle. Even their opponents directed their attention to the space above Zone 6.

"This power..."

"How is this possible...?"

"The Blood Lightning Monster exceeded his reputation..."

A few moments earlier...

"I can sense that you possess skills that dampen my abilities... However, I am strong. There's little you can do. The [Colosseum Undead Party] lowered others' elemental powers, except for my own," Boulder Jack declared.

His assault enshrouded Souta's form, releasing a dark smoke imbued with immense energy. All the trees were reduced to ashes, and a profound silence settled over the entire area.

Thud!

Souta collapsed to his knees. His white armor bore multiple holes, from which blood continued to flow.

Cough!

Souta expelled a mouthful of blood and seated himself on the ground. His aura steadily waned, and his elemental energy appeared feeble, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

Souta remained on the floor, his gaze fixed on Boulder Jack.

'Damn, I only wanted to engage in some diversion until the Tears of Divine Might appeared. Who would've anticipated this man using his full power right at the beginning?' he lamented inwardly.

That had been Souta's initial strategy, but it appeared increasingly improbable now. His original intent had been to let others battle one another first, yet this individual appeared resolute in seeking his demise.

"Remember, it is I, Boulder Jack, the Insanity of the Earth Tribe, who will be the one to end your life," Boulder Jack proclaimed, extending his hand toward Souta. Energy coalesced from the apertures encircling his arms, poised for a fatal strike.

Souta lowered his head and smiled, retorting, "Then, you shall be the first to face your demise. Fendal couldn't even force me to resort to this."

[Monster Orb Release]!

In an instant, his expression turned cold, and an overwhelming surge of energy radiated outward, enveloping the entire area. A faint silhouette of a woman materialized behind him, wielding the sword.

[Possession]!

The malevolent energy surged like an unrelenting tide, threatening to obliterate everything in its path. Simultaneously, two artifacts floated beside him, emanating formidable energies: the [Burning Ring Seal] and [Goblet of the Night].

"I'm done..."

Souta's voice echoed as his earrings emitted an eerie light. The mournful cries of souls filled his ears, and his aura underwent another profound transformation.

Boom!

A colossal sphere, merging both darkness and light, materialized above Zone 6. It engulfed the entire rocky platform and the surrounding space, consuming everything in its interplay of light and shadow.

The other experts within Zone 6 found themselves on their knees, overwhelmed by the tremendous pressure. It was an oppressive force, and they struggled to maintain their composure.

The soaring energy was felt by nearly everyone in the country.

Within the sphere of dark and light...

Souta shook the corruption from his body, his white armor swiftly repairing itself as he confronted Boulder Jack with his colossal form. Dark and light elements surged through his body, radiating in all directions.

Behind him floated three artifacts, each emanating a distinct color. The [Orb of Arcane Seal] emitted a white light, the [Burning Ring Seal] radiated red, while the [Goblet of the Night] remained entirely dark.

Thud!

Souta took a single step forward, the floor beneath him cracking under the force. He stood before Boulder Jack, fixing him with cold, unwavering eyes.

"You should consider yourself honored. That pathetic Fendal only managed to force me to utilize Blood Armor and two of my artifacts, yet you..."

His voice carried a tinge of annoyance. Souta was a little bit irritated. Initially, he had no intention of killing this man. He simply wanted to bide his time and enjoy the game. After all, he knew that Blood Armor alone wouldn't be enough to defeat Boulder Jack.

Li Guan had been the first to go all out, a strategic move since he was the weakest among them. His unleashed form could only inflict injuries on his opponent to lighten the burden on Shen Yao's shoulders. Speaking of Shen Yao, she was starting to reveal her true prowess as she battled a formidable opponent. However, the rest of the team had yet to expend their energy.

Boulder Jack instinctively took a step back, his gaze locked on Souta's transformed appearance and aura. "Y-You... How is this even possible...?"

Souta raised his sword, and strands of flesh enveloped it, reshaping the blade to match his current size. His voice resounded with determination, "Do you truly wish to be the first to claim victory over a top expert in this war? Then, you shall be the first to meet your end!"

Boulder Jack sensed the impending danger and swiftly retreated, causing branches of trees to sprout from the ground.

Whoosh!

With a single fluid motion of his blade, Souta sliced through all the branches, reducing them to fragments. He propelled himself forward with a powerful kick off the ground, closing the gap between him and the retreating Boulder Jack.

Gritting his teeth, Boulder Jack knew that this monster was indeed on another level. He leaped into the air, and pillars materialized, unleashing dozens of energy beams.

Souta sneered, waving his hand to manipulate hundreds of crimson webs in the area. The webs effortlessly disintegrated the energy beams, granting Souta the opportunity to continue his pursuit.

In a matter of seconds, Souta caught up to Boulder Jack. He delivered a swift kick to Boulder Jack's stomach before swinging down his sword.

[Crimson Moon]!

Simultaneously, the four spider limbs on Souta's back discharged [Bestrou].

Boom!

A colossal explosion rocked the entire platform, shrouding the area in smoke and dust.

Whoosh!

Boulder Jack emerged from the dissipating smoke, his figure coming into view. Cracks marred the surface of his right arm, which he had employed to block all of Souta's attacks.

"This can't continue... This monster is a dire threat," he muttered to himself, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

Souta's abilities—strength, speed, energy, and skills—all had undergone a tremendous enhancement. The situation was far from a joke; it bordered on the absurd.

Boulder Jack halted and glanced upward, observing flames descending from above. They enveloped a vast portion of the area, leaving him with no alternative but to confront them head-on.

"Even flames...? No, these flames are connected to that ring floating beside him! Damn!"

Gritting his teeth, Boulder Jack braced himself as the deluge of flames descended upon his form, attempting to consume him in searing fire.

"Argh... Lure Play, Hundred Flowers Corrupting Bloom!"

A protective field of energy enveloped his body, mitigating the damage inflicted by the flames. Subsequently, countless flowers bloomed on the ground and ceiling, emitting an enigmatic energy.

"Burn!" Souta paid no heed to the flower's effects as he invoked the equipment skill of the [Burning Ring Seal].

Boom!

In an instant, the flowers detonated simultaneously, causing the entire platform to tremble violently. Massive cracks appeared all around, and elemental forces of earth and wind burst forth from the ruptures.

The dissipating smoke swiftly cleared with a sweeping wave of energy. Suspended in midair, a colossal red sphere materialized. It gradually unfurled, revealing Souta's form within.

"You persist in resisting! Your strength is truly remarkable to bring me to this point. Regrettably, your fate is sealed," Souta declared.