Chapter 263: Kill-Steal
The massive explosion and elemental disturbance did not just force the Rank Three Red Bladed Lizard King to emerge, but also caused tens of thousands of various pyro elemental creatures to surface.
The number of pyro elemental creatures emerging on the surface of the lava river might appear daunting at first glance, but they were actually forced to surface due to their inability to withstand the recent elemental impact.
The elemental blasts that occurred encompassed a broad spectrum of elemental magic, including pyro, geo, hydro, cryo, and others.
Among these was a talented Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, skilled in the “rock” magic, which was a derivative of geo magic.
The mage played a crucial role in solidifying and hardening the molten lava in the Red Molten River’s central area.
Sein only realized how little he knew after participating in an interplanar war.
While his mastery of the rare, dual-elemental Solar Eye spell was impressive, it was just a glimpse into the vast world of elemental magic. Many full-fledged mages who spent centuries unraveling the profound mysteries of magic made greater achievements than Sein.
Even Sein humbly recognized that his knowledge paled in comparison to them. It made him aware that there was so much more for him to learn and master.
The environmental change caused by the recent explosion and resulting elemental disturbance had indeed forced the pyro elemental creatures within the lava river to rise to the surface.
Of these, the most formidable were the hundreds of creatures as powerful as high-level magic beasts in the Magus World.
Those that were about as strong as intermediate-level magic beasts or weaker had largely been incapacitated by the explosion and subsequent elemental shockwaves.
Even the stronger creatures showed signs of disorientation and weakened condition.
Among the pyro elemental creatures that emerged, the Red Bladed Lizard King, surfacing in the midst of the Red Molten River drew the attention of the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.
Towering over thirty meters, its formidable size was an unmistakable display of its dominance over its domain.
In fact, this Rank Three Red Bladed Lizard King was revered as a sovereign in the Red Molten River. It commanded the allegiance not only of the numerous pyro elemental creatures within the river but also the territories flanking its fiery banks.
Ironically, despite its stature and power, the Red Bladed Lizard King found itself hiding in the depths of the river due to the overwhelming force of the Magus Civilization’s invading army.
Despite its retreat into the depths, the Magus Civilization's Legion was relentless, determined not to overlook any potential threats during the early stages of their campaign.
In the initial phases of their campaign, the army’s strategy was unyielding—no formidable native creatures would be overlooked or spared.
The Magus Civilization would only consider showing leniency toward the native beings after they had fully secured and conquered this low-level plane, and particularly when creatures of Rank One and above ceased their resistance and hostility.
After all, even when rearing livestock, one would ensure they were well-fed for better yields. Yet, the time for such benevolence was not yet at hand.
While roaring, the Red Bladed Lizard King’s body swelled dramatically, reaching an immense size of nearly a hundred meters.
White vapor billowed from the gaps between its scales, seemingly increasing the Red Molten River’s temperature.
Confronting the Rank Three creature were two equally formidable Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.
Rank One mages like Sein had wisely maintained a safe distance from the heart of the battlefield.
His current strength was no match for a skirmish of this magnitude, and being there would just be a suicidal act.
Although Master Lorianne had given him a pack of Viridescent Seeds for protection, Sein was reluctant to use them recklessly. He had no intention of risking his life either.
From the edge of the battlefield, Sein noticed the Red Bladed Lizard King sporting a clearly fractured horn on its head.
It made sense to him now why the creature sought refuge deep within the Red Molten River.
“Master Gandos from the Divine Tower of Verdant Flame must be a peak Rank Three grand mage,” Sein surmised.
Dean Empyrean seemed to have also noticed the Red Bladed Lizard King’s fractured horn and suggested, “Let’s end this battle quickly, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring can’t afford to lag behind.”
Meanwhile, the war airship in the sky above unleashed energy beams and rained destruction upon the emerging pyro elemental creatures that surfaced on the Red Molten River.
The war airship constructed by the Magus Civilization was equipped with formidable combat capabilities and served more than just transportation for the army.
Its main cannon could pose a significant threat to even Rank Three creatures, while the side-mounted secondary cannons were effective against Rank One and Two creatures.
As the intense battle unfolded, countless pyro elemental creatures surfaced from the depths of the Red Molten River and along its banks.
Sein’s immediate focus was a peculiar pyro elemental creature with three pairs of thin wings, resembling a winged insect.
The defensive capabilities of this particular pyro elemental creature far surpassed those of the Rank One Flame Salamanders Sein had previously encountered.
His Solar Eye beams, six in total, struck the creature but failed to penetrate its robust scale armor.
The metallic clang that ensued was an indication of the Flame Beetle's exceptionally strong defenses.
Fortunately, Sein’s Solar Eye spell could unleash multiple beams over multiple rounds.
While six beams proved ineffective, a volley of thirty-six ultimately breached the creature’s defenses.
The resulting dozen visible, smoking wounds significantly impaired the Flame Beetle’s stability in the air.
Throughout the skirmish, the Flame Beetle launched its own counterattacks, spewing flames and hurling metallic needles toward Sein.
Thankfully, most of these attacks were intercepted by the enslaved creatures at the frontlines of the Red Molten River battlefield. Those few projectiles that did reach Sein were easily deflected by his protective magic shield.
As Sein readied a burning verdant colored Explosive Fireball in his hand.
He was about to test out the product of his recent research, when an unexpected red-orange magical beam shot past him. It struck the already faltering Flame Beetle, piercing through its head.
The Flame Beetle plummeted into the scorching depths of the Red Molten River below.
Due to its unique constitution, the intense heat of the lava did not consume the Flame Beetle.
Curious about the source of this sudden assist, Sein glanced in the direction of the red-orange beam. He spotted a Rank One mage clad in yellow robes, who surprisingly had not even lowered his magic rod.
In the midst of the chaotic battlefield, Sein pondered whether this act was an intentional kill-steal.
He chose not to dwell on this minor incident, nor did he rush to retrieve the Flame Beetle’s carcass from the lava river.
Instead, he launched the verdant fireball in his grasp toward the back of a nearby pyro elemental creature.
The creature was currently engaged in combat with another Rank One mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. The sudden assault caught the creature off guard, eliciting a raspy hiss before it tumbled downward.