CHAPTER 222: ASCENSION

He channeled emotions—passion, courage, and determination—drawing upon his deepest understanding of Fire. His sword flared vibrantly, fiery red aura now firmly enveloping its edges.

[Yes, Master! You did it! That’s the Fire Sword Aura!]

The Echo pressed forward, striking heavily, yet Orion now stood his ground confidently. Their blades, infused with opposing auras, clashed repeatedly, causing brilliant bursts of light and energy to scatter across the coliseum.

Despite this newfound mastery, the Echo remained formidable, its enhanced physicality and Earth aura continually pressing Orion back.

Yet Orion now moved much more calmly, precisely calculating each defensive maneuver. He slowly adapted, redirecting strikes with increasing ease, waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity.

Lumi continued her spirited support, each cheerful word fueling Orion’s calm resolve.

The moment finally came.

The Echo lifted its blade slightly higher than usual for a mighty downward blow. Orion instantly recognized the vulnerability, immediately reducing the weight of his obsidian sword to its absolute minimum.

With astonishing speed, his blade blurred forward, effortlessly piercing through the gap beneath the Echo’s raised weapon before he raised the weight of the sword to the limit that he could handle.

His sword struck true, puncturing straight through the Echo’s armored chest and into its spectral heart. Time seemed to slow momentarily, silence reigning as the Echo’s eyes looked at Orion with deathly calmness.

"You fought well," Orion whispered lightly, withdrawing his sword smoothly.

The Echo’s figure began dissolving into shimmering motes of golden light, a faint yet acknowledging nod appearing briefly before its visage faded completely.

Orion exhaled deeply, feeling the tension drain from his muscles as adrenaline subsided.

[I knew you could do it, Master! You were amazing out there! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧]

Orion chuckled lightly, slight exhaustion and triumph mixed in his voice. ’I honestly didn’t think I’d master the Sword Aura today, Lumi. This victory... it feels even better than I expected.’

His heartbeat slowed, satisfaction washing over him. He stared thoughtfully at his blade, observing the now-fading crimson aura. ’There’s still so much to learn, and more levels to clear.’

[And Lumi will always be cheering you on, every step of the way! (≧∇≦)/]

Smiling warmly, Orion looked upward as another teleportation circle gradually appeared beneath his feet, softly glowing in anticipation.

"Let’s see what awaits next," Orion said confidently, looking forward to see what he would encounter ahead as the teleportation soon took him to the next floor.

As the glow of teleportation faded, Orion found himself standing on the fifty-first floor, a vast battlefield covered in a thin, silvery mist.

Beneath him lay polished marble tiles etched with unfamiliar ancient runes, faintly shimmering beneath the translucent fog. The arena stretched outward endlessly, encircled by colossal marble pillars, their surfaces cracked yet sturdy, wrapped in emerald vines.

’Oh? The floors started to become fancy now?’ He noticed while looking around.

Shaking his head, he stepped forward confidently, his obsidian sword shimmering subtly. Opposite him, a towering armored warrior materialized, bearing a spear engraved with shimmering wind runes.

Orion tightened his grip, immediately surging his mana into his blade. The crimson aura of fire bloomed, empowering each strike. The Echo lunged, spear slicing through air currents with lethal precision, aiming directly for Orion’s chest.

Clang!

Their weapons clashed fiercely, sparks cascading brilliantly through the misty arena. Orion’s Dragon Instinct flared, guiding him through complex maneuvers, dodging the spear thrusts narrowly and retaliating decisively.

Though the warrior was stronger and faster than previous foes, Orion’s fire-infused strikes kept it at bay, systematically weakening its guard until a decisive strike ended the confrontation swiftly.

Floor after floor, Orion advanced steadily, encountering increasingly intelligent Echoes. By the fifty-eighth floor, the foes began demonstrating remarkable adaptability, predicting and countering Orion’s strategies with unsettling precision.

Reaching the sixtieth floor, Orion paused momentarily, taking a calm breath. The floor transformed into an expansive, lush forest, sunlight streaming softly through towering trees whose massive branches formed an emerald canopy overhead.

Moss-covered stones dotted the clearing, exuding vitality and serenity. Orion felt Wood mana humming gently through his surroundings, resonating harmoniously within his Sea of Consciousness.

In front of him appeared a warrior whose entire presence radiated gentle, yet unyielding vitality.

The Echo, a slender yet firmly built figure, held an elegant curved sword that pulsed steadily with Wood Elemental Sword Aura—a luminous emerald radiance manifesting life and resilience.

"Wood Aura," Orion muttered appreciatively, sensing the inherent balance between aggression and defense in each subtle shift of the Echo’s stance. Curiosity and anticipation built within him.

They clashed fiercely, swords meeting again and again in fluid, rhythmic motions. The Wood-affinity Echo moved gracefully, each strike flowing naturally into the next like branches bending gently yet firmly under strong winds.

Orion carefully analyzed each movement, gradually recognizing the elemental pattern: harmony, balance, endless adaptability.

’I understand it now,’ Orion realized silently. ’Wood Sword Aura is quite different from Fire Sword Aura. I... need to try something different...’

Carefully channeling his Wood mana, Orion visualized vibrant vines entwining his blade, granting resilience and adaptability.

Gradually, his sword began radiating an emerald glow, mirroring the Echo’s. Empowered by this newfound comprehension, Orion met the Echo’s blows effortlessly, mirroring its elegant adaptability.

After an exhaustive exchange, Orion finally found an opening. Swiftly deflecting the Echo’s blade, he executed a decisive slash, dispersing his opponent into shimmering green fragments.

Breathing deeply, Orion admired the lingering emerald aura around his sword.

[Wow, Master! You comprehended the Wood Sword Aura so quickly! It’s beautiful! (^▽^)]

’Of course, who do you think I am?’ he joked.

[Hehe, of course Master is the best! ＼(≧▽≦)／]

He chuckled inwardly and continued, ’The Sword-Aura Resonance Stone laid a perfect foundation; without it, mastering these auras would’ve taken far longer.’

[Indeed, Master! That stone was incredibly precious!]

Thinking about his remaining Thunder Sword Aura, Orion pressed onward. Floors gradually blurred together, each presenting progressively more cunning and formidable adversaries.

On the sixty-ninth floor, Orion encountered a Thunder-element swordsman—a fierce, imposing figure with storm-gray armor crackling with electricity.

Their blades collided with devastating intensity, sparks exploding chaotically across the stone platform.

Each exchange felt perilous, the Echo’s blade strikes as swift as lightning, every blow vibrating dangerously.

Observing the Echo’s ruthless speed and overwhelming force, Orion concentrated fiercely, visualizing Thunder mana coursing through his veins and sword.

His mind recalled the violent beauty of a tempest: relentless, powerful, unstoppable.

With an electrifying surge of comprehension, a blazing electric-blue aura erupted from Orion’s blade, crackling furiously.

Empowered by newfound Thunder Sword Aura, Orion’s speed and destructive force rose dramatically. The Echo struggled against Orion’s amplified power, ultimately succumbing to a decisive strike that shattered its form entirely.

Standing amidst fading sparks, Orion exhaled deeply, feeling profound satisfaction.

’Phew, Thunder Elemental Sword Aura Echoes are really more troublesome than even those Echoes who have mastered dual Elemental Sword Auras.’

[But all are nothing but wet kittens in front of Master!! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ]

He couldn’t help but chuckle at her relentless fangirling. ’And Thunder Sword Aura truly matches me the best,’ he said, acknowledging the unrivaled destructive capability inherent in his affinity.

[It’s incredibly powerful, Master! You’re unstoppable now! (≧◡≦)]

’Maybe,’ Orion chuckled softly, ’But without the Sword-Aura Resonance Stone, even a single Sword Aura would have required weeks or months to grasp fully. Its effect is astonishing.’