CHAPTER 1709: BLOOD MOON ECHO

Death almost claimed him today.

Succeeding in the Altar of Gods trial didn’t go as smoothly as he had anticipated.

Rex knew that it was going to be impossibly hard; he had decided to go through with the trial with that in mind, but that’s still an understatement. He thought that with the tricks up his sleeve, he would certainly pass the trial.

He was wrong.

But nevertheless, he survived—all thanks to one thing he overlooked.

"Minor Outstification... I forgot I had that in me." Rex looked at the subtle but profound mana swirling inside his core. It was the power that negated a big chunk of celestial energy and allowed him to survive the trial. "Maybe it’s time I forgave those two Demon Lords and turned them into proper Werewolves."

Upon entering the Spirit Realm, all of his powers are locked, other than the ones from the System.

Even his King Marks were locked, only turning into Soul Artifacts after the conversion.

It happened because of the fundamental difference between the two realms.

No matter what, beings that crossed over the two realms will experience a change to their powers.

However, the Minor Oustification wasn’t a mere power.

Rex didn’t know for sure, but the Minor Outsitifcation is tied to his divinity, which meant it was tied to the realm where the Gods resided. Surely, that kind of power would not be influenced by the nature of the lower realms.

"Hmm, I hope they didn’t die because of this." Rex thought aloud; his face blank.

Since the Minor Oustification took a portion of the hit, the force should be produced somewhere else.

And Rex hoped that the entire Rastrikan Demons weren’t dead because of it.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they did, but it would be tragic.

"I’ll deal with it after I come back, for now..." Rex waved his hand like he was summoning something.

Just then, a brilliant crimson sphere emerged from the fissure and settled before him.

It was the fully established Blood Moon Echo.

Unlike before, when it had merely taken the shape of a crimson sphere with swirling energy within, the Blood Moon Echo now showed striking changes that immediately caught Rex’s attention. Firstly, its body had become denser, its hue deepening into a solid, radiant crimson like a miniature of the actual Blood Moon.

Second, there are three luminous rings orbiting around it, each rotated in its own flow like Saturn’s rings.

And lastly, the Blood Moon Echo seemed to be bleeding—dripping blood from the bottom.

But the blood vanishes as it fell about half a meter away.

Notice: the Blood Moon Echo has passed the rank of Altar of Gods!

Congratulations, the Blood Moon Echo has achieved the highest rank of power!

...

Blood Moon Echo

Rank: Altar of Gods (Original)

Description: An Original Echo created by Rex Silverstar, forged with stolen power from the Lunirich God of the Blood Moon, Kaiser the Scarlet Garland. It will provide all blessings—a Werewolf obtained from the Blood Moon to the Soul Artifact it was assimilated into, and also provide a big portion of the Blood Moon’s godly power. It has three layers, but the third layer is eight layers combined into one to seal the enormous power of the Blood Moon properly. Perfect for Absolute Attack-type or Hybrid-type Soul Artifacts.

...

"Cool..." Rex read the description and nodded. "It has my name in it."

He was pleased to see his name written in the description of a powerful power source like this.

One day, even if the Blood Moon Echo fell to someone else, they’d know that it was from him.

And they’d also be Kaiser’s enemy instantly.

Rex stood there motionlessly as he read the description, while also suffering through the process of his wounds recovering. Due to the celestial energy, regenerating the inflicted wounds takes more time than normal—a lot more time than normal.

His flesh convulsed and throbbed as it slowly mended the wounds.

Just then, however, he noticed a presence above.

Rex made eye contact with Kei Xun, who was looking at him with clear shock depicted on her face.

It’s like she was watching the most shocking thing in her entire life.

At the sight of her, Rex whipped around, his heart pounding in his chest like a war drum about to burst, so hard that it hurt. Every breath scraped his throat. He was spent—utterly drained. Blocking the blood sphere took everything out of him, leaving his body trembling and defenselss.

He couldn’t fight anymore... not even if his life depended on it.

His body needed a day to rest, or perhaps days.

Going into conflict with Kei Xun right now would not be anything but bad.

She—and I are under a temporary agreement, but that’s when we’re both at peak power. It was a weak and unsustainable agreement between us two. In truth, we’re basically at a cold war. Now that I’m weak, won’t she attack me right now?

Rex gritted his teeth.

Even though he would be knocked over by a light push right now, he can’t show weakness.

Come on, Kei Xun. Isn’t our relationship growing better now? Don’t ruin it.

"Kei Xun, are you enjoying the view from up there?" Rex asked, trying to sound as calm as he could.

Speaking loudly hurts, but he has no other choice.

Kei Xun didn’t answer.

She only stared at Rex silently—nobody could decipher what she was thinking inside her mind.

Of course, Rex took this silence as bad news.

Just then, to his surprise, Alana stepped forward and stood between Kei Xun and Rex.

"Pardon our intrusion," Alana said politely—clasping her hands neatly in front of her stomach. "Please do not misunderstand—we’re merely here to witness your achievement. And since we’re here..." She glanced briefly at Kei Xun before amending herself with a graceful smile. "Since I’m already here, let me extend my congratulations on your success. May the future grant you even greater prosperity."

Once she finished her part, Alana turned to Kei Xun.

"Divine Saintess, I believe the matters here are done. Shall we?" She asked.

Kei Xun clenched her jaw and eventually turned and disappeared into fragments of golden light.

Seeing this, Alana breathed in relief from the way her shoulders slumped.

She cast one last smile at Rex, and then crumbled into fragments of golden light, too.

Rex stared at where those two were before and scratched his head in confusion.

He was sweating bullets out of worry that Kei Xun might use this moment to attack, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. "Hmm..." Rex contemplated, not expecting it to go this smoothly. "She didn’t attack? Is this her gesture to show me that she’s on my side? But she looked angry."

If he were in Kei Xun’s position, he’d probably attack and be done with it.

And Kei Xun was also not the honorable type, so she ought to attack, but she didn’t.

Odd.

Either way, it was a relief that it ended this way.

"By the way, who’s that girl? She wears the same attire as Viora, but better. A high-ranking priestess?" Rex sneered a little at the contrast between Viora—and Alana. "She’s a lot more reasonable than Viora. She’s clearly helping me earlier by stepping up. Whoever you are, you have my thanks."

Averting his attention away, Rex stared at the moon above.

Even now, the Black Rift still hadn’t recovered, and the starry sky was still visible through the massive hole in the sky. Rex tilted his head—speaking of trouble, he remembered something, "Kaiser doesn’t seem to be in the mood for being chatty today. Is he going to take it like this? He lost to me again."

Regardless, Rex focused back on the Blood Moon Echo.

He rubbed his hands in anticipation.

Or at least, he was rubbing his hands in his mind as his right arm was non-existent.

"Now... Shall we absorb this beautiful thing?"

Notice: For passing all of the trials of the world, the Creator Blessing is starting...

Rex looked at the notification in surprise, but then, a breezing energy began to seep out from the earth.

Before he could react, a torrent of energy burst forth from the ground and swirled around him, or rather, around the Blood Moon Echo—like an unstoppable cyclone. It then shot into the echo, infusing it with more and more power.

All Rex could do was watch as the blessing continued.

Crack!

Soon, as the Blood Moon Echo absorbed the energy, Rex saw that one of its rings was cracking.

Based on what he knows about the rank above the Master Immortal Spirit, one would need to break the layers of their assimilated Echo to grow stronger. And now, the first layer of the Blood Moon Echo was being shattered automatically without him needing to do anything.

But then again, this wasn’t surprising.

I’m the one who created the Echo, achieving no spirit alive was able to achieve. I expect good things.

Splash!

As soon as the first layer shattered, the Blood Moon Echo’s glow reached a new level.

It became spectacularly beautiful.

Notice: the Creator Blessing has broken the first layer of the Blood Moon Echo!

Notice: the Creator Blessing is ending!

Now that it was finished, Rex immediately extended his arm and summoned the Red Dawn of Kaiser.

From the description of the Blood Moon Echo, it was perfect for an absolute attack-type Soul Artifact, so Rex decided to assimilate it into the Red Dawn of Kaiser as it’s an absolute attack-type. A Soul Artifact made through the King Mark and an Echo made through stolen powers from Kaiser.

It’s 100% a match!

Assimilating the Blood Moon Echo...

Rex placed one foot behind him and anchored himself as the Blood Moon Echo moved.

It hovered towards the Red Dawn of Kaiser, and then began to dissolve.

The Blood Moon Echo melted, its once-solid form liquefying into thick streams of crimson that dripped slowly onto the Red Dawn of Kaiser. Each drop struck the weapon with a soft hiss, spreading like veins of molten blood across its surface.

Rex watched in silence; his breath caught between awe and unease.

Awe as he could tell he would break through to the next rank with this, and unease for the force it might generate. At this moment, a light push would send Rex to the ground, so he wouldn’t be able to anchor himself if the process turns out to be overwhelming.

As the scarlet essence seeped into the life-energy refined metal, a deep, consuming red color spread.

Rapidly, the corruption spread like a living thing claiming its vessel.

It turned every inch it touched into something far more sinister.

Not only was it rapid, but it was also unstoppable—a creeping tide of power that refused to be denied.

Despite its intensity, thankfully, the force wasn’t violent—it did not lash or roar. Instead, it pulsed with deliberate heaviness like the heartbeat of an ancient beast. Rex could feel the Red Dawn of Kaiser rising in temperature, heating his entire hand with a bite.

But Rex endured it.

Compared to what he experienced earlier, this was nothing.

"Arggk...!"

Rex grunted in pain, as this should be nothing, but his body is really sensitive to pain right now.

But amidst that pain, he could feel the strength flooding into it.

He felt the Red Dawn of Kaiser drinking the blood like a starving beast.

And when the last of the Blood Moon Echo finally dissolved, a deep hum resonated through the air.

Once, twice—the Red Dawn of Kaiser shuddered before its claws extended, becoming longer, sharper, and far more menacing. Blood-red light coursed along its edges, as if veins had formed beneath its steel skin.

With a final pulse that echoed through Rex’s bones, the process was complete.

Congratulations, the Blood Moon Echo has been assimilated into the Red Dawn of Kaiser!

Congratulations, the user has broken through to the Eternal Spirit rank!

Notice: the user has gained access to the Blood Moon Genesis: Ravenous Maw of Magna!

Inheritor of the Blood Moon achievement has been completed!

200 million gold and Weaver of Madness have been rewarded!

Race Evolution Quest has been completed!

"Oh...? I got more rewards than I expected."