As Mara stumbled backward, her eyes widened in alarm, she realized that Vin's aura had transformed into something primal and ancient. The air around him rippled with an otherworldly energy, like the very fabric of reality was bending to accommodate his presence.
Within Vin's body, the battle between the Hell Phoenix and Jade Dragon bloodlines raged on. The golden Jade dragon essence, infused with the power of the Dragon Pearl, resisted the devouring ability of the violet-colored Hell Phoenix bloodline. The two bloodlines clashed, their energies locked in a struggle that threatened to tear Vin's body asunder.
Tharros's voice echoed in Vin's mind, "Focus, kid! You need to control the bloodlines, or they'll destroy you from the inside out. Use your consciousness to guide them, merge their energies, and forge a new path."
Vin's consciousness delved deeper into his body, seeking to tame the warring bloodlines. He envisioned a crucible, a vessel where the two essences could merge and transform. The image solidified, and the bloodlines began to converge, their energies swirling within the crucible.
The golden Jade dragon essence, with its inherent connection to the Dragon Pearl, began to imbue the violet-colored Hell Phoenix bloodline with its power. The Phoenix bloodline, with its devouring ability, started to break down the Jade dragon essence, assimilating its strengths.
As the merge progressed, Vin's body began to glow with an intense, pulsating light. His cells transformed, his meridians expanded, and his aura grew stronger. The repulsive force surrounding him intensified, pushing Mara further back.
Mara's eyes locked onto Vin, her concern mixed with awe. "What's happening to him?" she whispered to herself.
Zara, still within the Jade Abyss, sensed Vin's transformation. She appeared beside Mara, her gaze fixed on Vin's glowing form. "He's undergoing a bloodline fusion," she explained, her voice filled with wonder, although a little bit shaky.
Although not perfectly she had, due to her her bloodline being special, she had learnt to speak her thoughts ahead of time, instead of waiting till she reached Core Formation Realm.
But this was all due to Tharros whom she had met in the Jade Abyss, he had helped her unlock her vocal cords for easier communication, although it would still take a while before she can talk fluently.
"The Hell Phoenix and Jade Dragon bloodlines are merging, creating something new, something powerful," Zara continued, her eyes shining with excitement. "This is unprecedented. The potential outcomes are limitless."
Mara's concern deepened. "But is it safe? Vin's aura is becoming increasingly unstable.", although within her she was still shocked that Zara could now talk, but she was more concerned about Vin's wellbeing for now as that has taken priority.
Zara's expression turned thoughtful. "The fusion process is inherently chaotic, but Vin's consciousness is guiding the merge. He's harnessing the power of the Dragon Pearl to stabilize the transformation."
As they watched, Vin's body continued to glow with an intense light. The air around him rippled and distorted, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate his growing power.
Tharros's voice echoed in Vin's mind, "The fusion is progressing well, kid. Your bloodlines are harmonizing, forging a new path. But be warned, the aftermath will be crucial. You must stabilize your energies and solidify your connection to the Jade Abyss."
Vin's consciousness focused on the crucible, guiding the merging energies. The golden Jade dragon essence and the violet-colored Hell Phoenix bloodline swirled together, their powers intertwining.
Suddenly, the crucible exploded in a blaze of light, releasing a massive surge of energy. Vin's body trembled, his aura expanding exponentially.
Mara and Zara shielded their eyes from the intense light, feeling the ground tremble beneath their feet.
As the light faded, Vin stood before them, transformed. His eyes gleamed with an inner fire, his presence radiating an aura of ancient power.
"Vin?" Mara called out, her voice laced with caution.
Vin's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with intensity. "I...I can feel it," he said, his voice low and husky. "The power of the Dragon Pearl, the strength of the Hell Phoenix and Jade Dragon bloodlines. It's coursing through me, urging me to unleash its full potential."
Zara's eyes sparkled with awe. "You've succeeded, Vin. You've forged a new bloodline, one that combines the strengths of both."
"No, i didn't forge a new bloodline as there wasn't any need to, my bloodline has successfully absorbed and assimilatws the Jade dragon essence, and evolved on its own" Vin stated as he clenched his fist.
A crackling sound rang out, like the snapping of bones, the pure physical strength in his physique was nothing to scoff at, as it was insane.
Tharros's voice echoed in Vin's mind, "Well done, kid. You've taken the first step toward true mastery. Now, stabilize your energies and solidify your connection to the Jade Abyss. The journey ahead will be treacherous, but with this newfound power, you'll be unstoppable."
Vin nodded to himself, his gaze turning inward. He sensed the vast potential within him, waiting to be unleashed.
As he began to stabilize his energies, the Jade Abyss responded, its power surging through Vin's veins. The realm's inhabitants, the creatures born from the fusion of the Pearl's power and Vin's life force, gathered around him, their forms shifting and flowing like liquid.
The darkness gathering outside seemed less daunting now, as Vin's newfound strength and the power of the Jade Abyss pulsed within him. He knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was ready to face them head-on.
With Mara and Zara by his side, Vin stood resolute, prepared to unleash his newfound potential upon the world. As they stepped forward, the shadows outside began to stir, responding to Vin's increased power.
The ground quaked and cracked under his feet as he walked, it would take a while before he would be able to get his new found strength.
But one thing to note was that only Zara was walking closely with Vin at the moment, while Mara was walking a little bit further away. This was because Vin's body was still releasing Phoenix might, and he still had no idea how to stop it.
Tharros had told him that he would naturally be able to control it when he got a hang of his current strength, as this was just a side effect.
The Phoenix might was very oppressive to anyone who got close to Vin, and in the case of Mara who was weaker than Vin, it was worse since she was human and didn't have any substantial bloodline.
Zara was protected from its effects since she was intricately connected with him, as his contracted companion this was one of the benefits.
Seeing Mara walking alone, Zara went to keep her company, now that she was able to talk, she wanted to learn to be fluent in it, and besides she had a lot of things she wanted to talk about, girls talk as she called it.
Vin seeing this just shook her as he decided to communicate with Tharros "Is there a reason you help unlock her vocal cords" he asked amused.
"What, you don't like it, I thought you would be happy that you're now able to talk to your companion, besides she was the one who requested for it anyways" Tharros scoffed.
"I never said I didn't like it, let's just forget about it, is there any other thing valuable within this region?" Vin asked, he was ready to go for another adventure.
"You are quite greedy you know, you already got the greatest treasures within two regions and you still want to fight the others for scraps." Tharros mocked in disdain.
His words caused Vin's face to turn beat red, Tharros was right, he got Zara a Hellhound from the Deadlands volcano and now the Dragon Pearl from the Dragonspine Mountains so he shouldn't be greedy.
His next destination would now would be the Tower of Trials in the center region. It was time to show those peak geniuses who is boss.
His physical prowess wasn't the only thing that had increased exponentially, his cultivation was now at the ninth stage of the Spirit Sea Realm, the very peak of the realm, and he was only one step away from the Sea Expansion Realm.
***
Meanwhile deep underneath one of the four surrounding regions, the Evil Ghost swamp, in a hidden chamber deep underground, gathered the forces of darkness, and at the forefront of them stood a figure whose body emitted pulsating forces of dark energies.
"So this is what it feels to breakthrough to this realm, my strength seems to have multiplied by a hundred times." Midwak said, his grating voice sounded as he clenched his fist, releasing a cackling sound.
The rest of the hooded figures led by Nelly went on one knee and genuflected immediately as the congratulated their master on his breakthrough.
"Congratulations master, in attaining a new realm" Nelly's petite voice declared.
"Congratulations master, in attaining a new realm" the rest of them chorused.
"Hhn. It is time, let's see how the geniuses of this era is, compared to my great self." Midwak stated.
****************