As the crow flew, Paraj was the closest city to the Five Cities Region's southwestern border, but that southwestern border was blocked by a danger zone known as the Hidden Predator Mountains. It was less dangerous than Malirin Forest since there was no beast lord occupying the mountain range, but it was inconvenient to travel through because it was infested by tricky evolved beasts and mutated flora. Many Masters from forces within the Five Cities Region had tried to clear the mountains for safe travel, but the creatures here were devious and would hide underground or within cave systems to avoid them. Unless there was someone strong enough to flatten these mountains, it was judged that it would be impossible to subjugate the area.
When the sun shone on Shui, who had been running through the night, the mountain range was in sight. He was starting to get used to the speed boost Alia gave him, but it would be difficult to move as swiftly inside the forest-covered mountains. He believed his two-day estimate was still possible; however, there was another problem left to be solved.
"So, what do you plan to do? I've recovered a good portion of my powers, but I'm still not strong enough to defeat that fallen alone, especially since it'll have become stronger than last time."
"Based on our previous encounter, even if I manage to recover, it won't be enough to affect the power balance. Our best bet is probably to improve my void flame."
"I agree. Fortunately, you still haven't truly touched the natural laws of fire yet, so once you do that, your flame should automatically grow more refined. However, with your soul in this condition, even if I were to spoon-feed you my comprehension of the laws of fire, you wouldn't be able to make much progress."
"..."
Indeed, that was the bottleneck. The enlightenment he experienced during the concert had helped him recover a little more, but his soul was still too damaged to seek the natural laws.
"Couldn't you make a version of my void flame if I told you how?"
"Hah! Don't you think I would have done that if I could? One look was enough for me to understand the principle behind your flame, but all I can make is a shoddy imitation. That's just the limit of spirits."
With the right materials she would be able to recreate Shui's flame, but she had none of the materials she needed, and it wasn't possible with just her own power. She had travelled thousands of worlds and learnt tens of thousands of techniques, but she was never able to overcome the fundamental limit of spirits.
As he heard the resignation in Alia's tone, Shui recalled something. He didn't know where he read it from, but in exchange for their exceptional affinity for certain natural laws from birth, spirits were unable to twist those laws. As a powerful fire spirit, Alia could likely make a flame as powerful as the void flame, but since the void flame relied on the four elements, she couldn't perfectly copy it.
"Of course, I could have still burnt that fallen to cinders if I had my full power, but only the Spirit Kings can use techniques profound enough to defeat the fallen without relying on pure might."
"So it comes down to me in the end."
With enough time, Shui believed he could heal his soul, but time was too precious a resource. Based on the information he received from the Artisan Palace, there should be no need to worry about civilian casualties since Silver City was evacuated, but that fallen could absorb vitality from the environment, so even if it stayed still, its influence would eventually affect the other cities. It would be best if the elders and lords staying behind could stop it; however, that creature couldn't be stopped with ordinary methods, so Shui wanted to be nearby to lend a hand if things went awry.
'If I want to make it back to Silver City quickly while repairing my soul, I'll have to use risky methods.'
"Alia, will you still be my partner if I use a demonic method?"
"I don't really care for those labels you humans use, but I hope you're not thinking of sacrificing people."
"No, I would never go that far. I know an essence-refining art that can strengthen the soul by absorbing remnant intent within fresh blood from the dead. If I use it on mutated flora and plant-type evolved beasts, I should be able to rapidly heal my soul thanks to its strong wood affinity. What do you think?"
Shui still wasn't comfortable sharing everything with Alia, but he was willing to trust her with information about everything except the divine inheritances he had.
"Hmm, it sounds plausible, but it's not like there are only plants in that forest. With a method like that, every non-plant beast you kill will slow down your recovery and corrupt your thoughts, and there will still be some corruption even if your aim is true. Are you prepared for that?"
"Unless you have a better idea, then yes."
"Very well. Charge ahead, my war chariot!"
"Hmm? Okay."
Once he was close to the foot of the mountain, Alia dispelled the speed boost so that Shui could control himself better. Shui summoned Sui and used his blood to inscribe the core of the demonic method he told Alia about. This way, the technique would be activated the moment the blade stole a creature's life. He couldn't spread his spiritual sense far, but waiting on Alia to alert him would be too slow, so he kept it at three feet around himself and sharpened his perception.
Shortly after walking up the mountain, something jumped at him from the ground. A split second before it reached him, Shui realised that it was a mole evolved beast, so he knocked it back with the pommel of Sui while moving forward. Next, he found the ground ahead covered in tree roots, so instead of stepping on them, he swung the blade through the surrounding trees.
"!!!"
Green sap and nectar spilt from the trees as they silently screamed. Mutated flora were normally far harder to kill than evolved beasts of the same level, but the demonic method that Shui used attacked the soul, so the plant didn't have the chance to recover. As its essence was absorbed by his soul, Shui could tell that his idea was effective, but there was still the remnant intent of the plant to be wary of. His wood-attribute soul could suppress it, but it could easily overturn the tables if he became careless.
"Okay, I can do this."
Meanwhile, above the emptied Silver City, there was a slowly growing crack in space. The only people in the vicinity were top Sky Realm experts and hidden Masters that had once made Silver City their base. All of them had hoped that the prophecy spoken of by Senior Inspector Han would be false, but the spatial crack shattered those hopes. Senior Inspector Han took the lead among them despite only being a peak Sky Realm expert, but the Masters were willing to comply because of the force he represented.
"It seems whatever is behind this crack will break out as soon as tonight. Describe our current forces, Mayor Argentwave."
"Yes, Senior Inspector. We have 5 revered Masters and 62 Sky Realm experts. 12 Sky Realm experts are currently within the city searching for additional anomalies, while the rest are with us here."
There had originally been more than sixty-two Sky Realm experts inside Silver City, but in addition to those with no permanent ties to the city, experts from the three major forces and the mayoral clan had also departed to watch over the youths of their forces. This was done with Senior Inspector Han's permission since he believed that a few Sky Realm experts wouldn't be able to make any significant contributions to confronting the upcoming crisis. That was where the five Masters came in.
There was a Master from each of the three major forces, with the remaining two being from the mayoral clan. In truth, the foundation of these organisations went deeper than this, but the other Master-level figures were either missing or stationed in the capital.
"Good. Be at ease, but stay alert. The situation could change at any moment."