Leveling up the World

Chapter 864: Stone Circle and Water Islands

The word sent shivers down Dallions spine. He knew that at some point hed have to face them, but this was far too soon. He had only started building up his domain. A major encounter with a world power would quickly see all his efforts snuffed away. At best, hed have to retreat back into the imperial capital. At worsthe wouldnt have a chance to.

How many? Dallion asked.

A small island, the spectral shardfly replied. A few islands.

Dallion suspected that island didnt have the meaning he was used to. Right now, that was irrelevant. Facing several groups of nymphs changed his calculations. No longer could he afford to fly over the mountain.Finnd new chapters at wuxiahere.com, use all the illusions you can and keep them occupied, Dallion ordered. Gem, I need you here.

No sooner had he given the order than a purple jellyfish popped into existence.

Yes, boss. Its aether form vibrated, forming words.

Wrap around me! I want you to amplify my spell as much as you can.

Wrap, boss? the aetherfish asked, confusion emanating from it.

Like Lux does.

Ah, boss Lux.

Without a second thought, the aetherfish flew onto Dallion. Its large form surrounded him, like a giant piece of aether armor. Of all familiars, this one was the only one that remained low level. Vast amounts of magic threads were necessary for its growth, causing Dallion to leave it for later. Now, he regretted his decision.

Seconds crept on. Gems presence had increased the speed of Dallions flight spell, making him move faster in Gleams direction. Even so, it would be at least five minutes for Dallion to get therefar too long.

Adzorg, what was the portal trick furies used to move clouds faster? he asked, on the verge of completing his modified ray spell.

Very dangerous, the old mage replied. You need a clear sky, nothing blocking you, and a lot more endurance thans healthy.

Good, Dallion split into two hundred instances. So, Im all set. Gleam, create three light beacons at an angle, he ordered. Make sure they point at the same spot, then fly out of there.

I cant do everything at once, the familiar replied with a note of annoyance.

You have five seconds.

A tilted beam of light emerged in the distance. It was quickly followed by a second, and then a third.

Perfect, Dallion thought. Now, he had a rough idea of where the enemy forces were. All that remained now was the final blow.

Astreza, Berennah, Centor, Dararr, Emion, Felygn, Galatea, he recited the names of the Moon instead of counting. That marked two seconds more than he had given Gleam.

Here goes, he cast his spell.

In all instances, a beam of light, amplified manyfold by Gem, shot out from the spell circle in front of him, flying towards the invisible point in which all three of Gleams lines of light would have converged. A strong smell of ozone filled Dallions nostrils as the beam scorched the air, then flew through the mountain, creating a perfectly round hole.

How many did I get? Dallion asked. As he did, he felt someone try to force his instance on a particular one.

Nice try, Dallion pulled back. A tug of war took place. Each side was determined to bring forth their reality. Dallions proved stronger.

Half, he told himself, repeating what Gleam had mentioned. There was a time when that would be considered a huge success. In the current circumstances, Dallion found it half more than he would have liked.

Wasting no time, he followed Adzorgs instructions within his realm, casting a series of portal spells, flying through them. The landscape sped by him in chunks, as if hed acquired a power-up. The process was draining and recklessly dangerous. In dozens of cases, his instances crashed into the mountain, dying in the process. All that was necessary was for one to make it all the way through and one, or rather several, did.

A wide valley extended before Dallion, scarred by the ray of destruction he had just cast.

Thanks, Gem, he said. Good job. Return to my realm.

The aetherfish glowed and shimmered for a few seconds before popping out of existence. Its work was done. There was no further need to put it at risk.

Same plan as last time? Harp asked.

The odds are best. Dallion replied, extending his magic threads over his body.

The water spires beneath him broke up into projectiles, all flying in his direction. They were countered by a series of spells from the nymph guardian. Although no mage, she had the innate ability to do that much, as well as the combat skills to hit any target.

Water crashed against water, filling the sky with splash explosions. The resulting spray of droplets flew in all directions, slamming into Dallions aether barriers.

Several of the water islands were getting dangerously near, approaching at the speed of a flight spell.

Is this a trap? Dallion kept on combat splitting. If he were in their place, there was a lot he would have done differently. Maybe they had been ordered to rely on stealth and thus avoid attracting Emperor Tamins direct attention? If so, that was a huge mistake on their part.

Summoning three clay cylinders, Dallion smashed them to bring forth three aether echoes. That represented his entire reserveunlike other complicated spells, echoes remained limited to his traits. From what he had found, three was the optimal number, each containing the equivalent of a third of his magic level.

Four Dallions moved together in close proximity, then darted off in different directions. Two went straight for the nearest water island, while the other two continued flying towards the ground.

Harp, can you take on an island? Dallion asked.

The nymph gave him a look that combined uncertainty and disagreement.

Just checking, he quickly added.

The island isnt the problem. Its more important whos on it.

I thought you could defeat anyone.

I cant.

Well, thats not something youll have to worry about.

Thousands of water projectiles launched from the ground, stretching to the side to create a protective shield of water. It was safe to say that the nymphs had figured out what Dallion was planning and were doing everything in their power to stop him.

Too late. Dallion grabbed the Nox dagger floating by him, then performed a series of line attacks. Black threads hit the shield of water, slicing it into chunks. That was not all. Cracks formed on the waters surface, causing it to lose its solid form.

Dallion didnt even slow down, relying on Harp and his instances to find a way to the ground. At his current speed, the crash was going to be significant. Then again, he had the perfect solution.

You better not say I didnt pick up any tricks from you, grandpa, Dallion thought as he struck the ground with his fist.

REALM CREATION

A green rectangle emerged.

Name the Land you wish to create.

Stone Circle, Dallion said.

You have created the Land of STONE CIRCLE Level 1.

You have full control of the Land of STONE CIRCLE.

A mountain colossus has been made the lands guardian.

Defeat the guardian to change the lands destiny.

Mountain colossus? Dallion thought. Nice. Very nice.

Of all the guardians he could have received, that was an almost perfect choice. Dallion would have felt awkward if it had turned out to be another nymph or a scylla.

Okay, big guy, time to level you up a bit. Dallion smiled. Then well engage in some domain ruler combat.