CHAPTER 22: | THE EASTERN LORD
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The water flowed gently, yet the wharks that had watched us earlier now dueled with great fervor.
The impact of their clashes shook the depths, violently swaying the seagrass below.
Scales drifted through the currents, then blood exploded everywhere, painting the water a vivid red tint as their razor-sharp teeth ripped apart the flesh of their kin with ease, like cutting paper.
It was a barbaric duel.
I closed my eyes, pulling my focus inward, channeling the knowledge I'd gained from 'Morphological Mastery.'
Mana flooded my nerves, and my blood vessels surged in euphoria.
I felt the 150 units of mana wriggling inside me like worms of reformation, each one reshaping my very being.
Crack!
Pain struck my form, a searing agony as my flesh forcefully rearranged itself.
My bone structures shifted with a sickening crack, the sound echoing within the confines of my dissolving whale-like body.
The pain was immense, but as seconds passed, my form became more and more humanoid, shedding the bulk of my previous existence.
My whale-like shape was nowhere to be seen, replaced by something far more menacing.
It was more humanoid than ever, with hands ending in razor claws and feet devoid of nails.
Fins protruded from my back and arms, and a powerful tail extended from my tailbone.
Spots of white covered my new skin like the markings of a whale shark.
I licked my lips, as a new sensation struck my nerves.
Pain struck my jaws as they reformed into something menacing, more practical.
I felt it, it's no longer a nose, but a brutal, crocodilian beak, perhaps the same 'ugly face' as those draconians.
That others proclaim beautiful?
Forget it.
I call them ugly.
And they are, okay?
Forget their majestic visages or handsome impressions.
I alone am handsome in heaven and earth… though perhaps not right now.
But forget that for now.
What should I do?
Is using a claw technique my best option right now?
A huge chunk of my intellect and memories has been lost since I was judged by those universes.
Perhaps accessing the martial archive I've devoured is still a possibilities for me.
If I've guessed correctly, perhaps only up to Heaven tier.
Heaven tier was quite low compared to the techniques I've dabbled in, in the past, like those near the Ascendance.
There are 10 states of a martial arts technique, Mortal, Magical, Mystical, Earth, Heaven, Sun, Demonic, Forbidden, Ascension, and False Ascendance.
That's the limit for all, even those who chased me.
Or her… who was she that killed me?
Forget about it.
Based on the firepower, which I couldn't remember much of, it seems she used a 'False Ascendance' to bypass and cut me into numerous pieces.
Even the Disaster Incarnates could only use up to 'False Ascendance.'
It's quite sad, but it's the reality for all, since none has reached the state of Ascendance.
For they have deemed it impossible to achieve... but for me, it was possible because my existence itself only pursued that truth.
I am made to be an Ascendant.
I was not born from the Mother of All, but by the record of the countless, and devouring the countless, only then would I become an Ascendant.
But that would take me too long to achieve.
That's why I planned... and the plan?
Well...
I forgot it since my authority wisdom was lost.
So, I need to retrieve it first.
But now, I need to obtain power that could rival Disaster Incarnates.
But now, let's fight, shall we?
A grin curved across my lips as I cackled, the sound a guttural rumble from my newly formed larynx.
"Stop hiding, you dumb bitch!"
My bellow echoed through the water, hmm a satisfying roar.
A deep chuckle escaped from my throat.
I'd pretty much damn missed this handsome voice of mine.
My maw slowly opened as I gazed at the surroundings before me.
"Oh, I see... quite a splendid view we have here."
Mountain peaks protruded from the ocean floor, reaching towards the surface.
Lush vines hung from them, and patches of greenery covered the gaps of the cliffs and the areas above.
A serene view, indeed, but the coward hiding just on the horizon could be seen, ready to strike me at any moment.
"Perhaps he had heard of the greatness that I had shown in my early battle with the Northern Lord."
"Heh."
Not planning to come over here obediently, huh?
Then let me do this the hard way.
Gathering mana in my mouth to enhance my voice, I gulped a mouthful of water and air, a smirk appearing on my crocodilian face.
"Come out!"
Crash!
Debris hit the ocean floor as its colossal claws tore apart the rocks it had been resting upon.
It dashed forward, done with its stalking, as its form gradually becoming clearer, its maw opening wide.
But no sound came out...
"HOWWWLLL!"
Quite the response that I've never expected, but still within the range of predictable.
So now, it's your turn to die.
To become my nourishment.
To be nothing more than a stepping stone for me.
My claws tore through the currents, then an arc of white light flashing in and out of existence.
Crash!
Its bulky forearms took the brunt of my attack with ease.
"Quite impressive, but not enough."
My claw struck once, then twice, then blurred into a flurry of attacks as scales could be seen flying across the water.
A smile bloomed on my face as the being before me, was a little bit taller than me in stature, was covered in a black exoskeleton, took the brunt of my assault.
Its slick waist, its draconian face, its horn twisting towards the sky, all screamed for attention.
It didn't block my attack.
As a smirk could be seen blooming on its face as it opened its maw, filled with razor-sharp teeth.
"HOWWWLLL!"
It let out a howl as it pushed back, and its iridescent golden eyes gleamed with a light of amusement.
Snap!