Chapter Eighty-Six: Evolution Island (Part Twelve)

“Evolution?” Arnel gave a bitter smile. “The Isle of Evolution... that man...”

As if a taboo had surfaced in his mind, he did not dare speak further. Luo Hanya’s eyes flickered; he knew these matters touched upon secrets, and even if he asked, Arnel would not tell him.

“Honorable Lord of Aman, I wonder whether you might help me evolve once more.” Luo Hanya asked sincerely. “You see, if I am too weak, wouldn’t that be bad for rescuing you?”

The words sounded perfectly reasonable, but to Arnel, an ancient being with endless life who had long since become a spirit of cunning, the meaning was immediately clear. “Hmph! So that’s it—you want to squeeze me for more, is that it? Pity. I truly have no star power left now. That sliver just now was my last strength.”

“You think you can get away with empty-handed robbery?” Luo Hanya clearly did not trust Arnel. “If you renege afterward, wouldn’t I end up with nothing?”

“I swear on my honor! And even then you still don’t trust me?” Arnel’s voice turned cold, revealing nothing of his emotions.

“Honor? What is honor worth! You’ve lived this long and still believe in such childish nonsense?” Luo Hanya replied with disdain.

“Interesting. How do you know I’ve never believed in such things? I came to slay the fire demon for the sake of humanity. It seems you have a very poor opinion of me?”

“Opinion? Not really. But I can tell what sort of person you are.” Luo Hanya said, “I’ll give you a saying from my own dimension: don’t act like a whore and still set up a memorial arch!”

“You!” Arnel’s tone sharpened. “You little brat! I don’t know how you saw through me, but I really cannot spare any star power for you.”

At first he sounded irritated, then he laughed softly and said indifferently, “Since we’re both sensible people, let me make things clear. I have nothing else to give you now, but I can teach you some other things. Still, I am curious—how exactly did you see through me? I’m certain I gave away no flaw.”

“Mm-hm. How I saw through you is my secret.” Luo Hanya laughed heartily, though inwardly he scoffed. “Though all you can teach is knowledge, I’m not some heartless man. Fine, I’ll make this losing bargain!”

In his heart, he sneered, What a supposedly brilliant elf sage, what a cunning old monster—didn’t I just bluff once and make you spill everything? Hahaha! I really am wise and mighty!

“Kid, don’t take advantage and still act innocent. It’s not unreasonable for me to teach you, but how are you going to make me believe you’ll save me?” Arnel said gravely. “All your concerns, I have as well.”

“Mm-hm? Concerns?” Luo Hanya said carelessly. “Believe it or not. I like to think of myself as a proper gentleman. If I accept your benefit, I’ll naturally do the work for you.”

“Is that so? Then let us simply part ways. I’ll use the last bit of my strength to make enough noise that the fire demon will finish you off, and I’ll continue waiting for the next person to arrive.” Arnel changed his tone and said with a smile.

“Fine! Then go ahead and wake the fire demon, if you can! Stop spouting off and actually do something! I’m never afraid of death!” As he spoke, Luo Hanya even raised his middle finger at Arnel and made a bizarre expression, shaking his head with all the smug mockery he could muster.

The reason Luo Hanya was so brazen was simple: he truly was not afraid of death. After all, this was only a death game; he had not encountered any special bond here. At worst, he would just start another round.

Arnel was silent for several seconds, then laughed. The laugh sounded somewhat grating. “I had forgotten. For visitors from your higher dimension, death is merely another form of return.”

“Good that you know it! Hurry up and teach me your knowledge already! If you drag this out any longer, I might change my mind!” Luo Hanya was overjoyed. Only at this moment did he fully understand what it meant for the barefoot to fear no one with shoes. He was like a little thug, swaggering triumphantly before an elf who had no power to retaliate.

Arnel said no more. Once again, a thread of starlight lit upon his body. Luo Hanya was dazzled by it, sensing within that light endless mysteries.

Respected player, congratulations on comprehending Advanced Elven Magic.

Name: Advanced Elven Magic

Effect: Greatly enhances perception of all things under heaven and earth. All manner of spells can be cast at will, and skills may be created independently.

Remark: With Elven Magic fully mastered, one comprehends heaven and earth, sun and moon; a grand master of magic indeed.

You have obtained the skill Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.

Name: Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix

Skill Type: Active

Skill Rank:

Effect: Summons a hundred birds, condenses a fire phoenix, and deals a fatal blow to your opponent. Once used, the skill cannot be reversed and will consume one hundred percent of the user’s mana and stamina.

Remark: A desperate final strike that leaves both sides ruined. Condense the power of a hundred birds, forge the heart of a fire phoenix, burn and boil the four seas, and erase all directions.

Luo Hanya stared in shock at the system prompt, a surge of heat rising in his chest. He had never imagined that the knowledge Arnel spoke of would be so astonishing, actually granting him advanced elven magic. He had to know that among the repositories of knowledge he had unlocked so far, none had reached the advanced level. What was more, this advanced knowledge even granted him the ability to create skills on his own. It meant that a whole new world had opened before Luo Hanya—not merely learning the skills left behind by others, but creating them himself. Clearly, this was a qualitative leap.

And the skill passed down to him was precisely the one he had seen in that shaft of light and shadow: the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix that, once Arnel unleashed it, had instantly annihilated the seemingly invincible fire giant! A skill of this tier was also the first such skill Luo Hanya had ever encountered. Though it was a last-ditch technique meant for life-and-death struggles and could only be used in special circumstances, it was unquestionably a trump card of the highest order.

“Anything else? Is that all you’ve got? You’ve lived so long, and this is all the knowledge you can teach me?” Luo Hanya licked his lips and threatened greedily. “If that’s it, I won’t agree to save you.”

“Hmph! Foolish fool. If I were to teach you all my knowledge, you would be driven mad in an instant by my vast ocean of learning! I have lived for thousands of years and accumulated wisdom beyond measure—how could a spirit as fragile as yours possibly bear it?” Arnel replied with scorn. “Wait until you become stronger. Greedy little wretch.”

Luo Hanya froze. Before he could react, a pain that seeped straight into his soul erupted abruptly. “Ah—” Luo Hanya clutched his head with both hands, instinctively about to cry out in agony.