Chapter 123: World Essence

Previously, Gune had 14 Secret Crossing Runes.

Now, Gune's Secret Crossing Runes have reached 22.

With the Witch-Death Staff, Gune possesses a high instant-cast capacity of 26 spell syllables.

The 24-syllable, 10-source-power Secret Pattern spell "Great Thunder Flame Curse" can now be cast instantly.

"This Great Thunder Flame Curse has now reached the sixth level, which is enormous."

"With each level, its power transforms and increases greatly. After these six transformations, the current Great Thunder Flame Curse's power is such that even if the Evil God's Daughter unleashes her divine power, I can blast her to death."

"It can be said that the threat of this Great Thunder Flame Curse now is such that any transcendent entering the Elemental Forbidden Land cannot underestimate it."

"It can be considered one of my trump cards, capable of producing miraculous effects in critical bursts."

"Both the main soul and the secondary soul are now extremely strong, enough to withstand the burst of the Secret Pattern spell for a short time."

"The Dark Inscription Arcane Channel can also be cast instantly, but instant casting is not very meaningful; more often, I need to hide in the shadows and then use its repeated syllables to enhance the spell's power."

"The release time of True Scale · Armor Guard has also been shortened to four seconds. After the demon's soul advanced to the sixth rank, releasing True Scale · Armor Guard no longer causes injury. Unfortunately, it can only be released once; the second time would suppress most of the soul to annihilation, and the spell cannot be cast."

"The successive reincarnations last time caused a sharp reduction in my source pool capacity. After months of supply from the Royal Sea Demon Tree's Deep Blue Source Crystals, my source pool now has 15,000 capacity units. In terms of spellcasting, I no longer need to worry about source pool capacity."

"Of course, more importantly, with the extensive use of Deep Blue Source Crystals, the absorption efficiency of my magic source pool for source power has greatly improved. The recovery of the magic source pool can quickly compensate for my magic source power consumption. Normal spellcasting hardly reduces source power; the recovery speed is enough to offset the consumption."

After finishing a review of his own strength,

Gune flipped his hand and took out the black stone slab.

"The techniques and methods of using Rune Essence." Gune rubbed the unremarkable-looking black stone slab, pondering inwardly.

After some thought, Gune constructed a catalyst channel to begin receiving the information within.

A large amount of various usage techniques for Rune Essence emerged in Gune's mind.

Gune absorbed these techniques and methods like a sponge.

As different usage techniques for various Rune Essences emerged, it was as if Gune had opened the door to a new world, filling him with great joy.

"The characteristics of Dark Essence, World Essence, and Destruction Essence are all completely different in usage."

"I previously used Essence by loading it with source power and other methods; I thought the use of Essence was far too simple."

"Destruction Essence needs to be activated and integrated into destructive spells during source power circulation, then released in the form of spells for better effect."

"It will fill the spell with irresistible destructive power, directly penetrating into the soul and even the physical body."

"If I had known this technique before, I could have easily destroyed that shadow with a dozen Small Thunder Flame Curses."

"But no rush; the Great Thunder Flame Curse imbued with Destruction Essence will have an even better effect."

"As for the Dark Erosion of Dark Essence, hmm... combined with my annihilation energy, it can be fully activated. Indeed, Dark Essence still needs to be paired with my Death Beast energy to perform better."

"Hmm... There are very few usage techniques for World Essence. Could it be that World Essence is difficult to comprehend?"

After more than half an hour, Gune finally finished receiving the inheritance.

After sorting through it in his mind, Gune began to deeply understand and learn these various techniques.

The Rune Essences that had been too profound to use before now, with the learning of these techniques, allowed Gune to make rapid progress in using Essence Runes.

Unconsciously, more than ten days had passed.

...

One day.

In a corner of the ancient ruins.

Sitting cross-legged on the edge of a stone staircase, Gune continuously released Magic Blade Curses one after another with slight finger movements.

Each Magic Blade Curse that flew out had different trajectories; some were fast, some slow.

Some traced a large arc in the air, some flew out and then returned before flying out again, and some moved forward like undulating waves.

Despite their different trajectories, all the Magic Blade Curses ended up falling into the pool of water about fifty meters ahead.

When they entered the pool, each Magic Blade Curse made a "hiss" sound, annihilating a small amount of water before disappearing.

Not far away, a male and a female Transcendent Master, seemingly tired from training, quietly stopped in the middle of a corridor, watching Gune cast spells.

After gazing for a while, they slowly withdrew their gazes.

"World Essence, Dark Essence, and Destruction Essence—three essences combined, though none are strong, achieving such a high degree of control over spells is rare." the female Transcendent Master said slowly.

"Clearly, this Gune Lawrence hasn't infused more essences into it; he's just practicing his depth of control over the three essences."

"When he can freely manipulate the Magic Blade Curse imbued with these three essences, that will be the perfect display of power at this level." the male Transcendent said.

"Yes, that's the truth." the female Transcendent nodded slightly.

Then, the male Transcendent Master's gaze fell on Gune.

"He's only at the fifth rank, yet he has already comprehended three Rune Essences, and judging by his control, only a small part of these essences is being revealed."

"I remember when I was at the fifth rank, I was still being chased by ice dragons in the northern ice fields. Back then, forget about Rune Essences; I wasn't even proficient in powerful Secret Pattern combat scriptures."

"And this guy is already training his control over Rune Essences."

"Comparisons are odious." the male Transcendent Master shook his head and sighed.

The woman chuckled softly.

"When I was at the fifth rank, my mentor locked me in the Source Tower, saying I wouldn't be released until I condensed the sixth density rune."

"Back then, I studied soul codes day and night, figuring out how to increase the intensity and quantity of mental power to condense the sixth Secret Crossing Rune and achieve instant casting of the six-syllable 'Ice Thunder Ball Technique.'"

"And this Gune Lawrence is using the eight-syllable Magic Blade Curse, cast instantly, to practice his control."

"Indeed, there are gaps between people, and they can be vast."

Both chuckled lightly as they spoke.

In their era, resources were scarce, and transcendent scriptures and professions were not abundant.

Times have changed, and the level of geniuses has naturally risen.

But no matter how things change, in this era of geniuses and even the birth of Star Sequences,

the genius named "Gune Lawrence" is undoubtedly the most dazzling presence in the new era.

At that moment, Gune, fully focused on practicing and enhancing his spell control, was completely immersed.

The three essences: World, Dark, and Destruction.

At present, Gune was mainly practicing World Essence.

Gune himself was a favorite of World Essence; any World Essence emanating from the world could be easily sensed by him.

What is the most important aspect of World Essence?

Everyone has their own answer, but Gune's answer is containment and control.

In my world, everything is under my control.

Of course, currently, Gune is weak while the essence is strong.

Gune cannot control the entire World Essence, nor can he control the surrounding world through it.

So what Gune needs to do is start by mastering spells.

When World Essence is infused into spells, and the spell and essence are perfectly controlled, a very peculiar scene will occur.

That is, within the spellcasting range, after Gune releases a spell, it will no longer be like before, where it was ignored after being thrown; instead, after release, the spell can still exist within the surrounding world.

Take the simplest example.

Previously, when Gune released a Magic Blade Curse, it would fly straight out; if it didn't hit the enemy, it would basically land on the ground far away.

Spells are one-time releases; if they don't hit, they're useless.

Most spells are like this: released once, useless if they miss.

But!

Now, using the containment of World Essence,

the numerous Magic Blade Curses released, under Gune's control, can quietly float within the world's range.

Even if Gune wishes, he can release hundreds or even thousands of spells and keep them around.

Within Gune's effective spellcasting range of 140 meters, he can contain all released spells.

Moreover, as long as they are within this 140-meter effective control area, spells will not disappear until they hit an enemy; they can continuously pursue enemies within this range until they strike.

Similarly, spells like the Great and Small Thunder Flame Curses, Soul-Fixing Ring Curse, etc., can all be condensed around.

Of course, Gune has not yet reached this level.

What Gune is doing now, continuously releasing Magic Blade Curses, is training his control over World Essence. When he reaches a certain level, he will naturally master it.

Condensing a spell without releasing it is simple.

Quietly forming a spell in secret is also simple.

But releasing a spell, keeping it under control around you without dissipating its power, and being able to freely control it to attack enemies—that is difficult.

Though difficult, with World Essence, Gune, who can control a part of the world, is fully capable of achieving this.

And this is precisely one of the directions of World Essence described by that "Saint Rank" powerhouse who became a god in the black stone slab.

Just as Gune was releasing spells,

"Whoosh!" A figure quickly landed beside him.

Gune immediately turned to look.

What met his eyes was the solemn-faced old wizard "Zul Eremen."

Seeing his grave expression, combined with the time spent here, Gune vaguely guessed what was coming.