[Your comprehension defies the heavens. The heavens have taken notice of you and are angered at your defiance of the natural order!]
The moment the purple energy erupted from his body; it began devouring the pure energy constantly being converted by the vast formations surrounding Grey.
As the energy was absorbed, it transformed into the same radiant purple, merging seamlessly with the devouring force. One by one, the energy flowed into Grey's body.
Buzz!
A hidden lock within him clicked open, as if a barrier that had long restrained him had been shattered. The purple nexus energy surged into his dormant energy pathways, awakening them one by one, forging a channel toward his abdomen where his core energy field resided.
The nexus energy coalesced into a gaseous form, spreading rapidly throughout his body.
Boom!
His cells expanded violently, infused with nexus energy, then compressed, making room for even stronger cells to form
Crack! Crack!
The muscles in his body compressed and strengthened, his broken tendons miraculously healed from the effects of metamorphosis, and an overwhelming surge of power erupted from Grey's body, filling every fiber and vein with an unprecedented strength.
He had shattered his mortal limitations, transcending his previous limits.
He was now officially a Pseudo 1st rank evolver!
However, Grey wasn't happy at all. Why is that?
Something extremely threatening was looming right above his head.
"Heavenly Tribulation." Grey opened his eyes which glowed with purple light as he started at the golden churning lightening above him.
[Your comprehension defies heavenly logic! By observing the Heavenly Tribulation You've gained insight into 'Heavenly Tribulation']
[Your comprehension defies heavenly logic! By observing the Heavenly Tribulation You've gained insight into 'Heaven Tribulation'…]
As the constant notifications from his ability rang through his mind, Grey fixed his gaze on the heavenly tribulation.
The heavens punished those who defied the natural order. It was the cosmic law governing all things, claiming dominion over everything. No one who broke this order and risked bringing disaster could escape its judgment.
"What a joke," Grey said, his eyes blazing with purple light. "I saw through your illusions and formed Nexus energy. You hoarded a power this immense from the world, keeping it hidden from everyone. And now that I can wield it, you want to eliminate me?"
"Keep dreaming," he snorted. "Come at me, you scummy bastard. I have already died once. I am not afraid to die again!"
The heavenly tribulation stirred in response.
KRAKOOOM!
Golden lightning struck with immense force, sweeping even the three Tiger Claw members off their feet.
Buzzt!
The lightning surged through Grey's body, threatening to end his life instantly. But at that precise moment, Nexus energy erupted. Acting like an impenetrable shield, it surged to the point of impact, completely neutralizing the golden lightning before it could harm him.
But the tribulation did not end with just one strike.
Right after the first lightning landed, a second one followed, even stronger than before. Yet, before it could reach him, Nexus energy obliterated it completely.
Seeing this, the heavenly tribulation grew even angrier. It struck again with greater force, but once more, Nexus energy reduced it to nothing.
"That's right, you scumbag! You can't touch me! My Nexus energy is far better than your Heavenly Tribulation!" Grey taunted, a teasing grin on his face as another bolt struck down, making him flinch slightly.
At the same time, another thought crossed his mind.
'I should store some of this heavenly tribulation inside my energy field and study it later.' Grey forced his control over Nexus energy, lowering the barrier just slightly. Wisps of the tribulation surged into his system, traveling into his energy field.
Before it could wreak havoc, Nexus energy contained it fully.
As long as he didn't run out of Nexus energy, it would remain trapped, allowing him to study and comprehend the heavenly tribulation at his leisure.
As if sensing his actions, the tribulation shook violently. The currents thickened, twice as intense as before, and it struck down again with tremendous force.
Of course, it was futile as it was automatically neutralized by nexus energy once again.
Then, the heavenly tribulation finally gave up. With its last strike, the dark clouds dispersed, and the clear sky appeared once more.
"That's right, you dumbass! Don't mess with me!" Grey said with a triumphant smirk.
But the smirk quickly faded, replaced by a serious expression.
The heavenly tribulation was over, but danger still surrounded him.
The corruption field remained nearby, and standing just beside it was the burly leader. His subordinates stood behind him, all of them eyeing Grey with wary expressions.
Now that Grey's senses had sharpened, he could feel their auras more clearly. The two subordinates no longer posed a threat to him, but the burly leader was different—his presence carried an oppressive weight.
Is he a Level 2, First Ranker? Grey mused.
Running was the safest bet. There was no way he could take on a Level 3 enemy right after undergoing metamorphosis. He hadn't even figured out his current strength, and he wasn't stupid enough to jump into a one-versus-three without knowing his limits.
Unfortunately, the burly leader had other plans.
He suddenly pulled out a strange glass-like device, peered into it, and his expression turned cold.
"Life level—First Rank, Level 1."
"That brat just went through metamorphosis. He's only just entered Level 1!" the burly leader shouted, mistaken in his judgment.
His subordinates exchanged shocked looks. They had assumed Grey was concealing his true power—after all, no normal breakthrough could summon heavenly tribulation. But it seemed that wasn't the case.
"He must have some unique treasure on him! That's probably what summoned the heavenly tribulation!" The burly leader's eyes gleamed with greed.
A treasure that could summon heavenly tribulation—such a thing would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
"You two, kill him! He dared to make fools out of us. We'll take both his life and his treasure!" the leader commanded coldly.
"Yes!" The subordinates' eyes lit up with the same greed.
With Grey supposedly stuck at Level 1, and their numbers giving them an advantage, they didn't feel the slightest fear.
"???" Grey, who had been preparing to run, froze when he heard their conversation.
Before he could react further, the two subordinates shot toward him, moving even faster than before.
At the same time, confusion flickered in Grey's mind. Why do they keep calling me a First Ranker? I'm clearly still a Pseudo First Ranker.
But he had no time to think—their blades of killing intent were already upon him.