The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 82 - Contemptuous Rivalry (I)

----

With his attention glued to the panel before him, Apollo pondered how he could take advantage of this new change, 'This necklace seems to be related to dragons. However, it seems that impure bloodline only facilitated the initial awakening of this item and not much else. Nevertheless, the changes are kind of...overwhelming.' ??

Item Name: Resplendent Draconic Jadeite Necklace

Rank: Tier 7 Spiritual Artifact

Grade: Excellent

Information: After a partial awakening, the jadeite necklace has awakened a sealed ability. As for the origin of this jade, it is unknown.

Effect: Increases cultivation speed by 100% until your realm surpasses its Tier. (Increases Experience gain by 100%)

Sub-effects: Replenishes 2 Health and 2 Stamina per second. In a state of active healing, the replenishment is increased by 300%.

«Draconic Familiarity» - When in the presence of copious Fire Essence, the rate at which internal damage is healed is bolstered by 1000% for 10 minutes. The sub-effect remains unaffected and this healing doesn't show within the status screen. This ability can only be used once every 3 months before needing to recharge.

«Current Awakening: 1/3. [14.02%]»

Note: This artifact is still capable of growth.

This item possessed the ability to heal internal damage to a certain extent! In other words, if the damage sustained reached a level that interfered with his internals, Apollo simply needed to find areas rich in Fire Essence. However, there was a drawback that Apollo became aware of. In fact, more than one.

"Why is the ambient Natural Essence depleting so much? None of us here should possess the ability to do so. It's like an ancient beast has been starved for year- WHAAT?!" Amid his ending sentence, Danyul noticed the essence flowing towards Apollo, his hair fluttering in the wind.

'This can't be possible. If this absorption rate is from his body then it surpasses even the Grand Elder's current capabilities. What type of inner physique is needed to give rise to this? Heaven-Grade? Saint-Grade? But this feeling… it carries a tinge of dominance with it. As if the essence itself is cowering in subservience. That only happens in legends when one's affinity with that element reaches the peak!'

Danyul's mind was plagued with turmoil as he tried to comprehend this situation. A cultivator possessing a perfect affinity was no small matter. In fact, seldom was it seen. If it was, it was within the rank of the upper world. Aside from that, it existed among the beasts.

It went without saying, when it came to affinity with fire, in this world only two beings were unsurpassed and mentioned in legends—True Dragons and True Phoenixes. Both of which were not to be underestimated. They rested at the pinnacle of Fire; of course, this was omitting the existence of the demons Azridan was a part of.

Meanwhile, Danyul's mind continued racing a mile a minute. A plethora of thoughts passed through his mind. Unfortunately, he was unaware that Apollo wasn't the one causing this. While the item rested in his grasp, it wasn't him.

'We must bring him back to the family! If he showcases this affinity...' Danyul's eyes gleamed with anticipation. His idol's son was no talentless pushover. After a few moments, he assessed the situation, pushing this matter to the back of his mind.

Be that as it may, even after trying his best, Danyul still frequently opened his eyes, stealing glances at Apollo. This caused his recuperation to stifle. However, he just couldn't wrap his mind around what this youth had experienced in the last 4 years to go through such drastic change.

Soon enough, the area reached a point that teetered on the brink of full collapse. As a result, Cynthia opened her eyes and ordered the rest, "We move… NOW!"

'Whoosh!'

Quick to react, everyone rose to their feet and blitzed towards the entrance. At the same time, Apollo halted as he clenched and released his hand, 'I've recovered to approximately 40% in this short few minutes. If it was me alone, doing so would have taken weeks.'

His words weren't incorrect. One must remember, when he first mutilated his physique it took upwards of a month to properly recuperate. Not to mention, the damage Nether Severance caused was many times worse. However, Sacrificial Vigor supplemented his body's vitality for strength enabling him to escape a perilous state.

[The rest will have to be done when you're able to spare all the attention. As of now, retreat from this area. The fluctuations of Natural Essence seem volatile as if it'll erupt. That Wyvern seemed to have its reasons for picking this place. The quality of this essence would result in damages far beyond its own attacks.]

'Hoh?' Hearing this information, Apollo turned into a shadowy blur immediately evacuating the area. In a moment, he caught up to Aaron who was on the slower side. But only due to the fact that he seemed to be in his own world.

"Oi...Aaron, speed up! You don't want to get caught in the upcoming blast. This volcanic place is in danger of imploding," Apollo snapped his fingers before Aaron, disrupting his stupor.

"Oh! Sorry. The changes I've witnessed today are just hard to digest," Aaron increased his speed catching up to the other as a blanket of green wrapped around his legs. Giving a silent nod, Apollo followed along and cleared the exit.

Coming to a halt outside, he basked in the sunlight. However, the warmth was subpar. After all, they had just escaped from an infernal hellhole. The outside temperature felt like a breath of fresh air despite the radiant sun bearing down on them.

"That was….wow," Danyul blinked at a loss for words. Today, his eyes were opened. He found this youth, Apollo, to be capable of things only heard of from the stories told by the Great Families. But those talents all possessed at least Middle-Tier Heaven-Grade meridians or they wouldn't suffice to be called talents!

"Wait… I hear movement," stated Cynthia. Moving the front, she squinted her eyes revealing two incoming shadowy figures. From their aura, they seemed to be on par or slightly weaker than herself. Nevertheless, she found it to be oddly familiar due to the small frown on her face.

'Is it them? If so… we should have completed this task earlier. They must have caught wind of the reports.'

"Who are those people?" Apollo squinted along with Cynthia, placing his hand on his hip to draw the knife only to realize its absence, 'Oh right...it broke.' Tapping the pouch instead, he withdrew the Coldiron Staff.

Danyul squinted as he was once again reminded that this youth had stripped his staff from him, "Oi, Apollo. Give it here; return my staff. You've had it long en- IS THAT A CRACK?!" Danyul squealed. His eyes landing upon a sizable gash in his weapon. For a moment, he seemed to be on the verge of fainting. His treasured weapon! 'L-look… look at its state! These repairs will be costly.'

Danyul's heart wrenched in pain as he thought about the estimated price. Regret crept into his mind, 'Why did I ever let this youth know I used the staff. It's my fault.'

"It's just a weapon. They'll get damaged, break, and also be lost. Just get a new one," Apollo chuckled at Danyul's comical behavior, tossing him back his staff. He didn't harbor feelings of attachment like others did. Moreover, he didn't intend on entering combat for a good while.

"Oi! Well, aren't you lot fast? It's to be expected of you Kaiser rats—vermin always scurrying at the revelation of opportunity; you are revolting. It seems you all don't learn from your past," a disdainful voice projected and entered everyone's ear resulting in adversarial sneers from Cynthia, Ashur, and Danyul.

It was clear they knew these newcomers.