1220 Dripping in nether

"Going to the Spire of Ascension right now is pretty much like committing suicide. No. You should absolutely not do that." Tilia stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest and firmly rejected the idea as she stared daggers at the elf.

However, Eldrin only scoffed at this response. "If you stay cooped up here then you won't get anywhere. Your time will run out and after your world integration, your girlfriend will personally come to visit you."

"Actually no. Considering all the trouble you have caused her, she might just end up blasting away this entire world without bothering to look for you first. I mean she is probably going to do that even if you are alive or dead." Eldrin shrugged.

"That's just how higher beings think and act. If there is even the slightest chance of their shady business getting exposed, they will erase the whole world and blame it on a failed integration. That's one way to settle scores and also clean the slate."

"I am not even joking. Why don't you ask your fairy here?" Eldrin pointed his eyes at her. "I think she hates you secretly or something. She is guiding you in the wrong direction."

Tilia's brows raised in anger at the words of the arrogant elf. "Are you dumb? Why would I guide him in the wrong direction?"

She turned to Liam and spoke to him directly. "This guy is a lunatic. Only a higher being has the power to eliminate entire worlds and I don't think the priestess you have crossed paths with is a higher being. Otherwise…" Tilia hesitated. "You would already be…"

"Hmmm." Liam nodded.

"You get my point. Even if that was not the case, you should still leave for the Spire a few years later. Your world is rapidly exploding at the moment and would no doubt give birth to powerful treasures. Claiming these for yourself would give you a huge boost in strength."

"That too you are bonded with the world tree. I have no doubt that your haul would be amazing. It's best if you claim these treasures and then head over to the Spire to reach the next stage."

Eldrin let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head. "Yes. Sure. Keep searching for worthless things and get massacred by the big girl in one shot. That's a very intelligent thing to do. Let me correct my words. This woman is not your enemy. She is just dumb."

"Also, during integration, after some point the barrier starts to weaken. So it is not a guarantee that your enemy will wait for you until your world is completely evolved and integrated."

Tilia quickly refuted him. "That's not true. There is only a chance of something like that happening. It is not always possible and even then maybe only after half the integration is completed."

Listening to both of them, Liam felt a headache coming. "Ok. That's enough. Stop bickering. I agree with both of you. Everything you said is a valid point. Now let me think for a moment."

Eldrin immediately reminded him. "Well, thinking is good and all, but what is the point of thinking? You need to first receive the invitation token for the spire from the system. Without that, all of this discussion is just a waste of time."

He only barely finished talking when Tilia frowned and came to Liam's rescue. "Sure, he will. Why won't he? Liam, how many dao seeds have you formed? What is your current level? Typically at Level 999, the system gifts the token."

"Provided he has enough progress in his dao path." Eldrin again reminded.

Liam blocked out the two of them and sat back with his eyes closed for a moment. "Level 999…" He mumbled as he considered his options. 

He wasn't too far from the level but his current progress had already slowed down. Gaining new dao seeds at this point is not awarding him with that many levels anymore.

It looked like he needed to make real progress in his dao path just like the elf had reminded him. He had also gained a lot in the recent battles and he had fully recovered from all of the encounters except for his soul.

This was a good time for him to first consolidate his gains and carefully assimilate them. 

Liam remained seated in the same position for a while before he abruptly stood up. Turning to Tilia, he asked, "How long do we have before the integration process reaches a critical point where the barrier begins to weaken?"

Tilia calculated for a moment. "Given the current rate of integration and the unique characteristics of your world, I'd estimate you have around two to three years before the situation becomes precarious."

Liam nodded, a plan forming in his mind. "Then that's my window. I'll use this time to prepare, gather resources, and strengthen myself. Once I've maximized my potential here, I'll head to the Spire."

Eldrin seemed to reluctantly accept this compromise. "Fine, but don't waste time. Every day counts. And remember, the Spire is not the only place you can gain strength. Keep your eyes open for other opportunities."

"I will see you both in a year." He decided.

After forming a mana core or for that matter even dabbling with mana for the first time changes a human being. Essentially when a person starts leveling up and gradually becomes higher leveled, their physiology also changes and along with it their lifespan.

When a living being first touches Level 50, their lifespan is closer to 500 years than 100 years. It further increases when the level keeps getting bigger.

It is also not really proportional. When a living being touches level 100 and above they can technically stay alive for several 1000 to 10,000 years, some even touching 50,000 with the help of some treasures.

A year is not that much when compared to this sort of increased lifespan. At the same time, in their current condition, Liam felt that a year was all that he could spare.

Perhaps Eldrin was motivated by his own selfish benefits but a year's preparation is what he could allocate before trying to attempt this Spire of Ascension.

And within this year, he had to reach Level 999.

After setting this goal for himself, Liam hurried out of the magic shop. Maybe his decision was not the right one but he could only do the best that he can. He could not afford to start doubting and double-guessing his every move now.

If allowed the fact that the fate of an entire world resides on his shoulders, he would only make the wrong decision.

Heading outside the shop, he first called for Luna and headed over to the nether region. After his 'special meetings' with Alex, he felt as if he was close to a breakthrough with nether manipulation.

Although his progress in Dao Seed of Ice Elemental is currently the best, Liam doubted if it would remain the same. After all, he had a lot more experience using soul energy and a natural affinity for nether which felt as if he was using an extension of his body part.

Besides, Liam felt that he had stayed enough among the living. It was about time he stepped into a nether-filled world and experienced the true corruption of the energy to fully understand it.

Luna activated her teleportation skills and the duo arrived at the other half of the world in minutes. Just like he expected, the entire region was chalked full of nether.

The landscape was eerie and desolate, a stark contrast to the vibrant and life-filled areas he was accustomed to.

The air was thick with the oppressive, cold energy of nether, almost fully devoid of mana, making every breath feel different. The sky was a perpetual twilight, casting long, haunting shadows across the barren land.

Liam stood there for a moment, taking in the surroundings. He felt an odd sense of familiarity with the nether energy, as if it resonated with something deep within him. This was a dangerous place, yet it felt strangely like coming home.

He began to focus, allowing his senses to extend and feel the nether energy around him. As he closed his eyes, he could sense the ebb and flow of the dark energy, its intricate patterns, and its chaotic nature. It was like a turbulent sea, unpredictable yet full of potential.

His nether core inside his heart started churning wildly. This was it. He needed to come here.

Without taking another step forward, he sat down and started meditating right at the border between the two worlds as he felt a rush of insights seeping into his mind. More and more nether rushed towards him as he sat there still and silent.

Before long, he became a black vortex, sucking in all the nether from the air around him. Liam smiled. It felt good. It felt so suffocatingly good.