Chapter 446 - 229: The Strongest Mage (3)
"Izparut."
"When I first met you, I thought you would become the most brilliant Mage prodigy in the world."
"It turns out my instincts back then were correct."
"Which is why my greatest regret... is that I didn’t kill you then."
"Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here now, standing in my way."
Iz’s tone was mild. "If?"
"If ’if’s were possible, you wouldn’t be stuck at Level 8, unable to glimpse the Root Source."
"If you had managed to complete the Root Source through your own efforts and become a Level 9 Mage, none of this would be happening today."
Iz replied, "What you need to regret is far more than just that one thing."
"Come."
"At the very least, you will die at the hands of the world’s strongest Mage. Your death will be a memorable and dignified affair."
Iz had already ascended high into the sky, facing An Zheng.
This Space was now beyond the protective Range of Obades.
The Secret Sand Archipelago had already been moved away.
The open sea here would allow the two of them... to go all out.
BOOM!
The two merely locked eyes, exchanging no more words. They didn’t even make a single move!
But suddenly, the entire Space shattered in an instant!
The originally white Space crumbled into blackness!
BOOM!
And in that same instant, both of them raised a hand simultaneously.
Tier Eight Soul Magic—Eternal Loss of Soul Shattering
Tier Six Mind Transcendence Magic—Indestructible Heart Defense
BANG!
An explosive crash seemed to echo in their Minds!
At that same moment, countless Magic Arrays of various colors peeled away from the real world’s Space.
"An Zheng, your Magic is too outdated. You can no longer keep up with the times."
"If you knew modern magical theory, perhaps in one of the hundreds of millions of timelines, there would be a possibility of you fighting me to a draw."
BOOM—
Countless spells formed around Iz!
Then, in the next instant, they all shattered!
The splendor of myriad Elements fractured, yet not a single spell harmed Izparut.
"Reverse deconstruction."
"All Magic is formed according to principles. As long as you understand its formation, you can reverse the process and destroy it..."
The Magic spells exploded before they could reach Iz.
Yet Iz walked toward An Zheng with extremely light and unhurried steps.
An Zheng was clearly right in front of him.
But Iz pointed his Magic Staff behind himself instead.
"The world has countless layers of Space. Powerful beings can even carve out a personal sanctuary for themselves."
"Moving through such a place makes one difficult to detect."
"However, if you’re traveling with the Elements, it’s hard for me not to see you."
As Iz pointed behind him, a faint light glittered for an instant.
SWISH!
Almost simultaneously, the Space around Iz was covered by countless black and white Magic Arrays.
BZZZZZZZZZZ—
However, the moment these Magic Arrays appeared, their orientation and colors completely changed.
BOOM!
Countless fine threads and an all-devouring black-and-white Magic Power instantly shot out behind him!
SWOOSH!
In another instant, the background of the entire world changed again, becoming a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors.
"Your Casting is too slow."
"So slow that I’ve already broken your Magic, but you haven’t even finished Casting it yet."
An Zheng looked at Izparut before him.
The Space of the physical world had been stripped away. The world left behind had become a Space teeming with innumerable, vibrant, colorful Elements.
And at this moment, An Zheng resembled a brilliant, humanoid mass of light composed of countless Elements.
The Light coalesced, painting a picture of infinite colors.
"Izparut..."
An Zheng’s voice grew heavier.
’This Mage... he’s really too strong.’
’My Casting speed is slow?’
’It’s true. I’ve grown old. My mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be, and my control over Magic Power has become rusty.’
’But... there was a time.’
’I was once as full of vigor as he is now.’
’Even the things we say are so similar.’
’Your Casting is too slow. So slow it’s full of openings, easily countered.’
"Heh heh..."
"It seems I really have grown old. Even now, I’m still chasing that tiny, remote Possibility."
"That last shred of a Possibility of seeing the Root Source."
"Preserve my own life, kill all of you, and then... I will go witness the Root Source."
"If it were me at my Peak."
Iz’s tone was flat, yet filled with unwavering confidence. "Even if you were at your Peak, you would still be no match for me."
An Zheng’s hand, gripping the multi-hued Magic Staff, tightened slightly.
At this moment, his entire body was the color of the Elements. Even his Magic Staff had completely merged with the colors of his being.
It was impossible to tell where the man ended and the staff began.
"That’s right..."
"Since there’s no hope left of reaching the Root Source, I might as well, at the end of my life, teach a lesson to a Mage as supremely arrogant as you."
An Zheng’s tone gradually filled with emotion.
It was no longer as lifeless and resigned as before.
"Junior."
WHOOSH—
An Zheng took a step forward, and the multi-colored shell on his body began to flake off like a scab.
A young man emerged from within.
His skin was full, his complexion rosy. He had a head of neat, short white hair, and his eyes were bright and full of spirit.
"So you’ve finally come out, An Zheng."
Iz’s voice rose with excitement.
"How could someone who comprehended the one and only eternal Root Magic possibly look so ancient and decrepit?"
"You were just too old. Not at all like a Root Mage."
The young An Zheng’s eyes revealed an intense Battle Intent.
He was no longer the ancient, decrepit old man from before.