Tower of Heaven

The technique that Cain used made him imperceptible to the naked eye. His body was no more than a blur of colors that blended into the environment.

Atlas had to stand absolutely still in order to perceive it at all. Nevertheless…

'I can see him.'

Atlas' eyes moved from side to side tracking Cain's movements. They looked like they were flickering due to the speed at which they moved, but the world was not a blur of colors.

[Intrinsic Foresight] turned it grey and defined those blurry shapes into a clear picture of the world. Within that picture, Cain's movements were also revealed.

Atlas watched, his body prone as he anticipated the approach.

However, in that slowed world, he was never expecting to lock eyes with his enemy.

"You think you can track me?"

That smile sent shivers down his spine.

Those words entered his ears. They were the last thing his ears perceived before they were assaulted by a massive sound and high-pitched ringing.

BANG!

It came out of nowhere. Cain was directly in front of him as if he had teleported, and in that split second, he'd also brought his arm down to slash into Atlas' chest.

He could feel the qi emanating from that attack. It wasn't just supported by Astral Energy, which meant that he was using an energy-based martial technique.

[Flow like–

'I cannot.'

Using [Flow Like Silk] here would reveal his Dao of Water to the worst person he could possibly show it to.

He couldn't allow that.

It was too late to use [Cloud Steps] to dodge. It was too late to use [Burst Step] or [Astral Steps] to retreat.

Despite clearly seeing that blade approaching him, Atlas was unable to do anything about it.

A guttural sound entered both of their ears as the blade tore through Atlas' torso. It ripped open his skin and flesh and broke several bones before it exited his being.

Atlas fell back, stumbling a few steps before falling to his knees.

[Regeneration]

Bang!

A foot landed on his chest.

"You can regenerate, but not fast enough to do anything, right?"

Cain grinned happily.

"I knew you would try. I had to make sure that you couldn't. That wound there is laced with the energy of death, so it'll take more than a few minutes for you to cleanse them."

He placed one of his blade arms on Atlas' throat and pushed it up to his chin.

"I like the look in your eyes. It's as if you want to fight even though you know there's nothing you can do."

He nudged it just slightly, testing the strength of the mask.

"If I broke this right now, what would you do about it?"

He couldn't stand up. His chest was bleeding profusely, but because of the aforementioned qi and Cain's foot, he was unable to easily stop it.

"Try."

Still, he spoke firmly.

"Try it and discover for yourself what I would do."

His words were snappy and joined by a burst of qi that surrounded his body. It was as if Atlas was saying that regardless of the state of his body, he could fight as long as he had qi.

Cain's eyes curved into crescents.

"That's exactly the kind of answer that makes me love people like you."

He pushed his blade deeper into Atlas' neck, drawing just a single drop of blood.

As he brought it to his mouth and licked it clean, he took his foot off of Atlas' chest.

"I would so love to kill you, but now is not the time. Grow, Atlas Vaun. Become stronger. Become so strong that no single individual can ever stand up to you. When you reach that level, I can experience the true bliss of killing you. Until then, let our game continue eternally."

He laughed. He laughed so loud that even as his steps faded into the forest, the echoes of his joy could still be heard.

Amidst those echoes and the darkness of the night, Atlas laid there. He laid there for several minutes without moving.

He sensed those shadows finally moving through the forest and approaching the Celestial Ladder. They left him alone; perhaps out of pity, perhaps out of fear.

This was Atlas' first true loss since he came to the Tower. It happened in a single moment. In just a brief second, what was an even battle turned into a complete loss.

It was a bitter feeling as he laid there in a pool of his own blood and adapted to the pain.

He was completely fooled. As he looked back on the battle, he realized that even the opportunity he took to strike the back of Cain's neck was formulated by him. Cain didn't win randomly. He took the victory step by step without leaving any room for doubt.

Still, Atlas could have won.

If he used the power of the Dao of Water, he could have won. If he had showcased the [Azure King's Reigning Scripture] that Veradon taught him, Cain would have been left helpless.

In that final moment, when he didn't have time to even use [Cloud Steps] or another movement technique, only [Flow Like Silk] had the speed and ability to save him.

There would come a time when it would be revealed that he practiced multiple Daos simultaneously. Atlas already accepted that he would become an object of attention because of how varied his power would become.

'However, I must continue to hide until I form the entire cycle.'

He didn't even notice the crowd that had formed to watch them. What would have happened if one of them noticed? What would have happened if he used the Dao of Water and then a projection of the battle appeared on the Tower Forum?

There needed to be order.

If he used his comprehension of fire to touch on the comprehensions of Earth, then used that to connect to wood and then wood to water, people could explain his abilities as his own achievements, made because he was an unreasonably talented young cultivator. Discover exclusive tales at M-V-L

'If I use water now, it will either be determined that I have a Heavenly Physique or a Heavenly Treasure. Either of the two would make me a target for countless greedy cultivators.'

Fire and Wood was understandable. In fact, dual physiques of wood and fire were common and seen as the best possible affinity for alchemy. For that reason, Atlas was doing his best to comprehend the concept of vitality.

But, only after he mastered it and created a place for it in his dantian could he act on such desires.

At the current moment, the Atlas who was still healing from his loss could not do anything about it.

'I need to train more.'

He needed to get stronger. He needed to pay more attention to Astral Energy. He needed to understand the Tower Skills better. He needed to practice the Spirit-Severing Art so he could use his skills more.

'This world is no longer the one that I knew in the slightest.'

It was a fact hard to accept. The world was not as simple as it used to be. Cultivation was a far more varied path now that people had such a deep understanding of its inner workings.

'My past life's memories are not enough. They must be combined with an equal amount of experience in this life to be used to their full potential.'

Atlas wasn't weighed down by the loss. He could even call the feeling somewhat refreshing.

Perhaps he got a bit complacent in the plans he made for himself. He needed to aim for bigger things if he wanted to achieve his overall goals.

If anything, Cain taught him exactly what he was lacking. In a sense, he had to be thankful to the madman.

Atlas stood up. His wounds were still healing, but it was nothing he couldn't fix with some time. Cain made sure that he wouldn't be permanently crippled.

'If we meet again, it won't be so easy.'

He was absolutely confident in defeating Cain just moments before he was brutally crushed. It made sense if his confidence was crushed as well.

Yet, Atlas was still confident. Because he had won their past four battles, he was confident. Cain had the advantage this time, but it was only this time.

Cain wanted their game to continue forever, but he didn't plan to see more of Cain after the 30th Floor. On the off chance that they found each other again, however, he would not lose.

Next time, he would be the one trapping Cain in an inescapable web of death.

That was the vow he made as he approached the Celestial Ladder.