Chapter 1738 True Visage <TOC> Chapter 1740 Another Vortex
Translator: SumTLMan
Outside, an incredibly powerful surge of energy, stronger than anything previously encountered, approached aggressively.
If a mortal were present, this sheer force of energy alone would be enough to shatter one’s internal organs. However, for Gloria, while this surge was strong, it was not powerful enough to harm her.
Yet, although the surge couldn’t injure Gloria, the meaning it signified caused a tumultuous unease in her heart.
“Sinister, jealousy, resentment, malice…” Gloria murmured softly. These were the emotions contained within the surge, each saturated with profound despair.
In such a despair where not even a glimmer of hope could be discerned, could Toby genuinely find a beacon of light?
“Half an hour has passed,” Angel’s voice drew Gloria’s attention.
“If Toby didn’t undergo that trial in the lucid dream, do you think he could’ve lasted half an hour?” Without waiting for Gloria’s response, Angel immediately gave the answer, “Clearly not. Now, Toby has persisted for half an hour, which means that the trial within the lucid dream has indeed been beneficial for him.”
Angel’s point was evident. Since Toby had overcome the resentment in the dream trial, why wouldn’t he be able to do so now?
“I’ve lived for centuries, and yet, I need your comfort,” Gloria remarked sarcastically, lowering her gaze. “It’s just me, placing too much emphasis on the outcome.”
Angel chuckled but chose not to respond. Gloria’s current demeanor indeed differed somewhat from their initial encounter, but her way of thinking remained consistent. Only her emotions had become somewhat more melancholic.
Perhaps it was truly due to her physical body.
After all, she currently inhabited the body of a young girl in the prime of her growth. The hormonal secretions within this youthful vessel may very well be leading her consciousness to dance uncontrollably to its tune.
“Of course, the outcome is paramount,” Angel began, reflecting on the course of events thus far. “Judging by the elapsed time, I surmise that Toby is nearing the end of his tribulation. The fact that he has endured until now suggests a high probability of successfully overcoming this tribulation. I truly believe Toby can…” Angel’s voice trailed off as a terrifying roar echoed from the distant void, originating from the area obscured by the dark mist.
With the emergence of that bone-chilling roar, the dark mist churned more violently, reaching its peak in exuding a palpable sense of negativity. It felt like a song building up to its climax, awaiting its inevitable conclusion.
…
In the Mental Space, Toby spread the wings of the Griffin form and soared to the opposite side, flames trailing behind him. His eyes, devoid of any emotion and contrasting sharply with his earlier disdain, stared ahead. Behind him, a fierce fire raged, within which shadowy figures writhed and roared.
However, in stark contrast to their earlier arrogant cries, the roars now were tinged with palpable despair.
“I’ve won.” As Toby’s thoughts resonated, the flames behind him burned even fiercer, engulfing the screams within. All that remained were tiny specks of luminous dust, gently emanating from the flames like fireflies, drifting in the dark void, ethereal and dreamlike.
This luminescent dust symbolized the finale of this mournful Dirge.
And the subject of this elegy was the creature being consumed by the flames——The Serpent-Bird.
Relying on his experiences from the House of Hearts, Toby expertly provoked the Serpent-Bird. Then, like a wildfire ignited by a single spark, he methodically embedded the Fire of Rate within the Serpent-Bird, setting it ablaze from the inside out.
In the trial of the House of Hearts, Toby’s Griffin form was extremely feeble, yet it could kill the Serpent-Bird. Let alone now, after the Griffin form absorbed countless powers and reached its complete form, killing the Serpent-Bird is a piece of cake.
When the Source Fire converged, the outcome was already set in stone.
The Serpent-Bird ultimately became a fleeting thought and vanished into thin air.
When the Serpent-Bird was utterly obliterated, Toby experienced a familiar sensation… It was similar to the feeling he had previously when killing a demon creature, where the Griffin gained increased strength.
However, this time, it wasn’t the Griffin’s power that increased, but a novel force poured into Toby’s consciousness.
Though termed as “power”, it actually resembled law lines. Once he grasped these laws, Toby felt an indistinct connection between himself and this void.
This void is essentially a Mental Space where only consciousness can be projected. While it has a connection to Toby’s Mental Space, it doesn’t belong to Toby entirely, but to another being——The Serpent-Bird.
To be precise, it’s the Mental Space of the “Serpent-Bird of Resentment” manifested by Toby.
In the external world, Toby’s physical form has transformed into that of the Serpent-Bird. However, due to the Tribulation of Resentment, the Serpent-Bird hasn’t taken control of it yet. That’s why it appeared in this Serpent-Bird’s Mental Space, aiming to subdue the Malevolent Thoughts and seize the high ground.
The sign of successfully overcoming the tribulation would be Toby’s capability to control the Serpent-Bird’s body. And surely, the Serpent-Bird’s body must be governed by its thoughts. As of now, Toby has already established a certain connection with this Mental Space, which suggests that he holds a significant upper hand in the Tribulation of Resentment!
Only one final step remains. As long as he defeats the Malevolent Thoughts, he can successfully navigate this tribulation!
Toby looked up, gazing at the distant luminous horizon. That’s where the core of the Malevolent Thoughts resides. Once he reaches there and subdues the Malevolent Thoughts, everything will come to an end!
Moreover, the malice of the Tribulation of Resentment had already utilized its most powerful card——projecting the power of the Serpent-Bird.
Without the Serpent-Bird, relying solely on these traps, or rather, these creatures which can’t even be considered worthy adversaries, wouldn’t stand a chance in stopping him!
Toby believed that at this moment, he had already locked in his victory in advance!
With this conviction, Toby transformed into a fireball, racing towards the final high ground!
As for the animosity in the final area, the Tribulation of Resentment, if one were to anthropomorphize it, its eyes would undoubtedly be filled with jealousy: “Why did even the Serpent-Bird lose to him? On what grounds does this bird of humble origin get precedence over his?”
Even now, the Tribulation of Resentment is unaware of where things went wrong, making Toby seem as if he had become a different person, not only facing tribulations in advance but also, with almost divine assistance, remaining undeterred by any disaster.
Toby’s guess was quite accurate; after using the power of the Serpent-Bird, the Tribulation of Resentment had no other more powerful methods left.
What to do now? Surrender? Impossible, that’s something the Tribulation of Resentment would never tolerate!
But if it doesn’t surrender, what other means does it have to stop Toby?
The emotions of reluctance, jealousy, and intense resentment from the Tribulation of Resentment began to surge relentlessly, but it was to no avail. Toby was rapidly closing in, and it could even see the excitement on Toby’s face.
Once Toby reaches the high ground, the Tribulation of Resentment wouldn’t be able to confront him; it must be stopped!
But how? After a prolonged silence, the Tribulation of Resentment made a decision.
The Tribulation of Resentment began to continuously radiate its emotions, transforming them into a type of “domain,” searching for something… within it.
Suddenly, it seemed to have found something.
It began to stir it fervently.
With its urging, the entire void began to undergo startling changes——