"And most people on Blue Star are still weak. Even so, their Power of Faith gives me a considerable boost."
"I've made a rough estimate."
"Once I return to Blue Star, even if my Authority doesn't change at all, the Power of Faith alone will increase my strength by around ten percent."
As he spoke, Shen Yi raised a hand.
The Flame of Continued Combustion coiled around his palm like a wisp of invisible smoke.
Yet the restlessness that had accompanied its earlier appearance was gone, replaced by a balance difficult to describe.
It was as though what burned in his hand was not the legendary Flame of Continued Combustion, but an ordinary mortal flame.
Before Xilos could express her surprise, the flame in Shen Yi's palm silently spread outward in an uncanny fashion.
The barrier Xilos had erected around them melted away as if it had met its natural enemy.
Only then did Shen Yi speak again.
"As you can see."
"Even with powers of the same origin, setting aside the advantage my nature gives me over you, the Power of Faith alone is enough to change how that power behaves."
"The boost isn't enough to overwhelm an opponent, but ten percent is still an extraordinary increase."
With that, Shen Yi extinguished the flame in his palm.
But that moment was all it took.
Shen Yi's expression suddenly turned grave.
Riiip—
A piercing crack exploded without warning, as though the toughest fabric of the rules had been torn apart by force.
The sound did not come from vibrating air. It struck directly at the level of rules, stabbing sharply into Shen Yi's and Xilos's senses.
Xilos's crimson eyes narrowed, and the transparent layer of the Flame of Continued Combustion around her shuddered violently on instinct.
The barrier she had