"What is it? Is there something on my face?" Gelike was somewhat bewildered by Luo Ao's scrutinizing gaze.
"Nothing. I just think the surroundings here are quite nice. There are quite a few flowers and plants here that I've never seen anywhere else." Luo Ao changed the subject, looking at the various unusual plants around Gelike's residence.
"Hehe, just a little hobby. If you like them, I can give you some seeds." Gelike had gradually collected the seeds of these exotic plants during his travels through many countries.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Luo Ao nodded and casually selected and accepted seeds for a few plants he thought looked beautiful. Afterward, the two began exchanging their insights into cultivating the Path of Destruction.
"So, Mr. Gelike, you actually gained the insight for your ultimate technique from the Wind Element spell 'Dimension Blade.'" Through their conversation, Luo Ao had gained a general understanding of Gelike's insights into the Edicts of Destruction.
"Yes, that was more than eight hundred years ago, I believe. I hadn't been a Saint-level for long then, and I nearly got hit by that Dimension Blade. You could say it practically swept past one side of my body, barely grazing me." Even now, Gelike still felt lingering fear as he recalled it.
"But it was precisely because of that brush with death that I suddenly gained an epiphany into the Path of Destruction, then cultivated step by step to reach my current level." It seemed Gelike had been through quite a story in his youth, too.
"Perhaps that 'Dimension Blade' left too deep an impression on me. My swordsmanship afterward always followed that feeling, striving to achieve an effect that could shatter even space."
"As of today, my 'Annihilation Slash' has already surpassed that Wind Element forbidden spell, Dimension Blade, from back then." Having said this, Gelike held nothing back as he elaborated on his various experiences cultivating Annihilation Slash afterward.
The Wind Element forbidden spell—Dimension Blade—could be called the strongest single-target attack among forbidden spells. When unleashed, it truly sliced through space, and its power was astonishing. The characteristics it displayed were indeed very similar to Gelike's ultimate technique.
"This 'World Destruction' technique I gained insight into also has some connection to the Laws of the Earth. It mainly involves two characteristics: one leans toward strength, while the other is this power of vibration. Still, it differs from the Laws of the Earth..." Luo Ao's process of gaining insight into the Edicts of Destruction had not been as hair-raising as Gelike's.
But in terms of its power, his World Destruction was actually quite formidable. The only reason it still fell short of Gelike's technique was that Luo Ao had comprehended too little.
"That technique you comprehended is rather interesting. To think it can even give rise to such an unusual power of vibration." After hearing Luo Ao's understanding of the Edicts of Destruction, Gelike also found it somewhat novel.
Unfortunately, however, he did not immediately find any inspiration. In fact, this was normal. Let alone him, even Luo Ao could not possibly gain some new insight right away.
When comprehending the laws, everyone had their strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, it often required a sudden flash of inspiration at a particular moment.
Gelike's comprehension of the Edicts of Destruction had actually reached the point where he stood just one step from becoming a god. If he could truly gain even a sliver of new insight, he would probably become a god outright.
But how could becoming a god be so easy? So many Peak Saint-level experts had arisen on the Boya Continent, yet most remained stuck at Peak Saint-level for over ten thousand years without breaking through.
Becoming a god was truly difficult.
"Luo Ao, if you truly want to cultivate the Edicts of Destruction in depth, I suggest you experience more slaughter. The Path of Destruction inherently requires comprehension through constant slaughter and cultivation. Only by continually experiencing slaughter can you progress faster..."
"Slaughter?" Luo Ao could not help frowning at this. He did not consider himself a good person, but he was certainly no great fiend who slaughtered by nature.
After bidding Gelike farewell, Luo Ao planned to head straight through the Death Mountain Range to the Starflame Empire. There was a place there that was an excellent destination for cultivating the Elemental Laws of Fire.
After crossing the Death Mountain Range, which was exceedingly dangerous to ordinary people, Luo Ao officially entered the territory of the Starflame Empire.
The most famous thing about the Starflame Empire was none other than one of its sacred sites-Starflame Mountain.
Starflame Mountain was said to be where the Goddess of Starflame lived. In the Starflame Empire, most Saint-levels who cultivated the profound mysteries of the Elemental Laws of Fire were disciples of the Goddess of Starflame.
"Have I happened upon some festival? Why is it so lively?" Luo Ao had just entered a city-Lyle City-when he was greeted by a scene of extraordinary bustle and harmony.
"My lord, would you like to buy a souvenir? Our craftsmanship has been passed down through the family. Look at this starflame lantern. Isn't it beautiful?" Luo Ao had quite an extraordinary bearing, so a sharp-eyed craftsman immediately approached to sell him his wares.
His creations were not easy to make, so their prices were indeed somewhat steep. Ordinary commoners really could not afford them.
"A starflame lantern? The workmanship is indeed very fine." Luo Ao casually took a peculiar lantern from the craftsman's hands. The figure of an exquisitely beautiful woman was outlined in meticulous detail on its surface, while its base was open. It presumably worked by using the buoyancy of hot air.
"My lord, you're from another empire, aren't you? Then you've come at just the right time. The Starflame Festival is taking place around now, and our entire empire is bustling. Besides these starflame lanterns, there are special stage plays, too." The craftsman enthusiastically introduced his country's festival to Luo Ao, his expression full of pride.
"The Starflame Festival? I might as well have a look around." Luo Ao took out silver coins to buy the starflame lantern, then began wandering around.
Luo Ao had heard something of the Starflame Festival. This celebration commemorated the great achievements of the Goddess of Starflame, while also giving people a chance to relax and enjoy themselves after an entire year of hard work.
Walking along Lyle City's main street, Luo Ao could feel that it was indeed flourishing and bustling at the moment. Everyone's face brimmed with warm, carefree smiles.
Lyle City's main street was paved with level slabs of red stone and was wide enough for several carriages to travel abreast. Hotels, clothing stores, weapons shops, bars, and various other businesses lined both sides. A row of neat, upright beautiful pines also stood on either side of the main street, making the surroundings lovely.
Because it was a special festival, noblewomen and young ladies in special festival attire could often be seen strolling along the streets, chatting and laughing together.
The eyes of many young noble ladies involuntarily lit up when they saw Luo Ao walking alone through the streets. Some could not even restrain themselves from wanting to approach and strike up a conversation, but often, before they could get close, Luo Ao had already vanished from their sight.