Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 611: Void Severance

Chapter 611: Void Severance

Finally, Vlad placed his hand on the sixth Soul World. The moment his fingers made contact, a vision surged through his mind—a surge so vivid and powerful that it flooded his heart with awe and longing.

He saw a Dino Warrior standing at the forefront of an army that unleashed a barrage of fireballs in his direction. These blazing spheres were so large and numerous that they seemed to blot out the sky, turning the horizon into a roaring inferno. There appeared to be no chance to dodge or evade. Yet, the Dino Warrior did not move even a single step. He calmly waved his sword through the air and then returned it to its hilt, waiting calmly for the torrent of flames to descend upon him.

In mere moments, the fireballs were upon him, poised to collide and reduce him to ash. Just as they were about to strike, they split apart in midair and vanished, dissolving into harmless embers. Not a single scratch marked his body. At first, it resembled some form of mysterious magic, but Vlad’s keen perception revealed the truth: infinitesimally thin lines covered the air in front of the Dino Warrior.

Those nearly undetectable threads, subtle beyond ordinary comprehension, had sundered the fire spells.

[Void Severance – Offensive Technique. The user harnesses spatial energy to create an absolute cutting edge that bypasses conventional defenses. Instead of striking the enemy directly, space itself is sliced, causing entire sections of the battlefield to be displaced, erased, or crushed under spatial collapse.]

A bright glow lit Vlad’s eyes as excitement and curiosity grew within him. The technique was astonishing in both its skill and sheer destructive potential. It was also perfectly suited to his combat style, focusing on lethal, precise strikes. His heart pounded with eagerness, and it took him several seconds to calm down.

Though he already knew that this was the technique he wanted most, he reminded himself that there was still one more Soul World—there was no harm in gathering additional information. With that in mind, Vlad moved on to the final Soul World.

In this seventh and last vision, he again witnessed a Dino Warrior. But this time, the warrior’s body twisted and morphed, adopting aquatic features such as gills and webbed extremities before diving into the ocean with graceful ease. Moments later, the warrior shot out of the water and soared into the sky, where its body sprouted massive wings and feathers that propelled it at incredible speeds. Finally, it plunged into a volcano, its skin hardening into obsidian-like scales, gleaming with a volcanic luster that withstood the fiery heat.

[Behemoth Ascension – Body Transformation. The user’s flesh and bones fuse with ancient bestial power, granting the ability to reshape their form to match the environment, the enemy, and any evolving needs. Unlike traditional shapeshifting, these transformations are permanent improvements, leading to an ever-growing, ever-adapting warrior.]

Vlad could not hide his astonishment. While the power of this technique was indeed impressive, what truly surprised him was how familiar it felt. It reminded him strongly of Ourobour’s Depravita Racial Ability.

"Interesting," Vlad murmured, his voice echoing in the silent chamber around him. "Mastery of the Laws can grant abilities akin to those of the Depravita. That means our Depravita Abilities might mimic or even surpass the power of the Laws themselves."

He paused, a meaningful smile forming on his lips. Knowledge, after all, was power, and this revelation offered him a new perspective on his own potential. Confident in his understanding, he turned away from the seventh Soul World and returned to the sixth Soul World.

Once again, Vlad pressed his right hand onto the swirling energy of that world. He spoke in a clear, decisive voice, "I choose Void Severance."

A heavy tremor ran through the Soul World, and Vlad felt a potent stream of spirit energy surge into his arm. It coursed through his body before traveling into his Soul Dimension. Almost immediately, a warning flashed in his consciousness.

[Beep! An unknown force is attempting to reach the Host’s Soul Dimension. Should it be blocked?]

"Allow it," Vlad commanded without delay, though he remained cautious. "But do not relax your vigilance."

He trusted that the city would not harm its cultivators. Nevertheless, it was unwise to leave himself defenseless. Fortunately, nothing sinister occurred. The spirit force from the Soul World coalesced into a small sphere of energy in the ceiling of his Soul Dimension, floating near his Depravita Seed.

He glanced at his hand, noticing that the number "1," which had been glowing there, had completely faded away.

Vlad paid no further attention. His focus locked on the spirit seed that now contained Void Severance. With deliberate concentration, he willed his senses inward, studying the seed. Instantly, a torrent of knowledge and insight rushed through him—far more than mere words or mental images. It felt as though the very emotions, intentions, and expertise of whoever had created this Soul World were being translated into his mind, offering comprehension on a profound level.

After five minutes of silent immersion, Vlad opened his eyes, blinking as he regained clarity. A slight frown creased his forehead. The technique had no flaw, but its complexity was overwhelming. Before he could even take the first real step toward mastering it, he needed to develop at least a fundamental understanding of the Law of Space. That sort of insight was beyond him until he ascended to the rank of Sage.

"I suppose I’ll have to wait," he muttered under his breath, exhaling a small sigh of disappointment. The power of Void Severance was extremely enticing, but it remained just out of reach. Accepting that reality with stoicism, Vlad turned and stepped back onto the platform that led him into these trials.

The instant he did so, a solemn light appeared in his eyes. Clenching his fist, he shouted, "To the Legendary Level!"

In a flash, he was transported once again into the expansive white dome. Without delay, a new Dino Warrior’s energy construct materialized before him. Its appearance was reminiscent of the earlier challengers: the same curved horns, the same towering musculature, and the same enormous axe. Yet something about this manifestation felt different, dangerously so. An aura of cosmic power coursed through the construct’s presence, intensifying its energy to a level that set Vlad on edge.

His instincts immediately screamed that this opponent was no ordinary foe. He could sense that the Dino Warrior’s energy had reached the peak of the Sage Tier—comparable to the giant Elemental he had once faced while making his way toward this mystical city.

However, there was something more, something deeper: a resonance of universal power that made the Dino Warrior’s strength feel immeasurable, as though it transcended typical Sage-tier power. Each breath the construct took radiated an oppressive force that pressed down on Vlad.