Whether the Gray Merchant’s little trick will succeed, it’s not mentioned yet, because even if it does succeed, it will be after the second clash between the Shadow Giant and the Gray Merchant.
The black mist fist projected by the Shadow Giant has already fiercely smashed towards the gemstone shield created by the Gray Merchant.
The Gray Merchant had great confidence in his gemstone shield, which is why he dared to secretly play tricks. However, what he completely didn’t expect was that the massive black mist fist, upon touching the gemstone shield, instantly... assimilated!
Yes, assimilated!
The Gray Merchant watched with wide eyes as the black mist fist transformed into a cluster of amber crystals. These crystals were smooth like gemstones, identical to those produced after the Gray Merchant activated his bloodline, shining with a unique and noble luster.
Under normal circumstances, even if the black mist fist assimilated into a gemstone fist, it should be blocked by the gemstone shield, because there would definitely be a physical collision first.
But what the Gray Merchant didn’t expect at all was that the gemstone fist, at the moment of touching the gemstone shield, bypassed the physical collision and passed through the gemstone shield in an elemental form!
This sounds and looks as if it’s not very difficult. To put it bluntly, isn’t it just elementalization?
But the real situation is many times more complex and difficult than it appears from the outside.
It’s true that it’s elementalization, only elementalization can penetrate the gemstone shield, but there’s a very crucial point here.
Even for elementalization, a basic principle of elements must be followed:
Different elements interacting will yield different results due to their nature. For example, coexistence, fusion, dissolution, explosion, isolation.
Even elements of the same kind interacting would yield different results due to the inherent inertia of the element itself and the variations in form caused by external influences. Although explosions are rare, they do exist, with coexistence and isolation being more common.
Just like this time, from a pure elemental perspective, abandoning the Bloodline Theory viewpoint, the Gray Merchant’s gemstone shield undoubtedly belongs to the Earth system, the gemstone secret technique in the transmutation branch.
And in the transmutation branch, the most representative stream is not the gemstone secret technique, but the Secret Gold Magician.
Though both Secret Gold Magicians and the gemstone secret technique belong to the transmutation branch, even after elementalization, they do not easily fuse. Instead, they remain in a state of coexistence and isolation.
Even elements of the same structure, lineage, and sub-branch have a great chance of not fusing, indicating just how astonishing the Shadow Giant’s attack was this time, even to the point of being exaggerated!
The exaggerated aspect is that the fist like black mist instantly analyzed the elemental structure, elemental condition, and elemental nature of the gemstone shield upon touching it, directly transformed itself into an identical elemental structure, and then performed elementalization, thus passing through the gemstone shield!
Not to mention whether this could be done by any ordinary Wizard, just the difficulty involved here is already beyond imagination!
And another most crucial point, how did the opponent transmute elements? Isn’t he a ghostly presence, how did he become a gemstone secret technique?
These questions surfaced in the Gray Merchant’s mind as he was struck in the chest by the gemstone fist, flying backward, and falling in an arc through the air.
Although the intense pain in his body and the loud crushing sound of bones at the sunken spot in his chest were so prominent, these were minor issues to the Gray Merchant. His main concern was... why, and how did this happen?
Of course, aside from this, the Gray Merchant did not forget the little tricks he played in secret—could those unstable elemental gemstones cause harm to this strange opponent?
The answer was soon revealed.
After the Gray Merchant fell heavily, he struggled to roll over and pushed himself up from the ground. And once he stood up, he saw an unbelievable scene.
Opposite the Shadow Giant... no, now there was no Shadow Giant; instead, there was a Jewel Giant.
Previously only a fist was transformed into a gemstone; now, the entire body was turned into gemstone.
The Jewel Giant, its body fully encrusted with amber crystals, seemed more like... a Gem Dragon. Whereas the Gray Merchant, who truly possessed the Gem Dragon bloodline, appeared gray and dusty like dirt.
The Jewel Giant, originally surrounded by various ghostly shadow fragments, is now replaced by radiant rainbow mist.
And those gemstones shot out from the Gray Merchant’s tail, upon contact with the Jewel Giant, passed right through just like they did with the gemstone shield.
This opponent who claims to be Earl Mi, once again performed elementalization, and directly assimilated.
All the gemstones passed through the body without causing an explosion. Ultimately, they directly followed the trajectory, pierced into the void, and disappeared.
Watching this scene, the Gray Merchant only felt his brain buzzing.
Exactly what kind of monster is he facing?
Why? What’s going on? What happened? These questions kept echoing in the Gray Merchant’s mind but no answer was ever found.
The Gray Merchant, stumbling to his feet, unresolved doubts remaining, simply directly voiced his bewilderment to Earl Mi.
Yet, the distant Jewel Giant merely looked down at the Gray Merchant without a word.
The Gray Merchant chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Well, now we’re in a duel, who would be foolish enough to probe the opponent’s abilities? But still, I must thank you... no, your lordship, for not taking advantage of the opportunity to strike me."
The Jewel Giant continued to remain silent, not moving, merely watching the Gray Merchant indifferently.
The Gray Merchant seemed to have realized something: "I understand, your lordship desires a true fight."
The Gray Merchant lifted his head, his expression immediately turning solemn, his eyes revealing a strong battle intent.
"I will fulfill your lordship’s request!"
As the Gray Merchant spoke, the blood energy in his body poured out incessantly, muscles became massive, limbs started to swell, and his legs expanded like elephant legs—strong and thick. Crystals rapidly formed all over his body, covering him entirely!
This also meant that the Gray Merchant was prepared for a true battle, with his bloodline fully unleashed!
The Gem Dragon’s dragon aura kept climbing
Facing this terrifying dragon aura, Dox outside the arena couldn’t help but shiver. The bloodline of sandworm on his sword’s back was itching to challenge the dragon aura, but more so was the fear and apprehension from the bloodline suppression.
Dox suppressed the agitation in his bloodline, furrowing his brow as he looked towards the center of the battlefield: "What is he doing? With Gray Merchant’s bloodline fully unleashed, not even Earl Mi can necessarily suppress it."
Previously, Dox had advised Angel, suggesting it best to deal with Gray Merchant before he unleashes his full bloodline. Otherwise, the outcome would be unpredictable.
Unlike modified Wizards, blood origin Wizards use bloodlines from the same source lineage, even their full bloodline release afterward wouldn’t have significant side effects. Yet, blood origin Wizards with full bloodline release are terrifying beyond imagination!
Vay was the only one to respond to Dox’s query.