Crystal Palace from Infinite Anime

For almost two days, Busujima Saeko stayed where she was without moving because she was expecting some changes to happen and didn't want to take any risks.

However, sitting there doing nothing is not an option.

She had tried touching the lake water with her fingertips and found that the temperature was not so high that she could not bear it.

Because she controls the ability of "Giant Demonic Poison", Busujima Saeko's senses are extremely sharp towards things with poisonous properties, and she can easily detect the terrifying poison contained in the blood-colored lake water.

However, due to the invisible bonus brought by the ability of "Macrophagous Demonic Poison", her poison resistance is actually very high, and it seems that she is not completely unable to resist the negative effects of stepping into the lake.

and so……

Should we try to walk out of this lake where the water level is not that high?

Busujima Saeko has been hesitating.

But at this moment, she held the sword tightly in her hand and stood up straight, which actually meant that, at least at this moment, she felt it was time to move on.

"If I hesitate any longer, I'll be waiting for death!" Thinking this, Busujima Saeko was about to step into the lake.

At this moment, she suddenly saw a person not far away, stepping into the lake water and running towards her.

The man was clearly standing in the boiling water, yet he was moving as fast as if he was walking on flat ground!

As the distance got closer, Busujima Saeko looked closely and found that the person coming was a red-haired woman wearing simple cloth.

The woman's hair was very messy, covering most of her face, so Busujima Saeko couldn't see the woman's appearance clearly - this was not important. What was important was that the other party was holding a strangely shaped scimitar in her hand and rushing towards her aggressively, clearly wanting to kill her!

"Who is in front? Please stop immediately!"

Watching the red-haired woman getting closer and closer, Busujima Saeko shouted a warning.

But the other party turned a deaf ear and did not slow down at all.

then--

"bass!"

Saeko drew out the katana in her hand called the Sinner Slash.

Chapter 16: Pyromancy

Gaelic Fortress.

After confirming that Lin Zhiyu was now conscious, Farrow, one of the three Red Lion Knights, thought for a moment and felt that it would be better to speak directly about some things. So he coughed lightly and said to Lin Zhiyu:

"I'm sorry, and we don't want to be defensive with you, but you have to understand that Scarlet Corruption can drive people crazy. You've only just been infected, and some of the symptoms may only be indirect. But as time goes on, the situation will only get worse."

After finishing speaking, Falros glanced at Theresa who was held in Uehara Rin's arms, obviously reminding Lin Zhiyu that given Lin Zhiyu's current condition, he shouldn't let a little girl like Theresa stay in the same room with him for a long time.

Perhaps feeling that Farrow's words were too blunt, Bertolos quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying that with Lin Zhiyu's physique and willpower, he wouldn't be defeated so quickly by the Scarlet Corruption. Lin Zhiyu had only lost control for a short moment, which actually showed that Lin Zhiyu could still withstand the Scarlet Corruption for the time being.

You have to know that if an ordinary person were exposed to the corrupt breath of Aegis, he would probably be turned into a pool of pus and blood on the spot.

However, neither Fallows' straightforward advice nor Bertoltos's emotionally intelligent words of comfort were what Lin Zhiyu needed.

Through their words, Lin Zhiyu felt the two knights' pity for him. Although Farrows and Bertrams hadn't spoken with a tone of regret, the context of their words clearly indicated that Lin Zhiyu was beyond saving.

It is precisely because the three Knights of the Red Lion, who have some knowledge of the Scarlet Corruption, are so pessimistic.

Therefore, Laura and the others' already heavy mood became even more depressed.

Sitting on the bed, looking at everyone in the room with solemn expressions, Lin Zhiyu clenched his fists and said firmly, "Don't worry, everyone, Scarlet Corruption can't defeat me."

Just this sentence sounds like self-consolation.

But Lin Zhiyu immediately focused his attention on the three Red Lion Knights and said seriously, "Please teach me how to use the power of fire more effectively."

The topic suddenly jumped from Scarlet Corruption to the use of fire, and the three Red Lion Knights were a little unable to keep up with Lin Zhiyu's train of thought.

After several seconds, Bertolos was the first to roughly guess Lin Zhiyu's thoughts and asked Lin Zhiyu if he wanted to use the power of fire to fight against the scarlet corruption?

Lin Zhiyu nodded, citing the example of the Red Lions Legion building a wall of smoke to prevent the spread of the Scarlet Corruption to other areas of the borderland. He smiled and said, "Since the Scarlet Corruption fears fire, then I might as well use the power of fire to purge the Scarlet Corruption from my body, right?"

"No, these are two different things! You have to understand that the Crimson Corruption is now in your body. How could your internal organs possibly withstand a fire strong enough to burn the Crimson Corruption?"

"Well, what you said does make sense, but I don't think I have a choice now! Besides, how can I know if this method will work if I don't try it?"

Lin Zhiyu was determined to develop a fire therapy that could eliminate the scarlet corruption. But that didn't mean he didn't share Bertoltos's concerns. The logic behind this was simple. For a modern person like Lin Zhiyu, who wouldn't know that high temperature was the simplest and most direct way to kill germs?

The problem is that the human body, like germs, cannot withstand high temperatures.

For example - the Red Lion soldiers are all professional fire players and have a high fire resistance, but if Lin Zhiyu shoots a flaming arrow into their stomachs through their mouths, they will not be able to withstand it no matter how high their fire resistance is!

In fact, although the "Healing of Flame" in the game has the effect of clearing scarlet corruption, it will also cause certain damage to the player himself when used.

To put it bluntly, fire therapy itself is a double-edged sword and needs to be used properly so that the final effect will be more beneficial than harmful.

No matter what, at least Lin Zhiyu proposed a plan that was not completely unfeasible.

The three Red Lion Knights all knew that Lin Zhiyu possessed the ability to control fire, and some even thought that Lin Zhiyu's fire control ability was even greater than theirs. Therefore, Bertolos then told Lin Zhiyu that with their attainments in the use of fire, they were probably not qualified enough to provide guidance to Lin Zhiyu.

Lin Zhiyu shook his head and said:

"My use of fire is a gift and instinct, not experience. Your Red Lions have long wielded the power of fire to combat the Crimson Corruption. You are experienced in controlling fire and are certainly qualified to guide me."

After hearing what Lin Zhiyu said, the three Red Lion Knights finally understood what Lin Zhiyu meant. Because their situation was exactly the opposite of Lin Zhiyu's:

Lin Zhiyu can control fire naturally due to his "Pyromancer" ability, so he lacks experience and knowledge of flames;

The Red Lion Legion, in the process of fighting against the Scarlet Corruption, has accumulated sufficient experience in the long-term use of fire and has a deep understanding of the power of fire, which is why they are able to control fire.

To put it simply, it is the difference between "innate" and "acquired".

Even the fire martial arts monks on the snowy mountains have only been able to skillfully use the power of fire through long-term practice, rather than being born with the ability to control fire, so they are called "monks".

But Lin Zhiyu said that he controlled fire based on his talent and instinct.

If Lin Zhiyu's understanding and use of fire could reach the level of the fire martial artists, then even the fire martial artists would probably not be able to surpass Lin Zhiyu in controlling fire, right? After all, Lin Zhiyu has a better talent!

With this in mind, the three Red Lion Knights, Farrow and Orson, stood on the left and right, sandwiching Bertolos in the middle. They each raised a hand and placed it on Bertolos's shoulders.

Bertolos glanced at his two companions, then nodded with a smile, telling Lin Zhiyu that he was probably the best at playing with fire here. Although his attainments were certainly not comparable to those of the fire-training monks on the snowy mountains, if Lin Zhiyu needed his guidance, he would definitely not refuse.

"Well, I'll leave it to you then." Lin Zhiyu nodded to Bertolos, then looked at Laura and others with a smile.

He seemed to be saying to his worried female companions, "See, buddy told me it wasn't that serious!"

But Lin Zhiyu's eyes were still bloodshot, with one eyeball covered in bloodshot and the other eyeball red. So his smile still failed to cheer up Laura and the others, but instead made everyone feel more depressed.

"Lin... please, you must get through this." Laura stood by the bed, clenching her fists, hoping from the bottom of her heart that Lin Zhiyu would get better soon.

Lin Zhiyu nodded, and then said to everyone except Bertolos:

"Don't worry, the Scarlet Corruption isn't completely unsolvable. I promise everything will be fine soon. You don't have to stay here all the time. Go get some rest."

The others didn't want to interfere with Bertolos's subsequent guidance to Lin Zhiyu, so they left the room one after another.

Bertram pulled a chair over to the bedside and sat down. He was skilled with a spear, but at the moment he only had his sword with him, so he drew it with a swish and gently stroked the blade, enchanting it and igniting it with a fiery flame.

Holding the flaming sword, Bertolos didn't hesitate at all and told Lin Zhiyu simply and directly that the use of fire was nothing more than two ways: restraint and extroversion.

For example, Lin Zhiyu can spit fire from his palms and even shoot flaming arrows, which is the most direct and brutal manifestation of releasing the power of fire.

On this basis, through a certain degree of control, when releasing the power of flames, the purpose is not to destroy, but to try to transfer the power of flames to weapons. This is the so-called flame enchantment, which is an advanced technique of "releasing" flames.

And when Lin Zhiyu's control over the flames is fine enough and his body's resistance to the flames reaches a certain level.

Theoretically, one can bring the power of fire from the outside in, just like treating oneself as a weapon, enchanting oneself, and letting the power of fire cover the inside of the body.

Then control the intensity of the flame, making sure it is strong enough to remove the scarlet corruption without burning one's own organs.

In this way, Lin Zhiyu's wish to use fire to eliminate the scarlet corruption was achieved.

But the conditions are so harsh.

First, Lin Zhiyu had to determine to what extent he could control the power of the flames to eliminate the scarlet corruption. Secondly, his internal structure had to withstand the corresponding intensity of the flames.

Finally, he also needs to be able to control the fire precisely - assuming that a flame of 150 degrees can clear the scarlet corruption, and his body can withstand this temperature, but because his control is not precise enough, he reaches 200 degrees, which is really playing with fire and getting burned!

"Wait, I don't understand, why does it have to be from the outside in?"

Suddenly, Lin Zhiyu grasped a key point and asked Bertolos, isn't it possible to control the fire in an internal form from the beginning?

Bertolos shook his head and said to Lin Zhiyu, "How about this, you condense a ball of flame first, and then I will explain it to you."

Then Lin Zhiyu raised one hand, and a ball of fire immediately ignited in his palm.

"Look, this fire has been external from the beginning, not internal." Bertolos pointed to the fire in Lin Zhiyu's palm, and then asked Lin Zhiyu, is it possible to turn his gaze into fire, let the fire digest food in the stomach, and let the fire flow in the body like magma instead of blood?

Lin Zhiyu frowned and shook his head, "Of course not."

"So the power of fire can only be from the outside in, at best. Your assumption is not completely untrue, but strictly speaking, it's another approach."

"Another way? Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"What I mean is, you and I, one of us is born with the ability to control fire, while the other one has gradually learned to control fire through years of practice. But besides that, there is actually another way to go, which is to rely on the power of faith, which is - Fire Magic."

Chapter 17 Various "Strange Fires" at the Border

In the game of Elden Circle, weapons have different attributes, such as: sharp, heavy, sacred, magical, cold, fire, etc.

Each attribute has different corrections. For example, the correction of fire is mainly based on strength, so the higher the player's strength, the higher the fire damage panel of the fire weapon.

Pyromancy is also a weapon attribute in the Elden Circle, which can also give the weapon a fire attribute damage panel. The biggest difference from flames is that Pyromancy consumes both strength and faith in terms of correction.

From this we can see that the so-called flame technique is to pour faith into the power of flame and to control the flame both mentally and physically.

But this is something not even the Red Lions can do.

Only those who worship fire extremely and are extremely devout to fire can progress from conventional fire control to becoming a "fire magician" who merges their body and mind with fire.

Bertolos patiently explained all this to Lin Zhiyu, and finally added:

"Even if we look at the entire border area, as far as I know, the only people who can be considered as flame magicians are the flame martial artists on the snowy mountains, and those who control the black..."

Bertolos stopped talking midway.

Lin Zhiyu had been sitting on the bed with his head slightly lowered, pondering the essence of flame magic. At this moment, because Bertolos suddenly stopped talking, Lin Zhiyu raised his eyes and glanced at Bertolos, but did not ask why Bertolos stopped talking mid-sentence.

Because he knew very well that what Bertolos almost let slip just now was nothing more than the forbidden god-killing black flame.

Speaking of which, in the Elden Ring, flames also have many forms.

Apart from the ordinary flame that can be obtained by drilling a piece of wood.

and also:

It is sealed in the snowy mountains in the northeast of the border area. Its color is the same as ordinary flames. It comes from the destructive fire of the "Fire Evil God";

Hidden in various places along the border, the black is tinged with gray, originating from the god-killing black flame of the "Queen of the Night Eyes";

Symbolizing endless chaos and madness, the golden color comes from the mad fire of the "three fingers";

As well as the yellow and black fire of death and birth, the lavender Tolina hypnotic flame, the blue, black and white mixed cold spiritual fire, and so on.

Lin Zhiyu was certain that what Bertolos wanted to say but didn't say just now was the Black Flame, and the Shenpi clan who controlled the Black Flame.

Why didn't Bertolos dare to talk about the Black Flame?

There are many stories here, but to put it simply, the Black Flame is the flame that kills gods! The Shenpi Clan who control the Black Flame are heretics bent on killing gods and stripping the skin of gods to use as armor!

The existence of such a taboo should not be mentioned lightly.

In the game, in the Galid region, there's a divinely bestowed tower symbolizing Latarn's demigod status. Interestingly, within this divinely bestowed tower, the Divine Skin Clan hides, and even Black Flame martial artists patrol it.

This suggests that Latarn and his Red Lion Legion likely have some kind of liaison with the Godskin Clan, who serve the Black Flame. As a Red Lion Knight skilled in controlling fire, Bertros holds a high position within the Legion, so it's logical that he would know something about the Black Flame.

As his thoughts wandered to this point, Lin Zhiyu even had an idea that if all else failed, he could go to the Ratan Divine Tower to hook up with the Divine Skin Clan and learn flame magic from them.

Since the fire martial artists on the snowy mountain who originally guarded the Fire of Destruction have been attracted by the Fire of Destruction and become believers of the Fire of Destruction, they can all switch to the Shenpi clan and become black flame martial artists.

Why can't I?

I have been wandering for half my life, and I only regret that I have never met Hei Yan. If you don't abandon me, I am willing to serve you...

cough cough.

That's the general idea anyway.

However, Lin Zhiyu quickly cut off this idea as soon as he thought of it.

Because the Ratan God-granting Tower was located in the northeast of Galid, while the Gael Fortress where he was currently located was located in the southwest of Galid. From here to the Ratan God-granting Tower, there was a long way to go, and there was no telling how many dangers he would encounter.