Stronghold Leader Seth nodded in agreement. "I have no issue with that, especially since I haven't yet mastered the flying technique you taught me previously," he replied.

"Me too. I'll need more time to study the technique before I can fly. Besides, with Stronghold Leader Zogar accompanying you, there's no need for us to come along," Fifi responded, echoing Seth's sentiments.

A week ago, Orion had collected numerous flying techniques from Aerialia, who seemed genuinely happy to share them when he asked. He had initially assumed it was because he could fly without them.

Still, he didn't dwell on it and swiftly distributed the techniques to those who had cultivated considerable amounts of Celestial energy. However, learning everything in a week was impossible; even he was just grasping the basics.

He didn't want to rely on his gift whenever he wanted to fly, so he worked hard to master the technique quickly.

According to Aerialia, they were learning the technique faster than usual because they had her as their teacher, as she had created the techniques herself.

"Let's go then," Stronghold Leader Zogar responded.

Orion nodded and immediately activated his gift, his body transforming into his lightning form.

CRACKLE!

Almost instantly, Stronghold Leader Zogar's body began to shift, transforming into a being that appeared to be made of lightning, just like Orion.

CRACKLE!

Orion turned to look at Stronghold Leader Zogar and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As a five-star warrior, Stronghold Leader Zogar could effortlessly utilize his gift, and its effects and range were several times more powerful than his own.

Nonetheless, Orion didn't feel defeated. After all, he was a two-star warrior with the prowess of a four-star warrior, and when he created his next Vylkr container, he would surely be able to go toe-to-toe with Stronghold Leader Zogar.

Of course, that depended on how quickly Stronghold Leader Zogar developed with the help of the Vylkr Fusion Armlet.

They both focused on the Vylkr artefact and instantly disappeared from their positions, transforming into bolts of lightning that shot through the sky.

......

When they arrived at the partly dimmed clouds, still swirling with dissipating Vylkr energy, the sunlight piercing through created a radiant huea breathtaking sight from below.

Observing the immense whirlwind of dense Vylkr energy and its countless Vylkr vine variants, both familiar and new, Orion turned to Stronghold Leader Zogar.

"Are you ready?" Orion asked, his voice booming like thunder.

Even before the Vylkr vine variants could approach, they were obliterated by the lightning bolts streaking around him.

Stronghold Leader Zogar nodded, a smile cracking across his electrified lips. "I'm ready," he responded.

Despite the overwhelming Vylkr energy, he was confident that none could genuinely harm him or block their path.

"Remember, this is a Vylkr artefact, so the Vylkr vine variants we encounter here will be much stronger than their predecessors," Orion cautioned. "This is our first time harvesting a Vylkr artefact, so we must be careful. We have no idea how things might unfold."

Although confident in Stronghold Leader Zogar's strength and their combined might, Orion recalled Aerialia's warning: she had no idea what harvesting the Vylkr artefact entailed but was sure it would be dangerous, possibly more powerful than a Divine artefact.

They couldn't afford to relax in case things went south instantly.

"Hahaha! I know where my confidence lies, and I trust my instincts," Stronghold Leader Zogar replied, bursting into laughter. "I wouldn't have made it this far or become a Stronghold Leader if I were blind or overly reliant on my gift. So you don't have to worry."

He added, "My only concern is that we aren't being watched. But since no one has attacked us so far, it means that Aegis of the Arctic Deity must have taken care of all potential threats."

Orion nodded solemnly, focusing on the centre of the immense, slowly dissipating whirlwind. He immediately spotted a large, bizarre ball with a shimmering, translucent surface that appeared to move like waves in strange directions.

"Can you see it too?" Orion asked.

"Yes, I can," Stronghold Leader Zogar responded, narrowing his eyes at the Vylkr artefact.

"On my mark, we're going to drag it out of there and immediately return to the Primordial Barrier," Orion said.

He wasn't sure if the Primordial Barrier would allow any foreign object within it, but they could bring back any Vylkr vine when they were still on its surface through the Divine barrier so he hoped it would work.

However, he knew he had to try and find out.

"Ready?" Orion asked, his eyes fixed on the artefact.

Stronghold Leader Zogar nodded solemnly.

"Go!" Orion's voice rang across the surroundings as he vanished from his previous position, leaving behind a resounding trail of lightning.

Stronghold Leader Zogar had already gone ahead of him.

They arrived at the centre of the immense whirlwind within seconds before the shimmering, translucent ball. However, just as they were about to grab it, sharp gleaming spikes, sharper than those on a two-star Vylkr vine, instantly appeared on it, causing them to immediately distance themselves.

At that moment, countless Vylkr variants launched towards them, attempting to drain their life force. However, a protective sphere of lightning formed around Orion and Stronghold Leader Zogar, instantly frying and destroying the Vylkr vine variants.

Ignoring the chaos around them, Orion and Stronghold Leader Zogar focused on the Vylkr artefact before them.

The sharp spikes soon retracted, and the waves on the shimmering, translucent ball began to spread faster until they suddenly halted.

The ball then expanded, reaching about a meter before compressing itself. Surprisingly, it began to take shape, morphing into a sleek, dark puppet with a humanoid figure, approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. It had elongated limbs and a lithe body, with smooth, obsidian-like skin shimmering with an eerie, iridescent sheen. Its eyes glowed with a faint, malevolent light.

A faint aura of Vylkr energy swept outwards, like a hurricane in every direction, capable of creating a sense of unease and fear in those who came into contact with it.

The clouds in their surroundings and in the distance parted, revealing the bright sunlight shining on the puppet's glistening skin and the earth below them. Then, the transformation halted.