Here it comes.

Just like in his previous life, the storm carried black smoke, merging into one.

It was like a black storm of nature itself.

"Brother Zhang Luan... what should we do?"

Nan Fenghua stared blankly at the terrifying black smoke storm. To her, something this horrifying was utterly unbeatable.

"What to do? Just chill. Don’t panic. It’s only a storm."

Zhang Luan’s face radiated unwavering confidence. Logically, even Stellar Flame’s insane power couldn’t let him fight freely here. The smart move was to retreat.

But Zhang Luan thought differently. He gripped his longbow, excitement blazing in his eyes.

In his past life, facing this old man’s storm, he’d hidden far away, watching helplessly as players were slaughtered.

Now, reborn, fearing a mere cult elder? That was no way to live.

"It’s time. Ultimate Ability."

Yes, he’d bet everything on it. Normally, its next awakening could take ages.

Wait?

Impossible.

So he chose another path.

Fight someone far stronger. Let death’s pressure push his desire for power to its peak. Under that strain, his Ultimate Ability would break through and awaken.

Scared, Nan Fenghua grabbed Zhang Luan’s wrist and placed the Culinary God’s Spicy Pot on her head.

It looked silly, but it was her best shield.

As the black-gray storm engulfed them, scorching ash rained on Zhang Luan.

But Nan Fenghua, shielded by the pot, stayed untouched. All ash avoided her. As a legendary item, it had quirks. Her impulsive move accidentally saved her.

Even without it, as Akamana’s Holy Maiden, she’d be saved from fatal harm. No worries.

Elder Muhong, at the storm’s heart, watched Zhang Luan stand defenseless. The old man’s wrinkled face split into an excited grin.

"Good, good. Dying obediently in my Black Ash Storm is honorable. Hahahaha!"

He laughed arrogantly, missing the faint glow under Zhang Luan’s skin. Mysterious runes carved a pure space around them, isolating the pair.

Zhang Luan opened his eyes. A soft blue light shimmered, then faded.

He’d succeeded.

[Force of Creation]: Creates a spatial layer at a designated spot, isolating all outside forces. Analyzes space, coordinates, and enables banishment, teleportation, distortion, and self-created space skills. Adds one-time targeted deployment to imbued items. Deployment triggers spacetime ripples—choose true damage or +20% speed for all units in range.

This was his new power: Force of Creation. Simply put, space manipulation.

Zhang Luan flipped his left hand. A distorted spatial sphere trembled in his palm. Through it, fragmented mirrors seemed fused together—strange, almost nauseating to stare at.

"What is this? So pretty... but it feels dangerous."

Nan Fenghua eyed the sphere curiously, hesitating to touch it. Her instincts screamed trouble.

"Lucky you’re smart this time. It is dangerous—but not to me. Hey, hold my pot tight. After I finish him, I’ll take you home."

"Ho... home!"

Nan Fenghua’s face flushed crimson. Her mind raced: bringing Zhang Luan to the Sacred Temple, marrying him, even their nights together...

"Ow~"

Cheek pain snapped her back. Zhang Luan pinched her cheek, exasperated.

"Idiot? Daydreaming now?"

"Sor... sorry," she stammered, blushing.

"Hold tight."

Elder Muhong finally sensed wrongness. His Black Ash Storm should’ve charred them by now.

Yet they stood unharmed, as if bathed in a cool breeze, not deadly ash.

His rage deepened.

"Damn it! I’ve lived a century! How can I fail to kill two brats? Impossible! I’m holding back! Increase power! Increase! Increase!!!"

Elder Muhong’s flesh swelled grotesquely. His mutated body burst through clothes, revealing grayish-green, inhuman skin.

He was a monster.

The Black Ash Storm roared hotter, spinning wildly. Yet Zhang Luan stood firm. Even Nan Fenghua, his cute burden, remained unscathed.

He stood calmly, mocking the elder’s weakness.

The more he did this, the fiercer Elder Muhong’s rage burned.

Normally, he’d flee. But mutated, only pure fury remained.

"Damn! I refuse this!!"

More black ash surged from his body. Blood burst from veins. Ash formed strange arms, darting at Zhang Luan at blinding speed.

If ash and storm failed, he’d grab them himself. His arm-speed would immobilize them.

But he forgot one thing.

As black ash flames swept in, Zhang Luan waved his hand. A Stellar Flame wall blocked all arms. They ignited instantly, flames racing back toward Elder Muhong.

His pupils shrank. He severed the connection—but too late.

Fire fed by wind, Stellar Flame now burned on his mutated flesh.

But this time, Stellar Flame wasn’t the star. Force of Creation was.

Zhang Luan raised his arm, aiming at the burning elder. Space deconstructed in his eyes, forming an absolute path.

He drew his longbow fully. No arrow flew—only a true longsword.

Force of Creation coated it. Coordinates locked. Stellar Flame fueled it. Spacetime ripples primed. Spiral energy, spacetime waves, and raw power fused into one strike. Zhang Luan didn’t know the damage.

"Should I name this move? How about..."

[Stellar Ripple Spiral Holy Blade]?

So chuunibyou~