The Mighty Mage
Chapter 278: Tribulation

Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Tribulation

It felt like a wildfire was spreading through her veins, burning hotter and hotter with every passing second.

Gu Jin’s knees buckled, and she fell to the ground with a gasp, clutching her chest as the first wave of pain hit her.

It was unlike anything she had ever felt before.

Her entire body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside, her muscles seizing up as the energy of the Dark Fire element surged through her, pushing toward the breakthrough.

She screamed, her voice echoing through the empty forest as she writhed on the ground, the pain so intense it was almost blinding.

"Space!" she shouted, her voice hoarse. "Do something!"

"I-I can’t!" the space stammered, sounding just as panicked as Gu Jin felt. "Master, you just have to endure it!"

"Endure it?!" Gu Jin’s vision blurred as another wave of searing pain tore through her. "I’m not going to survive this!"

But the space had no answers. No solutions.

Gu Jin was on her own.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into the dirt beneath her as she gritted her teeth, trying to focus on something—anything—that wasn’t the excruciating pain tearing her apart.

She had been through a lot in her life, lost her loved ones, and almost died many times but nothing could have prepared her for this.

Her entire body felt like it was being consumed by flames, the Dark Fire element raging inside her as it pushed for its breakthrough.

Her breaths came in short, labored gasps as she fought to keep herself conscious, but the pain was overwhelming.

"I’m... not... giving up," Gu Jin hissed through clenched teeth, her determination shining through despite the agony. "I’ve survived worse... I can survive this."

But even as she said the words, doubt began to creep in. The pain was growing worse by the second, and she could feel her body weakening.

This is bad, she thought, her vision dimming as the heat became unbearable. If I don’t do something soon... I’m not going to make it.

The space spoke up again, its voice laced with urgency.

"Master, there might be one way."

Gu Jin’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with desperation.

"What is it?" she demanded, her voice strained from the pain. "Tell me!"

"You can swallow more than 200 Earth Healing pills." The space suggested.

Gu Jin blinked, her mind racing as she processed the suggestion.

Gu Jin’s breath hitched in disbelief, her vision swimming from the relentless pain.

"What?!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking as she tried to wrap her mind around the absurdity.

"Two hundred Earth Healing pills? Are you insane?"

It wasn’t like she didn’t have 200 Earth Rank Healing pills, but...

A normal mage could swallow up to 100 healing pills without any problem. But if they swallow more than 100...then there are chances the mage’s body might develop resistance against such type of healing pills.

This means that the next time the healing pill won’t have any effect on the mage.

The space remained silent, clearly knowing it wasn’t a great solution but offering what little it could.

"Master, it’s the only way to heal you quickly enough to prevent the Dark Fire from consuming your body. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, I’m dead," Gu Jin finished, already knowing the answer.

Another wave of searing pain ripped through her body, and the choice became clear. She had no other option. It was either risk developing a resistance to the healing pills or be consumed by the Dark Fire element raging inside her.

"Fine!" she gasped through gritted teeth. "Give me the pills!"

The space hesitated for only a second before responding. "Understood, Master. I’ll begin administering them."

In an instant, two hundred glowing Earth Rank Healing pills materialized in front of her.

The small, shimmering orbs hovered in the air for a moment before one by one, they floated toward Gu Jin’s mouth.

Her body was shaking violently now, her muscles straining as she tried to control the flames erupting within her.

She could feel her skin burning, her veins boiling under the pressure of the Dark Fire energy that was pushing relentlessly toward the breakthrough.

As the first pill slipped into her mouth, she felt a cool, soothing sensation start to spread from her throat to her chest.

The pain dulled slightly, just enough for her to catch her breath.

Then came the second, the third, and so on, each one delivering a small wave of relief as it was absorbed into her system.

But the fire inside her was still raging, and despite the calming effects of the pills, the pain never fully went away.

Gu Jin swallowed them as quickly as she could, her body shaking uncontrollably as she forced the pills down.

The cool sensation clashed with the intense heat, creating a strange, almost unbearable pressure inside her chest.

I can’t stop now, she told herself. I’ve come too far.

By the time she had swallowed the fiftieth pill, the heat began to lessen, the flames inside her dampening ever so slightly.

But she was nowhere near finished.

"Keep going," she muttered to herself, her voice hoarse and trembling as she swallowed the next batch of pills.

"Keep... going..."

As the numbers climbed—seventy, eighty, ninety—Gu Jin’s body started to feel unnaturally heavy.

The combination of the pills and the fiery energy coursing through her veins was overwhelming, her limbs trembling as if they might collapse under the pressure.

"Almost there," she gasped, pushing herself to swallow the final set of pills.

Finally, when the two-hundredth pill slid down her throat, she felt something shift inside her.

The relentless fire inside her chest calmed to a smoldering burn, no longer threatening to consume her from within.

Her muscles relaxed, and for the first time in what felt like hours, she could breathe without feeling like her body was about to explode.

Gu Jin lay there, gasping for air as she felt the healing effects of the pills settle into her system.

The agony had subsided, but she was left weak—so weak she could barely move.

"Is it... over?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The space’s voice returned, soft but steady.

"Yes, Master. You’ve stabilized the breakthrough. The Dark Fire element is now under control."

Gu Jin let out a shaky breath of relief, her entire body going limp as exhaustion washed over her.

The intense pain had faded, replaced by a deep, bone-deep fatigue that made her want to sink into the ground and never move again.

After a long period of time, the space suddenly said,

"Congratulations master, you have broken through to advanced rank!"

Gu Jin smiled,

"Hm."

Dark Fire element was finally Advanced Rank. Now she can unlock more Dark Spells!

This was beneficial for cultivating a mutated element.

A mutated element could give her access to more range of spells with different attributes.

Like the mutated plant element, could give her plant, poison, and healing spells, the further she advanced.

Her dark fire element gives her access to dark and fire elements.

Her third element which was fire, was much more powerful than any of the fire element users.

This was mainly due to the reason, that she possesses two elements that have fire element in common.

Gu Jin was immersed in her bliss when she saw the dark clouds starting to gather, she sighed,

"Ah...I thought I could enjoy the weather for a while, but looks like...sigh. It’s alright I will come back later to enjoy it."

Saying so Gu Jin was about to enter when she heard the space say.

"Master...the fourth element...your fourth element is going to advance to Intermediate Rank..."

"Necromancy element?" Gu Jin asked in surprise and hope.

"Yes, master."

"My god... it is the easiest to cultivate!" Gu Jin sighed.

Not even one month had passed since she had awakened her necromancy element and she had already reached the Intermediate Rank.

"Yes, master." The space said and turned quietly.

Gu Jin blinked.

"Space?"

"Yes, master."

"Be honest and tell me what is about to happen?" Gu Jin smiled, but her aura turned chilly.

The space remained silent.

Gu Jin chuckled,

"Do you think I can’t see that the black clouds are more than they should have been?"

"That...master you will have to...go through tribulations...for every breakthrough you have for your necromancy element." The space didn’t dare to continue to hide.

It was frightened by Gu Jin’s calm expression. Gu Jin was acting too calm...so calm that the space felt as if it was about to be doomed.

"Alright." Gu Jin slowly stood up and said in a calm voice, "I have decided. I will through you away, once I die."

"Master! Master what type of unlucky thing are saying spit! Spit! Master, please don’t say such unlucky things..."

"Or what?" Gu Jin gritted her teeth, "I am saying unlucky things? Then what about you? Shouldn’t you have informed me about this before? Don’t you want me dead?"