The crimson lake, which had been stirring faintly, suddenly began to churn violently as if some colossal creature were awakening beneath the surface.
In the next moment, monstrous tentacles, each as thick as a water barrel, emerged from the lake. They were formed from viscous blood and foul malevolent energy.
With a sickening screech and a gale of coppery stench, the tendrils lashed out like a nest of giant serpents. They whipped and coiled from all directions, aiming to crush and entangle the group on the narrow path.
“Watch out!” Rhydian roared. He swung his blade at the crimson tentacle lunging for Grace. The blade collided with the tentacle, producing the sound of metal clashing against metal as sparks flew.
The tentacle was incredibly resilient and contained powerful corrosive energy. The impact numbed his arm, and his blade was instantly covered with a layer of crimson filth, dimming its spiritual light.
The two other guards also swung their blades to defend, but their attacks had little effect on the endless stream of crimson tentacles. They were quickly forced onto the defensive, struggling to hold their ground.
Judith’s dagger repeatedly struck the tentacles. However, she could only leave shallow pits on them and couldn’t inflict any damage.
“Get behind me!” Dustin commanded in a low voice.
As a tide of crimson tentacles surged toward them, his eyes narrowed with lethal focus. Without drawing his sword, he formed a series of hand seals. The mystical, pure energy around him erupted, coalescing into a massive, swirling apparition-a cyan disk of light that shielded the entire party.
“Mystical Protection. No evil shall pass!” he roared. The crimson tentacles lashed viciously against the disk of light, producing deep, thunderous booming sounds.
The corrupted malevolent energy violently collided with the pure mystical energy, mutually annihilating each other. Thick plumes of black smoke rose into the air
The disk of light rippled intensely, but ultimately held firm against this first wave of savage attacks. However, the assault from the lake did not cease.
More crimson tentacles surged forth from the depths. Instead of ramming against the disk of light, they moved as if alive, coiling around and corroding the edges of the diagram, attempting to break it down.
At the same time, thick crimson mist rose from the lake’s surface. The mist carried intense mental pollution that penetrated protective energy barriers and invaded everyone’s minds, manifesting terrifying visions and seductive whispers to disturb their consciousness.
“Focus your mind!”
Dustin’s voice rang out like a clear spring, washing away the distracting thoughts in everyone’s head. While maintaining the disk of light, his gaze remained coldly fixed on a point deep within the mist.
“Stop hiding! Come out,” he shouted. “Hmph! Your perception is indeed sharp.” A cold, venomous voice cut through the crimson mist.
The churning lake water parted to both sides as a figure radiating dazzling white light slowly rose from the lake bottom, hovering above the crimson water.
It was Thymaleon.
But compared to before, his appearance had changed drastically. He still wore the same white robes, yet they remained spotlessly clean, as if the filth in the lake couldn’t stain them at all.
His originally pale complexion had regained a healthy flush. The pressure radiating from his body was more than twice as strong as before. The cold indifference once in his eyes had been replaced by burning hatred and the twisted thrill of revenge.
Suspended above the crimson lake, his white radiance contrasted sharply with the surrounding gloom, making him look like some unholy god rising out of a pit of corruption.
“Dragonblood Renewal Pill…” Dustin murmured, narrowing his eyes.
He immediately sensed the surging, restless vitality within Thymaleon’s body. The dragonblood malevolent energy inside him carried the same origin as the lake and the blood-soaked altar, but it was far more refined and concentrated.
Obviously, Thymaleon had consumed the pill given by Malthor. Not only had his injuries fully healed, but his strength had surged dramatically.
“Dustin, you didn’t expect this, huh?”
Thymaleon said, his lips twisting into a cruel grin.
“Thanks to you. I’ve not only reconstructed my body, but my elder brother has also bestowed upon me the Dragonblood Renewal Pill. It has greatly enhanced my cultivation. Today marks your death, and the rest of you miserable insects will pay for disturbing my slumber.
He thrust out a finger.
A beam of condensed white light-its edges threaded with crimson bloodlines-tore through space itself. It crossed dozens of yards in an instant and shot toward Dustin’s disk of light.
The power behind this single strike dwarfed anything Thymaleon had mustered before. As it screamed through the air, space itself warped, forming faint ripples. The lake water below was split asunder by the sheer pressure, carving a deep, temporary trench in its surface.
With a loud explosion, the white beam slammed into the heart of the disk of light. This time, the barrier couldn’t fully dissipate the force. It shuddered violently, and a spiderweb of hairline fractures spread across its luminous surface.
Dustin swayed slightly, his expression hardening as he struggled to maintain the barrier.
“See? This is true power!” Thymaleon said, laughing maniacally. His hands moved continuously as white beams wrapped with crimson bloodlines poured down like a violent storm, madly bombarding Dustin’s barrier.
At the same time, the crimson tentacles in the lake became even more ferocious. They coordinated their attacks with Thymaleon’s to continually slam against and corrode the barrier.
Under this combined assault from within and without, the disk of light rapidly dimmed. Cracks spread wider and deeper, and it was clear it wouldn’t hold much longer.
