“Enough talk! Fight me!” Yuliana shouted. She gripped her longsword, ready to strike. Just as the clash was about to begin, Infinides turned to Jared. “Jared, do you have the confidence to defeat Melvin?”
In an instant, all eyes shifted to Jared. He was the only one whose strength no one could measure. The last hope they had. Yuliana also paused, turning to him, a trace of expectation in gaze.
But Jared only smiled faintly and shook his head. “There’s no need for me. Someone else will take care of him…”
As spoke, lifted his head toward the sky, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. The crowd followed his gaze, just in time to see a golden streak cut across the heavens, falling toward the battlefield like a meteor.
The impact shook the ground, throwing up clouds of dust. From within the haze stepped a tall, commanding figure.
He wore a golden brocade robe, his features sharp and handsome, his presence radiating powerful spiritual energy. It was none other than Thastrum, the Celestia prodigy ranked second on the Martial Rankings!
He had spent years roaming level six, his whereabouts unpredictable. No one expected to return at such a time.
“Thastrum!” Aurelius called out, his voice filled with both shock and joy.
He hurried forward, eyes shining. “You’re finally back!”
Thastrum bowed deeply. “King Aurelius, forgive me. I wandered too long outside and failed to return in time. Because of me, Celestia City fell, and the people suffered. I deserve death for my failure.”
“It’s enough that you’re back!” Aurelius gripped his shoulder with emotion. “Right now, we need every man we can get. Your return is truly heaven’s blessing!”
Thastrum straightened, his gaze looking on Melvin. A flash of cold light flickered in his eyes. “Rest assured, King Aurelius. I will cut down and avenge the people of Celestia City.”
With that, leapt into the air and landed beside Yuliana.
“Lady Fiala, you’ve fought hard. Leave the rest to me,” said softly.
Sensing the overwhelming spiritual energy radiating from him, far beyond own, Yuliana nodded and stepped back to their side of the field.
Melvin eyed Thastrum with growing caution. “And who are you?”
“Thastrum from Celestia.” His voice was calm, his spiritual energy slowly stirring as golden light blazed around like the sun itself. “I’ve heard you’re strong. I came to see for myself.”
“Second on the Martial Rankings?” Melvin frowned.
Though sealed away for ten thousand years, had still heard whispers of the rankings in level six since his return.
“Good. Let me see how strong the one ranked second really is…”
Before the words finished leaving his lips, Melvin’s figure blurred, vanishing in an instant. A breath later, reappeared behind Thastrum, palm shrouded in heavy soul mist, striking toward his back.
The move was exactly the same one that had overwhelmed Leonel moments earlier. Its speed pushed to the limit.
“Watch out!” Yuliana could not stop herself from shouting.
But Thastrum moved as if had eyes in the back of his head. He slipped aside with calm precision, his fist glowing with golden spiritual energy as slammed it toward Melvin.
The strike tore through the air with a sharp whistle, a sound like the sky itself splitting. Melvin’s heart lurched. He stumbled back just in time to avoid the blow, shock flashing across his face.
He had not expected Thastrum to react so quickly. His speed was on a whole other level compared to Leonel’s.
“Interesting…” A spark of battle intent lit Melvin’s eyes. He formed a ritual gesture with both hands, stirring the soul mist around until it surged and solidified into countless black soul blades.
They tore through the air like a rainstorm, all aimed straight at Thastrum.
Thastrum answered with a cold snort. Golden spiritual energy burst forth, swelling around until it formed a massive shield of light.
The soul blades clashed against it with a sharp ding-ding-dang-dang, but not a single one broke through.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Thastrum mocked, his tone echoing the very words Melvin had used earlier.
Then, with a powerful leap, made a precise hand gesture as shouted, “Gold Cloud Fist, First Form! Gold Array Breaker!”
