Brian's face displayed confusion and embarrassment as Alicia stirred awake. Although her regaining consciousness surprised him, the bruise on his ego stung him even more. The way Dustin and Grace eyed him only made him feel more like a fool. Now that Alicia was awake, everything he had done before seemed like a farce, and he had never felt so humiliated. At that moment, his hatred toward Dustin and Grace reached its peak. "Alicia, how are you feeling? Do you feel any discomfort?" Aurora asked, leaning in with concern."My head's throbbing…" Alicia grimaced and massaged her temples. Then, she asked, "Why am I here? What happened?"She felt disoriented. Her mind was shrouded in fog, and she had no memory of what had happened, which left her utterly bewildered."You were poisoned and in critical condition. Faith and Dr. Rhys came to your aid just in time, or you might not have made it," Aurora recounted the harrowing experience.Upon hearing that, Alicia's gaze shifted to Grace
"Alicia, the person you're seeking is a highly skilled mystic artist with formidable powers and used cunning methods. You need to be careful," Grace warned."Don't worry. The Celestial Alliance has extensive surveillance and a team of elite fighters. Once we find his whereabouts, we'll mobilize and capture him. He won't slip away," Aurora assured confidently."You've already saved my life, Faith. So, you don't need to stress about capturing the perpetrator," Alicia said with a smile."Looks like I've been worrying too much." Grace nodded, acknowledging their abilities. The Celestial Alliance wasn't to be underestimated. Once they gathered their elite fighters, capturing a mystic artist should be relatively easy. Even the Hall of Gods wouldn't dare to confront them head-on in Dragonmarsh."Dr. Rhys, you saved my life. I should properly thank you. What can I do to repay you?" Alicia asked.She disliked being indebted to anyone. But since Dustin had saved her, she felt obligated to
"We set the criteria, and they can be changed at any time. Considering Dr. Rhys' exceptional talent, we should give him special attention," Alicia asserted firmly."Exactly!" Aurora chimed in. "Dr. Rhys not only has remarkable medical skills but also saved Alicia's life. Offering him a consultancy position is the least we can do."At first, she had reservations about Dustin and doubted his abilities due to his age. However, her perspective changed after he cured Alicia. A young doctor with skills surpassing even Kenan's was a valuable asset anywhere."Alicia, Aurora! Rules are in place for a reason. If we start bending them for one person, how can our faction maintain its credibility?" Brian argued. He added, "Moreover, only the elders and the guildmaster have the authority to appoint a consultant. Neither you nor I have the power to make that decision.""My dad values talent. If he knew about Dr. Rhys' abilities, he would certainly support us," Alicia insisted.Though the Cel
When Brian approached, the Celestial Alliance disciples quickly stepped aside to make way for him.As the chief senior disciple, his strength was undeniable. In his 30s, he was already a grandmaster martial artist and held in high esteem within the Celestial Alliance. If not for Fenley's exceptional talents, Brian might've been considered for the position of the guildmaster's successor."Hmph! They're nothing but clowns and unworthy of my attention." With a halberd in hand, Brian strode past the crowdHis expression was cold, and he said arrogantly, "Listen up! I don't care who you are or what you want. Trespassing on our territory is a serious offense."I'm giving you the chance to surrender. If you don't, you have only yourselves to blame for what happens next."The assassins' leader made a silent hand gesture in response. Then, the assassins surrounded Brian and looked at him with deadly intent."Protect Brian!" The disciples of the Celestial Alliance were about to intervene
Brian's lethal strike sent a chilling message to the group of assassins. Despite their numbers, around 30 or 40 carefully chosen elites, nearly half of them were killed with just one blow. Brian's formidable strength instilled fear in the remaining assassins.Prior to their arrival, the assassins had gathered intelligence that the elite fighters of the nearby Celestial Alliance had been deployed elsewhere. Seeing the vulnerability in the defenses surrounding Alicia and Aurora, they perceived an opportunity for assassination. Unbeknownst to them, a young powerhouse lay concealed within the villa.After delivering the strike, Brian forcefully drove the handle of his halberd into the ground, creating a crater between them. "Who else dares to step forward and face their end?" he demanded coldly, His words resounded like thunder and caused the assassins to recoil instinctively."Hmph! You fools dare to act recklessly on the Celestial Alliance's territory. Who gave you the audacit
"What the heck? Didn't Brian just land a blow? How is that man still standing?""He's too fast. Brian's sword seemed to hit, but it only struck the man's afterimage.""Damn! Who is this guy? Pulling off moves like some ghost."The Celestial Alliance disciples were stunned to see Shadowcloak emerge unharmed.Brian was a master martial artist, and his strikes were incredibly swift. Yet, he didn't even graze Shadowcloak, which bewildered them.They had never witnessed such fluid movements. It was as if he was teleporting, which made it impossible to track."Alicia, can you decipher that elderly man's techniques?" Aurora asked with a deep frown, and her expression turned serious. She prided herself on keen observation, yet she struggled to follow Shadowcloak's movements."He's too fast, and I couldn't see clearly." Alicia shook her head. Then, she said somberly, "It looks like Brian has met his match today."Even among grandmaster martial artists, there were differences in skill.
"Come out! Get out here now!" Brian's fury intensified as he repeatedly missed his target. His eyes blazed with rage as he swung his halberd wildly. Blade aura shot out from his weapon and shredded everything within a 65-foot radius.The Celestial Alliance disciples were terrified and instantly retreated to avoid being caught in the mayhem.Brian had lost control as he attacked indiscriminately and disregarded the potential harm to anyone nearby. Those in close proximity were at serious risk of being hit by mistake."Argh! Show yourself, coward!" he yelled. His eyes were ablaze with fury as his attacks grew more frantic."Young man, you're too sluggish. You can't even discern my true form. How do you expect to challenge me?"Shadowcloak’s laughter echoed all around, shifting in direction and distance, which made it impossible to pinpoint his location. The taunting laughter only fueled Brian's fury and drove him to the brink of madness.Suddenly, Shadowcloak appeared ten yards
Dustin's method was quick and effective, but the approach was unexpected.Alicia wanted Brian to swiftly regain composure to prevent him from succumbing to exhaustion. She understood that if Brian were incapacitated, no one would be able to confront Shadowcloak.However, she hadn't anticipated Dustin would knock Brian unconscious. While it resolved the immediate issue, it left Alicia pondering the implications."Brian!"After a moment of stunned silence, the Celestial Alliance disciples hurried to lift the unconscious Brian and move him away. Despite their attempts to rouse him by shaking and calling out to him, Brian remained sound asleep."Dr. Rhys, you knocked him out. So, who is going to deal with the assassins now?" Aurora frowned and felt a headache coming on."You only asked me to calm him down quickly. You didn't say that he had to stay conscious." Dustin shrugged."Uh… well, can you wake him up?" Alicia asked."Sure." Dustin nodded."We'd be grateful if you could wake