Realizing he was no match for Ethan Stone, Chris turned and fled without hesitation.
Seeing Chris retreat, Ethan Stone sneered. “Chris, you severed my arm and killed my two disciples years ago. Do you think you can escape now? Today, I’ll avenge them and end you!”
Years ago, Ethan Stone had led members of the Dragon Order into Aethelgard, only to face a crisis that nearly wiped out his entire contingent. Yet, amidst this calamity, he stumbled upon an opportunity that drastically enhanced his power. In just over a year, Ethan had ascended to the late stage of the Solstice realm.
Now, encountering Chris again, Ethan sought to settle both old and new grudges. Moreover, after arriving in Aethelgard, Ethan had found a mentor-a master at the Elysium level. Not only was Ethan now a late-stage Solstice-level expert, but he was also the Grand Mentor of Great Lyria, with an Elysium-level master to back him. His rise in Great Lyria had been meteoric.
When Ethan appeared, the surrounding Aetherbinding practitioners of Great Lyria grew excited. To them, Ethan’s involvement meant Chris’s certain death.
Chris, clenching his teeth, muttered to himself, “This Ethan Stone… Who knows what kind of opportunity he came across? In such a short time, his strength has surpassed mine.”
Chris fled toward the densely packed crowds, hoping to use them as cover. He reasoned that Lindsay Windson, protected by Stripes, would likely be safe. As Chris darted into the throngs of people, the Aetherbinding practitioners hesitated, fearing collateral damage. Chris, however, cared little for the lives of the ordinary citizens of Great Lyria; they meant nothing to him.
He launched a series of attacks at the pursuing practitioners, frustrating them to no end. Over time, more and more practitioners joined the chase, most of them at the Pinnacle level or higher.
Suddenly, Chris noticed that the street ahead was completely deserted. The entire area had been cleared. Ethan Stone had ordered the streets emptied to launch a final, fatal assault on Chris.
With no civilians in the way, the Aetherbinding practitioners attacked with abandon. Chris, realizing he was out of options, could only continue to flee.
Previously, at Shoreline Gate, Chris had slaughtered countless enemies and escaped unharmed. But this time was different. Ethan Stone and several other Solstice-level experts were in hot pursuit. Even with extraordinary abilities, Chris was incapable of defeating multiple Solstice-level opponents alone.
Arrows of energy whizzed through the air as figures surrounded Chris. Ethan Stone laughed arrogantly. “Chris, let’s see where you run now!”
In addition to the Solstice-level experts, over a hundred Pinnacle-level practitioners encircled Chris. Trapped, Chris’s expression darkened. He gripped the Dragon Slayer tightly and, without a word, lunged at a Pinnacle-level practitioner. With a single swing, he cut the practitioner down with ease.
Ethan Stone’s face twisted in rage at the sight. “Kill him!” he roared.
“Kill him!” echoed the other practitioners as they charged in unison.
Chris bellowed, “You’ll all die!” He charged into their ranks, wielding the Dragon Slayer.
Screams filled the air as one Pinnacle-level practitioner after another fell to his blade. Though Chris sustained injuries, none were fatal. His attackers, wary of harming their comrades due to their sheer numbers, hesitated to attack decisively. Chris, however, held no such reservations and unleashed his full fury.
Despite his efforts, the Solstice-level experts’ strength began to overwhelm him. Chris grew increasingly desperate. If this continued, his death was inevitable.
Ethan Stone, enraged that even hundreds of practitioners failed to kill Chris, shouted orders furiously. “Kill him! Kill him now!”
The attacks intensified. Chris, gritting his teeth, reached into his storage and pulled out a puppet he had acquired from the Dragon Hall’s Lingxiao Temple.
The puppet, upon materializing, absorbed a barrage of attacks. Yet its surface remained unscathed. Intricate runes etched on its body glowed, deflecting the practitioners’ strikes. Chris quickly loaded the puppet with Essence Stones, activating it fully.
“Kill them all!” Chris commanded.
The puppet surged forward, wreaking havoc among the Aetherbinding practitioners. Screams echoed as it tore through the crowd, impervious to their attacks.
Ethan Stone scowled. “What is this thing?”
With the puppet’s assistance, Chris managed to thin the ranks of Pinnacle-level practitioners. However, the puppet consumed Essence Stones at an alarming rate. In mere moments, it had already depleted over a thousand stones.
Chris frowned. “This can’t go on. I need to escape.”
By now, over a hundred Pinnacle-level practitioners had fallen, leaving the Solstice-level experts free to attack without restraint. One Solstice-level practitioner charged at Chris, wielding a long sword. Chris did not dodge but instead met the attack head-on.
The Solstice practitioner smirked, thinking victory was assured. But as his sword thrust forward, Chris’s figure vanished.
Startled, the practitioner froze. Before he could react, Chris reappeared behind him, slicing his neck with a single stroke. The practitioner collapsed, lifeless.
After killing the Solstice practitioner, Chris dashed toward the outskirts of Silver Crown, determined to escape.