Andariel's appearance was not as evil and bizarre as his spells; instead, he was quite handsome.
His skin was very pale, with dark green eyes and hair that emitted a faint glow, resembling seaweed growing at the bottom of an endless, tranquil deep sea, or the ghostly flames burning in a grave at night.
Andariel stood in the gray, dark sky, his pure black Wizard Robe spreading out like night, exuding an evil, cold, and domineering aura in all directions.
At this moment, there were at least dozens of wizards surrounding the four gray-white stone pillars, but everyone's aura was suppressed by him alone, creating a sense of looking up at the mountain peak from the foot of the mountain.
Everyone stared at Andariel with grim expressions, as more than twenty of the gray-white stone pillars representing thirty-two genius seats in Fairy Ancient City had already been lit.
Some of the occupants of these pillars had already undergone one or even several rotations.
This was one of the rules: before the first round of the contest was completely over, anyone could attempt to challenge. Only those who remained standing on the pillars at the end would be considered truly seated.
Andariel's actions were within the bounds of the rules.
In the history of the south, there had been instances where the thirty-two genius seats of Herams were not completely filled, but none had been as deliberate and arrogant as Andariel, who dared to occupy four positions at once, forcibly depriving some later arrivals of their qualifications to be seated.
In the oppressive atmosphere, at some point, a figure suddenly stepped forward.
He radiated a crystalline sharpness, and the dazzling light coalesced in the air into a massive crescent-shaped blade, instantly breaking through layers of energy fields, directly striking at Andariel, who was surrounded by gray clouds and skulls.
After this wizard launched a strong attack, several third-level wizards qualified to light the pillars also almost simultaneously made their move.
In the chaos, a cold snort echoed in the arena.
"Why should we fear him, being third-level as well?"
"Andariel, you should pay the price for your arrogance!"
Many seemed to be stirred, and in an instant, powerful law domains began to spread and rise in the arena. The sounds of spell chanting and the fluctuations from activated Magical Artifacts emitted strong energy waves, all rushing towards Andariel.
Faced with the dense spells surging like a tidal wave, Andariel showed no change in emotion.
He merely tilted his neck slightly, and then a wicked and sinister smile appeared on his pale, handsome face.
"Truly... seeking death!"
The massive skulls surrounding Andariel began to spin rapidly, then quickly split apart, with intense energy beams shooting out from the eye sockets of each skull.
The dense beams shattered large swathes of void, and in an instant, nearly half the sky was tinted a ghastly green.
"Boom!"
The green beams collided with the spells, and the vast majority of spells shattered and exploded upon even the slightest contact.
Only a few spells broke through the obstruction of the beams, approaching the gray clouds surrounding Andariel.
Andariel's pupils were almost completely filled with green light. He opened his mouth, making a roaring motion, but no sound came out.
The more than ten giant skulls swirling around him roared in sync, emitting even thicker and more concentrated energy beams from their mouths.
Dozens of beams intertwined, and a tremendous law domain aura surged forth, instantly forming a vast and terrifying invisible domain around Andariel.
The terrifying aura within the domain stirred slightly, and all the spells that had broken through were shattered, vanishing into nothingness in an instant.
At this moment, Andariel seemed to be in a dark green ocean, with necromantic energy forming a massive vortex around him, wildly devouring and shredding everything nearby.
This terrifying might made the third-level wizards in the vicinity tremble in fear, with more than half of them feeling a sense of retreat and choosing to back away.
Even those standing on the lit pillars were drawn in by the terrifying power displayed by Andariel, casting their gazes toward him.
Some had flickering eyes, while others wore solemn expressions, clearly calculating their chances of confronting him in their hearts.
The battle in the arena continued, but this time it was Andariel who took action.
Surrounded by a vast ocean-like energy field, Andariel stepped outward, one step at a time.
His long hair, reaching down to his ankles, lifted completely, dancing wildly behind him and around him, while his green eyes sparkled with a chilling, enchanting light.
Andariel raised his hand, and within the dark green energy domain, countless glowing lights floated up, instantly transforming into a gigantic green skeletal hand.
On the green skeletal hand, the aura of the law domain almost solidified into chains, and with a slight movement, it directly crushed a section of the void.
Moreover, the speed was astonishing; in the blink of an eye, a light cluster wrapped in gray clouds was explosively shattered, and the third-level wizard hidden within, along with the law domain energy field and protective shield surrounding him, were all destroyed. With a muffled groan, he was sent flying like a kite with a severed string.
The remaining wizards who attempted to resist Andariel were horrified at this scene and immediately retreated without a word, but their speed could not keep up with the terrifying skeletal hand's swing.
One after another, figures flew out, their auras dissipating, their forms blurring in mid-air, leaving behind colorful light clusters that rushed toward Andariel.
The gray clouds surrounding Andariel boiled like a cauldron, continuously expanding, nearly covering a small portion of the sky.
The crowd of combatants quickly scattered, with many already rushing toward the few remaining gray-white stone pillars.
At this stage of the contest, every seat was fiercely contested, but even the most intense battles under other pillars were preferable to being ruthlessly swatted like flies by Andariel here.
Andariel's power was too overwhelming; ordinary mid-level third-level wizards were no match for him, shattering under his spells with a single blow.
Top-tier inheritance, top-tier strength, combined with top-tier talent... ultimately created a top-tier "monster" like Andariel!
"O'Ryan, don't go!"
In the chaotic scene, a hurried voice rang out.
But a figure surrounded by five massive, brilliant Spell Crystals had already charged out, swiftly breaking through Andariel's spell domain, continuously closing in on Andariel's position.
The light radiating from the figure grew more intense, and the five Spell Crystals swirling around him spun faster and faster, yet his forward speed gradually slowed, as if an invisible wall was blocking his advance.
"Crack—"
One Spell Crystal shattered, exploding with a roar, and the figure broke through the "air wall," suddenly lunging forward a distance.
His actions caught Andariel's attention, who stopped pursuing the fleeing wizards and turned to look at this unique "counter-current" with interest.
"Boom!"
"Boom boom!"
"Boom!"
The five Spell Crystals surrounding the figure exploded one after another, and his speed reached an extreme.
However, after the power of the five Spell Crystals' self-detonation was completely exhausted, there was still nearly five meters of distance between him and Andariel.
At this moment, the figure could no longer advance an inch.
He was completely trapped in an invisible quagmire, within Andariel's law domain, where the terrifying pressure surged from all directions like a tsunami, making it nearly impossible to move.
"I remember you."
Andariel smiled as he approached the figure.
It was a handsome young man with golden hair, a determined gaze, and a silver mask made of metal on the left side of his face.
"O'Ryan."
In the distance, Havid, standing at the edge of the battle, looked grim, his eyes flickering.
Beside him, several young wizards who were also members of the Azure Mist Society wore similarly complex expressions.
They couldn't bear to see O'Ryan in trouble, yet none had the courage or ability to step forward to rescue him.
"That battle back then allowed you to escape."
Energy surged around Andariel, and a green light coalesced into a skeletal hand, reaching out to grasp the golden-haired youth's neck, slowly lifting him up.
"I didn't expect you to have the courage to challenge me again."
"Not a challenge..."
O'Ryan, struggling for breath, spoke with difficulty but remained unusually calm and resolute.
"It's revenge."
The silver metal mask on his face fell away, revealing half of his face, which was pockmarked and grotesque as if corroded by poison.
"Then that's even more ridiculous..."
Andariel shook his head, looking at O'Ryan, his gaze gradually becoming indifferent and cold.
The skeletal hand creaked ominously, and O'Ryan's face visibly paled, as if his soul was being rapidly drained.
At that moment, a green and silver light, intertwined with a terrifying low wail, tore through layers of domains, striking like lightning.
Andariel sensed the chilling killing intent and his expression suddenly turned ferocious. He quickly turned around, raising a massive green skeletal hand in sync with his movement, reaching for the incoming light.
"Boom!"
The green and silver light was instantly crushed by the skeletal hand.
At the same time, a tall figure, entirely covered in silver metal, appeared beside Andariel as if teleporting.
It brushed past him silently.
Andariel turned in surprise, only to see a pair of icy blue eyes coldly glancing at him.
Several skeletal hands quickly coalesced, lunging toward that figure, but they grasped at nothing.
Moreover, the golden-haired youth he had been holding also vanished along with him.
Andariel's expression darkened rapidly.
"Swish—"
Two figures suddenly appeared at the edge of the battlefield dominated by Andariel's law domain.
Ronan, wrapped in Ithium, with only his eyes visible, gently released his grip on O'Ryan.
"Ronan..."
O'Ryan looked stunned, unable to believe either Ronan's sudden arrival or the fact that he had rescued him from Andariel's grasp.
Ronan handed the metal mask to O'Ryan, lightly moving his body, the Ithium clinking softly.
"This is too much for you, O'Ryan..."
"From now on..."
"Leave it to me."
O'Ryan was momentarily speechless, staring at the metal mask in his hand.
Meanwhile, Ronan had turned his back to him, stepping into the void, walking back toward Andariel.
"Whoosh—"
Claire landed swiftly, appearing beside Havid and several other Azure Mist Society members.
"That person is... Ronan Damien, a Silver Magic Ring Wizard, just like O'Ryan?"
Havid and the others finally snapped out of their astonishment at O'Ryan's sudden rescue, realizing Claire had appeared almost simultaneously, and they recognized the identity of the one who saved O'Ryan.
"Yes."
Claire nodded.
"You actually took on the role of guardian for his promotion?"
Havid found it hard to believe, looking at Claire with a strange expression.
"Is that so strange?"
Claire shrugged, responding naturally, "If you knew what he did... you wouldn't be surprised."
"What did he do?"
Havid frowned, unable to suppress his curiosity.
He clearly remembered that when this young Silver Magic Ring wizard, personally recommended by O'Ryan, joined the Azure Mist Society, Claire was the first to oppose it, even bringing it up with him multiple times afterward.
Now, to see her defending him and standing with him was an incredible shift in attitude in Havid's eyes.
The next moment.
Claire's calm response sent shockwaves through Havid and the nearby Azure Mist Society members, leaving their expressions momentarily dazed and lost.
Claire said.
"He killed Bones Knell Mafflin."
"And..."
"Before he even advanced to a third-level wizard."
!!?
"Another bug has arrived."
Andariel's gaze swept over Ronan, pausing slightly on the thick gray clouds swirling around him.
But it was only a brief pause.
He had defeated more than one genius stronger than Ronan, with more glorious achievements.
"Your weakness makes it hard for me to muster the interest to swat you."
Andariel yawned, lazily looking at Ronan, and said lightly, "However, I'm quite interested in the method you just used to save that little bug.
If you're willing to hand it over, perhaps I'll be in a good mood and might even give you a seat..."
"Is that so?"
Ronan replied casually, his gaze sweeping around.
At this moment, the colorful light curtain surrounding Fairy Ancient City had completely shrunk to the vicinity of the central pillar.
Of the thirty-two pillars, a full twenty-six had been lit, and some battles were still ongoing, indicating that the contest had clearly entered its final, heated stage.
The four unlit pillars that Andariel had forcibly occupied attracted a large number of remaining wizard geniuses like the last piece of meat.
Had Andariel not just revealed his strong and domineering side, driving away many powerful opponents, these people would have likely rushed in all at once.
"Some things are better taken for oneself."
"And..."
Ronan looked at Andariel before him, lightly brushing his right hand across his chest, producing a sound like blades sharpening.
"I'm not really interested in... sharing a seat with you!"
After saying that.
Ronan suddenly stepped forward.
With a flash of silver light, he appeared as if teleporting above Andariel's domain.
Andariel looked up at him, his pale, handsome face breaking into an exaggerated laugh as if he had seen something extremely amusing.
He abruptly raised his hand, and two massive skeletal arms emerged from the dark green energy domain, carrying an unmatched terrifying might, tearing through large swathes of void, and fiercely clapping down toward Ronan.
The scene resembled a giant made of bones reaching out to swat a mosquito.
The powerful wind generated by the enormous skeletal hand blew Ronan's hair.
Ronan's expression remained unchanged, still as calm as an autumn lake.
But a strong golden light ignited from the deep blue, transforming into hot, rolling magma, boiling up! [Clarity Realm - Extremely Boiling Lake]! Ronan spread his arms, and a pale golden mental energy field burst forth.
In an instant, countless mysterious auras surged from within him.
Pure white ice blades breaking through the ground, deep blue veins flashing like the northern lights, swirling ice spheres radiating a thick sense of despair, ice crystal spears that froze everything, and indestructible ice and snow barriers—one after another, ice-type spells were summoned around him.
Each one derived from an extraordinary law domain! Some had even entered the second resonance, nearly reaching the third! The terrifying frost aura rapidly expanded beneath this sky, and at this moment, all the watching wizards were moved.
They couldn't believe that someone could simultaneously master such a vast number of extraordinary spells.
Five? Six? Or seven?! It was impossible to count, as these spells, once summoned, suddenly doubled.
In the sky, the tall figure enveloped by two massive skeletal hands was surrounded by countless powerful ice spells, and the extraordinary law domain aura they emitted was almost forming a torrent! At a certain moment, all these spells suddenly vanished.
Following that, exquisite octagonal snowflakes began to fall from the sky, each one burning with blue and white flames.
The terrifying icy chill spread out, ice spikes like seas, frost like waterfalls, Ice Flame like flowers—a deep blue, brilliant thorny Ice Flame snow country descended!
Only Andariel's disdainful laughter remained in the arena, still tinged with a hint of arrogant contempt.
"Is this the means you think can contend with me?"
"Just this?"
"This fragile vase of a domain that shatters at a touch?!"
Within the snow country surrounded by countless winds and snow, Ronan slowly lowered his head as the two massive skeletal hands frantically slammed and squeezed toward him, causing the barely formed icy domain to tremble and shake.
Ronan, however, remained unfazed, calmly gazing down at Andariel.
"Of course not."
Ronan spoke.
Then he extended his hand.
"Crack crack crack—"
The continuous sound of ice cracking echoed through the heavens and earth, and the endless icy aura at this moment all converged toward a single point.
The icy domain Ronan had just summoned rapidly collapsed toward the palm of his right hand in an instant.
In the blink of an eye.
All the cold.
All the brilliance.
All the law domain aura converged into Ronan's right hand.
Transforming into a massive, unmatched, dazzling deep blue orb of light.
A terrifying aura filled the air, and the streams of light surrounding the deep blue sphere seemed capable of freezing and tearing a
part the souls of those who met its gaze! "You're very lucky."
"To be the first to experience... my newly created method!"
Ronan's eyes flickered with enchanting golden-blue flames, his hair dancing in the wind. He took a deep breath and slowly pressed the orb of light down toward Andariel below.
"Secret Art—"
"[Ronan Damien's——Snow Country in His Palm]!"