"Hmph!"
Alder let out a cold snort, sweat forming on his forehead.
Yet, as a seasoned Enforcer Wizard who had traveled far and wide, his momentum did not waver in the slightest, even as he was tightly locked in place by numerous roots.
On the contrary, he took a deep breath, slowly spreading his hands. Each hand bore several ancient rings, his mental power quietly guiding them, ready to be unleashed.
Although in this strange space, both wizards and enchanted artifacts were forcibly suppressed to the level of a third-level apprentice…
Even so, the cold touch of the rings on his fingers still brought him a sense of security.
"Elemental Ice!"
Alder let out a low shout, and wizard runes instantly emerged, showcasing the formidable foundation of an Enforcer Wizard.
The Lord of Nightshadow Fortress, a third-level Grand Wizard, could nearly instant-cast zero-ring spells. Naturally, Alder could do the same.
Layer upon layer of frost rapidly spread over his body, instantly forming a crystalline suit of ice armor that encased him completely, leaving no weaknesses exposed!
But…
Lynn didn't need to look for weaknesses!
In this space, the only thing he had to do was lock onto his enemy and give the order!
"Yfgríd, attack with full force."
Boom!!
The earth trembled violently. Thick roots burst from the ground like arrows loosed from a bowstring, surging toward Alder with overwhelming force!
Alder's expression darkened. The ring on his right index finger shimmered slightly, creating a twisted vacuum field around him.
In the outside world, this enchanted ring's power could lock down a radius of hundreds of meters, freezing all matter in place!
However
The roots only paused for the briefest moment before tearing through the vacuum as if nothing had happened, continuing their charge forward!
Alder's heart trembled. He immediately activated another ring.
Boom!!
A brilliant shield of light materialized before him.
Yet, in just an instant
Crack!!!
The shield shattered violently, and a thick root, unstoppable as a battering ram, pierced through the ice armor and struck his chest with crushing force!
"Phantom Water Form!"
In a desperate moment, Alder cast a high-level zero-ring spell, transforming his body into water in an attempt to avoid the strike.
However, the sheer power of the attack overwhelmed all magic, all defenses!
Alder's face turned red, blood spurting from his mouth. His body was sent flying like he had been struck by a giant hammer, tracing an arc through the air before crashing heavily into the ground!
Meanwhile, Lynn, still trapped in layers of restraints, simply waved his hand.
In an instant, a dim green radiance flickered around his body.
As the light flowed, the phantom of a towering tree emerged from the void, its roots spreading wide, like pillars holding up the heavens.
The prison around him was constructed from earth, water, fire, and wind, designed to hold even a third-level Grand Wizard.
At the touch of that green light, crumbled like dry leaves in the wind!
And Lynn himself? His robes remained pristine, his body untouched not even the hem of his garment had been ruffled.
He lifted his gaze indifferently, scanning his surroundings. In just a few minutes, the mountaintop had become a field of carnage, thick with the scent of blood and burning flesh.
The surviving apprentices and wizards had already retreated to a safe distance, watching in terror. They had not fled but were waiting for the outcome of Alder's battle.
Even Helen, the Grand Wizard who had stood by Alder moments ago, had quietly backed away, holding her breath, eager to see whether the Enforcer Wizard could endure.
Thus, on the mountaintop, only three figures remained:
Lynn, the gravely injured Alder, and the still-imprisoned black dragon!
Lynn's gaze fell on Alder the once-imposing Enforcer Wizard now lay battered and defeated, a deep trench marking his impact on the ground.
Alder staggered to his feet, his chest wound ghastly and severe, his face deathly pale. The rings on both hands were covered in cracks, some already shattered.
That last strike he had exhausted every means at his disposal, barely managing to survive!
But at this moment, Alder finally saw reality clearly
This was not an apprentice-level battle at all!
The man before him had not only evaded magical backlash but also wielded power far beyond the limits of an apprentice he had reached the level of a true wizard!
Alder's lips turned pale, his breathing unsteady. At last, he lowered his once-proud head and spoke with a hint of urgency:
"I… I can cooperate with you…"
He could no longer afford to gamble, not even a little.
But Lynn merely chuckled, a smirk playing on his lips, revealing a row of pristine white teeth. His voice was playful, even mocking.
"You think you can fight when you want to fight and stop when you want to stop?"
Boom!
The ground beneath Lynn's feet shook violently as if the very veins of the earth were surging!
Rustle
One by one, massive roots snaked out from the ground, rising like venomous serpents, coiling around Lynn's waist each one aimed precisely at Alder!
At that moment, a chill ran down Alder's spine. He could feel the shadow of death closing in.
He did not doubt if Lynn gave the command, these roots would tear him apart without hesitation!
"Y-You… don't go too far!"
Alder gritted his teeth, his voice trembling with rage and desperation.
"I am an Enforcer Wizard! You can't kill me! You wouldn't dare!"
His voice echoed across the mountaintop. Even now, he tried to assert his authority over Lynn.
But Lynn merely gazed at him calmly, the amusement in his smile deepening.
"Kid, I think that's enough…"
Through the Azure Sky Meditation Technique, the Will of the Maple Tree transmitted a faint warning to Lynn.
However
In that very instant
A root beneath Lynn's feet shot forth like an arrow, slicing through the air with deadly precision, aiming straight for Alder!
Boom!
Blood splattered. The sickening sound of flesh being torn apart sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it!
The root pierced Alder's abdomen, tearing open a gruesome wound!
"Aaargh!!"
A bloodcurdling scream tore through the mountaintop. Alder's pupils shrank, his face contorted in agony, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
He couldn't believe it!
As an Enforcer Wizard, he had thought his status alone would be enough to deter anyone.
But now
He saw murder in Lynn's eyes.
No not just murder, but a firm, unshakable determination to kill him!
At that moment, Alder's breathing grew ragged. He knew this man truly wanted him dead!
"So what if you're an Enforcer Wizard?"
Lynn's smile deepened, his tone utterly indifferent, as if stating an insignificant fact.
"Killing an Enforcer Wizard? The Natural Divine Court can handle it just fine…"
Thud.
Lynn took a step forward.
To Alder, the sound was like the death knell of the reaper.
His body trembled, fear consuming him entirely…
Dong!
Lynn took a step forward, and the sound of his footsteps fell upon Alder's ears like the death knell of the Grim Reaper!
A chill ran down his spine, his legs trembled slightly, and his heart was consumed by fear!
The status of an Enforcer Wizard was indeed prestigious, but that was only true among ordinary wizards. From the perspective of the Divine Court of Nature, killing an Enforcer Wizard was hardly an irreparable loss!
Not to mention, the person before him wielded a Radiant Moon Sacred Artifact!
This meant that the opponent was by no means an unknown figure!
Alder's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he swallowed, not daring to even breathe too loudly…
Yet Lynn continued to advance step by step, while the tree root that had pierced through Alder's abdomen remained lodged in place.
It was like a terrifying instrument of torture, twisting and stirring his wound with every step Lynn took, sending waves of unbearable agony through Alder's body, pushing him to the brink of collapse!
"Ugh… ah…"
Alder couldn't suppress a muffled groan, his body hunching over slightly. Beads of cold sweat dripped onto the ground, and his lips turned pale from blood loss!
But this was not the end!
As Lynn reached his side, he raised his right hand slightly
Boom!
In an instant, another tree root shot up from the ground, coiling around Lynn's right arm like a venomous serpent ready to strike!
Then, the root slithered forward, spiraling toward Alder's head, circling menacingly before his eyes, as if it could pierce through his skull at any moment!
Alder's pupils contracted sharply, a barely perceptible tremor escaping from his throat.
At this moment, he was truly afraid!
His arrogance, his pride, and even the dignity of being an Enforcer Wizard, all collapsed completely in an instant!
And just then, Lynn's consciousness stirred as he silently conversed with the will of the Maple Tree.
"Now that he knows fear… we can finally talk."
The Maple Tree was silent for a brief moment before its will trembled slightly as if even it was somewhat surprised.
Even with all its experience, it was momentarily taken aback by Lynn's cold-blooded decisiveness.
But beyond the shock, it had no objections.
Killing an Enforcer Wizard meant little to the Divine Court of Nature.
If it weren't concerned about its physical form being destroyed by an otherworldly being, the Maple Tree's killing intent would have been even stronger than Lynn's!
Had it been in its prime, it might have instantly slain someone of Alder's caliber!
Since the Maple Tree couldn't communicate directly with outsiders, it had to first convey its thoughts to Lynn through Azure Skys, and then have Lynn translate them.
Thus, the process of interrogating the Enforcer Wizard was somewhat tedious, but after some time, the two of them finally pieced everything together.
Meanwhile, Alder's wounds began to heal, but just then
Slash!
The tree root that had pierced his abdomen suddenly retracted, tearing through his flesh and subjecting him to yet another round of excruciating pain!
"Ugh ahhh!"
Alder let out a deep groan, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes bloodshot from the unbearable agony. He was on the verge of blacking out!
But in the next instant, a dazzling golden light erupted across the sky!
At this moment, the contract between Lynn and Alder had taken effect!
Lynn and the Maple Tree had no illusions about Alder cooperating willingly after the torment they had just inflicted on him.
Thus, the Scales of Judgment had come into play!
The power of the contract's laws overruled everything, and more importantly… Lynn held the dominant position in the contract!
If Alder dared to break the agreement, what awaited him would be a torment ten times worse than death!
"Boy… look at the scales!"
The Maple Tree's voice suddenly rang in Lynn's mind, carrying an unusual undertone.
Lynn immediately looked up, only to see the Scales of Judgment floating in the void, shimmering with golden light, as if revealing some mysterious trace…
"Someone is trying to summon the scales…"
Seeing this, Lynn and the Maple Tree exchanged glances, a chill passing through both of their hearts.
In this entire space, who knew the most about the scales?
Without a doubt, only that otherworldly being!
Far away, Grand Wizard Helen and the others witnessed the unfolding scene and instantly realized that the battle was over there was no longer any point in fighting. Hesitation flickered across their faces.
Even more surprising, Alder was motioning for them to come closer!
"Lord Alder, are you… all right?"
Grand Wizard Helen hurried over, her gaze falling on Alder's gruesome injuries. She frowned, unsure of what to say.
Alder gritted his teeth, his face pale from pain.
"Heal me."
Then, he shifted his gaze to Lynn, his expression complex.
"…And this man is now our ally. He will help you all escape."
The moment those words left his lips, Helen and the others were stunned. They instinctively turned to look at Lynn.
Meanwhile, Lynn cast a meaningful glance at Alder.
This guy… he can endure.
Even after being tortured by him and the Maple Tree to such an extent, Alder could still force himself to stay calm and act as if nothing had happened.
But Lynn knew the truth right now, they were all in the same boat. If they wanted to leave this place, Alder couldn't die just yet.
For now, they had to join forces against that otherworldly creature…
As for what would happen once they escaped? Lynn wasn't the least bit worried about Alder turning on him.
According to the Maple Tree, even if Alder did make it out, freeing himself from the suppression of his strength and breaking free from the contract's restraints would require a tremendous price.
"Call me Qinglin."
Lynn's gaze swept over the hesitant Grand Wizard Helen, who seemed unsure of how to address him, and he spoke calmly.
Who would have thought that not long ago, he had been fleeing the fires of war in the Shadow Fortress, seeking Helen's protection, treading cautiously, fearful of every step?
Yet now, the tables had turned.
In such a short time, he had become the one Helen feared and respected.
Naturally, he had no intention of revealing his real name, so he casually made one up.
"Understood, Lord Qinglin!"
Grand Wizard Helen responded with reverence. He hadn't recognized Lynn at all he had long forgotten about that apprentice from the Furnace Guild.
…
Once Alder's condition had stabilized somewhat under the healing efforts of the wizards and apprentices, Lynn finally spoke, his gaze calm as he looked at him.
"Alder, can you still fight?"
Hearing this, Alder was slightly startled. Then, as if realizing something, his eyes widened in shock.
"You know where it is?!"
Lynn gave a slight nod.
At that moment, a ferocious grin spread across Alder's lips. He abruptly turned to the others and shouted:
"Everyone, gather immediately! As long as we kill that damn thing, we can finally escape this place!"
Boom!
In an instant, the entire mountaintop erupted with excitement!
Every wizard and apprentice's fighting spirit blazed to life!
They longed to leave this place.
They longed to return to reality.
But more than anything
Now, they had a true monster on their side!
The presence of this mysterious powerhouse had given them real hope!
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