by Zhuang Bifan
Gerian did not say a word. He merely kept his stare fixed dead on Old Merlin.
He was struggling; he was struggling between his lifetime reputation and Lin Li's life at stake…
"Give it a good thought, Gerian. That is a genius who is able to concoct the Arcane Magic Potion. What's even harder to come by is that he already had a breakthrough to the Magic Shooter realm at such a young age, and his future is limitless. This is definitely a good deal for you. If you kneel before me, I might be happy and ask Cromwell to spare his life." Old Merlin looked down at Gerian with a triumphant smile.
It sounded like a slip of the tongue, but he had already made up his mind that Felic would have to die—even if Gerian knelt down to him. Being a pharmacist would be terrible enough, and today he had displayed the level of a Magic Shooter. Old Merlin would never allow such a figure to live. It would threaten the Merlin Family's dominance in the future.
"You ask Cromwell to stop first!" Gerian jumped to his feet. He was ready to risk everything. He had lived so long anyway; he'd rather be humiliated at an old age than watch Felic be killed.
"Hahahaha… Gerian, are you kidding? You have not kneeled down yet. How would I know if you'd not go back on your word after the duel ends? You know you've done many such things before…"
"Okay…"
Gerian shut his eyes and was ready to give it all.
However, he heard a recitation from the square. It was Cromwell's voice.
"Matthew, make him stop!"
Cromwell's high-pitched voice resounded in the square for long. The surging magical elements were clearly felt even in the stands; everyone knew that Cromwell had had enough fun, and that the next strike would be the most fatal one.
Old Merlin paid no heed to Gerian and merely smiled with contentment at the high-pitch recitation. Teasing Gerian was fun, but it was not the most important thing. Only by killing the young mage as soon as possible could the Merlin Family rise again.
Gerian sighed softly. He knew it was over. Both the Elemental Shield and the Mana Retroaction were going into the cooldown time. It was impossible for Felic to block off the level-fourteen Cloud Storm. Perhaps he would be torn to pieces by the endless lightning the next minute.
The Aether Staff was held high. The level-eighteen magical crystal at the top of the staff was wreathed in arcs, and a sizzling sound was heard under the mutual agitation.
"Die!" Cromwell bellowed, and endless thunderbolts seemed to burst out suddenly. The dazzling electric light seemed just like golden snakes dancing in disorder. The fierce electric light surged forward crazily, creating a gorgeous yet cruel scene in the middle of Daylight Square.
"I don't think so, Cromwell!" Lin Li had endured for long for this opportunity.
Almost at the moment when the Aether Staff was raised, Lin Li's mana was suddenly amplified, activating the Torrent of Elements Ring in an instant. All of a sudden, there was a distortion in the surrounding space. Violent thunder element and the boundless lightning danced wildly like golden snakes. There seemed to be a sudden change of direction as if some mysterious force was involved, and they were s.u.c.k.e.d into the Torrent of Elements Ring in a split second…
"This… This…" The smile on Cromwell's face stiffened, and his raised right hand that was holding the Aether Staff froze in mid-air.
After absorbing the last thunderbolt into the Torrent of Elements Ring, Lin Li did not hesitate any further; through the mental strength that was branded on the ring, he released a level-fourteen magic spell with his level-twelve status of a Magic Shooter with a mere thought!
Chapter 83 - Touch
The Cloud Storm raged over the square once again, but unlike Lin Li before, Cromwell had no Torrent of Elements Ring on his hand…
Endless lightning fell and several gold snakes danced through the square. Even with Cromwell's infinite proximity to the strength of an Archmage, he was almost swallowed up in an instant by the Cloud Storm. Electric arcs twirled around the Elemental Shield, giving off sizzling sounds. The power of a level-fourteen magic spell was completely revealed in the moment.
This was a stunning scene for everyone. No one could've imagined there to be a drastic change in the duel that was nearing the end. Cromwell, who had had complete advantage earlier on, was suddenly engulfed by the Cloud Storm. Among the hundreds of spectators on the stands, perhaps only the leaders of the 18 forces could see through the series of changes before this.
Under the flash of the electric arcs, the black diamond on the ring was emitting a faint light. There was no doubt that all this was because of the ring.
"The ring is too scary…" After figuring out the key point, almost all the leaders of the forces expressed similar sentiments at once, but what really scared them was actually Lin Li's forbearance.
This was a character who sent chills to their hearts. He was completely suppressed by Cromwell from the start and did not seem to have the ability to fight back; he even received dozens of wind blades in succession towards the end. Although these wind blades were not fatal, the cruel torture was not something ordinary people could bear.
In such an unfavorable situation, the young mage remained unmoved and endured until Cromwell unleashed the Cloud Storm.
This almost perverted forbearance sent a shudder down the leaders' spines.
It wasn't until this time that some of them suddenly realized what a terrible monster the Guild of Magic had.
This was a real monster.
He was only in his twenties but was already at the level of a Magic Shooter, not to mention his proficiency in pharmacy… But for the leaders of the forces, this was not the worst.
What really made them shudder was the young Magic Shooter's forbearance that was far beyond that of ordinary people. This kind of enemy was undoubtedly the most terrifying. He was like a venomous snake hidden in the darkness, waiting patiently for a fleeting opportunity. Once you revealed your flaws, what awaited you would be a fatal blow.
Just like Cromwell, who was engulfed by the Cloud Storm currently. He had absolute superiority in terms of strength. The battle between mages was no longer a battle of levels once the gap between the two sides exceeded two levels. But the young mage Felic had dealt a powerful strike to Cromwell, who was far more powerful than him, at the very last minute with his forbearance.
The leaders of the dozen forces in the stands were all shrewd people. None of them wanted to make such a frightening person their enemy. Among them, Ysera and Reuben were secretly grateful that they had swung towards the Guild of Magic early…
Under the power of the Cloud Storm, even Cromwell, who was close to the level of an Archmage, could not avoid being mauled. It was the Elemental Shield that helped him absorb most of the damage and the magic resistance attribute of the Soul Branding Robe that saved him from danger at last.
Even so, Cromwell's injuries were no less serious than those of Lin Li, who had received dozens of wind blades on his body.
After the Cloud Storm had struck Cromwell heavily, Lin Li stood up shakily from the ground. The wounds cut by the wind blades were dripping blood as they dyed the Daylight Square red. His wounded knees were still weak, but with the support of the Winter Staff, Lin Li stood up steadily.
The one-sided battle earlier on was reversed almost in a flash.
Looking at Lin Li standing up slowly, everyone in Daylight Square believed that victory would eventually belong to the Guild of Magic.
With the exception of two men—Old Merlin and Cromwell.
Although this duel had gone out of their control, the Merlin Family's biggest secret weapon—the Aether Staff—was still there. With the staff, Cromwell could win the duel with a spell that could go up to level-nineteen.
Old Merlin gazed at the middle of the square with calmness in his eyes.
And when Cromwell struggled to get up from the ground, he even had a victor's smile on his face.
Battered by his own Cloud Storm, Cromwell had always thought of himself as the victor of the duel, for
he still had the Aether Staff in his hand!
Through the activation of a trace of mana, the level-eighteen magical crystal on the Aether Staff began to emit a dazzling light. Massive magical elements surged in the Daylight Square, and an incomparable fear filled everyone's heart. Whether it was Archmage Gerian or the Chief Mage of the Castellan Mansion, Andrew, all of them felt an alarming magical wave from the Aether Staff.
This power was far beyond their imagination. He was stronger than Old Merlin and Gerian. From what they saw, it was even close to the level of Grimm Burnside…
Gerian's heart had just been set down, and in an instant it was hanging up again. This power was horrifying. Even with his strength, he could not help but tremble under it, let alone the injured Felic.
Absorbed in the immense power of the magic spell, no one noticed that an empty glass bottle was left where Lin Li had fallen…
Amidst Cromwell's high-pitched recitation, Lin Li waddled his way through without any Elemental Shield nor Mana Retroaction. With the support of a mere Winter Staff, he walked towards Cromwell step by step…
"Is he crazy?" Everyone was bewildered; no one knew what he was going to do.
And then… Everyone saw it. He pulled out a dark metal rod from his pocket and lightly tapped it on the tip of the Aether Staff!
The 13 magic nodes on the gold rod were activated as the source of magic turned to work from the end of the stick.The pure ruby was emitting a brilliant light and the gold rod coated with deep silver was so trenchant that the magical crystal at the tip of the Aether Staff was restored to the purest magic essence in a flash.
The level-eighteen magical crystal that was just exuding its own terrifying power was brought to a halt by the touch of the gold rod. The massive magical elements around it were instantly silenced. The pressure that shocked everyone suddenly vanished without a trace. Cromwell, who was reciting his spell in a loud voice, seemed to have been strangled at his throat…
Chapter 84 - Shock
A gleam of light hung from the top of the golden stick. Lin Li could clearly see the expression of dismay and despair on Cromwell's face.
"This… this is impossible!" From victory in hands to a total despair, the change was like a fall from heaven to hell. Cromwell could not accept the reality in front of him at all; his voice was full of frenzied emotions.
The bite of mana brought on by the level-nineteen spell was like the end for Cromwell. Almost at the moment of failure, his mana had completely fallen apart. The overstepping spell was far beyond his ability, and so the consequences of the bite of mana were naturally far beyond what he could bear. Cromwell stood there, stupefied, but there was not a slight magical wave on him. At this point, he was a complete waste…
"This can't be real…" Cromwell recited spells desperately, but not a trace of mana was aroused. Endless despair rose from the bottom of his heart, and his hoarse voice even carried a tinge of sobbing tone.
There was a dead silence on the stands. What was happening before them was far beyond anyone's imagination.
The previous magic spell was terrifying; it was nearly divine. Just the aftermath of mana surge had set off an elemental storm in the Daylight Square. Everyone could not help trembling under the terrifying power of the mana…
Amidst Cromwell's high-pitched recitations, an image of doomsday emerged in everyone's minds—the upsurge of violent magical elements instantly tore apart the young mage and then swept across the Daylight Square in a destructive gesture, tearing apart the sky and the earth and leaving behind a deep scar in Jarrosus City…
It was as if even time had stopped, and everyone was sitting in their seats, dumbfounded, watching Cromwell recite his spell.
Then they saw something they would never forget…
It was just a light touch, and the whole world was cleansed.
Almost everyone's mind went blank after witnessing this scene.
Cromwell's magic had scared them, but that light touch of Lin Li's had completely plunged them into infinite fear…
No one knew how he did it, or even more so the secret behind it.
But the consequences of this light touch were obvious to them.
It ended an almost-divine magic and made a strong man with a strength that was infinitely close to an Archmage's into an invalid at the same time.
At the moment Cromwell's magic fell apart, everyone felt a chill rising from their hearts. It was a feeling of fear from the depths of their hearts.
In their hearts, the Guild of Magic represented by this young Magic Shooter had also transformed from a monster that they were unable to compete with to a monster that could not be measured by common sense.
In their view, the Guild of Magic today was even more frightening than a fire-breathing dragon. The dragon would at least inspire people to become a dragon slayer, but when faced with a monster like the Guild of Magic, there was no chance to dream at all. How terrifying was Cromwell's magic spell? Yet it was broken almost in an instant… How was such a power not one of a monster?
Whether it was the ten mage families or the six underground forces, who would dare to fight against such a power?
Aaron Matsis was regretful, and wanted to slap himself in the face. He had to be tired of living, daring to swear at Gerian. Although those words were said behind closed doors, a monster like the Guild of Magic could not be measured by common sense. Who knew if those words would reach Gerian's ears…
But luckily, Gerian had no time to bother about him at present.
Gerian was busy now—he was busy humiliating Old Merlin.
Gerian burst into a hearty laughter, patting Ysera's back while glancing at Old Merlin wickedly. "How about that, Ysera, I wasn't wrong just now, right? An invalid like Cromwell wouldn't even be able to get it up even if he was given aphrodisiac. It didn't even take a minute for Felic to thrash him. An invalid is an invalid, useless even with aphrodisiac…"
"Yes… Yes…" The fair and genteel young patriarch felt embarrassed at Gerian's vulgar metaphor, but had to force out a smile on his face in response.
"That is why, Ysera, sometimes heredity is really important. A useless father will naturally give birth to a useless son. But you are a decent kid, and your son will definitely be much stronger than the useless bum below. Do you want me to introduce some girls to you?"
"Uh… There's no need for this…"
"Gerian, don't go overboard!" In the face of Gerian's blatant provocation, the livid Old Merlin could no longer sit still and stood up abruptly.
"F*ck you, Matthew. I'm talking to Ysera, what has it got to do with you, fool?" Gerian looked at Old Merlin with taunting eyes. "Stop telling me what to do in front of me. If you're indignant, come at me. I've had enough of you too anyway."
"You…"
"You what?" Gerian glared. "If you don't have the guts, then shut it. Damn fool. Your son's on aphrodisiac, and you're on aphrodisiac too. In the end, you've got impotence at old age, not even having the guts to fight me. Matthew, I didn't mean to tell you, but you've lived in vain all your life…"
Hearing Gerian's outburst, Castellan Isaac wisely turned his face away. Several rich businessmen and celebrities leaned to the side subconsciously for fear that blood might spill on them.
Even some of the leaders who used to have a good relationship with the Merlin Family quickly turned deaf ears to the situation. Nobody dared to speak up for Old Merlin at this awful moment. Who in Jarrosus City did not know that once Gerian opened his mouth, the words he uttered would get increasingly vicious? Now that the Guild of Magic had gained the absolute upperhand, it was too late for all the leaders to butter up to him; who still had the leisure to treasure past friendship?
And it went without saying for the Saruman Family and the Mannes Family—the forces that had swung to the Guild of Magic long ago. Although they had not yet fallen to the point of openly lashing out at Old Merlin, it was undeniable that they were gloating in the dark. The looks that were cast on Old Merlin were not
with the best intentions…
Chapter 85 - The Winner
"I can answer the questions you've asked just now." There was still a smile on Lin Li's face, but the fierce light in his eyes was as good as the one on the steps of the Emerald Tower. Cromwell had no doubt that the other party would kill himself with a lift of his hand. "Firstly, I am indeed a pharmacist. As for my potion…"
Lin Li looked back at the place where he had fallen. An empty glass bottle was lying there quietly. Not too long ago, it was filled with Elixir of the Sages.
So far, he was still pleased with his decision. It was fortunate that he had prepared a bottle of Elixir of the Sages before the duel…
When the Aether Staff released the massive magical energy, Lin Li did not hesitate at all. He took out the Elixir of the Sages from his pocket and drank it directly. The petal of the black lotus was very precious; but no matter how precious it was, it would never be more important than his own life.
The moment he drank the Elixir of the Sages, Lin Li had a complete grasp of what would happen in the next ten seconds. It was a thorough perception. Not only did he know that Cromwell was about to release a level-nineteen spell, he also knew that the power of the magic spell came from the level-eighteen magical crystal. He even knew that the recitation would take ten seconds…
Then everything became very simple.
As a matter of fact, Lin Li had only done two things in those ten seconds.
The first was to walk over.
The second was to tap the gold rod on the level-eighteen magical crystal.
The gold rod coated with deep silver completely restored the level-eighteen magical crystal to the purest essence of magic almost in an instant. How could it be possible to sustain a nearly legendary magic spell with the strength of Cromwell's level-fourteen Magic Shooter without the massive source of mana?
Under the terrifying bite of the spell, Cromwell's mana disintegrated almost concurrently and he had completely turned into a useless man.
This nearly divine scene from the audience's view was actually this simple.
