noveltune Chapter 55: I Need Your Help
Chapter 55: I Need Your Help
Chapter 55: I Need Your Help
Now pay close attention, Auslen. Victor signaled from across Liliane for Auslen to look toward the arena, his tone impassioned as he continued, I don't blame you for possibly misjudging my strength, but you should know that Im even stronger than your Mentor Michail down there.
Auslen didnt comment on his statement, showing no interest in the discussion.
Misinterpreting Auslens silence as disbelief, Victor gritted his teeth. Trust me! Hell lose to that Cathal even worse than I
Move aside. Youre in my seat.
The irritation from being interrupted by Irene didnt stop Victor from obediently scooting to the right, leaving an empty spot between him and the laughing Liliane for Irene to seat herself.
And stop lying to your Junior Brother, Irene continued before laughing in Auslens direction.
Unless Michail doesnt retaliate and lets this guy whack at him repeatedly with that oversized sword of his...Well, lets just say that your Senior Brother Victor is still a ways away from beating him.
Youre underestimating me a little too much, arent you? You know Ive mastered more Martial Techniques than him. Youre discriminating against you own brother!
Technically, Victor wasnt lying. Aside from his Black Tier Crimson Blade Technique, his mastery over an abundant number of Yellow Tier Martial Techniques was one of his strong points. He was a frequent visitor to the Palace of Methods and Techniques, which partially explained his perpetual lack of Merit Points.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)
Irene glanced at Victor disdainfully. And yet, youre up here, in the stands, and Michails down there, in the arena.
Victor scoffed, but wisely abstained from arguing further.
For a brief moment, Auslen regarded Irene, taking in the subconscious raising of the corners of her lips, the slight squinting of her eyes, the slow bat of her long lashes when she blinked.
With Auslens mature gaze, it wasnt tough to discern the pleasure hidden underneath her otherwise annoyed expression.
Retrieving his glance, Auslen turned his eyes back to the imminent match, unconcerned over what about her conversation with Aiden made her so happy. As long as her elation didnt involve him, Auslen couldnt care less.
Unfortunately, Auslen still couldnt shake the persistent twinge of uncertainty in his heart.
You may begin.
Following the refereeing Elders command, Michail was calm and composed when Profound Qi rushed through his Dao Roots.
Pang! Pang! Pang!
The air around his legs vibrated as he rushed forward, boots thudding against the metal arena like repeated strikes of a hammer.
At the same time, Cathals relaxed smile widened excitedly. With a quick lunge forward, his body curled as he clenched both his fists below his rib cage. The large tendons on his body began to pulsate, and faint sounds of bowstrings rang, gushing with ferocity.
Knuckles protruding, his clenched fists shot forward with a burst of air from underneath his stomach, piercing towards Michails chest like the horns of a savage bull!
Unperturbed, Michails shoulder-length, brunette hair undulated as he arrived in front of Cathal. He gently swung his shortsword horizontally to meet the incoming fists.
Cathals arms shuddered right before his fists met with the sharp blade, shifting his attack trajectory instantly. His arms curved with disconcerting fluidity to dodge underneath the blade by a hairs breadth, the rest of his tall upper body following suit.
Puff.
But just before his fists made contact with Michails chest, they were silently blocked by Michails buckler shield. The force behind Cathals punch was drained away, transferring harmlessly through Michails body before shooting out the pores in his back in a burst of hot air and Qi, causing Michails hair and Outer Sect robe to flap wildly.
Whoosh!
Stomping from his lunged foot, Cathal backflipped away from Michails second slash before landing with his body flushed with the ground. Head raised, his teeth were bared into a grin even wider than before.
Utilizing his hands and feet, his body twisted and writhed like a large, agile snake. His speed was extraordinarily fast, slithering sinisterly towards Michail without a sound.
Michails shortsword shot out repeatedly, releasing countless incorporeal blades. But none of his attacks could make purchase on Cathals contorting figure.
Then, Cathals snake-like body vanished from Michails view.
Taking advantage of Michails blind spot during one of his thrusts, Cathal arrived behind his back. In a split second, his extremities exerted strength, and he launched himself off the ground towards Michails backside. His arms and legs were soft and flexible, reaching out with intentions of coiling around Michail in a stranglehold.
Once he received the voice transmission from one of the guards, Auslen nodded to no one in particular.
Auslen allowed Vincent to finish tidying up his appearance and said, Stay with Nathan and the rest for now. Ill join back up with you both shortly.
Turning away from Vincent, Auslen smiled at Liliane, his voice bright and clear as the summers morning. Excuse me, Senior Sister. I need to pass by.
Nearly blinded by Auslens adorable smile, Liliane stepped back in a daze to give him room, wanting nothing more than to pinch his fleshy white cheeks.
After allowing Auslen to pass, Liliane thought of something and whispered, Right, Irene. You never mentioned what you discussed with Auslens brother.
Irene smiled, but chose to not answer.
Auslen entered the VIP room to see Aiden seated silently on the couch.
As he walked over, Auslen noticed Aidens fingers absentmindedly fiddling with the circlet he had removed from his head at some point.
What did you need to tell me, brother? Auslen asked smilingly as he seated himself next to Aiden. I have to board the Sects airship soon.
You can go back with me in our familys airship, Aiden replied as he handed Auslen the box of chocolates he left behind. My guest status within the Outer Sect will last for a couple weeks, and Ive always wanted to see where youve been living this past year. We also havent eaten together in a while.
Remaining silent, Auslen took the box and stored it away as his eyes examined his elder brother. Aidens act of side-stepping the question was not lost on him.
Aiden was a very smart kid, and had grown very familiar with keeping his demeanor composed, but Auslen didnt miss the fleeting hesitation present in his words and the growing contrition rippling within his blue eyes the longer they stared at each other.
If Auslen hadnt already been suspicious and focused all his attention on Aiden, perhaps he would not have noticed.
Auslens eyes narrowed, but his smile became gentle.
Auslen raised his right hand, and a small cube composed of various metals and crystals appeared, which he sat on the couch between himself and Aiden.
While his finger grazed the top of the Mystic Artifact causing light to shine and metallic plates to shift and revolve Aiden groaned in his heart, knowing he couldnt stall any longer.
In a three meter range surrounding the cubic Mystic Artifact, light began to distort before fading, flowing away like seeping water until a prism of pitch darkness encompassed the entire couch.
And on the inside, Auslen and Aiden sat facing one another in the black enclosure. Meanwhile, the cube between them was releasing an abundance of light, allowing them to see each other even clearer than in broad daylight.
This Space Concealment Mystic Artifact was a Low Grade Mystic Artifact that obscured both light and sound, useful for conversations that needed to be kept private.
Its power didnt truly involve manipulating the void. It merely confined the light and sound waves within a compact space. In fact, even cultivators within Foundation Establishment could penetrate the enclosed area of concealment with their Soul Force, given time. However, any attempts at infiltration were immediately detected by the Mystic Artifact, regardless of the cultivators strength, allowing Auslen to speak freely in the crowded room.
Auslens smile had fallen into a rare show of sternness, his eyes reflecting the illumination releasing from the Mystic Artifact like two piercing suns.
Explain.
Despite it being his much younger brother speaking to him, Aidens heart shook. He tightened his grip on the golden circlet in his hands, and at this moment, trembling shudders wracked through his body, forcing him to draw in several long, deep breaths in efforts to calm himself.
Auslens stern gaze faltered as he witnessed Aidens visible spell of discomfort.
Hey, are you alright? Auslen asked with some concern.
He cant be sick, can he? Hes a cultivator now, so he should be immune to common illnesses. Is he injured?
After gaining control of his Soul Force, Aiden sighed and raised his head, seriousness suddenly etched into his features.
I need your help, Auslen, he spoke imploringly.
My help?
Confusion replacing his worry, Auslens brows raised as he watched Aiden retrieve a letter from his sleeve.
Questions flew through Auslens mind as he took the letter and opened it, immediately seeing that it was written by their father.
Auslens eyes followed the perfectly written words of the letter in silence, his gaze growing more surprised and complicated the longer he read.