Powerful ripples of ethereal energy shattered the air around Ruthren the moment he was struck by the three ethereal energy attacks.
The people felt as if the skies were trembling and about to fall down on them, and those who were still on the streets ran for their lives since the ripples were powerful enough to even cause cracks on the ground despite the battle taking place very high in the sky.
Even the weaker experts who were flying beside Ruthren before got blasted away like a kite, most of them ending up in a near-death state as they crashed down on the ground.
As for the other few powerful experts, they quickly flew in the opposite direction, towards the ground, to take cover. But even then, they weren't fast enough to fully protect themselves from the shockwaves and suffered few internal injuries.
After the air finally cleared up, those who were too interested in the battle enough to risk their lives took a peek at the sky, only to see three figures in white cloaks.
One of them seemed to be a middle-aged woman but those who had a sharp sight were able to make out that it was the infamous leader of the Forsaken, Irene! She just looked slightly younger but still easily recognizable.
However, the other two were wearing hoods and covering their faces with azure masks, and thus it was impossible to identify who they were. As far as they know, Irene was supposed to be the strongest in the Forsaken.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"}) And surprisingly or not, Ruthren was still hovering in the middle, though his expression was dark and his face didn't look that good, especially after having to protect himself against the attacks of three Profound Ethereal Realm cultivators.
But this was proof enough for the people how insanely strong Ruthren was. Despite being alone and getting attacked by surprise, he was quickly able to react and defend himself.
If it was any other cultivator in his place, they were sure not even a speck of dust would remain behind.
But Ruthren was not at all feeling proud or pleased since he almost hurt himself in the process of suddenly drawing out a large chunk of his ethereal energy to cancel their attacks. And as the most powerful expert, he was also aware that even if these three put some big effort into their attacks they surely weren't their strongest.
He would feel it whenever a cultivator was going all out in their attacks.
Of course, he expected Irene to show up to provide backup for Damien, but he was unable to figure out who the other two of them were. One of them was nearly as strong as Irene, while the other tallest man among them was the one who was giving off a very profound and solid aura, almost to the point Ruthren could feel that this man was the one who could pose a real threat to him.
If it was just a one vs. one face-off, Ruthren wouldn't be worried about being overpowered, but if this mysterious expert had the support of two Profound Ethereal Realm cultivators, then the story might be different.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"Ruthren…your end is nigh. You will soon pay for your sins in the most miserable and pathetic way which someone like you deserves," The tall expert suddenly spoke, his voice firm and muffled.
Ruthren could feel a deep sense of resentment and anger in his voice, making it obvious that this man was out for his blood more than anyone. But he had a number of enemies and was unable to guess this man's identity since, as far as he knew, there shouldn't be anyone in this world that was as strong as this man.
Not even the Gale and Lancaster Emperor were nearly as strong as him.
However, instead of showing an intimidated expression, Ruthren scoffed as he said, "Hmph, stop hiding behind that mask and changing your voice like a coward. Show me your true face if you really have the guts to face me," He continued as he turned to look at Irene, "Irene, I underestimated you. I never knew you were hiding these two all this time."
"Our identities are not something you should be worried about. What you should be worried about is what is going to happen to you. If you give up now, we will grant you a quick death. Otherwise, we promise you that even a rabid dog will have a better death than yours," The man in the middle spoke in a disguised voice as well.
"Ruthren, I have taken a vow to never sleep until I kill you. And even if the heavens were to fall upon us now, I will not rest until I fulfill that vow," Irene said with her fists clenched, her nails digging into her skin. Each time she saw Ruthren's face, she would get reminded about how much she had lost because of him and all the guilt along with it.
Ruthren's eyes were hard and cold as he scanned the three of them slowly and said, "No mortal is worthy of taking down this emperor, and nor can anyone stop me on my path to becoming something more outside of this tiny island you all call the Rising Sun Continent. I will keep on pushing, no matter what it takes, and no amount of pitiful strays like you three can stop me."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Ruthren's words were immensely ambitious and confident to the point it sounded like he himself completely believed in what he said.
"You already almost destroyed our people. But now…because of your greed for power, you are even willing to risk the lives of every single one on this continent. I guess there is no other way, but…we will just have to kill you now!" The tall, mysterious expert said in a severe tone as all three of them suddenly gathered their ethereal energies to strike at Ruthren to take him down, right here and now.
