Keane's body collided with several pine trees before coming to a complete stop.
He was a swordsman, so the restrictions in the domain didn't bother him too much. However, even if he used everything he had, it was nearly impossible for him to beat his opponent due to the difference in Ranks.
Right now, Keane was a C-Ranker, but his opponent was an SS-Ranker.
An existence that was only a step away from becoming a Saint.
The gap in strength was something that couldn't be overcome even with techniques, especially since Cai's father, Liam, was also a Spear Master.
A few seconds later, the sound of falling trees once again reverberated inside the Pine Forest as Lux coughed out a mouthful of blood before falling down on the ground.
He was the most affected by Liam's Domain which prevented everyone inside it from using any kind of spells and abilities.
"Is this the best that you can do?" Liam asked in a disdainful tone. "I can still accept that swordsman over there since his sword skills have potential. But you, after being stripped of your powers and your fancy tricks, you are nothing."
The Half-Elf propped himself up from the ground and wiped the blood that was seeping from the corner of his lips.
"Father-in-law, do you really think I don't know that you're also using a trick?" Lux asked as he used the tree beside him as support in order to stand up. "But, let's not talk about that for now.
"It's understandable that you are frustrated and want to beat us up. However, if you are going to act smug about beating two teenagers who are weaker than you, then you should at least stop cheating."
A look of annoyance appeared on Liam's face as he stared at the hateful Half-Elf, whose entire body was leaning on a tree.
"First of all, don't call me father-in-law," Liam replied. "I don't recognize you as my son-in-law. Second, you said that I am cheating? How am I cheating?"
Lux laughed as he looked at Cai's father, who was still acting like he didn't know what the Half-Elf was talking about.
If it were not for the fact that the Elysium Compendium, floating beside him, had finished analyzing the rules and restrictions of Liam's Domain, he might have believed that the High-Ranker was fighting them without using any kind of abilities.
"First of all, this Domain restricts anyone without the bloodline of the Rowan Tribe from using their abilities," Lux explained. "But those with the Rowan Bloodline are not affected by these restrictions. Even now, you are using your abilities to slow our movements, making us think that it was due to the effects of the Domain.
"You're already a step away from becoming a Saint, and you're still not confident in beating us without using your abilities? Father-in-law, don't you think that you are being overboard?"
Liam arched an eyebrow because he didn't expect the Half-Elf to understand how the Domain of the Rowan Tribe's Ancestral Lands worked.
"So? What of it?" Liam shrugged. "You still haven't earned my recognition."
"And how will I be able to earn your recognition?" Lux asked.
"Simple. All you need to do is beat me," Liam replied. "I don't care what methods you use. If you can beat me, then I will no longer oppose your relationship with my daughter, Cai."
Lux pointed at Keane. "What about him?"
"I recognize his potential," Liam stated. "Although he is still not strong enough to protect Rose, he will get to that level as long as he continues to train."
The Half-Elf nodded his head in understanding.
"In short, you hate me, right, father-in-law?" Lux asked in a teasing tone.
"It seems that I still haven't beat you up enough." Liam's tone became cold and laced with killing intent. "I told you not to call me father-in-law."
The High-Ranker swung his spear, and Lux was blasted away by a strong force, slamming into several trees before coming to a complete stop.
If not for the fact that he had managed to use his Divine Spear to block some of the damage, he might have suffered more injuries.
'I think I broke a few ribs,' Lux thought as he felt the stinging pain in his chest, making it hard for him to breathe. 'I guess my father-in-law really does hate my guts.'
Calypso hovered in front of her Master, allowing him to use her as support in order to stand up.
The Half-Elf then gazed at Liam, who lifted the unconscious Keane from the ground and placed him inside an Ice Coffin that he had conjured out of thin air.
Noticing his gaze, Liam sneered in his direction before summoning another Ice Coffin.
"Don't worry, I will bury both of you under the ground side by side," Liam stated. "That way, you can keep each other company."
The Ice Coffin, which contained Keane inside, floated beside Liam as the latter walked towards Lux.
The second Ice Coffin that Liam had conjured also floated beside him. Clearly, this one was meant for Lux, whom he planned to bury in the ground for a week.
Of course, he didn't have any intention of killing the two teenagers.
He only wanted to teach them a lesson so that they'd know that they were still not worthy in his eyes. Liam believed that, after spending a week buried under the ground, the two teenagers would fear him and might possibly break off their relationships with his daughters.
However, Liam made one mistake.
A very grave mistake.
"Father-in-law, is that coffin for me?" Lux asked in a teasing tone.
"Behave yourself and don't resist," Liam replied in an indifferent tone. "Don't worry, I won't kill you."
Lux nodded before a devilish smile appeared on his face.
"Father-in-law, you shouldn't have summoned that Ice Coffin," Lux stated. "I've been holding back since the start, you know? I'm only not doing you dirty because you are Cai's father. But you are doing Keane and me dirty right now."
Liam snorted as he waved his hand, sending the Ice Coffin flying in Lux's direction.
Right now, the Half-Elf didn't have the strength to resist him, so encasing him inside the Ice Coffin shouldn't be a big deal.
However, when the Ice Coffin was just a few meters away from Lux, a Black Coffin appeared in front of him and slapped the Ice Coffin away.
As if not still satisfied with the result, the Black Coffin body slammed the Ice Coffin and smacked it repeatedly with the lid of its coffin.
Liam looked at this scene with a frown. He could tell that the Black Coffin wasn't a skill or ability and that it was, in fact, an artifact.
The Domain only restricted the use of skills and abilities of those who didn't have a drop of Rowan Blood in their bodies.
However, Artifacts could still be used inside of it.
The sound of something cracking spread inside the Domain as the Ice Coffin finally shattered into countless pieces after receiving Blackfire's body slam several times.
The Black Coffin then kicked the Ice Coffin in this disdain before shifting its attention to the SS-Ranker, who beat his Master to a pulp.
Lux laughed, but his laugh was short-lived due to the pain in his chest.
Although Blackfire wasn't saying anything, it could tell that the black coffin was offended, but it was not because he was beaten by Liam.
Blackfire was angry because the High-Ranker decided to encase his Master in a coffin without its permission!
"Father-in-law, please prepare yourself," Lux said with a mischievous smile plastered on his face. "Blackfire is going to teach you a lesson about humility."
The Half-Elf was barely hanging to his consciousness right now, but he gritted his teeth and kept his eyes open.
After all, he wouldn't want to miss seeing his Father-in-law having a taste of his own lesson.
Wanting to place a Heaven's Necromancer inside a coffin?
That was a sure-fire way to trigger Blackfire, who now wanted nothing more than to devour Liam and let him have a taste of his own medicine.
