Upon witnessing Mark carrying an unconscious High Priestess in his arms and threatening the Princess too, James couldn't stop himself from interfering in the matter.
He opposed his father without any hesitation, leaving behind a hesitant younger brother.
Meanwhile, Mark's facial expression was slightly changed as he saw Steve and James.
To confirm whether they were telling the truth in the past or not, he activated the "Eyes of God" ability to look at their details. And the results were quite surprising for him.
Steve Spencer/Song Yu
Race: Human
Age: 14
Rank: 9 (peak stage)
Spirit Path: Swordsman, Archer, Assassin.
Attribute: unknown (sealed)/Fire
Bloodline: Phoenix
Affiliation: Empire of Genesis, Song clan.
Description: The host's son from the future timeline. He possesses an unknown attribute that is currently locked by a powerful seal. An advanced artificial intelligence was bound to the target. He inherited the legendary Phoenix Bloodline from his paternal ancestors and is the heir to the Song clan.
**
James Spencer/Lan Jian
Age: 15
Rank: 9 (peak stage)
Spirit path: Swordsman
Attribute: Lightning, Ice
Bloodline: Blizzard Pegasus
Affiliation: Empire of Genesis, Lan Sect
Description: The host's son from the future timeline. He inherited the legendary Blizzard Pegasus from his parents. He is the personal disciple of Shang Wen and has also been a student of Shang Jiao.
**
"Okay, there are my sons from the future, alright." Mark not only felt happy to know that Spencer's family was extended in the future but also realized the identity of Steve's mother.
The fact that he is the heir to the Song clan clearly implies that he is Song Yue's son.
Mark didn't know about James' mother but since his affiliation is with the Lan sect, he assumed that the latter's mother would probably belong to the sect. The fact that James inherited his Blizzard Pegasus and even had Shang Wen as his master tells a lot about his potential and character.
Nevertheless, he felt proud that both of his sons achieved such monstrous cultivation levels before even becoming adults. Since he planned on acting nice to both of them, Mark thought about what he should do from here on.
Meanwhile, James flew toward him and stopped a couple of meters away. In a serious tone, he asked Mark to leave the High Priestess as he didn't need to go that far. He offered to provide his help in whatever Mark wanted to achieve.
In response, Mark let out a chuckle, "Sure, if you want to help me, you can do that by guarding this village in our absence. Until I return, keep every elf in this village by whatever means."
Mark's lighthearted reply only made James feel like his dad was mocking him. He clenched his fists with a determined face.
With sparks of Lightning started dancing wildly all over his skin, James replied, "The elves gave us a home to rest and eat. You cannot repay them like this, Mr. Lu. I will not let you be selfish anymore. I will stop you even if I have to."
Mark's facial expression changed all of a sudden. "You want to fight me?" The memory of how James abandoned him because of his selfish desire to escape the world resurfaced in his mind.
Seeing the silhouette of the second prince Shang Wen behind James, he realizes that there is no use in talking with this future kid of his.
"System, open Attribute skills, Space."
Mark didn't even think twice before clicking on the skill he never used before on anyone.
"Void lock"
The skill was activated instantly and a bubble-shaped translucent barrier appeared around James, taking him by surprise. He didn't expect his dad to be so decisive in using force at the slightest of argument, "damn it."
"Good." Mark let out a smile as he nodded, taking another glance at the skill. "I hope this will keep his mouth shut."
Void lock: The single-target type spatial skill will isolate the target from the world, imprisoning it in a self-healing spatial bubble. Attack power: 120% (Max: 10.9 Int). CD: 6 hours.
*
James glanced at his surroundings, observing the bubble formed around him. "I'm sorry Dad but it looks like I have to fight you after all."
The lightning sparks on him turned scarlet with a layer of ether energy formed over his skin. He then summoned his semi-divine-grade sword and raised it above his head.
"James, wait. Don't do it…" Steve became concerned about the consequences if James started the battle. He wanted to solve this situation using words, not like this.
However, his words never reached James due to the spatial imprisonment and James swung down the sword.
An arc of lightning energy released from the sword, clashing with the interior wall of the spatial bubble.
Mark patiently stared at the scene and nodded with a pleasant smile after it disappeared and the bubble was still intact with only a few visible cracks, which were gone after a few seconds due to the self-healing feature of the bubble.
Once he confirmed that it would keep him out for a while, Mark shifted his attention back to the dazed princess again, reminding her of his earlier proposal, "So, what have you decided, Princess Elowen?"
"I… I… I…" The Princess was stuttering and shivering in fear, realizing that this guy wasn't a hero but a devil in human skin. The elven warriors were seen rushing to the location. She was in a dilemma on whether she should accept defeat or let others fight and die for their pride.
Had she been a fighter, it would be different. But, she is the princess of the Ixitus Empire and the ones in the village are her people. On the other hand, this fellow looked like he intended to spare even his own friends. What will her people do?
"I'll come with you."
After a while;
Carrying the unconscious High Priestess in his arms, Mark was seen flying away while the Princess obediently followed him while sitting on the back of an undead dragon.
Steve was just watching them in silence alongside the other elves.
Once they exited the invisible barrier and disappeared out of sight, Steve rushed to the spatial bubble. He tried to touch it but his hands passed through the bubble.
James was saying something but Steve couldn't hear it. But, since the vision wasn't blocked, he hurriedly poured the ether energy into his hands and pushed it out, writing the words in the air. "What are you saying?"
His brother responded in the same way, asking him to get back and create an energy barrier around the spatial bubble.
As Steve followed the instructions, James closed his eyes and stretched his arms wide.
In the next instant, the spatial bubble was frozen in ice before the whole orb exploded, shooting up thousands of tiny icicles in all directions.
The barrier was heavily cracked but managed to withstand the assault of the icicles, revealing a heavily panting James. "F**k. That drained all of my ether energy and stamina. Never expect him to turn out so powerful."
"James, you alright?" Steve rushed to him and quickly grabbed his shoulders, supporting him in order to prevent his brother from collapsing on the ground.
In a weak voice, James then said, "Steve, go after him. I just need a bit of rest to restore my stamina and ether energy. Don't forget to take Aunt Marina with you. She must be on her way now. We can't let her bear the brunt of Dad's actions."
"What about you?" Steve looked at him in worry.
James let out a forced smile on his face as he answered, "C'mon, bro. I'm a supreme being. Don't underestimate me too much, just because I look weak at the moment. Go…"
