Chapter 167 - Bleak Future

Everyone backed off to give them enough space.

The surrounding experts glanced at the two men with excited faces. It was rare to see a battle between top experts so they were very eager to spectate the scene. 

Everyone held their breaths and refused to blink their eyes for fear that they might miss anything about the battle.

Cale and Cellan glanced at each other sharply while holding their weapons. 

Cellan's eyes flashed after seeing an opening and he skillfully brandished his halberd towards Cale. The latter vanished from his spot making Cellan hit an empty air. 

After breaking through to the mid stage of the Immortal-Class level, Cale's speed was his greatest strength. Aside from that, he was also capable of manipulating spatial element and wind element to enhance his speed.

Cellan's attack might have looked incredibly fast for the top experts inside the meeting hall, but it was still slow in Cale's eyes. 

Cellan felt a cold sensation on his neck only to find a baleful-looking sword just a few millimeters away from beheading him. He perspired heavily and did not dare move an inch or he would surely die.

"You've lost." A calm voice muttered beside his ears like a grim reaper's voice sending chills around his body. 

Everyone did not even see how Cale teleported behind Cellan. Even the emperor and the old guild leader were stunned at his astonishing speed. "Old Zhang, did you sense that elemental fluctuation?" The emperor asked with round eyes.

The old guild leader nodded his head absent-mindedly. "The kid used two elemental energies to enhance his speed, the space element, and the wind element. Even I would find it hard to defend against his attacks if he can maintain that kind of speed..." Old Zhang shook his head bitterly. His admiration for Cale increased by several degrees after seeing his attack.

"He was indeed able to defeat Cellan in one move."

"Yeah, I didn't even see him move. With such power, he is truly qualified to become the first in the Adamantine leaderboard."

"Right! How could the old guild leader just randomly rank someone? He must've already realized the young man's power, thus, he immediately promoted him as the rank first in the Adamantine leaderboard.

Cale kept his Void Wolf Immortal Sword and stared at Cellan with a faint smile on his face.

The latter looked at Cale and shook his head with a wry smile. "You are indeed strong enough to defeat me in one sword strike. As a man, I would fulfill my promise and follow you from now on." Cellan said with an earnest expression.

Cale was surprised, but then he shook his head. "You don't need to do this, Cellan. And besides, I have many enemies." He was not scaring Cellan when he said that. He indeed has many enemies, or to be exact, as an earthling, all the demons under Azazel are their enemies. 

Cellan put on an angry look as he glanced at Cale. "Brother, are you looking down on me? I meant what I said, and even if you have many enemies, I will still stand on the same ground as you." Cellan said with a resolute expression.

Cale knew that he could not decline him anymore after seeing his expression. He sighed and patted Cellan's shoulder. "We will talk later. First, we have to discuss the most pressing matter."

After hearing his words, everyone became silent. 

That's right! The Celestial Sword Empire is currently in a precarious situation. According to the empire's Grand General Ling Tian, there were major movements inside the Death Forest and it was definitely related to the incoming beast tide.

The emperor's face turned solemn. He glanced at General Ling Tian who was standing in front of him and said. "Ling Tian, tell everyone about what you saw in the Death Forest."

Ling Tian bowed his head respectfully at the emperor before he turned to face everyone who was inside the meeting hall. "As you've all realized, the beast tide is indeed close. There are only a few days left before a huge army of savage beasts will attack our empire. But beast tide this time is different..."

"Why so, grand general?" A count with heroic figure asked with furrowed brows. 

Grand General Ling Tian glanced at him and said grimly. "When I was investigating the Death Forest, I sensed more than forty Immortal-Class level experts leading the beast tide..." 

Everyone felt their bodies turn cold after hearing what he said. That amount of experts was more than enough to cause them heavy casualties and everyone was not even sure if they can survive against those beast experts.

The emperor sensed everyone's fearful atmosphere, but their situation was indeed bleak. Even if they won against the beast tide, many among them would surely die. This will reduce the Celestial Sword Empire's power drastically and those major powers who were eyeing their land will not give them a chance to take a breather.

Cale thought deeply and asked Asteria's opinion on how they can turn the situation around. "Asteria, do you have anything in mind that can help us against the incoming beast tide?"

Asteria was silent for a moment before she replied in disdain. "Cale, are you dumb? To defeat an army of millions, kill their leader to destroy their morale."

After hearing her words, Cale's eyes lit up. "Right! Asteria is still the smartest!"

"Your majesty, I have something in mind that might increase our chances of defeating this beast tide." Cale bowed his head as he spoke.

After hearing his words, the emperor's eyes lit up. He nodded his head and gestured Cale to continue speaking. "Speak your mind, young man."

"Your majesty, we are severely outnumbered by the savage beasts with their million-strong army. But there is one big flaw to this kind of army..." Cale spoke with confidence making everyone listen to him attentively.

"Savage beasts are known to be untamed in nature. But surprisingly, they were able to band together to attack our empire. One thing is for sure, someone is capable of manipulating these beasts to do their bidding... So what will happen if this person dies?" Cale smiled faintly after seeing everyone's thoughtful looks.

The old guild leader's eyes lit up and he said with excitement. "Brilliant! Brilliant! If the person that subdued those savage beasts died, then they would be like a pile of loose sand and would be easily blown away by the wind." 

The emperor smiled but then he shook his head. "Indeed, it may sound easy, but how can we easily figure out who is leading those savage beasts?"

Everyone frowned after hearing the emperor's words. Right! How could it be so easy to find the leader in front of more than a million savage beasts?

"Your majesty, if you believe me, leave this thing to me." Cale bowed his head slightly and said with confidence.

The emperor thought for a moment and sighed in his heart. He didn't really have a choice, so he can only choose to trust Cale despite him being somewhat uncertain. "Sigh! If you can indeed accomplish this, then the whole Celestial Sword Empire will be grateful to you. Okay, I will trust you, young man." The emperor said with a solemn look. 

"I won't fail you, your majesty," Cale replied.