The tension in the air became unbearable, and the crowd dared not move, each breath a struggle. Even those from prestigious families who had survived the earlier chaos felt small before the overwhelming presence of this man.
Nobles exchanged uneasy glances, knowing that this Overlord was no ordinary figure—he was one of the most powerful diviners in the world, a ruler in his own right.
Despite the massive gulf in flux pressure, Linsley stood calmly, unshaken by the display of superiority before him.
His expression remained indifferent, his gaze locked onto the Overlord with a level of composure that seemed almost casual. While the audience could feel the pressure threatening to crush them, Linsley was unfazed.
The Overlord, noticing the lack of fear in Linsley's eyes, narrowed his own in disbelief and irritation.
He had expected the younger man to bow, to tremble, or at least to show some sign of submission. But instead, Linsley met his gaze head-on, as though the threat of a Level 9.3 Overlord meant nothing to him.
"You think this is over?" the Overlord spat, his voice rising in anger. "You've humiliated my bloodline, but it's you who will kneel before me soon."
The Level 9.3 Overlord was Kaelith D'Arken, the grandfather of the hero Linsley had just killed.
Kaelith stood tall, radiating arrogance with every step he took, his finely tailored robes trailing behind him like a royal banner. He had always believed in the supremacy of royal bloodlines, and today was no different.
In his eyes, Linsley was nothing more than a newcomer, a brash young Overlord who had overstepped his bounds. At just 18 years old, Linsley's released flux pressure of Level 9.1 seemed insignificant compared to Kaelith's own formidable power.
Kaelith's eyes narrowed as he assessed Linsley, his disdain evident. "You think you can just waltz in here and challenge me? Your little display may have impressed the weak, but it means nothing to someone of my stature. You're merely an upstart, riding the coattails of luck. A powerful gift doesn't make you worthy; lineage does."
With each word, his voice dripped with contempt, echoing in the silence that had fallen over the crowd.
Many knelt before the sheer weight of his presence, their submission a testament to the fear he instilled.
He'd rather play the part of the pig eating the tiger, appearing unassuming while waiting for the right moment to strike.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Linsley let Kaelith believe he had successfully negated his powers. In truth, Linsley's true level was at the peak of 9.8, significantly above Kaelith's 9.3.
The gap between them was vast, and he could break free from the effects of the Eye of Negation with ease. Even without invoking his simulation talent, Universal Key (Gold), he could dismantle Kaelith's facade with little effort.
From Linsley's perspective, Kaelith was nothing more than a performing monkey, parading around for the amusement of the audience, oblivious to the true power that lay just beneath the surface.
Linsley thought it was time to show off his true power as the tension in the air increased.
For a moment he closed his eyes, gathering the flux that rushed through him.
He then purposefully moved to release the entire force of his flux pressure, causing his power to soar to Level 9.8.
The impact was immediate and stunning.
Kaelith's once arrogant manner fell apart like a bucket of freezing water thrown on him. His smug grin vanished from his lips as his eyes widened in surprise.
He felt as though Linsley's overwhelming presence had struck him in the face, bringing him back to the present.
Kaelith staggered, feeling the raw, unrestrained power radiating from Linsley. The very air around them crackled with intensity, the ground beneath their feet trembling in response.
Linsley's flux pressure descended upon Kaelith like a thunderous wave, washing away his arrogance and replacing it with dread.
"You thought you could negate me?" Linsley's voice echoed, a calm but piercing sound that cut through Kaelith's stunned silence. "You were so certain of your superiority, yet here you are, nothing more than a relic of a bygone era."