228 Unexpected Appearance of the Oriole Behind n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Philia drew Touki aside and knocked his head reminding him that he can't reveal things like that to everyone.
The boy, undeterred, expressed his belief that Arthur was a good person.
Inwardly, the girl shook her head, holding back the observation that Arthur had witnessed the demise of the three Beard Gang members but didn't save them.
'Can he really be a good person?' she wondered and glanced silently at Arthur who at this moment met her gaze.
*Badum!*
Philia swiftly turned and faced her brother, 'He is definitely a bad guy!'
Touki was confused by the look in her eyes.
---
As the group continued their journey, Arthur led them through the treacherous landscape guided by the golden-aura-covered map.
Their destination was an ancient-style tomb cave, concealed beneath a giant rock.
In the dim light, an armored skeleton was seated on the ground.
When Arthur observed the armor, shock and nostalgia flashed in his eyes.
'That armour ...'
It belonged to the army of his past incarnation, the Great Mortal Emperor.
As the group approached, the skeleton abruptly stirred.
Golden flames ignited in its eye sockets, and it rose, releasing a potent desolate aura that reverberated through the entire cavern.
*Fwoosh!*
Mighty wind blew all over the place at its small movement but the talismans that Arthur gave everyone protected them from getting blown away.
The very realm itself seemed to tremble in response. Arthur, sensing the significance of this encounter, subtly tightened his fists.
'Well, this is unexpected.'
-----
*Swift!*
"Mountain Smiting Palm!"
Arthur calmly sent a fist and dispersed the attack.
"Oh, you do have some ability."
'This guys is really underestimating me because my cultivation is lower.'
The battle then became more heated with the young man unleashing multiple attacks.
Flaming fists, palm techniques, and even elemental attacks and more. Each strike was formidable, yet Arthur deftly deflected them with a calm and collected demeanor.
To the young man's shock, Arthur showcased not only martial skill but also an unmatched mastery of defense.
'I can't even leave a scratch at him? Who is this guy?!' he finally began to take Arthur seriously.
The onlookers could sense the shifting dynamics of the impending confrontation.
The young man, undeterred, retrieved his weapon—an imposing spear that seemed to pulse with energy.
As he brandished it, the atmosphere crackled with a destructive force.
"You are skilled, but your foundation is non-existent. You can't win," the young man declared, his voice laced with a blend of arrogance and certainty.
Arthur, still hovering in the air, met the challenge with a quiet resolve. "Foundations can be deceiving," he replied.
"Prove it!"
*Boom!*
They clashed again in another round of battle.
The clash of martial energies painted an intricate dance in the air.
The elderly companion of the old man observed the exchange with a knowing look, silently gauging the depth of Arthur's abilities.
'He seems to be able to predict his attacks ahead of time. What terrifying battle awareness.'
'I never thought that the weakest continent would have such a genius.'
As Arthur and the young man remained locked in battle, a profound energy emanated from both, creating ripples in the air.
'Hmm, he seems fairly powerful,' thought the old man.