As the blood of the Fierce Beast dripped onto the Elder Deity crystals, an eerie biological vitality abruptly manifested within the pile of crystals. Having witnessed this phenomenon once before, Enzo remained unfazed.

Before long, as the Elder Deity crystals awakened completely, Enzo no longer hesitated. He seized them and began to devour their essence.

In the next moment, a torrent of frenzied thoughts assaulted Enzo’s consciousness.

Veins of crimson appeared in his eyes, yet he muttered softly to himself, “Is this the extent of your influence over me? Vanish!”

With a growl laden with suppressed fury, Enzo’s aura surged powerfully.

Seven days later, the last of the Elder Deity crystals had been consumed.

Rising to his feet, he clenched his fist, excitement coursing through him as he mused, “Indeed, devouring Elder Deity crystals can substantially enhance one’s strength, but I must admit, the risks are formidable for an ordinary person. Especially as the quantity consumed increases, so does the intensity of the backlash. Even I may struggle to withstand its overwhelming force if I persist.”

A shiver of trepidation ran through Enzo as he recognized the recklessness of his previous actions.

The malevolent consciousness emanating from the Elder Deity crystals intensified with each crystal devoured.

Yet, this conundrum only deepened Enzo’s resolve.

He was unwilling to concede defeat.

After consuming this batch of Elder Deity crystals, he was tantalizingly close to fully coalescing the special spell he had nurtured.

To abandon this now would mean a fruitless endeavor.

However, Enzo was all too aware of his current state. Should he continue, he would be unable to repel that insidious tide of madness.

The consequences of this, he too could not bear.

“Perhaps Patricia has alternative methods to facilitate the absorption of more Elder Deity crystals…”

Enzo mused, yet he refrained from hastily contacting her.

He opened a portal to the small world and entered it. During his absence, the Life Water and the Thunder Pool within the small world had fully replenished, and they appeared significantly purified, their potency greatly enhanced.

Even the World Tree had seen considerable growth.

Upon Enzo’s arrival, Bookstaver approached him, and after confirming that Enzo had absorbed the Elder Deity crystals without adverse reactions, he ceased to impede him.

At that moment, Enzo spoke.

“Bookstaver, what must I do to consume more Elder Deity crystals?”

Bookstaver pondered the question.

Then Bookstaver replied, “Given the current situation, as long as one can withstand the onslaught of malevolent thoughts inherent in the Elder Deity crystals, one can continually consume them to enhance oneself. However, even deities possess limits to their willpower.”

“Master, you have already reached a threshold with your consumption. I do not recommend further attempts.”

After Bookstaver’s counsel, Carol approached as well.

She gestured toward the distant World Tree and said, “Enzo, you might consider utilizing the World Tree for absorption.”

This suggestion left Enzo somewhat perplexed.

Carol continued to elucidate, “Within certain Protoss inheritances, there are records regarding avatars. You and the World Tree represent two distinct forms of life, yet both share the same soul. However, the soul manifests differently in various beings. The World Tree is an embodiment of the world, innately endowed with formidable spiritual power.

By employing the World Tree to consume the Elder Deity crystals, you might achieve unprecedented results.”

This remark ignited inspiration within Enzo.

After the birth of The World Tree, particularly upon placing it within the miniature world, he regarded The World Tree merely as a tool to stabilize that realm. Yet, in truth, its potential capabilities far surpassed such a limited function.

With this thought in mind, Enzo felt a surge of impatience.

However, he found himself devoid of any Elder Deity crystals and intended first to depart from the Blood Ruins and return to the city of Ambera.

Thus, Enzo once again exited the miniature world.

Now, having significantly enhanced his prowess, he summoned the Flame Wings and surged through the Blood Ruins with reckless abandon. Despite attracting considerable attention, the formidable aura surrounding Enzo deterred anyone from attempting an ambush, as Kitsch and Quinn had previously done.

Before long, Enzo burst forth from the Blood Ruins.

Immediately upon escaping the ruins, he utilized teleportation to make his way to the city of Ambera.

The city remained as vibrant as ever.

After more than a year since the events that transpired, the residents of Ambera seemed to have forgotten the epic battle, and the turmoil caused by the Crimson Flame Meteorite had subsided.

Yet, in the Fierce Beast world, conflict was an everlasting theme.

Though Ambera appeared tranquil on the surface, a tempest brewed beneath.

…

The Colombo Family.

In the manor’s grand hall, Colombo paced restlessly, his face a mask of anger and unease, unable to contain his fury, exclaiming, “Lord Lovins has gone too far! After all this time, he still seeks to use this matter to threaten us!”

Anarion had matured considerably.

He reassured, “Father, Lovins is the lord of Ambera, wielding immense power. Defying his orders is simply out of the question. For now, we must feign compliance. If we preserve the Colombo Family’s strength, there will come a day when we can exact our revenge.”

Colombo let out a heavy sigh.

This was a choice born of profound resignation, the only recourse available to the weak in the face of the strong.

Fortunately, though Lovins’ demands were excessive, they did not render the Colombo Family entirely destitute.

Thus, Colombo nodded in acquiescence.

He turned to Anarion and instructed, “For now, this is the only course available. I must attend the feast hosted by Lord Lovins. Anarion, remain at the estate and begin your studies of the supernatural knowledge left by Mr. Enzo.”

Anarion nodded in understanding.

However, as Colombo arrived at the Lord’s Manor atop a tamed Fierce Beast, he did not anticipate encountering an extraordinary individual within its walls—a strikingly young man exuding an air of aloofness, accompanied by a beautifully fierce woman clad in revealing attire.

She was stunning, her presence undeniably formidable.

Yet, even facing the young woman and her companion, Lovins, the lord of Ambera City, displayed utmost deference, careful to conceal any trace of arrogance.

Lovins spoke, “Your Highness Cornelius, this is Colombo, the head of the Colombo Family, closely tied to Enzo.”

Cornelius!

Son of the Gwaihir family’s Druid!

Upon hearing that name, an unsettling realization dawned on Colombo, his expression shifting dramatically. Though he quickly regained his composure, it was too late. The young man, Cornelius, had already perceived the flicker of panic across his face.

Cornelius rose and approached Colombo.

Then, with a measured tone, he inquired, “So you are the head of the Colombo Family. Might I ask if you can enlighten me about the truth concerning the demise of the Gwaihir family a year ago?”

Colombo stammered, “I… I do not know.”

“Do not know?” Cornelius let out a cold snort, a flicker of ferocity crossing his face. He reached out and seized one of Colombo’s arms, violently tearing it from his socket, then threatened, “If you refuse to speak, the next thing I shall sever will not be your arm, but your head!”

Colombo was drenched in sweat.

His pallor stark as he endured the excruciating pain. His lips cracked, and his breath grew faint, yet he steadfastly refrained from divulging any information about Enzo, pleading, “Your Highness Cornelius, I truly do not know…”

“Don’t know? Then perish!”

Cornelius barked in fury.

This time, he ruthlessly twisted off Colombo’s head and discarded it on the ground. He then bellowed at Lovins, “Lovins, hang this wretch’s head in the marketplace of Ambera. Moreover, issue a proclamation: any information leading to Enzo will reward its bearer with my allegiance and the opportunity to enter the Beast Temple!”

“What!”

Upon hearing such a reward, Lovins could not help but exclaim.

Entering the temple was a dream for countless souls, and now Cornelius had brazenly offered it as a prize.

It was an unprecedented opportunity.

Yet, having witnessed Cornelius’s brutality, Lovins dared not linger and promptly raised Colombo’s corpse, entrusting it to the guards of the Lord’s Manor, while issuing a few stern commands.

With Colombo’s body displayed in the marketplace, and the news of Cornelius’s bounty spreading, the city of Ambera buzzed with renewed energy, as past events resurfaced.

Many met their end.

While others reaped rewards.

However, one mystery remained. No one ever discovered the whereabouts of Enzo.

Upon learning of his father’s demise, Anarion of the Colombo Family was engulfed in profound sorrow, his eyes reddened, brimming with vengeful intent.

With a roar reminiscent of a wild beast, he declared, “Cornelius, Lovins, I swear I shall make you pay for this!”

At that moment, a hand fell upon Anarion’s shoulder, accompanied by a familiar voice: “To seek vengeance driven solely by rage is futile. You must possess the strength to act.”

Startled by the voice, Anarion turned to see his brother, Enzo.

“Brother Enzo!”

Anarion exclaimed with joy.

Enzo had just returned to Ambera City, only to be met with the shocking news of Colombo’s death. What astonished him further was that Colombo had chosen not to disclose his whereabouts.

Though Colombo was unaware of Enzo’s location.

However other revelations was lingered—such as the fact that he was not from the Fierce Beast realm but hailed from a different world within the Starry Sky. Had this information been shared, perhaps Colombo might have survived. Yet, with Colombo’s shrewdness, he opted to remain silent.

Enzo had his suspicions regarding the reasons behind this choice.

However, with Colombo now deceased, the specifics had become irrelevant.

“Brother Enzo, my father is gone…”

It seemed that Enzo’s return had provided Anarion with a pillar of strength. The sorrow he had managed to contain now cascaded forth as he wept inconsolably.

Enzo did not intercede.

His intention in returning was to confront Lovins once more.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep