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Chapter 343 You were hiding this much power all along?
Chapter 343 You were hiding this much power all along?
"Get away from me! Get away!" Neil roared, her voice laced with fury as she unleashed a torrent of mystical energy within the confines of the formation.
It was a powerful binding array, to be sure, and the thirty-plus formation discs would have given even a seasoned Competent Force expert pause.
However, she knew that if she could just maintain her focus for a few more moments, she could break free.
Individually, the Blackwood's third generation might have been nearing Competent Force level, but none of them could truly match her power.
She could obliterate them with a flick of her wrist.
Even that blood-clad general, Jessica, with her tangible killing intent and quasi-Basic Mastery domain, posed only a minor threat.
Her murderous aura might slow Neil down, but a single, decisive strike would be enough to end her.
And yet...
It was these seemingly insignificant opponents who were driving her to the brink of despair!
The Blackwoods were like a plague of locusts.
The third generation clung to her like leeches, while the rest buzzed around her like annoying flies.
If she were a physical cultivator, it would be a simple matter of breaking through and crushing those pests.
But she was a master of mystical arts, and if her protective golden aura shattered, she would be at the mercy of these Developing Skill ants.
To die at their hands would be a humiliation that would follow her into the afterlife.
But there was still hope...
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The sound of shattering metal reached her ears.
She whipped her head towards the source and saw a black light piercing the sky in the distance.
"Marcus!"
Terror had gripped her when Marcus had pursued her earlier, but now... a strange sense of relief washed over her.
If she was destined to die at the hands of these unkillable Developing Skill pests, she might as well meet her end at the hands of a true powerhouse like Marcus, a Psychic who had endured nine thunder tribulations.
...
A short while later, the Blackwoods gathered within the Heavenly Path Psychic Sanctuary.
The third, fourth, and sixth generations all looked upon Marcus with a mixture of awe and respect.
He had reverted to his usual appearance, a serene Daoist master with a horsetail whisk in one hand and the Sky Palace in the other.
They had witnessed his terrifying transformation when he arrived to aid them.
His body had been wreathed in darkness, his every strike imbued with devastating power.
He had cleaved through Neil's nigh-impenetrable Soul Grinder with a single blow.
Marcus, in turn, regarded the Blackwoods with admiration.
The Forebearer had assured him that Neil wouldn't escape, but he hadn't expected his family to be the ones to capture her.
He couldn't shake the image of their coordinated assault: the formidable formation trapping Neil, his seven siblings transformed into monstrous entities, and the four members of the fourth generation, each wielding unique and deadly abilities.
Every single one of them was far stronger than he had been at their level.
The idea of Developing Skill experts trapping a Competent Force opponent was unheard of, even ludicrous.
And yet, it had happened, right here in the Heavenly Path Psychic Sanctuary.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other, a silent conversation passing between them.
"You were hiding this much power all along?"
Only Joseph and Katie remained silent, gazing up at their extraordinary family members.
They finally understood why the Blackwoods had dominated Azure Cloud for so long, why even the arrival of Phillips hadn't shaken their position.
As for Neil...
[Congratulations! Your descendants worked together to capture Neil, obtaining a wealth of spoils of war!]
[Top-grade ability weapon 'Rain of Golden Coins': Transforms into a torrential downpour of coins capable of eroding all techniques. When the coins converge, they form an impenetrable shield, nullifying all attacks.]
[Top-grade ability weapon 'Treasure Basin': Creates a binding formation, captures living beings, and nourishes Psychic Gear and ability weapons, enhancing their abilities.]
[When used together, the Rain of Golden Coins and Treasure Basin create a protective domain, rendering the user nearly invincible. Coins absorbed by the basin enhance the user's power.]
[Top-grade ability weapon 'Golden Silk Robe of Fortune': Protects the user with mystical energy, enhancing natural energy reserves...]
[Obtained mystical artifact: 'Seventh Grade Gold Ingot'.]
[Obtained Neil's Storage Ring, containing a lifetime's worth of accumulated treasures...]
"Damn..." Ethan muttered, crouching beside the defeated Neil and examining their loot.
The Blackwoods had fought countless battles, slain enemies of all strengths, even a Basic Mastery expert had fallen to Ethan's own hand.
But never had they encountered such a wealthy opponent.
The two Parker elders they had captured paled in comparison.
Speaking of which, the "big boss" of the Parker family was currently restrained, her body a canvas for over three hundred formation symbols.
George's spectral companions, along with William and Justin, were keeping her under strict control.
Her soul sea was sealed, her Competent Force strength suppressed.
Fifty pieces of Psychic Gear and ability weapons adorned her form, pushing her to the brink of collapse.
Only her head remained visible.
Neil was a valuable asset, alive.
She possessed knowledge of countless Parker family secrets and was a treasure trove of information.
"Ahem."
Marcus cleared his throat, breaking the stunned silence.
He looked down at Neil, whose eyes were devoid of hope.
"We owe you all a debt of gratitude. Without your efforts, this woman would have escaped."
His words drew everyone's attention to the figure standing beside him.
They had been informed by the Forebearer about this Parker elder, who had somehow joined forces with Marcus.
He had even participated in Neil's capture, fighting with a ruthlessness that surpassed even the Blackwoods.
"Cut the pleasantries, brother. If Jessica and Joseph hadn't stopped me, I would have ripped that bastard apart!" Thomas snarled, sending a kick towards Neil.
His wings fluttered menacingly as he turned his gaze to the Parker elder.
"Now, tell me, what's the deal with this traitor?"
"Hehe..." The elder, who appeared deceptively young, shifted uncomfortably under the Blackwoods' intense scrutiny.
"He's one of us." Marcus chuckled, holding up a token.
"It seems the Parker family is experiencing some internal strife. This is Brent. While Neil remained defiant, Brent... well, he's an interesting fellow. To ease my worries, he offered me his 'Soul Control Token,' linked to his Pinnacle Apprentice. He's a friend now."
Marcus' words were carefully chosen, preserving Brent's dignity.
The elder bowed deeply, his face a mask of sycophancy, much like a seasoned Parker merchant.
"I see." The Blackwoods nodded, a hint of amusement in their eyes.
A living, cooperative Competent Force expert was far more valuable than a dead one.
And if they ever managed to leave the Heavenly Path Psychic Sanctuary, Brent could prove to be a valuable asset within the Parker family.
A most intriguing thought.
"Brent!" Neil shrieked, her despair replaced by a surge of fury.
She struggled against her restraints, her eyes burning with hatred.
"You traitor! I spared your life, and you repay me by betraying the Parker family! You joined forces with our enemies, helped them capture me! You will die a dog's death!"
"Hahaha, laughable! I will die a dog's death?" Brent retorted.
"If you hadn't insisted on capturing Marcus, on harming the Blackwoods, you wouldn't be in this situation!"
"I handed over my Pinnacle Apprentice because of you, you wretched woman!"
"You..."