Chapter 198 Toward the Valley (1/2)

With every step they took, the sounds in the distance seerow louder — thunderclaps, blasts, and rumbles that shook the very earth itself

These were not the sounds of battle, Arran thought They were the sounds of disaster What he heard were storether in a deafening cataclys

Although they were miles away fro from the south could be felt even here, and several times, house-sized chunks of rock flew fro hundreds of Iron Mountain recruits where they landed

With the destruction extending this far, Arran could not begin to iround would be like, but he had little doubt that it would be a terrifying scene — one with little chance of survival for anyone caught nearby

That the caical Recruits and novices had no way to defend theht survive the night was to stay far away fro Elders

Yet while the Iron Mountain roup continued onward, exploiting the panic and confusion to pass through the camp unchecked They had no need for stealth or caution — with thousands ofthe battle, their sroup was all but invisible

After nearly an hour of wading through the frightened masses, they ell into the h the camp still stretched on, there were fewer tents and people here It was as if the Iron Mountain leaders had intentionally spread out the camp to ensure that it stretched all the way to theno space for enemies to pass unnoticed

If that was indeed the Iron Mountain's intent, the idea had failed roup would have stood out like wolves in a tavern But with people all around, barely anyone so es in the area were fleeing the cataclysmic battle in the distance, and even those feeren't fleeing had their attention fully focused on the battle

”There's a path into the mountains nearby,” Elder Naran said ”I doubt we'll find it unguarded, so ready yourselves for battle”

They continued onward at a rapid pace, and before long, Arran could see that the Elder was right There was a path leading up into the es — at least three dozen, if not more

Fro sounds of cataclysm in the distance, Arran knew that these were no novices, or even adepts They would be Masters, if not stronger And at their head stood a man who emanated the same sense of absolute power Arran saw in Elder Naran Another Elder

Thehair He wore a simple black robe, and at his side, there was a slender sword, its blade lightly curved His face was angular, dignified if not handsoht now, his dark eyes were fixed on Elder Naran

”The Dragon approaches,” the uise in an instant ”Have you joined forces with the traitors? Or are you using their attack to seize the Valley for yourself?” Though his voice was calm, it held an undertone of violence, as if he could attack at any moment

”Neither,” Elder Naran said ”We have come to cure the Patriarch Now stand aside, Rakhish — you cannot defeat us, and although I have no wish to kill you, I will do so if I nored the threat, instead giving Elder Naran a questioning look ”Why would I…” His voice trailed off and his eyes narrowed ”What proof have you of this?”

Elder Naran wordlessly stepped aside, revealing Snowcloud Despite her disguise, recognition dawned in Rakhish's eyes ”Lady Snowcloud—”

Before he could finish the words, the scene erupted into chaos In an instant, half a dozen of the es launched attacks at Snowcloud, the air suddenly thick with Essence as a torrent of destruction surged toward her

Yet although each of the attacks was far beyond anything Arran was capable of producing, they were all stopped with a single casual wave of Elder Naran's hand

And then, the attackers died There was no battle — all at once, they died where they stood, their bodies burnt, torn, or rent to pieces It was over before Arran could register as happening A dozen Masters died in the blink of an eye, and to his horror, Arran realized he hadn't even Sensed the ainst them