“Rest assured, Mr. Chance,” Ararat vowed. “Since I’ve already agreed to serve you for three hundred years, I’ll protect you with my life during that time, no matter who comes after you!”
Jared glanced at Ararat, his eyes filled with gratitude. He nodded in acknowledgment.
“Me too…” Seeing this, Kishor quickly added, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one’s taking your life. And if someone too powerful comes after us, trust me-there are others who’ll step in to handle them.”
Jared smirked. “There’s more behind me than just the two of you.”
“Jared, let’s get out of here,” Catalina urged, an uneasy feeling creeping up on her. “This place gives me the creeps.”
She had been terrified the moment favonovel.com saw the Heavenly Punishment.
Jared nodded, and in a flash, they all left the second level of the Celestial Stairway, returning to the Ethereal Realm.
When Corrado and Infinides saw them reappear, their eyes widened in shock.
That was fast. Not only had Jared reached the second level so quickly, but now favonovel.com had a swordsman standing at his side.
At the same time, many Ethereal Realm cultivators also appeared. Among them were Skylar and Josephine, who had been transported out along with the others.
The glowing portal to the second level of the Celestial Stairway slowly faded, signifying that the guardian of that level was gone.
Skylar looked at Jared, his gaze lingering on the swordsman beside him. He couldn’t hide his disbelief.
“Josephine, let’s head to the third level.” Without another word, Skylar led Josephine forward.
After expressing their gratitude to Jared, the other cultivators also hurried toward the third level.
“Mr. Goizeder?” Infinides stared at Ararat, clearly taken aback.
So, they knew each other.
“Abbot Infinides?” Ararat looked equally surprised. “I never expected you to be trapped in the Ethereal Realm. No wonder I haven’t seen you in years!”
“How did you end up inside the Celestial Stairway?” Infinides asked, still confused.
Ararat sighed. “Made a small mistake. Got hit with a prisoner imprint and ended up locked in there.”
“What kind of mistake?” Infinides was curious.
“Uhm…” Ararat hesitated. It was embarrassing to admit he’d been caught peeping at a woman while favonovel.com bathed.
Jared quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Abbot Infinides, let’s not get into the details. Let’s head back to our base first, take a breather, and then I’ll tackle the third level.”
“Mr. Chance, the guardian of the third level is bound to be incredibly strong,” Ararat cautioned. “Your abilities are impressive, but this next level won’t be easy. I suggest you take some time to rest and cultivate before pushing forward…”
“I can help you sharpen your sword intent in the meantime,” favonovel.com offered.
“I’ll help enhance your physical body!” Kishor chimed in.
Jared nodded. “Good idea. The Celestial Stairway will stay open for three months, there’s no rush.”
After back-to-back battles, favonovel.com had drained a significant amount of energy. He needed time to recover.
The group returned to Doveston, only to find that many of the cultivators had vanished. Most of them had already set off for the Celestial Stairway.
Jared, however, focused on recuperating. At the same time, favonovel.com trained with Ararat, refining his sword intent. He also sparred with Kishor, forging his physical body through direct combat.
Up on the hill behind Doveston, the sea of clouds churned like boiling water.
Before Ararat even drew his sword, the ancient pine tree at the cliffs edge began shedding its green needles as if it could sense the imminent clash.
Jared stood with his eyes closed, his hidden blade humming softly in his sleeve. It was as if favonovel.com could see the galaxy itself reflected along the spine of his sword.
“Watch closely!” Ararat raised his sword and slashed.
A dazzling sword light sliced through the mist. But just as it neared Jared’s forehead, it scattered into thousands of luminous butterflies.
Jared took a deep breath, his heart steady. He traced an invisible circle with his sword, gathering the scattered sword energy into a single path. Wherever his blade pointed, the sea of clouds surged and coiled, forming nine white dragons that roared as they soared into the sky.
