Eternal Tower: Atreia Era

Within the palace of Black Dragon City in the Dragon Realm, a violent aura permeated the air, almost tangible. Morok's black dragon scales trembled slightly with rage, and the foul ether surrounding his fingertips nearly solidified, making the black crystals within the palace appear even colder. The dragon general who had come to report trembled violently, his head bowed low, barely daring to breathe, lest he anger this high-ranking dragon general who was already on the verge of losing control.

"My lord, you mustn't!" After a long silence, an elderly man clad in dark gold dragon-scale armor slowly spoke. He was Moloch's most senior strategist and one of the few who dared to speak up when Moloch was enraged. "You are a high-ranking general of the Dragon Clan, of noble status. If you personally infiltrate the Trial of the Ten Thousand Beasts Formation, and Gavin discovers you, it will not only trigger a direct war between the Dragon Realm and the Celestial Clan, but you yourself may also be in grave danger. That trial formation is an ancient relic, with bizarre internal formations. Even with your strength, you might not be able to escape unscathed!"

"In danger?" Morlock sneered, his tone filled with disdain and violence. "A mere ancient trial array can't hold me, Morlock! That old bastard Gavin, stationed at the Guardian Academy for years, has long lost his former sharpness. Even if he senses it, he might not be able to catch me in time to kill Lynn!" He raised his hand, clenching his fist until his knuckles turned white, his eyes almost overflowing with killing intent. "That Lynn's talent is too bizarre. In just a few months, he has grown from a mortal into a powerhouse capable of killing a mid-to-late stage Shadow Warrior. If given more time, once he breaks through to the mid-stage, or even high-stage, he will surely become the biggest obstacle to my Dragon Clan's unification of Atreia! Today, even if it means taking a huge risk, I will personally kill him!"

The old man tried to persuade him further, but was interrupted by Morlock's cold gaze: "No need for further words, my mind is made up! Immediately arrange for men to closely monitor the Beast Trial Array and Gavin's movements. If Gavin makes any unusual moves, report to me immediately! Also, send two mid-to-mid-level Shadow Warriors to infiltrate the trial array and secretly cooperate with me. Make sure everything goes smoothly and completely eliminates Lynn and Lina!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" The old man dared not disobey further, bowed in agreement, and quickly turned to leave the palace to arrange manpower deployment. Moloch slowly stood up, his black dragon scales beginning to glow, and his immense dragon might gradually released, causing the entire palace to tremble slightly under the pressure of his aura. With a flicker, he transformed into a black streak of light, breaking through the palace's dome and speeding towards the Celestial Guardian Academy. The turbid ether around him was like a black storm, sweeping away everything in its path, and the air was filled with a suffocatingly violent aura.

Inside the valley of the Trial of Ten Thousand Beasts Array, Lynn and Lina were still resting cross-legged. The effects of the elixir were gradually taking hold; the ether they had consumed was slowly recovering, their wounds were beginning to scab over, and their previously pale faces were gradually regaining some color. Lynn carefully put away the black ether core, his eyes warily scanning his surroundings, his senses constantly at full alert, fearing another sneak attack.

"Lynn, I feel that my ether has recovered by 70%, so we should be able to continue." Lina slowly opened her eyes, the fatigue in them had dissipated considerably, and she was surrounded by luminous ether, her breathing becoming much more stable. "We've been resting here for a long time. Staying any longer will only make it easier to expose our presence. We should hurry into the trial array, complete the trial, and leave this place as soon as possible."

Lynn nodded, slowly stood up, stretched his aching limbs, and felt the ether gradually filling his body. His tone was grave as he said, "You're right, we can't stay here indefinitely. However, we must be even more careful. We've already killed the shadow warriors Morlock sent, but he certainly won't let this go. He might send even stronger forces, or even come in person." He paused, then continued, "Next, we should try to avoid powerful magical beasts and eerie auras, quickly penetrate to the core of the trial array, complete the trial, and immediately retreat back to our mentor. Only then can we ensure our safety."

Lina nodded, gripping the basic light blade in her hand, her eyes filled with determination: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say. No matter what danger we encounter, we'll face it together."

After regaining their composure, the two set off again, their steps light and swift, trying to make as little noise as possible, heading deeper into the trial array. Having just fought, their teamwork had become even more seamless. Lynn led the way, scouting the surrounding area and terrain, while Lina kept watch behind, preventing any ambushes. Sensing the lingering battle aura and light ether emanating from the two, most of the magical beasts along the way dared not approach easily, hiding deep within the forest, trembling with fear.

The deeper they ventured into the trial array, the more bizarre the surrounding atmosphere became. The shadow power and corrupted ether in the air grew increasingly dense, even more so than when they had encountered the shadow warriors earlier. Lynn's brows furrowed, his unease intensifying. He could clearly sense an extremely powerful and violent aura rapidly approaching them. That aura was far stronger than that of the previous shadow warriors, carrying the suffocating dragon might unique to high-ranking dragon generals.

"Not good! Lina, hide quickly!" Lynn's expression changed drastically. He shouted and immediately pulled Lina behind a towering ancient tree. At the same time, he activated his ethereal power, condensing a thick barrier of light to completely conceal their auras. He lowered his voice, his tone extremely grave, "It's a high-ranking general of the Dragon Clan. His aura is even stronger than Moloch's. He must have come in person!"

Lina's face turned pale instantly. She gripped Lynn's arm tightly, her voice trembling slightly, yet she remained calm: "Is...is it Moloch? He really came in person?"

"Uncertain, but the aura is stronger than any dragon we've encountered before. It's most likely Moloch, or one of his high-ranking generals." Lynn's gaze was fixed on the direction from which the aura came, his eyes filled with solemnity and vigilance. "Our current strength is no match for him. We can only hide for now and try not to be discovered by him. After he leaves, we can continue forward, or activate the emergency evacuation device and return to the secret realm."

Lina nodded, holding her breath, not daring to make a sound, her eyes fixed on the front. The powerful, violent aura drew closer, the ground began to tremble slightly, and the magical beasts in the forest fled in terror, letting out terrified roars. The polluted ether in the air almost completely suppressed the light ether, and the chilling feeling was like falling into an ice cellar, making both of them feel cold all over.

A moment later, a black figure slowly appeared at the entrance of the valley. The figure was burly, clad in black dragon scale armor, his body covered in hard black dragon scales, upon which swirled a dense, murky ethereal aura. His eyes were as cold as millennia-old ice, and two sharp dragon teeth protruded from the corners of his mouth, radiating a chilling light. The dragon's might surrounding him was like an invisible pressure, sweeping across the entire valley. This was none other than Moloch, a high-ranking general of the dragon race.

Moloch's gaze swept across the entire valley, his eyes filled with murderous intent and violence that almost materialized. He activated his senses to the fullest, carefully probing every trace of aura in the valley. A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Lynn, Lina, I know you're here. Stop hiding and come out to die!" His voice, carrying a powerful dragon's might, resounded throughout the valley like thunder, shaking the leaves and making Lynn and Lina's eardrums buzz. Even the ether within their bodies became slightly disordered.

Lynn and Lina huddled tightly behind the ancient tree, barely daring to breathe, their hearts filled with anxiety. They knew that Moloch's perception was extremely sharp, and it was almost impossible to hide indefinitely; once discovered, they would surely die.

"It seems you intend to resist to the end." Seeing no response, Moloch's killing intent intensified. The tainted ether around him erupted instantly, and his immense dragon might surged once more. "Since you refuse to come out, then I'll destroy this valley and force you out!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Morlock raised his hand and conjured a massive black energy sphere. The sphere was enveloped in dense, murky ethereal energy and dragon's might, radiating a suffocating aura and possessing immense power, enough to easily destroy the entire valley. He hurled the black energy sphere towards the center of the valley. The sphere sliced ​​through the air with a piercing whistle as it hurtled forward.

"No! He's going to destroy the valley! We can't hide any longer!" Lynn's expression changed drastically. He shouted and immediately pulled Lina out from behind the ancient tree. At the same time, he circulated all the ether within his body, condensing a solid barrier of light to block their path. Lina also reacted immediately, circulating the ether within her body to fully assist Lynn in reinforcing the barrier of light.

Bang! With a deafening roar, the black energy ball slammed into the barrier of light. Golden light and black mist erupted violently, forming a powerful shockwave that spread outwards. The entire valley trembled violently, towering ancient trees were snapped in half, and huge cracks appeared in the ground. Debris flew everywhere, and dust filled the air.

Lynn and Lina were thrown back several steps by the shockwave, blood spilling from their mouths. Their etheric energy instantly became chaotic, and massive cracks appeared on the barrier of light, threatening to shatter at any moment. Lynn gritted his teeth, straining with all his might to maintain the barrier of light, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. He knew that once the barrier crumbled, he and Lina would be swallowed whole by the power of the black energy sphere, leaving no trace.

"Hahaha, with your meager strength, you dare to show off your skills in front of me?" Moloch looked at the disheveled Lynn and Lina, letting out a arrogant laugh, his eyes full of disdain. "Lynn, you are indeed exceptionally talented, able to condense such a solid barrier of light in such a short time. Unfortunately, it is still utterly vulnerable before me! Today, I will personally slay you and completely eliminate this thorn in the side of my dragon race!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Morlock flashed forward with incredible speed, like a ghost, and pounced on Lynn and Lina. A black dragon claw materialized in his hand, surrounded by dense, murky ethereal energy and dragon might, radiating a chilling light. It was incredibly powerful and aimed straight at Lynn's chest, intending to kill him with one blow.

"Lynn, watch out!" Lina shouted, ignoring her own injuries, she channeled the remaining ether within her body, condensing a basic light blade, and slashed at Morlock's dragon claw, trying to restrain Morlock's attack and buy Lynn a chance to catch his breath.

Moloch's strength far surpassed Lina's. He easily dodged Lina's attack with a slight sidestep, and at the same time, he raised his hand and sent a black energy blast towards Lina. Lina's expression changed, and she tried to dodge, but it was too late. She was struck in the chest by the black energy blast and instantly flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground. Blood gushed from the corner of her mouth, and she was completely exhausted, unable to stand up. Her eyes were filled with pain, but she still stared intently at Moloch, wanting to get up again and help Lynn.

"Lina!" When Lynn saw Lina injured, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot veins. The anger and anxiety in his heart erupted instantly, and the ether within his body began to operate wildly. The Judgment of Light instantly condensed, and the golden lightsaber emitted a dazzling light. It was sharper than ever before, carrying a strong power of judgment and the rage of revenge, and slashed fiercely towards Morlock.

"Oh? Getting angry?" Moloch sneered, his eyes full of disdain. He raised his hand and swung his black dragon claw against the golden lightsaber. Bang! With a loud crash, golden light and black mist erupted again. Lynn was forced back several steps by the shockwave. The Judgment of Light in his hand almost slipped from his grasp. A sharp pain shot through his arm, and the ether within him was almost completely depleted.

Moloch, however, remained unmoved, only slightly frowning, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "I didn't expect you to have cultivated the Judgment of Light to this level, and even be able to injure me. It seems I underestimated you. But it's useless now; today, you are doomed!"

Moloch attacked again, his dragon claws lashing out, unleashing streaks of black claw winds, each carrying a dense, murky ethereal aura and dragon's might, aimed at Lynn. Each strike was powerful enough to severely injure him. Lynn, enduring his injuries and exhaustion, used his Instant Step technique to nimbly dodge, while simultaneously brandishing his Light Judgment, unleashing golden blades of light that slashed at the black claw winds, barely managing to withstand Moloch's attacks.

However, the difference in strength between the two sides was simply too great. Lynn gradually became exhausted, and several more wounds appeared on his body, staining his cultivation robe with blood. His breathing became increasingly rapid, and the light of the Judgment of Light in his hand gradually dimmed. He knew that he couldn't hold on for much longer, but he couldn't give up. He still had to protect Lina, avenge Falling Wind Village, and protect Atreia. He couldn't just die here like this.

"Lynn, give up! You're no match for me!" Mollock looked at the disheveled Lynn, his eyes filled with disdain and murderous intent. "If you surrender obediently, I might give you a quick death and spare Lina's life. Otherwise, I'll make sure you both die a horrible death!"

"Don't even think about it!" Lynn gritted his teeth, his tone resolute, his eyes filled with unyielding fighting spirit. "Molock, you slaughtered Fallingwind Village, harmed the Celestials, colluded with the Demons, and wreaked havoc on Atreia. Even if I fight with all my might, I will never let you succeed! Today, even if I die, I will drag you down with me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a resolute glint flashed in Lynn's eyes. He circulated the last bit of ether within his body, simultaneously retrieving the black shadow ether core and holding it in his hand. He knew that this ether core contained a dense concentration of shadow power and corrupted ether. Although strange, if forcibly detonated, it might generate immense power. Even if it couldn't kill Morlock, it could buy Lina time to escape.

"Oh? You want to detonate the Shadow Aether Core?" A hint of surprise flashed in Moloch's eyes, followed by a cold smile. "How overconfident! You think you can hurt me with this tiny Aether Core? Today, both of you will be reduced to ashes here!"

Morlock quickened his attack, his dragon claws stabbing fiercely towards Lynn's chest, aiming to kill him before Lynn could detonate the Aether Core. Lynn gripped the Shadow Aether Core tightly, his eyes filled with determination, about to detonate it, when at that moment, a golden light, like a shooting star, streaked from afar, instantly blocking Lynn's path. With a wave of his hand, a massive golden blade of light slashed towards Morlock.

Bang! With a deafening crash, the golden blade of light collided violently with the black dragon claw. Moloch was thrown back several steps by the shockwave, his eyes filled with shock and rage: "Gavin! You actually came!"

The newcomer was none other than Grand Instructor Gavin. He was surrounded by a dense aura of light, his presence both powerful and holy. His cold gaze fixed on Moloch, his eyes filled with a sharp killing intent: "Moroch, you dared to infiltrate the trial array of my Celestial Guardian Academy and assassinate my disciple! Today, I will ensure you never return!"

Gavin turned to Lynn and Lina, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He waved his hand, and two gentle beams of light ether flowed into Lynn and Lina's bodies, easing their injuries and fatigue: "Lynn, Lina, are you alright? Quickly step aside, leave this to me!"

"Mentor!" Lynn and Lina's eyes filled with excitement and relief when they saw Gavin. Lina struggled to her feet and walked to Lynn's side. The two supported each other and retreated to a corner of the valley. Although they were still covered in wounds, they finally breathed a sigh of relief. They knew that their mentor, Gavin, had arrived, and they were safe.

Moloch stared at Gavin, his eyes filled with anger and apprehension. He knew Gavin's strength was on par with his own, and killing Lynn and Lina at Gavin's hands was impossible. But he was unwilling to give up, and said in a sinister tone, "Gavin, you're lucky today. However, that brat Lynn is exceptionally talented and growing at an extremely rapid pace. He will surely become a great threat to my dragon race in the future. I will not let this go easily. Next time, I will personally kill him!"

"Next time? There won't be a next time!" Gavin sneered, his killing intent intensifying. The ethereal light around him erupted instantly, his aura surging even stronger than before. "Molock, you colluded with the demons, assassinated my Celestial Clan disciples, and slaughtered Celestial beings. Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven and kill you to avenge those you have harmed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gavin conjured a massive golden lightsaber in his hand. The lightsaber was enveloped in a dense aura of light and divine power, its strength reaching its peak. It was none other than the Celestial Clan's high-level combat technique—the Holy Sword of Light. He flashed forward, lunging towards Morlock, the Holy Sword of Light in his hand carrying a sharp, divine power, slashing towards Morlock, intending to kill him in one strike.

Moloch's expression changed drastically. He dared not be careless in the slightest and immediately circulated the tainted ether within his body, condensing it into a massive black dragon claw, which he then met head-on with the Holy Sword of Light. Bang! A deafening roar erupted as the golden power of light and the black tainted ether clashed violently, forming a powerful shockwave that swept across the entire valley. The rocks and trees in the valley were shattered by the shockwave, and dust filled the air, obscuring the sky.

The two instantly clashed, golden light and black mist intertwining and colliding in the valley. The clanging of weapons, the booming of exploding ether, and their low shouts echoed throughout the valley. Gavin's Holy Sword of Light was sharp and holy, each strike carrying the power to purify all impurities, suppressing Morlock's corrupted ether; Morlock's dragon claws were powerful and violent, each strike carrying the power to destroy the world, engaging in a fierce duel with Gavin's Holy Sword of Light.

Lynn and Lina sat in a corner of the valley, taking pills to heal their injuries and replenish their ether while intently watching the battle unfold, their eyes filled with awe. It was the first time they had witnessed a duel between high-ranking guardians; the immense power and the breathtaking scene filled them with reverence and strengthened their resolve to cultivate and improve their abilities.

The battle intensified, with both Gavin and Morlock's energy dwindling and several wounds appearing on their bodies. While Gavin's power of light suppressed Morlock's corrupted ether, Morlock's strength was also formidable, making it no easy task to completely kill him.

"Gavin, do you really think you can kill me?" Moloch sneered, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes. "I came here prepared. Even if I can't kill Lynn, I can wear you down!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Morlock suddenly circulated all the impure ether within his body. The black dragon scales around his body instantly turned crimson, his aura surged, and his form began to change, gradually transforming into a gigantic black dragon, tens of feet long, covered in hard black dragon scales, with incredibly sharp claws, and his eyes flashing with a violent light. His dragon might surged, becoming even more powerful and suffocating than before.

"Oh no, he's about to use his Dragon Form!" Gavin's expression changed, his eyes filled with seriousness. "Morlock's Dragon Form is extremely powerful. Once he uses it, his strength will increase dramatically. It seems I can't hold back anymore!"

Gavin also suddenly circulated all the light ether within his body, and the golden light around him instantly became dazzling. Behind him, a pair of huge golden wings slowly unfolded, covered with golden runes, exuding a rich holy aura. His aura also surged instantly, reaching the peak of a high-level guardian, making him evenly matched with Moloch, who had transformed into a giant dragon.

"Holy Judgment of Light!" Gavin shouted, and the Holy Sword of Light in his hand shone brightly, gathering all the light power in his body. He slashed fiercely at Morlock, who had transformed into a giant dragon. A huge golden blade of light tore through the air, carrying the power to purify everything, and rushed towards Morlock.

"Dragonfire Breath!" Molok let out a deafening dragon roar, spewing out a massive black dragonfire from his mouth. The dragonfire was swirling with dense, turbid ether, possessing immense power, and it met the golden light blade head-on. Bang! With a deafening crash, the golden light blade and the black dragonfire collided violently. Golden light and black flames erupted violently, engulfing the entire valley in flames and light. The temperature soared dramatically, the ground was scorched black, and even the rubble turned to ash.