Chapter 131: Stonewolf
According to the records of the Archmage of Cloudspire Tower, the Dark Arena is the burial ground for the Prince’s army. Under the influence of bloodline curse magic, they have become beings akin to heroic spirits, training their combat skills day and night within the Dark Arena, while guarding the only path to the Prince’s crypt.
Back then, that outrageously lucky Archmage was nearly doomed in this Dark Arena, but thanks to his extraordinary luck, he managed to escape.
Leon knew he didn’t have that kind of luck…
So, when Leon stepped through the Infernal Basalt Gate and saw the vast, empty circular arena, his heart was far less calm than his face suggested…
"It’s here!"
Almost as soon as Leon’s feet touched the black earth, a tragic, ancient battle cry rang in his ears. In an instant, the desolate, lifeless Dark Arena was transformed: the blood-red setting sun, clouds thick as ink, blood and broken bodies strewn across the ground, shattered weapons and discarded banners—Leon felt as if he’d been thrown onto a battlefield from the Third Dynasty.
Then, Leon heard a low, guttural roar behind him…
Turning around, Leon saw a pack of Stonewolves fanned out in formation, surrounding him at the center. Their ghostly blue eyes shone brighter than the dying sun—these were at least tier-thirteen magical beasts, each nearly as dangerous as a Blightbloom.
And now, there were more than ten Stonewolves encircling Leon…
“No wonder they call it the Dark Arena…” Leon’s scalp tingled. This was just the first round, and he was already facing more than ten Stonewolves. He didn’t even want to imagine what might come next.
As Leon reeled in shock, the largest Stonewolf, reeking of blood, lunged at him. Clearly the alpha, its level was likely above thirteen—possibly even at fifteen. Its speed and strength rivaled a fifth-tier Swordmaster, lacking only the power of battle aura.
But even the speed and strength of a fifth-tier Swordmaster was terrifying enough. Almost as soon as that bloody wind swept in, the Stonewolf was upon Leon, its razor claws gleaming in the sunset—these were its deadliest weapons, able to tear through solid rock in an instant.
“So fast…” Leon was startled. He raised his Soulbound Staff, sending a chain of fire to coil around the alpha. But a tier-fifteen magical beast was nothing like a spent Lord Shaun—the alpha broke free in the blink of an eye.
As it broke the fiery chain, the alpha gave a low, guttural howl—instantly, a dozen black shadows leapt forward from behind.
Almost at the same moment, the ground beneath Leon twisted. The once-flat earth suddenly split open into a chasm—right behind him. One step back and he’d tumble in, only to be torn to shreds by a dozen Stonewolves…
Luckily, after trapping the alpha with a chain of fire, Leon didn’t rush to put distance between himself and the pack.
It was as if Leon had known a chasm would open behind him. He cast the fire chain, but didn’t move his feet—instead, he began chanting right where he stood.
In that instant, Leon pushed his spellcasting to the limit, abbreviating most of the incantations and mixing in instantaneous spells. Flames scattered, frost fell, magical runes danced through the air—the battle was nothing short of spectacular.
In this dazzling battle, Leon single-handedly accomplished feats that would require several Archmages working together.
Attack, defense, control…
Leon was alone, yet in this battle it was as if he’d split into several Archmages, handling every aspect to perfection. Not a single Stonewolf broke through his defenses, nor escaped his attacks.
Thirty seconds later, a spear of flame pierced the alpha’s chest.
The battle was over…
“Damn Dark Arena…” Leon finally stopped, gasping for breath. The fight had lasted only thirty seconds, but it had been no easier than facing hundreds of venomous Dragonflies last time. The Stonewolves were too fast, too strong—there was no room for error.
This was a fight where even the slightest mistake meant having your chest torn open by a Stonewolf’s claws.
In just thirty seconds, Leon used abbreviated incantations four times, cast instant spells seven times—a total of eleven magus abilities. Among Archmages, that was an almost unbeatable record.
“Aha, not bad! You took care of those Stonewolves so quickly—Master Shawn’s honestly impressed!” As Matthew struggled to catch his breath, his nagging, pretentious True Spirit Artifact piped up again.
“Aha, not bad! You took care of those Stonewolves so quickly—Lord Shaun’s honestly impressed!” As Leon struggled to catch his breath, his nagging, pretentious True Spirit Artifact piped up again.
“Cut the crap…” Leon snapped. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t have pushed his spellcasting so far—extreme casting meant extreme exhaustion. In just thirty seconds, he’d burned through more than ninety percent of his mana.
If not for the Soulbound Staff in his right hand and the Elemental Amber Ring on his left, Leon would already be flat on the ground, waiting to die…
The problem was, when facing packs of Stonewolves, extreme combat was the only option. Their terror lay in their numbers—once there were a dozen or more, their innate abilities became terrifying. Just now, the alpha alone created a chasm, but if all of them attacked at once, the force would rival a Magus. At that point, Matthew might not even have the luxury of despair.
“How dare you insult Master Shawn!”
The problem was, when facing packs of Stonewolves, extreme combat was the only option. Their terror lay in their numbers—once there were a dozen or more, their innate abilities became terrifying. Just now, the alpha alone created a chasm, but if all of them attacked at once, the force would rival a Magus. At that point, Leon might not even have the luxury of despair.
“You’ve got some nerve—not only insulting Master Shawn, but threatening him too. Just wait until I recover my power…”
“Just shut up, Lord Shaun…”
As Leon focused on restoring his mana and the Soulwalker busied itself with posturing, a figure in a black robe appeared at the top of the circular arena. With a face like sculpted marble and flaming red hair, his sunlit black robe made him seem almost divine.
“What… What’s going on?” Matthew was stunned. According to the Archmage of Cloudspire Tower, the Dark Arena never gave out rewards.
As that commanding voice rang in Leon’s ears, three golden chests suddenly appeared at the center of the arena.
“Wait, is that… is that Barov?”
“No way…” Leon swallowed hard. He knew full well that Barov the Red, the so-called strongest man in the Empire, had died over a thousand years ago—but seeing that black-robed figure, he couldn’t help but shiver.
“No way…” Matthew swallowed hard. He knew full well that Barov the Red, the so-called strongest man in the Empire, had died over a thousand years ago—but seeing that black-robed figure, he couldn’t help but shiver.
“Enough daydreaming, go claim your reward from that lunatic. Oh, and since Lord Shaun is in a good mood, I’ll even give you a tip: that madman’s a lefty…”
“Since when are you so helpful?” Leon eyed the ring suspiciously.
“Cut the nonsense…”
Leon walked up to the three golden chests. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to trust Lord Shaun for once and opened the leftmost chest.
“Magic crystals?” As soon as he opened it, Leon frowned. Inside were a dozen or so magic crystals, each about tier-ten. In the past, he might have been delighted, but after returning twice from the bountiful Bone Plane and even cultivating an Obsidian Blossom in his garden, a handful of tier-ten magic crystals barely excited him anymore.
“Magic crystals? Excellent! Just what Lord Shaun needs to replenish his mana. Hurry up, hurry up…” Lord Shaun cheered.
“I swear, Lord Shaun, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?” Honestly, Leon couldn’t be blamed for being suspicious—Lord Shaun was acting way out of character. Normally, he’d be too busy showing off to offer advice, let alone steer Leon toward the exact chest he needed.
“Nonsense!” Lord Shaun bristled. “How dare you question me! The Dark Arena always works like this—after each victory, that lunatic gives you a reward. The opponents get stronger, the prizes get better. You’ve only beaten your first challenger, and you’re already complaining about a dozen magic crystals?”
“Seriously?”
“Try it and see for yourself. Enough—don’t disturb Lord Shaun while he absorbs mana. Your next opponent is about to arrive!”
As Lord Shaun went silent, busy absorbing mana, Leon’s second opponent appeared…
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