Chapter 383 381-An Acquaintance
The High Priest staggered back, disbelief filling his gaze as he looked at Dart, seeing him as if he were a stranger.
Ethan, watching this scene unfold, could barely contain his amusement.
Had the circumstances been different, he would have liked nothing more than to pull up a chair and enjoy the spectacle.
However, speaking seriously, the High Priest's situation was dire.
The crowd clearly leaned more towards Dart, with a majority of the clan members subtly siding with him.
Only a minority of the Shadow Clan stood with the High Priest.
Moreover, their eyes gleamed with battle lust, ready for conflict.
As Dart had pointed out, the Shadow Clan had been confined to the Shadow Forest for too long.
They yearned to venture out, to see a broader world.
Naturally, waging war was a part of that desire.
Ethan narrowed his eyes, sighing inwardly, "This phenomenon exists everywhere. They believe that stretching beyond their cage is all there is, while those outside the cage long to enter it for a life of peace."
The High Priest, having held a position of power within the Shadow Clan for so many years, was well aware of the clan's vigorous, youthful energy and their soaring battle spirit.
Yet, he too had his own struggles, "You all..."
His voice trembled, "...Is this what you all think?"
Monroe was the first to step forward, his expression cold and fierce: "Indeed, that's what we all think. High Priest, you've been too comfortable in your position. It's time for a change."
More young, vigorous voices echoed:
"Exactly, we must venture out. We can't stay in the Shadow Forest forever."
"High Priest, do you really wish to see us wither away in the Shadow Forest?"
"I've grown up here, familiar with every plant and tree in the Shadow Forest. Now, I despise this place. I long for the light."
"..."
These voices seemed almost enough to crush the High Priest under their weight.
Ethan watched as the High Priest's back bent, as if he were carrying a great mountain.
"After this matter is settled, let's not lose the dignity of our Shadow Clan in front of outsiders," the High Priest finally spoke, his voice heavy with the weight of years.
Dart, obviously, couldn't agree: "Hmph, High Priest, are you still trying to buy time? This is the will of every member of our Shadow Clan. As for this outsider, just kill him."
With that, Dart incredibly produced a dagger from thin air.
The dagger was exquisitely crafted, pure black, seemingly blending into the darkness itself.
If not for Ethan's keen senses, he might have failed to notice this deadly weapon.
Dart must have been plotting this for some time. He raised his arm, calling out, and the clan members around him responded:
"Kill him! Kill him!!"
"Let his blood open the doors of our Shadow Clan to the Deityforsaken Land."
"This marks the beginning of our conquest of the Deityforsaken Land."
"..."
The crowd was fervent, their passionate will leaving the High Priest somewhat at a loss.
The High Priest's eyes, which were originally bright, suddenly became clouded:
"Do you... do you really intend to initiate a precedent of the Shadow Clan killing outsiders?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling a twitch in his heart.
The Shadow Clan, which appeared so malevolent, had never killed outsiders before?
"Of course, we'll start with this outsider!" Dart's lips, red as blood, curved up like two blood-thirsty scimitars.
"No killing---"
A cold, clear voice interrupted, familiar enough to cause Ethan a moment of daze.
The owner of the voice gradually emerged from the crowd of Shadow Clan members.
As she passed, the surrounding Shadow Clan members automatically parted, giving her the respect she commanded.
Ethan rubbed his eyes in disbelief upon seeing the newcomer.
Was it really Sherry?
Long lost, no, more accurately, long missing Sherry!
Sherry had changed drastically, her presence starkly contrasting with the Shadow Clan members around her.
Her figure was taller and more slender, her skin white as snow, smooth and flawless, as if devoid of any imperfections.
Her hair, a cascade of black curls, fell over her shoulders, adding to her enchanting allure.
Her delicate features were still captivating, the only connection to the Shadow Clan being the mysterious patterns on her forehead.
The patterns were intricate, resembling interwoven black vines, sketching a mysterious and eerie picture.
These patterns seemed to be drawn with some special ink, shimmering with a faint green light, as if emanating from the abyss's deepest reaches.
They radiated an ancient and powerful dark energy.
The patterns on Sherry's forehead created a contrast and twisted beauty, turning her aura cold and profound.
Sherry didn't even glance at Ethan.
Instead, she stood beside the High Priest.
Her beautiful eyes fixed fiercely on Dart: "You accuse the High Priest of coveting power. Yet, in inciting rebellion among our people, aren't you driven by your own selfish desires?"
Ethan extended his hand, intending to call out to Sherry.
But Dart immediately retorted, "Sherry, you mongrel, shut your mouth..."
Before Dart could finish, Ethan transformed into a beam of light, lunging straight at Dart.
Ethan's eyes blazed red, his blood boiling throughout his body, a vigorous vitality bursting forth.
On his body, the Language of Nature flowed and surfaced like magical runes.
In just an instant, he had summoned all his strength.
A surprise attack from a 10th-rank warrior was lethal enough, let alone from Ethan, who was no ordinary 10th-rank fighter.
Dart's throat was suddenly in his grasp.
"How dare you call my woman a mongrel?"
Each word emanated from Ethan's throat, his overwhelming aura almost crushing Dart.
Dart looked at Ethan as if he were a demon emerging from hell.
Ethan's current form was indistinguishable from a demon.
His body was covered in golden scales, with fierce red flames enveloping him, the scales on his cheeks making him look even more ferocious.
It was only then that the Shadow Clan members reacted, shouting, "What do you think you're doing, outsider?"
A moment ago, they had only seen what seemed like a flash of lightning, too quick to react.
By the time they realized what was happening, Dart was already in Ethan's clutches.
Witnessing Dart's eyes bulging out, the crowd once again cried out, "Stop."
At that moment, a cold, clear voice called out, "Ethan?"
Ethan then discarded Dart, tossing him aside as if he were a tattered sack: "Sherry."
He turned to face the tall figure, his heart brimming with emotion.
The next second, the two ran towards each other, then embraced tightly.
"Sherry!"
"Ethan!"
They called each other's names again, their voices as sweet as honey from a beehive in the forest.
Ethan, feeling Sherry's familiar scent and tender body, gently shook his head and said:
"I never imagined we'd meet here."
"Yes," Sherry replied with a smile, her eyes beaming, a stark contrast to her previously icy demeanor, "I thought I might never see you again."
The Shadow Clan watched the closely embracing couple, somewhat stupefied.
Their so-called Holy Maiden was an old acquaintance of this outsider?
Dart sat on the ground, stunned, but soon his eyes flickered with a sinister crimson, his expression cold and malicious.
Lana and Daphne were agape, their eyes shifting slightly.
For some reason, Lana felt a tinge of sourness in her heart, but she still felt happy for them.
She knew how precious emotions were for the powerful.
Daphne was simply thrilled, pure as a blank sheet of paper. As long as Ethan was happy, so was she.
Sherry and Ethan parted, amber-like tears glistening in her eyes:
"High Priest, this is Ethan. He is not just some outsider; he is my friend."
Sherry, holding Ethan's hand, approached the High Priest.
The High Priest, recovering from his daze, wore a hearty smile: "Not bad, not bad. I didn't expect you to have such a powerful... friend."
Ethan's surprise attack had revealed his strength to the High Priest.
Ethan was evidently not someone to be trifled with. For such a strong individual, the only option was to win him over.
Now, with Sherry's connection, the High Priest felt confident in properly handling the situation with Ethan.
Ethan spoke calmly, "High Priest, it was indeed Monroe who attacked me first. My actions were purely defensive, and my only intention was to pass through."
The High Priest nodded slightly, speaking softly, "Our guest need not explain, I understand."
"High Priest," Monroe emerged from the crowd, his eyes turning red with anger, "Are you mistaken? I am the one who was injured. Yet, you seek no vengeance for me and instead listen to the words of the assailant."
"And you..." Monroe turned his gaze to Sherry, "As our clan's Holy Maiden, we've overlooked your impure bloodline. And now, you speak in favor of an outsider. Do you still consider yourself our Holy Maiden?"
Monroe's heart was filled with jealousy. Sherry was the object of desire for all the young males of the Shadow Clan.
How could she be taken away by an outsider?
Anger and jealousy nearly overwhelmed Monroe's mind.
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