Chapter 216 Provocation
Kyle too was drenched in cold sweat. Was this the Warrior God Constitution?
That was terrifying beyond measure!
Had that palm strike truly descended, even with Ravenwood's protective magic circle and the additional boost from his mysterious rune marks, it would have only shielded an area within a ten-mile radius.
One must understand that the palm's area of impact spanned at least several hundred miles centered around Ravenwood. Under this indiscriminate attack, anyone with the power level below a mid-tier Soulmancer would have had no chance of survival.
The sole silver lining was that the palm hadn't truly landed; otherwise, it would've indeed been a tragedy of immense proportions.
After everything calmed down, the Soulmancers on Ravenwood were all still shaken.
Except for those present, everyone assumed Kyle was displaying his strength to intimidate them.
After all, the ancient magic crystal ball and the mysterious rune marks that had suddenly appeared from Ravenwood were both associated with him.
William, however, remained relatively composed. Even if Zoey's strike had landed, he could have easily dispelled it with a wave of his hand.
Innocent bystanders wouldn't have been affected.
He just hadn't expected Zoey, at her skill level, to exhibit such power with the Cosmic Palm.
It was merely in its initial form after all.
Considering this, he really needed to think about which techniques he should teach Alice.
Something like the Cosmic Palm was certainly off the table.
Hmm, weren't members of their Soulmancer community about to hold a martial competition?
He'd observe the superpowers they use, emulate them to conform with the modern standards of the Soulmancer realm, and then teach them to Alice. Deploying excessively shocking and profound techniques was indeed a bit too much.
"Mr. Garcia, you need to have a serious talk with this young one. Techniques like this must not be used recklessly in the future!" Kyle's brow furrowed.
If Zoey wasn't from the 13th Bureau, his first reaction would not have been to activate the protective magic circle but to take her down immediately.
Steven gave an embarrassed smile, replying, "I didn't even realize when Zoey became this formidable. Rest assured, Magician, I will definitely talk to her."
"I'll say it one last time, I didn't take those items!" Kyle took a deep breath and added, "Once Nelson returns, I'll clarify with him what exactly happened."
"There's no need to say more; I trust you." Steven said with a nod and a smile, turning to William, "You should take Zoey and rest atop Mystic Peak across from here."
William lifted Zoey and headed toward Mystic Peak located behind the mountain they were currently on, named Wizard's Gate. The peak facing them was Mystic Peak.
The distance between the summits of Wizard's Gate and Mystic Peak was about two miles, connected by a rope bridge.
Fierce winds howled through the mountain gorge, with clouds swirling below the bridge, obscuring any view of the depths beneath. The rope bridge swayed uneasily between the two peaks, making one's heart race just by looking at it.
Holding Zoey, William approached the bridge. Alice peeked over the cliff edge, turning pale with fear.
"We aren't really supposed to cross this, are we?"
Although she was at the mid-tier Soulmancer level, she had only recently achieved this status.
She merely possessed energy equivalent to that level and hadn't learned how to harness it yet. In essence, she wasn't much different from a regular girl.
The precipice in front of her appeared deadly. A fall would be fatal.
No, no, no!
If one fell, not even their bones would be recoverable.
"Let's go!" William announced, holding Zoey as he stepped onto the bridge.
If he wanted to, he could fly across. Even more, he could teleport with both of them instantaneously.
But right now, he merely wished to present himself as an entry-level Soulmancer in front of others.
For an entry-level Soulmancer carrying someone, it was best to walk across slowly. The wind blowing through the gorge was rather refreshing, after all.
"No way!" Alice stood at the edge, her legs wobbly, too frightened to proceed.
At this moment, she had completely forgotten her Soulmancer status,all she could think of was her inability to fly.
With a hint of resignation, William responded, "Then I'll take Zoey across first."
"I... take me with you!" Alice pouted, "You surely wouldn't abandon your adorable apprentice, would you?"
William just felt a headache coming on. His little apprentice was truly an embarrassment!
Thankfully, not many people knew Alice was his disciple.
If those great beings from ancient times knew that William's apprentice was so frightened by these two small peaks that her legs gave out, they'd probably laugh their heads off.
William had lived for many years and had taken only a handful of disciples, countable on his fingers. Each of those disciples either possessed exceptional abilities or showed brilliant strategic talents. If nothing else, every single one of them had an extraordinary courage and spirit.
Alice, clinging to the wooden post and looking like she was on the verge of tears, as William's disciple? That was truly preposterous.
"Just wait here!" William, feeling helpless, was somewhat tempted to just pick Alice up and throw her across to the other mountain. But considering her cultivation level, he thought better of it. He didn't want her to get hurt.
"I'll wait here then!" Alice, pouting, hugged the wooden post beside her and sat down, looking as if she wouldn't take another step forward for the world.
As William carried Zoey step by step across the rope bridge, he heard Alice's mournful cries from behind: "Hurry back!"
Sigh. William couldn't figure out what he was thinking when he decided to take on such an apprentice.
For so many years, he refrained from accepting disciples. Of all the talents out there, he had to take in this clueless one.
Upon reaching Mystic Peak with Zoey in his arms, several oddly-shaped and peculiar-looking Soulmancers immediately gathered around to gawk.
"Oh my, who's this lovely girl who got frightened into unconsciousness? She had to be carried over."
"This young man's not bad. An entry-level Soulmancer able to carry someone across the cliff? Pretty good. How about we spar a bit?"
"This lady looks familiar. I feel like I've seen her somewhere."
Zoey's head rested on William's shoulder, her long hair covering half of her face, so many didn't recognize her at first.
William glanced at the crowd and remarked calmly, "She is the Director of our 13th Bureau. She's just asleep now. If you wish to challenge her, make sure to be loud."
"Zoey...!"
The place fell silent immediately.
Zoey's reputation was known to all within the Soulmancer community.
Nicknamed "Violent Maiden," she was nearly invincible to all but the highest-ranked Soulmancers.
Challenge her?
It'd be a death wish.
William gave a slight smile, and with Zoey on his back, he followed a junior mage into the guest room.
After making sure Zoey was comfortable, he was about to head back for Alice when the group of Soulmancers approached him again.
"People from the 13th Bureau, huh? Apart from Zoey, who else in your 13th Bureau is worthy to face us?" A young man with glasses looked at William with a taunting glare, his tone dripping with provocation.
The 13th Bureau primarily relied on Zoey's formidable reputation to deter others.
On most days, Zoey often used her forceful methods to keep these Soulmancers in check. While they wouldn't dare to provoke Zoey, it didn't mean they feared other members of the 13th Bureau.
Seeing just an entry-level Soulmancer, who looked so young, they felt it was a missed opportunity if they didn't flex their muscles now. If they wasted this chance, they wouldn't get another shot at retaliation.
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