Chapter 356 Proskynesis
Astraeus flew through the air at an astonishing speed, like a sword cutting across the sky.
However, when he got about ten miles from the Emerald Lion Guild, his divine sword suddenly began to tremble, and then the Sword Spirit of the divine sword lost contact with his mind.
Had it not been for his immense strength, he might have plummeted from the sky.
"Quite a move, Garen! Just because you've improved a bit, now you dare restrict my flight?" Unable to fly, Astraeus naturally assumed it was Garen manipulating behind the scenes.
He was still skeptical of Garen's strength.
After all, a few days earlier, it was said that Garen, when confronted by a member of the 13th Bureau, was so frightened that he immediately admitted his mistake and apologized.
Such behavior, in Astraeus's view, was a disgrace for a Demi-God level powerhouse.
In his worldview, a true strongman, even when facing a formidable enemy and knowing he couldn't win, only had the option to fight to the end.
Admitting defeat and apologizing?
Losing even the dignity of a strongman, how could such a person have made significant breakthroughs in strength?
Although he couldn't fly, Astraeus still leapt down and arrived in front of the great hall of the Emerald Lion Guild.
At this time, no one else was in front of the hall. Garen and Aurelius, sensing Astraeus's presence, quickly came out to greet him.
The history of the Pantheon Guild could be traced back to ancient Rome.
As its senior guild leader, Astraeus had lived for over two thousand five hundred years. He had not yet become a Lesser Deity, but his life essence was nearly exhausted, and the end of his life seemed not far off.
In the world of Soulmancers, Astraeus was once regarded as the strongest.
Even though he now appeared aged and frail, seemingly on the verge of collapsing at any moment, only Demi-God level powerhouses like Garen knew the terrifying extent of this elder's strength, representing the pinnacle among Quasi-Deity level beings.
Alice was naturally categorized as a powerhouse above the Quasi-Deity level.
"Garen, you really are full of yourself," said Astraeus, his face wrinkled, back bent, and clothes tattered, giving off a decrepit vibe, like a beggar on the streets.
But when he gently lifted his head, the sharpness in his squinting eyes and his powerful aura immediately enveloped Garen and Aurelius, revealing his true might.
Given his limited time left to live, Astraeus acted without restraint. Even if Garen had obtained some precious treasure from heaven and earth, what of it?
Given Garen's attitude in restricting his ability to fly, a confrontation seemed inevitable.
It would be a fight to the death!
After all, he had lived long enough.
If he were to die by Garen's sword, it wouldn't be a life wasted.
"Astraeus! What are you doing? This must be a misunderstanding," Garen exclaimed in shock, sensing the murderous intent emanating from Astraeus.
This old man was unpredictable, and Garen had no idea how he might have offended him.
With a cold snort from Astraeus, Garen and Aurelius felt as if their hearts were struck, both of them groaning and spitting blood simultaneously.
The difference in their strengths was not minor, especially since Garen couldn't muster any energy, facing Astraeus like a helpless child.
"Please show mercy!" Garen hastily said, "I don't know where I have offended you!"
Astraeus slightly lowered his head, puzzled. Hadn't Garen grown stronger? Why did he seem weaker than before?
If Garen had caused him to lose his ability to fly, it meant Garen should be stronger than him. So why would they spit blood just from his cold snort?
"The energy fluctuation just now… Wasn't that released by you?" Astraeus took a couple of steps forward, his brows furrowed. Clearly, the terrifying energy fluctuation was not from Garen.
Garen bitterly smiled: "Of course not! That person is inside."
Joking! How could it be?
If he could release such a powerful energy fluctuation, would he have been reduced to spitting blood by a mere cold snort from Astraeus?
"Master?" Astraeus entered the hall, looked around, and his gaze eventually fixed on William and wouldn't shift away.
That face…
How strikingly similar to someone from over two thousand years ago?
No!
That demeanor!
Astraeus's previously pale and old face suddenly filled with life and excitement. He stepped forward and, astonishingly, performed a proskynesis in front of William.
"Great Stoic Philosopher Seneca! Lucius thought he would never see you again in this lifetime!"
This act of proskynesis caused shock throughout the room, and everyone was too stunned to even breathe.
What was happening?
Great Stoic Philosopher Seneca?
Everyone present was a Soulmancer, familiar with the title.
Seneca, known for his profound philosophical thought and political influence, was an important figure in Stoicism.
Astraeus actually mistook William, this arrogant person, for Seneca?!
And even referred to himself as Lucius.
Garen and Aurelius's hearts nearly leaped into their throats,they both knew Astraeus was a figure from ancient Rome, so his recognition of Seneca seemed not so strange.
Could it be... This man, who had outraged everyone, was really Seneca??
"You've mistaken me for someone else," William said with a smile, looking at Astraeus.
He had indeed lived as Seneca for a time, but as for this person before him, he was sure he did not remember him.
Perhaps they had met. But over two thousand years ago, Astraeus surely didn't look like this.
Maybe when they knew each other, Astraeus was still a handsome young man.
Astraeus slowly lifted his head, looking at William's face.
If he weren't a Soulmancer, he might indeed believe he had mistaken someone else. But just by looking into William's eyes, he knew for certain he hadn't mistaken him.
Such penetrating eyes, exactly like those of Seneca the Younger from over two thousand years ago!
He couldn't possibly be mistaken!
"I..." Astraeus took a deep breath, realizing that if a person released such a terrifying energy fluctuation as earlier, it would be perfectly normal!
There was nothing wrong with it.
"Astraeus, you... you've mistaken the person," Garen finally couldn't help but step forward to say, "The person over there is actually..."
"Get up!" William, still casually seated, said, "At your age, prostrating before everyone, what does that look like?"
The expressions on Garen and Aurelius's faces were indescribable.
Looking at his attitude and hearing his words...
Damn it, is he showing off his special relationship with a super-strong individual?
A mere secret lover being so arrogant!
Astraeus, after all, is the strongest person next to Alice. Without her protection, this guy would probably die a gruesome death.
Astraeus then slowly stood up, convinced he hadn't mistaken the person, but if the person before him insisted he was wrong, then he must accept it as a mistake.
"My apologies! It was my old eyes mistaking someone else," Astraeus said as he stood up and bowed to William.
Garen and Aurelius's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Were they blind?
With Astraeus's temper being so peculiar and encountering someone as arrogant as William, shouldn't he have simply annihilated him with a glance?
Could it be that he too was considering Alice's strength and didn't dare to act?
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel