Chapter 125: Reentering the Stone Forest
Time passed, and the war continued.
The allied forces had long since reorganized their positions and formations. Sensing apparent weaknesses in the reshuffle, the Rackshalla Clan and its demonic allies acted swiftly, attempting to exploit these perceived openings. Their instincts weren't wrong—but desperation had driven their hand, and they had little choice.
Fortunately, the Allied Forces of Brawlmanica had anticipated such a move, having deliberately made certain sacrifices to bait them in.
A massive counterattack followed. Trump cards were revealed, and devastating techniques erupted from every front. The results were as expected: the Rackshalla Clan and its demonic allies were forced to abandon yet another fort. They scattered in retreat, falling back to their final and most formidable stronghold—none other than the vast and ominous Stone Forest.
A reverse invasion had begun.
This time, however, the Rackshalla Clan held the terrain advantage. The atmosphere was thick with demonic beast energy, and their numbers seemed endless. Even their own demon allies and demonic cultivators were now treading carefully, as some were falling victim to increasingly feral and uncontrollable beasts.
More alarming still was the sudden appearance of small waves of Mortal Lord–class demonic beasts emerging from the depths of the Stone Forest. This triggered unease within the sects, clans, and Brawlmanica Kingdom forces.
The battlefield had turned into a sea of blood and corpses. Cultivators, soldiers, and beasts clashed in formations or battled alone. The air trembled with killing intent.
Among the chaos, White Star Radiance pushed forward.
Led by Elton, their forces moved carefully in battle formations, adapting quickly to the shifting terrain and threats.
Unexpectedly, their old acquaintance Cedric Vanthor arrived with a troop from his noble family. While outwardly friendly, his demeanor was clearly distant. Elton, Zoro, Christy, and the others who knew him from the past couldn't fully trust him—not after his abandonment during the collapse of the Bright Blade Sect.
Now, Cedric stood at the peak of Silver Tier 4.
Meanwhile, Ramiro and Zoro moved steadily, though both were wrapped in gauze beneath their armor. Their injuries were the aftermath of their absurd fight not long ago—one that had left many speechless. During that battle, Ramiro had somehow pushed himself into Gold Tier 3, much to everyone's shock.
Yet the fight had ended inconclusively…
"Oi, Zoro. Once we heal, I want a rematch, you idiot," Ramiro grumbled, spear in hand, eyes scanning the treeline for threats.
"What's the point? I'll just crush you again," Zoro shot back with a mocking tone.
"Actually, let's do it right now," Ramiro growled, baring his teeth.
"Will you two please settle down?" Christy snapped, shaking her head. Her Aka Boshi no Tengan glowed faintly, the gem on her forehead pulsing in tandem. "Gege, you really need to control them better."
"Don't worry, Chris. If things get out of hand, I'll stop them," Elton replied with a relaxed smile.
"…El Onyem, you should've stopped them before," Erica muttered, deadpan and unimpressed. "Now we've got two banged-up neanderthals still itching to fight."
"Brother Elly, the deeper we go into this forest, the more I feel a growing sense of unease…" Shayleaf murmured, clinging to Elton's left arm.
"This Princess feels it too…" Amberleaf added, her unease clearly written across her face.
"It's not just you two—it's all Fanged Elves," Joe-Pine said, frowning deeply. "Something's wrong with this place and it's affecting us."
"Let's stay sharp," Elton said quietly. "Actually… I feel it too. Not as strongly, though. Maybe because I only carry a trace of Fanged Elf essence—enough to form a partial bloodline, but not enough to sense it the way you do."
He paused, sinking deeper into thought.
But the truth was… he hadn't told them everything.
"Hahaha… So you've chosen to hide it, eh? Perhaps for their own good. If they knew the truth, they might awaken something far worse than discomfort."
A mocking voice echoed inside Elton's mind—arrogant, amused, and unmistakably familiar.
"I can't risk it. I won't let any harm come to them," Elton replied inwardly, his expression turning grim. "Not after the memories left behind by Mortal Master Farraleaf. I understand now. I understand too well."
Far away, in a hidden region tied to the Fanged Elves' ancestry, an ancient vampire clan stirred.
Though sharing blood ties with the Fanged Elves, they were something else entirely—fewer in number, slower to reproduce, cloaked in secrets, and possessing far longer lifespans.
A vampire below the Mortal Shedding Realm could live up to 500 years. Mortal Shedding Realm vampires could live up to 700 years. Soul Tier beings could extend their lives up to 1,000 years. But Master Realm vampires gained no additional lifespan.
The mystery surrounding them only deepened.
Elton sensed a connection—faint but real—and buried it deep.
Back in the Stone Forest, Elton pushed aside these thoughts and refocused. White Star Radiance, along with many other forces, pressed deeper, battling through hordes of beasts and corrupted cultivators alike.
Suddenly, the atmosphere lightened briefly.
"Rami Rey! Even though big brother Elton has become so handsome and powerful, you're still the best!"
"Yes! Rami Rey is a man among men—a hero among heroes!" exclaimed Isabella and Gabriela, their faces glowing with admiration as they marched inside Lion's Spearheart's formation.
"…Why are you two even here?! Get back to the Leon clan's main unit!" Ramiro barked, clearly annoyed—though his eyes betrayed a smile.
Seeing their strength at the peak of Silver Tier 5 filled him with reluctant pride.
"Just let them stay, my dear hero."
Seralily, with sparkling eyes and her usual playful tone, smiled seductively. "Your sisters are strong, capable, and absolutely adorable. We welcome them with open arms."
"That's right, Rami Rey!! Big sister Seralily is correct!" the twins chimed in unison, clinging happily to their roles in the team.
From a nearby formation, Shirleaf observed the scene quietly.
"…Is it just me, or do Seralily and those twins have suspiciously similar personalities?"
She sighed softly. "They even bonded right after they met. Good luck, Ramiro…"