Chapter 126: Flee in Desperation
As more time passed, Elton came to a harsh realization—the entire army of sects, noble clans, and the Brawlmanica Kingdom had finally been forced to halt their advance.
They had nearly reached the region surrounding the very place where he first obtained the Blue Star Heavenly Destroyer Sword.
This land was enormous—far larger than initially thought—and, according to a detailed map Elton had studied, it even connected to three other kingdoms outside Brawlmanica. It was highly likely those kingdoms, along with their sects, were also embroiled in their own brutal wars.
From this point forward, the war devolved into another stalemate—but not a peaceful one. The battles raged on, more ferocious than ever. Even Soul Tier experts had begun clashing with destructive force. This was now a war of attrition, one that would not end anytime soon.
Resources became increasingly scarce.
Food supplies were stretched thin.
Both sides endured by consuming beasts, demonic cores, and, in extreme cases, even each other.
The conflict grew more barbaric with each passing day.
Then it happened.
Three months into this prolonged standoff within the Stone Forest, a colossal storm swept across the region. Acidic rain began pouring down in heavy sheets, corroding the terrain and injuring the unprepared on all sides.
But the storm was only the beginning.
Word spread of a devastating battle elsewhere in the Stone Forest. A Master Realm Demonic Beast had suddenly emerged—without warning—and nearly obliterated the allied force from another kingdom. Despite their efforts, they were forced into a desperate retreat.
The news sent shockwaves through every command post. Grim expressions hardened across many faces as leaders scrambled to fortify their positions.
Then, another blow fell.
A second Master Realm Demonic Beast appeared in a different region and wreaked similar havoc. Though the kingdom affected was slightly more prepared, they still sustained heavy casualties and were pushed back.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the Cherub Nation—a kingdom ruled by lesser angelic bloodlines—and the Brawlmanica Allied Forces launched devastating retaliatory strikes. Their combined fury inflicted serious damage on the demonic forces.
But retaliation was met with escalation. Each of the two demonic beasts returned days later, this time attacking with reinforcements.
On Brawlmanica's Front:
Two Master Realm cultivators rose to meet the beast in a thunderous battle. Though they fought valiantly, the carnage on both sides was immense.
On the Cherub Nation's Front:
The second beast was far stronger, clashing against four Master Realm cultivators. One of the four perished, and the others barely held their ground. Even in retreat, the demonic beast left the battlefield with overwhelming dominance.
In the midst of the clash between the two Master Realm experts fighting on behalf of Brawlmanica and the Demonic Beast, a third Master Realm expert appeared—none other than the mysterious powerhouse hidden within the Great Brawlman Sect.
He severed one of the beast's six arms and tore scales from its chest. As the beast fled in agony, the Master quietly vanished from the battlefield.
This legendary feat reestablished the Great Brawlman Sect's dominance, officially marking its return as the number one sect in Brawlmanica, surpassing the now fractured Fighting Brawlman Sect.
With the battlefield in disarray, forces scattered. Treasure hunters surged forward, killing sprees erupted, and survival became every warrior's personal mission.
"Gege, I have a really bad feeling…" Christy said quietly, watching the acidic rain pour down around them. "I think we should retreat. Leave this land while we still can."
"You feel it too…" Elton responded grimly. "We've had no new orders from the sect or the kingdom's high command—but I agree. We should pull out. The situation is worsening by the day."
The others listened, tension heavy in the air. While opinions varied at first, the group ultimately sided with Christy's intuition and Elton's command.
With that decision made, White Star Radiance began preparing to escape from the nightmarish Stone Forest… but little did they know, the storm had only just begun.
"!!! It's best that we leave this place as soon as possible! We are being targeted!"
Elton's inner voice spoke—not with its usual arrogance, but with rare, jarring seriousness. The shift in tone sent shivers down his spine.
With no hesitation, Elton raised his voice and shouted, his expression darkening with urgency:
"Quickly! We have to leave—NOW!!"
Many nearby hesitated, confused by the sudden command. But the core members of White Star Radiance didn't question it.
Christy, Zoro, Ramiro, Erica, Joe-Pine, Shirleaf, and Shayleaf reacted instantly, moving without delay.
Kageha, Kuroha, Seralily, and a few others were just a second behind, but followed swiftly.
They had all experienced it before—this strange, acute sense of danger Elton sometimes displayed. It wasn't mere instinct; it bordered on precognition.
Around them, many of the other forces moved sluggishly, skeptical or simply paralyzed by indecision. Surprisingly, Cedric Vanthor panicked the most, quickly rallying his family's forces and trying to retreat alongside White Star Radiance.
Even the extended members of White Star Radiance weren't all quick to act, but they were the next fastest to move—having learned to trust Elton's gut.
As they pushed forward through the Stone Forest, a palpable dread began to weigh on them. The unease wasn't imagined—something was wrong.
Those closest to Elton could feel it. Even Zoro was growing visibly tense.
They ran and drove Magical Vehicles through the rainwater for an entire day, not slowing for anything.
And then it began.
Demonic, muffled chants rumbled through the land—unnatural, grotesque, and filled with primal malice. A strange pressure built in the atmosphere, growing heavier by the second. The already-persistent acidic rain intensified, now falling with vicious density.
Everyone—ally and enemy alike—felt the change. Even those who hadn't fled yet began to panic.
Thankfully, those who had followed White Star Radiance early on had a significant head start:
A large portion of the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance army Sections from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect and Great Brawlman Sect Warriors from the Leon, Soloman, and Aka Boshi no Tengan clans
All of them were now racing to escape, their previous doubts erased by the palpable doom rising behind them.
Princess Helga, using an emergency Royal Communication Talisman, contacted 3rd Prince Hamlet with urgent news. He immediately relayed it to 4th Prince Hunter.
The moment Hunter heard that Elton and Christy had desperately fled, he gave a decisive order:
"Initiate a full retreat. All forces—withdraw immediately."
He didn't share all his thoughts, though. Hunter had long since placed his utmost attention and analysis on White Star Radiance's movements. He knew better than to take their decisions lightly.
In particular, he had eyes on:
Elton, whose bizarre intuition had become legendary. Christy, whose Aka Boshi no Tengan was clearly beyond normal. Shayleaf, truly unpredictable—especially in tandem with Elton. Zoro, whose raw power and recent exploits made him impossible to ignore.
To Hunter, Christy's power was perhaps the most concerning. One: because of her background. Two: whenever Elton suddenly made a big move and she swiftly cosigned, it always meant something huge was about to happen.
She and Elton were capable of clashing with a Golden Lord on their own, and they were surrounded by many powerful experts that would make even Mortal Lords extremely wary. Although Hunter was certain they had retreated during the Master Realm clashes, they had never done a full retreat before.
Now they were desperately running? That told him everything he needed.
Hours later, he would feel it himself—the rain, the pressure, the fear, and those demonic chants growing in volume.
The storm intensified further. Time passed in agonizing tension.
The chant suddenly ceased—and the world fell silent for a moment.
Then…
From a very far distance, a giant acidic wave of water rose—its shape grotesque, like the gaping maw of a monstrous beast. It spanned wide enough to devour a town in one strike.
"Stay where you are, Key Holder."
A muffled, booming voice, oozing with killing intent, erupted from the sky. The words didn't just echo—they invaded minds, crushing spirits and inciting fear.
All around, cultivators faltered. Some froze. Others fell to their knees. A few screamed uncontrollably.
"Block it out!! Everyone, RUN!!!"
Elton roared with every fiber of his being.
The wave surged closer—faster than any natural force should move, tearing through trees and terrain as it swallowed all living things in its devastating momentum.