Eternal Cultivation of Alchemy

The chaos spread through the crowd as they ran away, hoping to save themselves. However, the more professional journalists decided to record the battle between the two.

As the attack almost reached Arthur, the crowd\'s hearts fell into pits in their stomachs. Everyone stood with terror as they awaited another explosion that would turn these plains into hell.

"Let\'s see what you-" Ryvhal said with a smirk, expecting a barrier or a shield to appear. However, even until the last second, Arthur remained motionless.

Most believed that Arthur had lost his mind. In the next instant, they doubted if they were the ones losing their minds. As the beam of light came closer to Arthur Netherborne, it seemed to vanish before their eyes.

The anticipated explosion did not arrive, and the beam of destruction disappeared without a trace. Most believed that they were already dead and hallucinating as they stood in awe.

"What is this?" muttered Ryvhal with confusion as his attack ended but did not seem to have affected the world. He would have doubted that Arthur used some sort of illusion rune on them, but the molten ground beneath them proved that his attack had been real. "What have you done?"

"I did nothing but exist," Arthur replied with a smile, his body not moving a muscle. "Are you convinced now?"

Ryvhal was speechless because he couldn\'t understand what had happened. His attack was about to strike Arthur, but it vanished. Arthur was not invincible, but his attack did not even reach him!

"I wish to try as well," the empyrean of Tanera stepped out from the crowd. "Would that be alright?"

"Go ahead," Arthur nodded.

Elysia raised her hand, summoning a giant eel that shone with electricity. The eel flew across the plains and rushed to attack Arthur, who remained motionless as well. Before the giant creature could strike Arthur, it suddenly disintegrated upon contact. "As I suspected," Elysia said with a smile. "You are not blocking the attacks but canceling them before they even reach you. Is this a passive rune of sorts?"

"This is wrath," Arthur admitted without hesitation. "No mana-based attacks could threaten me."

"Does that mean physical attacks work just fine?" asked Ryvhal with a sudden grin as he stomped on the ground. The draconic man appeared next to Arthur in an instant. He managed to approach him without being hindered, clawing at him.

Arthur raised a hand this time, faster than the draconic man could react. He grabbed the incoming claw and stopped it in place. Then, he placed a single hand on the man\'s chest.

"Brace yourself," Arthur warned, and Ryvhal had no time to react before he was sent flying. He became a bullet cutting across the small hills, destroying them on impact.

Everyone was amazed at Arthur\'s strength, but the battle seemed to be far from over. The draconic man slammed the ground to rise as flames leaked out from his entire body. Ryvhal seemed both excited and enraged as he bolted again toward Arthur.

"I had no desire to fight," Arthur said as his peaceful smile disappeared. "But it seems you have lost your senses."

Ryvhal was a descendant of dragon caters. The bestial traits were integrated into his very being, and the earlier attack he suffered triggered his frenzy. He turned into a flash of light as he raced toward Arthur, who took a single step forward.

"Expand," Arthur muttered as he raised his palm, pushing out some invisible wall that others could not see. An unknown pressure pressed on their souls as each inch Arthur pushed seemed to displace the world.

In the next instant, Ryvhal froze midair, just meters away from reaching Arthur. The entire world seemed to have frozen, and no one could move anymore. Arthur was still pushing his arm, his movements decelerating as if pushing against an invisible wall. Then, he lowered his hand.

The entire world resumed its motion, but everything lost its kinetic energy. Ryvhal collapsed to the ground, his flames and mana extinguished. Everyone stood motionless as they stared at the young man, who seemed to hold the world in the palm of his hand.

"Let this be known," Arthur began, staring at the crowd as well. "This newfound alliance between the major powers of the world will define the fate of the next centuries. As you have seen, I have the power to defuse any conflict that may arise." Everyone was silent, listening attentively to the calm man. Arthur then shifted his attention to Ryvhal, who rose from the ground after having calmed down. "Demi-humans might be the greatest asset for us in the upcoming challenges, and your cooperation would be appreciated, Alvan King."

"My nation will stand together with the rest," Ryvhal said with a grin. "It would be far better than having you as an enemy of the demi-humans."

"I thank everyone here, every ruler and guild master, who understands the gravity of the situation. Once the alliance is finalized, my city and guild would be happy doing business with all of you"

The thirty-eight members of the new alliance were silent. Arthur turned toward Lucien and began making his way toward him. The two stared at each other and smiled.

"Ascent and Runera will be happy to join this alliance," Arthur said as he offered a handshake, which Lucien took with a smile. After the two broke off their handshake, the rest began following suit.

One after the other, the rulers and guild masters swore to join hands with Lucien to fight the incoming threat. This would be the beginning of a long period of peace where the world could somewhat recover.

"We had a long fight," Ryvhal said as he advanced toward Lucien. "The demi-humans will be happy to put away their past grievances to ensure a better future forn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

everyone."

"The same goes for the Yalveran Union, King Ryvhal," Lucien answered with a smile as the two shook hands. "May this be the beginning of peace."