The surge of energy retreated a few steps, then charged forward like a raging flood. Yet the boulder stood firm—the torrent crashed against it, scattering into streams that flowed around its sides.
At the same moment, Elliott felt a searing pain, as if his heart were being torn apart.
Outside, Isabella.Rockefeller watched as Elliott suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood. The force was so immense that it pierced straight through the stone in front of him. What kind of martial arts is he practicing to be this powerful?
She wanted to move closer, but the roaring waterfall made it impossible to steady herself. Reluctantly, she sat back down to wait.
Then, the sound of clashing blades echoed from the forest. Isabella.Rockefeller tensed—Has Gabriel caught up? But who is he fighting now?
Two figures darted between the trees, exchanging blows as they drew nearer. Isabella.Rockefeller glanced at Elliott, still motionless in meditation. Don't blame me—I have no choice. She slipped away into the shadows.
Elliott's pain had barely subsided when he realized the energy before him had grown even more immense, looming aggressively in front of the boulder. "Come on, not again!" he groaned.
As if responding, the energy reshaped itself into an arrow, drew back, then launched forward in a devastating charge.
At the moment of impact, the arrow bent violently—but the boulder cracked, oozing a dark, viscous liquid. The surrounding cells withered instantly upon contact. Sensing the danger, the energy encased the black fluid and slowly expelled it.
Outside, Elliott's body underwent visible changes. A faint aura enveloped him as dark impurities seeped from his skin, only to be washed away by the waterfall. The energy shielded him from harm as the inner boulder shrank, crumpled, and finally dissolved.
Yet the energy did not stop. It extracted two thin strands from the remnants of the boulder and guided them toward Elliott's heart meridian. Pausing briefly, it then surged upward. Elliott followed, curious about its intent.
Meanwhile, the two combatants emerged from the forest—a woman clutching an infant and a man in official garb.
They barely spared a glance at Elliott beneath the waterfall, their focus locked on each other. Hidden nearby, Isabella.Rockefeller gasped—That's Violet, one of the Four Evils! The one who threatened to gouge out my eyes!
Violet sneered at her pursuer. "Who even are you? Three days of chasing, and you still can't kill me."
The man smirked. "Violet, as a rogue, you'd normally be beneath my notice. But kidnapping and slaughtering infants? Every province has reported your crimes. Reluctant as I am, I must bring you in."
Violet laughed. "That rusty blade and your pathetic 'Thunderclap Saber Technique' won't catch me."
"Ryan doesn't need your approval to make arrests," he retorted, launching a flurry of strikes.
Violet gritted her teeth. Though no stronger than her, his relentless blade left no opening. Three days of this chase—and still, she couldn't shake him.