Chapter 341 This... is the power of our ancestors?
Chapter 341 This... is the power of our ancestors?
If the intel was accurate, then Blackwood Thomas had sprouted a pair of massive, blood-red wings.
Blackwood Anthony now bore a vertical eye on his forehead, while Blackwood Linda wielded six weapons with her six arms.
Blackwood Kevin's back writhed with slender tentacles, Blackwood Paul sported both horns and a tail, and Blackwood Yun was covered in black scales.
As for Andrew, he now stood as a colossal giant, towering over 16 feet tall!
Their forms were monstrous, yet they exuded no demonic aura, only an overwhelming wave of dark, arcane energy and Druidic power.
The totems used by Druid priests glowed brightly in their presence, and the mystical artifacts they carried pulsed with an eerie light.
"Blackwood... what are these abominations?!" Neil exclaimed, her vast experience failing to prepare her for the sight of the Blackwood's third generation.
But... that was all they were.
"Every single one of them is at the peak of Developing Skill, still an insurmountable chasm away from Competent Force.
Though rumors claim they're immortal, they're nothing to worry about."
Neil couldn't afford to be distracted by these seven creatures, but she didn't let her guard down.
"There are still three more."
Soon, the remaining three came into view.
Three...
"The Blackwood sent you lot?!" Neil stared at the three figures perched on the shoulders of Curtis (one of the third generation), momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter, a mixture of amusement and anger.
"Laughable! Absolutely laughable! You dare to stand against me?!"
The air, heavy with her resigned acceptance moments ago, crackled as she unleashed her suppressed power.
"You're courting death!"
She had assumed the final three would be formidable Competent Force experts like Nathan.
Never did she imagine they would be Jessica's peers!
These were the most infamous trio in Cloudview County, whispered to be the Blackwood family's shame.
They were notorious for their deceitful schemes and lack of genuine strength.
Even the most capable among them, George, rumored to have inherited the true teachings of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, was said to waste his talents on robbing ancient graves, neglecting even his own grand sect.
Justin was even more pathetic, a mere clown who acted recklessly before true power, often suffering humiliating defeats.
If not for the Blackwood's backing, he would have met his demise long ago.
And then there was William, a coward who preyed only on the weak!
"Hahaha, you?! You think you stand a chance?!" Neil cackled, pointing at Jessica in the distance.
Whether it was relief at surviving her encounter with Marcus or the sheer absurdity of the situation, she couldn't contain her laughter.
"The Blackwood Thirteen, reduced to this sorry bunch? You are utterly..."
Her laughter died in her throat, replaced by a maelstrom of rage.
"You overestimate yourselves!!!"
The terrifying aura of a Competent Force expert at the Out-of-Body stage erupted from her, rivaling the strength of those on the??? (Power Ranking).
She could sense Marcus approaching from afar, but... this was enough!
Neil glared at Jessica, who had furrowed her brow.
"It seems you truly mistake me for an ordinary peak Competent Force expert.
You have no idea what a true Out-of-Body stage Competent Force is capable of.
Unless every single one of you has a trump card like Marcus..."
"By this time next year, the Blackwood will have thirteen Psychic Positions to fill!!!"
...
"Hahaha!" Neil's laughter echoed through the sky.
If not for her recent, humiliating retreat from Marcus, she might have been mistaken for the victor she pretended to be.
However, the Blackwood family members simply stared back at her, their expressions unreadable.
Their calmness unnerved her.
"Why aren't you afraid? Unless each of you has a hidden ace up your sleeve, you're finished!"
A fierce wind whipped around her, her golden silk robe shimmering.
The millstone reappeared behind her, and she wielded both her top-grade ability weapon, the Fortune Coin, and the Treasure Basin.
The power emanating from her now surpassed even what she had displayed against Marcus.
In the face of her fury, Jessica calmly stated, "Neil, you're terrified, aren't you?"
Neil's eyes flickered with panic for a fleeting moment before she gritted her teeth.
"You think so little of me?!"
"Someone like you wouldn't act so recklessly unless they were consumed by fear and had lost all reason."
Jessica's words only fueled Neil's rage, seemingly solidifying her resolve.
The usually composed Fortune Sanctum elder, who had fled at the mere sight of Marcus, now radiated an almost manic confidence.
The last vestiges of fear vanished from her eyes.
"Hahaha, afraid? Of you insignificant ants? What is there to fear?!"
"Very well. Then we'll show you exactly what you should be afraid of."
With that, Jessica nodded at her family.
In an instant, the totems behind the Blackwood's third generation rose into the air.
George communed with the remnants of his predecessors within his soul sea.
Most of them surged into him, his power skyrocketing.
Only three remained, meditating within his soul sea.
Instead of joining the fight, George retrieved his ancient zither, the instrument he used for grave robbing.
As his fingers danced across the strings, his psychic powers, amplified by the music, flowed outward, connecting him to his family.
The Blackwood's strength surged under George's support.
Their Psychic Positions glowed brightly.
Ethan observed the scene, his expression as impassive as the rest of the Blackwoods.
They had faced numerous enemies over the years, and as Jessica had said, the more fear they felt, the more ferocious and dismissive they became.
True indifference was calm and collected.
[Your descendant, Jessica, seasoned by countless battles, has gained the ability to perceive the true thoughts of her opponents.
She has acquired the trait: Battlefield Psychologist.]
[See through their hearts, manipulate their minds.
Increase psychological damage to enemies by 20%, affecting their combat effectiveness.]
...
"Attack!"
The battle erupted.
The Blackwood's third generation, their forms grotesquely transformed, charged forward.
"Formation!"
"Paul, be careful. Your magic is our best bet. Use illusions and don't die too quickly!"
"That woman's technique is strange, but it has weaknesses.
Her millstone needs constant replenishing with natural energies, once every snap of her fingers.
You lot keep her ability weapon occupied, and I'll drain her dry!"
"Got it, brother!"
The immortal Blackwood third generation surged forward, a whirlwind of limbs and arcane energy.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Blackwoods trapped Neil within their formation.
George, empowered by the psychic energies of his predecessors, used his music to erect a barrier around the perimeter.
[Your descendant, George, is lending his body to 'Divine Music' Harold, a deceased senior from the Azure Cloud Pavilion who lived 30,000 years ago.]
It was unclear who this Harold was, but his musical prowess was undeniable.
Using George's body, he unleashed a technique called the "Endless Road Ballad," boosting the Blackwood's third generation to a level nearing Competent Force.
The strength of every Blackwood present surged dramatically.
"This... is the power of our ancestors?" Joseph and Katie, relegated to the sidelines, watched in awe.
Although Joseph had devised the plan to intercept Neil and formulated their current strategy, he couldn't help but be awestruck by the display of power unfolding before him.