NOVEL NEXT Chapter 408: Strength
"Unbelievable! This is way too arrogant!"
"How dare he be so cocky? I'm ready to fight him to the death!"
The practitioners present were already feeling devastated by the grim news they had just received. Seeing Timothy standing there, completely unfazed, only made it harder for them to keep their emotions in check.
"No way I'm buying that you're worthy of being the goddess's partner, Timothy. I'm challenging you to a one-on-one fight!" Continue your story on empire
Borval, from the western mountains, finally stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Timothy.
Borval was a massive figure, standing at an imposing 6'9", with muscles so thick and defined that his skin had been tanned to a deep, healthy bronze from years under the sun. His presence radiated anger, and the oppressive aura of a Holy Emperor-level practitioner spread out around him, making many of the other practitioners feel uneasy.
The western mountains were not known for producing many powerful practitioners, and their mastery of the Arcane Arts was generally considered subpar. For someone as strong as Borval to emerge from there was no small feat.
Most practitioners had a bit of a regional bias and usually looked down on those from the western mountains. But right now, as Borval stood up to face Timothy, the crowd erupted in cheers of support.
"That's the spirit! Who would've thought the western mountains had such a badass? Knock him out for us!"
"Yeah! Let's see if Timothy's a coward. If not, he better accept the challenge and get ready for a beating!"
"Go for it, man! Teach that jerk who's trying to steal the goddess a lesson!"
Compared to their regional prejudices, the hatred for Timothy was far stronger. The practitioners from all the different sects simply couldn't accept the fact that the goddess had declared Timothy her partner. They were itching to jump in and take him down themselves.
After all, they were furious!
Just thinking about the way the goddess had looked at Timothy with those affectionate eyes made their teeth grind in frustration.
And now, with practitioners from all over the world gathered here, they were determined to show everyone what Timothy was really made of. They wanted to prove, once and for all, that he wasn't worthy of being the goddess's partner.
"Borval, you've got to take him down for us!"
"Yeah, I'll cover the medical bills! We need to show the goddess that this pretty boy isn't reliable!"
Amid the cheers, Borval steadily made his way toward Timothy. His towering figure cast a shadow that completely engulfed Timothy. Each step he took was firm and deliberate, showing not just his cultivation level but also his incredible physical strength.
With the power of Ocean's Gate and such an overwhelming presence, even among Holy Emperor-level practitioners, Borval was considered exceptionally strong.
No one doubted that he could crush Timothy.
Even Borval's gaze, locked onto Timothy, was filled with anger. It was clear he already saw Timothy as his enemy.
"My name is Borval, and I'm here to challenge you. Not for anything else, but to prove whether you're truly worthy of being the goddess's partner."
As Borval clasped his fists in a formal challenge, the oppressive aura of a Holy Emperor-level practitioner bore down on Timothy. Borval's massive frame alone was enough to create a powerful visual impact.
But the crowd of practitioners could all see that, despite facing this terrifyingly strong Holy Emperor from the western mountains, Timothy showed no fear at all. In fact, he casually returned the gesture, even taking a moment to glance over at the goddess.
Their eyes met, and when Timothy saw Sylvia give him a slight nod, he smiled and turned back to Borval.
His wife's message was clear.
Even though the goddess had personally declared it, the practitioners of the world would never accept it. There was only one way to make them acknowledge the truth—through strength.
The continent of Elant was a complicated place, but in the end, the only thing that truly mattered was power.
If the practitioners from all the sects refused to believe it, then Timothy would just have to make them believe—with his strength!
Under the gaze of the goddess and the watchful eyes of countless practitioners, Timothy calmly lifted his head, even throwing a slightly provocative look at Borval. "Real men don't settle things with words. If you think I'm unworthy, then prove it with your strength. Let's see if you're even qualified to judge me."
In that instant, a sharp glint flashed in Timothy's eyes.
The moment the crowd saw that look, many of the practitioners—some of them even sect leaders—couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.
The practitioners who had gathered here for the Sky Sanctuary Conference were no pushovers. Their strength was undeniable. Yet, even some of the older sect leaders felt a deep sense of unease welling up from within.
'How is this possible? Isn't Timothy just a young genius favored by the goddess?'
'It must be an illusion. Maybe that look is just some kind of intimidation technique.'
Gritting their teeth, the practitioners refused to believe it. They focused their attention on the upcoming battle.
At the same time, Borval had clearly been pushed to his limit.
Not only had the goddess, whom he revered, acknowledged this man as her lover, but Timothy was also blatantly dismissing his strength. These actions had completely ignited the fury in Borval's heart.
"In that case, don't blame me for not holding back!"
Borval's voice boomed with rage, and it was clear he had no intention of showing mercy.
His goal was simple: to defeat Timothy in a single blow and teach this arrogant kid a lesson about the true meaning of power!
His massive, dark hand came crashing down, as if it could sweep up the very winds of the world in its grasp. Though his body remained as steady as a mountain, the force behind this strike carried the ferocity of a wild beast.
This was one of the secret techniques of the western mountains—transforming one's own strength into the essence of a beast, unleashing all hidden power in a single, devastating attack.
As Borval's hand descended, his body seemed to morph into the form of a mighty bear, his entire being radiating primal energy. The spiritual power coursing through him gathered in his palm, focused and condensed to its peak.
With the strength of Ocean's Gate and spiritual energy rivaling that of a Holy Emperor, Borval funneled all his power into this one strike, determined to make it his most powerful blow.
"Boom!"
Even the air seemed to tear apart with the force of the strike, the sound echoing like a mountain crashing down. Borval's dark hand, now like a massive boulder, descended with the weight of an entire mountain, ready to crush everything beneath it.
For a moment, many of the practitioners couldn't help but freeze, their eyes locked on the scene, anticipating the satisfying conclusion they had been waiting for.
But just as Borval's hand was about to land, and victory seemed certain in their minds, something unexpected happened.
Under the gaze of countless onlookers, it became clear that Borval's hand had stopped mid-air. It was completely frozen, unable to move an inch!