Having his kill stolen, Nico stared deeply at Jake. He wanted to understand why Jake did that, but all he got was nothing. Jake scoffed at his stare, not paying any attention to him.
"Young master Gavin," politely greeted Jaya.
"I told you, call me Gavin," humbly said, Gavin.
Wanting to understand the situation, he asked them, "Why are you here?"
Upon hearing his question, Jaya recounted the events that occurred to the group before Gavin's arrival to him. Of course, she didn't mention some details like the purple whirlpool. She understood that Jake wouldn't want them known.
Digesting the information, Gavin asked to clarify, "A treasure? Are you sure?"
"Yes. That was the reason they attacked us. But the treasure is not with us."
"It is with the boy you talk about, Nico?" asked Gavin.
"Yes. Unfortunately, he escaped," mumbled Jaya.
"That must be the cause of the pillar of light that appeared in the forest," muttered Gavin as he entered deep thoughts.
'Still, I'm not sure. I need to tell my uncle. He would understand things better,' Gavin thought as he held his chin.
The real reason they went into the forest was for another investigation. This time it was for the pillar of light. His uncle took on the investigation mission as he was bored, while Gavin tagged along to gain experience.
It was purely accidental that they met the Krees and his men.
Having wrapped up their respective battles, the group moved in the direction of Krees and Todd's battle...
....
*Bam!* *Boom*
After clashing for more than a hundred times, the two combatants were getting slower.
Todd looked to his left, seeing the teenagers and his nephews intact and safe.
'That must mean they came out victorious,' he smiled.
'I guess I should wrap up my own end too,' thought Todd.
The bluish brown spirit essence surrounding his arm became immensely thicker as it turned completely brown. It pulsed around his right arm like a brown earthen rock.
Upon seeing this, Krees exclaimed, "What technique is that?"
It was known in the cultivation world that techniques are for manipulating spirit essence. Even then, techniques have limits. Most of the time, they are limited by the cultivator using them. In a cultivator's hand, the average technique can only help them unleash their 100% strength. That is why techniques that double a cultivator's normal attack strength are rare. They could only be owned by noble families.
Such was the technique now being used by Todd. It was also the reason why Krees was panicking.
He was all alone, as his henchmen had died. It didn't bother him that they died; they were disposable pawns. Still, he would have liked if they died doing something useful.
Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his stance as he prepared to receive the attack.
"It seems like you understand," said Todd.
He shouted out loud, "Gavin. Watch me. I'm going to display the technique of our family. The technique you so badly want to learn. The reason why we can maintain our standing."
A terrifying pressure began to exude from Todd's brown arm. It sent a shockwave that ripped apart the surrounding trees.
Looking at this, Gavin was in shock. Growing up, he had heard stories of the technique and how deep it was tied into his family. It was a technique created by the founder of the family. A man that fought beside his king during the 3rd Nether War.
The man, so in love with the rock and creations of the earth, watched one day as a large rock fell from the sky, decimating a city. Countless years passed and the man tried to mimic the rock. The "way" of the rock. What made the rock so domineering!
Towards the ending of his lifespan, the man finally did it. He had created a technique that encompassed the "way" of the great rock. He passed it on to his descendants on his deathbed and died with a smile.
It was a story of the Elliot family's origin. And the name of the technique was...
"[First style of the Meteor: Boulder Fist]!" Todd shouted the name of the technique, as he reveled in its glory.
He leaped into the air, as more brown rocks began to accumulate on his arm.
Looking up, Krees saw Todd falling from the sky, towards his position. His brains told him to move, but he couldn't move.
It was as if a god placed his palm on him, restricting his movements.
Krees watched as Todd with his brown fist smashed his head. The attack buried him deep in the soil as his body visible broke, cracks appearing on his skin.
"Amazing," gasped Gavin and the group at the sight.
They saw Todd rain down like a meteor and smash Krees into a paste. Todd's attack destroyed the forest ground and thundered throughout the forest. It was truly amazing…
'And this is only the first style,' hot blood burned in Gavin as he thought of that.
Jake looked at the scene with no emotion. He nodded as he had further confirmed that cultivation was the right path. While Todd's attack didn't surprise him much as he could do something similar before his rebirth, it made him truly understand the path of cultivation. The path of wonders!
The trio beside him also marveled at the scene.
Todd stood, panting, close to a waning Krees. He was exhausted from the attack, as it demanded abundant spirit essence.
Sensing something, Todd glanced at Krees. He realized his opponent wasn't dead, which was strange. His Boulder Fist was an instakill attack, and it had never failed him.
"Surprised?" a peal of laughter echoed from Krees' mouth.
"I took a forbidden pill before I could die," explained Krees as he slowly stood up.
"Forbidden Pill? Isn't that banned from Aztec Kingdom?" Todd narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
Once again, he got no reply from Krees.
"Ahh," with a shout, boundless energy flowed out of Krees.
'That must be the effect of the forbidden pill,' discerned Todd.
Gavin also scrutinized as he heard the conversation.
Seeing this, an ignorant Jaya asked, "Gavin, what are forbidden pills?"
"Forbidden pills are pills that come with a huge side effect. Some of them are not worth taking, and most usually lead to death. The kingdom banned the production of the pills since they have a negative influence on its people. The pills are mostly used by people nearing death to cause chaos in the kingdom," explained Gavin.
He kept quiet, not saying more, as he watched the scene.
After his spirit essence reached a certain amount, the spirit essence gained a red hue as it swam towards his saber.
"If you won't go full strength. You will die," claimed Krees
"You noticed, huh? Be prepared. I will go full strength," declared Todd as he donned a serious aura.
His right arm donned its rock form.
His left arm also changed. The spirit essence flowing there took a yellow glow as it began to vibrate in a low pitch.
It quickly amassed to a physical form. However, instead of it assuming a rock form, it took on a hairy form on his skin. Making Todd's left arm look like the arm of a beast.
Seeing he was ready, Krees made the first move.
His saber drowned in red spirit essence as it began to release hot steam. He held his saber up high as he took a swing at Todd....
*Roar!*
Todd's right arm cackled, while his left arm released a mighty tiger roar. The roar of the king of the jungle.
Instantly, Todd sent both his fist at Krees' steamy saber.
The clash brought about a dust storm that covered the two figures.
But when it all settled, only Todd was left standing, with Krees lying on the floor with a hole in his chest.
..................