Level 1 to Infinity: My Bloodline Is the Ultimate Cheat - Chapter 682

Chapter 682: Unexpected Tribulation

Just as Alaric’s spinning body began to slow, Ethan’s arm, already pulled back to its limit, reversed its momentum and swung forward again.

This time, everyone saw the motion, but no one could truly track the hand itself. For a split second, it seemed to phase through space, vibrating and shifting its trajectory as if calculating the perfect angle to make this second slap a masterpiece.

SMACK!

Right on cue, the moment Alaric’s body stopped rotating, Ethan’s palm connected with the opposite side of his face.

WHOOSH…

Alaric’s lower body was still trying to continue its original spin while the force of the blow violently twisted his upper body in the reverse direction.

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!

The bones in his body screamed in protest, unable to handle the conflicting torque. From the outside, it looked like he was nearly wrenched into a human pretzel.

“Tree Form! Healing Touch, Rejuvenation, Lifebloom!”

At that exact instant, the stone-faced Avatar in the distance flickered, its form vanishing for a mere fraction of a second.

Simultaneously, every pore on Ethan’s body snapped shut. A wave of primal dread washed over him, so potent it nearly broke his stance. Yet, his face remained an impassive mask. He immediately channeled three healing spells onto the original Alaric, whose non-lethal injuries vanished in an instant.

The stone-faced Avatar reappeared in its original spot just as quickly as it had vanished.

Only then did Regis, Uncle Jed, and the others let out sharp, horrified breaths. If that thing had decided to attack Ethan just then, they wouldn’t have even had a chance to react, let alone intervene.

“Relax… I’m not going to kill him,” Ethan said, his voice calm as he looked at the distant figure. “I’m just teaching him some manners for you.”

Outwardly, Ethan seemed completely unfazed. No one could see the cold sweat soaking through his clothes beneath the White Tiger Armor forged from Ormund.

“Hmph. Just leave him breathing. Maiming is acceptable,” the Avatar replied. It was the most words it had strung together since appearing.

The original Alaric, hearing this, turned a shade of purple usually reserved for spoiled meat.

Ethan allowed himself a faint smile. The thought of just ending the original Alaric here and now had crossed his mind—knowing the Avatar would dissipate with him. But he couldn’t be sure it would happen instantly. What if it survived for a few seconds? That would be more than enough time for it to land a killing blow. No, his original plan was still the safest bet. But taking a little interest first felt damn good.

His eyes flicked almost longingly toward the distant structures. He really wanted to strip the place bare, especially all that priceless Southern Seas Rosewood. The thought of it all turning to ash in the coming destruction made his wallet weep. And the bastard had to have a treasure vault somewhere…

But he knew they couldn’t delay any longer. Who knew when the stone-faced double might change its mind? Plus, he noticed the temporary exit that Micah and Ryan had opened above them was beginning to slowly close. The energy from Ryan’s sigils was depleted, leaving only Micah’s eight blood-red jade talismans to hold the breach open.

Making a decision, Ethan lifted his foot and delivered a powerful kick, sending Alaric flying back toward his Avatar. At the same time, he himself shot backward.

“Let’s move!” he ordered, still clutching the fused Avatar in his grip.

He had no idea what level this fused avatar had reached, but even after all the energy he’d voraciously drained, his Energy Core was feeling distended and full, while the Avatar’s form had only grown slightly translucent.

Hearing the command, the group began a cautious retreat, throwing one last, deep look at the fuming Alaric before turning and rushing toward the exit above.

Ethan was the first to reach the shrinking hole, which had now constricted to about four meters across and was still closing. But as he arrived, his body suddenly shuddered violently. His eyes widened. He froze in place.

“What…?” Regis, right behind him, managed to get the single word out before he too froze, his expression shifting to one of pure shock as he stared at Ethan.

“Holy shit…!” Uncle Jed, half a step behind Regis, flinched and actually took a step back.

“Boss, you need to find somewhere empty, now!” Blackie yelled from the rear, while Victor and the others looked on in confusion.

“I… can’t fucking move!” Ethan gritted out.

A subtle, profound vibration began to emanate from him. Others couldn’t sense it, but Regis, Uncle Jed, Blackie, and the Dragon Child felt it with crystal clarity.

That aura…

It was the signature of an Energy base reaching its absolute peak, a potency so great it resonated with the world itself. When the path of Ethereal perceived this, it responded with only one thing: a Heavenly Tribulation. It was a trial of rebirth, or utter annihilation.

None of them understood why a tribulation had chosen this moment to descend upon Ethan. No one could even clearly define what his current strength level was; even Regis and the others couldn’t see through it.

“Get away from me, now!” Ethan shouted, his voice strained.

His Energy Core was swelling to a critical point. The fused Avatar in his grip was still being drained uncontrollably, a torrent of energy flooding into him against his will. The ominous, looming sensation in the heavens was growing exponentially heavier.

He didn’t understand why he was paralyzed. He remembered seeing others face their tribulations on the Sea of Death; they could still move, could fight back, could defend themselves!

“We have to go,” Uncle Jed said, giving Ethan one last, deeply worried look before clenching his jaw. He knew that anyone else getting involved would only amplify the tribulation’s power. No one could help Ethan now. This sudden calamity was his to face alone.

“Ethan, what’s wrong?!” Lyla cried out, refusing to move and instead stepping closer to him.

“Lyla, get back! It’s a tribulation!” Ethan yelled, panic seeping into his voice as she approached.

BOOOOOOM…

Before he could explain further, a dot of absolute blackness appeared high in the sky above the island. In the next second, it spread like a drop of ink in water, rapidly staining the heavens.

“Get her out of here!” Ethan roared.

The Dragon Child moved. With a flick of her wrist, a whip of condensed water snapped out. Despite Lyla’s powerful combat mech, she was no match for the Dragon Child’s raw power. The watery coil ensnared the mech, and with a gentle but irresistible pull, the Dragon Child yanked the entire group through the rapidly closing exit.

“Die.”

The single, softly spoken word reached all their ears as they were pulled through.

Eyes wide with horror, they looked back.

“BOSS!”

“ETHAN!”

“BROTHER!”

A chorus of screams erupted as they tried to fight their way back. But it was too late. The passage created by the Sumeru Array sealed completely. Micah’s eight blood-red jade talismans, left behind, didn’t even have time to be recalled. They shattered into dust.

The group hovered in the air outside, utterly stunned. In that final instant before the barrier closed, they had all seen it.

The stone-faced Avatar had appeared directly above Ethan.

Its hand was descending in a killing stroke toward the crown of his head.