ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 183: THE WILLOWING VALLEY

As Zephryon soared through the skies, cutting across the expanse between Eldoria and Valoria, Kaelen and the others were deep in meditation, their bodies and minds attuned to the ambient mana around them. The wind whistled past them, creating a calming rhythm that intertwined with the steady beating of Zephryon’s powerful wings. Silence reigned, broken only by the soft murmurs of energy swirling around each of them.

Suddenly, Vice Chancellor Reeves spoke up, his voice resonating above the steady gusts. "We’re nearing the Willowing Valley," he announced, his words hanging in the air. This statement caused a ripple through the group, snapping a few of them from their focused states.

Kaelen’s eyes opened, his curiosity piqued as he glanced up at Reeves. "The Willowing Valley?" he repeated, frowning thoughtfully. "Why is it called that?"

General Cao, who had been seated just behind Reeves, turned to Kaelen, his face thoughtful. "The valley is called that because of an ancient legend," he began, his tone both somber and respectful. "They say it’s a place where ’Holy Mana’ resides."

At this, Kaelen’s eyes widened with interest, and he noticed his companions also leaning in, captivated by the explanation.

"Holy Mana?" Kaelen asked, glancing between General Cao and Vice Chancellor Reeves.

Cao nodded, a glint of reverence crossing his expression. "Yes, Holy Mana. According to legends, the Willowing Valley holds a unique energy, pure and untainted, said to cleanse and purify all who draw near. Some say it can dispel curses, heal deep wounds, or even stabilize a fractured mind. The valley’s power is so potent that the land itself blooms with an eternal green, untouched by the decay of time."

Ethan, who had also been listening intently, raised a brow. "Is that real, though? Has anyone actually felt it?"

"It’s mostly been hearsay," Reeves admitted. "Few dare to get close, and even fewer return with tales that can be proven. But the stories have persisted for centuries. Some believe it’s an ancient power left behind by the gods. Others think it’s the purest form of magic, untouched by mortals."

The Mysterious Swordsman, still seated in a meditative stance, spoke up quietly, his voice almost lost in the wind. "Holy Mana like that would be potent enough to alter one’s very essence. If it truly exists... it would be a force not to be taken lightly."

Kaelen absorbed this, staring into the distant horizon with a mixture of wonder and excitement. The thought of such a place, of a legendary source of purity and power, sparked something deep within him.

General Cao noticed Kaelen’s expression and gave him a knowing smile. "Don’t get any ideas. Even if it exists, Holy Mana isn’t meant for us to covet. It’s a gift, a mystery beyond our understanding. The valley protects itself—and it’s said to choose who is worthy of its touch."

As Zephryon continued its flight, the faint outline of the Willowing Valley appeared in the distance, shrouded in mist and cloaked by an ethereal glow. A quiet awe settled over the group as they gazed at the distant valley, each feeling a touch of reverence for the legendary place that lay below.

’So beautiful...’ Kaelen thought in awe as he feasted his eyes on the scenery of Willowing Valley. Not only him though, as the others stopped in there meditation except of cause The Mysterious swordsman and the Dark Prince while follow in Kaelen’s footsteps.

As Zephryon glided gracefully above the tranquil landscape of the Willowing Valley, a sudden shift in the atmosphere set his senses alight. The massive beast growled, his wings flexing as he hovered midair, his muscles tensing like a coiled spring. Vice Chancellor Reeves, seated near Zephryon’s head, felt the sudden surge of killing intent, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the misty valley below.

"Everyone, stay alert!" Reeves called out, his voice hardening as the killing intent grew heavier.

Kaelen and the others, still shaken from the break in their meditative states, exchanged confused glances. But before anyone could ask what was happening, the air around them suddenly darkened. Shadows flared to life in all directions, and a barrage of dark spells—jet-black fireballs, tendrils of shadow, and piercing shards of ice—hurtled toward them from the cover of the valley’s mist.

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"Brace yourselves!" Reeves shouted, but Zephryon was already reacting. His eyes gleamed with fierce intelligence, and with a mighty beat of his wings, he sent a powerful gust outward, creating an invisible shield that deflected the incoming attacks. The dark spells scattered upon contact with the barrier, dissolving into harmless tendrils of mist as they dissipated into the air.

The attack subsided for a brief moment, giving everyone a chance to look around. But in that heartbeat of silence, they found themselves surrounded.

Emerging from the shadows, Aron and Selene stepped forward, their expressions cold and focused. Behind them loomed an aged man draped in dark robes, his eyes piercing and calculating as he surveyed the group on Zephryon’s back. The insignia of the Dragonyx family glinted on his collar—a clear mark of his allegiance.

Several more figures appeared, Dragonyx family agents dressed in dark cloaks, their faces hidden beneath hoods. They spread out, encircling Zephryon and Reeves along with the Academy’s chosen students. The air became thick with tension as both sides sized each other up.

Vice Chancellor Reeves’ gaze turned steely, his posture stiffening as he scanned the intruders. "So, it’s the Dragonyx family," he muttered. "I should have known your family’s grudge would come to this."

The aged man sneered, stepping forward to address Reeves. "Vice Chancellor Reeves," he said with mock politeness, "you know, you can’t hold something that belongs to us forever. Why don’t you do what is right Reeves"

Reeves’ eyes flicked to Kaelen, his expression hardening with realization as he noticed how the agents’ eyes were fixed on the young swordsman’s Blade of Eternity. "You’re after the blade," Reeves murmured under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Kaelen’s grip tightened around his sword, feeling the weight of their stares. He glanced at Reeves, his face resolute. "They won’t take it, both me and the blade" he said firmly.

Aron, the young man in dark armor, raised a hand, motioning to the others to hold their positions. "The boy’s confidence is admirable," Aron said with a smirk. "But confidence alone won’t save him."

Before any further words could be exchanged, Selene’s icy voice cut through the air. "Enough talking. Let’s see if your Academy’s pride can truly withstand the Dragonyx."

Zephryon growled, his wings spreading wide as he braced himself for battle. Reeves’ gaze was unyielding, his mana radiating outward as he prepared to protect his students. He turned his head slightly, his voice low but commanding. "Stay sharp, everyone. This won’t be an easy fight."

"Oh it really won’t be an easy fight for you guys"

The air thickened as the aged man stepped forward while he spoke, his dark eyes narrowing as he summoned the full force of his mana. With a chilling wave of his hand, the shadows around him coalesced into a thick, oppressive fog, and in an instant, a dark void expanded from him, engulfing the entire field.

The darkness of the mana domain seemed to devour all light, absorbing it into an endless abyss that twisted space itself. Kaelen and his companions felt an intense pressure settle on their shoulders, an unnatural weight pressing down on them that made it difficult to breathe. Movement felt sluggish, as though they were sinking into quicksand. Even the normally unflappable Mysterious Swordsman and the dark Prince felt their muscles strain under the domain’s oppressive grip, their eyes narrowing in alarm.

General Cao’s face darkened as he struggled to lift his arm, his gaze fixed on the aged man. "A void domain… it’s built to swallow other domains," he muttered, his voice grim.

Just as despair began to settle in, Vice Chancellor Reeves took a bold step forward, his expression unwavering. In response, his mana flared to life, erupting in a wave of force that cut through the suffocating darkness. "Enough!" Reeves commanded, his voice carrying a deep resonance.

With a surge of energy, Reeves unleashed his own mana domain, and a powerful torrent of energy erupted around him like a storm at sea. His domain, known as the Surging Domain, was a radiant expanse of cascading energy, each wave shimmering with raw power. It moved with relentless force, like a tide that refused to be contained, surging forward to clash with the aged man’s dark void.

The two domains collided in a deafening roar, and for a moment, the world was locked in a tense stalemate as darkness fought against the light. The aged man’s expression twisted in shock as he watched his void strain against Reeves’ domain, a hint of frustration flickering across his face.

"What…?" he whispered, eyes widening as he struggled to contain his domain against the relentless surges of energy. His dark void, designed to absorb and consume, found itself repelled as Reeves’ Surging Domain struck it with wave after wave of energy, forcing it back.

Reeves held his ground, his eyes blazing as he pushed his domain further. "You thought your shadows could consume everything," he said coldly, his voice carrying through the clash. "But light is not so easily extinguished."

With a final, overpowering surge, Reeves’ domain shattered the edges of the dark void, flooding it with light and dissipating the shadows into nothingness. The field cleared, the oppressive weight lifting from the air as Reeves’ domain reigned supreme. Kaelen and the others staggered, feeling the return of freedom in their movements.

The aged man stumbled back, disbelief etched on his face. Aron and Selene exchanged glances, both momentarily stunned by Reeves’ overwhelming display of power. The Vice Chancellor’s calm strength had turned the tide, giving his students a glimmer of hope in the face of the Dragonyx family’s ferocity.