n

n

n

n

nHoward’s expression gradually became more resolute as he decided to use the Shattered Timepiece.

nThis artifact had the ability to slow down the flow of time within its sphere of influence.

nIn other words, as soon as Howard activated the Shattered Timepiece, the passage of time for other awakened within the area would seem incredibly slow from his perspective, including their thoughts and movements.

n“If your reaction speed also becomes sluggish, I refuse to believe that the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask can still dodge my attacks!” he thought.

nTaking a deep breath, without any hesitation, Howard decisively activated the Shattered Timepiece.

nIn an instant, his MP value began to plummet rapidly, and the space around him, in his eyes, also underwent a sudden change.

nThe ongoing discussions and noise of the battle around him completely disappeared.

nAll the awakened stood frozen in place, motionless, without a sound.

nThe woman with the eight-eyed devil mask appeared the same in Howard’s view, utterly unable to move.

n“Hisss… Is the effect of this artifact really that powerful? They say it slows down time, but it looks like they can’t even speak, as if they’re frozen in place. It seems like a long time passes for me, while in reality, only a single breath has passed?”

nHoward’s pupils dilated, a realization dawning on him.

nHe glanced up at Rick, Glutton, and others, noticing that they too showed hardly any movement.

nThe profound impact of the Shattered Timepiece’s powerful effect struck him even more intensely.

nHowever, there was a noticeable change in the expressions of Rick and the others.

nWith a significant disparity in strength, it seemed the effect of the artifact was substantially reduced.

nAdditionally, since Rick and his companions were familiar with Howard and hadn’t activated their spiritual power in defense, the Shattered Timepiece activated by Howard probably wouldn’t have affected them much under other circumstances.

nObserving the rapid depletion of his MP value, Howard knew he couldn’t delay any longer.

nHe needed a swift and decisive victory.

nLeaping high, he swung his wand and executed the skill – Death Six-Step Throw – on the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask.

nAt this moment, even her thoughts were controlled by the altered flow of time, rendering her incapable of reacting.

nNaturally, Howard seized her arm and repeatedly slammed her to the ground. .

nRegrettably, none of the awakened witnessed this scene.

nOnly after Howard had completed the six consecutive throws, and the woman with the mask appeared dazed and confused, did he deactivate the Shattered Timepiece.

nIn an instant, the flow of time returned to normal.

nThe scene before the eyes of the many awakened seemed as though it had shifted through time.

nJust a moment ago, Howard was locked in fierce combat with the woman, and in the blink of an eye, she was on the ground, unconscious.

nWhile they were filled with hesitation, Howard let out a sigh of relief.

nHe had finally defeated the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask!

nSetting other things aside, she was undoubtedly the strongest of the younger generation Howard had ever encountered.

nHad Howard not recently acquired a host of advantages, he might not have been a match for her.

nGlutton and the others, aware that Howard had used the Shattered Timepiece, were not overly surprised.

nThey simply smiled and said, “Now that Howard is the only one standing at the end, is there anyone among you who dares to challenge him?”

nHearing Glutton’s words, the many awakened exchanged glances, and then, almost in unison, they all took a step back.

nJudging by Howard’s recent display, which left them clueless as to what had actually transpired, it was evident that his strength far surpassed theirs.

nTherefore, none dared to step up for another challenge.

nMoreover, considering that just a plainly dressed man had managed to brutalize them, and now Howard had directly defeated a higher-tier opponent with ease, how could they recklessly challenge him?

nSighs echoed among the strong representatives of various factions.

n“Since no one else dares to challenge, the Starry River Map shall belong to Howard. Should I learn that any of you dare to attack Howard in secret and attempt to take the Starry River Map, we, the few of us, will personally visit your families to deliver them to Howard and demand an explanation!”

nUpon hearing this, the gathered awakened couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

nThat was harsh!

nAs harsh as it was, not a single awakened dared to speak up, their hearts faltering.

nWith several top-tier powerhouses above level 90, all from the inner circle of the Alliance, who would dare to provoke them?

nAngering such individuals was unwise unless one was prepared to abandon their family and clan.

nGlancing around and noticing the expressions of the many awakened, Howard couldn’t help but smile.

nIt seemed that even if news of the Starry River Map being in his possession spread, he could rest easy now.

nApart from being cautious of potentially reckless mercenaries, he didn’t have much to worry about.

nMoreover, Howard was still a student.

nAs long as he returned to Adia City and stayed within the academy, who could harm him?

n“Alright, everyone disperse,” came the words of Rick, Glutton, and others.

nWith this, the gathered awakened began to leave.

nIt was then that the group suddenly realized the plainly dressed man who had been lying unconscious beneath the stage had vanished.

n“Hey, where did that jerk go?”

n“I was thinking of teaching him a lesson for his arrogance. How did he just disappear?”

n“What the **!”

n“Chase him, dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find him!”

n“Ugh, such an annoying pest.”

nCurses and complaints filled the air as the awakened fumed with frustration, yet there was nothing they could do but silently depart.

nIt had to be said, the plainly dressed man was incredibly clever!

nHe knew that many would be focused on the battle between Howard and the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask.

nBy feigning unconsciousness and then slipping away when attention was diverted from him, he executed a perfect escape.

nAfter all, with no chance of getting the Starry River Map, staying would have likely meant his demise!

nIn a short while, only Howard, Rick and his group, Sword Seven, and the members of the Solomon Sacred Assembly remained on the stone platform.

nOnce everyone else had left, the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask, who had been feigning unconsciousness, opened her eyes and languidly said, “You really don’t know how to be tender towards women.”

n“I’m curious, what trick did you use to catch me off guard and cause me internal injuries without me noticing?”

nEven with the mask on, the determination in the woman’s eyes was evident.

nHoward shook his head and replied, “Tha’s my special ability, and I prefer to keep it to myself.”

nAfter a moment of silence, the woman with the mask suddenly changed the subject with a laugh, “We had a bet earlier. If you had lost, you would have married me. Now that you’ve won, I’ll take the loss and marry you.”

nAt her words, Pallor Swif’s mouth twitched.

nThe Holy Maiden of his order had seen many handsome and powerful men before and had never been the type to act so infatuated.

nWhy was she persistently clinging to Howard today?

nCould it be that just having a handsome face allowed one to do whatever they pleased?

n“I never agreed to that bet,” Howard replied calmly, declining the offer.

nUnbeknownst to him, this response made the woman with the mask grit her teeth in frustration.

nPallor Swift spoke up coldly, “This is the Holy Maiden of our Solomon Sacred Assembly. Show some respect, young man!”

n“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Holy Maiden or not, since when does my disciple, Rick’s apprentice, need to act according to your wishes?”

nRick snorted coldly, and in an instant, a tremendous pressure descended, forcing Pallor Swif’s knees to buckle, making him involuntarily kneel before Howard.

nFear surged in his mind. Had he actually just threatened the disciple of a top-tier powerhouse?

nThe realization that Howard had also been accepted into the Holy Abyss Academy left Pallor Swift utterly stunned.

nWhat kind of talent did Howard possess to be taken in by both a top-tier academy and a top-tier powerhouse simultaneously?

nNormally, to preserve the purity of their students, elite academies do not allow them to join any other organizations or take another as their master, to prevent any betrayal of the academy.

nSimilarly, the disciples of top-tier powerhouses are usually groomed to inherit their mantle and not to learn from others.

nThese two paths are generally conflicting!

nYet, Howard had achieved this, backed not only by a top-tier force but also having a powerful master.

nEven the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask was astounded.

nIgnoring Howard’s indifference towards her, she walked up to his side, attempting to link her arm with his.

nUnfortunately for her, Howard leaped away and returned to Rick’s side.

nIce Ghost suddenly spoke up, “Monica, stop being mischievous! Show some restraint in front of your elders!”

nVisit .

n