Chapter 347: The Unyielding Guardians of Celestis Academy
The Unyielding Guardians of Celestis Academy
"This, how is this possible? Teacher actually broke through to the peak of the Sage Realm?"
The words escaped almost instinctively, carrying the disbelief that had settled over the battlefield.
Not only the surrounding cultivators, but even Amaya and Maya’s closest students stood frozen where they were. Their eyes widened as they stared at the graceful woman standing amidst the swirling currents of Mana.
None of them had expected this.
None of them had imagined that Maya’s cultivation had advanced so dramatically.
The aura surrounding her was steady, profound, and immeasurable. Every strand of flowing water Mana obeyed her will as though she herself had become the embodiment of an endless ocean.
They simply didn’t know what kind of opportunity Maya had encountered inside the Martial Emperor Tomb.
That secret belonged only to her.
The battlefield soon erupted once more.
Boom!
The clash between two peak Sage Realm experts shook heaven and earth.
Every exchange sent violent shockwaves across the plains.
The clouds overhead twisted into whirlpools.
The mountains surrounding the Martial Emperor Tomb trembled continuously as sword intent and Mana collided again and again.
Maya moved with effortless elegance.
Every step resembled ripples spreading across a tranquil lake.
Every palm strike concealed overwhelming power beneath its graceful appearance.
Her sleeves fluttered softly, yet each movement carried enough force to split the heavens.
Across from her, Vargos attacked relentlessly.
His black robes whipped violently in the storm as countless streams of dark Mana burst from his body.
Palm after palm descended like collapsing mountains.
Each strike contained the might to erase ordinary cultivators from existence.
Yet...
None of them landed.
Maya’s figure flowed through every attack like water slipping through one’s fingers.
No matter how fierce Vargos’ offensive became, she always remained calm.
The spectators below gradually realized something astonishing.
The battle had reached a complete stalemate.
Neither side could gain even the slightest advantage.
Boom!
Another collision echoed across the battlefield.
The shockwave forced everyone below to retreat another several hundred meters.
Dust filled the sky.
Vargos landed heavily upon a floating boulder.
His breathing had become noticeably heavier.
His expression darkened.
The longer they fought...
The more shocked he became.
This woman had only recently stepped into the peak Sage Realm, yet her control over Mana was unbelievably refined.
Her attacks were smooth.
Her defense was flawless.
She never wasted the slightest movement.
Every exchange made him feel as though he were trying to split apart an endless ocean.
No matter how much strength he used...
The waves simply swallowed it.
His eyes narrowed.
If this battle continued...
He would gain nothing.
Instead...
His reputation might suffer before the countless experts gathered here.
His thoughts raced.
Finally, he stopped attacking for a brief moment and shouted coldly,
"Maya, does your Celestis Academy really want to start a war with my Sky Breaker Academy?"
His voice thundered throughout the battlefield.
Many cultivators held their breath.
This question no longer represented a personal conflict.
It represented two great powers standing opposite one another.
The atmosphere instantly became suffocating.
Before Maya could answer—
"Haha..."
A heroic laugh echoed from beyond the horizon.
The voice was loud.
Fearless.
Filled with overwhelming confidence.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the distant sky.
Whoosh!
A streak of gray light pierced through the clouds.
A gray-robed figure stepped across the heavens while a flying sword shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
Its speed was unbelievable.
Before Vargos could react—
Clang!
The flying sword struck directly before him.
A terrifying burst of sword intent exploded outward, forcing him to retreat several dozen meters.
His sleeves fluttered wildly as he steadied himself.
Maya looked toward the newcomer.
A faint smile finally appeared on her usually composed face.
"It’s Guardian Elder Shera."
The disciples of Celestis Academy also looked up.
Their eyes immediately brightened.
They had not expected Guardian Elder Shera to return at such a critical moment.
His arrival instantly boosted everyone’s morale.
Even Selena quietly released the breath she had been holding.
Not far away, Rias smiled mischievously before whispering to Selena,
"I suddenly feel that this Guardian Elder isn’t that annoying."
Selena couldn’t help but smile.
She gave a small nod.
"You’re right."
She looked toward the gray-robed man standing proudly in the sky.
"This Guardian Elder always makes things difficult for us during training."
"He criticizes us."
"He scolds us."
"He never lets us become complacent."
She paused before continuing softly,
"But whenever we’re outside the academy..."
"...he never allows anyone to bully a student of Celestis Academy."
"If we’re ever in danger..."
"...he’ll stand in front of us without hesitation."
A trace of admiration appeared in her eyes.
"It really is difficult to understand whether he’s being kind to us or not."
Rias giggled.
"Maybe that’s just his way."
High above the battlefield...
Shera casually waved his sleeve.
His black hair danced wildly in the wind.
His sharp eyes swept across the experts of Sky Breaker Academy before stopping on Vargos.
His voice carried unquestionable authority.
"My Celestis Academy..."
"...has never feared any opponent."
The declaration echoed across heaven and earth.
Every student of Celestis Academy instinctively straightened their backs.
Those simple words filled them with indescribable pride.
Shera slowly raised his hand.
His flying sword responded with a joyful hum before returning to his grasp.
He pointed the blade toward Vargos.
Its edge gleamed beneath the sunlight.
"Vargos..."
"Since you want to play so much..."
"I’ll play with you."
The moment his words fell—
Boom!
His aura erupted.
Unlike Maya’s graceful elegance...
Shera’s presence was overbearing.
Wild.
Domineering.
His sword intent surged like an unstoppable avalanche.
Without giving Vargos even a moment to prepare—
He disappeared.
Slash!
A brilliant sword light flashed across the battlefield.
Vargos barely managed to block it.
Clang!
The collision shook the heavens.
Before he could recover—
A second slash arrived.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
Shera attacked like an endless storm.
Each strike was heavier than the last.
Each strike carried absolute confidence.
He never gave his opponent the slightest opportunity to breathe.
His combat style was straightforward.
Overwhelming.
Completely different from Maya’s fluid elegance.
Watching from nearby, Maya simply folded her arms.
A faint smile appeared on her beautiful face.
Since Shera had insisted on joining the battle...
She naturally had no objection.
Instead...
She quietly watched from the side.
The instant Shera entered the fight...
The balance completely collapsed.
Vargos, who had been evenly matched with Maya moments earlier, was instantly suppressed.
His retreat became more frantic with every exchange.
He defended desperately.
Yet Shera’s relentless sword strikes rained down like an unstoppable tempest.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Each impact forced Vargos farther backward.
The pressure became overwhelming.
His expression grew increasingly ugly.
Sweat appeared on his forehead.
He could no longer find even a single chance to counterattack.
His breathing became ragged.
His heart pounded with frustration.
Finally—
Unable to endure the pressure any longer, Vargos abruptly turned toward the stunned elders of Sky Breaker Academy.
His face twisted with anger as he roared,
"What are you all waiting for?"
"Attack together!"