Chapter 2466

"What's going on?" Maxim looked utterly confused. "The dead can't be brought back? Master, what's happening here?"

"Albert Goode, the head of the Goode family, is trying to use us to revive his wife," Malior explained briefly.

"What?" Maxim responded with disbelief. "Revive his wife? With this glowing tree? How... is that even possible?"

"It's not possible. Not at all!" Malior pointed at Albert. "Mr. Goode, you're chasing a fantasy! Listen to me and stop this madness now. Don't fall for the Celestial Tree's power!"

"Shut up!" Albert screamed, his voice cracking with desperation. "You don't understand anything! Just wait! I'll make it happen! I can, and I will!"

Raising his voice, Malior challenged him, "Will you really sacrifice so many lives just to bring back one person? Do you think your wife would agree to this? Or have you forgotten how she died?"

"I don't care! Shut up, you cursed exorcist!" Albert shouted maniacally. "I'm so close-just one more step! One more step!"

Suddenly, Albert unleashed his true energy.

"Maxim!" Malior called out urgently. "Protect your junior! His true energy will cause hallucinations if inhaled!"

"I understand!" Maxim gripped the anti-magic stone tightly in one hand and held Thresmund with the other.

"Senior, I'm scared," Thresmund whimpered.

"Don't be scared. I'm here. You're safe," Maxim reassured firmly.

At this moment, Albert lunged toward Malior with an astonishing speed. For an old, hunched man, his agility was terrifying, something even Malior had not expected.

Albert threw a punch at Malior, but Malior swiftly pulled out a radiant golden talisman from his robe. The talisman disintegrated into powder before being absorbed into Malior's body and shielding him from the blow.

There was a thunderous sound as Albert's punch landed on Malior.

To Albert's shock, it felt like he had struck a diamond. Malior was unharmed, but Albert's hand throbbed in agony. His body trembled, and his knees bent from being unable to stand the pain.

Yet Malior did not retaliate. In his heart, Malior believed in the goodness of people. He preferred to try and treat all with compassion.

However, Albert was beyond saving. He was consumed by his obsession. Ignoring his pain, he threw another punch, only for the same outcome to repeat. Albert grimaced in agony, his face contorting as he let out a long groan of pain. Head lowered, Malior gazed at Albert with a mix of pity and helplessness. Spreading his arms wide and raising his head, he said with sincerity, "I can feel your bitterness in each punch. So... go ahead. Keep hitting me."

Malior then removed the remnants of the talisman's power from his body, gently placing the talisman back into his sleeve.

"I've nullified the talisman's effect. Mr. Goode, strike however you wish," Malior said gently.

"But I must tell you, the dead can't be resurrected. This is the harsh truth of the world. All of us have people in our hearts we wish we could bring back. We're granted memories so vivid that we can't help but linger upon them. And those memories are not something we can control. Every life carries inevitable regrets, Mr. Goode."

Malior extended his hand toward him, his voice filled with calm conviction as he continued, "What's most important is what they left behind after their death. Their passing is not without meaning, and we must never betray that meaning. Mr. Goode, haven't you, too, been entrusted with something precious?"

Unable to hold the tears back, they streamed down Albert's face uncontrollably as he remembered his lover's final words to him.