Chapter 2470

Not long after, the Nihons launched an invasion.

Although Maxim had gained immense power, he bore a heavy responsibility-he had many junior disciples to protect. Reluctantly, he led the group to flee the East District. One day, during their escape, they suddenly encountered a squad of ninjas.

Without hesitation, Maxim charged forward and engaged them in battle. Using his powerful attacks, he cut down the ninjas, his momentum unstoppable.

However, just as he was about to gain the upper hand, Cyrus appeared from nowhere. The sudden intrusion caught the ninjas off guard, and they quickly fled in disarray.

Maxim approached Cyrus, his expression a mix of gratitude and weariness.

"Thanks. There were too many of them for me to handle alone."

Cyrus' demeanor immediately changed, and he became manic and unstable. Maxim did not think much of it, having grown accustomed to Cyrus' erratic behavior over the past weeks. He also knew that Cyrus would occasionally regain his senses, so he assumed that this time would be no different.

Yet, something was off this time. A small stone dagger suddenly appeared in Cyrus' hand. Before Maxim could react, Cyrus lunged at him, driving the dagger into Maxim's throat.

Blood gushed from the wound.

Maxim immediately collapsed to the ground and curled up in pain.

"W-What's happening?" Maxim's mind raced in confusion.

"Could it be that Cyrus hasn't broken free? Just how long does the Celestial Tree's influence last?"

At first, Maxim was not too concerned since he had, over the past few weeks, verified that his injuries would transfer to the Celestial Tree. Even lethal wounds healed in a short time. Looking at the blood pooling around him, he was stupefied.

"W-Why isn't it healing?" His body trembled as he hastily pulled the stone dagger from his throat.

"This... It's..." Maxim's eyes widened in disbelief. The weapon that had stabbed him was none other than a fragment of the anti-magic stone, the one that had been split in two back then. It was no wonder then that he was not healing like he normally would.

At that moment, just as Cyrus moved to finish Maxim off, a group of his junior disciples suddenly stood between them.

"How dare you attack our senior, you coward?! You're asking for it!"

"Guys, let's go! Let's help Senior Maxim!"

"Attack!"

Cyrus summoned a weapon and knocked the junior disciples back. However, a few of them got up and charged at Cyrus again, undeterred by fear.

"Stop, you guys... Run..." Maxim gasped weakly. He could feel his body slowly beginning to heal, albeit sluggishly. The dagger also seemed to have been coated with some kind of poison.

Even though the healing process had started, his body was still paralyzed, causing him to be unable to muster any strength.

Tragedy unfolded regardless.

Cyrus did not hold back. As the children charged at him, he swung his weapon. The children had only been exposed to the martial world for barely half a year, and most of them had no means to defend themselves. To someone like Cyrus, who was born into a martial family, they were no different from ordinary people.