The arrival of the Twin Specters cast a palpable tension over the scene. Their infamous reputation preceded them—nearly everyone present had heard of the Twin Specters.
As Darkwing Mages of the Netherspire Tower, the Twin Specters held considerable status within the faction. Having been renowned for years, their grotesque appearances were the result of a forbidden cultivation art—yet their strength was undeniable, despite their unsettling visages.
Both Kael and Einar retreated to a distance, standing warily on guard.
The Pale Specter observed the crowd's reaction, his lips curling into a smirk at the fear flickering in their eyes. Across the Three Continents, Darkwing Mages were figures of dread and loathing—especially experts like the Twin Specters, who stood at the pinnacle of the 11th-tier. Few dared oppose them, and their audacity knew no bounds—hence their bold intrusion into the Underground Realm.
"Heh, these pests are an eyesore. Might as well wipe them out..." The Dark Specter, brimming with malice, bared his teeth in a sinister grin.
The crowd shuddered at his words, weaker individuals even paling in terror.
"No need. We came for the Divine Heart Fruits on this Rootless Tree—let's not stir unnecessary trouble!" The Pale Specter, evidently the leader of the duo, narrowed his eyes. "There are eight fruits left, but only one is nearing ripeness..."
With nearly a hundred onlookers present, even the Twin Specters couldn't slaughter them all at once—especially with experts like Kael among them.
The Pale Specter had already taken note of Kael and Einar.
"This Rootless Tree truly is a treasure..." The Dark Specter, his body pitch-black like charred coal, circled the tree eagerly. Standing beside it, the Twin Specters treated the tree as if it were already their property.
Kael frowned slightly but remained expressionless. The Twin Specters were both top-tier 11th-tier experts, and their seamless coordination made them far deadlier than ordinary foes. Even Kael wouldn't gain an advantage by acting rashly.
Moreover, the Pale Specter was already keeping a wary eye on Kael and Einar.
But then—a sudden anomaly occurred!
As if fate itself had turned against the Twin Specters, the Rootless Tree's branches abruptly contracted. The entire tree levitated, emitting an eerie emerald glow—before plunging straight into the earth!
"Damn it! This Rootless Tree has developed sentience—it's trying to escape!" The Pale Specter's eyes widened as he snarled, his mana surging forth to weave into a gigantic net in a desperate attempt to ensnare the tree.
Indeed, the Rootless Tree was preparing to relocate! As a semi-sentient marvel, it had borne four ripe Divine Heart Fruits before now burrowing into the earth to flee!
Though the Pale Specter reacted swiftly, the tree was faster. In a flash of emerald phosphorescence, it vanished underground—leaving the Pale Specter grasping at empty air!
Where the tree once stood, the ground lay smooth and unbroken, without even a crack—a sight both baffling and awe-inspiring.
Kael couldn't help but stiffen in surprise. The Rootless Tree's strangeness was undeniable, and the Twin Specters' luck was abysmal—not only had they failed to claim a single fruit, but they'd also watched helplessly as their prize slipped away.
In this battle for the Divine Heart Fruits, Kael was the undisputed victor—of the four ripe fruits, he alone had claimed three!
"Damn it all!" The Pale Specter's eyes flashed with fury. Losing the tree right under his nose ignited a fire in his chest.
The hot-tempered Dark Specter erupted: **"What kind of cursed luck is this?! Not a single fruit?! Absolute horseshit!"** His eyes practically spat flames as he glared at the crowd, his expression murderous.
A collective sense of impending doom settled over the onlookers.
"Listen up, maggots! Whoever took those Divine Heart Fruits—hand them over NOW!" The Dark Specter's voice dripped venom as he scanned the crowd like a predator.
Almost instinctively, every gaze shifted toward Kael and Einar.
Kael's heart sank. This is bad.
"So it's you two brats!" The Dark Specter's face lit up with vicious glee as he zeroed in on Kael and Einar.
The Pale Specter's snakelike eyes also slid their way, his scrutiny sending a chill down their spines.
Having lost the Rootless Tree, the Twin Specters had now set their sights on Kael and Einar's hard-won prizes!
"Heh, so it's the two young geniuses of the Three Continents—Kael and Einar." The Pale Specter let out a sinister chuckle, his gaze flickering between the two. Their reputations had indeed spread far across the continent—Kael as the Holy Temple's Chosen and Einar with his ties to the Sacred Council—making them prime targets for factions like the Darkwing Mages. The Twin Specters were well aware of them.
"Gentlemen, don't force us to get unpleasant. Hand over the Divine Heart Fruits willingly, and we can all walk away happy." The Pale Specter's grin widened, as if he already had them cornered.
After all, the Twin Specters were both peak 11th-tier experts, standing at the apex of their tier, second only to half-step Legendary powerhouses.
The little cat on Kael's shoulder muttered, **"Kael, these two aren't ordinary. They're dangerous. I sense they've cultivated some formidable secret art—if they fight together, they'll be a nightmare!"**
Kael nodded grimly. Even without the warning, he had already sensed something off.
His eyes glinted coldly. He had old grievances with the Netherspire Tower. Back in the Azure Dragon Secret Realm, he had slain several Darkwing Mages—though they were mere foot soldiers, insignificant enough that the Tower hadn't pursued vengeance.
Now, facing the Twin Specters, Kael felt the pressure—but he wasn't the type to surrender what he'd earned. His expression remained icy, showing no intention of handing over the fruits.
Einar stood equally unmoved, his posture relaxed yet unyielding.
"Oh? So you two brats really plan to defy us?" The Dark Specter's brow furrowed, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
The Pale Specter took a step forward, his smile chillingly predatory, signaling his readiness to strike.
Kael and Einar exchanged a glance—a silent understanding passed between them. If the Twin Specters fought together, they'd be nearly unstoppable. The only chance was to split them apart!
Around them, the crowd began to scatter.
"Let's get out of here! The Twin Specters are on another level compared to Hawkeye—they're elite Darkwing Mages!"
"Run! If a fight breaks out, we'll be caught in the crossfire!"
"Kael's luck has run out. After getting three fruits, he's about to lose them all—if he even survives!"
Somire watched Kael, her beautiful eyes clouded with worry. "Junior Brother Kael..."
Kael glanced back at Somire and sent a magical whisper: "Senior Sister Somire, go ahead without me. I have a plan."
Indeed, Kael had a plan. With his Wind God Wings, his speed was on par with the Twin Specters—escaping wouldn't be difficult.
Somire hesitated briefly before nodding. "Be careful." She knew staying would only burden Kael. After all, she was barely at the threshold of the 11th-tier, not yet having broken through.
With that, Somire withdrew, as did the remaining onlookers, slipping away quietly.
The Twin Specters wore cold, mocking smiles, their auras locking onto Kael and Einar. The air grew thick with tension.
"We didn't want to resort to this, but you've left us no choice!" Though the Twin Specters harbored some wariness toward Kael and Einar, the Divine Heart Fruits were far too valuable to let slip away—even if it meant a fight.
"Go! Split up!"
As if sharing a silent understanding, Kael and Einar moved simultaneously, darting backward in opposite directions at blinding speed!
Kael, in particular, was a blur. With a flicker of his Wind God Wings, he vanished, leaving only afterimages in his wake.
"Damn it! After them—separately!" The Pale Specter's eyes flickered with calculation before he barked the order, surging after Kael's fleeing figure.
As peak 11th-tier experts, the Twin Specters held a slight edge in raw power over Kael and Einar. Faced with their split escape, the Pale Specter made the call—they too would divide and conquer!