Ethan's current reaction speed and physical agility ensured he could dodge the sneak attack in the first instant. Although his posture was not pretty, he at least successfully avoided having his kidney pierced. Given his current physique and recovery ability, even if he were hit, it would not have a significant impact.
While dodging, Ethan immediately cast another magic shield.
This shield was constructed purely from magical energy, had no additional attributes, and its defense was very ordinary. The moment it was cast, it was pierced by a cluster of sharp bone spears radiating blue-gray light, shattering into fragments and transforming back into magical energy.
However, this shield bought Ethan some time. Even if it only blocked for a second, it was enough for him to get into position and react.
At the same time, he clearly saw who had launched the sneak attack.
"Xul!"
Ethan did not even have a chance to shout the name. Xul, on the opposite side, had already swung a scythe toward Ethan's face.
Whatever he wanted to say, if he could not block this attack, he would not have a chance to say it.
His right hand immediately made a motion to swing a weapon to parry. The moment his right hand swung up, a bizarre black and red greatsword appeared in his hand.
Due to prolonged training, he could already convert his magic power into real matter quite well. Some objects with special compositions were still difficult to create, but ordinary weapons could be condensed, and with frequent practice, the time required became less and less.
The more thoroughly he understood the structure of an item, the faster he could create it. If he practiced repeatedly with a specific item, he could also speed up the process.
This black and red greatsword, which he usually used for practicing the creation of cold weapons, could now be condensed in an instant, and it was also a magical weapon with the attribute of fire.
The moment the black and red greatsword collided with the scythe, a powerful explosion erupted. The impact from the fiery blast directly knocked Xul, who was holding the scythe, back several steps.
While Xul was retreating, Ethan thought he could finally talk properly with him, but unexpectedly, Xul slightly twisted his body, revealing a gray-white energy cluster hidden behind him.
Bone Spirit.
This was one of the most powerful attack spells of the Priests of Rathma. Besides its immense power, the most troublesome thing about it was that it automatically tracked enemies and would not stop until it hit its target.
Generally, besides taking the hit directly, one could only choose a sufficiently powerful magic spell to collide with the Bone Spirit and intercept it mid-flight.
Ethan chose a method in between. He lowered his sword-holding right hand, while his empty left hand suddenly formed a fist and pulled back slightly behind his shoulder, as if he was about to directly confront the Bone Spirit with his own fist.
Following the fist-clenching motion, a giant blue fist condensed in the air beside Ethan, adopting the exact same posture as his left hand.
Besides the energy Ethan released again, there was also the energy that had been shattered by Xul's bone spears earlier.
A major advantage of the training method Ethan chose was absolute control over his own magic power. Although this energy was shattered, it did not completely dissipate and integrate into the world, but instead lingered nearby, ready to be used by Ethan at any time.
Just like now, the dispersed energy was summoned back by him, combining with the energy he released again to condense into this large fist. Then, following Ethan's downward punching motion, the giant fist, with a diameter of two meters, heavily smashed onto the Bone Spirit in front.
The giant magic fist not only shattered the Bone Spirit, but also heavily struck the ground, creating a powerful shockwave. The astonishing force forced Xul, who had intended to seize the opportunity to approach and attack again, to retreat.
While retreating several steps to create distance, he cast Bone Shield and Bone Wall.
However, the expected attack did not arrive. When the smoke and dust cleared, Xul found the man who had suddenly appeared in his place of secluded training just standing there, waving at him.
"Long time no see, Xul."
This situation left Xul a bit bewildered, but he usually wore a poker face, and even now, there was no expression of surprise. He simply realized the situation might be different from what he expected, so he removed the Bone Wall in front of him.
The Bone Shield was not removed, and the scythe remained in his hand. Until he understood the situation, he could not truly let down his guard.
"You are...?"
Ethan had changed too much, so it was completely normal that Xul did not recognize him.
To prove his identity, Ethan took out the ring Xul had given him back then.
Seeing the ring held in the young man's left hand, Xul finally realized who the young man in front of him was.
"Ethan?"
This answer greatly surprised him. Had that outsider, who had been ordinary in appearance and slender back then, actually grown into such a powerful spellcaster?
"Has it really... been so many years?"
With great mutual understanding, both sides almost simultaneously dispelled all spells on their bodies. Except for the scythe in Xul's hand, which was not formed by magic, even the armor-like pieces protecting his vital points were formed by spells.
Compared to Xul still holding a long scythe, Ethan was just wearing ordinary clothes. Besides the ring in his hand, there was nothing else that could truly be called equipment.
Seeing this, Xul was once again shocked by Ethan's progress. At the same time, like Akara, he concluded that Ethan was a Nephalem, otherwise there was no way to explain this situation.
When they met back then, Xul was already one of the most outstanding priests among the Priests of Rathma, which was why he had the strength to become a hero who defeated the Demon Lord.
After all, this was the real world. It would not be like in games where monsters are placed from weak to strong, allowing you to kill them slowly and let the player constantly grow stronger as the plot progresses.
In reality, individuals like Xul and Itherael were already exceptionally powerful, which was why they became heroes. Those who were not strong enough had long since died at the hands of dark monsters, not even having the qualification to meet the great demon lord.
Ethan's strength back then, let alone facing Diablo, if he had not voluntarily withdrawn, he probably would have died in some battle before even meeting Andariel.
Now Ethan could fight Xul to a standstill, and judging by appearances, he did not seem to be using his full strength yet, which was truly terrifying.
Of course, Xul was not using his full strength either. The battle erupted too suddenly, and his equipment and casting tools were not with him. Furthermore, as a Priest of Rathma, the more preparation time he had, the more astonishing the combat power he could unleash. A hasty encounter should be when his combat power was at its lowest.
"It has been many years, but your reaction is a bit exaggerated, is it not?"
Xul shook his head helplessly, cleared the chaotic thoughts from his mind, greeted Ethan again, and then calmly explained.
"This is my personal place of secluded training, and my disciples are on the periphery. Coupled with the fact that it is an area rarely visited by people, no outsiders should mistakenly wander in, so when you suddenly appeared, I treated you as an enemy specifically targeting me."
Ethan looked around. This was a place that could hardly be called beautiful. Besides the land beneath his feet, which was barely stable enough to stand on, the surroundings were endless forests and swamps, with strange smells everywhere. He could also sense strong life force and death energy in this area.
This was a place where life and death coexisted, so it was no wonder Xul chose to train here. As for the environment, the Priests of Rathma had a completely different aesthetic sense compared to ordinary people in this regard.
"It is precisely because the Priests of Rathma like to stay in places like this and use frightening spells that your reputation among ordinary people is not very good."
However, these words had no meaning for the Priests of Rathma. They simply did not care about the opinions of outsiders, only adhering to their faith and doing what they believed they should do.
As expected, Xul replied with a faint, indifferent smile, and then casually sat down on the ground.
Ethan did not stand on ceremony either. He also sat down in front of Xul, and the two of them briefly chatted about their current situations.
For Ethan, Xul was one of his earliest teachers, so he maintained considerable respect for him. As for the attacks just now, there was also a bit of an idea of showing the teacher from back then that he had succeeded now.
However, Xul did not talk much about Ethan's significant progress. After a simple congratulation, he discussed his own current situation.
Finally, he concluded that unless there was something special, like things that would disrupt the balance such as Diablo, he would continue to stay in the homeland of the Priests of Rathma, which was a huge cemetery, for secluded training, and also teach some young people.
Ethan was not surprised. This was the lifestyle of the Priests of Rathma, and he was not in a position to criticize others' choices. After confirming that Xul was currently satisfied with his life, he routinely left a communication amulet and then bid him farewell.
Xul did not stand on ceremony and readily accepted the amulet Ethan gave him. Whether he could use it or not, this item could serve as a souvenir.
"Oh, right, I might come to find you again in the future. I hope you will not greet me in such an enthusiastic manner next time."
Xul nodded, indicating that he had remembered the fluctuation characteristics of Ethan's teleportation magic and would not treat him as an enemy next time.
"Oh, right, please also give my regards to Itherael."
Xul knew that Ethan was going to see Itherael next, and took the opportunity to send regards to his former comrade-in-arms.
"No problem!"
(To be continued.)