Fans Attack (3)

The repentance array had no physical means of hampering him, so charging through it to attack the creator was a good choice. However, that would only be if the array was the only obstacle. Even after Lionel charged in Shui didn't flinch, in fact, a smirk appeared on his face. Lionel pushed himself even further to wipe the smirk off his face, but suddenly he found himself bound in place. When he looked at himself he couldn't notice anything, but by checking with his spiritual sense he found the cause. Grass fibers that were so thin that they were nearly invisible had captured his body. A slight tug should have been enough to tear them off, but instead they only dug deeper into his skin. 

"You look stuck. Shall I lend a hand?"

At this desperate time for Lionel, Shui offered assistance while blatantly snickering at him. 

"Everyone! He can't trap all of us! We need to charge!"

"Ah!"

Rodney couldn't afford to lose his brother, so he led the army to charge into array, unaware that he was being led around like a puppet. After seeing Lionel make it through, they thought that it would be fine as long as they were fast enough, but most couldn't go more than a few steps before collapsing. Although the repentance array only had a spiritual aspect, charging into it without thinking could drain the soul so quickly that they fell unconscious. Still, that was only temporary.

As for the survivors, they fell into the same predicament as Lionel. This was the effect of the pseudo-array made by combining 'Grow', 'Capture', 'Strengthen' and 'Drain' with plants as the target. Usually he would have to set them up personally, but he had reached the level where he only needed to activate them for the effect to be created. Not only were those captured drained off their will, their vitality also flowed into the plants and made them stronger. Under the influence of the repentance array and the pseudo-array, it took less than a minute for Rodney and Lionel to be the only two still standing. Even then, the nightmare was still only beginning.

"Grr! Let us go and fight fairly you coward!" shouted Rodney.

Shui snorted in response.

"Says the one who came charging with bigger numbers? Regardless, I suppose I can't be too upset with you for gathering up."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

This time Shui only gave a smirk, but the reason for his smirk was soon revealed. Like lifeless husks, those who had fallen before being captured by grass began to rise. Though confused, Rodney was also hopeful when he sensed their rise, however, that hope was soon crushed. Those that returned to their feet had lost the light in their eyes and remained in place. 

"Good, you're all awake. I'm not petty enough to take your lives, but make sure to break the limbs of these other fools before rolling out."

In accordance to Shui's order, the awakened advanced while breaking the limbs of those who had been captured by the grass. Their screams sent chills down the spines of Rodney and Lionel who looked up at Shui in horror.

"What, what did you do to them?"

"Just temporary enslavement. They might become mentally crippled afterwards, but recovery should be possible."

"This must be a demonic art! Elders, please! You must slay this evil!" 

Lionel shouted to the sky for help, but no response came. Even many of the elders felt frightened by Shui's cruel methods, but this only made them want him as a disciple even more. They knew that he wasn't using any forbidden techniques so though it was a shame that they lost this opportunity, no one wanted to burn the bridge by siding with Lionel. However, once the news spread throughout the manor, one prominent inner section elder was forced to take action.

"Stop this instant!"

With a powerful voice, an elder with a cultivation in the early Sky Realm appeared and used his mental control to freeze the awakened puppets in place. He also tried to pressure Shui's group, but Shui stopped his pressure with his aura. Usually it would be beneath his status to suppress a junior, but in this case he had no qualms. His brows furrowed as he tried to increase the pressure, but three cunning old elders quick to notice the opportunity revealed themselves.

"Hold your hand, Kendras!"

The three elders were weaker than Kendras individually, but together they could push him back. Though he hadn't gotten involved, Kendras was aware of what was happening in the manor, so he knew why these three elders, along with the rest that were still hiding while clicking their tongues, would stop him. He didn't intend to fight so he withdrew his aura, but he remained hovering over them.

"I can't believe he came here!" 

The elder was far stronger than what she thought he could handle so Shui could understand Lisa's panic, but as it looked like she recognized him, Shui inquired.

"Have you met Elder Kendras before?"

"No, I've only seen him a few times before, but he's Lionel's master."

Shui nodded in understanding but otherwise showed no reaction. It appeared that the three elders wouldn't allow them to be hurt, but she was still impressed by how unfazed he was even in this situation.

After briefly examining the state of his pale disciple, Kendras looked back at the elders before him.

"You three sure arrived just in time to stop me. I wonder why you couldn't make it in time to stop this ruckus."

It was clear that Kendras was laying blame on them for staying their hands until he arrived, but these three had thick skins.

"We simply saw no need to interfere in a gathering of young people seeking pointers."

"Indeed. Though some bones have been broken, no lives have been taken so all grievances can be buried."

"Furthermore, your disciple was the one who set this up so shouldn't you have stopped him if you didn't like it?"

As the last elder accurately attacked his sore point, Kendras grimaced. Having his disciple humiliated was like a slap to is face, but he couldn't approve of his method so he chose to swallow this anger. 

"Fine, I'll drop this matter here. Boy, release them."

"Hmm, I suppose I could, but don't you think I should be compensated for my emotional distress?"

'What emotional distress?! These guys are lucky they don't lose their minds!'

Even Fatty couldn't help being surprised by Shui's brazen attitude. 

'Boss sure is thorough. Rodney will definitely regret moving against us this time.'

The three elders turned to him with widened eyes while Kendras didn't know if he should be amused or just kill the boy. Sensing Kendras' rising killing intent, the three elders hastily attempted to persuade Shui.

"Now now, young friend. You've proven your strength so wouldn't it be best for everyone if we dropped things here."

"That's right. Remember, it's better to have more friends than enemies."

Shui knew that pursuing the matter would be more trouble than it was worth, but he still wanted to drag at least one of the masterminds onto the stage.

"Believe me, Elder Kendras, I have no intention on looking down on you or your prestige, but there's just one thing about this matter that I can't let go of. Despite the commotion that we caused, which even summoned you elders, why is the department that should be here first still silent. They certainly were quick when that Rodney was getting beat up last time."