Chapter 1171

Estelle was in a bad state. Her clothes were torn in several places, exposing patches of fair skin. Tears streaked her face as she struggled desperately. Upon seeing this, Wyatt's anger boiled over. Riding his golden lion cub, he charged forward and bellowed, "Stop right there!" His roar was deafening, shaking everyone present to their core. All eyes immediately turned toward Wyatt. Everyone's expressions shifted dramatically when they saw the young man riding the golden lion cub, especially Estelle. When she recognized the face of the man on the lion cub, she froze in place, completely stunned. He was actually Ryatt. Estelle felt reality itself had unraveled. She was surprised. How could it be Ryatt? How could it be the very person she had been desperately searching for? Wasn't the guy fighting Zarian on the mountaintop some incredible prodigy named Jonas? Could Ryatt and Jonas be the same person? But that didn't make sense. If he was, why would the higher-ups in the Shade Order take him in as a disciple? Estelle's mind spun with countless questions, leaving her completely frozen, as if turned to stone. "Buddy, get over there. She's a friend of mine," Wyatt instructed Zarian, patting its side. "Trying to play the hero, huh?" Zarian smirked mischievously. Its golden fur shimmered, casting rays of light all around, making it appear almost divine. With a sharp leap, it shot forward like a mythical steed soaring through the air, majestic and bold. But the moment didn't last. As it landed, the cub tripped, stumbling like a horse missing its step, sending Wyatt flying off its back. Wyatt seemed ready for this, flipping mid-air and landing gracefully on his feet. "I knew you were up to no good," he said, cracking his knuckles with a loud pop. Zarian sulked but quickly took off running, shouting threats as it went. "You better watch out, Ryatt! Three days from now, I'll come back as a king and finish you up!" Wyatt didn't miss a beat. "Oh, by the way, I didn't tell you something. I'm actually the leader of the Venomspire Sect. You can run if you want, but you won't get far before I catch you." His words carried a sharp undertone, cutting through the Zarian's bravado and making it shiver. It hesitated for a moment before doubling down. "You better watch your back, punk. I'll be back to take your head!" With that, it shot off like a streak of golden light, disappearing into the distance. "Talks a big game but always takes the hits. What a moron," Wyatt muttered, shaking his head. The crowd stood in stunned silence, exchanging glances. The dynamic between the man and his lion was anything but harmonious. Both seemed to outmaneuver and backstab the other constantly. With a swift motion, Wyatt approached Estelle and draped his jacket over her shoulders. "Ryatt—" Estelle's voice trembled with a mix of relief and excitement as she gazed up at him. Warmth flooded her heart. He had shown up like a rock she could lean on at her most desperate moment. "What happened?" Wyatt asked, his tone low but steady. "It's that guy, Raydon," Estelle said, pointing. "He's a Shade Order disciple. He claimed you're his older brother, Jonas. He got all arrogant and tried to—" She didn't even finish before Wyatt pieced everything together. Raydon was clearly spinning a wild tale, pretending Wyatt was his brother. And now that Wyatt knew Raydon was part of the Shade Order, it was all the more reason to deal with him. Wyatt strode toward Raydon, his expression cold as ice. Raydon, who had just stopped beating up Linus, turned to Wyatt with visible fear in his eyes. Wyatt glanced down at the battered Linus, who looked like he'd been through hell. "This guy stepped in to help, and Raydon did this to him," Estelle explained, her voice tinged with guilt as she helped Linus to his feet. Linus was dazed, his face full of frustration and bitterness. All he had done was speak up for what was right, and he'd nearly gotten himself killed for it. Being a good guy these days was no easy feat. But when his gaze landed on Wyatt, the man's fear deepened. He stammered, "I'm sorry, Mr. Wyatt. I didn't mean to offend your... brother. I'll apologize, I swear. Just please, let me go..."