Chapter 617: Next time, don't lie to me

Asher, who had seen everything from beginning to end, was at a loss for words. His mind raced, pondering just how powerful Kyle was.

The human just rocked the balance of an undead king with a single punch! Not just any undead, but an undead king! A creature with the power of peak supreme rank and the ability to command all weaker undead!

He knew the undead body was merely bones and lifeless flesh, far inferior to a true supreme rank entity. But for the world's sake, Kyle was only at the divine rank! How the hell did he manage to pull off such an extraordinary feat?

If only Asher knew that the human was dissatisfied with what he had achieved, he might have been tempted to pull his hair out in frustration.

Kyle looked over at the phoenix and Jian, who were struggling to catch their breath. Their exhausted state indicated they had been battling the undead since their arrival in the tomb. He swiftly sketched a series of symbols in the air, creating another portal, and pushed both Jian and Bia inside.

The duo cried out in surprise, but their voices faded as the portal in front of Kyle dissipated into nothingness.

He quickly used instant teleportation and disappeard just as the undead launched another attack, this time from a different direction to avoid the massive portal that had previously interrupted its assault.

Kyle reappeared before Asher, who was watching the scene with twinkling eyes. The half-dragon was taken aback as the human seized his collar and stepped into another portal that appeared before them.

Asher cursed as Kyle flung him aside upon emerging from the portal, which vanished behind them. The half-dragon steadied himself in mid-air and clicked his tongue.

"Why so rough? Couldn't you have just asked me to step through the portal instead of grabbing me like a rag?"

He grumbled, taking in the familiar surroundings. The crystal-clear lake and the beautiful purple-winged creatures perched on the rocks encircling it. It was the exact spot where he first encountered Kyle.

Bia and Jian were there too, hovering above the calm lake. When they spotted Kyle, their worried eyes brightened with relief, and they hurried over to him. Jian let out a sigh as he watched Bia landing on Kyle's shoulder.

"You never fail to worry us! Why send only us through the teleportation portal? You should have come with us!"

He blinked when Kyle's eyes narrowed sharply, and the silver-haired man swiftly plucked the phoenix off his shoulder with two fingers. A stern expression appeared on Kyle's face as he locked eyes with Bia.

"I'm certain, Bia, you told me that you both are doing great. So, what was that I just witnessed, huh? When did you pick up lying, Bia? I don't recall teaching you that."

The crimson bird averted her gaze with a guilty expression. It was true that she lied, so she couldn't say anything in response to Kyle. Jian also fell eerily quiet; just like Bia, he could feel Kyle was angry at them.

Asher observed the unfolding drama from the sidelines with keen interest. It's been a hundred years since he enjoyed such a good show, after all.

Kyle closed his eyes for a second and let out a sigh before glancing at the phoenix with a soft expression.

"Next time, don't lie to me. I'm not scolding you. You know it's risky. What if I hadn't shown up? What could have happened to you and Jian?"

Bia agreed but also expressed her frustration after he was done.

-"Ugh... I know. But you always do this! You lie whenever you are in danger! You should act the same way!"

Jian nodded in agreement, recalling the time when the silver-haired man prevented Bia from locating him a few years back and faced whatever danger he was in alone! The duo knew they weren't as strong as him but they wanted to lend him a hand whenever he was facing danger! Yet, he consistently chose to handle everything alone!

Kyle's lips curved into a faint genuine smile as he gazed at the phoenix in his hand, then shifted his gaze to the red-haired man. He could clearly see the worry and care they held for him in their eyes.

"Well, that's in the past. I wouldn't do that again unless it's extremely dangerous."

Bia wanted to argue, but Kyle snapped his fingers, and water materialized around the phoenix's body to cleanse her of all the dust and sweat clinging to her.

She grumbled at the cold water but stayed in his hand as he placed her back on his shoulder once she was clean and dry.

As the tension eased, Jian finally pointed at Asher, who had been staring at them with a wide, unpleasant grin.

"Who's that now? He's really getting on my nerves, especially with that smile."

The smile on Asher's face disappeared after hearing his words. He abruptly closed in toward Jian, startling the soul out of the man's body before grabbing the red-haired man's hand to introduce himself.

"Hey, I'm Asher, a half-dragon and Kyle's friend. Nice to meet you. What about you?"

Jian's eyes flickered with surprise. He was not able to sense Asher's strength, and now, seeing him move so swiftly, he could barely react. He knew Asher was at least at the late stage of the transcendent rank!

"Ah... my name is Jian."

He introduced himself but glanced at Kyle for confirmation if this person was truly his friend, and after receiving a nod from the silver-haired man, he shook Asher's hand, grabbing onto him.

Jian blinked with bewilderment when Asher's eyes welled up, and the man's grip on his hand tightened impossibly.

"You are warm..."

Jian snapped his hand away from the half-dragon grip and moved back in mid-air.

"What the hell!?"

Asher paused, taking a deep breath as he fixed his gaze on Jian with eyes filled with gratitude and embarrassment.

"Sorry, I become somewhat emotional because it's been a hundred years since I last touched another soul."