Abigail quietly prayed, "I hope Uncle Seth wins."…At the top of the mountain, Alaric stood with the Inferno Fury Spear, his hair messy and his eyes glowing red. Terrifying waves of energy continuously surged from within him. The force was so intense that even the Inferno Fury Spear started to bend slightly, its tip vibrating wildly. On the other side, Seth, holding the Dragon Sparrow Sword, was surrounded by a bright golden light, blending perfectly with the sword.Both of them went all out, starting the final fight. They understood that whoever lost now would definitely face ultimate defeat.The spear and sword collided incessantly, unleashing concentric waves of colorful light. It concealed destructive power potent enough to kill powerful grandmaster martial artists. After struggling intensely for about three minutes, Alaric's Inferno Fury Spear slowly gained ground, pushing back Seth's Dragon Sparrow Sword. It was clear that Alaric had the upper hand in personal cultiv
At that moment, Alaric felt a mix of shock, confusion, and sheer panic. He couldn't figure out how Seth mastered astral projection, but one thing was clear—it was a bad omen!This technique bypassed physical defenses, energy barriers, and all forms of protection and struck directly at the soul. It was a force that defied resistance and left no room for defense. Apart from Arion, no one else in the world could withstand such a formidable assault.As Seth's spirit projected, blood started oozing from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. His skin even cracked, showing how much this technique took a toll on him.For a person to employ such an extreme measure before attaining the realm of terrestrial immortality would inevitably result in irreversible damage. This explained why Seth had only resorted to this desperate move at the eleventh hour."Alaric! Your unilateral decisions, causing harm to the innocent—today, I'll be the one to guide you to the afterlife!" Seth's projected astra
Despite narrowly avoiding death, Alaric couldn't shake off the pain lingering in his soul. The fear and despair felt impossible to shake off as they kept tormenting him."Mr. Drakon, are you okay?" Cesar hurried to Alaric's side, standing protectively."I'm alive? I made it?" Alaric gawked in disbelief. He could not believe that he had escaped certain death when he witnessed Seth's astral projection.He believed that he was the chosen one, after all."Mr. Drakon, I sensed trouble and acted fast. So, I shot an arrow and got Seth injured. Thankfully, it saved you just in time," Cesar boasted.Hearing this, Alaric glanced at Seth, who looked weak. Seth was bleeding from seven orifices and struggling to stand. At that moment, Alaric felt a mix of surprise and relief. He let out a triumphant laugh. "Hahaha! Well done. From now on, you're an elder in the Dragon Guard!""Thank you, Chief Guildmaster!" Cesar said with a bright smile, nodding."Seth, bet you didn't see that one coming?
"Quick! Run for your life!"Seth's overwhelming power and growing intensity terrified Alaric. Alaric had lost all courage to resist and fled without a second thought.Seth's astral projection was the result of a risky technique, pushing him to the edge of injury. But what he faced now was a true breakthrough. In an instant, he went from being the ultimate grandmaster to entering the realm of terrestrial immortals. At this level, each move had the power to shatter the world. Even at his best, with vital force shielding him, Alaric wouldn't dare to face Seth directly. So, the smartest move was to escape.Alaric was convinced that Seth's breakthrough was just a temporary surge. He anticipated that Seth would face a setback afterward, making him vulnerable and an easy target at that point."How dare you attempt a breakthrough in my presence? You're just asking for trouble!"Recalling his past successful sneak attack, Cesar quickly drew his bow and focused all his energy to create
A vibrant purple sword aura zoomed through the air, racing toward Oakvale at an incredible speed. Starting at three feet, it grew an inch for every foot, rapidly expanding to over thirty feet in just a few moments.As the sword aura moved, the sky and the ground changed colors, and thunder rumbled. It sliced through the clouds, leaving a smooth, mirror-like cut in its wake.Growing and speeding up, the purple sword aura appeared to possess the power to reshape the very essence of reality. It instilled a bone-chilling awe in those who witnessed it.As Seth unleashed this mighty stroke, Alaric, the second-ranked on the Astonishing World List, had wisely retreated ten miles away. The once-confident powerhouse was now sweating and panicking."Madman! You're a madman! Risking soul and sanity to boost your cultivation? I won't indulge your madness!"Alaric cursed vehemently as he fled toward the Dragon Guard, seeking refuge in the protection of vital force and ancient formations. He f
Alaric's unexpected demise happened out in the wilderness. His lifeless body eventually became a meal for wild dogs. Nobody expected that the second-ranked Astonishing World List powerhouse and Chief Guildmaster of Dragon Guard would end up as a meal for wild animals. Ironically, not even his bones were spared from this undignified fate.…Meanwhile, a pressing assembly unfolded in Dragon Guard, gathering esteemed venerated members, elders, and officials.Two hours had elapsed since Chief Guildmaster Alaric emerged from seclusion, yet there was still no sign of him. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't raise an alarm.They were aware that he was in a fierce battle with Seth, the Sword Whisperer, who matched him closely in strength. Even though Alaric might have been stronger one-on-one, there was still concern about a possible surprise attack from the West Lucozian monarchy."Any updates from Chief Guildmaster's side?"Urgency marked the entrance of a white-bearded eld
In the upper echelons of the House of Heroes, the symbolic life essence amulet representing the Chief Guildmaster had split into two halves. The life essence amulet, crafted from a unique material impervious to blades and flames, was nearly indestructible from external forces.Its vulnerability lay in self-shattering when the amulet's owner met their demise. Despite its incredibility, the undeniable truth unfolded before their eyes. The Chief Guildmaster Alaric had indeed met an inexplicable end with no forewarning."Chief Guildmaster!" Elder Lucius collapsed as he was overwhelmed with grief. Their friendship ran deep, and Alaric's sudden death was an unbearable blow."Who did this? Who killed the Chief Guildmaster?""Whoever it is, we must avenge the Chief Guildmaster!""All disciples of the Dragon Guard, listen up! Immediately head to Quandary Mountain and annihilate the murderer!"After a brief moment of astonishment, the entire Dragon Guard erupted into chaos. Members o
The Dragon Guard lay in ruins, and the entire Wyvern Ridge, along with the vital force beneath, was severed by a single strike from Seth's sword. This powerful strike sent shockwaves throughout Aylka.…Within the Regal Observatory, the Elder Sage sat upon a massive compass, engaged in hushed recitations. Suddenly, the ground shook as if in an earthquake. The central compass, under the impact, burst open with a resounding crack. Elder Sage trembled, spat out a mouthful of blood, and was visibly wounded."Master! What happened to you?" Grace, who had just entered, was startled and rushed to assist him."It's an inevitable twist of fate! An inevitable twist!" Elder Sage sighed deeply and coughed."Master! What do you mean?" she asked."The vital force ... has been destroyed!"He said mournfully, "My earlier prediction has hit the mark. A single sword has sliced through the vital force of the Dragonmarsh. "From now on, things in the government will be a mess, and the fate of th
"Since Madam Penelope has spoken, I’ll follow her lead," Alloy said with a smile. "What about Mr. Hadley and Sage Foyer?""I'm in if you want to make a bet," Cyrus replied coolly."It's not every day we get an opportunity like this. Let me stir things up a bit." Kaden nodded with a grin.Once the three had agreed, Penelope waved for Abigail to come over.Soon, Abigail approached them with a wide grin. "Esteemed guests, I hear you want to bet. The current odds are—bet on Dustin to win, and you'll get 1.6 times your stake. Bet on Glenn, and it's only 0.4."She continued, "And no worries—if you win, I'll exchange your winnings for celestial stones." Abigail smiled brightly, and the other parties' eyes gleamed with the unmistakable shine of greed.Many had already placed their bets with her. Though she couldn't control the match's outcome, she knew how to adjust the odds to her advantage. Over time, that could turn into a huge fortune."I'm betting on Glenn to win." Cyrus quickly
"We're ready for the ultimate showdown of this tournament. The winner will be crowned the Combat Tournament Champion. Now, let's welcome both contestants to the ring." Oron's voice thundered as he stepped onto the battle ring.There was thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.The long-awaited showdown was finally at hand. Today's outcome wasn't just about personal glory, but it would also decide the future of the martial world.If Glenn triumphed and claimed the crown, the Sword Union would rise as the undisputed guild. The Celestial Alliance and the Mystic Arts Order would have no choice but to bow to their supremacy.But if Dustin won, it would be even more sensational. A dark horse, without any guild affiliation, defeating the elite disciples of the major guild—such a story would send shockwaves through the martial world.Once that happened, every major guild would fight tooth and nail to claim him. It would spark a fierce battle for dominance."Dr. Rhys! Good luck!"
"H-Hold on! I-I surrender!" Abigail said urgently. With the sword inches away from her throat, she decisively raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.She didn't expect herself to win the match. Her goal was simply to take this opportunity to test Dustin's strength and also gauge her own progress. But now, it was clear that there was still a sizable gap between them."You've done well. In a few more years, I might not even be able to keep up with you." Dustin smiled and lowered his Celestial Blade. His words weren't flattery; he genuinely saw potential in Abigail.The dark Phoenix flames carried a corrosive power that even his mystical pure energy couldn't resist. In other words, Abigail's black flames were the bane of any martial artist.Her journey in the martial world was still short—barely two years. She hadn't unlocked the full potential of her Phoenix bloodline yet. But with more training and experience, the sky was the limit for her."Don't try to console me, Sir. I'm n
With a resounding bang, the golden light erupted with a burst of terrifying energy wave. In an instant, the earth trembled, and fierce winds whipped through the air.Dustin and his sword were sent flying several yards. After landing, he stumbled back several steps before finally steadying himself.He looked up and saw that Abigail's body was now covered in a layer of golden armor, though he couldn't tell when it had happened. The armor glowed brightly, and it made her look imposing and striking.It was clearly a divine artifact.The Mystic Arts Order had been around for centuries, with deep roots and countless treasures. As the Grand Sorceress, Abigail would obviously have several divine artifacts for protection.Dustin wasn't surprised, but the armor's counterforce caught him off guard. Not only did it protect her, but it also had offensive capabilities.When his sword struck the armor earlier, the blow didn't leave a scratch. Instead, the armor absorbed the hit and sent the for
Dustin raised his hand as the black feathers rained down on him. A white energy shield flared into existence to form a wall before him.The feathers slammed into the shield and sent ripples across its surface but failed to break through. However, the black flames on the feathers spread across the shield and burned through its energy at a visible pace. In the blink of an eye, the once impenetrable barrier cracked open and left a gaping hole.Dustin couldn't hide his surprise. His mystical pure energy was far stronger than the average grandmaster's internal energy in offense and defense. It was meant to be impenetrable. He hadn't anticipated it couldn't hold up against Abigail's phoenix flame.Seeing the raw strength of her bloodline, he knew he couldn't afford to take any chances. As the black flames spread, he swiftly waved his hand to summon a furious gust of wind that sent the feathers and flames flying."Glaring Wings!" Abigail wasn't done yet. She quickly formed hand seals and
Abigail moved with lightning speed, and her figure weaved in and out like a shadow. Her swift movements left a blur of afterimages that was hard for anyone watching to keep up.On the contrary, Dustin stood still without making any movement."Fallen Fist!"After closing in, she unleashed a flurry of strikes—dozens of black palm shadows slamming toward his body, and each one was like a bullet aimed at its target.Abigail practiced a unique martial art, and it was imbued with voodoo-like properties that could kill anyone who made contact with her. But Dustin's body was immune to all poisons, so it was a perfect counter to her deadly attack.As the shadow palms closed in, he remained unshaken and thrust his palm forward.A fierce gust of wind surged and ripped through the air with unrelenting force. It collided with the black palm shadows.Abigail's black palm shadows exploded on impact and disintegrated into thick clouds of dark mist that quickly spread. Within moments, the mist e
The whole arena suddenly fell dead silent. Everyone stared blankly, and not a soul dared to breathe. Alloy shot to his feet in the main spectator seats, and his face was tense with worry. Yet, he didn't dare make a sound. He feared it might startle Glenn into making a mistake that could cost Fenley's life.After all, Fenley represented the future of the Celestial Alliance. Alloy had invested all his effort into Fenley, and he provided him with endless resources. If Fenley were to die in the match, it would deal a devastating blow to the entire guild.While Alloy was gripped with worry, Cyrus and Penelope cheered silently. They secretly hoped Glenn's sword would strike Fenley. If that happened, the Celestial Alliance would take at least a decade to regain its former glory.Fenley's body stiffened as he stared at the Fang Master hovering inches from him. A shiver ran through his spine as goosebumps prickled his skin. Sweat trickled down his face, and each drop hit the ground with a
"Glenn had only seven swords in the past. I didn't expect that in just one year, two more divine swords would recognize him as their master. This punk is much better than I was back then," Cyrus remarked. He stroked his chin with a look of surprise and approval. He had always believed in Glenn's potential, but Glenn's performance had still exceeded his expectations.After all, the more swords Glenn wielded, the stronger he became. He had already topped the Legendary List with just seven swords. Now, with nine, his strength had grown even more overwhelming."He truly is the Chosen One." Even Kaden couldn't help but sigh.The nine divine swords recognized their master and responded with ease. Glenn's talent and cultivation were leagues ahead of his peers.Every generation brought forth new talent, and the old had no choice but to step aside for the new generation. Compared to their time, today's youth were on another level—monsters in their own right."Now, this is going to be int
Compared to the second green sword, Glenn's third sword was even more powerful. As it descended, accompanied by the fury of a fire dragon, it carried the destructive force of a world-shattering storm.Fenley, whose energy flow was disrupted earlier, watched the fiery red long sword streak toward like a falling meteor. His heart raced and was gripped by a sudden sense of impending doom.With a roar, he risked the backlash effect and unleashed a powerful surge of internal energy. The ethereal divine spirit behind him instantly transformed into a figure with three heads and six arms. This was the complete form of the Four Elements of God's Technique.At that instant, he threw everything he had into the fight. He controlled the spirit to slam its giant arms into the flaming sword. With a loud explosion, the sword tore through the spirit's palms and continued its unyielding path toward Fenley. But its speed had slowed slightly.Without hesitation, he controlled the spirit to strike ag