Driving away one challenger would only invite others to take their place. Hence, this would only create an unending cycle.
Dustin disliked pointless duels and chose to yield rather than be pulled into endless fights. He was willing to forgo the glory of defeating Marco if it meant avoiding continuous conflict.
Aldric’s demeanor soured. “Do you take me for a beggar?”
His tone chilled. “For me to win, it must be an honest victory, with you admitting defeat unequivocally. There can be no room for uncertainty!”
His pursuit of fame spurred him on and fueled his determination to achieve victory solely through merit. As a swordsman, he took great pride in this endeavor.
“What if I decline the duel?” Dustin asked.
Aldric’s face contorted into a menacing expression. “If you don’t make a move, then I’ll kill everyone around you. Let’s test your resolve then!”
Dustin furrowed his brow at the threat. He thought, “This man knows no bounds. Seems there’s no escaping this confrontation today.”
“Alright, since you’re so eager, I’ll play with you,” he said with a grin, accepting the umbrella Laurel offered and stepping into the rain. 1
The steady downpour drummed against the umbrella, creating a soothing sound.
“Where’s your weapon?” Aldric asked.
“I don’t need one to deal with you,” Dustin replied calmly.
“Such arrogance!” Aldric exclaimed. He unsheathed his blade and swiftly lunged at Dustin. But then, a thunderous roar filled the air. A massive blade aura emerged, stretching over 30 feet, its destructive power aimed squarely at Dustin.
The rain seemed to shy away from its path, scattering in fear, while the ground quivered beneath its force.
“Wow! Is he using the Bloodfiery Rampage technique? That’s the signature move of the Bloodfiery Legion!” Dalen exclaimed, astonished by the display.
Crystal frowned upon hearing that. ” The Bloodfiery Legion?”
She possessed some knowledge of the Bloodfiery Legion, a secretive sect renowned for its elite members. Despite their small numbers, each disciple was formidable.
What set them apart was their fierce combat skills. They thrived on challenges, often taking on elites from different sects.
Their technique, the Bloodfiery Rampage, fueled their strength through continuous battle. They earned the moniker “Bloodfiery madmen” due to their fearless approach to combat, showing little concern for their own well-being.
One standout figure among them was Kendricks, ranked eighth on the Legendary List.
“Interesting,” Dustin said calmly as he observed the imposing blade aura closing in on him. With a slight grin, he lifted his hand and swiftly countered with a palm strike.
A burst of shadow erupted as it collided forcefully with the blade aura.
An explosion echoed through the air as the shadow palm dissipated, shattering the blade aura into fragments and scattering energy waves that sent water splashing in all directions.
“Check out my blade!” Aldric exclaimed as he lunged forward with the speed of a cheetah.
His sword struck the ground, leaving sparks in its wake as he approached his target. He swung his blade diagonally, unleashing a fierce attack.
The air trembled with echoes that filled the moment with intensity. 1
The blade’s aura wrapped around the weapon, bearing down on Dustin as if it weighed a thousand pounds.
Dustin reacted quickly, smoothly sidestepping the incoming strike as he moved back a few paces. As he retreated, a water droplet fell from the edge of his umbrella.
With a flick of his fingers, the droplet transformed into a sword. It zipped forward with remarkable speed, piercing Aldric’s shoulder and spraying blood.
Aldric grunted as his arm trembled in pain. His attack stopped abruptly, replaced by a look of shock and horror that swept across his face.
