“Isn’t Dalen being overly confident by not using the Evasio Incantation to face an ascetic priest head-on?” Aurora frowned. She had been rooting for him, but this unexpected decision caught her off guard.
“I don’t think he’s being reckless. If he agrees to this, he must have a solid plan,” Alicia said thoughtfully.
While she didn’t fully grasp Dalen’s strategy, she could sense his strength. Nevertheless, his overconfidence was a cause for concern.
“Okay, kid. Let’s see how capable you are.” On the battle ring, Thaddeus twirled his long blade. His true energy surged and filled the space with his imposing presence.
The Voidcleaver in his hand emitted a blue glow and a low, ominous hum, with arcs of energy flickering around the blade. It was a daunting sight.
Facing Thaddeus’ charged attack, Dalen stood with one hand behind his back and the other lightly holding a folding fan.
His expression remained serene. He seemed unaffected even under the weight bearing down on him.
“Stormstir Thunderstrike!” Thaddeus shouted. He slashed Dalen with his fully charged Voidcleaver.
As the blade descended, a sudden thunderclap erupted and shook everyone. The spectators were startled, and they immediately covered their ears.
At that moment, a massive blade aura crackling with lightning sliced through the air toward Dalen. The strike was earth-shattering.
Accompanied by a thunderous roar, the blade’s aura carried a bone-chilling gust of wind even before reaching Dalen. His hair stood on end, robes fluttering, and he involuntarily narrowed his eyes.
“Impressive swordsmanship!” Dalen smirked and stood his ground without flinching. With a simple wrist turn, he used his folding fan as a sword to meet the incoming blade aura.
His strike seemed ordinary, lacking terrifying power, icy chill, or lethal intent. It was a straightforward stab and appeared insignificant compared to Thaddeus’s mighty strike.
“Kid! Let’s see how you’re going to survive that!”
“If this pretty boy doesn’t use his defensive skills, Father Savier will take him down in one move.”
“Hmph! He’s like a moth flying into a flame. He’s asking for trouble.”
Many male spectators sneered as they watched Dalen’s feeble-looking counterattack. They were anticipating his defeat.
Thaddeus’s strike was more powerful than before. Without using the Evasio Incantation, Dalen’s petite frame stood no chance against it.
With all eyes on them, their attacks finally collided.
There was a loud explosion, followed by a blinding burst of light. In an instant, fierce winds howled, and thunder roared.
When Dalen’s folding fan met the blade aura, it inexplicably split. The large blade aura shattered like glass. It rained down as countless shards, which resembled a mesmerizing blue storm.
“What?” Thaddeus was stunned by the sight before him.
His Stormstir Thunderstrike was even more powerful and intimidating than the previous Frostfire Strike.
The Frostfire Strike combined ice and fire. On the contrary, the Stormstir Thunderstrike was pure lightning. It had a paralyzing effect that even a grandmaster martial artist would struggle to counter.
Thaddeus couldn’t believe his eyes when Dalen effortlessly shattered the Stormstir Thunderstrike with a flick of his fan. What unnerved him even more was Dalen’s calm demeanor.
Dalen hadn’t exerted noticeable energy or force, as his attack seemed like an ordinary move. Thaddeus’s unease deepened when he realized Dalen hadn’t used his full strength.
Thaddeus wondered if this handsome, almost otherworldly figure was a grandmaster martial artist in disguise.
Before he had time to dwell on this revelation, Dalen launched another attack. After shattering the blade aura, Dalen pressed on without pause. He wielded his folding fan like a sword and thrust at Thaddeus.
The movement seemed simple and harmless, yet Thaddeus’ eyes twitched, and fear gripped his heart.
“I don’t believe you’re that powerful.” Thaddeus gritted his teeth. He suppressed his racing heart and struck again.
“Mountain Defenco!” he roared. His muscles bulged, and veins popped on his skin. His true energy surged like a tidal wave, and he channeled it into his Voidcleaver.
The blade trembled violently and emitted a thunderous hum. The intense blue light that had burst forth now condensed into a brilliant glow just an inch from the blade’s edge.
Thaddeus’ blade energy formed into a blade aura-a technique of the grandmasters.
“Go to hell!” He gripped the hilt with both hands and swung at Dalen’s head with all his might. He put everything into that strike, even staking his life on it. It was do or die-no other choice.
