As Jeremiah dove downward, Dustin smoothly assumed a sword-holding stance. Instantly, he swung the weapon with blinding speed.
A black sword aura shot forth as it sliced through the air with the power to tear the very sky apart. It carried an overwhelming momentum that crashed toward Jeremiah.
“What?” Jeremiah’s expression changed as an instinctual sense of danger sent shivers down his spine.
The sword appeared ordinary, but with his heightened perception, he sensed the destructive energy contained within. He understood that if this attack struck his vital point, it would likely be fatal.
Jeremiah quickly abandoned his offense and flapped his wings to dodge in midair. His reflexes were quick, but the black sword aura was even faster.
Just as he sidestepped, the sword aura passed through him. Blood sprayed out and painted half the sky crimson.
“Ah!” Jeremiah let out a horrified scream.
The sword aura had torn half of his shoulder, along with his arm and wing, and blood poured down like rain. He stumbled and spun helplessly several times before crashing onto the battle ring. In one devastating strike, he had lost half his body.
“How… How can you be this strong?” Jeremiah quickly scrambled to his feet. His face was a mask of terror, and he completely ignored his wounds.
He realized that Dustin, now wielding a sword, was an entirely different opponent. Dustin’s kicks and punches had been impressive without the weapon, yet he could only chip away his scales.
But now, with the sword in hand, Dustin had transformed into a grim reaper. He could take half his life with a mere flick of his wrist.
What terrified Jeremiah most was how the sword aura suppressed his healing abilities. His wounds couldn’t heal as quickly as they once had.
“You’ve forced me to draw my sword. I’ll admit, you’re impressive, but this is where it ends.” Dustin raised his Celestial Blade again.
“Wait! I surrender…”
Jeremiah’s panic surged as he prepared to surrender, but the second black sword aura was already whistling toward him. As it approached, silence fell with the weight of impending destruction.
“Ah!” Jeremiah screamed in despair.
The black sword aura pierced through him in the blink of an eye. His body stiffened for a moment before exploding into a shower of blood and flesh that filled the entire battle ring.
For a moment, the venue fell silent.
The spectators stared in disbelief, and their expressions frozen in shock. No one had expected Dustin to be able to unleash such ferocity after drawing the sword. He shattered their wildest expectations.
Once Jeremiah grew a pair of wings, he gained a significant boost in strength and the ability to fly. His agility and offensive capabilities had multiplied, which made him a formidable opponent. They assumed Dustin wouldn’t stand a chance.
Unexpectedly, Dustin survived, and he effortlessly defeated Jeremiah. With just two swift strikes, he turned the so- called “Demon Master” into a cloud of flesh and blood. The power he displayed was nothing short of astonishing.
“Oh my God! Did my eyes deceive me? That beast was taken down just like that?”
“Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying! I’ve never seen such a domineering sword.”
“Two strikes to slay a demon? It’s truly horrifying!”
“I didn’t notice it before, but I had no idea he was this powerful. From what I can tell, he’s the biggest dark horse in this tournament.”
“Who… Who is he? Why have I never seen him before?”
“If he doesn’t have a spot on the Legendary List, I’ll be the first to protest.”
After a brief silence, the spectators erupted into a frenzy. They looked at Dustin with excitement, astonishment, confusion, and admiration. Above all, everyone was proud of his victory for their nation.
Regardless of his background, he was a Dragonmarsh citizen. He had boldly defeated a foreign challenger in the battle ring and brought honor to all Dragonmarsh martial artists.
“I declare, contestant number eight, Dustin Rhys, the winner!” Oron’s voice boomed across the venue.
Despite his usual composure, he was shocked by what he had just witnessed. He realized that neither Jeremiah nor he could have endured those two strikes.
At such a young age, Dustin had displayed remarkable strength. It appeared that Dragonmarsh had produced yet another genius.
“Great! Dr. Rhys has won!” Alicia and Aurora cheered with enthusiasm.
Grace, sitting nearby, let out a sigh of relief. After seeing Jeremiah transformed into a demon, her heart raced with anxiety. Fortunately, it ended well, and Dustin won the match.
“Could it be… him?” Fenley’s gaze was locked on Dustin in the battle ring. He frowned in uncertainty.
The earlier two strikes had awakened a sense of familiarity and reminded Fenley of someone he had encountered a year ago in Oakvale. It was Logan Rhys, the top master on the Legendary List.
