It wasn't just the spectators that were stunned. Even Fenley, standing in the battle ring, was equally caught off guard by Dalen's sudden use of the Spectral Clone Technique.Since when did the Shadow Citadel have such an advanced technique? Even more surprising was Dalen’s skill mastery, which rivaled Jude's. Fenley's sharp eyes struggled to distinguish the real Dalen from the clones. It was clear that Dalen's proficiency in the Spectral Clone Technique had reached a near-perfection level, which couldn't be achieved overnight.No wonder Dalen had managed to defeat Jude. It turned out he was equally proficient in the same technique. As they said, "Understanding your opponent is key to victory." He leveraged his understanding of the technique to identify and exploit the weaknesses.Fenley had to acknowledge that Dalen was adept at masking his true talents. Yet, even with the surprise, he wasn't intimidated. The Spectral Clone Technique might be tricky, but it was nothing he could
Under the crushing force of the three-headed, six-armed ethereal divine spirit, the last of Dalen's clone immediately shattered into fragments.The crowd erupted in chaos, especially those women who had supported him. They screamed in anguish, and some even fainted. Watching such a handsome man reduced to dust felt like a tragic waste.Amid the stand uproar, Fenley remained unfazed in the battle ring. When the ethereal divine spirit struck Dalen, what had exploded wasn't a body but a ball of air.In other words, the figure who had just shattered was merely a clone. Where was the real Dalen hiding if those nine figures were all clones?Just as Fenley frowned in confusion, a sudden sense of danger prickled at his scalp. He instinctively looked up and saw Dalen diving toward him headfirst with a folding fan in hand.Dalen descended silently, like a meteor hurtling toward the ground. The tip of the fan was a half-sheathed sword, and its edge glinted menacingly."You're courting death
With his mind made up, Fenley no longer hesitated and began to build up his momentum. Soon, powerful internal energy surged from various vital points in his body.In an instant, his hair stood on end, his robe billowed, and a brilliant light emanated from him. Behind him, the ethereal divine spirit sharpened into a more defined figure, and its features were striking and imposing.Dalen's expression turned serious upon seeing that. He knew Fenley was preparing to execute his killer move."Split!" Without hesitation, he formed a series of hand seals with both hands. His body trembled and split into three identical figures. The process repeated as it multiplied into 27 clones in the blink of an eye.But creating those clones came at a cost. Dalen's breath grew noticeably heavier; he was at his limit. He would push his body beyond its breaking point if he continued to multiply."Just a flashy move." Fenley scoffed at the clones surrounding him. "Let me show you what real divine powe
A burst of blue light exploded, creating a dome of lightning that enveloped the battle ring. Waves of explosive energy hammered against the barrier like relentless tides. The shield trembled violently for several breaths before finally stabilizing.The spectators below exhaled in relief, but their hearts were still racing. If it weren't for Oron's quick reaction, the leaked energy from that explosion could have put them all at risk. After all, Fenley was an ultimate grandmaster. Even a casual strike from him could be lethal.On the battle ring, everything changed after the dust settled.Fenley stood tall and looked imposing. His robes billowed like the wings of an angel. The ethereal divine spirit behind him flickered to life, and its sharp gaze added an intimidating edge to his formidable stance.In contrast, Dalen was thrown back ten yards after the collision. His handsome face turned pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his arms trembled uncontrollably."Th
Though Dalen had been defeated, his fanbase didn't seem to care. His female supporters were still going wild, chanting his name. It was a scene unlike anything the other contestants had experienced. Being good-looking definitely had its perks."Mr. Shade, are you alright?" Ruby asked with genuine concern as Dalen returned to his seat."It's just a minor injury. Nothing serious." He shook his head with a smile, though a hint of melancholy and regret lingered in his eyes.Dalen had entered the tournament to make a name for himself and prove he was as good as anyone. Finishing in the top eight was respectable, but he had aimed for more.Unfortunately, his strength had fallen short, and he stumbled at the threshold of the final four. Still, losing to Fenley was something he accepted wholeheartedly."You've done well, Mr. Shade. Many disciples from the major guilds are nowhere near your level. Don't be too hard on yourself," Crystal comforted him."Yeah. You're way better than me. I
Emeret stood in the battle ring with a sword in his hand. A faint smile crossed his face as he looked at Glenn. "I didn't expect us to face each other so soon. It seems we can't avoid this match."Glenn might have been the genius everyone raved about, but Emeret wasn't one to be underestimated. He had always kept a low profile, avoiding the spotlight and focusing on his training in silence.Emeret didn't enter the Combat Tournament for recognition. Instead, he wanted to test his strength. He knew training in isolation wouldn't help him improve, so he needed to challenge the best to test his abilities."You can't defeat me. Just surrender," Glenn said coldly. He didn't want to go all out against someone from the same guild."How can you tell who's better without a fight?" Emeret continued to smile. "Glenn, I joined the Sword Union a few years before you. You might be the Chosen One, but don't underestimate me. Defeating me won't be as easy as you think.""You're not on my level. Sa
The phoenix phantom blazed in brilliant red, which radiated like the sun. Its wings appeared almost lifelike and glowed with an otherworldly light.Then, it emitted a piercing cry as it confronted the descending golden giant sword. With a fierce flap of its wings, it shot upward and collided head-on with the sword.Under the watchful eyes of the spectators, the red light met the golden light in a spectacular clash.With a loud boom, the ground trembled, and the battle ring quaked beneath them. When the lights collided, an explosive wave of energy surged outward like a tidal wave and crashed against the protective barrier encircling the ring.The barrier's blue light flared as it trembled violently and sent out ripples in every direction. It looked like it might shatter at any moment.Upon seeing that, Oron quickly rushed toward the formation's core. He immediately channeled his energy to stabilize the protective barrier. He knew it wouldn't last long if Glenn and Emeret continued
"Phoenix Soaring!"Under immense pressure, Emeret used every ounce of his strength. His internal energy surged like a tidal wave, and he channeled it into his silver sword. It flared with a sharp glow that was nearly blinding.Then, he leaped into the air. He merged with his sword and transformed into a massive Sacred Phoenix. With a mighty cry, the phoenix flew toward the golden sword descending from above.The silver phoenix, gleaming from head to tail, flapped its wings and unleashed a wind storm. Its power was overwhelming, and it seemed like it could break through the clouds and soar into the sky. After a brief pause in midair, it turned toward the golden sword.Another loud boom resounded as the earth trembled and energy surged in every direction. The entire battle ring rumbled while the protective barrier rippled like waves. It shook violently as if it were on the verge of collapse.At the center of the explosion, the golden sword collided with the Phoenix's beak. The sword