Amid the crowd's intense anticipation, Thaddeus' Palm of Justice finally crashed upon Dalen's head with immense force.A loud roar echoed through the arena as a tidal wave of terrifying energy erupted outward. The spectacle was awe-inspiring, and the pressure was unfathomable.A sudden gust of wind hit the spectators. It caused their hair to stand on end and forced them to squint against the unexpected rush of air.As the tension settled and silence descended, all eyes turned to the battle ring, where a startling scene unfolded.They thought Thaddeus's strike had sealed Dalen's fate unless he dodged it. To their surprise, Dalen emerged from the attack unscathed, not a hair out of place nor a mark on his pristine clothes.The sight stunned everyone as they struggled to comprehend what had transpired in that crucial moment. Why was Dalen unharmed? Could Thaddeus have held back? Such thoughts raced through their minds, even as the lingering shockwave from their clash reverberated t
Thaddeus' blade moved with blinding speed. It was so fast that it was almost a blur of blue light. Unlike the previous techniques, the Zenith Skill and the Palm of Justice, this was pure physical power—extreme speed and explosive force. The blade sliced through the air and tore it apart without making a sound."What an incredible speed," Crystal said, her eyes widening in shock. The saying "experts recognize expertise" couldn't have been more apt. Though Thaddeus' strike seemed simple, it showcased terrifying speed and power.At that moment, she truly understood the formidable nature of the ascetic priest. Thaddeus' cultivation was profound. But even his physical body was honed to perfection. He was a rare martial artist who excelled both internally and externally. Such a person could easily challenge a grandmaster martial artist.Before anyone could react, Thaddeus' blade was already inches away from Dalen. However, just as Voidcleaver was about to land, a white light flash
"Oh? Dr. Rhys, are you that confident? Does Dalen have some secret moves?" Alicia raised an eyebrow. Her curiosity was piqued."Shadow Citadel's skills aren't limited to just the Evasio Incantation. If Dalen is brave enough to enter the tournament, he must have some tricks up his sleeve. I believe that with his strength, he won't stop here," Dustin said calmly. He could tell Dalen had yet to show his full potential. Despite his carefree demeanor, Dalen was hiding his true abilities. Therefore, advancing to Group A would be effortless for him."Since you think so highly of him, let's wait and see what surprises Dalen has in store." Alicia smiled faintly and didn't press further. She didn't doubt Dustin's assessment but wondered what made him think so highly of Dalen.Meanwhile, Thaddeus continued his relentless assault in the battle ring. He swung the Voidcleaver in a frenzy. Each swing left behind a mesmerizing trail of deadly blue arcs."Kid, surrender now! Your Evasio Incantati
Under the intense gaze of the spectators, Thaddeus' Voidcleaver clashed with Dalen's folding fan. To be precise, Dalen's fan struck Thaddeus' blade.A thunderous bang echoed as their weapons collided. It unleashed a powerful energy wave that radiated from the point of impact. The shockwave swept through the surroundings, sending dust and debris flying. Spectators near the battle ring had to shield their eyes from the whirlwind of grit.The two men were locked in a standoff on the battle ring. Dalen's folding fan, like a sword, tapped against Thaddeus's blade. One was striking downward, the other thrusting upward, creating a deadlock in midair.The spectators were stunned."Whoa! He actually blocked it? What’s going on?""Father Savier's attack had the power of a grandmaster. It was a devastating strike, yet that pretty boy managed to counter it with finesse. Impressive!""Damn! How is the boy toy still alive?"The spectators buzzed with mixed reactions. Some were shocked, some
"Father Savier, you truly live up to your reputation as an ascetic priest. I'm impressed with your physical strength," Dalen remarked as he stared at the white mark on Thaddeus' chest.If a typical martial artist were struck in the chest by his folding fan, they would likely be seriously injured or dead. However, Thaddeus merely retreated several steps from the impact without a scratch.There was no denying that the ascetic priest's physical resilience far exceeded that of martial artists at his level."Kid, are you mocking me?" Thaddeus' expression darkened. The praise felt offensive to him.He had always seen Dalen as prey. Now, Dalen had unexpectedly taken control of the situation. Thaddeus felt uneasy and furious."You have misunderstood. I truly admire your skill. If you break through to grandmaster level, you'll soar to new heights," Dalen said sincerely.Thaddeus surpassed other martial artists of his level due to his dual cultivation of both internal and external techniqu
"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
Dalen had provoked Thaddeus. When Thaddeus unleashed a powerful strike at the cost of his own lifespan, he pushed his cultivation to its limits. At that moment, he finally broke through and became a grandmaster martial artist.With the prowess of a grandmaster, he executed his strongest technique—Mountain Defenco. Hence, this strike was the deadliest move he had ever delivered.Thaddeus was confident that even if Dalen were a grandmaster martial artist, he wouldn't be able to withstand the attack unscathed.A powerful blue blade aura, accompanied by wind and thunder, surged toward Dalen with overwhelming force. Wherever it passed, skies darkened, thunder roared, and it seemed capable of cataclysmic destruction. However, Dalen remained unfazed. He calmly opened his folding fan and gently waved it at the incoming blue blade aura.Suddenly, a gentle breeze lifted into the air. It met the blue blade aura head-on, like a mouse trying to stop an elephant.Thaddeus's blade aura was imm
Thaddeus was defeated. After risking his life and mustering his final strength for one decisive blow, Dalen effortlessly overwhelmed him.Thaddeus had lost his will to fight. His body could endure no more, and he feared Dalen's unpredictable prowess.Despite Dalen's youth, his cultivation was ten times stronger than Thaddeus'. Even when Thaddeus gave everything he had, he couldn't penetrate Dalen's defenses.It was an overwhelming sense of despair. Even in his prime, Thaddeus wouldn't have had the confidence to continue the match.Thaddeus' words prompted the referee to declare the final result, "Contestant Number 5 concedes. Contestant Number 19 is the winner!"The arena echoed with cries of despair, curses, and insults."Dammit! What a useless ascetic priest. He couldn't even handle a pretty boy. Such a disgrace.""Father Savier? He should call himself a jester! All talk and no skill. What a waste!""Screw you! You made me lose everything. Why don't you just die already!"So