Chapter 260 - 258: Defeat

Chapter 260: Chapter 258: Defeat

On the dueling platform, Tara let out a low growl as she was enveloped in blood-red Fighting Qi.

The Fighting Qi made her muscles swell and her veins bulge. Her entire frame seemed to double in size, transforming her into a veritable blood-red war god.

It was difficult to imagine a woman possessing such a burly physique, one that even the average man lacked.

In comparison, Duane looked rather slight.

"Frenzied Battle Body!"

Tara roared, her eyes completely filling with crimson as the Fighting Qi condensed on her body, forming a layer of sinister, blood-colored Armor.

This was the Hassa Clan’s Bloodline Combat Technique, capable of instantly boosting one’s Strength and speed to the Peak of the Celestial Tier, even nearing the threshold of the Shooting Star Level!

This was one of the sources of Count Kudro’s immense arrogance.

As a Silver Moon Level Warrior, once he activated his Bloodline Power, his combat prowess would soar to its apex.

In the entire Pruck Kingdom, perhaps only Duke Kelvin was capable of suppressing him.

Unfortunately, Duke Kelvin was old, while the Count was in his prime.

"Duane!"

Tara’s voice was utterly cold, and it even carried a metallic echo.

"I will make you regret ever stepping onto this platform!"

A terrifying aura swept outwards, sending a chill through the hearts of the audience.

"Kurudo has a fine daughter!"

King Eric said with a laugh, "Once she becomes a Shooting Star Warrior, we’ll have another trump card on the battlefield."

A charge from a Shooting Star Warrior could shatter enemy formations. Coordinated with our army, they could easily secure victory in a small or medium-sized battle, provided the enemy had no counter.

Sigmund’s gaze, however, was fixed on Duane. He couldn’t detect the slightest hint of nervousness on the young man’s face.

WHOOSH!

Tara’s figure vanished, leaving only a blood-red afterimage in her place.

BOOM!

The sturdy platform where Duane had just been standing suddenly exploded, sending stone fragments flying everywhere.

Though the strike was incredibly fast and fierce, Duane still managed to sidestep out of the way at the last second.

The explosive shockwave sent Tara’s long hair whipping about, making her look like an enraged Demon Beast.

Her gaze locked onto Duane, and she unleashed a torrential assault.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Each of Tara’s blows carried enough force to shatter the platform, and some stray attacks posed a serious threat to the surrounding spectators.

The Knight in charge of security looked grim. If any spectators were accidentally injured, he would likely face a severe reprimand.

"Quick, get the spectators back!"

He hurriedly commanded his men, arranging phalanxes of Earth Tier and Human Tier Warriors in every direction to block the most dangerous shockwaves.

Duane didn’t meet Tara’s attacks head-on, instead using his Body Skill to swiftly evade.

He moved like a darting fish, weaving through her onslaught.

"Is dodging all you can do?!"

Tara gave a vicious sneer and suddenly changed her attack. Her right leg swept out like a battle-ax, the blood-red Fighting Qi on her limb condensing into a sharp, cutting edge.

If that kick connected, it could slice a suit of Fine Steel Armor in two at the waist!

The corner of Duane’s mouth curled up. ’Today, I’m going to shatter her confidence.’

Done retreating, he tensed the muscles in his left arm, infused his fist with Fighting Qi, and fearlessly met the blow!

BAM!

Fist and leg collided, erupting in a deafening crash. A shockwave swept out, and the platform floor cracked and splintered.

Duane’s fist went slightly numb, but Tara was sent staggering backward.

But she was already in a berserk state; the moment she regained her footing, she closed the distance again.

Duane used Swift Step, his body blurring into a series of afterimages. Tara couldn’t track him at all, and her every strike hit empty air.

King Eric’s eyes lit up. "I remember this being Knight Carter’s signature move, but Duane seems to have surpassed him!"

While he had been skeptical about the speed of Duane’s advancement, seeing such a masterful Step Skill made it more understandable.

Only someone with supreme talent could achieve such a level of mastery in their Combat Techniques.

"Watch out, I’m on the offensive now!"

As he parried her blows, Duane counterattacked with his sword at incredible speed.

His Perfection Level Swordsmanship, combined with his Perfection Level Step Skill and a surge of Strength, instantly overwhelmed the berserk Tara.

"Impossible!"

To her horror, Tara realized that he seemed to anticipate her every move, while she found it incredibly difficult to deal with his attacks.

In the blink of an eye, their roles reversed, and Duane launched his own furious assault.

The difference was stark: Duane remained unscathed, while more and more cuts appeared on Tara’s body.

"Impossible, this is impossible..."

Tara had spent years in bloody battle on the border. She looked down on many military officers, let alone people her own age.

But today, to her horror, she found that no matter what kind of attack she launched, the man before her could counter it with ease.

Under his relentless assault, her confidence began to crumble, and her stamina was being drained by the steady loss of blood.

If this continued, she would be defeated in a matter of moments.

"Blood Kill!"

Tara let out a furious roar, deciding to risk it all on one final move.

She gripped her sword hilt with both hands. The blood-red Fighting Qi enveloping her seemed to break free from some restraint, becoming utterly wild.

A giant, blood-red figure began to coalesce behind her. It had a humanoid shape, but the swirling, blood-red Fighting Qi made it look more like a Demon God.

Tara swung her sword, and the Demon God mimicked her movement.

A Blood-colored Longsword, more than ten meters long, slashed down toward Duane, its power so immense it distorted the very air!

The rubble recently blasted from the platform was all swept into the air. If not for the guards providing protection, many spectators would have been injured.

"Just die!" Tara roared.

Facing this strike, Duane’s playful expression vanished, replaced by one of intense focus.

’In terms of power alone, this move must be a Shooting Star Level Combat Technique.’

He focused his mind, gathered his energy, and with a single swing of his sword unleashed dozens of Sword Auras, each one crackling with lightning.

The Combat Technique Sword Rain Storm was already formidable, but now, boosted by his Thunderous Fighting Qi, its power was amplified even further!

In the stands, many people’s pupils contracted sharply at the sight.

They knew exactly what that raging lightning meant.

Shooting Star Level!

Duane was a Shooting Star Warrior!

While they were still reeling in shock, the Sword Auras shattered the Demon God’s Longsword, dissipated its phantom form, and after shredding Tara’s Fighting Qi Armor, rained down upon her!

A series of wet, tearing sounds rang out as the Sword Auras cut Tara to ribbons, turning her into a bloody figure.

Not only that, but some of the Sword Auras pierced her limbs. The Thunderous Power paralyzed her muscles and shattered her bones.

When the Sword Auras faded, Tara lay in a pool of blood, her condition unknown. The platform beneath her had been torn to shreds by the Combat Technique.

How terrifying!

The audience was utterly shocked, their hearts pounding in their chests.

In the nobility’s viewing area, the corners of Marquis Sean’s lips curled up, a look of satisfaction on his pale face.

’Very good,’ he thought. ’The Smith Clan’s spot is secured.’

Count Kais’s expression was more complex. There was a hint of schadenfreude toward the Hassa Clan, but also an indescribable feeling regarding Duane’s true strength.

’It’s like a child you thought you could toy with has suddenly grown into an adult.’

As for Count Kudro, seeing his daughter lying there, her life uncertain, his eyes turned bloodshot, and his aura grew violent.

"Duane, you’re courting death!"

He actually leaped down from the viewing platform, raising his fist to smash it down on Duane.

The sheer force of his presence was countless times greater than Tara’s.

Duane’s brow furrowed. ’I have to meet the attack of a Silver Moon Warrior with everything I have. I can’t hold back anymore.’

But just as he prepared to act, a figure appeared before him.

’So fast!’

Duane’s heart pounded in his chest. He recognized the man: it was Duke Kelvin Hughes.

"Kurudo, you have violated the rules!"

Duke Kelvin threw a punch, and their fists collided in midair.

RUMBLE...

Everyone felt as if thunder had exploded right beside their ears, their minds going completely blank.

The violent Fighting Qi kicked up an unprecedented shockwave. Even with the phalanxes of Warriors on defense, it was impossible to completely contain the blast.

In an instant, some unlucky spectators were knocked off their feet, and the crowd descended into chaos.

Fortunately, a huge barrier of light enveloped the platform at that moment, containing the rest of the shockwave and quelling the chaos.

Duane whipped his head toward the throne. The protective barrier had been cast by the Mage who had remained standing after casting the Great Blessing Technique.

’Such a massive protective barrier... this Mage is incredibly powerful!’

’A Level 7 Mage, at least!’

’Today has truly been an eye-opening experience.’