Chapter 262 - 260: Champion

Chapter 262: Chapter 260: Champion

Duane was startled by the sudden burst of speed from Orisien’s six doubles.

But with his Celestial Python’s Eye stacked with his Starlight Eye, he was perfectly able to react.

When the six figures attacked at once, Duane planted one foot on the ground and spun violently, unleashing a massive amount of Fighting Qi to form a powerful whirlwind.

It was Vortex Slash.

Lightning flashed within the whirlwind, which also possessed a powerful gravitational pull that drew in surrounding objects, further accelerating Orisien’s attacks.

However, as the swords made contact with the whirlwind, they were knocked aside one by one by Duane’s Longsword within the vortex.

Amidst a series of metallic clashes, the six figures were forced back. Duane then pulled himself free from the whirlwind, leaping out of the encirclement.

"Quick reflexes!"

Orisien and his doubles charged toward Duane one after another. Each of them began to act independently, as if they were six living, breathing people.

Duane’s brow furrowed slightly.

’This Combat Technique... something’s not right about it.’

’If they were truly just doubles, that last strike should have drained a significant amount of their energy.’

’But from the looks of it, the Fighting Qi in their forms hasn’t diminished at all, as if someone is replenishing it for them.’

He looked at the original body and noticed that, by contrast, its Fighting Qi had dropped significantly.

’They must be replenishing the doubles’ Fighting Qi through some unknown channel.’

It was truly a peculiar Combat Technique. The special methods of the Holy Radiance Court had once again broadened Duane’s horizons.

The six figures attacked from different directions. Their speed was incredible, their Swordsmanship was high-level, and their coordination was seamless.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG...

As their longswords clashed in a dense flurry, Duane felt pressure in close-quarters combat for the first time.

At that moment, it was as if he were fighting six opponents of the same tier.

"Orisien’s Radiant Mirror Image excels in its overall coordination. An ordinary Shooting Star Warrior would be completely unable to handle it."

In the stands, Sigmund explained to Eric, marveling at the same time, "For Duane to last this long is truly beyond my expectations. Father, how could such a ridiculously talented genius appear in our Kingdom without you telling me?"

Eric’s feelings were currently very complicated.

He had sent Duane off to Black Forest Island precisely because he saw no value in him, yet he never expected the man to transform into such a monster.

’A Shooting Star Level... no, not just an ordinary Shooting Star Warrior.’

This was a good thing for the Pruck Kingdom.

’Fortunately, Orlando was the one behind this affair; I was merely guilty of poor coordination. Besides, Duane is a rather simple person and has never held any hostility or ill will toward me.’

Eric mused, ’As long as I maintain our current relationship, he can even help me counterbalance those two troublesome figures from Lapland Province.’

While Eric’s feelings were complex, Earl Orlando’s were even worse.

If he had known it would come to this, he would have finished Duane off with a potent poison while he was weak and unconscious and sent him straight to hell.

This was a disaster.

He exchanged a look with Viscount Ugo. They had been wondering why Blood Anchor’s operation had failed.

Faced with such a powerful Shooting Star Warrior, a single Celestial Tier Warrior didn’t amount to a damn thing.

Not to mention the intelligence had been wrong. Blood Anchor probably didn’t even have time to react before Duane killed him.

But there were also people who were overjoyed.

Among them, Sharp, a partner in the Time Closet, was the most ecstatic.

Viscount Raul was also delighted.

Seeing how powerful Duane was, he knew how wise a move it had been to proactively send his daughter to Black Forest Island and secure a position as a Knight for Simone.

As long as Simone followed Duane faithfully, his daughter Constance’s suffering would finally be over.

Now, even if his retainers in his Territory found out that he had secretly let Constance go, they wouldn’t have much to say about it.

While the crowd was absorbed in their various emotions, Duane had already clashed with the six figures hundreds of times.

At first, he had been hard-pressed, even getting a shallow gash on his arm.

But after adapting, he was able to barely hold his own.

"You’re burning through your Fighting Qi quickly!"

Duane taunted, "Maintaining them must consume a lot of Fighting Qi, right?"

In the middle of his counterattack, he slashed his Sword at Orisien’s true body. The man didn’t dodge or evade, simply raising his own sword to block.

With a single slash, the immense impact forced Orisien to grit his teeth and endure.

Just as he was about to have his five doubles swarm forward, Duane unexpectedly unleashed another swift chop.

Orisien sensed danger. With a loud shout, he recalled the Fighting Qi from two of his doubles.

With a POP, POP sound, the two attacking doubles instantly dissipated.

Duane’s second strike descended like a mountain crashing down.

Immense Strength, mixed with surging Fighting Qi, poured down all at once.

Multiple layers of the Light Barrier lit up around Orisien, forming what looked like a solid Shield.

BOOM!

The Fighting Qi slammed into the barrier, causing it to ripple violently before suddenly shattering.

Their longswords collided again, and this time, the tremendous force drove Orisien’s feet directly into the tournament stage.

Terrifying cracks split the stone beneath his feet, spreading all the way across the entire stage.

At that moment, the three remaining doubles all thrust their swords at Duane.

Duane didn’t dodge, evade, or even defend himself. Instead, translucent scales materialized on his body.

With a loud, metallic RING, the three swords struck as if they had hit solid metal, only managing to scrape white marks without piercing his skin.

"You... What is this?"

Orisien’s pupils contracted violently. The sudden transformation of the man before him made him feel a chilling cold—and even fear—for the first time.

’Impossible, am I actually afraid?’

Duane grinned. "Third strike. Thunderous Triple Slash!"

This was a Skill he had obtained upon reaching Perfection in his Basic Blade Skill, and it could also be used with a Longsword.

Without a staff or a Long Spear, Thunderous Triple Slash was Duane’s strongest attack.

Each of the three strikes was fiercer and more powerful than the last.

As the third strike fell, it triggered a deafening clap of thunder, and blue-white arcs of electricity flickered all around.

"Not good!"

Orisien’s expression changed drastically; the power of this attack far exceeded his imagination.

Left with no choice, he immediately dispelled his last three doubles.

"Holy Blazing Sun!"

Orisien roared, and the Light Attribute Fighting Qi he released formed a miniature sun.

Duane’s vision was impaired, but Thunderous Triple Slash still came down.

BOOM!

The moment was just like the clash of fists between Duke Kelvin and Count Kudro earlier. The ground trembled, everyone’s eardrums rang, and a massive shockwave swept out in all directions.

"Quick, defenses!"

Duke Kelvin was the first to act, with Mage Mitchell following close behind.

After the Warriors blocked the initial impact, a huge curtain of light once again enveloped the stage, sealing in the force of the shockwave.

The completely contained shockwave had nowhere to go, so it continued to tear apart the stage and the ground. In the blink of an eye, not an inch of land remained intact.

Within the dust cloud, the stage had vanished, as had the figures of Duane and Orisien.

"How terrifying!"

Cries of alarm rose from the audience.

A full-power attack from a Shooting Star Warrior could actually achieve such a level of destruction.

"Where’s Duane? Is Duane okay?"

Everyone stared anxiously at the center of the battlefield.

Natalia clasped her hands to her chest, praying for Duane’s safety.

The dust settled, revealing two figures within.

Duane stood in the center of the area, his Longsword broken, with only the hilt remaining in his hand. He casually tossed it to the ground.

On the other side, Orisien was crouched on the ground. His left arm hung limply, while his right hand pressed against his left shoulder, Holy Light surging from his palm.

His face was deathly pale and his expression twisted, all his previous elegance completely gone.

He had been taught a harsh lesson after his earlier boasts.

As the Holy Son of the Holy Radiance Court, he had never tasted such a defeat.

"Duane!"

He muttered the name, his tone filled with unwillingness and resentment.

If he hadn’t used the light of his Holy Blazing Sun to interfere with his opponent’s vision just now, slightly altering the position of the sword’s edge, his arm would have been sliced off.

"Do you want to continue fighting?" Duane asked.

To be honest, he was a little disappointed by his opponent’s attitude in the face of defeat.

He had originally thought Orisien was a cheerful and refined person.

Orisien took a deep breath. Although he was unwilling to accept it, there was no point in continuing the fight.

"This battle... you’ve won!"

He regulated his breathing and forced a strained smile.

"Congratulations, champion!"