The fierce battle raged on, yet Daron and his other Orc generals frowned deeply. It was clear they hadn't anticipated that Youyue and Xingye, fighting in tandem, would prove so formidable, even managing to put Dawang in grave danger at one point.
"Interesting. I underestimated you both," Daron stated in a low voice. "Daga, you join the fray as well."
It was obvious even to him that Dawang was struggling to handle the combined assault of Youyue and Xingye alone.
The Ursine warrior standing nearby understood immediately and stepped forward!
This fellow's physique was astonishingly massive, rivaling even the Demon Dragon Brutes in stature.
His weapon was a wolf-tooth warhammer of extraordinary size! This immediately signaled that he was undoubtedly a warrior who relied on sheer strength!
To be a commander among the Orc clan, his cultivation must certainly not be weak. Indeed, from the very beginning, I had been exceedingly cautious of the generals surrounding Daron.
Whether it was Tuman, whom I had assassinated earlier, or Dawang, who was locked in an even match with the assassins and Youyue/Xingye, or this Ursine warrior Daga standing before me now—each one was a top-tier powerhouse.
What worried me even more, however, was the elder Ape-man who watched on coolly. From start to finish, he remained utterly still, only his pair of somber eyes coldly scrutinizing everyone present.
I couldn't fathom the depth of this old fellow's power; I even had an intuition that he would be far harder to deal with than Daron.
This realization compelled me to maintain an even stricter vigilance against him.
Perhaps invigorated by the intensity of the combat, the Ursine Daga appeared extraordinarily excited, bordering on savage!
He had been impatient to receive the order to engage, and now, letting out a furious roar!
"Dawang boy, Old Bear is here to help you!" The sound was like a giant, sky-shattering thunderclap, making everyone’s eardrums ache and their heads swim! Almost simultaneously with the roar, the Ursine Daga charged forward like a tank.
Dawang, deep in his grueling fight, was overjoyed and immediately prepared to retreat to join forces with Daga!
Join forces? Not a chance!
A thought flashed like lightning! A golden dragon phantom shot out like an electric bolt! It aimed directly for Daga’s vital spot on his chest!
"Roar!" What a fearsome bear-man! His reaction was swift. Facing the fierce onslaught of the dragon phantom, he did not retreat or yield; instead, he swung the hammer in his hand and smashed down with full force!
"Boom..." A deafening crash followed. The golden dragon phantom was actually struck by the massive hammer and sent flying far away!
However, my killing moves were never as simple as just one dragon phantom. Almost the instant the golden phantom was batted away, the other white, black, and red dragon phantoms followed closely behind, shooting out in succession.
The speed of the dragon phantoms was astonishing. Even with the Ursine’s speed, it was impossible for him to block them all.
But just as the phantoms were about to strike the Ursine Daga, Daron’s robust figure seemed to teleport, appearing out of thin air in front of Daga.
Immediately, his great battle-axe swept out like lightning.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The three dragon phantoms were struck and hurled away almost simultaneously!
"Boy, I will be your opponent now," Daron sneered sinisterly.
"I couldn't ask for more." Since the fellow couldn't hold back any longer, why would I be polite! My battle energy surged, and my killing intent exploded!
However, at this moment, neither of us dared to make the first reckless move. We were merely using our spiritual senses to gauge each other’s movements and weaknesses!
But this meant I could no longer spare any effort to intercept the Ursine Daga!
Protected by Daron, the Ursine Daga successfully rejoined Dawang!
"Hahahaha, excellent timing. /////" Dawang's spirit soared. "Now, let's see what you can do."
"Old rules: I attack, you defend," Daga roared like thunder, and the massive wolf-tooth hammer instantly whipped up swirling veils of battle energy, smashing out like muffled thunder!
Ah! What astonishing battle energy! Even from a distance, I could feel the terrifying power contained within Daga's single hammer strike!
"Get away quickly," I saw at a glance that with their current strength, Youyue and Xingye had no way to withstand the Ursine Daga's fierce assault!
"Clash! Boom!" Youyue and Xingye reacted quickly. Almost the moment Daga's hammer was unleashed, they both shot backward simultaneously! However, they still underestimated the terrifying might of the Ursine Daga's blow!
Although the voluminous battle energy screen missed its direct target, the horrifying shockwave swept over both of them! This caused them to lose control, and they were both violently forced back over ten meters before they managed to stabilize themselves.
"Good heavens!" Xingye's face paled in shock. "This brute's battle energy is terrifying."
"We absolutely cannot be struck by that," Youyue also admitted, visibly shaken. "Otherwise, we’ll die a very ugly death."
"Hehehe," Daga and Dawang both laughed triumphantly, standing side-by-side. "Two little brats, forcing the two of us to team up, you've accomplished something noteworthy! But now, your doom is sealed!"
Clearly, Daga and Dawang were both masters proficient in coordinated joint strikes.
Now fighting together, the surging aura they exuded felt boundless and crazed.
"Big dumb bear, you’ll choke on your own bragging," even at the brink of death, Xingye maintained his cynical and flippant demeanor. "What good is all that brute strength? You won't even manage to snag a single hair from this young master."
"Hmph, still talking tough as death approaches!" Even being called a dumb bear, Daga didn't take offense but grinned proudly. "Then I'll show you Old Bear's true skills." As he spoke, Daga violently swung the great hammer in his hand!
"First move! Earthshaker."
With a furious roar, the great hammer slammed heavily onto the ground!
With a massive bang, the solid earth seemed to explode as if bombed, sending countless shards of rock and debris flying out like a torrential downpour.
The terrifying part was that these flying fragments seemed to possess eyes, all aimed directly at Xingye and Youyue!
"Damn it, move!" Xingye yelped in alarm! He shot backward!
"Freak!" Youyue cursed furiously in exasperation and retreated as well!
The predicament of Xingye and Youyue did not escape my perception! I was also greatly surprised by the combined strength of Dawang and Daga, but regrettably, I currently had no capacity to split my focus.
"Heh heh," Daron chuckled darkly. "Boy, you can’t even protect yourself, yet you still dare to be distracted."
As he spoke, Daron lunged forward, his massive battle-axe sweeping out a sky-blotting array of afterimages! In an instant, Daron’s spectral form was everywhere, his figure blurred! And the intense shockwaves of energy seemed determined to tear me apart through sheer exertion!
It was clear that the momentary lapse caused by my anxious thoughts had been clearly captured by Daron, resulting in this overwhelming wave of offense!
I quickly centered my mind!
"Hmph! Think I’m afraid of you!" I was equally assertive. The Dragon Phantom Sword, imbued with battle energy, swept out a massive golden crescent!
With a dull boom!
The countless afterimages were instantly engulfed by the violently surging battle energy! However, the arms wielding the sword were almost paralyzed by the shock, and my entire body was involuntarily forced backward several steps by the impact of the energy before I could stabilize myself!
Good heavens, such powerful force!
Since mastering the Nine Dragons Body Protection Divine Art, it had been rare for me to encounter an opponent who could overpower me in raw strength. Especially after the marrow-washing process by Yingyue, I was certain that in terms of battle energy cultivation, no one else in the world was my match!
Yet, Daron hit me with this blow right out of the gate!
It seems one must never become complacent; otherwise, suffering a loss is only a matter of time!
I suffered a significant disadvantage in this very first exchange!
In terms of battle energy, this fellow’s cultivation was clearly a level or two above mine!
It seems fighting him head-on, I stand little chance of victory!
"Heh heh, boy, you’ve got some skill," Daron seemed genuinely surprised. "You're the first person in twenty years to take one of my moves head-on."
"Big guy, you certainly have some strength," I said dismissively. "But a life-or-death duel isn't won by whoever has the most muscle."
"Hahahaha, so you're very confident in your speed then," Daron said leisurely.
"Thirty years ago, your strength was greater than mine, yet you couldn't touch me," I taunted.
"Heh heh, times have changed," Daron replied. "This time, you won't escape."
"Interesting. Which eye of yours saw me intending to flee?" As I spoke, I was secretly adjusting my breath and carefully searching for Daron's weak points. The preceding attacks were merely probes; neither of us had used our true power yet!
But based on this exchange, we both grasped the general outline of the other's strength!
It can be said that against Daron, my chances of winning were slim, but by no means zero!
Daron clearly sensed this as well, ensuring that neither of us dared to let down our guard, lest we grant the other an opening.
"Heh heh, is that so?" Daron chuckled ominously. "You are quite self-assured."
"We'll know after we fight," I knew I couldn't concede the momentum, even in a battle of wits!
Just as Daron and I were locked in a stalemate, using every means necessary to strike at the other, Youquan spoke up.
"My Lord, how about I join you in battle." Clearly, Youquan had also perceived that my chances of winning alone were slim, so he volunteered himself.
"Are your injuries alright?"
"Rest assured, I won't drag down My Lord," this old fellow had clearly misunderstood my meaning. "My Lord, proceed freely. You don't need to worry about me."
"Just as you wish," I decided not to offer any more explanations. Since he put it that way, it meant I wouldn't need to consider his life or death during the final confrontation!
It seems this old fellow is quite proud!
But I appreciate that sort of character!
We have never fought together, so naturally, there is no established coordination between us. Instead of forcing overall teamwork, it would be more practical for each of us to unleash our unique skills and specialties!
"Fighting together?" Daron's eyes flickered with a hint of disdain. Despite Youquan’s exquisite swordsmanship and high cultivation, in his eyes, it was still negligible.
"Hmph!" Youquan remained unfazed by Daron's scorn. Instead, he cautiously shifted his stance, like a starving wolf circling prey, locking his gaze onto Daron!
Killing intent, like the morning dew on an autumn day, made one’s breathing feel inexplicably heavy and suffocating!
A faint silhouette, like clouds drifting across the horizon, danced wildly, stirring every inch of the surrounding space and kicking up sheets of hazy dust.
Dancing clouds, splashing gravel, and a dazzling glint of cold light!
Ding! A crisp sound rang out! Youquan's incredibly fast sword strike was neatly parried by Daron’s enormous battle-axe!
"Die," seemingly enraged by Youquan’s presumption, Daron’s battle-axe suddenly burst into a dazzling radiance the instant it connected with the sword!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye!
"Zheng..." Amidst a strange metallic collision, Youquan's bright, gleaming longsword shattered into pieces! Not only that, but the golden-glowing battle-axe continued unabated, slamming toward Youquan’s chest like thunder!
Ah! Although I had long anticipated Daron’s astonishing battle energy cultivation, the extent of its perversion greatly exceeded my imagination! With Youquan’s cultivation, his sword was shattered in a single exchange!
The sword broken, Youquan's face changed drastically, and he flew backward rapidly!
"Roar!" Naturally, I could not stand by and watch Youquan fall into danger.
Of course, I was also clear that Youquan's attack was intended to force Daron to commit to a move, thereby exposing a weakness—only then would I have an opening to strike!
Undoubtedly, he succeeded!
Though only for a fleeting moment!
But for me, it was enough!
Electric Steps charged forward, swoosh, swoosh!
I unleashed a Lightning Chain Strike casually!
My current cultivation surpasses what it was before; the Lightning Quick Sword can deliver twenty-one strikes in the span of a breath!
Furthermore, the landing points and trajectories of these twenty-one strikes covered almost every vital point around Daron’s body. The sword momentum truly surged like a tide, penetrating everywhere!
"Such speed!" Daron seemed surprised. The great battle-axe, originally aimed at Youquan, deftly pivoted, instantly erecting layers of battle energy screens around his body!
Clang clang clang!
A rapid succession of sounds like bursting beans erupted.
Daron managed to take all twenty-one strikes of my quick sword combination in one go!
However, the Lightning Sword technique, which evolved from fencing principles, emphasized speed above all—an all-out, relentless offensive!
Almost the moment the twenty-one strikes were blocked, the second wave of quick sword combinations flowed out seamlessly and rapidly!
Giving Daron absolutely no chance to catch his breath!
What a fellow, Daron! Facing this overwhelming cascade of swift strikes, he neither retreated nor advanced. His massive battle-axe flipped up and down like falling snow at an astonishing speed! Every sword thrust I launched was parried with divine skill!
Good heavens, this level of reaction speed is absolutely the most terrifying opponent I have ever encountered!
In fact, when cultivation reaches a certain level, movement and sword techniques are no longer governed by the conscious mind!
Everything relies more on an almost instinctual reflex! Offense and defense are as smooth and natural as breathing, requiring no conscious thought whatsoever!
Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Waves of quick sword strikes followed one after another, swift as a stormy torrent, continuous as the surging waves of the Yangtze River! They seemed endless!
Yet Daron's battle-axe acted like a miraculous shield, omnipotent and omnipresent, always appearing in the exact right position at the most crucial moment!
No matter how fast my sword moved, no matter how tricky and strange my attack directions were, no matter how elusive and bizarre my sword trajectories, that marvelous axe managed to intercept every single one of my thrusts with flawless accuracy!
This astonishing reflex speed was beyond my imagination!
The feeling was exactly the same as when I first dueled Jidu with my fencing style back in Cangyue!
Extremely bad!
The quick sword could not penetrate his defense!
After launching over a hundred relentless attacks, I could only reluctantly accept this fact!
What was worse, the slight pause in my offense caused my momentum to falter slightly!
And it was in this momentary stall that Daron’s counterattack surged forward like a tidal wave!
"Take this move—Blood Axe Upholds Heaven!" Accompanied by a thunderous beastly roar!
Daron's battle-axe, previously gleaming brightly, instantly emitted a strange light, crimson as dew-kissed drops of blood!
Astonishing battle energy, like a vast ocean vortex, surged and gathered! It formed a huge, oppressive weight that nearly suffocated me!
Ah! What kind of technique is this!
It’s just an axe, yet it seems capable of cleaving the entire world in two!
The speed of the battle-axe was not fast; I could even clearly see its entire trajectory! But it contained an extremely terrifying reservoir of battle energy that, with my current cultivation, I couldn't block or resist! The feeling was like watching flowing water, watching a waterfall—slow, deliberate, yet utterly unavoidable and impossible to dodge.
This was a realm that defied verbal description! It was an irresistible aura and force!
Without a doubt, Daron’s martial cultivation had completely surpassed my expectations, reaching a state of near-perfection, the realm of the Dao!
Could it be that the 'Myriad Laws Born of Nature' mentioned in the Star River Sword Manual—does that refer to the Daron before me now?
I don't know how to describe my current feeling!
As a martial artist, to be able to sense the meaning of this Dao, to experience such an irresistible force of the Dao, is undoubtedly a blessing. However, the misfortune is that the Daron embodying it now is the mortal enemy I must fight to the death!
Blood Axe Upholds Heaven!
Staring intently at the axe, which seemed slow yet was utterly unavoidable as it chopped down, my mind seemed to go blank!
This move cannot be dodged, nor can it be blocked!