Chapter 1560: Chapter 284: Supreme Art
This is the power of the âGreat Demonâ, capable of using destructive acts to spread its own âSubspaceâ, creating a terrain extremely favorable to itself.
Ian, who had retreated rapidly, was also engulfed into this terrain. Rolling metal lava steam, flying debris, and agitated high-temperature air swallowed up the small Fae. Looking around, everything was a sight of gold and crimson.
Yet this did not escape Ianâs perception. Having entered the âHeart of Terraâ state, a flash of silver lightning flickered before his eyes, and he swiftly sensed the silent crushing Magic Sword attacking from behind on his right side.
This crushing Magic Sword was essentially not a physical entity, but a shockwave created by the âSorrow Bellâ through its own Spirit Energy. It resembled a lightsaber, invisible and intangible but capable of slicing and crushing anything, even the toughest iron was meaningless against it.
The first blow of Sorrow Bell after advancing to the Fourth Energy Level seemed earth-shaking, but he knew he wasnât confident in hitting Ian with a single strike. Therefore, he used it merely to force Ianâs movements, with the real kill being the sneak attack within his own domain.
He also believed that even if Ian was the Crisis Seer, it was absolutely impossible to have the prescient ability in such circumstances!
He was right; Ian indeed couldnât foresee such things... but the Heart of Terra enhanced Ianâs sensory ability, allowing him to detect the true form of Sorrow Bell!
To this, Ian simply made a backhanded grasp and conjured a Frost Longsword from the void.
The Longsword in Fairy Ianâs hand, although only two feet long, was equally sturdy. Since Sorrow Bell created this all-crushing Flame Demon Sword through âaccelerated molecular vibrationâ, Ian then used the power of ice-based Origin Quality to solidify molecules, creating an Ice God Sword that absolutely wouldnât break!
The clash of the two swords, one large and one small, resounded with a sound that alarmed the mountains, instantly dispersing the surrounding cloud of lava steam, revealing the silhouettes of two sword wielders clashing.
At the moment of the clash, Ian knew he definitely couldnât win. Sorrow Bell had broken through during battle, advancing to the Fourth Energy Level. Perhaps he hadnât had the time to grasp all the capabilities of the Fourth Energy Level, but in the instant of exertion, he surpassed the limits of the Third Energy Level. Even if Ian activated the Dragon Heart Core of the Unyielding Fortress, it would be at this level. The Fairy Body could not withstand head-on attacks even with the blessing of the Heart of Terra.
But perhaps because Sorrow Bell was previously just an ordinary person, and his so-called martial skills were learned later without a solid foundation, his swordsmanship could only be described as âfierceâ and âfastâ, lacking âclevernessâ and âsharpnessâ.
And although Ian had practiced martial arts for perhaps less than half as long as Sorrow Bell, he was an undisputed genius with an extremely solid foundation. He immediately used a skillful drawing sword technique to deflect Sorrow Bellâs sword momentum to the side.
The swordsmanship of Terra is more of an academic discipline than an art; every sword form undergoes efficient computation to ensure that the most stable force is used at the most appropriate time to effectively damage the enemy.
Whether itâs thrusting, slashing, drawing hooks, or blocking, a master of swordsmanship can do it all.
Every time Sorrow Bell thrust his sword, whenever he felt his Flame Sword about to shatter Ianâs Frost Sword, he found himself losing the ability to follow up on Ianâs sword momentum mid-way. Ian would either counter with a horizontal strike at the swordâs spine or press down on the sword hilt, preventing Sorrow Bell from exerting force. In short, he avoided head-on clashes with Sorrow Bell.
Moreover, every time Sorrow Bell made a mistake in his attack, Ian would swiftly close the distance using his agile Fae body, aiming his swift sword at the areas exposed beyond the armored clothing for a draw and thrust!
If other peopleâs swordsmanship was merely ordinary skill, Ianâs swordsmanship could be called the âsupreme artâ!
For a moment, although Sorrow Bell had the upper hand in strength, it was Ian who pressed the attack, scattering his sword momentum.
Those Southern Ridge People who were watching the livestream through Ianâs perspective cheered. They had seen Sorrow Bellâs advance, seemingly with world-ending terrifying might that had already gripped their hearts. But now, seeing that disaster-bringing demon subdued by Silver Peak Earl, they naturally revived, beginning to cheer and shout.
In truth, Ian himself was secretly worried: although he had forced Sorrow Bell back, Sorrow Bell didnât panic and was instead using his post-advancement speed and body control to break Ianâs techniques with power.
It could even be said that Ian was able to push the opponent back because Sorrow Bell knew his own weaknesses and was intentionally letting mistakes slip to observe Ianâs sword routes.
Sure enough, Sorrow Bellâs swordsmanship was growing more methodical, with each counterattack more fierce. This time, it was Ian who felt the long sword in his hand becoming unstable, almost ready to shatter.
Fortunately, Ian also used this time to observe Sorrow Bellâs condition.
[Sorrow Bell]
[Fourth Energy Level · Demon Lord · Core · Inedible]
[A naturally fused demon enhanced by Fiery Flame Landâs Abyssal Technology methods, possessing âlordâ and âdeceased monarchâ traits. It can draw power from the demon souls of its subordinates. When its subordinates die, the demon lord absorbs the soul first, transforming it into a part of its power]
[Possessing extremely strong psychic abilities, it can freely transfer between the Domain of Void and reality, and even pull a portion of the material world into the depths of the Domain of Voidâs Subspace, constructing its own âAbyssâ. Due to the transformations by Fiery Flame Land, a fused demon advancing to the Fourth Energy Level naturally merges its domain into the Cursed Soil, transforming it into a âCursed Earth Abyssâ]
[Naturally occurring fused demons in nature are extremely rare, with a probability of 570 million to one. Yet once successful, a fused demon has strength surpassing typical True Demons, as they enact demonic deeds with a human heart, far more fanatic and determined than native demons]
[Contained Primordial Essence: 1,459,126.7833 core essence units]
[Warning: This entity is in a special state, extremely dangerous!]
[...]
So it turns out that heâs dealing with a rare individual? No wonder the opponent could break through and level up amid battle. To be honest, Ian grumbled in his heart. He himself had rarely upgraded during battles; why are all his enemies able to?
Forget it; the Seer never does anything uncertain. If possible, Ian would really prefer to crush it after reaching the Fifth Energy Level.
As for now... enough time has been dragged!
Thunk!
The sound of shattering erupted, and Ianâs Frost Longsword broke. Sorrow Bellâs shock spiritual power eventually surpassed Ian in the Heart of Terra state, leaving the Fae with nothing in his hand.
[Good!]
And Sorrow Bell shouted angrily, with the Flame Longsword in his hand seemingly ready to strike down the petite Fae in front of him... but suddenly, his body paused, and then his entire head was engulfed in a semi-transparent red spirit energy flame!
The moment Ian saw this spirit energy flame, he knew that Sioâs True Dragonâs Body had already reached the vicinity. Sure enough, a dragonâs chant echoed across the Firmament, only to disappear again swiftly.
Sio slipped into the Domain of Void, awaiting the next opportunity to act.
[A True Dragon... damn it... wasnât it supposed to be neutral?!]
The Fiery Flame Land clearly had information on Sio, but they didnât know that Sio had voluntarily relinquished Dragon Islandâs neutral identity, joined the Silverpeak Domain, and became a part of it, naturally allowing it to declare war against them.
[Shameless Imperial People! Shameless True Dragon! Clearly it was agreed to remain neutral, why didnât you protect us before, but now protect these Imperial People!?]
The demonâs fury flared again, and this time, it fortified an impenetrable defense around its soul, with dark mist swirling like a shield.
But before it could act much, Sorrow Bellâs steps slowed again.
Because it saw others coming.
Four figures were arriving from all directions.
Elder Mantle, Marquis Barton, Viscount Grant, and Sioâs true form... four mighty warriors, some piloting Aether Armament, others equipped with their most powerful accessories and weapons, all surrounded Sorrow Bell together with Ian without any sense of chivalry.
And within the Domain of Void, a faintly visible Giant of Light with a glowing red heart was advancing.