A streak of red light shot across murky space with extreme speed. Inside the light, a thunderous Shangguan Xiongyan had half his attention on the mirror in his hand and the other half in the direction he was flying in.
âHe stopped? What for?â
He quirked an eyebrow to think. âDid he come to a stop somewhere? Or did he stop because he found someone?â
Eyes gleaming with suspicion, Shangguan Xiongyan continued onward in his flight. His hand still clutched at the bronze mirror as he flew, and every so often heâd scan his surroundings just in case for something strange before returning his eyes back to the mirrorâs surface.
It wasnât for another while before he took notice of something different. âThe signalâs weaker! Heâs gone into the Core World!! At a time like this? Was it because he came across an enemy? Is he injured and had to recuperate in the Core World? It just might be!â
This was the situation Shangguan Xiongyan thought of, and the thought of it displeased him. If that was the case, then that meant one of his own died at Bai Yunfeiâs hands! It made his heart ache to have one or two of his Soul Emperors die in such a place.
His assumption wasnât wholly wrong. Bai Yunfei did, in fact, come across the two Soul Emperors. But the difference was that Bai Yunfei wasnât injured at all in the battle. The reason why he went into the Core World was so he could breakthroughâŚÂ
âAll the scattered people have started to gather together. Itâs fortunate he didnât come across Gu Jimie or the Abyssal Snake Saint else his Regalias wouldâve fallen into their handsâŚI must ensure I get them! I have to reach him first!â
The fires of anxiety rekindled in Shangguan Xiongyanâs eyes. With a renewed burst of speed, he shot off toward Bai Yunfeiâs direction.
âEh?!â
Not even a moment later and Shangguan Xiongyan was met with a startling development. Coming to a screeching halt, Shangguan Xiongyan felt the Triumphant Flame underneath his robes activate and surround him within its energy!
âWhooshâŚboom!!â
Practically the same moment as when he was protected by the Triumphant Flame, the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade came hurtling through the air and struck the armor!
The armor heaved violently, but withheld from the blow. Rather than be injured from the weapon, Shangguan Xiongyan was instead thrown backward from the force.
While unsuccessful in doing damage, the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade did manage to stop the manâs advance. Whirling around several times, it shot autonomously back to Shen Pojunâs side several hundred meters away.
âShen Pojun!!â
Roared Shangguan Xiongyan when he steadied himself and saw who it was that had attacked him.
He had been so preoccupied with trying to find Bai Yunfei that he completely failed to detect Shen Pojun nearing him. It was only thanks to the timely intervention of the Triumphant Flame that he managed to escape relatively unharmed.Â
How foolish he was! He didnât even think about the possibility of running into Shen Pojun here. Now his plans would most likely have to be scrapped!
It was absolutely infuriating to think there was a roadblock to his chance of getting the Regalias. Shangguan Xiongyanâs eyes roared with wrathful ire as he regarded Shen Pojun. Waving his right hand to summon his warblade, Shangguan Xiongyan prepared himself for battle.
But if he didnât have a choice, then a battle it was then! Heâd kill Shen Pojun first and then Bai Yunfei!
âDie!!â
All other thoughts disappeared from his mind as he leapt into action. Letting out a warcry, he raised his right hand to attack!
âHmph!!â
It surprised Shen Pojun just a little to see how quick to action Shangguan Xiongyan was. Regardless, the man was ready for a fight. His aura skyrocketed in intensity before the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade was sent out again!
Two Saints flaring at the same time with the same type of energy. The grayness of the space was immediately converted to red as two sea of flames came out from both sides!
âBoom!!!â
Though made from the same type of energy, the two sea of flames crashed against one another. The world rumbled with a loud enough roar that it could probably be heard from a long distance awayâŚÂ
Shen Pojun had many +12 soul armaments on him, one of them including the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade, his âawakeningâ Regalia. However, as powerful as such a combination was, it wasnât enough to go against the genuine Regalia, the Triumphant Flame. And his opponent was one of the venerated members of the Royal Family, there was no way his soul armaments would be weak. The warblade he was using boasted an attack of over 8000, but it wasnât enough to override the defenses of Shen Pojunâs equipment.
Shen Pojunâs Flame Dragon Crescent Blade was powerful, but not enough to overcome the Triumphant Flame. Shangguan Xiongyanâs warblade wasnât as strong as the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade and also wasnât quite strong enough to overcome Shen Pojunâs two defensive soul armaments.Â
Neither side had much of an advantage in terms of equipment. Their affinities were equally matched, meaning it would be difficult to ascertain who was the winner.
âŚâŚ
âBoom boom boom boom boomâŚâ
For an hour now, the battle between Shen Pojun and Shangguan Xiongyan raged on, with neither side ever appearing to be the superior one.
By the look of things, this battle would probably need a whole day and night before a victor could be determined. Neither side were particularly being risky, as they both had the same intentionsâŚÂ
In this sealed dimension, a huge battle between Saints would definitely attract their reinforcements. In such a time like this, the Saint with the first reinforcement would be heavily favored.
The Frostfeather Saint was Shen Pojunâs only possible helper. Shangguan Xiongyan still had the Abyssal Snake Saint and Gu Jimie. In terms of numbers alone, Shen Pojun was at a disadvantage.
âBoom!!!â
It wasnât for another period of time before Shangguan Xiongyan and Shen Pojunâs eyes snapped to a completely different direction.
A powerful aura was flying toward from their right!
A second later and Shen Pojunâs eyes narrowed while Shangguan Xiongyan looked relieved!
âThe Abyssal Snake Saint!!â
This person was on Shangguan Xiongyanâs side!!
Shen Pojunâs eyes narrowed even more when he realized this wasnât a neutral party. Disengaging from Shangguan Xiongyan, he began to fly off in the opposite direction!
There was no chance of winning in a two-on-one fight. He was better off flying away.
âRunning away?!â
Shangguan Xiongyan sneered before chasing off after him. Then suddenly, Shen Pojun whirled around to swing the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade at him!
âWhoosh!!â
Shangguan Xiongyan blanched at once, realizing the threat the weapon had. Hurriedly, he activated the Triumphant Flame and moved to position himself into safety.
âBoom!!!â
The blade sliced across the surface of the Triumphant Flameâs barrier, jolting it a bit before leaving a crack over its surface!
âPft!!â
Shangguan Xiongyanâs eyes widened as he staggered back. Shen Pojunâs weapon landed a blow strong enough to rattle him through his defenses! Face going red, Shangguan Xiongyan was forced to allow a rivulet of blood escape from his lips!
That blow had been stronger than he thought! The reason behind it was simpleâthe +12 additional effect of the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade!
+12 Additional Effect: Convert and store enemy energy into this weapon. When enough energy is amassed, unleash a blow at 200% attack.
Originally, Shen Pojun planned to make use of this effect to land the finishing blow. He had to scrap that idea when the Abyssal Snake Saint appeared and made victory impossible. Using it now would at the very least make Shangguan Xiongyan unable to fight at his best strength.
And with Shangguan Xiongyan faltering, Shen Pojun was free to once again fly away from them!
âDamnit!!â
A furious roar escaped from Shangguan Xiongyan as he watched Shen Pojun get away from him. âAfter him!!â He motioned at the Abyssal Snake Saint.Â
Seeing the situation up ahead, the Abyssal Snake Saint didnât slow down when he neared. Instead, he joined with Shangguan Xiongyan and began to chase after Shen Pojun!