Nathan appeared beside Ruby. In the moment she glanced toward Lachlan, he had used all his strength to break through the cage. If there was a time to create a breakthrough, it was now.

  Amidst the clanging of the dissolving whipswords, Nathan’s Tier 3 sword appeared in his hand. Electrical sparks danced wildly on his skin and the metal. The sword's tip shot forward with unbelievable speed.

  Thwack!

  Blood sprayed from Ruby's heart. Her body collapsed. He decisively withdrew his sword, swinging his arm to clean the weapon, and looked to the side, smiling.

  He knew she would not be so easily defeated. Ruby stood unharmed a few meters away, her eyes filled with killing intent. Beside him, the substitute corpse fell, deflating like a balloon.

  Ruby's lips were bleeding, her expression twisting with gloom and hatred.

  Life-saving secret techniques always came with a price. Not everyone was like Vincent, who possessed a seemingly infinite vitality, allowing for continuous resurrection. By activating the hidden mechanism in her body, Ruby had escaped in the nick of time, but at the cost of internal injuries. Nathan couldn't tell how severe they were.

  Nathan didn't use this time to speak; he didn't dare open his mouth. He was sure a slight movement would make him vomit blood wildly—not just a single drop like the girl across from him. In that final moment, he had burned all his Lightning Aspect Affinity, exceeding his current endurance. It would have been a small matter if he still had [Titan’s Descendant], but without it, the damage he sustained was on par with his enemy's.

  Wondering if the Omnipotential Aspect was the consequence and preparation for [Titan’s Descendant], he drew on the healing food in his body.

  “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?” Ruby spat out a mouthful of blood.

  Nathan only smiled. Sensing his unusual behavior, Ruby disappeared.

  Her high speed made Nathan dizzy. Without the support of the Lightning Aspect, he could only rely on [Martial Arts Mastery] and his spirit field.

  A disturbance from the upper right. He raised his sword to block. The sword was wrapped and pulled forcefully. He lowered his center of gravity, yanking his arm. The pulling force on the sword vanished, but his senses immediately warned him from behind.

  I can't react in time!

  He leaped up, using a technique he hadn't touched in a long time.

  Triggered [Butthurt]. One credit given.

  Warning: Damage received higher than threshold.

  Triggered [Impact Distribution]. One credit given.

  Nathan flew face-first into the ground, sending dirt and rocks flying. Though it still hurt, the cursed skill had helped him somewhat. The attack just now hadn't just been to his lower body but had spread to his thighs and back. Ruby's strange fire Aspect burned across his skin, causing him agony.

  Without time to dwell on the pain, he regained his senses to counter. He couldn't even use food to recover his Lightning Essence; Ruby seemed to predict his intention, always choosing the right moments to ambush him. The difference between the Tiers was still insurmountable. He might have won with that surprise attack against a normal Tier 3 lacking a life-saving secret technique, but from this point onward, he could only hold on.

  Zeryn withdrew his sword from the chest of the dao-wielding opponent. The opponent's metal that was once curved, sharp, and heavy was now riddled with cracks. The middle was even so deep it was almost severed.

  The dao wielder tilted to one side, collapsing. The man's eyes, filled with red veins, stared unblinkingly at his opponent's sword—a sword that had never been drawn from its scabbard.

  “A truly humiliating death,” the dao wielder whispered. “Your Sword Intent is unlike others. You… you! You possess…”

  Blood sprayed from the cut on his neck. The dao wielder widened his eyes, hands grasping uselessly for his arteries. His mouth still gurgled, desperate to speak as if it would be his greatest feat.

  “Swordborn!”

  With that, he stopped breathing. Dead.

  Zeryn let out a sigh, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He leaped toward Nathan's position.

  Ruby tightened her grip, unleashing the technique she had been preparing since Nathan was trapped. The whipsword grew sturdy and sharp. The fire surrounding it condensed, molding into a layer around the blade. The heat was so intense that the Tier 3 weapon turned red, its shiny silver surface dulling.

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  Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.

  Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.

  All the hairs on Nathan’s body stood on end. His speed had reached its maximum, boosted by the continuous [Battle Trance].

  He had only one chance. He knew invisibility wouldn't help, so he didn't even think about it. He used all his lunar essence, channeling it into his index finger. He silently regretted not being able to use Aspect Affinity continuously; although he stored both Aspects, using one consumed both. If not for that, he would be the one dominating this battlefield.

  The sword thrust forward, his mind focused only on its path and tip. Zeryn wouldn't arrive in time. He couldn't rely on anyone.

  Everything was happening at high speed, but he forced himself to be calm. To wait.

  The whipsword approached. It was only a few millimeters from his left chest. He could feel the dense killing intent from his opponent.

  Not yet!

  He still hadn't acted, though his arm was extended. One movement and he would strike the flat surface of the sword.

  The sword pierced his mana barrier and reached his cloth layer.

  His body couldn't even provide feedback, but he knew he was suffering a dangerous burn.

  Now!

  His index finger bent at a ninety-degree angle, pointing straight at the whipsword.

  The plasma layer on the sword burned his hand, surpassing the protection of his Crescent Moon Art. His skin blackened instantly, but his action was complete. A single moment to change everything.

  [Martial Arts Mastery] was frightening not because it helped Nathan become stronger by absorbing vast knowledge, but because it helped him analyze an opponent's actions. As long as they were within his sight, and especially within his sensory range, he saw what others couldn't—things they would take a lifetime to glimpse. For Nathan, it came quickly, naturally, and instantly.

  Ever since Ruby gathered her power, Nathan had observed how she operated her mana, distributed her energy, and the structures that maintained stability. The core principle in Martial Arts was that there was always a flaw. An individual could minimize it through continuous practice, but major moves like Ruby Voss's couldn't be repeated often due to energy and environmental requirements. Her Aspect had to rely on the negative emotions of the battlefield, making it even harder to practice. Because of this, the flaw she left for Nathan to exploit was too large.

  However, analysis was one thing; execution was another. Ruby was still a Tier 3, and her speed was much faster. So Nathan could only take the risk.

  Ruby narrowed her eyes, her hand stiffening. The outer layer of the whipsword went out of control. The plasma fire scattered, spreading like red smoke. The weapon returned to its normal state, thrusting through Nathan's shoulder.

  He still managed to lean, just enough for the sword to miss his heart. He grinned fiercely, his hand grabbing the jagged edge of the weapon.

  The girl across from him grimaced, a hint of fear in her expression as she murmured, “How did you…”

  She decisively released her sword. A moment later, the whipsword was severed—partly from Ruby's own Aspect heat, and partly from Zeryn's attack.

  A deep gash, stretching to the distant street, formed between the two. Zeryn slid to Nathan's side. After a quick scan, the sword genius let out a sigh of relief.

  “Damn it!” Zeryn cursed. “Can you be less reckless?”

  “I knew you’d come,” Nathan feigned. Even as he tried to appear fine, his body protested, forcing him to his knees.

  Another reason he hadn't wanted Zeryn's help was to conserve strength. Lachlan had clearly drained a large amount of mana with his last attack. If Zeryn was added to the mix, this battalion would surely be defeated.

  The Verdant Spire Sect disciples all quickly understood, cautiously moving closer to Nathan and Zeryn's position to form a vague protective circle.

  The battle was gradually tilting. When the numbers had dropped to a manageable level, Lachlan's army charged forward like a storm. Experience and coordination became a weapon the enemy couldn't match or anticipate. Added to that was their will—their reason for fighting, their morale. The Maelivar side lacked the motivation to stand firm and gradually retreated.

  Ruby stomped her foot, ready to advance. But upon meeting Zeryn's sharp gaze, she instinctively hesitated. Her lost weapon made her even more indecisive. Nathan suspected her life-saving secret technique was also gone.

  After a moment of hesitation, Ruby flew straight toward Arthur. The outer defensive layer allowed her to enter easily.

  “Pathetic!” Arthur Merinor said.

  “He…” Ruby started to protest.

  “Too strong?” Arthur sneered. “Is that what you want to say? To me, that’s just an excuse. With a Tier difference, you still let this happen.”

  “I… I…” Ruby stammered. “I apologize.”

  Emrys stepped forward to support her, but Ruby pushed her away. She moved to the back, remaining silent. Her twisted face gradually calmed.

  Nathan finally stood up. He had told himself he wouldn't pursue this wild fighting style anymore, yet he couldn't avoid it.

  “Go, Zer!” Nathan said. “Help Lachlan.”

  Zeryn looked back and forth, finally nodding.

  Frank and Elen stepped up to support him after Zeryn left.

  “Are we winning, senior brother?” Frank asked, his eyes shining.

  “Are you dumb?” Elen grumbled. “That Arthur guy still hasn’t acted.”

  “By using the formation?” Frank frowned. “That would violate the agreement.”

  Nathan could almost hear Elen's frustrated sigh.

  “The agreement is not to use the formation against civilians, you idiot!” Elen snapped. “Not that they won't use it on us, the attackers.”

  “I know you're wondering why they haven't used it from the start,” Nathan said, receiving a nod from Frank. “Well, there are many reasons, but simply put, the cost is higher than sending a bunch of people out to block. A formation large enough to cover the entire city, even if used locally on this battlefield, is still a huge sum of mana stones.”

  Frank's pale face from fighting managed to turn even paler.

  Nathan didn't have time to care, looking up at the floating cube above Maelivar. That must be the city's headquarters, observing everything. Duke Kael Voss must have seen it all—his daughter's defeat.

  What do they want?

  The sounds of collisions between the two sides shook the entire battlefield. Emrys finally couldn't hold the defensive layer. She staggered, unable to stand, sweat pouring down her face. Facing two genuine geniuses was too much.

  “You did well, little sister,” Arthur said gently.

  The gaunt figure stirred. He finally stood up, his bones creaking with the movement.

  Arthur stood straight, his eyes looking at the sky. He projected an aura that made those around him, whether flying or taller, seem smaller.

  Lachlan and Zeryn simultaneously stopped, activating all defensive layers on their bodies. The light from the mana barriers illuminated the night, reflecting the rising sun.

  As dawn broke, all hell broke loose.