Episode 610: The Return of the Demon Lord
It was a spectacle.
Magnificent, awe-inspiring, and utterly breathtaking.
No words could truly capture the essence of their battle.
A clash that transcended the limits of human capability.
For martial artists, witnessing a duel between masters of such caliber even once in a lifetime would be considered a great fortune.
Yet, the fight between the Demon Lord and Sabikang was beyond comprehension, even if observed a hundred times.
The gap was simply too vast.
No one could hope to learn anything from their confrontation.
It was a battle that soared far beyond the fundamental limits.
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, Sabikang was sent flying once more.
Crash!
He slammed into a cliff, blood spurting from his mouth as he plummeted to the ground.
Thud!
Landing on one knee, he spat on the ground.
In contrast, Tarrant wore a relaxed expression.
He seemed to be savoring the moment.
His lack of urgency was simple.
The confidence of an absolute power.
Like savoring a fine meal slowly, relishing every bite.
That was all there was to it.
To him, Sabikang was a rare delicacy that had appeared after a long time.
And below, a feast awaited.
He intended to enjoy the main course slowly before devouring the rest of the banquet.
“There’s a saying among humans: ‘Bitter medicine is good for you.’ But…”
Tarrant’s cold gaze fixed on Sabikang.
“You’re not that bitter. Just sweet enough.”
“Hah, you lunatic.”
Sabikang sneered coldly, assuming a stance.
He gathered energy into his sword, pivoting on his back foot.
If the masters of the Hyun Temple had seen this, they would have felt a sense of familiarity.
Indeed.
The technique Sabikang was using was the secret art of the Amipa, the Annihilation Sword technique.
In the next instant.
Whoosh!
Sabikang shot forward like a streak of light.
While his opponent might enjoy the fight, he was in no position to do so.
Any opening, no matter how small, had to be exploited.
Clang!
The clash of Veritas and the Demon Lord’s magical sword rang out like thunder.
Sabikang spun his body, seamlessly transitioning into the next technique.
Astonishingly, this time it was the Rising Dragon from the Broken Sword School’s repertoire.
Whirl!
A deafening roar tore through the air as Veritas soared skyward.
The energy surrounding Sabikang surged upward like a mighty dragon.
Whoosh!
The whirlwind was so powerful that the surrounding cliffs crumbled, swept away by the fierce winds.
Had the master of the Broken Sword School witnessed this, he would have been left speechless.
Though renowned for their swordsmanship, even he wouldn’t have known the Rising Dragon technique could be unleashed with such force.
Bang!
Tarrant, who had been forced back, furrowed his brow slightly.
That was close.
Not life-threatening, but enough to feel the sting of potential injury.
Sabikang gave him no respite.
He soared into the air, swinging Veritas with abandon as he descended diagonally.
This time, it was the sword technique of the Cheongseong School.
He was improvising, blending renowned techniques from across the martial world.
If the masters of these schools had seen this, they might have collapsed in despair at their own inadequacy.
Such was the brilliance of Sabikang’s movements.
Swish!
Dozens, no, hundreds of sword fragments whirled chaotically, enveloping Tarrant.
Clang!
With a cacophony of metallic clashes, sparks flew around Tarrant, making him seem like a being made of fire.
Sabikang didn’t stop there.
It was crucial to press the advantage while the momentum was on his side.
The sudden onslaught seemed to catch even the Demon Lord Tarrant off guard.
“Haaah!”
With a shout, Sabikang launched himself forward.
This time, it was the One-Point Blood Sword, a secret art of the Neungun School!
Whoosh!
The energy shot forward, threatening to pierce through everything in its path.
Clang!
“Ugh!”
For the first time, a crease appeared on Tarrant’s forehead.
It was a technique once mastered by a ruler of the martial world.
With Sabikang having reached the pinnacle of martial arts, the technique’s ferocity was unparalleled.
Sabikang didn’t miss Tarrant’s momentary falter and launched another chain of attacks.
The first move of the Lightning Sword from the Sword Song School, Chaos Thunder!
Whirl!
With a ghostly wail, Veritas split into hundreds of fragments, targeting Tarrant’s vital points.
Bang!
Once more, sparks flew as Tarrant retreated.
Whoosh!
Sabikang leaped into the air, executing the Shattering Stone Dragon from the Broken Sword School.
His choice of techniques was truly unpredictable.
Without prior knowledge, one might think all the martial arts Sabikang used originated from a single school.
Whoosh!
With crimson energy enveloping him, Sabikang descended like a comet.
Boom!
As Tarrant dodged, a crater formed where Sabikang landed, sending shards of rock flying in all directions.
Compared to the swift movements of Sabikang and Tarrant, the shattered rocks seemed to move in slow motion, as if in a separate time.
Though an odd description for such a fierce battlefield, it was indeed a spectacle.
The unfortunate part was that Sabikang’s attacks consistently fell just short of reaching his opponent.
Yet, giving up was not an option.
He had to use this momentum to inflict a critical blow on Tarrant.
Sabikang extended his left hand, channeling his energy.
In that moment.
Whoosh!
The floating rock fragments were sharpened by the energy, transforming into hundreds of deadly projectiles.
Anyone witnessing this would have doubted their eyes.
To imbue non-existent weapons with energy and use them like this!
It was beyond human capability.
Moreover, the technique Sabikang used was a fusion of the Thousand Blossoms Rain and the Butterfly Dance from the Sichuan School.
He had demonstrated this martial art before Dang Muyul, and if Dang Muyul were present to witness this, he would have been left speechless.
Boom!
Hundreds of petals scattered, with butterflies weaving through them!
But both the petals and butterflies were deadly projectiles, capable of inflicting lethal poison upon contact.
Clang!
Tarrant twisted his body, deflecting the swarm of butterflies with a flurry of metallic clashes.
Sabikang let out another battle cry.
“Haaah!”
This time, it was the second move of the Lightning Sword, the Shattering Storm!
Whoosh!
A massive, thick stream of sword energy shot out horizontally.
Boom!
Finally, Veritas and Tarrant’s magical sword clashed once more.
The resulting shockwave shattered the petals and butterflies flying chaotically.
Boom!
Dust and debris scattered as the energy dissipated.
Screech!
With Veritas pressed against his sword, Tarrant smirked faintly.
“Impressive. Truly impressive. You’ve grown well as my prey.”
“Shut up!”
Sabikang roared, pouring all his energy into his attack.
Whoosh!
Tarrant was forced back.
Click!
Spinning around, Sabikang sheathed Veritas and glared at Tarrant.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
His breath came in ragged gasps.
Unleashing the ultimate techniques of each school in succession had left him winded.
Tarrant chuckled softly.
“You’ve done well. That’s enough. By absorbing your power and taking the enhanced Veritas, I can evolve further. Now, surrender your strength to me.”
With those words, Tarrant began to approach.
Sabikang looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
Finally, as Tarrant drew near.
‘If that’s what you want… then take this!’
Whoosh!
In a flash, Sabikang drew Veritas, unleashing a torrent of energy.
Boom!
With a tremendous explosion, the energy engulfed Tarrant.
In truth, all the previous attacks had been leading up to this moment.
Sabikang knew.
He knew Tarrant was far stronger than him.
But even in a fight between an adult and a child, if the adult let their guard down, the child could win.
Sabikang exploited that opening.
By unleashing the ultimate techniques of the martial world in succession and feigning exhaustion, he knew Tarrant would inevitably lower his guard.
And indeed, Tarrant had relaxed to some extent.
Sabikang had revealed his full strength, pouring out the ultimate techniques of the martial world.
And when he appeared to have given up, sheathing his sword and catching his breath, Tarrant had approached, leaving himself vulnerable.
In response, Sabikang unleashed the Meteor Burst Sword, the most formidable sword-drawing technique in the land.
An enhanced version of the Meteor Sword Technique used by Dan Lichu!
The sheer force of it made even Tarant flinch and step back.
But the true terror of the Meteor Burst Sword lay not in the draw itself, but in its explosive power.
Boom!
At the final explosion, Tarant raised his arm to shield his face.
Sizzle!
His arm sizzled and blackened, the sound of burning flesh unmistakable.
His face bore clear burn marks as well.
“Damn it…!”
Sabikang, feeling a sense of defeat, slowly straightened his posture.
He had hoped the Meteor Burst Sword would inflict serious damage.
Yet, it had only managed to leave shallow burns.
Meanwhile, Tarant glared at Sabikang with a terrifying expression, the one who had dared to burn him.
“You think you’re cute, trying to climb all the way to the top of my head.”
His expression turned icy cold.
In the next moment.
“Insignificant human, I’ll show you the difference in our existence!”
Tarant, visibly enraged, spread his arms wide and soared into the air.
Then.
Rumble, rumble, rumble…!
The ground shook violently.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
With a deafening roar, the surroundings erupted.
Astonishingly, lava spewed forth, shooting up into the sky.
Not only that, but dark clouds gathered, enveloping the area in pitch-black darkness.
Whoosh!
Lava flowed around the ground where Sabikang and Tarant stood, turning their location into an island amidst a sea of molten rock.
“Difference in existence, my ass!”
With a curse, Sabikang kicked off the ground and leaped into the air.
Whoosh!
The Rising Dragon Strike activated once more.
But.
Whoosh, boom!
A fireball launched from Tarant’s palm struck Sabikang as he soared upward.
Crash!
Sabikang crashed back to the ground, coughing up blood.
“Damn it…! If only I had reached the Full Awakening Stage…!”
He was lacking.
It was frustratingly close.
Yet, he felt it—if he had reached the Full Awakening Stage, he might have stood a chance.
But now, there was truly no way out.
He had to endure and find a way to win in this dire situation…
Tarant sneered.
“Schwitz von Grenthal, the only way you’re leaving here is as a corpse.”