In the blink of an eye, the void was filled with a dazzling array of sword glows, spreading across the sky like a vast sea of light. The radiant swords hovered in mid-air, each one aimed squarely at Jared.
“Stream of Swords…” Teegan’s aura was overwhelming, his energy now at its peak, radiating with an almost suffocating intensity.
Whoosh!
Then, tens of thousands of sword light, like falling stars, rained down from the sky, cascading toward Jared with unstoppable force.
The air crackled with power, as though thousands of cannons had fired simultaneously, shaking the heavens and earth with their impact.
Niel, his face still etched with despair, couldn’t help but smile in fleeting hope when he saw his brother unleash his ultimate move.
“He really has some skills…” Jared’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze sharp as he brandished the Dragonslayer Sword in his hand.
“Nine Shadows…” With a flash of light from the blade, several figures began to materialize, one after another, until seven identical Jareds stood before Teegan. Each one was armed with a Dragonslayer Sword, exuding the exact same menacing aura.
“Hmph, even if you rely on tricks to deceive me, you’re still doomed when faced with my Stream of Swords!” Teegan’s eyes flickered with brief surprise at the sight of Jared multiplying, but he quickly regained his composure, sneering with disdain.
No matter how many Jareds appeared, it was all in vain. Against the overwhelming onslaught of ten thousand swords, death was the inevitable outcome. Yet, Jared paid no heed to Teegan’s threats. With a calm and calculated motion, he raised both hands, gripping the Dragonslayer Sword.
“Assembly of the Swords!” Jared’s mastery over the techniques of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect was evident in his every movement. His confidence remained unwavering, even in the face of such an overwhelming attack.
He had absorbed the sword intents from the Divine Smithing Sect’s sword-cleansing lake, and with the secret scroll documentation of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect at his disposal, Jared was prepared for anything that came his way.
When it came to swordplay, Jared feared no one. The seven identical Jareds, moving in perfect synchrony, all executed the Assembly of the Swords at once. In that instant, the entire sky was consumed by the blinding radiance of the Dragonslayer Sword. Compared to Teegan’s Stream of Ten Thousand Swords, Jared’s technique was an unstoppable torrent-seventy thousand sword beams, each one sharper and more forceful than the last.
The sheer density and magnitude of the assault left Teegan’s attack in the dust. Jared’s power far outstripped Teegan’s in both quantity and might, rendering his efforts meaningless.
In the face of Jared’s technique, Teegan’s myriad sword lights were instantly shattered, each beam crumbling into nothingness. Not a single strike came close to touching Jared.
Even though the storm of sword lights had clashed and disappeared, Jared’s relentless blow, accompanied by an overwhelming surge of sword beams, continued to barrel toward Niel with unyielding force.
Teegan stood frozen, dumbfounded, as the sight before him unfolded. His long sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the ground as he was paralyzed by the sheer power of Jared’s attack.
I should run.
At that moment, one thought consumed Teegan’s mind-escape. He dared not continue the fight. With a sharp grit of his teeth, he transformed into a streak of light, tearing through the air as he fled into the distance. Every muscle in his body screamed with fear, aware that the relentless sword light was hot on his heels.
Teegan didn’t even dare to glance back at his younger brother.
Jared, however, merely observed. He made no move to chase. Instead, with calm precision, he slowly sheathed the Dragonslayer Sword.
Jared had no intention of killing Teegan. His goal was only to drive him away. The true priority for Jared now was to locate the vein mine of the spiritual stone.
“Zelda, you’ve worked hard.” Jared spoke softly, the glow of the Dragonslayer Sword gradually fading as the sword spirit, Zelda, returned to her resting place within the blade.
“Master, it is an honor to fight on your behalf,” Zelda’s voice resonated in Jared’s mind, carrying an unmistakable note of satisfaction and pride.
Turning his gaze to Niel, Jared’s expression remained cool and indifferent. “Is there anyone else coming to save you?”
Niel trembled involuntarily at those words. The weight of his helplessness hit him like a crushing wave. He knew, without a doubt, that his last source of support had vanished, and what awaited him was nothing but endless pain and torment.
Jared, with the Dragonslayer Sword in hand, was moments away from extracting Niel’s beast core. While Teegan might be spared for now, Niel would not be so fortunate.
“Jared!” Just as Jared prepared to make his move, the unmistakable call of his name echoed through the air.
Mia and her brother hurried over.
As soon as Ezio realized Jared wasn’t following, he swiftly grabbed his younger sister and turned to run back. But when they arrived and saw the horrific scene before them, terror gripped their hearts.
“Isn’t that Mr. Niel?” Ezio gasped, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at the crumpled figure on the ground.
