The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 393: Volume 7: The Awakening Spring Thunder, - 13: The Strong Ones_2

Chapter 393: Volume 7: The Awakening Spring Thunder, Chapter 13: The Strong Ones_2

As a dusky halo of light slowly rose around Solonberg, Komer realized that in his fight with Ilot, his opponent had not revealed his true strength at all. Perhaps, the force that the seemingly indolent Dark Knight from Damarlinsk Castle was now displaying was the essence hidden beneath his usually indifferent façade. His splendid Knight’s Sword, as if infected, had the halo extend all the way from the blade to the tip, with a trace of faint green light leaping at the spine of the lifted sword. The fluttering knight’s robe, as the Fighting Qi continued to surge, seemed to float with a strange and elegant grace. At the very moment when the halo reached its zenith, the Knight’s Sword suddenly shattered, turning into countless fragments of light and shadow, erupting outwards with unbridled momentum.

The air suddenly became exceedingly chill, and even Komer could feel the space warping and fissuring due to the gathering of elements, a precursor to the materialization of Fighting Qi. Komer knew his guidance had helped them break through a bottleneck and rush towards another higher boundary.

Strictly speaking, Solonberg was not a true Dark Knight. Judging by the grey-green Fighting Qi he demonstrated, it should be categorized as Cold Fighting Energy, a neutral fighting qi with a remarkable resemblance to Ice Magic. Indeed, this Fighting Qi inherently possessed a chilling edge that could inflict a direct, hefty blow while simultaneously casting a frosty influence on the opponent. It’s difficult to assess the superiority of Fighting Qi based on attributes alone as each type can be cultivated to the Sacred and Demonic Warrior Level, just as the path to becoming a Holy Mage is open to every Mage, depending only on reaching the ultimate point. The purple and black ring spiraling around Solonberg’s body indisputably indicated that his protective spells stemmed from Dark Magic, with its special attributes determining a knight’s true nature.

This was Komer’s first time witnessing such a thorough display of Fighting Qi. A howling sound suddenly erupted, like a sudden downpour brought by the eye of a storm, colliding against the black figure soaring against the wind.

Vladimir Koff watched with cold eyes as his opponent’s aura intensified. Being old rivals, of course, Vladimir Koff was well aware of Solonberg’s capabilities, as clear about them as Solonberg was about his own. Yet, he was still taken aback by the substantial and astonishing enhancement of Solonberg’s abilities in just one month. Judging from the condensation of the halo, Vladimir Koff could ascertain that his opponent had crossed from the third to the fourth stage of the Martial Arts Hierarchy. One month ago, Vladimir Koff clearly remembered Solonberg was still lost within the third stage. Could that man standing aside, watching with excited eyes as if he were watching a circus, really possess such awe-inspiring insight?

Vladimir Koff did not want to admit it, but the nagging voice in his heart had long since confirmed the truth. If not for the guidance of that seemingly clueless Lord in his Dark Fighting Qi, his own would still be struggling within the third stage. A strong mentor’s guidance can be crucial for cultivators searching for a way out of a labyrinth; while daily practice is fundamental, taking the correct path can save warriors countless hours, especially true after entering the Martial Arts Realm. His opponent’s strength enhancement also evidenced this; the seemingly harmless Lord sitting nearby was indeed the true master and mighty warrior. However, the Lord’s peculiar behavior was indeed puzzling.

The gusts stinging Vladimir Koff’s cheeks felt as sharp as tangible blades of wind against the flesh of an ordinary person, which would have left them riddled with wounds. Yet, this was not enough to alarm Vladimir Koff; it was the lurking darkness amidst the faint light that demanded his full attention.

The sword in Vladimir Koff’s hand, enveloped by the Dark Fighting Qi, turned into a menacing Sword Qi shrouded in black mist that clung to the blade, adding an eerie, horrific aspect to his already black visage. Suddenly vaulting into the air, he evaded the oncoming sword qi. Vladimir Koff struck the blade with three consecutive hits from his left hand, turning the sword shadow into countless streams of black qi, scattering towards his opponent who had already lunged from below, locking onto the wavering figure at the heart of the action.

The sword Qi, striking down like thunder, instantly enveloped Solonberg in the raging center of the storm, as if every shadowy figure aimed directly for his vital points. The chilling intent penetrated deep into his heart. With a raised hand, he gently pulled the uncontrollable sword Qi, so effortlessly redirecting the attack toward the surging black Qi, sparking countless flecks of fiery light.

The continuous, sharp collisions echoed in the space, the clear sound of sword strikes releasing wave after wave of vibrations, spreading outward. The earth around them, with the two men at its center, rippled with countless soil patterns before coming to an abrupt halt. The solid ground slowly rose with a layer of dust a foot high, rolling like fog, slowly ascending, and step by step creeping over the feet of the two men, who were now standing firm on the ground.

A trace of surprise flickered across Solonberg’s resolute face, matched by the same expression on Vladimir Koff’s pale cheeks.

An earth-shattering strike!

It was a long while before the layers of black mist clinging to Solonberg quietly dispersed, and the frost on the white-haired knight’s head also turned into mist. With only that one hit, Vladimir Koff, while deploying his Dark Fighting Qi, also released his long-premeditated Dark Binding. Solonberg, in response, counteracted with "Frost Arrival," a deceptively simple Ice Magic, which he poured unreservedly through his Knight’s Sword into his opponent’s body. Solonberg was certain that before he could break free from the enemy’s Dark Binding, the opponent was likewise frozen stiff by his Ice Magic, unable to move. Regrettably, Solonberg had thought that with his increased strength, victory was assured, yet he hadn’t anticipated that the opponent’s power had also risen to a level on par with his own. It seemed the duration of this battle remained uncertain, and when victory or defeat would be decided was anyone’s guess.

Komer was no less captivated by the duel between the two knights. Kennifer III’s Soul-branding technique, as if ignited by the sparks that blossomed from the splendid clash in the air, instantly burned away the fog that had enshrouded a corner of Komer’s memory, flooding his mind with countless scenes of battle and carnage, erupting within the confines of his soul like the most vivid nightmare come to life.

Komer had no idea when the two Dark Knights had left. He stood alone in the wilderness, his gaze steady ahead, as if he had merged with the very earth itself, even the pulse of its breath seemed in perfect harmony with him. How long he remained in this state Komer himself did not know, until the last glimmers of the setting sun slowly descended, and like awakening from a great dream, Komer returned to the world once more.

At sunset, the wilderness fell into stillness. With his clarity regained, Komer tried his best to maintain his original state, the relentlessly pulsing breath within his heart allowing him to experience once more the charm of true strength. Although it lasted only a moment, it would be stored eternally in a corner of his soul. Motionless, Komer closed his eyes in deep contemplation, for only in this way could he savor every moment of his dream in the finest detail, every drop, like the flow of bubbling springs, nourishing his parched heart. The weight of memory sometimes served as a burden and at others like yeast in fermentation, the complete replication of one’s life journey could be a person’s bliss. But whether it’s a fortune or a curse for another, perhaps depends entirely on one’s own insight.