The moment the two attacks collided, the entire cave trembled as if the very fabric of reality was being torn apart. A deafening roar echoed through the underground chamber as energy waves exploded outward in every direction. The impact created a storm of dust, fire, and shattered rock, obscuring everything in a blinding light.
The Silver King's attack, powered by the massive formation, surged forward like an unrelenting tsunami of destruction. Blades of energy, infused with a terrifying force, tore through the air, seeking to annihilate everything in their path. The ground cracked, and shockwaves rippled through the walls, causing massive boulders to crumble and fall.
But then—Uttar's God Handprint Art descended.
The enormous grayish-brown handprint, infused with the raw power of all five elements, crushed through the incoming attack with overwhelming force. The energy storm created by the Silver King's formation buckled under the immense weight of Uttar's attack, its structure unraveling in mere moments.
The clash lasted only seconds, yet it felt like eternity. The ground beneath them split open, sending deep fissures running in every direction. The cave, unable to withstand the sheer force of their battle, groaned under the pressure. Columns of rock shattered like glass, and the ceiling above cracked ominously.
Then, with one final push, the God Handprint surged forward, breaking through the remnants of the Silver King's formation attack and continuing its path toward its true target.
The Silver King's eyes widened in horror. He had put everything into his attack, believing that no force in the world could break through his formation. And yet, in front of him, that very belief was crumbling.
"No—impossible!" he roared, trying to muster what little energy he had left to defend himself.
But it was too late.
The God Handprint crashed into him with the force of a falling mountain. A sickening crack echoed as his body was hurled across the cave, smashing into a stone pillar. Blood spurted from his mouth as unbearable pain wracked his body. One of his arms—his dominant sword-wielding arm—was severed completely from his shoulder, landing a few feet away with a dull thud.
His body lay broken and bloodied, barely able to move. His silver robes were now drenched in red, torn apart from the sheer force of the impact. His breathing was ragged, each inhale a struggle. His once-proud golden eyes, filled with arrogance, now held only shock and despair.
Meanwhile, Uttar stood motionless at the center of the battlefield, his body trembling. The immense exertion of the God Handprint Art had drained nearly all of his energy. His limbs felt heavy, his vision blurred, and his breathing was labored. Even his knees threatened to buckle beneath him.
The once mighty cave was now nothing more than ruins. Dust and debris filled the air, making it difficult to see clearly. The underground chamber had lost its structure—rocks crumbled from above, the very foundations shaking as if the earth itself had been wounded.
Uttar let out a slow breath, steadying himself. His entire body ached, his chakra pathways screaming in protest from the strain. He had poured everything into that attack, more than he had ever attempted before. The fusion of five elements had been a gamble, one that could have easily backfired if not controlled properly.
Yet, in the end, he had emerged victorious.
He turned his gaze toward the fallen Silver King.
The once-mighty ruler, feared for his unparalleled strength, now lay on the cold, shattered ground, barely clinging to life. His face twisted in pain, his silver hair matted with dirt and blood. Despite the agony, his eyes still held a flicker of defiance, refusing to accept his defeat.
Uttar took a step forward, his exhausted body protesting with each movement. He knew he had won, but he also understood that leaving an enemy alive was a mistake one could not afford in the cultivation world.
The Silver King coughed, blood spilling from his lips. His voice was weak, barely above a whisper. "You… what are you?" His gaze, though filled with pain, still carried the remnants of pride. "You wield an impossible power… no mere mortal should control five elements simultaneously…"
Uttar remained silent for a moment, staring down at the broken man before him. Then, he slowly clenched his fists.
"I am merely reclaiming what was lost," he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "And I will not let anyone stand in my way."
A faint smile played on the Silver King's lips, though it was laced with bitterness. "Hah… to think… I would fall to a mere boy…"
Uttar narrowed his eyes as he slowly approached the Silver King's body. He had seen too many battles to lower his guard now. His instincts remained sharp, his chakra still circulating within him, ready for any surprises.
As he closed the distance, he suddenly sensed a minute fluctuation in the air—an almost imperceptible killing intent.
His eyes sharpened.
Here it comes.
In an instant, the Silver King's remaining hand flicked forward, releasing a small, almost invisible needle coated in a deep purple poison. It moved with terrifying speed, aimed directly at Uttar's heart.
But before it could even reach him—
Clink!
Uttar raised his right hand, catching the needle between two fingers. The force behind it was immense, enough to pierce steel, yet it stopped effortlessly between his fingertips.
The Silver King's expression froze.
"How…?" he muttered, eyes widening in disbelief.
Uttar twirled the needle in his fingers, examining it briefly before giving the Silver King a cold glance.
"You were planning this from the start," he stated calmly.
The Silver King remained silent, his face turning even paler as he realized the futility of his actions.
Uttar let out a slow breath, then without hesitation, flicked the needle back.
Swish!
The poisoned needle shot forward, returning with even greater speed than before. The Silver King barely had time to react before it buried itself deep into his neck.
His body convulsed violently as the poison rapidly spread through his veins. A choked gasp escaped his lips as his muscles seized, his remaining hand clawing at his throat in desperation. His eyes, once filled with pride, were now clouded with disbelief and terror.
The poison worked quickly. Within seconds, the Silver King's body stiffened, his movements becoming sluggish. His breathing hitched before finally coming to a complete stop. His eyes, still open, stared blankly at the ceiling above, forever frozen in his final moments.
Silence filled the cave.