The colossal energy orb of Threefold Unity Force slammed into the storm of sword energy unleashed by the Myriad Swords Convergence Art. The impact sent tremors rippling through the World Alliance's mountaintop, the ground quaking beneath the onlookers' feet. The sheer force of the clash was breathtaking, a spectacle that held Alex spellbound.
In terms of raw power, both Xiongba and the Sword Saint stood as fourth-level Awakened, their crystal points soaring into realms most could only dream of. The display left no doubt—they were titans of the martial world.
After what felt like an eternity, the energy orb shattered into fragments of light, scattering like embers in the wind. Xiongba staggered, his face pale as ash, blood trickling from his lips. Forcing the unmastered Threefold Unity Force had taken a toll, the backlash tearing through his body with invisible claws.
The Sword Saint fared little better. His breath came in shallow gasps, his once-vibrant aura dimmed. Unleashing the Myriad Swords Convergence Art at full strength, so soon after abandoning his old techniques, had pushed him to his limits.
"Xiongba, I underestimated you," the Sword Saint said, his voice steady despite his weariness. His eyes blazed with a fierce, unyielding spirit, the sword intent within him surging like a tide.
"Sword Saint, your reputation is well-earned," Xiongba replied, his tone heavy with respect. Though pride fueled his every move, he couldn't deny the master's prowess.
"Enough talk. Let's settle this with one final strike," the Sword Saint declared. His sword intent burned bright, but his body wavered—he knew he couldn't sustain a prolonged fight.
"Agreed. One move to decide it all!" Xiongba nodded, his own injuries screaming with every breath. A drawn-out battle was no longer an option.
The crowd of martial artists, already awestruck, retreated further, their robes fluttering in the gusts kicked up by the duel. The battle had already shaken the earth—now, this final clash promised to be cataclysmic.
Xiongba raised his index finger, channeling the Threefold Unity Force. A pinpoint of energy gathered at his fingertip, glowing with a ferocity that seemed to compress a mountain's weight into a single point. The air around him hummed, heavy with destructive potential.
The Sword Saint drew a deep breath, his fingers forming a sword gesture. Sword energy erupted in a dazzling cascade, each bolt swirling and merging into a single, shimmering mass. What had been countless strands now compressed into a near-tangible blade, glinting like forged steel under the moonlight.
"Threefold Divine Strike!" Xiongba roared, thrusting his finger forward. The concentrated force shot out, a beam of raw power that seemed unstoppable, capable of shattering anything in its path.
"Myriad Swords Convergence Art!" the Sword Saint intoned, his voice a low hum in his chest. Though designed for sweeping, multi-target assaults, he now funneled its hundreds of sword energies into a single, devastating thrust.
The two forces met, and the world seemed to hold its breath. A shockwave exploded from the point of impact, a howling gale that swept through the arena like a tempest. The ground shuddered, cracks spiderwebbing outward as the air itself groaned under the strain.
When the dust finally settled, Xiongba stood hunched, his breath ragged, blood staining his chin. He looked like a man on the edge of collapse, his strength nearly spent.
The Sword Saint was no better. The fiery sword spirit that had defined him was all but gone, leaving him frail, like an elder weathered by time. His eyes, though, still held a spark of defiance.
Such a pity, Xiongba thought, his gaze locked on his opponent. He'd only grasped the basics of the Threefold Unity Force. With mastery, he could have claimed victory.
The Sword Saint shared the sentiment. If only… Had he faced Xiongba before abandoning his old techniques, his Twenty-Two Sword Arts would have secured the win. Or later, once his Myriad Swords Convergence Art was perfected, Xiongba would stand no chance. But fate had chosen this moment, when both were at a crossroads.
"Unbelievable…" the crowd murmured, their voices a mix of awe and disbelief. The Sword Saint's strength was no surprise, but Xiongba's ability to match him? That was a revelation.
No one had expected Xiongba's power to climb so high.
"Jiansheng, this fight remains undecided. Shall we meet again another day?" Xiongba said, his voice steadying as he adjusted his breathing.
He saw the long game. With time, his Threefold Unity Force would reach its peak. And the Sword Saint, older by far, would only weaken with age. Today's clash had shown Xiongba the path to victory.
"Very well. I'll be ready," the Sword Saint replied, his nod swift and resolute. He, too, saw a future where his Myriad Swords Convergence Art would outshine Xiongba's might. The next duel would be his.
And so, the battle ended in a draw—a result no one had foreseen. Yet it felt right. Both warriors had proven their worth, their skills earning the crowd's respect.
The Sword Saint wasted no time lingering. Ignoring the pleas of Peerless City's warriors, he turned and strode away, his silhouette fading into the moonlit night. The masters of the World Alliance watched in silent reverence, his legend reaffirmed.
Xiongba, meanwhile, surveyed the gathered martial artists, a quiet satisfaction settling in his chest. He hadn't won, but he hadn't lost either. Tying with the Sword Saint was victory enough—his name would now echo as loudly as his rival's in the martial world.
Did Xiongba unlock the Threefold Unity Force early? Alex wondered, his mind racing as he pieced together the fight. That beating from Di Shitian and Luo Xian must've shaken him to his core, pushing him to new heights.
Beside him, Di Shitian's lips curved into a cryptic smile. "Looks like your prediction was off, Alex. A tie, not a win for the Sword Saint."
His eyes glinted with something unreadable, a mix of curiosity and doubt. While Alex's martial skills intrigued him, it was his supposed gift of foresight that Di Shitian valued most—his key to the dragon-slaying prophecy. Arranging Luo Xian's closeness had been part of that plan.
But this misjudgment? It planted a seed of suspicion. If Alex's foresight was flawed, had Di Shitian been misled? A flicker of anger stirred within him, its consequences looming like a storm on the horizon.