Page 56

Legend has it that the divine weapon "Tiger's Soul" is unranked among the weapons of the Orc Alliance and the Mainland. It is a heavy saber, 174 centimeters long and weighing 42 kilograms. The materials used in its creation include the spine of a white tiger, tree demon amber, and a golden unicorn horn. It was crafted by the dwarf master craftsman Sigma. Its magical level is low-tier tenth rank, and the saber possesses the ability to "Devour Heaven and Earth," absorbing the essence of opponents to reinforce and empower its wielder, the Bane Lord.

The Emperor Martial's Overlord Art ranks first among the battle auras of the Orc Alliance and the Mainland. It is the alliance's national martial art, a lion clan technique. Its lunar attribute is "Battle Power Amplification," which comprehensively enhances the practitioner's strength, speed, attack, defense, willpower, reaction, endurance, and recovery. The technique is divided into ten levels, with each level increasing overall combat power by a factor of two beyond the enhancement of battle aura. Upon reaching the tenth level, compared to warriors of the same race and cultivation, one becomes ten times stronger (ignoring the opponent's lunar attribute). The technique demands strict qualifications and character from its practitioners and is exceptionally difficult to cultivate. Currently, only seven people in the alliance have successfully cultivated it, including one Sword Emperor (the orc king).

Speaking of weapons, even if I disregard the influence of Tiger's Soul as the Bane Lord, a divine weapon promoted from a ninth-level magic beast would still be inferior to the ancient divine sword wielded by my opponent. Regardless of the cultivation level of battle aura, the Emperor Martial's Overlord Art has dominated the Mainland for a thousand years, surpassing all other battle aura techniques. Even if Catherine hasn't reached the tenth level, achieving just two or three levels would make her the strongest at the Sword Sage level. Therefore, this Holy Maiden Sword Sage had no intention of seeking assistance from her subordinates. She challenged me honorably, aiming to seize the Qingcheng Fortress, take control of Fontainebleau, and gain dominion over the entire Golden Trade Route.

"Please enlighten me." I raised my saber in salute, and Tiger's Soul conjured countless shadows, like fireworks cascading down.

"Excellent saber technique." Catherine returned the salute, and mysterious runes appeared on the spine of the Holy Covenant Sword. The sword transformed into a green arc of light, piercing through my myriad saber shadows. For a moment, the golden and emerald lights crisscrossed within a few yards, swift slashes and thrusts without any sound. In a brief moment, we exchanged a hundred moves, yet our weapons never clashed.

"Smack—" In the end, it was my Heart-Crushing Palm that collided with Catherine's gauntlets, causing us both to retreat.

In this round of combat, neither of us used battle aura nor activated the special abilities of our divine weapons. We merely tested each other's strength through our techniques and reactions. Although I didn't gain an upper hand, I felt immensely exhilarated. Since coming to this world, I've had more opportunities to fight than in my previous life, but true martial arts contests were rare. Most often, I faced powerful magic beasts or hordes of weaklings. In the few truly perilous situations, magic and battle aura were used together, leaving no room to fully appreciate the subtleties of martial arts. The frustration of "being beaten by a wild punch" was precisely this. Despite my cruel nature, I often yearned for the legendary demeanor of my master during the Huashan Summit. Whenever I practiced martial arts under the moonlight, contemplating my reflection, I couldn't help feeling a sense of regret. However, now, after exchanging a hundred moves with Catherine, despite the different styles and techniques, the profundity of her swordsmanship was not inferior to the Nine Yin Arts. This naturally filled me with joy and satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Catherine was greatly surprised. Although she had watched this werewolf youth's cultivation skyrocket over the past month, she and her followers attributed it to the influence of Tiger's Soul. According to the pattern of previous Tiger's Soul wielders, unrestricted use of its abilities would lead to a quicker demise. If not for the sudden appearance of powerful and mysterious magical abilities, she wouldn't have acted at all, waiting for him to die on his own. But now, she realized that this werewolf youth was far from simple. Her swordsmanship came from the "War Saint" Leimen, the culmination of her master's wisdom after a century. It was unparalleled in the alliance for its intricacy. Yet, the opponent's saber technique was equally profound, with untapped potential for further growth.

"Who could have created such a saber technique? Is it a reclusive master or a human Sword Saint?" The question flashed through Catherine's mind before she dismissed it. "We have already drawn our lines. No matter who stands behind him, nothing can stop me. For my father, for my family, for revenge against the orc king, my sword will not waver."

Catherine took two steps back, the Holy Covenant Divine Sword guiding her movements. A clear golden flame erupted from her body. The runes on the sword vanished, replaced by new ones, transforming the blade into pure gold.

"Is this the Emperor Martial's Overlord Art of Lady Catherine? Which level has she attained?"

"The third level. Please be cautious."

"Fascinating. Then, let Lady experience my unique battle aura: Ice Prison Thorns Art, activate!"

A pure white light emerged from my body, forming a halo of peculiar light curves that spun around me. Simultaneously, the temperature plummeted sharply. Already the coldest part of a winter night, the temperature dropped several times more, causing even Catherine, protected by golden battle aura, to shiver. Others struggled even more, using various means to keep warm. Magic, battle aura, and divine arts flickered everywhere.

Catherine's expression mixed surprise and seriousness, tinged with disbelief. "Is this the 'Holy Ice Thorn Halo'? Could you be a Holy Grail Knight of the Radiant Temple? No, there's no magical fluctuation when you activate the halo. That means the 'Holy Ice Thorn Halo' is your lunar attribute. Unbelievable that after a thousand years, someone has finally achieved this miracle."

Since its creation, the Emperor Martial's Overlord Art has awed all warriors on the Mainland with its unparalleled power. The tenfold battle power amplification at the Sword Sage level makes it absolutely invincible, combined with the formidable physique of the lion clan. Even in battles involving Sword Emperors, where everyone benefits from the power of the "Starlit Sea," reducing the advantage of the Overlord Art, it still maintains a one-to-ten superiority. In the past, the human "Ancestor of Sword Saints" Reinster fought across the world, slaying seven orc Sword Emperors, but was thrice repelled by the lion clan Sword Emperor wielding the Emperor Martial's Overlord Art, demonstrating its immense power.

A thousand years ago, humans formally began their struggle against orcs, suffering heavy losses from the formidable lion clan experts. To turn the tide, the Radiant Temple paid a huge price, obtaining the power to counter the Emperor Martial's Overlord Art through the sacred artifact "Eternal Holy Grail" from the Light God, known as the "Holy Ice Thorn Halo."