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The situation did not allow me time to think carefully. The female Sword Emperor had already opened her eyes, which had transformed from pitch-black to a dazzling sapphire blue. Her gaze first locked onto me, and without a word, the frozen crystal spear in her hand turned into a blue streak, lunging towards me. I knew that although she had only recently become a Sword Emperor and her combat skills were far inferior to those who could rival the "Emperor Martial Overlord Art," she was no match for me. However, I didn’t dare to underestimate someone who had survived a forbidden spell. I fully activated my "Saint Ice Thorn Aura," and Zha's attack faltered. I seized the opportunity to swing my "Divine Judgment Sword," and the white-gold lightning flashed, severing the "Spear of Absolute Destiny" in Zha's hand.

However, things didn't go as expected. The tip of the severed crystal spear exploded, sending sharp ice blades flying towards us. Both Katherin and I quickly dodged to avoid the fragments of the legendary divine weapon. But just as I stepped back, another sharp blue light aimed at my throat. The speed was far beyond the normal Sword Emperor level. Fortunately, I activated another ability, the "Magic Motion Aura," just in time to dodge the strike. To my surprise, Zha’s spear was intact again, fully restored and just as sharp.

After retracting the spear, the bare-skinned Zha immediately turned to attack Katherin. Katherin, wanting to test Zha's depth, didn't dodge but instead swung her holy sword "Covenant" to meet the spear head-on. The result shocked me. With a loud "clang," Katherin, whose martial prowess was renowned for being overwhelmingly powerful, was sent flying by a single strike from her opponent.

Zha's speed was exceptional, and her power immense. It seemed that in just a few days, the female Sword Emperor of the barbarian tribe had transformed. Her epic spear had also become even more unpredictable. Every time it was severed, the remaining part would regenerate a new tip, still as formidable as before. For a moment, the two of us, both skilled fighters, were forced into a dire situation.

"Damn it, even a top-tier Sword Emperor like Apu couldn't compare. This power is probably close to that of the Beast King Samantha. If surviving a forbidden spell grants such benefits, then why have I been training so hard?" I thought to myself as Katherin and I struggled to fend off Zha's storm-like attacks. It was said that the barbarian woman cultivated a unique battle aura from the Valkyrie clan called the "Deep Blue Giant God Battle Aura," which was considered a top-tier skill. But even if she had reached the peak Sword Emperor level, she shouldn't possess such overwhelming power. Could it be that she had broken through to become a "Sword Saint"?

No! I suddenly realized the issue. Although Zha’s strength and speed were extremely impressive, if she had truly reached a level close to Samantha’s, Katherin and I would have been killed within ten moves. Yet although we were in a tight spot, we weren't injured. The reason was that Zha’s attacks were too direct and simple, as if she had forgotten all her intricate martial techniques. I had noticed this earlier but assumed that Zha, relying on her divine powers, was deliberately not using sophisticated techniques, perhaps wanting to torment her two enemies—one, an invading beastman warrior, and the other, a treacherous human traitor (I was still in my human form). Naturally, she would take her time with us.

But after over a hundred moves, Zha's attacks became increasingly frenzied, yet she still didn't change her tactics. This aroused my suspicion. Upon closer observation, I noticed that although the barbarian woman's eyes held battle intent and impatience, there was no hatred or malice, only a hint of confusion. I immediately thought of a countermeasure. I changed the style of my swordplay, letting it flow like thousands of delicate willow branches entangling her offensive. At the same time, I shouted to Katherin, "Don't force yourself, just contain her!"

Katherin immediately understood my intention. She changed her swordplay from a wide, forceful style to a more subtle and mysterious one, avoiding direct confrontation with Zha and only looking for openings to strike. If she missed, she would evade immediately. Although Zha roared in anger, she had no countermeasure. It was clear that although Zha’s reactions were quick and her strength immense, she was fighting purely on instinct and innate talent. When entangled by our sophisticated sword techniques, she couldn't break free.

"What exactly happened to her? How did she..." Just as the situation turned in our favor, Katherin, breathing a sigh of relief, was about to further analyze the changes in Zha when the bare-skinned barbarian woman suddenly stopped her attack, stepped back, and assumed a strange spear-holding stance, her gaze distant and unfocused as it landed on Katherin.

While we hadn’t feared Zha’s earlier full-force attacks, this nearly vacant gaze sent a terrifying chill down our spines. Before we could react, Zha had already thrust her spear forward, aiming directly at Katherin.

A perfect strike.

If Zha's earlier lack of technique had been far below her previous level, this spear thrust far surpassed her former realm, achieving an unparalleled state of ultimate simplicity and naturalness. Katherin saw the path of the spear but couldn't dodge or block it. Amid the interweaving of golden battle aura and the light of the holy sword "Covenant," a spray of blood flew, and her body was sent flying, staining the icy sands red.

"Katherin!" Seeing this sudden turn of events, I was filled with rage and disbelief, my eyes wide with shock. I rushed to Katherin's side as quickly as possible. Her chest had a gaping wound, and blood was gushing out, her eyes devoid of life. Without hesitation, I pulled out a magic scroll from my robe, tore it open, and pressed it onto Katherin’s wound. The wound visibly healed, and her face showed signs of life as she furrowed her brow, spat out a mouthful of dark blood, and resumed breathing.

This scroll was the most powerful healing divine art from the Temple, known as the "Great Resurrection Scroll." Its healing effects were astonishing. When Apu Knight was bisected by me, he had managed to revive using such a scroll. However, such a treasure was extremely rare. Even Lansino, the Holy Grail Knight, did not possess one. Fortunately, when we came to the Northern Country, there was also a leader of the Sacred Sword Knights. Although not a Holy Grail Knight, he was an experienced Sword Emperor. When I ambushed Snowflake Harbor with Katherin, we joined forces to slay him. After thoroughly searching his belongings, I finally found this scroll hidden in the lining of his belt. Katherin had told me to keep it for emergencies, and now it was indeed such a time.