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At the same time, Chen Xuanfeng, who was observing the battle, raised his eyebrows and smiled in surprise, "Oh? I didn’t see that coming. It’s pretty surprising."

The principle behind Hein's power enhancement was not complicated; it involved altering the nature of his aura to integrate countless spirits into it. By controlling these spirits, he could manage the power, much like a general commanding an army, thus significantly increasing his power without the risk of losing control. However, this method, while effective, relied entirely on his ability to control the spirits. Hein was not a necromancer; his ability to control spirits likely stemmed entirely from the rare necromantic armor he wore.

This method was not unheard of. In fact, Chen Xuanfeng himself was a master of it. His "Nine-Headed Dragon Qi" was a pinnacle achievement that incorporated demonic spirits into his aura, producing immense power and various miraculous effects. The difference was in the materials: Chen Xuanfeng used spirits and primal forces from beings like the Nine-Headed Serpent King, the Demon Dragon King, and the Great Demon King, while Hein relied on the souls of ordinary soldiers, prioritizing quantity over quality. The disparity between the two was akin to the difference between the Demon Dragon King and an army of tens of thousands of humans—similar in total, but worlds apart in effect.

Meanwhile, Carol, who had retreated, also realized, "So, the Nine Ghosts Demon Armor—Lament of the Underworld you're wearing isn’t a replica, but the genuine artifact from the Necromantic War two hundred years ago. This means your true motive for intervening in the human war wasn’t to influence the battle, but to gather these numerous souls... You... actually used the souls of tens of thousands of our fellow humans to feed those nine hellish demons. How could you do such a thing?"

Hein sneered in response, "Hmph, what’s the big deal? Didn’t the Radiant Temple kill millions to build their angelic warrior legion? If others can do it, why can’t I?"

"You..." Carol, faced with such a fundamentally different opponent, was momentarily at a loss for words.

Although Carol was not a necromancer, as a top-tier warrior, he naturally had some understanding of the major schools of magic. The foundation of necromancy was the manipulation of spirits, with the most useful being those filled with pain and resentment, especially the souls of those who died in battle. Ironically, the most warlike orc tribes rarely produced vengeful spirits suitable for necromancy. These naturally combative yet straightforward warriors could face even the most brutal deaths with a smile, free of resentment. Spirits without resentment could not be bound by necromancy. Similarly, the nature-loving elves, with their strong wills, rarely became vengeful spirits (though there were exceptions, such as the rare elven maidens who, driven by emotional despair, transformed into "super spirits" far more powerful than ordinary undead, second only to liches). It was the human soul, filled with desires and impulses, that was the most suitable vessel for necromancy. Thus, during the wars between these two races, necromancy had little impact and was not particularly despised by either side (the orcs were indifferent, while the elves, due to the existence of "super spirits," disliked necromancy but did not harbor deep hatred).

It wasn’t until these two races withdrew from the stage of continental dominance and humans became the world’s rulers that necromancy truly flourished, becoming a force capable of overturning the continent. In the Necromantic War two hundred years ago, the armies of the dead, driven by necromancers, swept across half the continent—all of them human souls. Though the human alliance, led by the Radiant Temple, won the war, the necromancers’ stronghold, the Isle of the Dead, remained untouched overseas. The overall strength of the human world declined sharply, with many noble families that had survived since the glorious battles of four hundred years ago perishing. The fall of numerous strongholds led to the loss of countless martial arts, and the orcs, previously oppressed by human offensives, seized the opportunity to rise again. With the emergence of the "War Saint" Leimen, the orcs regained their place in the continental struggle.

Setting aside historical digressions, as for Hein’s intervention in the human civil war to absorb souls and enhance his power, Carol could not attack him beyond moral condemnation. If this issue were brought before the high officials of the major human empires, it would merely be a criticism of his brutal methods. Sacrificing tens or hundreds of thousands of lives to create a powerful sword saint was not something unacceptable to these leaders who viewed the broader human world.

However, Carol was not such a person. After all, he was young and full of righteous indignation.

Right then, he made up his mind. Even if it meant being branded a traitor among sword saints, he’d take down Hein—or at least destroy that cursed armor, the "Nine Ghosts Demon Armor—Lament of the Underworld," which enslaved spirits.

And so, the battle resumed. The blue and golden-red moons clashed with the wailing black flames. The night sky roared with thunderous blasts, and blinding flashes of light swallowed the three moons and the endless sea of stars. The two young sword saints, each unleashing their power, vowed to defeat the other. It was reminiscent of the clash between the "Blade Saint" and the "Flame Saint" of old, where one conjured boundless blade intent, encompassing mountains, rivers, and oceans within their sword technique, the power of the saintly realm flowing like a gentle breeze or a flowing stream, the countless blade lights resembling the majestic continuity of ten thousand mountains; while the other was fierce and unrestrained, the roaring, cracking flames carrying the scorching heat of a furnace that could burn the sky and boil the sea, reducing everything it touched to ashes.

Hein, relying on his doubled power, turned the tide. Carol could no longer control the situation and the rhythm of the battle as before, and was gradually being forced back. Although Hein’s flame power had not yet reached the level of the "Dragon Saint," it had surpassed the total aura of the "Flame Saint" Levis at his peak. Even though it was merely an increase in quantity, it was enough to cause significant trouble for Carol.

"Hahaha, what’s wrong, Arshu’s heir? Didn’t you swear by your sword skills? Claim pure power was useless? Why can’t you keep up now? I’ve surpassed you by chasing strength alone!" Hein, having finally surpassed his opponent, laughed maniacally as he pressed his fierce attacks. The towering flames, resonating with his fighting spirit, advanced step by step, forcing Carol into a disadvantageous position.