Chapter 757 - 757: Lost?
Zander, thinking about how he would defeat Kang Yongjin, saw that Kang Yongjin was just standing without pursuing. He could see that Kang Yongjin also seemed to be bearing a burden, as if he had just released a huge amount of energy. Sweat rolled down his face as he tried to adjust his breathing. Although Kang Yongjin tried to hide it, Zander finally understood what had happened.
'I see, he must be exhausted, and his energy reserves must be quite low. That body technique and continuously unleashing his fist technique must have drained his energy quickly,' he thought. He was actually exhausted as well, but he still had plenty of energy because he had not unleashed any of his sword techniques. Throughout his battle with Kang Yongjin just now, he had not had a chance to properly use any of them.
It seemed that was part of Kang Yongjin's strategy, to prevent him from unleashing his sword techniques. Kang Yongjin knew that the combination of his sword techniques, sword intent, or even the sword will would be dangerous.
Then, suddenly, another strategy came to his mind.
'Maybe I could take advantage of his low energy. I could make him drain entirely of his energy and defeat him.' He looked at his left hand from the wrist down, he could not move it at all.
'As expected, it's broken and cracked in some parts.' With one hand incapacitated, even the slightest movement caused pain, hindering both his sword techniques and body movement. That kick had been truly fatal, and it was also his own carelessness. To think he had been so focused on fists that he had forgotten Kang Yongjin's kick could be deadly, he clearly needed more experience in battle.
His eyes focused again as he looked at Kang Yongjin, who suddenly assumed a different stance. He wanted to move again, to bait Kang Yongjin into draining more energy, but his body suddenly refused to obey. A chill ran through him as an unknown fear surged from deep within his soul, freezing him in place.
From his point of view, Kang Yongjin's figure transformed into that of a giant beast, a ferocious creature that seemed ready to devour him. He could see its two eyes, giant yellow orbs with black slits, like those of a colossal reptile. In this moment, Kang Yongjin no longer appeared human to Zander, he was a giant beast.
"What? How could he use dragon's intimidation?" In the spectators' section, some dragons raised that question, because what Kang Yongjin used was undoubtedly one of the dragons' abilities. Although it felt weaker, since Kang Yongjin was not a dragon, what he had just used was an innate ability that every dragon possesses, the dragon's intimidation.
Dragon's intimidation is a psychological attack against an opponent, using the dragon's very existence as a deterrent force. Dragons, as one of the most powerful beings in the universe, have their own ways to assert dominance. Dragon's intimidation is one of these methods, showing anyone who dares oppose them who is truly stronger.
This ability is unique to dragon lineage, and they had never heard of a pure human being able to use it.
In one of the VVIP rooms, the Dragon King frowned.
"This kid is from Black Dragon Pavilion, right? If he is not a dragon or of mixed blood, then according to the records I have read, the only possible reason he could use Dragon's intimidation is that he is the successor of the Heavenly Demon's Black Dragon Scripture," he said.
"It's no wonder that his body technique is also quite strange, as if his skin itself has turned into dragon scales. If that is the case, then it's no wonder he could be so strong." As Dragon King, he already knew the legend of the Black Dragon Pavilion, one of the three great sects of the demon cultivators.
The Black Dragon Pavilion is said to be a sect whose foundation is built upon the existence of a single black dragon. This black dragon, a mysterious being rumored to be a special mutant dragon, seemingly appeared from nowhere and became the Heavenly Demon's mount, accompanying him on his journey.
Legend holds that the black dragon is among the most powerful beings in the history of the universe.
The Dragon King smiled as he looked at the arena, his gaze moving from Kang Yongjin to Zander.
"It seems that kid wants to use his ultimate technique after intimidating that guy so he can stay in his place. I know this might be his last attack, given how tired he seems, but if that swordsman doesn't have anything to resist the dragon's intimidation, then the winner is already decided." As the Dragon King said this, Kang Yongjin's stance in the arena had already shifted to that of a person ready to throw a punch.
Suddenly, the space around him trembled, growing heavier, even the space around his fist wavered slightly. The ground beneath him cracked. His obsidian skin had returned to normal skin, but now it glowed red. The muscles in his arm and torso contracted as if ready to unleash tremendous power.
From his expression, he seemed to be enduring pain himself, it appeared to be a setback as he prepared to unleash his ultimate technique.
However, despite the pain, he could not help but grin. He looked at the motionless Zander in the distance and realized he was still trapped under the effect of the Dragon's intimidation. With this, Zander would not move until the strike hit him.
'I win,' he thought.
In the room where Sect Master Ryu watched, he widened his eyes in astonishment and turned to Sect Master Kang.
"You already taught him Breaking Void at his stage? And he seems to have comprehended it and even used it? Don't you think it's too early and could cause damage to his body?"
Sect Master Kang, still looking proudly at Kang Yongjin, answered, "He has already proven himself as someone who can comprehend one of the Heavenly Demon's Scriptures and endure the training necessary to receive this technique. There might be backlash, but I don't think it will be a problem."
Sect Master Ryu frowned. "Why would it not be a problem? Kang Yongjin's meridians could burst, and he might even end up crippled for life. Don't you think you are too—" He suddenly stopped and narrowed his eyes.
"Wait, are you thinking of pleading to His Majesty if that happens?" At the moment he asked, Sect Master Kang coughed slightly, causing Sect Master Ryu to widen his eyes in astonishment.
"You presumptuous bastard! What do you think His Majesty is? Your personal physician?" he asked in bewilderment. Nearby, Sect Master Baek couldn't help but smile in amusement, she found the situation hilarious. To think that Sect Master Kang could harbor such shameless thoughts.
Sect Master Kang, as if caught red-handed, flushed slightly and answered shamelessly.
"Well, because I trust His Majesty, I let Kang Yongjin use this technique as a last resort when he asked me if he could use it in the tournament. Anyway, I would prostrate myself before His Majesty if needed so he could heal Kang Yongjin if he could not withstand the setback."
Sect Master Ryu facepalmed and muttered, "Crazy bastard," before looking back at the arena.
The spectators watching Kang Yongjin prepare to unleash his powerful technique felt tense. The masked man, who had shown brilliance since the early phase of the tournament, now seemed destined to lose. He did not move an inch, as if something had rendered him unable to act. The dragons knew that the masked man must be in fear because of the Dragon's intimidation.
His body was frozen by a fear that surged from deep within his soul, one he could not easily erase. To them, this masked swordsman had already lost.
On the balcony where Aldrian was seated, his family watched Zander anxiously. Sylphia then turned to Aldrian.
"Is Zander going to lose? He seems frozen in place. From what I just heard, it's because of Kang Yongjin's ability called the Dragon's Intimidation. With Kang Yongjin seeming ready to unleash his ultimate technique, Zander will be directly hit if he doesn't move," she said.
However, Aldrian was actually smiling, which confused her.
"This is the perfect moment and his only chance for him to unleash his trump card," he said suddenly. "But the moment Kang Yongjin forced Zander to feel fear and remained rooted in place to unleash his technique, he made his biggest mistake."
His comment left the rest of his family confused, but suddenly—
Whoozz!
A surge of sword will erupted from Zander, making every sword in the stadium tremble. Then, one by one, they floated into the air, all directing themselves toward Zander.
From the spectators' viewpoint, a faint illusion of a sword appeared behind Zander. A firm and strong sword that would not bend in the face of any obstacle.
The spectators were shocked by this turn of events as they saw hundreds of thousands of swords floating and pointing at Zander. His sword will, which created a faint illusion of a sword, sent chills down the spines of even Duke stage cultivators.
Kang Yongjin, witnessing this, was equally shocked. He had not expected Zander to withstand his Dragon's Intimidation and release his sword will. At this moment, his instincts screamed danger at the sight of a sword will far more powerful than anything Zander had shown before. It sent goosebumps across his own body.
'I have to end this battle now. He is too dangerous!' he thought.
Feeling that his technique was ready, he decided to unleash it despite the pain coursing through his body, determined to end the battle.
Breaking Void!