Starting as the Baron of the Lonely Island

When the dust and smoke settled, blood trickled from the corner of Count Kudro’s mouth, but his eyes were crimson with fighting spirit.

"Blood Kill!"

Laughing maniacally, he plunged his Giant Sword into the ground. The figure of the blood-colored giant reappeared and roared at the sky. His collapsing Fighting Qi reconverged, forming a blood-red blade dozens of meters long in the air, which then chopped down toward Duane!

Count Kudro’s Blood Kill was countless times stronger than the one Tara had used in the arena.

Before the blood-red blade even arrived, its bone-chilling killing intent made the warhorses hundreds of meters away neigh and grow restless. If not for the cavalrymen reining them in, they would have bolted in terror.

What was Duane’s strongest move?

It used to be the Rainbow Piercing Spear Skill, then the Thunderous Triple Slash, but not anymore.

His strongest move was the Burning Blood Slash, executed with a weapon forged through Resonating Vein Forging.

As Count Kudro gathered his killing move, Duane had already retrieved his Resonating Weapon from the Void Space—a weapon forged using his own blood as a catalyst.

It was a jet-black Big Ring Saber forged from Meteorite Iron, which Duane had named the "Blood-Burning Saber."

With the large saber in hand, Duane felt as if he were connected to the blade itself.

"Burning Blood Slash!"

This Combat Technique used his blood essence as fuel, mixing with his Thunderous Fighting Qi to emanate an ominous aura even before it was fully formed.

The massive blood-red blade tore through the sky, bringing with it a suffocating pressure as it came crashing down.

Duane’s long, golden hair whipped about in the blast of energy, but he stared coldly at his opponent’s killing move and fiercely swung his saber.

"Break!"

With Duane’s roar, the Blood-Burning Saber carved an eerie, blood-colored arc through the air.

Wherever the blade passed, the air itself seemed to ignite with blood energy, intertwining with his Thunderous Fighting Qi to form a piercing torrent of energy that slammed into the descending blood-red blade.

The moment the two forces collided, time seemed to stand still.

Immediately after, a blinding flash of light engulfed the entire battlefield, and the shockwave ripped up the ground for hundreds of meters in every direction.

The power of this strike was even greater than their previous clash!

The blood-colored phantom surrounding Count Kudro let out an indignant roar as its massive body was sundered by the Burning Blood Slash and dissipated with a boom.

But the remaining power of the Burning Blood Slash continued onward without losing momentum, striking Count Kudro’s body.

"This is imposs—"

The ever-nearing gleam of the blade reflected in Kudro’s widened eyes. He hastily brought his sword across to block, but the blow slammed his own Giant Sword against his chest, sending him hurtling into the enemy’s ranks.

The force exploded outward, sending men and horses flying.

Duane raised his Blood-Burning Saber. "Kill!"

Count Kais snapped back to his senses and drew his Longsword. "Everyone, charge!"

"Kill!"

Kaelon, Raymond, Cruz, and the others let out furious roars.

This was the perfect moment to charge the enemy formation and cut them down.

By the time the chaotic enemy troops recovered, the soldiers of the Silent Shore were already upon them.

They had no time to retreat into the city and could only face the charge.

Duane put away his Blood-Burning Saber, picked up his Long Spear, and charged into the enemy ranks. Wherever his spear passed, enemy soldiers fell like stalks of wheat.

His target was Count Kudro, who was still on the ground, yet to get up.

Atop the city wall, Viscount Ugo was in a state of utter panic.

He rushed to Severus’s side. "Your Excellency, please intervene! Otherwise, Duane will actually dare to kill Count Kudro!"

Severus had shed his initial contempt. ’Duane’s Burning Blood Slash just now could have posed a threat to me. This is my first battle in the Pruck Kingdom, and I don’t want to screw up like Thomsen did. However, after that fierce battle with Kudro, Duane’s stamina should be significantly drained. Dealing with him should be much easier now.’

By now, the two armies were locked in a bloody slaughter.

Although Viscount Ugo’s side had suffered greater losses, the Silent Shore had also taken casualties. The attrition had begun and would only escalate.

’The objective has been achieved. It really is time for me to make an appearance.’

Severus stretched his limbs and walked to the edge of the city wall. "Rest assured, I will not stand by and watch the Count be killed."

Before his voice had even faded, he leaped from the wall, landing precisely beside Count Kudro. A blast of air sent the surrounding men and horses flying.

Duane had already fought his way near, but he stopped.

A completely unfamiliar face, deathly pale. His instincts told him something was wrong with the man before him.

Touching the tip of his spear to the ground, Duane demanded, "Who are you?"

"The man who’s here to capture you!"

Severus’s figure flickered and vanished on the spot.

’Danger!’

Duane retreated explosively, activating his Starlight Eye just in time to spot a black shadow appearing by his side, throwing a punch at him.

"Storm Fist!"

Duane raised his fist to meet the blow.

With a dull THUD, energy erupted from the collision, sending all the men and horses caught in the surrounding melee flying.

Duane couldn’t worry about them; he immediately pulled away to create distance.

He had a feeling that this stranger was a formidable enemy unlike any he had faced before, perhaps even stronger than Duke Kelvin. ’When did someone like this appear in the Pruck Kingdom?’

"Oh?"

Severus’s figure reappeared. He let out a light, appreciative laugh. "You actually managed to react. You truly are full of surprises!"

Duane flexed his left hand, shaking off the tingling numbness.

"I don’t recall anyone like you in the Kingdom. Who are you?"

Severus chuckled. "Since you could take a blow from me, you’ve earned the right to know my identity."

A Blood-colored Longsword appeared in his hand, and his entire body radiated an aura of slaughter. "Criminal Law Judge of the Holy Radiance Court, Severus Blackthorn."

Duane froze for a moment before it dawned on him. The man was from the Holy Radiance Court!

’It seems Thomsen’s defeat made them realize that sending a Silver Moon Level expert wasn’t enough. So, is this man a Scorching Sun Level Warrior, or...?’

Duane grew cautious. His history with the Holy Radiance Court was far from simple.

"You just said you want to capture me?"

"And why not?"

Severus retorted, "The dignity and interests of the Church Court are inviolable. You crippled the Holy Son. Did you think you wouldn’t have to pay a price?"

Duane couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words with him. ’The Holy Radiance Court really needs to revise its doctrines,’ he thought.

"Snake Fang Assault!"

Duane rarely used this ability, as Swift Step was usually sufficient for ordinary battles. But now was the perfect time.

His speed was like a striking snake, and in an instant, he was in front of his opponent.

But Severus just smiled contemptuously and once again vanished into the void.

’It isn’t Stealth, but I can still see his position.’ Duane’s spear shot out like lightning, aimed straight at his opponent’s heart.

Severus reacted this time. ’After the first strike, I thought he’d just gotten lucky and guessed my position. But this proves he can see through my Shadow Step. If that’s the case, there’s no need to hide anymore.’

The Blood-colored Longsword collided with the tip of the spear, creating a sharp, explosive ring.

The instant sparks flew, Duane felt an incredibly sinister and cold power travel up the shaft of his spear. His entire arm felt as if it had been plunged into an ice cave.

A cat-and-mouse smile appeared on Severus’s pale face. His Blood-colored Longsword suddenly seemed to soften, transforming into a Poisonous Snake Chain that coiled around the spear shaft.

"How does Shadow Erosion taste?"

Duane’s pupils constricted. He found that the circulation of Fighting Qi in his arm had become sluggish.

’This man’s abilities are strange.’

He decisively released his spear, gripped his Blood-Burning Saber again, and swept it toward his opponent’s waist.

Severus frowned, forced to abandon the entanglement and retreat to a distance of ten paces.

Duane circulated his Fighting Qi, dispersing the encroaching corrosive power.

"Good reaction, but..."

Severus no longer used Shadow Step. Instead, he charged straight forward, his speed even faster than Count Kudro’s when he had activated his Bloodline Power.

"I have never failed to capture someone I’m after!"