The crowd immediately backed up and Han Ling accepted a Shield Life, an item that gives a player a magic shield. It’s a Itonian artifact that protects players in duels. Once the shield drops to zero all damage after in nullified for 5 seconds, protecting the losing player.

An ecstatic smile appeared on Narukami’s face as he raised a hand to his side, a sudden thunderbolt fell on a clear sky. The bolt slammed down into the earth, but Narukami grasped the bolt, dispersing the light, forming the shape of a sword.

It was a typical Japanese katana, a meter long, the sheath was made of blueish wood, carved with gold dragons. Narukami showed an extremely menacing grin as he unsheathed his sword, the white-blue blade gleaming under the sun.

Suddenly, clouds formed from nothing, dark clouds swirled above Narukami, flashes emerged from the clouds, as thunder boomed above. Narukami leaned forward slightly, sheathing his sword with a satisfying SHING. But his right hand stayed on the handle, his left on the sheath.

Han Ling recognized this stance, it was Lighting Emperor’s draw strike. As expected, he’ll use draw strike first. Then I’ll have to give him a good fight now. Two blades appeared in Han Ling’s hands, and immediately blood red flames coated the white blade, while purple flames coated the black blade.

“Hmm, he knows sword aura as well…” Narukami mused with a nod. Iron Heart became the judge of the fight as everyone returned to their houses and watched from a safe distance, it wasn’t everyday the king would spar with someone.

Iron Heart glanced at both sides, “Begin!”

A rumbling hum sounded from Narukami’s side and his hand moved.

“Storm Sword 1st movement: First Thunderclap”

BOOM!

A blue sword energy zoomed forward, slicing through the air like butter. Narukami watched the sword beam fly straight to Blood Mask, expecting the man to block a quick attack like this. But what Han Ling did rendered him speechless…

The swordsman just dashed forward, as if it wanted the sword beam to hit his body. Narukami cursed, moving forward to save the idiot who runs towards a sword beam.

CLANG!

Narukami grunted as he blocked the black sword arcing down on him. Shock and confusion written all over his face. How is he in front of me? Can he teleport? Han Ling used Shimmering Flash, blinking in front of Narukami, and hoping the latter blocked his strike. And when he did, Han Ling launched a barrage of sword strikes. The white sabre thrust forward, striking perfectly on his shoulder.

-1231

So much damage! Narukami tried activating his skills, only to feel the energy in his body locked by an unknown force. A silence skill? When did he cast that? Narukami’s blade flashed in a circle, forcing Han Ling to block it with Obsidian Hollow. The Lighting Emperor twisted his body to dodge the white sabre’s second thrust.

But that was a mistake…

Narukami widened his eyes, nine blood red sabres struck down on the man. Lighting emperor tried to block them, but most still hit.

-456 -345 -567 -345 -532

In just 2 seconds, Han Ling dealt half of Narukami’s total health.

But once that 2 seconds were gone…

Narukami’s hand flashed, and a blue line appeared on Han Ling’s shoulder.

“Storm Sword 2nd movement: Blue Flash!”

-1112

“As expected of the Lighting Emperor, one attack would shave off quarter of my health. Buts its not over yet.”

Han Ling summoned another 9 sabres, and all nine sunk into his body. A bloody red flame erupted around him. His pupils turned blood red and the black, red mask glowed black and red.

[Six Blood Forms: 6th Form. Red Fury]

Han Ling let out a roar and a barrage of sword strikes landed on Narukami. The battle was extremely fierce, both sides clashed. Swords clashed and sparks exploded.

The Dragon’s Fall adventurers gaped openly, Narukami was one of the strongest people in the world of Itone, but some nobody from a country called Japan was actually pushing him back. Narukami gritted his teeth, “This guy is good! He’s actually pushing me back! He’s actually getting stronger every second!” His shield was slowly plummeting.

“I guess I can go all out against him.”

RUMBLE BOOM!

“Lighting Emperor’s Descent!” Bolts of lighting crashed down on Narukami. A white light blinded everyone as thunder rumbled and lighting crashed. But from the crater formed, there was a man floating, wreathed in blue lighting, arcing all over his body. The sword in his hand was coated in dense electricity.

“You’re good Blood Mask! To be able to do so much damage to me, I’ll have to try my best!” Narukami had a mad grin on his face, face red and teeth flashing as lighting arcs over his eyes. A magnificent armour made of lighting covered him, a samurai armour of some kind.

Han Ling breathed out steadily, knowing Narukami was serious. The Lighting Emperor’s Descent, a skill that Narukami learned when he was level 60, and since then, only a handful of people can match him. Han Ling being only level 46, he knew he was no match, yet he could feel the blood boil under his skin, and a mad grin also formed under the mask.

It is nostalgic to fight you again, old friend…

I’ll also get serious…

[Void Sprint]

[Void Aura]

Now purple flames coated the blood red flames, Han Ling gritted his teeth as all manner of buffs coated him. Narukami grinned wider at that sight, it was proof the man he’s facing is pushing himself to the limit.

But what he never expected was the same attack. Han Ling activated Shimmering Flash, the black blade arcing down on the Lighting Emperor again. But this time, Lighting Emperor took the attack head on, grunting as a portion of his shield disappeared.

Han Ling widened his eyes in surprise, he actually didn’t block but chose to take it? Han Ling grunted as he blocked Narukami’s electric blade, feeling his hand numb from the power.

Han Ling somersaulted back, landing softly on the tiles. But right as he landed, he burst forward, destroying the tiles underneath him. Swords clashed again.

Iron Heart and the others tried their very best to protect the nearby houses, but the shockwaves emitted from their strikes cracked stones and bricks. Gentle Sun had to cast Sun’s protection on every one to prevent any accidents.

It didn’t take long for the team of City guards to come set up shields around the area. But the captains froze slightly at the sight of the battle, purple red and blue flashed all across the city.

Even the queen arrived in a flash of thunder. “What’s going on?” her voice was solemn with heavy authority. The wife of the Lighting Emperor, Nagisa, or a more common name would be the Lighting Empress. Long black hair, pale skin, green eyes, slim body. She was the definition of elegance.

Breeze then explained the situation to the queen, and she sighed helplessly, “I know my husband is a battle addict, but fighting at the city entrance? That’s too much.”

She turned to the battle and couldn’t help but gasp. “Who’s he fighting?” Gentle Sun came over with an exasperated expression on her face. “A man we met on our adventure, Blood Mask.” “Blood Mask? I’ve never heard of him. How can someone be able to keep up with Narukami?”

“He’s apparently a citizen of this world we transferred to, from a place called Japan.”

At that moment, red and blue blinded the crowd, and a massive explosion erupted from the clash of blades. When the dust settled, Narukami’s lighting armour still held strong, but Han Ling’s chest was rising quickly, sweat dripped from his chin, as his eyes lost the red glow.

Narukami sheathed his sword but held the handle tightly. Han Ling’s lips twitched slightly, looks like this will be the last move.

Narukami’s hand pulled upwards slightly, and the air hummed ominously, a bright blue light shone from the sheath, ready to unleash at any time. Han Ling on the other side sheathed his black sword, confusing many in the crowd.

Han Ling held the Bloody Baron’s Blade with both hands, and the sabres entered the blade. He had 2 seconds left on Red Fury, and he was at his strongest. Time to test his limits.

Han Ling raised the blade high.

[Six Blood Forms: 5th Form. Severing Blood]

[Mask of Night: Fury]

Han Ling slashed down.

A horrifying slash tore out the ground, a bright red wave of energy slashed vertically towards Narukami, tearing up the stones and dirt along the way, a long, deep line embedded into the ground.

The man receiving the attack grinned widely, he crouched down and struck.

“Storm Sword 7th movement: Thousand Winds.”

The world slowed, Narukami’s blade smoothly came out, creating multiple afterimages. The wind was sucked onto the sword, a tornado running along the blade. The moment the blade hit the wave; the winds blew.

To put it in slow motion, the energy wave exploded, torn to shreds by cascading winds. Even then the winds didn’t slow. A mini torrent of winds struck Han Ling squarely on the chest and the shield dinged.

The winds disappeared, the shield crumbled, and Han Ling coughed out a mouthful of blood, kneeling on the ground as blood dripped from his nose and mouth.

Obsidian Hollow spoke in his mind, her voice laced with concern and worry.

“I’ll be fine after a bit of rest… but I never expected to last this long.” Han Ling looked at the Lighting Emperor with admiration and respect in his eyes. Narukami was a one in a million, a peerless expert that stood for humanity. This was the man Han Ling revered…