7. Display of Talent

Chapter 7: Display of Talent

Damon stood his ground, his sharp gaze fixed on Fendrick, who hovered high above like a storm waiting to descend. The elder radiated fury, his spiritual energy crackling in the air like lightning. "How could such chaos erupt during Martlock's most esteemed ceremony?" Fendrick's voice boomed, heavy with authority and anger.

With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a crushing wave of spiritual pressure, targeting Damon and Emily. The crowd below felt their breath hitch, yet Damon remained steadfast, unyielding to the force meant to break him.

"What is this boy?" Fendrick's eyes narrowed, his rage deepening. "Not only does he withstand my spiritual pressure, but I sense no energy from him at all. Such an enigma must not be allowed to live."

Gripping his sword, Fendrick channeled a torrent of spiritual energy into its blade, the air around him shimmering with power. Without hesitation, he slashed downward, sending an arc of energy hurtling toward Damon and Emily.

Damon's Heavenly Wheel Eye activated instinctively, its golden radiance illuminating the threads of energy spiraling toward them. Moving with precision, he grabbed his sister and leapt back, narrowly evading the attack as it tore into the ground, leaving a deep, jagged gash in its wake.

Emily clutched her neck, the sting of the near miss causing her to tremble. Fear clouded her thoughts, yet her eyes kept returning to Damon, who stood as calm as a lake untouched by the storm. Why isn't he scared? she wondered. How does he face such danger with such composure?

Damon's mind raced. His options were few, and the stakes were high. He hesitated to draw on his spiritual energy, fearing it might awaken the demonic forces within him. But as Fendrick descended, sword glinting with lethal intent, Damon knew he had no choice.

Circulating his energy, Damon felt a dark, oppressive force rise within him. The air around him grew heavier, the crowd below murmuring in dread as waves of demonic energy poured from the young boy. Suddenly, a voice echoed in Damon's mind, serene yet commanding: "Fear not, young one. I will guide your energy. Focus only on the fight."

The voice of the ancient willow tree calmed him, and Damon let go of his hesitation. The oppressive demonic energy began to dissipate, replaced by an overwhelming surge of pure spiritual energy that radiated from him like sunlight piercing through storm clouds.

"What is this?!" Fendrick's voice cracked with disbelief. "How does a mere child possess such pure spiritual energy?"

The elder charged again, his sword gleaming with intent, aiming directly for Damon's neck. But this time, Damon moved with supernatural precision, catching the blade with his bare hand. Gasps echoed through the crowd as the young boy stood unmoving, his grip unyielding.

"Enough of this!" Fendrick bellowed. "What can a ten-year-old brat hope to accomplish against a king's strength?"

Damon's golden eyes burned brighter, and with a burst of speed, he leapt forward. His first kick collided with Fendrick's sword, the force sending shockwaves rippling through the air. As the elder staggered back, Damon followed with a series of swift strikes, his movements so precise they left even the most seasoned warriors in awe.

"He's no ordinary child," a spectator whispered, fear creeping into their voice. "Could he be… an ancient monster reborn?"

Channeling void energy into his palm, Damon unleashed a devastating attack. The dark energy spiraled toward Fendrick, crackling with raw power. The elder's eyes widened, sensing the threat, but his pride would not allow him to retreat. With a swing of his sword, he shattered Damon's attack, sending fragments of energy scattering into the sky.

Damon landed gracefully, immediately launching a barrage of purple fireballs toward Fendrick. The crowd below could hardly believe their eyes. Whispers of Damon's unparalleled potential rippled through the audience.

Meanwhile, in the stands, Pyo sat with his father, his chubby hands clenched in desperation. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his new friend. Turning to his father, he pleaded, "Father, please! Use my wish! Help Damon and his sister!"

The first elder of the Ruthless Buddha Sect, a peak king's realm expert, regarded his son with a mix of surprise and pride. "Is this truly your wish?" he asked gravely.

Pyo nodded firmly. "It is!"

Without hesitation, the elder rose, his form vanishing as he leapt into the air.

As Damon's fireballs collided with Fendrick's slashes, the sky erupted in a blaze of energy. The first elder arrived just in time, his massive aura swallowing the chaos. With a single motion, he absorbed the explosions, rendering them harmless.

The crowd erupted in whispers. "It's the first elder of the Ruthless Buddha Sect! He's one of the most powerful beings alive!"

"Why do you interfere?" Fendrick snarled, his fury undiminished. "That child is a devil! He must die!"

"You call yourself a king, yet you bully a child?" the elder replied, his voice calm but laced with authority. "Stand down, Fendrick, or face me instead."

Consumed by rage, Fendrick charged at Damon once more. The first elder intercepted him, his Hand of the Brahma King technique manifesting as a colossal spectral palm that struck Fendrick away with immense force.

Seizing the opportunity, Damon activated Crazy Steps, scooping Emily into his arms and sprinting away at blinding speed. Fendrick roared in frustration, switching places with a spiritual puppet to continue his pursuit.

As Damon dodged wave after wave of sword energy, he felt Emily's grip tighten. "Why aren't you helping?!" he shouted.

Emily smirked nervously, then began chanting. Two abysmal creatures materialized on her shoulders, their dark forms radiating malice. With a shriek, they launched themselves at Fendrick, latching onto him as Emily summoned the Mist Eaters.

Just as the situation seemed to spiral further into chaos, the first elder intervened again, forcing Fendrick to retreat. "You've no idea what you've unleashed," Fendrick spat, his eyes burning with hatred. With one final glare, he vanished, vowing revenge.