Chapter 53: Lord Walden

As the battle began, Xavier immediately felt the weight of the fight as Lord Walden charged forward with incredible speed and power. The gap between their cultivation levels was undeniable. Walden, a 2nd-ranked Mystic Warrior, was a juggernaut compared to Xavier's current state. Even with his impressive strength and technique, Xavier found himself overwhelmed by the sheer force of Walden's attacks.

The first strike came faster than Xavier anticipated—Walden's sword slashing down with precision, aiming for his midsection. Xavier managed to dodge just in time, but the speed of the attack grazed his arm. The edge of Walden's blade left a long, deep gash from shoulder to elbow, blood flowing freely as Xavier grimaced in pain. He quickly backed off, but Walden wasn't letting up. The pain from the cut was intense, but Xavier's focus never wavered as he tightened his grip on his sword.

Raiden watched in horror from the sidelines, his eyes wide with fear for his master. He had seen Xavier defeat countless opponents effortlessly, but now, faced with a true challenge, Raiden saw the exhaustion on Xavier's face, the blood staining his clothes, and the way his movements became slower with every exchange. Raiden's heart raced—his master was struggling for the first time in his life.

Xavier felt his muscles scream as Walden's relentless assault kept coming. Another blow landed, this time across Xavier's chest, the force of the impact pushing him back. The gash was deep, just barely missing his heart. Pain exploded in his chest, making it harder to breathe. His legs wobbled, but he refused to give in. He staggered back, his sword trembling in his hand, but he held his ground. His mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the tide.

Walden's eyes gleamed with confidence, sensing his opponent's weakening state. He swung again, aiming for Xavier's throat, but this time, Xavier's reaction was slower. He narrowly blocked the strike with his sword, but the force sent him crashing to the ground, and Walden's blade came down once more, narrowly missing his head.

Raiden clenched his fists in frustration and fear. "Master!" he whispered under his breath, watching in horror as Xavier struggled to defend himself. Raiden knew this fight was beyond his master's usual scope, and yet, Xavier continued to push forward.

Xavier's breath was shallow, the blood from his wounds staining the ground beneath him. His chest heaved with every painful breath. He realized that if he didn't make a change soon, Walden would finish him. The overwhelming difference in strength between them was too apparent.

It was then, as he lay on the ground, his body battered and bloodied, that Elior's voice echoed through his mind. "Xavier, you cannot let this defeat you. Focus, channel your soul energy into your bloodline! Control the fire inside you!"

Xavier's eyes flickered, the words lighting a spark of determination deep within. Despite the pain, despite the overwhelming odds, he understood what Elior meant. He couldn't afford to keep fighting with mere strength. He needed to tap into something far deeper—his bloodline's power.

Xavier's grip tightened on his sword as his soul energy began to flow, awakening the infernal flames that lay dormant within him. The flames spread through his veins, igniting his bloodline. His entire body surged with heat, as though he were reborn in the inferno of his own making.

Raiden watched in awe, unable to understand what was happening, but he could feel the air around Xavier change. The temperature seemed to rise, the flames within Xavier's being igniting his power. His eyes blazed with a fiery intensity, and suddenly, the tide of the battle shifted.

As Xavier rose to his feet, the infernal flames coursing through his veins intensified, crackling with untamed fury. The once faint ember within him now roared into a blazing inferno. His bloodline had fully awakened, and with it came an overwhelming surge of power. The air around him grew scorching, and the ground beneath his feet began to smolder.

Lord Walden, sensing the shift in Xavier's aura, hesitated for the first time. His confidence wavered as he saw the flames surrounding Xavier take on a life of their own, forming the ethereal shape of a massive dragon. The beast towered behind Xavier, its fiery eyes glowing with predatory hunger, its roar shaking the arena and silencing the once-boisterous crowd.

The sight was otherworldly. Raiden, watching from the sidelines, felt his heart skip a beat. He could barely comprehend the immense power his master was wielding. The crowd, too, was struck silent, their disbelief etched into their faces as the fiery dragon coiled behind Xavier, ready to strike.

Xavier's voice was calm but carried a commanding weight. "This ends now."

With a single step forward, Xavier swung his blade downward, and the dragon behind him lunged forward with a deafening roar. The fiery beast engulfed Lord Walden completely, its searing flames wrapping around him like chains of destruction. Walden screamed, trying to summon his spiritual energy to defend himself, but it was futile. The dragon's flames were not ordinary; they pierced through his defenses and drained him of his spiritual energy and life force.

The crowd watched in stunned horror and awe as the flames devoured Lord Walden. His once imposing figure crumbled to the ground, lifeless, his body reduced to ash. The dragon roared one final time before dissipating into the air, leaving only the eerie silence of the arena and the charred remains of the battlefield.

Xavier stood tall, his body battered and bloodied but victorious. The fiery glow in his eyes slowly faded as he regained control over his power. He turned to face the stunned crowd, his expression unreadable.

The arena erupted into chaos as the spectators tried to process what they had just witnessed. Whispers of disbelief and awe rippled through the audience. "He killed Lord Walden… with a single attack."

Sarah Blaine sat frozen in her seat, her heart pounding. Her earlier thoughts about Xavier being her future husband now felt like a premonition. She whispered to herself, "No one can stand against him… he's invincible."

Raiden, still in shock, clenched his fists. The display of power he had just witnessed was beyond anything he could have imagined. In his mind, one thought rang clear: Master is unstoppable.

Xavier, breathing heavily, glanced toward Raiden and gave him a slight nod. Then, without a word, he turned and began walking toward the exit, the crowd parting like a sea before him, too terrified to block his path. The legend of Xavier York had just reached an entirely new height.

As Xavier staggered through the arena, each step marked by his weariness, the crowd remained eerily silent, still processing the spectacle they had witnessed. His breathing was labored, and the gashes on his body oozed blood, yet his aura of dominance remained unbroken. His dragon-shaped flames and the defeat of Lord Walden had etched his name into their minds forever.

At the edge of the arena, seated on a grand, elevated platform, King Alaric Blaine watched intently, his sharp, regal features betraying a mixture of astonishment and admiration. Beside him, his eldest daughter, Sarah Blaine, gazed at Xavier with wide eyes, her earlier smile now replaced with open wonder.

As Xavier approached the king, his tired body forced him to lean momentarily on his infernal blade for support. The weapon, still glowing faintly from the unleashed power, radiated a menacing heat. The king, ever composed, rose from his seat, his golden robes shimmering under the arena lights.

"Xavier York," the king began, his deep voice commanding silence from the murmuring crowd. "What I have witnessed today is nothing short of extraordinary. That final move of yours… the flames forming a dragon, consuming not just the body but the very essence of your opponent—it is unlike anything I have ever seen."

Xavier, still catching his breath, stood tall despite his exhaustion. His voice, though raspy, held confidence. "Your Majesty, the move you saw was the culmination of my bloodline awakening, fused with the techniques I have mastered. It is not a single skill but the manifestation of the Infernal Dragon Blood coursing through my veins."

The king's eyes widened slightly. "Infernal Dragon Blood? Such a lineage is rare… nearly mythical." He stroked his beard, his tone now laced with intrigue. "Tell me, Xavier, is this a technique of your clan? Or something entirely your own?"

Xavier gave a faint smirk, the pride in his voice unmistakable. "It is my own, Your Majesty. A fusion of the Soul Clan's teachings, my own enlightenment, and the power of my bloodline. It is a force that consumes not only my enemy but my own energy as well. Victory comes at a cost."

The king nodded, his respect for Xavier evident. "A force like that must be wielded with great care. Yet, you demonstrated not only immense strength but also control. Few could face such odds and emerge victorious. You are a warrior unlike any other, Xavier York."

Beside him, Sarah leaned forward slightly, unable to contain her curiosity. "Your Majesty, may I?" she asked softly, her eyes fixed on Xavier.

The king gave a slight nod, allowing his daughter to speak. Sarah addressed Xavier directly, her voice melodic but firm. "Sir Xavier, you have impressed not just the crowd but also the royal family. Tell me, how did you learn to wield such a technique? Was it something you discovered alone?"

Xavier's piercing gaze met hers, and for a moment, the exhaustion in his eyes was replaced with the faintest glint of amusement. "The path to strength is never walked alone, Lady Sarah," he replied, his tone measured. "But this technique… this power, I forged myself, through trials and battles few would dare face."

Sarah's cheeks flushed slightly, though she maintained her composed demeanor. "A self-made warrior," she murmured, almost to herself, before sitting back, her admiration for Xavier growing with every word.

The king clapped his hands, drawing the attention of everyone present. "Xavier York, your feats today will be remembered for generations. But I must ask—do you seek the throne, alliances, or simply glory? What drives you to such lengths?"

Xavier paused, the question hanging in the air. Then, with an unwavering gaze, he answered, "I fight for my clan, for my disciple, and for the path I have chosen. Glory, alliances, power—these are tools, not my purpose. My goal is to rise so high that no one can stand against me or those I protect."

The king's expression turned serious, his admiration tinged with caution. "A noble purpose, but a dangerous one. Power attracts enemies as much as it commands respect. Tread carefully, Xavier York."

With that, King Alaric gestured to the royal guards to escort Xavier to a private chamber to rest and recover. Sarah's eyes lingered on Xavier as he was led away, her thoughts swirling with admiration and a growing fascination for the enigmatic warrior who had captured the attention of an entire kingdom.