Chapter 19 – The Battle Beyond Limits

The moment the duel escalated, Kalen and Seraphine realized something terrifying—the battlefield was no longer a safe place to stand.

The sheer force of Li Zhi and Takahashi Ichiro's clash sent shockwaves ripping through the air, tearing apart the ground, uprooting trees, and sending boulders flying as if they were mere pebbles. The ground beneath their feet trembled violently, making it nearly impossible to stand still.

Seraphine grabbed Kalen's arm. "We need to move. NOW!"

Kalen hesitated, mesmerized by the two ancient warriors locked in combat. Their movements were so fast they blurred, vanishing and reappearing across the battlefield in an instant. The speed of their attacks was so overwhelming that Kalen's eyes could barely follow them.

But the next shockwave nearly knocked him off his feet, forcing him to snap back to reality. Without another word, he followed Seraphine as they sprinted away from the battlefield, dodging debris and gusts of raw energy that could have torn them apart if they were even a second too slow.

A Fight Beyond Mortal Eyes

As the battle raged on, the few powerful onlookers watching from a distance began to murmur amongst themselves.

"This is madness… If these two don't stop soon, they'll bring the whole mountain down."

Another warrior squinted, struggling to keep up with their movements. "They're too fast… I can barely see them anymore."

Only the most seasoned fighters—those who had reached the upper echelons of power—could track the battle properly. But even among them, a sense of unease settled in. The strength being displayed wasn't just overwhelming—it was reaching a level where the wrong move could lead to mutual destruction.

"They're not holding back anymore," an elder muttered. "If they keep this up, one of them might actually die."

Power Unleashed

Takahashi Ichiro grinned wildly as he parried Li Zhi's crushing staff strike, the impact splitting the ground beneath them. "Still holding back? Come on, I know you have more in you!"

Li Zhi's expression was unreadable as he spun his staff, summoning a wave of raw force that rippled outward like a tidal wave. "You talk too much."

Ichiro barely had time to react as the force slammed into him, sending him skidding back across the battlefield. But instead of looking defeated, he only laughed. "That's more like it!"

Without warning, his figure blurred, and he closed the distance in an instant. His blade lashed out, striking with precision and speed beyond human limits. Sparks flew as Li Zhi deflected each blow with masterful control, his movements unwavering despite the sheer intensity of the fight.

The entire battlefield had transformed into a war zone, with shockwaves ripping apart the surroundings, leaving destruction in their wake.

The sky above them darkened as their battle reached its peak. Kalen and Seraphine, now watching from a safe distance, stood in silent awe.

Kalen clenched his fists. "One day… I'll reach that level."

Seraphine glanced at him, noticing the fire in his eyes. Despite how small and weak he seemed in comparison to those two titans, he wasn't discouraged—he was inspired.

But the battle was far from over.

And neither Li Zhi nor Takahashi Ichiro was willing to be the first to fall.