Clash of Titans – The White Tiger vs. The Azure Dragon

The battlefield had barely settled from Xue Mor's duel, yet already, the air crackled with new tension.

Shinryu stepped forward, golden eyes locked onto Raikai.

"You fought Xue Mor seriously," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I expect nothing less for myself."

Raikai raised a brow before a wide grin split his face. "You want to fight me?" He exhaled sharply, his blood still running hot from the last battle. "Heh. Finally, someone who speaks my language."

Xue Mor, still nursing her wounds, shot Shinryu a look. "Is this necessary?"

Shinryu didn't take his eyes off Raikai. "Yes."

For the White Tiger Clan, respect was earned through strength. If he wanted Raikai to acknowledge him as an equal, words wouldn't suffice.

Shin Rai chuckled, clearly entertained. "Fine. Let's see if the White Tiger's cub has fangs."

The two stepped into the dueling arena.

Unlike Xue Mor's match, there was no hesitation.

The moment Shin Rai signaled the start—

They exploded forward.

Fangs vs. Claws

Shinryu's body shimmered with golden light, his Death Arms manifesting instantly. His white leather gloves gleamed as the retractable claws extended—deadly and sharp.

Raikai met him head-on, his dual scythes materializing in his hands. The chains sparked with lightning, crackling like an untamed storm.

The first clash shook the entire arena.

Lightning and golden light collided, sending out a shockwave that kicked up dust and debris.

Raikai twisted mid-air, his chains wrapping around Shinryu's wrist. With a fierce pull, he tried to disrupt Shinryu's footing—but—

Shinryu didn't budge.

Instead, he yanked Raikai toward him.

The moment Raikai's feet touched the ground, the gravity around them shifted.

A crushing force bore down on Raikai's body. His muscles tightened under the intense pressure, his movements slowing for just a fraction of a second—

And that was all Shinryu needed.

He vanished.

Before Raikai could react, Shinryu reappeared behind him, claws flashing.

SLASH!

Raikai barely managed to twist, avoiding a fatal strike. Instead, three deep claw marks were left along his side, the scent of blood mixing with the electric air.

Yet, instead of faltering—

Raikai laughed.

"Hah! Now this is a fight!"

Lightning surged through his veins, his wounds sealing with raw energy. His irises pulsed, the glow in his eyes turning sharper.

Then—he unleashed everything.

The skies above roared.

A massive bolt of lightning struck down, directly into Raikai's body—supercharging him. His muscles tensed, his speed doubled, and his scythes moved faster than the eye could follow.

He disappeared.

Shinryu barely reacted in time—raising his arms as a scythe came from above, then another from the side, then another from behind.

Raikai was a storm, his attacks relentless, his movements unpredictable.

But Shinryu wasn't panicking.

Instead—

He smirked.

The gravity shifted again.

This time, it didn't just slow Raikai—it doubled down, pulling him toward the ground with devastating force.

Raikai's feet slammed into the arena floor, his momentum completely halted.

And that's when Shinryu struck.

He darted forward, claws flashing like golden streaks.

One slash.

Two.

Three.

Each blow landed, carving through Raikai's defenses. Sparks flew, blood splattered—

Until—

Raikai collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.

Silence.

Then—a low chuckle.

Raikai looked up, his serpent-like pupils gleaming with satisfaction.

"You…" he panted, wiping blood from his lips. "You're something else."

Shinryu didn't answer. He simply extended a hand.

Raikai eyed it for a moment—then clasped it firmly.

Shin Rai, watching from the sidelines, let out a deep laugh. "Well now… It seems the White Tiger and Azure Dragon have found common ground."

Xue Mor, standing nearby, remained silent.

For the first time, she truly saw the gap between herself and the two.

They weren't just strong.

They were monsters.

Compared to them, the Phoenix Cry Empire—the empire she had fought so hard to represent—felt weak.

A seed of doubt settled in her chest.

Are we really strong enough… to survive the Great Collapse?