Chapter 6: The Pinnacle of Battle

The night was ink-black, the whispering wind rustling through the withered leaves like ghostly murmurs in the silent forest.

Ye Huang's chest heaved with intensity. The Night Blade in his grip shimmered with a faint golden glow, infused with his surging demonic power. His gaze locked onto the shadowy figure before him, his arms trembling slightly—not from fear, but from sheer exhilaration.

Across from him, the figure in black stood with a subtle sway, a smirk lingering on his lips despite the deep, bone-revealing gash slashed across his left shoulder. Yet, his battle fervor remained undiminished.

"You're stronger than I expected," the shadow murmured, his voice laced with amusement. Blood dripped from the dagger in his hand as his form flickered—and then vanished into the darkness.

Ye Huang inhaled deeply, lifting his blade slightly as he closed his eyes, sharpening his senses to the murderous intent lurking in the night.

Left side!

In an instant, he twisted his body, slashing sideways—his golden light streaking through the abyss like a falling star, cleaving toward the hidden enemy.

"Clang!"

The clash of metal sent sparks flying as a powerful shockwave rippled through the air, forcing both warriors back.

Ye Huang's feet dug deep into the damp soil, stabilizing his stance, while the shadowy figure spun mid-air, gracefully landing atop an ancient, dead tree.

"Interesting… you can predict my movements," the figure chuckled, licking the blood from his lips. The murderous gleam in his eyes intensified.

Ye Huang remained silent, tightening his grip on Night Blade. His demonic energy surged, the golden light around him burning ever brighter.

The shadow narrowed his eyes. Suddenly, his dagger began to tremble violently, and the very next moment—he vanished.

Too fast!

Night Huan reacted instantly. He arched backward just in time to evade the dagger aiming straight for his spine. But the attack was relentless—the enemy pivoted sharply, his second blade slicing toward Night Huan's throat in a deadly arc.

"Tch!"

With a fierce kick, Night Huan propelled himself backward, his body twisting mid-air. As he landed, he countered with a swift, precise thrust—his blade streaking toward the enemy's chest.

The shadow's brows knit together. With a sudden burst of footwork, he sidestepped the strike. Yet—just as his feet touched the ground—

A blinding golden slash was already upon him.

"Boom!"

Unable to evade in time, the shadow was struck, his body sent hurtling through the air before crashing against the brittle trunk of a towering dead tree. The bark cracked, splinters flying in all directions.

Slowly, he rose to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. But rather than faltering, his eyes gleamed with something far more dangerous—unhinged excitement.

"Not bad… but still far from enough."

As his words fell, a terrifying surge of demonic energy erupted from his body.

Ye Huang's expression tensed. He tightened his grip on his blade as his own energy surged in response.

The pressure in the air thickened. The black-clad figure's aura roared like a storm, distorting the very space around him. The fallen leaves swirled violently in the wind, carried by the force of his power.

"So this… is your true strength?" Night Huan murmured, his blade trembling in his grasp, golden energy flickering wildly along its edge.

The shadow offered no answer. Instead, a smirk played across his lips—his body blurred into a streak of darkness as he lunged.

He's at least thirty percent faster than before!

Ye Huang's pupils shrank. He had no intention of clashing head-on. Instead, he slid to the side in a seamless motion, sweeping his blade in a defensive arc to cut off the enemy's path.

"Clang!"

Steel met steel in a dazzling display, sparks scattering like embers in the night. The force behind the strike was monstrous—Night Huan's arms ached from the impact.

But the shadow didn't stop. With a flick of his wrist, he pivoted and unleashed his second dagger, aiming for Night Huan's abdomen.

"Damn it!"

Ye Huang launched himself backward just in time. A burst of demonic energy flared beneath his feet, carrying him several meters away. As he retreated, he swung his blade, forcing his opponent to halt his advance.

The shadow's steps slowed. His smirk deepened.

"Your reflexes are sharp… but will they be enough?"

Without warning, his figure split—shadows scattering in all directions, each emanating the same overwhelming killing intent.

A cold chill swept through Ye Huang's spine.

"Shit—an afterimage technique!"

If he relied solely on his vision, there was no way to distinguish the real body from the illusions. He had no choice but to trust his instincts.

"I only get one shot at this."

He took a deep breath, shutting his eyes, letting his energy seep into the air—feeling for the faintest ripple of murderous intent.

Left front!

His eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, he struck.

"Schlkk!"

His blade cleaved through flesh. Blood sprayed into the air.

The shadow staggered, his smirk twisting in disbelief.

"You—"

But Night Huan did not let up.

"My turn!"

His footwork blurred. In an instant, he was upon his wounded foe, golden energy surging like a tidal wave as he unleashed a devastating strike.

The enemy's face darkened. He crossed his daggers defensively, but—

"Boom!"

The sheer force of the attack sent him crashing into the earth, the impact shattering the ground beneath him.

Panting, Night Huan leveled his blade at the fallen figure.

"Is it over?"

Then—low laughter.

From the rubble, the shadow stirred. A terrifying pressure rippled through the battlefield as he rose once more.

"You underestimate me, Ye Huang."

His wounds—healed.

His eyes—burning red.

An eerie black mist slithered around him, warping the very air. The killing intent was suffocating.

"That was a good warm-up…" The shadow licked the blood from his lips, his grin stretching into something monstrous. "Now, let's get serious."

Ye Huang's fingers tightened around his blade.

He could feel it—the real battle was only beginning.