Chapter 34: Light and Dark Resonance

Clang!

Sparks flew as Dustin Li's sword clashed against his opponent's, the impact forcing him to stagger back. A surge of raw energy coursed through his arms, rattling his bones.

His adversary—a white-robed young man—stood unfazed, his blade gleaming coldly.

"Impressive," Dustin muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing. His inner strength is at least at the fifth tier… and with my cultivation being suppressed, I have no chance of matching him in direct combat.

Not only was his opponent's cultivation overwhelming, but his swordsmanship was nearly flawless, refined to the brink of mastery. Dustin had no opportunity to counterattack.

"Die! Heavenly Wolf Moon Slash!"

The white-robed swordsman let out a sharp cry, his blade illuminating the air with a crescent arc of light. The energy it emitted carried an eerie, predatory presence, like the howl of a celestial wolf piercing the heavens.

A fifth-tier sword technique!

Dustin had no time to think. Thunder Nine Swords!

Lightning crackled as he swung his blade with all his might, its force distorting the air around him.

Clang!

The swords met, sending a deafening shockwave rippling outward. Dustin was hurled backward, his hand shaking violently. A sharp sting radiated through his palm—his skin had torn, blood trickling from the wound.

"Hmm? You actually blocked my attack?" The white-robed swordsman frowned. His expression darkened as he eyed Dustin's trembling form. "A mere first-tier Energy Gathering martial artist resisting my Heavenly Wolf Moon Slash? Laughable."

His tone grew colder. "If you had more time to grow, you might've earned a place at Salmoris. But fate is cruel—you won't live to see that day."

With that, he charged again.

Boom!

Dustin gritted his teeth, drawing on every ounce of his power. His dantian churned, spinning the Wheel of Life and Death at full speed. A surge of energy erupted from his body—this time, tinged with an ominous black flame.

"What?! Flames?" The white-robed swordsman's eyes widened. His confidence wavered for the first time.

Dustin didn't give him a chance to recover.

Thunder Nine Swords—Black Flame Infusion!

His sword howled through the air, the black flames coiling around its edge. A suffocating aura of death spread in its wake.

Clang!

The swords collided once more. But this time, Dustin held his ground. His opponent, startled by the strange energy, was momentarily forced onto the defensive.

The white-robed swordsman's lips curled into a sneer. "So, you possess elemental power? No matter. Your cultivation is still too weak!"

With a swift motion, he shifted into a different stance. Dragon Tiger Fist!

Dustin saw it coming and countered immediately, channeling the black flames of death into his left fist before slamming it forward.

Boom!

Their blows met in a thunderous collision. Dustin was knocked back, but he smirked—he had succeeded.

"Argh!"

The white-robed swordsman let out a sudden scream. He stumbled, clutching his left hand in agony. His muscles and bones had been seared by the black flame, his flesh burning from within.

"H-How?! I struck him down, but I'm the one injured?" His mind reeled in disbelief.

Dustin didn't waste the opportunity. His Shadow Sword flickered like a black bolt of lightning, slicing through the air toward his opponent's exposed weakness.

Desperate, the white-robed youth raised his blade, but with only one usable hand, his movements were sluggish. The tides had shifted.

Soaring Dragon Strike!

Dustin feinted to the left before launching a devastating palm strike infused with black flames.

"Curse you!"

The white-robed swordsman tried to retreat, but Dustin was faster.

"This is over," Dustin whispered.

The Shadow Sword flashed.

A sharp cry rang out.

Blood sprayed into the air as Dustin's blade severed the swordsman's wrist. His sword fell to the ground with a dull clank.

The white-robed youth paled, his eyes filled with horror as Dustin pressed the blade to his brow.

"Who sent you?" Dustin's voice was chilling.

The swordsman trembled but forced himself to sneer. "You expect me to—"

The tip of the sword pressed in, drawing blood.

His arrogance shattered.

"My master…" he exhaled sharply. "Pablo Zhang. He's an Outer Sect Deacon of Salmoris. He sent us to kill you."

Dustin's eyes darkened. So it's him.

Pablo Zhang—the true power behind the Zhang family. He must have sent these disciples to avenge Grady Zhang death.

"I told you… Now will you—"

Before he could finish, Dustin's blade pierced through his forehead.

The young swordsman fell, lifeless.

Dustin's expression was cold. You came to kill me and failed, yet you expected mercy? Foolish.

He wiped his blade clean before looting the bodies. As expected, all three attackers carried Outer Sect disciple tokens from Salmoris. Their storage artifacts contained vitality stones, elixirs, and even a mid-grade sword—likely a valuable magic weapon.

Roar!

Suddenly, a deafening beastly cry shook the forest. The air vibrated with sheer force, making Dustin's blood churn.

A monster? A strong one.

His instincts screamed at him to leave. Without hesitation, he used his movement technique, vanishing into the depths of the forest.

—

After traveling for some time, Dustin reached a quiet stream. He crouched, drinking some water before washing his bloodstained hands.

His gaze turned cold. Pablo Zhang will realize his disciples are missing soon. When I arrive at Salmoris, trouble will be inevitable.

But avoiding the sect wasn't an option. Without its protection, he would be a nobody in Xandoria County. The Zhang family could kill him at any time.

No choice—I must enter Salmoris.

His mind was made up. He would endure whatever trials awaited him.

Buzz…

A faint vibration reached his senses.

Dustin stiffened. His Shadow Sword was trembling in its sheath.

What's happening?

He drew the blade. A dark glow pulsed from a single character engraved near the hilt—"Dark".

A strange sensation coursed through him. The sword was responding… calling to something in the distance.

"Is it… being summoned?"

Dustin's brows furrowed as he gazed into the horizon. The feeling was unmistakable—something awaited him.

Was the shopkeeper's story true? Had this sword truly come from an ancient ruin?

Determined to uncover the mystery, Dustin sheathed the blade and leapt forward, following the strange pull.

—

Elsewhere in the forest, a young man with dark, gleaming skin came to an abrupt halt.

Behind him, his sheathed sword trembled violently.

"The Light Sword is reacting?" His eyes flashed with anticipation. "That means the Dark Sword is nearby!"

His lips curled into a smirk.

"Whoever holds it must be weak. That sword belongs to me!"

With a powerful leap, he surged forward, a predator chasing its prey.