aircannonsinc Page 133
Page 133
Even with Julian's third combat technique, Frost Annihilation Ice Seal Slash, within reach, he did not stop compressing the Flame Wave.
Until the cold light was only a palm's distance from his neck.
He finally reacted.
At this moment, his body was like a volcano, spewing out scorching magma-like flame waves.
This flame wave, several times stronger than before, protected him and, after bursting out of his body, transformed into a barrier to block the three giant blade-shaped cold lights from Julian.
The two collided and instantly annihilated each other.
Suddenly, a gust of wind was generated from the point of annihilation of the two waveguide forces.
It also created a burst of boiling white steam that swept across the entire duel arena.
Now, all the spectators outside the arena can see are the silhouettes of Arthur and Julian inside.
"Young Master has mastered the third combat skill?"
High above the arena, Leon, the steward sitting on the back of the Frosty Raven King, saw this scene and immediately understood what had happened.
"Have you been hiding your true strength all along, using a low-level Silver rank knight as a 'sharpening stone'?"
Countess Orianna, standing atop the frost dragon's back, whispered:
"The victory is already secured."
Return to the steam-shrouded arena of battle.
Just as the butler Leon said.
In an extremely dangerous situation, Arthur constantly pushed himself to the limit, unleashing his potential and finally mastering the third combat skill, Purgatory Annihilation Slash, which he had been unable to grasp for the past two weeks.
After using the Flame Wave, compressed to its limit, to neutralize Julian's third combat technique power.
Now it's Arthur's turn to counterattack.
He had finished gathering his strength, and then shouted loudly:
"O blazing sun that burns all things, witness my resolve to shatter everything!"
After saying that, he launched himself into the air and charged toward Julian.
He looked at Julian.
He was adjusting his breathing after using his extremely energy-consuming third combat technique.
He never expected that this late-stage Iron Rank knight could unleash a wave power that was in no way weaker than that of an early-stage Silver Rank knight.
Moreover, it seems they are about to launch an attack on him using their third combat technique.
Second combat skill: Frozen Shield!
Thinking of this, Julian's breathing quickened, and he hurriedly activated the Frost Wave within his body to form a barrier.
However, the barrier of the Frost Wave lasted only half a breath before it was shattered by Arthur's charging sword.
And this sword strike has not yet stopped.
The sword's edge carried a heat that seemed to emanate from purgatory, so intense that it blurred Julian's vision, making it difficult for him to look directly at it.
He instinctively raised his sword, assuming a defensive stance.
"boom!"
But the next moment, accompanied by the sound of swords clashing in his ears, he felt a tearing pain in his wrist and the space between his thumb and forefinger.
Immediately, the sword in his hand flew backward.
finally.
When Arthur's sword was only two centimeters away from Julian's neck.
This undoubtedly signaled the end of the duel and Arthur's victory.
This was the first time Arthur had defeated a Silver-rank early-stage knight in a direct confrontation and on his own.
Moreover, this was done without using any Virtue Points to redeem any Virtue Blessings.
Then, after the steam on the dueling field dissipated.
Everyone present saw a smile appear on Arthur's handsome face.
This is the confident smile of a victor.
Chapter 128 Generous Bounty Reward
In contrast, Julian.
As Arthur's sword came down in front of his neck.
He had already lowered his head, his face contorted.
But his eyes couldn't hide the resentment and frustration surging within him.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice tinged with bitterness:
"I lost."
As soon as he finished speaking, countless cheers erupted outside the arena.
The soldiers of Arthur's Blackrock Legion, after witnessing their lord and commander defeat a lowly Silver-rank early-stage knight in a desperate counterattack, were all filled with deep admiration for him.
"Well done, my lord! This arrogant fellow is no match for your invincible Fiery Sword!"
"So what if they're Silver rank? Lord, you still easily defeated them."
"This is the swordsmanship I've always longed for! It's so exciting to watch!"
Arthur basked in the cheers from his subordinates, while the indifferent voice of the Knight Lord System echoed in his mind at just the right moment:
[The host's heroic feat of defeating a powerful enemy beyond their level has inspired your soldiers, embodying the "fearlessness" of chivalry for them. Virtue Points +50.]
Virtue Points (Updated): 725.
[Black Rock Legion, 300 members, overall loyalty increased to 42 (deepening trust).]
[The host has mastered the third combat technique of "Flame Lion Breathing Technique"—Purgatory Annihilation Slash—during the Knight Duel, enhancing their understanding and control of Aura Power. Black Iron Rank Knight Experience +100.]
[Rank (Updated): Late Iron Tier (600/500) (Overflow).]
[Note: The excess experience points will be credited to you after you advance to the Silver rank.]
Upon receiving the final message, Arthur felt a surge of emotion.
Because, a few days ago, he reached the bottleneck of full experience points in the late stage of the Black Iron rank.
During the time that followed, he did not stop practicing the Knight's Breathing Technique, nor did he stop absorbing the essence of the moon for Lv.2 "Blessing of the Moon".
But none of his efforts resulted in any change to his rank.
On the contrary, today, by using this early-stage Silver Rank knight from the Ice Dragon Clan as a whetstone, he comprehended his third combat skill and unexpectedly gained an overflow of knight experience once again.
However, he soon realized the truth:
The training of a knight's extraordinary profession involves not only physical development but also rigorous combat training.
Julian, come back!
Just then, a cold, clear female voice, as sharp as a gust of wind, rang in his ears, pulling Arthur back to the present moment.
He looked up and followed the sound, and saw Countess Orianna standing on the back of the legendary frost dragon.
The frost dragon slowly flapped its jagged, ferocious wings and descended from the sky to the ground.
Orianna gracefully descended from the back of the frost dragon.
Arthur watched as this woman, who could only be described as perfect, walked up to him.
He was momentarily stunned by the other person's aura, and thus did not lower the sword he had been holding to Julian's neck when the other person arrived.
Until Orianna spoke again:
“Julian, why don’t you quickly hand over your lost bet to this viscount of Blackrock Territory?”
Arthur snapped out of his daze, immediately sheathed his fine iron sword from the duel, and straightened his back in front of Oriana, showing her the utmost respect.
And look at Julian.
Upon hearing Orianna's reminder, Julian's face showed a momentary struggle, but he ultimately revealed an extremely frustrated expression.
Then, he took out the fire-attribute silver-tier extraordinary artifact that he had shown before from his portable bag.
Julian clutched the earthenware jar containing the translucent lizard made of flames tightly in his palm, his eyes revealing deep reluctance and heartache as he looked down at it.
When this knight duel was initiated.
He never imagined he would lose to a late-stage Iron-tier knight, which is why he boldly offered an incredibly precious Silver-tier transcendent artifact as the wager for the duel.
It's important to know that in the North, finding a transcendent object related to fire is extremely difficult.
The pottery jar in his hand, which contained a silver-tier transcendent artifact with fire attributes, hadn't even warmed up in his hands yet. He had recently acquired it from a powerful wandering merchant in exchange for another silver-tier transcendent artifact of equal value plus two thousand gold coins.
Although his knight's breathing technique is of the ice attribute, it is not compatible with this extraordinary artifact.
However, his painstakingly cultivated mount needs this fire-attribute silver-tier extraordinary artifact to advance to a third-tier magical beast.
Therefore, Julian felt as if his heart was being torn apart at the thought of losing this precious fire-attribute silver-tier extraordinary artifact.
However, even though he was extremely reluctant to hand it over, he had no choice but to comply after his aunt Oriana spoke.
Julian knew his seemingly aloof Countess aunt very well; she was an absolute strong woman who never wavered in her word.
Within the Alcott family, the ice dragon clan that controls the northern border, not only their peers, but even the highly respected elders, none dared to provoke the new patriarch who succeeded as Earl.
So, let's get back to the present.
After Orianna arrived and reminded him to fulfill the bet.
Julian had no choice but to hold the clay pot containing the fire lizard out to Arthur, and then spoke to him in an extremely defeated tone:
“Viscount Arthur, I accept my defeat.”
"Thank you for your gift, Your Excellency Julian."
Arthur was naturally overjoyed. He reached out to take this fire-attribute silver-tier extraordinary artifact that could solve his immediate problem.
However, obtaining this pottery jar was not a smooth process.
Arthur had just grabbed the pottery jar, intending to snatch it away, when he discovered it wouldn't budge.
It was Julian; he was still clutching the earthenware pot tightly, refusing to let go.
Clearly, he had not given up on this fire-attribute silver-tier extraordinary artifact.
But how could Arthur let the duck that was about to be eaten fly away?
So he gripped the pottery jar and began to pull, moving it toward himself while calling out Julian's name in a halting tone:
"Lord Julian, thank you..."
“Viscount Arthur, with the talent you have shown today, you should be able to break through to the Silver rank without using any extraordinary external objects of the same attribute.”
To his surprise, Julian, who had been arrogant just moments before, began to flatter him.
At the same time, the hand gripping the pottery jar exerted force, continuously pulling it toward itself.
Julian continued in a seductive tone:
“Viscount Arthur, I am willing to offer another silver-tier extraordinary artifact of equal value, plus two thousand gold coins, in lieu of my wager. What do you think of my sincerity? Can you accept it?”
"I'm so sorry, Lord Julian."
Upon hearing this, Arthur did not loosen his grip at all, continuing to drag the pottery jar toward him:
"Please allow me to refuse."
For a time, Arthur and Julian were locked in a stalemate over ownership of this fire-attribute silver-tier extraordinary artifact.
At this moment, Julian outwardly flashed a fawning, insincere smile at Arthur, but inwardly he was already cursing:
What kind of monster is this guy? He's only a late-stage Black Iron Knight, yet his strength is already comparable to mine.
If they were to advance to the Silver rank, that would be incredible!
Julian, who grew up in Frostwhisper County and had never left the North, had his previously narrow understanding completely refreshed after today's knightly duel.