A streak of red light shot across murky space with extreme speed. Inside the light, a thunderous Shangguan Xiongyan had half his attention on the mirror in his hand and the other half in the direction he was flying in.

“He stopped? What for?”

He quirked an eyebrow to think. “Did he come to a stop somewhere? Or did he stop because he found someone?”

Eyes gleaming with suspicion, Shangguan Xiongyan continued onward in his flight. His hand still clutched at the bronze mirror as he flew, and every so often he’d scan his surroundings just in case for something strange before returning his eyes back to the mirror’s surface.

It wasn’t for another while before he took notice of something different. “The signal’s weaker! He’s gone into the Core World!! At a time like this? Was it because he came across an enemy? Is he injured and had to recuperate in the Core World? It just might be!”

This was the situation Shangguan Xiongyan thought of, and the thought of it displeased him. If that was the case, then that meant one of his own died at Bai Yunfei’s hands! It made his heart ache to have one or two of his Soul Emperors die in such a place.

His assumption wasn’t wholly wrong. Bai Yunfei did, in fact, come across the two Soul Emperors. But the difference was that Bai Yunfei wasn’t injured at all in the battle. The reason why he went into the Core World was so he could breakthrough...

“All the scattered people have started to gather together. It’s fortunate he didn’t come across Gu Jimie or the Abyssal Snake Saint else his Regalias would’ve fallen into their hands...I must ensure I get them! I have to reach him first!”

The fires of anxiety rekindled in Shangguan Xiongyan’s eyes. With a renewed burst of speed, he shot off toward Bai Yunfei’s direction.

“Eh?!”

Not even a moment later and Shangguan Xiongyan was met with a startling development. Coming to a screeching halt, Shangguan Xiongyan felt the Triumphant Flame underneath his robes activate and surround him within its energy!

“Whoosh...boom!!”

Practically the same moment as when he was protected by the Triumphant Flame, the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade came hurtling through the air and struck the armor!

The armor heaved violently, but withheld from the blow. Rather than be injured from the weapon, Shangguan Xiongyan was instead thrown backward from the force.

While unsuccessful in doing damage, the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade did manage to stop the man’s advance. Whirling around several times, it shot autonomously back to Shen Pojun’s side several hundred meters away.

“Shen Pojun!!”

Roared Shangguan Xiongyan when he steadied himself and saw who it was that had attacked him.

He had been so preoccupied with trying to find Bai Yunfei that he completely failed to detect Shen Pojun nearing him. It was only thanks to the timely intervention of the Triumphant Flame that he managed to escape relatively unharmed.

How foolish he was! He didn’t even think about the possibility of running into Shen Pojun here. Now his plans would most likely have to be scrapped!

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

It was absolutely infuriating to think there was a roadblock to his chance of getting the Regalias. Shangguan Xiongyan’s eyes roared with wrathful ire as he regarded Shen Pojun. Waving his right hand to summon his warblade, Shangguan Xiongyan prepared himself for battle.

But if he didn’t have a choice, then a battle it was then! He’d kill Shen Pojun first and then Bai Yunfei!

“Die!!”

All other thoughts disappeared from his mind as he leapt into action. Letting out a warcry, he raised his right hand to attack!

“Hmph!!”

It surprised Shen Pojun just a little to see how quick to action Shangguan Xiongyan was. Regardless, the man was ready for a fight. His aura skyrocketed in intensity before the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade was sent out again!

Two Saints flaring at the same time with the same type of energy. The grayness of the space was immediately converted to red as two sea of flames came out from both sides!

“Boom!!!”

Though made from the same type of energy, the two sea of flames crashed against one another. The world rumbled with a loud enough roar that it could probably be heard from a long distance away...

Shen Pojun had many +12 soul armaments on him, one of them including the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade, his ‘awakening’ Regalia. However, as powerful as such a combination was, it wasn’t enough to go against the genuine Regalia, the Triumphant Flame. And his opponent was one of the venerated members of the Royal Family, there was no way his soul armaments would be weak. The warblade he was using boasted an attack of over 8000, but it wasn’t enough to override the defenses of Shen Pojun’s equipment.

Shen Pojun’s Flame Dragon Crescent Blade was powerful, but not enough to overcome the Triumphant Flame. Shangguan Xiongyan’s warblade wasn’t as strong as the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade and also wasn’t quite strong enough to overcome Shen Pojun’s two defensive soul armaments.

Neither side had much of an advantage in terms of equipment. Their affinities were equally matched, meaning it would be difficult to ascertain who was the winner.

......

“Boom boom boom boom boom...”

For an hour now, the battle between Shen Pojun and Shangguan Xiongyan raged on, with neither side ever appearing to be the superior one.

By the look of things, this battle would probably need a whole day and night before a victor could be determined. Neither side were particularly being risky, as they both had the same intentions...

In this sealed dimension, a huge battle between Saints would definitely attract their reinforcements. In such a time like this, the Saint with the first reinforcement would be heavily favored.

The Frostfeather Saint was Shen Pojun’s only possible helper. Shangguan Xiongyan still had the Abyssal Snake Saint and Gu Jimie. In terms of numbers alone, Shen Pojun was at a disadvantage.

‘Boom!!!”

It wasn’t for another period of time before Shangguan Xiongyan and Shen Pojun’s eyes snapped to a completely different direction.

A powerful aura was flying toward from their right!

A second later and Shen Pojun’s eyes narrowed while Shangguan Xiongyan looked relieved!

“The Abyssal Snake Saint!!”

This person was on Shangguan Xiongyan’s side!!

Shen Pojun’s eyes narrowed even more when he realized this wasn’t a neutral party. Disengaging from Shangguan Xiongyan, he began to fly off in the opposite direction!

There was no chance of winning in a two-on-one fight. He was better off flying away.

“Running away?!”

Shangguan Xiongyan sneered before chasing off after him. Then suddenly, Shen Pojun whirled around to swing the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade at him!

“Whoosh!!”

Shangguan Xiongyan blanched at once, realizing the threat the weapon had. Hurriedly, he activated the Triumphant Flame and moved to position himself into safety.

“Boom!!!”

The blade sliced across the surface of the Triumphant Flame’s barrier, jolting it a bit before leaving a crack over its surface!

“Pft!!”

Shangguan Xiongyan’s eyes widened as he staggered back. Shen Pojun’s weapon landed a blow strong enough to rattle him through his defenses! Face going red, Shangguan Xiongyan was forced to allow a rivulet of blood escape from his lips!

That blow had been stronger than he thought! The reason behind it was simple—the +12 additional effect of the Flame Dragon Crescent Blade!

+12 Additional Effect: Convert and store enemy energy into this weapon. When enough energy is amassed, unleash a blow at 200% attack.

Originally, Shen Pojun planned to make use of this effect to land the finishing blow. He had to scrap that idea when the Abyssal Snake Saint appeared and made victory impossible. Using it now would at the very least make Shangguan Xiongyan unable to fight at his best strength.

And with Shangguan Xiongyan faltering, Shen Pojun was free to once again fly away from them!

“Damnit!!”

A furious roar escaped from Shangguan Xiongyan as he watched Shen Pojun get away from him. “After him!!” He motioned at the Abyssal Snake Saint.

Seeing the situation up ahead, the Abyssal Snake Saint didn’t slow down when he neared. Instead, he joined with Shangguan Xiongyan and began to chase after Shen Pojun!