As a descendant of Heroes, Cao Cao had always sought the limits of humanity. He was powerful, intelligent, and rational, much like his ancestors who exuded an aura of dominance.
While from their respective standpoints, Cao Cao was Tenraku's enemy and had caused him plenty of trouble over time, personally, Tenraku still admired this man and acknowledged him as a worthy adversary.
However, admiration aside, there would ultimately come a reckoning between them. Moreover, Cao Cao's True Longinus was also an object of desire for Tenraku!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Spirit Qi surged, and before the eyes of onlookers, a warrior Giant clad in ancient armor enveloped Tenraku. The Giant had a massive purple sword at its waist, and behind it floated a colossal, ethereal mirror. The Giant was towering, mysterious, awe-inspiring… much like an ancient deity descended to the mortal realm!
"W-What is that?" Roygun, who had never seen Tenraku in this form before, asked, her lips slightly parted.
"That, my lady Roygun, is a combination of three of Lord Tenraku's Sacred Gears: Yata-no-Kagami – Eight Ta Mirror, Ame-no-Murakumo Sword, and Yasakani-no-Magatama – Eight Shaku Curved Jewel," Yubelluna explained proudly and a hint of pride appeared on her face.
Three combined Sacred Gears!
Feeling the vast and immense aura emanating from the Giant, Roygun's face also showed a trace of astonishment. This young man never ceased to surprise her!
"Let's step back a bit." Unlike Roygun and her Peerage, Grayfia spoke calmly.
Nodding, the women understood that staying here would only hinder Tenraku and Cao Cao. So, they ascended into the air, leaving the battlefield to Cao Cao and Tenraku.
A gentle breeze blew, and for a moment, only Tenraku and Cao Cao remained on the vast battlefield.
"Kamiya Tenraku, aren't you planning to use the power of those two Heavenly Dragons?"
Looking up at Tenraku within the crystal on the Giant's forehead, Cao Cao asked, somewhat surprised.
"Even without the power of Ddraig and Albion, I can still defeat you, Cao Cao. Moreover, didn't you already prepare means to counter them? I have no intention of letting you do as you wish." A sardonic curve appeared at the corner of Tenraku's mouth as he responded from within the crystal.
From the very beginning, he had sensed it— the familiar dragon-killing aura emanating from Cao Cao. There was no mistaking it!
"Heh… you've caught on, huh. This is Samael's potent venom. I collected a bit when I summoned it last time. I originally planned to let you all taste it during our battle. However, since you've figured it out, it's lost its value." Cao Cao chuckled as he retrieved a small vial containing a pitch-black liquid from his pocket.
He tossed it, and it landed effortlessly on the ground.
"However, are you really sure you want to face me with that colossal entity? While the power looks impressive, it's bound to affect your agility, isn't it? I'm a martial artist of finesse, and that's precisely what counters power types. You, who've fought against me before, should know that."
Rather than rushing into battle, Cao Cao voiced his curiosity.
"Indeed, you, the finesse type, are a natural counter to power types. But have you ever considered that power types are also your bane?"
"This colossal warrior may withstand ten or a hundred of your strikes, but if it lands a single hit on you, you'll be finished!" Tenraku replied with a cold smile on his face and through his Giant's intent, he drew the giant purple sword at its waist. He then swung it down towards Cao Cao…
Sizzle… Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cao Cao swiftly evaded, and the sword's strike tore through the earth, hurtling off into the distance.
Staring at the seemingly bottomless chasm in the earth, Cao Cao's eyes twitched, and a cold sweat broke out on his body. Indeed, in the face of such crushing power, one strike would be enough to shatter him to pieces!
"Now, do you understand, Cao Cao?"
"Let's see which is truly stronger— technique or power!"
With a triumphant curve to his lips, Tenraku, controlling the Giant, raised the sword of light once again and swung it down towards Cao Cao…
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
On the battlefield, Cao Cao and Tenraku were locked in a fierce battle. On one side was the indomitable Holy Spear, and on the other was the unyielding Giant.
"Holy Spear, pierce through it!"
Spirit Power surged as Cao Cao's Holy Spear rapidly extended, punching a hole into the body of the Warrior Giant. However, such an attack was meaningless against the Giant. The Warrior Giant lifted one foot and stomped down towards Cao Cao.
Boom!
The mountains shook, and the earth split apart. Cao Cao, who had leaped into the air, felt a chill down his spine. If he hadn't dodged in time, he might have been crushed into a pulp!
However, the opponent's assault didn't end there. It seemed that the Giant had anticipated Cao Cao's movements. With a sweep of the light sword in its hand, it slashed towards Cao Cao.
"Rise!"
With a surge of Spirit Qi, Cao Cao elevated his position, narrowly avoiding the path of the light sword. However—
"Ahhhhh!"
Cao Cao was still swept away by the raging air currents, flying thousands of meters away. Feeling dizzy and disoriented, he managed to stabilize himself in mid-air. He was propelled far away from the battlefield.
With his head still spinning, Cao Cao's fierce nature was stirred.
"Holy Spear, shatter it!"
Once again, Cao Cao's Holy Spear extended. With a sharp whistling sound, it swept through the air like a colossal cudgel, brutally striking the Giant's chest…
Thump! Thump! Thump…
A tremendous force surged forth, causing the Warrior Giant to stagger back a few steps. But that was all!
"HāHāHā… Come again!"
Laughing heartily, Tenraku controlled the Giant, making it charge forward. Then, with a leap, it pounced towards Cao Cao once more.
With sword slashes and kicks, the Giant launched continuous attacks, and Cao Cao could only evade desperately. Although his Holy Spear repeatedly pierced through the Giant's body, without defeating Tenraku, the damage to the Giant was quickly repaired.
Technique could counter power, but power could also crush technique. In the face of this rule-breaking opponent, Cao Cao felt powerless for the first time.
"Cao Cao, how long do you plan on running?"
Another sword strike, and then a thunderous shout echoed from the Giant's mouth.
Blood surged in Cao Cao's veins, and he came to a halt.
Indeed, he couldn't run anymore!
Power, huh? He also possessed power!
Activating the Forbidden Move of the Holy Spear, a halo and seven bowling ball-sized orbs of light appeared behind Cao Cao. With an imposing stance, he stepped forward and then thrust the spear…
"Cakkaratana (Wheel Treasure)!"
Piercing through the sky, the golden Holy Spear shot out like a bullet, while Tenraku within the Giant was excited and impassioned. He also controlled the Giant to strike down with its sword.
At this moment, time seemed to slow to an infinity. The light sword and the war spear clashed in mid-air, and then—
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion occurred in the area. The light sword in the Warrior Giant's hand shattered into pieces, while Cao Cao was sent flying. His body continuously struck the ground, then rebounded into the air. Finally, after stabilizing himself, he left nearly a hundred meters of gashes on the ground before coming to a halt.
The Main Body of the purple giant sword was the "Ame-no-Murakumo Sword", while "Wheel Treasure" was one of Cao Cao's Forbidden Moves, capable of destroying an enemy's weapon. In their recent clash, although the "Ame-no-Murakumo Sword" had been broken, Cao Cao had also paid a heavy price.
"What a terrifying power."
Blood dripped from the corner of Cao Cao's mouth as he struggled to stand, and his right hand, gripping the spear, trembled incessantly…
[To be continued…]
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