Linden saw that Alex was about to summon his sword made of light, so he did the same. He knew Alex would be coming for him with revenge on his mind.
When the two light swords appeared, dark clouds pressed down on the sky, and violent winds howled.
Alex looked like he was holding a dazzling light, which he then stabbed toward Linden's chest. Linden felt a blade of air sweeping fiercely toward him, and he suddenly felt cold.
When the blade of light reached him, all the bones in his body creaked and groaned, and crippling pain shot through him.
Next, Alex thrust a fist toward Linden, and fog poured out of it. It flowed toward Linden and covered his head with a boiling golden cloud. Linden retreated further, but the cloud simply moved with him.
"Linden, be careful!" Zaxx warned him. "He's lightning fast, and he could attack from anywhere." He was staying out of the fight. No one dared to face Alex now.
Linden had no idea where Alex was. The golden cloud was still over his head, weakening him and shining so brightly that he couldn't even open his eyes.
He raised his voice and addressed the unseen Alex. "Are you scared to meet me face to face? We formed our light swords to fight, but all you've done is take advantage of me by hiding and playing tricks. I challenge you to a fair fight."
Really? Alex thought. Linden, this conniving man, is actually talking to me about not taking unfair advantage? The man who fired a laser cannon at me while I was facing the lightning storm wants to talk about fair play?
"What?" he asked out loud. "Are you afraid of me now? Do you want to surrender?" He chuckled and lowered the blade in his hand. The fierce glow surrounding him didn't fade at all.
"I admit it," Linden responded. "I did take advantage of you earlier, when you were less powerful, but now that you've successfully passed your tribulation, your spiritual energy has increased dramatically, so you should be an even match for me.
"So, I want to meet you fairly. Remove the golden cloud above my head so we can fight properly."
Alex almost laughed out loud.
Linden continued, "If I hadn't destroyed your golden core, would you even have been able to pass your tribulation and ascend to the next level?" He knew that he was shamelessly goading Alex, but it was the only hope he had of defeating him.
Alex waved his hand and dissipated the golden cloud floating above Linden's head.
When Linden saw that the sky had returned to normal, his fear vanished. He rushed forward, lifted his blade, and slashed at Alex.
Alex was impressed by Linden's determination and cunning, and also by the heavy blow that he had just landed. He must have used more than half of the nascent-level energy that he had built up.
Even though Linden must be tiring, Alex couldn't relax his vigilance. After all, Linden had a lot of people on his side now. Although all of them were cowards, he couldn't make the mistake of underestimating them.
Veins throbbed on Linden's forehead. His blade was covered in flames, and it hummed with power. The silver light shining from it was so bright that he couldn't even look directly at it.
Alex stepped back, but the tip of the blade still caught him. He staggered, and then he regained his balance. It was all an act for Linden's benefit, hoping to lull him into a false sense of security.
It was only a superficial wound. Compared to the dozens of lightning bolts he had withstood, this was child's play.
He needed to catch Linden by surprise. Even if he had to let him win a few rounds first, it didn't matter. He had a plan.
"Hah, Alex," Linden said arrogantly. "You're still new to the golden core level, and it looks like you don't know yet how to draw on its power. When it gives out, you will die under my blade."
"Die under your blade, Linden?" Alex snapped, losing his temper. "Aren't you being a little presumptuous?" He raised his blade again, and a spiral of air began to swirl between his hands.
The swirl took a shape, appearing to be some kind of animal. Then wings formed out of the rushing air. Linden was dazzled. It reminded him of a technique he had read about in ancient books. Could this be a golden dragon?
According to the records, this technique had been lost hundreds of years ago. The creator of this move had also been an Ambrose, so was it possible that it had been carried down through Alex's family? Had they always had this hidden power that could only be summoned at critical moments? Linden frowned, knowing he was facing a hopeless situation.
Alex held the golden dragon blade with both hands. A few bolts of lightning arced down, giving the blade even more power.
Linden took a few steps back. His mind was filled with the terrifying things that might happen next, and his mouth had gone dry.
The golden dragon soared into the sky and burst into flames, mirroring Alex's burning anger and determination to devour Linden.