Asura's vision started to blur as the leader's grip tightened around his neck. The world around him seemed to fade away, and his consciousness began to slip. But just as darkness was about to consume him, a surge of energy, dark and potent, erupted from within Asura.
The atmosphere around him changed instantaneously. The air grew heavy, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble. The once-terrifying syndicate leader now appeared insignificant in the face of this newfound energy. The black aura emanating from Asura expanded, enveloping both him and the leader in an ominous shroud.
Asura's eyes, now pure black, stared directly into the leader's shocked gaze. His voice resonated with an otherworldly authority as he spoke, his tone no longer that of the young man the leader had pinned down moments ago.
"Pathetic. With your strength, you think you can kill me ?" Asura's words were chilling, each one carrying an aura of command that seemed to press upon the leader's very soul.
The leader, visibly shaken and bewildered, tried to pull his hand away from Asura's neck, but it was as though an invisible force held him in place.
"Do you know what I am?" Asura's voice echoed with a resonance that seemed to reach into the leader's mind. "I am Asura - a fighting maniac. And today, I will show you what true strength means."
A swirling vortex of pitch-black qi surrounded his body, forcing the syndicate leader back.
"What is this?" the leader exclaimed in shock. The dark energy radiating from Asura was overpowering, carrying a primordial, savage power.
With startling speed, Asura darted forward, he picked up a blade that was lying on the ground, his blade singing as he attacked the syndicate leader. Caught off guard, the leader barely managed to defend against the vicious strikes. It was taking all his skill just to avoid being cut down.
"Impossible! How can a mere spiritual realm cultivator possess such strength?" the leader growled through gritted teeth. But Asura remained silent, continuing his relentless assault.
The other cultivators watched in dismay and confusion as Asura somehow matched the syndicate leader blow for blow. The sheer power contained in each strike caused tremors throughout the complex.
A sinister grin spread across Asura's face as the black aura enveloped him, making him look a little scary.
Su Lin had frozen in shock, while Kallu was in a daze. They had never thought Asura possessed such hidden strength that could help someone fight against an opponent one realm above. This was something that had never been seen or heard of before.
Kallu even pinched himself to confirm he wasn't dreaming.
On the other hand, Sir Eric and the vice headmaster were also shocked by Asura's display of power. They didn't expect such a terrifying young cultivator to be living in their kingdom.
Asura launched himself at the syndicate leader, blade whirling in a series of vicious strikes. The leader frantically threw up defenses, but Asura's onslaught was relentless.
With a deranged laugh, Asura taunted, "What's wrong? Can't keep up, old man?" He deliberately slowed his attacks, savoring the look of shock and fear on the syndicate leader's face.
Then with lightning speed, Asura's sword sliced through the air, leaving a long gash across the leader's chest. The syndicate leader stumbled back with a cry of pain.
"Come on, I'm just getting warmed up!" Asura cackled. He was toying with his opponent now, inflicting minor cuts and bruises while easily dodging counterattacks.
The other only remaining syndicate member also joined the leader after seeing he was at a disadvantage. But even with his help, Asura was still able to fight them equally.
Growing tired of the game, Asura bellowed "Enough!" With a final, contemptuous kick, he sent the syndicate leader flying into the stone wall. He then used his Battle skill "Heaven Breaking Fist" on the only remaining syndicate member.
When the Heaven Breaking Fist, covered in black martial energy, landed on the person, he exploded. The skill was never this strong before - it was like a whole new level, with strength a hundred times greater than Asura's normal Heaven Breaking Fist.
Everyone was shocked to see how terrifying a Battle skill could be. But they were more shocked that a spiritual realm cultivator could kill a sky realm cultivator with just a battle skill. They had seen people use skills to kill with one move before, but never someone killing an opponent one realm above them. To them, this was like something from a legend.
"Boring," Asura said as he went towards the syndicate leader to end his life, about to use Heaven Breaking Fist again. But his dark aura dispersed suddenly, and he started to collapse to the ground.
Su Lin was the first to rush and catch Asura before he hit the ground.
"Ha ha ha...." the syndicate leader laughed maniacally after seeing this. He said, "In the end, who will die will be you guys."
Sir Eric said, "Not necessarily. After fighting Asura, you have already lost your energy. Now if we fight, I am sure I can kill you in exchange for my own life."
The leader replied, "Oh, so you want to sacrifice your life for these juniors - how touching. But I want them to die alongside you, especially Asura. I can't let him live after he destroyed my plans. I will also tell you who has been giving us resources until now and ordering us to attack the royal palace."
Sir Eric said, "You really want to tell us?"
The leader replied, "Why not? We are all about to die anyway, so there is no harm in telling you. It was your neighbor country, and not just them - someone else helped too, but I don't know the details."
Upon hearing this, all the elite members were shocked. But Sir Eric remained calm, as he had expected this.
The leader made a hand sign and all exits were blocked. His face began to turn red. Now everyone understood why he was sure they would all die - he planned to self-destruct, and all the escape routes were blocked. Panic set in, including for Sir Eric and the vice headmaster.