[Report on the Sixth Campione, Adam Victory, and his Involvement in the "Mexican Doomsday". Compilation of the Greenwich Assembly]
Tlazolteotl is an Aztec goddess associated with desire, lust, fertility, and purification. She is known as the goddess of sins and spiritual cleansing, as it is believed she absorbs the sins and filth of humans, purifying them. Her name translates to "Goddess of Filth" or "Goddess of Night," representing both the destructive and regenerative force of sexuality and purification.
In Aztec mythology, Tlazolteotl plays a dual role: she is simultaneously a goddess of lust, inducing and controlling sexual desires, and a goddess of purification, helping individuals redeem themselves from their sins. It was believed that by confessing their sins to Tlazolteotl, a person could purify their soul and start anew.
She is often depicted as a woman with an enchanting appearance, representing human attraction and desires. Moreover, Tlazolteotl has an aspect of a mother goddess and is associated with fertility, especially the fertility of the earth and the regeneration of plants and animals.
In some myths, Tlazolteotl is also associated with Tezcatlipoca, the god of night and conflict who was slain by the Fifth Campione, John Pluto Smith.
Meanwhile, Mextli is an Aztec god of hunting and war, known for his unparalleled strength and skills. He was born from the primordial energies of earth and sky, becoming one of history's greatest hunters. His most famous legend involves the defeat of Tezcatlipoca, who took the form of a magical jaguar that terrorized Aztec villages. Mextli, with the help of his followers and divine blessings, defeated the beast after a fierce struggle. However, the beast cursed Mextli, proclaiming that war and hunting would be eternal.
As a result, Mextli became the personification of constant struggle, becoming the protector of hunters and warriors. He is depicted wearing a jaguar skin and wielding a bow and arrow made of obsidian, symbolizing his victory and skills. His legend emphasizes the importance of courage, protection, and perseverance, essential characteristics for the Aztecs in their battles and hunts.
And finally, Xolotl, a deity from Aztec mythology, is associated with death, transformation, and the underworld. He is the twin brother of Quetzalcoatl and often represented as a monstrous figure with canine features.
According to legend, after the destruction of one of the world's eras, the gods needed to recreate humanity. Quetzalcoatl descended into Mictlan (the underworld) to retrieve the bones of humans from past eras. Xolotl accompanied him on this perilous journey as his guide and protector. During the mission, Xolotl helped Quetzalcoatl overcome various obstacles and trick Mictlantecuhtli, the lord of the underworld, to bring the bones back to the surface.
One of the most famous stories about Xolotl is his attempt to escape sacrifice. When the gods decided to sacrifice themselves to set the sun in motion, Xolotl fled, fearing being sacrificed. He transformed into various forms to escape, including corn and a salamander, but was eventually captured and sacrificed.
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a magical organization performed countless sacrifices to summon a [Heretic God]. Reports claim that the entire city, filled with tourists, was sacrificed in a horrific ritual by the mages. Their efforts were not in vain, as they managed to bring forth Tlazolteotl. The descent of the [Heretic Goddess] of lust caused a massive surge of sexual desire that enveloped all of Mexico, followed by a series of suicides as mortals sought forgiveness for their sins.
Just half an hour after it reached proportions that engulfed the entire country, another [Heretic God] descended. This time, it was Mextli, who manifested to avenge Tezcatlipoca, or more specifically, he manifested to kill Tlazolteotl, thinking it was his enemy who had cursed him in their myths.
As if this weren't enough, attracted by the mass sacrifice, the [Heretic God] Xolotl also manifested.
It was like Doomsday. The entire city that had been sacrificed was destroyed, wiped off the map by the fury of the three [Heretic Gods] - it was then that the Sixth Campione, Adam Victory, appeared.
In an epic confrontation that shook the earth and sky, he slew all three [Heretic Gods].
Reports claim he used a Bow and Arrows of Fire, Wind, and even Light to strike down one of them, an authority presumed to have been usurped from Rudra, a synonym for Shiva, who is often depicted with three eyes symbolizing the Sun, Moon, and Fire - The [Arrows of Perdition] even took the appearance of a sword of fire and some of light capable of destroying a large mountain near the confrontation.
Other reports claim he used [Eternal Winter] in conjunction with [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] to slay the other two [Heretic Gods].
It is assumed he acquired some authority related to lust or purification from Tlazolteotl, something related to Hunting from Mextli, and something related to transformation from Xolotl, similar to the Fifth Campione, John Pluto Smith's authority.
It's impossible to know for sure.
But one fact remains undeniable: currently, the Sixth Campione is the God Slayer with the highest recorded number of [Heretic God] kills.
Which makes him even more terrifying than the First Campione, Marquis Voban.
- Report compiled by the White Hime-Miko, Alice Louise, former leader of the Council of Wise Men and current advisor to the Wittenagemot.
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Six months later.
Beijing, China.
Beijing, China, was immersed in its own grandeur.
The city, a metropolis of contrasts, showcased its unique fusion of modern and traditional. Gleaming skyscrapers with glass facades and futuristic designs punctuated the skyline, while in contrast, the majestic Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City preserved the cultural heritage of centuries.
The streets pulsed with the frenetic movement of people and vehicles, while the air, dense and charged with the energy of daily activities, reverberated with the energy of a city that never sleeps.
However, Beijing's peace was about to be shattered. Not far from the city, a colossal collision was about to occur, leaving a trail of destruction in the path of its impending battle. The sky darkened with the energy released by a titanic struggle, and the sound of clashing forces echoed thunderously through the fields and mountains surrounding Beijing.
At the center of the storm stood a young man in his early twenties with black hair and vibrant blue eyes, devilishly handsome, smiling at his enemy.
A mythical beast of immeasurable proportions, with brilliant white fur and black stripes like storm shadows, roared fiercely as it lunged at him. Its immense form, over thirty meters tall, sliced through the air with powerful movements, creating shockwaves that reverberated across the land below.
The young man was none other than Adam Victory, the Sixth Campione.
Adam was calm and collected, his expression unwavering as he prepared for the next move. He skillfully dodged the attacks of the gigantic creature, his almost superhuman reflexes allowing him to deflect with precision. Each movement of the White Tiger seemed to contain the force of a cataclysm, but he remained centered.
The White Tiger, with its piercing golden eyes and its immense strength, roared with fury. Its claws were like iron blades, cutting through the air as it attempted to deliver mortal blows against Adam. Its claws reached for the sky, creating cracks in the space around it as it prepared to attack.
Adam, however, was up to the threat. With a simple movement, he summoned [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] and defended against the attack. The impact of a direct hit from the Baihu struck the black sword, causing the earth to tremble and energy to vibrate in the air, but he remained firm, immune to the creature's brutal force.
The combat continued, the skies now tinged with a deep and menacing color, as the two combatants, a man and a mythological beast, waged a war of strength and skill. The White Tiger, an immense creature unbeatable to many, was now facing an adversary worthy of its power.
The city of Beijing was far from a mere spectator. The battle was so intense that the winds generated by the collisions reverberated through the city, causing lights to flicker and streets to tremble. The population of Beijing looked worriedly at the skies, sensing the growing tension. The roar of the Baihu and the sound of the clashes were unmistakable, echoing through the buildings and causing people to retreat to shelters, fearing the magnitude of the confrontation.
The skies of Beijing, normally serene and tranquil, were now being taken over by a spectacle of pure destruction.
Adam looked at the White Tiger, remembering the recent memories that had brought him to this confrontation. After months of training, studying, forging, fighting with Lancelot—his new sparring partner—he decided to take a day off and visit a country he didn't know, opting for China and ignoring the fact that it was the territory of another Campione. He was casually strolling through the west when the [Heretic God] in its [Divine Beast] form descended before him.
It wasn't hard to guess its identity; it was the Baihu, recognized as the God of the West. But he still didn't know the reason for its descent. Was it because of him, since he was a Godslayer who was in western China?
Or was it something else...?
He remembered what he knew about the Baihu in question.
In an ancient Chinese legend, Baihu, the White Tiger, was summoned by the Jade Emperor to protect the West and maintain the balance of the world. In times of great turbulence, an evil spirit known as Xian Mo threatened to destabilize the heavens and Earth, spreading chaos among mortals. Baihu, with his immeasurable strength and courage, faced the spirit in an epic battle.
After a fierce fight, where Baihu delivered powerful blows with his sharp claws and roars that echoed through the heavens, the White Tiger managed to defeat Xian Mo, imprisoning it in the depths of the underworld. As a reward for his bravery and loyalty, Baihu was consecrated as one of the Four Celestial Kings, swearing to protect the West and ensure that the forces of evil would never again threaten the peace of the world. His image as a relentless protector, guiding souls and fighting darkness, was immortalized in the stars and legends, revered by all who seek justice.
He let out a sigh before giving a slight smile, returning to his fight against the enormous [Divine Beast], his body being reinforced by his magic to the maximum for this confrontation. The Baihu attacked him with the ferocity of a Divine Tiger, trying to tear him with its claws and swallow him with its huge mouth.
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What Adam didn't know was that there was a group of observers watching his fight.
At a location a few kilometers away from the battlefield, a high and imposing hill offered a panoramic view of the valley below, where the fight was unfolding. The surrounding terrain consisted of wide fields, with sparse low vegetation and dark trees scattered unevenly, their leaves trembling gently with the cool breeze that blew.
Most of those present were men, all dressed in traditional white clothes of ancient China. They knelt in reverence, heads bowed and shoulders hunched, as if awaiting a word from their leader. These men were loyal, disciplined followers, and they were completely focused on the woman in front of them, whose imposing presence seemed to eclipse even the battle unfolding in the distance.
In front of them stood a woman of unparalleled beauty. Her features were a perfect reflection of the elegance and nobility of ancient China. She possessed clear, smooth skin, with a silky touch that reflected the light like polished ivory. Her hair, black as the deepest night, fell in voluminous waves to her waist, contrasting with her emerald green eyes, bright as precious emeralds and impenetrable. Her slender and elegant body displayed a natural grace, with delicate yet well-defined curves that made her look like a perfect figure of youth. The young woman appeared to be in her late teens, but her presence was of a maturity that seemed far beyond her age.
She wore traditional Han dynasty clothing that emphasized her imposing stature and aura of authority. The fan in her hand seemed like a simple adornment, but to those who observed her closely, it was an extension of her personality: refined, yet capable of concealing great power.
One of the men, still with his head bowed, raised his voice respectfully, breaking the silence that hung in the air. "What do you plan to do, Your Eminence?" he asked, his eyes turned to the battle happening in the distance, but his mind clearly seeking permission to act.
The woman, with a graceful movement, slightly opened the fan and gently swayed it, while her eyes remained fixed on the battlefield. The battle before her was a dance of immense powers, but she remained impassive, like a goddess observing a storm without being touched by it.
"We will do nothing for now," replied the woman in a soft voice, yet laden with authority. Her eyes sparkled with a slightly enigmatic smile, which only increased her aura of mystery. "This Luo Hao is interested in the battle," she added, speaking of herself in the third person, as a demonstration of her silent pride and immense confidence in her position.
The Rival of Marquis Voban and considered a monster on the same level as the oldest Campione.
The Second Campione, the Ruler of the Martial Realm and the Demon King of China; Luo Hao.
Despite her immense position and power, Luo Hao preferred isolation. She spent her days on her sacred mountain, cultivating her power and training her disciples. The modern world and the intrigues of the current God Slayers were largely unknown to her, but the battle ahead aroused a rare curiosity in her heart.
The sound of the fight, the clash of superhuman forces, caught her attention, and even from afar, she felt the need to observe, to understand what was at stake.
She obviously knew who the [Heretic God] in its [Divine Beast] form was.
Baihu, the Legendary Guardian of the West.
Luo Hao admitted she was somewhat interested in showing the [Heretic God] her martial splendor, as it was a legendary beast that served the Jade Emperor, but the figure of the young man fighting the [Divine Beast] was what interested her most.
Although she did not seek knowledge about her fellow God Slayers, even the stories of the [King of Celestial Massacre] reached the Sacred Cult of the Five Mountains that Luo Hao controlled.
Currently, according to reports from various defeated [Heretic Gods], Adam Victory was the Campione who possessed the most Authorities and was considered the strongest among them because of this.
When she learned of these stories, Luo Hao could not help but be amused by the subject. The idea of a Campione with so much power did not immediately impress her. She had faced and defeated countless threats of similar magnitude, and her confidence in her own strength was unshakeable. Perhaps, she should show her little brother who was truly stronger? The idea of demonstrating her great martial splendor in a direct confrontation with him seemed intriguing.
And now, seeing his battle against the [Heretic God] made the idea seem even more incredible.
The sight unfolding before Luo Hao was nothing less than impressive.
The [Heretic God], despite its seemingly unbreakable resistance, was relentlessly wounded with every blow dealt by its opponent, the Campione. The sword he wielded was not just a blade, but an extension of his own soul, cutting through the air with a technique and grace that made even the greatest martial masters seem clumsy. Every movement, however simple, seemed to be charged with a precision that surpassed anything Luo Hao had ever witnessed in her long life.
The blows were not only powerful, but artistic, flowing like a deadly dance that left the [Heretic God] without answers. The blade cut so effectively and nimbly that it seemed as if time around them slowed down, with the attacks being executed at a speed that defied any attempt at defense. Even the [Heretic God], with all its supernatural resistance, didn't seem able to avoid the damage, its wounds accumulating rapidly as it tried to hold its ground.
The most fascinating thing for Luo Hao, however, was not just the technical skill, but the intensity with which the blade moved, the strength behind each blow, and the ease with which its wielder controlled the sword. The blade seemed to have a life of its own, moving in perfect synchrony with its master's body, as if both had a transcendental connection that transcended the training of an ordinary mortal. The perfection with which the sword cut through the air made everything Luo Hao had seen until then seem insignificant, like a child's play compared to the mastery before her.
Luo Hao couldn't help but form an almost imperceptible smile on her lips. It was a smile of admiration, but also of curiosity. To think that someone so young, someone who still seemed to carry the freshness of youth, held such power was a revelation that stirred her perception of the world. A being with such advanced skill at such an early stage of life... This thought amused her, like an unexpected intrigue.
He deserved to experience her martial splendor!
She continued to watch the battle.
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Adam defended against another blow from Baihu's claw, which had lost its strength due to the wounds he had inflicted. The White Tiger was panting, and its ferocity had diminished. He decided to end the fight quickly, activating his [Evil Eye of Balor] and seeing the 'Lines of Death' of his enemy while using the petrification effect to freeze it. He then channeled his Balor authority into [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] and killed the Baihu in a single blow that tore it to pieces before it turned into blue dust that dissolved into the air.
"Well, now I have another problem to deal with..." he murmured as he descended to the ground and looked at an approaching group. They wore traditional white clothing, and the one leading them was an extremely beautiful woman with black hair and jade-colored eyes, possessing a beauty surpassing anything a human could achieve.
He recognized who she was in an instant: Luo Hao, the Second Campione.
Walking towards him was the Ruler of the Martial Realm.
When Luo Hao saw the end of the battle, she immediately headed towards where the younger Campione was, while her disciples followed her faithfully.
When she laid eyes on him up close, the first thing she noticed was his physique, sculpted to perfection. The second thing she noticed was his vibrant blue eyes.
Never in her life had Luo Hao witnessed such an extraordinarily beautiful man. His white skin, almost ethereal, contrasted hypnotically with the deep black tone of his hair, like the night enveloping the horizon. His eyes, of a vibrant blue, shone like rare gemstones, so intense that Luo Hao found herself wishing those jewels were within her reach. The shape of his face, with features as delicate as they were perfect, was something she had never seen before, making her wonder, for a moment, if the man before her had ever truly been human.
Throughout her long life, Luo Hao had encountered hundreds of people of unusual beauty, with appearances that defied the concept of perfection, but nothing compared to those rare and captivating features. He surpassed any aesthetic standard she had ever known. Adam's beauty, with its breathtaking presence, left even an experienced warrior like Luo Hao in a momentary state of contemplation.
However, the woman did not allow her surprise to show on her face.
"So, you are the Sixth, the Third of the so-called New Generation," she said calmly, her voice laced with an authority that transcended mere curiosity.
Adam simply looked at her and narrowed his eyes slightly. He smiled faintly as he replied in a calm voice, "Luo Hao, what do you want here? I doubt it's just for a greeting."
Luo Hao's smile widened, her confidence radiating like an aura around her.
"Be grateful," she spoke in a sweet voice. "I've decided to grace you with my splendor! I noticed your battle against Baihu; my martial splendor reaches all of my territory..."
Adam couldn't help but frown; was this girl's head messed up? He could barely interpret her intention because of her complicated words. He asked, "Do you want a fight?"
The aura of power around him began to intensify, his presence becoming even more imposing. His power fluctuated almost imperceptibly, but strongly enough to make Luo Hao's subordinates pale and retreat.
"A battle between us would certainly be quite good, especially to see if you are worthy of the title of Campione. But fighting you now, after you've exhausted your Authorities in the fight against Baihu, wouldn't be appropriate. I wouldn't need my Authorities or my infinite martial splendor to defeat you!" Luo Hao declared with an arrogant smile, her confidence radiating like a visible aura.
Adam watched the woman calmly, but a subtle, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.
"Do you really think you can beat me?" The seriousness in his voice increased with each word, and his aura, previously contained, began to manifest, taking shape around him. A latent power that began to make the air heavy, as if the tension was about to become physical.
Luo Hao let out a light laugh, a soft chuckle that could charm any man. But for Adam, this sound had the opposite effect. Instead of being attracted, he felt the urge to punch the woman's face, to break her confidence mercilessly. She didn't realize it, but her smile only fueled Adam's desire to show her that she wasn't unbeatable.
"But of course, the splendor of this Luo Hao knows no bounds!" she declared with more emphasis, the smile widening on her face. Turning her back to him, as if he were no longer relevant to her, she made her proposal: "So, how about we meet again for a fight at dusk? Your Authorities should recover by then."
Adam just watched her silently as she began to walk away, completely ignoring his presence and opinion. Luo Hao, with her immense pride, didn't care about appearing provocative or arrogant.
As she walked away, Adam reflected on what he knew about her. Luo Hao wasn't just a warrior, but a great figure who possessed the five Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, knowledge, and integrity. She was revered, a royal presence with splendor, but her own view of the world was distorted. She believed that her worth transcended that of the world itself, considering herself more important than billions of human lives. An undeniable arrogance, something that placed her on a pedestal too high.
If he left now, he knew she would be furious and pursue him until they could fight. She was impatient, and he couldn't leave her with the feeling of victory. He had to accept the invitation, as his own nature wouldn't allow him to run away from a challenge, especially one that involved someone like Luo Hao.
But who said his authorities were exhausted? Was she really stupid, or did she assume this was something she would encounter with an ordinary Campione? To kill a simple Baihu, he had only used [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] and his [Evil Eye of Balor]. Although he had burned some of his magical energy, it wasn't enough to weaken him from his other authorities. His eyes narrowed slightly. Luo Hao sensed that his magical energy was not at its peak, so she suggested this?
Well, even if that was somewhat impressive, she still underestimated him greatly. He could replenish his energy through the [Apples of Immortality] from his usurped authority of Iddun, but since she had given him a few hours to prepare, he decided to just do it the normal way.
... ...
A few hours later.
On a vast plain, where the biting wind mingled with the dust, two imposing figures faced each other. The immensity of the battlefield reflected the intensity of the battle about to take place. The atmosphere was charged with the expectation of the confrontation that would unfold.
Luo Hao and Adam Victory now stood face to face, both Campiones ready to test the limits of their strength, as if the whole world was waiting for the explosion of power that only they could generate.
"I see you have courage; I admire that," Luo Hao said, waving her hand slightly.
"I don't think that will solve anything, but it's still not too late to give up this foolish idea," Adam replied calmly, with a tone of slight disapproval. He was starting to get irritated with the condescending attitude of the woman before him, who, besides challenging him to a battle, was now complimenting him. It all sounded to him like one big empty provocation.
"For you to say that this Luo Hao's ideas are foolish, that is complete nonsense!" the older Campione raged. "If you were not a fellow [King], I would absolutely not forgive you for such insolence. You would certainly be punished for it. However, as your senior on the path of domination, I will be magnanimous and generously forgive you."
Adam looked at her with a skeptical look. The way she spoke with such presumption made him question her sense of grandeur. But she didn't stop there.
"And the same applies to your companion. Anyone who has the privilege of gazing upon my appearance should be punished. That is a reflection of who I am," Luo Hao said, with an impassive expression.
Adam raised an eyebrow, challenging her with his sarcastic reply: "Why? If you don't like others seeing you, why don't you hide then?"
Luo Hao didn't seem to understand the sarcasm in his speech, and continued, in her impeccably calm voice: "You call yourself Adam Victory, correct? King Adam, your logic is flawed. I am the martial pinnacle, far surpassing all emperors, conquerors, and generals, be they from the past or the present, be they from the East or the West. This gives me the inalienable right to enjoy immeasurable prestige, beyond any comparison. This is what I call hierarchy."
She uttered these words as if stating a universal truth, as natural as Earth's gravity. But to Adam, her words sounded like nonsense. She truly believed in her own superiority, and arrogantly so, as if there was no one who could challenge her.
"So, you consider yourself more amazing than any King or Emperor in history? What proof do you have of that?" Adam asked, challenging her with an inquisitive look.
"Obviously, my Authorities and Martial Arts are my proof," Luo Hao declared with absolute confidence. "I am capable of slaughtering thousands of soldiers with a single punch or kick. I would kill tens of thousands with a mere movement of my blade or spear. If I truly showed the essence of my martial arts, armies of millions would be transformed into mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. And the entire land would be devastated!"
While listening to this proclamation, Adam simply remained silent. Now he completely understood why he felt the need to punch the woman in front of him. Her arrogance and inflated words were unbearable, but he couldn't deny that she possessed a power that, on some level, lived up to her self-sufficiency.
"King Adam, thank the heavens for the opportunity to learn and exchange blows against the pinnacle of the Martial Realm. I will treat you as my obstacle and defeat you with Luo Hao's martial arts!" she declared, positioning herself in a combat stance. Her smile was challenging, as if she already knew the final outcome.
As they faced each other, those watching from afar—be they mages or members of various organizations—were completely silent, not daring to intervene. They knew this was more than a simple fight; it was a battle between beings who had transcended the mortal realm, between two of the five Campiones that existed in the world. A battle between kings, lords of power. And, more than anything, a battle between godslayers.
Luo Hao, with a simple movement, stepped on the ground. The instant her feet touched the earth, the ground cracked violently, as if the very foundation of the world was breaking. And before Adam could react, she disappeared, her speed surpassing even Adam's perception, who had never imagined a technique could be so fast.
"Fast..." was Adam's thought, impressed by the speed with which Luo Hao moved. He had faced fast warriors before, but she was on a higher level. Even Alec, the Black Prince, was behind her in terms of speed.
What impressed him most, however, was the fact that this speed didn't come from an Authority, but from a skill she had mastered throughout her life. A refined and deadly technique.
When she appeared before him, two fists were directed at Adam, both charged with the power to destroy mountains. The force of each blow caused the air around them to distort, and the almost physical pressure was impossible to ignore.
But Adam was ready. He had faced the unexpected many times, and with the help of his experience and the [Mind's Eye], he was able to react. His movements were quick and calculated, and with a brutal clash of forces, the blows of both collided, creating a shockwave so powerful that it forced both of them to step back.
Adam was at a disadvantage, taking a few more steps back.
"So you were able to react to that?" Luo Hao said, smiling with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Very well, let's continue!"
Without further words, the two began exchanging blows in a clash of pure martial skill, where strength, technique, and speed intertwined in a deadly dance. Neither was willing to yield, and the battlefield was about to become the stage for one of the greatest clashes the world had ever witnessed.
As the battle progressed, Adam began to notice the nuances of Luo Hao's techniques. She not only moved with impressive speed, but also disappeared from his sight with each retreat, closing the distance instantaneously. This left Adam with little chance to track her movements, forcing him to rely on his anticipation skills and enhanced perception.
He soon deduced that she was using techniques he knew, but on a much more advanced level. The [Seven Star Spiritual Step], an ancient martial technique capable of allowing the user to take seven steps undetected, was in use. And the [Shuukuchi], a technique that allowed one to reduce the distance between opponents almost instantaneously, completed Luo Hao's unbeatable style.
"To think you could hold your own against my splendor… Simply magnificent!" Luo Hao declared with a satisfied smile as she took a new stance, the most elegant of all.
She seemed to radiate a transcendent beauty, her posture worthy of a martial goddess. Adam, however impressed he was, was already used to dealing with stunningly beautiful women, and he wasn't distracted by it.
"The Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix. This set of techniques is what I am most proud of in my martial arts, and one of the greatest martial mysteries. Savor it well!" Luo Hao said confidently, already preparing to execute her technique.
The blows began to flow like a fatal dance. The first palm struck Adam's jaw with devastating force, followed by a blow to the abdomen, then the clavicle, and finally pressure on the thighs. Each blow was delivered with the speed and precision of a phoenix in flight, but Adam didn't have time to fully react to each movement. When the final palm was directed at his heart, he was thrown against a mountain, which gave way under the impact, collapsing on top of him.
"The Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix are a set of techniques consisting of twelve movements: Fengchudengmen, Fengyanchuanlian, Fengzhuataoxin, Feifengzhuiluo, Danfengchaoyang, Jinfengliangchi, Qunfenglianhuan, Xiongfengqianjin, Fengyitianxiang, Fenglongyinyang, Fenghuangshuangfei, and Dafengwutian. Each movement adheres to the principles of yin and yang duality, causing two soft and strong forces to combine..." Luo Hao explained as she walked with a posture that exuded authority and power, the dusk light further enhancing her divine aura.
She was completely certain that the battle was over, but what happened next completely surprised her. All the stones from the mountain exploded in various directions, and Adam emerged from the rubble, seemingly unharmed. However, his clothes were torn, and there were bloodstains on them.
His breathing was heavier. That was dangerous!
If he hadn't consumed an [Apple of Immortality] moments before rising from the rubble, a precaution he always kept in his inventory for emergencies like this, he would have lost at that moment.
His decision not to use the [Apple of Immortality] earlier saved his life.
Stunned, Luo Hao looked at him with a glint of surprise in her eyes. "What a surprise, you were able to withstand my unparalleled martial skills!" She couldn't hide her admiration. It was the first time someone had resisted the [Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix] without taking damage, not even the Heretic Gods she had faced in the past.
"I understand... this technique is derived from the ancient martial technique of the [Five Immortal Palm Strikes of the Flying Phoenix], and your movement techniques are also impressive," Adam observed as he began to reposition himself, analyzing the battle pattern. "I think it's like this..."
He wasn't just speaking in a casual tone. He began to mimic Luo Hao's style, copying her movements and posture with impeccable precision. His [Master of a Thousand and One Skills] ability allowed him to perfectly replicate his opponent's technique.
Something he had learned from this fight.
When Adam finalized his stance, Luo Hao was shocked. The stance he assumed was identical to hers.
Without giving her time to react, Adam used a combination of the [Seven Star Spiritual Step] and [Shuukuchi], and in an instant, appeared in front of Luo Hao, faster than she could imagine.
Luo Hao tried to react, but the surprise of seeing her own stance being imitated took longer than she expected. Before she could react properly, Adam executed the [Twelve Divine Palm Strikes of the Phoenix] with the same fluidity and precision as his opponent.
Adam's palm struck Luo Hao's jaw with brutal force, followed by a blow to the abdomen and another to the clavicle. His fingers pierced Luo Hao's thighs, and before she could react, the shockwave from his blows threw her away, dragging her for several meters.
Luo Hao recovered with impressive dexterity, displaying her own martial skills as she got back on her feet. She looked at Adam with a challenging smile.
"To think you were able to replicate my technique! What a surprise... Perhaps you are a King who should inherit my position as the greatest martial artist in the future!" Luo Hao said, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Who would want that?" Adam replied with a mocking smile. He summoned [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] and decided to attack the woman, using the movement techniques he had learned to appear in front of her and strike.
Luo Hao gracefully dodged and retreated.
"So, that's the famous Japanese Excalibur?" she said, looking at him with a smile.
Adam didn't respond. He tightened his grip on the sword's hilt as he listened to his blade's complaints about being compared to said European blade. He decided to test something in their relationship. Making it absorb his authority from the [Arrows of Rudra] and the [Primordial Light], pushing the Divine Sword to its limits and giving rise to a new power. He murmured the incantation that came to his mind: "Pulverize Evil, descend." Finishing saying this, he raised his [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] and disappeared, appearing above Luo Hao in a descending strike.
The blade of [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] descended with devastating authority, radiating intense heat, like the sun itself in fury. Luo Hao, the Ruler of the Martial Realm, raised her hand with serene confidence, channeling her Divine Authorities to defend against the attack.
She had heard of [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] in the reports about Adam, but didn't fully know the extent of the blade's power. The challenge, however, excited her, as she rarely found opponents worthy of her level. The martial skill Adam had displayed so far, along with his lightning-fast reactions, showed that he was a Campione who, like her, sought to elevate mystical arts to levels comparable to Divine Authorities. However, Luo Hao always believed that the power of mortal magic could never surpass Authorities, even when strengthened by the reserves of a Campione.
As the blade of golden, flaming energy descended, Luo Hao raised a hand as if holding an invisible sword, and murmured with a calmness that contrasted with the impending violence: "Defending Divine Sword."
In response, a monumental sword materialized above her—a curved Mongol scimitar, over ten meters long, held by a translucent female hand. The titanic gold and silver weapon, adorned with details of dancing death, was the manifestation of an Authority that Luo Hao had conquered by defeating the Mongol god of war, [Dayisud Tngri], more than a century ago.
The clash between the two blades was seismic. The golden light sword met the silver scimitar with a force that reverberated through the earth, generating a shockwave that nearly knocked down those nearby. The pressure was immense, and Luo Hao felt the crushing force descending upon her, as if the sun itself was falling from the heavens.
Clink.
The sharp, bell-like sound broke the flow of Luo Hao's thoughts. Her eyes fixed on the point of impact, where something impossible had happened—a crack appeared on the blade of her divine sword.
Clink-clink!
The cracks spread rapidly through the silver blade, shattering its mirrored sheen and fragmenting the Authority she had invoked. The sound of the breaking was deafening, as if a mountain of glass had shattered.
KKKKCHHHATTCCHH!
The scimitar shattered in a spectacle of destruction. The impact was so colossal that Luo Hao, in a state of absolute disbelief, could only watch as her mind refused to process the impossible. However, her reflexes, honed by centuries of battles, saved her life. Even with her mind paralyzed, her body instinctively employed Jiǎo Qīng Bù, a high-speed technique that moved her away from the mortal blow in time.
The ground where she had stood moments before was obliterated. The grass, the stones, the trees—everything was annihilated by Adam's flaming blade, leaving only a hot, glowingscar on the landscape. The residual heat made the earth simmer, while molten rocks and bubbling tar gradually cooled.
Luo Hao, breathless, with wide eyes, couldn't look away from the destruction that stretched before her. *That* authority was *that* powerful? Incredible. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
A slow smile spread across Luo Hao's face as she saw Adam raise his sword and turn to face her. The fight had become more challenging and dangerous than she had anticipated, but simultaneously, far more interesting.
Adam, determined to win and crush Luo Hao, gave no quarter. He activated his [Blessing of Protection], declaring firmly, "O mark of divine protection, become my armor."
His magical energy was burning rapidly; he no longer wanted to hold back.
As soon as the words left his lips, golden runes began to appear on his skin, emitting a soft, protective light. The runes quickly covered his body, forming an aura of protection around him. Adam felt strength grow within him; his muscles became stronger, his senses sharper.
Without wasting time, he shaped the [Primordial Light] to create weapons that floated around him before launching them like a rain of destruction. Adam had discovered this technique recently, but manipulating light was challenging, and his authority peaked during the morning, weakening as the day progressed until becoming useless at night. As it was dusk, the weapons he created—swords, spears, and others—served only as distractions.
He doubted they could cause any harm to a Great Knight, let alone a Campione.
Luo Hao skillfully dodged each weapon, her impeccable balance only slightly shaken by an explosion as one of the weapons struck the ground, causing her to stumble. Despite this, she didn't falter, maintaining her speed and grace as she advanced on Adam with an elegant smile on her lips.
Yes, this was what she craved—a battle that challenged her skills, a chance to measure her strength against an opponent of equal or greater power. Victories over ordinary mages and martial artists who dared to challenge her were tedious. But this fight… it was sweeter than the finest wine. Her blood sang in her veins as she faced Adam, her senses alert for any sign of another devastating blow like the one that had destroyed her previous Authority.
She wanted to face that power again, this time using her most refined Authorities, those that had been perfected over decades. This was the essence of the challenge, the adversity that had shaped her as Ruler of the Martial Realm.
With no time for further thoughts, Luo Hao nimbly dodged the golden tip of a spear that nearly grazed her throat. She could sense that these weapons made of light were mere distractions, but she played the cat-and-mouse game, finding it amusing. Retreating with precision, she avoided the blow of a familiar black sword. Adam emerged from the dust cloud, his clothes stained, wielding [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi] with impressive skill.
Even as she summoned the winds to protect her, Luo Hao couldn't help but admire the mastery with which Adam wielded his sword. He was stronger and faster due to the previous authority he had used. Perhaps a truly worthy adversary.
Luo Hao declared firmly, "There have been enough tests of each other! From this moment on, there will be no more holding back. This will be a battle of Kings; let us shake the heavens with our splendor." She advanced, assuming a martial arts stance, ready for the confrontation.
Adam responded by advancing with [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi], his unmatched mastery shining with every move. But this time, Luo Hao was prepared. She invoked one of her favorite authorities, the [Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl], reciting verses from a Tang dynasty poem as the winds around her intensified, a force that rivaled the very power of Adam's divine sword.
"This year was Onion River Road. We washed our swords in the Eastern Sea / We grazed our horses on the snowy side of Tian Shan. A thousand miles are not enough for this war / Our armies grow old in their armor."
The winds danced around her, growing in strength and intensity. Adam, wielding his sword, fought against the magical winds that tried to push him back. However, Luo Hao's authority proved to be more resilient, mending itself with renewed strength whenever it was cut by Adam's blade.
With a graceful movement, Luo Hao concluded her spin, presenting the force of the winds to her opponent. "Blood of soldiers stained the dry grass / While generals map the next campaign. Wise men know that a war won / Is no better than losing one."
The wind pressure transformed into a shockwave, colliding against Adam with overwhelming force. He stood firm, his eyes shining with determination. Then, dispelling [Ame no Murakamo Tsurugi], he invoked one of his authorities usurped from Perun, his magical energy fluctuating.
The sky above them began to change dramatically. He raised his arms to the sky, his blue eyes shining intensely as Perun's authority manifested. The clouds gathered with frightening speed, thick and dark as midnight, obscuring the setting sun.
"O stormy heavens, answer my call," he cried, his voice laden with power. "Clouds form and darken, gather the wind and rain, my lightning will split the heavens, my thunder will shake the earth. Tremble with awe and terror before my power and fury, for my uncontrollable storm approaches!"
The clouds swirled above like a chaotic vortex, lightning flashing and dancing within them. The wind roared with a force that seemed capable of tearing trees from the ground, and the sky poured rain in torrents, each drop heavy and cold as ice.
This was the authority he called [Growing Storms]. Perun was a storm god who wielded lightning and brought fertile rain to the lands. This authority granted him the ability to generate a localized storm. The storm could unleash great floods of rain, powerful winds, and devastating bursts of lightning. The weather did not affect him in any way, and he could see and move amidst heavy downpours and winds without discomfort.
Adam floated, suspended in the air by the power of the storm he controlled. Lightning began to concentrate around him, snaking and crackling like living serpents. He raised his right hand, and in an instant, a bow made of pure electricity formed, glowing with a bluish light. In his left hand, a lightning arrow began to take shape, long and sharp, pulsating with destructive energy.
The wind howled around him, but Adam remained unperturbed, his senses sharp and his concentration unwavering. He drew the bowstring, and the lightning arrow crackled with energy as it was pulled back. With each second, more lightning converged on the bow, increasing the arrow's power.
"Let the fury of the heavens be the judgment!" He released the arrow, which shot out like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the air with brutal force. The arrow left a luminous trail in its path, illuminating the battlefield as it headed towards Luo Hao.
The Ruler of the Martial Realm saw the arrow approaching, an unstoppable force of destruction. With a nimble gesture, she summoned more winds, creating a swirling barrier around her. The lightning arrow struck the barrier with a deafening explosion, the impact illuminating everything around as if it were daytime.
The sky continued to roar with thunder, each explosion resonating like a war drum. The battle between the two kings became a spectacle of divine power, with Adam's storm growing in intensity, defying the limits of earth and sky. Through the storm, Adam nullified Luo Hao's authority over the wind.
Seeing her power have no effect, Luo Hao quickly canceled her Authority, demonstrating the innate skill of a martial arts master. If one of her Authorities was neutralized, she simply needed to change strategy and invoke another.
"The root of my Vajra power, now is the time for the great strength that can destroy heaven and earth!" Her voice resonated across the battlefield with undeniable authority, each word carrying the weight of centuries of mastery and divine power.
Feeling the energy of the [Divine Power of Vajrapani] flowing through her body, the Ruler of the Martial Realm emanated an aura of absolute majesty. This power, granted by the Benevolent Guardians of the Buddha King, made her fists resonate with the destructive force of thunder.
Using the Jiǎo Qīng Bù movement method, Luo Hao moved with almost invisible speed, closing the distance between herself and Adam in the blink of an eye. From the sky, Adam commanded his storm with the dexterity of a conductor, dodging her attacks while lightning arrows were launched in response. Realizing the futility of ranged attacks, he opted to face Luo Hao in close combat.
A terrible idea; if it weren't for his [Blessing of Protection] authority, he would've been beaten to a pulp.
The Second Campione was a bigger monster than he had thought!
The exchange of blows between the two was a spectacle of strength and technique. Luo Hao, confident in the power of the [Divine Power of Vajrapani], threw punches that could demolish mountains. However, to her shock, Adam blocked each attack, his hands moving with a precision that rivaled her own. He not only absorbed the blows but also returned them with equal intensity.
She felt a wave of disbelief. Had he copied her style? The familiarity in his movements was unmistakable, as if he was perfecting his own techniques through battle. The moment of distraction cost her dearly; a direct punch to the stomach sent her crashing to the ground with enough force to create a crater, as if a meteor had struck. The impact stole her breath, but she quickly rose, her eyes shining with excitement.
Adam's body was covered in light and runes that seemed to make any damage impossible. Luo Hao realized he was using an Authority that made his body invulnerable, an impenetrable shield against her most powerful attacks.
But it burned a lot of magical energy; she could tell it wouldn't last long.
Descending to the ground, Adam assumed a combat stance. Luo Hao, equally determined, did the same, preparing for the next round.
The two lunged at each other like lightning, their bodies in perfect harmony with the energies around them. Luo Hao felt a growing admiration for the young Campione. This was the battle she had always desired, a confrontation that pushed her beyond her limits. Each blow, each block, was a complex dance of skill and instinct, with both combatants completely surrendering to the moment.
A world-ending event struck the location, engulfing the entire region in something that would kill any mortal simply as a result of their confrontation.
Adam, with his vast array of Authorities, was a formidable adversary. Each of his movements was unpredictable, a combination of raw power and cunning strategy. He fought with everything he had against Luo Hao and yet could barely match her, but he felt the joy of giving his all in his heart.
The battle continued, a duel of titans where each second was an explosion of power and technique. Luo Hao knew she was facing someone who, in such a short time, had reached the pinnacle of martial arts. A slight frown formed on her face as she retaliated, determined to overcome the challenge. This duel, for her, was more than a battle—it was a test of her own supremacy as the Ruler of the Martial Realm.
With a powerful blow that pushed Luo Hao back, Adam prepared to use his [Growing Storm], one of the other effects of this authority that also allowed him to use Perun's Golden Apples, one of his oldest symbols.
He took advantage of the distance from his enemy to utilize it, floating even further with his magical power. He raised his right hand, and the electricity around him, caused by the storm that hadn't disappeared, intensified. The lightning writhed and clustered around him as if the sky itself was being shaped by his will.
With a concentration that only the master of various Authorities could maintain, Adam whispered the incantation, his voice deep and laden with the weight of the power he invoked:
"As I possess the golden apple and threw it high into the sky, lightning should explode from the sky, no eyewitnesses would be left, not even to say how they died."
The storm around Adam intensified like never before. The very air seemed to carry the pressure of an uncontrollable force. A golden glow began to emanate from his hand, and soon a sphere of electricity took shape before him—Perun's Golden Apple. At the heart of the sphere, a micro-singularity spun at high speed, concentrating all the energy of a compressed lightning bolt into a bright, deadly sphere. The Golden Apple was not a simple lightning bolt; it was a concentration of destruction capable of obliterating everything in its path.
Knowing that his enemy was powerful, he formed two more apples and fused them into one.
Three Golden Apples, with their contained power, this was his strongest concentrated destructive power—with the exception of his instant death authorities.
With a fluid motion, Adam launched the Golden Apple towards Luo Hao, who was recovering from the previous blow. The lightning bolt cut through the air with a speed impossible to follow with the naked eye, leaving behind a trail of golden light. Luo Hao, seeing the imminent threat, braced herself, trying to use her martial dexterity and speed to escape.
But the Golden Apple was relentless. Adam used the best of his predictions with [Mind's Eye] and a certain use of his [Evil Eye of Balor] authority, causing Luo Hao to feel her limbs paralyzed for a millisecond, but proving that her title of monster was no joke, she broke free.
A millisecond too late.
The sphere of electricity struck the ground where Luo Hao had been previously with a devastating boom. An explosion of blinding light and electricity took over the battlefield, illuminating everything around with the force of an immense lightning bolt.
The entire region disappeared completely, becoming a sea of lightning.
Luo Hao tried to dodge, but the energy from the Golden Apple was so intense that the shockwave hit her, knocking her down. She was thrown backward, her body being consumed by lightning that seemed to have a life of its own. The electricity burned her skin and enveloped her, the feeling of immense pain being amplified by the severity of the impact. The singularity within the Golden Apple made the lightning's power concentrate on a specific point, destroying her defenses and forcing her to feel the pain of each cell being torn apart by the gravitational force.
The sea of lightning erased everything and left the earth charred, a barren plain. Luo Hao stood up, her body still smoking from the impact. Her breathing was ragged, and pain burned her body, but she refused to yield. She was having fun.
Without giving his opponent time to regroup, Adam took a deep breath and, while maintaining his [Evil Eye of Balor], decided to use its final form.
Adam, with a slow and deliberate movement, closed his eyes as he spoke the incantation: "O burning Sun, owner of the fatal heat, Your rays consume, in silence, life, Absolute death in every celestial glow, Your fire erases all, leaving the soul lost, In your reign, there is no more end, only the abyss..."
It was at this moment that Adam's energy concentrated. He who had the power of the scorching Sun, of the devastating heat ray, felt the true gravity of what he was about to do.
With an explosion of power, Adam opened his eyes, releasing the final form of the [Evil Eye of Balor] Authority.
The ray shot from his eyes with a speed impossible to follow, and absolute heat spread in the path of its trajectory. It was as if the sun itself had turned against the world, concentrated into a single beam. Everything around was swallowed by the wave of destruction. The mountains near Beijing became nothing more than charred ashes, with the vegetation and soil burning like paper.
The beam of light, made of pure destruction, cut through space, tearing the earth and penetrating the rocks with terrifying ease. The destruction was immeasurable. Hundreds of kilometers around Beijing disappeared under the force of the blow. The surrounding mountains, once imposing and proud, were now unrecognizable, with deep, charred holes within them. The earth was twisted and cracked, and the sky opened above, revealing two immense gaps that seemed to fray the very fabric of the universe, as if the Heavens had bowed before the impact.
His [Growing Storms] authority tried to mend the clouds in the region, but he dispelled it.
The heat beam continued to advance, consuming everything in its path uncontrollably, until it struck Luo Hao directly. Her figure was enveloped in a light that seemed to illuminate the very end, and her body was wounded, the impact throwing her back. She was flung across the devastated terrain, falling and crushed by the rocks and debris around her for hundreds of kilometers, but her extraordinary resilience kept her on her feet, even after the blow.
The terrain was unrecognizable, and the heat still burned in the ruins, a testament to unparalleled power.
This was the final form of his [Evil Eye of Balor].
The final form of the Authority can only be manifested after he cuts the "Lines of Death" to weaken his target. It is basically a guaranteed kill attack. While Lugh is the God related to the benefits of the Sun, Balor is related to the scorching sun, the destructive effects of the Sun. He fires a heat ray of absolute death, which has a guaranteed hit effect, reversing the effect from "the ray is fired, and the target dies" to "the target dies because the ray was fired." This means that once fired, it's an impossible blow to deflect, causing certain death.
But he can only manifest the guaranteed hit if he cuts the lines of death, effectively marking the target and weakening it. If he fires without cutting the lines, the attack will hit everything around indiscriminately. The final form can only be used once a day, and he has to wait for sunrise to recharge it.
He couldn't cut Luo Hao's Lines of Death earlier, so he destroyed everything around her.
The battlefield was now a destroyed landscape, with Luo Hao lying in the center, utterly wounded.
Luo Hao rose with difficulty, her body trembling from the overwhelming pain that still pulsed through every fiber of her being. Her body was burned, her skin almost unrecognizable due to the attack, as if someone had thrown the sun at her. But despite being wounded, her battle-forged soul was more alive than ever. The pain was no longer an obstacle, but a reminder of her strength.
The reinforced bones of a Campione prevented the blow from bringing her end, but despite that, it was still the most serious wound she had suffered in over fifty years.
And yet, despite everything, a smile of pure joy graced her lips.
This… This was what she wanted. Not just to face a challenge, but to face a real threat. This was an enemy she could hit.
Ignoring the silent screams of her body, Luo Hao gritted her teeth and advanced, each step dragged with more effort, but with the determination of a wounded tiger. Blood flowed from her wounds, staining her already torn clothing, which was now nothing more than a battle cloak, cut, burned, and torn by the impact of the battle. She felt the earth beneath her feet tremble as her strength was renewed by the adrenaline coursing through her body.
She couldn't just stop. Not while Adam was there, challenging her in a way she had never felt before.
Without hesitation, she lunged towards Adam, her body flying like an arrow, each movement marked by the urgency of an immortal warrior, ignoring the pain that spread through her ribs and the unbearable heat that burned her flesh. She felt her bones cracking, but her mind was beyond that—she was hungry for battle.
Adam saw her advancing, an almost imperceptible smile forming on his lips. Sweat had accumulated on his face, and he was controlling his breathing. His magical energy had been depleted to a dangerous reserve.
The two clashed with a deafening boom. The impact was so strong that a shockwave ripped through the region. Every punch, every kick generated explosions of energy that warped the air, creating a curtain of dust and destruction around them.
Luo Hao's subordinates had all disappeared or had been killed during the confrontation, but neither of them stopped; the lives of those paltry disciples were insignificant before the two's dispute.
Luo Hao landed a solid blow to Adam's chest, but he responded with equal force, his iron fist crashing into her abdomen. The pain was instantaneous, but she didn't stop. Her fists and elbows moved with the precision of a war machine, each blow flowing from her body with the mastery of a combat master. With each exchange of blows, the energy that surrounded them seemed to intensify. Shockwaves pushed them back, but neither of them faltered.
Luo Hao felt blood flowing throughout her body, felt the weight of decades of experience and accumulated pain, but an insatiable flame burned in her heart. The feeling of being at her best, of defying death, of fighting an opponent as powerful as Adam—this made her feel more alive than ever before. With each blow she exchanged with him, pure adrenaline flooded her being, and she couldn't deny it: she was enjoying herself.
It was so enjoyable that neither of them wanted to say anything and just savor the battle.
She spun and attempted a roundhouse kick, her body moving like a storm, but Adam dodged, taking the opportunity to unleash a counterattack. Luo Hao was thrown back, but her laughter echoed through the devastated area. She was bleeding, but that only fueled her hunger for combat. She knew there was no longer any doubt in her mind: she was having fun. This, for her, was the true meaning of fighting—not victory or defeat, but the pure thrill of surrendering to combat, of feeling her body pushed to its limits.
Luo Hao created some distance after another exchange. She opened her lips and recited the words that would call upon her greatest strength, her authority. Her voice, firm and powerful, echoed through the mountain, filled with power and determination.
"Solid wood splitting mountains, producing great strength! Piling crowds of golden bells, producing impenetrable iron fabric!"
Even before the words left her mouth, Adam felt the air around him vibrate with a new energy. The sky darkened momentarily as the white flames emanating from Luo Hao's shoulders intensified, swirling around her with the ferocity of a hurricane.
With a deafening roar, two golden statues began to emerge from the flames. The dazzling brilliance of their formation made even space itself seem to distort. Each statue, over ten meters tall, appeared as if it were part of the very essence of the earth, with meticulously crafted details. They were creatures of pure strength, masculine and imposing, with muscular bodies that exuded inhuman power.
One of them had its mouth open, as if ready to roar and unleash a devastating force, while the other, with its mouth closed, emanated a calm but equally threatening power. They were the deities who served Luo Hao, the manifestations of Vajrapani's Avatars, the Benevolent Kings.
Before she could command the Benevolent Kings to attack him, Adam extended his hand towards them while opening his inventory and throwing the Magic Chains, [Gleipnir], to bind the Benevolent Kings. While Luo Hao was surprised that she couldn't command Vajrapani's Avatars, as if they were frozen, he took a deep breath and began reciting the incantation for one of his authorities acquired from Lugh, his words echoing across the battlefield like thunder about to rip through the sky.
"Spear of Destiny, awaken thy power, That only the chosen one may wield thee. Burn the wicked, strike down evil, Tear through time, pierce the astral. Longinuslanze Testament!"
Immediately, the atmosphere around him changed, as if time itself had stopped for a brief moment. The air around Adam began to twist and vibrate with an energy that became increasingly dense and fierce. An intense and mystical light began to concentrate in his hand, burning the surrounding area with its supernatural glow.
The form of his authority began to materialize before him. First, the spear's shaft appeared, its spiraled design glowing with a deep golden hue. The pure gold reflected a light that seemed to have been extracted directly from a celestial dimension, as if cosmic light itself was being compressed into that form.
The rear blade of the spear manifested, its triangular structure with a carved cross representing the fusion between divine power and mortal lethality. Each movement of the blade was like a warning that destruction was about to begin.
Finally, the front tip of [Longinuslanze Testament] formed, a double-edged blade with a fiery red hue, as if made from the very essence of celestial fire. A golden line ran along the center of the blade, emanating an aura that exuded destruction and immeasurable power. Small golden details decorated the blade, accentuating its deadly beauty, its lethal precision, and its ability to exterminate anything in its path.
The handguards, with an equally intricate design, fit perfectly, reflecting the perfect balance between brute force and sublime control. Now, in his hands, [Longinuslanze Testament] was complete, and its presence on the battlefield was more than just a weapon—it was an announcement that fate had been sealed.
When she saw Adam summoning a new weapon, something immediately ignited within Luo Hao.
Fear.
This feeling was almost a foreign emotion to the Ruler of the Martial Realm, something she hadn't felt in a long time. Her boundless confidence and courage, forged through decades of training, had erased any trace of fear. She saw herself as an unbeatable force, yet still, she knew that a lack of caution was a fatal mistake. That was why, over the years, she had kept within herself a small flame of prudence, an almost extinguished spark that she would never let die out completely. And now, that spark flared back to life.
Fear gripped her in a way she had never imagined. It wasn't just the presence of the spear itself, but the indescribable aura that emanated from it, something beyond simple power. It was as if reality itself was being distorted by the force of its existence. She couldn't understand what was happening, but she knew that it was something transcendental.
But before fear could completely consume her, Adam's eyes turned to her. It wasn't *that* which froze her. What truly made her stop was the spear. Before, she saw it as a pure weapon, something sacred and immaculate. Now, it seemed to emanate an energy that surpassed any limit she had imagined. Its presence resonated like an ancestral cry, defying the very foundations of the universe.
Luo Hao blinked, her gaze momentarily lost. She was honestly surprised by the power emanating from that spear. She didn't know how, but she could feel that it was beyond anything she had encountered in her life of combat. The energy it radiated was overwhelming, and she could barely comprehend its origin or purpose.
"So... this was what you were hiding, King Adam?"
She didn't expect an answer. The simple act of asking the question made her feel, for a moment, like a novice before an opponent whose tricks she didn't know. But instead of hesitating, she prepared herself. The battle continued, and she wouldn't allow fear to paralyze her. She wouldn't back down. This was the moment when all her training would be tested.
Quickly, she advanced, her steps agile and confident, ready to deliver the blow that would win her the victory. Adam, in turn, just smiled, spinning his spear with the grace of a master, ready to confront her with the force of a power she could barely comprehend.
As she approached, all that went through Luo Hao's mind was the plan to use the winds of [Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl], a lethal combination that would launch her to victory. It would be enough to take him down, she thought, just one more step, and he would be on the ground. Once she had him subdued, she could—
When Adam made a gesture to throw the spear in his hands, her mind snapped.
She stopped.
A sense of terror washed over her suddenly and uncontrollably. The fear didn't dissipate but intensified until a single truth crystallized in her mind, cold and relentless.
She was going to die.
The truth was simple and absolute, and the weight of the revelation made her falter. She was heading towards death, she was going to die, death awaited her like a shadow. And the feeling didn't go away, it deepened.
Every instinct in her body, every fiber of her being, was screaming, warning her of the inevitability of her end. There was no escape.
It was her destiny.
It was her future.
And she could do nothing to change it.
But deep down, she refused to accept it. It wasn't just fear. It was something more.
No.
NO!
Destiny, destiny… What did destiny matter to a Campione? By her very nature, she already defied everything that was established. All mortals were destined to live under the rule of the gods, but she challenged this idea, broke the rules, like a storm ripping through the sky. This, like all the others, was just another destiny to be defied. She wouldn't die like this.
No, she would fight to the end.
Unfortunately, it was inevitable.
Adam, with a fluid motion, threw the spear with deadly precision, without hesitation. The impact was instantaneous. The blade of [Longinuslanze Testament] cut through the air with the swiftness of lightning, leaving behind a trail of golden and red light that illuminated the battlefield. Luo Hao, who until that moment had refused to accept her fate, tried to react, but the spear struck her with a speed that no reflex, no plan, could stop.
The spear's tip pierced Luo Hao's stomach with relentless force, tearing her clothes and leaving a trail of blood that spread across her skin, as if fate itself had sealed her sentence. She felt the searing pain of the blade penetrating her flesh, but the true agony came from helplessness.
She fell to her knees, the pain of the blow mixed with the horror of the inevitability of fate, which, despite all her strength, she was unable to avoid. Her authority dissipated…
Adam watched Luo Hao's fall with an expression of absolute calm. He didn't smile, nor did he show pleasure. He gestured with his hand, and the spear returned to him with the same precision with which it was thrown.
She was still alive, but her strength was fading rapidly. If Adam had chosen to strike a vital point, or even used all the destruction his weapon could cause, Luo Hao would already be dead now.
But he hadn't.
Simply because he had no interest in killing her; the authorities he could usurp from her were useless. The only good thing was that he had learned her techniques. Perhaps it was a bit of gratitude for that which prevented him from delivering the final blow.
Well, he still needed confirmation of his victory.
"Do you admit defeat?" Adam asked, suddenly appearing like a specter, his presence shrouded in deadly silence. He positioned himself before Luo Hao with impressive agility, placing the blade of his spear gently against the Ruler of the Martial Realm's neck.
He was panting, and his body, despite the runes flashing with cracks, during the confrontation Luo Hao had broken his authority through her fists. He could feel that some of his bones were broken, and his magical energy was hanging by a thread. He was completely exhausted now.
Feeling the cold tip of the spear against her skin, Luo Hao felt a sigh escape her lips. It was the end of their battle, a fight she considered her best, but which was now coming to an end. She had never imagined she would say those words, but reality imposed itself undeniably.
"I understand... this fight is over. Luo Hao admits defeat." Her voice sounded calm, but the tone was laden with something deeper—the acceptance of inevitability.
Adam observed her for a moment, his calculating eyes examining the fallen Second Campione, before letting his spear disappear as if it were a mirage. He dispelled the [Blessing of Protection] authority he used to protect and strengthen his body. With a sigh, he felt a wave of exhaustion hit him; he had to hold himself up to avoid collapsing.
The Second Campione had been the most difficult opponent he'd ever faced. If he hadn't used his most destructive authority and two instant-death techniques, he would have certainly lost this confrontation.
Perhaps a part of him had let her live so he could face her again.
It was so much fun being between life and death again.
Something he had only felt when he faced the first [Heretic Gods] when he was reborn into this world.
Luo Hao fell backward onto the ground, the spear wound that had pierced her stomach continuing to bleed. Soon, the ground where she lay became a pool of her own blood.
Seeing Luo Hao's state, Adam decided to extend a gesture of goodwill. His magical energy was only enough for this. He murmured an incantation that made the air around him vibrate with ancestral power.
"Maiden who dwells within the orchard, deceived and stolen, transformed and returned. The blessing that even the Gods crave is mine to have, mine to grant, mine to use."
With a precise movement, he extended his hand, and before Luo Hao's eyes, a golden apple appeared, shining intensely like the sun itself—he had cultivated it during the fight because he thought he might need it.
"Eat." His voice was soft but filled with an authority that could not be ignored, and with a gesture, he tossed the apple towards the Ruler of the Martial Realm.
Luo Hao, still sensing no malice from Adam, caught the magic fruit. She knew that if he wanted to kill her, he would have done so before. Without hesitation, she took a bite of the apple. The instant the sweet taste spread through her mouth, a wave of energy coursed through her body, and the scars of battle disappeared. The spear wound that had pierced her was healed.
"Interesting Authority you possess, King Adam," Luo Hao commented, now rising with ease, as if the combat hadn't left a trace on her body.
Adam stretched, watching her stand up without difficulty. "Then I believe our fight has come to an end. I bid you farewell."
"Wait!" A voice interrupted his retreat, and Adam turned, surprised by the sudden change in Luo Hao's tone. She stood before him, but now with a strangely shy expression that, in the blink of an eye, disappeared, returning to her confident posture.
"What is it?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow.
Luo Hao stepped forward, her words falling with an imperturbable calm, but with a glint in her eyes. "As the victor of this confrontation, I believe you deserve a reward befitting your accomplishment."
Surprised, Adam watched as she approached with disconcerting elegance. "As someone who has defeated me, only a suitable reward is yours."
Her smile was charming, but also held something mysterious. "You have taken something more valuable than any Authority, this maiden's heart - the greatest prize that can exist!"
The impact of her words made Adam's and everyone else's eyes widen in astonishment. Luo Hao pointed her finger at him, and her voice sounded even more imposing:
"King Adam Victory, this Luo Hao deems you worthy of my person, therefore..." As she spoke, her face slowly turned pink, and her eyes shone with unmistakable emotion. "Marry me!"
The short sentence made the surrounding atmosphere suddenly silent as if time itself had stopped, and the tension was palpable.
Adam sighed, clearly speechless. Was it his charm mixed with the delusions of the girl in front of him that had caused this sudden love? Unjust heavens, they had made him so handsome. Although the idea of having a woman as beautiful as Luo Hao was appealing, he didn't want to deal with such a matter now. He didn't hesitate as he turned, already making his decision. "I refuse."
His words fell like a direct blow, and then Adam summoned one of the items from his [Inventory], his Helmet of Invisibility. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from everyone's sight, leaving a trail of silence.
Luo Hao remained motionless, paralyzed, her emotions overflowing. She couldn't believe someone had dared to refuse her request. Her eyes narrowed with fury, and her aura expanded uncontrollably, causing even the earth beneath her feet to tremble.
How dare he? How could he refuse her love? Luo Hao's heart?
But something within her ignited. There was no being, human or divine, who would prevent her from having what she desired.
"You cannot escape my grasp, King Adam Victory. I simply cannot let a man like you escape, not after what you have awakened within me," Luo Hao declared to the winds, a wild and seductive smile dancing on her lips. Her eyes shone with clear intent, while her energy enveloped the air, rising like floating particles into the blue sky.
"You are mine. I will have you as my King, even if it's the last thing I do! Do you hear me? YOU ARE MINE!"