The battlefield roared with chaotic energy. Xuian's forces clashed with the Revenant Council's Heralds, and the sky above the Crestfall Domain trembled under the immense pressure of their battle.
Xuian locked eyes with the swordsman before him—the man's blade gleaming with an eerie light. Unlike the other two Heralds, this man had yet to reveal his full strength, and that intrigued Xuian.
"Enough testing," Xuian muttered, gripping the Celestial Ember Blade tightly. "Let's see your real fangs."
The swordsman's smirk deepened. "You're interesting. But you're not ready."
With those words, he moved.
---
The Duel of Shadows and Light
Xuian barely had time to react before the swordsman vanished—no sound, no distortion in the air, just pure speed. Instinctively, Xuian activated Shadow Mastery, his body flickering as he dodged an invisible slash.
CLANG!
A violent shockwave erupted as their blades met, sending tremors through the ground. The swordsman's eyes gleamed with recognition.
"You can keep up?"
Xuian sneered. "You're not the only one who's fast."
The two figures blurred, their movements too fast for ordinary eyes to follow. Sparks ignited in the air as their blades met again and again, their duel breaking the very laws of space within the battlefield.
[System Notification]
Combat Analysis: Duel Between Equals.
Opponent Identified: ???
Threat Level: S-Class.
Victory Conditions: Outlast or Overpower.
Xuian scowled. "The system can't even identify him?"
The swordsman's blade came for his throat. Xuian leaned back, dodging by mere millimeters, before countering with a powerful downward slash. The impact cracked the ground, but the swordsman was already gone.
Then, a whisper from behind.
"Too slow."
Xuian twisted his body just in time to block another strike, but the force sent him skidding backward. He steadied himself, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"This is fun," Xuian admitted.
The swordsman chuckled. "It's been a long time since I had a worthy opponent."
---
The Other Battles
While Xuian dueled, his lieutenants fought their own struggles against the remaining two Heralds.
Phantom Knight General Arvok vs. The Obsidian Behemoth
Arvok's spectral blades clashed against the beast's massive halberd, each strike creating shockwaves that shattered nearby buildings. The beast fought with raw strength, but Arvok's ghostly form allowed him to phase through attacks, striking with surgical precision.
"Coward," the behemoth snarled. "Face me properly!"
Arvok smirked, his hollow eyes glowing. "I'd rather not take unnecessary hits."
He blurred, appearing behind the behemoth, his blade slicing through its armored hide. The behemoth roared in rage, swinging wildly, but Arvok danced between the strikes.
Frost Wraith Queen Lysara vs. The Whispering Sorceress
Lysara conjured walls of ice, blocking the dark tendrils the sorceress sent forth. The air around them crackled with cursed whispers, attempting to invade Lysara's mind.
"Your ice is nothing before my whispers," the sorceress cooed. "Let me inside, and I will show you your true self."
Lysara's eyes narrowed. "I need no guidance from a wraith."
With a wave of her hand, she shattered her own ice wall, sending thousands of frozen shards hurtling toward the sorceress.
Infernal Reaver Commander Karthos vs. The Revenant Legions
Karthos laughed maniacally as he tore through the horde of revenant soldiers summoned by the Heralds. Each swing of his flaming greatsword reduced the undead to ashes.
"More!" Karthos roared, flames dancing around him. "You think an army of corpses will stop me? I love burning souls!"
The ground beneath him turned molten as he activated his domain ability, Infernal Ruin. The revenants screamed as their bodies melted, yet more took their place.
---
Xuian Takes Control
Xuian was done playing. He activated Celestial Shadows, fusing his abyssal energy with the celestial core's power. His aura darkened, yet his blade shone with a radiant, ominous glow.
The swordsman paused, eyes narrowing. "That power…"
Xuian grinned. "Surprised?"
Without warning, he launched forward, his speed nearly doubling. The swordsman barely reacted in time, but Xuian's newfound strength overwhelmed him.
SLASH!
Blood dripped onto the battlefield.
The swordsman staggered back, a deep cut on his shoulder. He stared at Xuian, his expression unreadable.
Then, he laughed.
"Incredible." The swordsman sheathed his blade. "I've seen enough."
Xuian frowned. "What?"
The swordsman gestured to the battlefield. "Our purpose was never to win. We were sent to gauge your strength."
Xuian's eyes flickered with realization. The behemoth and the sorceress suddenly retreated, joining the swordsman's side.
"We'll meet again, Shadow Emperor," the swordsman said. "And next time, we won't be holding back."
Before Xuian could stop them, a massive spatial rupture engulfed the Heralds, and they vanished.
---
Victory… and the Next Threat
[System Notification]
Revenant Council's Heralds Have Withdrawn.
Status: Victory by Survival.
Crestfall Domain Rank Increased.
Reward: 15,000 Dimensional Coins.
New Title Unlocked: Shadow Emperor.
Xuian exhaled, lowering his blade. He had won, but the battle was far from over.
Liriel stepped forward, her expression dark. "You don't understand what you've done."
Xuian turned to her. "Oh? Enlighten me."
"The Revenant Council only sends their Heralds as scouts. The true forces come next."
Xuian smirked, his blood burning with anticipation. "Good. Let them come."
Far beyond the Crestfall Domain, deep within the Revenant Council's realm, an ancient being stirred.
"Xuian…" a deep vo
ice echoed. "A new predator has risen."
The war for the multiverse had only begun.
---
End of Chapter 26