Blood-red blade light clashed with black spikes amid drifting snow. The ground shattered at that moment, and fine cracks spread across the towering statue that reached into the clouds.
The glowing lamps illuminating the plaza burst one after another, while pitch-black shadows gradually engulfed the entire broad square.
In an extremely short time, amid piercing roars, the once-spacious plaza broke into a stony beach formed from countless fragments.
Above that field of rubble, blood-red and black afterimages crossed continuously.
From the plaza to the statue, from the earth to the sky.
Almost in an instant, the two figures reached the top of the statue.
Distant neon lights lit up the dim city, while drifting snow settled on blood-stained shoulders.
Standing atop the statue's head, He Ao calmly watched De Nock before him.
Blood had dyed both their clothes crimson, and dense wounds covered their bodies.
De Nock's injuries were far lighter than He Ao's, but due to the Blood Butcher Knife's continuous bleeding effect, the blood soaking his body made him appear nearly as drenched as He Ao.
"Testing my limits?"
De Nock looked at He Ao, gripping the spike as he chuckled.
He Ao held the Blood Butcher Knife without confirming or denying it.
In the battle just now, he had abandoned his defensive style and chosen a mad-dog assault, using offense as defense.
Though such extreme high-frequency attacks made injuries more likely, they were also the easiest way to test the limits of one's abilities.
"I have to say, your willpower, combat instincts, and fighting skills have all left me astonished,"
Drifting snow fell onto De Nock's bloodstained hair. He clenched the spike in his hand and said hoarsely,
"With your strength greatly weakened, even holding that blade, anyone else who rushed at me would have only one