Albert

Saint Realm powerhouses were especially sensitive to auras.

If a great battle between Saint Realm powerhouses broke out somewhere, those hundreds of miles away could sense it.

So even though they were a great distance away, all three of them—including the Hellfire Phoenix Ignis—clearly sensed the aura.

"Over there!"

Ignis immediately obeyed his master's wishes and swiftly flew toward the source of the aura.

In just a few minutes, Luo Ya and the others had reached the scene.

But all they saw was a chaotic sight: countless magical beasts fleeing in every direction.

"Already? The battle's over? And that's a Blood Jade Crystal Dragon!" The three soon fixed their gazes on the corpse of a Blood Jade Crystal Dragon—or rather, on the red-haired, burly man standing beside it.

The Blood Jade Crystal Dragon was over a hundred meters long. Its two blood-red eyes alone were as large as wagon wheels. The red-haired man, who stood two meters tall, might have been considered rather imposing among humans, but beside the dragon, he looked tiny.

And yet this "little guy" had slain a Saint Realm Blood Jade Crystal Dragon at astonishing speed, earning the title of "Dragon Slayer."

The Blood Jade Crystal Dragon clan was a true Saint Realm magical beast clan. Any adult Blood Jade Crystal Dragon was at least a peak Saint Realm powerhouse.

To have dealt with this Saint Realm dragon so easily, the red-haired man's strength was probably close to that of the elven lady Beiya, at the very least. He was no ordinary Saint Realm powerhouse.

"Judging by the charred marks on the Saint Realm crystal dragon's body, he must cultivate the profound mysteries of the Laws of Fire. But why can I sense the aura of Holy Light in them as well?" After surveying the wounds on the Blood Jade Crystal Dragon, Luo Ya couldn't help feeling puzzled.

Although Luo Ya had no talent for cultivating the element of light, he was familiar with its aura. He was sure he hadn't mistaken it.

"Since we're already here, let's go over and greet him." Neither woman objected to Luo Ya's suggestion. They were curious about the red-haired man's strength too.

The burly man, whose fiery red hair was as wild as a lion's mane, had already noticed the Hellfire Phoenix flying rapidly toward him, along with the three unfamiliar figures riding on its back.

"To have subdued a Hellfire Phoenix, one of these three must be powerful!" Albert's golden eyes lit up.

Ever since his strength had greatly improved, he hadn't come across a worthy opponent.

Even the Blood Jade Crystal Dragon lying at his feet had been unworthy of making him use his full strength.

Luo Ya had Ignis hover about a hundred meters above the ground and looked toward the red-haired man in the distance, preparing to say something.

But before he could speak, the burly man shot through the air and appeared in front of them, facing the three of them.

"My name is Albert. I mainly cultivate the elemental laws of fire."

"Your strength seems pretty good, brother. Interested in a spar?" As he spoke, Albert took a dark golden spear from his Spatial Ring.

The shaft still carried the lingering heat of dragon's blood.

Luo Ya was surprised to see the red-haired man approach the three of them so boldly.

After all, there were three of them. Without knowing anything about them, this fellow had still dared to make such a proposal.

Either he's an ignorant fool who doesn't know his place, or he's extremely confident in himself—so confident that he thinks he can get away unscathed even in a one-on-three, or even a one-on-four.

"Sure. Let's fight on that little mountain covered in red leaves." The proposed battle had come rather suddenly, but Luo Ya didn't refuse.

Sometimes, sparring or fighting with a strong opponent was far more useful than shutting oneself away to cultivate.

"Pasangqi, take care of what's left of this Blood Jade Crystal Dragon for me. Don't let me down!"

Fighting a strong opponent was much more interesting than handling spoils. After taking the most valuable part, the dragon crystal, Albert left Iris City.

Luo Ya and the two women had no interest in finding out why Albert had come here or how he had ended up fighting the Blood Jade Crystal Dragon.

They were more curious about Albert's strength.

On a small mountain covered in red maple trees outside Iris City.

Milia and Beiya, along with Luo Ya's magical beast, the Hellfire Phoenix, all waited at a relatively safe distance to watch the battle.

Albert looked like he was from the Kalim Empire. His features were strong and square, and he wore dazzling golden armor. He was powerfully built, with wild red hair that resembled a lion's mane.

"Luo Ya Kageno." Since the other man had introduced himself, Luo Ya saw no reason to hide his own identity.

"Luo Ya Kageno? You're the genius who killed the Phantom Sword Saint, Harvey. I've heard of you here in the Kalim Empire!" Albert looked surprised, then smiled.

"I can't believe I've run into you today. Your move, 'Gate of Hell,' has been described as incredible. I'd really like to see it for myself."

Although Luo Ya's fame across the continent was immense and he was considered one of the foremost talents of his time, Albert clearly wasn't impressed by it.

"You want to see my move? That's no problem." Albert came across as rather aggressive, but Luo Ya had a good impression of him.

His straightforward personality suited Luo Ya's temperament.

"Then I won't hold back."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a dark golden spear appeared in Albert's hand. He laughed and said, "But I should warn you, Luo Ya: my spear technique is powerful enough that, strictly speaking, I only needed one move to kill that Blood Jade Crystal Dragon."

"One move?" Luo Ya nodded slightly, raised his right hand, which wore the Blood-colored Glove, and looked at Albert. "Come on."

"Watch out!" Albert shouted. His entire body suddenly streaked across the sky, appearing beside Luo Ya in an instant.

A series of sharp hissing sounds rang out. Golden flames had somehow appeared around Albert, and his dark golden spear was wreathed in the same flames.

The moment he struck, flames completely engulfed his entire body.

With his body completely wreathed in flames, Albert thrust his golden-flamed spear toward Luo Ya. It seemed to lock space itself in place, bearing down with immense pressure.

At that moment, it was as if the entire world had been reduced to that one spear.

Boom!

A blood-red palm shadow easily broke through the spatial lock and met the spear tip head-on. The violent battle-qi energies between Luo Ya and Albert also collided fiercely through their weapons.

Boom!

A terrifying blast erupted around the two men. The energy of the two Saint Realm powerhouses surged in every direction, and even the enormous boulders atop Red Maple Mountain below shattered when the battle qi coursed into them.

The two swiftly separated.

"Hm?" Luo Ya glanced at Albert in the distance. His battle-qi attribute is a little strange.

Luo Ya was relatively young among Saint Realm powerhouses, but with the help of the Black Hole within him, the depth of his battle qi was no weaker than anyone else's.

Yet in their brief clash, his battle-qi energy had been scattered.

It wasn't a gap in their understanding of the profound mysteries. His opponent's energy itself was simply superior in quality.

Before Luo Ya could think further, Albert moved again.

"Haha, that was great! Take another move!" Albert's hearty laughter rang out as he charged toward Luo Ya at top speed. A layer of Holy Light seemed to envelop him, making him look even more imposing!

"So that's how it is!" Luo Ya smiled in understanding and reached out with his right hand.