Challenging the Paragon

Challenging a Paragon

In particular, the four Laws of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—if he could reach the level of a Paragon, it would likely benefit his future plans. The targets hunted by the Four Divine Beasts were very likely one of these four Sovereigns.

However, to progress further, engaging in battle with a Paragon was the most effective way to help comprehend the Laws and Mysteries.

Currently, the only Wind-element Paragon in the world was the low-level Sovereign Teresia. As for Bayer, he had only just earned the title of Wind-Blood Fiend and was still a long way from becoming a Paragon.

Moreover, compared to Palhouse, Bamo, and others who could travel through the Material Planes, Teresia, who could only remain in the Divine Plane and his home Material Plane, was actually easier to find.

"Lincoln, what are you doing in the Wind Divine Plane?"

Lincoln's Divine Sense had covered the entire Wind Divine Plane to search for Teresia, so naturally, he was sensed by other Sovereigns as well. After all, he could not use fused Sovereign Power and was not a privileged user.

The one who asked was Diya.

"Lord Diya, I wish to spar with Teresia and would like you all to bear witness. I hope to gain some insight into the realm of a Wind-element Paragon." Lincoln explained his intentions quite sincerely.

Teresia was a low-level Sovereign, but as a Paragon, he was equivalent to Lincoln, a "standard middle-level Sovereign." However, Lincoln possessed a body made of a Main God Artifact, making his actual strength even greater, so fighting without a reason would be unjustifiable.

If Lincoln and Teresia were to spar in private, Lincoln would inevitably be suspected of plotting to murder a Sovereign and coveting their Main God Spark. Furthermore, because he possessed a Wind Divine Clone, the situation would be even harder to explain.

"Teresia, are you willing?" Diya asked. The lives of Sovereigns were long and boring. Although Diya was a bit surprised by Lincoln's request, he still hoped Teresia would agree so they could watch the spectacle. However, with many Sovereigns present, Diya would not force Teresia.

Teresia was somewhat annoyed. He was not some whetstone; why should he act as a sparring partner for Lincoln? Moreover, deep down, he looked down on Sovereigns who were not Paragons. These middle-level and high-level Sovereigns had aptitude, comprehension, and effort inferior to his own; they were merely lucky enough to be born with a higher status.

"I am very happy that Mr. Lincoln is willing to visit my Wind Divine Plane. However, if you use your Dark Sovereign Clone to fight me, I fear you won't be able to feel the mysteries of the Wind Laws," Teresia said with polite formality.

"No matter," Lincoln smiled. "Since this is an exchange to discuss the Wind Laws, naturally, we shall use our Wind clones. If neither of us uses Willpower, it will better highlight our true strength."

The other Wind-element Sovereigns nodded, but Teresia's mouth twitched. An exchange? It was more like trying to steal his techniques; it wasn't an equal footing at all!

"Fighting against a Sovereign's Divine Clone is not a disgrace to a Sovereign's status. Teresia, I think it is a fight worth having. Perhaps we might even learn something from it ourselves?" Diya laughed.

As a Sovereign himself, Teresia knew the "fun-loving" mentality of the Sovereigns all too well. Besides, such a battle was indeed not dangerous, nor was it shameful. Could it be that Lincoln, a peak Asura, could actually defeat him, a Paragon? Furthermore, Diya was always there, fearing the world wouldn't be chaotic enough, and it wouldn't do to lose face in front of his superior.

After a moment of thought, Teresia agreed.

The battle location was set at Vast Peak on the Sky Eagle Continent, a desolate place rarely visited by anyone. Even an Asura would meet their end here if they were the slightest bit careless.

The reason for this was that the area was filled with various hurricanes and storms, an environment akin to Spatial Turbulence, though not quite as powerful.

High above, Teresia and Lincoln stood in confrontation, the hurricanes whipping their clothes into a frenzy. Not far away, a group of Sovereigns ignored the winds, watching the match intently.

"I remember back then, Miror, you also sparred with Teresia. You were a middle-level Sovereign and he was a low-level Sovereign Paragon. Your strengths were comparable, and in the end, it was a draw; neither gained the upper hand," a burly Sovereign said.

Miror sighed, "Indeed. Reaching the Paragon level provides a massive boost to one's strength. To be fair, I have one extra portion of Willpower, which enhances my strength tenfold in every aspect. Teresia, having fused an additional mystery, also gains a tenfold increase, though not in every aspect. Even so, he relied on his extraordinary application of the Laws to fight me to a draw."

Another low-level Sovereign did not speak. His position was rather awkward; among the four low-level Sovereigns, one had strength comparable to a middle-level Sovereign, one belonged to the Chief Sovereign's circle, and the last one spent his years in the Heavenly Realm. He was stuck in the middle, ignored by all.

Though he was unwilling to accept his lack of strength, he was even less willing to attach himself to others.

"Lincoln, let's begin!" As soon as Teresia finished speaking, a strange force caused the space around Lincoln to become sluggish, and even the power of the hurricanes was weakened several times over.

As the Law most closely related to space among all Rules and Laws, the Wind element was most prominent in binding, material attacks, and speed.

It was not only adept at speed but also at restricting the speed of enemies.

Wind Space? Lincoln realized what it was. It was the application of Wind Space fused with a mystery, and the binding force was terrifying. Lincoln made a prompt decision; his right hand formed a blade and he slashed fiercely. A narrow spatial rift appeared between them, and under the influence of the Spatial Turbulence, the binding force weakened by nearly half.

Dimension Mystery, the pinnacle of attack.

Teresia truly did not expect Lincoln to break the Wind Space in such a way. His expression changed as he said, "Lincoln, if you always fight in such a tricky way, I fear our battle will not help you reach the Paragon level."

Lincoln thought for a moment and nodded. After all, this battle was not about winning or losing, but about the application of the Laws and Mysteries. Relying on external forces would only make the inspiration he sought even more elusive.

"Fine, you are right. Then let us engage in close-quarters combat, a real fight with true blades and guns!"

In the spectator area, Miror laughed, "It seems Mr. Lincoln is very good at using the environment to fight. In a battle, it is not just strength that determines the outcome; many factors can have an impact."

Diya also laughed, "However, the stronger the strength, the weaker the external interference. A Deity-level might need to consider external forces, but for a Sovereign, even the most dangerous Spatial Turbulence is like walking on flat ground. Everything is about strength. Lincoln, you haven't shifted your mindset yet; you still have the combat mindset of a Deity-level."

Lincoln's Sovereign clone smiled. The Chief Sovereign was starting to show off, but he was not afraid of an ordinary Chief Sovereign.

"Lord Diya, my battle with Teresia does not involve the use of Willpower. Strictly speaking, it can only be considered a Deity-level battle, so using Deity-level tactics is superior."

Diya's smile faded. "It seems you are very confident in your strength, Lincoln. After you finish sparring with Teresia, why don't we have a match using our Sovereign clones?"

"If you wish for it, Lord Chief Sovereign, Lincoln is willing to oblige."