A Challenge

The news that Rock Sword Saint Hederson had defeated the genius Sword Saint Olivier caused an uproar in Chiyan City, the Imperial Capital. Olivier had nearly been killed on the spot in that battle. Had it not been for the tenacious vitality of a Saint-level expert, he would have died. Haydson, however, had only expended a little Battle Qi. He had not even suffered a minor injury.

Yet after defeating Olivier, Haydson had said something before the crowd: "Actually, compared to Olivier, I'd much rather have a match with An Baruch."

Those words sent the millions of spectators into an uproar.

Haydson was not satisfied with defeating Olivier. He also wanted to challenge the even younger genius, An Baruch. In the battle at the Combat Arena, An had defeated Kenyon in a single move, then beaten the long-renowned Olivier. Everyone had witnessed his terrifying potential. Did Haydson intend to crush him before he could grow stronger? Or did he simply want to test his own strength?

No one knew the answer. But everyone knew that three months later, an even more earthshaking battle would take place above Tujiao Mountain. Such was the power of the Rock Sword Saint.

His legend of remaining undefeated for centuries and his title as the strongest Saint-level expert were by no means empty boasts.

Yet just as the millions of spectators thought the battle had ended, Haydson stood high in the air, swept his gaze across the crowd, and suddenly said something no one had expected.

"Actually, compared to Olivier, I'd much rather have a match with An Baruch."

As his words fell, the clamor of millions around Tujiao Mountain abruptly ceased.

Everyone froze.

An Baruch? That young man in his early twenties? Although he had defeated Kenyon in a single move at the Combat Arena and then beaten Olivier, displaying astonishing talent and strength, Haydson had only just finished one battle. Why was he immediately challenging An? What was he trying to do?

After a brief silence, the discussions surged like a tide.

"Does Lord Haydson intend to show no mercy at all? He nearly beat Olivier to death, and now he wants to challenge An?"

"An may be a genius, but he's still far too young. Haydson has been famous for centuries. Isn't this just bullying?"

"What do you know! Lord Haydson is a true warrior. He only wants to fight strong opponents. An defeated Olivier, so of course he's qualified to be challenged."

Amid the heated discussions, everyone's gaze focused on that young man.

An Baruch stood among the crowd, his expression calm.

"When and where?"

Haydson smiled.

"Three months from now, above Tujiao Mountain. When the time comes, I hope you'll use your full strength."

"Fine." An nodded, brief and decisive.

Just like that, an even more earthshaking battle was set.

During the three-month wait, a restless excitement filled the air throughout the Imperial Capital.

In every major tavern and teahouse across the O'Brien Empire, people discussed only one topic: could An Baruch win the challenge? Would Haydson really strike to kill? All manner of speculation and rumors flew everywhere.

The gambling houses adjusted the odds again and again. At first, most people bet on Haydson to win. His record was simply too glorious. But as time passed, the odds on An kept shortening, and more and more people began to believe that this young man might truly work a miracle.

"An, I've already seen how powerful your Wind-Cutting Formation is," Linley asked in the study. "Are you confident you can handle Haydson?"

An set down the Flat Blade and looked at the nearly finished Eagle Stone Carving in his hands. Slowly, he said, "The Wind-Cutting Formation is an area attack. It's very effective against opponents like Olivier, who rely on speed to win. But Haydson is renowned for his powerful defense. The Wind Blades in the Wind-Cutting Formation probably won't be able to break through it."

Linley frowned. "Then what do you plan to do?"

An smiled. "Big brother, the profound mysteries of Wind Dimension have more applications than just the Wind-Cutting Formation."

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

The night before the decisive battle.

The Earl of Baruch's manor was brightly lit. Linley, Wharton, Yale, Reynolds, Barker and his four brothers, and the others had all gathered together. The atmosphere was both excited and tense.

"Second brother, you have to be careful tomorrow." Wharton clenched his fists, his eyes filled with worry. "That old fellow Haydson is vicious. Just look at what he did to Olivier."

An was wiping down his Azure Divine Sword. At those words, he raised his head and glanced at his younger brother. "Don't worry. I'll be fine," he said calmly.

"An, how about Haeru and I join you tomorrow?" Bebe lay nearby, flicking his tail back and forth. "No matter how strong Haydson is, he won't be able to withstand the three of us together."

"No need." An shook his head. "He's no match for me."

Tujiao Mountain.

Even before dawn, millions of people had already gathered around Tujiao Mountain.

The main road from Chiyan City, the Imperial Capital, to Tujiao Mountain teemed with people and an endless stream of carriages and horses. Nobles brought their guards, commoners escorted their elderly and children, and vendors pushed carts along the road, calling out their wares. The entire scene was as lively as a festival. Everyone wanted to witness this clash at the pinnacle of power: the strongest Saint-level expert, Rock Sword Saint Hederson, against the peerless genius An Baruch.

This was the most eagerly anticipated battle on the Yulan Continent in nearly a century.

The sun slowly rose, spilling golden light over Tujiao Mountain. Above the summit, two figures had already arrived.

An Baruch stood in midair, his azure robes snapping in the morning breeze.

Several hundred meters opposite him, Rock Sword Saint Hederson also stood in midair. On his back was the earthen-yellow heavy sword that had accompanied him for centuries. The sunlight shone on him, seeming to coat him in a golden glow.

One higher and one lower, the two faced each other from afar.

"An, you're here rather early." Haydson's voice echoed through the mountains. "You're stronger than Olivier and more talented than your brother. In today's battle, I won't hold back."

"I don't need you to hold back either," An replied coolly.

"Good!" A sharp light blazed in Haydson's eyes. "Then let's dispense with the chatter. Make your move!"

The instant his words fell, Haydson moved.

He took a step through the air, and the space beneath his feet seemed to warp. That single step carried him nearly a hundred meters, bringing him directly before An. This was the profound mystery of the Earth Travel Technique that he had comprehended from the Laws of the Earth.

His earthen-yellow heavy sword left its sheath and cleaved down with world-shattering force.

"Earth Split!"

The massive sword aura seemed ready to cleave the entire sky in two. Before the sword arrived, the pressure alone had already set the trees on Tujiao Mountain below swaying violently.

An did not meet it head-on.

His figure dissolved in the wind. The real An had already appeared several dozen meters behind Haydson. With a turn of his right hand, the Azure Divine Sword appeared in his grasp.

"Storm!"

Countless azure sword shadows poured forth like a torrential downpour, every thrust aimed at Haydson's vital points. This was a rapid sword technique An had created by combining Wind Element magic with swordsmanship. His sword moved so quickly that ordinary Saint-level experts could not even follow it.

But Haydson was no ordinary Saint-level expert.

He snorted coldly. The earthen-yellow waves of energy around his body abruptly condensed into a thick suit of stone armor that clung tightly to him. The azure sword shadows struck the armor, scattering sparks and producing a grating screech, but they could not pierce it at all.

What a powerful defense, An thought.

Haydson turned and unleashed another Earth Split. An dodged again. This time, he pushed his Wind Shadow Technique to its utmost, raising his speed to the limit and leaving a string of afterimages in the air.

Haydson took a step, crossed the intervening space once more, and pursued him relentlessly.