Defeat

The two chased each other through the air, clashed, broke apart, and gave chase again. Every exchange sent rocks flying and snapped trees. Tujiao Mountain kept crumbling beneath their battle, rubble raining down and sending the spectators below stumbling backward in fear.

The millions of spectators watched in a dizzying blur. They could only gauge the battle's intensity from the occasional flashes of sword light and explosions of air. The nobles sat on hastily built platforms, straining to see through telescopes, yet even they could catch only indistinct shadows.

"They're too fast! I can't see a thing!"

"An's speed is terrifying. Haydson can't catch him!"

"But An can't break through Haydson's defense either. What happens if this keeps up?"

Discussion broke out everywhere.

The battle continued for nearly an hour.

Haydson suddenly stopped pursuing him and hovered in midair. Looking at An in the distance, he spoke with a hint of impatience. "An, is dodging all you can do? Where's your Wind-Cutting Formation? Why aren't you using the move that defeated Olivier last time?"

An also stopped in midair, his dark golden eyes fixed calmly on Haydson.

He had indeed been probing all this time. He now had a clear grasp of Haydson's attack power, defense, and speed.

I have to use a stronger move.

"As you wish."

An extended his left hand and spread his fingers.

The wind elements between heaven and earth instantly surged out of control.

The air within a hundred meters of An seemed to tear apart. Countless azure wind blades, each as fine as a strand of hair, appeared out of thin air, spinning at high speed with piercing howls. Packed tightly together, they formed an impenetrable net of blades that enveloped both An and Haydson.

Wind-Cutting Formation!

This formidable technique applied the mysteries of wind dimension to an attack against multiple targets. Every wind blade could cut through an ordinary Saint-level expert's Battle Qi barrier, and when countless blades shredded their target together, their power was truly terrifying.

Haydson's expression finally turned grave.

He could feel how terrifying those wind blades were. They sliced against his rock armor with an ear-splitting screech, scattering sparks. Shallow scratches appeared across the armor. Though it had not yet been breached, prolonged exposure to such an attack would eventually wear it through.

"Earth and Thick Soil!"

Haydson gave a low shout. The earthen-yellow waves of energy surrounding him changed again, growing heavier and denser. The wind blades could now leave only shallower marks.

"I told you, your Wind-Cutting Formation can't break through my defense!" Haydson laughed as he charged at An, forcing his way through the cutting blades. "If this is all you can do, this battle can end here!"

He stepped forward and raised his earthen-yellow heavy sword high, preparing to unleash Earth Split again.

Yet An did not retreat.

This was precisely the opportunity he had been waiting for.

When Haydson charged into the densest part of the Wind-Cutting Formation and came within thirty meters of him, An suddenly withdrew his left hand. The Wind-Cutting Formation instantly dispersed, then An condensed it again in an unbelievable way.

An held the Azure Divine Sword in his right hand and curled his left hand around empty air.

Wind elements gathered frantically in his left hand, forming a translucent azure spear in his palm.

Storm Spear.

This was the second move An had comprehended from the mysteries of wind dimension. Unlike the Wind-Cutting Formation's attack against multiple targets, Storm Spear concentrated all the power of wind dimension into a single point, rotating at tremendous speed to produce enough penetrating force to pierce anything.

It was ten times as powerful as the Wind-Cutting Formation.

Haydson's pupils contracted sharply.

He sensed the deadly threat posed by that azure spear.

"Earth Split!"

With no time to think, Haydson poured all his Battle Qi into his heavy sword and unleashed his strongest strike at An. Earthen-yellow sword energy flew from the blade, becoming an enormous streak of sword light dozens of meters long, as though it would cleave heaven and earth apart.

An hurled the Storm Spear.

The azure spear shot from his hand like a bolt of azure lightning. With a piercing shriek, it collided with the earthen-yellow sword light in midair.

Like a red-hot iron rod piercing butter, the Storm Spear silently penetrated the sword light stretching dozens of meters long. Before the Storm Spear, that seemingly unrivaled earthen-yellow sword energy proved as flimsy as paper and was easily torn apart.

The spearhead continued flying toward Haydson.

Haydson's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly held his heavy sword across his body to block it.

Hiss-!

The Storm Spear's tip struck the flat of the heavy sword.

The earthen-yellow heavy sword that had accompanied Haydson for centuries let out a mournful cry. A tiny crack appeared where the spearhead struck. It rapidly widened, spreading across the entire blade like a spiderweb.

Bang!

The heavy sword shattered.

Countless fragments scattered in every direction, gleaming gold in the sunlight.

The Storm Spear pierced through the blade without slowing and plunged into Haydson's right shoulder.

Pfft-!

Blood splashed. The azure spear entered the front of Haydson's right shoulder and burst out through his back, trailing a spray of blood. The rapidly rotating force around its shaft shredded the muscles and bones surrounding the wound, leaving a horrifying, fist-sized hole.

The tremendous impact sent Haydson flying backward, smashing him heavily into the mountainside of Tujiao Mountain.

Boom!

Rock shattered, and dust filled the air. An enormous crater had been smashed into the mountainside. Loose stones tumbled from it with a rumbling roar.

Haydson lay among the rubble, his earthen-yellow robes soaked in blood. Blood gushed from the fist-sized hole in his right shoulder, staining the stones beneath him dark red. His face was as pale as paper, and cold sweat covered his forehead.

He raised his head with difficulty and looked at the young man slowly descending from the sky.

The entire crowd fell deathly silent.

Millions of people stared at the scene in disbelief, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open.

The foremost Saint-level expert, Rock Sword Saint Hederson, had been gravely wounded by a single move!

The heavy sword that had accompanied him for centuries had been shattered!

The Saint-level experts watching were even more shocked, left utterly speechless.

Olivier sat on a large boulder in the distance, watching everything in silence.

Three months earlier, Haydson's Earth Split had beaten him half to death, leaving him powerless to retaliate. Three months later, someone younger than him had defeated Haydson head-on with a single technique he had never seen before.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

An slowly descended from the sky and stood before Haydson.

He looked down at the Rock Sword Saint, his expression calm, showing neither triumph nor mockery. He merely said, "Haydson, you lost."

Haydson struggled into a sitting position. He looked at his shattered heavy sword, then at the wound in his right shoulder, and remained silent for a long time.

Blood was still flowing, but he seemed unable to feel the pain.

"What was that move?" His voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with bewilderment and shock.

"Storm Spear," An said. "The second move of the mysteries of wind dimension. Wind-Cutting Formation attacks multiple targets, while Storm Spear is a killing strike against a single target. Your defense is indeed strong. Wind-Cutting Formation couldn't break through it. But Storm Spear's penetrating force is beyond what you can withstand."

Haydson smiled bitterly.

He had believed his defense unrivaled. For centuries, no one had ever broken through his Earth and Thick Soil armor. He had never imagined that a young man in his twenties would breach his defense with a single move today and even shatter his heavy sword.

Had he not blocked that spear with his heavy sword, had it struck his body directly instead, he would likely have suffered far more than a wounded shoulder.

"I lost." Haydson made no excuses.

He rose to his feet, swaying briefly before steadying himself. He looked at An, his eyes filled with complicated emotions: shock, admiration, and a trace of desolation he could not quite describe.

This young man, not yet thirty, had already reached the heights that had taken him centuries of arduous training to attain.

And he, after all, had grown old.

Haydson said nothing more. He gave An a long look and bowed slightly, then rose into the air. Enduring the agonizing pain in his right shoulder, he flew east. His retreating figure looked somewhat forlorn in the morning light.

Millions of spectators watched Haydson leave. After a moment of silence, they erupted into earth-shaking cheers.

"An! An! An!"

Their voices swept across all of Tujiao Mountain like a tidal wave.

An paid no attention to the cheers. He returned to his human form, draped on a robe, and headed down the mountain. Wharton, Yale, Reynolds, the Barker Five Brothers, and the others came to meet him, their faces brimming with excitement and pride.

"Second Brother, you were incredible!" Wharton threw his arms around An. "Even Haydson lost to you!"

An patted Wharton on the back without a word.

Linley stood behind the crowd, looking at An with deep gratification in his eyes.

In the distance, Her Majesty Empress Joanne approached with a large group of nobles. Her face was wreathed in smiles, but she could not conceal the shock in her eyes.

"Mr. An, on behalf of the O'Brien Empire, I congratulate you on winning this decisive battle! From this day onward, you are the Guardian Martial Saint of our O'Brien Empire!" Joanne announced loudly.

Guardian Martial Saint was the O'Brien Empire's highest honorary title, second only to the War God himself.

An bowed slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He did not refuse. The status of Guardian Martial Saint would benefit the Baruch Clan's standing in the empire. It would also make Wharton and Nina's marriage more secure.

Her Majesty Joanne was delighted and immediately proclaimed three days of feasting and celebration throughout the empire.

That evening, the Earl of Baruch's residence was festooned with lanterns and decorations, and guests crowded its doors. Nobles flocked there bearing gifts, hoping to befriend the newly appointed Guardian Martial Saint. An was not adept at socializing, so he left all such matters to Wharton and Hillman.