416: Chapter 416 A powerful blow missed its mark!

Blue Whale's massive head nodded slightly, his voice remaining calm. "I naturally trust in young friend Dragon Soaring's strength."

I only offer a reminder to caution you all against developing a heart of arrogance just because your opponent appears weak."

The Human Race has been able to contend with us on land for many years; they must have their merits. Do not be careless or underestimate the enemy."

He paused before adding, "As long as the three of you can cleanly and decisively defeat the Human Prodigies and win this Covenant Battle for our clan, I will surely reward you handsomely."

Within the Deep Sea Treasury, the three of you may each select one suitable treasure."

Upon hearing the promise of the 'Deep Sea Treasury' and 'selecting a treasure,' even with the arrogance of Dragon Soaring's trio, a flicker of fervor couldn't help but flash in their eyes.

"Many thanks, Chief Blue Whale! We will certainly not fail your trust!"

Dragon Soaring, Dragon Battle, and Dragon Abyss responded in unison.

Blue Whale said no more, slowly lifting his massive head.

He turned and walked over to another Dragon Whale Great Grandmaster beside him, beginning to discuss other military affairs in low tones.

Once Blue Whale's presence had distanced itself, the atmosphere between the three Dragon Whale prodigies relaxed slightly.

Standing to the left of Dragon Soaring was Dragon Abyss, whose features were somewhat feminine but whose gaze was exceptionally sharp.

Lowering his voice, he asked with a hint of inquiry, "Dragon Soaring, do you think making such a huge commotion here at the human front..."

"...and holding such a high-specification Covenant Duel can truly attract 'that' Taixuan Envoy over here?"

Hearing this, the confident expression on Dragon Soaring's face retracted slightly, replaced by a look of contemplation. After a moment of silence, he said:

"That... I can't say for sure. The Taixuan Envoy's movements are elusive, and their thoughts are unpredictable."

"All we can do is display enough 'value' and 'potential' later on."

"This martial duel is making a lot of noise. Perhaps... there is a glimmer of hope."

On the right, Dragon Battle said, "I hope that Lord Taixuan Envoy hasn't left this sea region yet."

"And that they can see our performance today."

"Otherwise, coming all this way from the Prosperous Royal City to this remote frontline battlefield will have been a waste of effort."

Dragon Soaring cast his gaze once more toward the lights of the human fleet in the distance, his eyes deep. "We'll just do our best."

"As long as we demonstrate strength that is absolutely crushing for our generation and brilliantly stunning..."

"...and the commotion is big enough, the possibility of it reaching the Envoy's ears will increase."

"As for whether we get our wish... that depends on heaven's will."

"Let's hope so..."

To them, defeating the Human Prodigies and winning the Covenant Battle was certainly important.

But attracting the attention of 'that person' was the deeper and more attractive purpose of their trip!

...

Half an hour quietly slipped away amidst the solemn standoff and the low-voiced deployments of both camps.

Buzz—!

The complex and profound runes at the edge of the Martial Stage brightened simultaneously, emitting a clear, resonant sound.

A more solid layer of blue light slowly rose from the edge of the stage.

This announced that the duel concerning the interests of their respective races had officially entered its countdown.

Almost at the same moment—

In the human camp, all experts above the Fifth Rank released their True Qi.

Their figures took to the air, hovering in the sky to the left of the Martial Stage like a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix.

On the Sea Race's side, dozens of figures with powerful auras likewise shot into the sky, forming a dense black mass that occupied the right side of the stage.

The two sides faced off across the light shield. Their invisible momentums collided once more, causing energy ripples like electric arcs to flicker in the air.

"Poyue, you're up for this one!"

At the front of the human camp, a veteran general with bristling hair and a resolute face shouted with a voice like a great bell, waving his hand!

A thick yet gentle force instantly enveloped Lei Poyue, who was already primed and ready.

Lei Poyue felt his body lighten. In the next moment, his feet were firmly planted on the cold, hard, crystal-blue surface of the Martial Stage.

His heavy armor hit the ground with a dull thud.

Almost simultaneously, a slender and sharp figure slowly stepped out from the Sea Race camp on the opposite side.

It was a young prodigy of the Dragon Whale Clan.

He was tall with well-coordinated proportions, unlike the usual burly and heavy-set Dragon Whale warriors.

His walking posture was composed, carrying a hint of nonchalance, as if what was about to begin was not a life-and-death duel, but an easy hunt.

"As expected... an uninvited guest."

In the human camp, several veteran generals who had fought the Dragon Whale Clan for decades frowned in unison.

They knew almost every top prodigy of the Dragon Whale Clan in this sea region like the back of their hands; they could describe their combat styles and technique characteristics with their eyes closed.

But the one before them had a strange face and a mysterious aura; he was definitely not any of the Fourth Rank Dragon Whale experts they were familiar with.

Although they had anticipated this, seeing the opponent actually send out such an unknown yet clearly powerful stranger caused the generals' hearts to sink.

"Let the match begin!"

A grand voice resounded throughout the entire sea region!

The moment the voice faded—

Bang—!!!

Lei Poyue suddenly exerted force through his legs!

A visible ripple of air exploded on the sturdy blue crystal surface of the stage!

His figure shot forward like a cannonball, wrapped in a violent gale, instantly crossing dozens of meters to lunge straight at Dragon Abyss!

As he charged, the muscles on his shoulders and back suddenly bulged!

A pitch-black greatsword, radiating a pressure as heavy as a mountain, had already landed in his palm!

The blade traced a heavy, domineering arc in the air, carrying the momentum to split mountains and shatter rocks. With no fancy tricks, it hacked straight down from the front!

"Hah—!"

Amidst a low, violent shout, a thick layer of earthy-yellow True Qi that seemed almost solid...

...erupted from within Lei Poyue, instantly coating the entire blade!

The heavy sword whistled through the air, slashing down toward Dragon Abyss's head!

It fully displayed Lei Poyue's tempered, domineering, and fierce combat style!

"Senior Poyue's strike... his blood qi eruption is already approaching forty thousand calories!"

In the rear of the human camp, Qin Yan instantly made a precise judgment.

"And this is without even using a martial technique! If he utilizes a sword technique, the peak blood qi of this strike could probably reach over forty-five thousand calories!"

This was already a height difficult for ordinary Fourth Rank Peak Martial Artists to reach, showing just how solid Lei Poyue's foundation was and how powerful his combat strength was.

However—

Looking at the earthy-yellow greatsword slashing down with the force of a thousand tons, a curve slowly hooked up at the corner of Dragon Abyss's indifferent face.

He did not meet it head-on.

The blue True Qi around him simply flashed like flowing water, and his feet stepped with a certain profound rhythm.

His figure was like duckweed carried by a sea wave, shifting half a foot to the side with an extremely small, precise, and composed movement.

It was just that half a foot.

Lei Poyue's heavy blade, capable of splitting mountains and carrying the momentum of a thousand thunderbolts, brushed past the edge of Dragon Abyss's clothes and slammed savagely into empty air!

Boom—!!!

A deafening roar erupted from the stage floor as countless tiny blue crystal fragments flew in all directions!

This strike, enough to make most Fourth Rank Martial Artists tremble with fear, hadn't even touched a single thread of the opponent's clothes.