221: Ancient city, first strike!

With a sharp whistle, a dazzling blade light streaked from the other side of the street like lightning, crashing toward the roaring black dragon that was frantically devouring the Demon Race Martial Artists with the force of an overwhelming tide.

In an instant, there was a thunderous boom.

A figure clad in heavy armor flickered like a ghost, appearing instantly in the center of the street.

The man's gaze was cold as he stared at the shimmering Square Sky Halberd before him, which continued to vibrate and thrust forward despite his powerful blow. A hint of surprise flashed in his slightly narrowed eyes.

Without hesitation, he swung his battle saber again in a vertical slash.

Clang—

Another crisp, ear-piercing metallic ring echoed as the two Sharp Weapons collided once more, sending countless sparks flying.

The massive impact was like a violent hurricane, surging and sweeping in all directions.

Under the impact of this powerful force, the heavenly emperor halberd transformed into a brilliant stream of light, flying backward rapidly and landing precisely in the hand of the figure surrounded by Black Flames standing quietly across the street.

The strike had succeeded.

The Demon Race man slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the Demon Race soldiers on the war tower who were suffering a ruthless slaughter.

With just this brief glance, he had taken in the entire situation on the battlefield.

Then, he stepped forward without hesitation, shooting out like an arrow from a bow. His cold, sharp eyes were like those of a hungry wolf in the night, locked onto the figure holding the halberd surrounded by Black Flames across the street.

At the same time.

Several muffled thuds of landing were heard.

Several dark shadows landed steadily behind Lin Yan.

"General, this man is Hang Shao of the Demon Race's First Army, First Division, First Regiment!" Zhang Ling's expression was grave.

"Your Highness, shall I?" Fu Ying asked in a deep voice.

Their answer was the sudden, explosive sound of combat boots stomping on the ground. Every step was like a heavy hammer hitting the earth, creating an earth-shattering boom. Added to this was the ear-piercing friction of the heavenly emperor halberd's tip scraping against the ground of this ancient city built by the myriad races.

At this moment, time seemed to freeze, and everything on the incredibly wide street became quiet.

The soldiers on the two war towers, the Martial Artists of both races on both sides of the street... everyone's eyes were focused on the two figures charging violently at each other.

Human Race First Army, First Division, First Regiment General Lin Yan.

Demon Race First Army, First Division, First Regiment General Hang Shao.

One was nineteen years old, with Emperor Rank Second Grade Middle Stage cultivation and Seventh Grade Middle Stage combat power.

One was over ten thousand years old, with Emperor Rank Eighth Grade Late Stage cultivation and Ninth Grade Late Stage combat power.

Despite such a chasm-like gap in strength, as the two drew closer, their expressions gradually changed.

The one whose expression did not change was, of course, the still-cold Lin Yan.

Rather, it was Hang Shao.

He seemed to have discovered something incredible; his eyes trembled slightly, and a hint of disbelief appeared on his ferocious face.

Domain Suppression!

Yes! That's it! The unique suppression of a Domain-level Prodigy!

But! Why could this human suppress him so much?!!

He clearly felt that his combat power, which should have reached the Ninth Grade Late Stage, had not only failed to rise,

but was instead instantly suppressed to a Seventh Grade Late Stage combat power, lower than his own Eighth Grade cultivation!

What's going on?!!

He had grown up as a Star Level Prodigy too!

Hang Shao's thoughts were forced to an abrupt halt at this moment.

Because—

"Overlord·Overhead Press!!!"

Accompanied by a violent shout.

Bang—!

Lin Yan took a large stride and stomped the ground, his body stretching into a perfect bow shape. The heavenly emperor halberd, held in a reverse grip and swung around, was coated in rolling Black Flames as it slashed down fiercely.

"Ugh, ahh~!!"

Hang Shao roared, refusing to be outdone as he swung his blade in a violent slash.

Clang—!

The weapons collided, and a contest of extreme strength unfolded.

With one strike,

Hang Shao's body trembled first, and a flash of horror crossed his eyes.

What kind of power is this? Clearly only at Star Shattering Minor Achievement, yet it feels as if I'm being bombarded by tens of thousands of stars simultaneously!

On the other hand, Lin Yan's face beneath his white eyes showed no expression at all, only a slight curl of his lips.

Boom—!

Two beams of white light suddenly shot from his pupils, accurately striking the battle saber that was locked in a struggle with the heavenly emperor halberd.

Hang Shao's face changed instantly.

"You...!"

His body leaned back uncontrollably, and he took a sudden step backward.

Before he could react,

Lin Yan took another step forward, the veins on his arms bulging as he swung the halberd in another violent overhead slash.

Hang Shao gritted his teeth and could only swing his blade to meet it.

For a time,

the sounds of clashing weapons were incessant.

The halberd shadows surrounded by Black Flames and the constantly bursting white light intertwined, repeatedly bombarding the battle saber.

Lin Yan advanced step by step, while Hang Shao retreated step by step.

This scene fell directly into the eyes of the soldiers on the two war towers and the Martial Artists of both races on either side of the street.

"Roar!" The soldiers of the Human Race's First Regiment raised their arms and shouted, "The General is mighty!!!"

The soldiers of the Demon Race's First Regiment looked ashen.

"Holy crap! Amazing!" The Human Race Martial Artists' faces were flushed red. "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The Demon Race Martial Artists' eyes were filled with despair.

"General..." Zhang Ling's eyes trembled as he muttered to himself.

Only a few people could clearly see exactly how many Realms Lin Yan was skipping to fight.

And he was one of those few.

Is this the combat power of our race's record-breaking Prodigy?

This is... too monstrous!!!

The scene returned to Hang Shao, who was repeatedly retreating.

The ferocity and coldness on his face had long since vanished, replaced by a deathly pale face and more and more blood overflowing from the corners of his mouth.

He let out a shocked and furious roar filled with certainty.

"You are Lin Yan!!!"

That's right!

Hang Shao, who had come with violent rage, finally fully realized it at this moment!

Black Flames surrounding the body, eyes shining white, wielding a Square Sky, and peerless combat power!!!

The Human Race Supreme One—Lin Yan!

He had actually already become an Emperor!

"At a time like this, you're still wondering who This General is..."

Lin Yan shook his head slightly, seeming disdainful or perhaps bored.

Then, under Hang Shao's terrified gaze,

he suddenly stepped forward again, gripping the halberd with both arms and slashing down.

"Overlord!"

The white light from his pupils no longer bombarded the battle saber but instead attached itself to the heavenly emperor halberd shrouded in Black Flames.

Boom—!

A thunderous sound.

Crack—!

The battle saber shattered, turning into fragments that flew everywhere.

Hang Shao's head suffered a heavy blow, and his knees hit the ground hard. As his head slumped, the light in his eyes gradually faded until all life was gone.

Suddenly,

"Roar!"

The flush on the faces of the First Regiment soldiers on the war tower grew even deeper.

They raised their blood-stained weapons high and let out earth-shaking roars.

"General! Mighty!!!"

Their response was an arm surrounded by Black Flames, slowly raised under the terrified gazes of the Demon Race Martial Artists in the street.

The youth, clad in armor and standing proudly with his halberd, pointed his left hand forward and spoke in a cold voice.

"Kill!"

Zhang Ling raised his blade and roared.

"Plant the flag!!!"

As the words fell,

from the position of the giant gate beneath the already wide-open Demon Race war tower, the Human Race Martial Artists who had been restrained for a long time instantly charged out.

"Charge!"

In the core area of the ancient city.

A figure in white slowly withdrew his gaze, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"That brat..."