The Black Knight didn’t dare hold back in the slightest, brandishing his Dual Swords. Their Black Flame and the clear Glowing Radiance reflected one another, and sparks from the clash of steel filled the air. The tumultuous, tearing shockwave washed over the crowd on the fortress, drawing gasps of amazement.

"So this is what a battle between Legends is like... They’re so powerful."

"We’d be killed instantly if we were caught in the slightest aftershock."

"So what? It’s worth dying just to watch Lord Uther fight up close!"

The Knights of Yingxi Castle, and even some of the Grand Knights, were full of awe, their eyes glued to the rare and furious battle.

Only the female knight with sky-blue hair no longer watched with a fervent gaze.

"Tch."

Mephit crossed her arms and scoffed, murmuring:

"What boring theatrics."

The clash of Blade Light and Sword Shadow continued for a long time. Westheid could feel his sanity being rapidly burned away by the [Cursed Source Blood]. Realizing he would lose control if this went on, he finally leaped back a step and suddenly spoke:

"As expected of the renowned Black Knight. You’re far more impressive than those half-baked Legends. It looks like we’ve reached something of a stalemate."

Uther froze for a moment upon hearing this, then immediately returned the perfunctory praise:

"Not at all, not at all. You are the truly formidable one, Duke Qinghui. These old bones of mine are struggling to keep up."

Westheid smiled. "It doesn’t look like you’re going all out either, Lord Uther."

’He was intentionally holding back against Uther.’

’Unlike stubborn, racist purists like Brolette, the Black Knight Uther could be won over. The Grand Knight’s stance wasn’t so firm.’

’When it came to the Yonglan Knights, he had to win over those he could and humiliate those he couldn’t. In short, the goal was to divide and refine the group, absorbing as many Yonglan Knights as possible.’

’Letting Uther save face would surely make him lean toward my side. There was everything to gain and nothing to lose. After all, the Black Knight’s influence and appeal in the Country of Yonglan were still immense.’

Uther didn’t know about Westheid’s little schemes, but his opponent had indeed gone easy on him during the duel, giving him face and an easy way out. That alone was enough to make him feel grateful.

’Duke Qinghui really is an honorable man!’

Westheid raised Shadow-Born high. "Let’s end these formalities. I’ve grown tired of wasting time."

Uther’s eyes sharpened. He immediately understood Westheid’s hint.

’Duke Qinghui had to win this duel in the end; that was only natural. In our brief exchange, I’ve already realized his stats are far above my own. If we truly fight to the finish, I will be the one to lose.’

’I can accept defeat, but I absolutely cannot lose in a disgraceful way. A dignified exit is the best option.’

So the Black Knight considered for a moment, then said:

"It’s about time... This isn’t a duel to the death, after all. Winning or losing... isn’t so important."

"Then let’s end this duel with this final blow."

"Haaah—Cage of Predestination—"

Westheid took a deep breath. Scarlet cracks began to spread from his fingertips, up to his palms, arms, and even his neck.

With the incredibly high stats granted by the stacked [Cursed Source Blood] and the powerful boost from his Late Prayer Combat Technique, even Westheid himself didn’t know how strong this strike would be.

"!!!"

Uther didn’t know what kind of ultimate move Westheid was preparing, but he could already sense a terrifying surge of power from his opponent.

His instincts were screaming at him, urging his body to flee, but his reason and sense of honor anchored his feet firmly to the spot.

Westheid’s charge-up didn’t take long, completing in a matter of breaths. Then, he unleashed the strike.

BOOM—

A vast thunderclap and a blinding flash of daylight erupted in an instant.

Sound vanished. Color vanished.

Everyone who looked directly at the strike felt their sight and hearing disappear simultaneously. It felt like a long time before their vision gradually returned to normal, but when they saw the destruction before them, they were all struck silent with fear.

A great chasm had formed in front of Westheid, stretching from his feet all the way to the distant mountain range. Everything that had existed in its path had been annihilated into nothingness within the chasm.

Snow, rock, even the atmosphere... be it tangible or intangible, everything was swept clean within the chasm. Only crimson cracks remained branded upon space itself, as if seared onto everyone’s retinas—abrupt and sharp.

Although many kinds of Legendary Magic could produce world-destroying effects, judging by area of effect alone without considering lethality was a fool’s game. Spells like [Eight-Wind Torrential Rain] and [Celestial Fire Falls] could scour the sky and land, but their threat to a Legendary Celestial Rank was very limited. Whether it was a storm or a fireball, they were just divine skills for clearing out mobs.

When true powerhouses clashed, they would try to control the release of their Magic Power, focusing all their might onto their opponent. The destruction of a "point" was far superior to the coverage of a "plane."

But this strike... any High-tier Transcendent could realize what a terrifying concentration of power it was. Even a Yonglan Knight with an overpowered stat panel probably couldn’t be saved by the [Blessed Chalice] and would be instantly vaporized.

Because the strike had deliberately missed Uther, the Black Knight was only hit by the shockwave. In other words, even though his Armor was shattered and he was a mess of flesh and blood, his Status was actually still quite good.

But feeling the scorching heat wash over him from the chasm, Uther was already drenched in sweat. This was the magnanimity and mercy Westheid had shown him.

’It would be rude to keep fighting now.’

"I... lost."

Taking a deep breath, Uther broke the silence with two words.

Then, the Black Knight forced his trembling legs to move and returned to the Expeditionary Army’s fortress.

The Yonglan Knights were still lost in a stupor, unable to pull themselves from it.

"Duke Qinghui... actually defeated Lord Uther?"

"When someone is that strong, there’s nothing to be done, right? In fact, the fact that Lord Uther could take that blow head-on just shows how powerful he is!"

"It’s alright, my lord! The fact that you could walk away from such a horrifying strike is already amazing!"

......

"How dull, Lord Uther."

Mephit remarked pointedly from the side. She brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead to reveal her frenzied eyes, speaking in a mocking tone:

"I should have gone down there myself. Who knows, maybe I could have won?"

Mephit’s words immediately drew the ire of the Black Knight’s die-hard fans.

"Such arrogance! Are you mocking Lord Uther?!"

"Even Lord Uther couldn’t win, so what gives you the confidence, Lady Mephit?!"

"Lord Uther only lost because he was careless. He saw how young Duke Qinghui was and couldn’t bring himself to use his full strength. And even in defeat, he remains calm and composed. That kind of magnanimity and grace is something people could spend a lifetime learning from!"

.......

The Black Knight had taught for decades, with students all over the world. The prestige he had accumulated was naturally no match for a newly promoted Grand Knight. However, facing the crowd’s verbal attacks, Mephit merely sneered and shifted her gaze to Westheid.

Amidst the steam rising from the distorted space, the handsome, black-haired, purple-eyed young man slowly sheathed Shadow-Born. Blood dripped from his mangled arm. The man’s lowered eyelids made him look tranquil and beautiful, as if that single strike had burned away all his fury.

But no one dared to look down on this young Legend anymore. The Yonglan Knights never thought they would one day find themselves exclaiming with such genuine emotion.

’He’s a stats monster!’

After securing [Shadow-Born] at his waist, Westheid looked up at the ranks of knights and said indifferently:

"Everyone, does anyone else have an objection to this trial by combat?"

"If so, don’t hesitate. You can come down right now. Don’t worry about my Status; I have no problem fighting consecutive battles."

’Huh? Me? Fight Duke Qinghui?’

The Yonglan Knights looked at each other, but none made a move. Yonglan Knights were passionate about battle, but they weren’t masochists. A fight where they’d be killed in one hit would only bring frustration.

Mephit, however, looked eager to make a move. She stared intently at Westheid’s face, lost in thought.

Westheid: "If there are no more objections, then this trial by combat ends here..."

Hearing this, Mephit raised an eyebrow. Just as she was about to speak, a clear and beautiful shout came first from the direction of Dusk Lamp Territory:

"I have an objection!"

The Wolf-eared Maiden was seen striding across the surface of the lake. A black cape hung from her dark knight’s uniform. Mivana drew her Knight’s Silver Sword, its tip pointing directly at Lionette:

"I hereby formally challenge all Knights from Jinquan Territory to a duel!"