Chapter 32: One Strike

Faced with the terrifying strike of Chloe, Anya's figure emerged behind her, a Sixth-grade Snow Demon Martial Spirit. As this Martial Spirit appeared, Anya unleashed even greater power. Ice Crystal Shield, erected in front. Boom! The Ice Crystal Shield shattered, dissipating Chloe's finger strike. Anya, wielding the Ice Crystal Sword, infused the Martial Spirit into the blade, summoning a surge of coldness. A three-meter radius around her was covered in frost. Seeing Anya attacking again, Chloe shook her head slightly, "Do you really think possessing a Sixth-grade Snow Demon Martial Spirit makes you my equal? You don’t understand the gap between us." Suddenly, a bolt of lightning emerged around Chloe, sending out a thunderous roar, and in a flash, lightning streaked across. Boom! Anya was struck by the lightning in her left shoulder, soaking the area in blood and falling to the ground, barely supporting herself on one knee. Anya, gravely injured, trembled slightly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Chloe gently raised her hand, a glint of electricity manifesting, revealing a vivid Lightning Beast resembling a rodent, lifelike as if real. In contrast, Anya’s Snow Demon Martial Spirit appeared vague and somewhat sluggish next to the Lightning Beast. "Formation phase..." "Her Lightning Beast Martial Spirit has completely formed?" Not only were the likes of Lilah Elder and others surprised, but even Zyaire showed a look of astonishment. Martial Spirits, upon nurturing, initially reside in the embryonic stage, like Anya's Snow Demon Martial Spirit. This is the first phase of a Martial Spirit. Although powerful, embryonic stage Martial Spirits have limited capabilities. The second phase - Formation, marks the first transformation of the Martial Spirit, becoming much stronger. Martial Cultivators with a formed Martial Spirit see a significant increase in combat power. However, progressing to this second stage is challenging, with nearly ninety percent of Martial Spirits remaining in the first stage. Chloe's Lightning Beast Martial Spirit had already formed... Russell and others finally grasped the meaning of disparity, initially believing the gap between them and Chloe wasn’t vast. But they were wrong. "This Chloe is a genius Martial Cultivator," commented an official from South Figaro Martial Hall. Being labeled a genius Martial Cultivator is rare. Even the likes of Russell couldn’t claim such an honor, at best being considered as promising young Martial Cultivators. Witnessing Chloe's prowess, Gavin, the third crown prince of Sparrow Kingdom, felt joy, belonging to Chloe's faction. The stronger Chloe became, the more likely he could ascend as the heir to Sparrow Kingdom. Regrettably, this meant the end for the beautiful Anya... Gavin felt a hint of pity; he would have liked to court her if given the chance. "Anya, don’t worry, you’re just going ahead. Your brother Titus and the Xenos Family will soon join you on this journey," thought Gavin darkly. "Buzz..." Chloe, surrounded by electric currents, hovered in the air, an air current lifting her as she looked down at Anya with pride. Anya's eyes dimmed; she had lost... Chloe's fingertip, aimed at Anya's forehead, pulsed with immense power. Many spectators showed pity; Anya's potential was nearly equal to Chloe’s. If she had waited a few years, she might have caught up to Chloe. If she waits and strikes later, there might still be a chance for victory. But she was too hasty and impulsive. Lilah Elder looked downcast, unable to intervene in the battle zone, forced to watch Anya fall. Silence enveloped the area; everyone remained silent. "Chloe, today we shall settle our past scores." A clear voice suddenly broke the silence. Chloe looked up, her eyes narrowing at the sight of a young man carrying a six-foot-eight long Horse Beheading Blade approaching. He looked familiar. This was Chloe’s first impression upon seeing the young man. "How can it be him..." Zyaire, outside the battle zone, showed surprise, recognizing Titus. If it weren’t for someone rescuing Titus earlier, he would have killed him with a slap. Titus had come here? Not just Zyaire, Yale was also surprised. Titus had killed the young man on the cloud boat. Lucas's death, attributed to an accident, was unknown to him as Titus’s doing. Seeing Titus, Anya froze. "Titus, why have you come? Leave quickly, you’ll die here," Anya urged desperately upon regaining her senses. Titus seemed not to hear her, continuing his approach. Anya became frustrated and angry. Even in normal times, Titus ignored her, and now, at such a critical moment, he was seeking his own death. Did he really think he could avenge her? Chloe's strength had exceeded Anya's expectations. If she couldn’t defeat Chloe, let alone Titus, even ten of him couldn’t match Chloe. "Useless man, you dare to enter the battle zone. Last time at the Xenos Family, you escaped, but this time, I'll see how you flee," Gavin coldly blocked Titus's path, seeing an opportunity to impress Chloe. Anya paled upon seeing Gavin, aware of his capabilities. Although Gavin hadn't joined a Sect, his strength was comparable to core disciples of the five major Sects. If he acted, Titus had no chance of survival. "Get lost!" Titus said emotionlessly. "What did you say?" Gavin frowned deeply. Whish! Titus drew his Horse Beheading Blade. A harsh blade sound resonated, causing ear pain to the Martial Cultivators, including Zyaire and others. The heavy Horse Beheading Blade unleashed powerful energy, creating a three-meter-long Blade Gale that shattered the ground. Before Gavin could react, he fell dead. Silence returned to the battle zone; everyone was breathless, staring in disbelief. Without witnessing it themselves, they couldn’t believe it. Anya, in shock, stared at Titus, disbelief in her eyes. Was this the same Titus, now reduced to half his former self? One strike had killed Gavin? Looking at the lifeless Gavin and then at Titus, wielding the heavy Horse Beheading Blade, surrounded by a fierce Blade Gale, Anya was overwhelmed. Blade Cultivation... Titus was a Blade Cultivator. Anya recalled Titus’s casual swordplay at the Xenos Family. Only now did she realize that Titus wasn’t just showing off; he was practicing Blade Cultivation, a method to bond with the blade. Ironically, she had thought he was merely pretending. Outside the battle zone, Zyaire felt as if slapped in the face. He had abandoned Titus, seeing him as half-crippled, with little future in Blade Cultivation. But in just two months? Titus had grown so much. Zyaire regretted not keeping Titus close, possibly having him fight for the Skynet Sect today. But regrets were useless now. Titus wouldn’t return now; only Chloe could eliminate him to prevent future threats.