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Bang! Bang!
The collisions between Shin and Ashura were like bomb explosions as every time their weapons met, the surrounding environment would always be reformed or turn into complete devastation.
The air would explode for every collision, sending violent ripples everywhere, while the ground would sink even deeper, creating more craters underneath their feet.
In terms of speed, Shin had the absolute advantage due to his style greatly relying on it. He was not utilizing the ever-changing sword style of the Myriad Manifestation Swordsmanship as he could not find the right opportunity to use it.
Ashura was fast, but that was only for his burst speed which was meant for a straight line. His foot techniques such as 'Burst Step' and 'Surge Step' were meant for catching up to running opponents or surprise attacks. The former was for long-distance travel, covering almost twenty to twenty-five meters, while the latter was meant for short-distance ambush.
Both foot techniques possessed explosive speed that could catch most of his opponents off-guard. But they were lacking in terms of mobility, which Shin was taking advantage of.
His foot techniques focused not only on instantaneous bursts of speed but also flexibility, which greatly helped him overwhelm his opponent to a certain degree.
This was one of the reasons why he was mostly using his quick draw techniques and the other sword movements under the Jade Kirin Scripture, especially when most of them focused on speed and quick assaults.
Moreover, his speed was further applied by the 'Primordial Lightning' which greatly complimented this style of fighting.
But this advantage was not absolute since Ashura was covering his weakness with his explosive strength and absolute power.
If Shin had the advantage when it came to speed and mobility, then Ashura had the absolute edge in terms of raw strength and overwhelming power. Each swing of his sword ruler was like a strike from a giant, fully packed with physical strength and raw power alone.
Even Shin was not willing to confront such powerful strikes head-on.
Aside from that, Ashura was also launching a series of attacks that were empowered by his unique mana manipulation, which was producing huge explosions with every swing of his huge weapon.
Bang! Bang!
Boom!
Each explosion covered a huge area which was forcing Shin to constantly be on the move to avoid the range of those strikes.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Utilizing their respective advantages, Shin and Ashura were stuck in a deadlock.
One was sly and cunning, patiently waiting for an opportunity to counterattack, while the other was violent and straight-up destroying everything around him in hopes of catching his opponent with it.
Shin circled Ashura with his 'Mystic Lighting Steps', leaving a series of electric afterimages and lighting trails on his path, while the latter continued to swing his sword ruler, using his 'Cosmic Wielding' to further destroy the already ruined surroundings with each of his strikes.
After a few more minutes, the two understood that they could not afford to let this state continue. Both were suffering great consequences while maintaining their current states.
Shin had to be constantly on high alert and in full focus to make sure that he would not be caught in the explosive strikes of his opponent while moving at high speed. This was consuming his concentration at an alarming rate.
Ashura, on the other, had to continue attacking violently to put constant pressure on Shin so that the opposing side would not be able to launch an ambush with ease. It was effective, but it was consuming a long of his stamina to a great degree.
They both understood that they needed to do something to change the flow of the battle, so they simultaneously adjusted their styles as if they had had a tacit agreement.
They seemed to be following the same script as they made their respective move at the same time.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Ashura held his sword ruler with both of his hands, placing it in front of him horizontally, while pulling his shoulders back. Spreading his feet apart from each other, he slightly leaned toward his left while twisting his waist a little.
At the same time, a shadowy flame surrounded his sword ruler before patches of lights appeared on its surface, resembling the starry sky of the calm night.
This was the advanced version of his unique mana manipulation, and he called this power that he was wielding the 'Cosmic Energy' – the Power of the Primal Stars.
It was derived from the unique energy that he was using in the real world, which greatly complemented the Cultivation Techniques that he was using.
However, the cultivation method that he was using was widely used in their country, particularly by those from noble and aristocratic families, which also indicated that he was not only the one who commanded such powers.
Others also possessed similar energies, albeit carrying certain differences due to the unique characteristics of an individual.
Ashura was just a little more talented compared to them, which was why he could wield these powers much better in comparison.
Bang!
Right after Ashura's 'Cosmic Energy' was manifested, the surrounding air suddenly became much heavier along with the immense pull of the gravitational force.
The ground sank even further due to this while a few small fragments of earth bounced upwards and hovered in the air before gradually being crushed by the pressure surrounding Ashura.
Ashura stood patiently on his spot while steadily maintaining his stance, waiting for his opponent to make a move and reveal himself.
While Ashura was preparing himself, Shin seemed to have merged with the surroundings as he controlled his breathing and erased his presence.
He used a stealth skill to disappear from the sight of his opponent while maintaining his extreme speed as he circled around the latter.
He also switched off the 'Primordial Lightning' to not leave any trail behind that could lead his opponent to find him. Instead, he swapped it with the 'Eternal Flame' of Solus as he also switched the dual Elemental Possession with hers.
'Elemental Spirit Possession (Eternal Flame): Divine Constellation'
With the help of the 'Great Dominator Technique' to control the element of the earth and enhance his physical attributes provided by the 'Judgement Form' and 'Summit Shaper', Shin was able to barely able match the physical strength of his opponent.
Swinging the greatsword at hand, Shin was able to forcefully halt the continuous barrage of Ashura.
However, his feet sank deeply on the ground, reaching his ankles.
Shin slightly frowned as he noticed another problem – Ashura had never used his elemental possession since the very beginning of the battle!
He could tell that the latter also possessed a Transcendent Race given the little specks of light revolving around his body. There were merely three of them, but each of those elemental spirit companions seemed to carry the same air as Solus and Hanzo or even the fusion of Whitie and Blackie.
And as if responding to Shin's thoughts, Ashura suddenly mumbled. "First Servant."
Swoosh!
Shin then saw that one of the specks of light revolving around Ashura, which represented one of the Elemental Spirit Companions, suddenly separated itself from the other two and flew behind the latter.
For a split second, Shin briefly saw a manifestation of a humanoid silhouette behind his opponent before quickly turning into a light that fused with Ashura.
But instead of weapon possession, physical possession, or body metamorphosis like what Shin, Leonard, and Arthur had, Ashura's Elemental Possession was materialization similar to what Zero had.
Swoosh!
'Elemental Spirit Materialization: Sacred Wings'
"Sh*t!" Shin could already guess what kind of boost Ashura would get after seeing the four angelic wings that grew from the latter's back.
Ashura with powerful physical prowess was already troublesome, much less if seraphic speed was added to the equation.
'Weapon Skill (Main: Yamato): Nephilim's Wings'
Without any hesitation, Shin quickly summoned his version wings in response to his opponents' actions. He could not let his advantage disappear just like that, so he had to match the opposing side with his own.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Taking advantage of the brief pause of his opponent during the possession, Shin quickly retreated to create a certain distance between them.
But Ashura was able to respond in time and caught up to him.
Ashura moved at high speed around Shin and left a series of shadows surrounding the latter at the same time.
Each shadow had the same appearance as Ashura, wielding his huge sword ruler and possessing four angelic wings on their back.
Shin then saw these shadows slash their sword rules simultaneously and fiercely. A light cutting through the air was horrifying despite the holy aura that they possessed. They rained down at Shin like a downpour, completely covering all the possible escape routes that he could use.
From Shin's perspective, these sword lights seemed to transform into a group of golden dragons with their heads circulating from above before all of them swopped down at Shin with their mouths fiercely opened.
'Mystic Cosmic Method: Heavenly Dragon Collapse'
Facing attacks from all directions with devasting might, Shin could not find an opening to dodge. Even with the help of his escape and movement skills, he would not be able to break through this blockade as the flow of mana was being disrupted by these dragons.
All he could do was to go in an offensive – fighting fire with fire.
He flipped the greatsword and held it in a reverse manner while releasing Astaroth and the Judgement form, turning it back to its sheath form.
At the same time, Shin proceeded to sheath the [Yamato] while using the fusion of Whitie and Blackie once again and switching his energy with the 'Primordial Lightning' for another time.
Following the familiar stance, breathing, and energy circulation technique, Shin swiftly unsheathed the sword and skillfully swung it with great force.
This time, the energy that came out from the sword did not fly forward as he skillfully controlled its movements, making it revolve around him instead.
The movements of the sword energy resembled a dragon that coiling around him. He was using another Awakening Skill for a model to supplement this sword technique.
Roar!
'Jade Kirin Scripture: Quick Draw – Eclipse Dragon Draw'
That was when the energy surrounding him turned into a majestic dragon. It followed through the movement of the sword energy, tracing the path that it took.
Unlike the 'Eclipse Tiger Draw', this awakening skill was slightly inferior in terms of might and offensive power. But it was more flexible and easier to control, which was why Shin was able to achieve such a result.
Roar!
The dragon opened its large mouth devouring the smaller dragons around as it coiled around the space surrounding Shin.
It crushed everything while protecting Shin inside.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amid the explosions, Shin suddenly broke through and decisively took the initiative to attack Ashura, not giving the latter any opportunity to have enough space for large and powerful swings.
An intense exchange immediately broke out, making the live audience and online views go crazy!
This battle did not disappoint as it not only met their expectations but even surpassed them to several levels!
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