Chapter 16: I Admit, You Are Stronger Now!

"Hoo---!!"

At the moment Fang Zheng drew his sword, the surrounding air pressure seemed to be swept up. His Sky-Cleaving Sword flashed, and a golden light gleamed on the blade, transforming into a golden sword edge that shot straight towards Shi Dong.

"Oh?"

Seeing this attack, Shi Dong's originally nonchalant demeanor suddenly became serious. He raised an eyebrow, then gripped his two-handed sword tightly in both hands, lifting it and then swinging it down with force. The seemingly mundane two-handed sword accurately clashed with the incoming sword edge. Shi Dong's body trembled violently.

"Boom!!"

The sword edge condensed from Holy Light shattered instantly, creating a huge explosion that shook the ground all around.

Damn, what a monster!

Seeing Shi Dong actually block his attack with one sword, Fang Zheng cursed inwardly. What he was using now was the Royal Cross Swordsmanship evolved from Crusader Strike, enhanced by two proficiency levels thanks to Frostmourne. Fang Zheng's opening move was actually Judgment, a commonly used skill of Retribution Paladins, but with the "Royal Limited Edition" upgrade, its power and form had changed. Even so, Fang Zheng hadn't expected his opponent to react so quickly and block his surprise attack.

But Fang Zheng had no time to marvel at the world's martial prowess. His body moved according to his combat experience. As Shi Dong blocked the Judgment, Fang Zheng advanced, pointing his longsword at Shi Dong.

Sword of Justice!

"Boom!!"

A massive, glowing, sacred light sword erupted from the ground, stabbing straight at Shi Dong. This attack took Shi Dong by surprise. However, the seasoned Grand Knight quickly recovered, drawing his two-handed sword back and blocking it in front of him, firmly stopping the seemingly indefensible strike.

Meanwhile, Fang Zheng successfully closed the distance with Shi Dong. Shi Dong was now within his attack range!

Fang Zheng raised his longsword high and slashed down at Shi Dong. The Sky-Cleaving Sword whistled through the air, splitting the dust before it like a bolt of lightning heading straight for Shi Dong.

"Interesting!"

Shi Dong smiled, even whistling with amusement at Fang Zheng's powerful strike.

"Come! Show me your strength!"

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Shi Dong gripped his two-handed sword tightly once more and slashed upward with force.

At that moment, Fang Zheng felt as though his eyes deceived him. He had clearly seen Shi Dong place the two-handed sword horizontally in front of him, but in an instant, it seemed to transfer spatially, emerging directly before Fang Zheng, targeting his chest.

Where did that come from!?

Fang Zheng was shocked but his experience in the Dark World wasn't for nothing. He instinctively adjusted his sword stance, abandoning his attack on Shi Dong to meet the sudden thrust of the two-handed sword.

"Clang!!"

The swords collided, sending Fang Zheng flying backward. He rolled on the ground, feeling a numbness in his right hand from the impact. But Fang Zheng remained calm; Crusader Strike was merely a Basic Attack Skill meant to gather energy. He felt the sacred power surging within him, ready to burst forth.

About to erupt.

"Hoo—!!"

The two-handed sword appeared before Fang Zheng again, moving too fast for the naked eye. Behind it was Shi Dong's imposing figure. His lips twitched into a smirk as he looked at Fang Zheng. But then, Shi Dong's expression changed suddenly.

He saw the crouching young man grip his longsword and swing it forward.

Just a simple swing.

As the Sky-Cleaving Sword swung, the sword light turned into a raging wave, surging towards Shi Dong like a devastating tide.

"Oh?"

Seeing the oncoming Waves of Light, Shi Dong's expression changed again. He halted abruptly, raising his giant sword to fend off the unseen, raging wind that clashed heavily with the light wave.

"Sword of Gale!!"

The old man standing at the door turned pale. He knew that the Grand Knight was one of the strongest in the region, with unparalleled Storm Swordsmanship. The wind represented freedom and wildness, also fearlessness. Shi Dong using one of the strongest moves of Storm Swordsmanship meant he felt significant pressure from the young man.

"Bang!!!"

The wind and the waves clashed forcefully. Both staggered, Fang Zheng took three steps back, while Shi Dong took one step. The seasoned Grand Knight seized this fleeting opportunity. Before Fang Zheng recovered from the dizziness of the impact, he saw the giant two-handed sword whistling towards his neck.

Feeling the cold sword qi, Fang Zheng shuddered, immediately gripping his sword to block. However, he soon realized that the force of the two-handed giant sword was not as strong as he had anticipated. It felt as though he was slashing through a willow tree with all his might, only to find little resistance.

Not good!!

This thought flashed in Fang Zheng's mind. He didn't know why, but he sensed something was wrong. His full force was committed to countering the expected attack, leaving him no room to pull back. Meanwhile, he saw the giant two-handed sword flash with silver light, aiming at his body.

Can't dodge this one!!

Seeing the sword's edge coming for him, Fang Zheng gritted his teeth. He instinctively wanted to use the Paladin's blessing for invincibility, but quickly dismissed the idea. This attack might pierce his body, but it wouldn't be fatal. He didn't need to waste his trump card. The ten-second invincibility Hearthstone Recall was the ultimate survival skill, not a cheat for dueling.

Just then, an unexpected intervention occurred, surprising both Fang Zheng and Shi Dong.

A glowing longsword appeared in front of the two-handed sword, narrowly blocking the strike. At the same time, they heard the old bishop's fearful shout.

"By the Goddess!"

"What?"

Shi Dong looked to the side to see who was meddling in this interesting trial, expecting to find a human culprit, but was surprised to see someone else.

An angel appeared behind Fang Zheng. She had a beautiful and holy visage, with wings of light stretching out from her back, reflecting off her pure white armor, making her appear bathed in Holy Light. She stood with her head held high, staring coldly at Shi Dong, her lightsaber radiating a brilliant and pure light.

[Sky-Cleaving Sword (One-Handed Sword): Increases holy damage by 100%, boosts holy skill damage by 15%, and has a chance to summon an angel to fight for you during combat (The Angel Legion sweeps over the demons, washing the Eternal Battlefields in blood).]

At this moment, Fang Zheng's Sky-Cleaving Sword also shone brightly. Previously, Fang Zheng hadn't activated its true power, so to Shi Dong and the old bishop, the sword looked like a decorative, flamboyant, hollow longsword.

As it turns out, special effects often change appearances dramatically.

Brilliant light emerged from the hollow slots on the Sky-Cleaving Sword's hilt. Fang Zheng raised his sword without hesitation, the holy power around him coalescing into multiple giant cross-shaped swords before hurling them at the Grand Knight before him.

Divine Storm!

"Boom---!!"

The attack was so powerful that the Sanctuary Warriors guarding outside turned their heads in surprise towards the hall. If they hadn't known the Grand Knight was inside, they might have thought Cultists were attacking the Sanctuary!

Uh... in a way, that might be true?

Shi Dong leapt back swiftly. His two-handed sword had shattered into several pieces. He raised his hand, shouting loudly.

"Stop, that's enough! I admit, you are stronger now!"

"......"

Hearing Shi Dong's words, Fang Zheng twitched his eye but then lowered his weapon.

Grand Knight, can you avoid making such jinxed remarks?