49 Raging

As the battle unfolded, Hu Zhao skillfully parried and evaded the onslaught of purple water tentacles that lashed out towards him. Each strike required precision and concentration, as he fought not only to defend himself but also to suppress the poison coursing through his body. He knew that any additional hits would only exacerbate his plight, allowing the toxic substance to infiltrate further.

Meanwhile, Dario stood at the epicenter of the partially severed building, encased within a bubble of purple water. From this pulsating mass, numerous tentacles emerged, lashing out at Hu Zhao with deadly intent. Observing his opponent's defensive maneuvers, Hu Zhao couldn't help but acknowledge the formidable nature of Dario's abilities.

"It appears this slimy substance is not a spell but a divine ability unique to you," Hu Zhao called out to Dario, his voice laced with a mix of admiration and caution. "I must concede that you possess exceptional prowess as a poison mage, skillfully combining your divine ability with your elemental affinity."

Dario's lips curled into a self-assured smile as he responded, his voice laced with arrogance, "Among the members of the black market alliance, we, the nameless titans, stand superior. Our mastery as mages and warriors transcends ordinary limits, and our possession of formidable divine abilities amplifies our strength. We reign as the true overlords of the underworld."

Hu Zhao's eyes narrowed, his expression betraying a mix of irritation. He halted his movements, allowing Dario's tentacles of purple water to surge towards him. Just as they reached their intended target, Hu Zhao swung his sword with unparalleled precision, causing the tentacles to veer off course and obediently trace the path of his blade, spinning in a mesmerizing dance around him.

Dario's tone shifted from confident to bewildered as he struggled to grasp the unexpected turn of events. His voice trembled with disbelief, "What power is this? How have you disrupted my control over the purple fluid?"

Hu Zhao's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a steely resolve. His voice grew colder and more serious as he retorted, "I always wondered about your notion of being 'nameless titans'. It seems rather ludicrous to me to claim a lack of identity while proudly flaunting your titles. You are not the first nameless titan I've encountered, and despite the passage of two centuries, you all remain bound by the same patterns and ideals."

Hu Zhao's eyes glinted witha blue light, his voice echoing with a centuries-old wisdom, "In this humble life of mine, I have come to learn that true strength lies not in empty titles, divine abilities or high level magic, but in the depth of one's character and unwavering resolve."

In one seamless motion, Hu Zhao exerted his mastery over the once-hostile tentacles, compelling them to bend to his will. Like obedient serpents, they coiled around him in a protective embrace, weaving an impenetrable shield of swirling purple water.

Dario's face contorted with a volatile blend of frustration and rage. "What power is this? How have you taken command over the purple fluid?" Despite his persistent efforts to employ his divine ability, the purple fluid remained stubbornly unresponsive, defying his every intention.

Hu Zhao's countenance shifted from intense serioussness to a self-assured smirk, his eyes gleaming with a touch of mischief. "Ah, it seems you have overlooked a crucial detail, my dear opponent. Do you not realize that you are facing none other than Roshtar raging sea? Even with your divine ability, water is and will always be my domain."

Surrounded by the pulsating shield of swirling purple water, Hu Zhao radiated an aura of invincibility. His triumphant laughter echoed across the battlefield, a testament to his unwavering command over the element that defined him.

"Now, witness the true might of a water attack. Raging Wave Slash!" Hu Zhao's voice resonated with authority as he unleashed a devastating strike unlike anything seen before. The water slash materialized as an enormous tidal wave, poised to obliterate any foe in its path.

In a stark contrast to their earlier exchanges, a flicker of fear crept into Dario's eyes as he beheld the raw power displayed by Hu Zhao. The crashing sound of the wave intermingled with Hu Zhao's laughter, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation and defiance. In this pivotal moment, Hu Zhao stood alone, a formidable force ready to unleash his watery prowess upon his adversary and solidify his reputation as Roshtar Raging Sea.

Dario's world shattered as the colossal water wave cleaved through him, severing his legs and leaving him on the brink of death. Despite his dire condition, he clung to a glimmer of life and mustered the strength to speak. "You... you tricked me all this time. You were already at the half-saint level and merely pretended to be at a disadvantage. Furthermore, you infused sword intent into the attack."

Hu Zhao regarded Dario in his final moments, a glint of satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Indeed, your poison posed a minor challenge, but I overcame it within minutes. Taking control of your ability was a simple matter. You underestimated your opponent, and thus your downfall was inevitable."

Dario coughed and laughed, his voice tinged with regret and remorse for his foolishness and arrogance. In his dying breath, the glimmer in his eyes faded, leaving behind a lifeless shell. The battle had reached its conclusion, with Hu Zhao emerging as the victor, his supremacy and prowess firmly established.

Assessing the chaotic battlefield, Hu Zhao weighed his options and formulated a strategy. "To regain control, I must first eliminate the more formidable adversaries before returning to the tower," he muttered to himself. With unwavering determination, he pressed forward, each step carrying him closer to his targets. The blade of his katana glinted in the sunlight, radiating an aura of unwavering purpose.

As Hu Zhao navigated through the remnants of the half-cut building, the swirling waters around his weapon dissipated, revealing the polished steel beneath. It was time to retreat from the confines of the crumbling structure and reposition himself for the next phase of the battle. He maneuvered his way out, ready to confront the challenges that awaited him beyond the building's walls.

Boom!

With an earth-shattering boom, an explosion ripped through the air to Hu Zhao's right. His sharp gaze immediately focused on the source of the devastation—a colossal flower with petals radiating an ominous glow. It had unleashed a blinding beam of light, obliterating everything in its path and leaving behind a massive crater amidst the ruins of the ancient city.

Hu Zhao's heart sank as he surveyed the aftermath, his mind plagued with concern for his comrades. "This battle is spiraling out of control," he murmured, his voice heavy with worry. "I pray that the casualties on our side are minimal. If any member of Aiden's group were to fall, it would have dire consequences for us all." Determined to assess the situation and lend aid if needed, Hu Zhao swiftly moved toward the origin of the explosion, ready to face the unknown dangers that lay ahead.

___________________________

[Before the explosion in the battlefield]

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh

Rei gracefully danced around his opponents, effortlessly dodging their attacks with a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Is it really fair for all three of you to gang up on poor little me?" he taunted, his playful tone reverberating through the air.

Konstantin, his blade gleaming with mana, swung with precision towards Rei's arm. Meanwhile, Kathy, her hammer raised high, leaped above Konstantin, aiming for a crushing blow to Rei's head. Neither of them bothered to respond to Rei's comment, but Olenna, standing at a slight distance, couldn't resist engaging with him. A sly smirk graced her face as she retorted, "Hmph, expecting us to play fair and honorably in a fight against you? You don't deserve such luxuries, not after all the havoc you've wreaked. Killing you is the only mercy you deserve."

As the clash of weapons echoed around them, the tension in the battlefield grew, each participant fully aware of the high stakes involved. Rei's playful demeanor hid the intense focus burning within him, ready to counterattack and turn the tables on his opponents.

Olenna's commanding voice cut through the chaos as she shouted at her comrades, urging them to make way. Determination burned in her eyes as she prepared to unleash a powerful spell. "Nature spell, Sacred Vines!" With those words, colossal vines erupted from the earth, their immense length of 30 meters coiling and writhing like serpents. They surged forward with incredible speed, directed towards Rei amidst his fierce exchange of blows with Konstantin and Katherine.

The vines, pulsating with raw nature magic energy, snaked their way through the battlefield, maneuvering with unparalleled agility. Their target: Rei, who with a mix of precision and sheer force, continued to evade even the vines as they aimed to ensnare and immobilize him, hindering his movements and opening him up to their relentless assault.

"This will be harder than I expected".