Chapter 1321 Knight Sabel <TOC> Chapter 1323 Chivalry of a Knight
Translator: SumTLMan
The rallying cries of the spectators had been relegated to the periphery, obscured by the intensity of the duel before them.
In their eyes, only their adversary remained.
Yet, blazing in their hearts was an unquenchable thirst for victory!
With a sharp whistle from Lady Marilyn, both contenders squared off, poised for combat, and with unwavering conviction, they lunged at each other.
The crisp clash of metal echoed through the air, marking the maiden meeting of the knight’s slender sword and the curved blade. As the moments ticked by, this resonating clang persisted, like the drums of war, steadily rousing the passions of every onlooker, driving the atmosphere to a fever pitch!
…
Tulas offered a visual symphony of finesse and flair. As many had opined, his movements flowed with an effortless grace. Even though he wielded his might with utmost intensity, Tulas never forwent the aesthetic allure of his martial dance.
Contrarily, Sabel’s performance was a stark contrast — a seemingly understated display of knightly fencing without a hint of flamboyance. Yet, this seemingly simple style held its ground against Tulas’s aggressive onslaught, not yielding an inch.
Their exchanges were a balanced ballet, a dance of equals.
Analyzing their combat styles, Tulas moved with expansive, bold strokes, while Sabel, in contrast, remained predominantly defensive. This, however, wasn’t indicative of Sabel’s weakness but merely a testament to his inherent style.
Tulas was reminiscent of a tempestuous wind gusting through, while Sabel stood firm like an unyielding, deeply rooted tree. For the time being, neither could gain the upper hand over the other.
From an artistry of techniques perspective, Angel was somewhat taken aback. The superior mastery wasn’t displayed by Tulas, but by Sabel. Though Sabel mainly held a defensive posture, seldom moving, he, with his knightly blade, invisibly drew a “circle” on the ground. Within this boundary, Sabel ruled supreme, like an uncrowned monarch. Even with Tulas deploying every trick up his sleeve, he couldn’t penetrate this impermeable circle.
However, in the art of combat, Tulas was no slouch either. Although not on par with Sabel, it wasn’t due to a lack of study. Instead, he had a broader arsenal at his disposal than Sabel.
Firstly, while Tulas appeared unarmed, his missing left leg was substituted with a hooked blade, which was, in truth, a formidable weapon.
Secondly, using the hook as his linchpin, Tulas had crafted various innovative tactics. For instance, he could exploit its resilience to leap into the air, soaring more than ten meters, dodging and darting — and doing so much more that Sabel couldn’t replicate. This aerial dominance by Tulas meant that Sabel had to expend extra energy guarding against assaults from above.
Thirdly, Tulas’s offensive moves were unpredictable. His attacks came out of the blue, swift and unforeseen, reminiscent of a gust of wind that could penetrate any crack and leave nothing untouched.
Of course, Tulas had evident shortcomings. Generally, surprise attacks aim to catch the enemy off-guard. However, with Sabel’s impenetrable stance, there was no such thing as an “unguarded” moment. Outside his “circle,” Sabel was an unbreakable fortress. Within it, he seamlessly blended offense with defense. Thus, he had the perfect counter for someone with the unpredictable genius of Tulas.
However, Sabel’s “circle” was quite restricted. Though it was evident he aimed to gradually expand its circumference, Tulas’s aggressive tactics kept suppressing its growth.
Consequently, their duel resembled a seesaw battle, a tense game of spotting the other’s weakness first.
From the judges’ section, Leon’s eyes sparkled with excitement. For a battle enthusiast like him, this fight was like a gourmet’s dream feast. Every move, technique, and the nuanced in-combat adjustments were like the most exquisite delicacies, tempting Leon to savor each moment again and again.
Leon’s heart was awash with emotion, a torrent of feelings he wished to share through the dance of words with others.
“Angel,” Leon whispered amidst the deadlock of the duel, “what’s your take on this battle?”
From Angel’s vantage point, the skirmish unfolding before them was nothing short of captivating.
Though both contenders were confined within the realm of the ordinary, the prowess they displayed in combat surpassed even that of novice apprentices, and in some instances, even the intermediate ones.
Rumors had once circulated that Sabel had defeated those transcending the ordinary; witnessing the bout now confirmed these tales, as Sabel truly possessed such formidable strength.
Angel voiced his insights, to which Leon found himself nodding in ardent agreement.
At that moment, Angel’s gaze drifted to Sanders. Although Sanders’ eyes were locked onto the arena, there seemed to be a far-off look in them, as if his thoughts were soaring amongst the clouds.
Intrigued, Angel inquired, “Mentor, what’s on your mind?”
Roused from his musings, Sanders replied, “Watching this duel takes me back to the time I ventured into the Infinite Battle Tower. My illusion skills were still in their infancy then, and I hadn’t yet conjured the Nightmare Illusions, so my combat style was more reliant on my bloodline abilities.”
Sanders paused for a moment, seemingly lost in past memories. Although he chose not to continue, the nostalgia in his eyes spoke volumes.
“And Mentor, how would you rate this battle?”
“Given their realms, they’re performing at an exceptionally high level,” Sanders mused as his attention returned to the arena, his gaze first settling on Sabel. He remarked with a hint of wistfulness, “Sabel, with his vision and strength, has nearly reached the pinnacle of raw, unpolished skill for his realm. It’s a pity he’s constrained by the limitations of a mortal’s form… Should he transcend to the extraordinary, his rustic swordplay, combined with the Shadow Cat bloodline, would shatter many chains. With the power of the Shadow Cat backing him, he’d easily paint circles in the sand and conquer territories with swift strides.”
The bloodline of the Shadow Cat serves merely as one method for him to shatter his chains, but myriad extraordinary techniques exist, elevating his once rudimentary blade to loftier and more distant heights.
Such a sentiment was not only the response of Sanders but also the very thought of Angel.
In the realm of mortals, Sabel has pushed himself to the utmost boundaries. To transcend further, one must ascend beyond the mundane.
“Many positions previously unreachable through offensive and defensive stances, maneuvers too challenging for the human body, are now within the grasp of the transcendent,” Angel paused, before inquiring, “And what of Tulas?”
Having heard the tale of Tulas from Angel and now juxtaposing it with the combat witnessed today, Sanders reflected momentarily: “His potential is perhaps even greater, his strategic breadth in battle more expansive. Had Tulas initially set sail for the Vast Continent and truly ascended, he might have become a noteworthy wizard.”
Indeed, had Tulas not been confined on that Isle of Shadows in that desolate world, perhaps he would have carved his name in history.
“However, beyond this battle, what truly captivates me is the prospect of the Wilderness of Dreams,” A glint flashed across Sanders’ eyes, “If the Wilderness of Dreams could channel its inherent strength here and become widespread in the future, this place could not only serve as a battleground but also as a crucible for combat artistry’s evolution.”
“No doubt, those behind Sky Tower and the Infinite Battle Tower would be in a frenzy.”
True as this may be, the diffusion of the Wilderness of Dreams into the Wizarding World seems a distant dream. At least until Angel obtains the core powers of this Nightmare Domain, the vast potential of the Wilderness of Dreams must remain a closely guarded secret.
After all, the allure of the Wilderness of Dreams is immense. Even if Angel were willing to share its bounty, not everyone has the restraint of Sanders.
Desire, as they say, is insatiable; what we have, we want more of, and what eludes us becomes an even greater yearning.
Like an insatiable maw that never knows contentment, if Angel doesn’t seize the essence of Dream Power, exposing the Wilderness of Dreams to all might result in a bitter recoil that could swallow him whole.
Furthermore, there are myriad considerations to popularize it: Would others place their trust in you to enter the Wilderness of Dreams? The equipment required to access the Wilderness of Dreams, and so on…
Thus, long-term planning and meticulous deliberation are essential.
……
An hour later, the battle still raged on. For a duel among mortals, this was already exceedingly prolonged.
The combatants in the arena still seemed vigorous, yet signs of weariness hinted from the corners of their eyes.
And those outside the arena were caught in deep contemplation: Who Prevails?
There were supporters and speculations for both sides, yet only a handful could pinpoint the exact reasons for victory or defeat.
Even Leon, a once knight and future transcendent with a unique bloodline, was lost in thought. He leaned in to whisper to Angel, “Who do you think will triumph?”
Victory’s criteria were clear: render one incapable of combat or force them out of the ring.
After pondering for a moment, Angel simply shook his head: “It’s hard to tell.”
In reality, Tulas would have already clinched victory. Time has bestowed upon him a soul’s baptism, and his transcendental abilities have flourished. His combat power isn’t just about technique anymore; he’s begun to exhibit a power beyond the ordinary.
As for Sabel, if we were speaking of reality, he remains mortal and is visibly aging. Normally, he would be willing in spirit but weak in strength. The fact that he stands toe to toe with Tulas now is largely because the Wilderness of Dreams has eliminated the constraints of “energy and injuries.”
In the vast tapestry of the Wilderness of Dreams, the disparity between Sabel and Tulas seems to have been smoothed over.
To truly predict the victor, one must discern which way the winds of fate will blow on the battlefield, and who possesses the superior touch of fortune and finesse in handling the finer details.
As the outcome lingered in suspense, Sanders took his leave prematurely. Firstly, much time had passed and the journey beyond was nearing its climax, with an imminent return to Pat Manor. Secondly, he deemed the caliber of this duel too mundane; to Sanders, it was a mere diversion to while away the tedium, and the end result was inconsequential in his eyes.
Perhaps, at Sanders’ realm of insight, he had already perceived the outcome.
After Sanders departed, Leon grew increasingly restless, his attention wandering from the duel at hand.
After a prolonged moment of hesitation, he posed the question to Angel, one that had weighed on his heart, yet he had feared to voice earlier, “Why has the esteemed Phantom Master appeared here? Wasn’t he accompanying my mentor in pursuit of Rolando?”
“Haven’t I mentioned before that Rolando has already been captured?”
“You did, but you also mentioned some unforeseen complication, suggesting that Rolando was still under interrogation?”
Angel responded, “That chapter is closed. We’ve established preliminary negotiations with Rolando, and they’re on their way back… I estimate they’ll arrive at the manor within the next couple of hours.”
Upon hearing Angel’s clarification, a spark of realization lit up in Leon’s eyes.
Chapter 1321 Knight Sabel <TOC> Chapter 1323 Chivalry of a Knight