Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 377 - 376 - Power Unrivaled

Lind had never been to the Darkmoor Kingdom capital, nor had he even visited the palace.  Both of those facts were intentional as he had been avoiding direct contact with Ryu and Callisto as much as possible.

If he had known they had a sensible daughter, named Eliza, who controlled them both with an iron fist, he would have conceded to a visit long ago.  Once she knew who he was, Eliza was ecstatic.

She was a demon refiner, herself.  It made a good profession to craft weapons for her preferred style and the giant sword on her back was a good example.  Lind deeply appreciated her skill as even Master Cain would find few complaints about it.

Any doubts about her lineage were dispersed when she spoke about her weapons.  Instead of a battle maniac, she was a production maniac.  Between the 2, Lind much preferred the latter.  The jealous looks from her parents made Eliza beam with joy.

She was, however, quite happy that Lind agreed to fight her parents.  It was the final restraint holding them back, but he suspected they could have advanced long ago and chose not to.

There was a vast difference between being unable to advance and simply holding back.  The former was the bane of all cultivators while the latter could happen for numerous reasons.  Over the decades he had witnessed the public bouts broadcast to many gambling halls across the continents.

The Darkmoor Kingdom arenas were legendary, even in the mercantile super power of Cimmera!

It was one of the few places that invested for Sky Realms to fight freely, after all.

The resources, maintenance, and sheer cost to set up were massive, but the demons lived for it.  Thankfully, it was quite rare for Sky Realm or Nightfall Realm demons to want to fight so freely.

The path of cultivation was hard fought so many opted to simply ascend to the Floating Isles before letting loose.  Still, over the 2 centuries Lind had been alive, there had been no such fight broadcast.

There were rumors the former Queen had unleashed her might in such a battle, but it was not for public consumption.  Lind had not pried but Cyntilla had been very curious about it for some time.

Now, a massive floating platform was just outside the capital.  It was far into the sky where only those invited could attend.  Unlike most arenas, there was not extensive seating but there were far more complex formations and structures to reinforce the strength of the materials.

Lind actually had Eliza explain the near 50 years it took to create the arena.  It was almost the size of the entire Lotus Empire!  The fact that even to launch it would demolish almost all high powers' resources in the 3 continents spoke of the largesse Darkmoor put on its desire to battle.

The many powers subordinate to Darkmoor wondered why they did not further develop their lands, and Lind believed he was looking at a large part of it.  The other part was the honest belief that true cultivators must face the adversity of the world as early as possible.

Lind looked at the dark stone pillars connected by pale metal cross bars.  The pillars were at least as big as the flying disc space in circumference.  It would take 7 to 8 people linke to encircle the pillars.

The metal cross bars shone like the sun to Lind's Eyes and he could see all of the arrays connecting into formations were all peak low grade 5 from material to formation!  The crossed pillars formed a single giant corridor that ran around the entire arena.

The sheer cost of materials alone made Lind simply feel giddy.  He had thought he was wasteful with his Heaven grade materials but the entire structure put him to shame with just the supports!

The base was a 5 kilometer thick slab of what had to be imported heliomite.  It was a swirling patterned stone of oranges, tans, and a sliver of turquoise in its natural state.  It was also not native to the lower world at all.

It was likely from the Floating Isles and revealed the level of connections Darkmoor Kingdom enjoyed that few knew about.  Even Starfire House would be hard pressed to import such a giant slab.

The refined slab was a tan color but had some grains of sand, likely dust from the many millennia it existed.  The contrast between the light colored floor to the near midnight colored supports was striking.

The ring was impossible to use a material for so it was currently a disabled formation that would flare to life when infused with Sky Stones.  The formation would both absorb impact and siphon off Qi to safely disperse Sky Realm attacks.

The limited seating was done by booths due to the fact the most ideal place for the arena was very far into the sky.  The quality of Qi increased vastly compared to the ground.  It was the final secret of the Sky Realm Arena.

It was partially supported by arrays that absorbed the Sky Realm quality Qi from the height it was at.  Supposedly, it took a massive team of 40 Sky Realms to haul the entire structure into its current location.

The final feature was on the outside.  It was 2 docks that allowed the same flying artifact Eliza used to chase her parents to connect to the arena and let people inside.  Sky Realms could fly on their own but it was a considerable distance to the ground.

The booths were not the lavish luxury one might expect either.  The seats were comfortable but there were no beds nor any amenities like Lind had during the auctions he visited.  It was clear that it was meant only to allow personal viewing of the fight.

Also, the viewing side was another formation.  It allowed sound in without risking the lives of those within.  Lind was impressed at the details he could make out and wondered where Darkmoor Kingdom had found such an impressive expert.

The arrays were all demonic but could accept normal Qi; it was a detailed way to make them that he noted for later study.

Lind's tour was causing Ryu and Callisto to lose their minds!  They had their weapons, their armor, and were at their peak condition, but their opponent was spending time with their daughter on the decorations of the arena!

Neither dared breathe a word as the fire in their daughter was very high.  She was a combat genius, much like her mother, but her tactical mind was shaped by her father.  The combination of the 2 was a terrifying demoness that flattened all competition.

Her younger siblings had given up any claim to the throne long ago.  In fact, they had moved out and made names for themselves in the wider world while still at Iron Tier.  Now, they swiftly returned as the one man their parents had made sure to ingrain into them in any story told was there!

Lind Frey was a legend in Darkmoor Kingdom.  His audacious victories against stronger foes were relayed with relish.

Lind was a bit overwhelmed with how warmly he was welcomed but Eliza kept everything moving forward at a stable pace.  It seemed like a snail's crawl to her parents but finally, all was in place.

The booths were occupied by demons, humans, aether children, and even a few rare aether beasts that had attained high intelligence came down from the Floating Isles.  Lind was stunned at the speed of it all but then he recalled he could now cross the 3 continents in less than 3 breaths.

The judge of the battle was victory or defeat.  No third party would stop the fight.  Lind did not mind it at all and realized how far he had come from that naive boy in the Lotus Academy.  He was still the same man in many ways but the thought of fighting to the death, even if not intended, did not give him much pause.

He stood at one end of the arena, while the couple were practically dancing with joy on the other side.  Lind almost felt like he was about to watch an overexcited couple of teenagers go on their first date from the way those 2 were acting!

"Welcome all that could make it here and to those watching!  I am Crown Princess Eliza Darkmoor!  Long ago, my father and later my mother, both swore to fight Lind Frey once he caught up to them.  That day is today, and it is at the Sky Realm Tier 1!"  Eliza surprised Lind with how excited she sounded, but she did not hold up things.

"There is no need for lengthy introductions as the fight will speak for itself.  Good luck to my parents and good luck to Lind Frey!"  He was caught off guard but his vision saw Callisto unleash sword intent in a massive shape that distorted the very air!

Compared to the attack back in the glade, it was like a pebble and a mountain!  If that was all, however, Lind would easily dodge it, but Ryu was a blur as he flew forward as if gravity had no effect on him at all.

Ryu had honed his 3 elements to blend seamlessly into the spear in his hands.  Unlike all those years ago where he used fists, the demon now brought a weapon.  Lind smirked to notice it had lightning rods on it after a fashion.

Clearly Ryu had learned his lesson.

Lind, however, no longer needed science tricks to compensate for his lack of Arts and skill.

The audience began to roar when they noticed that Lind had not moved.  The attacks were screaming at him, but Lind simply stood there in his crimson robes with his arms behind his back as if nothing was of concern.

Some wondered if it was an illusion or other obfuscation of the senses but both Ryu and Callisto could tell it was Lind who looked at them calmly.  What was he thinking?

The 2 sword intent arcs slammed into Lind as Ryu arrived behind it to dive into the dust cloud.  There was the sound of metal striking metal but no further movement came.  Callisto's silver orbs narrowed as her instincts screamed at her to run!

As the dust cloud settled, a shocked silence filled the arena as Ryu's own eyes were bulging in shock.

His spear tip was a peak low grade 5 metal and inscribed by a supreme refiner of his Kingdom.  It had sliced through all his enemies, beasts, and obstacles as if they were paper for over 75 years.

Yet that same spear tip seemed to be gently held by a tan hand of a human who looked at him as if bored.  The robes were shredded but the torso beneath did not even have a scratch on it!

"If that is all the power you 2 have, this fight will not last very long."  Lind's dark green eyes were bottomless pools of power as Ryu and Callisto felt their spines shiver from his voice.  It was power, pure unrivaled power!

"We are just beginning, Lind Frey!"  Ryu smiled ear to ear as his aura flared and his wife followed suit.  Lind smirked at them before he let go of the spear tip.  As they watched, his body grew and emerald scales showed all over his body.

It was no longer a fight between demons and a human, but demons and a dragon man!