novelraw Chapter 407 - 406 - Hope
Chapter 407 - 406 - Hope
Lind had studied the changes in his body since becoming a Sky Realm. While his need for food and water decreased immensely compared to the World Realm that still had to indulge every 3 to 4 weeks, the need for air did not change.
Less air was more than acceptable as the body was much more efficient, but if the air was removed forcibly, the cultivator still died. Worse, they did not even understand what was happening as they were looking for attacks or defending against formations.
By creating vacuums, the air in each cultivator was forcibly expelled. The blood vessels in the brain and body burst all at once and death is instantaneous. It was very vicious but he had few options without knowing what he was facing.
Of course, such a simple manipulation had a weakness, the air element itself. If a cultivator had the air element, they could not be so simply hurt by a vacuum. Rather than remove air from their body, the Sky Core would stimulate its Qi to protect the cultivator automatically.
Ren likely noticed his Sky Core was acting up and realized what Lind had done. It was too late to save anyone, however. This was a battle to the death and Lind had no mercy left in him.
He understood grief but the more he heard about what the Sword Breakers did to weaker powers that defied their search, the more angry he became. Were those killed by accident or intent not worthy of revenge also? Was it only Baihu who deserved revenge?!
"You will dies slowly for my men!" Ren suddenly blurred but Lind had no time to process it as his instinct pushed his body to duck. He moved at an impossible angle for a human as 2 daggers whistled where his head had just been.
The shock from Ren was short-lived as flames burst from Lind's mouth. The man's sleeves were incinerated but revealed a dark metal armor underneath. While it cracked, it protected Ren's arms long enough to fall back.
True shock was on his face as Lind quickly saw they were high grade 5 items. His breath had terrible power but its limits would be hit quickly in this battle. Still, Ren was now on guard.
"So, it is not simply affectation. You have acquired abilities of the lizards as well. It will not save you." Ren vanished but that time it was more like he faded away than moved too quickly.
Lind sneered but then his eyes narrowed. No scent! No scent at all!
He had become complacent in regards to his draconic traits. He did not rely on them but he did not think they could be fooled so easily! A cylinder appeared in his hand that he smashed down instantly.
There was no warning as night became blazing daylight! The formation dome was shattered instantly. It could not contain the pure light essence unleashed by whatever Lind had done.
Since he was prepared, his eyes were not blinded but Ren was not so fortunate. He had been about to stab Lind through the heart and dantian when the world went white! There was also a shrill sound that Lind could not totally avoid.
The concept of a flash bang grenade was not bad even in the form of an artifact but it stung mightily at point blank range!
Lind rolled to the side as Ren tried to complete his attack. Twice now, twice Lind had barely avoided death. A tier 2 surviving unscathed against a tier 6 was nigh unheard of! Still, it was only evasion.
Lind had been unable to so much as scratch the man! He also assumed more armor covered Ren's vitals so his claws may not be as useful as hoped. A tier 5 was doable as Lind had faced beasts that were much stronger than him in the Divine Inheritance.
He had a rough gauge of his absolute limit if he went full out, but Tier 6 was beyond him!
Even if Ren had no armor on, it was doubtful Lind could get an attack to land. Ren would be that much faster and stronger as well as be able to easily breach Lind's defenses.
None of his Forged items nor elixirs could help him. Even pushing his harmony and dragon soul would only buy time. Once he was exhausted, his death was assured.
Lind did not get desperate. Escape was still possible but it would require the most lucky of chances to obtain it. Once he got up to speed, no Sky Realm could keep up with his speed, but there was a short window of getting to that speed where Ren could slay him easily.
"You were wise to not try and fly away, I was ready for that." Ren was blinded but still looked right at Lind. The man was a damn fine warrior and showed it by keeping calm. Lind also believed his words.
He would have taken off if his own instincts had not screamed at him to stop. Something was waiting for him to fly, but what?
Ren only had the daggers out and nothing else. His outfit was better suited to the night and had no excess articles on it. It was clearly stealthy so what could he have done?
Uncertainty required testing so Lind shot an artifact into the air that immediately put out a Qi signature like a cultivator. Before a breath had passed a bolt smashed into it from a distance!
Ren sneered.
"Did you think I was so stupid to bring all my men here? I underestimated you, I will admit but you are a novice in the Sky Realm. A rear guard to attack any non-friendly flier is a basic tactic!" Lind knew Ren was buying time for his eyes but it was something he noted for later.
Lind then tried something different. He charged. Despite being blind, Ren could sense the attack and was confused.
Why would Lind Frey commit suicide? Ren assumed a defensive stance immediately but then felt the soil enclose his feet! A trap!
It was only a few moments to free himself but it was enough for the feeling of heat to skyrocket! That flame attack!
Ren panicked and quickly ripped his feet from the soil. The smell of blood was instantly in the air but his feet were just superficially injured. It was better than being fried!
Of all the things Lind could do, that flame attack was the most dangerous to Ren. If it could crack his armor it could absolutely injure him severely. The rest of his body would be powerful but the difference in Tiers would protect him.
Aether beasts were stronger than cultivators in the same tier or realm, but once the difference became large enough, the threat of claws and teeth at lower tiers dropped off immensely. Qi attacks were still threats because they could wreak havoc, but that was all.
"Nice try! You will use up your dantian and I will kill you!" Those flame attacks had to be immensely draining. To be that powerful there was no way they could be minor or well maintained.
Ren tried to find Lind again but realized there was only silence. He still could not see but the blurs of color had returned. He quickly swept the night but no glinting scales showed! No! Did he turn back to blend into the night?!
If Lind escaped, Ren would not be able to pursue with so many bodies to take care of. No trace could be left to trace back to the sect or Baihu would rip him apart publicly and slowly.
"LIND FREY! DO NOT BE A COWARD NOW!" Ren stayed calm and tried to get his vision to return faster when a chill went down his spine! He dove to the side as one of his own men's daggers tried to stab him in the head and heart!
The same tactic he had tried to use and Lind was floating!
The terrifying ability of 6 elementals reared its ugly head. In the short term, any weapon could be theirs to use but Lind had clearly Forged them to work for him. A minor alteration for a Heaven grade expert was nothing.
Only Ren's instinct had saved him!
The vicious snout of the dragon glared at him and actual fear went through Ren's heart. He did not understand! How could a scholar and sect master have the time to become so powerful! Why was there only a single record to reference?
The broadcast fight had let them see a lot but Ren was only then understanding that an open fight like that was not enough to reveal the secrets of Lind Frey. The man had far more depth than anyone knew.
Ren stopped treating him as a junior at that moment. Strong artifacts and lucky chances all warriors could grasp, but true battle technique and the cold blooded drive to go for the sure kill was not so easy.
Clearly, Lind had lived on the edge of life and death more than once. He had also learned from it.
"I apologize for my disrespect, Master Frey. You will still die, but it will now be an honor." Ren changed and Lind realized he was out of time.
Underestimating him was all he had, if Ren took the fight seriously, no openings would remain! His instincts screamed and he responded.
He had no choice but to shoot up. The bolt came flying, several of them did, but he was able to twist his body to dodge or catch them out of the air with his claws. Clearly, that shocked the shooters for a moment but then a larger barrage came and Lind was forced to duck!
Ren was waiting with his eyes open. He took a pill! No more chances!
Lind did not give up, he kept fighting to which he saw respect in the dark eyes looking at him.
"You will die well!" Ren roared as his daggers now glowed with air and darkness Qi. The physical daggers were not a great threat, but an Art combined with them while Lind had to fly down were death.
Emerald light flared as a massive dragon took shape around him! Most would be intimidated and Ren definitely flinched but he did not stop. His daggers passed right through the emerald Qi as it had no solid form!
Only the flames were truly physical but Lind could only roar in rage as fire came from his mouth! Ren's eyes went wide but he did not stop. They were both going to die!
A massive sword aura suddenly slammed into them both and sent them flying! The flames shot to the sky while the daggers' Qi was dispersed! Who had done that? Who was there?
Standing in a white battle dress with a broadsword in her hand that glowed with powerful sword intent stood a woman. She had terrifying amber eyes as her light brown hair mixed with white strands floated around her face.
"You promised! You promised to catch up! I will not let you break that promise, Big Brother!" Lind was covered in sweat as he was completely out of Qi. He only felt shock as the timid and cold woman that Fey had become was gone.
In her place was someone he recognized but that Ren did not. The man sneered as he quickly tried to kill the foolish woman, yet his shock was complete when his attack was easily deflected! It was like it was an afterthought to her!
"I am speaking to my Big Brother right now, wait your turn!" If her voice was harsh to Lind it was sub zero to Ren. Every instinct he possessed told him to run but he refused. A tier 4 brat could not stop him.
He resumed his attack and Fey simply moved as if in a dance. Her body was grace and lethal all at once.
Lind now understood. She truly was the Fierce Fairy.