The two techniques met.
No—
*"Met"* was not the correct word.
The Heaven-Severing Line did not clash against the descending sword.
It simply...
Existed.
The dazzling blade of **Heavenly Severance** descended upon the silent vertical line.
For the briefest instant—
everything became still.
Then—
**Shrrk.**
The Heaven-Severing Line trembled.
A single crack appeared along its length.
Then another.
Then dozens.
The flawless tear began collapsing beneath the overwhelming sword intent.
Its edge distorted.
Its perfect stability rapidly unraveled.
For a single heartbeat—
it continued severing the descending sword.
Then—
it shattered.
The vertical line dissolved into countless fragments of fading spatial light.
The remaining sword intent continued downward.
Unstoppable.
---
Lizarius had already vanished.
A shadow several hundred meters away rippled.
His figure emerged soundlessly.
Shadow Exchange.
His golden eyes remained fixed upon the fading remnants of the Heaven-Severing Line.
*...It couldn't sever it.*
There wasn't the slightest disappointment.
Only analysis.
*Expected.*
*The original technique...*
*Was never mine.*
The image of the white tiger surfaced within his memory.
That impossible strike.
The one that had divided everything before it.
*It combined...*
*Its bloodline ability...*
*With its sword art.*
*The result became something greater than either could achieve alone.*
His gaze remained calm.
*I merely reconstructed the sword art after analyzing it.*
*Without possessing the corresponding bloodline...*
*It can never be perfectly reproduced.*
Another thought followed.
*Perhaps...*
*If I obtained that bloodline...*
*Or continued refining the art over time...*
*It could eventually reach the original.*
His eyes shifted toward Zuo Qia.
*...Her sword arts also possess certain similarities.*
*If I continue observing—*
His thoughts stopped.
Instinct roared.
Danger.
Without even turning—
lightning exploded around his body.
Wind compressed beneath him.
Gravity twisted violently.
Boom!
His massive body shifted sideways at an impossible angle.
Almost simultaneously—
a brilliant white blade pierced through the place where his head had been.
The sword missed by less than an inch.
Several pristine white scales drifted through the air.
Zuo Qia had already appeared beside him.
Her sword remained extended.
Her expression was as calm as ever.
Yet—
her eyes had become incomparably more serious.
Lizarius immediately retreated.
Lightning flashed.
Wind propelled him backward.
Gravity distorted the surrounding space.
Within a single breath—
the distance between them widened once more.
Zuo Qia slowly lowered her sword.
Her gaze never left the enormous white-scaled beast.
"...Wind."
"...Lightning."
"...Gravity."
A brief silence followed.
"...You're far more complicated..."
"...Than I initially believed."
The storm answered.
**Rumble—**
Dark clouds churned violently overhead.
Lightning crawled endlessly through their depths.
Lizarius' golden eyes narrowed.
A deep growl echoed across the mountain range.
"Grrrrrr..."
The lightning surrounding his body intensified.
It no longer remained simple arcs dancing across his scales.
Instead—
it spread into the storm itself.
The countless clouds began revolving.
Layer upon layer.
Round and round.
Until—
a colossal draconic silhouette gradually emerged within the heavens.
Its immense body was woven entirely from storm clouds and living lightning.
Its eyes burned like twin bolts of heavenly punishment.
The surrounding mountains trembled beneath its presence.
Yet—
Lizarius still wasn't finished.
Boom!
Golden light erupted from within him.
His Golden Core trembled violently.
An enormous phantom appeared behind him.
A gigantic golden image of Lizarius himself.
Majestic.
Ancient.
Towering over the entire mountain range.
Golden Core Manifestation.
Blue flames suddenly ignited across his scales.
They spread outward.
Engulfing both his body and the gigantic manifestation.
Lightning intertwined with the azure fire.
Above—
the storm dragon descended.
Its colossal body merged directly into the golden phantom.
Storm.
Lightning.
Golden radiance.
Azure flames.
The four powers fused together.
The gigantic manifestation twisted violently.
Its outline changed.
Its body lengthened.
Four enormous claws emerged.
Towering antler-like horns stretched toward the heavens.
A colossal dragon slowly opened its blazing eyes.
Its body was formed from storm clouds.
Its scales burned with azure flames.
Golden radiance flowed beneath every scale.
Every breath caused thunder to roll across the heavens.
---
Across from him—
Zuo Qia watched silently.
For the first time—
her aura rose without reservation.
"...So."
"...You've finally accepted..."
"...That this is a battle for life."
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword.
"...Good."
"...From this moment onward..."
"...I will regard you..."
"...As an opponent capable..."
"...Of taking my life."
Boom—
An incomparably sharp sword intent erupted from her body.
The heavens themselves seemed to split apart.
Behind her—
space trembled.
A colossal phantom slowly emerged.
It was neither a human...
Nor a beast.
Only—
a sword.
Ancient.
Pure white.
Its tip pointed toward the heavens.
Its mere appearance caused the surrounding spiritual qi to submit.
Soul Manifestation.
The enormous sword hummed once.
The mountains below answered with countless echoes.
Storm dragon.
Heavenly sword.
The two manifestations stood opposite one another.
The surrounding world fell silent.
The true battle...
Had only just begun.
---
The heavens grew deathly silent.
Only the distant rumble of thunder echoed between the mountains.
The colossal dragon of storm, azure flame, and golden radiance loomed above the battlefield.
Its enormous eyes overlooked everything below.
Lightning coiled around its body like living serpents.
Across from it—
the ancient white sword phantom stood motionless.
Its aura alone was enough to divide the clouds.
Zuo Qia remained outwardly composed.
Not the slightest change appeared upon her face.
Yet beneath that calm exterior—
her thoughts had already become solemn.
*...This pressure.*
Her gaze remained fixed upon the draconic manifestation.
*To think...*
*A Mid Golden Core demon beast possesses power of this level.*
She could clearly sense it.
The manifestation before her was incomplete.
It had only just been formed.
Its aura was still climbing.
Yet—
its destructive potential had already exceeded her expectations.
*A direct confrontation...*
*Would be unwise.*
Her thoughts rapidly analyzed the situation.
*Even if I destroy that manifestation...*
*If it strikes me first...*
*There is no doubt...*
*I will suffer severe injuries.*
Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
*A battle of attrition benefits neither side.*
*But allowing it to fully stabilize...*
*Would be a mistake.*
Her gaze shifted away from the dragon.
Toward Lizarius himself.
The enormous white-scaled beast remained beneath the storm.
Completely motionless.
Golden eyes watched her without emotion.
Immediately—
the answer became obvious.
*The beast.*
*The manifestation is sustained by him.*
*As long as he lives...*
*It continues to exist.*
*Then...*
*The answer is simple.*
*Kill the beast...*
*Before the manifestation can descend.*
Her resolve solidified.
There could be no hesitation.
No prolonged exchange.
The next move...
Would decide everything.
A terrifying sword intent erupted from her body.
Her Soul Manifestation resonated in response.
The surrounding heavens shuddered violently.
Every strand of spiritual qi within hundreds of li surged toward her.
The wind ceased.
The thunder quieted.
Even the storm seemed to pause.
Zuo Qia slowly raised her sword.
Its blade no longer radiated dazzling light.
Instead—
every trace of brilliance had been compressed into a single point at its tip.
The surrounding air cracked beneath the pressure alone.
Her voice remained calm.
"...One strike."
"...Will decide this battle."
Across the heavens—
Lizarius silently watched.
His golden eyes reflected neither fear nor excitement.
Only quiet calculation.
The heavens fell deathly silent.
Then—
the colossal dragon manifestation moved.
Its immense body descended through the storm.
Azure flames burned across every scale.
Golden radiance flowed beneath them.
Lightning roared around its enormous claws.
It fell directly toward Zuo Qia.
Its overwhelming presence alone caused the surrounding mountains to tremble.
Zuo Qia did not retreat.
Her gaze never left Lizarius.
The manifestation...
Is only a distraction.
Without the slightest hesitation—
she stepped forward.
Boom!
Her Soul Manifestation answered instantly.
The colossal white sword behind her released a clear, resonant hum.
Then—
it shot forward.
Its speed surpassed thought itself.
As a Soul Manifestation—
it ignored distance.
Ignored physical obstacles.
Nothing could obstruct its path.
Its target...
Was never the descending dragon.
It pierced directly toward Lizarius.
Kill the beast...
The manifestation will disappear.
Everything ends.
Then—
her pupils suddenly contracted.
"...!"
She couldn't move.
Not even a finger.
Not even her eyelids.
An invisible force locked every part of her body in place.
There were no chains.
No visible restraints.
No formation beneath her feet.
She was simply...
Frozen.
Impossible!
Her mind shook violently.
What... is this...?
Before she could comprehend it—
another force struck.
Boom!
Something invisible crashed directly into her soul.
Her entire consciousness trembled.
Her Soul Palace rippled violently.
The protective barrier surrounding her soul erupted with brilliant light.
A sharp pain echoed through the depths of her mind.
A soul attack?!
Her thoughts became chaotic for the briefest instant.
It attacked... my soul?
And immobilized my body... at the same time?
When...?
How...?
She had sensed nothing.
No warning.
No fluctuation.
Everything had occurred within the same instant.
Her heartbeat skipped.
For the first time since the battle had begun—
a genuine sense of danger surfaced.
Why...?
What is it trying to—
Her thoughts halted.
Unable to move—
her eyes instinctively shifted toward the descending storm dragon.
The heavens remained silent.
The colossal dragon continued descending.
Its enormous claws crackled with lightning.
Azure flames engulfed its body.
Golden radiance surged beneath every scale.
Its pressure alone caused the surrounding mountains to fracture.
Zuo Qia remained frozen.
Every muscle refused to obey.
Even circulating spiritual qi had become difficult.
Her breathing had stopped.
Not because she wished it—
But because her body simply refused to respond.
...No.
It's coming...
At this rate...
I'll be struck directly.
If it lands while I'm immobilized...
Her eyes remained fixed upon the descending dragon.
It grew larger with every passing instant.
There was no possibility of avoiding it.
No opportunity to defend.
No chance to retreat.
For the first time in many years—
she found herself standing before death.
Then—
her thoughts suddenly stopped.
...No.
A realization surfaced.
Her body could not move.
But...
Her consciousness still could.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She immediately looked inward.
Her Soul Manifestation...
Had never stopped moving.
The gigantic white sword continued piercing through the heavens.
Its speed hadn't diminished in the slightest.
Its target remained unchanged.
Lizarius.
...I see.
Understanding dawned.
The immobilization...
Affected only her physical body.
Not her consciousness.
Not her Soul Manifestation.
Because the manifestation was controlled directly by her soul—
it continued advancing without interruption.
Then—
another realization followed.
The lingering pain within her Soul Palace...
The invisible strike she'd suffered moments earlier...
That soul attack...
It wasn't meant to kill me.
Her thoughts raced.
It was meant...
To disrupt my consciousness.
To interrupt my connection with the Soul Manifestation.
Even if only for a single instant...
Everything connected.
The immobilization.
The soul attack.
The descending dragon.
Each technique had been timed with terrifying precision.
Had the attack against her soul succeeded—
Even for the briefest moment—
Her Soul Manifestation would have weakened...
Or perhaps vanished altogether.
Leaving her completely defenseless beneath the descending dragon.
Her heart grew heavy.
...It planned all of this.
The realization sent a chill through her.
From the very beginning...
It never intended to fight me head-on.
This demon beast...
It came prepared.
Prepared...
To kill a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Not wound.
Not force back.
Kill.
There wasn't the slightest hesitation in its methods.
Every technique flowed naturally into the next.
Every move supported the one that followed.
Like carefully arranged pieces upon a chessboard—
planned long before the battle had even begun.
She had believed she was dictating the rhythm of the fight.
Now—
she realized...
She had merely been following the rhythm established by the beast.
What terrifying combat awareness...
Her gaze instinctively shifted toward Lizarius.
The enormous white-scaled beast remained perfectly still beneath the storm.
His golden eyes watched her without triumph.
Without excitement.
Without hatred.
Only cold...
Calculation.
As though...
Everything unfolding before him...
Was exactly as expected.
For the first time—
Zuo Qia truly understood.
She wasn't battling a demon beast driven by instinct.
She was battling an opponent...
Who had entered this battlefield already prepared...
To slay someone of her realm.