Kaidros and the old man stood within the forest, having distanced themselves far from the others’ battle so as not to cause any disturbance or interference. Their cultivations were the strongest among both teams, meaning the shockwaves from their clash would spread wide—too wide.
Unlike the others, they weren’t standing on the ground but floating above the forest, gazing intently at one another.
"I still wonder what gives you the confidence to go against the Ignis Clan," the old man asked. Kaidros, meanwhile, maintained his silence.
The old man merely smiled—and then:
The atmosphere shifted as an enormous wind surged. Both opponents had released their auras, creating this violent scene. Their clash alone stirred the very air.
Kaidros’s aura was sharp like a sword, while the old man’s was that of a raging fire. As the two energies collided, the world around them seemed to change.
Their battle was nothing like Finn’s or Lizzy’s—just their released auras could have overwhelmed both of them.
"Sun Lion Art: Rush of the Sun Lion"
A piercing roar echoed through the air as flames erupted from the old man. The fire took the form of a majestic sun lion, its aura spreading far and wide. A trace of intelligence could be seen in the lion’s fiery eyes.
From the cultivation level of the Origin Ancestor Realm, cultivators gain the ability to fly and begin forming a connection to the Origin Laws—comprehending the vastness, greatness, and supremacy of their respective Originats.
Having already reached this realm long ago, Kaidros had once gone even further before he transmuted into a dragon.
The sun lion charged at Kaidros, its aura scorching the sky and everything below. Kaidros, unaffected, stood firm—his draconic nature immune to such intimidation.
"Sword Art: Sword Vortex"
The attacks met—not dispersing on impact, but clashing again and again in a fierce, echoing storm. Both were imbued with the laws of their origin, refusing to vanish with a single blow.
The endless clashing finally culminated in a violent dispersion.
Kaidros stretched his hand forward. Sword Originat and law flowed from his body, forming a silver sword in his grasp. It was narrow, elegantly forged, and deadly—its aura sharpened to kill.
The old man smiled at the sight. Flames surged around his arm, runes in the shape of lions lighting up across his flesh.
Their eyes locked. And then—
They collided with ferocity. The shockwaves from their clash obliterated nearby trees and sent creatures fleeing. Only blurred flashes of their figures could be seen amid the chaos.
Even from a distance, the crowd could hear the thunder of their duel and feel the pressure in the air.
"Sword Art: Sword Cross Slash"
This was a technique from Kaidros’s former self, back when he was a sect master. Even after his transmutation, sword skills still remained within his grasp.
He raised the silver sword high, swinging it down in a diagonal arc. Another followed, forming an "X"—a cross slash—that hurtled toward the old man with unrelenting force.
As the old man saw this, he snorted. In an instant, a jet of golden flame erupted from him, burning everything in its range. The cross slash entered the fire’s domain, but to Kaidros’s surprise, nothing happened to it.
"Sun Fire Art: Sun Armor"
The intense flames surrounding the old man began to compress, molding into a form that encased his entire body, transforming into a formidable armor. In that moment, his aura surged, and flames blazed wildly around him.
The old man thrust his fist forward, charging towards the Sword Cross Slash and shattering it effortlessly.
"Sun Lion Art: Sun Lion Pounce"
The old man moved like a lion pouncing on its prey. His flaming armored fist rocketed toward Kaidros.
"Sword Art: Sword Step"
Kaidros, not hesitating, activated Sword Step. He moved as sharply as a blade, his own fist meeting the old man’s with an unexpected defensive strike. When their fists collided, no damage was dealt, but the ground beneath them cracked and caved in from the shockwave of their blows.
The clash didn’t end there. They continued to exchange punches, refusing to give the other a moment’s respite. With each blow, the surroundings suffered more and more damage.
Their battle raged on, transitioning from strikes to swift movements, from sword techniques to fierce hand-to-hand combat.
"Sword Art: Sword Vortex"
"Sun Lion Art: Roar of the Lion"
It was a mix of sword arts and raw, physical power. After a few moments of intense fighting, they finally separated, standing off, watching each other warily.
"Young man," the old man said, a sly smile curling on his lips, "you possess great strength and talent with the sword. Why not join the Ignis Clan? Don’t worry; your sins of going against us would be forgiven."
The old man tried to entice Kaidros, but Kaidros only laughed for the first time during the battle.
"You want to poach me?" Kaidros replied, his tone amused. "I’m sorry, I only serve my master."
The old man was taken aback. "Who’s your master?"
"That’s for you to find out," Kaidros said, raising his hands. The silver sword reappeared in his grip.
"Sword Art: Sword Sweep"
Sword Intent surged from Kaidros, swirling around him, sweeping across his surroundings. Even the wind seemed to fall silent before it, and the trees and stones around him were shredded to dust.
Kaidros controlled the attack, sending it straight for the old man. The sword intent consumed him, breaking through his armor and devouring it piece by piece.
"Sun Lion Art: Rush of the Lion"
Flames ignited within the sword intent, forming large, fiery lions that charged at Kaidros. But even though they appeared, they were torn apart by the relentless Sword Intent.
However, the old man’s goal had been achieved. The Sword Sweep was absorbed by the Sun Lions, not the old man himself.
"That’s enough play for now," the old man muttered, his killing intent spilling forth like a flood. "It’s time for a real battle."