Chapter 183: 183 Black Energy

Chapter 183: 183. Dark Energy

"Thud!"

Orson landed firmly on the ground; though this last clash had wrought no real harm, the outcome made it clear that he was the one who had fallen into a disadvantage.

Beholding the unruffled Rulance, a heavy shadow stole across Orson's countenance.

"I truly must not underestimate Rulance; after all, he achieved the Meteor rank more than thirty years ago, while I have only just broken through."

In terms of raw, foundational mastery, Rulance possessed a depth that exceeded Orson's by countless measures.

"Yet, victory is not entirely beyond my grasp."

Orson narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Rulance with deliberate care. "He is suppressing an internal injury even as he contends with me, so he undoubtedly wishes to conclude this duel swiftly. If I maintain an unceasing, suffocating onslaught to force his heavy reliance on battle qi, rendering him unable to keep his inner turmoil at bay, the triumph shall be mine with ease."

"Swish!"

Orson broke into a dash, raising his left hand in mid-stride to strike out in rapid succession, his battle qi condensing into immense, undulating palms of water that surged toward Rulance from every direction.

"Using the Water Wave Palm to confound your foe before seizing the chance to strike—has your manner of combat remained entirely unchanged after all these years?"

Rulance thrust his longsword into the earth as a wreath of brilliant flame enveloped his form, spinning into a crimson vortex of fire that repelled every single one of the encroaching water palms.

"Sizzle~"

Where water met fire, a dense mist instantly billowed and bloomed.

Yet, with a sudden, violent expansion of the fiery tempest, the shroud of water vapor was blown completely to the winds.

"Whoosh!"

Seizing the fleeting window, Rulance launched into an offensive, anticipating his opponent's movements to bring himself before the man with breathtaking speed.

"This trick is useless against me; try another."

His longsword swept out in a wide arc, unleashing a surging torrent of lightning.

Orson's expression shifted drastically; his feet tapped the earth, utilizing the recoil of his battle qi to swiftly escape the reach of the lightning.

"I did not expect your speed to remain so formidable."

Orson surged back into the fray, opting for close-quarters combat. "But I am well aware of your condition; you wish to end this battle quickly. Though I cannot defeat you, as a fellow Meteor rank, it is equally impossible for you to bring me down in short order."

"Oh? Is that so?"

The corner of Rulance's mouth curled slightly as the longsword in his hand came down with a savage plunge, moving so swiftly that the very air shrieked in protest.

"Clang!"

Beneath the force of the violent impact, Orson was sent flying backward, his face altering dramatically. "Your strength... how can it be..."

"Do you remember what I once told you?"

Rulance pursued him relentlessly, the lightning upon his left palm twisting into a sharp, lethal blade that thrust directly toward his foe's chest. "Never underestimate any adversary, even if he bears wounds."

Ronin's heart leapt into his throat; was victory truly to be seized just like this?

Moreover, judging by Rulance's posture, it seemed he intended to slay Orson where he stood.

"I will never lose!"

Orson roared with fury, the battle qi within his sea of qi erupting wildly to condense into a thick shroud of ice armor about his person, encasing him entirely as though he were frozen fast within a heavy glacial sheet.

"Hmph!"

Rulance's hand, transformed into a blade of lightning, struck heavily against the ice armor; the lightning raced and crackled, carving deep fissures into the frozen carapace amidst a shower of sparks.

Stray arcs of electricity pierced straight through the ice armor, striking Orson's body.

A sudden numbness washed over Orson, bringing back the very sensation he detested above all else.

Yet, it was merely a mild paralysis; had he been truly cleaved by that lightning blade, he would undoubtedly have suffered a grievous wound.

"Boom!"

Orson's battle qi erupted, shattering the ice armor completely; propelled by the concussive force of his qi, the shards transformed into a barrage of crystalline projectiles that rained down upon Rulance, instantly turning the tide of offense and defense.

Rulance hastily summoned his battle qi armor to withstand the incoming assault.

Even so, he was thrown backward by the sheer force of the impact at close range; his blood churned, a sharp ache wracked his body, and his right hand spasmed so violently he could scarcely hold his sword.

"Pfft!"

Mid-air, Rulance spat a mouthful of fresh blood; though he managed to plant his feet upon landing, his steps staggered as if he were on the verge of collapse.

This spectacle immediately drew sharp gasps from the onlookers.

Those uninitiated in the truth could only wonder in bewilderment why the Marquis, who had held the upper hand only a moment ago, would suddenly fall into such a state.

"My Lord!"

"Lord Marquis!"

Ronin, alongside many others, sprang to their feet, preparing to rush forward.

Yet at that very instant, a figure materialized before the crowd, moving with a swiftness that left everyone utterly stunned.

Jesus's voice rang out from behind them, "Rulance has not offered his surrender. According to the rules, none of you may interfere with this contest."

Ronin fixed a grave, assessing gaze upon the man who blocked their path.

During midday, Broll had revealed that this man was named Ramsey—Jesus's son-in-law, knight, and vassal, and the sole Meteor rank within Moonlight Valley.

Setting aside the reactions on Ronin's side, all eyes remained fixed on the center of the battlefield.

Beholding Rulance in such a plight, Orson's pupils contracted sharply, and his features contorted with wild ecstasy.

"An opportunity!"

Ignoring the lingering numbness in his limbs, he raised his sword and charged forward.

"He has suffered a backlash; this battle is mine!"

After waiting for more than thirty years, he could finally best this man and wash away the shame of his ancient defeat.

But at that precise moment, Rulance abruptly snapped his head up and swept forward to meet the charge.

"Clutch!"

Rulance's left hand locked around the opponent's sword-wielding right wrist, pinning it fast, while the fingers of his right hand snapped together to form a blade-like palm.

"Crackle!"

A furious energy of lightning coalesced upon his hand, shaping itself into a blindingly radiant blade of thunder.

"You..."

Orson's eyes widened to their absolute limits, staring in utter disbelief at the weathered, aged countenance brought so close to his own.

"It was your carelessness!"

The lightning blade thrust upward with savage force, piercing clean through Orson's battle qi armor and his underlying vestments, burying itself deep within his flesh.

"Hah!"

Orson raised his left hand, striking furiously at Rulance's chest in a desperate bid to break free, but the agony blooming from his abdomen had already drained the greater part of his strength, even as a creeping numbness spread throughout his frame.

Rulance coughed up two successive mouthfuls of blood, yet his lips parted into a fierce, bared-teeth grin. "Let me show you something interesting."

Pfft~

The violet lightning suddenly twisted with an ink-black energy.

This energy was eerie, chilling—it surged through the lightning’s current into Orson’s body, racing instantly through every vein, every nerve.

“Ahh!”

Orson couldn’t suppress his agonized scream.

The lightning seemed to sear each of his cells, while the black energy began corroding his skin, his organs, even his bones.

“I—I yield!”

“I, Orson Hyde, yield!”

Zzzzt~

The lightning ceased. The ink-black energy vanished. Rulans released his grip, and Orson collapsed lifelessly at his feet.

“Cough—cough!”

Rulans spat two mouthfuls of blood, his spirit visibly drained.

But those watching from afar knew none of this—they only knew the Marquis had won.

A tidal roar of cheers and applause crashed over the arena; had the guards not held them back, the crowd would have surged forward, screaming, clamoring to surround the Marquis in ecstatic frenzy.

“Ramsey, Orson has surrendered. Please step aside,” Luo Ning stood and said.

Ramsey glanced at Hesus, who gave a slight nod—immediately, he stepped aside.

Luo Ning gave Macken a look; the man dashed onto the field, unrolling his spell scroll.

“No need.”

Rulans halted Macken’s motion. “This won’t affect me.”

Macken froze, puzzled.

At that moment, Luo Ning, Marwen, Toru, and others gathered around. Rulans waved them off. “I’m fine.”

He whistled. Thunderwind steed trotted over, exhaling hot, angry breaths as it passed the fallen Orson.

Rulans mounted swiftly. “I’ll return to rest. Viggins, Diany, Breton—see to Orson.”

“Yes!”

Diany, accompanied by Breton and the knights of Black Serpent City, surrounded Orson, who lay bleeding in the dirt, unconscious.

Laurent lifted Orson’s armor—the wounds were deep, but no vital organs were pierced.

“Not fatal. Need to stop the bleeding.”

James swiftly unrolled the pre-prepared healing scroll. As several scrolls activated, the gash on Orson’s abdomen slowly ceased its flow.

But for a Star-Class body, healing magic had limited effect—it could not restore instantly, only bandage, leaving recovery to time.

Hesus stood nearby, brow furrowed deeply. He hadn’t expected this outcome.

“Ramsey… what was that black energy just now?”

He whispered. “I don’t recall Rulans possessing Dark affinity.”

Ramsey shook his head. “Strange energy. It’s not as simple as it seems.”

He glanced at the unconscious Orson. Such wounds shouldn’t render him this deeply comatose…

“Perhaps only when he wakes will we understand that black energy.”

(End of Chapter)