Chapter 14: The Path of No Return

Yeto frowned, her expression darkening instantly.

Fiera had been relentlessly pursuing Yeto, trying to mate with her in order to produce offspring with even more formidable bloodlines. One of the reasons Yeto participated in the blood battles was to avoid Fiera’s harassment. However, she never expected that he would still be relentless, even chasing into the war zone.

But why did he suddenly engage in a fight with Zhao Jiandu?

Zhao Jiandu, fighting with increasing ease, was pushing Fiera to the brink. Under the suppression of the Western Extreme Purple Qi, though Fiera displayed extraordinary speed, it was extremely difficult for him to escape the domain. Even if he could break out, the Green Sky, with its range exceeding a kilometer, was waiting in the rear, and turning his back to the enemy was an absolute taboo.

This was the true terror of Zhao Jiandu; once he engaged, there was no escape.

Fiera, fighting with immense frustration, let out a long, fierce roar, “Damn it! If it weren’t for this Iron Curtain, I would have killed you countless times by now!”

The light in Zhao Jiandu’s hand flickered, and another wound was left on Fiera by the Green Water Blade. He said coldly, “First, survive today. Though you are weak, you are still a pureblood, and I cannot allow you to leave this place alive.”

Fiera’s rage surged. His level was higher than Dusk, surpassing Zhao Jiandu by two whole levels. Yet, because of the Iron Curtain, he could not unleash his full combat power and was instead being pushed to the brink by Zhao Jiandu.

However, he still possessed the robust body and defense of a Count, along with unparalleled agility and speed. He had always avoided the full force of the Green Sky and the Green Water Blade, leaving only minor injuries, none of which were severe.

But Zhao Jiandu was not in a hurry. His Eight Directions Sealing was used with such mastery that he repeatedly obstructed Fiera at critical moments, adding wounds to his body. Many small and light injuries would gradually accumulate into a serious one. Zhao Jiandu clearly intended to wear Fiera down, like ants gnawing at an elephant, until he was dead.

While Zhao Jiandu had previously left the impression of overwhelming dominance with his single spear, this battle showcased his unparalleled, exquisite combat skills.

Fiera, growing more and more frightened as the battle continued, felt his body becoming increasingly heavy, despite his recovery abilities. He shouted, “Zhao Jiandu, don’t push me too far! If you corner me, I’ll summon the Heavenly Demon Will, and we can die together!”

Zhao Jiandu sneered, “Go ahead and try. Summoning the Heavenly Demon Will will only make your death faster.”

Seeing Zhao Jiandu’s attitude, Fiera hesitated. Throughout the blood battles, the Heavenly Demon Will, and even its avatar, were no longer completely invincible. After many powerful figures had paid with their lives, the geniuses of both camps, who dared to enter the Iron Curtain, all had some means to deceive or even resist the Heavenly Demon Will.

Some were even confident they could survive under the watchful eye of the Heavenly Demon Will, depending on the price they were willing to pay. William and Dusk were prime examples.

However, although Fiera had some methods to resist the Heavenly Demon Will, his injuries were already quite severe. If he were targeted, Zhao Jiandu might forcibly kill him.

And then what? Zhao Jiandu, the top young talent of the Empire, daring to venture alone into the dark realm under the Iron Curtain, surely had ways to survive under the Heavenly Demon Will. Otherwise, how could he frequently launch raids over a thousand kilometers?

In an instant, these thoughts flashed through Fiera’s mind, and he lost the courage to boost his combat power and summon the Heavenly Demon Will.

Yeto, watching from afar, saw everything and couldn’t help but curse, “Fool!”

A Viscount cautiously asked, “Your Highness, should we…?” He didn’t finish his sentence. Theoretically, given Fiera and Yeto’s current relationship, it was unacceptable to abandon him. Besides, the Monro clan’s situation did not allow them to offend the Spurck clan in such a matter.

Yet, the opponent was the renowned Zhao Jiandu, and whether it was worth taking the risk was a different question.

Yeto’s furrowed brows did not relax, and she suddenly asked, “Where are Fiera’s retainers?” Given Fiera’s status and personality, it was impossible for him to come alone to this area bordering the Zhao faction. And judging from the current battle situation, it didn’t seem like Zhao Jiandu had already annihilated everyone. Could he have some hidden ace up his sleeve?

As Zhao Jiandu and Fiera were in the heat of battle, Zhao Jiandu would not miss the opportunity of his hesitation. Eight streams of purple qi suddenly rose into the air, pinning Fiera in place for a brief moment. In that instant, Zhao Jiandu held the Green Sky with one hand and fired a shot, a green glow striking Fiera squarely, creating a large hole in his back!

Fiera let out a pained cry, flying far away and crashing heavily to the ground. He was extremely panicked, trying to get up but found himself powerless, falling again. As a Count and a pureblood, after receiving a full attack from the Green Sky, he couldn’t even stand, showing how severe his injuries were.

Zhao Jiandu, once he decided to deliver the killing blow, did not give his opponent any chance to breathe. He raised the Green Sky, pointing it at Fiera, waiting for the next charge to deliver the fatal blow.

At this moment, a sense of danger struck Zhao Jiandu. He decisively abandoned the shot and quickly retreated.

A scorching red primal energy bullet, seemingly appearing from thin air, grazed Zhao Jiandu’s nose. Had he been just a fraction slower, he would have been hit in the head.

Zhao Jiandu turned his head to see Yeto slowly emerging a kilometer away. She held a massive black sniper rifle with dark gold patterns, rapidly approaching.

Yeto’s movements were deceptively swift, each step covering dozens of meters. Behind her, the Monro Viscounts desperately chased but were left further and further behind.

Yeto took a few steps, and the muzzle of her sniper rifle flashed with a crimson light, firing another silent shot.

Zhao Jiandu calmly sidestepped, easily dodging the shot. But his expression became grave, even more so than when he was fighting Fiera.

If not for Yeto’s shot, Zhao Jiandu would not have noticed her presence. Moreover, her sniper rifle was clearly no ordinary weapon, possessing great power while remaining silent. Such an enemy was extremely dangerous on the battlefield.

However, as Zhao Jiandu was stepping aside, a sudden surge of primal energy within him caused a burst of intense pain. His vision went dark, and all he could see were those blood-red eyes in the distance.

Pupil Technique!

In the face of life and death, Zhao Jiandu’s skills honed in the blood and fire shone through. He remained calm, his eyes igniting with purple heavenly fire, and his primal energy reached its peak. The surrounding purple qi transformed into faint green qi, instantly blocking Yeto’s gaze and suppressing the boiling primal energy within him.

At the same time, he raised the Green Water Blade with his left hand, blocking the path. A loud boom echoed as the water-colored light dimmed, and the red primal energy bullet struck the blade.

Zhao Jiandu staggered, retreating several steps, a thin line of blood trickling from his mouth. He stared at Yeto, his gaze as cold as ice, “Another pureblood, perfect! You stay too!”

Surprise flashed across Yeto’s face. She hadn’t expected her combination of Pupil Technique and sniping to be blocked by Zhao Jiandu. From the start of the battle with Fiera, Zhao Jiandu had shown no flaw. His combat techniques were almost flawless.

As soon as he spoke, Zhao Jiandu rushed towards Yeto, not forgetting to deliver a shot to Fiera.

Fiera, who had just recovered, was extremely alert. Though he saw Yeto sniping Zhao Jiandu, he did not relax. When he saw the primal energy bullet coming, he screamed and rolled to dodge, but was still thrown by the explosion and flung far away.

Zhao Jiandu suddenly accelerated, leaving a trail of green light, the Green Water Blade releasing a row of crescent-shaped blades, heading straight for Yeto. Yeto, however, did not evade. She threw the sniper rifle aside, drew her sword, and her eyes reflected Zhao Jiandu’s image!

Zhao Jiandu let out a muffled groan, green qi surging around him as he charged towards Yeto. Eight pillars of green qi descended from the sky, locking Yeto in the center. However, this time, though the Eight Directions Sealing had been enhanced, it did not secure the upper hand. Several vicious beasts formed from blood qi rampaged within the domain, constantly destroying the green pillars. But as soon as the pillars shattered, they reformed almost instantly.

The two fought fiercely for a brief moment before separating, standing in a standoff. By this time, the Monro Viscounts had yet to reach the battlefield, highlighting the speed of their exchange.

Zhao Jiandu slung the Green Sky over his back, and with a finger, he traced the edge of the Green Water Blade. Countless green lights converged on the blade, extending it, transforming it into a nearly two-meter-long green greatsword.

Once the sword took form, a chilling, malevolent aura solidified, as if it had already sacrificed tens of thousands of lives.

Holding the sword with both hands, Zhao Jiandu slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at Yeto with his pupils extinguished, black and deep like an abyss, devoid of any emotion.

He said coldly, “Though you are a pureblood, you are too dangerous. If I do not kill you today, many of my people may die at your hands in the future.”

Zhao Jiandu slowly lowered the sword, pointing it at Yeto, his primal energy rising, a pillar of green qi shooting towards the sky, piercing the heavens, even causing the Iron Curtain to slightly recede.

This sword, once unleashed, would be a devastating, earth-shattering blow, a certain kill.

Fiera, who had barely managed to sit up, saw Zhao Jiandu’s sword stance and his face turned even paler than when he was seriously injured. Only then did he realize that Zhao Jiandu had not used his full strength earlier, nearly killing him. Although the Iron Curtain was a factor, the disparity in their strengths was evident.

Yeto suddenly fell silent, her eyes fixed on Zhao Jiandu.

Zhao Jiandu could clearly see his reflection in the depths of her pupils, but he felt no unusual sensation. This was truly dangerous, even to the point where he could not feel the danger!

This only strengthened Zhao Jiandu’s resolve to kill Yeto, even at the cost of temporarily sparing the gravely injured Fiera.

Zhao Jiandu’s combat techniques were flawless, with no openings. However, Yeto’s Pupil Technique did not need any openings, or rather, it could create them in anyone. These eyes were too terrifying, more dangerous than any divine weapon. Even he had nearly fallen victim; what about others?

Thus, Zhao Jiandu used a secret technique, channeling all his strength into a single strike.

This move was called “No Return,” a strike that either kills or fails, with no middle ground.