â`
âWhatâs going on, is Rhode holding back?â
At the stands, Hulus scratched his head, straightening his body.
Under a sea of puzzled eyes, the battle erupted once again.
The clashing of Lin Daâs Earth Dragon Longsword against Rhodeâs iron fists sent ear-splitting noises echoing through the cave.
The heretics at the bottom of the platform were dumbfounded.
They realized that they couldnât see clearly the movements of Lin Da and Rhode!
Among the cultists, there were indeed 10 Star Ranks, but the gap between Star Ranks was huge.
They were generally around level 32, with uneven equipment, mostly a mix of purple and orange.
Compared with Lin Da, who started with orange equipment, they were at a completely different level.
So much so that they doubted whether they were even in the same league as Lin Da and Rhode.
âOnce His Majesty the Demon King descends, he will surely award us Legendary Equipment!â
âThatâs right, the lead of these two is only temporary. His Majesty the Demon King will grant us everything!â
âRhode, quickly kill that arrogant brat!â
The followers of Dragonâs Rest Tomb, their eyes red with envy.
Most of them guessed that Lin Da must have Epic on him.
And not just one piece.
Merely relying on professional attributes, he couldnât have been so far ahead of them.
âDouble Slash!â
Lin Da charged suddenly, attacking the panting, sweaty Rhode.
This move was taught to him by Lia during their seclusion in the Great Mystery Continent.
Linâs Earth Dragon Longsword struck down and up in a swift motion, delivering maximum output in a short time.
Rhode crossed his arms to block, and with a loud bang, was sent retreating by Lin Da once more.
His boots scraped the ground, emitting a grating, tooth-aching sound.
He slid back five meters, leaving a rough black line, the soles of his boots worn flat.
âSssâ¦â
Shaking his numb arms, Rhode let out a slow exhaling sound between clenched teeth.
If he didnât use his trump card, he was going to die at Lin Daâs hands. Rhode recognized this cruel reality.
Just a month ago, he could have easily played Lin Da like putty, but now, he was fighting strenuously, and a slight carelessness would lead to Lin Da slashing off his head.
If only he had known, he would have forcibly made a move during Kamâs battle with Lin Daâ¦
No, in the end, he should not have tried to suppress Phoenix Tail Flower just to preserve his Iron Level status.
But now, there was no way back.
Rhode sighed helplessly, let out a big laugh, and spread his arms, hands reaching forward as if a hungry wolf lunging for its prey.
Lin Daâs eyes sharpened, and he snapped his fingers, with verdant light emerging around him.
Feeling the scent of danger, he wrapped himself with the Verdant Shield.
He concentrated, staring intently at the front.
Rhode was breathing heavily, like a large magic machinery operating at full power.
From the nostrils and ears of this muscular man, white smoke billowed, turning the platform into a âfoggy dayâ instantly.
The fog surged, forming a lifelike white Iron Lion.
The Iron Lion was three meters long, with the skin around its nose wrinkled.
Its huge eyes glared furiously at Lin Da.
Its front paws scraped the ground, producing a deep and hefty growl from its throat.
Making oneâs back go cold and throwing the mind into slight disarray.
âTo make Rhode resort to this move, heâs got some skills!â
âBut it ends here! Yesterday, a level 33 Deer-headed person challenged Rhode, and was knocked unconscious by this move. His antlers shattered all over the place, and heâs still in bed recovering.â
âWhat a pity for âShattered Rockâ Rhode, if he had accepted the injection of Magic Potion, he could have at least been a âYoung Dragonâ level officerâ¦â
The followers of Dragonâs Rest Tomb, pointing and commenting on the two onstage, acted like battlefield analysts, explaining the situation to the younger members around level 20.
Upon hearing this, the crowd realized that Lin Daâs time was up.
âLin Da, take my strongest move, this is all âShattered Rockâ Rhode has got!â
Rhode roared, stomping his right foot heavily on the ground.
His hands, like a fierce beast striking, merged with the white Iron Lion formed of his Battle Qi, and charged towards Lin Da!@@novelbin@@
âIron Lion!â
It was this Ultimate Skill that had brought Rhode into the ranks of the veteran Star-ranked adventurers, and even Hulus was wary of him.
The white Iron Lion pounced on Lin Da, the fire torchâs light obscured, and suddenly darkness engulfed the surroundings.
Lin Da stood his ground, using his sword as a shield, his eyes fiercely fixed on what lay ahead.
âââLin Da, Iâll teach you a useful trick for fighting. Remember, the more nervous you are, the less you can afford to be nervous!â
Liaâs proud voice, strangely surfacing in his ears.
Boom!
The Iron Lion collided head-on with Lin Da.
An intense explosion of Battle Qi ensued, and in an instant, a three-meter wide crater appeared on the platform!
âAwesome! That arrogant kid is dead!â
â`
â`
The hereticsâ raucous celebration erupted.
Rhode wiped the sweat from his forehead, smiled, and relaxed, showing a âmission accomplishedâ ease.
But the next moment.
âIs this all? Is this all the Shattered Rock Rhode has to offer? Itâsâ¦simply unimpressive.â
A voice filled with disdain emanated from the bottom of the pit.
Before the stunned onlookers, Lin Da ascended step by step, emerging from the giant crater.
His black hair remained untouched by even a speck of dust, and his brown coat was wrinkle-free.
Lin Da rubbed his hands together, twisted his neck, and said:
âThat was quite relieving. My hands were a bit sore, but after that massage from the white kitty, they feel much better.
Rhode, Iâll be straightforward with you. Youâre no match for me.
Whether I kill you or not is purely up to my whim.
You might think this is just bragging, but itâs actually the truth.
Now, Iâll give you one last chance.
Submit to me, and letâs join forces against Hulus.
Although youâd still die, youâd at least have a chance to avenge your daughter.â
Lin Da spoke calmly and unhurriedly.
The heretics were somewhat dumbfounded.
They scrutinized Lin Da thoroughly, who appeared completely unharmed no matter how they looked.
Unscathed by Rhodeâs Ultimate Skill Iron Lion â could that be possible?
Even a Heavy Armored Warrior wouldnât walk away from that unharmed!
Hulus clicked his tongue, his eyes flickering with doubt.
Nevertheless, he continued to lounge comfortably in his chair.
At most, he simply put away the sun-dried beef-flavored sunflower seeds back into his pocket.
âHowâ¦are you still alive!â
On the stage, Rhodeâs expression changed, incredulously gazing towards Lin Da.
His eyes bulged like copper bells, as though searching for evidence of Lin Daâs false bravado.
Lin Da said, âYour Ultimate Skill does pack a decent punch.â
But with his own health points of 16,500 coupled with the Verdant Shield, he broke through the 20,000 mark.
A normal Mage, even a warrior, struck by Rhodeâs Iron Lion would either die or be crippled.
But to Lin Da, it was rather regrettable.
It was only enough to tickle him.
Lin Da mentally recited the spell, âOh healing sprites, become the soothing spring breeze⦠Intermediate Healing Spell!â
A green +6551 popped up above his forehead.
Lin Daâs Life Barrier was again fortified.
This certainly made Rhode sweat profusely.
His Ultimate Skill had no effect on Lin Da.
The healing spell looked very potent in terms of the recovery amount.
Even at a distance of over ten meters, it affected him, feeling a slight replenishment in his own Life Barrier.
Rhode internally struggled intensely.
He very much wanted to accept Lin Daâs proposal.
Butâ¦
Behind him was a gaze as chilling as the marrow in his bones.
âNo response, then.â
Lin Da sighed with regret, âThen letâs finish this, I need to take my team home, thereâs no time to waste with you!â
âGo, Venom Magic Sphere!â
The Earth Dragon Longsword pointed forward, and a purple miniature Array took shape.
The maxed-out Venom Magic Sphere could fire two spheres concurrently.
Rhode couldnât dodge it in time, and with a sizzling sound, the poison seeped along the Life Barrier, entering the core of Rhodeâs spiritual world.
In an instant, Rhodeâs face turned purple from the poison.
Two Venom Magic Spheres, sustaining damage for 16 seconds.
If allowed to hit completely, they were sure to weaken at least one-third of Rhodeâs Life Barrier!
Rhode, drawing on his wealth of combat experience, immediately sensed danger and took out a green Antidote Herb, putting it in his mouth.
âDie!â
Lin Da wasnât about to stand idly by; he closed in on Rhode, both hands gripping the Earth Dragon Longsword, and unleashed a broad horizontal slash towards Rhodeâs chest!
These attacks were not skills, but given Lin Daâs extraordinarily high attributes, each of his normal attacks possessed power comparable to skills!
Rhode, unable to chew the Antidote Herb, desperately leaned back to dodge in a panic.
But Lin Daâs offensive was relentless, like a sudden storm.
With the Venom Magic Sphere continuously effective, Rhodeâs vulnerabilities grew increasingly evident.
Lin Daâs eyes flashed, seizing the opportunity.
He delivered a knee strike to the wide-open lower abdomen of Rhode.
â`