Chapter 21: Transcendence (Part II)

Wang Ping’s assault was as fierce as a tempest, each strike of sword energy imbued with the raw power of heaven and earth, peerless and sharp. The energy carved dazzling trajectories through the air like meteors streaking across the night sky, far too brilliant to behold directly. Knox could sense the terrifying force contained within those strikes; it felt as though they might pierce its very soul and reduce it to nothingness.

Yet, as the King of the Demon Dragon Clan, Knox was not one to yield so easily. Despite the terror gripping its heart, its fighting spirit remained unbroken. Taking a deep breath, the dragon unleashed a torrent of breath even more violent than before. The flames surged forth like a volcanic eruption, transforming into a massive fire dragon that lunged toward Wang Ping. Wherever this inferno passed, the air seemed to ignite, crackling and popping in its wake.

Seeing this, Wang Ping’s eyes widened, a flicker of astonishment passing through their depths. He clearly sensed the horrifying heat and immense power contained within that fire dragon. He knew that if he were struck head-on, even with his formidable strength, he would likely be unable to withstand such a devastating blow.

However, faced with this harrowing display of power, Wang Ping did not retreat. On the contrary, the conviction within him grew ever firmer. He gripped his longsword so tightly that his arm trembled with the exertion. A majestic, unrivaled aura erupted from within him, shroud-like, as if a volcano were preparing to erupt, pushing his strength to its absolute zenith.

It happened in the blink of an eye. At this critical juncture, Wang Ping swung his gleaming blade without hesitation.

In an instant, a sword wave, sharper and more rapid than any before, shot forth like lightning piercing the darkness, racing directly toward the oncoming fire dragon.

With a thunderous boom that shook the heavens, the sword energy and the fire dragon collided in mid-air. A blinding light erupted, and a massive shockwave rippled outward from the point of impact.

For a moment, the entire city seemed shaken by this earth-shattering force. Countless towering trees were snapped by the violent shockwaves, their thick trunks strewn about in disarray. Dust kicked up from the ground, obscuring the sky and blinding those nearby.

The fierce battle raged on. Both Wang Ping and Knox exerted every ounce of their strength, desperate to land a decisive blow and crush their opponent.

Their attacks streaked across the sky like meteors, colliding again and again with staggering energy. Every impact was like a volcanic eruption, leaving the surrounding landscape in ruins. Yet, the two warriors remained oblivious to the destruction, their gazes locked solely upon one another.

This was no longer a simple contest of strength; it had escalated into a harrowing duel of willpower and conviction.

Wang Ping’s heart burned with unwavering resolve. He was sworn to protect the vast land beneath his feet and the common folk who lived upon it. Knox, equally unyielding, was determined to defend its supreme glory and exalted status. With their respective goals burning bright, they fought with reckless abandon, pushing their latent powers to the limit, fully committed to this life-or-death confrontation.

As time ticked away, the battle reached a fever pitch. Wang Ping’s sword danced like the wind, his technique growing increasingly lethal. Each swing tore through the air with the force of thunder, placing unprecedented pressure on Knox.

Faced with such a ferocious onslaught, Knox refused to back down. It opened its massive maw and spewed a torrent of roaring dragon fire, several times more violent than any previous attempt. It lunged at Wang Ping like a snarling fire dragon, seeking to consume the insignificant human entirely.

Wang Ping, however, was not intimidated. He took a deep breath, as if drawing the strength of the entire world into his body. He tightened his grip on the hilt, feeling the cold, firm touch of the steel—it had become his conviction and his resolve.

Fully focused, Wang Ping channeled every ounce of his essence and spirit into his blade. His eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, bore into Knox. He radiated an incomparable aura, waiting only for the perfect moment to deliver the fatal strike that would decide the outcome.

In an instant, the blade shimmered like electricity. A razor-sharp wave of energy shot forth like a wild horse unleashed, racing toward Knox with lightning speed. This earth-shaking strike was the culmination of everything Wang Ping possessed—a power so immense it seemed capable of shattering the world. The energy cut through the air with a shrill, piercing whistle, like the wailing of ghosts or the stampede of ten thousand horses, deafening to all who heard it.

Time seemed to freeze. Faced with such a terrifying blow, a look of undisguised panic flashed across Knox’s eyes. It beat its massive, powerful wings in a desperate attempt to dodge, but it was too late. Though the sword energy missed the dragon's head, it struck true against its broad, sturdy wings.

With a crisp crack, Knox let out a miserable howl that echoed through the clouds. The agony in its wings was overwhelming, nearly causing it to faint. Losing its balance, the dragon’s massive body plummeted toward the ground like a kite with a severed string.

With a deafening crash, dust and smoke billowed into the sky, shrouding the battlefield in silence. Everyone was stunned by the sheer power of the blow. Wang Ping stood still, his gaze fixed on the spot where Knox had fallen, his eyes shining with unwavering resolve. Within him, he felt a mix of shock and joy; he knew that this strike had not merely severed Knox's wings, but had also cut away the doubt, confusion, and grief that had haunted him for so long.

"Master, I... I have done it."

"I have avenged you, and I have become that one-in-a-million supreme Sovereign, the Human Emperor."

"The power of the Human Emperor is immense—so great that even as a novice, I can grasp the sun and moon and cut through the galaxy."

"The road ahead is long, but rest assured, I will overthrow the foreign races, achieve total unity, and ensure that the world is free from the fires of war, living in peace and prosperity..."

On the other side...

Knox looked wretched, its body trembling from the excruciating pain as it collapsed amidst the desolate ruins. Bright red blood gushed from the hideous wounds on its wings like a bursting dam, quickly staining the ground. The air was thick with a pungent, nauseating scent of blood.

Even at the end, Knox’s eyes burned with unyielding fury. It glared at Wang Ping, who approached with steady, deliberate steps. Under the moonlight, Wang Ping’s tall, upright figure appeared towering and unshakable. He held his razor-sharp sword in his right hand, the blade shimmering with a chilling, bone-piercing light—a grim reaper’s scythe signaling Knox’s impending doom.

Despite its severe injuries, Knox refused to succumb to fate. It struggled with all its might to stand, but the agonizing pain from its wings pierced its marrow like thousands of needles, rendering it unable to move. In desperation, Knox let out a deafening roar, spewing a final, weak burst of dragon fire. It lacked its former majesty, flickering like a candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

Facing this final, dying struggle, Wang Ping watched with a cold, expressionless gaze. "You have lost," he said in a tone that was nearly indifferent. The words struck Knox’s heart like a hammer, shattering its last shred of hope. Wang Ping swung his sword without hesitation; with a sharp "swish," a fierce blade of energy whistled forth, instantly shattering the weak flames into sparks that dissipated into the air.

"I cannot die! I absolutely cannot die!" Knox’s roar tore through the ink-black night.

It writhed violently, trying to break free from the terrifying pressure pinning it down. Every muscle in its body spasmed from the extreme tension, and one could see the scales bulging beneath its skin. The pain was deep and suffocating, yet it gritted its teeth, refusing to bow to fate.

Once, those broad, powerful wings had granted it the joy of soaring through the heavens, allowing it to look down upon the world with disdain. Now, they were an unbearable burden, heavy as lead, each twitch sending sharp, bone-deep pain through its body.

"Oh, supreme and noble King of Abilities, have mercy! Bestow upon me the power to conquer all!"

At that moment, Knox cried out with all its might, as if conveying every desire and prayer to that mysterious and powerful entity.

Suddenly, a miracle occurred. Knox’s body shuddered violently, and a surging, powerful energy erupted from within. It was an unstoppable force, like a torrential flood, sweeping through its entire being.

Incredibly, its hideous wounds began to heal at an astonishing speed. New flesh grew rapidly, covering the mangled surfaces in the blink of an eye. At the same time, the lifeless wings began to regain their strength amidst the fading pain.

Knox sprang to its feet with an agile leap. Its eyes were bloodshot, crimson as burning rubies, flashing with a mix of resolve and madness that chilled the soul.

"Kill!" With a deafening roar, Knox charged forward like an enraged lion, its massive arms swinging with unstoppable momentum, striking out like lightning.

Its roar, filled with anger and murderous intent, boomed across the battlefield like rolling thunder, causing everyone’s eardrums to tremble. It was now wrapped in a thick, dark-red light, looking like a demonic god risen from the depths of hell, exuding an aura of terror.

Within that mysterious dark-red glow, the massive wings on its back beat incessantly. Each stroke triggered violent energy fluctuations in the surrounding space, sweeping outward like a tidal wave, as if to tear everything in sight to shreds.

"A surge in power?" Wang Ping widened his eyes in astonishment, sensing the overwhelming wave of energy. Though he was confused about the source, he knew that if he failed to deliver a fatal blow now, he would surely be plunged into an inescapable abyss.

Wang Ping gripped his sword hilt, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, his veins bulging. He leaned back, his feet planted firmly as if rooted to the earth, his body coiled like a drawn bow, ready to strike with everything he had.

He realized that Knox had unleashed its final, desperate trump card. This life-or-death battle would undoubtedly be the most arduous of his life.

Without warning, Knox beat its massive wings, and a tempest erupted. A powerful energy, carrying the force of destruction, roared toward Wang Ping like a ferocious beast. Faced with this onslaught, Wang Ping flashed forward like an arrow released from a string, leaping into the air. At that moment, he radiated an incomparable aura, like a sovereign descending upon the world, looking down upon all below.

As he traced circles with his sword, the scenery around them began to change.