Atlas’ attack came with fierce momentum as he swung his axes with enough force to shatter stone.
Miles focused intently and chose to advance rather than retreat. He deftly ducked under Atlas’ swinging axes, his hair barely missing their deadly arc.
As Atlas’ axes missed their mark, Miles sword was already in motion.
A sharp clang echoed through the air. While taking advantage of his momentum, Miles’ sword sliced fiercely across Atlas’ chest and abdomen as he skimmed past him.
The blow shredded Atlas’ attire and exposed the padded armor beneath, marked with a faint white streak.
“Hmm?” Miles frowned.
His sword strike had been cunningly angled, executed swiftly and accurately. He had anticipated it would incapacitate Atlas immediately. But to his surprise, Atlas’ padded armor absorbed the critical blow.
“Kid, I hate to admit you’ve got skills,” Atlas remarked. He looked down at his torn clothes with a serious expression.
He added, “If I hadn’t been prepared, you might have had me there. But you only get one sneak attack. From here on out, I’ll crush you with my full strength!”
He had initially underestimated Miles and didn’t take him seriously. However, after Miles’ cunning and precise strike, Atlas was now on high alert.
It became clear to him that Miles, a disciple of the Sword Union, was a formidable opponent. At that instant, Atlas knew he must go all out to ensure victory.
“Crush me? Ha! Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes!” Miles raised his sword slowly and looked at his opponent sharply.
Despite Atlas’ protective armor, Miles was confident his sword skills could triumph without a fatal strike. It just meant he’d have to put in a little more effort.
“Come on!” Atlas roared as he charged forward again.
His hefty double axes felt weightless as he swung them relentlessly and unleashed a barrage of ax shadows at Miles. Some shadows were solid strikes fueled by true energy, while others were mere afterimages.
Miles narrowed his eyes. He swiftly wielded his sword to create a flurry of blade shadows around him. Each stroke created powerful gusts of wind that tousled his hair and fluttered his robes.
Miles’ sword shadows matched Atlas’s ax shadows in intensity without faltering. After a brief clash, the two collided fiercely.
The sound of metal clashing reverberated loudly through the air. In a split second, sparks erupted as two figures plunged into a fierce and relentless battle.
Atlas’ attacks were heavy-handed and direct. His axes swung with overwhelming force that proved challenging to defend against.
In contrast, Miles relied on agility by executing precise, rapid strikes with evasive footwork.
They pushed their strengths to their limit to outmatch the other. It was a close and intense duel where neither seemed to gain the upper hand.
Despite their comparable cultivation levels, Miles held the edge in swordsmanship and combat skills.
However, Atlas fought cunningly. He relied on his protective gear to embrace a daring, full-throttle fighting approach.
Miles couldn’t risk trading blows, so he was forced to relinquish chances for a definitive strike.
This prolonged match tested martial artists’ abilities, stamina, and resolve. The winner could endure longer, as exhaustion meant an inevitable loss.
Two contestants fought fiercely inside the battle ring while the atmosphere outside was equally intense.
With heavy bets placed on Miles and Atlas, their victories and defeats carried immense weight for the gamblers. The outcome was pivotal for the gamblers’ hopes and investments.
The crowd passionately cheered on their favorites, shouting until their faces turned red and their voices grew hoarse.
“Go, Number 12!”
Alicia and Aurora, caught in the thrill of the moment, joined the exuberant cheers of the crowd. Initially hesitant, their voices quickly rose to match the enthusiastic roar surrounding them.
Fenley glanced at them and shook his head. He couldn’t understand why they were so emotionally invested in a mere fight.
Dustin, sitting nearby, was equally unfazed. He calmly sipped his tea while watching the match.
Their high level of cultivation and strong mindset made them remarkably resilient, which allowed them to remain composed even amidst chaos.
“Miles! Don’t hold back and give it your all!” Ruby’s voice rang out the loudest from the crowd.
As a disciple of the Sword Union, she felt personally invested in the fight. His victory or defeat would affect the reputation of the guild and her own as well. Naturally, she had to cheer him on with all her might.
“Mr. Shade, who do you think is going to win?” Crystal asked solemnly, her gaze unwavering.
With keen eyesight, she carefully observed every detail of Miles and Atlas ‘match. She knew this was a tough fight for Miles.
“It’s a tough call. Mr. Young has the upper hand in cultivation, but his strategy seems to be holding him back. Without the guts to go all-in, it won’t be easy for him to defeat his opponent, “Dalen remarked casually while fanning himself with a folding fan.
Crystal nodded without saying a word. She knew Dalen was right-Miles needed to be willing to gamble everything to overcome his opponent’s control. Otherwise, the current situation was decidedly unfavorable for him.
