Chapter 156: The Battle

“Give up; you have failed.” Ye Tian gently placed Mola onto a platform, then carefully set her down. He looked at the woman and removed the black cloth covering her face, wiping away the single drop of black blood at the corner of her mouth.

“Your Majesty, please retreat quickly. I will hold them off.” Though their elite knights were formidable, the ten thousand Forbidden Guards Ye Tian brought were no joke. Truly a team that walked daily with death and the Reaper. Facing these seemingly immortal monsters, they showed no fear. Grouped in teams of a dozen or so, they resisted the Paladins together. As for the soldiers Field had brought, they had long since been routed.

“I just remembered—the Paladins said they were immortal, right? No matter what injuries they suffer, they instantly recover?” Ye Tian glanced at the encircling group and said, “Well, that’s perfect. To be honest, I’m really afraid of killing!”

“Ah!” Two Paladins howled suddenly. Unbeknownst to them, Ye Tian had slipped into their ranks, holding two severed arms in his hands. “Ah!” The two Paladins who had lost their arms immediately collapsed to their knees.

“Form a formation!” someone shouted abruptly. Sixteen Paladins quickly arranged themselves into a strange pattern, then raised their swords skyward in unison. “Light’s Judgment!” they shouted together, and a gigantic greatsword came crashing down toward Ye Tian.

“Secret Vajra Method, Sword of Will, Spirit Palace’s Demon Punishment Slash!” Ye Tian roared, extending his hand as a sword flew into it. With a powerful slash, his sword energy struck the greatsword in the sky. *Pfft!* Ye Tian spat a mouthful of blood, and all sixteen Paladins simultaneously did the same.

“Impossible!” Gerald’s jaw nearly dropped. The combination attack used by the sixteen Paladins was so complex even he couldn’t fully predict it, yet Ye Tian had withstood it head-on—and even caused the Paladins to suffer backlash!

*Pfft!* Ye Tian spat blood again. The first move of the Secret Vajra Sword cultivated anger, and at this moment Ye Tian’s fury had reached its peak. That was why he didn’t faint this time, but the backlash was nevertheless severe.

Ye Tian reached into his pocket, pulled out a jade vial, and without looking, broke the stopper and swallowed all the pills inside at once. “Bring it on!” He casually tossed the vial aside, looked at the sword hilt in his right hand, shook his head, and discarded it as well.

Approaching one Paladin, Ye Tian kicked, causing a nearby longsword to leap into the air. He caught it and glanced at the surrounding Paladins. “Come on, why aren’t you attacking?”

“Kill!” Though frustrated, the Paladins were not afraid. The sixteen who had spat blood wiped the stains from their mouths and charged with renewed vigor. *Sss!* Ye Tian charged forward, thrusting his sword into one Paladin’s body.

A smile appeared on the Paladin’s face as he gripped the sword embedded in him. Suddenly, several swords imbued with radiant energy swung toward Ye Tian. Ye Tian leapt up, delivering a flying kick that sent the Paladin and the sword soaring away.

Several swords slashed at Ye Tian. Dodging left and right, he seized an opportunity and kicked one Paladin’s wrist. The man grunted and staggered back, his greatsword flying into the air. Ye Tian jumped, caught the airborne sword.

“Light Spear!” A one-meter-long spear of light shot toward Ye Tian. Unable to dodge midair, Ye Tian held his greatsword horizontally before his chest. *Clang!* The greatsword shattered, and Ye Tian was sent flying far away.

“Humph!” Gerald sneered, surprised that his killing strike had been blocked. This Ger was truly formidable—not only in mind but in martial skill. Killing him would require some serious effort.

“Give up!” Truman confronted Field, who was attempting to flee. “I have not lost yet,” Field said calmly.

“Your Majesty, retreat quickly. I will hold him off!” Carniel swung his greatsword at Truman. *Clang!* Another greatsword blocked the strike. “Parisius!” Carniel exclaimed in shock.

“Greatsword Master Carniel, a pleasure to meet you.” Both men jumped back a few meters.

“You’re still here!” Carniel asked.

“I’ve always been here,” Miki replied coolly. “You once were the most promising greatsword master and my idol. I want to spar with you—don’t hold back.”

Miki gripped his sword steadily and said to Carniel, “Truly the most gifted greatsword master in the imperial capital.”

Carniel straightened up. “After all these years, I didn’t expect my blood to still boil. Father, let this old man teach you a lesson.” His eyes gleamed with fanatic intensity. “Teach me!”

Having watched, Ye Tian noticed the Paladin who had just taken his sword out of his body nonchalantly pull the sword embedded in him free and toss it aside. His wounds vanished instantly. Nearby, two other howling Paladins reattached the arms Ye Tian had discarded, which immediately healed. The wounds of the other injured Paladins had also disappeared.

Ye Tian touched the short staff at his waist, pulled it out, flicked it casually, and a cross-shaped spear appeared in his hand. “Holy Spear Alamobi!” Gerald suddenly grew fearful. “Paladins, attack that man immediately!”

“Kill!” The Paladins increased their numbers to twenty-six, surrounding Ye Tian. The rest were still locked in fierce combat with the ten thousand Forbidden Guards. Though the Paladins had strong resilience, the Guards were no pushovers. Both sides fought fiercely.

“Light Shield!” The Paladins immediately activated their ultimate skill, a shield that resisted attacks far better than a mage’s shield without consuming their own fighting spirit.

“Kill!” The Paladins waved their hands, sending a storm of spirit energy blades toward Ye Tian.

*Clang clang clang clang!* Ye Tian swung his spear, shattering every attack. Glancing sideways at the cautious Paladins, he flicked a finger, beckoning them.

Angered, the Paladins—long revered by all—could not tolerate being mocked by a mere youth. They brandished their swords and charged together. “Kill!”

Ye Tian’s shoulder moved; his spear leapt up, tracing a graceful pattern. Softly, he said, “First move of the Falling Star Spear Technique: Sunset, Starrise!” The spear flicked upward, launching the foremost Paladin into midair, then struck him, sending him flying.

Yet the Paladin was unharmed and got up to charge again. “Second move of the Falling Star Spear Technique: Starlight, Sudden Appearance!” The spear trembled, and several Paladins nearby screamed as darkness engulfed their vision.

“Surround him and unleash spirit energy together!” Gerald grew anxious. Despite twenty-six Paladins attacking simultaneously, they couldn’t defeat Ye Tian, who had turned the tide. How could this not infuriate Gerald?

“Divine Judgment!” The Paladins formed a circle, raising swords to the sky. This was a high-stake, rarely used ultimate to annihilate Ye Tian.

“Hmph!” Ye Tian tossed his spear skyward and clenched both fists, gathering spirit energy. “Overlord Fist!” He slammed them into the ground.

*Boom! Boom boom! Boom boom boom!* The tremendous shock shattered the stone slabs beneath. The Paladins staggered, barely controlling their attack. *Boom!* An explosion erupted midair, and all twenty-six Paladins spat blood.

“No!” Gerald screamed. Though the Paladins wouldn’t die immediately, the injuries would take a long time to heal. Worst of all, twenty-six Paladins had lost most of their combat effectiveness, making the already tight battle even more difficult.

“Paladins, attack this Ger together!” Gerald roared fiercely. Seeing this, the others broke free from the Guards and charged at Ye Tian.

“Haha, come on!” Ye Tian caught the spear midair, flicked it, sending a Paladin flying, then charged at the others.

“Third move of the Falling Star Spear Technique: Star Veil Dense!” Ye Tian spun his spear, the hilt flashing lightning fast. Suddenly, it transformed into a veil of stars, scattering the charging Paladins with screams as they were knocked away.

“Fourth move of the Falling Star Spear Technique: Flying Star Crossing the Galaxy!” The spear shot out, embedding itself in a stone wall beside two unlucky Paladins.

“Ah!” They screamed, clutching the spear stuck in their abdomen, blood gushing freely. They lacked strength and could only scream helplessly, a pitiful sight.

“Kill!” Seeing their comrades suffering, the Paladins’ eyes turned red with fury. Casting aside fear, they swung their swords and attacked Ye Tian again.

“Mola, I’m sorry!” A tear slipped from Ye Tian’s eye. His gaze hardened and his hands crackled with energy.

“Ah!” The Paladins’ swords struck Ye Tian, but he seemed carried by a gust of wind, floating beyond their reach. He gently extended his hand, caught one Paladin’s arm, and slashed the crook of the arm with a hand blade.

“Ah!” Before the scream could escape, Ye Tian’s whip-like kick sent him flying. Then, springing forward, he punched another Paladin’s jaw. A crisp cracking sound followed as the unlucky Paladin was sent flying with a grunt.

“Autumn Wind Sweeps Falling Leaves!” Ye Tian danced, whipping up a whirlwind. Paladins around him screamed and flew away. Not relenting, Ye Tian grabbed another Paladin, kicked the greatsword from his hands, which whistled through the air and impaled another Paladin’s belly. The latter screamed and collapsed. Ye Tian flipped the captured Paladin over, throwing him to the ground.

*Pfft!* The Paladin spat blood. Ye Tian shook his head, eyeing the surrounding Paladins who dared not move. Slowly, painstakingly, he twisted the unlucky man’s arm into a tight spiral.

Silence fell immediately. The Paladins, once fearless, now felt a chill rising from their hearts. This man was a true demon, not human!

Crackling sounds echoed eerily amid the shouts of battle nearby. Here, only the twisting of the arm, the cursed man’s screams, and the steady breathing of the Paladins could be heard.

Finally, the man’s arm was twisted into dozens of thick spirals, blood soaking them both. The cursed man howled, but Ye Tian’s inflicted wounds healed more slowly than the man’s own regeneration, explaining the long duration.

*Bang!* Ye Tian kicked the man aside. Gerald’s face twisted in horror. This seemingly gentle man was terrifying—he had never seen such cruel torture, even surpassing himself. This man was no human!

“Kill him! Kill him at all costs!” Gerald suppressed his fear and shouted at the hesitant Paladins. Hearing their leader’s order, the terrified Paladins gritted their teeth and charged again.

“No joy, no sorrow, no fear, no action, no emptiness.” Ye Tian extended his hands; two greatswords flew into them. “Buddha’s mercy, slay gods and demons!” He assumed a strange stance. “Secret Vajra Method, Sword of Will, Spirit Palace Demon-Slaying Slash!”

In an instant, silence fell, as if time had stopped. *Clatter!* Gerald’s face twisted into a strange smile as a golden shield shattered before him.

“Impossible!” Gerald watched the vanished shield in horror.

*Pfft!* A Paladin spat blood, then more and more began to vomit blood uncontrollably, as if blood flowed without cost. One by one, the Paladins surrounding Ye Tian began to bleed and gradually collapsed.

“Still not enough.” *Pfft!* Ye Tian spat blood too, discarded the sword hilts, then knelt on the ground, struggling to retrieve another jade vial from his pocket. He checked its contents and swallowed more pills.

“I will kill you!” Gerald threw down his scroll, declaring this his worst day. Ye Tian’s appearance had ruined his plans; the Paladins suffered grave injuries needing long recovery. Gerald himself had lost his beloved staff and two treasured scrolls.

“Unforgivable!” Always the one to gain advantage and never suffer loss, the Dark Jester had finally fallen today. But if he killed Ye Tian, all would be over. Half the Paladins still had fighting strength, and if Ye Tian were eliminated, even Greatsword Master Miki would not be feared.

“I will kill you!” Gerald drew another staff. The Dark Jester always came prepared. “Holy Light Judgment!” he unleashed a powerful strike, then tore open a scroll, sending a barrel-thick lightning bolt toward Ye Tian.

*Bang!* The holy light and lightning were intercepted just before hitting Ye Tian by a water shield.

“Impossible!” Gerald turned to see dozens of water mages raising their staffs, blocking the earth-shaking strike.

*Pfft!* The mages spat blood. The Dark Jester’s power was no joke; even with dozens resisting together, they suffered heavily. Fortunately, sharing the damage made it bearable. They quickly cast protective spells both on themselves and partly on Ye Tian.

A blue aura surrounded Ye Tian, easing his condition. Gratefully, he glanced at the mages, then turned to face the remaining Paladins. The trembling stopped as they raised their swords and resumed their attack.

“Pah!” Ye Tian grinned fiercely, spitting blood. He stepped forward two paces, grabbed a struggling Paladin, then stomped on the one in front. Both spat blood simultaneously. “Hold on!” Ye Tian sneered and drew his spear.

*Pfft!* Two Paladins began bleeding heavily; though their wounds healed slowly, after losing so much blood, Ye Tian’s spear draw caused both to collapse.

“Poison Dragon Heart Drill!” Ye Tian’s spear pierced a charging Paladin’s shoulder, twisted, and sliced off half the shoulder. “Ah!” The man immediately lost combat capability and writhed on the ground. Ye Tian ignored him and attacked the next Paladin, his spear like a knife, slicing off another shoulder!

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