Chapter 75: Divinity 2
After returning from the Ilgena World, Joshua noticed that the battle qi and power within his body had undergone a strange transformation.
Before this, the warrior's strength surpassing his peers lay in his exquisite technique and unwavering decisiveness. He could always strike the enemy's most painful and vulnerable point, and he could disregard his own injuries to deliver the most agonizing blows. The Azure Orb's ability made him immune to the Chaos Army's attrition tactics and wounds; as long as his will remained firm, he could fight on indefinitely.
But now, Joshua found that his body and battle qi were inflating like a balloon. If before, his battle qi was merely ten, often running out, now his reserves exceeded a hundred, seemingly inexhaustible no matter how much he expended.
Perhaps this was the power of the Ultimate Essence of Force—transcending the limits of talent and physique, allowing life energy to grow freely. Combined with the Azure Orb's infusion of life energy, the effect was greater than the sum of its parts. Joshua knew this was indeed possible, but this sudden surge in power also brought him some trouble.
The warrior could no longer go all out.
In the Mycroft World before the Great Magic Tide, Gold-rank was high-level combat power, Ultimate-rank was a strategic weapon, and Legendary-rank could suppress an entire nation or major power. As an Ultimate-rank, Joshua now stood on the shoulders of 99.9% of the people in this world. He found it hard to find an opponent to test the limits of his current strength.
But now, the problem was solved.
The dense clouds in the sky were instantly torn apart. A crimson meteor moved upstream from below, rising from the sea level to the high altitude. Joshua aimed at the Crystal Magic Dragon, and his lightning-fast fist crossed a distance of three kilometers, striking straight ahead. For the first time in a long while, he could freely unleash a heavy punch against an enemy.
This punch, which caused the air to thunder and roar, generating infinite shockwaves, was aimed directly at Mandagar's head. For most living beings, that was the most vital weak point.
But the Crystal Magic Dragon was unfazed. Seeing that the warrior had closed in and could no longer cast spells as before, it stopped defending and dodging. Instead, it raised its dragon claw and swiped at Joshua. This strike was as heavy as a falling meteor, tearing through the atmosphere with a storm-like airflow.
Ever since relying on the Famine Evil God to crystallize itself, Mandagar had never feared close combat. Its entire body was composed of living crystals that could freely combine and separate. Its flesh was incredibly tough and immune to physical damage. Through magical enhancement, it could also add enough force to overturn a mountain with a single blow—a power it had never possessed during its dragon days.
It, too, needed to vent.
A small and a large figure overlapped, then produced a tremendous roar. Accompanied by the rumbling sound waves in the air, a violent explosion erupted above the blood sea.
Boom boom boom boom boom!!!!
Countless phantoms clashed, generating thunderous explosions in the atmosphere. Mandagar and Joshua, while striking each other, moved rapidly, dragging trails of crimson and black across the blood moon sky. Due to their incredible speed, only the occasional thunderous sound in midair could be heard, followed by bursts of energy and reverberating shockwaves.
Occasionally, the two would pause, facing off for a moment. At such times, one could clearly see that the Crystal Magic Dragon's body was covered in huge, bone-deep fist marks and slash wounds. Its brain and heart also had massive finger holes and indentations. Meanwhile, the warrior was drenched in blood, his chest and abdomen completely torn open, revealing throbbing internal organs.
But in that same instant, their wounds would heal within a breath, and they would resume fighting, filling the entire sky again with explosions, shockwaves, heat, and flashes.
The warrior's iron fists and the dragon's wings, whenever swung with force, could generate a surging, tidal wave of sonic boom shockwaves. The vast blood sea began to tremble under the clash of two Ultimate-rank powerhouses. Hot wind mixed with dust and impact stirred waves in the viscous liquid. Amidst the fierce battle, visible ripples gradually turned this airspace into a turbulent chaos, with rows of waves over ten meters high rising and falling in all directions.
But in the end, Joshua emerged victorious in this intense close-quarters brawl.
"Hahaha!"
The black-haired warrior, having swiftly moved behind the dragon, laughed as he raised his arm to block a fierce tail swipe from Mandagar. The centipede-like crystal tail was now spinning violently, tearing through all tangible matter like a chainsword, but Joshua caught it as if nothing were wrong. Instead, it was the magic dragon's tail that shattered.
The warrior's movements were incredibly agile, and his body was minuscule compared to the dragon's, allowing him to maintain the initiative throughout the fight. The Crystal Magic Dragon could only defend passively. Now, seizing this opening from Mandagar, Joshua lunged forward and arrived beneath it.
Decisively reaching out, he grabbed the dragon's sturdy, powerful claw. Joshua roared and began to swing his arm.
The crystallized Mandagar, not counting its tail, stood sixty meters tall. Even after shrinking slightly from the earlier combined attacks, it was still over fifty meters. Its legs were like a wall to a human. Even if grabbed, it was impossible to gain leverage, like trying to lift a boulder with a needle tip. But at this moment, Joshua, with a furious roar, actually lifted the Crystal Magic Dragon's entire body and slammed it heavily into the blood sea below.
Boom!!!
A massive splash erupted. The blood sea's surface, which had been churning from the shockwaves, was now directly struck by the dragon's body. A huge pit formed on the water's surface, and the surrounding liquid surged into the air, forming a curtain of blood dozens of meters high.
But before Mandagar could react, Joshua had already followed, landing on the dragon's head. He raised his fist high, and with a punch that seemed to tear the sky apart, he smashed it down.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of heavy impacts echoed continuously. The blood sea's surface was like a drum being beaten, with waves rising and falling. The Crystal Magic Dragon's body was like a mountain being pounded, constantly sinking and rising. The surrounding seawater was forced away by the shockwaves, forming a vacuum zone.
"Damn it!"
Mandagar roared in anger. It had never been so humiliated. As a proud dragon, being lifted and smashed like a toy was an unbearable insult. It struggled violently, its crystal body emitting a dazzling light, and a powerful energy fluctuation burst forth.
Joshua was forced back. He leaped into the air, avoiding the dragon's counterattack. Mandagar seized the opportunity to stand up, shaking off the blood on its body. Its eyes were filled with rage and killing intent.
"You're dead!"
The Crystal Magic Dragon roared, its voice like thunder. It opened its mouth and spat out a stream of black dragon breath, carrying a strong aura of death and decay. This breath was like a pillar of darkness, shooting straight toward Joshua.
The warrior did not dodge. He crossed his arms in front of him, and a layer of silver-white battle qi shield formed on his body. The black dragon breath struck the shield, producing a harsh sizzling sound. The shield trembled violently but held firm.
"Hmph!"
Joshua snorted coldly. He pushed off with his feet, his body shooting forward like a cannonball. He dodged the dragon's breath and appeared in front of Mandagar again. His fists, like raindrops, hammered down on the dragon's body.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of impacts was like thunder. The Crystal Magic Dragon's body was covered in cracks from the continuous blows. Crystal fragments flew everywhere. Mandagar roared in pain, swinging its claws and tail wildly, trying to drive the warrior away.
But Joshua was like a ghost, always dodging the dragon's attacks and counterattacking at the same time. His speed and strength were astonishing. Every punch could leave a deep mark on the dragon's body.
"Impossible!"
Mandagar was shocked. It couldn't believe that the warrior, who was only at the Ultimate-rank, could have such power. It was already at the peak of the Ultimate-rank, and after crystallizing, its defense had reached an incredible level. Even a Legendary-rank expert might not be able to break its defense so easily.
But now, it was being beaten by a human.
"Damn it!"
Mandagar roared, its eyes flashing with a fierce light. It decided to use its trump card. Its body suddenly emitted a dazzling light, and a powerful energy fluctuation spread out. The surrounding air began to distort, and the blood sea's surface started to boil.
Joshua sensed the danger and immediately retreated. He watched warily as the Crystal Magic Dragon's body began to change. Its crystal scales started to grow, and its body expanded. In the blink of an eye, it had grown to over a hundred meters tall.
"Roar!"
Mandagar let out a deafening roar. Its body was now covered in thick crystal armor, and its claws and teeth became sharper. Its eyes emitted a red light, full of madness and violence.
"Now, let's see how you deal with this!"
The Crystal Magic Dragon roared, its voice like thunder. It swung its claw, and a huge crystal blade shot out, tearing through the air and heading straight for Joshua.
The warrior did not dodge. He clenched his fist, and a silver-white light gathered on it. He punched out, and a huge fist shadow met the crystal blade.
Boom!
A violent explosion occurred. The crystal blade shattered, and Joshua's fist shadow also dissipated. The shockwave spread, causing the blood sea to surge.
"Hmph!"
Joshua snorted coldly. He leaped up again, his body flashing as he appeared above Mandagar's head. He raised his fist and smashed down.
Boom!
This punch was like a meteor falling, carrying immense power. Mandagar's head was hit hard, and its body shook violently. Cracks appeared on its crystal armor.
"Ah!"
Mandagar roared in pain. It swung its head, trying to shake Joshua off. But the warrior held on tightly, continuing to rain down punches.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of impacts echoed continuously. The Crystal Magic Dragon's body was covered in cracks, and crystal fragments flew everywhere. Mandagar's roar became weaker and weaker, and its body began to shrink.
Finally, with a loud bang, Mandagar's body exploded, turning into countless crystal fragments that scattered in all directions.
Joshua landed on the blood sea's surface, panting slightly. This battle had consumed a lot of his energy, but he had finally won.
"Not bad."
He looked at the scattered crystal fragments and smiled slightly. This battle had allowed him to fully unleash his power and test his limits.
But just then, a strange energy fluctuation came from the sky. Joshua looked up and saw a huge black hole appearing in the sky. From within, a powerful aura emanated.
"What is that?"
Joshua frowned, feeling a sense of danger. He prepared to fight again.
But at that moment, a voice came from the black hole.
"Joshua, well done."
The voice was familiar. Joshua looked closely and saw a figure emerging from the black hole. It was an old man in a white robe, holding a staff.
"Teacher?"
Joshua was surprised. The old man was his teacher, the legendary mage, Nostradamus.
"Yes, it's me."
Nostradamus smiled, landing beside Joshua. He looked at the scattered crystal fragments and nodded with satisfaction.
"You've grown a lot. This battle has helped you break through your limits."
"Teacher, what is this place? And what was that monster?"
Joshua asked, confused.
"This is the Ilgena World, a world invaded by the Chaos Evil Gods. That monster was a Chaos Demon, a powerful enemy."
Nostradamus explained, his expression turning serious.
"But now, the crisis is over. You've done well, Joshua."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Joshua bowed respectfully.
"Let's go. There are still many things to do."
Nostradamus said, waving his hand. A portal appeared beside them.
Joshua nodded and followed his teacher into the portal.
As they left, the blood sea gradually calmed, and the sky returned to normal. But the traces of the battle remained, a testament to the fierce fight that had taken place.