The golden man roared in surprise and agony as the unexpected attack disrupted his rhythm, yet his refined battle instincts quickly revealed themselves.
Despite the intense pain, Cato pressed forward, committing the entire strength of his formidable physique to that devastating downward strike. Unfortunately, this was a catastrophic mistake. In the very next instant, a wave of unimaginable agony surged through Cato’s body, infinitely more excruciating than the laser beams that had temporarily blinded him just moments earlier.
Without hesitation, Cato jumped backward to regain his composure. As his vision slowly returned, a horrifying realization struck him: his right arm dangled uselessly from his shoulder. A deep, precise cut beneath his armpit had severed critical nerves, rendering the limb all but useless. Even slight movement caused intense pain to radiate throughout his entire body.
Unlike the golden man’s desperate rage and shock, Vlad’s expression radiated triumph. His laser beam attack had been merely a strategic distraction, intended to briefly compromise his opponent’s sight.
That single moment of distraction had been enough to position himself perfectly beneath Cato’s guard. Vlad had been forced to consume two powerful waves of his Depravita Aura, significantly boosting his blade’s cutting power.
Exploiting previous wounds and leveraging the downward momentum of Cato’s own strike, Vlad’s precise upward slash pierced through the tough, golden flesh, severing nerves and causing catastrophic damage.
Yet Vlad’s attack had not ended there. Mere moments later, Cato trembled uncontrollably as the wound beneath his arm erupted violently. A sudden jet of golden blood surged forth, expanding the nerve damage to the point where even clenching his fingers was impossible.
Vlad’s satisfied smile widened as the influx of energy and life force surged through the Mark, further invigorating his murderous intent. Although powerful, Cato had placed too much faith in the durability of his golden body, a miscalculation that had proven to be nearly fatal.
However, before Vlad could fully capitalize on his wounded foe, the arrival of reinforcements shifted the dynamics of the battlefield. The teams led by Scipius and Cato had finally reached the scene, and they were not alone. Valeria’s remaining allies had also arrived, bringing their total to more than fifteen Sages.
For a moment, Vlad paused, assessing the rapidly changing scenario. Yet he maintained a calm, confident demeanor.
Just as the enemy reinforcements prepared to strike, the sky suddenly erupted with golden flames. In mere seconds, dozens of small, blazing golden crows rained down from above, detonating upon impact and scattering the enemy’s formations.
While these golden crows were not powerful enough to claim lives outright, their disruptive explosions significantly compromised the enemy’s organization and momentum.
Right on cue, Agamenon, Fafnir, and the rest of the team stormed into the battlefield, their eyes burning with fierce determination and bloodlust. Accompanying them were five additional members of the Imperial Prince’s team, charging into combat without hesitation.
The entire area descended instantly into chaos, becoming a massive battleground where two powerful factions violently clashed.
Despite facing numerical disadvantages, Agamenon and the Imperial Prince’s forces were far superior in terms of raw power and synergy. Their unparalleled coordination and formidable combat skills allowed them to gradually seize control, dictating the pace of the conflict.
What initially began as a mere expedition to uncover treasures from an ancient organization rapidly evolved into a ruthless, brutal fight for survival. In truth, this chaotic descent into violent confrontation was not uncommon in these types of explorations.
Amidst the chaos, Vlad relentlessly pressed his assault against Cato. Despite the severe injury to his dominant arm, Cato’s combat prowess remained incredibly dangerous. Vlad was forced to acknowledge the golden man’s exceptional battle skills, impressed by his unwavering resilience and strength. Victory was within reach but far from certain.
Nearby, Ouroboros and Scipius engaged in a devastating confrontation, their duel growing increasingly explosive and destructive. The massive white werewolf and his human adversary unleashed blows of colossal force, each strike generating violent shockwaves powerful enough to shatter the very ground beneath them.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Fafnir faced off against Valeria, relieving Sugar from the brutal confrontation.
The two-headed ogre, though formidable, had sustained too many injuries to continue fighting effectively. Thus, the mighty fire dragon Fafnir intervened, swiftly assuming his companion’s position.
Valeria’s fierce blue flames possessed extraordinary destructive potential, but Fafnir’s innate resistance to fire combined with his mastery over ice elements significantly neutralized her assaults, resulting in a balanced but fierce struggle.
In another sector, the small yellow cat maintained a watchful presence on Norman’s shoulder. The dwarf and the Depravita of Gluttony pursued five enemy Sages simultaneously, systematically reducing the overall threat level. Their fierce teamwork significantly alleviated pressure from their comrades fighting elsewhere.
Agamenon himself proved to be a terrifying force on the battlefield. He continuously summoned powerful golden fire incarnations, each possessing immense strength and terrifying speed. These fiery constructs changed targets swiftly and unpredictably, catching many enemies unprepared and off balance.
Yet, above all these fierce confrontations, the most cataclysmic and explosive battle unfolded in the sky overhead.
Imperial Prince Janus and the fearsome Decimus Zanis fought with astonishing ferocity. The intensity of their clash shook the very foundations of the battlefield beneath them.
A gleaming sword enveloped in radiant milky-white energy collided repeatedly against a dagger engulfed in writhing, fiery shadows. Each combatant demonstrated unmatched prowess and superb technique, a testament to their ceaseless discipline and hard-earned strength.
Janus’ refined technique and mastery were matched equally by Decimus’s shadowy powers, granting him incredible flexibility and unpredictable attacks. Both warriors suffered grievous wounds, yet neither conceded even an inch, locked in a brutal stalemate.
As the battles raged fiercely, the battlefield reached a boiling point. Suddenly, an ear-splitting noise erupted, reverberating across the mountain with overwhelming force.
The harsh sound of an alarm blared sharply, jolting every cultivator from their fierce combat. For a brief, surreal instant, the battle froze. Warriors from both factions hesitated, their attention drawn upward toward the mountain’s summit. High above, an immense figure loomed ominously, slowly descending from the mountain peak, cloaked in an aura of immense power.