Chapter 161


    The Stone Ridge was already teeming with people, as thousands of citizens gathered among the


    crags and hills.


    Noble houses from old lineages each imed their spots, whilemon folk huddled together, and


    many powerful mages also came to watch the battle.


    The Stone Ridge spread over a hundred miles, with a multitude of peaks and valleys in a barren


    land devoid of green trees and streams. Due to its unique environment, it was often chosen as the


    final battleground for The sh of Eight Orders.


    The air was filled with the mor of voices and a mix of opinions as many grew impatient for the


    event to start.


    Within the depths of the crowd, spies from the Five Great Houses were present, tasked with


    assessing the strength and potential of the top ten Protégés and meticulously recording the final five


    to ry the information back to their respective Houses posthaste.


    When people from the Eight Orders arrived, cheer upon cheer echoed through the mountains as


    thousands strained to catch a glimpse of them.


    The old lord took to the stage to introduce the top ten Protégés of The sh of Eight Orders without


    any superfluous words, simply dering, "First match, Novice Mage Protégé duel!"


    vin was the first to step forward towards the hundred-meter-tall Stone Peak. "Cobalt Strike,


    vin, calls for battle!"


    "He''s the first to get on to the stage again; thatd has got guts."


    "He''s reached Stage IX; he might have a chance at the top five."


    "He has to be this tournament''s brightest star, right?"


    "Jackar! Go! vin''s a newly ascended Stage IX Protégé; his state must be unstable."


    "Jevan, don''t bring disgrace upon the Bloodlore. Crush vin. As a prodigy of Bloodlore, are you


    afraid to face a servant of Cobalt Strike?"


    Various Protégés from the organizations discussed among themselves, someughing and urging


    Jackar and Jevan on. Neither was keen on facing vin, but the atmosphere was fervent, and with


    pride at stake, they both clenched their teeth and prepared to take the stage.


    "Wait!" Both Organizations’ Protégés held them back simultaneously.


    "What is it?"


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Look there."


    From the ranks of Cobalt Strike, Cedrick strode forward and ascended the Stone Peak. "Cobalt


    Strike, Cedrick, epts the challenge!"


    "Hmm?" The five Elders of Cobalt Strike were taken aback. Why had Cedrick gone up?


    The Protégés were visibly surprised. Were they fighting amongst themselves now? Could this be a


    tactic of Cobalt Strike to ensure one Protégé would make it to the top five?


    Unlikely, as neither vin nor Cedrick seemed the type, nor would Cobalt Strike make a decision


    that could draw such criticism.


    "I told you in the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls that I wanted to test your fists." Cedrick stood atop the


    peak, his gaze burning with the light of battle, tearing off his shirt to reveal muscles as solid as iron.


    He hadn''te to the championship for fame; he was here to challenge the strongest Protégé from


    each organization. And vin had ignited his long-dormant fighting spirit.


    "Is he serious?" Niks paused, having thought it was all in jest until now.


    Felis and others frowned, muttering almost in unison, "Madmen, both of them!"


    vin stared intently at Cedrick, his own fighting spirit ring. "As you wish!"


    "If we don''t die, let''s battle to the end! vin, don''t disappoint me." Cedrick roared to the heavens,


    his hair standing on end, his eyes zing like lightning.


    ng!! The iron de seemed to shatter the void, a mysterious realm enveloping the Stone Peak in


    an instant, causing the entire mountain to quiver slightly.


    "Such powerful de force!" people eximed, witnessing Cedrick''s true might.


    "The soul of the de, unleashed." Once again cold and stern, Cedrick''s voice echoed above the


    Stone Peak. His eyes turned pitch ck, void of whites, yet his body''s battle aura zed like real


    mes. He whispered eerily, "vin, stop me!"


    The in ck de now writhed with mist, like serpents slithering along its edge. vin''s eyes


    shed with cold light as the Dawnedge de sang into his hand, ready for battle.


    Cedrick’s iron de, almost sentient, circled the sky before diving at vin. de energy rippled


    violently, and the sky seemed to split with dark lightning, a web of deathly de light.


    The crowd gasped in awe. Full force from the start? Were they really going all out?


    vin''s eyes shot forth a cold glint as he raised his sword to strike back, unleashing eighteen


    beams of sword''s energy in a dazzling disy like a meteor shower against the heavens, brilliantly


    lighting the sky.


    Darkness and light shed above. The sound of metal on metal rang out as the iron de and the


    ancient sword collided, sending sparks flying everywhere.


    After an exchange, both were forced back. The iron de trembled in the air and dove again as


    vinnded and lunged forward to meet it.


    Battling Cedrick required no distractions, just a single focus—fight! vin charged ahead with no


    fear!


    The danger of such a fight was part of the thrill.


    vin unleashed his full strength without reservation, shouting, “Fall of Eternity! Infinite Swords!”


    The ancient sword burst forth with a blinding light that engulfed vin, obscuring him from view.


    Suddenly, a massive waterfall appeared to surge upward. It was a dance of sword light in the sky.