Chapter 165


    The battlefield atop the mountain seemed to freeze in time. It was a ce of wonder where


    everything moved sluggishly as though mired in a bog, even as it also seemed to happen in a sh


    of lightning, too fast to follow its trajectory.


    The duel that shook the soul felt like itsted an eternity and yet was over in an instant.


    Suddenly...


    Thwack!


    The iron de, swift as thunder, struck vin, piercing through his abdomen and exiting his lower


    back. The booming of its impact echoed across the mountaintop, carving deep ravines into the


    earth. vin shuddered as if struck by lightning, trembling violently and nearly copsing to his


    knees. His face turned deathly pale from pain or perhaps the limits of his endurance.


    Cedrick, transformed into a de of war, bore down with formidable presence, ready to cleave


    vin asunder, but was struck by a st from the Shadowbringer. The de was formless yet


    carried a terrifying concussive force. Cedrick’s body, as though hit by a mighty hammer mid-sprint,


    was abruptly halted and then violently thrown back, flying dozens of yards before crashing down on


    the other side of the peak.


    His sudden retreat caused the iron de and the surrounding de energy to dissipate, losing their


    edge before they could overwhelm vin, the remnants ttering to the ground.


    The crowd fell silent, and not even the sound of breath could be heard. Was it a draw, with both


    sides grievously wounded?


    "vin... Cedrick..."


    "Is this truly a contest of arms, or do they bear a grudge?"


    "Do they need to fight so fiercely?"


    "Do they not fear death? Their battling style is reckless."


    "It seems like they both aimed for mutual destruction, doesn''t it?"


    "What happened? Who saw clearly? Speak up, for heaven''s sake! You''re killing me with suspense!"


    Many Protégés of the prestigious Organizations took deep breaths, their expressions odd. They


    were unustomed to witnessing such battles; this was not a polite contest but a savage


    diatorial fight to the death! Yet amidst their shock, they couldn''t help but admire the two fighters


    for providing a match of unparalleled brilliance.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "This isn''t madness. This is their Energy," some admired.


    vin stood stubbornly, his body drenched in blood. It had been a battle fought with wild abandon,


    a release without reservations. He had no regrets, but if he could stand till the end, he would not


    give up. He was here not just to fight, but bound by a mission, a duty.


    Cedrick struggled to his feet, his expression one of extreme agony and confusion. Shadowbringer


    had left no physical wound but had gravely injured his spirit, embedding the murderous intent of the


    Shadowlord''s realm into his mind. Looking up at vin, his ck eyes somehow returned to


    normal.


    vin and Cedrick locked gazes.


    A silent standoff, aplex deadlock.


    In the end...


    "You''ve won!" Cedrick rasped, copsing heavily to the ground, his consciousness fading.


    vin exhaled, nearly copsing himself, but stubbornly remained upright.


    The silencested for a long while until someone began to p. The apuse grew, sweeping


    across the mountains and valleys.


    The sh of Eight Orders was more spectacr with each passing year. With the first match being


    so thrilling, what about the next four? All spectators were filled with anticipation.


    "The sh of Eight Orders sees the birth of its first of the top five, from Cobalt Strike... vin," the


    old Lord announced, making his way to the mountain''s summit. His voice was firm, but his eyes


    betrayed a mix ofplex emotions.


    The eight Commanders nodded slowly, all acknowledging vin''s ce among the top five.


    "Commander Kashann, such a Protégé deserves your care. If you truly do not wish to keep him,


    don''t waste his talent. The Bloodlore Covenant would wee him anytime."


    "The biggest surprise of this year''s championship is none other than vin."


    "How many more secrets does he carry? If Commander Kashann truly discards him, the Ster


    Precepts would be interested in taking him in."


    "Given vin''s nature, he might be better suited for the Earthbound Spirits."


    Each Commander seemed to covet the talented warrior.


    Commander Kashann stated coolly, "From this day forth, vin shall be known as a Cobalt Strike


    Golden Protégé. You need not concern yourselves with him any longer."


    The old lord reminded them, "Commanders, by tradition, we must bestow a title upon our first Top 5


    Protégé."


    "Shadowlord''s Messenger!" chuckled a member of the Bloodlore Covenant, finding it apt.


    The Floral Enchantress Commander cautioned, "Commander Jarad, do not take this lightly. The title


    will carry great significance, representing the Eight Orders'' esteem and their forecast for his future.


    The term Shadowlord carries too much lethality and might bring him undue negative influence."


    The Starlit Echoes Commander added, "vin is merelybative and eager to im his ce.


    This is not wrong, and he should not bear the title Shadowlord."