Chapter 697: Who do you think will win this time?
Kyle wore a serious expression as he released the phoenix from his hands.
"It's because of Ceano. He triggered the strange artifact enveloped in dark energy in his hands the moment we arrived here."
Bia glanced at the destroyed planet, its shattered pieces drifting aimlessly in the dark expanse of space.
-"Wait, wouldn't such large-scale destruction also harm him? Why did he do it? And what about the planet's residents? Oh my gosh, they must have all died!"
Kyle extended his senses to locate Ceano. He was certain that the man would not be harmed by the explosion he had caused.
"The planet's inhabitants? I don't think we need to worry about them because, based on the dark energy I sensed, I am sure it belongs to the dark side."
He had randomly selected the coordinates for the portal he created for Ceano, aiming to ensure the location was as far away as possible from the elven planet. Who would have thought that they would end up on a planet linked to the dark side?
"Still, it's hard to fathom that even after knowing we had arrived on a planet aligned with his side, Ceano chose to destroy it."
Kyle muttered under his breath and swiftly turned around when he sensed a presence behind him, only to discover Ceano floating there, completely unscathed.
"What a pity. I was genuinely hoping you would be harmed in the explosion."
Ceano chuckled at his words, softly brushing off the dust from his clothes.
"The sentiment is mutual, you know?"
He cast a regretful glance at the planet, eighty percent of which had been reduced to mere fragments.
No, he didn't feel any sorrow for the lives lost in the explosion he caused; his only regret was that he had wasted a valuable artifact, while the target he intended to eliminate with it remained unharmed.
Ceano let out a sigh, and Kyle formed a portal just as the man suddenly attacked the area where he was with a beam of light. The portal shattered, and the beam of light obliterated everything in its path, but Kyle had already moved away with Bia before the beam could reach them.
Bia swiftly transformed into her phoenix form. Immediately, golden flames erupted around her, illuminating the surrounding space with a warm glow. Kyle glanced at her and communicated in her mind.
'Be careful. He is not weak.'
The phoenix's eyes narrowed at his words. She wanted to argue that she wasn't weak, but chose to hold off on that confrontation for later, considering currently they were up against a powerful enemy.
Ceano watched Bia's transformation, his golden eyes reflecting the mesmerizing yet destructive flames.
"What a sight. I've been meaning to ask... you both have unique flames, don't you?"
He shifted his gaze to Kyle.
"Your icy blue flames as well-they're far more powerful than ordinary."
Kyle simply sneered.
"So, are you jealous?"
Ceano's eyes gleamed as he examined Kyle's whole body to see if the human form held something unique within it. However, he clicked his tongue in disappointment when he sensed nothing special.
"No, not really. I'm just curious if there's a reason behind it. Regardless, who do you think will win this time?"
He waved his hand, and the dark space around him began to reshape into massive, sharp spear-like structures that pointed their tips toward the human and the phoenix flying opposite him.
Last time, the array created by Kyle had reduced his strength, but now, even though his current body was a fake he had created, he could utilize nearly all his strength.
'Let's see how long you can last now that there's no array to assist you.'
Ceano disappeared from his spot, and all the sharp structures hovering around him surged toward Kyle and Bia.
Kyle glanced at the many attacks hurtling toward him and Bia with astonishing speed. His eyes turned white, and immediately, everything around him slowed down.
"Of course, I will win."
He didn't stop the attacks; instead, he quickly turned around and blocked the kick aimed at him from behind.
Ceano's eyes widened slightly as he observed his movements slow down in sync with the environment. He scrunched up his nose in annoyance.
"I didn't believe it at first that you could manipulate the time around you, but now I suppose I have to accept it."
Both he and Kyle were propelled backward in mid-air due to the collision.
Ceano had just managed to stop himself when a wave of golden flames attempted to engulf his body. With a cold expression, he vanished from his position.
"You stopped me, but what about the attacks that are closing in?"
His voice resonated in the space. This was the second time Kyle had used the natural law of time against him. Therefore, it was futile for the human to affect him with the same tactic again, since he could simply nullify its effects as the stronger one.
Kyle crafted portals before himself and Bia. They swiftly entered the portals just as the time around them resumed its normal pace, and the barrage of attacks hurtling toward them reached their position.
The dark space erupted with another thunderous explosion as the numerous spears aimed at the duo converged at a single point. The sheer force of the impact unleashed shockwaves that rippled through the air, distorting the surroundings.
Kyle emerged from the portal in the distance. He glanced at the phoenix that appeared behind
him.
'Bia, you can sense me, right? You are slower than both me and Ceano. However, through the connection we share, try to pinpoint my location and attack Ceano whenever you get the
chance.'
The phoenix nodded, and before Ceano could launch another attack at them, Kyle attacked him first this time.
The silver spear materialized in his hand as he clashed with Ceano amidst the darkness surrounding them.
The air crackled with sparks, and Kyle was pushed backward from the impact.
However, thanks to his physique and strength, which had attained the supreme rank, he was not significantly affected, even though Ceano rank was higher than him.
"This bastard has gotten faster. I guess this battle is going to drag on for a long time..."
Kyle whispered as he charged at Ceano once more, who smirked and drew a curved blade shrouded in dark energy to face him.