Striker technique from Yerin, so the Dragon King had chosen his prize for Yan Shoumei carefully. He left her the Ancient Scale, a Divine Treasure that added further protection.
Together, that combination meant that she could wade through Striker techniques from a crowd of Underlords without a scratch, and as she advanced, it would show even more dramatic effects.
Her enemies would have to use Ruler techniques against her, or they would have to get in close.
Which was where Crusher came in.
Yerin’s copy didn’t hesitate as Yan Shoumei weathered its technique. It had already covered the gap between them, sword aura gathering around its blade as it prepared the Endless Sword.
Crusher leaped on the Shadow.
Yerin’s Shadow twisted and swung its blade with both hands, slamming against the monster’s plunging body. The air twisted with an explosive crack, wind blasting away from the blow, and Crusher was sent flying.
But the other Blood Shadow’s head exploded too. Crusher had managed to release a kick as he was knocked away, and it popped the Shadow’s skull like a grape.
Its body collapsed as blood madra sprayed all over the arena. The Shadow’s head began to writhe and re-form immediately, but Yan Shoumei stood over it.
A rain of bloody needles fell from her hand, shredding Yerin’s clone.
As she stood there and waited for Yerin’s Blood Shadow to lose its form completely, she casually turned to regard the blinding silver light gathering in one corner of the arena.
Yerin was gathering up madra and aura into her sword, growing in power and density as it threw off waves of silver-white energy. The technique was radiant to Shoumei’s eyes, and her spiritual sense cried a warning.
Shoumei didn’t move.
Crusher charged into Yerin like a bull. She released her technique into him from close range, a deadly sword of madra that lanced all the way across the arena, carving up the ground and shattering the red blades that filled the battleground. The point of the technique shattered a crater in the wall, revealing the humming purple wall of the barrier beyond.
Half of Crusher’s ribs had been carved out by the Forger technique, but he had accepted that hit.
His claws raked at Yerin.
Her sword chimed, and invisible sword aura deflected Crusher’s claws. Shoumei was surprised that Yerin was able to use another technique so quickly after such a massive blast, but mild surprise was all it was.
While his slash was deflected, Crusher punched Yerin with the other hand.
This time, Yerin went flying.
Crusher was on her in an instant, and while she struggled for another few seconds, Yan Shoumei returned her attention to the Blood Shadow at her feet.
The body no longer resembled Yerin, but rather a mass of wriggling madra. As Shoumei continued pouring needles from her hand, the Blood Shadow could finally hold on no longer. It flowed back in Yerin’s direction.
Until the arena rang with another blow from Crusher, and the Ninecloud Soul’s voice echoed through their cave: “Victory! Yan Shoumei, chosen of Reigan Shen, has defeated Yerin Arelius!”
Shoumei waited to be transported away.
She had won easily, but that was how she always won these days. If she was ever forced to really exert herself, that would mean Crusher had been defeated.
Most importantly, she had won without revealing the Archlord weapon in her soulspace. After she’d been forced to reveal Crusher to get into the Uncrowned, that weapon was now her one remaining hidden card.
In the finals, it would give Sophara a surprise.
Back in the waiting room, Yerin’s Blood Shadow shouted at her.
“That’s the power we could have, that’s the power we should have, if your spine didn’t shake when you looked at me!” The Shadow’s voice grew more hoarse and harsh by the word.
“Then stay on your leash,” Yerin spat. “Her dog doesn’t bite back.”
Yerin’s anger was more than a match for the Shadow’s, because hers was born from the fear that filled every inch of her spirit. One more loss. That was what stood between her and the death of everyone she cared about. One more mistake.
They had prepared against Yan Shoumei, based on the records of the previous rounds, but information on her Blood Shadow was sketchy at best. They had trained against Shoumei’s techniques, taken her Iron body into account, and speculated on the sorts of prizes she might have gotten in the last round.
Those prizes would be publicly announced…eventually. After the round was over.
Something to strengthen Shoumei’s Iron body wasn’t out of their expectations, but Crusher’s power was wildly beyond their highest estimates.
Then again, they knew