Chapter 115
Chapter 115
3!
2!
1!
[System Notification: The match has begun!]
The instant the battle started, a gale swept across the entire arena.
Submit and Perish raised his staff. Wind elements rapidly compressed in midair, then transformed into a colossal wind dragon. It beat its wings and opened its cavernous jaws as it lunged at Zhou Ming.
Ding!
[System Notification: Barrier Breaker · Submit and Perish has used [Forbidden · Wind Dragon’s Descent], dealing damage equal to 1,400% of his Attack to all enemy units within a 200 x 200 area, with a very high chance of inflicting Tear, Launch, Knockback, and other effects. Movement Speed +100% and Cast Speed +50% for 3 minutes!]
“Could even Zhouyou Shijie withstand a move that terrifying?”
Countless spectators watched either the arena itself or the livestream without daring to blink.
Forbidden · Water Dragon’s Protection!
Forbidden · Holy Dragon Enhancement!
Those two Forbidden Spells had already raised Submit and Perish’s All Attributes to absurd levels, even higher than Zhou Ming’s.
Under those conditions, an offensive Forbidden Spell could probably one-shot most of the contestants who had reached the top sixteen!
“Can you survive this one?”
Certain that Zhouyou Shijie could not escape the range of Wind Dragon’s Descent, Submit and Perish wore a haughty expression.
Zhou Ming stared at the roaring wind dragon, activated Demonic Flame Armor, and pointed forward. The Heavenrend greatsword appeared beside him, its edge exposed and its sword intent chilling.
“I already told you.” Zhou Ming’s expression was indifferent. “You’re… not good enough!”
Ding!
[System Notification: Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie has used [Astral God Art]. His next attack deals +800% damage, gains +50% Crit Rate and +80% Crit Damage, and has a very high chance of inflicting Knockback or Launch. Duration: 5 seconds!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie has used [Heavenrend], condensing the Sword Intent of the Blazing Sun and locking onto a target within a 500 x 500-meter area before descending. It deals damage equal to 1,500% of his Attack, is guaranteed to Crit, is guaranteed to inflict Suppression, and reduces the target’s Movement Speed by 150% for 5 seconds!]
…
Shhk!
The sharp blade tore through the air with unstoppable force and violently collided with the wind dragon at point-blank range. Its edge plunged deep into the dragon.
Destiny was not a simple game, after all. Skills could clash and overpower one another.
Boom!!
In an instant, shock waves rolled outward as wind and fire spread in every direction.
The arena floor was ripped apart and reduced to flying rubble.
The two forces fought madly against each other, neither willing to yield.
With a total 110% boost to his All Attributes, Submit and Perish’s Attack had climbed close to 30,000, even after Warlord weakened him!
Under those circumstances, Wind Dragon’s Descent could hold on for a moment despite being far weaker than Heavenrend.
But…
Only for a moment!
Shhk!!
After several seconds of deadlock, the wind dragon wailed. The Heavenrend greatsword pierced straight through it and continued onward without losing momentum. It smashed into Submit and Perish’s chest, sending the horrified man flying dozens of meters like a kite with a broken string.
Ding!
[System Notification: Attention! Your skill was interrupted midway by Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie’s [Heavenrend] and has failed to activate!]
Ding!
[System Notification: You have been hit by [Heavenrend] and lost 252,564 HP!]
…
“Even after all that, Zhouyou Shijie is still stronger?!”
Contestants and spectators alike marveled at the sight, unsure whether to find it inevitable or simply despairing.
Submit and Perish had gone all out from the very beginning, yet the man he faced remained unfathomable.
To Zhou Ming, the result was perfectly natural.
Combining Astral God Art with Heavenrend produced 2,300% damage. The attack was guaranteed to Crit, and Astral God Art added another 80% Crit Damage, instantly raising the total to a terrifying 6,440%!
On top of that, his Talent Heavenbreaker ignored 50% of the target’s Defense and 20% of their Damage Reduction!
That did not even include the bonuses from Demonic Flame Armor, his weapon traits, and everything else.
With power like that, even a Forbidden Spell would be crushed!
“Cough! Cough!”
Submit and Perish struggled up from the ground, his face covered in dust. There was no fear in his eyes, only a hint of madness. “I admit you’re strong. If we’re comparing our individual limits, I can’t beat you. But!”
Submit and Perish stared fixedly at Zhou Ming, obsession and pride burning in his eyes. “On the stage of Pinnacle Showdown, I will still defeat you! Forbidden · Gods’ Blessing, activate!!”
Wind Dragon’s Descent had already been close to the limit of his offensive power. Since it still could not defeat Zhou Ming, he decided to use Gods’ Protection, a one-use temporary skill that had been enhanced into a Forbidden Spell.
“Another person ready to risk everything!”
Tingfeng Xiyu’s expression grew solemn, and he broke into a cold sweat on Zhouyou Shijie’s behalf.
It was not that he lacked confidence in Zhouyou Shijie’s strength. Submit and Perish simply possessed far too many All Attribute bonuses. If his stats rose high enough, he might overwhelm Zhou Ming through sheer numbers.
Two seconds… Five seconds…
Strangely, even as time passed, nothing changed in the arena.
“Activate already!”
Submit and Perish began to panic. “Is this stupid game bugged?!”
“…”
After reaching fever pitch, the atmosphere abruptly went cold.
In full view of everyone, Submit and Perish tried to reveal his trump card, but nothing came out.
Zhou Ming remained perfectly at ease as he watched Submit and Perish descend into frantic confusion.
Destiny had one especially useful design choice.
The more powerful a skill was, the more likely it was to appear in one of the final slots on a character’s skill list. Its effects would also be stronger, and even its name would sound more imposing.
That made it rather difficult for Zhou Ming not to know which of his opponent’s skills he ought to seal.
Vaguely realizing what had happened, Submit and Perish immediately scanned the combat log. There, he found another important message he had overlooked.
Ding!
[System Notification: Due to [Heavenrend]’s sealing effect, your skill [Forbidden · Gods’ Blessing] has been sealed and cannot be used for 10 minutes!]
“!!!!!”
The moment he saw the message, Submit and Perish nearly lost his balance. He stumbled back three steps, his face cycling between red and pale in spectacular fashion.
Sealing?
The game had an effect like that?
“Fool!”
“He should have used it at the very beginning. Then he might have had a chance against Zhouyou Shijie!”
The gods cursed from the shadows, furious at the missed opportunity.
With the enhancement of three buff-type Forbidden Spells, Submit and Perish would at least have had some hope of winning, even if the victory would have been dishonorable and come at a tremendous price.
Unfortunately, this was the first time Heavenrend’s sealing effect had ever been revealed to the public. There had been no way to guard against it.
“I told you already,” Zhou Ming said flatly. “You’re not good enough!”
“You… You…”
Submit and Perish breathed heavily, seized by the feeling that he had exhausted every trick at his disposal. He gritted his teeth and raised his staff again. “The match isn’t over yet! Don’t fucking celebrate too soon!”
Ding!
[System Notification: Barrier Breaker · Submit and Perish has used [Forbidden · Wood Dragon Entanglement], inflicting at least 5 seconds of crowd control on any enemy unit struck. The target cannot move or attack during this time!]
“Roar!”
Wood elements surged from the ground in the shape of a dragon and tightly bound Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming’s expression did not change. He activated Holy Flame Purification and dispelled every negative effect.
Ultimately, Submit and Perish had merely transformed ordinary skills into Forbidden Spells. That did not mean every one of them had truly reached the level a Forbidden Spell ought to possess.
“It’s not over!” Submit and Perish roared, eyes bloodshot. “I haven’t lost yet!”
Ding!
[System Notification: Barrier Breaker · Submit and Perish has used [Forbidden · Fire Dragon’s Roar], dealing damage equal to 800% of his Attack to an enemy unit and inflicting Burn, which drains 0.5% HP per second for 10 seconds!]
A dragon formed from fire elements breathed out a torrent of Dragon Breath.
MISS!
The symbol for immunity appeared above Zhou Ming.
“It’s over!”
Everyone could see it clearly.
Zhou Ming’s Heavenrend had shattered Submit and Perish’s confidence. He had not merely lost physically; his spirit had broken as well.
He had even forgotten the fact everyone knew: fire-elemental damage was useless against Zhouyou Shijie.
Zhou Ming did not drag the fight out any longer. He rapidly closed the distance and struck several times, sending Submit and Perish straight out of the arena.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully killed [Barrier Breaker · Submit and Perish]. Your ranking has risen to 1st!]
…