Kanoru stood alone amidst the raging battle, untouched and undisturbed. None from his group urged him to fight—he had already turned the tide, single-handedly shifting the battle from near defeat to a winnable chance.
No enemy dared approach him. The lower- and middle-ranked warlocks were no match—he could cut them down with ease, one way or another. However, even if he slaughtered every lesser warlock, it wouldn't guarantee victory. Their fate hinged on the higher-ranked battle—if their side lost, they were all doomed.
One of the enemy's higher-ranked warlocks was clashing with their own. The enemy warlock conjured silver metal arrows, flying swords, and other weapons to attack while erecting silver shields to defend—standard metal-element techniques. Meanwhile, their warlock unleashed water waves and aquatic spells, alternating between offense and defense.
Kanoru watched intently, sensing that both were still testing each other, holding back their full strength.
The other higher-ranked warlock was battling Elders Li and Qi. Though both elders were still middle-ranked warlocks, they were able to hold their ground. Kanoru's eyes shifted to the shimmering crystal armor they wore—a spiritual treasure that amplified their spiritual energy and came with an automatic talisman spell: a crystal shield that blocked incoming attacks.
The enemy warlock conjured earth-element attacks, while the elders countered with wood-based talisman spells.
"I should help them once my chakra fully recovers," he murmured. He longed for the challenge of fighting a higher-ranked opponent—to feel some pressure.
"With my speed and the two elders' support, the enemy warlock won't be able to target me easily. I might get injured, but it's unlikely to be serious."
His gaze drifted over the battlefield. He spotted Asuna and Bai Yue, who had just killed their opponent. The two were now rushing to aid Mika. Seeing them approach, Mika's enemy grew frantic, creating an opening. Seizing the chance, Mika drove her sword through the enemy's chest.
Kanoru's eyes then shifted to Yun Feng, who wore spiritual weapon gloves on both hands, fighting against three middle-ranked warlocks. Despite being outnumbered, Yun Feng had a slight advantage, his attacks swift and unyielding.
The rest of the battle raged in scattered duels, mostly stalemates. In some, either side claimed victory, but the winners emerged injured, leaving them unable to assist their allies immediately.
As Kanoru watched the battles around him, his eyes narrowed at the sight of ten figures fully clothed in black entering the valley and striding toward the battlefield.
"More enemies," he thought, clenching his sword.
"I can't let them join the fight."
With his chakra 90% recovered, he dashed toward the new arrivals, leaving the battlefield behind.
Seeing him approach, the ten enemies broke into a charge, wielding spears, swords, and axes, letting out a fierce war cry. Kanoru was surprised—warlocks rarely fought with weapons.
As they closed in, he noticed a blood-colored light enveloping their bodies like a second skin.
"Blood Knights," he murmured.
Blood Knight was a combat practice method from the Sacred Continent, impossible to cultivate elsewhere, as it required the blood of Warcrafts, which were found only in the Sacred Continent.
" Who did the Evergreen Sect offend," Kanoru thought grimly. The enemy has people train in practice method of another continent. This mean Evergreen Sect got in the way of an enemy that is spread across another continent.
Without hesitation, he engaged the Blood Knights.
Their weapons were suddenly coated with ice, not to increase their attack power, but to lower the temperature around him, making the wind heavier and harder to mobilize.
Kanoru was forced to generate wind around his sword with his chakra, counteracting the icy resistance.
The Blood Knights' strength was uneven—three were middle-ranked while the rest were lower-ranked. Their combined numbers gave them an advantage, forcing Kanoru into a defensive stance. He knew he had to find a solution before his chakra was depleted.
While fighting, he continued to mobilize the cold wind around him, determined to master it. The Blood Knights taunted him, trying to lure him into taking reckless risks, but he ignored them, focusing entirely on controlling the cold wind.
After repeated attempts, he gradually gained control, moving the cold wind as easily as regular wind, significantly reducing his chakra consumption.
Kanoru slammed his sword against an oncoming blade, then leaped back, glancing at the ten Blood Knights encircling him.
With a fierce smirk, he declared, "Time to end this fight."
One of the Blood Knights sneered, "Are you dreaming?"
The others laughed mockingly.
Without another word, Kanoru charged at them. The Blood Knights retaliated, launching their attack, but ten seconds later, Kanoru stood motionless at the center of their formation.
The Blood Knights, wide-eyed in horror, stared at their broken weapons—the blades sliced cleanly in two, one half still in their hands, the other scattered on the ground.
They raised their eyes to Kanoru, whose smirk widened.
He attacked swiftly, and ten seconds later, he stood once more at the center—this time surrounded by their lifeless bodies.
Kanoru had deliberately prolonged the battle, even though he could have ended it from the start by using the nature of wind-cut. However, when the Blood Knights chilled the surrounding wind, he welcomed the pressure, using it to refine his control over the cold wind.
Still, he knew this would be useless in summer if he couldn't generate cold wind with his chakra. For now, he could only control the cold wind around him. When the season changed and the winds turned cold again, he could comprehend how to generate cold wind himself.
Now, he needed to gain control over the hot winds swirling around him.
Under the scorching noon sun, with the Blood Knights dead at his feet, he focused on the heat, feeling the swirling hot currents against his skin.
Like before, he repeatedly attempted to gain control, and after several tries, he succeeded.
He mobilized the hot winds, guiding them to surround his sword. As time passed, he felt hotter and hotter, the blade's edge gradually taking on a reddish hue.
Suddenly, the hot wind burst from his sword and he lost control, the searing heat washing over him.
A burning sensation spread across his skin, forcing him to close his eyes.
When he opened them, he found his once-pale skin flushed red, as if it had been scalded by boiling water. His clothes felt warm, and despite the blazing sun, the heat became almost unbearable—but he was not injured.
He had simply lost control over the hot winds.
I need more practice, he thought, feeling the lingering heat on his skin.
Without dwelling on it, he turned and ran toward the two elders, ignoring the heat, ready to assist them.