Two overwhelmingly powerful forces collided. Erwin knelt on the ground, his knee creating cracks in the surface.


    "Pathetic trash!" Nash sneered, shaking the spear in his hand. mes erupted from the spear in the shape of a dragon, and the sound of the burning fire echoed like a dragon''s roar.


    The dragon''s might was an overwhelming force that pressed down with the weight of a mountain. Erwin gripped the handle of his de with one hand and supported the de with the other. He gritted his teeth as he withstood the immense power. Jadie and the other disciples were stunned. This man was overpowering Erwin despite him being in his berserk state!


    Erwin roared, and a burst of red murderous aura emanated from his de. The Dragon''s Roaring Spear was forced back, and Erwin broke free. He transformed into a blur as he rapidly circled Nash.


    "Mystery Gate Techniques, Eight Gates Golden Lock!"


    Melody''s expression changed. This technique was derived from the top-tier ancient Mystery Gate Escape Art. It was simr to the ninja techniques of the Nihons, but in reality, it was also derived from this art.


    "Who would''ve thought that Erwin had mastered the Eight Gates Golden Lock? His speed must be close to supersonic!" Jadie''s jaw almost hit the ground.


    A shadowy Erwin shed out a de strike.


    Nash swept aside the first strike with his spear, but another de descended immediately after. Simultaneously, de radiance appeared from the left and right. They were not mere illusions. Erwin''s speed had reached a level that he could attack from multiple directions within the same second.


    Seeing the multiple red glows appearing at once, Melody felt a tightness in her chest. The Starfall Sword Technique was just the hallmark sword technique of the Ink Veil Sect, while the Mystery Gate Techniques were their primary cultivation method.


    They were divided into distinct practices, the Fate Mystery Gate and Technique Mystery Gate, with the Ink Veil Sect specializing in thetter. These arts involved the principles of dark-light and the five elements, constantly changing and interrted. If one were to master these techniques, one''s power would even rival that of the Path talismans and spells.


    After sweeping away one strike, Nash immediately executed a back-thrust to parry the following attack. He then bent down and spun the spear, creating a fiery wheel behind his back. All this happened within fractions of a second.


    To onlookers, it seemed as if what was left of Nash were also only afterimages. Though he appeared to be standing there all the while, he had actually bent down to block the other two strikes.


    Nash parried all four strikes. Jadie clutched her short hair in disbelief, repeatedly muttering that it was impossible.


    The red circle around Nash dispersed, and Erwin''s figure reappeared in a retreat. He stared at Nash in astonishment. "How... are you able to counter my Eight Gates Golden Lock?"


    "It''s because you''re not fast enough!" Nash retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Although Erwin had executed four strikes, they were all performed sequentially. By activating his Third Eye, Nash identified the order of the strikes and countered them one by one, thus breaking the Eight Gates Golden Lock.


    "I don''t believe it... I don''t believe it... No one can match my speed!" Erwin''s eyes were tinged withCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    madness. Gripping his sword, h


    vanished into thin air, not even


    swntveline


    leaving any afterimages this time.


    The essence of Mystery Gate Techniquesy in the art of concealment. A person was light, visible, and tangible, but through concealment, they could be invisible and intangible.


    Nash''s eyes narrowed. He was unable to detect where Erwin was hidden. This ancient technique passed down for thousands of years could be traced back to the era of the great emperor.


    The most terrifying aspect of the


    Mystery Gate Escape Art was its


    ability to alter maic fields. Practitioners could use the fields to shield themselves from spiritual detection, a skill the Nihon ninjas never mastered.


    Suddenly, Nash sensed a disturbance in the air behind him as Erwin''s sword came straight for his back.


    "Nash, watch out!" Melody yelled from behind her covered mouth, eyes wide with fear and heart in her throat.


    The sound of a de piercing flesh echoed, and Melody''s face turned ashen. From her vantage point, all she saw was Erwin stabbing Nash. The sound just now must have meant that Erwin had wounded Nash. Jadie''s own eyes were wide open in disbelief. She staggered back a few steps, mumbling, "No... This... This is impossible!"


    Nash slowly turned around, revealing that he had caught Erwin''s de with two fingers. The de had pierced through his clothes but had not touched his skin. His eyes shone with a chilling light. "Impressive speed," Nash said, his voice icy, "...but it''s still not enough to kill me."


    With a swift motion, he flicked his fingers, shattering Erwin''s de into pieces. Erwin stumbled back, his eyes filled with fear and shock.


    Nash just stood there, unscathed and exuding an aura of absolute dominance.