Chapter 56: The Soaring Dragon of Mount Lu

Witnessing Arenas’s transformation, the crowd erupted once more in astonishment. Someone quickly shouted the name of his armor: “That’s the Radiant Armor! The magic-steel equipment of the Star God Cult!”

“So that’s the famed Radiant Armor!” Many faces lit up with sudden understanding.

In the world of Sola Void, a rare metal known as magic-steel exists, capable of being forged into special equipment. These items possess not only formidable defense and attack power, but also the ability to unlock human potential, noticeably enhancing the wearer’s abilities. They can even transform into a crystalline form for ease of carrying, somewhat akin to Sacred Garments, though not as miraculous.

Radiant Armor was one among many magic-steel creations, forged by predecessors of the Star God Cult and treasured as an artifact of their faith. As the most outstanding young talent within the Cult, Arenas had been granted the Radiant Armor, earning him his illustrious title of Radiant Knight.

To put it simply, Arenas was only in his ‘complete form’ when clad in this armor.

No one had expected Arenas would be forced to unleash the Radiant Armor during this match. As the situation unfolded, surprise quickly gave way to excitement, especially among Arenas’s fans. The armor’s splendid design and practicality elevated his handsomeness by countless degrees, causing infatuated admirers to scream even louder.

But Arenas’s attention was fixed solely on Saga, ignoring the crowd’s cheers. He stared at Saga with a look of disdain and declared, “You are indeed formidable, but with the Radiant Armor, I now possess mid-tier third-stage strength. You are merely at early third-stage at best. I will win this battle!”

Saga merely sneered, casting Arenas a look of pity that caught Arenas off guard and made him frown. “What are you laughing at?” he demanded.

Saga snorted, gave no reply, but produced the crystal of the Dragon Saint’s Sacred Garment and transformed it. Emerald light flashed, and the Dragon Saint’s armor appeared before all.

Seeing this, Arenas was utterly shocked. “You—you also have magic-steel equipment?!”

“Hmph, ignorant fool. This is the Sacred Garment bestowed upon Saints by the great Father God. Only those loyal to Him may don this divine armor. How could your mundane steel compare?” Saga replied, closing his eyes in ostentatious fashion as the Sacred Garment disassembled and reformed onto his body.

The spectators were stupefied, assuming Saga’s armor was also magic-steel, for aside from its dragon-model form before donning, its effects and manner of wear were almost identical.

Only Arenas heard Saga’s words clearly, but he refused to believe him, convinced it was merely an unusual magic-steel armor. His expression grew cold. “Saga Victor, you vile heretic! Even if you possess magic-steel armor, it’s but an inferior imitation. Mine is a treasure of the Star God Cult, far beyond your cheap knockoff. Prepare to die!”

With that, Arenas charged at Saga, sword raised.

Saga had no interest in banter. As Arenas approached, Saga finally opened his eyes, his body radiating a fierce emerald aura—the burning of his cosmos. His strength had already reached late third-stage, and with pure force alone, he pushed Arenas back.

In Arenas’s stunned and furious gaze, Saga raised his left hand overhead, right hand poised at his waist, striking a pose that Link recognized as iconic: “Arenas, take this! The inherited battle technique of the Dragon Saint—Mount Lu Rising Dragon!”

With commanding presence, Saga declared his ultimate move and launched his right fist through the air. At that instant, his cosmos and Sacred Garment’s power merged seamlessly—a mighty emerald dragon aura surged forth, engulfing Arenas like a tempest.

The fearsome dragon energy soared skyward, its wild power boiling endlessly. Before the crowd’s eyes, Arenas was blasted twenty meters into the air, his seemingly indestructible Radiant Armor cracking visibly.

Finally, as the dragon aura faded, Arenas crashed to the ground, his fate uncertain, while his once magnificent Radiant Armor was reduced to a heap of scrap.

Saga gave Arenas a cold glance, snorted, and closed his eyes again, his demeanor every bit as arrogant as the legendary Gold Saints.

The arena fell into an uncanny silence. All eyes were wide, faces filled with disbelief, unable to accept what they had witnessed. It was only when an elder in the audience shouted “Well done!” that the spell was broken and the crowd regained their senses.

Instantly, the arena erupted—exclamations, screams, and cheers echoed endlessly. Everyone was wild with excitement at the unexpected outcome. Arenas’s devoted fans wept in despair, unable to accept their idol’s downfall, while the neutral and anti-Arenas crowd lauded Saga’s spectacular performance and swift victory—forgetting that they had previously booed him.

But for the veteran warriors, shock prevailed. Magic-steel equipment was renowned for its toughness, yet it had been destroyed in a single blow. How much power did that require? Saga’s attack surpassed the third-stage entirely—fourth-stage experts might not withstand it.

Such was the power of a Saint’s battle technique, the force unleashed when the cosmos burned to its peak: immense consumption, but strength far above the user’s realm. Mount Lu Rising Dragon, in pure destructive force, ranked in the top five among Bronze Saints’ techniques. At full strength, even Bronze Sacred Garments might not endure, let alone mundane armor.

Meanwhile, the Star God Cult members rushed to check on Arenas, only to find not only the Radiant Armor ruined, but Arenas’s meridians shattered and his battle energy dispersed—he would be a cripple even if healed.

Yamond was furious enough to spit blood; both the Radiant Armor and Arenas were treasures to the Cult, now lost in a single battle. Unable to remain composed, he glared at Saga, still posing with closed eyes, and gritted his teeth, saying, “Well, well, you damned brat! How dare you be so ruthless! Your Father God Cult is indeed full of vile heretics—you don’t deserve the name of faith!”

Saga’s tiger eyes opened, his gaze icy as he replied, “I return your words to you unchanged. Don’t forget, I only defended, never attacked first—he struck to kill every time. I merely returned his intent.”

“You—”

Saga gave Yamond no chance to continue. He turned to the host: “Referee, Arenas Hakilon has lost all fighting ability. You can announce the result now.”

The host finally came to, loudly declaring, “The first match is over. The winner is Saga Victor of the Father God Cult! Ladies and gentlemen, and esteemed guests, let us applaud him!”

This time, over seventy percent of the crowd cheered enthusiastically for Saga, many calling his full name. Their excitement clearly marked him as their new idol, while Arenas, once popular, was now forgotten.

Such is the cruelty of reality: the victor is king, the loser is nothing and destined to be scorned.

Amid the cheers and shouts, Saga remained calm. He glanced at the excited audience, then strode back to his team with a cold, indifferent expression. His tall figure and cool demeanor made countless young women’s hearts flutter as they watched him return.

Upon his return, Link welcomed him with a smile: “Saga, well done. You have shown the might of our Father God Cult.”

Saga had worried that Link might blame him for keeping the cosmos a secret, but seeing that Link was unconcerned, he relaxed, a shy smile breaking through his cold mask.

Aioros and Elia also stepped up to congratulate him. Among friends, he abandoned his chilly façade, joking and laughing with them.

But the duel was not yet over. As the host announced the second match, the group had to pause their celebration. Link sent Aioros into the fray, but this time he held little hope. Saga’s acquisition of the Sacred Garment had greatly boosted his strength, but Aioros was only at peak first-stage, nearing second-stage. The opposing team had plenty who could easily defeat him.

As expected, despite Aioros’s best efforts, his opponent was a mid-second-stage warrior. With the first match’s lesson, the opponent took no chances, and Aioros soon lost.

The opposing fighter wanted to cripple Aioros in revenge for the first match, but Link quickly declared surrender to the host. As team leader, he was entitled to do so. Though Aioros was unwilling, he did not question Link’s decision. Thus, the Star God Cult could only watch as Aioros left the field with minor injuries.

The score now stood at one to one.

For the third match, their opponent fielded a female mage, mid-second-stage. Link had intended to send Lingmeng, but Elia unexpectedly requested to fight.

Link had never planned to let Elia participate; though her strength had increased thanks to the Flame Soul, she was, like Aioros, only at peak first-stage. She was there merely to fill the roster.

Elia understood that even if she didn’t fight, Link was confident of victory, but she didn’t want to be just a bystander. Such opportunities to spar with strong opponents were rare, and her adversary was also a mage. She wanted a chance to hone her skills, so she asked to fight.

Seeing the determination and hope in Elia’s eyes, Link considered briefly and agreed. Even if she lost, it wouldn’t affect his ultimate plan.

Elia entered the arena and fought her opponent. Both were mages, both wielded fire magic, resulting in a dazzling display of flames. The spectators watched as the two young women exchanged magical attacks with grace and elegance, soon cheering them on.

However, the difference in strength was clear. Elia held out for three minutes before losing. Her opponent, being both a woman and a mage, was not as brutal as her teammates. Seeing she had won, she refrained from further attack, sparing Link the need to surrender.

After this match, the score became one to two, with the Star God Cult holding match point.

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