An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

Dustin raised his hand as the black feathers rained down on him. A white energy shield flared into existence to form a wall before him.

The feathers slammed into the shield. and sent ripples across its surface but failed to break through. However, the black flames on the feathers spread across the shield and burned through its energy at a visible pace. In the blink of an eye, the once impenetrable barrier cracked open and left a gaping hole.

Dustin couldn't hide his surprise. His mystical pure energy was far stronger than the average grandmaster's internal energy in offense and defense. It was meant to be impenetrable. He hadn't anticipated it couldn't hold up against Abigail's phoenix flame.

Seeing the raw strength of her bloodline, he knew he couldn't afford to take any chances. As the black flames spread, he swiftly waved his hand to summon a furious gust of wind that sent the feathers and flames flying. "Glaring Wings!" Abigail wasn't done yet. She quickly formed hand seals and thrust her hand forward.

The giant Dark Phoenix behind her flapped its wings and transformed into a streak of black light that shot directly at Dustin. The force of its charge was like a meteor crashing to the earth- unstoppable.

Dustin narrowed his eyes. He shot into the air with a quick push off the ground and narrowly avoided the phoenix's deadly charge.

After missing its target, the phoenix wheeled around mid-air before charging at Dustin again with lightning speed. It was as if the phoenix was prepared to go down with him.

"ArcMor!" Dustin formed a hand seal and unleashed his suprdivine power.

A massive, earthen-colored armor enveloped him, and the outer layer cloaked in the illusory image of a Black Tortoise.

The Dark Phoenix, wrapped in dark flames, didn't hold back as it crashed straight into the illusory tortoise. The impact was explosive. Feathers scattered in every direction, and flames burst like embers. The illusory tortoise shuddered violently, and its light flickered wildly.

The Dark Phoenix showed no signs of stopping. Its beak opened and unleashed a blast of scorching black flames. The flames, as dark as ink, engulfed Dustin and the illusory tortoise.

What made the flames truly terrifying was their corrosive power, which Dustin's mystical pure energy struggled to withstand. As the black flames seared through, the glow of the illusory tortoise began to fade and was slowly being consumed. Clearly, the shield wouldn't last more than a few seconds.

This was the Dark Phoenix's overwhelming power. Its flames, whether aimed at solid matter or pure energy, seemed capable of incinerating anything in their path.

Finally, Dustin felt the weight of true pressure. If he didn't unleash his full strength now, defeat was inevitable. "Celestial Blade!" Dustin called out softly.

A black sword dropped from the sky and turned into a streak of light before landing precisely in his hand.

With the black flames raging around him, he slowly raised his sword and swung it forward fiercely. A streak of black sword aura shot forward. It sliced through the flames in an unstoppable wave before crashing into the Dark Phoenix.

The phoenix's fire-breathing action suddenly stopped. In the next instant, it burst apart with a thunderous boom.

Though the Dark Phoenix was a spirit, it was impervious to physical blows, so it was powerless against Dustin's ferocious sword aura. Surprisingly, it was torn apart in a single stroke. After it died, the raging flames dissipated into nothing, and the battle ring was once again shrouded in peace.

"Sir, looks like you're finally taking this seriously." A faint smile crossed Abigail's face as her excitement grew. "Can't help it. If I don't use my sword, I'll probably be toast today," Dustin responded calmly.

Her Phoenix bloodline had a special attribute that countered the internal energy of all martial artists. Even those stronger than her couldn't defend against it. He would risk being entangled by her black flames if he didn't use his sword.

"In that case, let's have a real match!" Abigail casually gestured with one hand, and a massive silver broadsword materialized.

The weapon was over ten feet long. It was a broad and heavy blade that starkly contrasted her petite frame. While adept with spells, she favored close combat- the kind where the danger was immediate and the thrill was in the heat of the moment.

Seeing her choice of weapon, Dustin couldn't help but give a bemused glance.

A martial artist's strength could make swinging such a massive blade look effortless, but seeing a woman choose something so heavy was unusual.

While these weapons were powerful, they lacked speed and agility. If their movements were restricted, it would be challenging to maneuver.

But if she was bold enough to wield it, he knew she had to be confident in her abilities.

"Bring it on, Sir!" Abigail gripped her broadsword with one hand, with the tip aimed at Dustin.

"Stay sharp." He didn't waste words. With a quick step, he closed the gap in the blink of an eye, and his speed was like that of a flash of lightning.

She didn't budge. With both hands on hall her the hilt, she swung down with all her might at his afterimage As the sword descended, a surge of black flames erupted, and there was barely any room to dodge.

Dustin twisted his body and weaved through the flames like a bird darting a between branches. With a single, fluid motion, his sword struck the edge of Abigail's broadsword. The sound of metal striking metal echoed and sent sparks flying. She paused for a split second, and her downward strike stopped mid-swing.

Dustin capitalized on the opening and swung his sword again with blinding speed. It was too fast for the eye to track.

Abigail just managed to bring her sword up in tas she raised it horizontally to block.

The Celestial Blade slammed into her broadsword's hilt with a violent clash. was carved into the A deep groove hilt, and the impact pushed her back several steps. Dustin seized the opening and struck again. His movements were swift, precise, and ruthless, without hesitation or wasted energy.

At that moment, Abigail was on the defensive and unable to retaliate. Just as defeat seemed imminent, a burst of golden light suddenly erupted from her body.