The slash screamed across the sky. A wave of energy tore through the air with breathtaking speed, crashing into the rain of feathers with overwhelming force. In an instant, the feathers shattered into fragments, their spiritual power dissipating as they fell like scorched leaves.
High above, amidst the wind and residual heat, the muscular man in phoenix form froze. His eyes narrowed the moment he saw Lein's strike. In that instant, his survival instincts screamed. He realized what so many of Lein's enemies had realized too late—Lein wasn't just strong. He was a king-class sovereign.
Without hesitation, the phoenix pulled in all his energy, channeling it into a teleportation spell. The air around him distorted with heat, a clear sign that spatial magic had been activated.
But it wasn't fast enough.
Lein was already in front of him. In the blink of an eye, the golden sword pierced through his abdomen. No words. No expression. Just Lein's calm face—cold as death.
