Chapter 344: Spatial Storms

Orion’s aura surged violently, crimson mana erupting from his body as his Crimson Crown began pulsating above his head with a dazzling, ominous brilliance.

The air thickened around him, crackling with power, and his dual-colored eyes shone fiercely with determination, unwavering despite the overwhelming pressure threatening to consume him.

Across from him, Valerian calmly floated, arms spread wide as he invoked the peak of his sinister mastery.

A swirling maelstrom of darkness and blood rapidly expanded, engulfing the heavens around him. “[Domain of Darkness and Blood],” he murmured solemnly, his voice echoing coldly through the disintegrating skies.

The swirling darkness merged with his own body, granting him a terrifying, nightmarish visage that exuded an oppressive dread.

Orion narrowed his eyes sharply, fingers tightening around the Realm Guardian Sword. His voice was heavy yet resolute as he muttered softly, “This ends now, Valerian. You shall pay dearly for this world you’ve forced me to destroy.”

Valerian’s eyes shone with genuine exhilaration, his voice tinged with admiration and amusement, “Then show me, Draconian! Let your anger and righteousness decide your fate!”

Both warriors prepared their final strikes, the immense build-up of power causing the space between them to tremble and ripple violently.

Orion raised the Realm Guardian Sword high, channeling every ounce of his essence and mana into the Crimson Crown, its structure glowing vividly with potent, blood-colored energy.

Threads of scarlet power cascaded downward, spiraling around his sword as his aura became increasingly overwhelming, his massive Draconic body trembling from the strain.

Valerian’s dark domain intensified around him, spiraling tendrils of crimson and obsidian intertwining into a lethal tempest.

The vampire lord extended his hand forward, focusing his dark mana into a single concentrated sphere that crackled fiercely. It radiated a nightmarish mixture of bloodlust and darkness, pulsating with a malevolence capable of annihilating entire worlds.

“Let this decide it all!” Valerian roared, his voice resounding through the shattered heavens. His crimson eyes blazed wildly, baring his sharp, vampiric fangs in a sinister grin. “Fall to oblivion!”

Orion clenched his teeth fiercely, muscles straining to their limits as blood began seeping from fresh wounds opening across his scales, ripped apart by the overwhelming mana. Still, he refused to relent, his resolve unbreakable. “No matter what happens here, Valerian, you will die HERE!”

The two mighty attacks finally collided, their clash producing a cataclysmic explosion of power that instantly vaporized the very clouds and atmosphere around them.

The shockwave devastated everything beneath, the already fractured land and oceans disintegrating into chaotic oblivion, leaving only a shattered void in a large area.

The force from their struggle tore at their bodies mercilessly, opening deep wounds that gushed forth blood.

Orion grimaced, his powerful Draconic form shuddering violently, yet his eyes remained unwavering.

Valerian similarly staggered, blood streaming down his pale face, yet his sinister expression did not falter, the thrill of the battle filling him with an exhilaration he hadn’t felt in millennia.

“This… is exhilarating,” Valerian laughed hoarsely, eyes filled with maniacal delight despite his worsening injuries. “You are truly remarkable, brat!”

Orion did not reply, pouring every ounce of his mana and willpower into the Crimson Crown, determined to eradicate Valerian at any cost.

Just as their duel approached its decisive climax, a radiant light suddenly illuminated the skies, piercing through the spatial storms.

Both combatants instinctively glanced toward the source: the towering celestial staff, now completely devoid of spatial storms. It released brilliant rays of pristine energy, illuminating the shattered landscape in a surreal glow.

Valerian’s eyes narrowed instantly, his attention captured entirely by the mysterious spectacle. After a brief pause, he returned his gaze to Orion, his bloodied lips curling into a cold, mocking smirk.

“Looks like playtime is really over,” Valerian announced, his voice dripping with sinister amusement. Raising his hand, he prepared his final, devastating strike, shouting fiercely, “Take this!”

Orion braced himself, his battered body trembling with exhaustion yet defiantly ready to meet Valerian’s strike head-on.

His grip tightened around his sword, waiting to counter the attack he knew would decide their final outcome.

However, instead of attacking, Valerian suddenly pivoted in mid-air, wings unfurling widely as he surged swiftly toward the radiant, towering celestial staff.

His laughter echoed cruelly, filled with satisfaction. “Foolish child! Your end can wait, I have more pressing matters!”

“You sneaky bastard!” Orion roared furiously, his powerful Draconic wings erupting into violent motion as he shot forward with blinding speed.

The shattered skies blurred into chaotic streaks of color around him, winds howling past his ears as he chased after Valerian’s rapidly disappearing figure.

Ahead, Valerian sliced effortlessly through the chaotic skies, his laughter cruelly echoing back toward Orion.

The vampire lord’s figure was like a dark comet, blazing toward the colossal celestial staff now radiating brilliantly amid the devastated world.

With each furious beat of his Draconic wings, Orion’s blood pumped heavily, his battered body screaming from exhaustion and pain. Yet his resolve rose even brighter, eyes filled with determination, locked firmly upon Valerian’s sinister silhouette.

“Coward!” Orion bellowed furiously, his voice tearing through the skies. “Face me, Valerian!”

Valerian ignored Orion’s enraged shouts, finally arriving at the enormous base of the celestial staff.

The towering structure stood majestically tilted, its radiant glow illuminating his pale features.

He briefly glanced upward along the staff’s colossal length, his scarlet eyes narrowing with anticipation and greed. Without sparing Orion a second glance, he swiftly stepped onto the gigantic staff, instantly beginning his ascent.

A mere breath later, Orion arrived, his wings trembling from exhaustion. Just as he reached out toward the staff, he felt an invisible force surge downward, completely suppressing his flight capabilities.

Startled, he plummeted several meters before regaining his balance, landing heavily at the foot of the celestial tower. His eyes widened briefly in confusion, rapidly shifting upward to see Valerian steadily climbing higher.

Orion gritted his teeth, frustration flooding him momentarily. “You won’t escape,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze firm with determination. Without hesitation, he firmly placed his massive Draconic foot onto the staff’s gleaming surface.

The moment his foot made contact, a subtle but intense pressure enveloped Orion’s foundation and soul, pressing heavily inward as if testing the very essence of his being.

He paused briefly, brow furrowing slightly in confusion. However, Orion quickly dismissed this pressure, easily suppressing the uncomfortable sensation with his immense spiritual strength.

Taking a deep, calming breath, he began ascending after Valerian, each step calm while feeling the staff. Yet, as he climbed higher, Orion quickly realized that the mysterious pressure wasn’t stable. Instead, it steadily intensified with every step upward, straining not only his wounded physical body but also challenging his mind and soul.

Valerian, already ascending ahead, glanced casually downward, lips curling into a mocking smirk as he noticed Orion’s struggle.

Orion responded calmly, attempting to channel mana into his hands, aiming to launch a fierce spell at Valerian’s back.

But the instant Orion tried invoking his mana, it vanished immediately, dispersing uselessly. Surprise flickered briefly across his eyes as he recognized the staff’s overwhelming suppression, forbidding any form of magical attacks.

Valerian laughed softly, his tone dripping with disdain. “Dumb brat, this place is not your home. You can’t do whatever you like here.”

Orion clenched his fists tightly, eyes shifting towards Valerian’s back, but he quickly calmed himself down.