CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 366: STORM KING’S SEAL - THE GREATER THE STORM, THE STRONGER I BECOME!_2

That portion of tentacles had already died the moment it was severed from the body. In a slight exaggeration, that was like using the perspective of a God to "see" the "death lines" on a person’s body! "Flow State" can cut through steel, and reaching the realm of "Divine Sight" can even sever waterfalls.

Grasping the fast-paced offense and defense in a flash, the shame of the Fourth Order, [Blue-Haired] Halding’s mouth fell slightly agape. "Captain, you’re so strong!

"I’ve heard that Self Gods leaning towards [Divinity] are usually called ’Celestial Descent’, while those inclined towards [Beastliness] are commonly referred to as ’Mad God’s Descent’.

"If one can always maintain the self’s command over the body, there are various names and characteristics, with absolutely no two people being the same.

"Is the Captain’s Self God called ’Thunder Deity’?

"It looks like he’s akin to a Storm Elf, naturally compatible with thunderous stormy weather.

"And his control over his body is incredibly strong.

"Lifting heavy as if light, and lifting light as if heavy.

"My brother at this age certainly never reached such a level!"

When he said this, it seemed as if the day of his own liberation from suffering had become indefinitely distant; a little person named "Freedom" was waving goodbye to him forever.

"That’s a Fourth Order who has initiated Celestial Descent," [Blood-Red Whiskey] Alfred, who had fought his way up from the bottom and was broad in experience, remarked. "Yet the Captain, relying on his special mastery and the element of surprise, could strike a successful blow. He’s clearly on the same level of strength as a Fourth Order. If a normal Fourth Order were to come here and face the Captain, it’s uncertain who would win or lose."

Alfred finished speaking and instinctively cast a glance at [Blue-Haired].

Obviously, for an abnormal Fourth Order like Halding, there was no suspense at all if he faced Byron at this time. Whatever way the Divine Son could fight him, Byron could do the same.

Byron naturally heard their praises, but they were like rain on lotus leaves, leaving no mark on his heart.

The main ability of "Divine Sight" is to master oneself and the universe. The stronger one’s innate strength, the more amplified their abilities become under "Divine Sight". Someone like Byron, who walks on two legs but possesses a non-human physique, is far more formidable than those Sword Saints who only walk the Ladder of Glory.

No, it should now be three legs he walks on, and the middle one is just as long and thick as the other two! A triangular structure is the most stable, absolutely steady as a rock.

Only now could he be considered to have perfectly integrated the powers of both [Divinity] and [Beastliness], the Ladder of Glory and forbidden knowledge. He had reached a perfect balance as a Third Order Transcendent, an impregnable state of utmost strength. The three aspects—id, ego, and super-ego; body, Spirituality, and mindset—were all perfectly balanced, with no weaknesses. This was equivalent to a Third Order [Storm Admiral], a Third Order non-human Grand Wizard, and a Sword Saint all in one.

Since the beginning of the Great Nautical Age, there were likely very few with foundations solid enough to be considered his equal.

This is what true all-around strength looks like! Alfred wasn’t wrong. Byron also felt that he could now handle a Fourth Order hero who had climbed up step by step, even in a one-on-one fight. If quantified using "the shame of the Fourth Order," [Blue-Haired] Halding, as a benchmark, it would be approximately 2.1 Blue. As for the Abyssal Child opposite, his strength lay in Transformation, and he wasn’t like the Prince of Night Demons with a perfect body, having strength, speed, and constitution all maxed out. Purely in terms of physical aptitude, Byron was still behind this kind of Fourth Order Mythical Creature. However, the gap wasn’t so large as to cause a qualitative change from a quantitative difference. A Divine Son in "Celestial Descent" mode is probably at 2.8 Blue. Even if the Divine Son went all out, he definitely couldn’t crush Byron within ten moves.

In the blink of an eye, none of Byron’s deliberations in his mind affected his body’s instinctive reactions.

His left hand gripped the spear. With his right hand, he grabbed the butt of the spear, and a sudden gale whipped up at his side. It was impossible to distinguish whether it was the fierce wind from the spear itself or the Storm Elf he had summoned frolicking around. The surrounding rain was caught up in it, forming a white water dragon whose scales blasted off. These cut deep scars into the stone slabs of the square beneath his feet.

HUM—!

The spear shaft, as thick as an average adult’s wrist, snapped and quivered as it was retracted. Simultaneously, the rapidly spinning spearhead viciously whipped across Divine Son Frey’s chest.

[Secret Art: Siege Hammer]!

It was said that back when Heavy Knight Orders were still popular on the continent, Storm Knights could use this technique with mounts of Demon Monster bloodline. They were even capable of piercing through the walls of small cities in a single thrust.

After retreating three paces in a row, Divine Son Frey, whose chest had been forcefully flayed of a layer of flesh, also reacted. Although they were both at the [Divine Sight] realm and had comprehended the Breath of All Things, Frey realized he was no match for Byron, a Storm Admiral, in combat strategy, techniques, or wresting control of the overhead storm. He promptly changed his tactics.

Lifting his trident, he surged forward emotionlessly to shorten the distance. Utilizing his more powerful Fourth Order body, he whirled the trident in his hands into a dazzling silver gleam, attempting to engulf Byron entirely. The heavy trident could bisect a person, sword and all, in one swing. Yet, in his hands, it seemed as light as a straw.

CLANG—!

The majestic rain suffered first, as countless raindrops were sliced by the brilliant blade-light into halves, quarters, then eighths... turning into a vast, rising mist. The bluestone tiles of Black Tide Town beneath his feet also suffered. The seemingly hard rock was easily shattered like cheese as he unleashed the [Secret Sword Technique: Iron Blade Tide], a technique complementing the Bayfolk Axeman Technique.

But Byron was not, as Frey had expected, instantly cut into pieces by the explosion of absolute power.

EMPTY!

Instead, his breathing changed dramatically. His body flattened like a falling leaf, suddenly soaring on the wind, and his entire being lightly merged into the storm. This was the [Breathing Method: Storm King’s Seal], the core Secret Art of Storm Sword Technique, usable only after reaching the Divine Sight realm. Or it could also be called the "Breath of the Wind," the breath most in harmony with the natural phenomenon of storms.

Whether Flow State or Divine Sight, one must always start by focusing on breathing. Every swordsmanship school has its own ultimate breathing techniques. Breathing is the anchor of consciousness and the key to unlocking Flow State and Divine Sight. When the waves rise, as long as the anchor holds, the boat won’t drift away. No matter what distracting thoughts tried to disrupt his mind, as long as he firmly grasped his breathing, nothing would go awry.

When Byron was only a Second Order Child of the Storm, he could use an opponent’s weapon-generated wind to dodge as easily as a piece of paper. Now, it was even less of a concern. Right now, he was like a small boat struggling against ocean waves. He wasn’t clashing head-on with the sea’s force but navigated the storm with seasoned experience. Moreover, as the first [Storm Knight] since the Silver Era to balance both the Ladder of Glory and Forbidden Knowledge, he had pushed this technique to its absolute limit. Using breathing as the anchor, his Divine Light connected Heaven and Earth, body and soul, wasting not a fraction of his power. His skill was truly divine.

With the Storm King Seal active, the greater the storm, the stronger I become!

Especially in stormy weather, he was the veritable Storm King!

Byron’s evasions looked extremely perilous, as if a single misstep could see him torn to shreds, yet they were exquisitely perfect.

He was also imbued with the power of the Night Demon. This breathing method could likely be further improved—perhaps into a Bloodlust Seal? *Cough*.

Rarely did he encounter an opponent like Godchild Frey. Byron’s swordsmanship realm and Spirituality seemed to enhance with every passing moment. If he didn’t think it too melodramatic, he would have been tempted to shout, "Let the storm rage even more fiercely!"

The Divine Son, previously unmatched, was finally constrained by Byron. Seeing this, the others exchanged glances. Without hesitation, they activated the most powerful universal hero skill of Fourth Order Transcendents: Advance Together.

WHISH! WHISH! WHISH!...

Afterimages flickered as a series of sharp, whistling sounds tore through the air.

"Die!"