Everyone was shocked—the Arcalen House and the Narsa House alike.

    Restricted in military numbers by the Viscount''s law, hiring mercenaries was a must to win this war.

    However, considering their area of the empire, an Immortal Spirit was basically the peak around here with a few exceptions like the Ravencort House. Franklin was among the strongest and possessing the Arcalenta Dragon''s bloodline made him a high-level combatant.

    He was only inferior to Garvain, the others were not his match.

    So, to see him getting struck by a nobody, an Ascendant Spirit to be exact—came as a great surprise.

    Franklin stumbled backward, his eyes round in shock as he looked at the blood on his hand. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

    ''How did I get hit...?'' He pondered in shock.

    Being reckless might allowed Rex to land a hit but the hit earlier, he dodged it, he clearly dodged it.

    But even so, somehow, Rex''s claws scratched his face.

    On the other hand, Rex grinned as he came to see the special ability he obtained—for the Red Dawn of Kaiser upon reaching the Ascendant Spirit rank. He was confused at first, there were no abilities similar to this special effect from the Mortal Realm that he could use as a reference.

    Now, it was crystal clear.

    Minor Law of Inevitability.

    The Red Dawn of Kaiser unlocked a special ability, allowing him to absorb blood when striking—and use that blood to empower—the Soul Artifact. Once he accumulated enough blood, the artifact would glow and make his next attack wielding the Minor Law of Inevitability.

    I was confused before but now I understand. When the law is activated, it''s harder to dodge my attack.

    Franklin dodged the swipe a second before it landed, his reaction was fast.

    But the Minor Law of Inevitability pulled him back to his original spot, causing the attack to land.

    "What''s wrong...?" Rex mumbled tauntingly. "Surprised?"

    Seeing the arrogant look that Rex was wearing pushed Franklin to a greater level of anger, he ground his teeth and glared at Rex as if he wanted to eat Rex whole. In a burst of speed, Franklin charged again, roaring like an animal.

    He leaped like a barbarian and charged his swing, pulling both swords all the way to his back.

    Rex moved out of the way as Franklin''s swords struck and decimated the ground.

    Boom!

    Debris and smoke exploded, shrouding Franklin and his next move.

    In that moment, Rex couldn''t see or even sense Franklin within the smoke.

    But then, Rex felt a compelling sensation that beckoned him to close his left eye and look through only his right eye. He followed that sensation and instantly, the special effect of his other Soul Artifact, the Mask of the Banished Eclipse activated.

    Through his right eye, he saw a black outline emerging from the smoke.

    A thin line that headed straight for his heart.

    In the next second after the line appeared, Rex saw one of Franklin''s azure swords heading towards him.@@@@

    It followed the exact path of the black outline a second ago and because of that, he was able to parry it with ease. Of course, the force threw him backward but he managed to avoid the fatal blow. Rex was smiling in mid-air, feeling the air rushing against his furs with excitement.

    From the Mask of the Banished Eclipse, he obtained the Minor Law of Foresight.

    Being a grade higher than the Red Dawn of Kaiser, this special effect has only a minor drawback.

    Looking at the outlines would put a strain on his right eye, it was painful—but with Rex''s level of pain tolerance and regeneration, that was basically nothing. Not to mention, there was another special effect that complimented the first one.

    Swoosh!

    Rex saw the black trail pass him from behind and knew what was about to happen.

    He turned his body mid-air and blocked the azure sword once again.

    Clang!

    Other than wielding the two azure swords, Franklin could also control by using telekinesis.

    Coming to realize that Rex has two high-grade Soul Artifacts, Franklin decided to take him seriously.

    Franklin''s aura exploded as he dashed at Rex with incredible speed while pulling back the azure sword.

    Time slowed down as Franklin and Rex got close to a striking distance.

    I don''t care! Just use it!

    It would cost the user 3 Divine Upgrades, does the user want to proceed?

    Yes!

    Almost instantly after he said that a sudden surge of crimson life energy—exploded, enhancing Rex''s aura to a higher level. His Soul Artifact mark on his back, glowed blindingly before blood began to seep out and drenched his chainmail.

    Both his curving horns as well as his eyes turned crimson as his mind degraded.

    Moreover, his body swelled in mass—he gained one inch and became more monstrous than before.

    "Flaming Blade Parade!!"

    Upon chanting his perfected Spirit Genesis, the two swords fired a torrent of flames.

    It cascaded like a waterfall and inside of its flames were countless blades, rending anything that got in.

    Rex gazed at this spectacle and flared his chest with animalistic fervor.

    ROAR!!

    Like a complete beast, instead of avoiding the attack, he roared at it as if he were trying to intimidate it.

    Kaboom!

    Almost instantly, the ground cracked as Rex was swallowed by the flames.

    Seeing this, Selvaris shook her head in scorn, ''He tried to endure Franklin''s Spirit Genesis which also has the Nine Kindred Dragon echo empowering it like Father? Hmph! He''s strong but he''s getting ahead of himself with this one''

    Similarly, Eiran''s eyes widened as receiving a direct attack like this was game over.

    No chance that Rex was able to withstand Franklin''s Spirit Genesis.

    "I want to help but it''s too late..." He mumbled helplessly.

    Just then, however, his eyes flickered when he saw a silhouette within the torrent of flames.

    "He''s..." Eiran''s eyes widened, he couldn''t believe what he was seeing. "He''s surviving?!"

    Inside the Spirit Genesis, everyone witnessed another Soul Artifact, a big halo that hovered above Rex and protected him from the blades and flames. Some of them pass through the halo but Rex can deflect them with his Red Dawn of Kaiser exuding a way stronger aura than before.

    Coupled with the Mask of the Banished Eclipse''s special effect, he was surviving the Spirit Genesis.

    "Im- Impossible..." Franklin muttered outside.

    He couldn''t believe that his Spirit Genesis, empowered by the Nine Kindred Dragon echo—that he had perfected for a hundred years, wasn''t able to outright—kill Rex. An Ascendant Spirit couldn''t hope to compete with an Immortal Spirit because of a Spirit Genesis.

    But that stigma was shattered, Rex was surviving his Spirit Genesis.

    Realizing that Rex was alive, Eiran quickly dashed ahead and channeled his own Spirit Genesis.

    "Spirit Genesis: Dissonance Waves!"

    As two chakrams materialized in Eiran''s hands, his Soul Artifact, he flawlessly threw them to either of his sides like boomerangs. Instantly, the chakrams grew twice as big and rotated around him with water splashing with each spin around him.

    After a couple of spins, the chakrams blurred and created a water barrier that pulsated with life energy.

    Without hesitation, he dived into the torrent of flames and reached Rex.

    Seeing this, Franklin tried to pour more life energy into his Spirit Genesis but he was too late.

    Swoosh!

    Eiran and Rex burst out of the flame torrent, their feet creating trenches into the earth.

    Despite being able to protect himself, Rex''s body was marred with cuts and burns that were healing at a visible pace. He was still growling in anger, glaring at Franklin—while Eiran was standing in front of him, protecting him in case of a follow-up attack.

    However, Franklin was too stunned to make his move.

    At that point, Istvan snapped out of his daze and charged into the main bubble with his aura flaring.

    "Garvain!!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "Come and fight this old one like a real man!"

    Upon hearing this, Garvain smirked as he pointed his battle axe forward.

    "Charge!" He commanded as his army surged forth like a tide. "Kill every single one of them!"