Chapter 577 - Crimson Sands - Part II

“I demand satisfaction!”

It was a roar that froze the entire crowd to silence.

Eric could feel the weight of Dominion, the pressure of endless vast mountains crushing everyone to silence.

Eric’s gaze snapped over to the massive eight foot giant, even now leaping into the arena.

The ground shook with the boom.

The giant dissected Eric with his killing glare. “I declare you in violation of the Treaty of Gong! For you are a Contender, and the Gauntlet has not been thrown!”

Eric smiled into the awful tension that had silenced even the announcer, all in awe before the barrel-chested giant who wore odd flowing pants that were almost a half-robe… and nothing above the titanium-hued belt circling his waste.

Wild, granite-hued features glared into Eric’s own, and Eric wasn’t blind to the deadly weight behind the man’s killing aura. So visibly radiating the weight and majesty of endless mountains… or perhaps the vast plateau facing the entirety of the lowlands.

A plateau so like a mountain range extending for countless thousands of miles.

Just how powerful would a Dao foundation like that make a man?

Eric suppressed a shiver that was not dread... but sheerest excitement!

Because he was about to find out.

“I dispute your assertion!” Eric’s voice rang clearly through the entire arena.

The monstrous giant’s lips curved in a savage grin. “Then I will prove my assertion with your broken body! I, Crom, Champion of the Tora Clan, will give you the death you so richly deserve, outsider!”

Eric couldn’t help it as the crowd broke out in tense whispers and the frantic sounds of fresh betting. His lips stretched hideous and wide as death came roaring toward him. Unapologetic. Merciless and brutal.

Just the way he liked it.

“Eric! He’s radiating so much fucking Spiritual Pressure! And his Dao! He’ll crush you to dust!”

“Just place the bets, Bunz. Just place the—”

Even mental thought became a blur of frantic movement as the air roared with the fury of the mountain.

You have been struck by Roar of the Mountain!

You have been disoriented!

Penalty to balance and perception successfully minimized!

Eric grit his teeth against the queasy nausea roiling through him, a tiny corner of his mind feeling as if he were hurtling endlessly down a sheer rocky slope, caught in a landslide. He choked back a snarl, thinking it fucking unfair as hell that these slick cultivators could infuse abilities that had nothing to do with stone or rock with the essence of their Dao and cut right through his ridiculously high and momentarily worthless resistances.

Fortunately, he had an advantage, even when a Silver that was the farthest thing from a half-step charged him with absolute killing intent.

He didn’t need full orientation, even if all directions were suddenly spinning madly. Speed Racer meant that up was whatever direction he chose it to be, and if he was racing away at a 30 degree angle from the sand itself… then that was just fine as the sand exploded behind him.

Ruby sand has been OBLITERATED under the Weight of the Mountain! Existence itself has been crushed under the might of a Silver Giant’s righteous wrath!

Because whatever direction he chose WAS a straight-line exit point.

Yet even as he weaved and juked and desperately fought to reorient himself, he could feel the killing pressure of massive hands that again bore the Dao of the mountain in every fingertip as Eric faced a monster who had mastered the potential of his Dao far more thoroughly than Eric had his own higher order concepts. For Eric was the equivalent of a quickly blazing star that had shot up in power so blindingly fast that he had just begun to scratch the surface of what he might be capable of, before being forced to face down an expert in his prime.

You have (barely) dodged Fist of the Mountain!

You have FAILED to dodge left hook!

You have been sent flying!

Alarm bells screamed in Eric’s head as ribs cracked, the force behind the blow utterly undeniable, Eric not able to shift his sense of inertia quickly enough. Because even if it hadn’t been piercing or infused with cold or toxins, the force of the blow had been absolutely inexorable.

Even now, as he spun through the air, a momentarily dazed Eric caught sight of Crom’s hate-filled snarl, the way the man’s eyes glittered with malice, so EAGER to wrap Eric in his arms while he hurtled through the air. Only he, unlike Eric, wouldn’t hold back just before killing his prey to make his victory unquestioned.

For all Eric knew, the man thought Lady Suun had perished. Regardless, he had every intention of ending Eric’s life upon the ruby sands.

Which meant that it was time for Eric to quit fucking around and stop holding back, because the odds would always be stacked against him, and yes, his enemies, WOULD get to coolly observe his skills and tactics after Xi Xiun had let just enough slip at Jade Consortium for Lady Suun to overhear exactly what she needed to, to force this issue. And of course the Toya Clan would find a way to bring in multiple heavy hitters, because wager or no, Eric seizing such a valuable prize that would actually give him access to such a high quality mercantile enterprise without having to genuflect and give constant tithes and a cut to some master would absolutely not be tolerated.

He would be crushed and obliterated at all costs as an example to lowlanders, assuring that they would always and forever know their place.

It was a thought that filled him with fury bitter enough that Eric was finally willing to reveal that which he would rather keep hidden from an entire world's worth of spectators.

Like just how fast he was.

Quickness Check: Success!

You have dodged Obliterating Swing!

Your foe is momentarily off balance!

Or how hard he could actually hit.

DOOM STRIKE!

Combined 9 ranks of Icy Dominion TRUMPS Rank 3 Dao of the Mountain!

Baseline 710 Dao enhanced resistances lowered to 237!

You have FAILED to crack your opponent’s skull!

You have FAILED to save versus hairline fractures within multiple phalanges!

You have successfully drained 13% of your opponents Vitality, Quickness, Mana, and Qi!

Your opponents has been Chilled and Slowed by 13%

You have regenerated your damaged fingers!

Your opponent is roaring his outrage!

You have been sent flying!

Eric snarled with vindication when his opponent stumbled, even if only for a moment while Eric hissed and refocused, more shocked than he wanted to admit to find that utter inestructibilty against mortal objects aside, to the point that he could slam into dreadnoughts at near light speed and come out with hardly a scratch, he had still managed to injure his hand against utterly indestructible bone, more real and present and infused with reality’s essences than any half-dreamed netherworld object could ever be.

“You DARE to strike ME? You will pay, outlander! Pay when I feast upon the core of your soul!”

“That doesn’t sound like orthodox cultivation to me, asswipe!” Eric tuanted as he was sent hurtling through the air once more, toppling end over end and fighting nausea from more cultivator-enhanced nightmare crap as an only slightly slowed and utterly seething Crom dashed forward at a Quickness greater even than the deadly fluid and quick Lady Suun.

1500, if it was a point, so very eager to snatch Eric out of the air and tear him apart, limb from limb. Eric could read it on Crom’s hate-filled features. So he didn’t hesitate to make full use of his abilities, such that when monstrous hands clapped together in a pulverizing display of force, Eric wasn’t there.

Speed Racer enhanced Quickness Check: Success!

You have made inertia and relativity your tools to success as you pivot around your foe.

Find Weakness skill-check. Success!

Kidney shots (free of bones!) have stunned your opponent!

Doom Strike flurry initiated!

You have drained an additional 44% of your opponent’s Vitality and Quickness, and have kept your fingers intact!

Your opponent saves versus further draining.

The mountain is resilient!

Eric flashed a fierce smile despite his throbbing hand as Crom roared his fury once more, the sands vibrating before his wrath.

Because ultimately, it no longer mattered.

Your foe has embraced Berserker’s Fury!

Mountain’s Fury fails to hit you!

Avalanche fails to strike your person!

Thunder Clap does MINIMAL damage against blood-filled ears filled with Essence of Dominion.

Congratulations, you’ve taken control of your own senses!

Furious eyes widen in growing disbelief.

“No. Impossible! You are worthless outland filth, forbidden even to touch the steps of ascension! You have no immunity to the mountain’s might! You will fall before me, outlander. And you will do so NOW!”

Eric blinked before smirking at the sudden, inexorable pressure that was indeed bearing down upon him.

Rank 3 Dao of the Mountain (Diluted, unorthodox Dominion-based aura attack) FAILS to overcome 4128 Strength boosted by Rank 2 Essence of Wrath!

Pressure he shook off just as the monster charged once more.

Before being stopped in his tracks when Eric spun around his foe and delivered a ridge hand strike to the side of the man’s neck with Burst of Strength in full effect.

The air rang with the discordant crack of snapped bone as Eric tore free another sweet chunk of vibrant potency when his foe was sent hurtling through the air.

Tumbling in an element that was clearly antithetical to the pristine stability of earth.

So it was nothing for Eric to take full advantage and pummel the bastard with a furious onslaught of his own.

Doomstrike! Doomstrike!

You have critically struck your foe!

Additional Vitality and Quickness has been drained!

The mountain FAILS to save against the inexorable wrath of Winter’s Fury!

You have successfully claimed all of your foe’s Qi reserves!

His strikes were as precise as they were furious, each one plunging into soft flesh, not hard bone. Each sending his foe higher in the air, not lower, Eric now not giving a shit who saw what as he took steps on what was for him, solid air, sending his foe cartwheeling ever higher with what was now an absolutely furious 8000+ Wrath-infused Strength.

You have saved versus broken bones!

Left wrist has been strained.

Regeneration successfully heals all injuries!

He didn’t care when his foes furious roars became wheezes and gasps and then, just seconds later, piteous groans.

He didn’t care about the horrified looks of awe, disbelief, and fear as his barrage of blood-covered fists sent the crumpling bastard ever higher into the air as Eric made full use of the wild synergy of outerworld titles and 5 ranks of reality-defying Dominion.

Because all he felt when he looked at the now battered and unconscious countenance of the Silver Giant that had thought he could kill Eric… was furious hate.

At least until the air rang with a fierce clap like thunder, instantly silencing a roaring crowd filled with shouts of triumph and groans of lost bets.

Eric snapped out of his bloodthirsty fugue to peer down at the diminutive figure who had clapped. It was nothing more than a frail-looking elder man with a snow white beard and mustache, wearing what looked like an ancient hemp robe, wooden sandals, and nothing else.

Yet when he spoke, the entire arena trembled and no mortal soul dared raise their head.

“Well done, Contender. Your point has been made. Welcome to NanDushi. Now, if you would be so kind?”

Eric, being the farthest thing from a fool, snatched the unconscious Crom by his topknot even as he bowed in the air, slowly strode down invisible steps, then walked upon the crimson sands to face the smiling elder as he gently lowered the spasming Crom who really did look the worse for ware, wheezing for air that was clearly hard to come by, with his ruined throat.

Eric dared to lock gazes with the coolly smiling elder for only a heartbeat before bowing a fully ninety degrees. “This student of the way greets Elder Cultivator.”

“Indeed. And I see that your Dragon Gates are clogged all to hell, for someone who dares to call himself a cultivator,” the elder noted, shaking his head sadly. “Yet your power is both exceptional and undeniable. And you haven’t infused yourself with the dire strangeness of the Black Sea Clan. So, what path does one as unorthodox as you follow, child?”

Eric flashed a bleak smile. “I walk Evolution’s Path.”

The man stared at Eric for long moments as the entire world seemed to hold its breath. So many eyes upon them both.

“So. You are Evelyn Kahn’s disciple.”

Eric bowed his head, so very grateful for his disguise. Even if he presently wore no mask at all.

“That is correct.”

The crowd filled with murmurs. Even as the softest of whispers, in respect to this elder, whoever he was… Eric could sense it.

“Fearless Leader! The Jade Emporium channels are BLAZING! Even Xi Xiun looks shocked! I thought he knew what your name truly meant. Guess not? Ooh...this isn’t good. They’re asking if you’re here for—”

“So, it’s to be conquest, then?”

Eric froze, sensing the extreme peril tied within the seemingly innocent line of questioning.

He solemnly shook his head. “To the best of my knowledge, The empress is focused primarily on closing the rifts within the Netherworld, as you call it. Rifts that lead to what truly might be a hell. From what I can tell, she has absolutely no interest in conflict with Titan Prime.”

The elder furrowed his brow. “If only that were true.”

“My cultivator’s oath upon those words.”

Eric blinked, looking surprised when the world itself seemed to tremble with his declaration.

Even the elder’s eyes widened. “Your word actually carries weight. Fascinating.” He tilted his head curiously. “Then why are you here, Dreadlord Silver?”

Eric flashed a bleak, self-effacing smile. “I grew too powerful, too quickly. This is my chance to start over, learn from past mistakes, and reforge my foundation. Or, if that proves to be utterly impossible, I’m to enjoy the quiet, slice-of-life ambiance. And, well…”

“Convince the Exalt clan that there’s no need to kill a useful tool that knows when it’s no longer needed?”

Eric froze only momentarily before bowing his head.

“That is correct, sir.”

The elder cultivator nodded thoughtfully. “Very well, lad. You may stay.”

Eric blinked, surprise by the sudden surge of relief flooding his frame with those words, so casually said, by a man who looked frail as a leaf.

But after taking out two Dao-infused Silver core monsters, that last thing Eric was going to do was play the complete fool now.

So he flowed into a bow and held it for long tense seconds, the entire televised world witnessing his genuflection.

The air filled with an old man’s quiet chuckle. “So, how’s Lady Death doing these days, Dreadlord Silver? And how did you earn such a title at such a young age, anyway?”

Eric flashed a quiet smile. “My mistress is doing well enough to raise a mortal Terran from nothing and to waste a few precious hours on one such as I. As for my own title…” Eric slowly raised his eyes, freezing but refusing to flinch when he gazed into oblivion’s promise.

The eyes of a Silver as deep and dreadful as his mother had once been.

“It was earned through mastering arts dark and terrible. Arts which I have absolutely no intention of embracing while enjoying the ambience of Titan Prime.”

“And your armies?”

“Surrendered unto Death’s care. She has a galaxy to stabilize and rifts to obliterate, after all.”

The old man smiled. “Good. Then you have proved yourself worthy to step upon NanDushi’s exalted soil, young Dreadlord.” His smile hardened. “With the understanding that the lowlands alone will enjoy the gift of your influence. You will not seek to ascend before the gauntlet is thrown, and your vendetta against the Toya Clan is over.”

Eric dipped his head once more. “It will be as you say, Revered One. I prefer to be on good terms with all the highland clans.”

The ancient cultivator flashed a jaded smile as he and the two charges he carried so effortlessly faded in sparkles of light. “You have defeated two Silvers upon the ruby sands that could have easily conquered this city. By ancient right and precedent, NanDushi is yours, if you can seize it. But do see if you can make things interesting without slaughtering the local populace?”

Eric shivered at how casually those words were said as the crowd’s awe turned to tense panic, yet he didn’t hesitate to slam fist to chest, bowing once more.

“I will do my best to avoid slaughter, Revered One. At this point, I only seek economic conquest along the Path of Profit… and of course, sharing with everyone absolutely unbeatable deals!”

The air filled with golden peels of laughter. “Then have at it, lad! The highlands could always use new and exciting trade goods.”

Eric flashed a positively beaming smile towards multiple holovid cams and tens of thousands of petrified viewers as he showed off his custom-tailored outfit to best effect, everything in pristine condition even after the fight, having already been blood-bound to his soul.

“Take a good look at these high-end threads, friends. Not everyone can produce a felt-lined leather jacket this soft and comfortable that's capable of weathering the worst storms that life can throw at you. Legendary quality, legendary value, with style and flare that's second to none!”

He then drew his sword and unleashed a massive beam of roaring crimson flame straight for the heavens, while summoning a certain well-preserved Black Sea spirit beast head in his other hand, posing for both cameras and crowd.

Yet unlike every other Dao-infused attack that had shaken the arena, five ranks of Dominion-infused Bloodfire boosted by 3000 Strength and Quickness infused into the Power Blow feat managed to pop the arena barrier as if it were no more than a soap bubble. The beam, roaring with even more fury than had once obliterated a Kraken’s multidimensional defenses, soared over half a mile high before erupting in brilliant fireworks that hurt no one at all, Eric’s roar echoing through the entire city.

“Legendware. For the hero in all of us!”