Chapter 77: One Against Two

Ampere Haruka, standing nearby, also noticed Tojo’s sudden change in expression. His eyes couldn't help but scrutinize Xuanyuan Huangdao. He sensed a faint, elusive aura emanating from Xuanyuan Huangdao, though he wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination. For someone as renowned as Xuanyuan Huangdao, a veteran powerhouse, Haruka had scarcely heard his name. After all, when Xuanyuan Huangdao had entered Sakura Country and slain the previous head of the Shrine, Haruka was just a boy of ten or so.

“Who are you?” Haruka asked, his brow furrowed, his demeanor grave.

Xuanyuan Huangdao finally set his gaze on Haruka. Upon seeing him for the first time, a hint of surprise flickered across Xuanyuan Huangdao’s face. He spoke slowly, “An onmyoji?”

Haruka remained silent, his eyes locked onto Xuanyuan Huangdao.

“I don’t care who you are, what status you hold, or what purpose brought you to Flame Summer. But remember this—it is not Sakura Country here.”

Xuanyuan Huangdao’s words were calm, but his body radiated a chilling murderous intent. Sensing this, Tojo’s face became exceedingly strained.

“Senior Xuanyuan, I hope you’ll leave this matter to me,” came a soft voice from Xiao Yu. Xuanyuan Huangdao was taken aback; he was acquainted with Xiao Yu and well aware of his current condition.

If Xiao Yu were uninjured, at the peak of his power, he might stand a chance against these two. But now, with his strength diminished to only seventy or eighty percent of his former self, facing two martial art masters together would be a daunting challenge.

Even Haruka and Tojo turned in surprise to look at Xiao Yu. Seeing the battle spirit burning in Xiao Yu’s eyes, Xuanyuan Huangdao suddenly smiled.

“Old, old—I suppose it’s truly your generation’s era now,” Xuanyuan Huangdao nodded at Xiao Yu with satisfaction.

Haruka and Tojo had already turned to face Xiao Yu squarely.

“I don’t care if your goals are the same or not. If you wish to take those two lying on the ground, there’s only one way. Defeat me.”

“That’s the simplest and most straightforward way.”

Wild!

Xiao Yu’s arrogance on the battlefield was known to all. It was not ignorance nor bravado, but a deep-seated confidence in himself. Having fought through countless battlegrounds, Xiao Yu had long since disregarded his own life and death. Whenever he fought, he considered himself already dead—only then could he be fearless.

Seeing Xiao Yu’s audacity, Haruka and Tojo were taken aback. Leaving aside the injury Xiao Yu suffered from Tojo’s sneak attack, even Haruka alone would be enough to challenge him. They truly couldn't fathom how Xiao Yu dared to speak so boldly now.

Haruka stood fixed, his gaze unwavering upon Xiao Yu, unmoving for a long time. Tojo, however, flashed forward, stopping not far in front of Xiao Yu, his eyes glinting as he looked at him with keen interest.

“No wonder you are called the Flame Summer Battle King—such courage!” Tojo’s voice carried a hint of amusement. As soon as he finished, he lunged at Xiao Yu with blinding speed.

Xiao Yu seemed to have anticipated Tojo’s attack. The moment Tojo’s figure vanished, Xiao Yu first sent the group behind him towards the ground with a palm strike, then unleashed another strike towards Tojo’s direction. A torrent of power surged at Tojo.

Tojo’s gaze sharpened, and he dodged to the side—but his movement brought him towards the group Xiao Yu had just sent down.

Boom!

Tojo’s figure flashed past, followed immediately by the crash of a violent impact. Tojo, who had intended to ambush the group, was sent hurtling backward by the force.

As Tojo sped towards the group, Xiao Yu had already landed on the ground. What piqued Xiao Yu’s curiosity was that Haruka, who had stood still until now, actually joined him in resisting Tojo’s attack.

“Don’t look at me like that. I detest those who attack from behind. Besides, the Onmyoji Bureau and the Shrine aren’t exactly friendly,” Haruka explained, sensing Xiao Yu’s puzzled gaze.

Tojo, sent flying, flipped several times in mid-air before regaining his composure. He glared at Haruka, shouting angrily, “Haruka! You actually helped him attack me! Aren’t you afraid of being condemned by Sakura Country’s warriors?”

Haruka nonchalantly picked at his ear and looked at Tojo with disdain. “When has the Onmyoji Bureau ever feared anything?”

Hearing Haruka’s indifferent words, Tojo could only sigh in resignation.

“Haruka, we both came for the princess. Why fight among ourselves? Why not join forces for now—defeat Xiao Yu first, then settle our affairs. What do you say?” Tojo flashed a cold smile as he spoke again.

Haruka pondered for a moment. To Xiao Yu’s surprise, he nodded calmly.

“Well, now that you mention it, it makes sense. I agree!” No sooner had Haruka spoken than he turned and struck at Xiao Yu with a palm.

Although Haruka had earlier aided him, Xiao Yu remained wary of him. The moment Haruka attacked, Xiao Yu darted away, vanishing from the ground and rising into the air.

“You’re supposed to be a genius among onmyoji. Can’t you at least have some principles?” Xiao Yu looked down at Haruka, his tone cool.

As soon as Xiao Yu finished, Haruka and Tojo’s figures flashed simultaneously, launching a joint assault on him. Xiao Yu was not surprised; though their factions differed and their purposes might not align, both hailed from Sakura Country and shared a common enemy. Their alliance was hardly unexpected.

Xiao Yu stood motionless in mid-air, a surging aura radiating from him. The sword in his hand gleamed brilliantly, its terrifying energy saturating the sky.

“Perfect timing. Today, with your lives, I will ascend to another level!”

Seeing the two charging at him, Xiao Yu shouted fiercely, soaring higher. Haruka and Tojo followed closely behind.

Haruka unleashed a wave of dark power at Xiao Yu, while at the same moment, Tojo struck with an earth-shattering palm, its violent force roaring through the void.