The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2334: A weapon that surpassed the Third Realm

Sharpness appeared in the eyes of the Ancient One as he focused his power on the wound. In the next second, it began to close. It was not regeneration. Instead, it was something far more profound. The wound itself was being erased from existence, negated at a conceptual level.

Zuko’s eyes glowed with a solemn light as he witnessed the phenomenon.

”The wounds left by this sword should not be able to heal themselves,” he said quietly. ”You are powerful.”

With those words, the aura of the Leader of the Masked Race erupted outward. His presence swelled to a terrifying degree, growing so immense that tremors rippled across Origin Island itself. The ground cracked, the air trembled, and distant laws of the island shuddered in response.

The Ancient One no longer maintained a relaxed stance. It was clear now—this was not a battle he could treat lightly. Zuko was no ordinary opponent. If he did not face the Leader of the Masked Race with all he had, there was a chance he could die.

In the next instant, tentacles formed from shadow and darkness erupted from the Ancient One’s back. Each was lined with countless staring eyes, all radiating an overwhelming sealing power. The air around them warped, heavy with suppression.

Zuko’s eyes sharpened as he took in the sight. Yet it was not merely their power that drew his reaction.

”That power...” he murmured. ”It belongs to that monster. How do you possess it?”

Zuko would never forget that battle, even if it had taken place billions of years ago. Those tentacles had belonged to one of the strongest entities that invaded Origin Island—a being of pure darkness and malevolence. The idea that such a creature might have survived was not impossible. However, Zuko was absolutely certain that the primordial essence of the Ancient One and that monster were not the same.

Unfortunately for him, the Ancient One shielded his mind completely. Zuko’s ability to read thoughts failed to penetrate the barrier, leaving him full of questions.

Silence reigned.

The Leader of the Masked Race and the Ancient One stared at one another, their energies climbing higher and higher until, in the same instant, they vanished.

”BOOOOOOOM!”

A massive explosion erupted as the two collided. Sword and tentacles clashed with force capable of detonating suns. Shockwaves tore through the land, pulverizing stone and ripping the sky apart with raw power.

Zuko’s sword was a sacred treasure of the Masked Race—a weapon that surpassed the Third Realm. While he could not fully unleash its true might, it was still far superior to any Alpha-Omega Overgod weapon.

Yet even such overwhelming power failed to sever the tentacles.

They locked together, and worse still, the tentacles began twisting around the blade, attempting to seal its power entirely.

Zuko tightened his grip instantly, ripping the sword free before twisting his body and launching a kick toward the Ancient One’s head. Space itself began to negate the strike, distorting and slowing it, but it did not stop it completely.

That brief delay was enough.

The Ancient One’s palm slammed into Zuko’s chest, releasing a repulsive force that blasted his body downward like a meteor. The earth shattered beneath him, splitting apart as shockwaves rippled outward.

Even so, Zuko maintained perfect control. He twisted midair, stabilizing himself just as the Ancient One’s tentacles expanded and transformed into massive monsters, surging toward him at shocking speed.

Using supreme martial skill, the Leader of the Masked Race deflected and severed every tentacle that reached him. His movements were precise and ruthless. Yet there were simply too many. They were too powerful, and slowly, they began to gain ground.

Taking a deep breath, Zuko’s heart thundered, mightier than a star going supernova.

Obsidian power surged across his body, coating his skin and flooding into his sword. The weapon hummed violently as it absorbed the energy.

In the next second, Zuko swung.

A radiant arc of obsidian energy tore through the battlefield, so immensely powerful that it blasted every tentacle out of its path. The attack carved an empty corridor through the chaos, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

The Ancient One’s eyes widened as he saw the arc tear straight toward him. Before he could reorganize his tentacles, Zuko was already in front of him.

The sword slashed toward his face.

The Ancient One drew upon every iota of speed and strength he possessed, pulling back just in time to avoid being cleaved in half. Even so, the blade still tore across his chest, piercing through the defenses of the Power of Negation and opening a deep wound. Blood spilled freely, staining the air crimson.

Yet even then, the Ancient One did not falter.

He twisted his body in the same instant and drove a ferocious punch straight into Zuko’s face. The blow carried not only immense physical force but also the full repulsive might of his ability.

Zuko’s body trembled violently.

But he was not blown away, remaining in his position.

The Leader of the Masked Race slashed again, carving a cross-shaped wound into the Ancient One’s chest. A flash of pain crossed the Ancient One’s eyes, but his focus remained unbroken.

As Zuko prepared to strike once more, the Ancient One activated his power upon himself, forcing space to reject his presence and push his body backward, just out of reach of the blade.

At the same time, the tentacles converged once more on Zuko.

With a powerful swing, Zuko blasted them away, and in the next heartbeat, he flashed forward again.

The Ancient One could feel the overwhelming killing intent rushing toward him like a tidal wave. Yet he did not lose focus. More and more tentacles erupted forth, sacrificing themselves to slow Zuko’s charge as the Ancient One gathered his power.

Explosions echoed one after another as Zuko tore through every obstacle in his path.

Finally, he stood directly before the Ancient One.

His eyes burned with determination.

His sword was raised.

And it was ready to take the Ancient One’s head.