Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Chapter 195: War (37)

Rain's surprise deepened as he observed the enemy's swift evasion and subsequent change in aura. The shift from a dark aura to a fiery red one caught Rain off guard once more. It was becoming increasingly evident that these adversaries were holding back some of their techniques, revealing their true strength only when necessary.

The transformation in aura seemed to signify a shift in the enemy's approach – a warning that he was prepared to escalate the intensity of the battle. Rain couldn't help but acknowledge the enemy's proficiency and adaptability in combat tactics, making him even more cautious about the battle that lay ahead.

"His whole presence seemed a lot more powerful all of a sudden... aside from high-level healing magic, can they do this?" Rain thought.

Rain assumed that it was a technique that he would learn eventually if he kept focusing on the martial path, but he didn't want to wait. He will have to force the enemy to show that again.

"No impulse. Some wide attacks should do the trick..." Rain thought.

While Rain wanted to make the enemy show that technique again, he needed to make things a bit more equal... he also wanted to make the enemy pay for his arrogance.

Rain charged once again and tried to punch the enemy's stomach, but the guy kept moving backward and avoiding the hits by a thin margin. Rain insisted for a while, but soon he got pissed and impatient.

In the next moment, Rain tried to punch the face of the enemy, but the guy just twitched his head to the side and avoided the hit. But soon, his aura changed when he felt Rain's mana acting again.

Unfortunately, the enemy reacted in time to protect his other ear... Still, Rain hit the ribcage of the enemy with all his might using Iron Fists, Crushing Blow, and with the help of Impulse as well. While the enemy was suffering, Rain kept using Impulse even without moving from the spot... which increased the power of the attack.

The enemy quickly turned and kicked Rain with a roundhouse kick... and while Rain blocked it with his arms, he felt them going numb while he was sent flying into the distance and spinning in the air.

Rain only landed fifty meters away, much to his surprise, and he felt that his arms were about to break. He saw the enemy charging at him again as if that wasn't enough. He was finally showing his true colors... or perhaps that technique made him more wild.

"That works as well..." Rain thought.

With lightning speed, Rain formed sturdy barriers of earth around his arms, intercepting the enemy general's thunderous strikes. The clash of their forces created shockwaves that rippled through the battleground. Unfazed by Rain's defenses, the enemy's attacks were like relentless tempests, hammering against Rain's fortified barriers.

Amidst the chaos, Rain's earlier actions had caused the rain to halt around him, creating a surreal bubble of stillness. But the enemy's onslaught was so potent that even the ground beneath them seemed to quiver, water droplets recoiling from the intensity of the impacts.

Each collision between their forces generated a fierce exchange of energy. Rain felt his own body being pushed back, his feet digging into the wet ground as he resisted the opposing force. He was propelled ten meters backward with every strike, his form streaking through the battlefield like a comet.

As he was pushed toward the heart of the conflict, Rain's companions, Reca and Jori, became distant blurs amidst the swirling fray. The battleground itself seemed to transform, becoming a vortex of clashing elements and unrestrained power.