Leonis slowly drew his sword.
The instant the blade left its scabbard, a brilliant golden light illuminated the entire throne room.
An overwhelming pressure swept across the Ninth Floor.
Kai instinctively activated Sovereign Dragon Body.
Golden markings spread across his arms as he prepared for battle.
Nova landed gracefully beside him.
Her nine tails swayed behind her.
The two exchanged a glance.
No words were needed.
Through Absolute Beast Link, they already understood each other's thoughts.
Leonis smiled.
"Excellent."
"A king and his partner should trust one another completely."
He raised his sword.
"Come!"
BOOM!
The floor cracked beneath his feet as Leonis shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
Kai activated Phantom Sovereign Steps.
His body split into dozens of afterimages.
Leonis swung once.
WHOOSH!
The golden blade cut through every illusion.
But the real Kai had already appeared above him.
"Nova!"
The little fox nodded.
"Origin Flame!"
A massive sphere of golden fire descended toward Leonis.
The Guardian calmly lifted his left hand.
A transparent golden shield appeared before him.
The flames exploded harmlessly against it.
Leonis smiled.
"A fine attack."
"But too straightforward."
He disappeared.
Kai's eyes widened.
"So fast!"
Before he could react—
BANG!
Leonis' fist struck Kai's chest.
Kai was thrown across the throne room, crashing into a massive pillar.
The stone shattered.
Dust filled the air.
"Master!"
Nova immediately rushed toward him.
Kai slowly stood.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"I'm alright."
Leonis nodded approvingly.
"You protected your companion by drawing my attention."
"A king always shields those behind him."
Kai smiled.
"And I'll keep doing it."
He opened the System Creation Workshop.
Current System Points: 59,000
Available Functions:
Create Skills
Skill Fusion
Equipment Enhancement
Kai thought quickly.
"I need something that combines offense and defense..."
He began designing.
Skill Name: Sovereign Domain
Rank Requested: Mythical
Effect: Within a twenty-meter radius, all allied beasts receive increased strength, speed, and defense while enemy attacks are weakened.
The Workshop glowed brightly.
Several seconds passed.
Then—
Skill Successfully Created!
Rank: Mythical
Knowledge flooded Kai's mind.
He immediately activated it.
A golden circle expanded beneath his feet.
Ancient beast symbols appeared across the floor.
Nova gasped.
"Master..."
"I feel stronger!"
The System displayed another notification.
Sovereign Domain Active
Nova's Combat Power: +80%
Enemy Combat Efficiency: -20%
Leonis laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"Creating a Mythical Skill during battle..."
"You're truly extraordinary!"
Nova's body became surrounded by golden flames.
Her aura doubled.
She leaped high into the air.
"Origin Flame Storm!"
Hundreds of blazing fireballs rained toward Leonis.
This time...
The Guardian's shield cracked.
Leonis smiled.
"Much better."
Kai used the opening.
With Phantom Sovereign Steps, he flashed behind Leonis.
His fist glowed with dragon energy.
"Sovereign Strike!"
BOOOOOOM!!
The attack landed directly on Leonis' back.
The Guardian staggered.
For the first time...
He dropped to one knee.
Silence filled the throne room.
Leonis slowly stood.
Then...
He laughed harder than ever.
"Excellent!"
"Wonderful!"
"I haven't enjoyed a battle like this in centuries!"
A brilliant golden aura erupted from his body.
His armor dissolved into particles of light.
Beneath it...
Ancient dragon scales covered his arms.
A magnificent golden crown appeared above his head.
The System immediately sounded an alert.
Guardian Leonis
Final Form Activated
Kai tightened his fists.
"So there's another phase."
Leonis nodded.
"This..."
"...is the power of a true king."
He pointed his sword toward Kai.
"One final exchange."
"No tricks."
"No hesitation."
"Everything you have."
Kai looked at Nova.
She smiled confidently.
"We'll do it together."
Kai nodded.
"Together."
Golden energy surrounded both of them.
Absolute Beast Link
Sovereign Dragon Body
Phantom Sovereign Steps
Sovereign Domain
Every skill activated simultaneously.
Kai's aura exploded.
Even the Tower trembled in response.
Outside...
Everyone fighting below looked toward the summit.
The Beast Tower released a pillar of golden light into the heavens.
The Black Monarch frowned.
"He's about to finish the Ninth Trial."
Mordecai's expression changed.
"We're running out of time."
The Black Monarch raised both hands.
Darkness gathered around him.
"If he reaches the Tenth Floor..."
"...everything changes."
Back inside the throne room...
Kai and Leonis rushed toward each other.
Their attacks collided in the center of the hall.
A blinding explosion engulfed the entire Ninth Floor.
To Be Continued...