Their three enemies stood across the muddy field, Battle-Seiðr Vikings, their bodies pulsing with eerie runes that glowed even through the rain. The one on the left gripped a double-headed axe, the one on the right twirled a longsword with surprising grace, and the one in the middle, clearly the strongest held a long black spear that hummed with divine energy.

Their smiles were cold and cruel, the kind predators wore when their prey had already been cornered.

"Enough yappin', old men. Time to die," the spear-wielding Viking snarled, his voice deep and guttural. He lunged first, his spear tearing through the air with a shrill whistle.

Grand Elder Tian met him head-on, his arms dark like forged steel. Sparks burst out as spear met iron flesh, each strike heavy enough to leave cracks on the ground. Their movements blurred, both trading blows without giving an inch, each strike carrying the power of a Peak Knight Two Stage.

Nearby, Elder Shen faced off against the axe-wielder. Though his body was bleeding, his steps were light and precise. With every motion, the earth beneath his feet pulsed faintly, he was drawing strength from it.

If Lumberling had seen him, he would've recognized the technique instantly, an advanced version of the Stone Step Art. Each step Elder Shen took left a faint mirage behind, making it seem like there were three of him darting in and out of sight.

"Running again, old man? That all you've got?" the Viking growled, his lips curling into a cruel grin. He lifted his massive axe, runes along its edge glowing faintly red. Then, with a roar, he brought it down with all his might.

The strike hit like a small explosion. The ground cracked beneath it, sending mud and debris flying in every direction. Elder Shen tried to dodge, but the shockwave caught him mid-step, breaking his rhythm and throwing him off balance.

On the other side, Elder Hanxu faced the longsword-wielding Viking. Despite his age, his stance was firm, both hands gripping his broadsword tightly, his Qi pulsing through every muscle.

"Heavy Strike Technique!" he roared, swinging with all his might. His broadsword cut through the rain, its edge glowing faintly as the force of his Qi exploded outward. The impact was like a hammer crashing into stone, shaking the ground beneath them.

The Viking didn't budge. He caught the strike with his longsword, digging his feet into the mud to hold his stance. Behind him, the faint image of a massive bear spirit shimmered into view, its low roar merging with his aura.

"Not bad, old man," the Viking sneered, his grin widening. "But I'm just getting started."

The next clash hit even harder. Each swing of the Viking's blade carried the full weight of the bear spirit behind him. The ground cracked under his steps, and every strike forced Elder Hanxu to retreat inch by inch. Their blades met again and again, sparks flying with every impact as the sound of metal rang through the storm.

Then a sharp, pained cry cut through the chaos.

"Elder Shen!" Hanxu shouted, spinning toward the sound.

Just a few steps away, Elder Shen trembled as an axe drove into his shoulder. Blood sprayed across the mud.

He didn't even last a full minute.

"Elder Shen!!!" Hanxu yelled, his voice breaking through the noise as the Viking raised his axe for the final strike. But before it could fall…

BOOM!!!

A burst of golden flame slammed into the Viking from the side. The heat burned through the air, scorching armor and flesh alike.

Through the smoke, a streak of lightning tore forward, fast and sharp. It cut through the haze and collided with the Viking.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as Lumberling's spear struck the Viking's half-melted axe. The force pushed both men backward. The Viking's skin was charred black, his hair and beard smoldering, golden flames still crawling across his body.

Lumberling didn't waste a breath. His stance deepened. Then, from within him, a torrent of power burst forth, mana, Qi, aura, even divine energy, all drawn together like rivers feeding into a single sea. The sprout within his heart pulsed wildly, each beat fanning the storm that surrounded him.

The energies twisted and merged, swirling around his spear until it blazed like a miniature sun. The air cracked and the earth trembled.

The Viking let out a beastly roar, his tattoos flaring brighter as his eagle spirit erupted from his back, wings spreading wide. The aura surged, whipping the wind and fire around him, every muscle straining with raw rage as he lifted his axe.

"What in the hell are you?!" he shouted, his voice nearly lost in the storm of fire and lightning.

Lumberling exhaled softly, fingers gripping the spear tight.

"Celestial Convergence," he whispered, naming the ultimate move he had finally perfected.

Then, gathering all his power into one burning thrust, he struck.

The two weapons met with a deafening crash, the shockwave shaking the air around them. Sparks flew like rain, and for a brief moment, the Viking's axe managed to hold against Lumberling's burning spear, quivering under the force.

But Lumberling didn't stop. His body trembled as streams of mana, Qi, and aura surged outward, all drawn into the glowing sprout in his chest. It pulsed violently, straining to its limit. The two jade leaves attached to it began to glow, their light weaving together like threads of life.

It was as if the Spearheart Doctrine and Shadow Glide Skills were merging, flowing together in one seamless rhythm, guided by the sprout.

Then… BOOM!

The Viking's axe shattered, shards flying in every direction. Lumberling's spear cut through the air, driving straight through the Viking's chest.

A second explosion followed, a fiery burst that shook the ground. Elder Shen, who was still staggering nearby, was caught in the blast and thrown backward, smashing through stones and trees.

…..

When the smoke settled, only Lumberling stood tall, his spear humming faintly, the air around him rippling from leftover energy.

From the side, Aurelya appeared, clutching Liraeth's arm as they landed beside him. Her eyes widened as she looked at the aftermath.

"That move again," Aurelya said, half amazed. "Just how do you even combine that many kinds of energy?"

Lumberling turned his head slightly. "Just like how you mix elements, right?"

Aurelya frowned. "That's different. It doesn't work that way."

"It doesn't?" Lumberling asked, scratching the side of his head with a clueless look.

Before Aurelya could answer, Liraeth stepped forward, eyes scanning the distance. "Now's not the time to argue, they're still fighting."

She pointed toward the remaining Elders and Vikings who had turned their gazes toward them, faces twisted in shock and rage.

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