Ascension King

**Chapter 25: All Out**

"May I join you in this madness, Ayogiri? I seek no rank; I yearn only for the ecstasy you are experiencing," declared the imposter Tang Chen, as an overwhelming battle intent surged within him. His gaze fell upon Damon, who was reveling on the stage, Elric's hand , radiating joy and vitality.

"Haha, my friend, come join me!" Damon responded, laughter spilling from his lips as he activated the "Crazed Step," appearing simultaneously at every corner of the arena. This extraordinary skill drove him to a frenzy of speed; with each movement, his thirst for exhilaration deepened. To the onlookers, he became a blur, mere afterimages trailing behind him, his laughter echoing like thunder across the skies.

"This man is nothing short of a devil," Bai Chen mused, astonished. Yet, a warrior of his caliber would not be easily defeated. Planting his sword firmly into the ground, he unleashed a torrent of energy—"Sword Fury!" The arena trembled under the force, but Damon remained visible, his plan unfolding perfectly.

"Let's go eliminate that scoundrel!" Elric seethed, rage igniting within him as Damon taunted him, holding a stone playfully. He lunged forward, summoning the "Call of the Spear King," conjuring the mighty image of a man astride a horse, spear poised to strike Damon.

"What can a one-handed spearman achieve? This is truly amusing!" Damon mocked, extending his hand to intercept the attack. Just as the spear was about to pierce his chest, he smiled, shattering the weapon with a deft motion. Seizing the spear tip, he lunged at Elric, driving him to the ground and stabbing relentlessly, blood splattering across his face. "Is he dead?" murmured the crowd, their stomachs churning in horror as they bore witness to this gruesome spectacle. Elric's expression was one of silent desperation, pleading for assistance that would not come.

Amid the chaos, Tang Chen leaped into action, wielding two needles aimed at Nero's head. However, she had anticipated his move and swiftly countered with her double blades, sending him reeling. "There's something different about him—what strength is this?" Nero pondered, grappling with her own doubts. Just then, a voice rang out from behind her.

"Don't be afraid; let's confront him together!" Marvin declared, joining the fray, his own double blades gleaming with intent. He loathed Tang Chen with every fiber of his being, swinging his sword with fervor. Yet, Tang Chen evaded each strike by mere inches, taunting Marvin with every dodge. "Why do you assist this insignificant insect?" he sneered, feigning ignorance, which only fueled Marvin's rage.

"I despise you—you killed my junior brother!" Marvin spat, his voice laced with venom.

"Haha, then perhaps you should join him!" Tang Chen retorted, closing in on Marvin's face and unleashing a spray of poison. "Ahhh, this feels like acid!" Marvin cried out, hastily channeling energy to mitigate the damage.

"The Sword That Carves a Way!" Marvin's strike was imbued with raw emotion, each swing resonating with his fury. Vertical sword energy erupted from his blade, slicing through the air, determined to obliterate anything in its path. "I will join in the fray as well!" Nero shouted, appearing behind Tang Chen, her rage palpable as she swung her blades with ferocity.

Damon chuckled, pride swelling within him at the sight of such strength emanating from a mere puppet. "Let's continue!" he exclaimed, appearing suddenly behind Veronica, who was preparing to unleash her fire once more. "What a fool," he scoffed, grasping her mouth with his gauntlet-clad hands and dragging her across the stage. She understood that if she didn't unleash her potential, she would be next to fall.

They were all prodigies of the Commander's realm, yet Damon's power eclipsed them all. In a moment of desperation, she ignited herself in flames, revealing her "Vermilion Bird Body."

"Oh my, has our sect been blessed with a Vermilion Bird bloodline, born with the gift of rebirth?" murmured the audience, a ripple of excitement coursing through them.

"You see, I have slain a Vermilion Bird, leaving it in a state of depression, never to be reborn. Extinguish your flames now," Damon warned. The weight of his words struck Veronica with fear; even the supreme elders were taken aback by his audacity. Yet, a primal instinct within her bloodline urged her to believe his claims, and she fled from the stage.

"Heavenly Demon, are you certain? This demon is your son-in-law? He is far too terrifying; even I, an elder, can sense that some of his words carry an unsettling truth," the third elder, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. With a Phoenix bloodline, she felt an instinctual warning to keep her distance.

"Bai Chen, demonstrate why you hold the top rank," Damon urged, his confidence unwavering. He knew Tang Chen could manage the rest. "Go all out, for I shall unleash the arts of my people!" His smile widened as he completed his declaration. "Void Step!" This move was infused with the very essence of the void, and in an instant, he appeared and vanished, not merely running but transcending the ordinary.

"Void Fist!" Damon struck at Bai Chen, who managed to block the blow with his great sword, blood spilling from his mouth as he felt the impact reverberate through him. Bai Chen noticed a dent forming on his sturdy blade and gazed at Damon with newfound respect. "You are truly worthy of admiration, but today, I will prove that I too am a man of strength!" he declared, casting his great sword to the ground with a resounding crash.

"Boom!" The sound echoed as he charged forward, fists raised. "This is what I relish—a fistfight!" Damon exclaimed, driving Avalonia into the ground as they both launched powerful punches at one another, their strikes distorting the very fabric of space.

"Elders, erect a barrier before these two kill other people!" Heavenly Demon Blaire urged, excitement coursing through him as he watched the battle unfold. This son-in-law was a sight to behold, stirring a paternal instinct he had long suppressed.

Bai Chen was launched into the air as Damon appeared above him, unleashing a series of palm strikes—"Void Palm Series!" Each blow was a furious testament to his strength, the most intense assault Bai Chen had ever faced. In an instant, he activated his family's secret art—"Guard of Ancient Armor," as the armor encasing him grew harder and sharper.

"If you survive this battle, join me. You must either join me or forfeit your life," Damon proclaimed, exhilaration coursing through him.

"You battle maniac! Don't kill him; you're far too eager!" Vivi interjected, sensing the thrill radiating from Damon.

"We can always revive him with my nectar, can't we?" Damon mused internally.

"Then every old devil will hunt you for your treasures," Vivi countered sharply.

"Vivi, leave me be!" Damon retorted, swiftly executing a rotation as he unleashed his barrage of strikes. Each blow landed on Bai Chen, who valiantly blocked them with his palms, bones cracking beneath the pressure. Though he yearned to scream in agony, he refused to show weakness. The pain was relentless, and he simply wished for it to cease. "I—I will join you!" The words escaped Bai Chen's lips, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

"Did that proud young man just utter those words? Something monumental is about to unfold within this Heavenly Demon Sect," the spectators gasped, their astonishment palpable.