Chapter 328: A Bet

Boom!!!

The greatsword heavily thrust down and issued a deafening sound. The people who heard it couldn't help but shiver. However, Barter suddenly stopped. He looked at Rhode who stood quietly before him. Rhode was holding the hilt, about to draw his sword. It gave people a strange feeling, as if the battle from before was just an illusion because, in fact, the two of them hadn't even started yet.

"Not bad, interesting."

Barter grinned as he looked at Rhode.

"You are really interesting, kid. But with your ability, it should be difficult for you to beat me, right."

"We'll find out after this fight."

Rhode frowned and replied with an indifferent expression. At the same time, he also felt a little hesitant. He had fully understood Barter's fighting style from the previous test he conducted. As expected, the Executioner's Greatsword had a great power, but it also had a big gap in its attack. Although the wind force that got swept together could compensate for this gap to some extent, it was useless in the face of an opponent with an equal footing. It was a pity that Rhode's physical attributes were still at the elite level, which was why he was still unsure of whether he could survive this attack. Usually, he wouldn't mind taking this risk; by relying on the composition adornment and his combat experience as a once high-level spirit swordsman, there wouldn't be a problem in defeating Barter.

However, defeating a person who was twenty levels above him wouldn't be easy. The loss percentage would be much higher than the gain.

Rhode was sure that he could defeat Barter, but he was worried about what would happen later on. After defeating Barter, he would definitely be injured heavily. Under such a condition, it would be difficult for him to defeat the other four. Of course, he could choose to give up and leave the rest to Lize and Anne. However, he still couldn't fully be reassured, nor did he want to waste his most precious combat power for the sake of upcoming battles.

But if he lost, there wouldn't be any upcoming battles.

"How about this, kid?"

While Rhode was lost in thought, Barter suddenly looked at him and said, "Let's make a bet."

"A bet?"

Hearing Barter's words, Rhode was taken aback. He narrowed his eyes, calmly and carefully gazed at Barter, waiting for him to speak. Seeing it, Barter smiled and nodded as he continued to speak.

"Yes, a bet... let's bet in our victory."

Rhode frowned. Although the way Barter spoke had always been senseless, Rhode was sure that he hadn't yet finished his words, so Rhode only quietly listened. As expected, he soon continued.

"If you can defeat me, then Purple Lily will immediately forfeit and give the victory to you... I think my words are clear enough."

As soon as this statement was made, everyone was surprised, including Rhode.

"Really?"

Rhode asked while staring at him and hearing Rhode's inquiry, Barter proudly nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, I never go back on my words. Forget about your unnecessary hesitation and fight like a man!"

Hearing Barter's reply, Rhode hesitated for a while, but he quickly nodded.

"Alright, I accept the bet... I hope you will not regret it, Mr. Barter."

"Let me see whether you have the strength to make me regret it!"

Barter swung his sword.

The two greatswords were lifted up high. Soon, the ground trembled and an invisible and surging sword intent appeared from his burly body as he shouted. He crossed his swords and aimed it straight towards Rhode.

Earth Strike!

This guy is being serious!

Rhode was surprised by this attack, but he didn't back down. Instead, Rhode activated Shadow Flash and jumped at Barter as fast as lightning. The bright red sword flashed by like a meteor.

"Come!"

Facing Rhode's attack, Barter shouted. However, the swords in his hands didn't stop sweeping forward. Followed by this movement, the ground was shattered and sharp stone flakes flew around. They seemed to move under the command of two greatswords, marching forward, and colliding with Rhode's Fury Meteor attack unreservedly. Soon, an explosion echoed and the dust filled the air. However, Barter didn't stop at all, the greatsword in his left hand flung backward and moved forward. This motion set off turbulent waves on the ground. Its original solid slate had turned into a mess and burst out into ripples under the pressure of Barter's attack. The corrugated ripples turned into a solid pillar in an instant, then slanted forward like branches blown by the storm.

This scene couldn't help but make people felt excited. Barter's attack broke out like a surging wave and gave off a sense of oppression that no one could resist. Just by standing there, he had already given off an aura of a king, that the earth was his people and territory.

However, even if it was the earth, there was still an element that could counter it.

"—————!!!"

A crisp sound suddenly echoed.

The surrounding dust instantly dissipated under the strong wind. The Spirit Bird spread its wings as it looked at the scene on the ground. Under it, thunder and lightning flashed.

What is that?!

Looking at the translucent, shining, giant bird, everyone was awestruck. They looked at the Spirit Bird suspended in the mid-air unbelievably. Under the sun's rays, the Spirit Bird reflected a gleam of golden light, the color of its long slender tail phantasmagorical. It looked like a legendary messenger that had come to deliver the God's will.

It was staring at Barter, flapping its wings with force.

Although judging by its strength, the Spirit Bird didn't seem to be Barter's opponent, but as an elemental creature, its control of elements was of course much higher than Barter's. Followed by its movement, a whirlwind mixed with lightning roared out. It formed a roaring tornado and heavily hit Barter's Earth Strike. The sharp stone flakes were instantly blown off by the tornado. Before it was able to display its power, it had already been smashed by the lightning that was hidden inside the tornado. In a blink of an eye, the 'army' under Barter had been swept away. It was as if the stone pillar that had been blocking this tornado was made of just dry vines.

"Haaa!!"

Barter wasn't stunned as he saw the Spirit Bird's appearance like the others were. He had investigated Rhode beforehand and heard about his strange fighting technique. But it was his first time witnessing it.

That's why facing this Spirit Bird's attack, Barter only shouted. He rejoined the two swords and held his swords with both hands, heavily smashing the incoming tornado.

At this moment, the tornado was split into two. The sword intent that emerged from Barter's body collided with the thunderbolt that was hiding inside the tornado. Currently, the strength of a high-level swordmaster was unveiled. The power that it displayed couldn't help but made the audiences stunned.

RAWR!

Suddenly, a roaring sound echoed. Everyone couldn't help but shifted their gaze towards the burning flame that emerged behind Barter. Not long after, a black, giant hound appeared from the flame. As it opened his mouth, the flame enveloped its entire body and it charged straight towards Barter. Flames were spilling out of the Black Hound's teeth, turning into a surging wave, aiming at him.

"Such a petty trick won't work on me!"

Barter didn't seem surprised facing such a sudden attack. He only coldly snorted, then turned around as he split his sword into two and swung his right hand. The sword in his right hand immediately flew out, penetrating through the flames attack and piercing the Black Hound's body.

It seems the report is indeed correct.

An explosion sounded.

An explosive blasted out from the wounded Black Hound and the burning flames covered the entire ring. The burning flames and hot air swirled up to the sky and formed a fire pillar.

Everyone was dumbstruck. They were staring at the ring, but they couldn't comprehend what was happening in it.

They didn't notice that a shadow had flashed.

Barter lifted up both of his swords and tore apart the sea of flames that had been surrounding him. At this moment, he saw a shadow flash through the corner of his eyes. He found that Rhode had suddenly appeared beside him.

Rhode's bright red sword was sheathed once again.

Storm Slaughter, activate.