Chapter 68: The Duel in Progress

At this moment, Seiya and his companions also appeared in Sanctuary, suddenly shouting, “Miss Saori, let us fight in the third match!” Camus of Aquarius stood above, gazing silently at Hyoga for a long time. “Master Camus!” Miss Saori remained speechless, but Feng Zhe stepped forward and said directly, “Step back, all of you. This battle does not require your participation!”

“Miss Saori…” Tears streamed down Seiya’s face, as if he had been abandoned, and the others were also overcome with sorrow.

Then, Aldebaran of Taurus let out a hearty laugh and stepped forward boldly. “Boys, Athena’s protection still depends on your growth. This time, let us be the ones to defend her.” Feng Zhe, deeply concerned, pressed forward and said, “Aldebaran, if you go, it’s as good as walking to your death!” Aiolia of Leo stepped up as well. “Let me fight this match instead.”

But Aldebaran laughed even louder. “Let me be the one. To sacrifice for Athena—this is worth everything.” Seeing his unwavering resolve, Feng Zhe closed his eyes. “Very well.”

The third match was set: Camus of Aquarius versus Aldebaran of Taurus.

At the very pinnacle of the magical arts stood Camus, the greatest master of the Frozen Air Style; facing him was Aldebaran, the peak of physical might among the Gold Saints. It was never meant to be a fair contest. As soon as the match began, Camus unleashed the Aurora Execution, instantly freezing Aldebaran solid.

Camus then conjured an ice coffin, turning the mighty bull into nothing but a sculpture of frost. However, as Camus was about to leave the arena, cracks suddenly ran through the ice coffin—Aldebaran’s cosmos soared to its zenith.

Great Horn!

Aldebaran had been defending himself in a stance akin to iaido, quietly gathering his strength. When his cosmos reached its peak, he unleashed his ultimate technique—the Great Horn. This move channels the power of the cosmos into a light-speed shockwave, and with all the energy Aldebaran had amassed, its might increased several times over.

He poured every last drop of his cosmos into this final, devastating attack.

Camus, ever the formidable master of the Frozen Air Style, responded without hesitation by charging up his own ultimate technique.

Burning Aurora Execution!

Absolute fusion of ice and fire—two opposing forces, in his hands, became greater than the sum of their parts. Even though it was hurried, the power unleashed was unmatched. Yet, the overwhelming impact of the Great Horn shattered the Aurora Execution. Caught by the sudden surge of power, Camus was reduced to nothing but dust.

Aldebaran remained standing, like a victorious king. But his cosmos had vanished.

He had sacrificed everything, using a technique beyond his own limits—a warrior worthy of the highest respect.

Once again, the battle ended with mutual destruction.

Only Abel, the Sun God, spoke calmly. “A draw, once again.”

Three consecutive draws left the Gold Saints in silent contemplation. Seiya and the other Bronze Saints were already weeping, mourning the fallen Gold Saints and lamenting their own lack of strength.

“They are simply not up to the task—their power is too lacking. Your Highness, allow me to fight the next match.” Jaoh, the Coronal Warrior of the Lynx, stepped forward—a scorching beast who had lived for untold ages, now standing before all the Gold Saints.

Aiolia of Leo swept his cloak with a flourish and declared, “Then I shall be your opponent.”

The fourth match: Jaoh of the Lynx versus Aiolia of Leo.

Both were masters of swift assault. As soon as the fight began, each unleashed their ultimate techniques.

Blazing Hell Claw!

Jaoh’s coronal cosmos erupted with a beastly fury, his fists of flame displaying immense destructive power and battle prowess. The terrifying pressure of his cosmos left all the Saints struggling to breathe.

Lightning Plasma!

Known as the Lion’s Fang of Light, the Lightning Plasma unleashed billions of light-speed punches in a single instant, compressing them into an orb that crackled with lightning energy. This was Aiolia’s most powerful technique—before it, no evil could hide.

The two attacks collided. When the smoke cleared, Aiolia was covered in burns, his whole body trembling and barely able to stand. In contrast, Jaoh stood unscathed, laughing. “So this is the Lion’s strength? It’s nothing special!”

Feng Zhe, who had grasped the Seventh Sense, could see that Jaoh was not relying solely on his cosmos, but on the divine fire within his technique—a power that could pierce any gathering of energy. That was why Aiolia had taken the hit.

“Damn it!”

Plasma Light-Speed Punch!

Aiolia unleashed his signature move once more. Billions of light-speed punches formed a vast net, crackling with thunder and plasma. It was a formidable force—though his cosmos was only at the mid-level of the Seventh Sense, he could still fight beyond his rank. This was what made the Leo Gold Saint truly terrifying.

Jaoh retaliated with his greatest technique.

Blazing Hell Claw!

Relying once again on the divine fire, Feng Zhe saw as Jaoh melted a great hole in the light-speed punch net woven by Aiolia.

Aiolia’s entire body was engulfed in flames, the pain making him cry out as smoke poured from his body.

Jaoh laughed coldly. “No matter what techniques you use, they’re worthless before me.”

But as he spoke, Jaoh suddenly felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen. Looking down, he saw a large dent in his cloth.

“What!”

Crack!

Jaoh was sent flying to the ground, his Cloth shattered.

Like an indestructible cockroach, Aiolia of Leo rose to fight once more, uttering those immortal words:

“A Saint’s technique is useless the second time it is seen!”

“Damn you!”

Blazing Hell Claw!

Lightning Plasma!

The two clashed once more. Though Aiolia was again engulfed in flames, Jaoh’s armor was shattered, and he fell dead upon the arena floor.

With his dying breath, he asked, “Why?”

Aiolia stood tall and replied, “Your reliance was on your flames. Mine is on my own cosmos!”

Jaoh of the Lynx perished then and there, but Aiolia, though wounded, remained standing.

Miss Saori turned to the Sun God Abel. “Brother, I have won a match.”

But Abel seemed indifferent, merely smiling at Saori, as though all of this were nothing but a game.

“For the fifth match, let me, Berenice of Coma Berenices, bring this battle to its end!”

Berenice stepped forward, locking eyes with Virgo Shaka, confidence written all over his face.

Shaka prepared to fight, but Feng Zhe patted him on the shoulder and stepped forward himself.

“The next match will be mine.”

Wearing the Altar Cloth, Feng Zhe made his way to the arena, standing out boldly.

Berenice snorted. “I’ve had enough of you.” Ever since Feng Zhe had easily defeated Deathmask, the Coronal Warriors had taken a dislike to him.

Feng Zhe sneered and took up his stance, ready for battle.