Tower of Heaven

'Five minutes…?'

Boom!

Atlas estimated how long Horus would last as he dodged the oncoming attacks.

'In my current state, I can take only a few more direct hits from him before I collapse. He will fall in five minutes or less, as his qi may not last for so long. In order to stay untouched for that much time…'

[Burst Step] wasn't enough. That was a movement technique that prioritized straight-line speed. It was able to move him in any direction, which made it useful, but in a close combat match like this, its movements were too obvious.

The extent to which a Core Formation Realm cultivator could use movement techniques wasn't great. Atlas kept himself using only [Burst Step] because he was being mindful of the condition of his body.

Horus created a situation where they both had to risk their safety if they wanted to decide a winner. Atlas didn't put as much value into this fight, but he didn't appreciate being looked at like prey. He had to be sure to put Horus in his place, and to do so, he could only match the man's energy.

[Flowing Cloud Steps]

Ethereal and intangible like a cloud, moving as if the skies themselves were nothing more than paths to infinity. Such was the description of the technique called [Flowing Cloud Steps].

Unlike [Burst Step], it had little to no value in actually traveling a distance. It wasn't meant to be faster than anything else.

Instead, it was the dexterity of the technique that made it popular among cultivators of the past. [Flowing Cloud Steps] used natural qi, untouched by the natures of the elements. Anyone could use it, but not just anyone could use it properly.

To become intangible in front of an enemy close enough to destroy one's body took more than a little bit of skill.

Nevertheless, as Atlas began to use the technique, his form suddenly shifted. His steps were irregular and difficult to track, and his body subtly created phantoms in the air to confuse Horus' mind.

'Tch.'

Atlas gritted his teeth. Instantly, his legs felt the burden of such a complex technique. His muscles were strained and his bones wanted to break, but the effort he put into body cultivation made itself known.

'I have…enough time.'

Atlas assured himself, but Horus was trying his best to disprove that assertion.

Horus would never allow anyone else to win at this crucial turning point.

'I knew that it was going to be difficult.'

It was never about Atlas' strength. It was about his ability to pull out new cards whenever he looked like he was running out. Rather than a young genius, he felt like a man who had been following the path of cultivation for a long time.

He had a mysterious strength, a mysterious mind, and a mysterious identity.

Horus understood that he would have to try hard to fight against someone who seemed to have experienced the world, but he didn't expect it to go like this.

Atlas already did enough damage to him. The threat of similar attacks being used again to worsen the wounds made it impossible for Horus to choose the route where he took a step back and healed.

Now, despite feeling his body falling apart, he was forced to ignore it and keep attacking the man who once again proved why he couldn't be left alone.

He was almost impossible to strike.

'I'm not strong enough.'

Horus gnashed his beak angrily. This was not a matter of strength, but he still wasn't strong enough. He didn't expand his repertoire enough. He didn't understand enough about cultivation. He only had a few select moves that he could use and a connection to the Dao.

'I must get stronger.'

He couldn't lose here. No matter what kind of weaknesses he had, he couldn't let someone else take the treasure that slumbered in that structure.

'I must have it back!'

BOOM!

Horus punched out again. Because of Atlas' movements, he was trying to do as much damage to a large area as possible.

[Sun's Advent]

He slammed his foot into the ground and sent a shockwave of qi through it. Heat and light flooded out with great hostility towards their target.

[Empyrean Fist]

Every single time he used it, the area shook as if to remind Atlas of how dangerous it was.

BOOM!

The room was not extremely large. Atlas was using [Flowing Cloud Steps] to stay close to Horus and keep inside of his blindspot, but the massive attacks were making it difficult.

Every single time Horus struck, portions of the room were destroyed. The ground was covered in slight cracks and the pillars on the walls were close to crumbling.

'Just one more minute.'

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Blast after blast filled the room. Horus' blood hit the ground and painted the cracks red. At the same time, the wounds in Atlas' legs worsened, making it difficult for him to move at the same pace.

A punch came right next to his face, and he barely managed to avoid the pressure wave by moving to Horus' side. However, when it was followed by a stomp, he had no choice but to jump to avoid the effects, leaving himself vulnerable.

Bang!

Atlas hurriedly raised his arms to take the hit. There was a clear crack as the bones in his left forearm were broken apart. He was thrown back into the nearby wall. The impact sent a shock through his body, making it impossible for him to dash away before Horus could approach.

His expression became stern. Horus looked at the end of his rope, but it was still a risk.

'Still, I have no choice but to fight.'

His body was no longer in any condition to use [Flowing Cloud Steps]. Only his right arm was uninjured, which meant that the only viable course of action was to use it to end this battle.

'It will all be decided here.'

Peeling himself off the wall, Atlas stared directly at the charging bull-like genius barreling towards him.

The look in Horus' eyes was the same. He'd lost too much blood. If he wanted to live past today, he needed to collapse and heal soon.

This was the moment. The first moment in Horus' life that forced him to put everything at stake.

For Atlas, it was just one of many, but the feeling was the same.

Absolute concentration driven by a strong desire. This was the state that both men entered.

Atlas pulled his fist back, taking a stance to gather as much power out of his body as possible. His qi moved to his hand, fortifying his fist as he moved it.

It happened almost like time slowed down.

Atlas' fist swung out perfectly in time to meet Horus. The two geniuses at the end of their ropes clashed to determine who among them would remain standing.

They congregated all of their remaining energy, deciding to end it all in this final collision.

As they met, their surroundings were filled with light. They were both assailed by all of the force gathered by their opponent.

And in that moment, even they didn't know which of them fell first.