The Grand Duelist

Slice of Life's shock was quickly dissipated by a flash of holy light that brought his Health Points back to life.

Joseph turned around and swept his gaze at his enemies with a contented smile on his face.

The skill that he used, Pierce Blossom was a skill from his skill tree as the Grand Duelist.

However, despite being powerful, Pierce Blossom was just one of the eight new offensive skills that he acquired after his ascension as the Grand Duelist of the current generation.

Taking a look at his astounded enemies, an excited look appeared on Joseph's face as he rushed at one of them and attacked with yet, another brand new skill.

But Kristian and his subordinates weren't newbies in this game. They quickly recovered from their reverie as they assumed the Life Reaping Formation once again.

This time, there were stern looks on their faces as they collectively rushed at Joseph and met his offense with offense.

Fighting fire with fire!

"Heh..." Joseph smirked.

He raised his Rapier above him and swung horizontally directly in front of him.

"Dividing Line!"

[Dividing Line]

A downwards slash with the Rapier. The attack will leave a clear mark of demarcation which will deal damage to enemies but empower friendlies if they crossed the demarcation line.

*If the downwards slash struck an enemy. It will deal 200% of your Attack Damage.

*The demarcation line will deal 50% of your Attack Damage to enemies who dare to cross it. 

*The demarcation line will increase the Movement Speed of your allies by 30% if they crossed it.

Skill Usage Conditions: The Grand Duelist, Rapier Type Weapon Equipped.

Skill Cost: 80 Divinity Stat

Skill Cooldown: 60 Seconds.]

A burst of dazzling light briefly flashed and a clear mark was left on the sturdy tiles of the Palace Halls.

Kristian and his comrades abruptly leaped backward. Kristian raised his head and found that Joseph wasn't moving towards their direction anymore. Realizing this, he quickly commanded.

"Step back, I'll check." 

As if on cue, the other members of Guild Strongest Under Heaven retreated.

Kristian rushed towards the demarcation line and as soon as he passed the line.

Something abruptly slowed him down but was quickly dispelled by his passive.

What slowed him down was the damage that descended out of nowhere as Kristian hurriedly commanded.

"Careful! Go around!" His words may be short but it contained enough detail for the others to understand. As soon as his words came out, his subordinates went around the demarcation line before rushing towards Joseph's direction once again.

Joseph leaped backward, but he instantly turned around when he felt a biting cold killing intent aiming at him.

It came from Slice of Life whose daggers were aimed at his ankles.

"Ankle Breaker!"

[Ankle Breaker]

Cut the enemy's ankle to inflict massive amounts of damage and incapacitate.

*Attack is guaranteed to critically strike.

*Can be used in tandem with other movement skills.

Skill Usage Conditions: Assassin

Skill Cost: 552 Stamina

Skill Cooldown Time: 13 Seconds.]

Joseph pupils constricted but his responses were quick enough. He softly jumped into the air and avoided the daggers that aimed for his ankles.

"Point!"

While in mid-air, his Rapier shone in a dazzling divine light that quickly converged into a Point at the tip of his Rapier.

All of these took time to describe but it only happened in a few seconds.

Joseph stabbed at Slice of Life with his Rapier, but his expression changed when the feedback felt solid and was reminiscent of wood instead of human flesh.

A burst of smoke followed that quickly dispersed and then Joseph found that his enemy had miraculously avoided his attack.

Leaving behind a wooden log in his wake.

"Gotcha!" Slice of Life uttered in the distance.

[Gotcha!]

Upon receiving damage, immediately use this skill to negate that damage. Upon usage, the character will abruptly disappear from the sight of everyone, leaving a wooden log on his wake.

*There is a certain probability of inflicting Confusion to the enemies.

Skill Usage Conditions: Assassin

Skill Cost: None

Skill Cooldown Time: 35 Seconds.]

At this moment, Kristian and his subordinates were now nearing Joseph but something arrived quicker than these characters.

It was a ball-shaped object painted with the color of yellow decorated with some stars.

When Joseph saw this object land on his feet, a gasp escaped his mouth as the ball-shaped object exploded.

"Stun Grenade!"

Une Balle Un Mort, the Gunner of Guild Strongest Under Heaven softly called out.

When his comrades saw the brief flash of light that instantly swallowed Joseph.

They swarmed him in an instant.

The barbarian, No Sucker Punch was the first one to arrive. Soaring through the air, a scream escaped his mouth as he boisterously laughed.

"Madman Rolls in the Air!"

[Madman Rolls in the Air!]

The Barbarian leaps into the skies with his Axe. Rolling in the air and ending the attack with a fierce downwards slash. 

*Super Armor is granted in the middle of the skill.

Skill Usage Conditions: Barbarian

Skill Cost: 3505 MP

Skill Cooldown Time: 32 Seconds.]

The reason why he was laughing was that he was confident that Joseph couldn't possibly interrupt his skill. 

After all, Madman Rolls in the Air granted Super Armor while it was currently being in use so there was no way that he could suffer under the effects of any Crowd Control skills with the exception of skills with grab effects.

But as for grab effects, those who wielded the sword or blade often do not have skills that have that kind of effect.

This was the reason why No Sucker Punch was confident and so excited to use this skill.

But of course, the primary reason was that using Madman Rolling in the Air made him look quite cool.

But despite being in Super Armor.

Does Joseph really need to interrupt his attack to avoid taking any damage?

Of course, not!

Joseph lifted a smile on his face and stood his ground.

At this moment, he was facing eight players at once with six of them sending their attacks at him at this instant.

But was Joseph afraid?

No!

Why?

Because he still hasn't used his Parry!

"What...? Why is he smiling?"

Vladimir who was observing the fight from a distance suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart. 

But before he could even think, the attacks of Strongest Under Heaven had finally descended onto Joseph.

"Parry..."

[The Grand Duelist's Parry Lv Max.] 

The Grand Duelist enters a defensive stance. Every debuff, damage, and all forms of hard crowd control abilities are parried and rendered useless within the duration of the defensive stance. 

Furthermore, every damage, debuff, and hard crowd control abilities received within the duration of the defensive stance can be recycled by the Grand Duelist in a single devastating attack. 

*The Grand Duelist's Parry is absolute, everything can be parried as long as the timing is right. * 

Skill Usage Conditions: The Grand Duelist.

Skill Cost: 150 Divinity Stat

Skill Cooldown Time: 3 minutes.]

Right before the attacks could land onto his body...

Joseph swiftly activated Parry.

A burst of dazzling divine light covered his body and the members of Guild Strongest Under Heaven found their attacks disappearing as if they were stones dropped into an ocean.

"Wha..."

The most puzzled of them all was No Sucker Punch as he glanced at Kristian with confusion.

Kristian had a frown on his face, but before he could even think of the possibilities...

He suddenly saw Joseph lifting his Rapier.

"Shit, this is bad!"

"Retreat!"

Kristian howled and his comrades instantly leaped backward in order to retreat.

But then Joseph suddenly spoke.

"Don't bother..."

"It's too late."

Time seemed to have slowed down.

When Kristian and his comrades blinked and opened their eyes once again, they suddenly found Joseph standing amidst them all.

"The Grand Duelist's Graceful Swordsmanship Second Form..." The holy light of the Grand Duelist filled Joseph's body with power as his Rapier moved, seemingly intent to express the harmony of heaven and earth with a stroke of his weapon.

At this moment, Kristian's pupils constricted as he barked at Big Dipper, the Paladin of the Team.

"Divine Avatar! Quick!" Kristian's words came out fast but Joseph was even faster.

"Discharge..."

"Harmony..."

Slash!

Space itself was ripped as Joseph's incomparably powerful attack expressed the harmony of heaven and earth.

But...

[You suffered 42,502 damage!]

"You..." Joseph's pupils widened in shock.

The enemies whom he thought would die for sure with the combination of his Parry and Harmony were actually still alive!

What's more, what defended them from Joseph's mighty attack was a single person!

It was Big Dipper!

The Paladin of Guild Strongest Under Heaven!

His body was shining in a brilliant golden light.

Even Joseph felt trepidation while staring at this golden light.

"What..."

"What is that?"

Joseph uttered in astonishment.

Big Dipper lifted a proud smile on his face as he declared.

"Ultimate: Divine Avatar!"

[Ultimate: Divine Avatar]

Channels the might of the Seven Gods and Goddesses to acquire Invincibility within the battlefield. Enemies near you will receive damage equal to 500% of your Attack Damage upon the activation of Divine Avatar.

The vitality of your allies will become more rigorous, increasing their maximum health in return.

*Enemies will be slowed for 30%.

*You and your allies will receive 50% more Movement Speed.

Skill Usage Conditions: Paladin.

Skill Cost: None.

Skill Cooldown Time: 300 Seconds.]

As soon as his words came out...

His comrades, the members of Guild Strongest Under Heaven rushed at Joseph once again.