His throat was slashed, and Bukonggu instinctively clutched the gaping wound with both hands to stem the flow of blood.
But the gash was far too deep—far too wide.
Hands alone couldn't possibly stop the flood.
All Bukonggu could do was slow the crimson spray from gushing like a fountain. But even that was only temporary.
His strength began to fade.
In the final seconds of his life, Bukonggu collapsed in a heap, powerless, his consciousness fading into the abyss.
He died without ever learning Bai Yu's origins.
Just like that—he departed this world in confusion, never realizing what kind of monster he had provoked.
As Bai Yu's killing strike ended Bukonggu in an instant, the arcs of lightning still coiling around his boots finally dispersed into sparks and silence.
With the immediate threat eliminated, Bai Yu calmly sheathed his blade and walked over to free his severely wounded, bound comrades.
"How's everyone holding up? Still able to move?"
This time, his voice was gentle—a stark contrast to the one he'd used moments ago while interrogating the enemy.
"We... we're fine!"
The ten battered sailors answered in unison, struggling to stand.
"Colonel Bai Yu, you must hurry to the Holy Sword's seal!"
"They didn't kill us outright because they need human sacrifices to awaken the sword!"
"I overheard them! All those scattered fighters—they were decoys!"
"The real goal was to buy Saga more time!"
The squad leader's voice was urgent and sharp with dread.
Bai Yu's eyes narrowed, his instincts sharpened like blades.
No wonder he hadn't encountered Saga earlier—they had rushed straight to the sealed site. And the so-called elite disciples... were nothing more than bait to stall him.
Tap, tap—
Suddenly, footsteps surged from the jungle behind them.
From the trees emerged a large detachment of Marine soldiers led by Koby and Helmeppo, returning from their defensive post in the village.
Among them, Bai Yu spotted Maya.
"White Feather... I know everything now."
She stepped forward quickly to speak, but Bai Yu cut her off before she could finish.
"Do you remember the exact location of the seal?"
"Yes!"
"It's just north of here."
Maya answered without hesitation.
"Lead the way. Move!"
The words were crisp. Together, they determined Saga's position.
Without wasting another second, Bai Yu and the Marines charged toward the ancient seal with Maya at the front.
By the time they were halfway there, night had already fallen.
A full moon hung solemnly overhead.
The Blood Moon's arrival had begun.
"There it is!"
Maya pointed ahead.
Bai Yu followed her finger and saw it—an expansive field of grass, with a crumbling ruin at its center.
Three towering stone pillars stood in a perfect triangle, surrounding a raised stone platform.
Atop the platform... stood a solitary figure.
Saga.
He had already seized the Holy Sword!
Bai Yu's group reached the ruins in seconds.
"You're faster than I expected."
Saga greeted them without a hint of fear—his voice steady, even arrogant.
"Saga! Let go of the Holy Sword!"
"If you keep going, it'll consume you entirely!"
Maya shouted anxiously.
"Oh?"
"I feel nothing but power flowing into me."
Saga's smile twisted. He drew the sword slowly and raised it in front of his face.
His eyes gleamed with greed.
Bai Yu's gaze settled on the blade.
It was etched with mysterious lines.
Under the moonlight, the runes shimmered with a malevolent green glow.
Almost... alive.
It was the Holy Sword—the Seven-Star Blade!
"Saga! I won't let you awaken it!"
Maya cried out, then quickly removed the necklace from her neck.
She pulled off the three embedded orbs—each corresponding to one of the stone pillars.
These orbs, when placed upon the pillars, would activate the ancient seal.
This sealing method had been passed down for generations among Maya's priestesses.
"Hmph. You think you can stop me?"
Saga's eyes turned cold at the sight of the orbs.
"You should be thanking me."
"Originally, my subordinates were all meant to be the sacrifices."
"But thanks to you, I don't have to waste time killing them myself."
He sneered.
From the start, he had planned to sacrifice his own followers.
All for power.
"You're insane."
Maya stared at him in disbelief.
"Maya, there's no use trying to reason with someone who's already been devoured by madness."
Bai Yu stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder.
He turned to face Saga.
"Everyone else—protect Maya. Make sure the orbs are placed."
"I'll deal with him."
Without another word, Bai Yu unsheathed the Ryūen Flame Katana, pointing its glowing edge at Saga.
"White Feather..."
"Be careful."
Maya knew she couldn't help on the battlefield, but still offered her warning.
She and the Marines withdrew, starting the sealing ritual.
Now, only Bai Yu and Saga remained.
"You killed Bukonggu and the others, didn't you?"
"Bai Yu... the most talked-about rookie in the Navy."
"What an honor—to offer your blood as the first sacrifice to my blade."
Saga chuckled darkly.
But Bai Yu remained silent.
Whoosh!
With a mere thought, the Azure Dragon Sword Intent ignited—manifesting as real, searing blue flames around his katana.
"Holy Sword—Seven Star Blade!"
"Show them your true might!"
Saga's face contorted with excitement. He gripped the sword with both hands and raised it skyward.
Boom!
A beam of blinding green light exploded from the blade, piercing the heavens.
Om—Om—Om!
A strange suction force radiated from the beam, drawing energy outward.
Far away, the corpses of Saga's fallen subordinates began to tremble.
Splurt!
Blood surged from their wounds—floating through the air toward the green column of light.
All at once.
The full moon above shifted in hue... turning a haunting blood red.
The Blood Moon ritual had begun.
As the gore-charged light funneled into Saga's sword, the air grew thick with power.
Something ancient and dangerous was awakening.
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