CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140 SEQUENCE A-23 MIRAGE (3 MORE, 13000 FOR A FULL SUBSCRIPTION)

"Lu Luo, we’re in the same group!"

"Why do you still look so happy?"

"I’ve always wanted to have a match with you, but unfortunately, I never had the chance."

These were Qi Xinzhu’s true feelings. Since getting to know Lu Luo, she rarely had the chance to show her own strength, which she felt was quite formidable.

"All right then."

Lu Luo was somewhat resigned. Since they were all designated with the number seven, it meant he would have to fight Qi Gefei again. The first time was a passive response to a challenge; the second time, he had initiated the encounter. This third time, it felt like an arrangement made with intent or perhaps without.

Qi Gefei’s complexion wasn’t good either. The injuries caused by his Deliberate Bombardment Fist had not yet fully healed. Priests also needed to recover Holy Radiance, and healing fractures consumed so much Holy Radiance that even a master like Han Shiyu would be exhausted. Lu Luo had learned this when Han Shiyu treated Gu Fangyi during their first class.

"Groups one through four, each choose two people. No lethal strikes. Begin."

Qiao Xing’s opening remarks were as brief as ever. Under his command, the practical sparring matches started quickly.

The combatants from Group One were Yun Sang and Li Furu. Both Yun Sang and Li Furu were women, though their appearances differed greatly. Yun Sang was from the Fourth Ring, with an average appearance, a short and stocky build, dark skin, and particularly thick fingers. She wore the Church’s battle attire, clearly a seasoned warrior.

Li Furu, on the other hand, was different. She was from the Inner Ring and could be described as tall and heavy, with exceptionally fair skin. In terms of height, she was at most an inch shorter than the two-meter-tall Qi Gefei, and her weight was likely even greater than his.

Such a match-up certainly attracted attention.

Having practiced swordsmanship for some time, Lu Luo was also very curious to know what level his skills had reached among this group. In addition to his own combat experience, he knew watching swordsmanship experts at a similar level spar could be beneficial, so Lu Luo watched with great focus.

"Prepare to record the battle process."

[Battle process recording ready.]

The two stood facing each other, swords in hand, as the rest of the spectators gradually quieted down.

Yun Sang bellowed and made the first move.

"HA!"

Li Furu was not slow either. She grasped her sword with both hands and struck with a straight thrust from the Holy Light Swordsmanship. Li Furu’s arms were longer than Yun Sang’s, and there’s truth to the saying, "An inch longer is an inch stronger." When the speed, strength, and energy of both sides were nearly equal, an extra inch could be the deciding factor.

Knowing she couldn’t afford to exchange blows directly, as her shorter arms would put her at a disadvantage, Yun Sang had to parry and thrust upwards. She blocked Li Furu’s horizontal thrust with her sword, then suddenly tightened her grip and channeled Holy Radiance into a swift stab at Li Furu’s abdomen.

BANG!

Yun Sang’s Holy Radiance broke through Li Furu’s. Although the training swords were blunted, they still posed a risk of injury or even death. Fortunately, Yun Sang’s control over her strength was very precise. Having penetrated the Holy Radiance defense on Li Furu’s abdomen, she withdrew her attack and stood.

"You’ve lost."

The crowd was astir. The outcome was decided quickly. Although Yun Sang was from the Fourth Ring, she was also affiliated with the Church. Still, a Fourth Ring inhabitant was a Fourth Ring inhabitant. Excluding Lu Luo, this was the second person from the Fourth Ring to defeat someone from the Inner Ring.

What was going on with the Fourth Ring this year? Why were so many experts emerging? Even Lu Yang from the Valor Knights Group was originally from the Fourth Ring. Was the Fourth Ring finally rising?

After her fight, Yun Sang actually approached Lu Luo.

"I saw your battle that day. I know I’m no match for you, but I still want to spar with you."

This was Yun Sang’s challenge, probably the second formal challenge Lu Luo had received, the first being from Qi Gefei.

Regarding such challenges, Han Shiyu had repeatedly instructed him that as long as he had the strength to spare, he must accept. It was a matter of respect between warriors to answer a call to battle. Lu Luo felt that Han Shiyu might have other reasons for this advice, but he hadn’t figured them out yet.

He dropped his relaxed demeanor, stood upright to show respect, and then nodded at Yun Sang.

"Alright."

Yun Sang also smiled slightly, though it wasn’t a very pleasant smile.

After Yun Sang and Li Furu’s battle ended, other group members began to spar in turn. Lu Luo observed the combat data and techniques of each member as much as he could. The Observer was also continuously recording this information for him.

Lu Luo was well aware that most of the people here were no longer his opponents. However, in terms of swordsmanship and Martial Arts systems, they still possessed unique strengths worth learning. For instance, Lu Luo had not previously considered the technique of altering energy levels in Holy Radiance-empowered sword swings without affecting the swing’s speed or balance. Many people had similar small tricks, the results of their personal experiences—some useful, some not.

Nonetheless, Lu Luo decided to record them all, intending to later integrate them and slowly improve his own swordsmanship.

The sparring sessions continued until the afternoon.

「By evening, it was finally the turn of Lu Luo’s group.」

"Lu Luo, Qi Xinzhu."

Lu Luo and Qi Xinzhu exchanged smiles, picked up their training swords, and moved to the center of the training area. On one side was the expert from the Fourth Ring who had shone brightly earlier by defeating Qi Gefei. On the other was one of only two Believers of Light in this swordsmanship training. Their battle was definitely going to be worth watching.

Just as the two were preparing, Yu Luo approached Qi Gefei.

"Who do you think will win?" she asked.

"Lu Luo will win," Qi Gefei answered bluntly.

"Is that just because you lost to him?"

"No. It’s because Lu Luo is too strong. Our last battle made it clear to me that he and I are simply not on the same level."

Apart from Lu Luo himself, Qi Gefei had the most profound understanding of Lu Luo’s true strength.

He clearly recalled that Lu Luo’s Steam Form in their first fight was completely different from the one in their second. During their first encounter, Lu Luo’s Steam Form had provided greater augmentation and astonishing speed, but the physical strength he’d shown then was less than in their second. Therefore, Qi Gefei deduced that in their second encounter, Lu Luo had deliberately concealed his true capabilities, using a more common version of his Steam Form. Due to a breakthrough in his Sequence, even this ordinary Steam Form in their second fight made Lu Luo more powerful overall than he had been in their first. That’s why others mistakenly believed Lu Luo had gone all out the second time. But Qi Gefei knew very well that Lu Luo’s true full power involved a crimson Steam Form, which offered a terrifying increase in both speed and strength. Probably none of the people training here could match Lu Luo.

"You and Lu Luo aren’t on the same level? Can someone like you set aside your pride and say something like that? Are you sure you’re not just making excuses for your defeat?" Yu Luo pressed.

"Defeat is defeat. No excuses are necessary. I lost to him. I am inferior to him. He is strong. That’s all there is to it," Qi Gefei stated flatly.

"Well, do you realize that Qi Xinzhu’s identity is also quite extraordinary?" Yu Luo countered.

Qi Gefei, seeming annoyed by her persistence, turned to look at her coldly. "Then have you ever considered why someone with an extraordinary identity like Qi Xinzhu always follows Lu Luo?"

"Well—!" Yu Luo was suddenly at a loss for words.

She had pondered this question many times herself but had never found a reasonable explanation. Although she was also a Believer of Light, those who weren’t devout enough couldn’t see the disc.

"If you have nothing else, please don’t disturb me while I’m watching their duel."

Qi Gefei effectively dismissed her, and Yu Luo immediately became disgruntled. "Hmph! Well, I hope Lu Luo doesn’t beat you too badly later on."

"Losing to him would be quite normal," Qi Gefei said. "In fact, his appearance has helped me calm down considerably. The Knight of Justice has decayed, and I was too eager to vindicate it. Unfortunately, my methods were wrong. Moreover, a panicked person can’t accomplish anything properly. He helped me realize this, so I should actually thank him."

Seeing that Qi Gefei was impervious to her words, Yu Luo lost interest in continuing the conversation and turned her gaze to Qi Xinzhu and Lu Luo.

"Just people from the Fourth Ring," she muttered disdainfully. "They’re only after money and women. What’s so hard to understand about that?"

Actually, Yu Luo wasn’t entirely wrong. Money and beautiful women could indeed tempt Lu Luo. The real question, however, was what kind of beauty, and how much money. That was the crux of the matter.

「 」

Lu Luo and Qi Xinzhu took their positions opposite each other, both having a good understanding of the other’s character. Qi Xinzhu, fearing Lu Luo might hold back, specifically emphasized before they began, "Lu Luo, I will give it my all! Don’t be careless, or you’ll lose to me."

"Okay," Lu Luo replied simply.

Qi Xinzhu held her sword with both hands, assuming a striking stance. Lu Luo, however, held his with just one hand—a stark difference from the other trainees, and it sparked some discussion.

"One-handed? Isn’t that sword heavy?"

"Are we sure he’s not just showing off?"

"Who knows."

"Maybe he’s just naturally strong. What’s there to discuss?"

Indeed, just considering the strength required, no one present besides Lu Luo could manage to wield a training sword effectively with one hand.

Unlike the others, Qi Xinzhu wasn’t surprised by Lu Luo’s one-handed sword grip. She knew Qiao Xing had been privately instructing him. So, Lu Luo’s fighting style might be very different from theirs.

"Qi Xinzhu, here I come!" Lu Luo announced.

"Bring it on!" she replied.

SWISH!

Lu Luo’s figure moved too quickly, his sword a blur. Although the technique was still an ordinary energy-imbued swing, Lu Luo had repeated this motion over ten thousand times. To the onlookers, this direct, brief, yet powerfully energized horizontal thrust delivered a series of distinct impacts:

Swift! Explosive! Fast! Strong!

Fortunately, Qi Xinzhu wasn’t slow either. She suddenly accelerated, matching the rhythm of Lu Luo’s sword strike, and twisted her body to dodge it.

BOOM!

The silent Sword Qi, like a cannonball, shattered the wall behind where Qi Xinzhu had stood. Its sheer power left even her somewhat shocked.

"Such destructive power!" she exclaimed.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

In an instant, they exchanged several blows, all employing the most basic and straightforward techniques. If there was anything special about the exchange, it was that both were extremely fast—incredibly fast.

When their swords finally locked, Lu Luo’s one-handed strength actually seemed to faintly overwhelm Qi Xinzhu’s two-handed grip.

"Where’s your Holy Radiance?" Lu Luo couldn’t help but ask, seeing Qi Xinzhu grit her teeth and persist. If she didn’t use Holy Radiance, their sparring would be meaningless.

Qi Xinzhu simply smiled. "I just wanted to see how strong you really are. You haven’t even used your Steam Form, and you’re already this formidable. It’s unbelievable."

Lu Luo wasn’t a normal Transcendent. Normal Transcendents couldn’t possibly know their precise strength values. Ordinary Transcendents also trained their strength, but they usually stopped practicing once they felt they’d reached a plateau. Only when their Sequence improved and the plateau eased would they continue to enhance their physique.

Someone like Lu Luo, who reached a new level and then pushed all their attributes to the absolute limit for that Sequence, was, under normal circumstances, unheard of. Therefore, the pressure of fighting him was far greater than that of facing other experts of the same level.

Holy Radiance flared, and Qi Xinzhu broke free from Lu Luo’s bind with a sword strike.

"Revolving Slash Strike!"

Qi Xinzhu swept out with seven slashes in succession, each strike imbued with ferocious Holy Radiance. Her Holy Radiance was filled with a sacred aura, pure and powerful, nearly suffocating Lu Luo and forcing him to stumble back several steps.

Qi Xinzhu’s momentum didn’t falter. Her body suddenly accelerated, and she lunged forward, wielding her greatsword with both hands.

SWISH!

Lu Luo didn’t underestimate her. Although Qi Xinzhu’s volume of Holy Radiance wasn’t as vast as Qi Gefei’s, its quality was much higher.

Steam Form, First Gear, he thought, activating it.

CLANG!

The tips of their swords met, his steam-enhanced Qi He clashing with her Holy Radiance. As their energies broke against each other, bright sparks flew from the impact of the training blades.

BOOM!

A shockwave burst forth, overturning nearby patches of lawn and wooden benches.

After a brief struggle, they separated and immediately re-engaged.

Many spectators, including some from the four major Knights Groups, were stunned. The intensity of the energy in this battle, the sheer speed... if any of us were up there, we wouldn’t last three moves!

"These two... they’re so strong!"

"Incredibly strong."

Their swords moved faster and faster, blades ringing out with sharp CLANGS and CLINKS.

Although Lu Luo had trained the six basic sword forms to proficiency, when facing Qi Xinzhu, who had years of practice, he was still at a disadvantage in pure swordsmanship. Lu Luo could feel his swordplay often lacking flexibility and adaptability, a result of his infrequent use of the sword. The only reason he was currently holding his own against Qi Xinzhu, not falling behind, was purely due to his superior speed.

"Lu Luo, your swordsmanship has improved so quickly!" Qi Xinzhu exclaimed during a lull.

"Still a long way to go!" he replied.

They continued their exchange, another thirty moves passing, yet neither had gained a decisive advantage.

By this point, Qi Xinzhu felt she had a clear understanding of Lu Luo’s capabilities and was confident she could use stronger techniques without seriously injuring him.

"Lu Luo, be careful now!" she warned.

"Finally willing to show some real skill, huh?" Lu Luo retorted.

Qi Xinzhu suddenly closed her eyes. Gradually, behind her, another shimmering image of Qi Xinzhu appeared. Simultaneously, the Observer issued a prompt:

[High-intensity Sequence particles detected. Suspected Sequence A-23: "Mirror Flower, Water Moon."]

[Sequence A-23: Mirror Flower, Water Moon (Level Unknown)]

[Effect - Mirror Flower, Water Moon: Creates a duplicate of yourself for a period of time.]

[Description: It thinks your thoughts, it wills your will. All is but a fleeting illusion—a flower in a mirror, the moon on the water.]

Before Lu Luo could react, two streams of Sword Qi were already pressing down on him.

"How is this possible?" he exclaimed internally. Damn, the clone is real too?

The swords of the two Qi Xinzhus suddenly accelerated. Their blades overlapped, and a cross-shaped Slash Strike erupted from their sword tips. Golden Holy Radiance swept across Lu Luo’s sword. The energy surged, shattering his upper garment, and Lu Luo himself was forced back.

Qi Xinzhu didn’t stop her assault because Lu Luo retreated. She raised her greatsword high with both hands, and intense Holy Radiance began to condense on the blade. Her clone mirrored the exact same stance.

Lu Luo’s eyes widened; he had a bad feeling. Qi Xinzhu’s current sword form felt familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

[This Holy Radiance rhythm is highly suspected to be Qiao Xing’s Sword Heart Four Forms - Fourth Sword: Soul Breaker.]

That bastard Qiao Xing! Lu Luo cursed inwardly. Didn’t he say he only taught the Sword Heart Four Forms to me?

[He never said that!] the Observer chimed in.

It’s coming! Lu Luo tensed.