This wasn't the first time Fang Li had encountered someone looking for trouble.
However, in the face of Toudou Kouichirou's condescending words, Fang Li merely smiled faintly and chose to ignore him.
There was no helping it; this man was simply not worth his attention.
Compared to individuals like Sayonaki and the Li Siblings who concealed their intentions and subtly sought trouble for Fang Li, Toudou Kouichirou's blatant display of disdain and contempt made him appear more like a clown. At least, that's how Fang Li saw it.
So, he disregarded Toudou Kouichirou's words and shifted his gaze to Toudou Kirin, who was standing behind him.
"Ah…"
Toudou Kirin immediately shrank back timidly, much like a shy little creature. Under Fang Li's gaze, she instinctively hid her petite figure behind Toudou Kouichirou.
Of course, Toudou Kirin's reaction was not solely due to Fang Li's attention; Fan Xinglou was also staring at her intently. It's likely that Toudou Kirin felt like she was being watched by a snake under Fan Xinglou's unapologetic gaze, which added to her unease.
However, regardless of Fang Li or Fan Xinglou, both treated Toudou Kouichirou as if he were invisible.
Only Claudia, wearing an unchanged smile, politely addressed Toudou Kouichirou, "The movements of Bo Xie have always been a matter of great interest to the major academies, and even the Integrated Enterprise Foundation has been keeping an eye on it. This rare opportunity to encounter a user is undoubtedly beneficial. I believe Integrated Enterprise Foundation, as the operating parent of this academy, would also be pleased with this development, wouldn't they?"
As a candidate for Leader within the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, Toudou Kouichirou was evidently well-versed in the matter of Bo Xie. Therefore, he could only click his tongue in response.
Clearly, this paper tiger couldn't find a valid argument to counter Claudia's statement.
"Damn, I don't have time to waste on such matters," Toudou Kouichirou turned to Toudou Kirin, speaking roughly, "Kirin, make it quick."
Despite Claudia's earlier statement that a longer battle would be more advantageous for collecting data, Toudou Kouichirou still insisted on a swift battle. It was as if he had completely ignored Claudia's words.
Then, Toudou Kouichirou seemed to lose all interest in the situation and moved to the side.
Faced with her uncle's rude attitude, Toudou Kirin lowered her head and approached Fang Li.
Throughout this entire exchange, Toudou Kirin didn't utter a word.
It was as if she were a pet being kept and not allowed to interact with outsiders. Toudou Kirin obediently stood in front of Fang Li.
Then, she removed a long, slender bag that had been slung over her shoulder and retrieved a weapon from within.
It was a sheathed katana.
It was not an Ogre Lux weapon, it was not even a Lux weapon at all.
It was a genuine katana.
Fan Xinglou's voice sounded with a hint of curiosity from the side.
"It seems that this young girl defeated the former top-ranked student and became Seidoukan Academy's number one using just an ordinary weapon. The rumors were true."
Indeed.
Toudou Kirin was not a user of Ogre Lux; she didn't even use Lux. She wielded nothing more than a very ordinary katana.
Of course, describing it as "ordinary" wasn't entirely accurate.
The blade Toudou Kirin held, known as "Senbakiri," was, in fact, a famous sword within the Sword Technique schools.
However, in an era where Lux-based weapons predominated, a real sword seemed rather inconspicuous. Despite this, Toudou Kirin had managed to defeat the former top-ranked student and ascend to the pinnacle of Seidoukan solely with a genuine katana.
"Today, we should witness an interesting duel," Thought Fan Xinglou, her face beaming with excitement as she stepped back.
Claudia also gracefully retreated, becoming an onlooker in the upcoming battle.
Thus, in the training ground, only Fang Li and Toudou Kirin remained, facing each other.
In response, Toudou Kirin cast a furtive glance at Fang Li and then took a deep breath, speaking softly, "I apologize…"
Her voice still carried traces of immaturity as Toudou Kirin slowly placed her hand on the katana's hilt.
In that moment, Toudou Kirin's entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation.
She was no longer fragile but rather exuded an aura of someone who had undergone rigorous training, like a seasoned warrior.
Furthermore, her expression became exceptionally composed.
It was as if she had activated a hidden switch within herself, instantly shifting her entire state of being.
Observing this young girl silently, Fang Li maintained a neutral expression, unfazed by the building pressure.
(Impressive, reaching this level at the age of thirteen. She's already on par with Senior Brother Zhao and Senior Sister Wong.) With these thoughts in mind, Fang Li slowly retrieved the pure white activation body.
"Ziing—!"
A radiant white light burst forth from the Urm Manadyte.
Around Fang Li, Mana particles began to converge, gradually coalescing into a pure white blade that emerged from the activation body.
Fang Li now held a pure white one-handed sword in his hand.
"Is this Bo Xie, then?" Toudou Kirin murmured softly, raising Senbakiri and aiming it at Fang Li.
"Well, then, I'm going in."
With those words, she lunged forward.
"BOOM—!"
Accompanied by a heavy thud, Toudou Kirin's figure turned into a speeding bullet, hurtling towards Fang Li at an astonishing speed.
In her hand, the katana Senbakiri swept in a graceful arc, slicing through the air and cleaving toward Fang Li.
The speed was astonishingly fast.
"Clang—!"
Beneath the crisp collision sound, sparks flew as the battle commenced.
...
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