"Swish—!"
That was the sound of the air being cleanly sliced apart.
In the underground training arena of Seidoukan Academy, a pure white light sword and a silver-white genuine katana simultaneously cut through the air. They collided with a dazzling moon arc-like brilliance, creating a resounding impact.
"Clang—!"
Sharp sword edges and blades rubbed against each other, sparking fiery flashes.
The light from this clash illuminated both Fang Li and Toudou Kirin's faces, their gazes locking onto each other.
"Ha!"
Under the petite and delicate shout, Toudou Kirin's diminutive figure moved like a character in a movie, darting into Fang Li's embrace. In her hand, Senbakiri transformed into a blade of light, accompanied by a sharp, space-breaking sound, aimed directly at Fang Li's body.
No mercy was needed in combat.
After all, Genestellars possessed the power to convert Prana into defensive abilities, and these defensive capabilities were capable of withstanding bullets. Even if one were to be struck by a blade, it wouldn't inflict fatal wounds.
Thus, duels between Genestellars required no quarter; it was all-out from the beginning.
With unwavering determination, Toudou Kirin swung Senbakiri at Fang Li relentlessly, unleashing an unending series of slashes.
Fang Li immediately pushed back, his figure retreating rapidly while holding Bo Xie in front of him.
"Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang—!"
Instantly, the unceasing slashes turned into a barrage of blade lights from all directions, each striking the pure white sword and producing a shower of sparks.
Fang Li and Toudou Kirin engaged in a fierce exchange, one adopting a defensive stance while the other relentlessly pressed the attack. The entire training ground became a battlefield of intensity.
It had to be said that Toudou Kirin's Swordsmanship was both sharp and agile. Despite her petite stature and seemingly frail wrists, each strike carried remarkable force, coming at Fang Li like a relentless storm, covering him from all angles.
In this situation, Fang Li continued to retreat, desperately parrying the sharp slashes coming from all directions, attempting to create distance between them.
However, Toudou Kirin used her lightning-fast footwork to close the gap, maintaining relentless pressure on Fang Li while delivering a constant barrage of strikes.
Under the onslaught of this continuous and unyielding assault, Fang Li found himself at a disadvantage, struggling to hold his ground and looking somewhat shaky, on the verge of being overwhelmed.
"Hmph." Toudou Kouichirou coldly snorted, appearing disinterested in the ongoing battle.
Conversely, Fan Xinglou and Claudia watched with great interest.
Especially Fan Xinglou, her eyes gleaming as she focused on Toudou Kirin, exclaiming with admiration, "Toudou Style's Conjoined Cranes? That young girl has fully mastered its essence!"
The so-called Toudou Style referred to a particular school of swordsmanship, a modern-day martial arts school that had gained widespread recognition.
This school of thought specialized in one-on-one duels and was renowned for its precision and speed, as if folding cranes from paper. It excelled in delivering rapid, precise sword strikes, suppressing opponents with a continuous onslaught.
The name "Conjoined Cranes" embodied this concept.
A set of 49 interconnected techniques, an endless stream of continuous strikes known as the "Profound Truth of Conjoined Cranes."
It was said to have no end and no limit. Regardless of how an opponent defended or evaded, it could continue to unleash attacks, relentlessly pursuing the adversary with an uninterrupted series of slashes until victory was achieved.
"Toudou Kirin is the heir of the Toudou Style family."
Even though she was only thirteen years old, it was evident that this young girl had mastered the Profound Truth of the Toudou Style, employing infinite continuous strikes that firmly suppressed Fang Li, forcing him into a defensive posture, struggling to keep up.
At least, that's how it appeared on the surface.
"Fan Xinglou-San, you're too modest," Claudia smiled charmingly and remarked, "While Toudou-San's Conjoined Cranes are quite formidable, with Fang-San's abilities, he should have been able to use his outstanding speed to evade Toudou-San's close-quarters attacks from the beginning. That way, he wouldn't have fallen into the grip of the Conjoined Cranes."
"Hehe," Fan Xinglou glanced at Claudia and said with a faint smile, "You truly live up to your reputation as the perfect Seidoukan Student Council President. You've investigated my disciple, who's been with us for less than two months, quite thoroughly. Impressive."
After all, throughout the battle, Fang Li hadn't displayed his extraordinary speed and agility. Claudia's confident assertion that Fang Li could use his speed to escape Toudou Kirin's Conjoined Cranes indicated that she had a good understanding of him.
As Sylvia had mentioned, even if Fang Li remained inconspicuous, once he became Fan Xinglou's disciple, he would become the focus of attention for the higher-ups from other academies.
"Although Fang-San's abilities are undoubtedly exceptional," Claudia said with a smile that concealed her true thoughts, "it's clear he's a disciple of 'Banyuu Tenra.'"
"I never expected this kid to have such abilities," Fan Xinglou revealed her happiest expression yet, her gaze upon Fang Li growing more intense.
"I'm really curious," She continued, "About what that power I sensed at that time actually is."
Claudia didn't hear this last sentence because, up ahead, the battle suddenly changed.
…
"Clang—!"
Swinging the pure white Ogre Lux, Fang Li maintained his composure, enduring Toudou Kirin's continuous strikes while focusing his mind on the Ogre Lux in his hand.
"I never thought that I could actually use a Rank-3 Equipment…"
It was truly unbelievable.
In the rules of the Main God's Dimension, lower-ranked Main Divine Envoys were unable to wield higher-ranked Equipment. Even if Fang Li's strength was sufficient to reach the Fourth Rank, he was ultimately a Fifth-Rank Main Divine Envoy. He shouldn't have been able to use even a Fourth-Rank Equipment, let alone a Third-Rank one.
Yet, at this moment, Fang Li effortlessly wielded a weapon that was two ranks higher than his own. How could one not find this incredible?
"However, it's the will of the weapon itself."
So, it wasn't Fang Li personally wearing Equipment of a higher rank than himself; the Equipment itself willingly allowed Fang Li to use it. It was precisely because of this that Fang Li could wield Bo Xie.
"Then…"
Fang Li raised his head, looking at Toudou Kirin, who continued to swing her blade relentlessly.
"It's about time I gave it a try…"
...
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