"Ugh...!"
Shana felt an immensely heavy force ruthlessly striking against Nietono no Shana, which she had defensively raised, causing her hands holding the blade to go numb.
"So heavy...!"
This attack was certainly heavy.
After all, Fang Li's attacks, due to the influence of the Heavy Silver hand, significantly increased in weight, granting them the effect of double damage.
Such a blow, even without employing the Nanaya Assassination Technique's Flashing Dash, was not something that could be easily completely blocked once received.
Moreover, this was without Fang Li using Prana to enhance the attack power.
If Fang Li were to use Prana, Shana might be sent flying like a ball.
"He is clearly only human, so why is his physical ability trained to such an extent!"
Uttering words that sounded like a release of frustration, Shana quickly withdrew Nietono no Shana. With a spin, a rotation burning with flames, the Ōdachi cut through space, generating a circle of fiery waves and fiercely slashing toward Fang Li.
"As expected, your sword skill is not exquisite, but precisely because it's simple, it possesses formidable power. It really suits your fighting style."
With these words, Fang Li suddenly flashed, his body resembling a phantom as he retreated backward.
"Chī————!"
The flaming waves and sharp vigor of the katana, carrying scorching heat, just grazed Fang Li's clothes as it sliced through the air.
Fang Li's retreat distance was just right.
Shortly afterward, Fang Li moved again.
The essence of the Nanaya Assassination Technique lay in this ability to stop when desired and move when desired, and when stopping, immediately halting to complete stillness. This seamless transition between a static and dynamic state was the highest level of unpredictability.
Six months of systematic training had transformed Fang Li, who was initially self-taught, into a master of the Nanaya Assassination Technique. His use of the technique had reached a state of perfection.
Thus, under the slashing flames, Fang Li's figure suddenly halted, and the next moment, he shot forward, flashing to Shana's front.
"...?!"
Shana, who had just executed an attack, was in a state where her remaining strength had not dissipated, and new strength had not yet arisen. She didn't have time to retract Nietono no Shana for defense.
In this situation, Fang Li's lips curled slightly, and his hand shot out like a swift wind.
"Flashing Scabbard-One Wind!"
As if traversing through space, the palm of his hand sliced through the air, and with a resounding 'Pā', tightly seized Shana's hand.
"The outcome is revealed!"
Making this declaration, Fang Li twisted his body, using it to lift Shana and attempting to slam her towards the ground.
One Wind was originally a throwing technique.
Therefore, Fang Li's movements were as smooth as flowing water, without any discord.
In response, Shana hadn't reacted at all; her petite body was already lifted by Fang Li as if preparing for a backthrow.
As Fang Li had stated, victory was about to be revealed.
However, just as Fang Li prepared to slam Shana forcefully into the ground, a corner of his vision caught a glimpse of the condition on the ground.
"————!"
Fang Li's complexion suddenly froze, and the movements in his hands abruptly came to a halt.
At that very moment, Shana finally reacted and seized the rare opportunity.
"Hah!"
Without hesitation, Shana let out a cry, executed a reverse twist, and unexpectedly pulled Fang Li towards her, executing a back throw.
"Bang!"
Amidst the muffled impact sound, Fang Li heavily fell to the ground.
Because it happened so suddenly, Fang Li didn't have time to reinforce his defense with Prana. As a result, he took the full force of the blow. Though he wasn't injured, the impact was enough to make him grit his teeth in discomfort.
Shana, looking down from her elevated position, gazed at Fang Li on the ground. Her charming face, devoid of any trace of joy, instead bore a furrowed brow, an expression of inquiry.
"Why did you suddenly stop just now?"
No matter what, Shana was a Flame Haze. It was improbable for her not to be aware of what had just transpired. Clearly, Fang Li had stopped unexpectedly right before what seemed like an impending victory, giving Shana an opportunity.
Therefore, Shana's questioning was perfectly justified.
As Fang Li lay on the ground, he gazed at Shana's resolute figure. Thinking about her strong self-esteem, which rivaled even Aria's, he chuckled wryly, spread out his hands, and uttered a line.
"Sorry, I haven't mastered that move yet. I used a half-baked technique, and this is the result."
Hearing this, Shana scrutinized Fang Li's expression. Seeing a hint of helplessness on his face, she coldly snorted and turned to leave.
Witnessing this, Fang Li hurriedly called out.
"Shana!"
As soon as the name was uttered, Shana immediately retorted.
"Don't call me by that name!" With that, Shana departed.
"Hum!"
The surrounding air suddenly quivered, causing the Bright Red World to dissipate, and the barrier isolating cause and effect was lifted.
Left alone, Fang Li sighed and, somewhat complainingly, spoke.
"I guess I brought this upon myself?"
...
"What's this all about? What, what, what!"
On the riverside pathway, Shana advanced with footsteps that conveyed unmistakable anger, continuously gnashing her teeth.
"Even though I won, why don't I feel happy at all?"
The sparring with Fang Li was initially proposed as an outlet for frustration.
Now, with Fang Li duly dealt with, Shana found herself even more irritated than before.
Because Shana knew the reason Fang Li had suddenly stopped.
Of course, Alastor knew as well.
So, Alastor explained, "There was a very sharp stone where he intended to throw you. It was a necessary interruption."
Naturally, even a sharp stone posed minimal threat to Shana, a Flame Haze, as long as it didn't pierce a vulnerable area like the eyes. However, that wasn't a reason to continue.
Hence, Fang Li instinctively halted.
Truly, it was only instinctively.
But this small detail irked Shana.
As a result, Shana's already irritable mood didn't find relief; instead, it intensified.
"Why isn't there any foolish Denizen with a death wish coming out now?"
In that case, Shana could at least vent her frustration on someone else.
Unfortunately, Shana, who seemed daunting enough to make even Friagne, the Crimson World's Crimson Lord, hesitant to provoke her, couldn't find even a trace of such a target.
Consequently, Shana halted her steps, raised her head, and looked at the sky.
After a brief moment, Shana muttered to herself.
"That guy is truly annoying."
...