Mars.
"Clang!"
The Blazing Sword clashed with the Black Cleaver, producing a metallic sound that echoed across the barren landscape. Sparks of golden light burst from the collision. Angel Leng, relying solely on her seven millennia of combat experience, struggled to keep Liu Chuang at bay. Without her experience, she would have no way to suppress Liu Chuang's growing power.
Of course, she could still take to the sky and unleash a fiery bombardment, but her most devastating move, the Heavenly Blade Judgement, was a technique only wieldable by those with Holy Wings. Angel Leng had yet to master it.
"If the Norstar War God had any energy left, Leng Jie might lose today," Zhixin observed as she flew to Zhang Zheng's side, noticing that Angel Leng's movements were slowing down.
"Indeed, Liu Chuang has made significant progress this past month. His super genes are purely focused on physical combat, making it easier for him to strengthen his divine body and increase his power," Zhang Zheng said, looking at Liu Chuang with satisfaction. This was what a War God should be—crushing all enemies with overwhelming strength.
"By the way, how's Ge Xiaolun doing? Has the upgrade to Xionxin succeeded?" Zhang Zheng suddenly remembered that he hadn't checked on Ge Xiaolun for a while.
It was strange; ever since his arrival, Zhang Zheng hadn't paid much attention to Ge Xiaolun, finding himself more interested in Liu Chuang, who also wielded an axe as his weapon of choice. For the past month, Zhang Zheng had been sparring with Liu Chuang every day, pushing him to his limits before allowing himself to rest.
But despite being nearly beaten to death each time, Liu Chuang had gained much from these sessions. His strength had grown considerably, and even Lingxi, who usually remained indifferent, had started to take notice of him. She would care for Liu Chuang's injuries while glaring at Zhang Zheng.
As for Ge Xiaolun, his physical progress had been minimal. Zhixin had helped him unlock his wings with a divine code, but he still couldn't fly, just like in the original story. This often led to mockery from Liu Chuang, and the two had even come to blows several times.
Unfortunately for Ge Xiaolun, their fights usually took place at close range, and while Xionxin was powerful, it still took time to calculate the steadily improving divine body of Liu Chuang. As a result, every battle ended with Ge Xiaolun being thoroughly outmatched.
Angel Leng would then step in to give Liu Chuang a hard time, followed by a round of sharp criticism aimed at Ge Xiaolun.
Today's sparring match was no different, ignited by Liu Chuang's sharp tongue. However, it seemed Liu Chuang was poised to win this time.
As Zhang Zheng's thoughts wandered, the fight reached its conclusion. With a sharp crack, Liu Chuang's Black Cleaver sliced through the Blazing Sword, breaking it into two pieces.
Angel Leng stared at the broken sword in disbelief, her expression one of shock. The Blazing Sword, considered one of the top-tier weapons in the known universe, had just been shattered by a mere Earth-made axe.
"Leng Jie, don't underestimate the Black Cleaver in Chuangzi's hands. Although it's forged from Earth's dark iron on the outside, its core contains the most advanced technology left behind by the Shenhe civilization. Combined with Chuangzi's God-Slaying power, if it couldn't even cut through a Blazing Sword, how could it be expected to cleave through planets?" Zhang Zheng stepped forward to console Angel Leng, who was still in a daze.
He bent down to pick up the broken blade and took the half that was still in Angel Leng's hand. Red light flashed in his palm as the two pieces fused together, forming a new Blazing Sword.
The new sword wasn't the original orange-red color but rather predominantly silver-white, with glowing orange-red runes along the blade, exuding a sharp, cold aura.
Zhang Zheng handed the reforged Blazing Sword back to Angel Leng, explaining, "The Blazing Sword's original functions remain intact, but I've replaced the dark star silver with adamantium alloy. It's not only sharper but also sturdier. Temperatures below 500,000 degrees won't damage the adamantium alloy."
"I've tested it—whether it's Morgana's fourth-generation divine body or her demon claws, this sword can easily cut through them. If you enjoy slicing things apart, Leng Jie, this sword is indispensable."
Zhang Zheng introduced the new features of the Blazing Sword while playfully teasing Angel Leng.
"Oh, so why are you being so nice to me, 'male god'? What's your ulterior motive? Spill it," Angel Leng wasn't easily swayed by Zhang Zheng's gift, having lived for over seven thousand years. She initiated a private conversation with him to get to the bottom of it.
"Well, Leng Jie, how about you and Lingxi take a trip back to Earth after this? Maybe a three-day tour around the planet?" Zhang Zheng whispered, cautious not to let Zhixin overhear.
"I'd love to, but with Morgana on Earth, I'm worried about leaving Zhixin unprotected," Angel Leng knew that Zhang Zheng had given Zhixin several sets of vanadium alloy combat skirts, the kind angels wore during battle. Seeing an opportunity, she decided to extort Zhang Zheng a bit more.
"Fine, one set for you and one for Lingxi," Zhang Zheng agreed through gritted teeth, using his reality-warping powers to create two more battle skirts.
Angel Leng accepted the bribe, using wormhole technology to store the skirts in her armory.
"Don't worry, male god. Lingxi and I will make sure we're out of your and Zhixin's sight for the next three days," Angel Leng assured, satisfied with the transaction. She patted Zhang Zheng on the shoulder before turning away.
Zhixin, not far away, noticed Zhang Zheng and Angel Leng talking quietly and curiously took a few steps closer. But Zhang Zheng, who had been keeping an eye on her, immediately distanced himself from Angel Leng.
"Leng Jie, everything okay?" Zhixin asked.
"All good. The old Blazing Sword broke, so your male god made me a new one," Angel Leng diverted the conversation to the Blazing Sword, not wanting Zhixin to pry further.
"Mm, Zhang Zheng told me that adamantium alloy is the hardest metal in the universe. He can only create it with his reality-warping powers," Zhixin said, recognizing the composition of the new Blazing Sword.
"Alright, enough about me. How did Lingxi do?" Angel Leng asked, changing the subject.
"Lingxi won, easily," Zhixin replied.
"I figured as much. I still don't get it. How can Galaxy Force be so much weaker than Norstar War God despite both undergoing similar training?" Angel Leng voiced her confusion.
"It's not that it's weaker. In terms of sheer destructive power, Solar Flare should be the strongest in the known universe, while Norstar War God excels in single-target attacks. But Galaxy Force has the most potential because it defies the fundamental rules of the universe," Zhixin explained before glancing at Zhang Zheng. Her male god seemed to be the true strongest in the universe, she mused, a smile forming on her lips.
Zhixin often felt incredibly lucky. What began as a simple mission to observe Aeneas ended with her stumbling upon a lost Zhang Zheng, who, by a stroke of fate, became her charge.
Angel Leng noticed Zhixin smiling at Zhang Zheng and felt like she was being force-fed dog food again. They say that the most subtle displays of superiority are the deadliest, and Angel Leng believed that unspoken affection was the most lethal of all.
If Hexi were here, she might have given up on Zhixin and taken Angel Leng as her student, given their similar experiences.
Angel Leng cast one last glance at Zhang Zheng and Zhixin before deciding to leave them be. She walked over to Liu Chuang, grabbed his shoulder, and flew toward Ge Xiaolun.
As for Zhang Zheng and Zhixin, who cares about them?