The tables had turned, and Anos, who had once outsmarted Sofia, now found himself on the receiving end of her cunning. Who would have thought that he would fall victim to her cleverness? Sofia's face was filled with pride and a hint of triumph, her eyes gleaming with a fierce light.
"Little guy, do you think I'm a pushover?" Sofia thought to herself, a sly, self-satisfied smile spreading across her face. She had proven her intellectual superiority, and Anos had underestimated her at his own peril.
The deflated Anos followed Sofia into a vast, spacious hall that resembled a futuristic science museum. The room was filled with strange, high-tech contraptions and innovative gadgets, each one more intriguing than the last. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, and Anos couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation as he gazed around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Miss Sofia, what's the matter?" A delicate-looking teacher walked over, her voice soft and concerned, her eyes scanning the scene with interest.
"Take this student and conduct a simulated experiment," Sofia instructed, her eyes fixed on Anos, her voice firm and authoritative.
"Okay!" The female teacher nodded, her hands moving swiftly to activate the machine, its hum filling the air as it whirred to life.
Anos was puzzled, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you want me to do?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Sofia's expression remained enigmatic, but she gave a subtle nod, her eyes locked on Anos. "Lie down," she said, her voice low and even, her gaze indicating the machine behind him.
Anos hesitated, unsure of what to expect. "Do you want me to take off my pants?" he asked, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice, his face flushing with uncertainty.
.....
'Ding... Successfully teased Sofia. Scumbag points + 10000. Mission progress: 40%.' The system's notification echoed in Anos's mind, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
Sofia was stunned for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
"If you're willing," she said, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm, her eyes glinting with a challenge.
"What a joke. Of course I'm not willing. Why should I show it to you!" Anos exclaimed, his face flushed with indignation, though a hint of a smile played on his lips. He was clearly enjoying the banter, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Although he hadn't teased her this time, Anos was already satisfied, feeling a sense of triumph at having pushed Sofia's buttons. He leaned back, his arms crossed, his expression smug.
....
Sofia then said to Anos, "This is an additional test that I'm giving you. It's a realistic virtual reality simulation of a real battle, designed to push your skills to the limit." Her eyes sparkled with intensity, her voice firm and commanding.
"In a moment, your consciousness will be immersed in a virtual environment, and you will face a digitally replicated five-star Qi Building Realm beast. You need to defeat it within a minute. If you can do it, then you've successfully passed the test!" Sofia exclaimed, her words dripping with challenge.
Anos's eyes lit up with excitement! He didn't feel that this was too difficult! In fact, he was eager to prove himself. Anos had never faced a beast before, but if he could practice fighting one in a virtual simulation, then it would be a great opportunity to test his skills and gain valuable experience.
"Okay!" Anos agreed, his voice firm and resolute. Then, he lay down and closed his eyes, his mind preparing to enter the virtual realm.
In the next moment, he found himself standing on a vast, rolling grassland, the terrain stretching out before him like an endless canvas of green. The sensation was so real, he could almost smell the fresh earth and feel the gentle breeze rustling his hair, carrying the whispers of distant wildflowers.
Of course, this wasn't his physical body that had entered this virtual realm - only his consciousness had made the journey. Yet, the degree of realism was astonishing, at 99% accuracy. The grassland was so vivid, so lifelike, that Anos could hardly distinguish it from reality.
The sky above was a brilliant blue, with only a few wispy clouds scattered across it, like cotton candy tufts carried on the wind. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, their delicate petals swaying in the breeze. This was the cutting-edge of virtual technology, and Anos couldn't help but feel as though he had truly been transported to another world.
As Anos gazed out at the virtual landscape, a majestic creature emerged from the horizon, its fiery mane a blazing halo in the sunlight. The air seemed to shimmer with heat as a fiery red lion appeared in front of him, its eyes burning with an inner intensity.
With his spirit eye open, Anos accessed a wealth of information about the beast.
[Raging Flame Lion]
Qi Building Realm: Five Star
Strength: 50
Vitality: 50
Agility: 50
Spirit: 50
This was a fire-attributed beast of unparalleled ferocity, renowned for its incredible speed and formidable attack power. Its flames could scorch the earth, leaving charred ruins in its wake. The lion's very presence seemed to ignite the air around it, as if the atmosphere itself was aflame.
Martial Technique: [Flame Roar]
The lion could condense its Spirit Qi to spit out a violent flame, a blazing inferno that could incinerate anything in its path. The technique was feared by many, and Anos knew he had to be cautious. He steeled himself for the battle ahead, his mind racing with strategies to counter the lion's deadly abilities.
Anos had only opened his Spirit Eye on a whim, not expecting it to actually work. But to his astonishment, he was able to discern the beast's name and even its martial technique. Wasn't this ability too powerful? Entering this virtual realm was akin to playing a game, with himself and his opponent sporting HP bars above their heads. This convenient display of health points would allow him to gauge the damage he inflicted on the demonic beast and estimate how many moves it would take to defeat it.
In essence, it was like battling a real demonic beast, but with the added benefit of an intuitive HP bar. "Come on! Show me the strength of a beast!" Anos sneered, his confidence surging. Then, he suddenly charged forward, eager to test his skills against the Raging Flame Lion.
The virtual combat simulation was a game-changer in the Sky Martial Court, offering an astoundingly realistic experience that rivaled actual battles. Its greatest advantage lay in its ability to simulate the sensations of combat without putting the physical body at risk. When attacked, the brain's stimulation would register pain, but it was only 30% of the actual sensation - a mere illusion, a shadow of the real thing. Most importantly, there was no risk of death, no permanent damage, only a simulated environment where one could push themselves to the limit.
This made the virtual combat simulator an indispensable tool for honing one's combat skills, offering the same benefits as battling a real beast without the dangers. It was the perfect environment to test one's abilities, refine techniques, and experiment with new strategies, all within a safe and controlled space.
Roar! — The Raging Flame Lion unleashed a thunderous roar, its anger palpable as it charged toward Anos with ferocious intent. The ground trembled beneath its paws, and the air seemed to shimmer with heat as it closed in for the attack. Anos stood tall, his eyes locked on the beast, his mind racing with strategies to counter its deadly assault.
Boom! Anos's fist collided with the Raging Flame Lion's claws, unleashing a burst of energy that sent shockwaves through the air. However, neither could gain the upper hand, their strengths evenly matched. Anos retreated slightly, his eyes narrowing as he realized he had only tapped into the power of a Qi Building Realm Five Star.
As he withdrew, Anos felt a burning sensation on his fist, a testament to the lion's body temperature, which was hot enough to scorch the air around it. The realism of the simulation was uncanny, but the pain was muted, only a shadow of the real thing - a mere 30% of the actual sensation.
Anos's body, fortified at the Spirit Focus Realm Two Star, was more than capable of withstanding a Qi Building Realm Five Star's attacks. Emboldened, he grasped the Raging Flame Lion's front claws with both hands, his grip unyielding. With a swift motion, he sprang upward, using the lion's momentum against it. Then, he swept his leg across the lion's massive head, unleashing a powerful kick that sent the beast flying. Bang! The Raging Flame Lion crashed to the ground, rolling twice before coming to a stop, its body smoldering with residual flames.
"Fortunately, I learned martial arts on Earth when I was young, and those skills still come in handy!" Anos thought to himself, a hint of amusement in his heart. However, he was also slightly surprised by the sheer strength of the Demonic Beast. Its power far surpassed that of a human in the same realm, a sobering reminder of the vast differences between species.
Moreover, if the simulation's pain accuracy were at 100%, Anos wouldn't have been able to grasp the Raging Flame Lion's scorching claws with both hands. The heat would have been unbearable, the pain overwhelming. This realization made Anos appreciate the value of the simulation's limitations, which currently only simulated 30% of the actual pain.
Only by facing a Demonic Beast in the same realm within the simulation could Anos truly feel the pressure and test his abilities to the limit. The experience was invaluable, a chance to hone his skills and prepare for the real challenges that lay ahead.
Outside, Sofia was observing everything that was happening in Anos's mind on a large screen, her eyes fixed intently on the virtual battle unfolding before her. "Teacher Tina, adjust the Raging Flame Lion's parameters," she instructed, her voice firm and commanding. "Keep its realm unchanged, but increase its speed, strength, and defense to the Qi Building Realm Seven Star."
Teacher Tina raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern in her voice. "Ah? But that would mean certain death for Anos. Are you sure?"
Sofia's expression remained resolute. "No problem, make the changes!" Her lips curled up into a sly smile, revealing her true intentions. This was all part of her plan, a way to gauge Anos's true abilities and uncover the truth about his realm. Qi Building Realm Five Star? She didn't believe it for a moment.
Roar! The Raging Flame Lion rose to its feet, its fury reignited as it unleashed a thunderous roar that shook the virtual landscape. Its eyes blazed with intense ferocity as it began to condense a massive inferno on its body, flames dancing across its skin like living serpents. The air around it seemed to distort with heat, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate the lion's wrath.
With a mighty opening of its jaws, the lion unleashed a torrent of fire, spewing forth a maelstrom of flames that threatened to engulf Anos. The flames were so intense that they seemed to have a life of their own, twisting and writhing like living tendrils of fire.
However, Anos was already prepared for this attack. With lightning-fast reflexes, he suddenly sprang to the side, dodging the flames with a mere hair's breadth to spare. He knew he had only one minute to end this battle, and so he seized the initiative, charging forward with a fierce determination the moment he landed. His eyes locked onto the Raging Flame Lion...
....
Anos's kick landed squarely on the Raging Flame Lion's face, but to his utter astonishment, the beast barely flinched. Its head moved slightly, but its body remained stationary, as if rooted to the spot, defying the laws of physics. "What?" Anos exclaimed, his mind racing with confusion and disbelief. It defied logic that his kick, fueled by his Qi Building Realm Five Star strength, hadn't sent the lion flying across the virtual landscape.
The Raging Flame Lion's reaction was eerily unnatural, its body seemingly impervious to the attack. Roar! Bang! The beast retaliated with a swift swipe of its claws, the sound echoing through the air as Anos finally reacted. His reflexes kicked in, and he rapidly turned in mid-air, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth. Relief washed over him; if he had been a fraction slower, the consequences would have been dire, his HP dwindling precipitously.
Sofia watched the scene unfold with a hint of disappointment, her eyes narrowing slightly. She had expected more from Anos, given his physique, which was already at the Spirit Condensation Realm Two Star. His defense capabilities clearly surpassed those of a Qi Building Realm Five Star, and she had hoped to see a more impressive display of strength, a testament to his true abilities.
..
"Miss Sofia, you're shameless!" Anos shouted into the air, his voice echoing with indignation and a hint of frustration. The sudden surge in the Raging Flame Lion's power had caught him off guard, and he knew that Sofia was behind it.
Then, Sofia's voice came from the air, her tone laced with a charming smile and a hint of innocence. "How am I shameless? This is the Raging Flame Lion's martial skill. It can increase its attributes for a short period of time. I never said that demonic beasts can't use martial skills." Her words were meant to sound convincing, but Anos knew better.
Normally, Anos would have believed her, but Anos's keen eye had spotted something amiss. He noticed that the Raging Flame Lion only possessed one offensive martial skill, with no amplification skills to speak of. This realization sparked an epiphany - Sofia must have intervened, manipulating the situation to uncover Anos's true background. The Raging Flame Lion's sudden power boost was not a natural occurrence, but rather a deliberate attempt to test Anos's limits.
"Then I can't let your plan succeed," Anos thought to himself, his mind racing with strategy and a hint of determination. He knew that Sofia was trying to expose his true abilities, and he couldn't let that happen. Seeing that the Raging Flame Lion's HP was less than half, Anos seized the opportunity to strike again, his eyes fixed intently on the beast.
He knew that a Qi Building Realm Five Star like himself couldn't inflict significant damage on a Seven Star opponent, but he had to try. Every moment counted, and every attack could potentially turn the tide of battle. However, he was also acutely aware that a Seven Star's strength was fatal to a Five Star. This was the harsh reality of the realm difference, a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge.
Nevertheless, Anos refused to back down, his resolve strengthened by his determination to protect his secrets and outmaneuver Sofia's plans. With a fierce cry, he launched himself at the Raging Flame Lion....
.....