The armor shared the style of the Phoenix Heaven Garb, yet the radiance it emitted was a peculiar blend of deep violet and cyan, flowing like undulating waves of light, imbued with astonishingly potent energy fluctuations. This power surpassed the golden Phoenix Heaven armor worn by Taurus and Aries by a considerable margin.
In stark contrast, the replica set Star had brought from the M world looked like mere refuse. What shocked Star even more, however, were the strange, gold-glowing necklace, bracelets, and battle boots worn by Nico.
Though he had never seen them in the real M world, as a veteran legendary player, Star instantly recognized them as the legendary God-tier equipment famed as the strongest among the Warrior classes: the Raging Thunder Set. And the greatsword in his hand, though similar in appearance to the Sky-Splitter, pulsed with an eerie cyan glow, resembling a ball of flickering blue ghostly fire.
This must be a Phoenix Heaven Knight! Judging purely by equipment, he was the strongest opponent Star had ever encountered!
With equal levels of strength, the disparity in power between Nia and Nico was worlds apart, simply due to the difference in their gear! Lan Ye's biological radar pinged back a reading that made Star’s heart plummet!
Battle Qi Intensity: One Hundred Thousand! While a Battle Qi Intensity of one hundred thousand was certainly not weak, it was by no means top-tier.
Theoretically, Star’s peak attack power could reach three hundred and sixty thousand! But there was a critical distinction: this one hundred thousand represented only the most basic, foundational Battle Qi energy Nico could utilize.
Star’s own foundational Battle Qi intensity was merely twenty thousand, which, aided by the Kaioken, could be sustained around forty thousand! This intensity level was comparable to that of a Golden Warrior.
Any subsequent, higher levels of attack power were built upon this foundation of forty thousand! Yet, Nico standing before them possessed a baseline intensity soaring to one hundred thousand.
It was difficult to imagine the intensity he could reach once he activated his Burning System. Nico now advanced slowly, his face a mask of murderous intent, his gaze sharp as lightning!
As an accomplished warrior, he would never underestimate an opponent merely because he possessed vastly superior power. Especially not Nia, standing before him.
They shared the same experience and personality framework; though their divergent paths afterward had caused variations in their respective memories, their acquired experiences and expertise were vastly different. But a person’s core character is difficult to change!
It is like a brand etched deep into the soul, impossible to ever erase! At Wolong Manor, ancient civilizations had passed down this saying: The enemy you understand best is the most terrifying enemy!
Without a doubt, Nia belonged to that category! Therefore, Nico knew perfectly well that in this world, if anyone understood him best, it could only be Nia.
Because no one understands oneself better than oneself! This maxim applied equally to Nia.
Nico relied on his formidable equipment, while Nia depended on his capable ally, Star! Star, capable of matching a Golden Warrior, combined with the competent Nia, meant they were not without a chance against Nico, the Phoenix Heaven Knight!
Across the vast hall, amidst the bizarre, colossal spiderweb of interwoven threads, the three figures scrutinized and confronted each other! Nia's gaze was locked onto Nico, unyielding and unbroken!
Not solely because his opponent was the mysterious and powerful Phoenix Heaven Knight! But also because of the opponent's stare—a gaze so cold, sharp as a blade, seemingly possessing substance and form, capable of piercing through everything!
It radiated an oppressive aura! Against such a look, one could not flinch; to retreat even slightly would mean being overwhelmed by sheer presence!
Star felt somewhat uneasy. Star had faced many powerful enemies, but never one with such an intensely sharp gaze.
Under that scrutiny, he felt exposed, standing naked in an autumn gale—a profoundly uncomfortable sensation! However, Star was the type who grew stronger when challenged!
He was acutely aware that in high-level duels, momentum was crucial! Even if he couldn't dominate the opponent's aura, he absolutely could not allow his own to be crushed!
“So, you are Star,” Nico stated. “I had planned to deal with Nia first, and then take care of you at the Nile tribe, but this is far more convenient.” “You certainly talk too much,” Star replied dryly.
“If you want to fight, hurry up.” “....” A flicker of slight irritation crossed Nico’s cold eyes, yet it vanished just as quickly. “Trying to provoke me.
A clever tactic.” Star sighed inwardly, though this outcome was entirely expected! This fellow’s mental fortitude was undeniable!
It seemed better to abandon any petty tricks immediately. With a thought, Star executed a casual flourish with his sword, his stance widening slightly, taking a half-step forward!
His entire posture resembled a coiled spring, poised and ready to launch! The stance was intensely peculiar!
To Nico, Star seemed like a drawn bowstring, fully taut and ready to shoot forth at any moment! Yet, the faintly vibrating sword tip suggested an elusive, uncertain presence!
Invisible and formless, yet simultaneously everywhere! Capable of striking from any conceivable or inconceivable angle!
To hold back the strike was the most difficult threat to guard against! Sensing Star’s surging presence, Nia also stepped slightly forward!
The golden Sky-Splitter’s edge seemed frozen, firmly locking onto Nico’s deep, powerful aura! One left, one right; one still, one moving!
These two, who had never fought side-by-side before, displayed an astonishing level of synchronization and fusion on their first collaborative engagement! They merged seamlessly, like a perfect sphere, guiding and compensating for each other!
This was genuinely incredible! Even Star and Nia were surprised!
“There is indeed something to this,” Nico murmured, his cold eyes showing a rare gravity. No wonder they remained so unfazed facing him, the Phoenix Heaven Knight!
Nico slowly raised his greatsword, pouring surging Battle Qi into it. This deepened the sword's cyan hue, making it appear intensely frigid!
Sword energy flared as if ready to explode at any moment, and then the greatsword was hoisted high above his head. To Star, it felt certain that once this strike was unleashed, it would be earth-shattering!
Therefore, Star was determined not to give him the chance to strike! Competing on raw strength was out of the question; Star’s only path was victory through speed!
With absolutely no warning, Star’s violet silhouette vanished from his position! Just as Nico had sensed, Star now moved like an arrow loosed from a bow!
His speed was incredible! Not even the sound of air breaking could be heard before the figure, rocketing forward like an arrow, closed the distance to Nico’s chest!
The scorching crimson blade radiated intense pressure! That speed was indeed impressive!
However, Nico showed not the slightest hint of panic, shifting his stance slightly to the side—barely half a step. He seemed barely to have moved, yet that tiny adjustment expertly evaded Star’s swift thrust!
Then, the greatsword, held high above his head, flashed down like lightning toward Nia behind Star! Star felt a jolt of surprise, astonished both by Nico’s speed and his choice of tactic.
To disregard the closer threat and strike Nia behind him! It was as if he had anticipated everything!
Nia roared, meeting the attack fearlessly. His golden Sky-Splitter moved as if hoisting a mountain of immense weight; though the speed wasn't blinding, it carried the resounding crash of wind and thunder.
The sheer momentum was astonishing, causing the surrounding web of silk threads and the strange golden eggs to seem to coalesce within the furious, savage sword energy, slamming toward Nico’s descending blow. All of this occurred in the blink of an eye!
Nico sidestepped the attack! But Nico’s tactic of prioritizing the distant target left Star momentarily unbalanced and sparked anger!
The sheer audacity of ignoring his presence! It was arrogance bordering on the extreme!
So, as Nico sidestepped, Star’s lunge transformed instantly into a sweeping horizontal arc! The transition was smooth as flowing water, winding toward Nico at his flank!
This strike was imbued with the entirety of Star’s strength! Furthermore, Star cleverly utilized the momentary burst control technique of the Kaioken, causing the Battle Qi energy to detonate at that precise instant!
This amplified the power exponentially! The sword whistled piercingly, and the edge erupted with brilliant light, tracing a beautiful arc as it cut through the heavy pressure bearing down on it!
Dare to ignore my existence? Even a Phoenix Heaven Knight will pay a price for that!
CRACK! A heavy impact resonated!
Star felt his outward strike slam into something like solid steel! The staggering rebound force nearly wrenched the sword from his grasp!
Ah! What is this!
A glove! Strictly speaking, it was a fist—a gauntlet studded with cyan spikes, radiating an alien power!
It was the fist Nico had thrown! It was unbelievable that such a casual punch could possess such terrifying force!
The sword strike, concentrated with all of Star’s might, had been met by this fist and violently repelled!