Lis stared blankly at the dark crimson longsword in his hand, tracing the strange totem etched upon it—a design that seemed like a flame or a shooting star. He felt none of the inherent chill of a weapon in his grip.
Turning back to look at Zhong Shenxiu and Charlotte, Lis found himself at a loss for words. The sword simply gave him an overwhelmingly odd sensation!
Angelia also found it fascinating and moved closer. She knew a little about Zhong Shenxiu and realized this sword must hold a profound secret. But what kind of secret?
Charlotte was clearly taken aback by Zhong Shenxiu's decision, unsure what scheme he was plotting! Whatever it was, it was bound to be trouble!
"What are its abilities?" Charlotte finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked.
Zhong Shenxiu smiled faintly and replied, "Don't rush; you'll know soon enough!"
The more Zhong Shenxiu said this, the more unsettled Charlotte felt. She had a growing premonition that something was about to happen, and she couldn't help glancing again at the longsword Lis held.
"Alright, time is precious. You two may begin your spar now!" Zhong Shenxiu’s expression was one of eager anticipation.
Without further ado, the two moved onto the designated area.
When Lis swung the longsword and slashed toward Charlotte, despite her mental preparation, the ensuing scene still shocked her deeply.
As their swords met, no one could have anticipated that several fireballs would erupt from Lis’s sword, hurtling directly at Charlotte.
Charlotte hastily retreated, waving her own sword to parry. Though she blocked several fireballs, one slipped past. She managed to turn her head to avoid a fatal strike, but a wisp of her hair was instantly scorched by the fireball, leaving her deeply disheveled!
At that moment, both Charlotte and Lis froze, unsure where the fireball had originated. Could it have come from the sword itself?
Even with this thought, they struggled to accept it as reality, for they had never heard of a sword that could automatically unleash magic!
However, what happened next forced them to believe. Not only could this sword release magic, but the variety was vast. It wasn't limited to just fireballs; spells like "Fire Flight" and "Dance of the Fire Rope" manifested successively, overwhelming Charlotte and forcing her onto the defensive!
Soon, the two discovered another phenomenon: the more violently their swords clashed, the more potent the magic unleashed by the "perverted, monstrous" sword—as they decided to call it for now—became!
This was no longer a sparring match between two swordsmen; it was clearly one swordsman backed by a mage bullying another swordsman! Charlotte was the one being bullied!
If it were just this, it might have been manageable. After all, a mage needs incantations to cast spells and usually only provides flanking support or sneak attacks, making them relatively easy to defend against. But this "perverted sword" manifested its magic instantaneously, regardless of the spell, and worse, these magical effects were unleashed at close or point-blank range!
In a real battle, Charlotte could certainly defeat Lis without much trouble. But this was merely practice, and she couldn't unleash her true strength or resort to killing intent. She could only struggle to hold on, feeling utterly stifled and humiliated!
In contrast, Lis felt the opposite—he was having the time of his life! He hadn't expected that after being dominated by Charlotte for two days, he could finally turn the tables and collect some interest!
When Zhong Shenxiu called a halt, Charlotte was a complete mess. Her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were scorched in numerous places. Thankfully, her inner armor protected her from indecent exposure!
Lis looked at the "perverted sword" in his hand with lingering desire, wanting nothing more than to let out a triumphant roar to the heavens.
"Kid, how does it feel?" Zhong Shenxiu asked Lis calmly.
"G-Good! So powerful! What kind of sword is this?" Lis looked at Zhong Shenxiu with fiery eyes, almost blurting out, You're my father; give me this sword!
Zhong Shenxiu didn't answer. Instead, he extended his hand and commanded, "Now, return the sword!"
Clank!
Lis’s ecstatic smile instantly froze. He hadn't expected Zhong Shenxiu to take the sword back so quickly; he hadn't savored it nearly enough!
Though extremely reluctant, Lis dared not defy Zhong Shenxiu. Even the senior sister Angelia feared him, let alone Lis!
Many might assume Zhong Shenxiu’s actions were just a momentary whim, but they would be mistaken!
The reason he lent this newly perfected sword to Lis was to allow him to vent the emotions bottled up inside. Anyone who has been utterly defeated for days develops various suppressed feelings, and if these emotions are not released, they accumulate over time and eventually become hidden dangers!
"Girl, come here for a moment!" Just as everyone was still immersed in the bizarre battle they had just witnessed, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly called out.
Angelia, who was nearby, stepped a few paces closer when Zhong Shenxiu summoned her.
Zhong Shenxiu first smiled, then surprisingly produced another sword from his magic ring, handing it to Angelia and saying, "Next, you will spar with her using this sword!"
Angelia accepted the slightly wider longsword with excitement, gazing at the interwoven pale-yellow patterns, guessing what hidden ability this sword possessed. A thrill of eager anticipation ran through her!
Zhong Shenxiu looked up at Charlotte with interest. He saw Charlotte with wide eyes and her delicate mouth slightly open, her expression clearly asking, Surely you aren't planning to kill me today?
Having been reduced to such a pathetic state by Lis just moments ago, now he was handing Angelia another strange sword—did he want her to live at all?
This time, Zhong Shenxiu didn't need to give an order; Angelia automatically stepped onto the field and told Charlotte, "Be careful in a moment!"
Charlotte didn't speak, but returned a look that clearly conveyed, I'll be careful whether you tell me or not!
Without further pleasantries, Angelia charged forward.
Clang! The two longswords collided.
Charlotte seemed to have learned from the previous fight. As the swords met, she immediately used the force to retreat, already poised to dodge and guard, primarily anticipating some magical attack.
Her thought process was sound, but the ability of Angelia's sword was unique. At the instant of impact, it erupted with a burst of brilliant light. Strangely, this light only blinded Charlotte, while Angelia remained completely unaffected—perhaps related to the angle of the light, or perhaps a new spell developed by Zhong Shenxiu.
Instinctively, Charlotte shut her eyes to avoid the glare. In that split second of flashing light, Angelia pressed her advantage, charging again, leaping forward with a solid kick right into Charlotte's body.
Charlotte's body cooperated perfectly, flying backward and landing hard on the ground.
Afterward, Angelia, just like Lis earlier, displayed an expression of disbelief.
She hadn't expected to send Charlotte flying with just one exchange; the sensation was utterly surreal!
Charlotte struggled to rise from the ground, her eyes still stinging from the bright flash, but the pain from Angelia's kick was sharper.
"Are you alright?" Angelia was relatively decent, not kicking a fallen dog while she was down to press the advantage!
Charlotte forced a wry smile, trying to appear strong, "I'm f-fine."
The two engaged again. Today seemed destined to be Charlotte's nightmare day; she was continuously hit, continuously sent flying, while Angelia grew more energized with every exchange.
Angelia’s longsword appeared to possess restorative or healing properties, making her feel like she had endless strength and energy today!
"Alright, girl, you can come down now!" Zhong Shenxiu's voice drifted over again.
Looking at Charlotte, she stood there weakly, looking as if she had just been thoroughly beaten by Robin.
She must now fully grasp the terrifying combat prowess a truly exceptional weapon can grant!
After sparring with Angelia, Charlotte was allowed a brief rest because her next opponent would be Robin!
As she walked toward the edge of the arena, one action by Zhong Shenxiu nearly broke her spirit!
Zhong Shenxiu pulled out a third sword!
Heavens, was he planning to let Robin use that one?
Charlotte already saw despair beckoning her, inwardly pleading, No, please no, my god!
However, Zhong Shenxiu’s next words were like a great hand lifting a chick, pulling her out of the endless, damp darkness.
"Hey, woman, you use this sword. You'll test it against Robin in a moment!" Zhong Shenxiu told Charlotte.
For me to use?
Charlotte could hardly believe her ears. But when she saw Zhong Shenxiu's serious expression, she finally believed it was true. She never expected to get a chance to wield such a monstrous sword!
As if fueled by some unknown power, Charlotte dashed and leaped right in front of Zhong Shenxiu, her eyes constantly flicking toward the sword in his hand—she was practically ready to snatch it!
She couldn't be blamed for her excitement; she had just suffered under the effects of such a sword and deeply understood its outrageous capabilities!
Zhong Shenxiu handed the sword to her, then turned to Robin and instructed, "Robin, you will use the 'Tai Chi' defense I taught you. I want to see how much you've improved!"
Robin nodded, indicating understanding!
Charlotte clearly hadn't heard what Zhong Shenxiu had told Robin, as she was currently admiring the sword in her hands like an infatuated fan, wondering what bizarre function this one possessed!
"Hey, woman, this time Robin will only defend and not attack," Zhong Shenxiu kindly reminded her, but seeing Charlotte's distracted look, he couldn't help but frown, "Don't think just because you have this sword you can defeat Robin!"
Charlotte looked up at Zhong Shenxiu in astonishment, clearly lost in thought.
After resting for about fifteen minutes, the grand finale—the duel between Robin and Charlotte—finally began! (For future developments, please visit Chapter X for more content, support the author, and support genuine reading!)
...Charlotte saw Robin strike a strange pose.
Robin stood with her legs naturally separated in a half-squat, her graceful hands extended forward in a shape resembling the character 'Yù' []...
But what occupied Charlotte's mind now was not Robin's stance, but the sword in her own hand.
The sword was entirely silver-white, its blade slightly narrow, with clear plum blossom patterns visible. When gently moved, it seemed to emit a faint, ringing zheng sound.
What unique ability did it possess? And how perverse would its power be?
Just thinking about it made her blood boil. Even more incredible to Charlotte was this: the moment she unleashed her Battle Qi, the sword’s weight seemed to vanish instantly, becoming feather-light, as if it had merged with her body!
This sensation was utterly bewildering; it was the first time Charlotte had ever felt anything like it! What on earth was happening? Charlotte could not fathom it.
"You may attack now!" At that moment, Robin's calm voice sounded. Charlotte quickly reined in her scattered thoughts, first carefully observing Robin, intending to find any potential weak spot.
Strangely, Charlotte felt a contradiction. Based on Robin's posture, there seemed to be openings everywhere. Yet, based on her overall aura, she exuded an air of invincibility!
She couldn't help but recall Zhong Shenxiu's earlier words: Don't assume you can defeat Robin just because you have this sword!
Did her posture hide some profound secret?
"Be careful!" Charlotte stopped overthinking, spoke the warning aloud, and then lunged forward, sword raised! (To be honest, this was the first time she had attacked proactively!)
Watching Charlotte's aggressive advance, as her sword drew closer, Robin didn't move an inch; her expression became even more serene, as if she had merged with the heavens and the earth!
Just as Charlotte rushed within striking distance, she suddenly exerted force at her waist, swinging her longsword toward Robin like a coiling dragon's tail!
Accompanying Charlotte's swift strike, an unbelievable event occurred. Several Wind Blades suddenly materialized, attacking Robin along with the longsword!
Whether due to the strength of Charlotte's Battle Qi or the sword being exceptionally monstrous, these Wind Blades far surpassed the magic unleashed by the previous two swords in both speed and power!
"Heavens, that... that's a Fifth-Tier spell, 'Wind Whirlwind'!" Lis, who seemed to have some knowledge of magic, immediately cried out.
Angelia was also stunned speechless by the monstrous scene; this was practically an immediate killing move!
However, facing such a fierce assault, Robin's expression remained unchanged. She calmly traced a "circle" in the air with her hand, as if parting clouds and mist. By the time this "circle" was complete, the Wind Blades had arrived.
Then, another bizarre event unfolded: as if controlled by the movements of Robin's graceful hand, the Wind Blades moved like trains changing tracks, effortlessly bypassing her body.
But that wasn't the end, as Charlotte's longsword was now inches away.
Robin lightly pressed the flat of her hand against the blade of Charlotte's sword, as if using a giant suction cup, firmly gripping it in her palm. Then, she stepped back, pulled slightly, twisted her waist, and with a move embodying "using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds" and "borrowing force to redirect," she elegantly threw Charlotte outward.
This perfectly embodied the essence of "Tai Chi": stillness counteracting movement, softness overcoming hardness!
From falling to struggling back up, Charlotte still couldn't comprehend how she had been thrown. She was certain Robin hadn't directly attacked her, yet she still ended up flat on her back—it was too strange!
For Charlotte, the feeling was akin to standing at a cliff edge, hacking at a continuously flowing waterfall, only to slip and fall into the abyss...
The onlookers, including Lis, were dumbfounded again. Although he saw everything clearly, he couldn't grasp the underlying mechanism. Robin’s movements were so slow, yet she managed to block Charlotte’s fierce strike and even send her sprawling!
This... this was too bizarre, even more unsettling than the "perverted sword"!
The combat did not cease because of Lis's confusion.
Charlotte's initial attacks were courageous; she fell, she got up, and she charged again. But as she was thrown back repeatedly, her fighting spirit finally began to wane!
This time, Charlotte profoundly experienced the gap between herself and Robin, further cementing her belief that "Robin is a little monster"!
This brought to mind the saying: The road ahead is long and winding; she will seek understanding through suffering!
"Alright, that's enough for today!" Zhong Shenxiu finally called a stop, primarily because he saw Charlotte nearing her limit.
Charlotte walked back to the sidelines, feeling utterly aggrieved, thinking: Lis and Angelia used these "perverted swords" and their fortunes changed, but why is it different for me?
Zhong Shenxiu ignored Charlotte's expression and instead called Robin aside to give her pointers on her shortcomings during the spar!
After a short rest, Zhong Shenxiu gathered them together again.
Under their puzzled gazes, Zhong Shenxiu produced all the... swords from the past few days.
Besides the three swords Lis and the others had just used, there were two more they hadn't seen before.
Everyone's eyes drifted to the unfamiliar blades, trying to guess their respective abilities.
Zhong Shenxiu surveyed them and then asked meaningfully, "What do you think of these swords of mine?"
Lis and the others exchanged glances but remained silent. The shock these swords had inflicted upon them was difficult to put into words. More importantly, they had no idea what Zhong Shenxiu was planning next, so prudence dictated silence!
Zhong Shenxiu smiled and changed the subject, "How much do you think I could sell each of these swords for?"
This time, even Charlotte flinched, thinking inwardly: Is he planning to sell these swords?
Heavens!
Zhong Shenxiu glanced at them again, seemingly deriving a measure of satisfaction from their changing expressions!
"Uh... could you sell one to me?" Lis asked tentatively, his face alight with excitement!
He couldn't be blamed. Faced with such incredibly powerful swords, especially after personally using one, any swordsman would be moved. Look at Angelia and Charlotte beside him—they both showed expressions of longing!
They hadn't understood before they encountered them, but now they realized how significantly a sword's performance could enhance a swordsman's strength!
This was a world where strength commanded respect; as the saying goes, When wandering the martial world, one can never leave their blade behind. To earn respect and survive, formidable strength was indispensable!
Just as a mage would be ecstatic over a peerless magic staff, swordsmen, upon seeing such magnificent blades, could not restrain their inner yearning! If it weren't for the overwhelming strength of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, who knew if a violent scene of robbery might have erupted!
"Kid, do you think you can afford it?" Zhong Shenxiu shot Lis a look. Even without knowing the market rates, the fact that "these swords are absolutely no less valuable than those magical artifacts" indicated their price would certainly not be low.
When Lis heard Zhong Shenxiu's question, he froze. He had only spoken out of sheer excitement!
"Hey, woman, based on your experience, how much do you think each of my swords could sell for?" Zhong Shenxiu stared meaningfully at Charlotte, not forgetting to add a warning, "Don't try to fool me!"
Charlotte stared blankly at Zhong Shenxiu for a long moment before replying, "I think the minimum price for each would be... would be five hundred thousand Diamond Coins!"
This time, it was Zhong Shenxiu who paused, surprised that his "defective products" might be worth more than relics from the 'Z-War' ruins.
Though excited inwardly, Zhong Shenxiu maintained a calm facade and continued to ask, "What is your basis for that judgment? Is it because they can release magic?"
Charlotte didn't hide anything and nodded honestly.
The five hundred thousand Diamond Coins she stated was a conservative estimate. In the entire Winter Moon Empire, no sword this monstrous could be found. The swords refined by Zhong Shenxiu were absolutely rare in the world; if they were auctioned at an 'Auction House,' the final selling price could be several times that figure!
As the saying goes: Gold is easy to find, but a treasured sword is hard to acquire! Do not underestimate these swords; they could even influence a nation's international standing!
A nation's international standing is primarily determined by its overall Combat Power, and the Sword Gods (who are very few, countable on five fingers) within a country are a crucial factor in that overall power. If any Sword God obtained one of Zhong Shenxiu's formidable swords, he wouldn't dare guarantee anything else, but defeating two Sword Gods one-on-one would certainly be achievable!
Zhong Shenxiu chuckled, then said something that stunned everyone present.
"Hey, woman, what if I told you that you have only tapped into one percent of this sword's true power..."
Not even one percent, how much do you think each of these swords would sell for?” Less than one percent?
It wasn't just Charlotte who was stunned; Rhys and Angélica also wore expressions of sheer astonishment.
If Zhong Shenxiu was correct, the implications were breathtaking.
Those "perverted swords" they had just witnessed could unleash even fifth-level magic, and yet that represented less than one percent of their actual power.
It was nearly impossible to conceive what their full, one-hundred-percent might look like.
Charlotte didn't answer Zhong Shenxiu’s question; in fact, she found herself utterly speechless.
Zhong Shenxiu didn't press for an answer either, choosing instead to remain silent.
After a long silence, once everyone had somewhat recovered their senses, Zhong Shenxiu spoke again: “How about we play a game?” That simple sentence managed to shock the group, Charlotte and the others, once more.
“What game?” Charlotte managed to ask.
A faint, knowing smile played on the corner of Zhong Shenxiu’s mouth.
He spoke calmly, “How about I spar with all of you using these swords?” The moment these words left his lips, even Robin froze in surprise!