Father and Son Duel

Ning Hua turned and walked away without expression.

His answer had been quite prompt. His courage was commendable!

As outstanding as ever.

Yet the moment he was taken out for a spin, he failed. He had been sent back in less than a day.

That was the truth!

In fact, Ning Hua had his doubts as well.

He knew his son fairly well. Ning Ze had a solid foundation, performed well in combat, and had gained abundant experience under his training. As long as he spent a short time adapting to the Wilderness Area, he would be a capable hand in any squad.

Could it be that his former brothers found him troublesome?

That he was delaying their earnings?

That should not have been the case. He was completely trustworthy fresh blood, and Ning Ze was the leader of the younger generation among their group. There was no reason for him to be excluded.

Second Floor Training Room.

This was where Ning Ze had trained since childhood. It covered more than two hundred square meters. Aside from lacking many testing instruments, it was fully equipped with all the tools needed for daily training—small but complete.

As a Warlord directly under the Limitless Martial Arts School, Ning Hua not only currently served as the Hall Master of a Limitless Martial Arts School branch, but had also reached War General cultivation many years ago. His merits naturally entitled him to such treatment.

At this moment, father and son stood facing each other.

Ning Hua's face was gloomy. The shadow cast by his burly figure stretched all the way to Ning Ze's feet. One palm pressed against the end of his saber hilt, while a Gilded Battle Saber over one and a half meters long was embedded in the floor.

Opposite him, Ning Ze looked exceptionally calm. He was five or six centimeters shorter than his father and three times slimmer.

Having just returned from the Wilderness Area, he was covered in dust and looked travel-worn. His whole appearance was somewhat disheveled.

"Clang!"

Silver light flashed, leaving behind a lingering sword shadow.

Ning Ze flicked his longsword, and the loose strands of hair over his forehead swayed slightly. His eyes remained fixed ahead, not daring to relax in the slightest.

He was ready to fight. When facing his father, he had never dared to be careless.

Even though his Movement Technique had reached the Microscopic Level.

After all, Ning Hua was a Warlord-level powerhouse. Though he was disabled, that did not mean he was weak.

At the very least, beating Ning Ze up would be easy.

For those who had survived the Great Nirvana and lived in this era, a lame leg was not a problem as long as they could cultivate.

Especially that Golden Prosthetic Limb. If anyone dared underestimate it, even a Warlord-level powerhouse would suffer for it.

He had cultivated for nearly eight years after becoming disabled and had successfully mastered another combat technique. That prosthetic limb was an unconventional weapon in itself!

His maximum speed might have declined, but his combat techniques could no longer be judged by ordinary standards.

Seeing Ning Ze's wary expression, Ning Hua could not find any fault with it.

But this son whom he was usually so satisfied with had thoroughly embarrassed him today.

"Tell me, what exactly happened this time? You were sent back early. I'll give you a chance to explain yourself!"

Ning Hua still felt he should give his son a chance, so he could prescribe the right remedy and correct his mistakes. His goal had never been to hit his son, but to help him improve. If there really had been some mistake, he could decide how hard to hit him.

Ning Ze's expression did not change. He did not even blink.

"Dad, words are useless. Let's settle it with our hands!"

Ning Hua's mouth twitched. He had been fooled like this before!

On the surface, Ning Ze looked refined and gentle, mild as the wind, just like his mother.

But in truth, the boy had a ruthless streak buried in his heart! In battle, he was cold and decisive. Even when Ning Hua knocked his teeth loose, he would grit his teeth and never cry out in pain.

So why was he so bloody-minded in front of him, yet turned into a coward the moment he left the city and got sent back?

"Good!"

"That's exactly the kind of personality I like!"

The moment he finished speaking, Ning Hua burst forward. The floor let out a series of heavy thuds as the prosthetic limb beneath him shot toward his opponent like a bolt of golden lightning.

Fortunately, technology had improved considerably. Since this villa could contain a Training Room, it naturally possessed a degree of earthquake resistance. If this had been in the Wilderness Area, such movement would have brought down the entire building.

Ning Ze felt his spirits soar at the sight, his blood boiling.

Since childhood, his father had been the pillar of their family, the sky above his head.

But one day, his father returned injured, even his movements becoming clumsy. That was when Ning Ze realized his father was not invincible, and that the wilderness contained many terrifying existences.

However, his father's place in his heart had never changed. It was precisely people like his father who could protect the weak like them. His father was a hero!

In the past, he had no idea how many times he had been trained. Ning Hua's figure had never changed, always so invincible.

Now, Ning Hua erupted with such speed that he was even faster than the Shadow Cat Monster Ning Ze had fought in the Wilderness Area. This had already exceeded the maximum speed of an ordinary Advanced Warrior!

He had definitely reached the Warlord level!

But!

He could already see his father's movements clearly!

Ning Ze seemed to see his father's limits. That meant he was already very close to the goal he had set since childhood!

First, defeat his father!

Ning Ze felt his body temperature rise, his throat dry and itchy. He could not help licking his lips. "Gale Sword Slash!"

He drew his sword and slashed. Sword light fell like a strip of white silk.

"Good kid! You actually dare to attack first!"

Ning Hua roared as well. A fierce glint appeared in his eyes, like wrathful golden light, as he swung the massive Gilded Battle Saber in his hand and chopped down.

Faced with such momentum, Ning Ze not only felt no fear, but even revealed a faint smile.

It looked overwhelmingly fierce, and its speed was terrifyingly fast, but the attack speed was far too lacking.

His father was a Beginner Warlord, with strength between 8,000 and 16,000 kilograms. One force could overcome ten techniques; no matter how Ning Ze struggled, it would be useless.

Ning Hua had never used too much strength when fighting him.

Ning Ze was certain that the power behind this strike would not exceed 4,000 kilograms. It was the maximum strength of an Intermediate Warrior.

Before going to the Wilderness Area, an attack like this might have left him in a miserable state. He would definitely have been brutally beaten.

But now, he was no longer the person he used to be.

"Clang!"

The silver-white sword light was split apart by a single slash.

Ning Ze was not surprised. As he twisted aside to evade, he swept his longsword horizontally.

The Gilded Battle Saber skimmed past just half a centimeter from his side. Ning Hua's expression froze slightly.

That strike could not possibly have hit a vital point, and Ning Ze was wearing a Combat Suit, so he would not have suffered serious injuries. Thus, Ning Hua had not held back at all.

Yet it had been evaded so easily? And Ning Ze still had enough strength to counterattack?

Holding the Gilded Battle Saber, Ning Hua raised one arm and effortlessly knocked the longsword aside with the flat of his blade, producing a clear ring.

This casual strike was also heavy and powerful. The Gilded Battle Saber continued its momentum as it swept toward Ning Ze, its attack almost identical to Ning Ze's own—plainly relying on superior strength to crush him.

Ning Hua secretly looked forward to it. What will you do now?

Ning Ze's expression did not change. With a flick of his wrist, he formed a sword flower. The longsword that had just been knocked aside suddenly stabbed at Ning Hua's wrist at even greater speed.

Ning Hua's expression stiffened. He could only defend first and knock the longsword away.

Yet Ning Ze's arm slid along the saber's edge. With another turn of the sword flower in his hand, he actually stabbed straight for Ning Hua's throat.

"Good kid!"

Ning Hua was startled. This boy's sword moves were especially nimble today. He was also bold and lucky enough to reach beneath his blade!

Within the Training Room, saber and sword crisscrossed, flashes of blade light and sword shadows appearing again and again. The two moved so quickly that they seemed to be shifting through shadows.

After exchanging more than a hundred moves, Ning Hua began to feel powerless.

He was completely dumbfounded.

Today's battle was simply strange.

He had originally wanted to teach his son a lesson!

Yet this boy dodged his attacks again and again, slippery as an eel.

Not only was he not in a miserable state, he could even counterattack along the way. What was this feeling of being unable to win and about to lose?

Lose?

Ning Hua's pupils suddenly contracted. His eyes shifted as the force in his hands subtly increased, while the speed beneath his feet gradually rose as well.

He probably won't notice, right? Who doesn't have a few Secret Manuals up their sleeve?

For a time.

Ning Ze's pressure increased sharply, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

His old man had far more combat experience than that Shadow Cat Monster. Ning Ze had only managed to gain the upper hand because he was familiar with his father's attacking habits.

Now, he felt as if he were about to collapse. Even his defense had become extremely cautious.

Ning Ze gritted his teeth and persevered. Every clash between saber and sword made his palms go numb from the shock.

I need to become stronger! Otherwise, I won't be able to block him at all!

Right, I still have sword moves!

Ning Ze focused completely. Other than the longsword in his hand, nothing else existed in his world.

Another fierce exchange followed.

With a casual slash, Ning Hua sent Ning Ze reeling. Ning Ze staggered several steps before finally dispersing the force.

Ning Hua smiled smugly. Good kid, after fighting for so long, that slash had finally felt satisfying.

At the same time, excitement rose in his heart. Earlier, when he had intended to teach his son a lesson but was instead suppressed, he had not had the mind to think much about it.

But after he unleashed more strength and easily forced Ning Ze into danger, he noticed something strange about their battle.

Every time he slashed, Ning Ze would evade with the simplest possible movement. Each time, it seemed like the attack was about to land, yet it always fell just short.

At first, he found it suspicious.

Once... twice... ten times... a hundred times...

After so many instances, how could he not understand what was happening?

This was clearly the Microscopic Level within the realm of Movement Techniques.

He had not even dared to consider it before, but after testing it again and again, he had no choice but to admit it. That was unmistakably Microscopic Level Movement Technique.

By now, he more or less understood why Ning Ze had returned after just one day.

His son was a genius!

An unparalleled genius in combat!

Who could enter the Microscopic Level of Movement Technique in less than a day after arriving in the Wilderness Area?

Other than his son, Ning Hua would be the first to disbelieve it—and he was a Warlord who had fought for more than ten years without reaching the Micro-level in Movement Technique!

Thinking of this, Ning Hua's face filled with delight. Looking at Ning Ze again, his heart was full of satisfaction and surprise.

Those resolute eyes—despite being forced into such a state, his hands must have been numb from the shocks, yet he seemed not to feel anything at all.

Calm in danger! Resolute and decisive! Brave enough to press forward!

He was a born Warrior!

Ning Hua casually used the Gilded Battle Saber to knock the longsword aside again. He was preparing to call a halt.

Yet unexpectedly, that casual deflection did not produce the slightest sound of saber striking sword.

Could this be Microscopic Level prediction? Impressive indeed.

But where is this kid's sword?

Ning Hua instantly sensed that something was wrong. The next second, his eyes widened. It was not because he had found the longsword, but because an eerie chill rose within him.

Countless battles on the edge of life and death had forged an instinct within him.

It was the scent of death.

Ning Hua trusted his instincts.

The person was right before him. His hand had blocked Ning Ze's hand.

In an instant, his subconscious made a rough prediction. Inspiration flashed through his mind, and Ning Hua threw his entire body backward with all his strength, raising his head while trying to lower his body as much as possible.

In that instant, he saw a streak of silver light shoot out from beneath his armpit.

Cold and swift, it was far faster than Ning Ze's sword thrusts. The sword tip was locked onto his throat, rapidly sinking as he fell.

Ning Hua felt as if he had acquired a different son. This was an attempt to kill him!

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately performed a rolling dodge after hitting the ground. Yet the longsword flashed and stabbed toward the wrist holding his saber once more.

So ruthless?

While rolling, Ning Hua's mouth twitched fiercely. He used his secret weapon, kicking out with his right leg at full force.

"Clang!"

The Golden Prosthetic Limb's force of over 10,000 kilograms directly sent the silver-white longsword flying.

Ning Hua turned around and sat on the ground, supporting himself with one hand and his battle saber. He glared angrily ahead. This was far too embarrassing! The boy had actually hidden a sneak attack!

At this moment, Ning Ze stood upright before him. His arm, deflected upward by that tremendous force, was raised toward the sky. His five fingers were spread as though releasing something into flight. He had entered a state of enlightenment.

"Kid! Are you trying to kill your father?"

With an angry shout, sparks practically flew from Ning Hua's eyes as he strode over in a furious manner, looking ready to demand an explanation.

Hearing the voice, Ning Ze snapped out of his thoughts and asked in some confusion, "Dad, what did you say?"

After speaking, he absentmindedly looked ahead.

"Gale Sword Art" Proficiency 1/10000

He had previously felt that his Sword Art would grow much stronger after improving, but when his Sword Art truly reached Proficiency, he found that it differed from the Secret Manual.

Just now, he had been constantly sensing that strange power.

Ning Hua's face twitched. He had wanted to teach his son a lesson, only to be stabbed to the ground! This kid was truly ruthless!

Fortunately, his son seemed to have comprehended something and had not noticed his defeat.

Ning Hua put on a stern expression and asked, "How did that feel just now? I think your speed increased quite a bit."

"Just now?"

Ning Ze pondered briefly before saying uncertainly, "I sensed a mysterious power."

Ning Hua: ???

What kind of answer was that?

A mysterious power?

That was the power of patricide!

If he had not been a Beginner Warlord himself, with extensive combat experience, and if the sudden attack had not come from such close range, an ordinary Warlord caught unprepared could only have died on the spot.

He had nearly been killed by his own son!

Ning Hua's face darkened. He simply could not believe his son was such a genius!

He practiced the saber, while Ning Ze practiced the sword!

Whenever the two sparred, the boy always had a ruthless streak. Ning Hua had appreciated that personality before—after all, it made their fights quite satisfying—but now, something felt off.

His son did not look like him, either.

He was a burly man standing eight feet tall, yet he had fathered a slender, elegant little fellow.

The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

Ning Ze had even pulled the sword from the wall, walked up to him, and said this.

"Dad, let me slash you once, okay?"

Ning Hua stared blankly, his eyes constantly sizing Ning Ze up from head to toe. After looking at his nose, he looked at his eyes—there was not the slightest resemblance.

He was already nineteen and should have finished growing, yet he was still nearly half a head shorter than him. That was not normal, was it?

Fortunately, he looked very much like his mother. The couple had also survived the Great Nirvana together, supporting one another through hardship. Otherwise, Ning Hua would truly have thought his son had been switched at birth!

Ning Ze was quite puzzled. "Dad, what's wrong? I want you to test my strength."

Ning Hua grinned, the smile so brilliant that his whole face twisted slightly. His son was an unparalleled genius. A seed planted twenty years ago had yielded a harvest that filled him with ecstatic joy!

"Come at me. Let me see what you've managed to comprehend."