Clash

Breath Concealment: Conceals energy fluctuations.

Shadowless: Movement speed increased by 30%, neural reaction speed increased by 10%, energy mobilization speed increased by 10%.

The target for plundering was Xu Muchi; the Herrscher of Reason was too far away.

In fact, upon contacting the rescue personnel, Gu Yan had also gained many abilities, but they were all passive, with no buffs or special powers.

Mastery of Medicine, Reconnaissance Skills, Driving Skills...

Having many skills doesn't hurt!

However, the benefits brought by Xu Muchi were still too terrifying.

Keep in mind that a sniper's firearm mastery is around LV35, meaning level 30 is already expert level. One can only imagine how terrifying Ancient Martial Arts Mastery at LV98 would be.

"Brother Gu, retreat quickly!"

Besides Gu Yan, there was no one else near Ji and Xu Muchi. Zhao Qi wanted to pull Gu Yan away but was blocked, so he could only shout in frustration.

The two continued their silent standoff, and the gunfire ceased.

"A child in their rebellious phase needs a spanking~"

Ji said something that seemed inexplicable to everyone.

Xu Muchi's gaze met hers.

Ding!

The next moment, their weapons collided, emitting a metallic clang.

So fast!

Everyone present, except for the greatly empowered Gu Yan, couldn't even see when the two started fighting.

"First Herrscher?" Xu Muchi's voice was clear and ethereal.

"You are not qualified to ask, human!"

Ding!

Gu Yan glanced sideways at Morr. It was still lying behind them, not making a move, seemingly confident in its master and not intending to participate in the fight.

In that case, don't blame me for being unethical!

The attacks of the two were swift and fierce. In just a few breaths, they had exchanged dozens of rounds.

Ji thrust her spear forward, and Xu Muchi sidestepped, dodging with ease. She grabbed the spear with her left hand, pulling with its momentum, and counterattacked with her sword. Her opponent decisively abandoned the spear, brought her fingers together, and an alloy glove appeared on her hand, Honkai Energy surging to block the incoming sword.

Chii!

The sword slashed sideways but didn't harm Ji in the slightest. Xu Muchi's pupils constricted, and she quickly retreated.

Swoosh!

The spear grazed past, narrowly missing her.

"Huh?" Ji reacted a beat too late and was injured on her left arm by an Ice Blade.

How could a weapon like this break through her shield? No, what was attached to it was Honkai Energy!

She looked towards the attacker, and indeed, it was him!

Relying on Breath Concealment, anti-reconnaissance skills, and Ancient Martial Arts Mastery, Gu Yan had silently moved behind Ji. Unfortunately, the moment the attack reached the shield, it was transferred to Ji, giving her more time to react and dodge the blow that should have pierced her heart.

Can an assistant also be a backstabber?

Gu Yan: Yes!

However, Ji's injury did not hinder her actions at all. Although Honkai Energy was attached to the blade, it was merely neutralized by her body's regenerative abilities, leaving her still in peak condition.

What puzzled Gu Yan was that even at such close range, the plundering of the Herrscher of Reason was not triggered.

Xu Muchi charged forward again. Gu Yan, using his high-level combat skills and Ice Cones, interfered with Ji's offense.

But the situation remained unfavorable.

If not for Gu Yan's powerful buffs, the two would have already been defeated!

Ji was afraid of injuring Gu Yan and dared not use powerful, high-damage weapons. Gu Yan and the others were worried about accidentally harming the people below.

Xu Muchi frowned. She had grasped openings multiple times and was about to land a blow, but a suddenly appearing shield absorbed most of the force, allowing her opponent to easily block it.

Ji's posture was elegant, and she maintained her usual playful smile. Her physical abilities were no less than Xu Muchi's. Although she appeared to be passively taking hits, she only had one injury.

Even more terrifying was that while they relied on combat techniques to gain the upper hand, Ji's movements and attacks were becoming increasingly unpredictable, rapidly approaching them in terms of skill!

She was actually learning Ancient Martial Arts in an incredible way during the battle!

Under Ji's Insight, every move and every strike from the two was like a lecture, a lesson for her.

If Gu Yan could check Ji's passive level, he would discover that Ji's Ancient Martial Arts had gone from non-existent to LV50 at an astonishing speed, like a rocket!

After half an hour of combat, Ji's growth was equivalent to a hundred years of cultivation for an ordinary person practicing Ancient Martial Arts.

Her Ancient Martial Arts Mastery finally stopped at LV51 because she had only learned the techniques without any true comprehension.

Although the gap between her and Xu Muchi was still significant, she still had her original abilities. It was like adding wings to a tiger.

Gu Yan was already struggling. Although he didn't need to comprehend anything to reach Xu Muchi's level, he had never experienced combat at this intensity before. His nerves had been on edge the entire time, and before that, he had been on the run. The only rest he'd had was spent moping.

His body could still endure, but his mind was exhausted.

He tossed the broken Ice Blade in his hand aside and reformed another.

Damn it, these are so hard to use!

Since the battle began, Gu Yan had shattered fifteen or sixteen Ice Blades. Ji, on the other hand, could conjure a whole handful with a wave of her hand and casually discard them. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

Could Big Sister give me a sword?

Of course, he couldn't say such a thing. It wasn't good to try and force a relationship.

The Ice Blade turned purple under the infusion of energy, and along with the slashing attack, several Ice Cones were unleashed. Sword Qi followed closely behind. Amidst the flashing blades and sword light, the Energy Shield shattered and reformed inch by inch. The spear weaved through it all. The battle raged fiercely, yet everyone was incredibly anxious.

The spectators below couldn't make a move under Morr's watchful gaze. Furthermore, everyone understood the situation: firearms and cannons were mere toys.

"You're someone I even feel inferior to. Don't fall, Brother Gu!" Zhao Qi stared at Gu Yan's figure, trying to discern his movements. After two seconds, he closed his eyes.

Feeling a bit dizzy. I'll rest a bit before looking again.

"This won't do!"

Gu Yan's face had already turned pale. He had been forcing himself for a long time. The buff he had given Xu Muchi was already more than halfway through its duration. If he wanted to use it again, it would drain his mental energy to the point where he felt he'd become a vegetable.

He had to end this quickly, but how?

Trade injuries!

They couldn't fight recklessly; both of them would lose their lives. Only by trading injuries could they gain an advantage, so this injury had to be worth it.

The Herrscher Core!

Gu Yan knew of its existence, but Xu Muchi didn't. As for Ji, she probably didn't think she knew about the Herrscher Core.

Was he going to gamble on her confidence?

In truth, wasn't Ji also at the end of her rope?

Since her birth, she had either been destroying or on the path of destruction. Whether it was destroying over thirty cities, constructing Morr, or breaking through the Beautiful Country's military blockade, she had expended a tremendous amount of energy.

Her "Insight" authority consumed the most.

The Honkai God wasn't a capitalist, but Ji was a fanatic.

The only time she could be considered to have rested was when Morr took over, allowing her to relax slightly.

Therefore, Ji's condition wasn't as good as it appeared. The reason she maintained a relaxed demeanor now was because—

Would you admit you're inferior to a younger brother a few years your junior?

That's right, this was how Gu Yan was positioned in her mind.

A naive, weak, rebellious idiot of a brother!

Unconsciously, the way she looked at Gu Yan was tinged with disappointment that he wasn't living up to his potential.

Is this Herrscher mocking me? Gu Yan was utterly confused.

Why is this person cursing me even when I'm supporting her?

However, this showed that she was indeed arrogant. Her mockery perhaps indicated that she was gradually losing patience, annoyed by being entangled for so long without a decisive outcome. She must be very frustrated too, right?

If he deliberately exposed a weakness... No, she wouldn't fall for it. He had to make her believe she had a chance for a killing blow, which would cause her to make a mistake. Then he could severely damage her Herrscher Core or inflict a serious injury on her!

Gu Yan had made his decision.

He had been distracted for a long time, indirectly exposing his mentally exhausted state. This way, his subsequent mistake wouldn't seem abrupt.

Ji had noticed Gu Yan's abnormal condition long ago and felt helpless: He hasn't become a Herrscher yet, so I won't pursue his actions. But how could he be so careless in a battle like this? It could kill him.

With a heavy blow, she forced Xu Muchi back. Gu Yan, standing nearby, intended to attack her before her new strength could manifest.

A wicked smile spread across Ji's lips.

If I don't scare you a little, how will you know that carelessness can kill you?

At the same time, Gu Yan was secretly delighted.

An opportunity!