Volume One: Intrigue and Deception in the Imperial Capital - The Final Showdown (Part Three)
The biggest difference between clones and phantoms lies in whether they can pose a real threat. Surrounded by three clones, the situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable to me.
A choice must be made immediately—to eliminate the clones first, or to attack the main body directly?
My choice is to take them all at once!
Faced with the attack from the clones, I quickly bent down and plunged my hands deep into the ground.
Let me show you my ultimate move, taken from A-Bro!
"Grave Spike Annihilation!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
With the sound of blades being drawn, countless giant tombstone-like blood crystal spikes emerged from the ground, forming a huge forest of Crystal Spike nearly ten meters high, covering the entire arena! One, two, three clones were torn to pieces in succession, the dense Blood Energy corroding the silver mist and staining it blood red.
Her clones were destroyed, the silver mist had dissipated, and the ground was covered in Earth Spike. She only had one place to hide—
"--Above! Deadly pain!"
The countless tentacles, interspersed with rapidly flowing blood crystals, were aimed at the white figure in the air. The deadly attack was concentrated at one point, struck, and pierced through!
With a soft thud, the white figure was torn to pieces; there was no scream, and no blood.
Or is it a clone!?
Tap tap tap.
A fragrant breeze wafted by, and when I came to my senses, Haoyue's beautiful face was already within arm's reach!
"I was hoping to have a proper conversation with you, but you'd better be even more determined to kill me, Xiao Ye."
"Aren't you the same!"
The Charging Blade slashed horizontally, but Haoyue nimbly dodged it.
"Silver Moon - Moonstorm!"
"Crystal Warrior Body - Sevenfold Shield!"
A silver rune exploded instantly, and a storm of light erupted at point-blank range. Countless light blades surged and spread like mountain mists, and the spiritual energy barrier at the edge of the arena even emitted mournful cries under the impact of the deadly storm!
Struck head-on, I was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a tombstone-shaped Crystal Spike before finally stopping my retreat. I struggled to maintain my balance with my seven-layered crystal shield. The invincible, unbreakable Blood Crystal Shield was now trembling uncontrollably, and I could almost hear the crystals moaning.
Crack! It shattered.
The incredibly sturdy Blood Crystal Shield has been shattered for the first time!
Although it's only the first layer of the seven-layer crystal shield, it's enough to put immense psychological pressure on me!
However, the storm of light continued, crack! crack! The second and third shields shattered one after another, and crimson fragments scattered everywhere, as if mocking my naivety.
No! We can't keep holding on like this! We need to find a way to avoid their direct confrontation and launch a counterattack from the side!
However--
A figure emerged from the silvery storm, her skin as white as snow, her black hair wildly flowing—it was Haoyue! Enveloped in silver mist, she charged forward swiftly, completely unaffected by the storm. Two orange runes simultaneously attached themselves to her sword, one transforming into an orange-yellow flame, the other into a pale orange ripple. The flame and the ripple intertwined, radiating a dazzling light that pierced through the storm!
Is this... her ultimate weapon?
It was all planned from the beginning. First, he used a clone to confuse me, then he used Moonstorm to completely suppress me. While I was under pressure, he unleashed two runes to launch a powerful and deadly attack!
The storm hadn't lessened at all since it started, and the crystal shield was down to only three layers. Under these circumstances, I had no chance of resisting her attack.
She sighed softly.
Are we going to lose?
Despite being in dire straits, I felt no fear, only awe.
You're too strong, Haoyue. You're far too strong. Whether it's superpowers, physical skills, or strategy, you surpass me.
Faced with an opponent like you, I have only --
"Are you just going to give up like that?"
At this moment,
The silver light vanished, the storm vanished, the blood crystal vanished, the arena vanished, the audience vanished.
The world turned pure white, leaving only me and Haoyue.
Ah, I know that.
It is said that under extreme conditions, a person's mind and thoughts operate at an extremely high speed, and in an instant, they can reach a state where consciousness transcends the environment and the physical body, similar to the legendary "superego".
But why are you in my world?
"Didn't I say that sometimes, fighting is a more effective way to communicate than words?"
That's utter nonsense.
"It's not nonsense. You can feel me, and I can feel you. For everyone in this world, there is a 'destined person' who corresponds to them, someone with whom they can completely understand each other's hearts. I can be sure that for me, that destined person is—"
--I?
"That's right, it's you."
... Really? I'm glad you said that, but...
"But?"
I don't think I'm qualified. I can't even fight you on equal terms.
"How could that be? Weren't we evenly matched at the beginning?"
But this world values results, doesn't it? I've reached my limit, and you will defeat me beautifully—that's the result that's about to happen.
Are you trying to admit defeat?
I'm thinking about it, since failure is already a foregone conclusion.
Is it really okay to just give up like this?
Are there any other options?
"If this is the result of your best efforts, then so be it. But did you really try your best?"
Do your best?
"You've never truly given your all to anything, have you?"
Impossible! Of course, of course I'll give it my all...
"Don't forget, Xiao Ye, you are the one destined for me. I understand what you think and feel, because I'm just like you—seemingly glamorous, but actually living a muddled life. Clearly unwilling to be bound by the status quo, I've always drifted along, never truly trying to change anything, always swaying between two extremes, even thinking that this kind of life isn't so bad..."
But I'm tired of it.
I don't want to be a 'half-baked' anymore.
So, I made a choice. Taking my meeting with you as an opportunity, I wanted to take action, whether it was for better or worse.
I've made my choice, and for the first time in my life, I'm moving in a specific direction. Whether happiness or suffering awaits me at the end, I will not regret it.
So, what about you? Will you obediently admit defeat, follow the established rules and leave the competition, enjoying your carefree life—or will you give it your all and fight tooth and nail?
What should I choose...?
"I believe that if you truly give it your all, you absolutely will not lose to me."
Why are you so sure?
"Is that even a question? Of course, it's because—"
Haoyue smiled, her eyes slightly narrowed, a blush crept onto her cheeks, and cute little dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth.
This smile was completely different from before; it was pure and innocent, without any impurities.
It's like a girl falling in love for the first time.
"--How could the first person I fell in love with at first sight be weak!"