Slaying the Blade Slave!

The faceless Blade Slave tilted his head slightly, flipped the long blade in his hand, and charged straight at Lu Li!

The Chen Family Mad Blade was famed for its frenzy!

Its blade moves were fierce, crashing down on Lu Li like a torrential summer downpour.

The chaotic assault carried an immense sense of oppression!

An ordinary person would likely have found their breathing stifled by now, frozen in place and unable to move.

But Lu Li was no ordinary person!

Faced with this overwhelming attack, not only was he unafraid, but blazing fighting spirit rose in his eyes!

In his previous life, he had once stumbled upon a damaged Blade Manual that contained some basic knowledge of blade techniques.

Lu Li had found it useful, so he studied it.

Only later did he learn that the damaged Blade Manual was actually the foundational art of the Chen Family Mad Blade.

Because the Chen family lacked this portion of the foundational art, the Mad Blade they practiced always felt strangely detached and ungrounded, like duckweed without roots.

It could never be perfected.

Later, upon accidentally learning that Lu Li possessed the damaged Blade Manual, they schemed against him and seized it.

The Chen family was also on Lu Li's list of enemies to avenge!

Although the blade techniques in the manual only covered the First Three Layers, they had still laid an excellent foundation for Lu Li.

They had also formed Three Blade Skills within the Data Panel.

Having lived again, Lu Li had not been able to bring the Three Blade Skills with him, but he would never forget the blade techniques of the First Three Layers etched in his mind.

Now that he was facing the Chen family's Blade Slave, they were finally coming in handy!

Although the Blade Slave's replicated combat style was also the Chen Family Mad Blade, its foundational art was not the "genuine version," but a "pirated version" developed through generations of the Chen family's improvements and experimentation.

It was usable, but it was no stronger than Lu Li's.

Even with the Later Layers of the "genuine" blade techniques to make up for it, it could still only fight Lu Li to a draw.

If not for the full ten-level suppression, along with the disparity in attributes—

The Blade Slave would likely have already been dead!

Watching the fierce battle below, Chen Kou in the Chen family's private box could no longer smile.

After all, the Blade Slave had replicated his combat style.

What did it mean that it could not kill Lu Li?

It meant that he, the Chen family's once-in-a-century blade technique prodigy, was inferior to a newcomer who had only just begun!

"Grandfather, have the Blade Slave use its talent!"

The old man named Chen Li frowned and shook his head at those words.

"Don't rush. It's not time yet."

"Not time yet?" Chen Kou turned around, his eyes full of stubbornness. "Grandfather, what are you waiting for?"

Chen Li's expression was grave, and he did not answer immediately.

Originally, Chen Li had intended to use the duel between the Blade Slave and Lu Li to temper Chen Kou's arrogance.

Once that purpose had been achieved, he would have the Blade Slave immediately use its [Rage] talent and end the battle.

But now, the situation had changed.

Because Chen Li had actually seen the essence of the Chen Family Mad Blade within Lu Li's blade techniques!

If he could watch Lu Li perform the entire set of blade techniques and then study them carefully—

Chen Li felt that he might be able to completely restore the incomplete First Three Layers of the Chen Family blade techniques!

His goal of tempering the youth's arrogance had already been achieved, so Chen Li's tone became much gentler.

"There's no need to end it so quickly. The Hub Arena is a platform for display. Letting the major Star Domains see the Chen family's strength will benefit the Chen family in the future."

Chen Kou gritted his teeth.

"But a Lv.25 Blade Slave fighting a Lv.15 newcomer to a draw—does Grandfather really think this will make the other Star Domains think more highly of our Chen family?"

Chen Li did not care, merely chuckling.

"Hasn't it still not used its talent? Lu Li has already revealed all his trump cards. He won't be able to keep jumping around for much longer..."

As if to validate Chen Li's words, Lu Li's movements suddenly slowed considerably.

As though his stamina had run dry.

The Blade Slave immediately seized the opportunity, bringing its long blade down in a Diagonal Slash aimed straight at Lu Li's neck!

However, at that critical instant—

Lu Li's figure abruptly blurred.

"Pfft!"

Blade Slave's attack did not miss, yet Lu Li was completely unscathed!

"What's going on?!"

The spectators around the arena cried out at the same time, while Chen Li's pupils suddenly contracted.

Blade Slave's attack had landed on a pitch-black figure!

Meanwhile, Lu Li himself had somehow appeared behind Blade Slave!

An instant position swap?!

Xing Anlin wore a bitter expression as he wrapped his arms around Blade Slave in front of him, pinning him in place.

"Boss, can you let someone else take the hits next time? Don't always make me do it..."

"Sure, sure. Next time, it'll be Chen Hao."

Lu Li answered perfunctorily as he raised his right arm high, preparing to deal Blade Slave a fatal blow.

Just as victory was within reach, a fierce aura suddenly erupted from Blade Slave!

Lu Li was sent staggering back by the sudden impact, and even Xing Anlin, who had Blade Slave restrained, was cut down in a single slash.

It was the Chen Family's unique talent—[Rage].

"Heh, that talent activated at just the right time. But this should be over now!" Lu Li sneered.

The moment he finished speaking, Chen Hao suddenly charged in and locked Blade Slave in a tight embrace.

Though Chen Hao was quickly cut down by Blade Slave, that brief restraint gave Lu Li more than enough opportunity.

His killing move was ready!

Lu Li's speed suddenly exploded, more than twice as fast as during their earlier exchange!

His blade swept across, aiming straight for Blade Slave's head!

The latter raised his sword to block, only for his weapon to be severed outright!

Along with it, his featureless head was cut clean off!

Inside the private room, Chen Kou was completely dumbfounded.

He had never imagined that Lu Li would actually win!

Although Chen Li had anticipated Lu Li's formidable strength, he was still shocked beyond belief when Blade Slave's head hit the ground.

This was a Lv.25 Blade Slave!

It had replicated the combat style of the blade prodigy Chen Kou and had even activated its talent.

And it had truly lost?

Moreover, it had not died to a sneak attack, but to a frontal kill!

Although two bizarre Summon Objects had helped Lu Li distract Blade Slave, that final lethal strike had been a genuine blade-on-blade clash!

Outsiders might not have been able to see what was so impressive about it, but how could Chen Li fail to understand?

Lu Li's mastery of the blade absolutely crushed Blade Slave's!

He had been hiding his true ability all along!

"Grandpa..."

Chen Kou called softly, his lifeless eyes slowly turning toward Chen Li.

"How did Lu Li... how did he do it? He actually killed Blade Slave! Is he... is he stronger than me?"

Chen Li's heart ached at the sight.

The blow had been too much.

According to Chen Li's original plan, Lu Li should have fought Blade Slave bitterly before ultimately losing and dying.

That would have tempered Chen Kou's arrogance without making him doubt his own strength.

But the situation before him was clearly not what Chen Li wanted to see.

Lu Li had directly killed a Lv.25 Blade Slave, which was equivalent to viciously slapping Chen Kou across the face!

Then telling him:

"You blade prodigy are nothing special. Even with a ten-level advantage, weren't you still cut down by me?"

His confidence had completely collapsed!

"Kou'er, don't think that way. There must be something strange about Lu Li being able to kill Blade Slave! Let's keep watching first..."

"Something strange?" Chen Kou froze, then smiled bitterly. "What could possibly be strange about it? They fought head-on, and even his weapon was cut in half..."

Chen Li frowned and raised his voice.

"Kou'er! Keep watching. The arena battle isn't over yet!"

"If Lu Li can truly win a hundred matches, then he really is a rare genius. It wouldn't be strange for Blade Slave to lose!"

"But if he can't win them, then there's no need for you to disturb your Dao heart over a dead man!"

The reason Chen Li comforted Chen Kou this way was mainly because he knew the inside story.

He knew that Supreme Heaven, which was determined to kill Lu Li by any means necessary, would definitely send that thing in the end to bring this arena battle to an end!