Chapter 211
He flicked the stick upwards according to his plan.
We are about to deliver a crushing blow to the opponent.
But just as the stick was about to touch the other person...
"A perfect Counter Strike." Chen Ce chuckled, suddenly changing his original offensive route—he chose to retreat.
He chose to retreat when his opponent showed a weakness—he could have pressed his advantage and decided the outcome with a single thrust—at least that's how it seemed to most people.
Jax couldn't figure out where he had gone wrong.
But Chen Ce did indeed "see through" his moves.
They forcibly retreated just when the situation seemed to be going very well, but in reality, the wooden stick was about to launch a counterattack.
"Hmm?" Jax looked at the young man before him, once again revealing a mixture of surprise and admiration—though it was hidden by the mask.
"You've studied my moves... Have we met somewhere before?"
"I've never seen him before," Chen Ce said, only halfway through his sentence.
"So you're admitting you've studied my moves?"
"Not only did he admit to having studied it, he also admitted to having secretly learned it."
"Hmm... it seems you've grasped the essence."
"I guess so, but of course not as well as you."
"Hahaha." Jax laughed heartily, showing no sign of anger or embarrassment at having his skills stolen—he didn't mind anyone learning his martial arts.
On the contrary, he would love for everyone to learn a few moves—it would be even better if everyone could learn them all.
Only when everyone becomes stronger can this world have hope... and survive the clutches of those damned monsters.
"You are a warrior strong enough."
Jax slowly put down the ordinary wooden stick in his hand, turned around and picked up another "stick" on the bridgehead.
A torch. Dark gold in color, topped with an octagonal "lampshade" that holds the eternal Icathian Holy Flame.
The crowd below the bridge didn't know what it was, but they could tell that this "torch" was Jax's true weapon, and immediately another cheer erupted.
"Now, I'm getting serious... Young man, get ready."
"I'm not really keen..." Chen Ce shook his head helplessly, placing one hand back on the sword hilt. "But I know you definitely haven't had enough."
"Afterwards, I'll treat you to boiled eggs." Jax was willing to share his favorite treat with a worthy companion.
Chen Ce smiled.
The next moment, the Torch Staff burst forth with a dazzling golden light.
Jax leaped up—like a lion pouncing on its prey, his movements swift and powerful.
Chen Ce dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately raised his sword to parry.
Clang! This time, the "stick" struck the blade directly.
But [The Last Light of Icathia] is not as easily defeated as those useless wooden sticks.
There wasn't even a single sword mark visible on the torch's handle.
"Come on!" Jax unleashed his true power, each swing of his staff incredibly fast—his hands almost became two afterimages.
On the other hand, Chen Ce's [Leap Strike] had already left his hands and arms throbbing with pain.
This is the strength of the number one 1v1 king in the Rift.
Jax's level of direct combat prowess is among the best in the entire Runeterra —if we're talking about mortals, aside from the likes of Ryze and Syndra, probably no one can rival him.
Even some of the weaker Darkin couldn't withstand his torch staff.
"Don't get distracted! Hurry up!" Jax shouted again, increasing the force of his arm once more.
Left with no other choice, Chen Ce was forced to use [Counter Strike] in just the first round.
Protected by the Counter Strike, the Torch Staff could no longer harm him in the slightest, but...
The situation remains far from optimistic.
Because Jax triggered another "skill" --
[Relentless Assault]
Even if all his attacks are blocked, his attack speed will only increase.
His hands and weapons had completely turned into afterimages.
At the same time, he also unleashed Counter Strike.
The two simultaneously rotated to block while launching an attack.
It's almost like... two helicopters colliding—the two propellers instantly becoming quantum entangled.
Chen Ce was dazzled.
The instant the Counter Strike ended, the Torch Staff slammed heavily into him—the brute force struck his chest directly, making it difficult for him to breathe and leaving a sweet taste in his throat.
A small mouthful of bloody water spurted from his mouth.
This is the terrifying combat power of "Master Yideng".
"That was really heavy-handed..." Chen Ce wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his fighting spirit ignited.
He had initially planned to just throw a couple of punches to get by, but now it seems...
We need to be a little more serious.
"A true warrior must be prepared to be wounded or even sacrificed at any time." Jax twirled his torch staff with a flourish, then slung it behind his back. "Those monsters are a million times more ruthless than I am."
"I understand... Go all out, right?" Chen Ce knew that the other party was aware of the situation; this competition would definitely not result in any deaths, but injuries were absolutely inevitable.
But that's okay.
With their physical condition, they can easily recover from minor injuries and pains.
"Ready for battle... Jax."
"Be prepared for battle!"
The two exchanged glances, then rushed towards each other once more.
Jax still uses the same three moves as always: Leap Strike, Empower, and Counter Strike.
Chen Ce used only one move – [Sweeping Blade].
But this Sweeping Blade is no ordinary move.
His unsheathed sword was already aimed at his opponent's chest... at the magical mark that only he could see.
It takes a thousand days to build steel, but only a moment to use it.
He hasn't really Heartsteel's passive ability against anyone yet—the last one was Aatrox in his World Ender state.
Jax is a formidable opponent.
"Come!"
Clang--!
The torch clashed with the sword blade, and the resulting gust of wind even reached under the bridge—causing some girls in skirts to let out shy screams.
Chen Ce felt a tingling and painful sensation in his arm, while Jax, completely unaware, launched another barrage of attacks.
So Chen Ce took off the scabbard from his waist.
Strike the blurry magical mark with the scabbard.
Jax noticed the incoming scabbard, but he didn't pay it any mind—how much damage could a scabbard possibly cause?
He didn't care at all.
Until the scabbard actually struck him.
Until a terrifying, excruciating pain struck—
Clang!!
This is the second time Chen Ce has triggered Heartsteel with [malicious aggression].
After stacking Heartsteel for so long, the damage from this item has reached a level that is unbearable for ordinary people.
The sudden and fierce attack caught Jax completely off guard, causing him to break out in a cold sweat and even making it difficult for him to hold onto his torch staff.
The two separated again.
Jax looked at the young man before him, and his long-dormant competitive spirit was rekindled.
The tangible manifestation of this is... the "internal energy" within his body begins to spread.
[The Grandmaster's Might]
His best and strongest skill, honed over thousands of years.
This is also the fundamental reason why he has an endless lifespan.
A golden light emerged from his body.
Seeing this, Chen Ce also had a bit of a "don't care" mentality—the magic power within his body began to flow.
Both will be attacking at their strongest.
The crowd below the bridge held their breath.
A gentle breeze swept by.
But at that crucial moment, Jax suddenly withdrew his surging power.
"That's enough." He exhaled a breath of stale air. "If we kept fighting, things would get out of hand."
"...That's true." After a pause, Chen Ce also stopped manipulating his magic power—he knew what the other person meant.
If they fight with all their might, getting injured is a minor issue; the real problem is revealing some secrets...
With their internal energy and magical energy clashing, it would be impossible for the two of them to stay in Demacia any longer.
"It's a pleasure to meet a warrior like you." Jax sheathed his staff and extended his other hand. "What's your name?"
"Chen Ce." Chen Ce stepped forward and shook hands with him.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
The audience below the bridge booed – they hadn't seen enough yet.
It was clearly at the most exciting and crucial decisive moment, so why did it suddenly end?
It's like forcibly stopping a craft at its last moment—wouldn't that be killing someone?
The crowd shook their heads in dissatisfaction.
There was another person who was even more dissatisfied.
She was riding a military horse, still on the outskirts of the crowd—she had just arrived.
Tianna Crownguard, the newly appointed Grand Crownguard of Demacia.
"What a disobedient child... Luxanna, tsk..."
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Chapter 75 Who is this pervert calling a monster?!
The competition is over.
The spectators below the bridge, still eager for more, booed and gradually dispersed, leaving only a few idlers who planned to stay and wait for the second "spectacular duel"—the kind of fight where Jax finishes in three seconds.
On the bridge, Jax warmly shook hands with Chen Ce, feeling satisfied with his exhilarating fight and delighted to have found a suitable partner.
He lowered his voice, making sure only the two of them on the bridge could hear. "Young man... Chen Ce, the power within you is extraordinary."
"But it can't be brought to light either." Chen Ce replied with a smile, while glancing at the crowd below the bridge—the implication was clear.