Predict It!

My thoughts raced through my mind.

Li Shengkai took a deep breath, then looked at the beautiful young woman before him, finally organizing his thoughts before sincerely saying, "Miss Lu Xiu, it's like this, we've taken the liberty of coming here today—actually, we wanted to learn something from you, to ask you about your new dungeon."

Lu Xiu blinked. "You all probably know about the Goddess Intervention, right? I can't reveal any specific details about the process of Sifu's instance to you."

"I know."

Li Shengkai nodded. "We're not here to ask Sifu about the dungeon walkthrough; we just want to ask you about the underlying strategy for unarmed combat dungeons."

That's all.

Li Shengkai turned slightly to the side, giving the stage to Sun Yi behind him.

What are the underlying construction ideas?

Lu Xiu looked at Sun Yi curiously.

Sun Yi snapped out of his daze, swallowed hard, and then subconsciously looked away from Lu Xiu's face, staring into the void. He then stammered as he explained his thoughts.

Ye listened to Sun Yi's words.

Lu Xiu's clear eyes brightened slightly.

Substitute? Stepping stone?

Isn't this her Plan B?

Someone actually offered to do my work?!

Just when she was feeling sleepy, a pillow appeared out of nowhere. She had just complained about how troublesome lower-rank dungeons were—hoping that players would find a way out on their own.

"A lower-level alternative."

Lu Xiu remained outwardly calm and asked, "So, where are you now? Have you set up the basic framework for the dungeon? Have you designed the enemies? Have you decided on your martial arts style?"

Upon hearing this...

Sun Yi, already nervous, paused, then looked embarrassed and stammered for a long time before finally saying, "Uh... actually, we only have a rough idea right now. We have the basic framework, but how to design the enemy, how to make them closer to Sifu, and the mechanism to Neutralize... we still don't have a clue about these."

Lu Xiu:

She was speechless.

Hasn't anything even started yet?

Looks like I was just getting excited for nothing.

I thought I could help out—oh well, I'll take a gamble!

Let's see if they can figure it out.

"Then you first need to determine the enemy's martial arts style."

Lu Xiu carefully organized her words, and without touching on the Goddess Intervention, said, "Is it about using circling steps as the core, emphasizing avoiding direct attacks and striking from the side, using movement to control stillness, and employing the technique of striking while moving?"

Or should the style be characterized by fierce and violent attacks, with close-quarters combat as the main feature, allowing the enemy to make good use of thrusting, ramming, leaning, and elbowing?

Or perhaps it's about striking from a distance, using power from the waist and back, employing a throw-like technique, emphasizing the arm's whip-like motion, and focusing on long-distance control and elastic power?

These things need to be determined before you Constructed Instance.

Although they are not even from the same world.

However, there are martial arts schools in Nine Provinces, but they basically have no lineage.

This is even more true after the World Gamification —ordinary players have almost evolved into a state where "numbers determine your kingship."

But there is no doubt that different styles of boxing exist.

Lu Xiu had specifically researched this when Architect's instance—she was quite certain of this.

Li Shengkai and Sun Yi were completely bewildered by the words that came out of Lu Xiu's mouth; they couldn't understand them at all.

----Martial Arts Schools?

The two men stared at the beautiful young woman speaking eloquently before them, feeling dazed.

Just then, footsteps suddenly came from the end of the corridor.

Lu Xiu looked over.

Li Shengkai and Sun Yi also snapped out of their daze and turned around to look.

In the distance along the corridor, three beautiful figures appeared out of nowhere.

It was Jian Li, Jiang Qiu, and Shen Nian who came directly from Yan Fushou's office in the Coordination Bureau.

At this moment, Jiang Qiu was looking at Lu Xiu, who was dressed in casual clothes, with a complicated gaze.

My thoughts momentarily stalled.

The image of the Architect she had just labeled as inhuman was instantly reconstructed in her mind when she saw the charming and pretty girl in front of her—who was actually a cute and harmless girl.

The main problem is that she looks too deceptively attractive!

Although she had seen Lu Xiu before on Maple Leaf Avenue, this was truly the first time she had seen her so ordinary.

Jiang Qiu quickly shook her head, forcibly stopping the thought of reconstructing Lu Xiu's image in her mind.

She had clearly heard Lu Xiu's words in the corridor just now.

Walking in circles, avoiding direct attacks and striking diagonally, close-quarters combat, and skillfully using headbutts and elbow strikes----

The beautiful, seemingly harmless girl in front of me.

She is clearly not as harmless as her sweet appearance suggests.

The new instance is proof!

She seemed to be not only familiar with swords and halberds, but also had an exceptional understanding of hand-to-hand combat!

Inside the door.

Lu Xiu seemed somewhat surprised to see the three people appear in the corridor.

Her gaze swept over the group, first landing on the unfamiliar older woman, lingering for a moment.

Then, Lu Xiu turned her head and looked at Jian Li, whom she was more familiar with, and Shen Nian, the girl with glasses.

"You've arrived."

Lu Xiu greeted them, then glanced at Li Shengkai and Sun Yi in front of her, and said to the three people outside the door, "Excuse me, please wait a moment. I have something to take care of here first. We'll try to Neutralize this later."

Jian Li and Shen Nian glanced at Li Shengkai and the other person, and slowly nodded.

"In short, the first step is to identify the martial arts style."

Lu Xiu then looked at Li Shengkai and Sun Yi, who had regained their senses. "If you don't even know what the core of the dungeon's combat system is, how can you talk about Neutralize?"

Of course, you can use fictional or fantastical plots, but you need to understand them yourself.

As Architect, you definitely need to understand how the enemies will attack in order to add mechanics. If you just let the enemies attack randomly, many mechanics will have problems with their judgment. Although the system will help to ensure the smooth operation of the dungeon, the score will definitely be affected.

"Not to mention Neutralize such a mechanism—this mechanism is based on the enemy's attack animation and center of gravity shift, which means you need at least a framework, and all of the enemy's attack methods are within that framework. If you just attack randomly—if the opponent suddenly uses a 'Crow Takes Flight' move, can you Neutralize? Just let the system decide? Then the system will give you a D."

Sun Yi asked blankly, "What does 'a crow flying an airplane' mean?"

"Just think of it as a diving tackle, but that's not the point."

"So you mean that Sifu's enemies' attack methods all have clear schools and frameworks?"

"Otherwise what?"

"That----"

Lu Xiu gently shook her head. "I can't say. I'm not sure if the Goddess Intervention will happen. You'll have to figure it out yourselves."

The Sifu's combat system certainly has a framework, mainly based on the Bak Mei from the original game, emphasizing swift linear attacks, a stable horse stance, close-range melee combat, and efficient counterattacks.

It is forceful and direct, with a strong emphasis on practical combat.

At the same time, some of the enemy's attacks also incorporated elements of Southern martial arts such as Hung Kuen, Wing Chun Southern Fist, and Southern Fist, such as the use of bridge techniques.

Short kicks, low kicks, and ground sweeps are examples of techniques like this.

But it cannot be said explicitly.

Lu Xiu simply added, "Besides that, you also need to think carefully about the logic of the fight. It needs to be based on reality. For example, there is a stun effect when blocking, counterattacks require timing, and you can't stand still when surrounded by multiple enemies. You need to decide these things from the beginning, otherwise everything else is nonsense."

After listening to Lu Xiu's explanation...

The entire entryway fell silent.

Everyone stared at Lu Xiu with a strange look in their eyes.

Sun Yi stood there, his mouth slightly agape.

My scalp is tingling!

Is this what a top-tier Architect is like?!

Sun Yi recalled his makeshift approach when Constructed Instance in the past—he basically relied on the game system to automatically calculate and complete enemy actions, because it was indeed convenient.

He assumed everyone did it that way!

But now Lu Xiu is telling him that he needs to set up a logically rigorous martial arts framework for the enemy?

Just how much terrifying amount of energy does this require?!

What suffocated Sun Yi the most was how little time had passed since Lu Xiu last issued Outlast? In such a short time, she not only thoroughly mastered those martial arts theories, but also perfectly materialized them into a new SS-level dungeon?!

Are geniuses really that terrifying?!

"That----"

Sun Yi swallowed hard, his voice trembling, unable to contain his shock, and blurted out, "Does that mean that you have to design and rehearse the movements of every major enemy in Sifu —and even every type of grunt?"

"Otherwise what?"

Lu Xiu looked at him with an air of entitlement. "However, the requirements for the small fry can be relaxed a bit. You can copy and paste some parts and be a little lazy."

But the main enemies in each level, as well as those elite leaders, their moves and techniques definitely need to be individually crafted; otherwise, where would their unique characteristics come from?

Hearing this, I gave a definite answer.

Sun Yi almost fainted.

Setting this up slowly using a regular build editor would take forever.

"But—but how can I do that?!"

Sun Yi's heart pounded. "----To fine-tune the enemy's movements one by one in actual combat drills?"

"You're not familiar with the Visual Mental Imagery Construction Method?"

Lu Xiu explained, "Use strong Visual Mindscape to imagine the enemies you've set up moving in your mind. Roughly confirm whether their attack wind-up, speed, and force exertion methods are reasonable. If they are not reasonable, or if there is a conflict in the center of gravity, then overturn and adjust them in real time in your mind."

Continue until there are no major problems, then generate the output—if there are any problems, adjust them when you start printing.

Isn't this feature very useful? Don't you use it? Surely not?"

Others:

Sun Yi: "----"

All enemies are directly materialized in my mind?

How could you perfectly replicate an enemy's movements simply through imagination?

Do you want to hear what you're saying?!

Is this something a human can do?

No—that's imagination!

I've gone to great lengths to even resemble an enemy!

You're telling me to make them move directly in my head, adjust their center of gravity and force in real time, and ensure it's all done correctly?!

"Make good use of the Visual Mental Imagery Construction Method. You won't just use this function to generate enemy images and scenes, will you? How much time would it take to construct a dungeon? How long would it take to adjust the animations? Not to mention the troublesome things like numerical values."

Lu Xiu looked at Sun Yi, gave him a reminder, and then said, "Confirm everything I just said before you think about how to Neutralize this."

"And to Neutralize —let me think of how to phrase it without triggering the Goddess Intervention."

"It shouldn't be a problem to just say it directly, since this mechanic was mentioned at the beginning of the dungeon—well, I'll just tell you what I thought at the time."

Lu Xiu thought for a moment, then took half a step forward from beside the shoe cabinet and entered a more spacious area of the entryway.

She dropped her relaxed demeanor.

"Take the most basic straight punch as an example."

Lu Xiu slowly raised her fair and slender arm, her five fingers together, and gently clenched into a fist.

Then, instead of throwing a punch directly, she slowed down the entire movement and broke it down like playing a slow-motion tutorial video.

"I believe that in the true logic of combat, a complete attack, such as a straight punch, is not simply the fist flying out; it consists of four very distinct phases."

As Lu Xiu spoke, she demonstrated with slow movements. "First step, raise your arm to engage the muscles in your shoulder and back; second step, bend your elbow to fold your arm and create a lever; third step, gather your strength, lower your center of gravity, and transfer the power from your waist and hips to your upper body—"

Lu Xiu's movement froze just before her fist was about to be thrown.

"During these first three stages, the enemy's strength is building, and their muscles are in a state of extreme tension. This is the time to Neutralize— "

Lu Xiu looked at Sun Yi: "It will definitely be judged as a failure; at most, it can only be considered a clumsy block."

Sun Yi's eyes widened, and he unconsciously slowed his breathing.

"True Neutralize only exists in the fourth stage – the punch."

The moment the words left her lips, Lu Xiu's right fist, which had been frozen in place, suddenly shot forward!

Even though she didn't use any skills and only exerted her physical strength, a very short and slight whooshing sound still rang out in the air!

"The absolute judgment window for this mechanism is the extremely brief instant when the power is fully unleashed and the fist is thrown."

Lu Xiu maintained her punching stance, extended her left hand, and gently touched the outside of her right wrist and elbow with her fair index finger.

"But that's not enough; besides timing, there's also the placement."

"My idea at the time was that the transmission of force has a kinetic energy chain. If you can accurately strike the wrist or elbow, these two transmission nodes, at the moment the enemy unleashes their force, you can instantly cut off the opponent's force transmission process. The enemy's force is forcibly interrupted, and their own inertia will pull their center of gravity forward - that's a perfect way to Neutralize."

At this point, Lu Xiu moved her fingertips away from her knuckles and casually patted her forearm and upper arm.

"Conversely, if the timing is right, the impact might just land on the opponent's upper arm—"

Lu Xiu continued, "Then the Neutralize it will fail. Not only will you be knocked back, but you'll also take the full brunt of the attack."

"As for superpowers—in essence Neutralize Neutralize elemental attacks."

"This is the approach I took when I first decided to Neutralize this mechanism."

"Once the strategy is confirmed, the next step is to determine the appropriate timing for Neutralize all enemy attack methods."

Lu Xiu withdrew her right arm, which was in a punching stance, and concluded. "This is also why I just emphasized why we must first have a clear framework for a martial arts school."

Because if you don't even know the enemy's attack methods, the Neutralize- mechanisms will forever remain a superficial setting, let alone be able to maximize their effectiveness and become the core gameplay that dominates the entire dungeon.

The girl's voice was clear and melodious.

But what they were saying wasn't human language.

"To ensure that, theoretically, every type of enemy attack can be Neutralize by cutting off its kinetic energy—"

"The final step is for the Architect to personally familiarize themselves with the mechanics and fight against enemies—until they can beat the game."

"Do you understand now?"

Dead silence.

This silence was longer than the previous ones.

Sun Yi understood—but it would have been better if he hadn't!

Is this something a human could do?

And why does Lu Xiu look like she can do it with her hands?

Does she even realize how terrifying her words just were?

No wonder she could create such a high-rated dungeon! Just hearing about it makes my scalp tingle!

Li Shengkai's expression wasn't much better. He had once thought that the so-called inferior replacement was simply taking an existing dungeon framework, adjusting the parameters, and changing the enemy's health and attributes, as simple as adding some salt and sugar in the kitchen.

But now----

He couldn't help but glance at Lu Xiu, who was fixing her ponytail, and then at Sun Yi, who stood beside him dumbfounded.

He inwardly gasped.

No wonder!

No wonder!

Other Architect have the same influence as the insects.

Lu Xiu's process of Constructed Instance was so detailed that even he, a layman, found it outrageous!

No wonder they got crushed!

"Wrong----"

Just as everyone was still reeling from the shock, Jiang Qiu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "In a one-on-one situation, the timing for Neutralize situation is indeed as you said, there is no problem."

But in the [Sifu] instance, there's absolutely no martial ethics; it's all about being ganged up on by several people at the drop of a hat! In this high-pressure environment, you're surrounded by fists from all sides! There's simply no way to Neutralize from this!"

Lu Xiu retied her ponytail and looked at the sophisticated woman in her smart sportswear with some curiosity.

Although he didn't recognize who it was, he still replied, "A prediction."

"When fighting, you need to pay attention to observation. The essence of combat is actually high-intensity information processing. When several people are attacking you, you can't just stare at the one in front of you. You need to use your peripheral vision to catch the shoulders of the people around you, their footsteps, and even their eyes."

"During the initial attack, you need to quickly come up with a solution in your mind."

"First, prioritize: which punch will land first? Which kick is more lethal?"

Then, quickly decide whether to Neutralize or avoid it.

For example, if there is a time difference between two attacks, then Neutralize the faster one first, and then dodge the slower one by sidestepping. If they arrive at the same time, use their force against them, and use the momentum after Neutralize attack to knock the other person away.

Finally, clarify the order of attacks—as long as you keep observing and anticipate the enemy's movements, clearing the dungeon by Neutralize their attacks is definitely not a problem, as long as the number of people attacking doesn't exceed the limit.

Simply put, it's about anticipating the enemy's moves.

Jiang Qiu:

Jian Li:

3

Sun Yi:

66

Li Shengkai:

Shen Nian, the girl with glasses at the very back, covered her face in utter despair.

Is this even human language?!

Does this person even know what they're saying?