The design of this Soul Tool sword was undoubtedly excellent.
When Xiao Hongchen swung it, the blade's intense heat could easily cut through many physical defenses and was highly effective against defensive Soul Skills.
That was why Lu Yi usually relied on footwork and used the Shield Charm to deflect attacks rather than taking them head-on.
When Lu Yi slipped in an energy attack, Xiao Hongchen turned the blade sideways and blocked it with the broad shield generated by the Defensive Formation on its guard.
Xiao Hongchen had designed that shield specifically to counter Lu Yi's ranged attacks.
Unfortunately, though Xiao Hongchen was skilled at designing and making Soul Tools, his swordsmanship was stiff. He looked like a novice who had practiced for only a few months.
Xiao Hongchen was so intent on leaving Lu Yi with a wound like his own that he had abandoned his real strengths.
Even his sister would have been far better suited to wielding that sword.
And Xiao Hongchen clearly had not fully understood the abilities Lu Yi had already shown, let alone those he had yet to reveal.
When he swung at Lu Yi again, he heard Lu Yi murmur something, and Lu Yi's body twisted strangely.
Lu Yi curled and contracted like a strip of cloth, then seemed to be sucked into an invisible hole in the air. He vanished completely.
It all happened in an instant. As his blade cut through empty air, Xiao Hongchen saw his shadow thrown sharply across the ground by a red light flaring behind him.
A familiar, tremendous force struck his back, stirring memories of the past. Xiao Hongchen pitched forward, and the sword flew from his hand.
Then he felt warmth spread across the skin of his back, exactly as it had two years ago.