Golden Blade Mantis

They followed Yingyue deep into the forest on the eastern side of the island.

Before them stood a mantis fully 1.8 meters tall, its imposing frame like a killing machine from ancient times.

Its entire body gave off a cold metallic gleam. Its golden, armor-like shell fit tightly together, shining dazzlingly in the sunlight.

Its triangular head was held high, its lively compound eyes like enormous gemstones, glinting with a cold, keen light.

Its slender antennae swayed gently, sensing subtle changes in the air.

Most striking were its two golden blade-arms, long and broad, their serrated edges flashing coldly, as though a single swing could tear through anything.

Veined patterns ran along the blades like mysterious runes. Its powerful, agile hind legs resembled strong springs.

Right before it lay a Tyrannosaurus rex a full thirty meters long.

The Tyrannosaurus rex was enormous, but its head now lay severed from its body. The cut was as smooth as a mirror, as though a single fierce slash had beheaded it.

The Golden Blade Mantis waved its golden blades, leisurely enjoying its gigantic prey.

"Wow! What kind of mantis is that? It's so strong!" Lilith's eyes widened, her face filled with astonishment and disbelief as her voice rose involuntarily.

The imposing Golden Blade Mantis had been absorbed in its meal, but the sound instantly put it on alert. It turned its head toward them like lightning and immediately took an attacking stance.

In an instant, an unparalleled killing intent spread out, almost tangible, as though it could freeze the air.

"What powerful killing intent! It's spotted us already. Wait here. I'll go face it!"

Excitement flashed in Yingyue's eyes, and her fighting spirit instantly ignited. She shouted excitedly, then moved like lightning, leaping before the Golden Blade Mantis in the blink of an eye.

She swiftly drew the long blade at her waist and shouted, "Phantom Shadow Sword!"

Streaks of dark-purple sword energy shot toward the Golden Blade Mantis like arrows from a bow, slicing through the air with piercing whistles.

The Golden Blade Mantis showed no fear. Its powerful hind legs kicked hard against the ground. With a boom, a small crater appeared beneath it, and its figure vanished like a phantom.

The next second, it swept before Yingyue like a gale, its sharp golden blade-arm cleaving viciously toward her with a rush of wind.

"Just what I wanted!" Yingyue shouted, her eyes filled with resolve.

A layer of ink-black Armament Haki instantly covered her blade. Crackling threads of electricity coiled around the Haki like a lively electric snake.

Yingyue swung her blade into the Golden Blade Mantis's attack.

A deafening clang rang out, and sparks flew everywhere. The powerful impact spread outward, making the surrounding leaves rustle.

"What incredible strength!" Yingyue felt an overwhelming force surge toward her, sending her flying like a kite with its string cut.

She tumbled rapidly through the air, but the instant she landed, she stamped both feet hard against the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Having felt the Golden Blade Mantis's strength, Yingyue did not hesitate. She swiftly activated the power of her bloodline and transformed into her Sulong form.

For a moment, a silvery-white radiance seemed to envelop their surroundings, and a faint lunar aura spread out.

Yingyue's hair grew wildly as though alive, becoming long and lustrous with a silver sheen, like silk woven from moonlight.

Her aura abruptly soared, her already powerful presence becoming even more imposing, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.

The electricity surrounding her also grew more violent, crackling as it writhed freely like silver snakes,

constantly releasing strands of electric light that ionized the surrounding air with a sizzling hiss.

At the sight of Yingyue's transformation, the Golden Blade Mantis seemed to sense a threat. Its antennae trembled slightly, and it let out a low hiss.

Immediately afterward, a strange black sheen appeared over its twin golden blades, which already gleamed with a fierce light.

Black Armament Haki slowly coated the golden blades like ink. The two colors mingled yet remained distinctly separate, looking particularly strange.

The sudden change made Yingyue's heart tighten.

During their earlier exchange, Yingyue had realized that the Golden Blade Mantis was exceptionally strong, but she had never expected it to wield Armament Haki so proficiently.

This mantis actually knows Armament Haki, and its perception is very strong too. It seems to know Observation Haki as well.

Yingyue pondered this silently, but there was not a trace of fear on her face. Instead, encountering such a powerful opponent only excited her further, and fighting spirit blazed in her eyes.

Yingyue's battle with the Golden Blade Mantis grew increasingly fierce, and she unleashed her Phantom Shadow Sword Intent,

a sword technique already renowned for its speed. As her blade flashed, it resembled streaks of dark-purple phantoms.

Yet the Golden Blade Mantis's blades were even faster than hers. Every slash was simple and deadly, without any flashy bladework,

only instinctive attacks honed through one brutal, lethal battle after another.

The two blades collided repeatedly, their endless clanging echoing through the jungle and startling a flock of birds into flight.

She greedily absorbed the Golden Blade Mantis's combat techniques, constantly honing her own swordsmanship as she swung her sword.

In this all-out battle, Yingyue keenly sensed that she was only a step away from the barrier to becoming a Great Swordmaster,

as though taking just one more step would let her touch that higher realm of swordsmanship.

What Yingyue had not expected, however, was that the Golden Blade Mantis was also improving rapidly during the battle.

Its bladework grew increasingly fierce. Every swing of its twin blades carried a precision and ruthlessness tempered through countless real battles,

and its accumulating combat experience made its attacks and defenses flawless.

Not only that, but its use of Armament Haki and Observation Haki also grew increasingly proficient.

The black Armament Haki flowing over its golden blades became ever more solid, while its keen Observation Haki made every one of Yingyue's surprise attacks difficult to land.

Kakarot, Lilith, and the others watching had long since become deeply engrossed in this spectacular battle.

Their eyes followed the two combatants-the woman and the insect-closely, their hearts churning.

Vian, in particular, was utterly focused, as she too was a Swordmaster.

Her eyes remained fixed on every exchange between Yingyue and the Golden Blade Mantis, missing not a single detail.

She constantly considered how she would deal with such attacks if she were on the battlefield, and how she would seize an opening to counterattack.

She knew well that the chance to observe a battle like this was exceedingly rare, and every moment contained boundless combat wisdom.

At last, a powerful sword intent surged skyward from Yingyue, like a sharp blade piercing the heavens.

Joy filled Kakarot and the others as they instantly understood that Yingyue had successfully broken through to the realm of Great Swordmaster!

Yet just as everyone was rejoicing, an equally powerful blade intent rose from the Golden Blade Mantis, charged with fierce killing intent.

This blade intent was almost tangible, as though it could slice the surrounding air into countless fragments.

Both their auras climbed to their peaks at the same time. Yingyue and the Golden Blade Mantis exchanged a look, then simultaneously unleashed their strongest strikes.

Two slashing waves, one dark purple and the other golden red, each a full hundred meters long, charged toward each other like two roaring dragons.

Boom!

The two slashes collided with a deafening crash. After a brief stalemate, the light dispersed, and both slashes vanished at the same time.

That all-out strike had consumed a great deal of stamina from both Yingyue and the Golden Blade Mantis.

They stood facing each other, panting heavily as they took a short rest.

The Golden Blade Mantis turned toward Kakarot and the others, a hint of wariness flashing in its eyes. It seemed to be considering fleeing.

Yingyue seemed to see through its thoughts.

During their battle, Yingyue had sensed that this Golden Blade Mantis possessed extraordinary intelligence. Otherwise, it could never have learned and broken through in such an intense fight.

She hurriedly said, "You don't have to worry. We're not here to steal your prey. I only came to spar with you in swordsmanship. We won't hurt you!"

As she spoke, she tried to convey her goodwill to the Golden Blade Mantis.

Hearing this, Kakarot also hurriedly released his Observation Haki, clearly conveying the same message through it.

The Golden Blade Mantis was highly intelligent and soon sensed their goodwill.

Its tense body gradually relaxed, and it was no longer as guarded as before. It turned to continue eating meat to recover its stamina.

Yingyue was delighted by the Golden Blade Mantis's response and said, "Then we won't disturb you anymore. We're going to take a look over by the volcano."

Kakarot and the others were just about to leave when the Golden Blade Mantis suddenly raised its head. Its triangular head shook gently, and it let out a series of hisses.

Yingyue, Lilith, and the others looked puzzled. Unable to understand what the Golden Blade Mantis meant, they could only turn to Kakarot.

Kakarot explained with a smile, "It says the volcano is the Red Ants' territory. Anyone who goes there will be killed. Their king, especially, is an absolute monster!"

"It's fine. I'm very strong too. I'd like to see just how strong that ant really is!"

Kakarot looked confident, his eyes filled with the desire for a challenge.

After sensing Kakarot's meaning, the Golden Blade Mantis lowered its head and resumed eating.

"We'll come find you again on our way back. Will you still be around here?" Yingyue asked.

The Golden Blade Mantis let out a hiss, seemingly answering Yingyue.

Yingyue happily set off toward the volcano with Kakarot and the others.