Qiji retreated step by step along the path he had come from, returning to the position he had been in a moment before.
Then, lightning flashed once more, Instant Bloom was unleashed once more—
But just as it was about to hit Sibel, it retreated again.
This scene repeats itself endlessly, like a film whose beginning and end have been cut off.
Throughout the entire process, Sibel didn't even move; she simply stood there, turned around, and calmly looked at Qiji.
Like watching a hamster constantly running on a wheel.
This is another Echo from Sibel—
[Time Loop].
In the academy's square, the eliminated contestants all looked up at this scene.
Among them is Kaluo, who is waiting to be "resurrected".
Gazing at the princess reflected in the Sea of Spirit Matter, Kaluo clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes filled with the admiration and worship of a devoted fan.
The time she borrowed from the princess was incomparable to the time the princess possessed herself!
"How elegant, Your Highness!"
On the teachers' viewing platform by the square, the teacher leading the Kalentia team had mixed feelings.
He wanted to see Kalentia win, but he also didn't really want to see Sibel win...
"What a monster! No wonder he's from the King's Lineage."
Beside her, Yuejian couldn't help but frown.
Even he, who had always favored Qiji, couldn't imagine Qiji possibly winning.
Within the Echo Realm, lineages also vary in strength—
However, regardless of the lineage, once the throne is attained, that lineage will undergo a sublimation in the Sea of Consciousness, becoming a [Origin Lineage] far surpassing all other lineages.
Of course, the [Origin Lineage] is only in the hands of the King, and theoretically, ordinary Echoer have no chance to experience its power.
But at this moment, there is a monster who, though not a king, has mastered the [King's Lineage].
Watching this scene on stage, Yuejian suddenly understood.
Why was Princess Sibel, despite her noble status, not allowed to participate in the grand competition in Kalentia, but instead sent here instead?
Because she is frightening.
Her image is not suitable to be "played" in the skies above Kalentia.
Having broken free from Sibel's Time Dilation using [Blurring of Illusion and Reality], Qiji was about to unleash [Instant Bloom] to deliver his strongest attack.
However, in the next instant, Qiji suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.
This scene—
Does this look familiar?
It seems like this has happened countless times before...
No!
Etc!
Could it be?!
Qiji immediately called up the system panel and took a look at his own live stream.
"???"
Why is there a clown wearing a white mask in the picture?!
The clown who looked exactly like him kept repeating the [Instant Bloom] and backward movements, it was like a bizarre parody video!
What the heck?
Why are they even putting on Journey to the West: The Sequel here?!
Qiji immediately reached for his mask and activated [Blurring of Illusion and Reality] once more.
Within seconds, he was forced by Sibel to use his Intangibility twice.
One last time.
As Qiji broke free from the [Time Loop] and retreated, he also sensed the tremors of the ritual in the Sea of Consciousness.
It's almost there, very close.
But one opportunity is still needed...
Seeing Qiji suddenly stop her repetitive movements and retreat to the edge of the ring, Sibel let out a soft exclamation.
It's like watching your own hamster break free from the wheel you put on it.
"How... did you do that?" Sibel, very curious.
"You want to know?"
"Hmm." Sibel nodded seriously.
The girl put aside the next Echo she was building and decided to listen attentively.
However, what she received in return was a Qiji remark—
I won't tell you.
A cheeky, smug tone.
Yes, Qiji did it on purpose.
He wanted to provoke Sibel and force her to use her true killing move.
Qiji could sense that his awakening needed a stronger stimulus.
Although the combat power that Sibel just displayed was already astonishing—
But that's not enough.
Still not enough!
That's far from enough!
Chapter 118 Echoes of Echo! He Removes His Mask! (4-in-1)
I won't tell you.
"All right."
Upon hearing Qiji's words, Sibel simply nodded with some regret.
There were no further questions, and no anger was expressed.
Seeing that his goal had not been achieved, Qiji immediately intensified his efforts!
Anyway, he can be quite sarcastic when necessary, and Qiji is confident he can provoke the other party's anger.
However, Sibel's emotional stability far exceeded Qiji's expectations.
Despite Qiji's barrage of sarcastic remarks, sarcasm, and barbs, Sibel remained completely unaffected!
Qiji even thought at one point that her sharp tongue had declined.
It wasn't until the next moment that he belatedly realized—
Sibel, who is considered an outcast and a monster, might not have been able to survive in a place like the Kalentia Royal Court if she didn't have a sufficiently stable emotional state.
Qiji's purpose was too obvious, and Sibel seemed to have sensed something as well.
"Are you trying to provoke me?" Sibel suddenly asked.
"Yes." Qiji readily admitted.
Why do this?
"Because I want to see the strongest Echo you can unleash in your rage."
"That's a strange request." Sibel tilted her head slightly, but her tone didn't imply refusal. "You could have just told me directly; there's no need for this beating around the bush."
"... Just say it directly?"
"Of course."
"..."
Qiji was taken aback for a moment, then realized that he might have been judging others by his own petty standards.
After all, if his opponent made such a strange request to him out of the blue during a duel, his first reaction would definitely be, "There must be a trap here."
But Sibel wasn't like that.
For example, at this moment, the girl readily agreed, satisfying Qiji.
This princess even started constructing the circuit right away.
Her long, lake-blue hair moved without wind, and the light of her Heart Essence flowed quietly from her fingertips.
"This Echo is a bit tricky and will take some time to build. Could you wait a moment?"
"Certainly."
Qiji took a deep breath.
He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.
so--
Is that moment really coming?
Witnessing this scene, the crowd outside the arena was momentarily stunned, not understanding Qiji's intention in doing so.
Because it's as absurd as telling your opponent, "Use your strongest Echo to kill me"...
However, there are always some naturally talented players among the audience.
After a moment of stunned silence, a bespectacled man slapped his forehead and suddenly realized everything—
"I see! So that's how it is! How wonderful!"
"No, what did you understand?" the bewildered crowd quickly asked.
"Haven't you guys figured it out yet? Qiji has already discovered it; Sibel's Time Lineage is too damn crooked!"
All of Qiji's attacks were unable to bypass her timing!
As long as it's still within Sibel's time limit, Qiji cannot win!
Therefore, his only chance to win is the moment when Sibel is unable to activate Time Echo!
That moment, that is now!
The man became increasingly excited as he spoke, seemingly impressed by Qiji's combat wisdom and thrilled that he had grasped Qiji's scheme so quickly.
"Right now, Sibel is building a large loop, and she can't release any other Echo until it's complete!"
If Qiji seizes this opportunity and launches a fatal blow, even if Sibel reacts and tries to stop the construction, it should be noted that the convergence of a large circuit also takes time!
Therefore, if Qiji is fast enough, he can seize that brief opening and win the seemingly impossible victory!
Hearing your words is better than hearing any other words!
Suddenly, everyone understood!
"So that's how it is! No wonder he's the City of Kindling's Number One Genius! Facing a super S-class lineage, he found the only sure way to win in a desperate situation in just one exchange!"