That's right. A third-tier Echoer's Armament can only focus on one aspect, meaning that at that time, their Armament was not perfect and had weaknesses!
However, once you reach the fourth tier, you can unlock the second form—
"Imagery Armor" layered over "Heart Essence Mantle"!
When any attack lands on them, the "Heart Essence Mantle" will first buffer a portion of it, and then the "Imagery Armor" will bear the remaining impact.
The defense alone has almost doubled, not to mention the comprehensive improvement in other attributes!
Therefore, it's very difficult to win.
No, it's that we can't win...
Qiji never fights a battle he's not confident of winning.
He only fights opponents he can defeat.
His fighting philosophy was to bully the weak, and it was also the secret to his invincibility.
He's a genius who can't afford to lose; he only fights he's guaranteed to win!
Yes, that's right.
That should be the case.
Of course it should be done that way.
Otherwise, if one acts impulsively at this moment and goes up against a fourth-tier Kamishiro Chiho, they might get utterly thrashed...
All of Qiji's carefully cultivated "invincible" persona will crumble in front of the camera...
If possible, Qiji would certainly like to use the mask now to awaken Echo.
If he can awaken his Kamishiro Chiho.
No, it definitely can!
He will win!
We will win!
Then, amidst a barrage of praise in the comments, he casually said to Liuli:
Are you alright? I just happened to be passing by.
But...
The three rituals that would trigger the "Miracle" had already been completed by him, and now it was time for them not to be changed.
The day of his awakening has already been etched into the Sea of Consciousness.
Ritual Days Recognized by the Sea of Consciousness —
It can only be on the day of the Academy Grand Tournament!
A day earlier wouldn't work, and a day later wouldn't work either.
So, it's time to stop...
Don't go any further.
If someone shows up at the scene but doesn't take action, they'll only be more likely to be questioned and scorned by the audience.
Qiji, who could solve all difficulties simply by being present—
If one day he shows up, but can't do anything...
His magic was gone; he was unable to recreate his Miracle.
Then he...
What right do I have to win the audience's favor?
Just like what Qiji said to Huomu a month ago—
Everyone has moments when they feel powerless.
Clearly, this is the moment when Qiji is powerless to do anything.
He wanted to tell himself that he had done his best.
In those nine years, he never slacked off for a moment.
He has a clear conscience.
He believed he had done the best he could.
He could even say with certainty that, under the same conditions, no one could put in more effort than him!
Therefore, it's not possible to defeat a fourth-tier enemy head-on...
It wasn't his fault.
After all, in the original storyline, even at the end of the first season, Huomu and the others had only just reached the third tier.
Qiji told himself:
Stop it now.
That's enough, stop.
Don't go any further.
You cannot go any further.
However, the scenery keeps deteriorating.
White Harbor Beach, before I knew it, was almost in sight.
The moment I realized I didn't want to die, the moment I admitted I was afraid of dying—
Liuli began her final struggle.
The butterflies that Kamishiro Chiho had previously knocked down on the ground are now lighting up again, one by one.
They were originally lifeless illusions, but at this moment, they seemed to come alive in an instant.
Fluttering their wings, they swarmed towards Liuli's body.
A pair of enormous, translucent butterfly wings suddenly unfolded from behind the girl, their surfaces adorned with countless fine Heart Pattern.
Immediately afterwards, a long, form-fitting dress made of a material resembling the thin membrane of butterfly wings quietly appeared.
Like a half-open, half-closed white butterfly flower, it gracefully outlines the girl's delicate figure.
Light shimmered at the hem and cuffs of the skirt, with tiny light butterflies constantly appearing and disappearing.
Yes, that's right.
Liuli unfolded her Armament!
Liuli had only recently entered the third stage, finally faced her own heart at this critical moment of death!
She admitted that she was afraid of dying!
She acknowledged her deep attachment to life!
In a split second, she completed her exploration of her own "imagery" and projected and solidified it into reality!
Lineage Investiture.
Armament Manifestation.
—[I See Butterflies]!
With a flutter of its wings, countless butterflies, gathered from the Heart Essence, surged forth like a tide.
Kamishiro Chiho never took Liuli seriously.
She didn't activate her Armament, nor did she even mobilize her Heart Essence.
Therefore, for a moment, he was slightly stunned by the sudden Mind Echo from Liuli.
The five fingers that were gripping the other person's neck loosened for a moment, almost instinctively.
It was just a fleeting moment!
Liuli immediately used both hands to pry open the hand that was choking her neck, kicked the other person in the chest, and simultaneously flapped her butterfly wings violently—
Using the combined force of her wings and kicks, she finally broke free of her restraints, leaped backward, and stumbled several steps.
Kamishiro Chiho let out a soft "Huh?", a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes:
"Oh? He actually awakened his Armament at the very moment of his death?"
That's... damn talent.
Did you know?
This should have belonged to Qingxian.
You stole his talent!
You deserve to die!!!
Kamishiro Chiho was immediately enraged and wanted to kill Liuli in one fell swoop, but she then realized—
Killing her like this is far too lenient.
So, Kamishiro Chiho narrowed her eyes cruelly and with great interest, thinking of an even more interesting method of execution.
She snapped her fingers again.
The little girl who had just run out of the alleyway lost focus once again.
She turned stiffly, walked back, bent down, and picked up the dagger from the ground.
Then, step by step, they walked towards the Liuli.
Liuli is currently fleeing towards the alley entrance.
She never intended to win from the beginning.
She had only one goal—
Run!
As long as I can survive, I don't care how pathetic my escape is.
As she fled, she collided head-on with a girl at the alley entrance.
Faced with the little girl stabbing at her with a dagger, Liuli released Echo once more. With the enhancement of her Armament, she forcibly broke free from Kamishiro Chiho's mind control in an instant.
Kamishiro Chiho paused for a moment—
This time, unlike her previous manipulations, she used a fourth-order Echo!
Despite being a whole rank apart, Liuli was able to crack her circuit so quickly...
The best spiritual talent truly lives up to its reputation...
However, just as Liuli was about to run away with the little girl,
The moment the control was released, the little girl suddenly turned the dagger around and stabbed herself in the chest.
Liuli's pupils shrank suddenly, and she struck the girl's wrist with her palm.
The dagger flew from his hand and landed with a clink in the distance.
"Caixia, are you crazy?!"
"... Sister, how... how do you know my name?"
The girl looked up, her eyes regaining focus, and paused for a moment, slightly stunned.
Liuli knew Caixia's name because of Qiji.
I remember it was the Wednesday after the monthly tasks ended.
Liuli saw Qiji furtively writing something.
At the time, Liuli thought that Qiji was writing a love letter to some vicious woman.
Then, with the good intention of "not wanting to see Qiji fall victim to a pig-butchering scam," she secretly opened the letter while he was sleeping on the rooftop.