I, Who Hate Marine So Much, Have Become A Future Nika?

Chapter 10: The Piercing Wind of Ignorance

After days of exploration, Zhong Cang has already grasped the ability of his Sword Heart.

This characteristic is somewhat equivalent to a sixth sense in the dark, allowing Zhong Cang to instinctively make the best decisions when focused on fighting or encountering danger.

The more critical the situation, the stronger Zhong Cang's subconscious eruption becomes.

Because of this characteristic, when Yan Lingdie is far away from him, it's not a big deal. However, once her attack approaches, Zhong Cang's consciousness will be possessed by Sword Heart, instantly becoming fierce.

However, Zhong Cang naturally wouldn't reveal his own situation, and Yan Lingdie wouldn't believe it either.

Therefore, she only feels that Zhong Cang, who has the strength, is a petty person who misleads her with such small tricks.

And it is this petty person who wins over her with such despicable means, which makes Yan Lingdie, who has never suffered such a loss, feel a bit wronged and extremely angry.

Under the influence of anger, his blazing heavy sword becomes heavier and faster, swiftly attacking Zhong Cang.

Just like before, as his body is threatened, Zhong Cang's eyes instantly change from confusion to extraordinary sharpness.

And his body, being one step ahead in awareness, raises his sword to block.

"Clang!"

This scene makes Yan Lingdie even more angry.

"Indeed, you are just a fraud."

"Boom!"

Amidst Yan Lingdie's angry voice, Maple Flower and the unknown blazing heavy sword collide once again.

But unlike last time, because Yan Lingdie is prepared, this time Zhong Cang can no longer easily slide his heavy sword away.

In a real head-on clash, the difference between the two quickly becomes apparent.

With a "bang," the immense force of the heavy sword and the blaze sends Zhong Cang's long sword flying high.

If Zhong Cang hadn't held on tightly, his sword Maple Flower would have definitely been knocked away.

Although it didn't happen this time, his right hand holding the sword is numb and in intense pain, and his whole person, along with the sword, retreats several steps from this strike.

Without waiting for Zhong Cang to stabilize after retreating, amidst a "boom" explosion, Yan Lingdie charges forward again, her heavy sword swinging down in anger.

"Clang!"

The heavy sword's momentum is unparalleled, and its speed is extraordinary due to the explosive reaction force.

However, even such a blazing strike is still blocked by Zhong Cang.

—The long sword that was sent flying high is not retrieved by Zhong Cang. With cold and almost inhuman eyes, as Zhong Cang retreats, he suddenly grips the long sword tightly and strikes down with all his might.

"Clang!"

The sword swung out in advance in his hand perfectly blocks the incoming blazing heavy sword.

"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"

After that, Yan Lingdie's attacks continue like waves, unceasing and each strike powerful and heavy.

However, Zhong Cang blocks each heavy blow one by one, even though he has to retreat with each block and his arm is numbed by the vibrations. But with a cold expression, he still manages to block each attack.

This scene also attracts the attention of some onlookers.

However, most people who see this duel only see the awe-inspiring Yan Lingdie with her sword ablaze.

Only Yan Lingdie's protector, an old man named Shui Bo, radiates a brilliant light from his eyes and utters an incredible exclamation.

"Hiss... I didn't expect there to be such a remarkable swordsman in the lower courtyard!"

This sentence made the maid, Ye Shuang, who was next to Shui Bo, look over in astonishment.

She knew how powerful Shui Bo was, but precisely because she knew, she understood how rare it was for a young man to be praised by him.

However, as she watched Zhong Cang retreat step by step, almost without any ability to fight back, Ye Shuang couldn't see where his outstanding talent was.

Her doubts in her heart made her involuntarily ask.

"Shui Bo, is this sparring partner strong? It's impressive that he can withstand Miss's attacks without being defeated, but he can't be considered outstanding... at least not worthy of such praise from you, sir."

Upon hearing this, Shui Bo smiled.

"This little guy is worthy."

After speaking, his eyes looked at the field, somewhat absent-mindedly saying, "Don't be fooled by his constant retreat. It's intentional."

"His cultivation technique is of a low grade, and the gap in raw strength between him and Miss, who cultivates the Heavenly Flame Spirit Scripture, is immense, like a chasm. If he were to directly confront her without retreating, after three strikes, he would be defeated."

"But now, every time they clash, he manages to retreat and dissipate some of the force from Miss's heavy strikes. Moreover, retreating allows him to create distance from Miss, giving himself time to draw his sword and withstand her attacks."

"Even when they clash head-on and his arm is raised high from being struck, there is a reason for it. Only with a significant counterstrike can he withstand Miss's attacks."

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh again.

"These details may not be much on their own. But to be able to do each one perfectly in a complex battle, and to repeat them flawlessly dozens of times, that is truly impressive."

After listening to Shui Bo's explanation, Ye Shuang looked back at the field and also noticed Zhong Cang's terror.

Just as she was amazed, Shui Bo suddenly spoke up.

"Miss is about to lose!"

"What?! That's impossible! This sparring partner may have talent, but as you said, Shui Bo, the gap in strength between him and Miss is like a chasm. How can he win?"

Shui Bo's final conclusion was too far-fetched, causing Ye Shuang to not believe his words, even though she respected him.

In response, the man named Shui Bo, a guardian, did not argue, but simply watched quietly.

Meanwhile, on the field, Zhong Cang, who was being relentlessly attacked, was in an increasingly dire situation.

Although, in his Sword Heart state, he managed to block Yan Lingdie's heavy strikes every time using various tricks and the unity of man and sword.

However, the huge gap in raw strength meant that even though he flawlessly blocked every time, he still got injured—his tiger's mouth had already cracked, and blood was flowing from his wrist.

This pitiful scene made Ye Shuang unable to see any chance of victory for Zhong Cang.

However, just as she was confused, Shui Bo spoke up again.

"He's here. Let me see how talented you really are and if you can seize this opportunity."

"What do you mean, 'he's here'?"

Ye Shuang didn't understand, and although Zhong Cang on the field didn't hear Shui Bo's words, a flash of brilliance passed through his eyes.

—There is always a limit to one's burst of power. Even though Yan Lingdie's cultivation technique is of a high grade, she is only at the third level of Qi Refining. Under relentless attacks, she will always need to recover her qi.

This recovery time is very brief, but in that moment when she pauses to recover, Zhong Cang's already sharp gaze suddenly radiated a cold light.

Ignoring the intense pain from the cracked tiger's mouth in his hand, Zhong Cang focused his consciousness and completely synchronized with the long sword in his hand.

At this moment, the sword was the person, and the person was the sword.

In the realm of emptiness, Zhong Cang gripped the sword in his hand and suddenly thrust forward.

"Oh no!"

(End of this chapter)