Chapter 160: Abyssal Will (Subscription Request)
"How are you doing? Do you need to hold the fort?"
The referee on the stage first took a long breath and then looked at Nolan Wei with a headache-ridden yet troubled gaze.
On the surface, this guy looked intact, limbs all accounted for, suffering only flesh wounds; however, his internal organs had been seriously damaged during his final exchange with Zhang Jie.
This made the referee both headachy and anxious—as the animosity between the two sides seemed to be intensifying.
It was just an exchange match; was it necessary to go this far?
"Of course I'll hold!" Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire
Nolan Wei used his arm to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, gritting his teeth in pain, "This kid, just a junior colonel, yet so damn impressive! Really fucking awesome."
He had almost been overpowered by this guy who had injured his hand, nearly getting knocked off the platform.
Below the stage, Shi Yan was furrowing her brows, looking unhappily at Zhang Jie, "Have you lost your mind? He's just an S-rank lieutenant colonel. I have plenty of ways to handle him easily. Did you really need to go to such lengths, disregard your own life?"
"It's not my mind that's the problem; you're underestimating our opponent."
Zhang Jie had just injected a syringe into his neck after stepping down from the platform.
While talking and healing, he said, "I mentioned two days ago that there's a big shot on the other side, Mingde University's main player, Lin Rui. You also saw the video from the virtual world the day before yesterday; he defeated me three times in a row, each time with just one strike. His saber speed is ridiculously fast, and his strength unfathomable—Gu Senior Brother might not be able to handle him alone."
The main player of Future Science and Technology University was indeed 'Dragon Fist' Gu Zhenrong.
Upon hearing this, the man frowned and looked towards Zhang Jie, "Zhang Jie, are you okay? Didn't we analyze your video? Both teachers hypothesized that guy was using a cheat; it's logically impossible to have such fast slashing speed at a captain-level."
What kind of martial arts level was Zhang Jie? Whether it was martial arts accomplishment or combat reaction and experience, even Zhang Jie, just a junior colonel, was not inferior to him.
In the virtual battles, various combat techniques were even more crucial.
Under normal circumstances, even their captain who was about to enter the fifth realm 'Dragon Transformation', known as 'Legendary Talent' close at hand, could not swiftly defeat Zhang Jie in the virtual world.
But that slashing speed was utterly illogical; completing a slash in one-thousandth of a second, this was several times faster than the fastest record for a captain's level.
Zhang Jie, with a cool expression, walked towards the nano healing pod, "I don't think so, he definitely wasn't using a cheat, he's the main player; Gu Senior Brother, if you take this lightly later, you'll regret it."
He later spoke with Xia Mo Qiannian and learned that the improved version of Red Thunder Nine Slashes was taught by Lin Rui.
That indicated Lin Rui's Red Thunder Saber had reached the Great Grandmaster level, elevating the technique beyond its original level.
Zhang Jie himself had doubted it and analyzed those three videos for a long time; he believed that the 'rhyme' in Lin Rui's saber light when it slashed over was unmistakably genuine.
Shi Yan furrowed her brows, glancing over to the youth on the opposite side wielding the saber.
This Lin Rui, was the 'hall' figure Fei Yunlai mentioned.
Zhang Jie in the virtual world, couldn't even block one strike from this person? A slashing speed reaching one thousandth of a second, was that even possible?
Shi Yan felt it was absurd, yet her rationality told her that Zhang Jie's words were likely true.
The day before yesterday in Zhang Jie's room, Shi Yan personally saw how dejected Zhang Jie's mood had been, likely shaken by Lin Rui.
This guy, who mingled on various virtual battle platforms year-round had plentiful experience, should be able to judge whether an opponent was using a cheat or not.
If Lin Rui's slashing speed truly could reach what Zhang Jie had described, then their strongest member 'Dragon Fist' Gu Zhenrong might indeed not be a match for Lin Rui.
Additionally, Mingde University had arranged for this person as the main player!
Was there a possibility that Mingde University did not give up on the main player battle, but truly believed that Lin Rui's combat strength was above their three Core Formation stages at Mingde University, thinking that only a fourth realm Core Formation was a worthy opponent for Lin Rui?
Shi Yan couldn't help but narrow her eyes, not angry but amused.
Ever since she debuted, she had always looked down on others; she hadn't anticipated being underestimated today.
She then agilely flipped onto the platform.
Shi Yan, holding her sword at her waist, coldly looked at Nolan Wei, her eyes radiating a fierce will to fight and rage.
She would break through these people and see for herself just how strong this Lin Rui was.
"Both participants, please pay attention to the electronic sound; the battle will begin after the countdown," the referee advised, his headache worsening by the moment, regretting why he had to be assigned this task today.
As the countdown ended and the battle began, Shi Yan's sword light instantly streaked across the sky, striking at the spot where Nolan Wei was standing.
Nolan Wei reacted very quickly, decisively retreating backward the moment the countdown ended, moving like a specter, leaving a series of afterimages.
He employed a pre-set tactic, doing his best to exhaust and delay, allowing Fang Ranran to clearly see Shi Yan's sword technique.
However, when Shi Yan's sword swung by, Nolan Wei was still almost too slow to avoid it; his lightweight battle armor and subcutaneous nano-armor before his chest were cleaved open by her sword, and the residual Sword Qi even penetrated nearly an inch into his flesh!
Nolan Wei's face turned pale; his several attempts at dodging were not enough to completely evade Shi Yan's sword, and he was forced into a corner of the platform, almost running out of room to maneuver.
The girl before him was unbelievably strong.
Although Nolan Wei had internal injuries and his movement was greatly affected, operating only at seventy percent of his peak capacity, under Shi Yan's sword, even with him being a realm above, he was extremely hard-pressed.
From below the stage, Fang Ranran frowned, "Such a strange sword technique!"
Over the past few days, she had actually watched many of Shi Yan's previous competition videos.
The problem was that those video images were heavily distorted by unknown factors at the scene, making it impossible to fully display Shi Yan's swordsmanship.
Now, as Fang Ranran watched in person, the more she watched, the more bizarre it seemed.
Shi Yan's swordlight danced, her Sword Qi crisscrossing, as if guided by immortals, transcending the mundane, almost dreamlike and illusionary.
The problem was that her sword didn't move in a straight line, yet its speed surpassed that of a straight line, as if it conformed to some ultimate truth between heaven and earth. Her hand speed and body speed were also very fast. Her stabbing attacks were so rapid that they were impossible to see clearly or catch.
Nolan Wei struggled to block two strikes but was already wounded on his wrist by Shi Yan.
"This is why she is known as the 'Immortal Sword,' ethereal and enigmatic,"
Fei Yunlai crossed his arms, "Anyone who has studied physics knows that a rolling ball moves faster down a curve than a straight line."
He saw Yu Feicui glaring coldly at him again, and Fei Yunlai touched his nose, "I'm not joking, Shi Yan's situation is actually aligned with a 'deep abyss' will. As everyone knows, those deep abyss wills twist the world, setting the rules for Celestial Pole Star.
Shi Yan's practiced sword techniques and cultivation techniques are unknown to anyone; even the Federation Martial Arts Association has no records. Now some speculate that Shi Yan might have gained a tremendous opportunity on Celestial Pole Star, inheriting sword techniques and secret martial skills from an ancient 'deep abyss,' or might have joined a secretive sect originating from an ancient 'deep abyss.' Her sword, blessed by the 'deep abyss' will, is naturally incredibly powerful, which is also why the video images can't capture it due to the 'deep abyss.'"
Lin Rui's mind stirred at these words.
'Ancient deep abyss'?
The current history that can be traced back on Celestial Pole Star reaches 500,000 years, during which many abysses had appeared.
These existences, which should have been eternal at the top of Celestial Pole Star, have perished for various unknown reasons over the passing centuries.
Surprisingly, the existing five 'abysses' have always been erasing all inheritances left by the ancient abysses, even their traces in history, sparing no effort in doing so.
Yet the remnants of these ancient abysses continue to robustly survive in various parts of Celestial Pole Star, constantly battling against the existing 'abysses.'
However, what caused Lin Rui to fall into deep thought was the 'abyss will' mentioned by Fei Yunlai.
He remembered the feeling he had in the laboratory earlier when he executed the Yang Pulling Slash with his hand blade.
At that time, his situation was somewhat similar to Shi Yan's. He clearly felt that his swift strikes seemed to align with a certain rule of heaven and earth, receiving its enhancement, becoming faster and immeasurable.
While Lin Rui was lost in thought, the battle on the stage ended abruptly.
Nolan Wei failed to exhaust Shi Yan as planned. After less than 12 seconds of exchange, Nolan Wei's sword was flung away by Shi Yan's sword, pointing directly at his throat.
When he walked down from the stage, he seemed somewhat dispirited.
Nolan Wei thought he could at least wear down Shi Yan somewhat, but even with all his strength, he couldn't touch her at all.
A strong sense of frustration surged in his heart. He thought to himself, had he really practiced almost without sleep for nearly a year only to achieve this?
How could he face his senior brother Zhao?
At this moment, Fang Ranran had already approached below the stage and patted his shoulder, "It's okay! It's just a loss; it's not the end of the world. You fought well just now; you've helped me understand her sword. I'll ask Sister Yu to beef up your training!"
She grabbed her weapon, agilely flipping onto the stage, and stood in front of Shi Yan.
Shi Yan looked Fang Ranran up and down, a slight smile on her lips, "You've understood my sword? Hope it's not just boasting."
Fang Ranran's expression remained calm, "We'll know when we start fighting. Mr. Referee, please begin the countdown."
Just then, a buzzing sound suddenly erupted from below the stage, causing the television and website staff to look toward elevator number 7, where a group of people was emerging.
"It's the Capital Martial Team; they've also arrived."
"It's 'Demon Sword' Baili Wang and 'Demon Hand' Zhen Xiaoxiao!"
"What's so strange? They didn't come before probably because they thought Future Science and Technology University would easily defeat their opponents, seeing no value in watching. Now it seems that Mingde University is also quite capable!"
"The previous two were quite good; it's just not clear how strong Fang Ranran is, as I've never heard of this girl's name before."
"Ha! That just shows your ignorance. She might not be well-known in the martial arts world, but in the Ninth Base City's elite circles, she's quite famous."
"Wow, the popularity of our live broadcast is skyrocketing, already breaking 800,000. How's it going on your end?"
As everyone discussed, the electronic countdown had already ended.
In that instant, a loud clanging of metal erupted on the stage, sparks flying.
Shi Yan's expression tightened slightly as the sword light she slashed out was actually blocked by Fang Ranran.