Chapter 1931: Chapter 1931: Clash
However, the Mechanical Avatar did not stop. After repelling the ethereal shadow, its form spun, the great sword in its hand falling with a golden glow.
Ding!
It was again the unpredictable shadow, with only two hovering daggers crossed to block the Mechanical Avatar’s great sword.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
The two figures endlessly wove through the room, the sparks from weapon clashes dazzling and perilous, poised to strike if either makes a mistake.
Lady Glamour watched in awe, finding it difficult to follow their rapid movements.
The ethereal figure was unpredictable and eerie, never revealing its true form, seeming to traverse space and conceal itself at will, elusive as if omnipresent.
Li Yao stood unyielding as a mountain. Though it seemed they were weaving across the room, Li Yao barely moved, only stepping nimbly in place.
It was as if, focused on Li Yao’s Mechanical Avatar, many thieves perpetually ambushed, yet each time the Mechanical Avatar anticipated their trajectory.
The struggle was fierce and nearly indeterminate.
Such a thief, with such speed—if they were to assassinate her, she knew she’d be instantly killed. What’s more, their strength was astounding.
Lady Glamour was unsure of this shadowy figure’s strength, but she knew Li Yao’s immense power well.
Once, she could clash with Li Yao a few times, but now she dared not withstand his strikes, lest she be blasted away like an artillery shell with no resistance.
Even the enhanced Mountain Warriors of the Starfire Core Group would be thrown back by Li Yao’s force, a testament to his raw strength.
Yet this ethereal figure clashed for so long with a Mechanical Avatar far stronger than Li Yao’s true form, wielding only two daggers, proof of its formidable prowess.
"Impressive, impressive. It’s been ages since anyone withstood me for so long. My battles typically end swiftly with a single cut to the throat."
After a furious ten-minute clash without resolve, the ethereal shadow finally spoke.
"You’re impressive too. Since I ascended to Faction level, I’ve never encountered an opponent equal in strength. In battle with me, even those stronger endure broken bones and anguish after a single hit." Li Yao replied.
Even as they spoke, the battle continued, leaving Lady Glamour dazzled, unable to intervene.
She wanted to help but found she couldn’t match their speed, nor lock on to their elusive forms. Recklessly entering the fray would be suicide; all she could do was watch.
"Truly bold. But you have reason to be. Managing dual tasks while battling me for so long. Just now, meeting an opponent awakened my competitive spirit, and we exchanged techniques without utilizing skills. This is pointless. Why don’t we go all out and decide the victor?"
"It’s best that way."
Almost simultaneously, the ethereal shadow and Mechanical Avatar collided once more before vanishing.
At that moment, Li Yao’s true form also prepared, unleashing a flurry of arrows.
Ding!
The ethereal shadow emerged near Li Yao’s form to deflect an arrow, and the two figures clashed again as if by mutual understanding.
The ethereal thief found it extremely difficult to kill the Mechanical Avatar, being in melee. Eliminating Li Yao’s form was easier.
After all, his true form was ranged, unable to exploit long-range advantages within the confines of the room.
Li Yao’s intent was similar; despite the earlier clash, he found no advantage, the opponent’s strange traits equaling the Mechanical Avatar’s, stymied as never before.
Resolving to go all out, Li Yao attacked with abandon.
Thousand Mist Lure!
The thief murmured, enveloping Li Yao’s true form in mist, suddenly facing the thief, daggers flashing like serpents.
Ding!
Li Yao’s body didn’t attempt evasion, the dagger never reaching his throat as he leapt to the opponent’s shadow using Shadow Step while the Mechanical Avatar’s sword descended.
Striking the thief away, his Long Bow slashed without hesitation. Though Star Bow was a ranged weapon, it possessed a short Star Blade.
Swish!
The Star Bow touched the thief’s form as if piercing the factional mist effortlessly.
Swish, swish, swish!
Suddenly, like bloom of lotus, layered blades unfurled like flowers, dazzling yet treacherous.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
The wings of dual Li Yaos fluttered with afterimages, repelling countless daggers.
Simultaneously, arrows streaked continuously, a triad of figures weaving nonstop.
Beyond basic technique clashes, various skills interspersed.
As time passed, arrows ricocheted throughout the room like guided missiles, chaos grown ordered as space compressed, leaving the shadow devoid of refuge.
Even knocking away some arrows, Li Yao’s speed was overwhelming.
"Truly worthy of a Lord, I concede rank." The shadow halted before Lady Glamour, as Li Yao and Glamour were in the sole safe area.
Even Li Yao navigated through the endless arrow storm, deftly controlling both bodies like a fish.
Ding ding ding!
Arrows seemed drawn back to Li Yao’s Arrow Bag.
"This junior, Prairie Fire, greets you, Shadow Moon elder." Li Yao bowed in respect.
"Oh, you know me. Of course, as the Fifth Legion Commander, you naturally should." The ethereal shadow consolidated into a lithe female high elf, exquisite yet piercingly sharp-eyed and spirited.
"Able to contend with the Light Faction’s Intelligence Department, elder’s prowess is renowned. I’ve long admired, meeting you today is my great fortune. Thank you for your forbearance." Li Yao politely stated.
"Commander, don’t belittle yourself; victory is victory, defeat is defeat. I never hold grudges, nor let you win. A Lord able to challenge a Demigod—such worthy reputation indeed. That my disciple persuaded you to aid is quite the achievement. Please, be seated!" Shadow Moon gracefully whisked to a seat within the blue-veiled inner chamber, now exhibiting less harshness, with newfound languor and charm...