"Your Highness, the Silver Spear Asura, I suddenly feel that what you said makes a lot of sense!"
While talking to Boothill, Rappa didn't take her eyes off the screen for even a second!
Not only was she watching the story.
But she was also taking in every single barrage comment!
As expected of Honkai: Star Rail!
Even without making a personal appearance, just a simple line could spark heated discussions among all the players!
Moreover.
Her strength had finally been acknowledged in Star Rail!
Crushing a star with bare hands…
Yeah.
If she unleashed her ultimate ninjutsu technique, she might, perhaps, be able to achieve something like that, right?
Rappa lowered the brim of her hat.
Ready to strike a pose.
However.
Boothill's next words instantly froze her in place!
"She can't, but she keeps insisting she can."
"Hahaha, what a mess!"
"Damn, she's strong in a chaotic way."
...
"LOL, [strong in a chaotic way], learned a new adjective."
"Rappa seems like a cheerful and lively girl!"
"Uh, she's a bit of a show-off…"
"This is the power of [I reckon]!"
"Rappa: I reckon I can…"
"Since Boothill said she's strong, she definitely isn't weak!"
"In this case, she probably really can!"
"Crushing a star is solidly Emanator-level strength, or at least comparable to a Lord of Destruction. Without some kind of miracle, Rappa really couldn't do it. Even Jingliu can't do it right now."
...
On the Belobog spaceship.
At this moment.
Everyone was caught in a conflicted state of mind.
Luka won, so happy—but Svarog lost. Should we be this happy?—They're all on our side, so whoever wins is fine—Exactly, long live Belobog!
After going through such emotional shifts.
Finally.
It was time for the finals between Luka and Yanqing!
Seeing Yanqing's appearance.
Luka was shocked: "…How is this possible? You're… you're that… Cold Edge!"
Yanqing nodded: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you my name in person. I am Yanqing, the Luofu's defending swordsman."
"Mr. Luka, I've been watching you all this time. When you weren't paying attention, I was in the audience, admiring every one of your matches."
"I must admit, you're an incredible warrior—resilient, sharp, and not lacking in strength. More importantly, your self-belief—every punch you throw carries the courage to not care about winning or losing. This is something I deeply admire."
"I've heard about the trials your world has faced. I understand that you need this victory. Just one step away, and you'll carry Belobog's name into the annals of history."
"But as the Luofu's defending swordsman, I also have my own principles to uphold."
Luka took a deep breath, clearly, he was ready as well.
He said, "I can't come up with any rousing pre-battle speech, Brother Yanqing."
"Thank you for guiding me when I was first lost in Confounding. Over these days, countless people like you have shown me the way, leading me to this moment on the arena. Do you remember the bold words we shouted into the void?"
"I, Luka, will definitely win! I will definitely defeat Yanqing!"
On the spaceship seat.
Luka's eyes widened.
He never expected it!
He had truly made it this far!
The underground arena of Boulder Town and this martial stage of Luofu...
They were completely on different levels!
But he.
Had actually stood on such a stage one day.
Made it to the finals!
He couldn't have dreamed of such an incredible experience!
No!
Even if this were a dream, it would be worth it!
Gepard and Serval each patted Luka on the shoulders.
"Luka, I knew you could do it!"
"Luka, I've had faith in you from the very beginning!"
Luka felt his blood boiling.
A surge of adrenaline seemed ready to burst from the top of his head!
Was this what it felt like to be the protagonist of a legendary tale?
No wonder so many people online loved reading such stories!
He was actually experiencing this kind of treatment in Honkai: Star Rail!
Thank you, Honkai: Star Rail!
Thank you, Yu Ling!
The commentator's voice rang out, pushing the atmosphere of the venue to its peak!
"The much-anticipated Iron-Armed Luka, after overcoming countless dangers, has finally arrived before Lord Yanqing!"
"Since the start of the Martial Arts Ceremony, Luka's challenge against Yanqing has consistently topped the audience anticipation charts. Now, this long-awaited dream showdown is about to unfold before the eyes of the entire galaxy!"
"Where will the outcome of this match lead? Let us wait and see!"
Meanwhile, Jing Yuan arrived at the scene amidst the ceremonial cannon fire of the Skysplitter.
[Entering Battle]
Stelle cheered from the sidelines, "For me, unleash your iron fists on your opponent!"
As the battle entered its second phase, Yanqing summoned a row of flying swords.
"Lord Yanqing is about to unleash his most formidable killing move!"
"Contestant Luka! Can you withstand this strike?"
As the commentator's words fell, Yanqing leaped into the air, executing [Heavenly River's Descent]!
A massive blade descended.
All characters were frozen, unable to move!
"Your flying swords are truly unyielding. My iron arm has completely failed..."
"In that case, I too shall abandon my sword. Let us decide the final victor with our bare fists."
Yanqing gently released his grip.
The sword in his hand instantly plunged into the ground.
He then assumed a close-quarters combat stance!
...
Somewhere in Luofu.
Seeing Yanqing show such respect for the match, a faint smile curved Jing Yuan's lips.
Yanqing had truly grown.
However, when his gaze fell upon Luka, Jing Yuan's eyes dimmed slightly.
He still remembered clearly.
Seven hundred years ago.
When he was still young.
He too had been a defending swordsman in the Martial Arts Ceremony.
And his opponent.
Was that tall, red-haired boxer.
—Igor.
This year's Martial Arts Ceremony.
Felt like a replay of the past.
However.
Up to this point.
The storyline had not yet revealed his experiences with Igor.
Jing Yuan wasn't surprised by this.
Honkai: Star Rail's ability to unveil secrets had never disappointed.
Even things you yourself had forgotten, Honkai: Star Rail could bring them to light!
He just didn't know.
When that past was finally revealed.
How would the countless players online perceive it?
As his thoughts wandered, the close-quarters duel between Yanqing and Luka began.
...
Yanqing's moves were like using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds!
He dodged Luka's attacks while pulling him back, launching a combo.
But Luka was not to be outdone.
After enduring a series of Yanqing's attacks.
His fiery fist erupted!
Yanqing narrowly dodged by tilting his head.
Both sides initiated a direct confrontation once more!
Yanqing's punch was deftly avoided by Luka's head tilt.
Luka's counterpunch landed squarely on Yanqing's cheek.
However.
The punch was light, devoid of any force.
Because Luka truly had no strength left.
To have fought this far.
He was relying entirely on sheer willpower!
Clara leaned against Yanqing's side and collapsed.
Just before she hit the ground.
Yanqing supported Luka's chest.
He helped Luka up by holding his arm.
And then.
He raised Luka's right hand!
After a brief moment of silence.
The martial ceremony erupted into a tsunami of cheers!
"Yanqing, my friend... are you pitying me? I don't need such a victory. I can already accept my defeat," Luka said, panting.
"No, you haven't failed."
"Luka! Luka! Luka! Luka!" The cheers from the crowd continued.
"Can't you hear it? Luka of Belobog, everyone is cheering for you."
Yanqing's eyes shone brightly as he spoke sincerely.
"I think, in their hearts, you are far from a loser."
Luka looked around and a look of relief spread across his face.
"Thank you, Yanqing, my friend. In a true battle, what does it matter if you lose?"
"Of course, there will always be winners and losers in a competition. I've done my best, I've made it! I kept punching, punching, until the very end! When I return to Belobog, at some point in the future, I'll have another match, I still have many battles to fight!"
"Margie, I did my best... just like you, I won."
Even the commentator, Owlbert, was moved.
"What a tear-jerking match!"
"Although Luka gracefully accepted his defeat, the enthusiasm of the audience hasn't diminished at all! They gave endless applause to this resilient boxer from Belobog."
"In my eyes, this was a match without a winner or a loser! At this moment, the mutual recognition between the two fighters and the full engagement of the audience says it all! A match that transcends victory and defeat, unprecedented! Sob..."
"Damn it, stop filming me, film them, film those two kids!"
...
"As expected of the professional commentator Owlbert, he said exactly what I wanted to say!"
"Luka! An ordinary human fought against an almost indestructible alien lifeform!"
"I'm crying! This event's storyline is too brilliant!"
"Including those stories from the exhibition matches, they were very meaningful!"
"Luka has really become stronger, that battle with Boothill was really important for him."
"Realizing your own weakness is the beginning of becoming strong!"
"Jing Yuan, who was watching from the stands, also seemed very pleased!"
"Could it be that General Jing Yuan also participated in the martial ceremony before, and it just so happened to be against that Igor?"
"Damn, that's really possible!"
"Honkai: Star Rail, quickly expose Jing Yuan's past with Igor!"
...