Blade looked at Yanqing and Dan Heng in front of him, lowered his eyes slightly, and let out a sigh.
From his observation, that troublesome white-haired brat in the back didn't seem to have any intention of making a move.
Besides, he wasn't in the mood to waste time here either.
What he needed to do was simple, make Dan Heng reveal the Dragon Lord form. As for fighting Dan Heng, that was just something he did along the way while fulfilling Jing Yuan's request.
But that was also what he looked forward to the most.
Thinking of this, Blade couldn't help curling his lips, revealing a faintly crazed cold smile.
In the next moment, Blade drew the Shattered Blade, flashed forward, and appeared behind Dan Heng in an instant, so fast it was like a phantom.
Yanqing was slightly startled. Blade was far stronger than he had imagined. No wonder Nero said this was a rare opponent.
Dan Heng quickly turned his head. He had already sensed Blade's position. Locked onto by killing intent, cold sweat slid down from his temple.
Blade's low voice lingered in Dan Heng's ear like a demon's call from the endless abyss, "Stop hiding…"
As soon as he finished speaking, Blade immediately slashed upward. At the same time, Dan Heng summoned his spear, Cloud-Piercer, holding it horizontally behind his back to block the strike with the shaft.
But Dan Heng's defense was rushed, his footing unstable. Naturally, he couldn't match Blade's prepared attack and was pushed forward several staggering steps by a huge force.
However, Dan Heng quickly adjusted his center of gravity, steadied himself, turned back, and immediately blocked again, consecutively stopping two more of Blade's strikes.
Then, gripping the spear, Dan Heng twisted his body and thrust the spear tip toward Blade's head, only for Blade to bend slightly at the waist and knock it aside with his sword.
While knocking away Cloud-Piercer, Blade had already stepped forward aggressively. After batting aside the spear tip, he closed in again and swung his sword!
Dan Heng had no choice but to retreat to create distance, pulling back Cloud-Piercer at the same time. Then, bracing with his back foot, he blocked another strike.
Blade grinned. He recognized that Cloud-Piercer, it was something he himself had forged.
Seeing Dan Heng block one strike, Blade raised his sword again and brought it down in a vertical slash. The force of the blow directly sent Dan Heng flying, rolling several times on the ground.
Even so, Dan Heng still held tightly onto his weapon.
Seizing the advantage, Blade stepped forward again, raising the Shattered Blade high.
"Show your true form!", As he spoke, Blade brought the Shattered Blade down. But in the next moment, it was blocked by a cyan sword.
"Stop!", Yanqing shouted, then exerted force to knock Blade back.
Just now, he had seen it clearly, this guy truly lived up to being a wanted criminal. Every move was ruthless and terrifying.
However…
Yanqing frowned. He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but Blade's sword techniques felt somewhat familiar.
Just like his master's and grandmaster's techniques…
But Yanqing didn't have time to think further. He immediately exchanged several moves with Blade.
The two clashed, move for move, each strike meeting the other, but in terms of strength, Yanqing was slightly inferior.
This made Yanqing think of when he sparred with Nero. Nero was also incredibly strong. Compared to that, Blade's strength wasn't even that overwhelming.
At least for someone who sparred with Nero regularly, he could adapt well to Blade's sword force and adjust his own techniques.
Even so, Yanqing knew that if this exchange continued, he would definitely be at a disadvantage.
That was the difference in physical strength. Nero was overwhelmingly strong, so he could suppress Yanqing. Nero was overwhelmingly strong, so he only needed a single slap to deal with Grandmaster.
Yanqing felt an even stronger urgency to train his physique, while simultaneously connecting his consciousness to the flying swords.
Although he wasn't dominant in strength, he had his own advantages. In the next moment, six flying swords shot into the air and attacked Blade.
Seeing this, Blade knew he couldn't stay entangled in battle and had to retreat.
Yanqing seized the opportunity, controlling the swords to attack. The flying swords moved through the air like blue birds, darting back and forth, arriving in an instant.
They say two fists can't beat four hands, yet Blade now faced Yanqing's six flying swords with just one sword.
In such a situation, he inevitably got injured. Cuts appeared on his body, but they quickly healed again.
His power was being suppressed by Kafka's spirit speech, but Blade was still not easy to deal with.
Although the flying swords affected him, they couldn't decisively end the fight.
Yanqing thought, 'What should I do?'
His attacks were agile and elegant, fine against ordinary enemies, but against Blade, they lacked a finishing blow.
If he wanted to defeat Blade, he needed a heavy, forceful technique.
"Skyfall" might work, but he couldn't fully execute that move yet.
In that case…
In the distance, Blade caught the moment Yanqing was distracted. He flicked his wrist and threw the Shattered Blade, sending it straight toward Dan Heng's chest.
He thought the attack would succeed, but something unexpected happened midway.
When Yanqing saw Blade throw the sword, his heart jolted, but at the same time, a realization flashed through his mind.
A heavy, forceful attack… hadn't he been facing those every time he sparred with Nero?
Yanqing found the answer. Two words flashed in his mind, jump slash.
At the same time, he remembered Nero's ability to snatch swords. During past sparring sessions, one of his flying swords would always be taken.
In that instant, inspiration struck. Yanqing instinctively reached out and actually caught the Shattered Blade.
Seeing this, even Blade was surprised, but in the next moment, he also grabbed one of the flying swords attacking him.
On Yanqing's side, holding the Shattered Blade, he frowned slightly.
Why was this one-handed sword so heavy?
Heavier than any flying sword he had ever used… but…
Yanqing's mind moved.
The remaining five flying swords moved again. Two stayed near Blade to interfere, while the other three flew toward Yanqing.
Seeing this, Yanqing leaped high, stepping onto the flying swords, each step higher than the last, continuously increasing his height.
When he reached the highest point, Yanqing twisted his body, bringing down his full weight, gripping the Shattered Blade as he slammed down toward Blade.
Spinning jump slash.
Yanqing's sudden attack was fierce. Blade quickly raised his sword to block. With a metallic clash, a huge force pushed Blade back half a step.
Yanqing flipped backward as he landed, then controlled the flying swords again, stepping on one to leap once more.
Jump slash!
Blade was forced back another half step.
When he raised his head again, Yanqing's sword was already thrusting toward his face. He moved to dodge, but the nearby flying swords had long been waiting.
Blade immediately raised his hand and knocked them away.
But Yanqing, whose strike had missed, borrowed the momentum again, stepped on a sword, and leaped into another jump slash.
Clang!
Another ringing sound. Blade gritted his teeth.
Why had this kid suddenly gone crazy, using nothing but jump slashes?
Thinking back to Yanqing sparring with Nero, he had lost to this exact move, Nero could leap into jump slashes from all kinds of situations, angles, and postures.
Especially since he often used a heavy sword like Black Cutter.
Yanqing had once tried to lift Black Cutter, but even when it didn't resist, he couldn't budge it at all.
Yanqing knew well how terrifying it was to be locked down by a constant barrage of jump slashes.
Unfortunately, he didn't have Nero's overwhelming strength and couldn't freely use such wide, forceful moves.
However, combined with the interference of flying swords, Yanqing quickly formed a style of jump-slash chain attacks that suited him.
Blade found himself at a disadvantage for a moment.
At the same time, the more he watched Yanqing's continuous jump slashes, the more familiar they felt.
At this point, even someone as wild as him had to admit, Jing Yuan's disciple really was a genius.
On the side, watching this scene, Nero waved his hands and shouted, "Good! That's it! Fight like that! Nice one, Yanqing! That's right! Just keep jump slashing!"
Dan Heng, who had just gotten up, narrowed his eyes, watching the scene unfold, unsure what to say.
Seeing Blade being pushed back step by step and hearing Nero's approval, Yanqing's eyes lit up. He thought, "No wonder Nero likes jump slashing, it really feels great!"
Unfortunately, Yanqing was still young, and his physical strength was lacking.
After taking several jump slashes in a row, Blade gradually figured out Yanqing's strength. When Yanqing leaped again, Blade didn't dodge and faced it head-on.
The Shattered Blade immediately cut into Blade's shoulder, but Blade laughed wildly and grabbed the blade with one hand, while with the other he swung the stolen flying sword toward Yanqing's wrist.
Yanqing had no choice but to abandon the sword and retreat.
Then he saw Blade pull the Shattered Blade out of his body and slash out a blood-red sword energy.
That sword energy carried a chilling killing intent, like a demon returning from hell, making one uneasy and fearful.
Blade's blood dripped onto the ground, blooming into crimson flowers. Yanqing hurriedly dodged, avoiding the terrifying sword energy, only to see it carve a trench into the ground.
Looking up again, Yanqing suddenly realized that Blade's wounds had already completely healed.
At the same time, Blade turned and threw the sword in his hand.
Before anyone could react, the flying sword shot toward Dan Heng. Dan Heng swung Cloud-Piercer to knock it away, but immediately after, a "puchi" sound rang out, and pain spread through his chest.
The Shattered Blade had already pierced through his chest.
"You!" Yanqing glared at Blade.
This vicious wanted criminal dared to injure someone right in front of him.
At the same time, Yanqing realized that it wasn't just monsters like Nero who were hard to deal with, someone like Blade, with such endurance, was also extremely troublesome.
Thinking that Dan Heng was Nero's friend, Yanqing immediately cast a questioning glance at Nero.
He knew Nero's strength. Since Nero hadn't intervened, he must have his own reasoning.
Yanqing wanted to judge based on Nero's expression.
And he was right.
At this moment, Nero showed no anger, sadness, or shock.
He even had the leisure to take out his phone and start recording.
Noticing Yanqing's gaze, Nero winked at him.
He had no intention of explaining. Even if he did, Yanqing wouldn't understand, and besides, Jing Yuan would arrive soon anyway.
But moments like this "family inheritance stabbing" had to be recorded.
When Stelle got stabbed, she gained the power of Preservation. When Teacher Dan Heng got stabbed, he would also reclaim the power of the Dragon Lord.
Seeing Nero's wink, Yanqing's face flushed slightly. He quickly turned his head back toward Blade, and the redness faded just as quickly.
Nero's beauty was something special. No matter when you looked at him, you would feel drawn to it. It had nothing to do with other emotions, just the simplest, purest appreciation for something beautiful.
Though afterward, people might start associating that beauty with something in their own hearts.
Like when Jingliu got slapped and saw Bai Heng…
Blade raised his head and glanced at Dan Heng, confirming his condition.
He was in a very bad mood. Although stabbing "Dan Feng" felt satisfying, "Dan Feng" couldn't be killed, and he also had to serve as a sparring partner for Jing Yuan's disciple…
His irritation made his tone harsh. Seeing that Dan Heng had already "entered the state," he walked forward, preparing to pick up the Shattered Blade and, at the same time, explain Dan Heng's history to Yanqing.
"Kid, let me introduce you."
"The one behind you is a criminal guilty of the ten unpardonable sins… a traitor to the Xianzhou, the one who caused great chaos and was eternally exiled.", As Blade spoke, changes began to occur on Dan Heng's side.
Dan Heng seemed to fall into a brief unconscious state. A certain power surged within him, affecting the surroundings.
Water from the nearby sea surged up like dragons, one after another, slowly wrapping around Dan Heng and lifting him.
In the next moment, within that watery prison, a golden-bearded azure dragon burst forth.
The dragon shot into the sky, climbed through clouds, and in an instant, dark clouds gathered, thunder flashing.
The divine dragon roamed the churning sea of clouds before diving down and transforming into a human form.
Seeing this, Yanqing was utterly shocked.
Blade said, "The Vidyadhara High Elder… Imbibitor Lunae…"
Everyone looked up. Water droplets scattered as Dan Heng stood on a lotus platform, one hand behind his back.
His long azure hair flowed, his horns sharp and elegant, black and white intertwined, and the Deep-Sea Pearl floated quietly in his hand.
This was the form revealed after accepting the power of Imbibitor Lunae, the true Vidyadhara form!
Dan Heng slowly opened his eyes, gave a soft snort, and cast a cold glance at Blade, red eye shadow accenting his gaze.
Blade bent down to pick up the broken Shattered Blade and said, "Well? Didn't expect he's actually a wanted criminal who infiltrated the Xianzhou, did you?"
Yanqing clenched his teeth. The shock in his eyes quickly faded. He turned to glance at Nero.
'Nero's friend is actually Imbibitor Lunae…'
'Damn it, Nero must have been deceived by this villain!'
A powerful aura suddenly burst from Yanqing. Frost formed on the ground, six flying swords lined up behind him, and he slowly floated into the air.
"In that case, I'll have to take all three of you down together."
Yanqing said, "Nero, you deal with Stelle, ?"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because Nero had somehow already run over to Imbibitor Lunae's side.
Nero circled around Dan Heng, curiosity in his eyes, then leaned closer and said, "No wonder I felt you looked familiar when we met at the space station. So, Teacher Dan Heng, you're actually Imbibitor Lunae!"
Nero was genuinely curious about Dan Heng's Vidyadhara form. Now that he had the chance, he naturally wanted a closer look. As for what he said afterward, it was just to match the setting.
Hearing Nero's words, Dan Heng lowered his eyes slightly, then turned his head away, not looking at him.
A conflicted expression flashed in his eyes.
Imbibitor Lunae was like a shadow following him. Though Dan Heng was never Dan Feng, he wasn't ignorant of him either. That person was a hero, a villain, and a prisoner.
These things felt unreal to Dan Heng, yet Dan Feng's actions were real. Should those sins extend to him, who inherited his power?
Nero was from the Xianzhou, and Dan Feng had caused great disaster there.
Dan Heng's emotions were complicated, conflict, guilt, fear… some were his own, others came from that power.
He didn't know how he should face Nero.
Just as he hesitated, he heard Nero say again, "So, Teacher Dan Heng… since you really had hidden power, why didn't you use it back in Belobog?"
Dan Heng froze.
He turned to look at Nero.
Nero looked at him calmly, his snow-like hair swaying in the breeze, his crystal-like eyelashes trembling slightly, like an elf.
In those gray eyes, Dan Heng saw himself. There was only curiosity, nothing else. The boy in front of him held no resentment for his concealment.
"Can't say? I guess that makes sense. Otherwise, you wouldn't have only become like this now." Nero blinked, then raised his hand. "Can I touch your horns?"
Dan Heng: "..."
Nero was still Nero. Without waiting for permission, he had already reached out.
"Oh! It feels different from Bailu's. A bit cool…"
Feeling the touch on his horns and the warmth of Nero's palm, Dan Heng stiffened his expression: "..."
Then he let out a sigh.
He had already known that if he revealed this form in front of Nero, it would end up like this.
But the situation on the Xianzhou wasn't good, and he didn't know how March and Stelle were doing. Although Mr. Welt was there, he still wanted to resolve Kafka and Blade quickly, now possibly including Yanqing as well.
On the side, seeing Nero and Dan Heng acting so familiarly, Yanqing raised his hand, then froze in place.
He suddenly felt his worry had been unnecessary.
But after snapping back, Yanqing still shouted to Nero, "Nero, Imbibitor Lunae is a wanted criminal of the Xianzhou, you, "
"Wrong!" Nero interrupted him, shaking his finger. "Everyone knows that after rebirth, the Vidyadhara have no connection to their past lives. They are completely different individuals.
"So, Yanqing, although Teacher Dan Heng looks somewhat like Dan Feng and even has the same power, he is still just Teacher Dan Heng, not the previous High Elder Dan Feng.
"The previous Imbibitor Lunae is already dead. That's an undeniable fact! So everything right now is completely fine, because Teacher Dan Heng is a good person."
Yanqing: "..."
Blade: "..."
Hearing this, both Yanqing and Blade felt complicated.
Dan Heng, however, showed a faint smile.
Then Nero added, "Also, I think there's no need to fight anymore. After that battle just now, Yanqing, you should have learned a lot, right?"
Yanqing nodded.
Then he saw Nero grin, looking down at Blade with a teasing expression, "And I think we don't need to fight anymore either. Blade, look, the three of us can all fly…"
Blade: "..."
'Xianzhou curse!'
Blade raised his head with a dark expression, looking at Nero. The kid looked pretty and clean, but how could he be like this…
Blade didn't speak. He just stared at Nero.
He admitted the boy's appearance, but at this moment, he felt Nero's heart was as dark and twisted as the storm clouds in the sky.
Real world.
"Pfft!"
Siberian Duck couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
If it had just been a normal view, it would've been fine. But when Nero said that line, the game switched to a wide shot, showing all the characters.
Right in the center were Nero, Yanqing, Dan Heng, and Blade.
And among them, Yanqing was floating, Dan Heng stood on a lotus platform, Nero was flying freely with Black Cutter beside him.
Only Blade stood on the ground, holding his sword, squinting up at them…
———
"As expected of Nero! The kid doesn't swear, but his words cut deep! Hahaha! I didn't even notice until he pointed it out!" Siberian Duck laughed.
[Aha's Emanator: Nero: "Blade, guess who can't fly right now?"]
[Dan-heart Eternal: The best part is they zoomed out, then gave close-ups of Nero and Blade… MiHoYo really went all in.]
[Pom-Pom: This is basically roasting Blade alive!]
[Tripped and got beaten: Look at Kafka in the corner, why did she turn away? Is she secretly laughing?]
[My Pee is yellow: Hehe, Nero's little expressions are so cute.]
[My Pee is yellow: How can there be something as cute as Nero in this world? He's like a flawless angel! His little expressions are cute, his kindness is cute, even when he's a bit clueless it's cute, and even when he's sharp-tongued it's still cute!]
[My Pee is yellow: So cute, Nero. That mix of innocence and sharp tongue is perfect. Just thinking about him seriously scolding me makes my whole body tremble. I want to be Nero's dog forever, for life, for eternity! Let him step on me, let him scold me!]
[My Pee is yellow: Hehehe… but I don't have Nero. I can't see him, can't be stepped on or scolded, only occasionally see his pure face in the story. When will Nero be in the banner? I can't wait!]
[Glue Man: Damn, bro's gone insane. Been holding it in too long?]
[Nero Is My Dad: @My Pee is yellow Get lost! He's mine! Mine!]
[Pom-Pom: This guy doesn't talk much, but he's no better.]
[I Use Pantene: Finally got his chance. Nero doesn't appear much here, but he gets plenty of close-ups. No wonder he can't hold back.]
[I Use Pantene: But speaking of it, Nero should be coming to the banner soon. This is the Xianzhou arc, basically his stage. No way they won't add him, especially after two PVs.]
[Herta Fans Club: @My Pee is yellow @Nero Is My Dad When Nero drops, how about you both stream your pulls? Let's see how crazy you really get.]
[My Pee is yellow: No problem! My devotion to Nero is unquestionable!]
[Nero Is My Dad: Same! I'll definitely stream it!]
[Pure Beauty Knight: @Herta Fans Club Master move. You got them to make up with one sentence?]
[Nero's Sword: Of course, members of the Nero Knights.]
[Burning Snow Tea: Wow, you guys are completely ignoring the Pure Beauty Knights now, huh?]
[Aha not here: You don't get it, Nero is pure beauty, pure beauty is Nero!]
[Hunt Aeon Lan: As leader of Nero Knights 377th Division, H City branch, I declare Aha is right.]