Chapter 61: The Reverse Halberd
Chapter 61: The Reverse Halberd
“Nine Tides Cuts!”
Snarling with cold fury, the Tide-Severer rattled with overlapping scales as frenzied Arcane Energy spurted outward!
Its massive anchor swung, the roar of waves growing heavier, like shifting oceans. Surging sprays of Arcane Energy gathered upon the anchor’s blade, coalescing into a crystalline edge, unyielding and sharp.
“Cut, cut, cut!”
Three savage shouts! The anchor descended with a fury that seemed capable of cleaving mountains and parting seas — direct, brutal, without flourish.
In an instant, nine violent torrents erupted from the anchor’s tip. Like towering, layered waves, they morphed into energy crescents, tearing through the air!
“Hah!”
Qin Yun bellowed, Thunder-Grasper crossing its arms. Dozens of crackling plasma balls shifted sideways, forming a shield of booming thunder before it.
The energy crescents ripped in, soundless as raindrops on bells. One by one, electric spheres burst violently, becoming dazzling blossoms of fire in the sky.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
A succession of pale thunder orbs detonated rapidly between the two figures. Only three of the energy crescents shattered.
The next moment, six cerulean crescents punched straight through the Thunder-Grasper’s back, trailing torrents of flames!
Boom!
Turning swiftly, abandoning the inferno, lightning, and mushroom cloud behind, the Tide-Severer strode forward like a fallen deity, radiating palpable killing intent.
Silence gripped the arena below. Countless gazes fixed upward, filled with awe and dread.
Lu Tao savored bathing in that fear, his expression one of arrogant loneliness.
For a long time, no new challengers stepped forward.
All were intimidated.
“No one able to put up a fight?” he sneered, his gaze deliberately lingering on one spot.
“Well, is it our turn yet?” Zhao Xu murmured inconspicuously, tugging Li Yi’s sleeve.
Of the three eagerly watched Steel Puppets, the first two were already down. By reason and feeling, Li Yi’s should be next.
“Not yet,” Li Yi waved dismissively, calm. “Now’s bad. Lu Tao just won. His spirit and will are at their peak. We wait. Wait for that spirit to wane, for fatigue and slowness to set in. It’s like they say: ‘Avoid their sharp spirit; strike them when they tire and return’.”
The onlookers, however, didn’t agree.
Those already unimpressed by the “Reverse Halberd” seized the chance to jeer, venting their disappointment from earlier matches.
“Ha! Coward! So laughable!”
“Told you! Nice to look at, terrible to use!”
“What a chicken! Go home and suck milk!”
Zhao Xu and others, unaccustomed to such mockery, flushed with embarrassment. Li Yi, looking utterly unperturbed, turned around. He shot the spectators a crisp, unambiguous middle finger. Though they didn’t understand the gesture, the challenge was unmistakably clear.
That single finger worked instantly, provoking a louder barrage of insults.
“Li Yi,” Qin Yue cut through the ruckus, his voice coldly amused. “I’ve been waiting here all this time specifically to see what you can do. Stop hiding it. Show them what you’ve got!”
“What? Did I hear right? Senior Qin Yue backs… him? Not his own brother?”
“Who? Li Yi? What can he do?”
“Wait… his name sounds familiar…”
Below the stage, the crowd exchanged confused murmurs. Curiosity momentarily overcame their scorn and anger.
“Plans change.” Li Yi sighed internally. He’d hoped to wait longer, but that was gone. “I guess I’d like to see what you can offer too,” Lu Tao sneered, eying him.
“My Reverse Halberd has nothing special to offer. Please go easy.” Li Yi bowed politely.
Boos erupted instantly from the crowd, dismissing this obvious kowtowing.
“I’ll try,” Lu Tao smirked internally. That lingering tension vanished, replaced by easy confidence.
“Let’s go!”
Seeing his ploy work, Li Yi allowed a faint smile.
Silver light flashed as the Reverse Halberd leapt onto the platform. Its movement wasn’t imposing, but remarkably fluid and elegant. Observers of skill couldn’t help but be impressed.
“But Qin Yue,” Lu Yin still looked unimpressed, his beard-covered lips twisted in disdain, “what exactly merits your attention? The Dragon-Blooded has extraordinary materials. The Thunder-Grasper boasts a Rank 2 Steel Furnace. This Reverse Halberd… it’s utterly average in every respect.”
“Perhaps it’s less the Reverse Halberd,” Qin Yue replied enigmatically, “and more the boy controlling it. Just when you think he’s finished, he gives you… an unexpected surprise.”
“Looks good going up? Won’t look so good coming down!” Lu Tao snorted.
Like a bull charging, the Tide-Severer stomped forward, lowering its shoulder! Surging waves of Arcane Energy accompanied the blow, carrying earthshaking force!
“Ha!”
Li Yi barked a command. The Reverse Halberd met force directly with its own shoulder charge!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Following a peal like thunder, the Tide-Severer stood unwavering. The Reverse Halberd shuddered violently, staggering back three steps.
“Again!”
Seizing the advantage, the Tide-Severer pressed in, massive anchor whistling like a tidal wave as it swung down!
Clang!
Sword met anchor. The Tide-Severer barely paused; the Reverse Halberd stumbled back again!
Boos rained down louder than before.
“See? Unremarkable…” Lu Yin commented dispassionately.
Qin Yue merely smiled without speaking.
The exchange continued, blow after blow.
Clang-clang-clang!
Sparks flew as steel weapons collided. The Reverse Halberd was visibly losing ground, yet refused to fall. Its damage remained mostly superficial.
Slowly, a few observers sensed something off.
“Notice? It’s held on longer than the Thunder-Grasper!”
“Yes! How? It doesn’t overwhelm anywhere!”
“Just how is it so resilient?”
They murmured, unable to pinpoint the reason.
High on the platform, Lu Yin’s face darkened, his iron mask hiding expression but suggesting calculation.
Chen Deng suddenly slapped the table in admiration. “Its lack of a strength is precisely its greatest strength!”
“Facing Rank 2 Puppets, competitors focused on boosting one attribute to compensate. They stumbled into the exact trap! Amplifying a single feature exposed other weaknesses. Against the Tide-Severer’s overall might, those weak spots became fatal!”
“Mentioning the Floaters? Forget them. Dragon-Blooded bulked defense… sacrificed speed. Thunder-Grasper boosted energy output… left defense vulnerable. Its lightning armor wasn’t enough. This Reverse Halberd? It’s weaker everywhere… but lacks a glaring flaw. The Tide-Severer can’t find a way to crush it! Like a dog trying to bite a hedgehog!”
“True mastery looks simple. Perhaps that’s what this is!”
Chen Deng’s praise was exceptionally high.
“‘Looks simple’?” Qin Yue chuckled lightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. “That kid brims with tricks. ‘Simple’ doesn’t quite fit him.”
“You’re a slippery eel!” Lu Tao snarled, patience snapping. The Tide-Severer lunged, its boot stomping down, Anchor pointing forward as it shot across the arena!
This move imitated the Echo Step – crude and direct. Instead of the “Swift Wind Step” finesse, barbarians channeled their powerful Battle Aura explosively to their feet, granting fleet speed like tigers. Naturally, this worked well for Steel Puppets.
The giant Anchor whiffed past! Two figures like streaks of lightning passed each other mid-air… swapping positions. The Reverse Halberd was… slightly faster!
“How?!” Lu Tao grunted, bewildered. Heavy Steel Puppets were supposed to be slow.
“Using wind propulsion? Using recoil to boost speed? Clever!”
Chen Deng exclaimed softly again. His sharp eyes saw the tiny holes, finger-width, piercing the Reverse Halberd’s back. Strong gusts jetting forth, providing powerful thrust.
These were the “Wind Waves”. Li Yi knew his puppet was heavy. Recalling rocket boosters, he devised this solution. Chen Deng briefly wondered if he should inform Qin Yue but hesitated.
“Petty tricks…” Lu Yin scoffed, expression stiffening. “Time… should be about up, don’t you think?” His voice was pitched just right.
Onstage, Lu Tao started. He instantly understood.
“Playtime’s over. DIE! — Nine Tides Cuts!”
Roaring, he raised the massive anchor. It seemed like thundering Heavenly Thunder rolling across a battlefield! Surging waves of Arcane Energy gathered, howling with the wind!
Finally, Li Yi’s expression turned utterly serious.
“Five-Tone Viscera!” he murmured.
Before the words faded, ethereal fairy music began drifting from the numerous holes on the puppet!
“Sonic attack?” Lu Yin chuckled dismissively, starting to glance at Qin Yue. “Tricks won’t beat true…” His words died, his expression freezing in utter shock. “…This is….?”