Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Confrontation

Lu Jing had slept for an exceptionally long time.

When he woke up, it was night again, though it was now the following evening.

Lu Jing stretched his limbs.

"Refreshing!"

[Does the host wish to confirm the attribute exchange?]

"Confirm."

[Exchange successful. Please review.]

He checked his current character profile:

Lu Jing
Status: Healthy (Pseudo-Mortal Body; limit values will increase as abilities enhance.)
Strength: 67 (67/200)
Spirit: 33 (33/120)
Agility: 45 (45/150)
Physique: 26 (26/130)
Perception: 88/120
Sanity: 120/120
Vitality: 98/120
Innate Skills: Spirit Eyes, Beast Energy Conversion, Wind Blade (Wolf Demon innate skill), Lightning Body Shield (Eight-Direction Thunder Rock Snake innate skill).
Level: Level 1, Second Awakening.

He had actually evolved. Lu Jing was overjoyed; at this rate, evolving into a Spirit Body was within reach.

After a full day of rest, Lu Jing returned to the fried chicken shop.

"Captain."

"Mm."

Zhao Yuxuan was still lounging lazily in his recliner, in the exact same posture as the day before.

"Let me see what you're capable of today."

"Alright."

As captain, Zhao Yuxuan needed to have a clear grasp of every teammate's strength.

"Come, let’s spar."

Zhao Yuxuan rose slowly and pulled a blade from his spatial converter.

The moment he gripped the blade, his previously dull and listless eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance, his entire body radiating power. At that moment, his eyes seemed to hold nothing but the sword in his hand.

Lu Jing immediately turned serious.

Neither of them charged at first. They simply stood one hundred and fifty meters apart, facing each other in silence.

An invisible pressure began to spread throughout the courtyard.

Man and blade as one, forging the blade with his soul—Zhao Yuxuan didn't need to do anything; his sharp aura surged at an alarming speed, and the blade in his hand began to hum softly.

Though Lu Jing kept a calm expression, beads of sweat began to trickle down his forehead.

He hadn't expected his captain to be this powerful. To have reached the peak of the Martial Path at only twenty-four—he was truly formidable!

Yet, facing such a powerhouse, Lu Jing felt no anxiety. A blade is synonymous with slaughter; it can only be awakened through actual combat to find one's own Blade Intent.

They were both brewing their energy, preparing to release their strongest strike. Comparing Blade Intent against Blade Intent, they engaged in the purest form of confrontation.

At this moment, in terms of sheer pressure, Lu Jing was completely at a disadvantage; his blade aura was far less condensed than Zhao Yuxuan’s.

Before that sharp blade aura, his defense was easily pierced through.

At that moment, Lu Jing moved.

He decided to strike first.

Immediately, a blade aura erupted from Lu Jing’s weapon. Sharp, slashing energies manifested out of thin air, forcibly blocking the encroaching pressure and instantly rebounding.

Zhao Yuxuan moved as well.

The intent in his blade shifted instantly, changing from sharp and piercing to continuous and flowing. The sharp blade energies were neutralized in an instant, and a powerful force surged toward Lu Jing once more.

Lu Jing was forced to counter with his blade, but it was clearly a struggle, and he was pushed back step by step.

*Blade Intent... I need to find my own Blade Intent.*

Mountains of corpses and seas of blood from his past life, the death of his lover, the lives fading before his eyes, the screams and wails of his comrades—all these scenes flashed before Lu Jing. *I must find my own Blade Intent.*

Under this immense pressure, Lu Jing suddenly felt something break open in his mind. A sense of sudden enlightenment washed over him, and he awakened in an instant.

*Why do I wield this blade?*
*To kill demons...*
*For spirit stones...*
*Or for the sake of battle...*
*No.*
*My Blade Intent is protection.*
*Protecting my family, my loved one, my comrades.*

At that moment, his mental energy was merging with his Blade Intent at an astonishing speed.

The powerful Blade Intent coming from the other side constantly stimulated his own potential, forcing it to burn and rise.

Zhao Yuxuan continued to unleash blade strikes, never giving Lu Jing a chance to relax.

Only when pushed to the brink of desperation can one truly ignite their potential.

In the next instant, Zhao Yuxuan’s entire body moved like a strange, streak of light, darting toward Lu Jing.

"Watch out."

He was getting serious.

Lu Jing activated his Spirit Eyes. Even at that extreme speed, he could clearly see every move.

Lu Jing gripped his blade with both hands, slowly rotating his body, and swept his long blade horizontally. This simple motion was executed with masterful perfection by Lu Jing, flowing without a single pause.

*Whoosh.*

A flash of blade light cut through the air, forming a full moon.

*Clang.*

The two blades met, and their intents clashed, circulating between them.

Centered on the point of impact, the ground shattered, with cracks spreading rapidly to the edges of the yard.

"Hey, stop it, you two!" Cao Peng cried out from the side, looking heartbroken.

"Not bad," Zhao Yuxuan said, stopping his blade first and looking at him with praise.

"Thank you for the guidance, Captain."

Lu Jing’s face was deathly pale, but his eyes were filled with unprecedented excitement. He had finally found his Blade Intent.

"Just a knack. Your perception is high."

Lu Jing smiled without a word. Was it high?

In middle school, his school had a martial arts club where he practiced blade techniques. Afterward, he spent two years killing demonic beasts, and it was only through thousands upon thousands of swings that he had finally grasped the Blade Intent.

"Captain, how did you realize your Blade Intent?"

Zhao Yuxuan replied indifferently, "Just hacked away at things."

"Huh?"

Lu Jing felt as if his heart had been pierced, bleeding profusely.

"Actually, the Captain's strongest suit isn't the blade, but the sword."

"Oh."

Well, comparisons are odious. The sense of superiority he had just developed was instantly crushed beneath his feet.

"Rest, rest. Later, have Old Cao take you to practice with firearms."

"Yes."

"Come, let me see your shooting talent."

"You got it!"

Lu Jing aimed his gun with a suave poise.

*Bang, bang, bang...*

With the aid of his Spirit Eyes, he hit the bullseye every single time.

"Impressive."

Hearing the praise, Lu Jing felt he could do it again.

"How is the Captain's marksmanship?"

"Sigh... it's a long story."

"What? What is it?" Lu Jing was even more curious. Could he be...

"Terrifyingly strong. I heard that when the Captain first touched a gun at five years old, he could hit the bullseye every time."

Damn it. Lu Jing’s heart was pierced again.

Well, he was indeed just average. If it weren't for the "cheat" of his Spirit Eyes, his marksmanship would only be considered passable.

After a long silence, Lu Jing asked softly, "Is the Captain really human?"

Cao Peng, standing nearby, felt the same way. "I've suspected that too, but now I can tell you responsibly: he is indeed human."

"Oh, alright."

Lu Jing had to accept this tragic fact. Some people are just natural-born protagonists!

"Captain, could we have a word in private?" Seeing Cao Peng leave, Lu Jing pulled the reclining Zhao Yuxuan aside.

"Sure."

The two went into the room and talked for an entire hour.

"Don't worry, I'll handle this matter. You just need to make sure he doesn't find out."

"Good."

Lu Jing knew that the person behind this had a massive network of protection. If he wanted to catch them all in one net, he needed more power.

The crisis in Wu City was imminent. Only by deploying both overt and covert tactics could they save the city sooner.