Bear School Astartes

Chapter 930 - 912: Yixin

A successive string of circular sparks exploded.

Guta’s [Heroic Assault] was a thrust with every forward step.

While Lann accurately caught the timing of the opponent’s exertion each time, using the blade that leapt like a carp in the water, perfectly blocking before the opponent’s exertion timing.

Under this series of actions, Heroic Gudah was completely subjected to the stance interference caused by [Ascending Carp].

But he truly was qualified to be a candidate for the Lord of Cinders.

In a very short time, he endured [Ascending Carp] multiple times, accurately, but his combat stance was still far from collapsing.

If he wasn’t battling Lann, even these slight hesitations and sluggishness shouldn’t be noticed at all.

However, reality doesn’t entertain ’if’.

"There’s more to come?"

The deep amber-like cat eyes glowed slightly in the increasingly dark environment.

[Spiritual Vision] continuously observed the enemy’s movements, relying on Lann’s own experience, judgment, and the computing power of a bio-intel brain to analyze the situation for the next move.

According to the analysis, Guta’s advance might only be a part of this move [Combat Technique].

"The steps start changing from advancing to spinning... follow through with a rotation slash after the thrust?"

Lann’s hand holding the long blade erupted into a successive string of circular sparks with Guta’s halberd, but his gaze was already focused on the opponent’s steps.

Sometimes, the steps better reveal a person’s combat intentions, while fancy hand movements are mostly tactical deception.

"Hm?"

The expert standing beyond the ritual ground, upon seeing the swordsmanship Lann used to counter Heroic Gudah’s move [Heroic Assault], straightened from his previously slouched position against the wall.

He was an expert with blades, confident that after some observation and contemplation, he could defeat this Heroic Gudah with his long blade.

He could understand how peculiar and powerful Lann’s technique was in the string of exchanges.

"Guta’s movements have become sluggish." He muttered while watching, "Although the extent isn’t large, it’s evidently influenced... this swordsmanship is interesting."

"But what a pity."

Understanding approximately Lann’s swordsmanship’s effects, the expert felt a bit pity.

"An enemy with sluggish movements is better handled with [Block]."

Yet watching Lann’s every move and his instinctive reactions in combat, it was apparent he had never practiced [Block] this combat technique.

Whether it’s the shield-type equipment’s [Block], or...

The expert subconsciously gripped the sword at his waist.

This sword also had techniques akin to [Block] - [Quick Draw Slash]. A technique that could either deflect an enemy attack instantly or deliver a powerful single slash.

In the expert’s conception, analyzing Heroic Gudah’s techniques, [Quick Draw Slash] was the key to his victory.

Lann didn’t have a shield, and his sword technique showed no trace of [Quick Draw Slash].

Even though the ability to imprint [Combat Technique] on weapons via soul power allowed warriors to perform perfectly upon picking up a weapon.

However, swordsmen of their level, using a technique frequently, naturally display some cues and traces in their body movements.

And on Lann... there was nothing.

Watching a good opportunity in battle slip away, even though he wasn’t in combat, the expert instinctively felt regret.

It was a kind of regret from ’superior technique unable to be fully utilized due to certain reasons’.

But in the next moment, the expert’s eyes widened! The regret in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by astonishment.

’How is this possible?!’

"Boom!"

A crisp and clean collision sound, not too loud, emanated from Lann and Heroic Gudah’s clash.

Heroic Gudah’s movements were just as Lann and the expert predicted.

Only the expert had seen [Heroic Assault] in its complete execution process firsthand, while Lann relied on his experience, Mentos’ computing power, and [Spiritual Vision].

The towering hero, a head taller than Lann, spun his steps after the charge.

His entire body spun together with his steps, and the massive, intimidating halberd followed the motion of the wielder’s body.

With Guta’s physical strength alone, his hasty and casual hacks were enough to smash the underground rock plates along the way.

And this, the inertia of the charge, the centrifugal force of the spin, the body’s center of gravity... A whole weighty slash’s possible effect, just imagining it makes one’s teeth chatter in terror!

But amidst this slash, Lann lowered the long blade, his gaze steady and calm.

As the one executing [Ascending Carp], he obviously noticed the slight sluggishness in Guta’s movements.

And agreeing with the expert’s perspective... He also felt this was a good opportunity to expand the battle results!

Thus the Demon Hunter twisted his left wrist, and that blocking dagger he had just acquired appeared in his palm!

This dagger obtained from the malicious soul body of [Crystallized Daughter] Krinshid, also had the technique [Block]!

"Though it’s only been in my hand for a short time... I’ve at least trialed it once."

Lann smiled.

To face a slash that could essentially cleave an entire mountain wall using a weapon he used only once... Lann was confident he could do it perfectly.

Thus on his arm handling the blocking dagger, a series of supernatural white phantoms were drawn out following his arm’s movement.

And precisely caught the moment Heroic Gudah was about to cleave with the halberd!

"Boom."

The not-so-loud yet crisp collision sound echoed.

Lann’s first real combat [battle skill] was indeed perfect.

A small dagger managed to divert the halberd blade that seemed like it would split the earth.

The motion, force, and inertia of the swing seemed to vanish into thin air.

But in reality, these things were technically redirected onto the striker themselves, causing their own stance to collapse.

Guta remained silent and uncommunicative; from this angle, Lann couldn’t see his eyes.

However, that gasp of astonishment still revealed the hero’s mindset.

In an uncontrolled stumble, the Heroic Guta, who was taller than Lann by a head, took a step back and then knelt on one knee.

His two strong arms dangled at his sides, completely unable to protect the vital front of his body.

Under normal circumstances, Lann should seize the opportunity and use a stabbing technique to inflict as much damage as possible.

But having already witnessed the formidable soul power of Guta, the Demon Hunter chose another method...

In front of the temporarily incapacitated Guta, Lann instead sheathed his blade and lowered his body.

He exhaled a long breath.

At the same time, it seemed as if even the surrounding airflow had stagnated with the Demon Hunter’s motion.

"[Heartless Secret Technique]"

As Lann grasped the hilt with one hand and held the sheath with the other, whether they were experts outside of the battlefield or Guta right in front of him, they couldn’t help but widen their eyes!

"[Yixin]!"

The ’click’ of the spring inside the sheath was so fast it felt like an auditory hallucination. The blade’s light was so fast it felt like an optical illusion.

And as Lann softly murmured, after spitting out the last two words, the previously stagnant air around suddenly began to move!

It’s not just moving; it’s a frenzied movement!

So frenzied that the air itself became countless Qi Flow Blades, slashing at Guta!

"Tslala" *N

Countless Qi Flow Blades, noticeably different in density from normal air, formed a vast plane on Guta’s body with distinct differences in light refraction.

Each of these planes here was a Qi Flow Blade with real cutting power!

Once, after having implanted the [Muscle Enhancement Organ], Lann had used brute force to compensate for slightly inferior technique on the battlefield of the North-South War, forcibly recreating the techniques of the Reed Country’s National Guardian Sword Saint.

And instantly killed nearly a hundred knights.

Now, he also had the [Holy Chant Gland] in his brain. This super organ not only enhanced his physical capabilities but also strengthened his mind and senses.

His talent was further enhanced, and his skills were further developed.

Today, what used to be a back-pocket sword technique under Iwami Yixin has now become a routine enemy-facing technique for Lann.

The Heroic Guta, powerless to protect himself, had his Power of Soul rapidly consumed and disintegrated in this dense and powerful assault.

Hundreds of Qi Flow Blades swept over him every second.

Drilling from the gaps in his armor to his body, drilling from the holes in his helmet to his brain...

His abundant Power of Soul was soon depleted to a dangerous level with an astonishing efficiency.

But fortunately, he had already recovered from the posture collapse caused by the [Block]!

Muscle strength was reintegrated, and his motor skills returned to normal.

Under the peculiar helmet of Guta, his eyes were fixed on the enemy in front of him.

It’s been so long... so very long... since he had faced such a level of danger!

But even so, he would never accept becoming a slave again! A captive!

The opponent’s weapon skills were undoubtably an art.

Thus, it was clear what needed to be done to win.

Facing the Heroic Guta, who had regained normal mobility and stood up, Lann once again gripped the Lady of the Lake’s Sword with both hands.

A blocking dagger is easy to store and can be retrieved when needed.

But just as Lann’s eyes scanned his enemy up and down again, trying to see what move he would make next.

He saw Guta gripping the long handle of the halberd with both hands.

Was he intending to increase force by holding it with both hands?

Lann speculated.

Facing a technically inferior situation, attempting to overpower with force is indeed a practical thought.

But then Lann realized he was wrong.

Guta, holding the halberd with both hands, didn’t bring the blade down, but instead raised his arm, swinging the handle end that was hanging by his feet like a short stick from below!

In surprise, Lann sidestepped to dodge, just about to use his long blade to slash at the opening under Guta’s raised arm.

But unexpectedly...

"Holy crap!"

The Demon Hunter nearly uncontrollably cursed.

"Wham!"

Raising his arm was not to expose a defensive gap under his ribs for Lann to exploit... but to make it easier for himself to raise his foot to kick!

By the time the Demon Hunter reacted, it was too late to withdraw his blade.

And that massive foot, half the size of a regular person’s body, kicked straight into Lann’s abdomen!