To put it without exaggeration.
If a survey were sent to players asking who the most conscientious 4-star character is.
The future is uncertain, but at least in the current version, at least ninety percent of people would definitely choose Leon.
His healing output isn't top-tier, but his skill mechanic of reflecting anomalies is utterly unique.
Many Simulated Universe streamers tackling painful accounts first check Leon's build level.
With Leon built well, survival in the Simulated Universe is worry-free.
The Celestial Reveler's life-draining blood deduction mechanic is disgusting, yet it can't do anything to Leon.
"We can conclude now—the Celestial Reveler in the new Chaos Memory cycle is yet another perfect counter for Leon. It's basically free."
"That gorilla's single-target burst is insanely high, posing an even greater threat to Leon."
If there's one weakest point about Leon, it's that he's not great at handling single-target high-burst enemies, falling short of Bailu.
"But now—the rules are made to be broken."
Ah Xian pressed Stelle's Ultimate, delivering a brutal final blow to the Celestial Reveler.
"Why… why is this happening?"
"She clearly said… the Ambrosial Arbor's descent would grant immortal bodies—"
The Celestial Reveler—that is, Dan Shu—her staff vanished without a trace as she shakily stood from the ground.
Sweeping her gaze across the battlefield, she discovered all the Abundance spirit beasts had been beaten down.
It seemed to be the work of the man named Welt, who greatly restricted the movements of those Abundance spirit beasts, turning them into live targets for the Cloud Knights.
Losing control over the beasts, the organization's Cultivators and Alchemists alone couldn't contend with the numerous Cloud Knights.
But none of that mattered!
What mattered was that, under the combined assault of Stelle and the others, she actually felt exhaustion—and the threat of death.
The recovery speed of her bodily injuries was also slowing down.
Only a little over ten Medicine King's Secret Teachings Cultivators remained uncaptured, staggering as they ran behind Dan Shu, still shaken.
Stelle planted her fire lance beside her, curling the corner of her mouth.
"Dan Shu, death is at your door—no, wait… death is upon you. Surrendering quietly is your last shred of dignity."
Dan Shu's gaze fixed on March 7th.
She didn't understand.
Why couldn't her mysterious energy erode through the ice shield summoned by that girl?
She looked so soft and weak, nothing particularly special about her.
Fu Xuan's small face remained expressionless as she coldly said: "Dan Shu, the tide has turned against you."
"Master Diviner, if you think victory is assured, you're being far too naive."
"Hmph. I know you have a backer. Call them out."
"It hasn't reached that point yet. Master Diviner, do you know why I allowed them to shut down the alchemy furnace and block the mist?"
Dan Shu suddenly pointed at Stelle and the others.
Fu Xuan's brows furrowed slightly as she extended her small hand to begin divining.
"Heh heh… an omen of great misfortune. Am I wrong?" Dan Shu laughed weakly.
"Three yin and three yang, yin and yang in harmony, the small departs and the great approaches—auspicious and prosperous. Where is there any talk of a malefic hexagram?"
With such a divination result, Fu Xuan felt as if she had swallowed a reassurance pill and revealed a faint smile.
Dan Shu spoke faintly: "Is that so… Then let me see just how much ability you have left without the aid of the Matrix of Prescience Ultima!"
"Activate the array!"
With Dan Shu's cold shout, the previously shut-down alchemy furnaces all restarted.
Overwhelming pitch-black mist surged forth, rapidly enveloping this expanse of heaven and earth.
Some Cloud Knights who came into contact with the mist instantly showed signs of Mara-Struck transformation; a few even had crimson eyes as they slashed at their comrades.
Chaos erupted once more.
"Hahaha, Master Diviner, allow me to show you the fruits of my magnificent research!"
"Even short-life species under a hundred years old can at most endure this mist for half a minute."
"Enjoy the feast of transformation. All of you will return to the merciful embrace of the Plagues Auteur, just like me!"
"You didn't expect it, did you? There was still my backup plan beneath the furnace they shut down."
The black mist rushed toward her face, and Fu Xuan instinctively held her breath.
Even so, waves of dizziness and stinging pain radiated from her brain, and an inexplicable violent emotion surged in her heart.
She really wanted… really wanted to tear apart the person in front of her…
The instant the thought arose, Fu Xuan shook her head vigorously, forcibly suppressing the abnormality within her body. Her gaze darkened as she scanned her surroundings.
It was chaos.
Many Cloud Knights were exhibiting Mara-Struck symptoms.
What furrowed her brows even more were the fallen monstrosities and beasts that, upon contacting the black mist, became lively and vigorous once again.
The Cloud Knights now had to guard against Mara-Struck bodies while also fighting those monstrosities.
She hurriedly took out her incense burner—
The familiar fragrance spread, but to her surprise, the effect was minimal.
The problem lay with the black mist.
She didn't know what trick Dan Shu had pulled, but this black mist was many times more terrifying than the previous grayish-white haze.
Seeing the situation instantly reverse, the Cultivators behind Dan Shu erupted in cheers.
Stelle's current condition was still fine; she seemed largely unaffected.
"I'll go take her down!"
"Hold on!"
Fu Xuan grabbed her, her expression grim as she said:
"Killing her won't stop the mist. Quick… you all hurry and shut down the furnaces again. I'll hold the line here!"
Welt's face was as stern as still water, ripples quietly forming around his cane.
Just as he prepared to act and disperse the black mist, a sudden gust of wild wind swept across the battlefield, carrying a bitter, strange scent.
Those who had fallen into Mara-Struck states collapsed in seconds, unable to rise again.
The Cloud Knights who retained consciousness discovered their bodies brimming with inexhaustible strength, feeling incredible.
One Cloud Knight, slashing down with his blade at an Abundance gorilla's massive fist, stood stunned.
The others who witnessed it were the same.
When did he become so strong…
Or had the beasts weakened?
But upon fighting again, they realized it was the Cloud Knights who had grown stronger, not the enemies.
"Kill—!"
Someone took the lead with a heaven-shaking battle cry, and the Cloud Knights' morale soared as they charged bravely toward the enemy targets.
The tide turned once more.
Influenced by the Cloud Knights' surging battle cries, players watching felt their blood boil. Under the cutscene CG's visual effects, it was as if they were there in person.
Stelle noticed that ever since a bitter scent filled the air, the faint discomfort from the black mist had vanished.
Refreshed and clear-headed, she really wanted to stab something with the fire lance in her hand.
"March, Mr. Welt, you okay?"
"I'm fine! Just wondering why those guys suddenly dropped…" March 7th was utterly confused.
Ah Xian couldn't help but smile, but she didn't expect an even more familiar voice to ring in her right earphone.
"Because… the reliable adults have taken the stage."
...
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