On the stage, that older Sushang effortlessly sent the foxian general reeling with a single strike.
The surrounding Cloud Knight spectators erupted into thunderous cheers.
But at that same moment, a younger Sushang suddenly approached from the side.
She looked at Sylvia, flashing a smile no true Sushang would ever possess—one brimming with battle lust and bloodthirst.
"Didn't expect you to end up here. Your companion can't block my sword. Are you really planning to waste your time here?"
"Outside, I was all tied up in knots. Here, it's easier to throw down."
"Tch—you?"
'Sushang' curled her lip in a disdainful smirk.
"Outside, you could still rely on your physicality to overpower me. But now, trapped in my illusion, you're really asking for death?"
"I just need to beat you until you submit, right? Come on, then."
The moment Sylvia finished speaking, the scene before her eyes suddenly warped.
She found herself on that very martial stage.
And the older Sushang still held her sword behind her back with one hand, wearing that gentle smile so utterly incongruous with the ditzy Sushang's character.
"Sylvia, you're here too."
Behind the older Sushang, the Heliobus had transformed into flames, clinging to the Xuanyuan Sword, laughing boisterously:
"Excellent, my disciple! With me here, whether it's that Xianzhou general, the Imbibitor Lunae, or this white-haired swordswoman—none can compare to you!"
But the older Sushang shook her head slightly:
"Master, today I have fully grasped the Taixu Sword God. No matter who stands against me, I have no fear. There's no need to trouble you, Master, to intervene!"
As she spoke, the older Sushang released her grip on the Xuanyuan Sword, now possessed by the Heliobus, and formed a sword finger with her empty hand:
"The Taixu Sword God—without a sword, yet there is a sword. Relying on the divine to transform into a blade, sword energy manifests of its own accord; this is to comprehend the divine essence."
"Hey, hey—wait a minute?!"
Even the Heliobus was stunned by Sushang's shocking move, stammering so much that the Xuanyuan Sword floated awkwardly behind her.
"It's fine, Master! Sushang will not fail!"
As Sushang uttered these words, so completely contrary to her character.
Though there was no sword around, Sylvia could feel the terrifying sword energy soaring to the heavens.
Yet this sword energy possessed only the outward form; to Sylvia, it seemed rootless, like duckweed on water, merely a special effect.
"..."
"..."
Sylvia probably guessed the reason. Sushang had likely just borrowed the Taixu Sword God she had witnessed and transplanted it here via the illusion.
Hence, it had only the form, but none of the divine essence.
If there were no outsider, Sushang could, of course, win however she pleased, but Sylvia was the outsider, and the Heliobus naturally intended to possess her.
Yet it hadn't expected Sushang to be so 'respectful to her master', taking the initiative to abandon the Xuanyuan Sword and pull this stunt.
It left the Heliobus completely dumbfounded.
How the hell were they supposed to fight now...
It had thought Sushang's talent was higher than anticipated, and with her simple mind, she'd be easy to fool.
Who'd have thought it would backfire here, precisely because of her simple mind...
The Heliobus covered its eyes.
It couldn't bear to watch the so-called Taixu Sword God easily shattered by Sylvia, followed by the pitiful sight of the older Sushang being subdued by her.
"Huh...?"
Sushang, her ultimate move effortlessly broken by Sylvia, tumbled headlong into Sylvia's arms due to her forward momentum.
The older Sushang, face full of bewilderment, blinked her eyes, her chin resting on Sylvia's chest as she looked up.
She met Sylvia's beaming smile.
Seeing Sushang's silly expression, she probably hadn't figured it out yet.
Sylvia reached out and wrapped an arm around Sushang's waist.
She studied this grown-up Sushang with interest, wondering if the future Sushang could really grow this big.
Come to think of it...
This older Sushang bore a striking resemblance to Li Sushang from another game.
Even this outfit was eerily similar.
Could the future Sushang really grow this much...
Because Sushang had tumbled into her embrace, Sylvia could very clearly feel just how soft a fully developed young woman's body was.
In comparison, Sylvia herself felt somewhat inadequate.
"Sylvia...? What happened?"
Seeing Sushang still looking so dazed, Sylvia reached out and poked the older Sushang's cheek, suppressing a laugh:
"Time to wake up, Sushang. Stop dreaming about defeating Xianzhou Generals!"
"Huh? What dream... Didn't I study swordsmanship with Master for decades..."
"And after decades of study, this is all you've learned?"
"Ouch—"
Sylvia grinned and pinched Sushang's cheek. The sting made her yelp.
"Mmgh..."
Sushang, her cheek pinched by Sylvia, wore a pained expression.
Perhaps sensing something amiss, Sushang looked at Sylvia with utter confusion.
Just then.
The Xuanyuan Sword flew straight into Sushang's hand.
The Heliobus's voice rang out again:
"Sushang, get up. A moment's defeat means nothing. Grip me tightly, and you will surely become the world's greatest!"
"Huh?"
Defeated and still puzzled, Sushang couldn't stop radiating silliness.
Combined with this grown-up appearance, the blend of cuteness and beauty unexpectedly added a touch of allure to Sushang.
Sylvia, holding Sushang, spoke calmly and unhurriedly:
"Don't study with it anymore. Study with me. See, you studied for decades and still didn't master it—that proves it's a terrible teacher."
"Aargh—! You have no martial honor! Who steals disciples like this?!"
Before Sushang could speak, the Heliobus got angry first.
Ignoring Sushang entirely, it transformed directly into Sushang's likeness, raised the Xuanyuan Sword, and slashed at Sylvia.
Clang—
Sylvia, still holding Sushang, turned over and blocked with one hand while complaining:
"You, forcing yourself on someone, dare talk about martial honor?"
"Hmph! Anyway, I've already memorized the secrets of this girl's so-called Taixu Sword God. Perfect for taking you down!"
The fake Sushang immediately launched an extremely fierce offensive.
In the Heliobus's hands, the heavy Xuanyuan Sword began to move swiftly and sharply.
Sylvia wasn't flustered. Though at a disadvantage with one arm around Sushang, her sword still steadily parried every lethal blow.
The two began clanging and banging on the martial stage.
Sushang, held by Sylvia, was spun around until she was dizzy.
She clutched her head, trying to reboot her brain.
"Mmm... I remember, I was studying swordsmanship with Master... No, I don't remember a single move? Wasn't I patrolling in Aurum Alley... when that weird shopkeeper did something to me?"
Naturally disinclined to use her brain, Sushang's face showed difficulty.
She was clearly very confused.
But the fact that she could start thinking was already progress—at least a sign she was breaking free from the illusion.
"Sushang, wake up. Sword techniques that only work when you're holding a sword will forever be someone else's swordsmanship."
Sylvia's voice sounded from nearby, followed by the Heliobus's sneer:
"You've got energy to care about others, huh? Your swordplay's not bad. How about you relax your mind, and you and I swap sword techniques?"
Just then, Sylvia suddenly retreated, spun around, and plunged her longsword into the stone bricks.
Sushang leaned dizzily against Sylvia's shoulder, while Sylvia gazed at the Heliobus.
A victorious smile spread across her face.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.