Ch. 27 Mechanical Puppet

A mysterious and powerful force surged from his abdomen, filling every corner of his body, from bone marrow to hair, as if infused with the energy of the super-spiritual medicine. Almost simultaneously, within the skill tree, the icon representing the violent step began to shine brightly.

Originally, the super-spiritual energy secret medicine is more effective the later it is used. However, at present, Zhuge Xiang only possesses the system skill of the violent step, which makes it an extravagant use. Nonetheless, Zhuge Xiang is determined to secure the championship in normal duels.

Although the difference between first and second place may seem slight, the gap between them is immense.

To put it simply, if someone were to ask the highest peak in the world, most would readily answer Mount Everest. However, if someone inquires about the second-highest peak, far fewer could provide an answer.

While Zhuge Xiang may not understand what Mount Everest is, he comprehends this fundamental truth.

If he wishes to garner the sect's attention and access better resources, he must exert all his effort to contend for the championship in the grand competition. With the super-spiritual energy secret medicine, he still possesses a fighting chance. When there's hope, he cannot surrender, especially in combat. This defines Zhuge Xiang.

Rampage!

With a resolute internal proclamation, Zhuge Xiang initiated a ferocious assault, surging at four times the speed of a regular third-level Qi Nourishment Realm, rendering him an imperceptible blur.

Blitz. Zhuge Xiang had frequently employed this skill to evade and escape Lu Yuling's attack range. Now, for the first time, he employed Blitz as an offensive maneuver. Everyone held their breath, for the victor would soon be declared.

Although the rampage was so swift that it left people with little time to react, Lu Yuling, in a state of clear mind, comprehended all of Zhuge Xiang's movements with clarity. She executed evasive maneuvers early and successfully dodged. However, Zhuge Xiang didn't cease his momentum. Following her evasion, his foot struck the ground with a resounding thud, and he continued his frenzied charge toward Lu Yuling.

Lu Yuling's eyes widened, and her pupils contracted slightly. Until now, Zhuge Xiang had struggled to employ the violent step, requiring periods of rest in between. This marked the first instance she had seen him use it continuously, and considering the substantial energy consumption of the skill, she couldn't fathom how he maintained his vigor so smoothly.

In both footwork and martial arts, techniques that heavily drain energy inevitably result in periods of weakness, rendering continuous usage implausible. However, Zhuge Xiang seemed to defy this conventional wisdom at this moment.

"Could it be? Is it because of that elixir?" Lu Yuling wondered, observing Zhuge Xiang's relentless strides. She speculated that the super-spiritual energy secret medicine might be the cause.

Despite Lu Yuling's ability to anticipate Zhuge Xiang's movements with her clear mind and her swift evasive actions, Zhuge Xiang's blade still managed to tear a small hole in her attire.

"It's effective! Let's go again!" Although the hole in her dress was minuscule, it represented hope for Zhuge Xiang. He realized that his speculation had been correct.

Even if Lu Yuling could anticipate her own attacks, it would be futile if her physical speed couldn't keep pace. She could only watch as Zhuge Xiang's strikes found their mark.

Rampage! Rampage! Rampage!

In 30 seconds, the rampage consumed no energy and had no cooldown, so Zhuge Xiang naturally refrained from squandering it. Furthermore, there was only half a minute remaining for the bloodthirsty technique. Zhuge Xiang was acutely aware that the outcome hinged on this brief duration. Victory or defeat would be determined within these few minutes, and if Lu Yuling managed to survive this half-minute, he would emerge as the victor. Once the effect of the super-spiritual energy secret medicine wore off, Zhuge Xiang would be defenseless in his weakened state induced by the bloodthirsty technique.

Successive violent steps were executed, leaving cracked footprints etched into the bluestone slabs of the dueling platform. The platform bore the traces of Zhuge Xiang's violent steps, and an afterimage trailed in his wake. Zhuge Xiang's speed had already transcended the capacity of ordinary onlookers to perceive with the naked eye.

For disciples who had grasped Qi, they could merely discern Zhuge Xiang's silhouette flickering before them. Those who hadn't yet grasped Qi were bewildered by the afterimages on the dueling stage. Often, the prior afterimages hadn't even dissipated before new ones emerged.

"Wow, what an astonishing speed. Is he genuinely only at the third level of the Qi Cultivation Realm?" Zhuge Xiang's speed left a profound impression on everyone.

In the audience, Hua Nongying widened her enchanting eyes and then pouted. Her evident displeasure stemmed from her realization that her own cherished speed had been outpaced by another. "Is this Zhuge Xiang guy some kind of freak? Achieving such swiftness, it's doubtful if I could ever perfect the Ghost Step to this extent."

"I can't feel wronged for losing to him," Ji Wuxue remarked with a cold glint in his eyes. He knew that against such uncanny speed, he would succumb in a matter of moments.

"At this astonishing velocity, even my throwing knives wouldn't be able to lock onto him," Ling Wufeng muttered in a low voice. It was evident that extreme speed, too, could be an immensely daunting power.

Zhuge Xiang's shadow resembled that of a specter. Although Lu Yuling possessed knowledge of Zhuge Xiang's movements and strategies due to her clear mind, she was nonetheless weary from fending off his relentless assault.

Clearly, as Zhuge Xiang had surmised, even with a clear mind, Lu Yuling could employ the most suitable techniques to parry or retaliate against swift adversaries. However, when speed reached a staggering level, even with a clear mind, her body couldn't keep pace with such velocity.

The Blood Refining Knife swung at super-high speed, as nimble as a dagger. Despite Lu Yuling's earnest efforts to defend herself, Zhuge Xiang's Blood Refining Knife still left several cuts on her body, and Lu Yuling's injuries grew increasingly severe.

"Senior Sister Lu, you should concede defeat. Given my current speed, you stand no chance against me," Zhuge Xiang declared without hesitation, the Blood Refining Saber poised in his hand.

In an unusual act of camaraderie, Zhuge Xiang was unwilling to subject Lu Yuling to further harm for the sake of victory, even though he needed this win.

"Concede defeat?" Lu Yuling didn't concur with Zhuge Xiang's proposal. Instead, she smiled at him and responded, "I'll make one final move. If it doesn't succeed, then I'll concede defeat."

With those words, Lu Yuling waved her palm, and the ice silk gloves disintegrated entirely into robust threads that enveloped her, preventing Zhuge Xiang from making any rash moves for fear of entanglement.

Shrouded in a layer of ice silk for defense, Lu Yuling lightly touched her belt, and right before her, a figure materialized.

This entity appeared to be crafted from unique materials, resembling a puppet adorned with blood-red patterns intricately drawn across its body, forming countless formations. The puppet, shaped like a fox, emitted a potent aura that was hardly inferior to Zhuge Xiang.

"What is this!?" Zhuge Xiang exclaimed, baffled by the unexpected appearance of the mechanical puppet. The onlookers beneath the dueling platform also gaped in astonishment.

"A mechanical puppet. Originally, I couldn't construct one because it requires demon pills or spirit stones as energy cores. But as a last resort, I utilized the blood of monsters to inscribe 108 magic circles, coupled with the Shura Sect's extensive spirit-gathering array to amass aura. With the aura collected thus far, my mechanical puppet should endure for a few minutes," Lu Yuling explained.

With the mechanical puppet in hand, Lu Yuling locked her gaze on Zhuge Xiang, her expression deadly serious. As she spoke, the fox-shaped mechanical puppet darted forward with the swiftness of a leopard, closing in on Zhuge Xiang.

"So that's the secret." Zhuge Xiang's eyes widened in realization as the fox-shaped mechanical puppet charged toward him.

It suddenly made sense why Lu Yuling had sought the blood essence of the fox's heart when they had defeated the one-star mid-level demon fox that day. She had intended to use the blood essence of those monstrous creatures to craft formations and harness aura to animate her puppets. Zhuge Xiang was astounded by her knowledge of such intricate formations, especially considering that she was only fourteen or fifteen years old.

However, Zhuge Xiang couldn't afford to dwell on these thoughts at the moment. The presence of the mechanical puppet significantly intensified the pressure he faced. With the bloodthirsty technique's duration dwindling to around 20 seconds, time was of the essence.