Chapter 117- A Meaningful Battle

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The two smiled at each other and immediately resumed their fight. At first glance, their skill and capabilities seemed to be equal as they continued to exchange blows for a few more rounds without any clear winner.

More and more wounds started to appear on Liu Guanyi's body while Adori Zahard managed to dodge all of his attacks and counter all of his attempts to gain the upper hand in the fight.

But even though it looked like Liu Guanyi who was at a slight disadvantage, it was Adori who was actually in a tough spot.

Although he suffered a lot of injuries, none of them were threatening as most of them were merely shallow wounds on non-delicate and vulnerable areas.

And even if some of Adori's attacks managed to hit his vulnerable areas, Liu Guanyi's innate defense and regeneration seemed to be too much for them to overcome as he nonchalantly shrugged off her attacks and continued to chase her relentlessly.

Meanwhile, Adori was racing against the clock as she couldn't maintain this sword form for a long time with her current stamina.

Moreover, her injured hand was getting numb and slower and her body was aching in pain all over as she had forced to flow a massive amount of shinsu in her muscles to be able to go toe to toe against Liu Guanyi's monstrous physical abilities.

Knowing she wouldn't last long and she would lose the fight if it was maintained at a stalemate, Adori decided to risk it and stepped up her momentum.

Pouring more of her energy into the sword, she kicked the ground strongly and dashed into Liu Guanyi's range of attack, and performed an overhead slash at his shoulder.

However, Adori suddenly changed her attack midway and stabbed her sword right toward his abdomen.

The drastic increase in her speed and the sudden change seemed to work as Liu Guanyi was caught off guard by the attack, yet—

Liu Guanyi managed to twirl and juke his body to mitigate the attack as it only passed and grazed his side, not stabbing his abdomen.

Because of the attack, Adori was out of position as she was now very close to him with her posture outstretched.

Taking advantage of this, Liu Guanyi threw a powerful left hook to her gut.

Reacting quickly, Adori spun her foot to recover her posture and held her sword between her and the punch, blocking it in time and piercing the knuckles.

However, because Liu Guanyi was much stronger than her, Adori was uncontrollably sent tumbling backward.

Painful sensations jolted her hand that held the sword and it became numb. The force behind his attack was way too powerful for her to directly resist.

Adori arduously got up. Her body was aching all over the place, especially her hands as they were trembling strongly as if they were about to give up at any moment.

However, despite her body being wrecked and feeling painful, she felt exhilarated and free instead.

It was as if the shackles that had always been shackling her body suddenly broke and disappeared for good.

Even though her head felt a splitting headache, Adori felt that she could think with more clarity than what she had ever experienced.

Although her eyesight was blurry and covered with red streaks of blood, Adori felt that she could see everything crystal clear.

This was the first time in her life. The first time that someone had given her a challenge and beaten her, the undefeated prodigy, so thoroughly.

A wide smile full of meanings surfaced on her battered face. Adori looked up and saw the shining sun on the horizon, even though it was fake, the red light that shined on her body seemed warmer than it ever was.

Looking at the horizon, she was lost in her thoughts.

Was this it? Could she finally see the meaning of life?

Did everything become so unusually bright, full of excitement?

Did she return to her past when she was only a little girl again?

Thinking about this, her eyes started to become moist. Adori looked ahead and saw Liu Guanyi standing a few distances away, looking at her gently with a soft smile as if knowing the turmoil that raged within her and reassured her.

Did everything finally become so colorful again after she followed him?

Tears began to pour from her eyes as she thought of this. However, Adori knew that it wasn't a tear of regret, anger, hatred, or even sadness.

No, it was non-other than the tear of—

Happiness.

Yes, happiness.

Happiness of finally finding her true purpose in life.

Happiness of finally understanding her true purpose in life, and finally seeing the world that looked bright once again.

Adori wiped her tears on her dusty sleeve.

She was now sure that she didn't make the wrong choice. Liu Guanyi could indeed show her the true path, the path that he carved with his own hands. With this, everything had become much simpler for her.

She only had to brace her heart and follow him wherever he went. Whatever path he would choose to walk, Adori didn't need to think about it. She only needed to follow it to the end!

Her golden eyes sparkled beautifully as they shone with conviction. Looking at Liu Guanyi who smiled meaningfully at her as if he had sensed the inner turmoil and change within her, her gaze was stronger than ever.

Adori tore some parts of her robes and tied them to her hands with some strands of her reel inventory. Feeling that it worked quite well, Adori gripped her sword again and prepared herself.

Although, her body was wrecked and littered with injuries and she could barely control herself, her energy was still abundant.

She was Adori, not just some common princesses of Zahard. She wouldn't give up to the last bitter end.

Here, at this moment, Adori would show her spirit as a swordsman!

Holding her sword form with her two hands in front of her chest, Adori closed her eyes as she drew a deep breath. Her mind turned serene as her entire being was completely focused on a single task.

Adori drew all of her energy and strength from her battered body and put all of them into her trusted sword.

Then, she opened her eyes and with her trembling hands, swung her sword down and performed a simple, yet elegant and beautiful sword slash. Her figure looked extremely suave as she performed the sharp slash.

"Let my sword blooms like the beautiful flowers!" Adori gave a mighty cry.

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Arie Sword Style: Withering Flowers, Burial of White Roses!