Chapter 135: Zhang Fan's Emblem Technique

As the energy from the explosive clash between the Cross Strike and Claw Shatter dissipated, Zhang Fan seized his opportunity. Observing the earlier attacks by Eclair and Léonmichelle, he pondered the potential of combining his own power with the emblem's energy.

Decisively gathering his Qi, Zhang Fan capitalized on the duel between the Lion Princess and the Captain of the Royal Guards. Wielding his transformed sword, the Sanctus Gladiolus, he thrust three massive sword beams towards Léonmichelle.

"Emblem Technique – Fatal! Triad Sword!" This was an enhanced version of his original technique. Previously reliant solely on his internal energy, Zhang Fan was unable to produce such a broad, pure-energy attack. But now, channeling the power of Florinel, he astonishingly unleashed three sword energies, each extending over twenty meters – an awe-inspiring feat.

However, emblem techniques, despite their formidable power, have their drawbacks. The time taken to gather energy is considerable, and higher-level techniques require even longer preparation, consuming vast amounts of physical and magical energy. Failure to defeat the enemy in one strike would lead to immediate vulnerability. Hence, reliance on external forces is never the true path to strength; true power comes from within oneself.

Léonmichelle, caught off guard by the swiftness and potency of Zhang Fan's assault, was forced to concentrate all her energy into her shield, desperately defending against the three-pronged attack.

Even though Zhang Fan's Fatal Triad Sword was blocked, he was not one to relent. Taking advantage of his opponent's disarray, he raised his Flame Magnum.

"Emblem Technique – Fire! Impact Bullet!" This was no mere bullet – it was akin to a rocket launcher's blast. A flaming projectile, over thirty centimeters in diameter, rocketed towards the Lion Princess. Eclair was dumbstruck by Zhang Fan's tactic. Despite being a recent learner of emblem power, Zhang Fan's mastery and innovation were astounding. He not only grasped the emblem cannon but also unleashed emblem techniques and elemental attacks previously beyond Eclair's capabilities.

"Brilliantly executed, truly worthy of a legendary hero," Eclair thought. Zhang Fan's attacks were near perfect in timing and power. Yet, the level of Princess Léonmichelle was so advanced that even after two of Zhang Fan's best moves, she emerged from the settling dust, seemingly unscathed.

Yet, "unscathed" was a misnomer. Her shield was now utterly shattered – an outcome previously unthinkable.

"Prepare for my final move! Lion King! Flame Array!" Léonmichelle, the revered princess, unveiled her emblem, a majestic symbol with unicorns on either side, emblematic of the leader of the Garrett Lion Brigade.

The Lion King's Flame Array was a force to be reckoned with. As the trio stood on their logs, fiery pillars erupted from the river below, and a rain of flaming meteorites descended from the sky. The attack was so intense it resembled a bombardment rather than a mere flame array.

Facing such a wide-ranging assault, Zhang Fan chose discretion as the better part of valor. Transforming Sanctus Gladiolus into a surfboard, he again secured Eclair at his waist, ready to make a swift retreat from the danger zone.

As he rose into the air, the full might of the Lion King's Flame Array was unleashed. The intensity was akin to a missile strike. Had Zhang Fan not made a timely escape, his fate would have been sealed.

Zhang Fan, a foreigner in this world, lacked the divine protection of Florinel. For him, defeat meant death, unlike Léonmichelle and her kin, who would merely transform into harmless beast balls. This fundamental difference weighed heavily on him.

Despite understanding this, Zhang Fan felt a surge of frustration. Escaping death was a relief, but the pressure of such narrow escapes was immense. In light of this, he resolved to give the Lion Princess a taste of her own medicine.

Though Léonmichelle's level was high, her wide-range, powerful attacks had significantly drained her strength, leaving her in a moment of vulnerability.

Now was the optimal time for Zhang Fan and Eclair to strike.

The explosion had caused such devastation that the river's logs were utterly destroyed, and even the riverbed had collapsed significantly. The arrow towers built along the bank were obliterated instantly. Léonmichelle, having crossed to the other side, gasped for breath on the riverbank.

"Now's our chance!" Seizing the moment, Zhang Fan grabbed Eclair's back and hurled her towards Léonmichelle.

"What are you doing, Hero?" Clearly taken aback, Eclair experienced a precipitous fall. But Zhang Fan had no time for explanations. As Eclair descended, he maneuvered Sanctus Gladiolus, circling around to attack Léonmichelle from the opposite direction.

Eclair quickly grasped Zhang Fan's intent, but her irritation was palpable. Being treated so cavalierly was infuriating, yet she had to focus on the imminent threat of Léonmichelle. Adjusting her posture mid-air, she crossed her daggers and launched a frontal assault on the Lion Princess.

Léonmichelle, not underestimating the Royal Guard Captain's attack, raised her battle-axe for a direct confrontation. The force of Eclair's descent was immense, causing Léonmichelle to stagger back – a moment of humiliation, as she had never retreated before.