The silver moon hung high in the sky, and the wind blew through the sea of reeds as the two drew their swords and faced each other. Time seemed to freeze in that instant. Even the Adventurers watching in the Secret Realm Lobby could feel the fighting spirit and will emanating from the two, despite being separated by crystal.
"This scene, this atmosphere, this visual... it's perfect!"
"I actually felt extreme romance and poetry in a duel!"
"Me too!"
"Lord Jack is indeed a great artist; in the world he created, even the cruelest battles can be portrayed so romantically!"
"…"
"Ashina Genichiro is not simple."
"Just his stance makes him feel incredibly strong!"
"Hmph, don't worry, we'll win. We have the number one Adventurer from Black Stone Town, a master capable of unleashing the Wolf's full power!"
"Go, Old Dean!"
"You must rescue the Divine Child!"
The Adventurers were completely captivated by this battle! With their limited imagination, they could never conceive of such a beautiful duel scene. At this moment, everyone was boiling with excitement, chattering away or cheering for White Crane Hermit.
However, at this very moment, White Crane Hermit had long since closed off communication and interaction. He had deeply felt the terror of the enemy before him. In this battle, only by fully committing and focusing two hundred percent would there be a glimmer of hope for victory.
At this moment, the wind stopped, but the killing intent permeating the world erupted completely. White Crane Hermit decided to strike first. He pushed off the ground with his right foot and charged forward, his speed no less than that of a leopard at its limit. The reed stalks parted as if by an invisible hand, and in just two breaths, he stood before his opponent.
The blade sliced horizontally at high speed, shredding dozens of reed stalks and attacking the opponent's throat from a tricky angle.
Clang!
Reed catkins flew like snow, and sparks burst like thousands of falling stars as Ashina Genichiro easily blocked the slash. White Crane Hermit's heart sank. He had long expected the enemy before him to be very strong, but only by engaging did he realize how vast the gap truly was!
The essence of the Ninja Wolf's combat style lies in 'momentum.' This includes momentum in strength and posture. Whether it's wearing down the opponent with precise and rapid attacks or identifying weak points the moment the opponent strikes, the goal is to deflect heavy blows with subtle force and defeat the strong with the weak.
The Wolf's strategy is to weaken the enemy's momentum through efficient and fierce attacks or incredibly precise parries and counterattacks, thereby exposing vulnerabilities and ultimately seizing a fleeting opportunity for a lethal strike.
Different opponents gather different momentum. If ordinary soldiers are like weeds, and Chief Yamauchi Shigetoki is a log, then Ashina Genichiro is a massive and heavy ten-thousand-ton boulder. This single strike caused almost no impact at all.
However, in the next instant, White Crane Hermit's hair stood on end. This feeling was like an electric shock; every cell in his body was warning him, conveying only one word—Danger!
He instinctively dodged.
Ashina Genichiro advanced continuously, unleashing a three-strike combo. The sword light erupted like lightning tearing through the night sky, as flexible and tricky as a silver serpent, instantly severing hundreds of reeds in front of him.
Each dazzling sword light was avoided by a hair's breadth, each time a brush with death. Cold sweat broke out on White Crane Hermit. If not for this body's powerful danger prediction ability, he would undoubtedly have been defeated by now.
Too strong! The gap is too big! But I cannot give up! There is a way to defeat any strong enemy. I must uphold my oath and protect the Divine Child, bringing him safely out of Ashina Castle.
As Ashina Genichiro's storm-like assault subsided, White Crane Hermit attacked again, attempting to regain the initiative in the battle. Amidst the swirling white catkins, he chose not to meet force with force, swiftly moving around and delivering several strikes from different angles, but without exception, all were blocked by Ashina Genichiro.
Not just strength; the speed difference was also too great.
"Is the Divine Child's ninja only this capable?" Ashina Genichiro's gaze showed disdain. He suddenly burst forth and clashed blades again. The moment the twin blades collided, an irresistible force struck.
Not good! His body lost balance. The premonition of "danger" appeared again. Although he knew danger was coming, he was unable to dodge and could only brace himself to block. A sharp blade light, like a striking meteor, instantly knocked Kusabimaru from White Crane Hermit's hand.
The next moment, the blade's gleam reappeared—silver light like silk. A severed hand flew up, and blood droplets bloomed and burst in mid-air. This fleeting image was frozen in the moonlight.
White Crane Hermit, having lost his weapon and left arm, staggered back several steps, his face filled with unwillingness and disbelief. His old injuries flared up, and he completely lost the ability to maintain balance.
The battle ended! The victor was decided! Ashina Genichiro sheathed his sword.
He said indifferently, "I'm taking the Divine Child."
Ashina Genichiro turned and walked to the Divine Child's side. At this moment, the Divine Child had been knocked unconscious by Genichiro's subordinates and was being carried on a shoulder. Their figures gradually disappeared into the night, leaving only the Wolf, disarmed and severely wounded, lying amidst the boundless reeds.
After witnessing this battle, the Adventurers' emotions remained unsettled for a long time. Lost? White Crane Hermit actually lost? And he was defeated in three rounds. The strength of the two sides was simply not on the same level!
White Crane Hermit had automatically exited the Secret Realm, recovering from his deep immersion as the Wolf. His expression at this moment seemed a little strange.
"Old Dean! You were already amazing! This defeat isn't your fault; this enemy's combat power definitely exceeded the standard!"
"Exactly! From the strength he displayed, he definitely has at least Tier 2, Four-Star level. The Wolf's strength is at most Tier 1, Four or Five-Star. No matter what, this was an unwinnable battle!"
"The defeat in this battle is not due to the battle itself; it's all the Lord's fault!"
"Lord Jack has fallen! To actually set up an unwinnable battle! We'll go as a group to demand an explanation from him!"
The Adventurers comforted White Crane Hermit and wildly complained about the difficulty of Ashina Country. Indeed! No one could deny it. The duel between the Wolf and Ashina Genichiro in the Reed Plains was incredibly visually impactful. Every scene was so beautiful it felt like art, so romantic it was breathtaking.
Adventurers had never imagined that a bloody and brutal battle could be portrayed with such poetry and artistry. It would surely give everyone something to talk about for a long time.
The problem is... the difficulty is too exaggerated! White Crane Hermit couldn't even last a few rounds against Ashina Genichiro, let alone the other Adventurers in Black Stone Town. How can they play? They can't play at all!
However, White Crane Hermit gave a completely opposite evaluation: "No, you have once again underestimated the Lord. This battle is the most stunning design I have ever seen!"
What's going on? He was beaten so badly, and he's still defending the Lord?
White Crane Hermit glanced at the panel. It displayed the final result of this challenge:
[You have passed the "Ashina Country" prologue. "Skill Stone: Ninja Wolf Style Swordsmanship" +1!]
When this result was announced, all the Adventurers were stunned.
Black Stone Hammer King exclaimed, "Although defeated by Ashina Genichiro, he still passed the Ashina Country prologue?"
Pig King added, "Why can you clear it even if you lose?"
Wind in Sleep realized, "I understand! This means it was an unwinnable battle from the start, a setback that the protagonist, the Wolf, had to experience!"
Violent Little Chicken chimed in, "Holy crap, it can be like that?"
The Adventurers gradually realized the truth. "So, as long as you enter the Reed Plains, it means you've already passed the test."
"As for the battle with Ashina Genichiro? It was a fated defeat, and Lord Jack's portrayal of a defeat so vivid and romantic is truly unparalleled!"
"Is failure also part of the story?"
"I've never seen such an anti-trope production!"
In less than a minute, Jack's reputation rapidly reversed. One moment he was a corrupt, black-hearted lord; the next, he became an unconventional, uniquely brilliant Secret Realm designer. The battle with Ashina Genichiro and the beautiful Reed Plains were essentially a hidden bonus for passing the stage.
Of course, if it were just that, White Crane Hermit might not have been so impressed.
"Ashina Genichiro is incredibly powerful and came prepared; the outcome was almost unchangeable."
"However, I can feel that although there's a huge gap with Ashina Genichiro, this battle isn't entirely without hope!"
Black Stone Hammer King asked, "Could it be possible to win? No way!"
White Crane Hermit nodded with fervent eyes: "Although the chance is very slim, that sliver of opportunity exists... Even if we cannot reverse this defeat, we may still be able to defeat Ashina Genichiro to defend our dignity!"
Apparently, he doesn't intend to give up. He will continue to challenge Ashina Genichiro. This feeling of fighting against a top master, dancing on the edge of a blade, was incredibly addictive to him!
The Adventurers looked at each other. Since it was a fated plot defeat, why would he willingly suffer this hardship? However, thinking of the character of this Old Adventurer, everyone suddenly found it less strange.
Top Adventurers might all have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. They love to challenge limits the most. Of course, perhaps this is also one of the reasons why they can become top Adventurers!
If White Crane Hermit could truly defeat Ashina Genichiro despite the odds, it would not only be a huge personal thrill and achievement but also become a legendary feat in Miracle City to be sung about. As for ordinary Adventurers? They should just clear the stage honestly!
The impact brought by the Ashina Country prologue was not over yet. This short opening prologue presented Adventurers with a completely different Secret Realm world, enacted a brilliant battle, and offered a big surprise.
White Crane Hermit dropped a piece of loot:
[Skill Stone: Ninja Wolf Style Swordsmanship], Tier 1 Skill Stone, learning condition: 5 points of Spirit.
"It's a Skill Stone?!"
"The Ten Kingdoms Chronicle Secret Realm can drop Skill Stones!"
Both the human Adventurers and Nancy Lilia were overjoyed. This "Skill Stone" is similar to a "Skill Secret Crystal," except the latter is an exclusive skill for Lords, while the former is universal for all groups.
Nancy Lilia knew that such items are incredibly valuable! Their appeal to the natives of Chaos Continent even surpasses that of Adventurers by several times!
This is not difficult to understand. The Adventurer system's primary power comes from the spirit essence within their bodies. They can transform into various spirit forms to acquire corresponding powers, but they are not as keen on cultivating their true bodies.
Mainly because most Adventurers dislike fighting with their true bodies. Although their true bodies are immortal in the Chaos World, they pay a heavy price if killed.
As for ordinary cultivators, this item allows them to bypass years of cultivation, instantly master a set of new skills, or gain new abilities. This temptation is irresistible to most indigenous natives.
Many powerful cultivators on this continent are willing to cooperate with the Underground City or even join it, largely because only the Underground City can produce such cultivation resources.
And these cultivation resources can rapidly increase their strength.
White Crane Hermit, as the first Adventurer to clear the Ashina Country prologue, indeed had a higher drop rate. However, the Ashina Country prologue process is extremely short, and the overall Secret Realm rating cannot be too high. Even so, it still dropped a Skill Stone, which shows that the probability of the Secret Realm dropping skill-type loot is not low.
No wonder the Adventurers were so excited. After all, one of the core motivations for most Adventurers to challenge Secret Realms is to seek wealth. As long as a Secret Realm can help people earn money and get rich, its popularity is generally good, not to mention that the Secret Realm itself is of such excellent quality and incredibly addictive!
The quality of the Ten Kingdoms Chronicle Secret Realm is obvious to all, and Ashina Country is just the beginning of the Ten Kingdoms Chronicle Secret Realm. The part Adventurers challenged was the prologue of Ashina Country.
Even so, the scenes, information, and gameplay were astonishing. No one knew what other surprises lay ahead.
Moreover, this Secret Realm and the Raging Tide Secret Realm are not only completely opposite in style but also have unique and irreplaceable outputs.
With two major Secret Realms in hand, Miracle City's future is limitless!
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