Sudden Change of Tactics

"This woman’s presence is so strong," Thor said in a lowered voice. "When she looked at me just now, I actually felt as if a sword point were aimed at me."

Luo Feng nodded as well. "Her Mental Power cultivation is very high. That glance just now already counted as a mental probe."

"She is indeed no simple opponent," Hong said gravely. "Luo Wen, you need to handle her carefully. Her words just now sounded polite, but she was actually testing your state of mind."

Luo Wen took a deep breath and closed his eyes, sensing the surging power of the Law of Fire within him. Half a month of arduous cultivation had given him a deeper understanding of fire’s essence. Fire was not merely destruction; it was also rebirth. It was not merely violent; it also possessed a gentle side.

"Attention, contestants. The competition is about to begin. Please make your final preparations." The Virtual Universe’s system prompt sounded.

Luo Wen opened his eyes, determination glinting within them. "It’s time."

He raised his right hand, and Mental Power slowly surged forth, condensing into a dazzling crimson blade in his palm. This was his Mental Power weapon—the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade. Its blade was streamlined, its surface covered in starlike patterns, every one of which contained pure Law of Fire power.

"Starlight Sky-Rending Blade, fight alongside me once more." Luo Wen gently stroked the blade as if speaking to an old friend.

The other contestants around him were making their own preparations. Some adjusted their weapons, some made their final insights into the Laws, while others warmed up. The atmosphere throughout the preparation area grew increasingly tense as one exciting battle after another was about to unfold.

"First match: Luo Wen versus Aelia Silvermoon. Both contestants, please enter the teleportation zone." The system’s voice sounded again.

Luo Wen gave his teammates a deep look. They all nodded to him, their eyes filled with encouragement and trust.

"Go fight without worry." Hong patted him on the shoulder. "Remember, you aren’t fighting alone."

"Take her down!" Thor swung his fist. "Show those geniuses of the universe what us Earthlings are made of!"

"Believe in yourself, and in the help your companions have given you." Luo Feng’s words were calm but powerful.

Luo Wen nodded and strode toward the teleportation zone. At the other end, the Silvermoon Princess approached at the same time. Her steps were light yet firm, every one seeming to land upon a beat, elegant and full of rhythm.

The two met in the center of the teleportation zone and stared at one another. Though the battle had yet to begin, an invisible pressure had already spread between them.

"Are you ready?" the Silvermoon Princess asked, slowly drawing the longsword at her waist.

It was a sword so beautiful it took one’s breath away. Its blade shone silver like moonlight, exquisite runes carved along its edge, each containing the mysteries of the Wind Law. A blue gemstone was set in its hilt, glittering with enchanting light beneath the lamps.

"I can begin at any time," Luo Wen answered. The Starlight Sky-Rending Blade trembled lightly in his hand, as though impatient to test itself against his opponent’s famed sword.

"Teleportation commencing. Battle arena: Starry Battlefield."

A flash of white light passed, and both vanished from the teleportation zone.

The next instant, Luo Wen found himself standing amid a vast expanse of stars. Endless cosmic void surrounded him, with brilliant Nebulae and twinkling stars in the distance. Beneath his feet was a transparent platform formed from energy. This was the arena specially prepared by the Virtual Universe Company for this battle—the Starry Battlefield.

At the other end of the platform, the Silvermoon Princess appeared as well. Starlight fell across her silver armor, making her seem coated in a layer of sacred radiance. The longsword in her hand gleamed beneath the stars, like a bright moon rising in the night sky.

"What a beautiful battlefield," the Silvermoon Princess said softly. "Fighting in such an environment feels almost like poetry."

Luo Wen nodded. It was true; such a battlefield broadened one’s heart, making one feel as though they had merged with the entire universe. He drew a deep breath, and the Law of Fire within him began to circulate slowly.

"Battle, begin!"

The instant the system’s voice fell, the Silvermoon Princess moved. Her figure drifted like a ghost as she thrust her sword forward, its edge carrying fierce Wind Law power straight toward Luo Wen’s throat. The strike was incredibly fast, as though it had torn even space apart.

Luo Wen had been prepared. The Starlight Sky-Rending Blade swept horizontally, Law of Fire power surging across its blade as it collided with the Silvermoon Princess’s sword.

Clang!

The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the starry sky as two utterly different Law powers clashed fiercely. Flame collided with a clear wind, creating brilliant energy ripples that blossomed into beautiful light within the void.

"What fast reactions!" the Silvermoon Princess praised. She spun, her sword flowing like drifting clouds and running water as she thrust seven times in succession, every strike sealing off Luo Wen’s retreat.

Rather than retreat, Luo Wen advanced. The Starlight Sky-Rending Blade danced in his hand, its blade light flashing like starlight, every arc accurately blocking the Silvermoon Princess’s attacks. Their figures crossed over one another on the Starry Battlefield, sparks from their weapon collisions blooming as brilliantly as fireworks.

"Silvermoon Sword Canon, First Form—Moon Rising Over the Eastern Mountain!"

The Silvermoon Princess gave a sharp cry, and her sword stance abruptly changed. She raised her longsword high above her head, silver light blazing from its blade as though a bright moon were slowly rising. As her sword stance transformed, the surrounding Wind Law grew more violent, forming Wind Blades that attacked Luo Wen from every direction.

Luo Wen felt unprecedented pressure. This move was far more powerful than any of her previous attacks. He took a deep breath, driving the Law of Fire within him at full force. The patterns on the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade began to glow like burning stars.

"Prairie Fire!"

Luo Wen roared, swinging the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade forward. Countless flaming blade energies erupted from its surface. Dense as a meteor shower, each contained scorching Law of Fire power as they collided fiercely with the Silvermoon Princess’s Wind Blades in midair.

The clash between fire and wind grew even fiercer. The entire Starry Battlefield was affected by the aftermath of their battle. Cracks appeared throughout the energy platform, while the starlight itself flickered uncertainly.

In the spectator area, countless viewers were drawn in by the thrilling battle. Luo Wen’s Earthling teammates watched the situation especially anxiously.

"Luo Wen’s use of the Law of Fire is becoming increasingly refined," Hong analyzed. "Look at that move just now. Both the number and quality of his flaming blade energies have improved greatly compared to half a month ago."

"But that Silvermoon Princess isn’t easy to deal with either," Thor said with a frown. "Her swordsmanship is truly formidable, and it looks like she still hasn’t gone all out."

Luo Feng stared intently at the battlefield. "The key is that her attainment in the Wind Law is very high. Everyone understands that wind can fuel fire, but conversely, wind can also extinguish fire. The key to this battle lies in who can better control the interaction between their Laws."

On the battlefield, their battle entered its most intense stage. The Silvermoon Princess’s swordsmanship flowed like clouds and water, every move containing profound Law mysteries. Luo Wen’s Blade Technique, however, was more domineering and direct, the violence of the Law of Fire seeming effortless under his control.

"You are strong—stronger than I imagined," the Silvermoon Princess said as she retreated slightly after an exchange, excitement shining in her eyes. "But now, I am going to get serious."

The moment her words fell, the surrounding Wind Law suddenly became even more violent. Countless Wind Blades circled around her, forming a massive Wind Domain. Within this domain, she was the absolute ruler.

"Silvermoon Sword Canon, Third Form—Moon Over the West Chamber!"

The Silvermoon Princess vanished instantly. The next moment, countless figures of her appeared across the battlefield. Each held a longsword, every blade gleaming with moonlike Silverglow. These were not illusions, but real duplicates created through the Wind Law.

Dozens of Silvermoon Princesses attacked at once, dozens of sword lights pouring toward Luo Wen like an overturned galaxy. Such an attack could not be evaded. It could only be faced head-on.

Facing such an assault, Luo Wen did not panic. Instead, he smiled. His half month of arduous cultivation had been for precisely this moment.

"Then let me show you my true strength!"

Luo Wen raised the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade over his head, and the Law of Fire within him began to circulate violently. His body started to glow and heat up, as though he had become a small sun. The patterns on the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade lit up completely, every one like a burning river of stars.

"Fire Lotus—Myriad Swords Return to Origin!"

This was the strongest move Luo Wen had comprehended over the past half month, perfectly combining the explosiveness of the Law of Fire with the precise control of a Mental Power weapon. The Starlight Sky-Rending Blade suddenly split apart, transforming into countless flaming longswords, each burning with pure Law of Fire power.

Countless fire swords formed a gigantic flaming lotus in the air. The instant the lotus bloomed, thousands of sword lights shot out like meteors, meeting the Silvermoon Princess’s attack.

The fire swords and wind swords collided in midair, erupting with earthshaking thunder. The entire Starry Battlefield shook violently, and the cracks in the energy platform grew ever more numerous, as though it might collapse at any moment.

When the smoke and dust dispersed, both remained standing on the battlefield, though each appeared somewhat exhausted. Several scorch marks had appeared on the Silvermoon Princess’s silver armor, while Luo Wen’s clothes were also somewhat damaged.

"Wonderful!" The Silvermoon Princess wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, the fighting spirit in her eyes burning even hotter. "It has been a long time since I last fought so freely. But the victor has yet to be decided. Let us continue!"

Luo Wen nodded, condensing the Starlight Sky-Rending Blade once more. "I was thinking the same. An opponent like you is hard to come by."

On the Starry Battlefield, two figures crossed paths once again. The collision of flames and clear wind blossomed into brilliant radiance in the void. Luo Wen and the Silvermoon Princess’s battle had entered its fiercest stage, every exchange making the audience in the spectator area hold their breath.

In the spectator area, geniuses from star regions throughout the universe were deeply shaken by this battle.

"This Earthling’s strength far exceeds my expectations," a burly Giant Clan warrior said in a low voice. He came from the Boulder Star Region, tens of thousands of light-years from Earth. "His control over the Law of Fire has already approached that of our Boulder Clan’s Flame Elders."

Beside him sat an Elf Race woman with pointed ears and long emerald hair. "Not only that. Look at how he uses his Mental Power weapon. That Starlight Sky-Rending Blade is no longer an ordinary Mental Power weapon. It is the embryonic form of a Law weapon, infused with his deep understanding of the Law of Fire."

"Indeed, he is extraordinary," said a representative of a mysterious race dressed in black robes. "But the Silver Blue Empire’s princess is no easy opponent either. Her Silvermoon Sword Canon is said to be a secret never passed beyond the Silver Blue Empire’s royal family for a thousand years. In the empire’s entire history, fewer than ten people have mastered its third form."

In the VIP spectator area, several high-ranking members of the Virtual Universe Company were also watching the battle.

"Zhen Wu, what do you think of this Earthling named Luo Wen?" a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes asked. He was one of the Virtual Universe Company’s Supervisors, specializing in discovering promising newcomers.

Zhen Wu looked very young, yet ancient wisdom shone through his eyes. "This Luo Wen is very interesting. His comprehension of the Law of Fire is not yet deep enough, but it is stable and solid. More importantly, his ability to learn in battle is very strong. Look at his fighting style now—it has already changed noticeably from the beginning."

"Oh? How so?" The Supervisor was intrigued.

"At first, he merely used the Law of Fire to oppose the Wind Law directly. But look now—he has begun using the heat of his flames to create rising air currents, affecting the Silvermoon Princess’s use of the Wind Law. Not just anyone possesses that kind of combat wisdom." Zhen Wu pointed at the battlefield as he analyzed.

The Supervisor nodded. "Indeed, that ability to adapt on the spot is rare. But the Silver Blue Empire’s princess is no simple opponent either. It seems she still has a trump card she has not revealed."

On the Earthling team’s side, Hong, Thor, and Luo Feng were so tense that their palms sweated.

"Luo Wen’s consumption is becoming a little too great," Hong analyzed with a frown. "Using high-intensity Law of Fire attacks repeatedly consumes an enormous amount of Mental Power."

Thor swung his fist. "But his offensive is getting fiercer and fiercer! Look, that Silvermoon Princess has already started retreating!"

Luo Feng carefully observed the battle. "No, she isn’t retreating. She is looking for an opportunity. Look at her sword stance. Though it appears defensive, she is actually building momentum."

Sure enough, just as Luo Feng had predicted, the Silvermoon Princess suddenly changed her tactics after defending against several waves of attacks.

"It seems it is time to display the true power of the Silver Blue Empire royal family’s swordsmanship." The Silvermoon Princess spoke softly, but in the Starry Battlefield’s special environment, everyone could hear her with perfect clarity.

She held her longsword horizontally before her chest and began to slowly chant an ancient incantation. As the chant sounded, the Wind Law throughout the Starry Battlefield began to fluctuate violently, as if some ancient existence had been awakened.

"Silvermoon Sword Canon, Ultimate Secret Art—Moonfall Starfall!"

The Silvermoon Princess’s voice rang through the battlefield like heavenly music. The starry sky behind her suddenly darkened, and all starlight was absorbed by the longsword in her hand. Its blade began to emit dazzling radiance, as though a bright moon had truly fallen from the night sky.