Chapter 425: I Can Win
Chapter 425: I Can Win
Xiao Tan's opponent in this match was indeed a player renowned for their martial arts proficiency, with the ID 【Nan Quan Bei Tuimiddle school syndrome】. This player appeared to be around twenty years old, with a ponytail and wearing a blue martial arts robe. Notably, the robe bore no emblem of any guild. Overall, the player's appearance exuded the aura of a lone swordsman, though their nickname betrayed their true nature as a solitary yet comically eccentric individual.
"Mm… judging from the way the opponent's standing, they probably have no ranged attacks either", Middle School Syndrome mused while still formulating his battle strategy. Before he could finalize his plan, Xiao Tan had already shouted across, "Hey—Middle School Syndrome! Can you hear me?"
"What is it?" Middle School Syndrome barked back at a similar volume.
Although their physical distance wasn't great, the howling wind forced them to yell just to communicate.
"You don't have any ranged attacks either, right?" Xiao Tan asked.
Despite the howling wind lashing sideways, middle school syndrome didn't waste time. He swiftly reached the steel cable above Xiao Tan's elevator.
"Goodbye", muttered middle school syndrome as he activated his skills, slashing both palms downward.
【Name: Azure Dragon's Claw】
【Skill Card - Attribute: Active Skill, Permanently Mastered】
【Skill Category: Martial Arts】
【Effect: Unleash a strike capable of splitting gold and shattering stone (Cooldown: Twenty seconds)】
【Consumption: Stamina Value 600】
【Learning Condition: Martial Arts Proficiency C】
【Background: Evolved from a technique in Wudang's Skyward Gauntlet Boxing. The optimal stance involves raising palms upward to chest level, then flipping them downward while extending both legs straight.】
At this moment, middle school syndrome executed the skill exactly as described in its background. His palms slammed together, cleaving the hook suspending the elevator's top. This ensured the cable remained intact while the elevator would crash.
His plan was solid, but...
As middle school syndrome unleashed his move, the swaying elevator had tilted its door-facing side upward at a forty-five-degree angle. Inside, Xiao Tan gripped the handrail, channeling force through his arms.
Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the top of the elevator.
There was no time to think—only instinct could save Xiao Tan. And his instincts screamed: leap through the doorway and grab the steel cable.
Three seconds later, Xiao Tan's elevator plunged into the abyss of the cliffside ravine. Above it, two figures still stood on the suspended cable.
Separated by less than five meters, their melee weapons couldn't yet reach across the precarious distance. Face-to-face on the swaying wire, a standoff began...
"So it's come to this after all", middle school syndrome mused. "Hmph... Well, we're both martial arts proficiency players, balanced equally on this unstable cable."
Wait? No! Speaking of balance... wasn't there an elevator behind him? And wasn't he closer to it? With only a thread-like space to maneuver, if he turned and retreated to the elevator's roof first, wouldn't Xiao Tan become a live target? Then he could bombard him with locust stones, pili bombs...
But before middle school syndrome finished his thought, Xiao Tan acted first.
"Yaaah!" Xiao Tan suddenly roared, charging forward.
"You're coming straight at me?!" middle school syndrome wouldn't wait to be slaughtered. If his opponent wanted a head-on clash, he'd answer with force. He launched his counterattack.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Tan's figure split into two, then merged again—he'd instantly appeared behind middle school syndrome.
【Demon Bat Phantom】 propelled Xiao Tan past his opponent, carrying him toward the remaining elevator.
"What!" middle school syndrome reacted swiftly. As Xiao Tan's form divided, he twisted his body. If Xiao Tan had attempted a backward strike after passing, it would've been blocked.
Xiao Tan understood perfectly—landing an instant kill on a martial arts-focused player in this situation was nearly impossible. So instead of stopping, he continued his advance using his skill's momentum.
"Dammit!" middle school syndrome quickly realized his opponent's intent and gave chase.
But Xiao Tan had started earlier, his speed and positioning far superior. Naturally, he leapt onto the elevator roof first, planting his feet firmly.
"That's despicable! You used 'Yaaah!'—a ten-point middle school syndrome battle cry—to trick me into thinking you'd attack head-on while you actually slipped behind to seize advantageous terrain!" middle school syndrome halted his pursuit. Approaching now would mean facing a 【Winchester Shotgun Shot】 head-on, leaving no room to dodge.
"That accusation lacks credibility coming from someone named 'Nan Quan Bei Tui middle school syndrome,'" Xiao Tan retorted, aiming his shotgun with dead seriousness.
In the current situation, the shotgun's tactical value had been infinitely amplified. On the swaying cable, middle school syndrome had no choice but to move forward directly into gunfire. The narrow footing left zero space to evade. Getting within range meant certain impact from scattered buckshot—while the bullets might not kill, their force would shift his balance and send him plummeting.
"Seems like he's doing pretty well", Feng Bu Jue remarked, watching the scene unfold on the conference table's display.
"It looks more like luck to me", Bei Ling countered. "If the elevator had tilted downward when the hook snapped, wouldn't he—"
"He could still return to the cable", Feng Bu Jue interrupted. "He could vault through the elevator door, stomp the falling cabin to launch himself upward. Grabbing the cable wouldn't matter—so long as he jumped higher than the cable's height, he could adjust mid-air." He paused. "Of course... calling it luck isn't wrong either. In that situation, a quick opponent would attack. The risk factor increases significantly."
"I'm curious—if you were fighting this rematch, how would you handle it?" Si Yu asked.
Feng Bu Jue smiled. "If I were there, the system wouldn't have generated such a map. I'd use Moon Step to ascend, then sever both cables supporting the elevator with two Storm Leg strikes. Ten seconds would decide the match."
"Hmm..." Si Yu pondered. "Looks like the system protecting other players by sending you straight to the 【Butterfly Arena】 was justified after all."
"This cable balancing act drains stamina faster than I expected", middle school syndrome thought after their standoff lasted minutes. "Comparatively, he can use both hands to aim his gun while standing on an entire platform—his position is much better than mine..." He exhaled deeply. "Am I heading into the tiebreaker round?"
["The Light Force within me tears through bonds... My prayers go unheard... Past glory fades... In this moment resonating with despair, the supreme Dark Force dormant in my body awakens... After defeating this opponent, I must seal my now-rampant left hand..." Such a scenario... would be next to impossible to achieve.]
It seemed even middle school syndrome knew the probability of his monologue becoming reality approached zero...
"Feeling bitter about losing on this map?" Xiao Tan suddenly spoke.
"I'm not exactly thrilled myself... Actually, we haven't fought at all yet", Xiao Tan continued, lowering his gun. "But since this tournament is called 'Summit Confrontation,' each participant should at least have the conviction... 'I am stronger than my opponent.' I could play it safe, waiting here until your stamina depletes, forcing you into the abyss." His tone shifted. "But I don't want to win that way."
Pausing briefly, Xiao Tan added, "Remember my original suggestion?"
Middle school syndrome responded mechanically, "Settling it... on this cable?"
"Exactly", Xiao Tan said, leaping from the elevator onto the cable. He aimed his shotgun at the lower elevator's hook and fired, severing it decisively. "Earlier, you might have hesitated. But now—there's nowhere left behind you."
As the second elevator plunged, middle school syndrome's terror value rose... Not from the situation, but from the momentum of his opponent.
"I believe I can win", Xiao Tan declared, holstering his shotgun as his Trident Bayonet charge built. "I know... I can win."
Suddenly, nightmare trails of black flame erupted along the cable. Xiao Tan streaked forward upside-down beneath the wire, a surge of violent killing intent exploding between heaven and earth.
【Terrifying Shadow Soul Chase】 screamed toward its target...
(End of Chapter)
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