Zhengqiang sounds rose, and the edge flashed for an instant.

Takeda Satoshi's sneak attack was sudden, fast, and naturally... effective.

In that instant, Juan Menghai was attacked from both sides, caught between a rock and a hard place, and was about to be injured.

Fortunately, he also had teammates...

Just as Takeda Satoshi slashed out with his katana, Zhao Yingwang's Stone Demon had already rushed up.

As Zhao Yingwang's core summon, the former [Blood Stone Demon] has evolved many times and has now become a brand new S-class creature – the [Platinum Stone Demon].

This Stone Demon does not have any special abilities. The only reason it can be defined as S-class is one reason – strength.

How strong?

Let's put it this way... in terms of physical skills and health points alone, it is 30% stronger than first-rate experts like Takeda Satoshi.

At the moment, the Platinum Stone Demon arrived first, flashing to Takeda Satoshi's side and punching at the blade that the latter was wielding.

Bang—

The mountain-splitting and sea-cracking punch hit its mark, abruptly changing the direction of Takeda's blade.

Takeda Satoshi not only suffered a setback in his sneak attack, but also immediately fell into crisis...

"Tsk... a summon with such a large volume is still so fast..." Takeda Satoshi had also studied Zhao Yingwang's videos before the match. She knew that the Platinum Stone Demon was very strong, but she had never seen the creature's full speed in the videos. Now, in actual combat, she had learned her lesson.

Bang bang bang bang...

Before she could think too much, the Platinum Stone Demon's follow-up moves had arrived. There was nothing special about them... just continuous punches with both fists at high speed.

But Takeda Satoshi had no choice but to go all out to deal with this simple move, just because she was steadily suppressed by this Stone Demon in terms of both speed and strength.

On the other hand, Date Makoto and Juan Menghai's offense and defense had also entered a realm that was difficult for the eye to follow.

Date Makoto, who drew his second black katana... his figure instantly became illusory, his speed reached its limit, and the exquisite katana techniques danced between the two blades like a gust of wind and a torrential rain, continuous and endless.

Facing Juan Menghai, who was wielding a long weapon and was stronger than himself, Date used the most correct fighting method – close combat, acceleration, and continuous attacks.

The two-sword style used by Date has two different slashing intervals due to the different lengths of the two weapons, so it can exert high efficiency whether it is close combat or ordinary close combat; while Juan Menghai, who uses a "halberd" as a weapon, is quite disadvantaged in close combat. Not only can the blade of the weapon not reach the enemy, but the length of the halberd will also become a burden for him to adjust his posture and parry.

With this ebb and flow, the direction of this fight should also be very clear...

However!

Between the sounds of blades, the inches were contested, and the moves came and went, making it difficult to determine the outcome.

"This guy..." After attacking continuously for ten seconds, Date Makoto couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart, and secretly exclaimed, "...isn't he ridiculously strong?"

Date had naturally studied the information about Juan Menghai before the match; whether it was the rigid data analyzed from the videos, or the most recent actual combat data provided by Oda Ai and Sasaki Akira, they all showed that Juan Menghai's strength was at most a 50-50 split with Sasaki Akira, and was slightly lower than experts of Oda Ai's level.

But the actual situation in front of him was... Date Makoto, who was at the same level as Oda Ai, used his advantageous tactics to fight against Juan Menghai, but was still defended by his opponent without any leaks.

"I undoubtedly have the advantage in terms of weapon type and combat distance, which means..." Date Makoto thought while fighting, "Did I also lose in 'speed' and 'skill'?"

He quickly denied this deduction.

"No... that's impossible!"

Date's self-confidence was very firm. His record in team practice with Oda Ai was five wins and five losses; and when facing Uesugi Jin, an opponent wielding a long weapon... he had a perfect record even with 70% of his strength.

Furthermore, although Date did not turn on his ranking on the player's comprehensive strength list (out of strategic considerations), Oda Ai, who was comparable in strength to him, was also ranked above Juan Menghai.

All of these factors... showed that he was stronger than Juan Menghai, so he couldn't agree that he was in an equal or even weak position in this duel.

"He must have used some kind of method..." Date Makoto quickly came to another conclusion, "Some kind of... skill or item that can improve close combat defense efficiency; yes... that must be it! He must be able to stalemate with me barely under the premise of bearing extra consumption, as long as my offensive does not stop, the advantage will expand... he will not be able to hold on sooner or later!"

His speculation was not a problem in terms of logic, but unfortunately... it was wrong.

Juan Menghai did not use any special means. He was just using basic physical skills to deal with his opponent; the reason why he could not show any flaws in this unfavorable duel was very simple – in terms of martial arts, Juan Menghai was better than Date Makoto.

It was this "better" that smoothed out the gap in hard power between the two sides, and also smoothed out the restraint of weapons in this close combat.

"Date! What are you spacing out for! How long are you going to play with that guy?" After the battle lasted for a minute, Takeda Satoshi couldn't hold back anymore.

First of all, due to the fast pace and high intensity of this round of confrontation, Takeda Satoshi's stamina was being consumed a little too quickly; and the Platinum Stone Demon... as a summon, it does not have the concept of "stamina". As long as the time limit has not arrived, it can continue to fight.

Secondly, while Takeda and the Platinum Stone Demon were entangled, Zhao Yingwang in the distance had already begun to prepare other summoning rituals sneakily. God knows what other tricks he would summon next...

In short, from all angles, the two from [Sengoku] had to do something quickly to change the situation on the field.

"Tsk..." Date heard the sound, spit lightly, and thought helplessly in his heart, "I also want to solve him quickly... but this guy..." Thinking of this, his expression changed again, as if he had made some kind of determination, "Forget it... since the situation is already like this, those abilities that I originally planned to 'reserve for the last few rounds' can also be used..."

As soon as his thoughts were settled, the offensive changed dramatically!

Putting down the shackles in his heart, Date Makoto's fighting spirit soared, and the katana and short blade in his hand... changed their styles.

"This is..." Perceiving the change, Juan Menghai immediately responded, using a skill under his feet, and retreating two zhang in the trend.

But how could Date Makoto let him escape? Seeing Juan Menghai retreating rapidly, Date also used *shukuchi* to come, like a shadow.

In an instant, white light flashed, and black light traveled together.

The white *katana* used [Secret Sword - First Sword] to take Juan Menghai's neck; the black short sword used [Moon Shadow] to attack Juan Menghai's ribs.

The former is the strongest slash evolved from the simplest moves, while the latter is a unique masterpiece that focuses on extreme speed and change.

The two moves arrived together, and the style was irresistible.

The meaning of the sword was clear, and the peak of martial arts was seen.

This was an unavoidable pursuit, and also a wonderful move that amazed countless experts.

But... at this moment, Juan Menghai's face still had a calm look.

At that moment, Juan Menghai picked up his halberd, spun his body, and poured out his fighting spirit.

The katana and halberd clashed, and cold stars burst out.

Great energy suddenly met, and a majestic decision was made.

At the moment when the two extremes intersected, time and space suddenly stagnated.

The earth-shattering blow, the ending was actually!