Chapter 421: Chapter 219: End

[Gravity Etching] as a professional battle skill companion of [Fallen Blade Hunting], became one of Xia Nan’s daily training items after his level up.

On one hand, its inherent limitation of “3” uses, coupled with the special mechanism of recharging every six hours, makes this battle skill relatively easy to train.

All that’s needed is to manage the recharge time and use the charges accordingly, allowing the skill level to increase far more efficiently than other battle skills.

On the other hand, it’s also because of the exceptional effect of [Gravity Etching].

Compared to the battle skills like [Vortex Slash] and [Teeth Hunting] that emphasize physical skill and technique, [Gravity Etching] is more akin to an “enchantment.”

It concentrates pure energy on the surface of a weapon, providing a singular, substantial burst of damage for an attack.

And more critically, the type of damage it causes is “force field damage.”

A unique, pure form of invisible energy directly shaped and guided by magic particles.

Unlike elemental “ice” and “fire,” physical “piercing” and “slicing,” or other types like “dark erosion” and “mind.”

A “force field” can be impact or slice, and can also act as a barrier or shield, being intangible but physically substantial.

The vast majority of magical creatures in this world, including adventurers with professional levels, possess some degree of resistance to various types of damage themselves.

Even Xia Nan, who advanced just a few months ago, has resistance to “light,” “flame,” “slicing,” and “piercing” due to various specializations and equipment.

—The former comes from the [Bathed in Light] specialty, while the latter three originate from the “Plate Chain Composite Armor” forged from Maran Pattern Steel that he wears.

Although none of these resistances are particularly high, when accumulated, they are sufficient to mitigate some damage for him.

And the reason why force field damage often bears the prefix “noble” is because:

—In the multiverse, there are almost no beings naturally resistant or immune to force field damage.

This also means that even ancient giant dragons, demon lords, outer plane creatures, and mechanical bodies capable of resisting mid to high tier spells with their body alone.

If struck once by Xia Nan with a sword imbued with [Gravity Etching], they have to take the full brunt of the damage.

Of course, the exact amount of damage… that’s another story.

In some ways, it’s not inappropriate to call it “true damage.”

This is also the most notable and crucial feature of force field damage compared to other types of damage.

Pure and intangible, stable, versatile, reliable, with almost absolute penetration.

Which makes [Gravity Etching] one of Xia Nan’s trump cards.

And at the critical moment in a fight like this, combined with [Gravity Control], it delivers a fatal blow to the enemy.

Buzz—

Reddish-brown energy explosively surged from the sword blade surface!

First was Mint’s left arm, severed by the sword from the upper forearm, the outward-expanding energy resembling a gaping maw lined with sharp teeth, fiercely descending along the direction of the severed limb.

Blood gushed, and the small remaining section below her elbow was devoured by the force energy.

One could almost see the pale bone stubs and twitching flesh exposed in the air at the neatly cut wound.

Simultaneously, the reddish-brown force field energy spread and covered Mint’s chest.

Under the roaring flames of the kerosene bomb, her singed dark mane was instantly consumed, and her skin, tougher than tree bark, offered no resistance, turning to pulp and spraying outward.

Muscles, bones, and even the silhouette of internal organs beneath the chest membrane could faintly be seen.

Yet force field energy also silently receded.

“It’s a serious injury!”

“But it’s still short of ending the battle.” Xia Nan gripped the sword hilt tightly with both hands, focusing on the opponent’s actions while his peripheral vision swept over the wounds he had inflicted.

Thoughts whirred in his mind.

Leaving no chance for the enemy to breathe, his left leg, which had previously stomped to the ground amid a wolf’s howl, stepped forward again, torso and arms strengthening further.

The sword’s tip, glinting with a sharp cold light in the night, was already poised to pierce through the enemy’s chest, now unobstructed by fur.

A sharp whistling of air being torn by a swift object reached his ears, a dark blur swept past his side.

His mind went solemn.

If he continued this thrust, the bear man ahead would likely be left barely clinging to life, if not dead. But at the same time, his own head would suffer a blow from the enemy’s claws.

Exchanging life for injury clearly wasn’t worth it.

His arms instantly withdrew their force, using the momentum of his lunge, bending his knees, his body swiftly ducked down!

Whoosh—

Carrying the wind, a chill slashed over his head.

Mint, taking advantage of the opportunity, retreated two steps back.

With a principle of maximizing gain, Xia Nan twisted his wrist, the sword blade moved horizontally, shifting thrust to slash, with force, an iron gray arc of light mixed with crimson blood swept ahead of Mint once more.

Near her neck on the upper body, another gory wound was added, covered in flesh and blood.

An instant separation.

Superhuman physical capability, and the attack rate it brings, made this seemingly complicated interchange happen in a blink of an eye.

From a slight distance, anyone witnessing would see Xia Nan swiftly approaching under the illusion of a wolf’s head, the bear man’s body momentarily pausing.

The next second, the severed arm soared high, a flash of reddish-brown light flickered by.

The wolf’s head illusion hadn’t fully dissipated, leaving only a perfect arc of light, the burly strong figure retreated rapidly with blood spurting.

Until the gravely injured, broken-bodied bear man stood still in place, the fierce black-haired youth turned back post-battle skill, holding the longsword in a guarded stance.