CHAPTER 1019: THE EIGHT-FORKED SERPENT

Chapter 1019: The Eight-Forked Serpent

Tanaka Ryūseki gripped his dual blades, advancing step by step toward Lu Huang and Li Yue.

Beneath his mask, his gaze was icy and terrifying.

His pace wasn't particularly fast because he was carefully observing Lu Huang and Li Yue's appearances.

"Jiangnan Region, Demon Squad, captain [Taotie]. The woman beside him has no records, probably not captain-level."

Meanwhile, Lu Huang was also receiving notifications from the command center.

"Taotie, the person appearing before you is the leader of the Neon ninja organization [Yamata], [Yamata no Orochi] Tanaka Ryūseki."

Both of them had immediately obtained partial intelligence about their opponent from their respective command centers.

Both sides remained exceptionally cautious, neither rashly initiating an attack.

Only after confirming the other's codename, superhuman ability index, and abilities did they make basic judgments.

Tanaka Ryūseki, superhuman ability index 9500 points.

Lu Huang, superhuman ability index 9400 points. The two could be considered evenly matched opponents.

Except Lu Huang had an additional deputy, Li Yue, by his side.

Tanaka Ryūseki's gaze paused on Li Yue for less than a second.

In captain-level battles, the presence of a deputy captain might not necessarily provide a positive influence.

Generally speaking, only two situations were meaningful.

One, being able to complement the captain-level abilities.

Two, being a support-type superhuman who could enhance that captain-level individual.

And Li Yue clearly belonged to the latter category.

Lu Huang reached out and shielded her behind him.

Li Yue's gentle gaze also turned sharp.

She slowly raised both hands, two white beams like ribbons connecting to Lu Huang's body, gentle as a loving mother's embrace.

This was her protection ability [Love and Sincerity].

Tanaka Ryūseki raised his dual blades.

Lu Huang also lifted his great demon sword, pointing it directly at Tanaka Ryūseki.

Both were masters of close combat, exchanging no words as they instantly charged toward each other.

Among superhumans, the most brutal slaughters always occurred between close-combat types.

Because only they fought blade-to-blade, blood splattering everywhere, risking their lives with every strike.

If either side showed any opening, the other would instantly seize it, determining life or death.

In other words, close-quarters combat between superhumans usually resulted in at least one death, or sometimes mutual destruction.

Great sword against dual blades, both pushing their strength and speed to the limit. Every collision between blade and sword stirred up endless storms, blasting the surrounding toxic miasma kilometers away! ṙАꞐ𝖔𝐛Ěṡ

Sparks flew westward, the clanging sounds of collision ringing incessantly.

Li Yue stood at a distance, continuously providing protection for Lu Huang.

Tanaka Ryūseki's blade technique was extremely refined, but Lu Huang's swordsmanship was equally sharp and ruthless.

The two met mid-air, landing separately in less than a second before charging up to clash again!

Every brief exchange involved hundreds of collisions between blade and sword!

Tanaka Ryūseki's gaze fell upon Li Yue.

"So you have a support-type superhuman providing protection? Then I'll kill your support first!"

He pulled out two crimson metal spheres from his person and threw them toward Lu Huang.

Lu Huang frowned deeply, neither blocking with his sword nor evading.

Because Li Yue was behind him—he couldn't dodge.

So he opened his mouth and let out a furious roar!

"HA!!!"

His expression suddenly became terrifyingly distorted, his skin seeming to contort strangely, with something eerie faintly visible beneath the surface.

The roar swept through the air, and the moment it passed over the two crimson metal spheres, they exploded.

"BOOM!" "BOOM!"

The metal spheres exploded directly, but instead of the expected blast, they released massive amounts of crimson smoke that began spreading around Lu Huang.

Tanaka Ryūseki gripped his dual blades, his figure slowly fading into the dust and smoke.

"Invisibility technique!"

He held his breath, making his presence fade, then stealthily attempted to bypass Lu Huang to kill Li Yue first!

But such tricks naturally couldn't escape Lu Huang's notice.

He and Li Yue were longtime teammates, and famously known lovers.

He understood better than anyone that in battle, Li Yue would be the enemy's priority target.

Tanaka Ryūseki stealthily passed by Lu Huang's side, rapidly approaching Li Yue.

"Success? This easily?"

Even Tanaka Ryūseki hadn't expected things to be so simple.

He felt a moment's hesitation, but since he'd found the opportunity to eliminate the opponent's support, there was no reason to hold back!

Tanaka Ryūseki swiftly swung his blade, cutting toward Li Yue's head!

"SWISH!"

The blade swept past rapidly. Li Yue's pupils contracted, the blade edge magnifying infinitely in her eyes.

"CLANG!"

Just as the blade was about to reach her head, a long sword suddenly appeared before Li Yue, blocking Tanaka Ryūseki's strike.

Tanaka Ryūseki froze momentarily.

He had imagined countless outcomes, including the possibility of Lu Huang blocking his attack.

Even then, he could have used Li Yue to restrain Lu Huang, making him fight with restrictions.

However, he hadn't expected this.

Because that blade didn't come from Lu Huang, but from the support before him—Li Yue herself!

Li Yue held the long sword, a strange white light flashing in her eyes.

"Do you think killing me would be that simple?"

When she spoke, two voices emerged—one hers, the other Lu Huang's.

"Two... captain-level individuals?"

Li Yue drew her sword and slashed. Tanaka Ryūseki quickly reacted, hastily blocking several strikes before rapidly retreating.

Lu Huang and Li Yue stood about ten meters apart, both holding weapons, their stances almost identical.

After careful observation, Tanaka Ryūseki finally vaguely grasped some aspects of their ability.

That woman named Li Yue didn't possess captain-level strength.

Because when she displayed powerful combat capability, Lu Huang's main body noticeably weakened somewhat.

"Can they borrow and transfer power between each other?"

Li Yue's ability [Love and Sincerity] was that of lovers.

Between lovers who adore each other and share intimate bonds, they can share everything with one another.

Including strength and superhuman abilities.

This was also why Li Yue, as a support, could openly appear on the battlefield.

Because at any time, she could borrow power from Lu Huang.

Even when Lu Huang lost combat capability, she could temporarily assume his role.

Tanaka Ryūseki murmured softly, "What an interesting ability! Such a wonderful woman, I wonder how you found her."

"However, it's time I showed some real skill!"

A dense white mist enveloped his body as he forcefully plunged his dual blades into the ground.

Moments later, accompanied by a tremendous roar, a massive, ferocious white monster appeared on the battlefield with a "BOOM!"

A snake demon covered in white barbs, with eight heads, roared furiously as it looked down upon all directions!

Author's Note