Provocation?
Lin Zhao frowned. It had been a long time since he'd encountered something like this. But who was this nameless wanderer, and why would they dare to challenge him? He understood the principle of being prepared for anything. So, he said in the studio channel, "Nameless Wanderer has challenged me to a duel on the battlefield. Who is this person? Do you know?"
"We know a little."
Chen Xue replied, "Nameless Wanderer is a player from Tang City. He's said to own two very large factories and is financially well-off. However, he prefers to be a lone wolf. Despite his wealth, he doesn't build a guild. All his money is invested in his own account. Coupled with his top-tier gaming skills, he's very capable individually and incredibly arrogant. He previously apprenticed under an eleventh-realm Sword Immortal of the Demon Clan, and now his combat power, equipment, artifacts, and level are all top-tier on the national server. He's quite arrogant, even more so than Ding Chunqiu used to be."
"A lone wolf, huh!"
Lin Zhao frowned. "Got it. I'll go meet him."
"Be careful,"
Shen Xingchen advised, "I learned from another source that while Nameless Wanderer is a lone wolf, he does have a few friends. For example, the ghost cultivator ranked in the top 50 for honor points, 'Outrageous.' There might be connections between them, and they might even set an ambush for you. After all, you're still number one on the national combat power rankings. No matter how arrogant Nameless Wanderer is, he wouldn't dare to challenge you one-on-one without reason."
"Ah, that explains it."
Lin Zhao said, "Not long ago, I just killed Outrageous once."
"Is that so..."
Chen Xue chuckled, "Then be careful. As I said, just go with your gut. If you think you can win, go for it."
"Alright!"
...
Lin Zhao had no more doubts. What was there to fear at this moment? His flying sword, equipment, and level were all top-tier on the national server. Especially his flying swords – seven immortal swords and twelve great desolate ancient swords. With such a foundation, unless the opponent was a large group capable of continuously stunning him, it would be hard for Lin Zhao to lose.
"Swish!"
The flying sword Red Leaf soared into the sky. At this moment, no one on the national server was more ostentatious than Lin Zhao. After flying through the air for a while, he dove down, heading straight for the coordinates given by Nameless Wanderer!
Indeed, standing among the trees was a player with a flying sword beneath his feet. Clad in sturdy armor, he looked like a middle-aged man. He looked up at Lin Zhao, who was flying down rapidly, and laughed heartily, "What fake Lin Baiyi, acting so high and mighty? Aren't you here to die now?!"
"Am I?!"
Lin Zhao chuckled. He was young at heart. When playing through storylines, he had to be old and steady because too many people and events were involved, leaving him no room for recklessness. But when fighting other players, he had far fewer reservations. He immediately drew Li Quan, maintaining his sword-riding posture, and transformed into a streak of sword light, slashing fiercely towards Nameless Wanderer's head!
"You think too highly of yourself!"
Nameless Wanderer let out a low roar and leaned back, his long sword parrying Lin Zhao's blade. Lin Zhao's body flew over his head, landing with a "bang" on the grass, leaving a trail several meters long. Both were fast. Lin Zhao immediately lunged forward, his blade aiming for the opponent's flank. Nameless Wanderer's eyes flickered with a hint of dread. He hadn't expected that Lin Baiyi from Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, who only knew how to mess with storylines, would have such sharp movements.
Of course, he couldn't know how strong Lin Zhao's positioning and combat skills were. Few people in this world knew. Perhaps only Chen Xue, Shen Xingchen, and Shen Lingyuan truly understood.
"Bang!"
Lin Zhao's assault was inexplicably swift. After his sword was blocked, his two-realm martial artist speed erupted. He stepped forward, closing the distance. Twisting his body, he channeled all his strength into his blade and struck with another powerful sword blow towards the opponent's head. Nameless Wanderer never expected Lin Zhao to launch such a ferocious barrage right from the start. He hurriedly sank his body, using a defensive stance to block Lin Zhao's normal attack and a round of sweeping strikes. But at this moment, a flying sword "swished" out of the Sword Lake and pierced Nameless Wanderer's back from the opposite direction with lightning speed.
"Ah?!"
Nameless Wanderer trembled all over. His defensive stance was shattered by the blow from the flying sword Ming Yue, and he entered a state of stun for about 0.5 seconds. The next moment, a surging flame sword intent rose from Lin Zhao's blade. Nameless Wanderer's expression turned horrified. He knew he was doomed, but in his stunned state, he couldn't move, unable to even activate his invincibility skill!
Ascending Dragon Slash!
A dazzling sword energy shot upwards, instantly sending Nameless Wanderer flying into mid-air. Immediately, Lin Zhao unleashed a fierce flurry of attacks. Even though Nameless Wanderer had nearly 90,000 health and incredibly high defense, he still couldn't withstand it. A Golden Core realm fighting a Nascent Soul realm was already at a disadvantage. Furthermore, he was suppressed by Lin Zhao's flying sword foundation and positioning from the outset. Nameless Wanderer didn't even get a chance to summon his flying sword before he was slain!
"Clink!"
The moment Nameless Wanderer died tragically, the dark blue armor he was wearing also dropped.
"Beep!"
System notification: Congratulations, you have defeated player [Nameless Wanderer], Honor Points +54!
...
"Seems like just average..."
Lin Zhao frowned. He picked up the shimmering armor from the ground. Then, he leaped backward onto the flying sword Red Leaf and disappeared into the sword light, leaving the forest area to prevent Nameless Wanderer from seeking revenge. At the same time, he flicked his hand, and the armor's attributes floated out. It was indeed quite good, as expected from the number one player in honor points.
[Azure Scale Breastplate] (Heavenly Artifact)
Type: Armor
Defense: 1850
Strength: +159
Stamina: +155
Agility: +152
Effect: Damage Reduction +9%
Effect: Dodge +12%
Effect: Damage Absorption +12%
Effect: Damage Increase, deal +50% damage
Effect: Azure Scale Power, increases user's base attack power by 2000
Effect: Tenacity, increases user's HP by 15,000
Effect: Azure Scale Resilience, restores 3% HP per second and reduces ice damage taken by 50%
Additional: Increases user's attack power by 52%
Additional: Increases user's defense by 51%
Requires Strength: 1500
Requires Level: 130
...
No question, it was slightly better than Lin Zhao's current Fire Qilin Breastplate, especially in terms of base attack and HP bonus, where it was significantly stronger. Overall, the attributes were similar, meaning it was an upgrade. The discarded Fire Qilin Breastplate could be given to Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, or even Chen Xue and Luo Man. Currently, top-tier players were pursuing full sets of Gold Artifacts, while Earth Artifacts were already considered aristocratic gear. Heavenly Artifacts, above Earth Artifacts, were possessed by very few people, a handful at most. As for Ghost God Artifacts, they belonged to legends. It was precisely for this reason that Lin Zhao, wielding the Ghost God Artifact Li Quan, could deal immense damage, making even someone like Nameless Wanderer unable to withstand it.
"Clink!"
The equipment was successfully replaced. Looking at his attributes and combat power, it was almost inhuman.
[Bai Yi] (Sword Master)
Level: 133
Attack: 10050-11950 (+409%)
Defense: 5850 (+416%)
HP: 89520 (+20%)
Critical Hit: 20%
Life Steal: 64%
Damage Reduction: 40%
Damage Increase: 290%
Comprehension: 99
Charisma: 79
Reputation: 139780
Combat Power: 35880
Realm 1: Nascent Soul Realm
Realm 2: Vitality Realm
...
Currently, Lin Zhao's attack power on the national server was rule-breaking. With a maximum of nearly 60,000 actual combat power, who knew who he could one-shot. Even he himself probably couldn't withstand it. His attack far surpassed his defense. Any casual sword swing dealt damage in the five digits. Moreover, with Lin Zhao's return to martial arts, his personal panel had changed. He now had two realm tiers: the nine-realm Sword Cultivator and the two-realm Martial Artist, clearly distinct.
At this moment, another stranger message arrived:
"Beep!"
Player Nameless Wanderer: "Coming again?"
"Probably not?"
Lin Zhao frowned. "Keep grinding for honor. See you again if fate allows."
"..."
Nameless Wanderer was clearly quite displeased, brimming with anger. "At least give me another chance. The reason you won just now was partly due to a sneak attack. I didn't even have time to summon my flying sword before I was defeated. Do you think a victory like that is convincing?"
"Fine."
Lin Zhao was also slightly annoyed. When Nameless Wanderer killed other national server players, they had to accept it. But now that he was killed once, he was unhappy? What kind of logic was that? However, since he wanted to give away honor points, Lin Zhao had no reason to refuse. So, he stopped his flying sword, sent his coordinates to Nameless Wanderer in the forest, and said, "Hurry up and come. We'll fight as soon as we see each other, and neither of us will accuse the other of sneaking."
"Alright, I'm coming!"
Nameless Wanderer was somewhat invigorated, as this was a chance for revenge.
...
Lin Zhao hovered on his sword in the forest, looking up at the sky. In less than half a minute, a sword light came from the east. It was Nameless Wanderer, resurrected from the graveyard. At this moment, Nameless Wanderer was enveloped in sword intent, with two flying swords suspended on either side of his shoulders. Both were of Immortal grade. Although they couldn't compare to Ming Yue and Hao Ran, they were definitely among the best among players.
This time, Nameless Wanderer presumably didn't want to be defeated without understanding why, so he summoned his flying swords before they even met.
Lin Zhao looked up at the menacing figure. The heavier the opponent's killing intent, the heavier Lin Zhao's own killing intent became. He joined the Demon Clan and started bullying players on the human side, thinking he was invincible? Someone had to suppress such arrogance!
The next second, Lin Zhao ascended on his sword. The moment Nameless Wanderer saw him charge out of the forest, the flying sword Hao Ran from the second Sword Lake "swished" out. Instantly, a divine ability, Fang Cun, was activated, opening up a small domain, a domain belonging to Lin Zhao. Not only were Nameless Wanderer's attributes comprehensively suppressed, but even his ability to control his flying swords would be suppressed.
"Attack!"
Nameless Wanderer roared, slashing his sword towards Lin Zhao's head. Simultaneously, one flying sword carved an arc, heading straight for Lin Zhao's back. At the same time, Lin Zhao's other flying sword also shot out, it was Ming Yue, its blade wreathed in a dazzling aura, having already activated the divine ability "Shatter"!
"Clang—"
With a crisp sound, under Nameless Wanderer's horrified gaze, his first flying sword, the Immortal-grade flying sword that had slain countless enemies, instantly turned into scattered debris!