Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 530 - 164. Today we’re not talking about bloodlines.

Chapter 530: 164. Today we’re not talking about bloodlines.

Stepping into the arena, Li Aozi rubbed his hands and concentrated his gaze, growing increasingly solemn.

Although he hadn’t truly mastered any skills yet, his knowledge of magic was thorough, and countering spells came naturally to him.

Dialan stood opposite, her demeanor somewhat strange as she glanced at Li Aozi and said,

"Are you resolved? This may be a path of no return—"

"Quit your nagging, you sound like an old lady. Are you going to fight or not?"

Li Aozi said impatiently,

"I’m here already, can I even back out?"

"...I understand."

Dialan took a deep breath and nodded towards the Mana Brain judge at the side.

The Mana Brain judge immediately issued a synthesized voice,

"First-year student Leoz versus first-year student Dialan."

"According to the school’s ’Dueling Law’, the rules of the competition are as follows:"

"Participants will receive a special magic reactive shield, and scores will be awarded based on hitting different locations."

A spell film immediately covered Li Aozi and Dialan, then dimmed.

"Head: 5 points; torso: 3 points; joints: 2 points; limbs: 1 point; for full-body coverage attacks, only the initial point of impact will be scored."

Ho... such rules, huh.

Li Aozi touched his chin, where the Implant Gear was.

This was his area of expertise—like in a soldier’s competition, scoring was based on hitting specific locations.

Under these rules, however, precise attacks yielded higher rewards than full coverage firepower. Li Aozi’s plan to use Architecture Technique to alter the terrain instantly fell through.

"Both sides may freely use any magic. Lethal attacks will be blocked by the magic reactive shield, but attacking the psyche is prohibited."

Dialan lifted her golden eyes, locking onto Li Aozi as she took a deep breath.

"The match is limited to 15 minutes. The one with the highest score within this period wins."

"Time—starts now!"

Bang!

With a tap of his foot on the ground, Li Aozi, bolstered by the super strength provided by his Bloodline, burst forth with a speed far surpassing that of Delta Rank, requiring only the use of reactive force to launch himself forward, charging at Dialan in an instant.

"Giant Strength Spell!"

Li Aozi bluffed a spell name and swung his fist down fiercely!

Boom!

Dirt exploded and scattered as if a battleship’s cannon had bombarded the earth, and in an instant, dust swirled and a piercing noise swept across the entire field, even resonating within the space of the entire arena.

"What’s going on? Who’s dueling?"

"Such grandiosity, I have to take a look."

Dialan’s gaze sharpened as she retreated in time, her fingers dancing nimbly, rapidly weaving the model of a spell.

Input variables—calibrate firing direction—initial velocity 1200 meters per second—high-speed shooting.

She retreated, calmly modifying the model’s coefficients, and as her back foot touched the ground, Li Aozi tore through the smoke screen explosively, like a tiger descending the mountain, his fists slamming towards Dialan’s crown with terrifying force!

Import model—execute!

Dialan stood her ground instantly, raising her left hand before Li Aozi.

[Arcane·Energy Discharge Shot]

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, arcane energy was drawn forth, bursting directly upon Li Aozi’s face, the enforced arcane power instantly repelling him as Dialan immediately modified some formulas, keeping up with the output.

Connect to the Arcane Pact—guide spell reflux—set firing direction—initial velocity of 780—cover shooting.

In some ways, magic is a language; using it in combat is akin to programming.

The more adept one is with magic, the better they are at adapting to the situation, refusing to rigidly stick to existing spell models, and instead modifying them on the fly according to the battlefield.

[Arcane·Rain of Piercing Droplets]

The newly arranged spell formula unfolded neatly, and just as Li Aozi regained his stance, a magical array burst open above him, a rain of needle-like shots falling down like a heavy downpour, delivering a penetrating attack.

Li Aozi was indifferent as he raised his hand to actively block his head, only allowing the opponent to strike at his limbs, which would score the lowest points. At the same time, he didn’t retreat but advanced, lowering his head to sprint and charging towards the opponent again.

Dialan’s eyes flickered as she raised her hand to press against her chest, where a magical tattoo lit up on the back of her hand.

[Arcane Magic·Purify Dust and Wind]

The secret power instantly emptied the air from the middle of the arena, and Li Aozi’s figure suddenly fell into a vacuum.

"A vacuum to clear the field? A good decision."

If it were an ordinary mage, their frail body could not withstand this deadly or severely damaging impact, but for him—a master of cosmic warfare—this was his battleground.

The absence of air resistance allowed his strength to burst forth in its entirety.

Bang Bang Bang Bang!

"Hm?"

Dialan dodged with a flash, trying her best to evade Li Aozi’s heavy punches, the wind from the punches howling aggressively. She had no choice but to twist and lower her head, her spellcasting motions completely disrupted.

"How can you maintain such a high frequency of attacks? And still retain such strong power?!"

Li Aozi did not answer. Dialan’s spellcasting techniques were too well-mastered; even a one-second pause for breath would mean getting hit hard.

Li Aozi did not know magic.

Dialan kept casting spells, but every time she was about to make a move, Li Aozi dashed forward with a lunge, swinging his fists in a frenzy and hitting just at the critical moment.

Spellcasting failed.

Dialan was forced to retreat, but at the same time, she was also preparing a new spell.

"Earthquake Spell!"

Li Aozi stomped, and the sheer force trampled the earth, causing a shockwave that momentarily made Dialan lose her balance.

Spellcasting failed.

Dialan steadied herself, pressing the ground to stabilize her center of gravity, preparing to cast a new arcane spell. But as she bent down, Li Aozi’s figure shot through the air like a cannonball and viciously landed!

Boom!

Dust billowed up, and Dialan’s spellcasting failed once again. Li Aozi grabbed her wrist effortlessly, pulled her over his back, and threw her onto the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw.

Thud!

Scoring continued.

[Hmph, this is the combat mode of the [Conqueror]! Relying on the physical attributes provided by Arcane Energy to overpower the opponent.]

The [Conqueror] Pathway was known as one of the [Sovereign] branch of [Martial Artists], and although it lacked Qi Infusion and many varieties, in terms of numerical value, the [Conqueror] never disappointed.

If one punch wasn’t enough, then increase the power and punch again. If a powerful and heavy punch wasn’t fierce enough, then unleash tenfold the strength.

This was the [Conqueror] Pathway, characterized by its blunt and forceful approach.

But the advantage... it provided a very high margin for error.

Li Aozi, as an [Echoer], couldn’t learn magic. The hulking, brute force fighting style of the [Conqueror] was most suitable for himself.

Every punch he threw carried ripples of Echo Force.

These were something the Higgs Field couldn’t shield against.

His punches smashing into the earth sent continuous sweeping shockwaves, and under the repeated assaults, Dialan was affected by the vibrations.

The first vibration, she treated as just a shockwave and didn’t mind it.

But from the second vibration and its Echo, her body began to significantly feel the oppression of the force, her muscles vibrated, starting to go numb and slack.

Not waiting for the third, Dialan quickly took to the air, drawing up groups of Magic Missiles to saturate bomb the ground below. Li Aozi hadn’t the means to counter and could only raise his hand to block.

——But with this, she could only score the minimum points.

Even though she was currently leading, Li Aozi was not taking it lightly.

He couldn’t retaliate with magic, and if Dialan had laid a trap in advance, the moment he stepped into it, he would have no chance to escape.

Fortunately, the time he spent training the [Martial Artist] alternate account hadn’t been for naught.

Battling through the storm of bombardments, Li Aozi charged forward, his movements infused with the [Martial Artist]’s techniques. Each step was like a dragonfly skimming the water, his toes briefly touching the ground to provide terrifyingly rapid propulsion.

Although he lacked [Dexterity], rendering him unable to perform aerial changes of direction or precise positioning maneuvers.

The [Strength] he possessed was more than enough.