Chapter 116
Chapter 116
“What’s even the point of fighting?!”
“Rule by Inaction is our only hope now!”
“Sigh. Only today did I finally understand just how terrifying Zhouyou Shijie’s strength is. No wonder no other player could catch him even after he went an entire month without leveling…”
…
The Eastern Region’s spectators watched Submit and Perish fall in defeat, their emotions complicated.
Zhouyou Shijie was strong!
Everyone had long since accepted that fact.
But seeing the third-ranked player on the Level Rankings unable to put up a meaningful fight gave them an entirely new understanding of just how strong he was.
…
At the same time, in the real-world Sakura Region.
Prime Minister Fujita Daimu watched the livestream of the Eastern Region’s Pinnacle Showdown with an ugly expression.
Compared to the Eastern Region’s greatest experts, the Sakura Region’s players were pitifully outclassed!
With Submit and Perish’s abilities, he could have won the Sakura Region championship without suspense, as long as he did not encounter an unreasonable monster like Zhouyou Shijie.
“Prime Minister, Zhouyou Shijie is occupied with Pinnacle Showdown. This is the perfect opportunity for us to act!” someone beside him suggested. “Should we send more mercenaries after Zhouyou Shijie’s parents?”
“Baka!”
Fujita Daimu flew into a rage, spun around, and slapped him hard across the face. “You want to act in broad daylight? Do you think the Eastern Region’s security forces are decorative?”
Of course he wanted to strike during Pinnacle Showdown and prevent Zhouyou Shijie from participating in the tournament.
The problem was that the Eastern Region had placed Zhouyou Shijie’s parents under extremely heavy protection. They had failed even when taking advantage of the opening last night. There would be no second chance now.
After all, not even the Merri Region dared confront the Eastern Region head-on within its own territory in the real world.
The subordinate who had been slapped fell silent in fear.
“Do not let Zhouyou Shijie notice the slightest clue!” Fujita Daimu said ominously. “Once he suffers a crushing defeat in the battle for Juyan City, then we’ll kick him while he’s down!”
“Hai!”
…
Back in the contestants’ area, Submit and Perish was like a deflated balloon. All his former swagger was gone. He sat dazed in his chair, his face ashen, and did not say a word.
The others wisely left him alone.
Even a starving camel was larger than a horse!
Submit and Perish might have used Forbidden Spells that cost him levels, but his foundation remained. Anyone thinking of challenging him still needed to ask whether they had what it took.
As for Zhouyou Shijie…
Many contestants looked toward Rule by Inaction, who sat quietly in a corner watching the matches.
At this point, he was the only one who would still dare challenge Zhouyou Shijie!
The tournament continued.
Everyone cared about who would take the top three places, but for the contestants themselves, what truly mattered was entering the top ten.
It was just like the difference between champion and runner-up!
Being one of the top ten experts felt entirely different from placing eleventh.
Battles continued without pause in the arena.
Three hours later, as the finals neared their end and the rankings gradually stabilized, Submit and Perish finally recovered from his mental collapse.
He glanced at Rule by Inaction with uncertainty. “Are you planning to give up?”
“Giving up would only earn everyone’s contempt!”
Certain the time was right, Rule by Inaction stood and exhaled. “I wanted to wait until it was almost over. That way, even if I lose, I won’t have to sit in the contestants’ area feeling awkward for too long.”
“…”
Submit and Perish’s mouth twitched. He felt as though the remark had been aimed at him.
Ding!
[System Notification: Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction has challenged Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie!]
“Zhouyou Shijie, I look forward to your guidance!” Rule by Inaction cupped his fists, eyes bright with fighting spirit.
“Likewise!”
Zhou Ming stood and returned the salute.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several seconds later, both men were teleported into the arena and stood facing one another.
“It’s finally here!”
“This will probably be the final battle of Pinnacle Showdown!”
“I wonder what rewards the system will give us. I made the top hundred, so I should get plenty of good stuff too…”
…
The spectators’ hearts rose into their throats once more.
Zhouyou Shijie was extremely likely to secure the championship. The only remaining uncertainty was Rule by Inaction’s challenge. If Rule by Inaction lost as well, it would essentially mean Zhouyou Shijie was unbeatable in a one-on-one fight throughout the Eastern Region.
That title would be backed by a battle record everyone had witnessed. No one could question it.
“Come on! You’re only one step away!”
Tingfeng Xiyu watched the arena from close by in the contestants’ area, unable to hide his nerves.
Every player was allowed one loss!
In other words, Submit and Perish still had the right to issue another challenge. He had simply given it up and accepted third place.
That alone proved he knew he was no match for Rule by Inaction.
In the arena, Rule by Inaction wore a cosmetic azure robe. He held an exquisitely patterned, imposing shield in one hand and a pitch-black spear in the other, fully prepared for battle.
“Thinking back on how I said you and Submit and Perish were evenly matched, I truly was too hasty,” Rule by Inaction said apologetically.
Zhou Ming did not care. “But if you made that judgment, you must have sparred with him before. And…”
He paused, then continued, “You most likely won.”
“Last time was nothing more than luck.”
Rule by Inaction’s expression turned serious. “If he fought me with his life on the line and activated Forbidden · Gods’ Blessing, I might not beat him!”
Gods’ Protection allowed a player to gain explosive power at a price, and Submit and Perish enjoyed an enormous advantage when using it.
After all, turning every method at his disposal into a Forbidden Spell was truly absurd.
Zhou Ming understood.
He might not beat him!
That meant Rule by Inaction still had a chance of winning even if Submit and Perish unleashed his absolute maximum combat power!
Zhou Ming did not doubt his claim. His opponent’s strength was laid bare before his eyes.
[Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction] (Eternal Guard)
Level: 64
HP: 285,200
Attack: 10,350-10,822
Defense: 15,422-15,233
Skills: [Offense-Defense Unity] [United as One] [Eternal Guard] [Shield Wall] [Origin-Returning Spear] [Shadow World] [Boundless] [Severance]
Description: A master of the dark element. No matter how desperately he longs for an ordinary life, he is ultimately destined to turn his back on the masses and embark upon his journey.
…
3!
2!
1!
[System Notification: The match has begun!]
There were no taunts or sneers. The moment the battle started, both men became solemn. Their gazes sharpened as each faced the opponent before him in peak condition.
Ding!
[System Notification: Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction has used [Eternal Guard]. All Attributes +30%, maximum HP +50%, Damage Reduction +20%, and 3 phantoms are summoned. Each phantom possesses the user’s Attributes and can use skills!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction has used [Shield Wall], causing both the user and each phantom to summon an additional 10 phantoms possessing 50% of the user’s Attributes!]
Three identical phantoms instantly split off beside Rule by Inaction, then multiplied until there were forty-three. With Rule by Inaction standing as the forty-fourth figure at their center, the sight was spectacular.
Zhou Ming remained completely unruffled. Warlord covered the entire arena and reduced all their Attributes. Then he raised the Gloomlight Sword.
Whoosh!
Immense power poured into the weapon, enlarging it more than tenfold in an instant.
Shhk…
Zhou Ming swept the sword horizontally in an unstoppable arc.
“If you were anyone else, I could slowly wear you down!” The tyrannical Heavenrend greatsword reflected in Rule by Inaction’s pupils, his expression grave. “But against you, I only have one minute to struggle!”
As soon as he finished speaking, every phantom dissolved into surging dark elements and flowed back into the skill’s caster. Rule by Inaction’s strength skyrocketed.
He had to risk everything from the very beginning!
Otherwise, Zhou Ming would seal his skills outright, and he would die without ever getting to use them!
Ding!
[System Notification: Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction has used [United as One], absorbing every phantom and gaining 5% of each phantom’s All Attributes for 1 minute!]
“Holy crap! How big of a boost does that give him?”
The spectators were stunned.
Five percent did not sound like much from the skill description. In reality, however, forty-three phantoms were contributing their stats to Rule by Inaction. Every individual stat rose by more than fifteen thousand, pushing his Defense straight to thirty thousand!
Bang!
The Heavenrend greatsword collided with Rule by Inaction’s shield. The red and dark elements formed a violent visual contrast.
The entire arena caved in several meters as dust and rubble flew everywhere.
Ding!
[System Notification: Due to [Heavenrend]’s sealing effect, your skill [Severance] has been sealed and cannot be used for 10 minutes!]
Rule by Inaction did not budge an inch. He forcefully held back Heavenrend’s edge with his shield.
-252,360! (Critical Damage)
Another tyrannical damage number appeared.
Heavenbreaker’s 50% Defense penetration was no empty promise.
Ding!
[System Notification: Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction has used [Offense-Defense Unity], raising both his Attack and Defense to match whichever stat has the higher maximum value for 30 seconds!]
“Take my spear!”
After being Suppressed for 1.25 seconds, Rule by Inaction charged forward and thrust his spear at Zhou Ming.
MISS!
Zhou Ming activated Shadowless Step and evaded the attack with 300% Movement Speed. Demonic Flame Armor enveloped him as he appeared behind his opponent and launched a brutal combo.
-7,500!
-7,952!
-7,626!
-7,581!
-8,088!
-7,777!
…
Even while taking damage, Rule by Inaction remained calm. He spun around and counterattacked, driving the tip of his spear into Zhou Ming’s shoulder.
Ding!
[System Notification: Shadow Lord · Rule by Inaction has used [Origin-Returning Spear]. His next attack deals +600% damage and has a high chance of inflicting Pierce. Duration: 5 seconds!]
-65,261!
The shield formed by Demonic Flame Armor shattered on the spot.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Spear and sword clashed again and again as the two traded blows in a ferocious battle.
“Incredible!”
“I knew Rule by Inaction wasn’t simple!”
Shock appeared across every face. Many spectators could not help rising to their feet.
The mere fact that Rule by Inaction could fight Zhouyou Shijie to this extent was enough to prove his strength.
Twenty seconds later, Zhou Ming retreated. Heavenrend descended at the same instant.
Boundless!
Rule by Inaction had been prepared. He activated his greatest trump card, turning his body illusory and becoming immune to all damage for five seconds. However, his remaining unused skill, Shadow World, was sealed.
Unwilling to waste a single second of his one-minute window, he charged Zhou Ming again.
Holy Flame Purification!
Zhou Ming restored 20% of his HP and met him head-on without the slightest fear.
In truth, Zhou Ming knew his current weakness perfectly well. He had no enhancement skill with a cooldown shorter than ten minutes. Flame Soul Art was powerful, but he could not use it now.
80%!
60%!
Both players’ HP continued to plummet.
Forty seconds after the battle began, Zhou Ming used Heavenrend for the third time.
“Seriously…”
Helplessness welled up in Rule by Inaction. His last two trump cards had been sealed. He watched Zhou Ming swing his sword, his face pale and his options exhausted. “There’s something seriously wrong with that move!”
-243,206! (Critical Damage)
The sword fell, and the dust settled.
Ding!
[System Notification: Round Five of [Pinnacle Showdown] has ended!]
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! Adventurer [Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie] has won the championship of [Pinnacle Showdown] and received…]
…