"Some people always harbor such unrealistic expectations of me," Huai Shi countered emotionlessly as he cleaved. "I believe I've said from the very beginning that I didn't learn these things to kill anyone!"

"—What a joke." The clash of metal produced a piercing sound, yet it couldn't drown out Luo Xian's laughter. "Does anyone actually learn how to kill for the sake of world peace?"

"Perhaps you're reluctant to believe it," Huai Shi sighed, "but I just purely had some free time back then."

"I really like this duplicitous side of yours. It's like sweet talk, always deceiving those inexperienced girls. Do your plans include me?"

With a light laugh, Luo Xian advanced. The weapons in her hands switched constantly with her steps—even fighting bare-handed—her attacks like Thunder, Thunderbolt, Heaven Collapse, and earth-sundering power, fiercely pressing Huai Shi onto the defensive.

A punch landed! The Axe in Huai Shi's hand flew out, soaring into the air. It dissipated before hitting the ground, then re-formed in his hand to block the dagger she'd scooped up from the ground.

The sharp edge nearly pierced through the thick back of the Axe, its point a hair's breadth from Huai Shi's pupil. He squinted, fixating on the cold glint right before his eyes, unwavering.

"That's right. Just that look in your eyes." Luo Xian's voice came from beside his ear, a soft murmur. As her Crystal Shoes tapped, she flickered into existence behind Huai Shi, whispering softly, "From the first moment I saw you, I felt we were the same kind of person—"

"—We survive by killing, Huai Shi. To keep living, one has to kill more." She smiled, gazing at his profile as she told him, "We are all the same."

"Do you also have Magic Long Hair?" Huai Shi retorted. Turning in the span of half a step, he slashed the Sacrificial Knife toward her.

"Do you have Magic Hands?" The Axe Blade cleaved down.

"Do animals talk to you?" The Long Spear swept across.

"—And will a kind young lady appear to solve your troubles, just like one helps me?"

BOOM!

The enraged Sword Blade burst forth, piercing the air and carving a deep scar down the distant street.

Breathless, Huai Shi let blood drip down his face. He stared at Luo Xian, who had retreated into the distance, and told her, enunciating each word, "We are not the same!"

"I am Huai Shi. Male. Seventeen years old. A Dongxia High School student, professional Cellist, Astronomical Association Action Officer, Prince of Paradise, Disastrous Musician, Demon Exorciser… and a whole bunch of other titles, some real, some not."

Huai Shi held his head high and told her, "I have a dream!"

"I want to protect my family! I want to live by my own efforts, to make a name for myself, to live my life with respect! I want to die happily at a ripe old age, surrounded by my wife, children, and grandchildren! And, if possible, even after death, I want to get into some damn game's card pool so people will spend money on me!"

"I want to live! I want to live better! And I want more people to be able to live like me!"

"So—" Huai Shi stepped forward, cleaving downwards, and declared to Luo Xian with finality, "I am not like you!"

With all his strength, he broke through the wind and shattered the ground beneath his feet, chasing Luo Xian's elusive shadow. He exerted every ounce of his power, slashing with his Longsword, Short Knife, and Axe Blade...

This was a chord struck with everything he had.

It was an unreached peak. The burning Source Substance clung to the iron's edge, bursting forth with a radiance too brilliant to look at directly. It was as if the metal breathed with him; the power of the Hand of Confinement was exerted on every inch of the steel, making the iron roar in resonance with Huai Shi.

Luo Xian retreated, then retreated again. In that instant, Huai Shi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Reflected in the Mirror of Nothingness, her figure had vanished completely.

All he could see was her, almost flying as she weaved through the burning light of his iron, spiraling, rising and falling with unbelievable lightness. She landed from the air, her tiptoes barely touching the ground, her hands opening gracefully.

She was unharmed by the Dragon's "Offensive". It wasn't some unexpected skill, nor did she use speed surpassing Huai Shi's. Rather, it seemed like a natural reaction, as if she were moving in harmony with a dance partner. She took light steps, maintaining the most demure distance from her ardent pursuer, yet remaining tantalizingly close, offering a fleeting chance to win her favor.

Huai Shi stared at her in shock and disbelief, almost ignoring the pain radiating from his limbs.

"Hmm?" Luo Xian tilted her head, looking at him curiously, her smile somewhat teasing. "Ballet. Haven't you seen it before?"

She rose on her toes again, perfectly demonstrating the basic steps for Huai Shi right where she stood. Her gaze was wandering yet focused. "The piece you chose to play just now, I've heard it... It's Saint-Saëns's *The Swan*, right?"

Huai Shi was silent, not knowing how to respond.

His own rhythm... she had seen right through it. No, perhaps from the very beginning, she hadn't taken him seriously at all, just toying with him?

"I really like ballet," Luo Xian said earnestly. "It's a pity I only learned it for two days before the teacher kicked me out... But before that, I had already learned *Swan Lake*."

As she spoke, she moved with a soft smile, stepping to a silent beat as she leaped and twirled through the pools of blood. Her tranquil figure spun, extending long limbs gracefully, twirling lightly. Dancing as if to a silent melody, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

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