"However, since youâre confident, letâs go with Elite Fifth Tier. If anything comes up, Iâll call out to Hu Hu right away..."
After hearing Su Ping and Liu Fuhaiâs request, Hu Yue entered the bamboo forest. With a flash of light in her hand, a strange long sword appeared there! This was a crimson long sword, and on its body was a lifelike pattern of a fox.
"Su Ping, would your Pet Beast fight against my Spirit Fox Swordâs Sword Spirit, or do you wish to fight me holding the sword?" Hu Yue asked.
After glancing at the Spirit Fox Sword, Su Ping decided, "Letâs fight purely against the Sword Spirit!"
Artifact Pet Beasts generally have these two methods of combat after reaching a certain Level. One is controlled personally by the owner; the other is by a Sword Spirit evolved from it.
"Great! Hu Hu, come forth! Limit your strength to Elite Fifth Tier!" Hu Yue nodded, tossed the Spirit Fox Sword into the sky. Her figure then retreated to the edge of the bamboo forest.
Su Ping uttered no more unnecessary words. A similar gleam of light burst forth in front of him! Qian Yi made a brilliant entrance.
In a flash, everyoneâs gaze, including Vice President Liuâs, was fixed on the small paper figure. He had only heard of Su Ping forming a contract with a Paperman but had never before seen what this mutated Paperman looked like. Now that he saw it, he couldnât help but squint.
The little paper figure, only as tall as an average personâs thigh, wore a conical hat and had three sheathsâalmost as tall as itselfâstuck in its back, looking extremely odd. However, it had to be said that such a Paperman truly drew attention.
"AWOO AWOO!"
A sound came from the crimson Spirit Fox Sword in the sky. In the next moment, Su Ping watched as a fiery red, phantom fox emerged from the sword. It opened its mouth and bit the hilt of the Spirit Fox Sword, holding it firmly. The Spirit Fox held the sword in its mouth.
The little Paperman buzzed with excitement, finally seeing a sword in its opponentâs hand. "Wow! (This is... a duel of Swordsmen!)"
Yet, the Spirit Fox Swordâs Hu Hu merely glanced disdainfully at this odd Paperman.
Just a mere Elite First Tier Paperman, and it dares speak of a Swordsmanâs duel? Though my power has been limited to Elite Fifth Tier by my master, thatâs only in terms of energy and output. My Commander Level Skills are still intact! Defeating such a small fry shouldnât be a problem.
Hence, Hu Hu merely gave the little Paperman a disdainful look.
Swordsman?
The phantom Sword Spirit shook its head.
Very well, since thatâs the case, I might as well show this ignorant little Paperman, who has no idea what a sword truly is, what a real Swordsman is!
With that thought, a fiery red ripple slowly emerged from Hu Hu and the Spirit Fox Sword, as if they were enveloped in flames. And on the little Papermanâs face, a change appeared: the symbol of an âAâ, like from a playing card.
"Eh? Su Ping, your Paperman is indeed quite interesting!" Vice President Liu remarked, his eyebrows raised with interest as he saw the playing card symbol on Qian Yiâs face.
Su Ping didnât respond because, in the next moment, Hu Hu had already made its move within the bamboo forest simulation battle room. Despite the strength restriction of Elite Fifth Tier, just as Hu Yue had said, her Sword-type Pet Beast never held back and always launched full-force attacks!
CLANG CLANG!
The clear sound echoed loudly within the battle room. The Thunder Sword in Qian Yiâs hand quickly blocked Hu Huâs attack, and Qian Yi swiftly retreated. Its face, marked with the âAâ, showed no signs of fluctuationâthe so-called âpoker face of a Swordsmanâ.
"Thunder Element?" Liu Fuhai murmured, raising his eyebrows slightly.
But the very next moment, before he could take a closer look, the Paperman shot forward. Yet, it was still just an ordinary strike; Qian Yi did not hasten to use any Skills.
It was rare to encounter a fellow Swordsman, and Qian Yiâs excitement for battle was greatly ignited. Though Qian Yi showed no outward expression, Su Ping could sense through their soul connection that it was relishing the fight.
Relishing the duel with a Swordsman!
At that moment, a pure white light once again flashed across Qian Yi!
Old Liu saw the light and was visibly taken aback. "Is it really about to evolve right now?" he wondered.
However, in the next moment, the Thunder Sword, glowing with electrical sparks, was already chopping down towards Hu Hu.
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!
At that moment, a Paperman and a fox phantom intertwined in the battle room like interlacing shadows. For a while, these two non-human Pet Beasts, both of whom could be called Swordsmen, actually fought on equal footing!?
"WOO-HOO! (Powerful opponent! Qian Yi acknowledges you!)" Qian Yiâs voice declared.
But this only served to provoke Hu Hu.
Who needs recognition from an oddball like you? I am Miss Hu Hu, a Peak Command Sword Artifact Pet Beast! A mere Paperman fighting on equal terms with me? This is an insult!
Suddenly, amidst the sharp glint of the swordâs edge, an ear-piercing AWOO AWOO! from Hu Hu rang out! The next moment, a strand of fiery red sword glow wreathed the Spirit Fox Sword, like the tail flame of a brilliant comet streaking across the sky. The surrounding air temperature shot up suddenly. Clearly, everyone knew Hu Hu was about to get serious.