Chapter 685: Playing with Heartbeats
"Insignificant human…"
"What gave you the courage to face me alone?"
The 110-level Blades Demonic Soldier uttered in its deep, guttural Ten Thousand Demons language, its jagged fanged mouth vibrating with disdain.
Thanks to the universal skill [Language Decipher],
everyone could understand the Blades Demonic Soldier's contempt-laden words.
In response to this mocking statement, Ling Zhan's expression remained calm, his gaze unwavering, as if the enemy before him was of no concern.
He didn't utter a single word.
Yet just by standing there,
he exuded an aura of unmatched supremacy.
Before him, all enemies seemed laughably insignificant.
This imposing aura was not something just anyone could possess.
Seeing the human's silent reaction, the towering Blades Demonic Soldier exhaled a puff of white mist, its aura suddenly surging.
Clearly,
it was enraged!
And had now entered a true combat stance!
Clang!!
Both of its arms transformed into sharp, gleaming blades, showcasing its ability to turn any part of its body into a weapon.
"So, you want to play with blades…"
Ling Zhan raised his head slightly, glancing at the twin blades the Demonic Soldier had morphed into. He lightly clenched his hand.
Buzz!!
In an instant, the Thousand Mechanisms Ring in his hand transformed into a fiery greatsword engulfed in roaring flames!
"What the—! No way! Is that my Crimson Flame Warblade!?"
At this moment,
a Professional outside the tower exclaimed in shock upon recognizing the fiery greatsword in Ling Zhan's hand.
"This confirms it…"
"That guy's ring must be an artifact that can replicate other people's weapons!"
"And the most outrageous part…"
"The replicated weapon is even stronger than the original!"
"That's just too much to handle…"
The surrounding crowd nodded in agreement.
Copying weapons was one thing.
But creating replicas that surpassed the originals?
The original owners of those weapons were surely feeling all kinds of emotions.
Of course…
What they didn't know was that Ling Zhan's replicas surpassed the originals only when replicating spirit-grade weapons.
If he replicated Sacred Artifact, the replicas would only retain 80% of the original's attributes.
This was perfectly logical.
After all, the Thousand Mechanisms Ring, being a divine-grade artifact, was already ridiculously powerful for its ability to replicate any weapon it had seen.
If it could replicate Sacred Artifact with 100% of their attributes intact, it would truly be overpowered.
However, the Thousand Mechanisms Ring wasn't something anyone could craft in this world.
Firstly, the materials required to forge it were not only vast in variety but also extremely rare.
Even with sufficient resources to purchase materials, acquiring them all was nearly impossible.
Ling Zhan had only managed to gather the materials thanks to his outstanding performance in a major system quest,
which rewarded him with 100 material selection packs.
Without those packs, he wouldn't have been able to gather the necessary components.
Secondly, the success rate was abysmal.
Even with all the materials in hand, the 10% success rate was enough to make anyone grit their teeth.
Ling Zhan only succeeded thanks to the divine potion Potion of Fortune, which played a pivotal role.
Without it, the Thousand Mechanisms Ring would never have existed.
Lastly, while the Thousand Mechanisms Ring seemed suitable for all classes, it was far less appealing to most Professionals.
Many might think that its ability to replicate any weapon made it universally adaptable.
And while this was somewhat true…
every other Professional specialized in only one type of weapon.
A Mage could only wield staves.
Priests could only wield scepters.
Warriors could only wield heavy swords, halberds, spears, or shields.
Swordsmen could only wield longswords.
And so on.
Additionally, while the Thousand Mechanisms Ring could replicate Sacred Artifact, the replicas retained only 80% of the original's attributes.
For this reason, why wouldn't other Professionals simply opt for a divine-grade weapon specifically designed for their class?
Such weapons retained 100% of their attributes.
Ultimately,
the Thousand Mechanisms Ring was only truly suitable for someone like Ling Zhan, who walked the path of a lone non-specialist.
Any other Professional looking to forge a divine-grade artifact would never choose the Thousand Mechanisms Ring—they'd pick one tailored to their class.
Now,
Ling Zhan had replicated a top-tier spirit-grade weapon: the Crimson Flame Warblade.
If the Blades Demonic Soldier wanted to play with swords, Ling Zhan was more than willing to oblige.
Let's see who was better—the Blades Demonic Soldier or this lone non-specialist!
The Blades Demonic Soldier narrowed its crimson eyes as Ling Zhan also unsheathed a sword.
Hmph…
It sensed the human's intense battle spirit!
At the same time, it felt insulted and belittled!
This human dared to challenge it in its area of expertise!
Unforgivable!!
The Blades Demonic Soldier clenched its jagged teeth, its muscular frame taut, as its combat aura reached its peak!
"It's about to move!"
Someone in the crowd outside exclaimed in alarm.
Whoosh!!
The 110-level Blades Demonic Soldier launched a fearsome assault!
Its massive legs stomped the ground, cracking the floor of the tower with a deafening snap!
Its colossal, mountain-like figure shot forward like a cannonball toward the lone human!
Ling Zhan's eyes remained fixed on the enemy.
For a brief moment, the Blades Demonic Soldier's reflection was visible in his pupils.
But in the next instant, it vanished!
One word described its speed:
Fast!
Unbelievably fast!
Even the crowd watching the screen outside couldn't track its movements!
Yet Ling Zhan instinctively turned and raised his flaming warblade, slashing downward!
Roar!!
The fiery warblade erupted with a torrent of flames as it struck!
Clang!!
But in the next moment, one of the Blades Demonic Soldier's arms, now a blade, effortlessly parried the attack.
Meanwhile…
Whoosh!!
Its other arm, now a single-handed blade, slashed at Ling Zhan's heart with a lethal, calculated angle!
"He's done for!"
At this critical moment,
the crowd gasped, collectively breaking into cold sweat for Ling Zhan.
This attack would have been unstoppable for anyone else!
The Blades Demonic Soldier's mastery of combat was terrifying.
Yet at the final, decisive moment,
Ling Zhan executed a move that made the onlookers' jaws drop in both shock and admiration.
He simply stepped to the right.
Just one step.
But with that single step…
Whoosh!!
The razor-sharp blade missed, brushing past Ling Zhan's clothes!
Gasp!!
The crowd erupted.
"What the hell! This non-specialist!!"
"Does he have to toy with death like this!?"