Alex quickly settled into the grand mansion of Xu Fu in Luo City, welcomed with open arms by his hosts. Luo Xian, playing her part as the dutiful daughter, arranged a lavish banquet to honor their guest, the table laden with delicacies that spoke of wealth and hospitality.
During the meal, a question nagged at Alex. Xu Fu and Luo Xian bore different surnames—Xu and Luo, respectively. Curiosity prompted him to inquire about the discrepancy between the supposed father and daughter.
Xu Fu's expression softened, a trace of sorrow crossing his face as he explained. "After my wife passed away, I missed her dearly. To honor her memory, I gave our daughter her surname," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. A few tears glistened at the corners of his eyes, lending authenticity to his tale.
Luo Xian, seated beside him, mirrored his grief. "Father…" she murmured, reaching out to clasp Xu Fu's hand, her face etched with tender concern, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Alex observed the performance, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. The father-daughter duo's acting was flawless, a masterclass in deception honed over centuries. Di Shitian, masquerading as Xu Fu, had fooled the martial world for millennia, and Luo Xian was no less skilled in her role.
Had Alex not possessed his copy ability to verify Xu Fu's true identity as Di Shitian, and had he not been armed with foreknowledge of Di Shitian's cunning from the Storm Riders storyline, he might have been swayed by their convincing display of familial bond.
"You two are deeply emotional," Alex said, his voice lively and warm, masking the amusement he felt. If Di Shitian and Luo Xian were vying for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Alex was determined to claim the Best Actor title, matching their performance with his own calculated sincerity.
Both sides were eager to cultivate a rapport, each for their own reasons—Di Shitian to ensnare Alex for his dragon-slaying ambitions, and Alex to position himself for a chance at Luo Xian's simplified Sacred Heart Art. This mutual intent fostered a swift camaraderie, at least on the surface, their interactions smooth and cordial.
As the banquet progressed, the conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and shared stories. Then, Di Shitian shifted the tone, his gaze settling on Luo Xian with a fatherly warmth. "By the way, daughter, you're no longer young, and you've yet to find a suitable husband. I think Alex is a fine young man, reliable and kind-hearted. I intend to arrange your marriage to him. What do you think?" he asked, his voice carrying a fatherly warmth.
Luo Xian's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her eyes dropping shyly as she avoided Alex's gaze, her demeanor the picture of bashfulness. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, like a gentle breeze. "Everything is up to my father," she said, her words delicate and demure.
Alex noted the cultural nuance. In the traditions of the martial world, a daughter agreeing to her parents' choice signaled approval of the suitor, while a refusal might be couched in a desire to remain filial by serving her family longer. Luo Xian's response was a clear endorsement, part of the orchestrated performance.
Di Shitian's face broke into a broad smile, his laughter hearty and satisfied. "Hahaha, good…" he said, his voice ringing with approval, as if the matter were settled.
But Luo Xian wasn't done. She lifted her gaze, her tone shifting to one of playful challenge. "But…" she began, her voice gaining confidence, "I see that Master Alex is a man of the martial world, and I, too, have trained in martial arts. I know his character and appearance, but I wish to test Master Alex's martial skills."
Alex nodded, unfazed by the request. "Well, of course…" he said, his tone agreeable, showing no reluctance to engage.
He was well aware that his martial prowess paled in comparison to Luo Xian, the Goddess of Sky Gate. Her strength, bolstered by the Sacred Heart Art, likely surpassed that of Jiansheng and Wuming, making her a formidable opponent. But since Di Shitian and Luo Xian were keen to gauge his abilities, Alex saw no harm in showcasing his skills, especially if it kept him in their good graces.
Di Shitian clapped his hands, clearly pleased with Alex's readiness. "Okay, people of the martial world are straightforward," he said, nodding approvingly.
Though Di Shitian's primary interest in Alex stemmed from his rumored foresight—his supposed ability to divine secrets, as hinted in his discussions with Wuming—he was also intrigued by Alex's martial capabilities. As the head of the Divine Martial Hall within the World Alliance, Alex was no ordinary fighter. His ability to hold his own in swordsmanship discussions with Jiansheng and Wuming, despite his youth, piqued Di Shitian's curiosity.
A prodigy in foresight and a genius in swordsmanship? The combination was rare, and Di Shitian was eager to witness both facets of Alex's talent firsthand, to assess the young man who had stirred such ripples in the martial world.
After the banquet, Alex and Luo Xian moved to the mansion's spacious courtyard, the evening air cool and crisp. Di Shitian, ever the observer, settled onto a wooden stool at the courtyard's edge, his eyes sharp with anticipation.
Secretly, Alex activated his crystal measuring device, its readings confirming his suspicions. "1780 crystal points… Luo Xian's strength surpasses Wuming's," he thought, noting the data. Jiansheng registered around 1200 crystal points, Wuming around 1500, and Xiongba around 1000—all top-tier masters in the martial world. Yet, Luo Xian's 1780 points marked her as an extraordinary force, a testament to her status as the Goddess of Sky Gate.
Luo Xian drew a fine steel sword, its blade glinting in the fading light. "Mr. Alex, be careful…" she said, unsheathing the weapon and leveling it at him, her stance poised and confident.
Alex, however, chose not to wield his Peerless Sword. Instead, he snapped a branch from a nearby tree, its wood unremarkable until he infused it with Armament Haki. The branch darkened, taking on a metallic sheen, its surface hardened as if forged from steel. Holding it like a sword, he stepped forward, ready to engage.
To maintain the pretense that he was unaware of Di Shitian and Luo Xian's true identities, Alex tempered his approach, acting as if he didn't know the extent of Luo Xian's martial prowess. He held back, ensuring his moves were measured, designed to impress without revealing his full knowledge or capabilities.
Their weapons met with a sharp ding, the branch clashing against Luo Xian's fine steel sword with the unmistakable ring of metal on metal, a sound that defied the branch's humble origin.
Di Shitian's eyebrows shot up, his interest piqued. "Huh?" he murmured, leaning forward. The Armament Haki, a technique from the One Piece plane, was unlike anything in the Storm Riders world. To Di Shitian, who had witnessed countless martial arts over nearly two millennia, this ability to transform a simple branch into a weapon rivaling steel was both novel and intriguing.
Alex sensed the moment their weapons connected that Luo Xian was restraining her internal energy, relying solely on her swordsmanship rather than the formidable power of the Sacred Heart Art. Seizing the opportunity, he shifted the duel to a contest of pure technique, unleashing the Dugu Nine Swords.
The swordsmanship flowed with dazzling creativity, each move precise and unpredictable, a display of mastery that seemed to dance on the edge of imagination. Alex's understanding of the sword, bolstered by Wuming's 28G knowledge file, was at its peak, and the Dugu Nine Swords amplified his skill, weaving a web of strikes and counters that were both elegant and relentless.
Luo Xian's fine steel sword moved with equal precision .
Yet, under the relentless pressure of the Dugu Nine Swords, she found herself retreating, her steps faltering as she struggled to match his exquisite technique.
In her mind, Luo Xian marveled at the display. "What an extraordinary swordsmanship. In terms of technique alone, his skill is unparalleled…" she thought, her respect growing. Without tapping into her internal energy to overwhelm him with raw power, she wasn't confident she could best Alex in a pure swordsmanship duel.
Di Shitian, watching from the sidelines, nodded in silent approval. "At such a young age, his swordsmanship borders on divine. His only limitation is his internal strength," he thought, impressed by the performance. The Dugu Nine Swords were unlike any technique he had encountered, raising the possibility that Alex had created it himself—a notion that deepened Di Shitian's fascination with the young swordsman.
Sensing the tide turning against her, Luo Xian shifted tactics, employing the Immortal Step, a movement technique tied to the Sacred Heart Art. Her body blurred, her steps light and elusive, as she sought to create distance and relieve the pressure of Alex's assault.
But Alex was ready. His eyes narrowed, locking onto her movements. "Shave!" he thought, his feet striking the ground dozens of times in an instant, his body propelled forward with lightning speed. The technique, drawn from the One Piece Navy Six Powers, closed the gap in a heartbeat.
The Haki-infused branch moved with elusive precision, exploiting a flaw in Luo Xian's stance. It darted toward her shoulder, a strike as swift and untraceable as a deer leaping through the forest. Luo Xian raised her sword to block, but the hardened branch, empowered by Armament Haki, cleaved through the fine steel with a clean snap.
The broken sword's blade clattered to the ground, its severed half glinting in the courtyard's dim light. Alex's branch halted at Luo Xian's shoulder, the point resting gently against her, signaling his victory.
Luo Xian stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. She had been defeated—not by overwhelming force, but by superior swordsmanship and footwork, despite holding back her internal energy.
Di Shitian's body stiffened, his posture shifting as he sat up straighter, his mind reeling. "What an extraordinary technique! Such speed is beyond the eye's grasp!" he thought, stunned by Alex's Shave.