Breaking Army Rising Dragon Strike
Level Requirement: 30
Cost: 20 SP
Skill Effect: Charges forward to knock back enemies, then delivers a one-handed upward slash to launch them into the air.
—
Draw Sword Slash
Level Requirement: 30
Cost: 20 SP
Skill Effect: Draws the blade and unleashes a powerful slash at nearby enemies, capable of hitting a wide area. Slightly longer preparation time required.
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"Breaking Army Rising Dragon Strike!"
"Draw Sword Slash!"
When Liang Yue saw the new skills provided by the Sword Soul Template, the joy welling up inside him washed away his fatigue.
This was exactly what he'd been lacking—combat techniques.
The former was a powerful skill that could be used in conjunction with the Triple Slash, striking every target along its path. It could be considered one of the core skills of the Sword Soul class.
As for the latter—Draw Sword Slash—its value went without saying. Though it required a moment to charge sword-energy, its effect was absolutely top-tier for clearing maps.
Especially in the current cave environment, facing hordes of Minotaurs, there was no need to take them down one by one.
A Draw Sword Slash with enough destructive power could sweep every monster within range with ease!
With the SP cost still at only 20 points, Liang Yue didn't hesitate—he decisively chose the deep blue option.
Breaking Army Rising Dragon Strike (Lv1), Draw Sword Slash (Lv1)
After spending SP to learn the skills, he quickly mastered their execution.
The former was a swift gap-closing attack. The latter, Draw Sword Slash, contained far more nuance—the "preparation" mentioned in the description referred to nothing more than gathering selfless sword-energy.
Infuse the weapon with sword-energy, continuously refining and compressing it until it bursts forth in an instant!
"…Pretty simple."
Having fully grasped the skill's effects, Liang Yue's gaze drifted over the template's remaining skills. The only ones that caught his attention were Flowing Heart and Breaking Edge Blade.
The former enhanced sword-energy slashes. The latter consumed weapon durability to temporarily increase combat damage.
As for the remaining SP, he used it to raise Breaking Edge Blade to Lv5, saving the rest for Lv35 to upgrade other skills.
"That should do it."
"If Breaking Edge Blade eats up weapon durability, I'll just save up and ask Goibniu to forge a weapon with an indestructible trait. That'll solve the problem."
Closing the Sword Soul Template, the intense anticipation faded, and the exhaustion in both body and mind came rushing back.
It was about time to find a place to rest.
Liang Yue glanced around, then waved to Lili—who was hurrying over with the Takemikazuchi Familia in tow.
"Need to find a place to rest?"
Thanks to her Behind-the-Scenes Contributor skill, even with the huge supporter's pack on her back, Lili didn't feel any weight.
In fact, this was her easiest expedition yet—no need to make plans or explain the monsters on each floor. She simply followed behind Liang Yue, picking up the drops.
But when she saw the faint weariness in his expression, her hands tightened on the straps of her pack.
"I checked the map—there's a relatively safe area just ahead."
"Alright."
Liang Yue was eager to try out his new Sword Soul skills, but after a full day of high-intensity dungeon diving, even Ais or the "Rabbit" would be tired—let alone himself, an ordinary Ghost Swordsman who hadn't even fully awakened. At best, his limit right now was about one Draw Sword Slash.
Knowing Liang Yue wasn't much of a talker, Lili naturally took on the task of negotiating with the Takemikazuchi Familia.
Even though a forced expedition was dangerous, she had her reasons for coming—first, her clear understanding of Liang Yue's strength; second, her desire to change her position in the familia.
She wasn't someone any random supporter could replace. Having lived through the complicated hierarchy of the Soma Familia, Lili was an absolute realist.
What's more, she knew she didn't hold much weight in Liang Yue's heart. This was one of her few chances to prove herself.
"For the rest of the way…"
She turned her head toward Kashima, expressionless. "I'll trouble Captain Kashima to lead us to the safe zone ahead."
Even geniuses get tired.
Kashima felt an odd sense of balance in his heart. Facing Lili's calm but unyielding gaze, he nodded without hesitation.
"Leave that to me."
Normally, assisting in a familia expedition entitled one to a share of the final spoils—even if it might trouble his god. But he had already decided—he would help Liang Yue as much as possible, to make the 3 million valis Hestia had paid him feel well-earned.
As for anything else? He didn't bother thinking about it. Gripping his battle-axe, he barked to his familia members:
"Prepare for battle!"
—
Compared to Liang Yue's pace, Kashima, Mikoto, and Chigusa's progress was slower in every aspect—though still steady.
After all, they were capable of reaching the 18th floor, so their strength was definitely above the Soma Familia's.
From the rear, Liang Yue observed the Takemikazuchi Familia's battle. Their coordination was solid, and their teamwork smooth.
Even if their individual power wasn't overwhelming, they could still make steady progress through the dungeon.
"The future development of the familia is important."
With a rare moment of leisure, thoughts of the Hestia Familia's future began to surface.
Besides himself, there was only Lili.
As levels rose, shallow-floor monsters became worthless for experience. To keep improving, expeditions were necessary—not just for the XP and stat gains, but also for the valuable drops, which could greatly ease the familia's financial troubles.
With the current roster, expeditions couldn't be guaranteed safe. They couldn't possibly hire other adventurers every single time. The most direct solution was to grow the familia itself.
There was Yamato Mikoto, wielder of ultra-rare gravity magic.
Their earlier, unplanned encounter around a cave corner had built some rapport—and she too had a passion for swordsmanship.
"…Seems like… I really could recruit her?"
Liang Yue had a bold idea—could he use his Sword Soul skills, with their flashy sword-energy effects, to keep impressing her until she switched familias?
As soon as the thought arose, his feelings grew complicated. If he really did that, wouldn't he basically be… stealing her away?
"Liang Yue."
Lili suddenly stopped, tugging at his arm with a serious expression. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes before she finally spoke:
"Something's not right ahead."
"Hm?"
Following her gaze, Liang Yue saw the Takemikazuchi Familia holding their ground, while ahead loomed a huge gathering of monsters—mostly saber-toothed Big Tigers, with some Minotaurs mixed in.
It was far beyond what Kashima, Mikoto, and the others could handle.
Lili hadn't really changed—she'd simply lost her hatred toward adventurers. Faced with a situation where Liang Yue couldn't fight, her first thought was to get him to safety.
"They can hold out for a bit, right?"
"Lili…"
Given the relationship between Takemikazuchi and Hestia, everyone here knew each other. Abandoning them might be understandable—but it wasn't right.
Liang Yue's calm gaze swept over the crowded tunnel ahead. Right now, it was packed with monsters.
The only word he could think of was—
Slaughterhouse.
With this much XP right in front of him, a Sword Soul who could resist using Draw Sword Slash was definitely someone who'd kicked the habit cold turkey.
Seeing Lili's confused look, Liang Yue paused mid-stride.
Rather than abandoning the Takemikazuchi Familia, there was something else he needed to do—secure Mikoto, who had that rare magic.
Without turning back, he spoke evenly:
"Abandoning comrades—I don't think that's the right thing to do."
After all—
The partners of the future… are still partners!