The impact point of Lu Xing's [Dash] was remarkably precise.
Along the gash torn open on the armor's surface—taking advantage of the moment the shield's energy was focused on defending against the [Dark Energy Ray] from the front, and the opportunity created when its internal structure, already "falling apart" from the battle with the Knight Captain, was thoroughly pierced by the [Honkai Lance Projection]—Lu Xing transformed his body into an arrow, directly boring into Heimdall's core.
Although he didn't manage to pierce clean through, the location he struck was, according to his senses, Heimdall's most crucial part: its Honkai energy engine.
"Crackle—"
After four and one-third seconds.
Terrifying electrical arcs and surging flames, combined with the dense Honkai energy in the surroundings… spiraled up to heaven!
"—BOOM!!!"
————
"Your level has increased to Lv.29."
"Detected that the wielder has destroyed a [Divine Machine] for the first time."
"Achievement 'Destroyed Romance' completed."
"Based on the type of 'Romance' target destroyed, you have unlocked the new skill [Hold Shield]."
[Hold Shield: Absorb frontal damage. When hit by an attack not exceeding 200% of the user's constitution, you will nullify this attack and temporarily activate the skill 'Shield Bash'.]
[Shield Bash: Use a shield to deliver a heavy blow to the target. Damage is determined by the user's maximum constitution; when released in an activated [Hold Shield] state, this damage is increased by 100%, and the target is stunned for 1 second (this effect can stack with other skills).]"
"Listen to me say thank you, because… cough, cough!"
All the above information was instilled into Lu Xing's mind while he was in the weakened [Space-Time Rend] (phased state).
TL;DR: Leveled up twice, learned shield parry.
However, the new skill Lu Xing obtained was slightly different.
This move was indeed Heimdall's, but the "demonstration video" Lu Xing received in his mind was actually from a "Temple-class Honkai Beast."
As a Ranger-class that didn't possess a "shield," the system, much like when it introduced [Ballista] last time, had thoughtfully prepared a "Ranger-class Special Edition 'Hold Shield'."
This time, well…
Lu Xing had to admit:
When a Ranger-class used the new skill, it actually looked a little bit cool.
Very similar to when Heimdall deployed its shield.
When a Ranger-class used the [Hold Shield] skill, it would fold the six wings on its back, used for flight and stabilization, in front of its body, forming a "V"-shaped shield—no need to worry about gaps, the wing combination was only part of it; the effect of [Hold Shield] primarily came from Honkai energy.
A hemispherical light screen, opening in front of the body and capable of covering a 180-degree angle, just looking at it could fill one with a sense of security.
After reaching Lv.29, Lu Xing's constitution had risen to 44 points.
In other words.
An attack not reaching a power of 88 would be utterly unable to break through the [Hold Shield]'s defense.
The drawback of this move was also obvious: its extremely long cooldown time. The stronger the attack received while in the [Hold Shield] state, the more Honkai energy consumed, and the longer the cooldown period to reform the defense.
But regardless, obtaining this new skill indeed added an important asset for Lu Xing.
When facing less fatal attacks, at least he wouldn't necessarily have to activate [Space-Time Rend].
————
"Whoosh!"
The cold autumn wind dispersed the smoke of gunpowder.
By the time Lu Xing returned to the epicenter of the explosion, the surrounding world had completely settled down—everything within a 200-meter radius had been blasted to smithereens.
Even if there were a few survivors.
Under the corrosion of Honkai energy, they probably wouldn't live much longer.
Humans were the most affected by the explosion of the Honkai energy engine.
Highly compressed Honkai energy gushed out like a geyser. Even though Lu Xing had already gulped down several mouthfuls, it still couldn't keep up with its rapid dispersion.
"Big Brother."
Just as Lu Xing was preparing to flee—before the remaining human troops could encircle him—the "familiar" childish voice once again resounded in his mind.
The Loli Demon God, her face wreathed in smiles.
She was floating gracefully beside Lu Xing.
Apart from that one elite Guardian Deadman, the other summons had evidently been annihilated in the explosion just now.
The voice was pleasant.
But Lu Xing didn't feel particularly comfortable.
An extremely strong sense of incongruity emanated from the Loli Demon God, repeatedly washing over Lu Xing's senses.
He didn't know what the words "Big Brother" signified.
Was it the "common tongue" of Honkai Beasts automatically translated into a syntax humans could understand, or did it specifically refer to certain males among humans?
Lacking information, Lu Xing couldn't make an accurate judgment.
The Loli Demon God didn't seem to expect a reply from him either.
"If there's a chance, let's play together again."
As the slightly mischievous voice sounded like a whisper.
On either side of the Loli Demon God, opening and closing dark red coffins slowly emerged from the void, "loading" her and the Guardian Deadman beside her into them.
The next second.
The coffins, rising from the ground at a speed no less than Team Rocket being blasted off, instantly disappeared from sight.
"Hum."
The light blades at his wingtips slowly dissipated.
The [Power Strike] that had been secretly accumulating energy since Heimdall's explosion ultimately wasn't unleashed on her.
It wasn't due to any consideration for camaraderie, but because of the latest information fed back by [Appraisal]:
Race: Prototype Variant Summoning Demon God
Level: 24
Abilities: Coffin Princess Summoning Undead Deadman II, Dark Energy Ray, Dark Energy Burst, Burrow
Her skill list hadn't changed.
But her level had shot up to 24 in the recent battle.
Although at the end of the fight, she had absorbed some of Heimdall's Honkai energy as replenishment, Lu Xing's consumption was definitely higher than hers; coupled with the further narrowing of the level gap between them, and the increasingly frequent appearance of civilized auras at the edge of his perception.
Lu Xing ultimately abandoned the idea of tearing off all pretenses on the spot.
The human side had lost its strongest asset for contending with the Knight Captain; the Honkai Beast side probably wasn't faring much better.
Now that both sides' strengths were significantly weakened.
Lu Xing felt it was time to continue—no, it was time to intensify the execution of his plan.
With utmost speed, eliminate all Honkai Beasts that might participate in the "decisive battle," and then, seize the opportunity while the Knight Captain was injured to crush it in one go.
Such a battle violated the spirit of knighthood.
But Lu Xing wasn't a Knight-class, so why would he need to consider such things?
Besides, the ones who had led the group to gang up on him earlier seemed to be Knight-class.
————
Race: Variant Great Universe (Ranger-class Variant)
Level: 29
Abilities: Appraisal, Power Strike, Dash, Spinning Slash, Ballista, Hold Shield, Space-Time Rend (Phasing), Honkai Lance Projection
Equipment: Knight Lance
Attack: 44 (+3)
Speed: 43 (+2)
Constitution: 44 (+3)
Evaluation: Newbie Village BOSS
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