After blocking Azure's Swallow Reversal, Shade seemed to remember that move. From then on, he refused to give Azure enough distance or time. Even if he had to take several cuts, he would interrupt Azure's attack.
The two of them exchanged blows for nearly half an hour. In the end, Wu Ling ordered them to stop attacking each other.
Wu Ling stepped forward and checked their condition. Azure was almost uninjured thanks to Mind's Eye. After all, as a fragile Assassin type, taking one clean hit from Shade would probably end him.
Shade, on the other hand, had deep and shallow blade marks covering his armor. The two deepest cuts were from Swallow Reversal. The rest either only cut through the armor or failed to break through it at all.
'Azure, how is Shade's swordsmanship?' Wu Ling asked the person directly involved.
Azure answered without thinking. 'It is indeed strong. At first, he was still awkward, but every exchange after that showed obvious improvement. Especially around the middle, when he reached a bottleneck, he actually integrated part of double-edged sword technique into it. If this guy still had his own consciousness, he could probably create a new school of combat with ease.'
'Of course, if we only talk about single-edged blades, he still cannot match me.'
Wu Ling nodded. 'For weapons he did not use in life, he cannot instantly reach the peak, but his advantage is range. Swords, blades, spears, staffs, even modern weapons are all within his scope.'
'In the original work, even with knowledge poured in by the Holy Grail, Lancelot (Berserker) truly made a machine gun and a fighter jet dance. For example, the missile from that fighter jet forcibly turned in midair under his control.'
'Later, I can have Shade fight me constantly with different weapons. That should count as increasing my combat experience. Anything else?'
At Wu Ling's second question, Azure lifted his blade in front of him. The blade that Wu Ling and Rose had reinforced together was now covered with many tiny chips.
'All I can say is that it deserves to be a holy sword on the same level as Excalibur. If it were not for your and Rose's support, my sword would not have lasted until now. Even with that support, after such a long and intense clash, it is still close to its limit.'
'As it is now, I probably cannot even use a complete Swallow Reversal.'
After receiving Azure's reply, Wu Ling turned to Rose. 'Rose, because Arondight became a demonic sword, aside from its sharpness and toughness, it no longer has any other ability.'
'Do you think we can purify it and turn it back into a holy sword? You know, that was originally a dual Anti-Unit and Anti-Army Noble Phantasm. I have wanted a beam cannon for ages.'
This time, however, Rose shook her head at Wu Ling's request.
'If it were during his lifetime, it might be possible. But the Arondight manifested now is based on Lancelot (Berserker)'s Spirit Origin, which means it is summoned through your Spirit Ring. Unless we can operate on the Spirit Ring itself, changing it will be very difficult. And because of the tasks you gave me, main body, you have not really researched Spirit Rings yet.'
Wu Ling listened to Rose's explanation, then looked at the moon already rising in the east. 'Fine. Let us leave it here for now. It is getting late. Time to prepare dinner.'
After that, Wu Ling removed the barrier. Old Li had already prepared dinner and was waiting for Wu Ling to eat. At the same time, Old Li told Wu Ling another piece of news.
Wu Ling raised an eyebrow. 'Oh, Oscar came over? Let him eat first.'
Speaking of Oscar, Wu Ling really had not seen him for some time. When Oscar had first arrived, probably because he was unfamiliar with everything, he came to find Wu Ling every day.
Later, Wu Ling had Oscar train together with Ember. Somehow, after only a few days, Oscar stopped coming. Not that he really stopped, but his own teacher had begun assigning him training tasks, so he came less often.
To be honest, Wu Ling did not pay too much attention to him. He only periodically prepared some cultivation pills for him and asked about his recent cultivation. Their relationship had always stayed at the level of friends. Calling them as close as brothers would be impossible.
Now that Oscar had come to find him, he might have heard that Wu Ling had obtained his fourth Spirit Ring and had some free time, so he came over to play. Of course, he might also have come at his teacher's request to build a good relationship with Wu Ling.
After all, Wu Ling was a twelve-year-old Spirit Meister. A few days ago, after Grand Elder Lucius Cross and Pope Bibi Dong went out together for his sake and returned, most of the higher-ups learned that Wu Ling had already obtained his fourth Spirit Ring. While praising him as young and promising, and as a peerless talent, they also began wondering whether they should find time to invite him to a meal and deepen their connection.
At Wu Ling's speed, becoming a Titled Sage before thirty was practically guaranteed. Those higher-ups did not think they would die before then.
After asking Old Li to pass a message to Oscar, Wu Ling returned to his room and changed into casual home clothes before heading to his dining room. Oscar, who had just turned eight, was already sitting somewhat stiffly in one seat. When he saw Wu Ling enter, he immediately showed a huge smile.
'Brother Wu, it really has been a long time.'
Wu Ling also smiled, walked up, and rubbed Oscar's head. 'What made you come find me out of nowhere?'
Oscar let Wu Ling mess up his hair and answered openly, 'I heard Brother Wu became a Spirit Meister, so I came to congratulate you. As expected of Brother Wu. You easily achieved something countless people cannot.'
Being praised was a pleasant thing, especially when the praise came from someone he knew. Even if Wu Ling understood that Oscar was doing it intentionally, he was still very happy. After all, he had cultivated with his own ability. What was wrong with being praised a few times?
'Enough. All you know how to do is flatter me. Sit down and eat while you talk.'
'Okay, Brother Wu. You eat first.'
While eating, Wu Ling asked about Oscar's recent situation.
'How has your cultivation been lately? What is your Spirit Power level?'
Oscar did not dare hide anything from Wu Ling. Or rather, he had no intention of hiding anything from this elder brother who had recruited him and let him live well. He immediately poured everything out.
'Cultivation has not been a problem at all because of my teacher's guidance, the method you gave me, and the pills you provide. My Spirit Power has already reached level eighteen. I should be able to reach level twenty sometime this year.'
'My teacher has also planned my second Spirit Ring for me. He said he intends to find one that removes negative effects or something similar.'