Chapter 680: The Instructor

Xiao Yu said thoughtfully, “Aren’t you already a Saint Swordsman? Explore carefully; you might make some astonishing discoveries.”

Lei Su looked at Xiao Yu with confusion, lost in thought. Why had General Mo Yuntian requested Nie Yan to train those elite mech warriors? Perhaps it had something to do with Shadow Dance.

“Have you heard of the Shadow Dance mech?” Xiao Yu asked Lei Su.

“It’s the latest agile-type armor, still under development. Only concept models have been released. Such advanced weaponry feels too distant for us. Unless you’re an elite mech warrior in the military, ordinary people can’t even dream of touching one. I haven’t even touched a mech yet,” Lei Su said gloomily. Mechs were usually kept in military bases or space carriers; ordinary people could only watch videos online, feeling their remoteness.

“It’s said there are also some powerful mechs, like the Saint Swordsman, Divine Warrior, and Magic Conductor mechs,” Xiao Yu said mysteriously with a smile, then fell silent, continuing to watch Nie Yan’s duel with Wang Duo.

“You mean…” Lei Su’s heart pounded. Xiao Yu’s words were like a bombshell, prompting him to make some associations.

Lei Su had only recently advanced to Saint Swordsman, and his understanding of the class was still at a basic level. Yet he could feel that after the class change, a door to a treasure trove was slowly opening for him. His future potential was limitless.

“I see!” Lei Su suddenly realized, clenching his fist. It seemed he needed to start with the Saint Swordsman and grasp its true essence to become stronger.

“You’d better consult Nie Yan. There are some terms in mechs called resonance and energy guidance. Life energy is a very magical force. Utilizing it well can make a person extremely powerful. Nie Yan might have some unique insights,” Xiao Yu said. This was probably the real reason why Mo Yuntian sought Nie Yan. Nie Yan was incredibly lucky to have Mo Yuntian’s support, allowing him to dominate the continent.

Such highly scientific topics made Lei Su’s head spin, but he indeed needed to consult Nie Yan.

The more than thirty military elites watching Nie Yan and Wang Duo’s prolonged stalemate began to admire Nie Yan. Wang Duo was undoubtedly the strongest among them, unmatched in hand-to-hand combat. Yet Nie Yan had lasted so long against him, maintaining a certain advantage. Considering Nie Yan’s age, they were completely convinced. One good thing about soldiers was their straightforwardness—they respected strength, and Nie Yan was fully qualified to be their coach.

As Lei Su and others were chatting, Nie Yan and Wang Duo’s battle had reached a fever pitch.

Wang Duo leaped into the air with a side kick, generating a powerful leg wind that directly targeted Nie Yan’s face.

Nie Yan tilted his body and raised his arm to block. With a loud “peng,” he retreated several steps, startled. Wang Duo’s leg strength was formidable! Seeing Wang Duo continue to charge, Nie Yan dared not be careless and dodged sideways.

After kicking Nie Yan back, Wang Duo didn’t stop his assault. He leaped into the air again, delivering another side kick aimed at Nie Yan’s head.

Seeing Wang Duo’s consecutive leg attacks, the more than thirty soldiers watching were anxious for Nie Yan. They had fought Wang Duo before and knew how terrifying his continuous leg strikes were. Many enemies had died from a single kick to the neck by Wang Duo. Now, because the fight had reached a critical stage, Wang Duo wasn’t holding back at all. If an accident occurred, the consequences would be severe.

Seeing Wang Duo’s sweeping kick coming, Nie Yan’s pupils suddenly contracted. Just as he was about to be hit, he leaned back, dodging Wang Duo’s attack at the last moment.

Wang Duo’s attack missed, and as he landed, he instantly raised his left leg for a downward axe kick, the leg wind as sharp as a blade.

Suddenly accelerating, Nie Yan twisted his body at an odd angle, barely dodging Wang Duo’s attack.

With a loud “peng,” Wang Duo’s foot slammed into the ground, cracking the tiled surface with numerous fissures.

During his attack, Wang Duo had unconsciously used the hard qigong techniques passed down in the military, which were incredibly powerful.

If the fight continued, there might be danger. Mo Yuntian had wanted to interrupt Nie Yan and Wang Duo’s duel several times. However, every time Nie Yan seemed unable to dodge, he always managed to escape using some strange method, appearing to handle the situation with ease, making Mo Yuntian exclaim in admiration.

Gradually, Mo Yuntian began to recognize something from Nie Yan’s movements—it was the Shadow Dance program! As one of the few high-ranking military officials who had witnessed the development of the Shadow Dance mech, Mo Yuntian detected something unique from Nie Yan’s steps.

Shadow Dance was essentially a program. Through computer simulation, when a person’s speed reached a certain level, the program determined the optimal evasion routes. These evasion movements, designed by computers, had a certain idealized quality. Currently, to Mo Yuntian’s knowledge, Nie Yan was the only one who could achieve them in reality.

“Xiao Yu, who do you think will win?” Lei Su asked. Watching Nie Yan and Wang Duo’s fight made his heart race. Initially, Nie Yan had a certain advantage, but after Wang Duo unleashed his leg techniques, Nie Yan lost his edge, nearly falling several times, barely dodging in the nick of time. It was truly heart-stopping.

Wang Duo’s stomp on the ground was indeed fierce. A similar kick directed at a person would shatter their bones into pieces.

Xiao Yu said, “I’m not sure. Maybe Nie Yan will lose. Wang Duo’s leg techniques are very sharp.”

But at this moment, Mo Yuntian shook his head and said, “Wang Duo will lose. It’ll be decided within three minutes.”

Xiao Yu and Lei Su looked at Mo Yuntian in confusion. Right now, Wang Duo clearly had the upper hand, while Nie Yan was dodging everywhere, unable to counterattack. Why did Mo Yuntian favor Nie Yan?

Mo Yuntian smiled and said, “Keep watching.” Nie Yan’s combat experience was clearly insufficient. He had never encountered someone like Wang Duo before, so he was momentarily in a mess. However, once Nie Yan became familiar with Shadow Dance’s combat techniques, Wang Duo would likely fall quickly.

Indeed, Nie Yan was currently somewhat disheveled, but he was mastering and understanding Shadow Dance techniques more and more proficiently.

Speed! Speed! Speed!

That was the essence of Shadow Dance!

Wang Duo’s continuous leg attacks had failed to defeat Nie Yan, making him feel increasingly anxious. His attacks became even fiercer. Another side kick, his body lowered, his right foot directly targeting Nie Yan’s chin, piercing forward like a sharp sword.

Nie Yan’s pupils suddenly dilated, then abruptly constricted. At this moment, he felt Wang Duo’s movements had slowed significantly. He slightly retreated, one step, two steps—neither more nor less.

With a “whoosh,” Wang Duo’s side kick landed precisely in front of Nie Yan, missing his cheek by mere centimeters—just short of that tiny distance.

That was the feeling!

Nie Yan’s entire body, every pore, seemed to feel a magical force rejoicing, his muscles filled with energy.

Nie Yan didn’t immediately attack Wang Duo.

Wang Duo paused momentarily, using his right hand to support himself, then launched another flying kick.

Nie Yan quickly dodged. Each of Wang Duo’s attacks missed by just a little, never hitting Nie Yan.

“What’s going on!” Wang Duo’s repeated attacks had failed, and he gradually realized something was wrong. His psychological pressure increased, and although his strikes became faster and fiercer, they had no effect.

Nie Yan’s speed was always just a step ahead of Wang Duo’s.

To the surrounding onlookers, Nie Yan’s speed was simply astounding. His shadow flashed by, making it even difficult for them to determine his exact position.

“Damn, is he even human? His speed is terrifying!”

After dodging a few attacks, Nie Yan’s evasion movements became increasingly composed. This was Shadow Dance! What an amazing feeling!

As his speed increased, Nie Yan began to notice more clearly the flaws in Wang Duo’s attacks.

Nie Yan swiftly utilized the Shadow Dance footwork technique. His figure flickered as he moved with astonishing speed. Suddenly extending his right hand, it was like a venomous snake striking from its lair—swift as lightning.

Wang Duo’s attack missed, and he felt something was wrong. He saw a figure flash before his eyes. He wanted to counterattack, but it was already too late. He felt a chill at his neck, a flash of despair crossing his mind—he was done for!

Nie Yan’s right hand was like an iron clamp, gripping Wang Duo’s neck. If he applied just a bit more force, Wang Duo would be dead.

Wang Duo felt suffocated at his neck. However, having experienced countless life-and-death situations, he didn’t panic like an ordinary person. He calmly waited for Nie Yan’s judgment, knowing that any resistance at this point would only hasten his demise.

Wang Duo’s composure impressed Nie Yan. Being able to remain so calm in the face of death was something ordinary people couldn’t achieve.

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned. They felt as though they had blinked, and Wang Duo was subdued. They hadn’t even seen Nie Yan’s exact movements. Seeing Nie Yan’s two fingers gripping Wang Duo’s neck, everyone felt a slight pause in their breathing.

They understood that with Nie Yan’s strength, applying just a bit more pressure would end Wang Duo’s life.

A killing intent locked onto Wang Duo, but then it vanished without a trace.

As Mo Yuntian was about to speak, Nie Yan let go and calmly said, “You’re too kind.”

Wang Duo opened his eyes, feeling as though he had returned from hell to the human world.

“I lost,” Wang Duo said somewhat dejectedly, but then he relaxed. For people like them, winning or losing was a normal part of life. As long as they were alive, it was something to be grateful for.

Nie Yan revealed a slight smile. Wang Duo was a straightforward and noble person.

As Nie Yan was about to say something, he saw the more than thirty soldiers in the distance suddenly stand at attention in perfect unison, shouting in chorus, “Instructor, the formation is ready. Please inspect.” Their voices were like thunder, full of vigor and confidence.

Nie Yan was momentarily stunned. Were they calling him? He looked at Mo Yuntian beside him, who was watching from the side and nodded with a smile.

Nie Yan suddenly felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement.