Apocalypse Circular-Chapter 472 - 471: Sparring with the Nightmare Demon

Chapter 472: Chapter 471: Sparring with the Nightmare Demon

"Mr. Lu Luo, the Master summons you."

The messenger was still Qin Wanyu. Facing Lu Luo once again, she had shed the awkwardness of their previous meeting.

Regardless, the current Qin Wanyu was a Sixth Tier humanoid Exotic Species.

If not for Lu Luo, her talents and abilities would be considered top-tier.

However, it seemed her purpose today would not proceed so smoothly.

After she stated her intentions, Lu Luo’s demeanor gradually became playful.

She wants me to go over? That request... well, if it were more than two years ago, it probably wouldn’t have been an issue. But the Lu Luo of today truly is different.

He had received very clear confirmation of his own strength from his battle with Noah.

If not for the subsequent interruption and the appearance of Yang, the mute girl, he would have already won.

Noah’s strength was unquestionable. For Lu Luo to have overcome him, it meant his own hard power was already greater than Noah’s.

And within the Wall, Noah was considered Nightmare Demon’s senior.

Had he not abandoned the mechanical body he had spent years forging, Noah’s strength would likely have surpassed Nightmare Demon’s by a notch.

Therefore, judging by strength, her invitation, delivered with such an air of superiority, seemed utterly insincere.

Of course, Lu Luo wasn’t looking for a confrontation at this moment.

Moreover, he needed information from Nightmare Demon’s side, so...

"Heh heh, an invitation from the illustrious Nightmare Demon—naturally, I shall attend. Now?"

"Yes, right now."

"It seems Nightmare Demon is quite eager to see me! I, too, haven’t seen Nightmare Demon in a long time. It’s about time I paid her a visit and my respects."

Qin Wanyu’s expression was a bit strange. Although Lu Luo had accepted her invitation, she felt that his way of speaking and tone were somewhat sarcastic. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Could it be because of me? Does Lu Luo really dislike me so much that he feels the need to speak in such a sarcastic tone?

"Mr. Lu Luo, if you have any doubts, or if there’s anything about my work that dissatisfies you, please tell me directly. Whatever your assessment might be, I am willing to accept it. But I hope my personal reasons won’t delay the Master’s affairs."

"Huh? No, you’re overthinking it. I didn’t mean that."

While Lu Luo wasn’t particularly fond of Qin Wanyu, he didn’t dislike her either. Much less would he make things difficult for her due to personal feelings.

"You really are overthinking it," Lu Luo added again.

Seeing that Lu Luo truly had no intention of making things difficult for her, Qin Wanyu’s expression eased slightly.

"If Mr. Lu Luo has no other concerns, then please come with me now. The Master is waiting for you."

"Oh, alright."

Qin Wanyu seemed quite assertive at this moment, while Lu Luo became rather submissive.

Are all women like this? I barely said anything, and yet her attitude suddenly turned so sour. This is a little hard to adapt to, he wondered.

"Then, let’s go!"

After bidding farewell to Han Shiyu, Lu Luo followed Qin Wanyu to Nightmare Demon’s dwelling.

...

In the Underground Training Ground, Lu Xiaotian was sparring with Yang Liya.

Yang Liya’s physique was extraordinarily powerful. Although these past few years hadn’t allowed her to break through the Seventh Tier restriction, her physical attributes had significantly increased thanks to the enhancement of her Fourth Ring Dark Energy.

Her peak Sixth Tier physique made her like a humanoid Exotic Species.

If nothing else, she was at least perfectly adequate as Lu Xiaotian’s sparring partner.

Lu Xiaotian wasn’t using any energy, relying solely on her physical body and techniques to contend with the powerhouse Yang Liya.

The human body wasn’t that robust, so this kind of training left Lu Xiaotian covered in numerous bruises.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The dull thuds of fists and limbs colliding echoed continuously.

Some were the sounds of bone striking bone, others the crackle of displaced air.

Lu Luo stood at the entrance to the staircase, silently watching the two confront each other. Qin Wanyu, beside him, was sensible enough not to disturb her master at this time.

She stole a few glances at Lu Luo. In the blink of an eye, more than two years had passed.

The changes in Lu Luo were truly immense, too numerous to count.

The Lu Luo of twenty had still been somewhat green, but the Lu Luo of today had fully transformed into a mature man, exuding the charm characteristic of one.

"Mr. Lu Luo, please wait patiently for a moment."

"Hmm, okay."

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No need to trouble yourself."

After this brief exchange, the two fell silent again.

An awkward feeling spread through Qin Wanyu’s heart.

Alas! A silent sigh was all that echoed in her heart.

In the center of the Training Ground, Lu Xiaotian parried an attack and countered with a reverse sweep kick, sending Yang Liya aside.

Slightly panting, she raised her hand, signaling the end of today’s training.

"Xiaotian, your technique is becoming more and more refined."

"It’s okay. After training for so long, one is bound to make some progress."

"He’s here," Yang Liya said, nodding with her eyes towards the staircase where Lu Luo stood.

Lu Xiaotian smiled and nodded, then also looked in that direction.

"Yes, he’s here."

By the time Lu Xiaotian and Yang Liya stopped, Lu Luo and Qin Wanyu had already walked into the training hall.

"Long time no see, Nightmare Demon."

The relationship between Lu Luo and Nightmare Demon was exceptionally strange. They had been enemies for a time, friends for a time, in a cold war for a time, and then in a honeymoon period.

This complex relationship not only made Lu Luo reluctant to have too much involvement with Nightmare Demon, but even Nightmare Demon herself wasn’t quite sure how to handle her relationship with Lu Luo.

There once was a voice that told her not to allow Lu Luo’s growth to go unchecked. Threats should be nipped in the bud.

But that voice vanished from Nightmare Demon’s ear, and she made its owner vanish along with it.

She couldn’t quite say whether this counted as looking out for Lu Luo or showing him favoritism.

In any case, Lu Xiaotian had almost never executed any strategies aimed at harming Lu Luo.

"Indeed, it has been a long time." Lu Luo looked Nightmare Demon up and down, his gaze more meticulous this time.

The speed of Lu Xiaotian’s physical development was somewhat surprising.

Because their last meeting was brief, and Lu Xiaotian was still in her growth phase, she had seemed like an oversized kid back then.

But the Lu Xiaotian of today had transformed into a graceful and elegant young woman.

Confidence and beauty, along with the aura of a powerhouse, made Lu Xiaotian appear like a masterpiece from the Wasteland Alliance.

"A few years have passed... Nightmare Demon has grown much taller."

Lu Luo rubbed his nose, slightly concealing his internal assessment of Nightmare Demon.

However, Nightmare Demon burst out laughing at this moment. Her laughter was like a blossoming flower, full of youthful beauty.

"Is your only comment about me that I’ve grown taller?"

"Uh, besides growing taller, you’ve also become more beautiful."

"Hmph, so you’re saying I wasn’t beautiful before? Or that I was ugly?"

"Nightmare Demon, that’s not what I meant at all!"

Lu Luo felt somewhat helpless. Being unreasonable must be a skill every woman possesses. Even though Lu Xiaotian is only thirteen, she has already completely mastered this universal female skill.

"Weren’t those all things you said? I bet you used to gossip about me behind my back, right? Calling me things like ’radish head,’ ’little bean sprout,’ ’wild girl,’ and the like?"

She peeked into your mind?

The corner of Lu Luo’s mouth twitched. He, a Mage, had never called her ’radish head.’

But ’little bean sprout’ and ’wild girl’...

Uh, seems like I just mentioned those, didn’t I?

"Nightmare Demon, let’s talk about serious matters."

"I have been discussing serious matters with you. Did you think what I said earlier was a joke?"

"No, I just thought..."

"Alright, there’s no conflict of interest between us. Now that you’ve established yourself outside, you’re hardly willing to return. So there’s even less possibility of hostility between us. I know you might have things to attend to now that you’re back, but before that, care to spar with me?"

Lu Xiaotian interrupted Lu Luo and tossed a pair of fighting gloves at him.

Lu Luo initially wanted to refuse. With Lu Xiaotian’s slender arms and legs, a couple of my punches and she might end up crying on the floor.

But after a moment’s thought, Lu Luo suddenly declared:

"Alright! Since Nightmare Demon wishes to train, then I shall accompany you."

Lu Luo’s chin dipped slightly, his eyes instantly sharpening.

An unusual aura emanated from him.

"Lu Luo... you, now?"

Lu Xiaotian was inwardly shocked. Has Lu Luo’s progress been too swift?

She had some perception of Lu Luo’s actual combat capabilities.

A Sixth Tier Lu Luo could already achieve astonishing physical strength. So, what level was the current Lu Luo at?

Even with my dual cultivation as a human and an Exotic Species, is it possible I’m not Lu Luo’s match?

For a fleeting moment, Lu Xiaotian’s resolve wavered.

However, the discipline of a powerhouse quickly allowed her to compose her emotions.

"Very well. Let me test your strength, and my own as well."

Before Lu Xiaotian finished speaking, black Netherflame had already enveloped her hands.

This technique of fighting with Netherflame enchantment in human form was something Lu Xiaotian had gradually perfected over several years of training.

Watching Lu Xiaotian sprint towards him, Lu Luo’s gaze also focused:

She’s getting serious!

Qi He coiled around his arms, and Lu Luo threw a punch in response.

BOOM!

The entire basement, and indeed the building above, shook violently.

Yang Liya and Qin Wanyu exchanged glances. Ultimately, Yang Liya spoke first:

"This won’t do! A fight like this will cause this place to collapse."

"They should know to restrain themselves, right?" Qin Wanyu said uncertainly.

Because they, too, were unsure if Lu Xiaotian and Lu Luo, once worked up, could control their strength.

What astonished them even more was, had Lu Luo’s current strength truly reached the point where he could stand shoulder to shoulder with Nightmare Demon?

How incredible was that!

The Lu Luo of the past, so weak he probably wasn’t even San Tong’s match, had now left them so far behind in just a few years.

"So, without even realizing it, the gap between us has become this vast," Yang Liya murmured.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Their movements have slowed; it seems they’ve suppressed their strength."

"Yes, as long as they exercise restraint, it should be fine."

Both Yang Liya and Qin Wanyu possessed excellent discernment; after all, being Sixth Tier experts, they could naturally tell that Lu Luo and Lu Xiaotian, after their initial exchange, had deliberately suppressed their power.

This wasn’t outside the Wall, after all, and they didn’t have a large enough area to fight properly.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The clash of Netherflame and Qi He generated turbulent currents within the basement. Even though both had suppressed their energy to below Fifth Tier, the shockwaves from their impacts were still almost too much for the place to bear.

The more Lu Xiaotian fought, the more aghast she became.

Setting aside the intensity and volume of their energy, merely in terms of combat and close-quarters fighting techniques, Lu Luo could be said to completely dominate her by an entire tier.

Every move she made seemed to be seen through by Lu Luo.

Lu Luo’s perception, reflexes, and extreme speed all exerted immense pressure on her.

If they continued fighting like this, without unleashing their full energy, her defeat was merely a matter of time.

That was Lu Xiaotian’s perspective. From Lu Luo’s point of view, however, it was a different story.

At this point, the Observer couldn’t help but complain.

When exactly do you plan to stop pulling your punches? This kind of fight is putting me to sleep.

"When she calls for a stop.

"After all, I’m here to ask for a favor. If I displease her now and she throws a tantrum, then I’ll genuinely have to go it alone for this operation.

"The cost of going solo is too high, and the success rate too low; it’s really not feasible. Now that there’s a powerful expert like Lu Xiaotian available, and a high chance I can persuade her, I absolutely cannot let this chance slip by."

You’re too soft. You should hit her hard, make her kneel and beg to assist you willingly. Ultimately, it’s because you lack personal charm.

"Lu Luo, are you distracted?"

Just as Lu Luo was bickering with the Observer, Lu Xiaotian suddenly noticed his inattentiveness.

This infuriated her. How dare he! To have my proud combat prowess so casually trampled upon—how could I not be angry?

"Not at all, Nightmare Demon. Your strength is so overwhelming that I feel immense pressure, hence my somewhat dazed appearance."

Lu Luo spoke disingenuously, but Lu Xiaotian was unwilling to believe him at that moment.

She took a deep breath, abruptly stopped, then pointed towards the entrance and said:

"Want to take this outside the Wall?"

"Er, is that really necessary?"

"I think it is."

Seeing Lu Xiaotian’s slightly indignant gaze and her proud demeanor, Lu Luo smiled nonchalantly:

"Alright then. We’ll go outside the Wall and have a proper, satisfying fight."

Although Lu Luo agreed to Lu Xiaotian’s request, for some reason, Lu Xiaotian felt even more irritated.

She had a feeling Lu Luo’s attitude towards her... was a little too casual.

This isn’t right. The Lu Luo of the past was always so timid and cautious in my presence. When did this change begin?