Moreover, there is a sense of "our empire is the best" here, so people will subconsciously deny outsiders and things. Just think about the "Forgotten Ones" before. Even if they brought good things, they were still suppressed and couldn't lift their heads.
He may have sabotaged things, but if people didn't have such intentions to begin with, even if he were to go to the very core of the earth, he wouldn't have such a good effect.
but.
As he himself said, understanding and acceptance are often two different things.
"This gentleman is absolutely right."
So he sighed, walked straight to the other party, and extended a sincere invitation, "As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, but it's useless for us to explain and demonstrate, no matter how eloquent we are... I see that you are a military general, so why don't you practice with real swords and spears?"
That's easy to tell. The clothes worn by civil and military officials are different. And look at those bulging muscles and calluses on their hands. No one would believe they aren't military officers.
"Here?"
The muscular man was taken aback, then looked at Dongfang Xiao on the throne, "Your Majesty, this..."
"Okay, okay, I think that's a good idea."
Dongfang Xiao nodded vigorously, with an expression of watching a show unfold. "This Envoy Xu is right. How will we know if we don't try?"
"...Then let's give it a try."
Cheng Gujian made the final decision, "If I remember correctly, your name is Fan Shigui? You used to work in the Royal Knights, and you were only promoted in the last two months... You're strong enough to be a 'Chosen One' of the 'Rock Solid' level, so you'll have to give it a try."
"……yes!"
Fan Shigui took a deep breath. The Grand Duke had spoken, so even if he didn't want to be the one to stick his neck out, he had to bite the bullet and do it.
"So you're the one who's going to fight me?"
He gritted his teeth and looked at Xu Shi, asking a question.
"It would be bullying you if I fought with you."
Xu Shi chuckled and shook his head. "Many people in our delegation are just bullying you when they fight you... Ah, how about this, Xiao Feng, you go?"
He waved to Pan Feng, who was still sulking, and said, "Let me introduce you. This Miss Pan Feng is my wife's apprentice. She's from Silver Pine Island. How long has she been an apprentice? Two weeks?"
"……I?"
Hearing that Xu Shi had chosen him, Pan Feng was stunned for a moment, then looked at Xia Wuyou with some concern.
“Master, I… I’m only a ‘Chosen One’ at the ‘Light Dust’ level. I don’t think I can…”
She wasn't afraid of pain or losing; what she feared was bringing shame to her master and her master's father if she lost. Not to mention that these people had just mocked them. What if they couldn't beat them?
"It's okay, just use what I've been teaching you over this period of time."
Xia Wuyou encouraged her, "Believe in your master, and more importantly, believe in yourself."
Rather than saying trust Xu Shi, if he dares to make such an arrangement, then there must be no problem... even if it means having Pan Feng, who is equivalent to C+ level, fight against Fan Shigui, who is B level.
"good!"
Pan Feng nodded vigorously. She also wanted to prove that the people of Silver Pine Island were no weaker than anyone else, and certainly not the barbarians that these imperial people claimed.
She has to give it her all for this.
On the contrary, the atmosphere on the opposition side became much more relaxed after hearing that Pan Feng was just a novice young girl.
"Old Fan, we've been through thick and thin!"
Someone jokingly said, "Don't embarrass yourself!"
"Yes, perk up!"
Fan Shigui was initially worried, to be fair, that there were indeed several people in the delegation who seemed quite extraordinary, at least to him... but this barbarian girl from Silver Pine Island was not among them.
My mood immediately improved.
He tossed his head and shouted triumphantly, "Damn!"
...
The duel took place in the courtyard outside the palace.
Pan Feng held an alloy battle blade and assumed a fighting stance. Xu Shi had also prepared a set of light armor for her, making her look more and more like a younger version of Xia Xiaomao.
Fan Shigui, on the other hand, wore the standard attire of a warrior from the Hualan Empire: jet-black armor and two swords, one long and one short.
"Wait, wait."
Before the battle began, Xu Shi asked an extra question, "Sparring is one thing, but what if someone gets hurt?"
"It's normal to get injured in a martial arts competition."
Cheng Gujian calmly said, "It only means that my skills are inferior."
"Does the Grand Duke of Gujian mean that life and death are irrelevant?"
Xu Shi blinked.
"Yes! Life or death are irrelevant!"
Before Cheng Gujian could answer, others started shouting.
"...Little girl, don't blame me if you get hurt!"
Fan Shigui could no longer contain himself. As he spoke, he drew his two swords and slashed down at Pan Feng's head.
No martial ethics!
The patterns on the longsword flashed, and flames immediately burst forth from the blade.
Seeing that his body temperature had suddenly risen, it was clear that he was a "chosen one" with fire powers.
However, before the sword strike could land, Pan Feng had already dodged it with incredible speed.
Compared to when we first met, her combat skills have improved considerably. At least she is now much more adept at using her "acceleration" ability.
Her master had always taught her that since it was a battle, she had to find a way to maximize the effectiveness of her superpowers.
For her, that meant becoming faster.
In the world of martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses.
Simple acceleration isn't as unpredictable as Su Lin's teleportation or Ye Shanshan's shadow stealth, but it still produces a good visual effect—the sword light leaves afterimages, and if you're not paying attention for a moment, you'll lose track of her rhythm.
At least for a moment, it caught Fan Shigui off guard, allowing her to seize the opportunity and strike several times.
When the alloy sword in resonance mode struck the armor, it actually cut out cracks!
The onlookers' eyes widened instantly. Was it real?
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