Chapter 13: The Fusion of Powers

“Another trick up your sleeve?!”

Lu Li’s heart sank as he gasped sharply.

He had planned to use a lightning arrow to kill Chen Hao from a distance.

But now, with Chen Hao suddenly leveling up to Lv.4 and his physical attributes surging, that method was clearly ineffective.

Was he going to have to fight up close?

Although the platinum-grade “Blade Arm” could potentially slay Chen Hao, doing so would mean putting himself in grave danger.

Despite the combat experience he had accumulated in his previous life,

Lu Li’s current physical condition after rebirth was still insufficient to endure intense close-quarters combat.

The likely outcome would be a mutual destruction.

Should he take the risk?

“Lu Li! I will kill you!!!”

Just as Lu Li pondered, Chen Hao took a step forward from afar.

The scar-faced bald man was surrounded by rolling red mist, charging toward Lu Li with a barrage of lightning arrows.

Lu Li stood frozen for a long moment, then suddenly laughed.

He was laughing at himself for becoming so timid.

In his previous life, he had been clueless yet still made a name for himself.

Now, reborn, he would only become the strongest!

Activating the “Speed” ability, Lu Li’s figure flickered as he began to sprint through the multimedia classroom.

The dense lightning arrows momentarily ceased; after all, such attacks could not kill Chen Hao but only increased his power.

To kill the opponent, he had to strike a fatal blow.

Using the terrain to his advantage, Lu Li maintained his distance from Chen Hao.

The soul weapon Chen Hao had torn apart earlier hadn’t disappeared—it had been recalled by Lu Li in advance.

Though he had lost some soul points, enough remained to condense another Lv.2 soul weapon.

However, Lu Li had no intention of using it immediately.

He wanted to concentrate all his combat power into a single point; only then would he have a chance to kill in one strike.

Dodging a chair hurled by Chen Hao, Lu Li swiftly ran to the corpse of Ying Zian.

His soul-devouring ability silently activated.

[Devoured Lv.2 player’s soul, Soul Points +4]

[Plundered Ability—Claws (Silver)]

[Detected ‘Claws’ and ‘Blade Arm’ are both ‘Sharp’ type abilities. Fuse and strengthen?]

Fusion possible?

Yes, fusion can strengthen!

Lu Li nearly forgot this.

Plundering the same ability through soul devouring could trigger advancement tasks, which upon completion would upgrade the ability’s grade.

And abilities from the same series could be fused and strengthened!

Though Lu Li didn’t know what the fusion result would be, one thing was certain—

The fused ability would be stronger than before!

“Fuse!”

Without hesitation, Lu Li chose to fuse the abilities.

In such a critical battle moment, every little enhancement increased the chance of victory!

[Ding! Ability fusion successful!]

[Due to the large grade gap between ‘Blade Arm’ and ‘Claws,’ no new ability emerged.]

[‘Blade Arm’ effect enhanced: now includes ‘Rend’ effect, with a 50% trigger chance.]

“A ‘Rend’ effect!”

Lu Li’s heart leapt with joy.

The ‘Rend’ effect could persistently affect the target, stacking multiple times to inflict ‘Severe Wounds’!

Once ‘Severe Wounds’ took hold, the target’s movement speed would drastically decrease.

Lu Li paused, halting his sprint.

Originally, he had planned to find an opportunity for a fatal strike on Chen Hao.

But now that the ‘Blade Arm’ carried the ‘Rend’ effect, his strategy had to change.

He would slowly wear Chen Hao down!

Even if this process continually bolstered Chen Hao’s abilities, as long as the ‘Severe Wounds’ effect was applied, Lu Li could seize the initiative!

Chen Hao noticed Lu Li suddenly stopping and immediately came to a halt himself.

His expression was highly alert, casting a suspicious look at his opponent.

“What’s wrong? Realized you’re doomed and decided not to run?”

Lu Li chuckled:

“I admit, I didn’t expect your ability to be this strong, and that you carry ten Lv.2 primal crystals on you.”

“But who dies, it’s still uncertain!”

At that moment, a black mist suddenly rose behind Lu Li!

His soul weapon reformed—a black mantis spread its wings and swiftly hovered above Chen Hao’s head.

Like a Damocles sword ready to fall at any moment!

Meanwhile, Lu Li began to pace slowly, inching closer to Chen Hao.

“A summoning talent? Looks like Xiao Hao got thoroughly deceived by you…”

Chen Hao glanced up at the black soul weapon above him, clearly understanding something.

But the soul weapon seemed unwilling to give him time to think.

The black mantis let out a piercing cry, then shot like a cannonball straight at Chen Hao!

At the same time, Lu Li’s speed suddenly surged.

About to be caught in a pincer attack, Chen Hao’s scarred face showed no trace of panic.

On the contrary, he wore a look of confident insight.

“A student is always a student—too naive. Do you really think I’ll fall for the same trick twice?!”

Chen Hao charged toward Lu Li without any intention of guarding against the Blade Arm mantis.

He was convinced Lu Li was using an old trick,

Trying to attract attention with a seemingly powerful but actually fragile summon.

The real killing blow would come from the man himself.

Isn’t that how Tian Yuhao died?

Not this time; Chen Hao would never be fooled again!

Just as they were about to collide, Chen Hao’s eyes were suddenly blinded by a dazzling white light.

An arc of electricity struck his face mercilessly, temporarily robbing him of sight.

When he opened his eyes again, the space before him was empty—there was no sign of Lu Li.

“You little sly fox!”

Chen Hao tried to locate him, only to suddenly feel sharp pain in his back and ankle.

The soul weapon’s attack had landed, leaving two long wounds on his back.

Lu Li, meanwhile, slid forward, using the blade formed by his right hand to lightly slash Chen Hao’s ankle.

Summon as the main assault?

No matter!

They were all insignificant wounds!

Chen Hao understood that under the effect of the “Bloody Massacre” ability, any non-lethal injury would only strengthen him!

He was confident that as long as he killed Lu Li, the summons would vanish automatically.

But Lu Li was like a slippery eel—every time Chen Hao was about to catch him, he slipped through his fingers.

Meanwhile, Chen Hao himself had been slashed over a dozen times.

Though these wounds were like mosquito bites to him, why was Lu Li getting faster and faster?

No—

It wasn’t Lu Li who was speeding up; it was Chen Hao who was slowing down!

Suddenly enlightened, Chen Hao glanced at his status panel.

Under the status column hung the “Severe Wounds” effect!

“You little cheat!”

Lu Li tossed out another lightning arrow as he retreated again.

At the same time, he controlled his soul weapon, preparing to strike Chen Hao hard!

He thought that a slowed Chen Hao would focus all his effort defending against the soul weapon.

But the scarred man went utterly berserk!

The red mist around him vanished into his body, and in an instant, his eyes turned blood-red like a demon from hell!

The “Severe Wounds” effect was removed!

Chen Hao’s speed surged; he lunged fiercely at Lu Li!

“Die!!!”