Bab 74: Volume 2, Chapter 6: Live Streaming Throughout, and a Tussle with Durandal
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Xia Chen did not immediately set out to search for the Jizo Mitama. He hadn't been at Saint Freya long enough to freely access every corner of the academy yet.
Moreover, his curiosity about the Jizo Mitama stemmed from Rin's involvement.
There was no need to push further.
After Fu Hua left with the Valkyries, Xia Chen headed to the Memory Battlefield and selected the challenge level:
[Glorious Knight - Moonlit Specter]
[Attempts: 10,021]
[Successes: 1]
The Glorious Knight boss, named Durandal, quickly became the most frequently challenged opponent within the Memory Battlefield over the past month. However, most participants were merely clocking in, while only a few engaged in actual combat.
No one replicated Xia Chen's flying tackle to take down the Glorious Knight.
Back at the Ocean Branch, Ana had mentioned during their conversations that Wendy's first Memory Battlefield opponent after joining the Immortal Blades headquarters was indeed the Glorious Knight.
Yet, she always fell just short.
Now, Wendy is relentlessly training herself, aiming to finally defeat the Glorious Knight in the Memory Battlefield.
Apart from admiring Wendy's unwavering determination, Xia Chen didn't say much else.
Even without the Gem of Desire, this girl could become a formidable warrior.
Taking a deep breath, he entered the Memory Battlefield.
Durandal, clad in the Glorious Knight - Moonlit Specter armor, stared expressionlessly at him.
"Show me your strength," she declared, summoning her Holy Spirit Shield.
Having faced Durandal yesterday, Xia Chen was well aware of this shield's weakness - simply overpowering it with brute force.
At that moment, his body resembled an oversized Honkai Beast, capable of shattering the shield with sheer physical might alone.
However, breaking the shield is just the most trivial aspect when battling the Glorious Knight.
Once the shield shattered, Durandal thrust her knight lance towards Xia Chen.
Compared to the real Durandal, the Glorious Knight lacked both strength and skill. Nevertheless, even in this form, it far surpassed an Imperial Honkai Beast.
Without utilizing Stigmata power, Xia Chen could barely defend against her attacks. However, this did not mean he had no chance to turn the tide.
The repeated simulations significantly enhanced his compatibility, granting him control over vast amounts of Honkai Energy. This ability allowed him to bridge the fundamental gap between Third-Gen and Fourth-Gen Valkyrie Armors.
This time, instead of using his weapon to block the Glorious Knight's lance, he directly intercepted it with both hands.
The impact between his flesh and bones against the lance resonated like clashing metal, akin to an Imperial Rank Honkai Beast's physique.
His sheer physical strength allowed him to withstand the force of the Glorious Knight's charge.
Such behavior was clearly not anticipated in the Glorious Knight's memory data. However, demonstrating her martial foundation swiftly, the girl abandoned her lance after being blocked and engaged Xia Chen with her even harder fists.
For a moment, Xia Chen couldn't tell who resembled a Honkai Beast more closely.
He suddenly felt as though he could empathize with Sirin's frustration from their previous simulation encounter.
Is this what they call tit for tat?
Despite his wandering thoughts, Xia Chen did not relent in countering.
The combat techniques he had learned were primarily the General Valkyrie Combat Technique and the Kaslana Combat Style. The former is a versatile system developed by the Science Division, drawing strengths from various martial arts. The latter is a top-tier style dissected and refined by the same division.
Mastery of either technique alone would make one a formidable martial artist.
Xia Chen had mastered both these styles quite proficiently.
In just about twenty seconds of intense combat, they exchanged numerous blocks, counters, and deflections.
The fight appeared evenly matched.
However, he was currently utilizing his strongest domain against the Glorious Knight's weakest area.
Realizing her strikes would not secure victory, the Glorious Knight once again raised her lance.
"Your strength warrants my utmost attention."
"Wake up, O Defender of Glory!"
Moonlit Specter's second form activated: Phantom Module.
The Glorious Knight swung her lance, condensed from Honkai Energy, directly towards him.
This move was nearly unavoidable, intended to be a decisive blow.
During their battle yesterday, Xia Chen also succumbed at this point.
Yet, Xia Chen did not give up.
He had witnessed Finality before, even drawn his blade against it. Now, there was nothing left for him to fear or yield to.
Even if he lost once, it meant little.
Harnessing the Stigmata's power, the data from memory space swiftly formed into icy frost, creating a thick barrier of ice that shielded him from the lance.
Xia Chen's face paled slightly.
His body now could withstand most of the energy dissipated when using the Stigmata. Although lacking an Authority, he effectively operated as if possessing one.
Of course, this alone wasn't sufficient to counter Durandal.
The war spear shattered along with her ice barrier, and the Glorious Knight swiftly punched towards Xia Chen.
In response, he embraced her tightly.
A bear hug throw!
The Fourth-Gen Valkyrie Armor provided strong protection; this maneuver couldn't physically harm the Glorious Knight but could momentarily stun her mentally.
In the real world, Durandal likely wouldn't have given Xia Chen such an opportunity.
One can only assume that the Memory Battlefield staff had intentionally lowered the difficulty level.
Despite this adjustment, Xia Chen's victory was still arduous.
Glorious Knight Moonlit Specter is a Tactical Self-Propelled Armor developed to handle any unexpected combat situations. Although the Memory Battlefield designers reduced its difficulty, it did not diminish its adaptability entirely.
At the final moment, the AI retaliated almost tit-for-tat by attempting a similar bear hug throw on Xia Chen.
In what essentially became a wrestling match, they grappled back and forth for several rounds. Ultimately, the Glorious Knight lost consciousness, marking Xia Chen's win through sheer physical prowess.
Upon exiting the Memory Battlefield, Xia Chen felt slightly disoriented.
While the battlefield doesn't inflict physical injuries, the mental exhaustion experienced is genuine.
Unbeknownst to him, his entire battle against Glorious Knight Moonlit Specter was being live-streamed at Schicksal Headquarters by Durandal herself—a coincidence perhaps, as she noticed just when planning to use the Memory Battlefield that her scenario was occupied.
Upon seeing Xia Chen as the user, she instructed Rita to open it for viewing.
Consequently, all the Valkyries in the training room witnessed Xia Chen grappling with their captain.
Durandal watched with keen interest, seemingly unaffected as if not being thrown herself.
In contrast, Rita's expression turned slightly grim, losing her usual elegance.
Wendy's eyes widened, likely thinking, "So that's another approach."
She then glanced at Durandal, feeling more motivated than ever.
Ana's gaze held concern; although injuries in the Memory Battlefield didn't affect reality, the pain was genuine.
Meanwhile, Alvitr and Susannah observed their vice-captain, whispering between themselves:
"What do you think Vice-Captain will do to Xia Chen?"
"I'm not sure, but I know he'd better stay away for some time," Susannah responded unusually wisely. "It's best for him to remain at another branch."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone