“No way! If Qiao Yu can do it, so can I!”

Ma Fei, unwilling to accept defeat, picked up his novice longsword and battled the nightmare once more.

“Armor-Piercing Sword Qi!”

Ma Fei roared, unleashing a sharp sword qi that struck the nightmare’s head, dealing a crimson “-10.”

This only enraged the nightmare, which retaliated with a flurry of attacks, forcing Ma Fei to retreat. Ma Fei gritted his teeth, remaining silent.

“Why did you all come out? Didn’t I tell you to hide in the house and wait for me?” Qiao Yu asked Zuo You and the others.

“We were afraid you’d be in danger out here alone, so we came out to help you. We can look out for each other this way.”

Zuo You finished speaking and turned her gaze to the iron chains on Qiao Yu’s legs.

“How can you move around with those things shackling you? Should Ma Fei try to cut them open with his sword?”

“No need.”

Before the words had even faded, Qiao Yu grabbed the iron chains with both hands and yanked. The chains, as thick as a man’s thigh, snapped in an instant, much to the shock of Zuo You and the others.

“See? That’s all it took.”

Yang Xiangdi was silent for a moment before looking at Qiao Yu somberly.

“Yu-ge, tell me, are you sure you’re not cheating?”

“No! I, Qiao Yu, am not cheating!”

Qiao Yu’s expression was resolute. He had simply allocated all his stat points to strength. Could that really be called cheating?

“Ah!”

A cry of agony suddenly came from Ma Fei. His arm had been grazed by the nightmare’s claws, causing blood to gush out.

Ma Fei’s health bar instantly dropped by half.

“Ma Fei, we’ll help you!”

Just as Zuo You and the others were about to intervene, Zhao Ziyue already had her skills ready, but Ma Fei raised his hand to stop them.

“No need! I can do it! True warriors are forged in battle! Scars! They are a man’s badge of honor!”

Yang Xiangdi seemed to remember something and quickly said, “Master Ma! Don’t fight it head-on! Try to aim for its head! The nightmare’s weakness is its head!”

Zuo You immediately understood.

“That’s right! Ma Fei, Yang Xiangdi is right. Yesterday, Qiao Yu hit the nightmare on the head with his staff, and it died!”

Qiao Yu: …

“I see!”

Ma Fei’s eyes lit up, and he stared intently at the top of the nightmare’s head.

“Um, Ma Fei, actually, the nightmare’s weakness isn’t its head…”

Qiao Yu felt it was necessary to explain to Ma Fei, after all, the reason he was able to kill the nightmare with one blow from his staff was purely because his strength was ridiculously high.

“Hmph! Qiao Yu, are you afraid!”

Qiao Yu: ?????

Ma Fei revealed a knowing smile.

“You’re afraid Ma Fei will surpass you! You need teammates to help you deal with a nightmare, but I only need a sword!”

Ma Fei’s eyes burned with intense fighting spirit as he looked at the nightmare.

“You all better watch this next strike!”

“Why?”

“Because this strike will be cool!”

Ma Fei held his sword with both hands and roared, “Armor-Piercing Sword Qi!” With a flash, he accurately stabbed the top of the nightmare’s head.

“–10”

Looking at the red number that appeared above the nightmare’s head, Ma Fei stared at the nightmare with a blank expression, but a trickle of cold sweat had already begun to run down his forehead.

Nightmare-dage, what’s going on? I hit your weak spot, you’re supposed to be instantly killed!

A human-like look of confusion appeared on the nightmare’s face, followed by a swipe of its claws that sent Ma Fei flying. He crashed to the ground face-first with a miserable cry.

If Zhao Ziyue hadn’t given him a massive heal in time, Ma Fei would have died on the spot.

“Yang Xiangdi, are you sure the nightmare’s weakness is its head? Are you trying to trick me?”

After spitting out a mouthful of dirt, Ma Fei scrambled to his feet and began cursing at Yang Xiangdi.

“That’s not right, Qiao Yu killed the nightmare with one attack to the head…”

Yang Xiangdi rested his chubby hand on his chin and pondered for a moment before suddenly clapping his hands and jumping up.

“I get it! It’s because you didn’t use a staff! You have to hit the nightmare’s head with a staff to trigger the instant kill! Here, you can borrow my staff!”

Qiao Yu: …

So, you didn’t hear a word I said? The nightmare’s weakness isn’t its head, you know!

“Alright, I’ll trust you one more time!”

Ma Fei took the staff that Yang Xiangdi handed him, gritting his teeth.

“Class monitor, why don’t we just help you…” Zuo You asked tentatively.

“No need! A swordsman’s best helper is his sword!”

“But, you’re holding Yang Xiangdi’s staff right now.”

Ma Fei: …

“Heh… hehe, to wield no sword is to wield a sword! This is a deeper realm for swordsmen! You wouldn’t understand!”

“Watch closely, I’ll instantly kill this nightmare! I just didn’t get it right earlier, watch me do it again!”

Ma Fei picked up the staff and charged towards the nightmare.

Qiao Yu covered his forehead and shook his head helplessly. He had already guessed Ma Fei’s fate.

Sure enough, when Ma Fei found the right moment to strike the nightmare’s head with the staff, the damage he dealt was only 5 points this time.

Even less than his own sword.

Bang!

Ma Fei cried out and was sent flying once again by the nightmare. Zhao Ziyue quickly healed him again.

“Yang Xiangdi! You’re f***ing tricking me!”

Ma Fei roared in anger. His white robe had become tattered and torn from the nightmare’s attacks, hanging from his body like strips of cloth, making him look like a beggar.

“That’s impossible…”

Yang Xiangdi rested his hand on his chin and began to ponder.

“I get it! If it’s not a problem with the head, and it’s not a problem with the staff, then there’s only one possibility left!”

“What is it?” Ma Fei asked.

Yang Xiangdi looked at him somberly.

“It’s a problem with the person. You’re not as good as Qiao Yu.”

Ma Fei was instantly enraged by these words. His eyes turned bloodshot, and he pointed a trembling finger at Qiao Yu.

“I’m not as good as him? I’m a swordsman, and you’re telling me my monster hunting is worse than a necromancer’s?”

“The facts are right there in front of us. If we eliminate all other possibilities, the only explanation is that Qiao Yu is stronger than you.” Yang Xiangdi spread his hands.

“Bullshit! There’s no way I’m not as good as Qiao Yu, you just watch!”

Ma Fei picked up his longsword again and charged towards the nightmare. He felt like his self-esteem had been wounded!

He’s not as good as Qiao Yu? He’s not as good as Qiao Yu? Impossible!

“Ma Fei, come back! One more attack and you’ll definitely die with that health!”

Zhao Ziyue became anxious. Ma Fei’s health was only at one-tenth, he would definitely be instantly killed in that state. She wouldn’t even have enough time to heal him.

Ma Fei couldn’t hear the others’ words at this point. He only had one thought in his mind.

He had to kill this nightmare, he had to prove that he, Ma Fei, was no worse than Qiao Yu!

“Armor-Piercing Sword Qi! Sever!”

Ma Fei passed directly through the middle of the nightmare’s body, still holding his slashing pose.

1 second,

2 seconds,

3 seconds.

A burst of majestic sword qi erupted from the nightmare’s body, and a bright red “-25” appeared above its head.

Instant kill!

Ma Fei had actually instantly killed a nightmare with one sword strike!