Chapter 282: The Gentle Person, the Gentle Spear

I have some doubts whether this man is hiding some secrets...

Feng Mingxian Shilong, his head wrapped in a supreme-sized bandage, solemnly raised the matter to Sakurai Ryoko; after being struck by the Beidou Hand Chop, he had slept for an entire day before slowly regaining consciousness.

"Oh? He truly is a man with an extraordinary body…" Sakurai Ryoko nodded; she herself had been beaten, and at that moment, it felt as if a natural disaster—tornado, volcanic eruption, thunder and lightning—had all overwhelmed her at once, leaving not a trace of will to resist.

"But I believe he had no ill intent."

Feini, who believed "people are bound together by suffering," was thoroughly beaten by the alien-world powerhouse Oula; while not exactly enlightened, she would at least no longer act rashly.

At that moment, she learned the truth from his fist—

The "Curse of Balar" was not merely a curse that severed humanity's ability to communicate with the gods—it was a blessing that forced humanity to walk its own path.

Though hard to believe, such an unparalleled powerhouse with such power had no need to go to such elaborate, roundabout lengths to deceive her.

Then let us believe.

Belief requires no reason.

The fact that this curse does not exist on him is the best proof.

By the way, as long as one transforms before being hit, no matter how badly one is beaten, the clothes worn before transformation suffer no damage whatsoever; upon reverting, one can appear as if nothing happened at all—a remarkably convenient setup.

"No, I don't mean to suggest he has ulterior motives," Feng Mingxian Shilong sighed lightly. "I'm just wondering… can watching anime really make you stronger?"

Then, as if making a firm decision, he clenched his fists; at this point, he had begun to take it seriously—he would seriously begin to "train!"

"Decided—I'm going to start watching anime too!"

Having lost before his trusted subordinates, Kan and Yi, Feng Mingxian Shilong, who was first and foremost a warrior before being a commander, had his own pride—he must reclaim his honor the next time they met!

"I'll start with 'Dragon Ball: The Path to Ultimate Strength'!"

A strange sense of competition surged within him—but men are such creatures: lose, and you must win; win, and you must win again! The bitterness of defeat becomes fuel that burns fiercely for greater strength!

"Isn't this still a movie?"

Sakurai Ryoko couldn't help but retort.

Meanwhile, the ones who had issued a sparring challenge—Tianyu Zou and… Li Hua Xiang!

On one side: the red-haired songstress who boosted her fusion coefficient by burning her life force through drugs; on the other: a thirteen-year-old middle school girl whose transformation as the Gungnir Wearer lasted only one day.

If one compared only combat experience or age, everyone in the Second Division would surely believe Tianyu Zou would win without doubt—but… she was brought by that person.

Another first: a human fused with a Sacred Relic. The fusion coefficient was absurdly high; her capacity to withstand the Sacred Relic's burden far exceeded normal limits. Who knew what abilities or staggering combat power she might possess?

Of course, she hadn't originally intended this—but after watching the commander's battle with Jia Ji, Tianyu Zou couldn't help but say: "I really want to see whose Gungnir is stronger—mine or Xiang's!"

Her previous reckless behavior was still fresh in memory, so Feng Ming Yi naturally refused to let her transform—but in the end, the situation had quietly evolved into a sparring match between the new and former Gungnir Wearers.

Wait, there are two Gungnir Wearers existing simultaneously?

Finally, someone noticed the blind spot: could the same Sacred Relic possibly enable two people to transform at once?

But whether such a thing was possible or not—it didn't matter. Since Gungnir itself had no objections, let's just accept it.

…

"Croitzalronzellgungnirzizzl—"

"Balwisyallnescellgungnirtron—"

An unknown language's sacred chant, accompanied by gentle radiance, wrapped around the two girls' bodies like chains; though the words sounded different, they conveyed the same meaning—

"Spirits bound together!"

As the light faded, armor of nearly identical style and design appeared on both girls, differing only slightly in hue.

Tianyu Zou smiled with fierce combat intent, clashing her wrists; the components of her gauntlets reshaped and combined into a massive spear.

A colossal golden-red spear tore through the air, scattering dust, emitting a terrifying howl, and stirring violent waves as it spun once in her hand, aimed at the small, slender younger girl—her posture like a majestic Valkyrie, radiating an indescribable, crisp vigor.

Yet, it did not frighten the girl as Tianyu Zou had expected.

Li Hua Xiang did not retreat.

Her eyes, fearless, fixed upon the colossal spear towering over her entire body—her gaze held only excitement and anticipation.

"That's cheating, Senior Zou! We're both Gungnir Wearers, aren't we…?"

Looking at her empty hands while her opponent wielded that dazzling spear, Xiang couldn't help but mutter a small complaint—but immediately, a bright smile spread across her face.

She had no spear—but she had clenched fists.

That was enough.

She was merely a thirteen-year-old girl…

"Then let's go—!"

The red-haired battle goddess laughed. As her words ended, she shrugged her shoulders, muscles in her well-trained arms tensing—her massive spear thrust straight forward, the air colliding violently, as if a giant wave had slammed down.

There was none of the refined balance or graceful curvature of spear technique; in her hands, the spear was reduced to only two methods: sweeping strikes and direct thrusts. This was not a style meant for humans—it was a combat method designed solely for Noise.

Xiang's precise fist struck the gap, dismantling her senior's opening assault with skill; a heavy, unadorned punch slammed into the spear's shaft, driving the tip deep into the ground.

Her fists, fiercer than a gale and denser than a downpour, unleashed brutal, crashing strikes one after another—far more stubborn and weighty than Tianyu Zou had imagined.

…

Exhausted, Zou lay on the ground, her armor already faded.

"Ah… I really lost."

Was Tianyu Zou truly only seeking a battle with Li Hua Xiang?

Yes, she had become a Symphogear Wearer to gain power to avenge Noise, once believing "even if I fall into hell, it's worth it if I destroy them all"—but now that she possessed power, she had done more than just seek revenge; she could protect.

For Xiang, who had been dragged into this, a girl who might one day risk her life fighting Noise, Tianyu Zou could never stand idly by…

She would prove that her own Gungnir was enough—that she could shoulder Xiang's burden too, so that Li Hua Xiang need not fight at all.

"You're still being stubborn, aren't you…"

The ever-vibrant girl, like a fool, grinned as she pulled up her admired senior from the ground.

The final victor was… the Gungnir Wearer!

Both of them!

(End of Chapter)