Chapter 42

The sword Dixiya gave herself broke.

This was something Luo De could never have imagined.

Although it was an old sword, Luo De had been using it all along, and there had never been any sign it couldn't bear the load.

But the fact is now right in front of him.

And indeed, he himself broke this sword.

He's certain it was him who did it, not an outsider tampering with it.

Because Luo De always keeps his sword with him, even placing it within reach by his bedside when he sleeps.

The person capable of tampering with this sword.

Someone weak couldn't escape Luo De's perception, and someone strong would have no reason to bother with an old sword—they'd just attack him directly.

Moreover.

Even the sword's break shows no trace of human interference whatsoever.

After examining the break.

The last shred of hope in Luo De's heart was completely worn away.

This sword was broken by his own carelessness.

"Hiss, could it be that my strength now is too great for the sword to bear?"

After thinking it over, Luo De could only come up with this one reason.

After obtaining his second Vision, his strength truly increased day by day.

No one knows this better than he does.

A Vision has a very strong amplifying effect on the human body.

Moreover, the more elemental energy the user acquires, the stronger this amplifying effect becomes.

This is also why people on the Teyvat continent so eagerly anticipate obtaining a Vision.

Theoretically.

If one cultivates martial arts to the utmost, they can indeed possess strength not inferior to that of a Vision holder.

Among them, the most famous is.

Five hundred years ago, Allen Delin of Mondstadt, one of the seven nations of Teyvat.

A top-tier powerhouse without a Vision.

Relying on superb martial arts, he became the captain of the West Wind Knights and led the people to save Mondstadt from water and fire in the Black Disaster that swept the entire continent.

He is a genuine top-tier powerhouse.

Except for historical figures.

Now, the uncrowned Dragon King of Liyue.

Don't think that just because she already has a Vision.

But back then, before she had obtained a Vision, she had already slain the fearsome sea beast Hai Shan on the Yunlai Sea, instantly gaining fame and earning the title of the uncrowned Dragon King.

But this does not mean that all martial artists without a Vision can possess abilities comparable to Vision holders.

To be precise.

Vision holders should have a higher lower and upper limit.

Like Luo De, before he studied martial arts with Dixiya, just relying on the Vision's bodily enhancement and crude application of elemental energy, he could wander safely for over a month in the perilous desert.

In the end, he collapsed simply because he never got enough to eat, being hungry and thirsty with no strength.

If an ordinary person who doesn't know martial arts went through this, they probably wouldn't survive even three days.

This is where the lower limit of Vision holders lies.

As for the upper limit, that goes without saying.

Among known Vision holders, there exist those who can hard‑clash with an Archon, something completely beyond what mortals can do.

This is why everyone hopes to obtain a Vision.

And Luo De has two Visions.

Although the Vision taken by Dolly cannot be used for now, the previous strengthening effect on his body is genuine and won't deteriorate just because the Vision is gone.

These past few days, Luo De has rapidly developed that Pyro Vision to its bottleneck.

Under the enhancement of Pyro elemental energy, his physical abilities have surpassed before in all aspects.

Luo De clenched his fist.

Amid the 'creak‑creak' sounds of his joints, he couldn't help but shake his head and wryly smile.

He was careless.

These past few days, indeed, his sudden increase in strength has caused quite a bit of trouble.

However, Luo De really didn't take this to heart.

After all, he had experienced this once before in the desert, and thought it would be the same as before—just get used to it and it'd be fine.

But instead, he ended up causing a big incident.

After sighing and lamenting for two days.

The Flaming Light Hunting Party returned to A Ru Cun.

"Hey, Luo De, we brought back the stuff you wanted!"

The enthusiastic Dixiya led the group straight to Luo De's house, pushed open the door and burst into loud laughter.

The mercenaries of the Flaming Light Hunting Party each carried a box, just like Dixiya, and as soon as they entered they started shouting Luo De's name.

This time they accepted Luo De's commission to capture live quicksand eels in the desert—few catches but high pay, and they were acquaintances, so it was easy and enjoyable.

So as soon as they returned, they eagerly ran over to claim credit.

However, this time they shouted for a long while before Luo De awkwardly came out.

「Huh? 」

「Luo De, what's wrong? 」

Here, Dixiya and Luo De are the ones who know each other best, and at a glance she could see his smile was a bit unnatural.

「No, nothing. 」

In front of so many people, Luo De couldn't say he had broken the sword Dixiya gave him, so he could only force a smile and greet: "Everyone has worked hard; let's eat here tonight, I'll treat."

「Hey, that's great! 」

「Last time you made that… whatever meat-filled bun, give me ten. 」

「I want that… whatever stir-fried meat. 」

「I want—! 」

Upon hearing that Luo De would treat today, the Blazing Light Beast Hunters mercenaries instantly perked up, each one eagerly starting to order dishes.

With so many dishes to eat, naturally they needed to go buy ingredients early.

Soon after.

Just moments ago the courtyard was lively, but now only Luo De and Dixiya remained; everyone else had taken their shopping lists and gone to A Ru Cun.

After everyone had left.

Dixiya crossed her arms, stared at Luo De, and said: "Come on, what's wrong?"

「. 」

「Sigh——」

After a long silence, Luo De unwillingly brought Dixiya to see the broken long sword.

「Eh? 」

「Broken? 」

Seeing the broken sword, Dixiya gave a wry smile.

She finally understood why Luo De had just shown that expression.

It turned out to be because of this.

「I thought something had happened. 」

「It's broken, so it's broken. 」

「It was just an old sword anyway; I told you before, it's a weapon I used when I practiced swordplay, so it wasn't anything special. 」

Dixiya wasn't upset as Luo De had imagined; instead, after comforting him, she picked up the broken sword and began to examine it.

「After all, it's the gift you gave me. 」

Dixiya pondered: "Reason for having two Visions?"

「It wasn't worth much anyway; if it's broken, it's broken, no big deal. 」

「Let me see what happened. 」

「Oh, it's snapped. 」

Dixiya's experience far surpassed Luo De's; with just a quick glance she could roughly guess how the sword had been broken.

All she did was rub her chin, thoughtfully saying: "Come over, try bending your wrist."

「No need to try. 」

「It's just that my strength is too great now; I accidentally snapped it while practicing swordplay. 」

Luo De naturally knew Dixiya wanted to test his current strength, so he bluntly admitted it.

「Sure enough, that's it. 」

Dixiya pondered: "Reason for having two Visions?"

「Hmm. 」

「Probably. 」

Luo De nodded.

「Tsk, sure enough, that's it. 」

「But I don't have any good weapons to give you right now. 」

「Go forge one or buy a new weapon. 」

Dixiya offered a suggestion: "With your current strength, a sword isn't suitable; you could switch to a spear, staff, hammer, or even an axe—any would be better than a sword."

「But I only know swordsmanship. 」

Hearing the suggestion to change weapons, Luo De frowned slightly.

「So what? 」

Dixiya laughed, casually grabbed the hoe from the corner of the wall, and swung it around a few times with practiced ease.

Done.

Leaning on the hoe, she smiled at Luo De and asked: "How's that? Did you see?"

「Ah, this」

Luo De's facial muscles twitched; he didn't know what to say.

「I've said before, my swordsmanship is a self‑taught, rough‑and‑ready style. 」

「Even if you learn from me as well as you can, it's still a rough‑and‑ready style. 」

「It can't compare to proper sword or spear arts; in pure martial skill it can only bully those who lack systematic training. 」

「Besides, I use a sword because I happen to have a good one, not because I can only use a sword; give me any other weapon and I could use it just as well. 」

「So whatever weapon you use now really makes no difference. 」

Dixiya patted the solid muscle on Luo De's arm: "Hey, look at this strength of yours, not using it properly, what's the point of clinging to my set of wild sword technique?"

"Besides."

"You don't need to pick overly precious weapons; as long as the material is sturdy enough to withstand the infusion of elemental energy, and the heavier the better, that's enough."

"(End of chapter)"