Astral Apostle - Chapter 288

Chapter 288: Defeat (2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhou Jing’s eyes twitched when he heard her words.

The more familiar they were with each other, the more infuriating their words were.

However, he had to admit that if the other party did not give him a chance, he would not be able to get close.

Even if he was approached, the other party could use the shock wave to increase her speed and sprint in a straight line to widen the distance. Then, she could continuously release the shock wave from afar and kite him to death.

“My abilities are too restrained by her…”

Zhou Jing suppressed his emotions and strode closer to Li Xiaoyin, slashing out with his saber.

Li Xiaoyin did not dodge and went straight for the blade with her fist.

Buzz—

Just as both were about to connect, the fist condensed into a ball of white light that blocked the blade.

The blade and fist were in a stalemate ten centimeters apart. They could not come into contact and trembled non-stop.

At this moment, the shock wave shrank and widened, suddenly flicking against the blade.

Dang!

In the next moment, Li Xiaoyin’s body trembled, and she released a shock wave to accelerate backward. Her punch flew straight at Zhou Jing’s chest.

Zhou Jing hurriedly twisted his body to avoid it. Using the momentum, he turned his wrist and slashed down from another angle, colliding with Li Xiaoyin’s arm that was compressing the shock wave again, producing a bang.

The two of them quickly crossed paths again and again, fighting in close combat.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Zhou Jing’s entire body seemed to have turned into a spinning top as he circled around Li Xiaoyin. His long saber kept slashing at her, but he was repeatedly obstructed by the compressed shock waves. He could not actually hit her body at all.

Li Xiaoyin compressed the shock wave to cover her body and release it in close contact. Not only was it a shield that was constantly produced, but it could also increase the power of close combat. When she moved, there was also the shock wave to allow her to accelerate in the opposite direction. Her speed, strength, and defense were all sufficient.

Although she was unfamiliar with close combat techniques, this straightforward, rough, and simple violent fighting style was enough to defeat all. It was on par with Zhou Jing, making him helpless for a moment.

Just as Zhou Jing was looking for a flaw, Li Xiaoyin suddenly opened her arms, and a spherical shock wave suddenly spread out, pushing Zhou Jing away.

Peng!

Zhou Jing had no choice but to retreat. Before he could adjust, Li Xiaoyin suddenly stepped on the ground, and the shock wave swept out along the ground.

Facing the indiscriminate attack, Zhou Jing had no choice. He immediately lost his balance and staggered as he stabbed the saber into the ground before he could stabilize himself.

However, in this short moment, Li Xiaoyin shot out like a cannonball, charging close and punching Zhou Jing in the chest.

Swish!

Before he could pull out the saber from the ground, Zhou Jing’s body flashed with lightning as he dodged to the side.

However, Li Xiaoyin did not care at all. She stepped on the ground again and swept out a 360-degree shock wave.

Zhou Jing lost his balance again. Unless he jumped up, with his current ability, he could barely defend against this move.

At this moment, Li Xiaoyin waved her palm.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A wind-like shock wave gushed out, sending Zhou Jing, who had lost his balance, flying into the sky.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Xiaoyin took a deep breath and fired with both fists.

The continuous impact bullets hit Zhou Jing, who was in midair, causing him to fly out of the arena and crash into the protective shield of the stands.

“Oof!”

Zhou Jing groaned. He felt that his bones were about to shatter, and his entire body hurt.

He slid to the ground and swayed before stabilizing himself. He held his aching chest and quickly panted a few times before finally exhaling.

After falling off the arena, the outcome was clear.

“Winner, Li Xiaoyin!”

The big screen announced the winner.

As expected, I can’t defeat her… Zhou Jing rubbed his chest and sighed in his heart.

At this moment, the members of the Crowns Team hurriedly surrounded him and asked about his injuries. They wanted to help him, but Zhou Jing waved them off.

He looked up at Li Xiaoyin on the stage and sighed, “Sigh, I lost. I’m not your match either.”

Li Xiaoyin was quite happy to win. She grinned,

“It’s alright. Jingjing, you’re already very powerful. There were a few times when my reaction couldn’t keep up with your moves. I only condensed an impact shield at the last moment when I was about to be hit. Otherwise, I would have been hit by you long ago.”

Zhou Jing shook his head, “If I didn’t hit, it just means I didn’t hit you. Besides, if you don’t give me a chance, it’ll be difficult for me to even get close to you.”

“That might not be the case…” Li Xiaoyin scratched her head.

“There’s no need to comfort me. I’m not that fragile, that I can’t even accept a loss.”

Zhou Jing waved his hand and adjusted his mentality.

He had long expected such an outcome. After analyzing each other’s abilities before the competition, he naturally would not be blindly optimistic. He had long known that his chances of winning were slim.

Although he had obtained supernatural powers through Astral Travel, he did not feel that he was superior to others. He did not think too highly of his current abilities and think that he could defeat those he should not be able to.

However, the ability obtained from long-term cultivation actually could not compare to the superpower that one had naturally awakened. Although Zhou Jing was mentally prepared, he could not help but feel a little disappointed.

Indeed, people were born different…

However, although he was envious of Li Xiaoyin’s astonishing superpower, he was not jealous.

He had Astral Travel. Although he was still figuring it out, his prospects were quite broad. It was already better than too many people. He was satisfied.

In addition, Li Xiaoyin was an orphan and had once lived a miserable life. Now that she had changed her fate, he was also happy for his friend.

Losing to a friend was not something that he could not accept.

After all, he was an ordinary person to begin with, not a “favored one” who was always in the lead and turned the tide every day. There was nothing to be ashamed of being defeated. Even if he was overshadowed by his friend, he could still see how good he was.

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Zhou Jing shook his head and threw away his distracting thoughts. He secretly reflected on the battle just now.

“My current physical fitness is still limited, and my abilities are monotonous. I can only fight in close combat, and I’m restrained by many abilities. It’s also difficult to unleash my skills… I still have to make up for this.”

The four enhancements he had obtained from Astral Travel could only reach this level. Zhou Jing could not help but secretly look forward to the next opportunity to travel.

At this moment, Li Yun walked forward and patted his shoulder,

“You’ve already done your best. You fought very well. After all, Class SS potential is rare. There’s no need to be too depressed to lose to such a talented Super.”

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Zhou Jing composed himself and expressed that he was fine. He shook his head as he replied, “It’s fine. I still have room to improve. I’ll practice more in the future. A momentary loss doesn’t mean a lifetime of loss.”

“Yes, don’t bully the young and poor. I’ll definitely beat her up in the future!” Tang Liu raised his fist and shouted angrily.

Everyone looked disgusted and turned their heads away, indicating that they did not want to talk to him.

Zhou Jing also felt much more relaxed after saying his piece.

Although he did not win back five points for the Crowns, he had at least risked his life and done his best. Even if he did not succeed, he would not force it.

The difference in points widened further. There was no chance of winning the freshman competition anymore. The outcome was basically decided.

The arena battle finally ended with Li Xiaoyin’s victory.

In the stands, the Banners students suddenly stood up and shouted Li Xiaoyin’s name excitedly.

“As expected of someone with Class SS potential!”

“I’m willing to call you the strongest among the new students!”

Li Xiaoyin came back to her senses and waved at the enthusiastic audience before walking off the stage. All the audience’s gazes followed her as they cheered for the winner.

On the other side, the spectators in the VIP area were discussing the battle just now.

The military representative rubbed his chin and pondered.

“The strengths and weaknesses of Zhou Jing are very obvious. He’s great at close combat, but he can only fight in close combat. His destructive power is limited. He can’t unleash it against those who are good at range attacks, long-range attacks, or those with shields.”

The Supers Bureau agent nodded in agreement, “This is a natural flaw in his ability. Unless he has achievements in other supernatural systems, he can’t make up for this weakness.”

“This Zhou Jing is still suffering from his innate ability being too weak. His physical enhancement is too ordinary… It’s a pity that he can’t start over with his naturally awakened superpower. Otherwise, his future prospects would be much wider than now.”

Everyone chatted casually. Not only did they praise Li Xiaoyin’s potential, but they also felt that it was a pity Zhou Jing was born lacking.

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