Chapter 108: The Game of Chase and Evasion

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword, somewhat nervously, pondered for a moment before rallying its spirit to face Qin Chuan in battle.

As a former ninth-rank spirit weapon, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword possessed abundant combat training and experience.

Judging from Qin Chuan’s earlier performance, it had already gleaned considerable intelligence about its opponent.

“Possesses an ultra-long-range ultimate attack, but its damage is mediocre.”

“Has a five-meter displacement skill that also grants immunity.”

“The passive skill likely applies a slowing effect; critical strike damage is extremely high and can cause an incredible knock-up effect.”

“When it snatched the Azure Lotus earlier, it seemed to use another skill, so right now it’s just a black demon sword capable only of movement.”

“The only unknown is its cooldown time, but obviously, I won’t give it any chance.”

In an instant, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword had analyzed all the circumstances and prepared a targeted battle strategy.

It had to be said—the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword was a terrifying adversary.

Its skills were formidable, matching Qin Chuan blow for blow.

Ancient Vine Pierce (Active): Attack range twenty meters, instant cast; during this state, toughness value is 50%, sharpness increases by 5% per level. Cooldown three seconds, currently level nine.

Black Dragon Rockwood (Passive): Increases toughness by 50%, no level.

Flowing Light Sword Shadow (Passive): Hitting a target increases speed by 3% for three seconds, currently level nine.

Spinning Flying Sword (Active): First stage is a level three flying sword, increasing sharpness by 30%, range twenty meters. Second stage is a level three spin, hitting targets applies 15% slow within five meters.

Black Dragon Howling Sky Slash (Active): Releases three sword auras forward, attack range ten meters, cooldown thirty seconds. Each level increases damage by 5%, currently level six.

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword’s stats were intimidating: sharpness over 1200, toughness over 1000, speed over 900.

Judging by its skills, it belonged to the ranged attack type, but its toughness was extraordinarily high, making it essentially a master of all three attributes.

Therefore, in close combat, it remained terrifying, and the passive Flowing Light Sword Shadow allowed it to vanish and reappear without a trace.

From the data, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword utterly outclassed Qin Chuan. One solid hit meant severe pain for Qin Chuan, possibly even devastating damage.

At this moment, Qin Chuan had already returned to his starting point and, seizing the opportunity while speaking, absorbed the essence of the Dragon Spirit Tree.

During the absorption, a dragon silhouette flew into the dragon-patterned jade sword, triggering an incredible transformation.

“Ding! Congratulations, host has acquired a special skill—Protective Dragon Aura.”

Hearing the system’s voice, Qin Chuan was greatly delighted and immediately checked the details.

Protective Dragon Aura (Active): Doubles toughness for ten seconds, cooldown three minutes, no level.

“Damn, this skill is seriously awesome.”

Although ten seconds seemed short, for Qin Chuan it was plenty of time to accomplish many things.

Now, the two opponents stood a dozen meters apart, and a fierce battle was silently about to erupt.

“Black Demon Sword, prepare to die! Flying Sword!”

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword unleashed a skill at the start, confident in its own attributes.

It did not intend to give Qin Chuan any chance; just by sticking close and striking fiercely, it could completely slay him.

“Zhiu!”

In the blink of an eye, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword shot forward.

As the cold jade dragon-patterned sword was about to be struck, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword felt a surge of pride. “Illusions are just illusions—so arrogant and ignorant!”

Yet, in an impossible instant, Qin Chuan dodged.

“Ding! Sword body damaged 0.5%.”

Hearing the system alert, Qin Chuan estimated the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword’s sharpness value.

“Damn, this guy is fierce—this strike’s sharpness must be over 1500.”

Indeed, in flying sword mode, its sharpness had reached over 1560.

Initially brimming with confidence, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword expected to hit its mark.

But with a swift swoosh, Qin Chuan evaded, preventing the second phase activation.

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword was stunned, thinking, “How... how can this guy react so fast?”

Though the first attack failed, it quickly regained composure and readjusted its battle plan.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan charged forward without hesitation.

“Huh? This guy’s rushing again? This is obviously suicide... no, there must be a trap!”

At this moment, Qin Chuan had already entered the ultimate skill’s range. It seemed that unleashing the ultimate would be enough to kill him.

Yet the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword forcibly suppressed the urge to activate the ultimate.

Qin Chuan’s earlier immunity skill left a deep impression.

Without that episode, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword would have likely unleashed its ultimate but, having learned from experience, it grew wiser.

“Hmph, it’s probably an immunity skill. Didn’t expect the duration to be so short.”

Its judgment was accurate, so it cautiously refrained from using the skill.

Actually, Qin Chuan had intended to bait out the skill, but the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword was too shrewd.

“Since you want close combat, then come!”

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword charged up, swinging a sword slash at Qin Chuan.

“To hit me? Not even the door’s open. No, not even the window. Not even a crack.”

Seeing the sword light flash, Qin Chuan dodged aside and countered with a plain strike.

“Hmph! You want to slow me down? Don’t even think about it!”

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword knew Qin Chuan’s prowess and avoided direct confrontation.

For a moment, sword lights flashed wildly, yet no collision occurred—a rare sight indeed.

The speed gap between them was slight; Qin Chuan had gained ten extra speed points after killing the Dragon Spirit Tree, now nearly 830.

A seventy-point speed difference might be fatal to other spirits.

But Qin Chuan’s ghostly footwork made such a gap negligible.

At this point, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword’s strategy was completely disrupted.

This was nothing like its initial plan to crush Qin Chuan instantly.

Facing this situation, a trace of helplessness rose within the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword.

Though it held several skills, it dared not use them, rendering it almost skillless.

The more it knew, the more terrifying Qin Chuan appeared.

As a ranged attacker, lacking control skills was a weakness—one that the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword was now confronting.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan couldn’t land a hit either, but remained patient, searching for an opportunity to defeat his foe.

Thus, the battle became a game of slash and dodge, chase and evade.

In truth, the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword wanted to force Qin Chuan into close combat, but Qin Chuan refused.

The Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword, meanwhile, feared Qin Chuan’s critical strikes and slows, and dared not tank his attacks.

Little did it know, Qin Chuan’s critical strike chance was very low; without anger points, critical hits were nearly impossible.

This stalemate was unexpected for the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword, yet it dared not relax even slightly.

It was truly driving this sword mad.

After such a prolonged fight, it had to acknowledge Qin Chuan as a formidable opponent.

The crux of their struggle lay in who would be hit first.

Once struck, one would immediately fall behind, leading to total defeat.

Because the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword accelerated, and Qin Chuan slowed.

Both understood this well.

Qin Chuan’s sharpness was only about 1160; toughness about 680—completely at a disadvantage.

Yet he still matched the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword evenly and even instilled fear, preventing it from recklessly using its skills.

This was rare.

Though seemingly outmatched, Qin Chuan actually held the upper hand.

More importantly, through their exchanges, Qin Chuan had already filled his anger meter.

A beautiful curve curled on Qin Chuan’s lips.

“Perhaps, I should give him an unexpected surprise.”