How Did My Difficulty Increase So Much?

The process of entering Cloudford had to be done in sequence. Especially for people of high status like Huaiyan and Feixiao, they couldn't j

The process of entering Cloudford had to be done in sequence. Especially for people of high status like Huaiyan and Feixiao, they couldn't just crowd in together. The two flagships had to enter one after the other.

The order was easy to decide. General Huaiyan's seniority and age were far greater than Feixiao's, so he would naturally be the first to enter the Xianzhou Luofu.

A while after General Huaiyan entered, Feixiao and Derick's ship docked at the Luofu.

The starskiff landed at Cloudford. The hatch opened, and Feixiao was the first to walk down. Behind her, Jiaoqiu, Derick, Castorice, Cipher, and the others followed.

Cipher couldn't help but look around everywhere, wanting to see the scenery. They had only just met Feixiao and had come straight to the Luofu without even seeing the Xianzhou Yaoqing. So this was their first time setting foot on the territory of one of the universe's top-tier factions. Cipher carefully sized up her surroundings, wanting to see what it was like.

But just then, Feixiao saw a crowd gathered in a semicircle up ahead, seemingly watching something.

Curious, she walked towards them. Derick, following behind her, also wanted to see what the commotion was about.

In a corner of the crowd stood a small, unremarkable-looking old man, sighing and shaking his head as he watched.

"Old man Huaiyan, what's wrong?"

Huaiyan pointed to the other side of the crowd. Feixiao and Derick looked up and saw that on a high platform, Yanqing and Yunli were dueling. Sword auras crisscrossed, and their blades clashed, throwing the surroundings into chaos.

Derick watched the battle between Yanqing and Yunli. It was even more intense than in the game. He knew that the current Yanqing hadn't yet experienced a series of setbacks; his desire to win and his pride were at their peak.

Yanqing had to experience some setbacks before he could truly grow.

Huaiyan's tone was helpless. "That girl Yunli wanted to snatch the longsword from that boy Yanqing's hand the moment she got off the ship. The boy naturally wasn't willing, so they just started fighting."

Feixiao said to Huaiyan, "Snatching swords? That's not a good habit."

"Yes, it's indeed not a good habit. But that girl Yunli can read the minds of swords, and she can't stand to see others casually mistreating treasured blades, so she couldn't help but try to take it." Huaiyan still tried to defend his granddaughter. He hadn't intervened because he also wanted to see the two children fight.

"So that's how it is. But with them fighting here and so many people watching, it's going to affect the normal docking of the starskiffs."

"Are you planning to separate them?" Huaiyan asked Feixiao. He could see that Yunli and Yanqing were evenly matched, and their fight wouldn't be decided anytime soon. Huaiyan had originally planned to separate them himself, but now that Feixiao was here, it was more appropriate for her to do it. It would also make Yanqing and Yunli not dare to act so presumptuously.

But just then, Feixiao laughed and shook her head, then turned back to look at Derick.

"My student, Derick, can handle this sort of thing."

"Derick, go and separate those two."

Feixiao pointed towards the place where Yanqing and Yunli were fighting.

"Yes, Teacher Feixiao!"

Derick knew Feixiao was doing this to build his reputation, so he naturally didn't hesitate. With the Lance of Divine Retribution in hand, he pushed off with his feet and leaped towards Yanqing and Yunli.

"General Feixiao, can he really do it?" Huaiyan asked with some doubt.

Derick was over 1.7 meters tall and had the build of an adult, but Feixiao had told him that he was only fourteen or fifteen. At that age, did he really have enough strength?

But after carefully observing Derick's movements, Huaiyan was slightly surprised.

It seems he really can.

Derick quickly approached Yunli and Yanqing. Yunli knew that Derick was General Feixiao's student and had come to the Luofu to compete with her. Seeing him approach, an excited smile spread across her lips.

"Come on, let me see your strength."

Pushing Yanqing back with a single blow, Yunli stomped her feet on the ground. Power surged from her waist, abdomen, and arms as she unleashed a vicious slash at the charging Derick.

Derick met her attack with his Lance of Divine Retribution.

Both were using greatswords, with no fancy attack moves. It was a contest of pure strength. And in terms of strength, Derick currently had the advantage. Feeling the power transmitted from Derick's greatsword, Yunli hastily retreated.

Derick then looked at Yanqing, swinging his Lance of Divine Retribution as he charged again.

"You… who are you?" Yanqing hastily prepared himself and asked Derick.

"My teacher is the Sky-Shattering General of the Xianzhou Yaoqing, Feixiao," Derick said to Yanqing, raising his hand to attack.

"Is that so? Then I must go all out!"

Hearing it was another opponent, Yanqing's fighting spirit surged again, and he launched an attack on Derick. Derick swung the Lance of Divine Retribution to attack, and the light from the greatsword soon enveloped Yanqing.

At first, Yanqing wanted to clash swords with Derick, but under Derick's assault, he quickly switched from attacking to defending.

In Yanqing's eyes, Derick's attack was a greatly enhanced version of Yunli's. The most significant aspect of using a greatsword was power. Yunli's attack had already put him under considerable pressure, and now Derick's strength was much greater than hers. Faced with such immense force, Yanqing already felt immense pressure. He wanted to rely on his exquisite swordsmanship to counter, but he discovered with despair that in terms of technique, he was also being suppressed. With the combat skills of the Titan of Discord, Nikador, and Feixiao's personal coaching, Derick's technique also far surpassed Yanqing's.

Most crucially, when facing Derick, Yanqing had a feeling that even if their skills and strength were equal, he would still not be his opponent.

The biggest gap between Yanqing and Derick was not skill, nor was it strength, but practical experience in life-and-death situations. Derick had been through countless battles, many of them desperate struggles. Yanqing had very little experience in this area. His combat aura and intuition couldn't compare to Derick's at all.

After a dozen exchanges, Yanqing could only parry, with no chance to counterattack.

Yunli, watching their fight from the side, was also exceptionally surprised. Her own battle with Yanqing had shown her that his strength was similar to hers. Now, seeing such a powerful Yanqing being beaten like this by General Feixiao's student, it would be the same if it were her.

This was not good.

Yunli thought for a moment and, determined to see Derick's limits, swung her greatsword, Old Iron, at him. Derick felt a gust of wind from behind and knew Yunli was attacking him. He brought out the Spear of Divine Retribution behind him to block Old Iron's attack.

"So you have another weapon!" Yunli became excited and began to attack continuously with Old Iron. Derick used the Spear of Divine Retribution to deal with her attacks. Yanqing, seeing Yunli attacking, also felt a slight sense of relief. He took advantage of Derick being occupied with Yunli to launch his own attack.

Derick was no stranger to controlling a clone; his ability to multitask was very strong. While using the Spear of Divine Retribution to deal with Yunli's attacks, the Lance of Divine Retribution was also attacking Yanqing.

Below, seeing Derick facing two opponents at once, Castorice had originally wanted to go and support him. But seeing that he could easily handle both of them, she relaxed.

As Yunli and Yanqing fought Derick, the surprise in their hearts grew. It wasn't just the strength Derick displayed, but also his combat technique. The greatsword and long spear in his hands also produced two different styles.

Against Yunli's powerful greatsword attacks, Derick's Spear of Divine Retribution moved with agility, preventing her from exerting her full strength. Similarly, against Yanqing's nimble attacks, the Lance of Divine Retribution was powerful and heavy, forcing Yanqing to defend with difficulty.

In the end, with one strike of the Lance of Divine Retribution, Derick sent Yanqing's longsword flying, while at the same time, the tip of the Spear of Divine Retribution touched Yunli's wrist.

Derick had originally wanted to give Yunli's cheek a pinch, but he hadn't forgotten that old man Huaiyan was watching. To "tease" Yunli in front of him… Derick had no desire to test the strength of the oldest general in the Xianzhou.

"I win," Derick said, retracting his weapons.

Yanqing obediently lowered his head.

"Thank you for your guidance. But next time, I will challenge you again. I will not admit defeat," he said to Derick.

"Alright. But you'll have to train hard," Derick said with a smile.

"Me too. I'll defeat you next time," Yunli said, her eyes stubborn. At the same time, there was a hint of mischief in them.

Derick couldn't help but touch his own cheek.

"Alright. Next time you come looking for me, you'll have to bring a wager," he said to Yunli.

"Mhm, mhm." Yunli nodded seriously.

As she nodded, she quietly went over to Yanqing's fallen longsword, reached out, and snatched it up.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Seeing Yunli's action, Yanqing shouted loudly.

"This sword of yours is crying. It's saying you don't value it at all. I naturally have to rescue it," Yunli said to Yanqing.

"You're talking nonsense! If my sword is crying, then what about his?" Yanqing pointed at Derick.

"His…" Yunli listened carefully, then looked at Derick with even more reverence.

"Your weapon… it's very happy that you can wield it. And it looks forward to you taking it to achieve even more victories in battle."

She had read that Derick's weapon was a natural-born battle maniac, craving combat. But in Derick's hands, it was completely convinced by him. Whether there was a battle or not, it was content. This was not something an ordinary person could achieve.

"Is that so? Thank you for helping me read the thoughts of the weapon in my hand," Derick thanked Yunli.

Seeing how Derick treated his weapon, and then looking at Yanqing, Yunli felt even more strongly that Yanqing wasn't treating his weapon well. She wanted to take it back, but just then, Huaiyan and Feixiao also came over to them.

Seeing her grandfather's expression, Yunli could only reluctantly return the longsword to Yanqing.

Huaiyan said to Yanqing, "Young man, it's getting late today. Please trouble yourself to take us to rest first. Later, I will go to the Seat of Divine Foresight with the Sky-Shattering General."

With his longsword returned, Yanqing was very happy. He quickly made an inviting gesture and said, "The General has already arranged rooms at the Spices-of-Life Inn. You may all stay there first. Recently, there have been many matters on the Luofu. Please forgive us if our hospitality is lacking."

With that, he led Feixiao, Huaiyan, Derick, and the others away.

On the way, Yunli quietly looked at Derick. After walking for a while, she asked, "What's your name?"

"Derick."

Yanqing's footsteps also quietly slowed. It was obvious that he, like Yunli, was concerned about Derick's information, wanting to find a chance to defeat him.

"Okay." Yunli nodded, then continued to ask curiously, "Grandpa said you're only fourteen this year? Is that true?"

"More or less. Fourteen, fifteen," Derick nodded.

Both Yunli and Yanqing showed surprised expressions.

"Although Derick's age is similar to yours, the battles he has experienced are not something you can compare to," Feixiao turned her head and said to the two of them. "If you really want to improve your strength, you have to go to the battlefield."

So, come and train with me for a while. I guarantee your daily combat intensity will be maxed out, and you'll definitely be able to improve your strength.

Although Yanqing and Yunli couldn't beat Derick, their talent was also top-notch.

Poach them, have them follow her onto the battlefield, and bring more great victories to the Xianzhou Yaoqing.

Huaiyan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Sky-Shattering General, you are correct. After we return, I will arrange for Yunli to undergo sufficient practical combat training."

Trying to poach my granddaughter? In your dreams.

Feixiao didn't say anything more.

Huaiyan, however, looked at Castorice and the others beside Derick and asked with confusion, "By the way, I haven't had a chance to ask, who are these young ladies?"

It was always strange for Feixiao to be followed by a few outsiders.

"These… they are all my student's little girlfriends," Feixiao said with a loud laugh.

"Huh!?"

Both Yanqing and Yunli revealed shocked expressions.

Wait, fourteen or fifteen? A bunch of girlfriends?

General Feixiao, can you explain that in Xianzhou language?

"Don't listen to my teacher's jokes," Derick quickly explained. He took Castorice's hand. "Only Castorice is my girlfriend."

"Yeah, only Castorice is. I'm not Derry-boy's girlfriend. I'm just the other woman," Cipher said, not wanting to miss out on the fun. She then pointed at Hyacine. "This is number four."

Hyacine's face instantly turned bright red.

"Lady Cipher, what… what are you saying?"

Cipher then pointed to Polyxia. "This is the little sister-in-law."

"Cipher—!"

Derick couldn't help but clench his fists.

Cipher made a face at him.

"Uh…" Yanqing's little head didn't know how to process this. He really had no experience in this area.

The general had asked him to handle the reception, but he hadn't said anything about this.

"How about it? Feel the huge gap in experience? You… you just haven't experienced enough. Right now, the situation on the Luofu is stable, so you have no chance to gain experience. If you ask me, you should just tell General Jing Yuan you want to go to the Xianzhou Yaoqing for an internship…" Jiaoqiu quietly walked to Yanqing's side, put his hand on his shoulder, and began to sweet-talk and trick him.

Yanqing subconsciously was about to nod. But just as he was about to, he realized something was wrong and quickly said to everyone, "We should hurry to the Spices-of-Life Inn."

"Alright then." Feixiao nodded.

As for Cipher, she was caught off guard and pinned down by Polyxia, then subdued by Castorice, so she behaved for the time being.

The group arrived at the Spices-of-Life Inn.

Just at the entrance, they happened to meet "Tingyun."

Yanqing saw her and immediately greeted her, "Miss Tingyun, you're here too!"

Feixiao and Huaiyan exchanged a glance.

So this is the Lord Ravager, Phantylia.

Although both of them were certain in their hearts, they didn't show it. Huaiyan, needless to say, and though Feixiao looked like a battle maniac, she was actually very sharp-witted. Neither of them revealed any problems.

"Yes. I was just showing the Nameless from the Express around. And you are?" "Tingyun" nodded and asked Yanqing.

"The Sky-Shattering General and General Huaiyan have come here, and the General has asked me to receive them," Yanqing said to "Tingyun."

Seeing it was Feixiao and Huaiyan, Phantylia was secretly alarmed.

What is this situation? Why have these two generals come?

The appearance of the Astral Express was already surprising enough. Now, two more Xianzhou generals had arrived.

She just wanted to occupy the Ambrosial Arbor and, incidentally, destroy the Xianzhou Luofu. Why were there so many variables?

Phantylia suddenly felt that her luck was terrible.

But now that she had done what needed to be done, the arrow was on the string and had to be fired. But with these two Xianzhou generals here, her plan might have to be modified.

Of course, it would be best if they left early after their visit and didn't affect her plan.

Phantylia's gaze passed over Feixiao and landed on Derick and the others.

Looking at Derick, she surprisingly felt a trace of kinship.

What the hell?

Phantylia was puzzled.

Derick's clone had absorbed the Destruction energy left on Tingyun's body by Phantylia. Transferred to Derick's main body, he also had a bit of Phantylia's energy. It was just that his body had too many other mixed energies, so it was difficult for Phantylia to pick it out.

On the surface, she just nodded and said to Yanqing, "So you're receiving the two generals. Yanqing, if you need any help, you can let me know. I'll be leaving first."

"Mhm."

Yanqing nodded.

Phantylia left.

Yanqing then led the group to check into the Spices-of-Life Inn.

With two generals personally visiting, they were naturally arranged in the best accommodations. Derick and his group also benefited, and their location and facilities were also excellent.

The inn owner, knowing about Derick and Castorice's relationship, naturally arranged for them to stay together.

"Let's open the window for some fresh air first."

Derick walked to the window and pushed it open to ventilate. At the same time, he very naturally stuck his head out to look around.

This was a DNA-level instinct he had brought from Earth. After opening a window, he always had to look around.

And as he was looking around, he happened to see, in the room next to his, a gray-haired head also poking out…

It was Stelle.

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