Lucia Lu shook her head. "Ryan, you still don’t have what it takes!"
"If you’re so great, why don’t you do it!" Ryan Lu grumbled, sulking at who-knows-who.
"Do I even need to?" Lucia laughed. "Even if you two team up, you’re still no match for me!"
Both of them had tried fighting her one-on-one, and neither could beat her.
But saying she could handle both at once? That was just plain insulting.
Ryan snorted. "Did you burn out your brain making pills or something? So cocky!"
Lucia raised an eyebrow. "Don’t believe me? Want to try?"
"Bring it on! Adrian, let’s go!"
Both boys, young and full of pride, drew their Heavenly Blades and charged at her.
Lucia didn’t move. She summoned her pale-green Divine Artifact flute, Entwined Heart, and brought it to her lips.
That was her Divine Artifact: Entwined Heart.
Adrian and Ryan exchanged a look, channeled their power to defend, but still had to retreat step by step.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ryan shouted.
Lucia: "Now what?"
"This Spirit Barrier is way too cramped! Your sound attacks get a boost, but our swordplay is all jammed up!"
"Then let’s fight outside."
So, the three of them left the barrier and rose above Peach Blossom Haven, dueling high above the clouds.
Lucia played Entwined Heart again. The boys poured every ounce of Divine Power into resisting the flute’s sonic assault.
But Lucia had just mastered a fierce ancient divine score—even with all their strength, Adrian and Ryan still couldn’t withstand it.
Two grown men, teaming up—and still losing to one girl!
And she was younger than both of them!
How could anyone put up with that?!
Sweat beaded on Adrian’s forehead. He pointed at Lucia. "Just wait!"
Lucia: "If you’ve got any new tricks, bring ’em on. I’m waiting!"
So Adrian dragged Damian Black away from where Lucia and Ryan couldn’t see, and said, "Lend me your sword for a second."
Damian frowned. "Do you really have to take this so seriously?"
"I absolutely have to!" Adrian gritted his teeth. "Losing to her one-on-one is bad enough, but if people find out two guys couldn’t beat one girl? I’ll never live it down! Just let me borrow it!"
Damian reluctantly handed over his sword.
Adrian returned to the clouds and shouted, "Again!"
With a new sword in hand, his aura surged...
...
Just as the duel was at a fever pitch, a thunderous shout crashed through the sky: "Stop right now!"
All three froze, staring as Ethan Lu—face dark with fury—flew up to confront them, roaring, "What do you think you’re doing?!"
"Big Brother, we... we weren’t really fighting, just sparring a bit," Ryan stammered.
"Sparring? Why aren’t you inside the Spirit Barrier then?"
"The barrier was too cramped!"
"Unbelievable! That barrier’s huge—how could it not be enough for you?"
"Big Brother, what’s the matter? We were just sparring—did we really do anything wrong? Why do you always look so grumpy when you see us?" Lucia pouted.
With a sweep of his wide sleeve, Ethan scattered the clouds below their feet and pointed down at the peach grove. "Look!"
The three glanced down—and instantly sucked in a breath of cold air.
Deep ravines scarred the peach grove, and dozens of peach trees had been cut down.
Adrian hastily hid the sword behind his back, muttering in panic, "H-how did this happen...?"
Ryan groaned, "We’re so screwed..."
Lucia said, "I think this is Adrian’s fault... What kind of sword did you use? It’s crazy strong!"
Adrian stammered, "I-I didn’t mean to..."
He hadn’t realized just how overwhelming the Puresteel Sword’s power really was...