The two mantis Pokémon gave a resolute cry in response. Seeing their unwavering fighting spirit, Sushang felt a surge of confidence wash over her, a bright, fierce smile breaking across her face.
"Shape of the Great Void—Eminence, manifest!"
"Zor!"
"Scy!"
With a resounding battle cry, dozens of crystalline sword projections coalesced in the air behind Sushang.
At the exact same moment, Scizor and Scyther unleashed Double Team. Illusory copies blurred across the entire arena floor, multiplying until a small army of mantis warriors filled the courtyard.
"Hah!"
Though the flurry of blades and clones seemed fragile before the colossal descending broadsword, Sushang thrust her weapon upward without the slightest hesitation. The swarm of energy blades followed her swing, hurtling toward the falling titan.
Scyther, Scizor, and their spectral copies unleashed their own pressurized wind blades in unison. The streams of wind converged, swelling into a roaring storm of cutting force that slammed directly into the descending sword.
Yet the sheer weight of the elder's technique was overwhelming. With a single, thunderous boom, the massive blade shattered their combined barrage into fragments, continuing its downward descent unchecked.
Just as the crushing pressure threatened to flatten them, the golden phantom of the elder flickered, suddenly reappearing right beside Sushang.
Sushang blinked in surprise, but the moment she met the phantom's gentle gaze, a warm, knowing smile spread across her lips.
Beside Scizor and Scyther, towering golden avatars of their own species materialized, standing even taller than the mantises themselves.
In an instant, the power behind Sushang and her Pokémon's techniques surged exponentially. The scattered dozens of hovering sword projections multiplied into a boundless, shimmering sea of ten thousand flying blades.
The wind blades launched by Scizor and Scyther broadened into colossal arcs of razor-sharp golden light.
The combined ascension of sword intent crashed into the celestial blade, deadlocking the falling titan right in mid-air.
Down below, Farfetch'd's smug expression instantly vanished into pure panic. It gripped its scallion with both wings, desperately channeling every drop of energy it could muster.
"Haah!"
Sushang stood tall, pouring every ounce of her spirit into the skyward thrust.
Crack... crack...
A crisp, sharp sound echoed through the courtyard. High above, fine hairline fractures spiderwebbed across the surface of the giant descending sword.
The cracks spread at an uncontrollable speed.
With one final, synchronized push from Sushang and her partners, the colossal celestial blade shattered into glittering stardust, and the darkened sky cleared back to a serene blue.
Across the courtyard, the golden phantom behind Farfetch'd gently faded into the breeze.
Noticing its guardian had vanished, the little bird froze, breaking into a cold sweat. It tried to tip-toe away quietly, only for three tall, dark shadows to fall over its back.
Farfetch'd looked up to find Sushang, Scyther, and Scizor towering over it with narrowed eyes and crossed arms, practically radiating the words: Where do you think you're going?
The bird began bowing and nodding in frantic, panicked apologies.
Unmoved by its sudden humility, Sushang and the two mantises took a menacing step forward. Seeing that sweet-talking wouldn't save its feathers, Farfetch'd turned on its heels and bolted at top speed, with Sushang and her Pokémon chasing it in wild circles around the ruined courtyard.
The sudden shift from an epic martial showdown to playful chaos brought fond smiles to the audience and judges alike.
In a quiet pavilion on a distant hillside, a graceful woman bearing a striking resemblance to Sushang took a slow sip of tea, her eyes crinkling with a proud, fond smile as she watched the chase unfold.
A wind chime tinkled in the gentle breeze, bringing the performance to a serene close.
The broadcast chat erupted with lively comments:
"Ten Thousand Flying Swords! That is the dream technique every kid wants to learn! Miss Sushang, take me as your disciple!"
"Scizor and Scyther using Double Team to amplify the sword aura was incredible!"
"Can we talk about Farfetch'd? That smug little bird was so intimidating at first, but the moment its backup left, it turned into a complete coward!"
"The Great Void arts are legendary Xianzhou swordcraft! This is my first time seeing it adapted into a stage performance, and it was breathtaking."
"Wait, I'm a bit confused. They were fighting like it was a life-or-death duel, and then suddenly it became a comedy sketch?"
"How is that confusing? To any Xianzhou native, it's obvious! That was a trial set up by Sushang's mother through Farfetch'd to push her past her limits!"
"Do Xianzhou parents always test their kids with such terrifying trials?!"
"Did you not see the mother step in to help her break the sword at the very end? It's tough love to bring out her full potential!"
While the reaction lacked the frantic screaming of earlier concerts, the arena was filled with warm, appreciative applause, cheering, and genuine laughter.
"Thank you, Miss Sushang, for that exhilarating martial arts showcase!" Owlbert announced, stepping up to center stage. "Now, let us turn to our judges for their scores!"
Topaz leaned forward with a bright smile.
"Just like Miss Guinaifen before you, this was a distinctly unique showcase," Topaz remarked. "Both your own martial arts delivery and your coordination with your partners were exceptional."
"The sequence where you challenged the giant sword alongside your Pokémon and chased Farfetch'd around the courtyard at the end was thoroughly charming. I have no complaints."
Topaz held up her scoring paddle: 98 points, matching her score for both Guinaifen and March 7th. In her view, the top contenders were neck-and-neck, making it nearly impossible to separate them.
Himeko adjusted her microphone, offering a thoughtful assessment.
"Sushang's performance was remarkable," Himeko began. "To be entirely candid, without some prior knowledge of Xianzhou culture, a foreign viewer might find the deeper familial context a bit subtle to grasp at first glance."
"Yet even setting the cultural background aside, the sharp choreography, intense dramatic pacing, and dazzling swordplay made this a standout piece on its own."
Himeko displayed her score: 97 points.
The core story was rich, but the subtle narrative cues meant off-world viewers might need a moment to connect the dots. Even so, the sheer quality and polish of the execution were undeniable.
Robin spoke next with genuine excitement.
"This wasn't a tragic story of loss or bitter hatred; it was simply a playful, challenging trial from an elder," Robin smiled. "On paper, it sounds simple, but placed among so many grand and solemn narratives today, this refreshing twist was a wonderful surprise."
"Furthermore, the elegant swordplay and classical Xianzhou martial aesthetics blended seamlessly with the Pokémon's moves."
Robin raised her paddle: 99 points.
Jing Yuan rested his chin on his hand, his eyes filled with warm pride.
"Sushang's sword forms were fluid, crisp, and remarkably poised," the General praised. "What impressed me even more was how naturally the Pokémon's elemental techniques merged with our Xianzhou sword styles, creating a cohesive whole with zero awkward transitions."
"The laughter and warm applause from the crowd tonight are the best proof of your success. It brings an old soldier great joy to see our younger generation growing into such dependable talent."
Jing Yuan held up his paddle, awarding 98 points.
So far, Sushang's mastery over her Pokémon's techniques was the most refined of the evening, particularly in compressing invisible wind energy into stable martial avatars. Jing Yuan awarded his highest score without hesitation.
Chapter 191: Highly Rated
The two mantis Pokémon gave a resolute cry in response. Seeing their unwavering fighting spirit, Sushang felt a surge of confidence wash over her, a bright, fierce smile breaking across her face.
"Shape of the Great Void—Eminence, manifest!"
"Zor!"
"Scy!"
With a resounding battle cry, dozens of crystalline sword projections coalesced in the air behind Sushang.
At the exact same moment, Scizor and Scyther unleashed Double Team. Illusory copies blurred across the entire arena floor, multiplying until a small army of mantis warriors filled the courtyard.
"Hah!"
Though the flurry of blades and clones seemed fragile before the colossal descending broadsword, Sushang thrust her weapon upward without the slightest hesitation. The swarm of energy blades followed her swing, hurtling toward the falling titan.
Scyther, Scizor, and their spectral copies unleashed their own pressurized wind blades in unison. The streams of wind converged, swelling into a roaring storm of cutting force that slammed directly into the descending sword.
Yet the sheer weight of the elder's technique was overwhelming. With a single, thunderous boom, the massive blade shattered their combined barrage into fragments, continuing its downward descent unchecked.
Just as the crushing pressure threatened to flatten them, the golden phantom of the elder flickered, suddenly reappearing right beside Sushang.
Sushang blinked in surprise, but the moment she met the phantom's gentle gaze, a warm, knowing smile spread across her lips.
Beside Scizor and Scyther, towering golden avatars of their own species materialized, standing even taller than the mantises themselves.
In an instant, the power behind Sushang and her Pokémon's techniques surged exponentially. The scattered dozens of hovering sword projections multiplied into a boundless, shimmering sea of ten thousand flying blades.
The wind blades launched by Scizor and Scyther broadened into colossal arcs of razor-sharp golden light.
The combined ascension of sword intent crashed into the celestial blade, deadlocking the falling titan right in mid-air.
Down below, Farfetch'd's smug expression instantly vanished into pure panic. It gripped its scallion with both wings, desperately channeling every drop of energy it could muster.
"Haah!"
Sushang stood tall, pouring every ounce of her spirit into the skyward thrust.
Crack... crack...
A crisp, sharp sound echoed through the courtyard. High above, fine hairline fractures spiderwebbed across the surface of the giant descending sword.
The cracks spread at an uncontrollable speed.
With one final, synchronized push from Sushang and her partners, the colossal celestial blade shattered into glittering stardust, and the darkened sky cleared back to a serene blue.
Across the courtyard, the golden phantom behind Farfetch'd gently faded into the breeze.
Noticing its guardian had vanished, the little bird froze, breaking into a cold sweat. It tried to tip-toe away quietly, only for three tall, dark shadows to fall over its back.
Farfetch'd looked up to find Sushang, Scyther, and Scizor towering over it with narrowed eyes and crossed arms, practically radiating the words: Where do you think you're going?
The bird began bowing and nodding in frantic, panicked apologies.
Unmoved by its sudden humility, Sushang and the two mantises took a menacing step forward. Seeing that sweet-talking wouldn't save its feathers, Farfetch'd turned on its heels and bolted at top speed, with Sushang and her Pokémon chasing it in wild circles around the ruined courtyard.
The sudden shift from an epic martial showdown to playful chaos brought fond smiles to the audience and judges alike.
In a quiet pavilion on a distant hillside, a graceful woman bearing a striking resemblance to Sushang took a slow sip of tea, her eyes crinkling with a proud, fond smile as she watched the chase unfold.
A wind chime tinkled in the gentle breeze, bringing the performance to a serene close.
The broadcast chat erupted with lively comments:
"Ten Thousand Flying Swords! That is the dream technique every kid wants to learn! Miss Sushang, take me as your disciple!"
"Scizor and Scyther using Double Team to amplify the sword aura was incredible!"
"Can we talk about Farfetch'd? That smug little bird was so intimidating at first, but the moment its backup left, it turned into a complete coward!"
"The Great Void arts are legendary Xianzhou swordcraft! This is my first time seeing it adapted into a stage performance, and it was breathtaking."
"Wait, I'm a bit confused. They were fighting like it was a life-or-death duel, and then suddenly it became a comedy sketch?"
"How is that confusing? To any Xianzhou native, it's obvious! That was a trial set up by Sushang's mother through Farfetch'd to push her past her limits!"
"Do Xianzhou parents always test their kids with such terrifying trials?!"
"Did you not see the mother step in to help her break the sword at the very end? It's tough love to bring out her full potential!"
While the reaction lacked the frantic screaming of earlier concerts, the arena was filled with warm, appreciative applause, cheering, and genuine laughter.
"Thank you, Miss Sushang, for that exhilarating martial arts showcase!" Owlbert announced, stepping up to center stage. "Now, let us turn to our judges for their scores!"
Topaz leaned forward with a bright smile.
"Just like Miss Guinaifen before you, this was a distinctly unique showcase," Topaz remarked. "Both your own martial arts delivery and your coordination with your partners were exceptional."
"The sequence where you challenged the giant sword alongside your Pokémon and chased Farfetch'd around the courtyard at the end was thoroughly charming. I have no complaints."
Topaz held up her scoring paddle: 98 points, matching her score for both Guinaifen and March 7th. In her view, the top contenders were neck-and-neck, making it nearly impossible to separate them.
Himeko adjusted her microphone, offering a thoughtful assessment.
"Sushang's performance was remarkable," Himeko began. "To be entirely candid, without some prior knowledge of Xianzhou culture, a foreign viewer might find the deeper familial context a bit subtle to grasp at first glance."
"Yet even setting the cultural background aside, the sharp choreography, intense dramatic pacing, and dazzling swordplay made this a standout piece on its own."
Himeko displayed her score: 97 points.
The core story was rich, but the subtle narrative cues meant off-world viewers might need a moment to connect the dots. Even so, the sheer quality and polish of the execution were undeniable.
Robin spoke next with genuine excitement.
"This wasn't a tragic story of loss or bitter hatred; it was simply a playful, challenging trial from an elder," Robin smiled. "On paper, it sounds simple, but placed among so many grand and solemn narratives today, this refreshing twist was a wonderful surprise."
"Furthermore, the elegant swordplay and classical Xianzhou martial aesthetics blended seamlessly with the Pokémon's moves."
Robin raised her paddle: 99 points.
Jing Yuan rested his chin on his hand, his eyes filled with warm pride.
"Sushang's sword forms were fluid, crisp, and remarkably poised," the General praised. "What impressed me even more was how naturally the Pokémon's elemental techniques merged with our Xianzhou sword styles, creating a cohesive whole with zero awkward transitions."
"The laughter and warm applause from the crowd tonight are the best proof of your success. It brings an old soldier great joy to see our younger generation growing into such dependable talent."
Jing Yuan held up his paddle, awarding 98 points.
So far, Sushang's mastery over her Pokémon's techniques was the most refined of the evening, particularly in compressing invisible wind energy into stable martial avatars. Jing Yuan awarded his highest score without hesitation.
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