Chapter 528: A Brand New Theory?

This is an extremely challenging version of King of Fighters.

It not only features thirty complex combo sequences, which are required to counter attacks from various angles, but opponents also have incredibly long health bars, making it truly hellish in difficulty. Although it appears to be King of Fighters on the surface, it actually combines various historically hardcore and complex fighting game mechanics. Yet, even with all this, Zhang Xiao effortlessly defeated three stages.

“What incredible skill!”

Beyond just the 'cat hop' technique being displayed, the arcade machine was surrounded by a bustling crowd, constantly exclaiming in awe. They were itching to try it themselves, to control the characters and fight—it was simply too exciting!

The two figures on the arcade screen moved so fast they became mere afterimages.

For ordinary people with low skill levels, such combat was impossible to discern.

“Is this what a powerful warrior's battle looks like?”“It's exactly like the battles I used to witness among powerful individuals in the mortal realm; their movements were completely indiscernible.”

The crowd around him gasped in astonishment. Yet, Zhang Xiao's expression remained calm, his hands moving so fast they were a blur.

After several years, he was once again experiencing the thrill of combat. It was this intense pressure. His mind was taut, like dancing on the edge of a cliff, where a single misstep could send him plummeting into the abyss.

He pursed his lips, acutely aware that every combo was terrifyingly difficult. He had to press eight buttons in a specific sequence to counter the opponent's incredibly fast movements, all within 0.5 seconds to unleash a defensive combo. If his mind wandered, or his composure wavered even slightly, hitting just one of the eight combo inputs incorrectly would render him unable to defend against the onslaught!

Fortunately, as the former Blade God, how could he possibly make such a rookie mistake?

“Amazing!”“Such reflexes—not only does he repel the opponent, but he's also probing for their moves at the same time!”“He's completely at ease!”

The crowd continued to exclaim in wonder. But this no longer affected his combat state. A confident smile played on Zhang Xiao's lips. “Perhaps ordinary Fifth, Sixth, or even Quasi-Emperor stage practitioners, facing this for the first time without understanding or in the dark, would make various nervous mistakes... But not me. I am Zhang Xiao, the Blade God! The first Heavenly Emperor of the Mortal Path, whose combat power is feared even by celestial beings!”

While he had been engaged in mundane tasks for a long time, he still possessed the pride of a peerless Heavenly Emperor of his era, having only died due to a scheme and fallen into the cycle of reincarnation. “However, this Combat Pavilion truly lives up to its name; it genuinely hones a warrior's combat awareness, reaction speed, and calm under pressure! These are, after all, the most crucial elements in battle.”

The onlookers were all buzzing with excitement. Zhang Xiao finally spoke, beginning his formal combat instruction to Li Sansheng, who stood beside him. He calmly asked, “Do you know why some people possess strong cultivation talent but weak combat ability? Why they are easily defeated by opponents of the same cultivation level, being slain in just a few moves?”

Li Sansheng thought for a moment and replied, “It's because the difference in combat aptitude is too great. That's the distinction between a prodigy and a mediocre person.”

Zhang Xiao nodded calmly and explained, “Indeed. But what exactly is this 'combat aptitude'? It's a comprehensive factor. In a real battle between powerful individuals, situations change in an instant! Especially upon reaching the Quasi-Emperor or Heavenly Emperor stages, they are exchanging countless blows almost every second, just like what you see now... Everything is too fast, too fast. Not only do you need extremely quick reactions, but also absolute calmness to execute numerous correct counterattacks and blocks in an instant... Nervousness, momentary hesitation, distractions from others' voices, or enemy interference can cause you to freeze—just one instant is enough... A single hit can result in minor injuries, a second hit, serious ones...”

“Some people are naturally a beat slow in their reactions. Others are normally calm, but on a grand stage with countless spectators, they become anxious, unable even to speak, let alone at the precipice of death. Knowing that a single mistake could lead to their death, they become afraid, leading to a chain of errors and thus dying even faster... In short, this is what 'combat aptitude' refers to.” Zhang Xiao taught calmly, completely unconcerned about others eavesdropping.

Because he knew clearly: What did it matter if others knew? Like him, they were on the land of the dead; they could take nothing with them when they departed! Only Li Sansheng was different; perhaps he could remember! He intended to rigorously train Li Sansheng, so that even if his combat talent was poor, with tenfold, hundredfold, or even thousandfold effort, he would engrave this combat memory deeply into his bones, brand it into his instincts, and carry it into his next life! He himself had already fallen, and Li Sansheng was the last hope for the Mortal Path!

“Combat aptitude isn't everything! It's merely the entry point to becoming powerful, the foundation for fighting on equal terms with others... True strength, however, relies on wisdom.” He pointed to his head. “Developing unique cultivation techniques, trump cards, and moves – no top-tier powerhouse ever became famous by simply learning others' techniques! At the very least, they must create their own unique modifications to existing techniques. I, for instance, relied on my original 'Blade God's Thirty-Six Slashes,' combined with my innate talent, which made even celestial beings wary of me.”

Li Sansheng nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. Top-tier warriors generally have similar combat aptitude, reaction speeds, and battle instincts, as well as the best choices for counter-moves. They start from the same baseline, with virtually no mistakes or weaknesses... What remains to be compared is the superiority of their respective cultivation techniques and their various underlying resources and trump cards!”

Zhang Xiao nodded with extreme calmness and continued, “Li Sansheng, you do not lack wisdom. I believe you can develop your own cultivation techniques and systems; you have the potential to become a powerful warrior. Otherwise, I would not have chosen you. You are not a piece of rotten wood that cannot be carved... You merely lack combat aptitude; your battle talent is quite poor. You are merely a theoretician!”

Zhang Xiao knew the formidable nature of this King of Fighters game. It trained one's combat nerves, reaction speed, and composure. King of Fighters '98, its significance was...