Chapter 128: The Growth of a Warrior

Yue Longze lay in the center of the Ultra Arena, spread out in the shape of a cross, gasping for breath.

"Again!"

After catching his breath, Yue Longze stood up once more, a fierce fighting spirit radiating from his body.

"Very good."

Zero smiled. This was the indomitable spirit an Ultra warrior should possess!

Energy surged again, and the two powerful figures collided violently once more. Colorful beams of light lit up the sky.

At this moment, several figures had quietly appeared around the perimeter of the Ultra Arena to watch the battle.

"Xiao Zeze and little Zero are both so amazing; we need to keep working hard too!"

Glenfire wiped his flaming red head, a thick, intense flame flickering across it, before he looked at the stoic Steel Samurai beside him. "Don't you think so, Roast Chicken?"

Upon hearing this, the Steel Samurai prepared his usual retort: "You flaming hat, I'll roast your face into a chicken!"

The two were on the verge of bickering again...

Mirror Knight immediately stopped them, secretly rubbing his forehead. "There are so many seniors here!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Zoffy, Ultraseven, and the others nearby, then shifted his gaze back to Yue Longze and Zero in the arena, adding, "Besides, don't disturb their fight!"

The two finally desisted and returned to watching the intense battle between Yue Longze and Zero with focus.

Mirror Knight let out a sigh of relief. These two... they didn't seem to be able to live without bickering!

...

At this point, Yue Longze was still at a disadvantage, with no sign of a breakthrough. Zero was doing his best to keep the pressure on him.

...

"This won't do."

Zoffy, the eldest brother standing to the side with his arms crossed, muttered with a flicker in his eyes.

Ultraseven, Ultraman, Leo, and the others nodded in agreement. "This is not a true battle."

With that, Ultraseven leaped, his crimson body streaking through the air like a red bolt of light, instantly entering the Ultra Arena.

Only then did Yue Longze and Zero notice the arrival of the others and immediately ceased their intense sparring.

...

"Father, why are you here?"

Zero asked, puzzled, while placing his Eye Slugger back onto his head.

Ultraseven patted Zero on the shoulder, shook his head without a word, and then stood opposite the two, arms crossed, exuding the dignified aura of an elder.

Both Yue Longze and Zero looked at Ultraseven with confusion.

...

"They say 'brothers fight tigers together, father and son go into battle as a team.' Surely they aren't planning a father-son tag-team beatdown, are they?"

Yue Longze suddenly thought, unable to help but shiver.

Sensing Yue Longze's unease, Ultraseven gave him an odd look, glanced at Zero, and then spoke: "Nurturing strength through combat is a good method, but once you reach a certain level, ordinary sparring no longer serves to improve your abilities!"

Ultraseven’s tone was solemn; his words were meant for both, but seemed specifically aimed at Yue Longze.

"So, you mean that in my current state, only by experiencing a true life-or-death battle can I hope to further my strength?"

Yue Longze was quick; he understood the implication immediately.

"Yes, exactly!"

Ultraseven nodded firmly, placing his strong, crossed arms behind his back.

...

"The battle between you two will never involve a true killing intent; it looks intense, but it is merely sparring that stops at the point of contact."

Ultraseven reached out with both hands to pat Yue Longze and Zero on their shoulders. "Therefore! Go out and find true opponents to fight!"

Yue Longze nodded and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior!"

Ultraseven gave a slight nod. "Regardless, safety is the top priority!"

With that, he said nothing more, tapped the ground lightly with his toes, and instantly flew out of the Ultra Arena.

"It seems... I have no choice but to find that guy!"

Watching Ultraseven's receding figure, Yue Longze whispered to himself, a glimmer of resolve flashing in his milky-white eyes.

"You mean Belial, right?"

Zero hit the mark immediately, as Belial was currently the most suitable whetstone for Yue Longze in the entire universe.

"That's right."

Yue Longze wasn't surprised that Zero knew who he was talking about; instead, he looked somewhat troubled.

"That guy Belial... he isn't exactly easy to find when you're looking for him..."

...

Nevertheless, Yue Longze bid everyone farewell. Whether or not he could find an opponent like Belial, staying in the universe was better than staying in the Land of Light!

The Land of Light was too peaceful and harmonious; it was no place for a warrior still in the midst of growth! The perils of the universe would better spur Yue Longze to hone his strength!

...

"Zero, let me go alone this time. Only by being alone can I grow better!"

Yue Longze persuaded Zero, who had intended to accompany him.

Only by casting aside all safety nets and truly plunging oneself into a desperate situation could one potentially find rebirth in the abyss.

Zero paused, but ultimately did not follow. He did, however, repeatedly urge Yue Longze to stay safe.

Yue Longze was deeply moved by this.

Yet, all he said was: "If only you were a woman..."

Zero: "..."

———

Yue Longze left the Land of Light alone.

Perhaps it is only in solitude that one can truly grow.

Yue Longze encountered several waves of mass-produced Darklops, all of which he dispatched efficiently.

But eventually, Yue Longze lost interest in fighting these mass-produced units or monsters infected by dark energy, as there was no suspense in the outcome.

Unless he encountered a massive swarm, he really had no interest in engaging.

The situation was truly awkward: he could easily crush those weaker than him, yet he was effortlessly crushed by those stronger than him.

...

"It seems I must find that guy Belial! Use him as my whetstone!"

Yue Longze thought to himself.

He wandered through the universe. What appeared to be aimless drifting was actually him carefully sensing the presence of evil in the cosmos.

He was searching for Belial, or any other powerful opponent, by tracking their aura.

However, after searching for a long time, Yue Longze found nothing.

Several days in Earth time had passed, and Yue Longze continued to roam the vast universe. He bypassed any mass-produced Darklops he saw, though if they insisted on chasing him, he didn't mind destroying them.

...

One day, an impatient Yue Longze finally sensed a trace of a powerful, evil aura.

The aura was very faint and extremely difficult to detect.

It was largely due to pure luck that Yue Longze was able to pick up on this trace of malice.