"You didn't believe I could win, so you joined the Wardance yourself to increase the chances of the Belobog representative team winning, right?" Luka asked.

"This has nothing to do with 'belief,' Luka. This is a rational calculation—mathematically, it is difficult for you to achieve victory, but Belobog needs this win. Therefore, I entered the competition. This way, no matter which of us wins, we will earn reputation for Belobog."

—

Scissor Seven.

"Belobog's strength seems quite formidable in the interstellar scene."

Wu Liuqi looked at the last two remaining contestants in the knock-out stage and couldn't help but marvel. Although people said Belobog was a remote system with little strength, their two local contestants managed to defeat the Xianzhou experts and all sorts of monsters from across the universe to secure a runner-up spot. This could no longer be described simply as a 'miracle.'

Luka had Stelle's help and went through many hardships to reach the finals, but Big Boss Svarog was local technology from seven hundred years ago in Belobog, yet he also managed to fight his way here. It seemed that Belobog's technology held quite a bit of value in the universe.

"I didn't expect the 'iron arm' to be this tin robot; young Luka is probably done for." Ji Dabao waved his hand. "Last time, that handsome lad Luka lost so badly he hit the dirt. Svarog, that big guy, handled him like a little chick! Winning this time? Impossible."

"Hard to say. When Luka and Svarog fought before, that mechanical arm used Belobog's local tech. Now that he's got the IPC's new product, one punch..." Lan Minghua raised an eyebrow. "Svarog might not be able to withstand it."

—

"I failed to defeat you last time. Based on mathematical probability, I'm afraid it won't work this time either," Luka admitted honestly.

Svarog shook his head. "Your calculation is incorrect, Luka. Based on mathematical probability, your chance of winning is—unknown. Because there is a 'variable' that I have not yet accurately grasped, therefore—no conclusion can be drawn."

Luka was a bit confused. "Variable?"

"Your 'growth'." Svarog looked at his rust-covered hands. "I am an obsolete robot. No matter how many pull-ups I do, I only Erosion my joints; I will not become stronger. But you are different—as you accumulate experience, you will become stronger and stronger."

"Maybe. It's a bit embarrassing to say... I'm not even sure if I've really become stronger."

"That is why I judged—it is best for us to duel here. Luka, you must defeat me."

The battle between the two was on the verge of breaking out. During the fight, Luka was repeatedly suppressed by Svarog. Fortunately, Stelle provided timely tactical assistance from the sidelines, successfully helping Luka turn the tide and defeat Svarog.

Facing the overwhelming cheers from both sides of the arena, Svarog said calmly, "Luka, do you hear the cheers? You won."

"Big Boss Svarog, you didn't go easy on me, did you?"

"No, I did not. You just defeated me while I was holding nothing back. Rest well; next, you will duel against the defending swordsman of the Luofu."

"Big Boss Svarog, based on your 'rational calculation'... do you think I have a chance to defeat Yanqing?" Luka asked curiously.

Svarog shook his head. "The result of my calculation is not important. You should step onto the arena and experience that battle firsthand—that is more important to you."

—

chinese paladin.

"Drugging?"

"Mm-hm." Jing Tian had a sly smile on his face.

Xuejian was stunned for a moment, then her eyebrows shot up in anger. She was so furious she almost picked up the teapot on the table to throw at him. "What kind of rotten idea is this? Despicable! Low-down! The match between Luka and Yanqing is about fair competition, and you actually want him to use the same trick he used on Scott against Yanqing? If word gets out, what will happen to Belobog's reputation?"

"Hey, hey, hey, don't get angry!" Jing Tian quickly waved his hands. "How can you call this despicable? This is called'strategy'! Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, mainly to ensure that the Belobogians can firmly secure the victory. Besides..." Jing Tian lowered his voice and leaned in a bit closer, "It's only called drugging if you get caught. If you don't get caught... then Yanqing can only blame himself for eating something bad, right?"

Long Kui shook her head repeatedly at Jing Tian's words and whispered, "Brother... this move might not be the righteous path..."

Xuejian was almost laughed at by his twisted logic, her hands on her hips. "Sophistry! You're treating shamelessness as a skill! If the opponent were the Evil Sword Immortal or some kind of dishonorable monster, then I'd think it's fine. But the opponent is Yanqing, so we absolutely cannot do that. Belobog wants a fair and square victory!"

Jing Tian raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine, I'm the low-down one. Then you tell me, if we don't use drugs, how is Luka supposed to beat Yanqing?"

Xuejian snorted and said seriously, "The time until the next match with Yanqing is too short; it's impossible to win by cramming and improving his boxing skills. Since the Xianzhou Wardance is a 'tech-focused' event, the way to win is naturally to go to the IPC and modify Luka's wrought iron arm. Add more diverse functions."

"For example, add a treasure similar to a magnet, ideally one that can simultaneously control those seven or eight flying swords of his, forcing Yanqing to fight him bare-handed." At this point, a gleam of pride flashed in Xuejian's eyes. "Imagine, if a swordsman has no sword, his strength would definitely be cut by seventy or eighty percent! Wouldn't Luka be able to win then?"

"Making Luka and Yanqing compete in boxing is called 'using one's strengths to attack the opponent's weaknesses.' It's a standard military tactic, don't you understand? To win, you must drag a powerful opponent into an unknown field and then defeat him with your rich experience! That is the real strategy!"

—

Back in the lounge, as soon as the door opened, Camellia was the first to rush out, excitedly grabbing Luka's hand. "Oh, contestant Luka! One of my sources just told me that for the upcoming Clash of Blades, General Jing Yuan will personally come to watch!"

"Huh? The General is so busy, yet he's coming to see a match involving a small fry like me..."

"Contestant Luka! Please get your head in the game! You're not a small fry anymore!" Camellia corrected him. "The most popular off-world contestant of the Wardance is challenging his prized apprentice; of course he's coming to watch!"

"The pressure is so high. I can't lose face for Belobog in front of General Jing Yuan! I feel like my heart is about to jump out of my throat!"

Camellia: "Ah! How about this! Why don't we go watch someone else's match? According to the schedule, the match happening right now is... Boothill challenging Yanqing!"

"Oh? I'm actually interested in that."