Chapter 316 Ocean Heart

With a bang, Black Night Saber struck, charging at high speed towards Radiant Shadow Athena. Yet, the Radiant Shadow fighter, known for its speed and agility, didn't move an inch. Black Night Saber's speed decreased, no longer as unpredictable as before. At this moment, Black Night Saber was like a terrifying hell warrior, the coordination of the entire mecha seamless, enveloped in a frightening mental aura. This was the reason she had been completely suppressed before, unable to react.

Rumble...

Lightning Strike – Battou-jutsu!

Black Night fighter instantly arrived in front of Radiant Shadow Athena, the Blood Moon longsword in its hand unsheathed, a red light blotting out the sky.

That uncontrollable, dreamlike Battou-jutsu, slowed down at this moment. Tita caught it!

With a soft murmur, Tita attacked, like an arrow released from a bow, the Oathkeeper Sword stabbing out with lightning speed, carrying incomparable confidence and decisiveness.

Clang…

The precise sword directly struck the Blood Moon's blade. At this moment, the Blood Moon longsword wasn't fully drawn. The entire Black Night fighter shook violently, sparks erupting from the point of collision.

Kill!

Clang clang clang clang…

A sky full of dazzling light, the Oathkeeper Sword, having broken the Battou-jutsu, launched a storm of counterattacks against the Black Night fighter.

—-Athena's Supreme Defense Counter!

The hundred and eight sword strikes, as if fused to the bone, completely enveloped the Black Night fighter.

Boom…

The two mecha warriors bounced back simultaneously. Radiant Shadow Athena didn't move, and Black Night Saber didn't continue.

Tita closed her eyes, her chest heaving violently. She had finally captured the essence of Battou-jutsu, even the trick to delivering such an attack. This would be a world-shaking improvement to her combat skills.

Li Hao was already waiting outside. Tita took a while to calm down before coming out. She needed some time to digest everything.

Seeing Tita come out, Li Hao smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Tita said softly. She didn't know if Li Hao had held back, because this level was just right, and his counterattack was completely received by him. Of course, the focus of this sparring match wasn't victory or defeat.

This person's level was terrifyingly unimaginable. No wonder he was Puppet. She wasn't his opponent yet, but one day she would surpass him.

"Li Hao, when we meet again, it might be the S-tournament. Then we'll be enemies. I know you're USE's secret weapon. I won't hold back," Tita said seriously.

Li Hao couldn't help but scratch his head. "What secret weapon? Is there some misunderstanding? We just had the Mid-Season Cup. I don't know if we'll make it to the S-tournament. For competitions, participation is the key, friendship first, competition second. We're friends. Don't say such fierce things in the future. It makes it seem like I bullied you."

Tita stared blankly at Li Hao, then stomped her foot helplessly after a long while. "You're so annoying! I finally adjusted my mindset. Seriously! Anyway, if we're opponents, I'll use my full strength. Don't hold back. I won't be polite either!"

"Hey, we might not even meet," Li Hao said with a smile. "Oh right, I have something to ask for your help with. Can you take this to Ayouyou?"

As he spoke, Li Hao took out a delicate box. Tita grabbed it immediately, looking surprised. "Isn't this the Fire Heart's box? What's going on? Did that spendthrift Ayouyou give this to you?"

"If that's the case, then she probably did," Li Hao revealed the Fire Heart on his chest.

"She's crazy! She wouldn't even let me borrow it to wear, but she gave it to you? It's outrageous! Is she that immodest!" Tita was speechless. They haven't even gotten anywhere, yet she's already being so generous?

Ayouyou probably didn't understand mecha. She also didn't know Li Hao was Puppet. What did she see in Li Hao?

Lazy? Stupid? Straightforward? Silly?

"I didn't know it was so precious when I accepted it, but since Ayouyou gave it to me, I'll cherish it," Li Hao carefully put the Fire Heart back. "It's the first time I've received a gift from a girl in my life."

"Tch, forget it. It's your business. I'm too lazy to care. What are you doing? Are you giving a return gift?" Tita weighed the box. "Seriously, do you even know who Ayouyou is? Forget about that, are you really this dense? When giving a girl a gift, you're using the box she gave you? What could be worthy of this box? Since you were so awesome today, I can help you brainstorm…"

As she spoke, Tita opened the box. This box was carefully crafted by the auction house. Only the Fire Heart was worthy of it. Actually, with gifts, it's the thought that counts. If you can't be expensive, choose something special…

The two were very familiar. She really didn't think Li Hao could give anything good. When the box opened, a dazzling, star-like azure light softly radiated out. A gem about two carats in size lay quietly in the middle of the box.

Tita slowly opened her mouth wide. Snap!

The box slammed shut. She rubbed her eyes, glanced at Li Hao, and carefully opened a crack. Then, that dazzling, ocean-like light appeared again…

"Tita… Tita, are you okay?" Li Hao couldn't help but pat Tita, who had been in a daze for several minutes.

"This is… the Ocean Heart?" Tita asked subconsciously, her eyes still unable to look away.

"Probably. I don't know if Ayouyou will like it. Can you help me give it to her?"

After a long silence, Tita glanced at Li Hao, then at the Ocean Heart in her hand. "What do you like about Ayouyou?"

Li Hao was a little embarrassed. "I liked her at first sight. I like everything. I can't really say. It's probably fate."

"Can I have this?"

"Ahem, that's not really appropriate, is it? I can treat you to a meal."

Snap!

The box was slammed shut hard. It could be seen that Tita used great willpower to restrain the urge to take this Ocean Heart for herself.

"Eat what? I'm already full! Why did I have to interfere!"

Tita stormed off, leaving Li Hao stunned, wondering where he had offended Tita. Could it be… because he didn't treat her to a meal? Are all rich people this stingy?

Tita didn't return to the training center. She went back to her dorm and went through a round of crazy actions before staring at the box in her hand, feeling that her IQ and understanding had been insulted again. This guy who even tries to freeload for a meal?

The solar system's largest Ocean Heart?

And he just gave it away? When he casually gave it to her, anyone who didn't know would think it was a stone.

She dialed Ayouyou's Skylink. Ayouyou answered after a while. She was getting ready to sleep, wearing cute pajamas, but it was obvious that she was also very excited.

"Sister Tita, what happened? Your expression is a little serious. Did Li Hao make you angry?"

Tita looked at Ayouyou. "I don't like you very much right now."

"Ah, what's wrong? I really can't get the Ocean Heart. I already asked. There's no channel. I'll have to go home and ask Grandpa to think of a way," Ayouyou said awkwardly.

"Hmph, let me ask you. What do you think are Li Hao's good points? I've always been curious. What do you see in him? Don't tell me you think he's strong. What do you know!" Tita was especially puzzled. Ayouyou seemed to be cheating from the moment she was born. As someone close to her who relied on hard work, Tita felt like she was adopted.

Ayouyou thought for a while. "Would you believe me if I said I've known him for a long time?"

"Heh." Tita certainly didn't believe it. She wasn't a child. The two of them were definitely on parallel lines. They shouldn't have any contact even in eight lifetimes.

Ayouyou smiled. "I had a feeling the first time I saw him. That's probably fate… Sister Tita, what's wrong with you?"

"Ahem, nothing. I suffered a little internal injury," Tita was a little speechless. What kind of karma did she have to suffer, to be bombarded back and forth by this couple.

"Here, Li Hao asked me to give this to you." As she spoke, Tita took out the Fire Heart's box.

The always happy Ayouyou suddenly felt a little sad. After a moment of silence, "Sister Tita, this is what I gave him. I won't take it back. Please give it to him for me."

"Tch, what are you thinking!" As she spoke, Tita gritted her teeth and opened the box. That azure light was released again, like a starry ocean contained within a gemstone.

"Tell me, is there any justice in this world? We can't get the Ocean Heart no matter what, but he managed to get it from who knows where! And I looked into it. It's already over two carats, and it's the largest known, perfect beyond description!" Tita gritted her teeth, stars practically popping out of her eyes. "Ayouyou, let's discuss this…"

"Sister Tita, close it quickly! Don't open it casually in the future! This is a gift from my boyfriend!" Ayouyou swept away her previous disappointment, a brilliant smile blooming on her face, the light in her eyes as dazzling and wonderful as the Ocean Heart.

"Ahem, don't be so stingy! I won't force you. Just let me wear it! Occasionally, really just occasionally!" Tita was also a little reluctant to part with it.

"That's not allowed. Wearing a gift from someone else's boyfriend will make you single for life," Ayouyou said very seriously.

Tita was speechless. That brat was actually so ruthless. Tita closed the lid. The temptation was too great. It was better to look at it less.

"I don't care. I feel terrible. My injuries are very serious. Anyway, when you come back, you have to bring me many, many gifts to heal me."

Faced with the indignant Tita, Ayouyou agreed with a smile, happily spinning in circles. Tita decisively closed the Skylink, unable to watch anymore.

(Thanks again to the "Beacon Fire and Misty Rain" boss for the support! Five chapters at dawn. There is a chapter that is a must-read. I don't know how to describe my mood, it made me go back to when I was writing *Fierce Dragon Crossing the River* eighteen years ago. Dear family, the last few hours of October, please vote for a monthly ticket to support!)