Am I really hallucinating?

Chapter 697 The Sword of Inferiority

In the blink of an eye, the dense red lines filled the large square in front of the government building. Ptolemy weaved through the red lines, and facing the inescapable red lines, she reached one hand to her waist.

A flash of white light, and the sword was drawn.

Whoa!

The red lines that tried to get close were all shredded. Ptolemy quickly turned around, his eyes gleaming with golden light, and a crosshair appeared in front of his right eye as he found Jiang Si's figure.

With a bent body and a push of his feet, another flash of white light appeared, and the red lines in the middle were also completely cut off. Ptolemy also teleported to Jiang Si's side.

Swords flashed and clashed as they entangled with Jiang Si, but Jiang Si simply smiled and raised her hand.

Ding dong!

All the sword lights were parried and blocked, and what blocked them was Jiang Si's hands. Her arms were wrapped with red threads, and her fingertips were covered with sharp finger guards made of folded paper.

It looks like paper, yet it can collide with the lightsaber formed by Ptolemy without leaving a trace.

“This texture… these papers are reflecting my sword.” Ptolemy remained calm and collected, analyzing the abilities Jiang Si had displayed.

Is this the power of illusion? It can even "copy" the power of the lamplighter?
Ptolemy unleashed a flurry of sword strikes to suppress Jiang Si, who quickly deflected all of Ptolemy's attacks with a series of flicks of his fingers. A moment later, Ptolemy turned, and in the movement of his steps, his sword aura momentarily sharpened as he swept across the room!

Stab it!

The thick, long red silk thread, bound together, held back the sharp sword energy with its extraordinary resilience. Even so, smaller sword energies continued to emanate from the large sword energy and attack Jiang Si.

Jiang Si ignored the shallow cuts on her face from the overflowing sword energy, stretched out her hands, and her spiritual essence spread out in red lines, shattering space!

Ptolemy, who was preparing to attack from another angle, suddenly found himself moved to another position and turned around.

Ptolemy: ! ?
A chill suddenly swept over her from behind. She turned around immediately, only to find that her limbs were already wrapped in a large number of red threads. She had not noticed at all, and her movements were slowed down.

The venom, like a high-pressure water jet, pierced through the gaps in the silk threads, about to strike Ptolemy.

"Mental image coverage!"

Ptolemy unleashed his full power without hesitation, the dense sword light severing the red line and simultaneously cutting off the venomous water column attacking from behind.

At the same time, a huge gladiatorial arena rose up in the surrounding area!
Jiang Si looked around in surprise at the exquisite carvings and decorations, which were full of classical cultural and artistic meaning, yet they were also filled with a bloody smell that had penetrated deep into the area and was difficult to dispel.

“I thought someone as serious as you would have a more dignified appearance. The arena is no good place,” Jiang Si said to Ptolemy, raising her chin.

“I was equally surprised. Although you are a serial killer, your use of your power is quite exquisite and unpredictable. Your combat strategy is also quite clear and sharp, completely different from that of a serial killer... and even from most violent residents. You are an anomaly.” After unfolding his mental image, Ptolemy was able to breathe a little easier and became a little more talkative.

"Then what is my father in your eyes?" Jiang Si asked curiously, tilting her head.

"Are you referring to Jiang Qiang? If we disregard his inexplicable emotional power, he's not much different from other violent residents," Ptolemy honestly stated her opinion.

“Then I’m even more special than my dad.” Jiang Si puffed out her chest, looking quite proud.

“I don’t think this is anything to be proud of. If your father were standing here, I would be on my toes. Especially since it doesn’t give you the strength to easily surpass your father’s generation. In my mind, those in the arena will be unable to defend against any attack. All attacks, except for those that collide and cancel each other out, will be impossible to defend against once they land on you, except for recovery… Everything will be exposed to the most naked combat environment. Quick and decisive, I won’t give you a single chance.” Ptolemy said, already taking his stance.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Si laughed even more heartily: "So, as the lamplighter, your inner world is quite different from others. Does that mean you're also an anomaly?"

For the vast majority of those who hold the lamp, the main function of mental imagery is to provide a sense of "home advantage" and to give themselves a boost.

The effects are mostly simple, straightforward, and quite unpretentious.

However, even though Jiang Si didn't know much about the lamplighter, she could easily sense the problems in this direct and unreserved battle between the two sides.

This is not the mindset a proper lamplighter should have; it is not simple and honest at all, but rather something that might be found in a violent, war-mongering resident.

The smell of violence is far stronger than the smell of white.

“Because I am also a violent resident, although I am of mixed race,” Ptolemy said casually, revealing his background without any burden.

"Oh my, this is something you shouldn't let others hear about so easily." Jiang Si raised an eyebrow. Although it was expected, it was still a bit surprising that it was confirmed.

A key figure in the Pure White Lighthouse, a trusted assistant and spokesperson for the Undying Lighthouse, he is not entirely from the White World, but is a mixed-race individual from a violent resident family!

Normally, if this matter were exposed, even the Pure White Beacon would likely face a media storm, becoming a huge stain on Pure Whiteism, and some fanatical extremists might even openly target Ptolemy.

“It doesn’t matter. In fact, I’d feel a bit more at ease saying it here.” Ptolemy remained calm. “I’ve only used this mental image three times. The first time was at the Lighthouse, the second time was when I was asked to conduct a functional test, and the third time was to demonstrate it to Lord Eliadodic. And this is the fourth time.”

"Then I'd be honored." Jiang Si still had a playful smile on her face.

“You should regret it,” Ptolemy said. “I hate this mental image; it constantly reminds me of my origins and distances me further and further from Lord Eliadodice. But only in this way can my light constantly sharpen its edge and cut through all obstacles in Lord Eliadodice’s path…”

As soon as he finished speaking, the white sword energy nearly blinded Jiang Si.

The sword energy she unleashed, in terms of speed, range, and even the shape of its fluctuations, was vastly different from what she normally displayed in the outside world. The increase in power was also far greater than that of a normal lamplighter!
It's not just a matter of mental imagery...

Jiang Si directly withstood the sword light with his physical body. He could not defend himself with any means other than his physical body. If he had the idea of ​​escaping, his movements would become slower.

The rules within this mental image are manifested in human thought. They directly detect a person's intentions and classify their aggression.

All thoughts other than the intention to attack will cause the body to be restricted in turn!
We must fight spear with spear.

Even though her body was nearly severed in two, Jiang Si's thoughts did not cease.
I have come to understand the source of the abnormal surge in Ptolemaic power in my mind.

"You're so outstanding, why are you so 'insecure', big sister?!" she asked.

She exposes her identity, emphasizes her identity, and stimulates herself with mental imagery; this is evident in every word she speaks. Only in this way can "the light continuously sharpen her edge."

Jiang Si didn't know what this lamplighter named Ptolemy had gone through in her growth process, but there was no doubt that the lantern she created after becoming the lamplighter had transformed her deep-seated inferiority complex into her strength.

(End of this chapter)