Chapter 87: Gerbach (1/2)

Lu Yin headed to the center of the tower and climbed up the spiraling stone staircase. Flying was forbidden on these premises. A youth walked over just as he started the climb, looking at him curiously,“Where you going, bro?”

“Which floor is Gerbach on?” Lu Yin asked, attracting surprised glances in an instant.

“You’re looking for the Hall Master?” the youth was surprised.

“He’s looking for me.”

Everyone sized Lu Yin up at that moment, and a shorter man among the crowd glared at him. This was one of those from Yu Academy who’d gone to the trial on Earth and been robbed by Lu Yin; he had a very strong impression of the thief, and was one of the few who knew Lu Yin’s identity. He really wanted to cause trouble, but considering the identity of the Zishan King, it wasn’t worth it.

“He’s on the top floor,” the youth who’d blocked Lu Yin spoke up, clearing the way. Lu Yin thanked him and headed up.

As he climbed, Lu Yin found that some of the floors were completely empty. The higher he went, the fewer people there were as well. Nobody else stopped him on the way, and by the time he started seeing clouds, there was no other person at all. When he leapt up to the top floor, he found Gerbach with his back turned to him, staring at the fierce winds through a stone window. The young man’s back was ramrod straight and he radiated an aura of discipline; this was one of the strongest fighters of his generation in the Great Yu Empire, one of the hall masters of Yu Academy that people considered a monster.

As he thought to himself that Gerlaine and her brother looked quite alike, the youth in question suddenly turned and sent him a chilling glare that was like an arrow streaking through the sky.

“You took care of my sister during the trial,” Gerbach trained his eyes on Lu Yin. With his entire being straight as an arrow, he seemed quite overbearing. Each of the hall masters of Yu Academy seemed quite different. Tianming was gentle and polite, while Gerbach was incredibly fierce.

Lu Yin frowned but did not back down, “It’s all about survival of the fittest.”

Gerbach smirked, “Exactly. Since you know what, why did you help her?”

Lu Yin froze. Help her? When did he do that? Didn’t he rob her?

Gerbach said dryly, “Although the trial on Earth wasn’t a success, Gerlaine’s marks put her even in front of Eddy. I know my sister; it’s impossible for her to get there on her own. She helped you rob dozens of students to get ahead of everyone else.”

Lu Yin raised an eyebrow; it seemed like Gerlaine hadn’t told her brother that she was robbed as well. But that made sense; given her personality, she was someone who’d never admit to something shameful. And while Gerbach had high status in Yu Academy, that power did not extend outside this system; he couldn’t find out about the situation himself. This was all a glorious misunderstanding.

Gerbach directed his gaze outside the tower, “I just wanted to meet you. You might be the Zishan King, but you participated in the trials as a native. As a native, you defeated dozens of students, including the best of Yu Academy. It made me curious.”

He shifted his attention back to Lu Yin as he spoke, eyes filled with a desire to fight, “I’d like to know more about your strength. There are rumors that you can learn the Skybeast Claw just from battling someone using it; I don’t believe it.”

Lu Yin grinned, “Let’s try it out, then.”

Gerbach grunted in approval before suppressing his star energy to the level of a Sentinel, “Careful. Once I’m in battle mode, I don’t hold back.”

“Me neither,” Lu Yin answered, and the two charged towards each other at the same time. Fists clashed and shockwaves surged in all directions, both combatants retreating in tandem before darting back quickly. Gerbach truly didn’t hold back, launching a Skybeast Claw that was much stronger than Tyson’s. Even with Sentinel strength, the Hall Master could use battle techniques beyond most Melders.

Lu Yin seemed hesitant and stopped, eyes fixated on Gerbach’s Skybeast Claw. The five stars of his Cosmic Art formed their unique defensive forcefield, allowing him to see every little form of the attack. One, two, three… The attack consisted of fifteen forms, possessing terrifying power as a bestial cry resounded through the air. The surroundings almost froze in place, but Lu Yin’s eyes narrowed and his body curved unbelievably to dodge the attack that covered a hundred-meter area. All the strike accomplished was an enormous claw imprint on the ground.