Apocalyptic Crossover: Starting with a Guide to Winning Over Asuna

Chapter 39 My Heroic Spirit, Lao Ai?!

"Are you really sure? Once you participate, there's no turning back!" Rin Tohsaka said solemnly.

"I've made up my mind." Lu Xiao had already weighed the pros and cons. Rather than passively accepting disaster, he preferred to take the initiative into his own hands.

"In that case, I will assist in summoning the Heroic Spirits to participate in this Holy Grail War. But there's one condition you must agree to."

"What are the prerequisites?"

"We must form an alliance until only the two of us remain. If you agree, I will help you."

Rin Tohsaka is the heir to a family of magicians. Facing an unknown and powerful enemy, she naturally understands that having more reliable allies increases the chances of victory.

Lu Xiao nodded: "Okay, I promise you."

The initial alliance was more beneficial than harmful, so Lu Xiao readily accepted it.

"In that case, come with me."

Rin Tohsaka immediately got up and led Lu Xiao to the magic workshop in the basement of the mansion.

This space is spacious and isolated from the outside world, making it a very safe summoning ground.

She first crouched down, gathering pale blue magic power at her fingertips, and slowly sketched a magic circle on the ground.

The circular magic circle has intricate patterns, with guardian runes and holy grail inscriptions engraved on the outer ring, a triangular core array eye in the inner ring, and symbols corresponding to the class adorning the four sides.

"Stand in the very center of the array, hold your Heroic Spirit Relic tightly, keep your mind steady throughout, do not resist the influx of magic, and do not let your mind wander, otherwise the summoning will go out of control, or even attract evil Heroic Spirits."

Rin Tohsaka gave a solemn instruction and then placed magic crystals around the magic circle to replenish the energy needed for the ritual.

Lu Xiao stood still as instructed, tightly gripping the wooden prop that resembled a large mushroom.

Looking at the prop in my hand, I felt that what I summoned wasn't some proper heroic spirit.

"etc."

"What, you've changed your mind?" Rin Tohsaka asked, slightly surprised.

"I don't regret it. I just wanted to ask if you have any extra Heroic Spirit items here. The one I have here probably doesn't summon any proper Heroic Spirit."

Lu Xiao shook the mushroom-shaped wooden block in his hand, his tone sincere, not joking at all.

This design is so outrageous that it leaves anyone feeling uncertain.

Rin Tohsaka put her hands on her hips, striking a domineering pose like a young lady: "You think Heroic Spirit relics are like roadside stones that you can just pick up anywhere? Those are rare items. I went to great lengths to collect the ones I used for summoning myself, and I don't have any extras for you."

She paused, looked at Lu Xiao's conflicted expression, and added another sentence.

"Stop dawdling! Any further delay will cause the magic circle's power to leak out. Stand firm and concentrate; the ritual is about to begin!"

Lu Xiao gripped the large mushroom in his hand, took a deep breath, and resigned himself to his fate.

Rin Tohsaka closed her eyes, her hands rapidly forming magic seals, and she uttered an ancient and long summoning incantation, her tone solemn and dignified.

The moment the words fell, the magic circle on the ground suddenly lit up with a dazzling blue light. The intricate patterns seemed to come alive as they moved, and circles of light spread out, enveloping the entire underground workshop.

Lu Xiao felt a burning pain on the back of his hand, and three bright red lines appeared out of thin air, forming a sharp "Command Seal".

This is the Master's credential, the mark of the contract formed with the Heroic Spirit, and the three Command Seals, representing three instances of absolute dominion.

A magical storm suddenly erupted, and the wooden prop in Lu Xiao's hand burst forth with dazzling golden light, the powerful energy fluctuations covering the entire room.

A moment later, the light gradually subsided, and a graceful figure stepped out from the space-time rift, walking on a halo of light.

She was a tall and slender woman with her long hair loosely tied up.

Her evenly tanned skin glowed with a healthy, radiant sheen, exuding a strong exotic charm, and her eyes were captivating and alluring.

She wore slightly revealing clothes, with large areas of her taut skin exposed, boldly and flamboyantly outlining her alluring yet powerful curves.

She stood in the center of the magic circle, her gaze slowly sweeping over the two of them, finally settling on the bright red command seal on the back of Lu Xiao's hand.

His thin lips parted slightly, his voice languid and husky.

"I am Lao Rao, and I have come in response to your call."

As she finished speaking, she bowed slightly, completing the contract between Master and Heroic Spirit.

"From this day forward, you shall be my Master."

Lu Xiao was stunned; he had never heard of the name "Lao Rao" before.

[Lao Rao, alias "Lao Ai", a hero spirit from the Qin Dynasty, with a favorability rating of 10 and a level of 26.]

【Lao Rao】

[Identity]: Heroic Spirit Servant [Gender]: Female [Rank]: 26

[Class]: Berserker

[Skill 1]: Charm. Forcefully exerts mental control over a single target, completely controlling their actions for a short period of time, making them temporarily obey Miao Rao. It is extremely effective against those with weak willpower.

[Skill 2]: Unrivaled Capacity. Unleashes one's full potential, completely losing rationality, becoming immune to charm-type mental attacks, while attacks inflict confusion.

[Skill 3]: Reincarnation in the Underworld. Originating from pre-Qin secret arts and the resentment of the dead, this ability allows for a temporary rebirth when near death.

[Weapon]: Crimson Bone Whip [Description]: To survive in the chaotic world, she traveled the world as a man named "Miao Ai." With her unparalleled talent and bewitching charm, she gained the favor of Empress Dowager Zhao Ji of Qin, wielding immense power and nearly overthrowing the Qin Dynasty. Her legend was deliberately obscured by later generations, leaving only the name "Miao Ai" to be passed down through generations.

Holy crap, he's a real bastard!

When Lu Xiao saw the Qin Dynasty item mentioned on the giant mushroom, he had a bad feeling.

Is Nai really a woman?

This reminded Lu Xiao of Saber, who, as King Arthur, also dressed as a woman.

"Lao Rao...you're the historical Lao Ai? You're a woman?"

Lao Rao's lips curled into a lazy yet unrestrained smile as she lightly circled the Crimson Bone Whip between her fingers, her wheat-colored skin gleaming with an exotic glow in the dim light.

"It is indeed I, the Empress. In these chaotic times, it is inconvenient for a woman to act as a man, so I have disguised myself as a man to roam the world."

She looked up at Lu Xiao, her eyes flashing with scrutiny and arrogance: "You are the Master who summoned me? You seem quite powerful. From now on, I will fight alongside you in this Holy Grail War."

"But remember this: I am Miao Rao, not a lackey to be driven around. If you dare to insult me, even with a command seal, I will make you pay the price."

Lu Xiao frowned slightly as he looked at her arrogant demeanor.

This woman completely disregarded the newly appointed Master before her.

Lu Xiao spoke in a deep voice, activating the first command spell: "In the name of this command spell, I hereby order you, Lao Rao, to be absolutely obedient to me from this day forward, and never disobey!"

The ancient power of the contract erupted, its strong binding force locking Lao Rao's body tightly.

Lao Rao's expression changed drastically. Her originally arrogant gaze was replaced by a sense of powerlessness. The arrogance in her bones was forced to dissipate by most of it, and a sense of submission from the depths of her soul surged into her heart.

She gritted her teeth and struggled unwillingly for a moment, but in the end she could not resist the force of the Command Seal, and her proud head slowly lowered.

"...Yes, Master."

"This is what a Servant should look like," Lu Xiao said with a smile, lifting Lao Rao's chin.

Rin Tohsaka, standing to the side, was shocked. She hadn't expected Lu Xiao to act so decisively, using the first Command Seal immediately after the contract was formed.

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