Chương 231: Yang Cheng: You are stifling your own potential for growth!

A person may possess a lot of knowledge, but in actual combat, they may not be able to apply all of it effectively.

Only through continuous practice and learning can one truly apply what one has learned, demonstrating all that one has mastered in actual combat and thus maximizing one's combat effectiveness.

However, the "Great Sage" possesses extremely strong computational abilities, allowing him to skip the learning phase and use the appropriate abilities at the right time, maximizing his physical capabilities.

Even a powerful "Great Sage" is not without its drawbacks.

Just like now, Rimuru, who was watching the battle from within his body, could clearly feel that the "Great Sage," who had previously been fighting on equal footing with Yoshinori, was now starting to fall into a disadvantageous position!

The power and speed used by the "Great Sage" have remained unchanged, always representing Rimuru's own limit.

But the previous evenly matched contest has now gradually turned into a disadvantage. There is only one possibility: Yang Cheng did not use his full strength before.

Just as Rimuru had this thought in his mind, Yang Cheng in front of him chuckled as if they were telepathically connected: "Now that you're gradually falling into a disadvantageous position, you should be wondering if I didn't use my full strength before, right?"

Unfortunately, you guessed wrong. The battle will gradually turn in my favor, not because I was holding back my strength, but because I have been constantly growing and improving in the battle.

Although I don't know what happened to you, from the very beginning, you've given me the feeling of becoming a cold, lifeless machine.

A formulaic, perfect approach can indeed maximize your abilities, but it can also stifle your potential for growth.

Fear, though instinctive, can be transformed into a catalyst for growth; belief, as willpower, enables the sword in my hand to be invincible.

"And the sword in your hand is nothing but coldness; how can it possibly rival mine!"

As Yang Cheng finished speaking, his body instantly rushed in front of Rimuru, and he struck down with both hands holding the sword!

"Raging Storm - Dividing Heaven and Earth" unleashed a powerful downward slash, as if it instantly sliced through the surrounding atmosphere.

Even though no magic power was used, and it was just a pure physical slash, the astonishing sword energy that raged was formed into a line and swept straight forward the moment Yang Cheng swung his sword down!

With this attack, Rimuru's longsword snapped in two with a "crack".

Even his body and the ground behind him showed a clear knife mark that stretched for miles.

Even the clouds in the sky were torn apart by Yang Cheng's strike, creating a clear chasm.

As a slime, Rimuru's body quickly returned to its original state the moment it was cut in half.

However, everyone present was stunned when they saw the broken knife in their hands and the destructive power of Yang Cheng's strike.

"Lord Rimuru, how could it be you! So, that huge commotion just now was caused by you?"

Before the crowd could recover from their shock, two men and a woman suddenly appeared at Freedom Academy, complaining that they had almost been killed!

The two men and one woman were none other than the three adventurers who had previously investigated the Jura Forest with Jing.

The cute blonde girl is named Ellen, and her two ordinary-looking male companions are named Kabaru and Kid.

Because these three guys have pretty bad luck and always run into all sorts of trouble, Rimuru calls them the "trouble trio".

During the Shizu incident, Rimuru met the three of them, and it was through their introduction that Rimuru came to "Freedom Group 1".

The three of them had just returned from a mission and were planning to find a tavern for a big meal to treat themselves.

Who knew that while they were walking on the roadside, disaster would suddenly strike from the sky. If it weren't for the fact that Ailian and Kidd were playing around on the road, they would have been cut up by the sword energy that suddenly fell!

The three, fuming with anger, didn't even consider the difference in combat strength between the two sides; they just wanted to go to the other side to demand compensation for emotional distress.

However, following the traces left by the sword energy on the ground, they found Freedom Academy and saw Rimuru and the others there.

"So it's Lord Rimuru. I was wondering when the Kingdom of Ingrasia produced such a powerful figure. We didn't know."

I originally wanted to ask for compensation for emotional distress, but since it's Lord Rimuru, there's nothing I can do. After all, you've saved us several times before.

"But Lord Rimuru, please be careful. This is the Kingdom of Ingrasia, not the Jura Forest. It wouldn't be good if you hurt any passersby."

Before Rimuru could even explain himself in the face of the trio's accusations, Yang Cheng stepped forward and said, "I'm really sorry, I just got a little carried away."

However, at the moment I swung the knife, my senses were not on the path of the attack, and I did not detect any other life forms.

However, it was indeed my fault for frightening the group, and it is only right that I make amends.

Chijia, pay these friends the compensation they deserve for their emotional distress.

Upon hearing Yang Cheng's order, Chi Jia walked up to the trio and took out a large bag of gold coins from the "Hall of the Dead," giving them to Ai Lian and the other two.

"We are deeply sorry for the panic we caused you. This is Lord Yangcheng's compensation to you."

At first, the three of them, Ai-Lian, tried to refuse, saying that since they were Rimuru's friends, they were naturally their friends as well.

But when Kidd curiously glanced at the bag and discovered it was full of gold coins, he was completely dumbfounded.

This guy is a total tycoon! They work themselves to the bone doing missions, and the rewards they get aren't even a fraction of what he earns.

"Ailian, how about we—" Before Kidd could finish speaking, he was hit on the head with a big bump by Ailian's staff, and with Kabaru and Kidd looking reluctant, he returned the gold coins to Chijia in front of him.

"Forget about compensation. You're Rimuru's friends, so naturally you're our friends too."

And since we weren't injured, we'll return the money to you.

Seeing the girl's tactful refusal, Chijia's goodwill towards the three of them increased, and she turned to look at Yangcheng standing to the side.

"Since you all consider me a friend, then I won't say anything more."

I had heard Rimuru say before that the three of them are excellent adventurers of noble character and trustworthiness.

So I would like to ask the three of you to escort us and these children to the "Land of the Elves." This money will serve as payment for the mission. Is that alright?

Rimuru is currently broke, but Yangcheng is not. Putting aside the magic essence he hunted back then, he made a lot of money just from selling the materials.

He is also the "Queen" of the Skywing Kingdom and the sworn brother of the King of the Beast Kingdom, so he is really not short of money.