"Your friend is a little mental isn't he?" Gu Bei questioned as he observed the fighters who were readying themselves for round two.
Gu Bei had met the Nei Li and Lu Piao as they were making their way to the arena, and they had immediately hit it off. Especially with Lu Piao, who was just as perverted as the swordsman from the Gu family.
"I wouldn't say mental. But he has always been rash at making decisions." Lu piao commented as he watched his friend climb out of the pit with charred clothes. He turned to Nei Li.
"Do you think what she said was right?"
"Yes" Nei Li replied with certainty. Resources were just as important as talent, and he was living proof of it. How else would he, as someone with earth grade spirit roots in his past life come even close to someone like sage emperor. He had the cultivation manuals, ate countless elixirs and herbs scavenged from everywhere, treasures and instructors. But being right didn't mean Nei Li acknowledged Long Yuyin.
"But don't worry about that and just leave it to me" Nei Li assured Lu Piao. "Trust me, as long as you follow me, You won't have to worry about resources in the future_"
His words of reassurance were cut short as a violent wave of soul force engulfed the area.
'Battle intent!'
Nei Li instantly recognised the force. There was no mistaking it. There were many types of intents that could be cultivated. Sword, spear, killing each type of intent cultivated along side soul force can bring massive advantages in battle or otherwise. Especially battle intent, which increased strength, speed, stamina, morale, tenacity, fear of the opponents and will of soldiers and warriors alike. However what suprised Nei Li was the intensity of the battle intent. The battle intent carried by Hong was enough to match the battle intent of a small army. Nei Li felt his own heart beating in response to the violent soul force and quickly calmed down, chanting profound phrases he had gleamed off scolarly records. As he managed to calm his body, he couldn't help but look at the fighter with a different eye.
Hong didn't wait for any reply, instead charged straight ahead, using soul force as a substitute energy for his martial arts. Fire like soul force burned from below his ankles as he used movement arts to keep up with the rapid speed of his opponent.
'Revised Heavenly demon style- demon steps'
Though the speed was nowhere near the original and the power was lacking in many departments, Hong was able to keep up with the rapid speed of the feather dragon demon spirit.
Duck, sweep, high kick, block
Hong danced as he dodged the continuous whip like kicks of Long Yu Yin, while counter attacking with minimal force. He side stepped again as her heel crashed and smashed the arena. Hong wanted to drag the fight as long as he could.
Whoosh
He ducked under another kick before punching her in the stomach. Long Yu Yin jumped back, creating distance and swung her tail, releasing a barrage of flaming feathers.
'Burning feather darts'
'Revised-Demon claws'
Hong was not fazed. He grabbed the feathers with practiced ease before throwing them back as if he was using his hidden blades. And while Long Yuyin was busy blocking the makeshift knives, Hong closed the distance once more.
'Revised heavenly demon style- four armed ashura'
A mirage of a four armed demon formed as Hong began throwing punches at the woman in defence. She did not stay idle either. Under the nonstop barrage of blows, she began to use her own fists, abandoning her usual fighting style.
'Boom boom boom boom....'
Shockwaves rocked the arena as punches faster than the speed of sound flew around, Hong using his martial art to deliver twice the punches at a time while Long Yuyin used her abnormal physical strength to deliver blows to match Hong.
'Dragon fire exploding claw'
Boom
A fiery explosion threw Hong away from the ground in a beautiful parabola, once again burning off the remaining upper garment and leaving his trousers in tatters. But he was not fazed.
While long Yuyin tried to catch her breath, Hong flipped mid air, kicking off of heaven and earth energy as if it was a tangible substance. This was his punishment for not practicing martial arts and doing everything else. If it was the past him, he would've already wiped the floor with such an amature fighter.
'This is a tribute for you my student, when you hear this, make sure to find me'
Lightning cracked as it surrounded Hong's body as he began to use a familiar technique, which both Nei Li and Lu Piao recognised from the tell tale signs of the memorable technique they had seen during the demon beast invasion.
'Nine Yin Lightning art- speed edge+ Thunderclap palm=falling thunder'
'Dragons breath!'
Bang!
Sound of loud thunder and explosion rocked the arena, the shockwaves of the palm attack causing the ground beneath Long Yuyun to shatter to dust and dispersing Long Yuyin's fiery attack into nothing. Long Yu Yin herself stood shakily, the attack had missed her by an inch. But the remaining pressure had dealt enough power to force her out of the fused state.
"Aah.. crud, I used too much force. I shouldn't have done that. Now who am I going to play with?"
She heard the person who fought her speak as she slowly walked to the edge of the arena. She had lost, but the words of disrespect her opponent spoke of made her whip her head back in fury.
" aah.. wait I didn't mean it in a bad way..I just needed a training partner because I've gotten rusty.."
She turned around in fury before walking away limply. Once she left the sight of the rabble, her protectors quickly arrived to support her, but she dismissed them. Her eyes were bright with determination and hate.
'This humiliation will not go unavenged. Mark my words'