"Focus better on your other research, not my uniqueness. And don't forget to train little Ding—did I help her break to High Tier and awaken poison element for nothing? In future, wouldn't mind your help on a couple questions." I wearily rubbed my nose bridge. Oh, that predatory Gu Daiyu gaze. Gets to me sometimes.
"How's she little to you? Same age!" Master raised an eyebrow.
"I'm stronger, so I decide what to call her." I smiled provocatively, deliberately acting cocky. Time to head back to my girls anyway. Nice to loosen up with a worthy opponent before leaving.
"Ooo, so if I prove stronger, I can call you whatever I want too?" Girl cracked her neck, rising from the lounger. Looks like this cozy beach vibe is about to get wrecked.
"Heh, don't forget how I beat you at our first meeting! Can repeat!" I jumped up from the lounger, wiggling toes in the fine warm sand underfoot. Shame to destroy this place; I'd grown attached.
"Such a cocky student! Thinks he surpassed his master just 'cause she was in horrible internal poisoning during first fight. Now I'll show you the true power of poison element!" Grinning predatorily, Gu Daiyu transformed, taking a Hulk-woman form.
Heh, not using High Tier spells to crush me with magic power—just wants to smash my face in close combat. Fine by me! Third step High Tier poison "Poison Armor" enveloped me too, bulking my build and growing me over two and a half meters. Unlike Gu Daiyu's green, mine was purple—meaning my toxins were far deadlier to my body than hers. With my Mid Grand Commander physique, I handle way more fallout from this strength boost than her Low Pack Leader build.
Let me push power way beyond normal spell limits, hitting near-peak Grand Commander! Factoring her unpracticed High Tier casting, I was confident I'd at least hold long, maybe win! Unless she pulls special lethal poisons for guys like me... But just sparring... right?
Fifteen minutes later, master and I faced off, both panting hard. I used only physical strength and "Poison Armor"; she, realizing she lagged in raw power, added other poison tricks, then other elements. Good she skipped truly deadly poisons. Didn't want deathmatch.
"Stoooop! What are you doing here?! Acting like little kids! Mu Bai, fine, teacher's not all there! But why'd you join in?!" Grabbing her hair, yelling skyward, Ding Yumian ran up from battle noise. Still in bikini, by the way.
Our surroundings screamed hotter than words: battle rivaled two first-step High Tier mages, despite no such magic used. Shows what monsters we are. Heh, won't praise yourself, no one will. But fact: this beach chunk was wrecked for good. Need new beach house elsewhere.
"Little Ding, don't forget I kidnapped you and invaded your soul without permission. What made you think I'm sane?" I gave her a weird look.
"'Cause you did it for my good! Took dangerous talent, brought me where no one fears or bullies me! Holy City doesn't even hunt me here, in the end! Orphan, no friends—nothing to lose there. You gave me a home I dreamed of but couldn't even hope for!" Girl looked at me with tearful grateful eyes.
Damn, embarrassing. I just wanted to avert canon disaster and snag valuable research subject, not build little Ding's dream spot. Oh, this girl is dangerous! Wakes remnants of my conscience! Gotta bail before I get sappy and turn interworld Santa, gifting the needy.
"Hey, master, call it a draw for now?" Offered hand to Gu Daiyu for truce; achieved goal—tested latest poison body enhancement vs worthy foe. Now, head to girls calmly; they should be back from mission.
Man, missed them. Even our Three-Step Tower three-month session, we hit slightly different times; don't know their breakthrough elements. Curious.
Me? Advanced Summoning to second step, unlocking new contract beast. With contract ring, four monsters on field at once! If all elementals as planned... dream. Then broke to High Tier in poison. Independently, no foreign cultivation in my inner world.
Left: push Healing and Light to High Tier for full set. Temporarily boosted poison to third High Tier step with external cultivation for ace up sleeve. Later, replace with mine, reaching third step myself. "Hmph, only 'cause I see you're in a rush. Scared of losing endurance battle, pupil?" Despite teasing smile and words, Gu Daiyu gripped my hand firm, deflating as she canceled "Poison Armor" transformation. Bet she wanted to stretch too against someone who won't die from stray spell.
Sigh, definitely time to head home!