~~~

“Xiao Fang of the True Xiao Sect vs. Qing Jin of the Eternal Flame Clan.”

Liu Jin and Xiao Fang stand mere yards away from each other. The air is charged with their Qi, yet the ring is completely silent. Everything is in a state of perfect stillness. However, it’s a different story outside the ring. There, the people cheer and shout without pause.

“Obviously, Emperor Qing Jin will win!” says someone in the audience.

“Do not underestimate the Young Master of the Xiao Sect! Did you not see his battle? It was far more impressive than Emperor Qing Jin’s match!”

“Only because of how decisive Emperor Qing Jin’s victory was! Unlike this Xiao Fang, Emperor Qing Jin has yet to reveal his true power!”

“You are all not thinking properly,” someone a few seats to their left chastises them. “Don’t you know they are brothers-in-law? It is obvious this will not be a serious fight!”

“That’s right! That’s right! The Young Master must step down to show his respect for his brother-in-law and the Eternal Flame Clan! At best, they will exchange a few moves, but there is no point in them fighting seriously!”

[Void Fist]

The attack strikes the spot Liu Jin is standing on with merciless force, silencing those who thought this would not be a real fight. Having revealed his cultivation during the first round, Xiao Fang sees no reason to disguise it again. The entire stadium can feel his full might as a cultivator in the Seventh Level of the Earth Realm.

When Xiao Fang’s attack fades, the young Emperor is no longer there. Xiao Fang’s eyes search the ring for Liu Jin, but they do not see him. His senses try their hardest to locate him, but they cannot find him.

However, his mind still knows Liu Jin is in the ring with him, and that is all he needs.

[Void Territory]

The area within ten feet of Xiao Fang shimmers as his Qi rises. Cracks appear in the ring under him, and the air becomes distorted. A constant noise accompanies the technique.

Liu Jin steps back.

“That is new,” Liu Jin says. His voice is soft. Interested yet unimpressed. An outsider would probably find him dismissive, but Xiao Fang knows better. Those red eyes are carefully studying his barrier technique, trying to pick it apart and find any weaknesses.

“It is hardly worth noting,” Xiao Fang says. “You can call it a weaker variant of [All Consuming Heavenly Void] made with defense in mind. The power and range are sacrificed to make it easier to maintain for prolonged periods of time.”

“You came up with it to counter Art of the Roaming Thief,” Liu Jin deduces. He is right, of course. “Not many would have figured out a counter in such a short amount of time.”

“I have been thinking about it for years.”

Liu Jin stares at him.

“Since the spar?” Liu Jin asks with equal parts disbelief and exasperation. “We were children!”

“I was, perhaps, somewhat unnerved when I saw how proficient you had grown with that little trick,” Xiao Fan continues, savoring Liu Jin’s reaction. “However, you cannot make me forget you exist. As long as I know you are in the ring with me, it does not matter if I cannot see or sense you. Until I am declared the winner, I have no reason to stop using [Void Territory]!”

~~~

"Xiao Shuang's brother is not bad at all," Meng Yue comments, leaning forward with interest. "Of course, it is a different story if the Emperor can go beyond the Fifth Step."

"It is an acceptable temporary measure," Bai Lianshi says. "However, it falls short of being a true solution. He has put himself in a situation where he must constantly use that technique. That means he's guaranteed to lose any endurance contest. He'd have better luck if he could fully command his Upper Dantian."

Meng Yue laughs. "Sister, that's too harsh!"

~~~

"...I am reluctantly impressed," Liu Jin says. "I never once expected you to put so much thought into anything."

Xiao Fang's eyebrow twitches.

"You have become quite skilled at insulting others."

"That is not the only thing I have become skilled at," Liu Jin says as arcs of gold lightning appear around him, crackling in the air and leaving burn marks on the ring. "If you think stealth is my only tool, you will be greatly disappointed."

[Lightning Spear]

Liu Jin grabs the golden lightning and throws it at Xiao Fang. The heir of the Xiao Sect strengthens his [Void Territory] as the lightning sails through the air and strikes his barrier.

It passes right through.

Shock colors Xiao Fang's face as the lightning strikes him in the chest, sending shocks throughout his body. Dozens of lights fill Xiao Fang's vision as even more lightning spears accelerate toward him. A burst of [Ground Contraction] carries him out of the way without dropping [Void Territory]. His senses try their best not to lose track of Liu Jin.

He finds him several meters above him, holding a massive lightning bolt.

He hurls it down at Xiao Fang.

[Lightning Spear]

[Void Fist]

The Xiao Sect's signature technique manifests and distorts the lightning's path, making it veer away from Xiao Fang. The ring explodes as the lightning strikes. Dust and debris are scattered inside the barrier, but a burst of Xiao Fang's aura blows it away. The young man glares at Liu Jin, whose body still crackles with lightning.

"You are looking down on me," Xiao Fang says.

"I almost want to ask how you arrived at that conclusion, but I suppose I should not be surprised," Liu Jin says. "You have always been terribly self-centered."

Xiao Fang spits to the side.

"First of all, you have only used gold lightning," Xiao Fang says. "The tales of the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire using purple lightning have traveled far. Second, you only threw one lightning spear for your first attack."

Xiao Fang is still not sure of the logic behind it, but it is undeniable that Liu Jin's [Lightning Spear] penetrated his [Void Territory]. Xiao Fang was so unprepared for it that he failed to dodge it. Had Liu Jin thrown several spears instead of just one, the damage would have been more extensive. Instead, Liu Jin wasted the element of surprise on a warning strike.

"Had I thrown more, you would have been more cautious," Liu Jin says.

"Third," Xiao Fang says, knowing better than to listen to Liu Jin's excuses. "You have yet to reveal your cultivation."

"This is a tournament," Liu Jin says flatly. "Do you really expect me to reveal everything I can do to satisfy your ego?"

Xiao Fang laughs.

"Do you hear yourself? You speak of my ego while being completely confident in your victory," Xiao Fang says. "You actually believe you can fight me while holding back something so important! That is how I know you are looking down on me!"

[Void Fist]

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

By the time the technique materializes, Liu Jin is already moving. Someone as familiar with the Xiao Sect as he is can immediately recognize the moment Xiao Fang's Qi starts forming the technique. If [Void Fist] has any weakness, it is precisely that. The technique gives far too much forewarning.

[Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist]

Xiao Fang compensates by creating several Void Fists at once, leaving Liu Jin no choice but to keep moving. His body leaves behind a trail of lightning. Xiao Fang is clearly trying to lead him somewhere, but Liu Jin cannot do much about it without taking unnecessary damage.

Suddenly, the air changes. Liu Jin's instincts, previously silent, tell him to move.

He steps on sand.

Liu Jin's feet immediately sink into it. He tries to free himself, but something is off. His aura cannot push the sand away. His Qi does not react as it should.

Xiao Fang is above him.

[Roaring Void]

Something explodes, and a wave of pure force slams Liu Jin into the sand. The more analytical part of Liu Jin’s mind notes that the technique is different from [Void Fist] or [All-Consuming Heavenly Void]. It does not use the distortion to do direct damage. Instead, the distortion creates a wave of focused force and launches it at a target.

The rest of him feels pain.

[Roaring Void]

Liu Jin bites back a scream as the second strike hits. A snake construct manifests around him to take the brunt of the blow. Thunder roars as his Qi rises.

Purple flashes.

~~~

"Impressive," a Branch Master of the Xiao Sect says. "The Young Master is certainly creative."

"You praise him too much," says an Elder. "It is his lack of ability that forced him to create those techniques."

"Creativity is inspired by our limitations, is it not? Regardless of their origin, he has gained an advantage over the Emperor because of those techniques."

Someone else laughs.

"Advantage? Look again," he says as the stadium begins shaking and purple light shines so brightly that people are forced to cover their eyes. Even those in the Imperial Cloud City can feel the earth rumbling under Emperor Qing Jin's power.

Earth Realm, Level Nine.

"He merely awakened the Dragon."

~~~

Lightning rages and turns the sand into glass, freeing Liu Jin from its grasp. Others would have been dismayed by the difference in cultivation level, but Xiao Fang seems to revel in it, smirking triumphantly as he and Liu Jin face each other once more.

"Took you long enough," he says. "This wouldn't be satisfying if you weren't showing me your best."

Liu Jin raises an eyebrow. "You make it sound like you could have defeated me at any moment."

"Then you have good ears," Xiao Fang says as his aura gradually turns everything around him into sand.

The skill is something Liu Jin already saw during Xiao Fang's fight with Ruan Dafeng. However, being this close to it confirms his suspicions. The power Xiao Fang is using to accomplish the feat cannot be classified as a mere technique.

It is an Inheritance.

"I see your travels were fruitful," Liu Jin says.

Xiao Fang throws his head back and laughs. He waves his hand casually, as if telling Liu Jin to stop talking. As he does, the sand rises like water, splashing almost playfully towards Liu Jin.

Each particle of sand hits like a meteor.

It is only because Liu Jin’s aura immediately hardens and takes the shape of a snake’s head that he doesn’t suffer any damage.

“Fruitful?!” Xiao Fang roars, his laughter replaced by rage. “Fruitful?!!!”

[Ground Contraction] accelerates Xiao Fang’s body. His [Void Territory] crashes into the construct surrounding Liu Jin. Despite Liu Jin’s higher cultivation, it is his construct that begins to falter. Something about Xiao Fang’s Qi is making his own become unstable. Fragmented.

Like sand slipping between his fingers.

“You dare say that to me!” Xiao Fang yells. A furious [Void Fist] erupts inside Liu Jin’s construct, forcing him back several paces. Xiao Fang advances. “You have no idea what I went through!”

[Roaring Void]

"I was fighting for my life!" Xiao Fang shouts as his technique rips through the air and blasts Liu Jin against the barrier. "I traveled through wastelands and could only eat that which tried to kill me! Every time I closed my eyes, I wondered whether it'd be the last time I did so! Don't you dare call it fruitful!"

Xiao Fang rides on a wave of sand as a pit opens up under Liu Jin. Lightning sparks purple, and much of the sand turns to glass. A lightning construct shaped like a snake rises from the pit and rushes at Xiao Fang.

[Void Fist]

Multiple Void Fists explode and destabilize the construct.

A second lightning snake rams into Xiao Fang from behind.

"As always, you're far too arrogant," Liu Jin says, his body inside the head of the construct. The lightning snake wraps around Xiao Fang's [Void Territory] and drags it across the ring. "You speak of things that are common for many as though you should be praised for them."

"Of all people, you have no right to say that!" Xiao Fang shouts. His [Void Territory] explodes, pushing back Liu Jin's construct. The sand rises and tries to wrap around the lightning snake. Most immediately turns to glass, but some manages to rob the construct of its strength. "You have been enjoying the resources of the Eternal Flame Clan all this time!"

Liu Jin disappears from view. Multiple lightning snakes slither across the sand, leaping at Xiao Fang one after another. The heir of the Xiao Sect immediately raises his [Void Territory] once more.

"Will you really say you had nothing? You, who had a direct link to the Divine Frozen Palace, the tutelage of an esteemed Elder of the Xiao Sect, the aid of the Branch Masters who sided with you, and the fortune to locate an Inheritance?" Liu Jin asks, his every word painting Xiao Fang's face red.

[All-Consuming Heavenly Void]

"I rose from Desolation!" Xiao Fang roars as his attack expands to cover the entire ring, leaving Liu Jin with nowhere to run. Liu Jin grits his teeth as he pours more Qi into his aura to protect himself as Xiao Fang burns through his own reserves to keep the technique going for as long as possible. "Don't you dare undervalue my efforts!"

Lightning strikes.

Purple light tears through the void and shocks Xiao Fang, stunning him long enough to make his technique fizzle out.

"Your tongue has always been sharp, but you are quick to resort to shouting loudly the moment it fails!" Liu Jin shouts as he throws gold lightning at Xiao Fang's chest. The bolts land one after another. "Desolation? Say that after you have gone to the Dead Plains!"

"Weak!" Xiao Fang shouts as sand rises to block the lightning. It turns to glass right away but still prevents him from taking more damage. "Will you now say that my family trying to kill me is not so bad because yours tried to kill you too? You have always been too damn soft! Do you really think attacking my foundation is enough?!"

The look on Liu Jin's face cools as Xiao Fang's Qi keeps rising. To the audience, their argument might have bordered on childish, but there had been a method to it. There is a reason why Xiao Fang can fight him despite the difference in cultivation. It is not just because of Xiao Fang's Inheritance. It is what he is using alongside it that makes this more a mere clash of powers.

Xiao Fang's Dao.

"You aren't even going to try to deny it?" Xiao Fang asks when Liu Jin stays silent. "So be it!"

Sand leaps to Xiao Fang's hand and takes the shape of a saber. It is a simple, unassuming weapon without any adornments.

One wave of it makes the arena tremble.

Even Liu Jin's aura flickers for a moment before he quickly brings it back under control. There is no doubt in his mind now. Xiao Fang's Inheritance erodes. He turns what he is in contact with into sand, and the sand spreads the effect further. However, that does not explain what has been happening to Liu Jin's Qi.

That is the effect of Xiao Fang's Dao.

Desolation or something close enough to it. Xiao Fang, who was stripped of all that gave him power, simply subjects his foe to the same fate. Using the sand's erosion as a conduit for his Dao, Xiao Fang deprives his opponents of their very Qi, making it weaker and harder to control. To counter it, Liu Jin should have called on his own Dao a long time ago, but he hadn't.

Instead, Liu Jin had attacked Xiao Fang’s concept of himself through words.

“When you fight my sister, is this all you intend to do?” Xiao Fang shouts. “Do you think words will settle things? If you are not willing to bare your soul, there’s no point in you being here!”

Xiao Fang waves the sand saber once more.

The barrier disappears.

It is only an instant as the Crimson Cloud quickly reasserts itself, but in that moment, many in the audience and the city below faint. The poorer buildings in the city crack and threaten to fall. Xiao Fang must have focused all his Dao into that blade.

And so, Liu Jin must answer.

"Brace yourself," Liu Jin says as his Qi soars to its utmost, shaping itself into an enormous snake with nine heads. Liu Jin stands inside the center head, looking down at Xiao Fang.

For the first time, Xiao Fang senses something deadly in his friend's Qi.

"Those are my words!" Xiao Fang roars as he focuses all that he is in the blade in his hand.

[The Desert King’s Wake Leaves Desolation]

[White Venom Fist - Nine Branches]

The sand rises.

The snakes' fangs flash.

The whole stadium trembles at their clash. Some people fear the structure is about to break, but that which is made by the Crimson Cloud is not so frail. When the trembling stops, Liu Jin is left with a bleeding arm. The cut is deep, almost to the bone. Had his technique been any weaker, he could have lost the limb.

However, he is still standing.

“You…stupid…buthead…” Xiao Fang says. He tries to get up, but his body will not listen to him. "You didn't use it."

To the very end, Liu Jin refused to use his Dao. Xiao Fang's body can no longer move, but it is not because of the power of Liu Jin's attack. The moment their powers met, Xiao Fang's Inheritance and Dao nullified the brunt of Liu Jin's technique.

In doing so, Xiao Fang released all the poison Liu Jin had built up inside the construct.

"Do not misunderstand," Liu Jin says, holding his bleeding arm. "If I use it, it cannot be taken back. It is not something I can wield freely… especially against a friend."

Xiao Fang closes his eyes. “Heh…too damn… soft…”

"The Winner! Emperor Qing Jin of the Eternal Flame Clan!"

~~~