As soon as the prince left, all of a sudden, all the color in the world was zapped away, leaving behind only black and white illustrations of the Nine Dragon Sect. This wasn't a place-exclusive effect tho, no, it affected the whole reality in which the story existed! As if the fabric of reality was reversing, the strokes in which the scene was made slowly reversed one by one.
Leaves lost their veins as the ruins lost their dark undertones. Slowly the scene reversed back to when the prince was still there, before continuing to when the prince and Han Sen were conversing, to when Han Sen fought the Sect Master before stopping at the beginning of their bout. Details returned to the black and white illustration, bringing the story and all those in it back to life.
* * *
Finally addressing the stalking feeling he had been getting since earlier, he turned towards one of the islands and narrowed his eyes. Within his heightened eyesight, he saw Han Sen sitting atop the rubble all the way over on another island. Han Sen had his eyes dead set on Lei, brimming with killing intent. If looks could kill, the Sect Master would have died long ago!!!
Even with hundreds of meters separating them, the tension created by their battle intent was palpable! Their fighting spirit rose as they grew closer and closer to the final showdown!
Martial Master Lei gripped his spear tighter as a confident smile appeared on his face, he executed his signature skill 'Demon's Stride', closing the distance between the two in an instant! His spear parted the air as in one fluid motion, he slashed at Han Sens's neck.
Han Sen reacted quickly! His left hand reached to his right before drawing a pitch-black saber out of thin air. Blocking the spear with his saber, Han Sen stood rooted allowing the force he received to pass through his body, then defused through his legs into the earth below.
Sect master Lei was unphased as he delivered a barrage of attacks, each being more ferocious than the last. Unfortunately, though, none of the attacks managed to do harm as they were all blocked by Han Sen.
'He not only blocked the attacks, but he dispersed the forces carried by them as well... Impressive.' Sect Master Lei knew that he was physically superior to Han Sen but was unable to breakthrough his swordplay. 'His talent with saber is quite exceptional… he might even be considered a genius within the Olden Empire.'
Even though they were at odds, Sect Master Lei couldn't help but silently compliment his opponent. He knew without the use of his martial techniques; he would be dragged into a never-ending battle, and so he decided.
Sect Master Lei slammed his spear against the black saber before jumping back and circling Han Sen, spinning his spear as he did. His spear picked up momentum, causing a steamy white aura to surge from the tip of the blade. Han Sen had slight difficulty following the Sect Master's movements, but it wasn't enough to make it a disadvantage.
'It's obvious he's physically superior to me but that won't matter much if his attacks don't land, the only thing of concern is that troublesome movement technique he had used earlier and other, potentially dangerous, martial techniques he has yet to use.'
Once enough momentum had gathered on the spear, Sect Master Lei slashed at Han Sen with ferocity, his spear tip leaving behind a steamy white haze. Han Sen Sensed the danger coming from the spear prompting him to execute his saber technique. The saber emitted a faintly black aura and shadowy afterimages were left in its wake.
*BOOM*
With the collision of the spear and saber, sparks flew and a shockwave surged, hinting at the intensity of their attacks. Not a moment later, the afterimages left by the saber surged back into the blade, making the attack that much deadlier.
Everything happened so fast! The Sect Master was pushed back three steps as the crimson spear vibrated heavily due to the collision, so much so that he had to squeeze it tight afraid it might free itself from his grip: his hands slowly getting numb.
Han Sen on the other hand had a long; bloody; diagonal wound that spanned from his shoulder to his waist. His face was withered in pain as he clenched his jaws and swallowed the pain.
Thankfully, that only lasted for a moment before black, sand-like matter rose from his wound. Once the phenomenon faded away, so had the wound, leaving behind perfectly healthy skin.
'Interesting…' thought the Sect Master, this battle was starting to get a whole lot more entertaining. Bending his knees and reading his spear, whisps of air flowed around him.
Demon's Stride!
Like a bolt of lightning, he appeared in front of Han Sen, attacking with an upward slash simultaneously. Somehow Han Sen managed to block the attack but was sent flying through the air. 'If I hadn't blocked instinctively, he would have sliced me into two!'
Forcefully dissipating the force, torrents of wind blew past him causing his hair and robes to flutter. At that moment, Han Sen looked like a bonafide Wuxia character. His stance coupled with the way his robe and hair flailed about made it seem like he was about to go against the heavens.
He surveyed the area with heightened alertness but was left on edge as the Sect Master was nowhere to be found. Suddenly his instincts screamed at him prompting him to dodge to the side. A spear brushed past his cheeks, reinforcing the accuracy of his instincts. Sect Master Lei immediately countered with another attack, prompting Han Sen to execute his movement technique, causing his body to become phantom-like. His speed increased many folds as his body phased in and out of reality, making him seem ethereal.
'To think he's able to execute the Moon Light Dance to such an extent, it's almost as fast as my Demon's Stride now. This guy's an absolute monster! …'
Han Sen easily dodged all the attacks the Sect Master sent his way, only receiving small nicks here and there. But even those were gone as they were healed by the black sand-like matter in a few seconds.
'This should be enough…' Han Sen thought, as he got into an attacking stance with his eyes closed and his saber to the side; his right foot pushed forward and his knees were bent. Sect Master Lei felt danger for the first time, the hairs on his body standing on their ends as he saw Han Sen getting into his stance. He jumped back creating some distance between them.
'I must disrupt the attack!' he thought as he held his spear like a javelin. He reached his arm as far back as he could before concentrating his power on his arm.
*SWOOSH!*
Like a bullet from a rifle, the spear was sent bolting towards Hen Sen. Sensing the spear, Han Sen swung his saber at unimaginable speeds.
*BOOM!*
The spear and the saber clashed creating a shockwave that further destroyed the surroundings. The spear was pushed into the air by Han Sen but before he could refocus on the Sect Master, the spear spun in an unusual manner before shooting back at him.
'A sentient weapon?'
Han Sen blocked the attack before sneaking a glance at the Sect Master who could be seen moving his hand in a multitude of ways, indicating he was the one controlling the spear.
'If that's the case there should be a qi link…'
Focusing his qi in his eyes, Han Sen saw that the spear was glowing with a red aura but there was no link between it and its master. Having been disproven, Han Sen clicked his tongue before deciding,
'Fuck it, I should just focus my attacks on that bastard.'
Pushing the spear back one last time, Han Sen got into his previous attacking position. Energy swirled around him as his saber started beaming with a menacing light.
SABER FLASH!
Han Sen disappeared from his spot reappearing behind the Sect Master. A torrent of wind, blew in his direction revealing the Sect Master with an ashen face! He unwantedly looked at his right arm only to find in its place nothing but blood. Veins started appearing around his body, halting the blood loss whilst making him look sinister. His teeth could be heard straining from the force of his grimace!
'I'LL KILL YOU!'