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--- Chapter 53 ---
As two fiery attacks clashed violently, rapid combustion occurred in the arena and caused an explosion.
Fen Juechen breathed and stepped to Yun Che.
BAM!
He launched a powerful uppercut and knocked Yun Che's greatsword, pushing him several meters away.
Yun Che frowned a little because Fen Juechen doesn't use Burning Heaven Clan's techniques. He seemed to mirror Hayate's martial arts with some fire manipulation twist.
Even though it was an imitation, Fen Juechen's movements are fluid and stable without unnecessary delay.
Clank!
Fen Juecheng's punch reached his greatsword again and blasted him with an enormous force, creating a ripple of flame.
The arena filled with intense heat and burned the snowy air temperature, causing the place to become warm.
Yun Che quickly dodged an incoming kick by tilting his head to the right. He parried Fen Juechen's attack skillfully, reading the incoming attack.
Clank!
The ground sparked because of their attacks.
Fen Juechen is like an embodiment of a fire warrior, attacking relentlessly with his body.
He doesn't even bother to change his movement because Hayate taught him how to increase his pace.
'Yeah, like this.' Fen Juechen's foot raised off the ground and kicked Yun Che's leg.
Bam!
Yun Che felt a twitch in his muscle and drew his greatsword around heavily.
"Hmm?" He secured a distance between him and Fen Juechen.
He couldn't grasp what happened, but Fen Juechen suddenly became faster. His barrage of attacks doesn't change, but one kick was able to pass through.
It's like a school of fish, and one fish decided to jump out of the water, which seemed to be a blunder in Yun Che's observation.
'No, It can't be a mistake.' Yun Che thought solemnly.
Fen Juechen approached him again. He started with the same attack pattern, launching three punches and five kicks in a row.
'The next is a low kick, eh?' Yun Che watched a punch land on his chest.
BAM!
Cough!
Yun Che choked on air, and Fen Juechen took a chance to launch a low kick onto his knees.
BAM!
He kneeled onto the floor and whispered, "Y-You changed your pattern."
"Obviously." Fen Juechen replied indifferently.
"There is no way I attacked you with the same pattern as before."
He kicked Yun Che's chin and added, "Do you think I'm an idiot with no vast area of technique?"
"How arrogant of you, Yun Che."
Yun Che was blown away by Fen Juechen's kick, and his vision was blurry.
As Yun Che couldn't see clearly with a sign of fainting, Ling Wuguo slowly raised his hand, expecting him to lose in this match.
However, what Yun Che did next surprised everyone.
"He... bit his tongue?" Ling Wuguo stared in awe.
Yun Che's lips were painted with fresh blood and stimulated his mind to keep awake. He couldn't lose here, not to Fen Juechen.
"I'll win and defeat Hayate." He ran to Fen Juechen with flames surrounding his body.
The greatsword abruptly was covered with burning red flame and flew to Yun Che's grasp.
"Burning Heaven's Tiger Slash." He yelled while swinging his sword forward.
An enormous tiger made of flame manifested, rumbling to Fen Juechen with explosive momentum.
Fen Juechen inhaled air into his lungs and calmly examined the incoming flame tiger.
They are at Spirit Profound Realm.
He's at 9th Spirit Profound Realm. There are six levels different from Yun Che in the minor realm.
Regardless, Yun Che's attack is even stronger than something that a middle Spirit Profound Realm cultivator usually could unleash.
Fen Juechen pulled his entire right arm and immediately smashed the air, creating a strange white flame spark.
The spark grew into a flame, expanding into an enormous fire wave with a flower shape.
"White Rose." He used half of his profound energy.
Yun Che's flame tiger clashed with the white rose and slowly was swallowed by a higher temperature flame.
BOOM!
The white rose burst into white smoke, filling the arena with scorching steam.
Yun Che appeared from the smoke and slashed his greatsword across Fen Juechen's head.
BAM! Clank!
Fen Juechen hit the greatsword's flat surface and felt something strange. His profound energy faintly was absorbed by the metal.
"BURNING HEAVEN'S ERUPTION." Yun Che's eyes radiated with yellow flame.
Fen Juechen's eyes widened because his last attack's energy was absorbed by Yun Che and returned to him.
BOOM!
A burst of energy swept over Fen Juechen's body, launching him to the corner.
Cough!
"That attack injures my internal organs." Fen Juechen gasped and felt his knees shivering because of pain.
He remained still for a second and skillfully circulated his profound energy, easing his pain a little.
"That greatsword..." He didn't anticipate Yun Che to have a weapon to absorb profound energy.
As only a few metals possess compatibility with profound energy, It's rare for a weapon to absorb energy.
Yun Che used Burning Heaven Clan's medicine sales to get his hand on this specific metal. A small piece of the rare meteorite to upgrade his Overlord's Colossal Sword.
After begging for months, Yun Che was somehow able to upgrade Overlord's Colossal Sword with a petty blacksmith's help near Burning Heaven Clan.
Overlord's Colossal Sword is now a half-step sky profound weapon.
Yun Che was also able to awaken spiritual consciousness within the sword, acquiring a powerful skill he saved for people like Hayate.
Fen Juechen released an intense heat once more. He looked at Yun Che warily and thanked Hayate for helping him train a few months ago.
Without Hayate's help, he might have lost from Yun Che's last attack. He realized his refined body endured more damage efficiently than before.
He smiled inside and whispered, "100 sit-ups, push-ups, and squats followed by a 6.2-mile run."
"After that, you can double or triple the amount every time your body can overcome the limit."
"Thank you, Hayate." He added while entering a stance.
Yun Che waved his greatsword and prepared an attack for Fen Juechen.
"Burning Heart Art." A flame ignited in Yun Che's heart, boosting his cultivation realm by several levels for a short time.
Fen Juechen stepped forward and clenched his fist, feeling excited inside. An ultimate attack he could unleash right now would put his body in misery.
However, he doesn't care.
He only wanted to win against Yun Che and proceed to the next match.
Fen Juechen would prove to the Burning Heaven Clan that he could grow stronger without them. He has someone to chase for, the one who inspired him to become who he's right now.
"Fire Formation: Flash Fist." Fen Juechen's right hand shone with golden light.
He lunged forward while looking at Yun Che.
Yun Che accepted Fen Juechen's challenge and jumped at him while waving his greatsword.
"Hundred-Tile True Punch." Fen Juechen's fist broke through the hot air.
"Overlord's Fire Slash." Yun Che's greatsword clashed with Fen Juechen's attack.
BOOM!
SWOOSH!
The entire arena quickly was covered by a burning flame. Ling Wuguo raised his eyes and watched two shadows flying out of the bound.
"He lost," Hayate commented while opening his eyes. "It's unfortunate, but he needs to increase his training."
The arena was cleared, revealing standing Fen Juechen with burn marks all over his body. His hair was scorched in the fight, leaving some bald spots.
Fen Juechen raised his head to Hayate and smiled faintly, falling to the ground. "Sorry, I'll become stronger next time." He whispered while closing his eyes.
Yun Che breathed heavily on another side of the stage. He held Overlord's Colossal Sword firmly to prevent himself from kneeling on the ground.
"Huu... Huu..." He glanced at the fainted Fen Juechen.
"I win."
"I win!" Yun Che also fainted.
Ling Wuguo shook his head and declared, "Yun Che is the winner!"
However, none seemed to be happy with his declaration.
At the Burning Heaven Clan's side, Fen Juecheng stared at his younger brother with a speechless look.
"H-How?" He mumbled in disbelief.
He couldn't let Fen Juechen grow more than this. He decided in his heart and commanded, "S-Sent someone to poison Juechen later."
A needle suddenly flew past the arena and stabbed Fen Juecheng's seat.
Fen Juecheng jumped in fear and saw Hayate staring at him like a predator on the weak prey.
"Don't even think about it," Hayate commented indifferently.
"He's my friend."