As the dagger was about to hit Tian Huang's shoulder, a semi-translucent shield appeared between the dagger and the shoulder and repelled the attack. Because Ezio didn't hold back while attacking, the recoil was strong enough to hurt his forearm. To avoid the backlash Ezio jumped back swiftly and bent down.
Luckily Ezio was decisive and fast enough, otherwise, he would hurt his right arm pretty badly.
"So much of the fair duel." Ezio snickered but didn't dwell on it. He never believed Tian Huang would fight fairly anyway.
"Being rich is also a skill. So shut up and fight." Tian Huang was so mad at this point. Even after breaking through, he wasn't able to win. He was frustrated and ashamed.
"Even though he claimed it is a skill to be rich, using a defensive talisman in a fair duel is not honorable." One of the disciples at the side couldn't help but say.
"Yes, yes. What if Ezio decides to use a higher-tier attack talisman. After all, he is close to the Abbot and the star disciple of the sect. He must have a few life-saving treasures on him."
"Yea. I am wondering if Tian Huang could accept it as being rich and having skills, as well."
"Tian Family is always shameless. Since Ezio is not complaining, let's just watch."
There weren't too many factions in the sect. Tian faction being one of them, they were used to bullying the other disciples with numbers and background. There were more disciples who hated them than those close to them.
Ezio, on the other hand, was always amiable. Even with his qualities, he never acted arrogant or superior. He was friendly and tried to get along with others. His mindset was, that more friends are the merrier.
When he grew up in the sect, he was always liked by his Senior Brother and Sisters because of his looks and likable attitude. He was smart as well, helping him to converse with everybody. That is why he was more popular than Tian Huang, and since Tian Huang was using cheap moves in this already unfair fight, the onlookers were condemning Tian Huang while supporting Ezio.
The semi-translucent barrier stood erect, and there were only some cracks where it had intersected with Ezio's dagger. But it was still strong enough to repel two more similar attacks.
"Haha. Now, what will you do, little bastard?" Tian Huang laughed sinisterly. "Now I have the shield, I can attack as I wish. But you can only defend yourself." Tian Huang attacked as soon as he finished what he said, and the sharp tip of the spear was in front of his enemy. Ezio frowned and raised his hand. The dagger started to circulate the mountain wind that was passing through, and Ezio fed Mana Force to his dagger.
He was taking risks because even though it could not be seen or felt by Qi Cultivators when it was in a dormant state, as soon as it was used, those with high cultivation could feel Mana Force. Ezio was always cautious and was using minute amounts but this time he put a little bit extra in his attack.
When two attacks met, there was an explosion, and both parties scattered off in two different directions. Ezio rose to his feet and looked at the almost crumbled shield.
Tian Huang's face was uglier. He didn't expect Ezio to disperse his attack while he was protected by the shield. This meant his attack was stronger than the last one. He thought Ezio had already used his full power. 'How strong is this bastard?'
"Since you consumed all your trump cards, it is time to finish it." Tian Huang's face was vicious. He attacked without hesitation. "Sky Piercer!"
It was the new attack he was able to learn thanks to the mastery he achieved with his new Signium, the Heaven Piercing Spear. If it landed on Ezio, it would cripple him at least. It could even take his life. But Tian Huang didn't give a damn if it could kill Ezio or not. He had the backing of the Tian Faction, and he wasn't afraid of the consequences.
A golden aura surrounded Ezio's body but it was invisible to others. All of a sudden the onlookers felt a knife at the back of their necks. The danger was giving goosebumps to those watching. Ezio's brows were knit, and his eyes were sharp. He was sick of this ungrateful pest. He had always refrained from hurting him too many times in the back. But the bastard took it as a weakness and attacked stronger each time. It was time to teach him a lesson. This was one of the reasons why he accepted the fight.
Ezio vanished from where he was standing and appeared behind Tian Huang and his unleashed spell. He could break Tian Huang's shield down in his last attack, but he held back on purpose. He deliberately weakened the shield, so this attack could apply the maximum effect.
Qi Force started to circulate from his dantian and wrapped his arm. Crawled to his forearm and to the dagger from there. A wolf howl sounded in the wind and the dagger thrust into the shield. After breaking down the shield, the attack didn't slow down a bit and hit Tian Huang's shoulder. A fountain of blood erupted from the other end of the shoulder and Tian Huang flew out from the stage.
He was holding his pierced shoulder and the spear was flung in another direction. The onlookers were dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events. One second they were worried about Ezio, the next second the miracle boy had vanished and Tian Huang was on the ground, crying like a dog.
"You vile bastard!" A roar sounded from the upper levels of the mountain, and the pressure fell on Ezio's small body. He could hardly stand and was about to kneel on the ground. But his will and his pride kept him on his feet. Cracking voices were protesting his decision to stand, and begged him to kneel, but his heart was stronger and repelled these thoughts.
"Good, very good." Tian Xu appeared out of nowhere and checked Tian Huang's condition. "I always knew you were a cursed beast. Now you dare to attack to kill a fellow disciple." Tian Xu's face was ugly. He could see that Tian Huang was badly wounded. The damage could even be permanent. It would take months to heal even with the medicines.
"I will make sure you are crippled, you little bastard."
Tian Xu was about to attack Ezio, but suddenly a voice traveled from the top of the mountain and stopped him on his feet. Even the pressure Ezio felt disappeared.
"Let me see if you dare." A simple sentence. This simple sentence froze Tian Xu on his step and the ferocious atmosphere disappeared.
It was the voice of the Abbot. It was able to sober the onlookers and the worry vanished with the wind.
"Abbot, are you trying to defend this monster?" Tian Xu was persistent. "He pierced my grandson's shoulder."
"I know you were watching the fight, Tian Xu. You saw what your grandson did, how he attacked Ezio." Abbot's voice wasn't so calm at the moment. It was intensifying with each word.
"If you can't educate your grandson, I can do it in your stead!" With his last sentence, as if the mountain was shaking. It was as if the owner of the smoothing voice disappeared and a demon was talking instead.
Tian Xu felt the pressure on his body and felt as if he was under a giant knife. He didn't say anything else and vanished with Tian Huang. Before he left he looked at Ezio hatefully.
***
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