"One, two… one, two…"
Under the glorious rays of the morning sun, announcing the beginning of a beautiful day, Kui Lang and the stiffs were fighting a bitter battle with their own bodies, trudging through the flat and open road with every toiling step.
Zhuo Fan and the fiends were on a scenic tour, a sharp contrast to the tortured souls behind them.
The only difference this morning brought was they got company. Mystical Heaven Sect was dragging itself a hundred meters off like some butt beetles.
What should've been a smooth flight, free and refreshing, became a slow and boring pace on the ground, that of the stiffs.
Xuan Shaoyu was fuming, "If anyone sees us, a great righteous sect, stuck behind the Demon Scheming Sect, we'll never hear the end of the humiliation."
Elder Yun sighed.
[Young sect leader has changed so much, his temper has gotten worse.] Everyone got sick of explaining the obvious to him for the umpteenth time. They had to stick to the Demon Scheming Sect, for their safety.
Though in through one ear, and out through the other.
The elders gave up in the end, taking the disciples and lagging behind the Demon Scheming Sect while ignoring the brat's blatant discontent.
Elder Yun was still worried seeing Xuan Shaoyu's sinister look.
[Yan Mo has pushed the young master deep down the demonic path. I fear he might be in a demonic abyss, with no way of coming back…]
"Little brother, enough with your complaining. It's hard enough to find someone to help us, and now they'll even protect us. Always criticizing them will only mean we bite the hands that feed us. This will be the greatest dishonor to our sect." Shui Ruohua advised with a smile.
Xuan Shaoyu wouldn't hear it, his eyes becoming twisted, holding Zhuo Fan's back in his vile sight, "Demonic cultivators are miscreants, evil, vile, sinister and they're only helping us for their own gain. Tagging along will at any time get us in a danger we can never overcome."
"Young master, such potshots are unfounded. We have nothing they could ever want." Dan'er turned a smile to Chu Qingcheng, "If there ever was some hidden plan, that'd be sister Qingcheng."
Everyone laughed, their gazes on her teasing.
Blushing, Chu Qingcheng glared back, then shook her head, "If he was after me, that'd be a wish come true…"
"Doesn't he care about you? Defending you with his very life is the best proof." Shui Ruohua eyed her oddly.
Chu Qingcheng shook her head, "One-sided. He is ruthless and cold, powerful and bold in his actions. I'd be happy for even a small fraction of time in his life…"
The women were perplexed.
[Aren't they close? Why is she so sad?]
Xuan Shaoyu's face grew twisted, his nails digging in his palms and watching Zhuo Fan like a hawk.
"Sisters, let's help sister Qingcheng." Dan'er proposed.
The girls lit up and nodded while Shui Ruohua hesitated.
An angry rebuke welcomed them, "Ignorant girls should stop gossiping and not do something so ridiculous and easily misunderstood. Have you all forgotten your senior sister's fate? Take the lessons of others to heart."
The women turned a cautious look to Elder Yun's heavy face.
Elder Yun said to Chu Qingcheng, "Keep yourself strong against that playboy, or you'll be thrown deep down the demonic path from which you'll never return."
[If only he was a playboy.]
Chu Qingcheng nodded, "I understand."
Back to the front, Fiend Yang snickered behind him, "You call them righteous cultivators? Butt beetles are more like it. Now they're dragging behind us, needing our protection, yet still cuss us. Ridiculous!"
All gave a firm nod.
"Zhuo Fan, you aren't one to have anyone follow you around. Why the change?" Fiend Yang growled.
Zhuo Fan shrugged, "The road is meant to be walked. They can follow all they want. Besides, they aren't interfering with us."
"A bunch of butt beetles; pisses me off."
Fiend Yang snorted, "Kid, are you after keeping that woman safe? He-he-he, the sect has a rule against love. This won't do at all."
Fiend Yang rubbed his wretched fingers in front of him, in the universal sign of [Pay or I snitch.]
"What are you doing?" Zhuo Fan had a dumb look.
Fiend Yang snickered, "Brother, come now, show a little appreciation. We won't make a peep. Give each of us a thousand sacred stones and we'll turn a blind eye."
"A thousand sacred stones? Go rob Double Dragon Manor!"
"Bro, you're wrong. We've seen the extent of your wealth, and so much in the hand of a single man would only bring danger to you. It's your palls' duty to look after it…" Fiend Yang saw his first attempt fail, he used the carrot and the stick this time.
Zhuo Fan shrugged, "Bro, sacred stones are the rarest in the world. Do you think I am that rich? I did have a few, planning to use them in Double Dragon Gathering to save me from danger, but now I had to use them all, leaving me just two poor stones. Here, take them."
Zhuo Fan took out two glittering rocks and threw them at them like he was the victim.
The fiends were dumbstruck, [Is the punk holding out on us or not?]
They just didn't want to believe he was out. Though thinking how rare sacred stones were compared with spiritual herbs…
[It's not like the punk can take out a pile.]
The trio sighed, lamenting their misfortune.
Zhuo Fan snickered inside.
He was no pushover to let others walk all over him. In this case, balking under the first threat would mean balking at the second and third. On and on it went.
He would not let anyone get anything out of him, no matter how many sacred stones he had.
The fiends would've cussed and blustered to high heaven if they heard him. [Dude, just how filthy rich are you? You make yourself so inconspicuous, it'd be a miracle if anyone doesn't fall for you and get milked instead.]
In this way, the two sects, keeping their distance of course, walked this wide road.
Blissfully unaware just a way away, a pair of sinister eyes glared at them.
Covered in blood and nasty wounds, he was more like a walking corpse than a human.
Elder Yun was right on the money when he said demonic cultivators were spiteful. Yan Mo itched for that sweet revenge even before he got healed.
Since the Demon Scheming Sect possessed a monster, he let them slide, turning to Mystical Heaven Sect as the victim of his tantrum.
Though he just caught up only to feel like crying.
[This blasted Mystical Heaven Sect is on the Demon Scheming Sect's tail!] His hope at revenge was shot dead.
Watching Zhuo Fan's carefree walk, Yan Mo's fists tightened.
"Ha-ha-ha, a nobody from a lower three sect made a fool out of a disciple from a superior three sect. The best in western lands is sure to have a laugh at your expense, ha-ha-ha…" An old man laughed.
Yan Mo barked, "Who's there?"
"Just a drunkard." A shadow came into view, revealing the same guy Zhuo Fan showed such respect back in the inn.
Yan Mo's heart sank, "Y-you!"
This old guy was the only one unaffected by his array when he took hold of all the town folk. He got closer to look into the old man, only to be flung a mile away by his aura.
He knew then and there the old guy was a freak he couldn't ever touch.
He only lived because the old man allowed it. So he treated him with respect.
When Shui Ruohua caught the drunkard, he didn't make a move until the old man left. With the Double Dragon Gathering getting closer, he had to move fast.
Yet this same old guy was back…
"Greetings senior, I am Yan Mo of Hellion Flame." He cupped his hands and bowed in respect and fear as much as his shaky knees could hold him.
The drunkard took a swing out of his flask, his hazy eyes holding a particular sharpness, "Hellion Flame, ha-ha-ha, thinking of using it to scare me?"
"I would never." Yan Mo's eyes darted all over, "It is my honor to meet senior, and a blessing to talk to you, sir. Hellion Flame will do its utmost to look after such a guest."
With the old guy's intent unknown, showing off his credential would help Yan Mo scare him. But wouldn't the old man know by now from his toying with the town just a while back? Funny how he first mentioned it to threaten and now to make himself amiable.
[Be nice, and the sect will be nice as well. Or you can do anything to me and have the whole sect on your tail.]
The drunkard chuckled at his attempt, "Kiddo, you're too young if you think you can beat me. In my day, I climbed on top of all the sects in western lands. No one can stop me whether they like it or not."
"What?!"
Yan Mo trembled in disbelief, "D-does that mean, s-senior is…"
The drunkard sighed, "Kid, you have quite the head on your shoulders, but it's best you don't say it. I came to western lands on different matters, yet saw quite the show. There are talents in every generation, leading the way for hundreds of years."
He sighed and watched Zhuo Fan below with an eerie gaze.
[It's been a thousand years, and someone formed a heaven dragon soul, and from a lower three sect too. The Double Dragon Gathering this time will be intense, ha-ha-ha…]
The bowing Yan Mo's heart shuddered.
He already guessed the old man's identity, someone not even the superior three sects could touch.
"What are you still doing here? Go on. Settle your grudges at Double Dragon Gathering. You will have the advantage there with the superior three sects setting the stage, with your strong brothers. Why waste time here, alone, when you can't even beat him?"
The drunkard laughed.
Yan Mo's heart was in chaos, but he had no choice but to listen.
[He's right, with the kid there, I can't do anything. Better to gang up on him with everyone at Double Dragon Gathering.]
[What can a lower three sect's disciple do alone anyway? The potential of a sect stands in a group.]
Yan Mo cupped his hands, "Thank you for the reminder, senior."
Yan Mo left in a flash of fire, leaving the drunkard to watch Zhuo Fan and giggle between gulps from his flask…
A month later, a group was resting in a thick forest with sinister faces; demonic cultivators.
"Get up, we'll be there in just one more day."
A fierce voice from an elder got them to walk again. But then he snapped, "Where's Yan Mo? We're almost there, and the brat is still gone. Doesn't he want to fight the best talent in western lands? How spineless, got my hopes up for nothing. Once I get my hands on him, he'll be sorry!"
A curvy and enticing woman giggled, "Elder Qing Ya. Senior brother isn't one to forget his duties, he will be here. Don't we have a day left?"
"It doesn't matter with who he's wasting time, but brother Yan will never let Wu Qingqiu get scot-free. Defeating Wu Qingqiu will make him the best talent in western lands." Grinning, a lanky man snickered, "Brother Yan had been waiting years for the chance to take it."
Elder Qing Ya nodded after a pause, "I hope he comes back on time. The rotten punk, always fooling around. I will teach him a lesson he won't soon forget!"
The rest chuckled.
Yan Mo was the apple of every Hellion Flame's elder's eyes.
At the slightest violence from a no-name elder and the Sect Leader with venerables would be on his case. As for teaching him, it all came down to some angry words. That was all the authority this elder had.
Elder Qing Ya saw the disdain in their eyes and grew angrier at the truth.
If he really did tear the kid a new one, he wouldn't be long for this world, not with those overprotective old guys.
Whoosh!
A flash of red came before them and revealed Yan Mo.
Everyone cheered.
"Didn't I tell you? Brother Yan will come to fight Wu Qingqiu for sure!"
"Yeah, you know senior brother Yan the best, hi-hi-hi… "
They came around Yan Mo, followed by Elder Qing Ya's barking and a heavy slap over the head, "Brat, you stood me up again. Any later, and you'd miss Double Dragon Gathering."
"Oh…"
Yan Mo shuddered and gasped in pain. Blood leaked from his head and on his clothes.
A woman pointed at the elder, shrieking, "You're finished elder. You hurt senior brother Yan. His loss in Double Dragon Gathering will be on you."
"N-now, hold on, I didn't do that. I barely touched him." The elder shivered, "It was just a light slap. He isn't that weak to not take it."
"Uh, elder, now you've done it. You called him weak and hurt him."
The woman snickered, "You always fuss about senior brother Yan Mo, and now you act on your grudges. Next will come revenge, and it's curtains for you. Being high-handed for your own gain, you disregard the sect's future. If word got to the sect…"
Elder Qing Ya glared at her with all the fury he had, "You sure know how to dump crimes on someone, witch."
"Yu Mei, leave the elder alone. He's got nothing to do with this, and you know it. If a slap would kill me, I'd be dead ages ago." Yan Mo sighed.
Yu Mei giggled, turning a strange gaze on him, "What happened to you to end up like this, senior brother?"
Who indeed in the western lands could make such a mess of Yan Mo?
His eyes sparked with unrestrained hatred, "Don't remind me. Went out to hunt, only to have someone prey on me instead."
Elder Qing Ya rushed, "Who's the old bastard that did it? What galls must they have to touch Hellion Flame!"
"No old bastard, just one man…" Yan Mo shook his head in shame, "Nevermind, there's something more important I have to tell you. We need to lay low and not provoke anyone, especially an old drunkard."
Everyone was speechless.
Yan Mo sighed, "The legendary man is back. We, no, the whole ten sects, are better off not tangling with him, lest it would recreate the cruel bloodshed from 800 years ago."
"You mean…" Elder Qing Ya gasped, "I heard of him, but to think he's still alive…"
The rest recalled the sect's warnings and their hearts trembled. All got used to doing whatever the hell they wanted, but if they made a wrong move, it'd be curtains for them and no one to save them, not even their sect.
Everyone felt danger looming overhead, with Yan Mo's heavy injuries forgotten.
They set out towards Double Dragon Manor.
Three months later, Zhuo Fan's gang passed through there as well.
"We're here, the Double Dragon Manor!"
Before a quaint courtyard, Elder Yun shouted. Mystical Heaven Sect's group grew lively, itching to go in.
The Demon Scheming Sect turned a blind eye to the excited looks, even mocking them.
[This is the thanks we get tucking you in from danger all the way here? Nothing but a bunch of ungrateful swines.]
And proceeded to turn their stiff bodies, taking one painful step at a time.
Chu Qingcheng came to Zhuo Fan, her smile slipping, "We will now part ways."
"Once inside, we are enemies!" Zhuo Fan didn't look her in the eye.
Chu Qingcheng nodded with a sad smile, "I may sound overconfident when I say this, but I won't hold back."
"Nor I!" Zhuo Fan spoke flatly.
Chu Qingcheng walked past him, avoiding looking at him in fear of never leaving.
Zhuo Fan looked unphased, not showing any trace of emotion.
They'd been like this the whole trip yet content knowing they were by each other's side.
The two had different paths ahead of them with but a rare crossing.
Xuan Shaoyu snickered inside. [We're finally done with those demons.]
Shui Ruohua took the disciples to Zhuo Fan, "We are grateful for you looking after us on our way here, young master Zhuo. I won't forget it."
"It's fine. We were going the same way anyway." Zhuo Fan waved her off.
Shui Ruohua smiled.
Chu Qingcheng and Zhuo Fan were evasive all the tripe, needing Shui Ruohua to be the go-betweener. It didn't take her long to figure out Zhuo Fan's character.
[He sounds harsh but doesn't mean it.]
While being truly evil would mean a wide smile, like that of a tiger.
Dan'er giggled, "Young master Zhuo, will you let us off in the Double Dragon Gathering? "
"Ha-ha-ha, what do you think?" Zhuo Fan snickered.
Dan'er stuck out her cute tongue, flustered, "Don't smile, or I'll really run out of luck. Everyone knows your smile means you're about to jump them. I don't want to live through that fear."
Everyone laughed, Mystical Heaven Sect and Demon Scheming Sect alike.
[The lass got it in one try, having Steward Zhuo's temper down pat.]
Zhuo Fan had to roll his eyes, [Am I that fake?]
Shui Ruohua left with the girls following the rest of their group.
Fiend Yang shook his head, "They're not half bad, at least they know to say thanks, unlike the old coots."
"Mystical Heaven Sect is such a phony sect, but the women, mm-mm." Kui Lang sighed.
Zhuo Fan eyed them with a cold gaze, "Step lively boys, full speed ahead for Double Dragon Manor. Once you get there, you can move again!"
"Yes!"
They all cheered, pushing forward the last trek with small steps.
After three months of hard work, they finally resembled normal people.
Zhuo Fan was proud of it.
[Their bodies should be tougher by a whole lot and once they're cured, their cultivation… ha-ha-ha…]
They soon arrived before the courtyard, plain and with just a meter tall door and no one guarding it.
[Is this Double Dragon Manor or some nobody's home? Where are the elders, the disciples?]
[Are you sure this is the right place?]
The venerables laughed at their obvious puzzlement, "Don't mind it and step inside to see the real world!"
They took the lead, with Zhuo Fan giving them a look.
They soon passed the weary door and soon arrived before a hall with one elder on each side sitting cross-legged.
The two opened their eyes, "Who comes? State your name!"
"One of Tianyu's three guardian sects, Demon Scheming Sect, has come to participate in the Dual Dragon Gathering. I ask that the elders let us through." Fiend Yang spoke with respect.
The two nodded, "Demon Scheming Sect's two 4th layer Ethereal Stage cultivators, one in the 5th layer, three in the 2nd layer Radiant Stage, one in the 3rd layer, two in the 5th layer, two in the 8th layer, and two in the 9th. You may pass."
Zhuo Fan gasped inside.
[They got our cultivations on the spot just using perception.]
He even noticed that every disciple went up a layer, even himself.
While he and the fiends could pick up on the stiff's sealed cultivation, these oldies must have some strong souls to do it with such ease.
The two held their palms together and a powerful soul strength was released, then they pushed behind them at the door, with veins showing on their scrawny arms.
The thick spiritual energy from within hit the group hard even from just a crack, leaving all of them stunned.
There were lush forests surrounding towering peaks, with birds dancing around lakes; paradise.
[This is no hall, but a whole new world!]
[The Double Dragon Manor is behind a barrier!]
Zhuo Fan bowed in gratitude at the two elders and took his group inside.
Fiend Yang bowed as well, "Elders, may I ask which ones we are?"
"The last." The two spoke in unison, "The other eight are here, with Mystical Heaven Sect arriving just moments ago."
"Them? They're only here with our protection." Fiend Yang scoffed.
Then again, how could a pack of stiff zombies ever arrive on time?
Fiend Yang was about to go when one of the elders asked, "Did your disciples take the Zombie Pill?"
"How did you know?" Fiend Yang was stunned.
The elder's brow shook, "Demon Scheming Sect must've put it all it had in this gathering. Using the Zombie Pill is wondrous but costly. Not even superior three sects would take such a price lightly."
"Isn't it just a 7th-grade pill?" Fiend Yang played Zhuo Fan's bossy and rich stance to a tee.
The old man chuckled, "7th? Then you're not the one to have used this method on them. If you want to poison someone, using 7th-grade pills is more than enough. But to increase the cultivation of disciples, you need the antidote too. That one's 10th-grade!"
Ugh!
Fiend Yang was stunned, then mocked, "So what, we have a moneybag!"
And he just strutted in, leaving the two dumbfounded.
One said in amazement, "Demon Scheming Sect must've struck gold, to use pills even superior three sects would hate to. I wonder who has their back and if they have found another sacred mine."
"Ha-ha-ha, don't speak nonsense. Why would they be coming here if they did?" The other sneered.
The two burst out laughing soon after.
They stood up and walked in as well, "The sects are here and we should go in as well."
The gate slowly closed behind them.
In that moment of neglect, they missed a ragged person slipping right in.
Scratching his red nose, the man took a mouthful of his flask, his smile positively evil...
"Demon Scheming Sect, I presume. Please follow me."
The gang had yet to really appreciate the wonderful scenery as a polite voice drew their attention.
A middle-aged man in gray robes was bowing.
They all cried out in unison, returning the bow, "There's no need for that, please."
There was no way they could just let an Ethereal Stage expert bow to nobodies like them.
"Ha-ha-ha, it's fine. I am but a humble usher. You're all honored guests we have to look after. Please, it's this way." The man gave another bow.
The group bowed as well and followed tense.
It was a novelty for them, seeing an Ethereal Stage expert bow to Radiant Stage cultivators.
Fiend Yang scolded, "You look like you've never seen beyond the doors of your home. This is Double Dragon Manor and all is done by its rules. Here, Ethereal Stage experts are the weakest. If not them welcoming us, who then, the two leaders?"
The rest nodded, more stunned than ever.
Double Dragon Manor, the head of the ten sects, was filled with powerful figures. They even had an Ethereal Stage expert usher them in.
"In other words, Double Dragon Manor only sees potential, not the current level of cultivation." Zhuo Fan muttered.
Fiend Yang nodded, "Smart, Zhuo Fan. Yes, they look at potential, the ones they can raise, and how far. These same experts of Double Dragon Gathering, if placed outside, they'd only have reached Bone Tempering or Profound Heaven Stage. Why else would they hold the Double Dragon Gathering if not for seeking talent? So don't underestimate yourselves. Once you enter this place, this improvement speed shall be yours."
Kui Lang and the others' eyes lit up, their minds wandering to many many wonderful fantasies.
Zhuo Fan snickered.
"Fiend Yang, you think it's nice to poke your host where it hurts in front of them?" Zhuo Fan chuckled and pointed at their usher.
Ugh!
The fiends felt a chill.
[Shit! Running my mouth in the host's presence, saying this guy in front is nothing but a resource sponge is like shooting myself in the foot!]
Sure, the rules made these Ethereal Stage experts not be rude to the guests, but did that make it alright to insult them?
At least their usher turned a deaf ear.
Coming upon a courtyard, the usher smiled, "This shall be your accommodations, fifteen rooms in total. Please take a rest, Double Dragon Gathering is about to begin. Please be aware that Double Dragon Manor forbids grudge fights. The consequences of such a fight are dire."
Seeing calm as ever, they relaxed. [Our idle talk hasn't caused any damage.]
Zhuo Fan nodded as well. [I was wondering why the two guards announced our numbers. So it's for our stay here.]
The guys entered with a smile, with the usher speaking when Fiend Yang was the last, "Sir, I'd have to correct you on one thing. The resources given are fixed. With cultivation reaching a point where no amount of resources can help. I reckon you are a venerable in your sect, yes? You must've wasted your fair share of resources too. But coming to Double Dragon Manor isn't always a boon. This is called potential saturation. Having reached your full potential, any more resources will only fatten you up a bit."
Fiend Yang's face twitched. He saw the usher's smile, whether from anger or hatred, and his face fell.
The others chuckled, going in. [He not only heard us but cared a whole deal.]
[It's best to let Fiend Yang take the fall, not like we ran our mouths.]
The listeners beat it, while the storyteller was left behind with a horrified look.
"Uh, they made me say it." Pointing at the treacherous punks inside, Fiend Yang went in as well.
Only the usher was left behind, bearing a chilling smile…
Zhuo Fan toured his new home. [Quiet enough, a perfect place to advance.]
So he turned to the stiffies, "Take a room, and I'll cure you after, to get ready for the Double Dragon Gathering in a couple of days."
"Oh!"
They've been stiffs for six months now and it was time to be relieved of such a burden. Some even had tears in their eyes.
"Who the hell is hollering there? You threw off my master's hiking mood!"
A buffed man and an old guy made their way inside. Seeing Zhuo Fan and the rest sizing their home, he mocked, "Y-you're Demon Scheming Sect? Ha-ha-ha…"
"What of it?" Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.
"Who's the leader?"
"You're looking at it." Zhuo Fan admitted.
Sizing him up, the tough guy cracked up, "the leader is a 3rd layer Radiant Stage cultivator and the rest are cripples. Is the Demon Scheming Sect so strapped for talents they sent you fools? I knew it, the only ones we need to look after is Mystical Heaven Sect, ha-ha-ha…"
The Demon Scheming Sect was looking at him like a moron.
"Hey, boy, do you know why your Sect Leader sent you here?" Having achieved his daily dose of laughter, the tough guy patted Zhuo Fan's chest in mockery.
[Ain't it obvious? Cause I'm strong.]
Zhuo Fan kept mum.
Having gotten in his head Zhuo Fan was shaking in his boots, the tough guy slapped his chest, hollering, "That's because yours truly wiped the floor with your elites and had no one to send but you. You have me to thank for getting out of the sect to see the world; me, Hui Xiong from the Beast Taming Sect. Though all you're good for is gawking then go back home if you want to keep your lives."
The old guy nodded now and then at the side; clearly mocking as well.
"Oh, so you're expecting thanks for kicking our home and punching the daylights out of the elites. That's why we got to go to the Double Dragon Gathering, is that it?" Zhuo Fan sneered.
The others had contempt in their smiles.
Ignoring or oblivious of the other party's condescending, Hui Xiong stuck out his chest further, if possible, nodding with absolute confidence, "I don't much care for your thanks, only urge you to give up when you get on stage. Don't think for a second I'll go easy on some cripples. Your bro here is a man of principle!"
Flicking his mop of hair, Hui Xiong left having his fill of humiliating his opponents, with his head held high and a spring in his step. Elder Lu went right after, but not before giving the others one last taunting smile.
Zhuo Fan was out of it for a long time, "Well, now that the comic relief is gone, let's get back to business…"
The rest laughed.
Hu~
Just then, Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed azure and all over his body, purple lightning flickered as the red glow on his right arm faded.
It was only for a split second, yet enough to make the rest jump in fright.
"What's wrong?" Fiend Yin asked.
Zhuo Fan shook his head, perplexed himself, "I don't know. I just felt my heart skip a beat. Strange, just what was it…"
In a quaint courtyard nearby, a handsome youth in blue robes smiled, "Junior brother, this place isn't bad at all. Much better than where we trained."
"I just feel like sleeping here." A man in his twenties in fine gray clothes replied as he stretched.
The first one cursed, "Damn brat, all you ever know is to laze off. But this is life, a freak loafer like you gets to replace me as the best talent in western lands in this competition. I can hardly accept it."
"Don't worry senior brother, I won't fight you…" The youth in gray began then he squinted as an inferno exploded from his body and turned all furniture to ash.
Even the first one had to cry out, "What's wrong?"
"I-I don't know…" The perplexed youth in gray put on a staunch expression, "I just had a feeling, my old enemy is here…"