An extended mood gripped all of New Haven City. After an interesting competition everyone was hyped for the finale. In the St. Igula Hospital Richard Lemmiz was staring at a screen while celebrating with a few coworkers. He just got a message from Thobar Bionics, together with a big sum of money for discovering Bai Jingshen. The middle aged doctor wouldn't be this shameless, so he sent three fourth of it to Kayleen, telling her to equip herself well for her journey to the New World.
The young redhead was in a complicated mood right now as she watched the competition with her friends. She was exited to start the new big part of her life together with her boyfriend, but right now she felt sentimental, attending a public viewing in New Haven Academy. This might be the last time she saw some of her friends here. Everyone had their own paths and only two of her close friends were hired by Thobar Bionics.
At the same time, she was happy for the mysterious young man, whom she found three months ago, who stood in the limelight right now. Kayleen and Thomas had officially become a couple, but the latter's mood still turned gloomy seeing Bai Jingshen. He could only tell himself that Bai Jingshen would be nothing in the New World. After all, how many people made it to a newcomer competition's finale, and how many were actually successful in the New World?
As the center of attention however, Bai Jingshen didn't let the excitement go to his head. He felt his team member's admiring and Bennet's proud look, but he wouldn't put too much importance on a small competition only influencing one city.
The former emperor calmy prepared for his next match, only answering Ra's message as his friend wished him good luck.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. Phill gave Bai Jingshen a notification, before escorting him towards his last fight. Under countless eyes Bai Jingshen calmly stood on Phill's platform, gliding towards a big cube at the bottom of the competition grounds. He only just now realized that all fighting stages seemed to have fused into one.
Lehno was also slowly brought down towards the fighting stage. Contrary to Bai Jingshen, he stood in front of his guide, basking in the crowd's attention. He wore a state-of-the-art combat suit, which tightly clung to his body, showing of his well-trained physique. His short blond hair was freshly styled, making him look like someone attending a play rather than a fight. He looked over at his arriving adversary, disgust written on his face.
Bai Jingshen felt Lehno's gaze but didn't meet it. He focused on himself, not bothering about his appearance, but still looking handsome and confident.
The two platforms came to a stop above the biggest cube. Silence ensued as the two opponents had no choice but to observe each other.
Bai Jingshen was surprised to feel his illusionary core turn. He wasn't certain why Lehno would have such strong feelings towards him. He could only read the anger in the other man's eyes. To the spectator's disappointment, no exchange of words happened, but it only increased the tension in the air. A loud gong sounded throughout the Place Of Advancement, as Bai Jingshen and Lehno entered the preparation rooms.
Bai Jingshen didn't think long and simply took his sword, spear, and knife again. He thought about taking a Mana Pistol, but as he looked up Lehno before, he knew his opponent wasn't known for using guns so Bai Jingshen didn't like to use them either.
The young men both waited patiently until the match finally began.
Bai Jingshen left his preparation room only to find himself atop a mountain tip. This stage was certainly big enough for a fight, but one wrong step would lead to the opponent falling down the sides, spelling instant game over. The former emperor couldn't hold himself back from letting out a whistle. Those organizers surely had a thing for dramatic scenes.
Lehno was also taking in his surroundings. He realized that this stage wasn't really different from a normal fighting ring, suiting him well. He slowly unscathed his weapons, showing off two beautiful short swords to the audience. Although only weapons suitable for the Body Refinement Realm were allowed in the competition, Lehno's swords were at the top of the food chain.
Bai Jingshen finally observed his opponent as he entered combat mode. His face turned 110% serious. His change in demeanor during fights was often discussed on social media, one picture of his serious face making countless girls blush.
Lehno also read those comments, slowly turning angry as he was now standing opposite Bai Jingshen.
"Hey pretty boy. Ready for the beat up of a lifetime?"
Bai Jingshen was still analyzing his opponent, as Lehno began to mock him.
"May I ask why you have a problem with me?"
Lehno naturally wouldn't embarrass Julia by publicly stating his feelings, so he just scoffed and began to move towards Bai Jingshen. The former emperor also didn't feel like winning with mind games again. Although they could be an integral part in his White Illusion Arts, but he wasn't even able to use other techniques anyways as they required Qi. Therefore, Bai Jingshen decided to ready his spear as he watched his enemy fall into a trot.
Without much technique but with a lot of strength Bai Jingshen suddenly brought his spear down on Lehno. The noble didn't even think about dodging, taking the hit head on with his crossed swords. A loud impact sounded, as cracks appeared between both contestants' feet. Lehno was slightly surprised about Bai Jingshen's strength, but he still handle it. Slowly the blond man pressed Bai Jingshen's spear away.
As soon as the former emperor's weapon glided down one of Lehno's swords, he swiftly stabbed forward with the other, aiming for Bai Jingshen's heart. The young man was surprised by his opponent's ruthlessness, but this wouldn't be enough to force him into making mistakes. He swiftly dodged sidewards, using his momentum to put strength into his spear again and pushing Lehno to the side.
The noble had to make a sideways jump before landing gracefully on one foot. He stomped the other hard on the ground, pushing himself forward to shoot at Bai Jingshen. The raven-haired man saw his opponent coming again and decided to meet him halfway. With his spear tip pointing at his opponent, Bai Jingshen also pushed hard against the ground. The two contestants heavily meet each other in the air, sending a slight shockwave through the arena. The audience was watching with bated breath as a change suddenly occurred.
Lehno quickly spun one of his swords, drawing Bai Jingshen's spear in. The other however sliced through the air unbelievably quick. The former emperor was suddenly caught off guard. He could only let go of his spear and retreat. Lehno however already saw those movements coming, angling his sword in a way to hit Bai Jingshen's spear holding hand. A deep wound appeared on the young man's wrist as blood spurted through the air.
The RSS members suddenly turned quiet. This Lehno was too monstrous. Even they understood, that he just used two different sword styles at the same time. Luckily the SFT had already left, or they surely would have gloating smiles on their faces now.
Bai Jingshen was also impressed by his opponent. Using two different styles most of the time wasn't something one could simply learn. A swordfighter had to be born with this talent, else it would take him forever to adapt to such a fighting style. The former emperor didn't show anything on his face as he watched Lehno come at him again. Obviously, the young noble wanted to end the fight quickly.
Shortly before Lehno arrived in front of Bai Jingshen, his sense honed from bitter training sent him strong signals of danger. Instead of keeping both swords in an attacking posture, he suddenly took one of his swords to guard his body. This decision proved to be vital, as an abnormally fast white streak suddenly ripped through the air. Bai Jingshen's sword was even faster than Lehno's attack earlier. It rapidly attacked and defended as the two young man treaded countless blows in a few seconds.
Some audience members even felt dizzy just watching this fight. They tried to follow the young man's movements only to draw a complete blank. Even slightly stronger cultivators were confused. But Bai Jingshen would scoff at them for trying to understand his sword techniques with just one look.
That's right. Bai Jingshen decided to use the Blinding Immortal Sword Techniques, which he came to dislike recently. He found those in an ancient ruin and subconsciously built his fighting style around them when he realized they belonged to a real immortal. However, only after his rebirth did he come to the realization, that he walked a wrong path. His foundation should always be the White Illusion Arts. Since he couldn't use those however, he was only able to use the most basic moves of his sword technique now. He hadn't even trained this technique to the first-step-stage with his new body, but since he was unbelievably familiar with this technique, Bai Jingshen figured it would be enough for this fight.