"What? Xin Wuheng broke through to the Sixth Rank in the middle of the battle!"
"How is that possible?!"
"Isn't his luck exaggerated?"
"This sudden turn of events feels suspicious. How can one just breakthrough as if it's nothing? Talk about being calculated."
"Well, If it is as you say, then Xin Wuheng would be extremely terrifying and cunning. He truly deserves to be last year's number-one genius."
"But we have to look more at the person who has forced Xin Wuheng to show us some of his hidden skills. It was only through him that we were able to glimpse at Xin Wuheng's peak ranked martial technique."
"To force Xin Wuheng to such a wretched state, this Zhao Wei has a high possibility of winning."
"Haha, stop talking nonsense. Xin Wuheng has never lost before. He's only pretending to be overwhelmed to give the opponent a huge surprise when he's least expecting it. You can't begin to comprehend his battle tactics."
"You Xin disciples are truly full of yourselves. Forget about the number one spot this time round."
"What did you just say?!"
"I said your mouth is full of donkey shit!"
A commotion swept through the spectators, igniting a flurry of animated discussions that revolved around the exhilarating shift in the battle dynamics.
Amidst the air of skepticism that enveloped Xin Wuheng's unexpected breakthrough, a significant portion of the audience was consumed by curiosity, eagerly anticipating the ensuing clashes between him and Zhao Wei.
The question on everyone's mind was: who was going to triumph over whom?
"Again!" Xin Wuheng immediately employed his movement technique.
[Cloud Chess Steps]
His movement was slow and steady integrating the effects of unpredictability with each action.
Through [Cloud Chess Steps] his opponents would find it very difficult to track or predict his movements. Even though Xin Wuheng didn't pursue extreme speed, he could surely hold his own against those who thrived when it came to speed.
"Come!" Zhao Wei laughed unrestrainedly as he used his base speed to face Xin Wuheng in the middle of the arena.
BANG!
The two young men started displaying their martial arts as they happily exchanged moves after a move.
[Small Cloud Vein Hands]
Xin Wuheng used his perfected middle-ranked martial technique to target Zhao Wei's acupoints.
Xin Wuheng's finger simultaneously pressed the acupoints on Zhao Wei's arm expecting to temporarily incapacitate him.
As Xin Wuheng's hands made contact with Zhao Wei's muscles, he sensed a sensation that went beyond touching a mere man; it was as though he was touching the living embodiment of steel.
What? Xin Wuheng thought in shock, wonder, and frustration.
Was this guy made up of steel? Even his acupoints are abnormally fortified to withstand techniques related to pressure points!
'No, I will give it another try. There must be a blind spot somewhere." Xin Wuheng didn't give up despite feeling the stinging pain throbbing in his fingers.
Unfortunately, his next several attempts didn't work against Zhao Wei.
"What kind of Body Strengthening Technique is he using?" Xin Wuheng sighed inwardly, his exasperation evident. "It's remarkably flawless, seamlessly synchronizing his defense and offense to unprecedented levels."
'Then I can only do 'that' special move.' A brilliant idea cropped up in his mind.
Xin Wuheng suddenly became an entirely different person as a mystical aura pervaded every inch of his being.
At that moment, the spectators thought that Xin Wuheng had become one with heaven and earth - An existence capable of displaying the full potential of martial arts.
An indifferent expression showed on Xin Wuheng's face as he attacked with his fist.
[Howling Tiger Fist]
[Breaking Wind Finger]
[Taiji Cloudy Palm]
The combination of three different martial arts, each one of them trained to the peak level, created a sense of profundity and 'holiness' in the surrounding atmosphere.
Zhao Wei who had been passive all that time and had done nothing to counterattack due to focusing on defense, had a twinkle inside his eyes.
He was like an enthusiastic child who had been presented with his favorite toy.
But in this type of situation, Zhao Wei's target of interest was Xin Wuheng's new style.
Combining techniques wasn't that difficult for him since he had already perfectly integrated the [Azure winds gliding through the clouds] with [Instantaneous Lightning Movement]. Those were two techniques only since he had never bothered to do so with the others.
Only in battles would he find the perfect opportunity to constantly improve instead of awaiting enlightenment due to consistent martial arts practice.
'At this level, his technique shouldn't be merely peak ranked but something between a partial holy martial art and a complete holy martial art.' Zhao Wei could think fast and analyze Xin Wuheng's ingenuity in such a short time frame due to the exaggerated clock speeds of his brain. That's why the coordination between his superb eye abilities and mind makes Zhao Wei's perception of time slower when he enters that mode.
Zhao Wei then raised his hands as if he was preparing to defend as he had done during this round of exchange.
A miniaturized blue lightning arc flashed from his right eye making him look more mysterious and somehow enchanting.
Then the turquoise color of the wind and the purple color of illusions sprang forth from his legs.
The temperature around Zhao Wei also started decreasing as tiny white snowflakes started forming on his fists.
Zhao Wei did all of these within milliseconds.
The essence of four different techniques converged at his fists and that sense of oneness with nature was felt from him by the crowd who had their mouths slowly but gradually gravitating toward the floor.
It was even more powerful than Xin Wuheng's.
Zhao Wei's mouth curved into a meaningful smile as if saying, "If you can do that, I can definitely do it better."
Xin Wuheng's eyes widened in confusion, fear, surprise, and admiration when he witnessed his opponent's level of comprehension and adaptability.
It felt downright unacceptable and wicked. Something that shouldn't be allowed to happen, to ever exist.
'Monster!'
His state of mind was affected despite his millennium of experience.
'Could he also be one of them? A God Eye holder or someone with an ancient bloodline from the Ten Thousands Ancient Races?' Xin Wuheng could only speculate.
But he wasn't given more time since Zhao Wei's attack was even faster and stronger than his.
At that moment, Xin Wuheng felt his danger senses tingle uncontrollably. His vision held nothing more than the word 'DEATH' written in bold red letters on Zhao Wei's fist.
Even though Zhao Wei was taller than him by a few inches, Xin Wuheng perceived his fist as multiple huge fists intended to obliterate his very existence there and then.
Xin Wuheng knew that he had already been affected by the power of illusions during that moment but he just couldn't extricate himself fast enough.
'I have yet to exert my revenge on the Ancient Soul Race for killing me and bringing ruin to my Giant God Race.'
'Even though I am thankful for the chance to live a second life, I am starting to feel the regrets already.'
His martial master senses couldn't save him after all… he was under a simple yet frightening illusion. His powerful soul had also been injured and couldn't help him quick enough to resist the abrupt illusion.
But If he had been in his right state of mind, he wouldn't have had such thought processes and could have instead focused on how to reject the swift call of Yama with his rich experience.
WHOOSH!
A small wind blew Xin Wuheng's hair as Zhao Wei's earth-shattering fist stopped just a few inches from splattering his brain matter on the ground.
"This is only a spar. Killing is prohibited, Brother Wuheng." Zhao Wei smirked as he proceeded to lightly pat his stiff shoulders.
"It was thanks to you that I was able to use that last move. Thanks for directing me toward the correct path." Zhao Wei removed his hand from Xin Wuheng's shoulder. He was honest with those words and truly was grateful even though he didn't need to.
Xin Wuheng was slowly regaining his normal thinking abilities as his face hardened into an extremely serious expression.
"I didn't lose unjustly. I didn't truly expect to meet someone like you in 'this' place. I have certainly benefited from this fight just like you." Xin Wuheng shook his head while sighing heavily.
"Brother Wei, I enjoyed the fight. I am not disheartened by the failure and failure has just made me realize something." Xin Wuheng's smile held a deep meaning that only Zhao Wei could understand.
"Prepare for your defeat, brother." Xin Wuheng gave Zhao Wei one last look before confidently leaving the ruined arena.
"No," was Zhao Wei's succinct response before a smiling Xin Wuheng faded into the blankness of the night.
And only Zhao Wei knew where Xin Wuheng was going.
It was a more grander place than Sun Feather City.
A larger arena for powerful and interesting geniuses from various races. A more evolved and exquisite kind of Genius Summit.
It was a region that Zhao Wei was going to 'unlock' soon enough.
Meanwhile, the crowd was only left with one collective thought.
What had just happened?!
***
Enjoy!
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