After the newly promoted 6th rank left, I looked around with a curious look on my face. "I wonder…" I thought, rubbing my chin.
"Little Leiji, is there something on your mind?" Bai Yi asked. She was able to ask since she became incredibly sensitive to my mannerisms over time. It was only natural.
"Is there something missing that you require?" Feng Ying asked. She had similarly become quite sensitive to my mannerisms as well.
"I must be an open book in mothers' eyes." I sighed. "I do have something on my mind. It's not anything serious per say… More of a personal reflection of sorts." I answered calmly.
"Of course we can read you like a book. How could we just rest on our laurels and not try to understand our little boy." Bai Yi giggled. And place her hands on her hips, leaning forward slightly. "Do you want to nurse again?" She teased.
"Bai Yi you shouldn't tease him like that." Feng Ying sighed, shaking her head. "Tell us, what's on your mind? We can help you get through it, whatever it might be." She inquired, with a look of worried interest on her face.
"Sadly it isn't something I could hope for from you… I need those 4th ranks there. I'd like to test myself. No tricks, no Daos, and no artifacts. Purely individual strength. Where does my own individual strength truly lay. I know for a fact it is far above the Great Emperor Realm. But as to how far… I am uncertain. Such is the result of my rapid improvement." I explained shortly.
"I see, so you wish to exchange pointers with them then. Good, but are you sure there isn't any other reason behind your desire to spar?" Ding Yao said, appearing in the area.
"Martial Grandpa Ding, please don't misunderstand. I only have 1 purpose in doing this. And that is to test where one's strength truly lies. Such a thing must be tested in order to build confidence." I said, greeting Ding Yao.
"Ahahaha, very well then. I'll give contribution points to the 4th ranks who participate." Ding Yao said with a wink.
"Allow me to go first." A 4th rank said, stepping forward.
"Excellent! Give me a moment to remove some of my artifacts from the situation. Oh boy I am excited. Everyone else has always been either far too strong or far too weak. Now I have a chance to test my strength properly…" I said, removing my numerous artifacts.
"No artifacts, no dao strength. Just one's own personal strength. Is my world Force off limits?" The 4th rank asked, handing a few things over to Feng Ying, so she could hold it.
"Ahahaha! Of course not! Your small universe is you, is it not? Why would I, have you not use it? This is a test to see just where I stand amongst the Open Heaven Realms in pure strength. Nothing more, nothing less. If this wasn't the case anyone below the 6th rank would not be my opponent in single combat." I said with a cheerful laugh.
"I see, then I won't hold back then. But with talk like that I expect a good fight from you. Don't let me down." The 4th rank said, with a confident smirk. "Uhm… just what are you doing?" He said, now confused and pointing at me.
"Ahahaha, no artifacts right! Then my outfit top must be removed. Worry not, it's the only part of the outfit I intend on removing. No need to be embarrassed. Who hasn't seen a young man's chest before?" Ahahaha!" I laughed tossing everything I took off over to Bai Yi.
"I see. Then are you prepared? My name is Qin Wen, I hope you give me a good fight." The 4th rank said.
"So it is senior Qin Wen! Rest assured I am prepared and will certainly give it my all." I said, assuming my starting position.
With my left forward, index and middle fingers in an extended curl, reminiscent of a certain character from a certain series. My body assumed the last of this stance, a serious look on my face. Confident, not arrogant. My fighting intent rose to its peak. "I haven't had the chance to fight like this since the Chamber Pot Bully. Huh, I hope I can shake off any rust that has formed." I thought.
"I like the confidence, young man. But that stance? It seems… odd but you are extremely well suited to it. I can see that even your physique is perfectly suited to this." Qin Wen said, narrowing his vision and releasing his own fighting spirit.
"Since both of you are ready. I'll keep watch over this match." Ding Yao chuckled. "This kid is going to destroy this Qin Wen if he doesn't get serious." He thought. "Begin!" He said, with a wave of his hand.
With the instant Ding Yao announced the start of the match, I launched forward at blinding speed. "What!!! So fast!" Qin Wen thought, barely managing to avoid a blow to the face. Instead I punched his shoulder. "Damn he nearly dislocated my shoulder with that punch! This kid… Just what kind of power does he actually possess?" He thought as a thrilled smile appeared on his face.
The fight continued from there. Exchanging blow for blow. However, this wasn't the only thing going on. Qin Wen was gradually gaining his fighting spirit back. Having lost his prior cultivation rank and then being forced into slavery under the Ink Clan bruised this spirit. Bottled up in a cage made of Wrought Iron. Heavy and durable. But this fight was enough to push his spirit to burn holes through its cage.
In my case, I was dialing in my found strength. "Since I had reached the 2nd Order Emperor, I haven't been able to fight anybody to dial this in properly. But… Now I know, I'm almost there. It seems I was right. This fight is exactly what my special physique needed. Soon…" I thought, with a great big smile on my face.
~~A Few Hours Later~~
I landed a truly heavy blow on Qin Wen, sending him flying into the ground beneath us. The crater formed was massive. A perfect representation of just how strong I truly was.
"I yield! I must go and recover. I can't take another hit like that again right now. I never thought you were such a fierce young man… Just who are you exactly?" Qin Wen said, wiping the blood from his mouth.
"I am Wang An Leiji! Son of Yang Kai the Void Great Emperor! I thank you for the exchange of pointers Senior Qin Wen." I said, cupping my hands accepting my victory.