As the Platinum Rank Cultivator charged at JacQuarius once more, the Ancient Dragon Spirit responded with another draconic meteor crashing down, protecting JacQuarius from the imminent attack. Despite JacQuarius being only at the Gold 2nd Layer, the power of his Draconic Annihilation skill was undeniable—an ultimate attack of formidable origin, crafted by the Primordial Reaper.
"Now it's my turn!" JacQuarius bellowed, his Dragon Qi surging as he prepared to unleash his own devastating attack.
Radiating an intense draconic aura, JacQuarius's presence caused the ground to tremble, shaking nearby houses as if caught in an earthquake. The spectacle drew the attention of other registered participants, who hurried over to witness the unfolding confrontation.
The growing audience formed a ring around JacQuarius and the Platinum Rank Cultivator, murmuring among themselves as they observed the intense exchange. Speculation and discussion filled the air, reflecting the heightened anticipation and curiosity surrounding the clash between these powerful adversaries within the confines of Fort Irwin's military grounds.
As the intense confrontation unfolded, the surrounding audience buzzed with curiosity and speculation, recognizing JacQuarius as the infamous "Black Dragon" of Akiba and discussing the audacity of challenging a Platinum Rank opponent despite being only a Gold rank.
JacQuarius continued to exude a powerful draconic aura, instilling fear in those who witnessed his overwhelming presence.
Suddenly, JacQuarius swiftly swapped places with Jimmy, repositioning himself behind the Platinum Rank Cultivator. Tela instantly appeared, seizing the opportunity, and delivering a powerful punch toward the man, but he deftly dodged the attack and retaliated by kicking Tela away.
Undeterred, the man charged at JacQuarius once more, confident in his ability to land a blow now that the Ancient Dragon spirit had dissipated. JacQuarius remained composed, standing firm as the man closed in for the strike.
In a surprising turn, Kiyomi appeared instantly, striking the man in the face with her staff and activating her own skill in the heat of the moment. The sudden intervention shifted the dynamics of the confrontation, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding spectacle.
Qi Style: Qi Cage!
As Kiyomi's cage entrapped the Platinum Rank Cultivator, JacQuarius wasted no time in mounting Jimmy and ascending into the air, prepared to deliver a decisive blow.
"Now die!" JacQuarius roared, his left arm transforming into an obsidian dragon claw as they approached the cage. Simultaneously, Kiyomi began to shrink the Qi-infused prison, intensifying the pressure on the man. Due to Kiyomi's God Rank Artifact empowering the cage, the Platinum Rank Soldier struggled to break free from the cage.
However, JacQuarius's focus was abruptly redirected when he sensed the arrival of three additional Platinum Rank Cultivators. Sensing the imminent danger, JacQuarius swiftly withdrew Jimmy into a storage ring, preparing for the confrontation ahead.
"You can come out now!" JacQuarius called out defiantly, addressing the unseen opponents in the sky.
In response, the Platinum Rank Cultivators materialized, with the trapped man breaking free from Kiyomi's cage using a skill. Taking flight, he positioned himself alongside his fellow Platinum Rank Soldiers, forming a formidable front against JacQuarius and his companions.
"We're glad you stopped before you made a grave mistake; otherwise, we would have had to step in and defend our comrade. You're a hot-headed young one. I hope you have the same energy in this tournament. We'll look forward to your participation. Stay out of trouble, or else we won't be arresting you—it'll be hostile!" The leader of the four Platinum Rank soldiers stated before leaving.
As the Platinum Rank soldiers departed, the audience dispersed, visibly shaken by the confrontation. Many felt unsettled, viewing JacQuarius as a formidable and unpredictable presence among them. The atmosphere was charged with tension, leaving an impression that they were harboring a monster in their midst.
Amidst the uneasy crowd, Adalina remained composed and unfazed. With a confident smile, she made her exit, her demeanor hinting at hidden intentions and an inscrutable agenda.
After the intense encounter outside, JacQuarius retreated into the house and collapsed onto the couch in the living room, feeling genuinely exhausted. He had pushed himself to the limit once again, though this time he had refrained from using any skills, relying solely on the intimidating aura of his Dragon Qi to assert dominance.
As JacQuarius rested, he reflected on the outcome of the confrontation. He had intended to eliminate Adalina, convinced that she was an undercover agent from the GEI or FBI sent to spy on him and his allies. His plan had also been to instill fear in the other registered participants, calculating that if they feared him, his path to victory in the tournament would be considerably smoother.
The fight with the Platinum rank wasn't planned, it just coincidentally happened. He knew he couldn't win at all, after all the gap between Gold and Platinum rank was big! A Platinum Rank 1st Layer vs. a Gold Rank 1st Layer is basically like a Bear vs. a Wolf! JacQuarius is a High Tier, well with Primordial Reaper's inheritance his tier is actually higher than that, he had one of the world strongest cultivator's inheritance! Most would consider him a God Tier Gold Rank 2nd layer, changing the balance of the fight, it would now be a Bear vs. a Lion! He still was in a huge disadvantage but he could still hold himself up in the fight.
Instead of seeking victory, JacQuarius aimed to prolong the confrontation until military intervention broke up the fight. In his view, avoiding a definitive loss for either side would still serve his purpose—instilling fear in the other participants and solidifying his reputation as a formidable presence among them.
After the tense events, JacQuarius retreated to rest, leaving Tela and Kiyomi on watch. Hours later, Kiyomi woke him from sleep, likely with news or a new development that demanded his attention.
"Someone is knocking on the door," Kiyomi informed JacQuarius anxiously. Sensing potential danger even in seemingly ordinary situations, JacQuarius ensured his group responded with utmost caution.
Immediately, JacQuarius rose from his seat and approached the door with calculated precision. Rather than opening it or peering through the peephole directly, he sidestepped, positioning himself away from the door's center. With a firm voice, he called out to the visitor outside.
"Nigga, Who The Fuck is it?!? State yo identity and reason for being here or reap the repercussions!" He yelled.
No one responded to JacQuarius's inquiry after the knocks persisted without a clear reply. Perplexed but cautious, JacQuarius decided to open the door, first conveying a transmission to Kiyomi and Tela to remain alert.
As the door swung open, JacQuarius was taken aback by the unexpected visitor—none other than the Platinum Rank Soldier he had clashed with earlier.
"Black Dragon, come outside. I have something urgent to discuss with you," the man addressed JacQuarius with an air of importance.
Curious yet wary, JacQuarius stepped outside and took a seat on the curb, ready to hear what the man had to say.
"Nigga what the fuck do you want?" JacQuarius asked.
"I'm actually an undercover agent from the GEI. My superior has a request for you," the man revealed, catching JacQuarius off guard with his unexpected disclosure.