This bulky man was indeed a very formidable opponent! Not only that, it seemed that he hadn't even shown half of his combat potential yet.
Kai was in a bit of a predicament... He was unable to stand still, as he couldn't keep up with the speed of this strange shield attack yet. If he didn't move, then he would immediately get hit by the opponent.
But if he constantly used the Shadow Mark Dance... Then he would just use up his energy! Even if Kai had enough energy for a few hours of such intense movement, it wouldn't change anything.
It all boiled down to Kai not being able to attack, as he would immediately receive a strong recoil from the lightning energy. But also, he didn't have the ability to run away forever.
'We need to think of something... The effect of this lightning on the body is very strange.' - Kai analysed, constantly using Shadow Marks, 'Damn... Just theory isn't enough, we need to experiment!' - Determinedly, Kai gave out.
In the next instant, he clenched the blades in his hands and attacked again! And again! And again!
- Bam... Bam... Bam... Bam... - A series of thunderous sounds were constantly echoing around the arena! Each of them was characterised by Kai flying to the edge of the arena.
Although from the outside, it looked very strange, as it looked like a person hitting a steel closed door. It seemed that all of Kai's actions were completely useless. But Kai himself didn't think so!
He needed to understand the power of the Thunder Ram more clearly!
These attacks continued for more than a few minutes now. But for every attack of Kai's, the bulky man managed to react and counterattacked at the last moment.
'He hasn't used his gauntlet yet... We have to be careful.' - Kai said mentally as he prepared for the next attack, 'Dance of the Shadow Marks!' - Shouted out in Kai's mind.
At that moment, the identical scenario repeated itself again. Almost at the last moment, Thunder Ram's energy would shoot lightning at Kai, stiffening his movements a bit. And immediately followed by a heavy shield attack!
- Bam! - There was another sound of thunder!
Landing at the edge of the arena, Kai looked at his hands and smiled slightly. It seemed like he had finally figured something out.....
'This weird numbness... I get it! It's lightning spreading throughout my body and hitting every part of my body at the same time! It's similar to the micro lightning bolts that run over my body... The pulses seem to work on a similar principle...' - Pondered Kai, examining his hands with his Essence Eyes.
Examining his body as the Thunder Ram attacked, Kai realised that the energy with the Thunder Attribute was penetrating his body and then spilling over throughout his entire body. Except that the greatest damage, still occurred at the initial point of contact.
'It's like the further it moves, the less concentrated it becomes... Will I be able to redirect it with impulses?' - Kai suddenly wondered.
At that moment, an interesting idea popped into his head. If these two manifestations work on similar principles... Perhaps at the moment the Thunder Ram strikes, Kai could distribute all the lightning throughout his body. Then there wouldn't be one point where it's most concentrated. Also, at the moment of attack, Kai wouldn't be paralysed for the instant that the opponent needs to counterattack!
''We must try it! But it's also required to limit the thunder itself from outside!' - Shouted Kai in his mind.
- Why did he freeze? Realised it was all in vain and decided to give up? Hahaha! - The big guy laughed loudly.
- No, I just prepared a surprise for you! Hehehe. - Kai laughed mysteriously.
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a loud sound!
- Dum! - Black energy instantly dispersed throughout the arena! And behind it, the Astral Sacrifice Fire erupted as well!
Kai decided that he would give it his best! If he got it right, this way he would be able to slightly limit the power of the lightning around Thunder Taran. Now, before it could enter Kai's body, it would first have to overcome the barrier of fire and destructive energy.
- You decided to waste no time and use up all your reserves quickly? - Smiling, the bulky man said.
- Don't talk so much. Hehehe. - Kai said angrily and instantly moved close to Thunder Ram.
- Bam! - The scenario was repeated again, and Kai flew backwards as well!
Except... It seemed that he now had a completely different expression on his face... He was smiling!
'It works... Indeed, I can harness the momentum to redirect that lightning. Hehe...' - Said Kai in his mind and rushed forward to attack again!
- Bam... Bam.... Bam!"- A series of thunderous blows began again, shaking the entire Fatuma High Arena.
Right now, almost all of the stands were watching this particular fight. Even the old men who were hidden from everyone's eyes were discussing these two. In the presence of such a spectacle, all the other arenas simply faded away.
- Do you think the boy will be able to break through Thunder Ram's defence? - One of the grey-haired men calmly asked.
- Hmm... Judging from the battle, I don't think so. Immortal Drunkard is very persistent, but it's just not enough.'' - Shaking his head, another old man replied.
- What do you think of Elder Traen? - Ovian suddenly asked with a slight smile.
It seemed that at this moment, the Shadow Elder was thinking deeply about something... He was intently watching all of Kai's movements and actions. He didn't even try to hide his interest from the people around him....
- You're all wrong. Just keep watching. - Traen calmly replied, not even taking his eyes off the arena.
Hearing such a reply, the old men didn't argue and simply shifted their gaze to the arena. It could be said that they trusted Elder Traen even more than themselves in such things.
At this moment, the frequency of Kai's attacks became more and more intense! Although no one noticed it initially, but after a few minutes... Even ordinary disciples could tell that Kai had sped up! It was obvious as he finally started to strike back!
- How did you... - Thunder Ram gave out in slight confusion.
He was now in a bit of shock, as he was not able to parry all of Kai's attacks! Now he sometimes missed his opponent's frivolous attacks! Although he managed to avoid most of the blows, but finally, small cuts started to accumulate on his body!
- What's up big guy? You wanted to play an endurance battle? Hehehe. - Laughing, Kai let out a laugh and rushed back into the attack!
In the last few minutes of experimentation, he had finally figured out how to properly use momentum to distribute thunder energy. The paralysis was now so slight that it didn't give Thunder Ram an advantage.
- All right, you little puffer...' Thunderclap said with a little anger.
Immediately after, he bounced almost to the edge of the arena!
'He seems to be changing tactics...' - Looking at the big guy, Kai thought.
And the next moment showed that Kai was absolutely right... Thunderclap Tharan threw his shield over his back, securing it there! Because of how huge this defensive weapon was, it seemed like the thunderbolt had turned into a turtle.
But it didn't end there, all the energy from the shield slowly began to flow into the glove. This caused it to literally glow blue!
Now, Thunder Ram's back was firmly protected, and attacking back would be completely unprofitable! Even considering that the shield wasn't covered in lightning energy, it was impossible to break through it!
- What's up, puppy? I'm ready to use my strongest move! If you want to live, then surrender! If not, then don't hesitate and attack! - The bulky man shouted loudly. It seemed like he was provoking Kai into a frontal attack!
Before this fight, Thunder Ram had yet to use his gauntlet. Although it was always worn, it was more to prevent him from underestimating his opponent. But in practice, he had yet to use it... It seemed that he had moved on to much more drastic methods.
'Why is Father in such a hurry? Or does he think I'm an idiot? Such childish provocation won't work on me.' - Smiling, Kai thought.
In such a case, using the old methods would be foolish. If Kai rushed into an attack with the Shadow Mark, he would have no effective method of retreat. And hitting with that gauntlet could be far more terrifying than that shield.
Realising this, Kai simply rushed forward! He only used the strength of his legs! But even so, the speed was tremendous!
- Idiot, you better give up! You're finished! - Bassisto issued a Thunder Ram and struck forwards!
At this moment, his hand shone with even more lightning! It seemed that this clawed glove, began to take on the semblance of a beast's mouth! But it didn't end there.... As soon as the strike was made, all that thunderous energy transformed into a huge dragon! And it flew forwards! Its entire body was made up of pure lightning!
- A manifestation of energy! - Someone from the stands of the Personal Disciples shouted out! It was one of the weakest representatives.
- No. Thunder Ram isn't on the Attraction Sphere yet. This was the result of his cultivation technique, but not a true manifestation of energy. - Explaining, someone at the side gave out.
Even so, this move seemed simply terrifying! As this dragon flew forwards, chains of lightning were shooting out from its body in all directions! And all of it was travelling straight towards Kai! At this moment, even his hair began to rise strangely! It seemed as if literally the entire surroundings were drenched in lightning!
- Damn! Good thing I also changed my strategy! - Kai shouted in shock!
He barely had time to react to the flying speed of this technique! Thankfully, he had prepared a Shadow Mark beforehand!
- Ba-baah! - An explosion of unbelievable proportions instantly erupted! Even the incredibly sturdy arena trembled slightly! From the contact between the thunder dragon and the arena barrier, a veritable cascade of thunderous explosions was created!
From the outside, it seemed like there was a shining hemisphere instead of Arena number 4! The barrier held this chain of explosions inside, preventing it from leaving its limits!
- What about the Immortal Drunkard?! Can he even survive?! - Shouted someone from the stands.
- Terrifying... How could one endure such a blow? Poor guy... He's got it coming! - Various shouts were heard from everywhere.
Everyone kept looking at the arena, but the storm of energy was still raging! It wasn't even clear what was happening there!
Only after a dozen seconds, everything began to slowly fade away... Finally, the spectators had a view of the arena.
- Where's the Immortal Drunkard?! Did he get burned?! - One of the spectators shouted in shock. But when he looked at the opposite side of the stands, he realised that something was wrong.....
This guy was sitting in such a way that he could see Thunder Ram's face, but not his back!
- He's alive! I'll be damned! - Similar shouts began to erupt from the back of the stands.
All the people in that area watched as Kai literally clutched onto Thunder Taran's shield and hung onto it! He literally protected himself with his opponent's weapon! But looking closely, it seemed as if something was wrong....
- Why hadn't he still let go of that shield? - Puzzled questions rang out.