Vin didn't stand on ceremony, and decided to abuse his newly improved speed and agility to its limits.
He dashed around throwing fast punches and jabs at Zeph, but Zeph wasn't idle either, although he didn't have much agility to maneuver like Vin.
That didn't mean he was slow in anyway, in fact he was able to throw fast enough punches to keep up with Vin, and damn did he pack a punch, although Zeph was also a flame element user, because of his inate strength, he decided to focus on being a body cultivator.
The only thing he used his fire skills to do was to enhance his body, this in turn caused his explosive speed to not be taken lightly, his defense was also top notch, so asides from his lacking agility, he was truly a force to be reconed with.
After a while of testing their abilities, they both stopped and backed off to the ends of the martial stage.
The crowd erupted in awe-inspired cheers as they were extremely excited about the battle, and they discussed it enthusiastically.
"Whoa, did you see that?"
"Yeah, those punches looked deadly!"
"I don't think I would be able survive three of those punches"
"Don't flatter yourself dude, I don't think you'd be able to survive even one!"
"Tch, who asked for your opinion"
"Say, do you think they would be releasing their peak skills right now to end the match?"
"Yeah, I think so too, they are already at the apex of the battle, so it's time to end it right?"
"Hmmmm, yeah that should be it"
The crowd were quite enthusiastic as they anticipated the skills the combatants would use to end the match, little did they know that the true battle hadn't even begun.
Just as they had thought that the combatants were about to erupt in awe inspiring skills, they heard some shocking words...
"You're strong" Vin said as he observed his opponent, "I could say the same about you" Zeph replied.
"Now that warm-ups are over, shall we begin the true battle" Vin grinned as he flexed his muscles and cracked a few bones.
"I wouldn't have it any better" Zeph laughed out loudly as he also imitated Vin's actions.
"What!!!!!!"
"That was just a warm-up?"
"So what the hell could be called the real battle"
"These people are freeks of nature"
The crowd erupted into another another exited round of talks, but it didn't last long as they pinned their eyes on the martial stage in anticipation.
In a surprising twist, both combatants agreed to forgo their cultivation abilities and rely solely on their physical prowess. The crowd buzzed with excitement, eager to witness a clash of raw strength and skill.
"Well then, shall we?!"
"Indeed!"
"CRACK!!!"
"BANG!!!!"
"BOOOOOOOM!!!!"
The ground caved in under their feet, as they bulleted towards the other in an explosive speed, causing a loud banging sound to ring out.
It only took a split second for them to reach the center of the stage, and they both threw out a heavy punch, this caused a loud booming sound to ring out as they separated again.
The battle began, and Vin charged forward with a powerful tackle. Zeph, his massive frame unwavering, met Vin head-on. The two collided, their bodies crashing like titans. Vin's agility allowed him to dodge Zeph's initial blows, but the Body cultivator's sheer strength sent Vin flying across the arena with a single swipe.
Vin sprang to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination. He launched a flurry of punches and kicks, each strike aimed at Zeph's defenses. Zeph, his body honed to perfection, absorbed the blows with ease. He countered with a crushing bear hug, threatening to snap Vin's spine.
Vin, his muscles straining, managed to break free. He seized Zeph's wrist, twisting it into a vicious armlock. Zeph's face contorted in pain, but he refused to yield. With a Herculean effort, he lifted Vin off the ground, slamming him into the arena's stone floor.
The impact sent shockwaves through the crowd. Vin, dazed but unbroken, struggled to his feet. Zeph, his eyes burning with intensity, unleashed a maelstrom of punches and kicks. Vin weathered the storm, his body screaming in protest.
In a stunning reversal, Vin landed a devastating kick on Zeph's exposed flank. The Body cultivator stumbled, his defenses breached. Vin seized the opening, pinning Zeph to the ground with a perfectly executed grappling hold.
And then a flurry of punches was rained out on Zeph, Vin didn't even allow him a single second of breathing space, he kept on punching out till Zeph couldn't even defend anymore and so decided to give up as he was too weak to even stand.
The crowd erupted as Vin emerged victorious, his physical strength and resilience proving equal to the task.
As Zeph conceded defeat, Vin stood tall, his chest heaving with exhaustion. The two combatants shared a nod of respect, their mutual admiration clear. Vin's name rose in the rankings, his reputation as a force to be reckoned with solidified.
The tournament had ended for the day, but the clash between Vin and Zeph would be remembered as a testament to the power of human potential.
Although Vin had restricted his cultivation base to the seventh stage of the Body refining realm, he was still pushed to his absolute limit.
It had been a while since he was this exited about a battle that pushed him to his limits. He glanced at a certain area below the stage, and there he saw an enemy he was determined not to spare.
Daemon Cadmus. When their eyes met, it caused a friction in the air between them, the observers could almost smell gun powder.
Daemon gave Vin a murderous but sinister smile as if to say 'Tomorrow when we face, you would die'.
Vin only stared at him for a moment before turning his head away ignoring his threats.
He walked down from the stage and went towards his residence, he was going to fight his last battle tomorrow morning against Daemon Cadmus and it was going to be the first battle of the day.
He wanted to get as much rest as possible as it definitely wouldn't be an easy battle at all.
********
Early the next morning, the entire arena was packed full of people as usual, it was the second day of the last section of the Mortal Rankings competition, the Mortal lords tournament.
And it was also today when some of the Mortal lords would be showcasing some of their skill for the first time since the tournament started.
Vin and Daemon Cadmus, the twelfth-ranked genius flame user and pyromancer, faced off in the first battle. Their animosity was palpable, their history of conflict and mutual hatred well-known by more than a few who had guessed and investigated.
The air was charged with tension as they began to circle each other, their eyes blazing with murderous intent.
The rules of the tournament for the top twenty allowed for incapacitation, but not killing. Vin and Daemon had no intention of holding back, their goal to crush each other's spirit and will. The crowd sensed the intensity, their excitement and fear mingling in a heady mix.
Daemon, his voice dripping with venom, unleashed a wave of flames that threatened to engulf Vin. Vin, his agility heightened by his newly improved speed, dodged and weaved through the inferno. He countered with a precise strike, aiming for Daemon's exposed shoulder. Daemon, his pyromancy allowing him to manipulate flames with ease, conjured a blazing shield to deflect Vin's attack.
The battle raged on, the two combatants exchanging blows and neither gaining the upper hand. Vin's Sword One skill allowed him to slice through Daemon's flames, but the pyromancer's sheer power kept Vin at bay. Daemon's flames danced across the arena, Vin leaping and dodging to avoid the deadly tendrils.
In a sudden burst of speed, Vin closed the distance between them, his sword flashing in the light. Daemon, caught off guard, stumbled backward as Vin's blade bit deep into his shoulder. The pyromancer's flames faltered, his focus wavering.
Vin pressed his advantage, pinning Daemon to the ground. His sword raised, ready to deliver the final blow, but Daemon's eyes flashed with defiance. With a surge of pyromantic energy, he unleashed a blast of flames that sent Vin flying across the arena.
Vin struggled to his feet, his body scorched and smoldering. Daemon, his wounds ignored, summoned a maelstrom of fire that threatened to consume Vin whole.
Vin's Tears of Asura skill allowed him to survive the inferno as he conjured hundreds of reddish black tear drops around him in a thick defense, but his strength waned a little.
In a last-ditch effort, Vin focused his remaining energy, his sword shining with a fierce light. He charged forward, his blade slicing through Daemon's flames and striking true. Daemon's eyes widened as Vin's sword bit deep into his leg, crippling him.
The crowd erupted as Vin stood victorious, his body battered but unbroken. Daemon, his hatred and anger still burning bright, glared at Vin with a promise of future retribution. Vin, his chest heaving with exhaustion, offered no quarter, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
The tournament continued, but the clash between Vin and Daemon would be remembered as a testament to the ferocity and intensity of their rivalry. Their conflict was far from over, the embers of their hatred still smoldering, waiting to ignite once more.
**************