"Tch… a spar? Do you really think this is going to be a spar? No, I'll simply beat you up to relieve my anger. As for you, you'll be unable to do a single thing to stop me," Typhir arrogantly spat, looking at Apollo as if he was an insignificant person.
However, in response, Apollo chuckled, "Funny, you talk big but I don't see you approaching me. Are you scared?" Apollo winked, provoking Typhir further. Of all those present, he was the only one who showed a reaction to Apollo's provocations.
Thus, he was marked as Apollo's target. His crude behavior was accompanied by an even shorter temper. Of course, this was another reason the Nine Glories were unable to stand him. Speaking of which, those same people distanced themselves from Apollo and Typhir with intrigued gazes.
"Hm, how strong do you think this boy is?" Claire asked Aeon, who was silently sizing Apollo. For a moment, he remained silent, trying to accurately gauge Apollo's strength.
"Mm, I'm not sure. Based on his fluctuations, his cultivation shouldn't surpass the 2nd rank of Zul Warrior Realm but… his aura is irregular. Let's just say he's somewhere around the 5-6th level to be safe," Aeon estimated.
Meanwhile, both Typhir and Apollo's aura continued to climb. The hostile atmosphere between them became palpable. Typhir brandished his weapon whereas Apollo took a barehanded approach. Naturally, this earned colorful expression from everyone present.
One had to know, all their weapons they possessed as Glories were at least Rank 5. In other words, the capabilities of their equipment were something Apollo was entirely unfamiliar with. Nevertheless, this was a scenario Apollo couldn't change. As of now, there were no usable weapons in his arsenal.
'Hm… his aura is vibrant and he's many times stronger than Krone. Even though I'm stronger than back then, I still need to be careful. He should able to break through my defenses with ease but I should possess the means to combat him,' Apollo mused to himself, observing Typhir's wide stance.
"Are you an idiot or are you belittling me? You should already feel there is a difference between our cultivation base. If you don't raise a suitable weapon, then you won't even understand how you lost. No, you may even suffer injuries rendering you incapable of joining the Selection Trials. I'm sure that'd be a shame, now wouldn't it," Typhir chuckled, showing a cynical smirk.
'Oh, he intends to deal extensive damage to me? Let's both play that game then,' Apollo internalized, before flaring his own aura. At the same time, the defensive film from earlier escaped from the Infernal Stigmata, coating Apollo's body.
"It's amusing. You continue to talk but that flimsy aura of yours isn't intimidating in the slightest. Allow me to show you how it is really done," Apollo grinned faintly, the malevolent aura around him assaulting everyone.
In response, Typhir clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Tch.. your impudent actions will be your own undoing. It'll give birth to your defeat!"
'Bang!'
With a forceful stomp, Typhir dashed toward Apollo who welcomed his advance. Instead of moving, Apollo thrust his hand forward. Although it seemed harmless, the blow was vicious, hiding his trusty Demonic Massacre Wave.
Of course, the senses of a Glory were not to be underestimated. Before the strike could reach him, Typhir leaned out of the way, thrusting his broadsword forward. Even though he didn't use any technique, just the force generated by the weapon was enough to send Apollo a few steps backward.
'Strong, perhaps stronger than I estimated. It seems I'll have to take this seriously, this isn't a fight with low-level Spirit Beasts; this is a human with the cognitive ability to adapt to my attacks. Not to mention, his other abilities should be high as well. If I'm not mistaken, he specializes in Body Cultivation.'
"Hoh? Why do I feel like you're incapable of making that scenario come to light? If you think you are, then, by all means, come at me," Apollo responded with a wink, as he flitted around the room, further incensing Typhir. If there was one department he had him beat, it was speed.
"Hah!? Why are you running? Get back here," Typhir exclaimed, irritated by Apollo's evasive actions. Evidently, in this situation, Apollo needed to test the waters first before he took any blows head-on.
As Typhir mentioned earlier, there was a chance of suffering a blow that would be detrimental to his later performance. Thus, Apollo didn't use his usual upfront and headstrong assault method. This time, he calmly analyzed the situation. Using soft force, he deflected Typhir's slashes that made their way to him.
Due to this, Typhir's frustration soared to new heights. Rather than outright attack Apollo, he aimed a destructive blow at the floor below. Subsequently, large fragments of the floor were obliterated flying into the air.
Unfortunately, this didn't do anything except create mobile platforms for the agile Apollo. With light taps, he whizzed across the airborne pieces of ground, that was, until Typhir took a change of actions.
Typhir's sword slashed horizontally. Attacked by a wave of crazed essence, the rocks first crumbled and then turned molten. In a single attack, he had effortlessly weaved the uses of both Earth and Fire Essence. Essentially, he destroyed Apollo's playing field.
'Hm, I've gotten a good grasp of his strength now,' Apollo nodded to himself, dashing in. This time, he didn't retreat, meeting his fist with Typhir's blade. As a result, the flesh on his knuckles was mutilated but at a visible pace, it began healing.
The Glories on the sidelines took note of this, impressed by his healing ability. It was something that didn't belong to this level of cultivation. In fact, it was something only seen by the next level. That was when Natural Essence could be manipulated with ease to tend to your own wounds.
"Could this boy have talent rivaling us?" Vellaria muttered, gaping at Apollo's hand.
"No, not quite. It seems his ability is centered around this one aspect. His other abilities seem rather lacking. This entire time, all he's done is avoid Typhir until now. Perhaps, it is now, the real show begins," Aeon shook his head, dismissing Vellaria's ideas.
At this, she fell silent, spectating the battle further.
While time passed, their clashes grew increasingly violent. Furthermore, with each blow, Apollo's body began to adapt to the damage it was receiving. Due to this, Apollo's momentum picked up as time went on.
Typhir, on the other hand, found this unacceptable; his own attacks picking up in volatility. Moreover, his essences seemed to seethe, nearly approaching a new height. Amidst his frustration, he nearly revealed his entire cultivation base!
In truth, throughout this whole ensemble, he had been holding back. If he didn't, perhaps this battle would have been over with the first strike. Luckily, Typhir's anger wasn't one that allowed him to be blinded by rage.
Under his barbaric appearance was a calculating mind, 'So, with 40 percent of my strength, he hasn't suffered any losses. Let's make a jump to 70% then.'
'Boom!'
In an instant, a turbulent cyclone appeared around Typhir, his eyes grew savage as he peered at Apollo, "Do you know why I was named Typhir? The violent winds appeared on the day of black sun marking my birth, symbolizing the one blessed by the scorching winds."
Typhir drew back his broadsword, sliding it against his arm. Afterward, a fusion of smoldering heat and violent winds melded together. Around his blade, a deep red hue pulsated before raising the sword above his head.
"So you were holding back? What a surprise, so was I," Apollo closed his eyes opening them again in the next instant. Crimson flames danced in his eyes, the Infernal Ira Stigmata pulsating frantically.
Now that his Tainted Temple was opened, it appeared he possessed some ability with dealing with the corruption of Ira. Nevertheless, it was nowhere near being complete, hence, Apollo hastened his actions.
Dark wisps of Hellfire coated his left fist before dashing back in. Their first strikes met each other, decimating a radius of 3 yards around them. Additionally, the resulting shockwave continued beyond them, prompting the other Glories to once again defend with their own Essence Aegis.
"Haha! Amazing, it seems you are stronger than I thought!" Typhir laughed, filled with excitement. The events of earlier had already left his mind, replaced by the thrill of battling with this fellow.
Likewise, Apollo felt the same way, "You are strong too. Should we take this up another notch? I'm sure this is far from your limit!" Apollo uttered, the Hellfire around his hand growing more active.
"Again!" Typhir roared in response, his feet stampeding the ground as they sought to clash again. If so, the resulting reaction would be even more harrowing than the last. Unfortunately, it never came to be, a fleeting figure appeared grasping each of their limbs.
With ease, their destructive attacks were neutralized, each of them ending up impaled into a wall, on opposite sides. For a moment, their expressions were blank.