The sparring area in the mansion was charged. Zhang Ren stood facing Zhang Wei, son of Lord Zhang. The two young fighters stared at one another intently. There was a charged air around them, every movement sharp and every breath held.
"Ready to test your skills, Ren?" Young Master sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. His icy gaze and confident stance spoke a thousand words.
Zhang Ren straightened up; his expression was blank. "Always ready, Wei," he said. "Don't think less of me.".
Suddenly without a word, Zhang Wei was fast; his right fist burst very brilliantly in bright red energy and burned as he threw the punch into Zhang Ren's face.
"Fire Fist!" Wei yelled as fire energy shot out from his punch.
Zhang Ren dodged the attack to the side, missing the full force of the hit. The heat from the fire burned the air as the flame went by him.
"That was close," Ren said softly, narrowing his eyes. He turned around and moved fluidly At that moment, he struck with his fire move too. "Flame Strike!"
Flames erupt from his hand, and a straight shot of fire shoots at Minghao. The air becomes heavy since two flames meet in the air, creating shockwaves that shake the ground below them.
"Impressive," Wei said, his lips curling into a smirk as he raised his hand, gathering a massive ball of flame in his palm. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."
"You're just about done then," Ren said, cracking up while extending his hand toward the heavens. He closed his eyes briefly and concentrated on his Spiritual energy.
Suddenly, the air surrounding them started to shake. The ground underneath was trembling as a huge figure came from deep inside. A giant creature made out of hot rock and fire, with its body covered with complex designs, stepped forth.
"Here is my spirit beast," Zhang Ren said his voice steady with pride, but full of it, "Flame Serpent.".
The serpent roared and his hot body sent sparinto in the air as the fire inside him stirred like a tornado.
Wei's eyes widened slightly, but his confidence remained intact. "A spirit beast? Well then, I'll have to summon mine too."
Wei snapped his fingers, closed his eyes, and focused. His body shone with energy and a bright fireball appeared within seconds in his hands. It spun around and quickly gained size, growing into a beast of huge flames with the roars of this giant beast.
"Here is my Inferno Beast," Wei said, satisfied as the creature flexed its blazing claws. "Let's see whose flame is stronger."
The two spirit beasts surrounded their masters. Their bodies burned with vigor. The ground down there began to burn and was tightly tensioned with hot air.
---
The two young cultivators nodded to their animals. It was no longer them fighting with each other but these fire-creatures by their sides as huge as trees.
With a sudden command, Zhang Ren's Flame Serpent shot forward, slithering across the battlefield with terrifying speed. It coiled around Wei's Inferno Beast, sending jets of fire in all directions. The Inferno Beast roared, its fiery claws slashing through the air as it countered with a series of devastating strikes.
Young Master Wei smiled slyly as he watched his beast fight very well. "Your beast is good, but mine is better."
In one quick move, Wei jumped into the air, surrounded by flames as he called on a burst of fiery energy. "Inferno Slash!
He threw down his hand and the blaze beast sent a massive wave of fire at the serpent. The blast hit it, a bright, hot explosion that filled the entire sparring area.
Zhang Ren ground his teeth, and he was hot for a moment. However, he quickly regained control and raised his hand. "Flame Shield!"
Around him, a wall of flame, churning and twirling, cut off the fire. A loud yell and Ren ordered his Flame Serpent to strike back. The serpent writhed in mid-air and clashed with the Inferno Beast of Wei with great power.
Zhang Ren's snake wraps around Wei's creature, hot hugging it into immobility for a moment and that was just what Ren needed. The two fiery creatures crashed into each other; the energy from them sounded like two huge fires fighting.
Ren sprinted forward with his hand aglow with fire energy while calling for one final strike. "Fire Dragon's Fury!
A huge dragon made of fire came out from his hand, wheeling toward Wei.
Wei's eyes wide, he lifted his hand, calling up his Inferno Beast to step between him and the attack. Just as the Inferno Beast belled out and leaped in to shield its master, the Fire Dragon roared with incredible strength right through the creature.
This resulted in strong waves in the air as the ground beneath them split apart. Wei stepped backward shakily, his body glistening with sweat, for the first time showing uncertainty on his face.
You're stronger than I thought, Ren, Wei said, sounding impressed and frustrated all at once. "But you're not winning this this easily.".
Zhang Ren smiled calmly. "You have power, Young Master Wei, but it's not enough to keep up."
---
Zhang Tianyuan takes over.
But just before things could go worse, the head of the Zhang family, Zhang Tianyuan, entered the sparring ground. He was so strong and caught the attention of both fighters.
"That's enough!" Tianyuan's voice was loud and commanding of himself.
Zhang Ren and Wei came to a stop, freezing in their tracks. Their spirit beasts went underground. The flames that existed within the air vanished. What is left is thick silence.
"Wei, Ren," Zhang Tianyuan continued, his gaze sharp. "You've just arrived. You've fought well, but it's time to rest.
The academy exam approaches. There will be plenty of time to test your abilities later."
Wei frowning, bowed his head respectfully. "I understand, Mr Tianyuan.".
Zhang Ren bowed, head down respectfully. "I shall obey, Father,
Tianyuan looked at Lord Zhang's son and spoke more calmly, "Young Master, I know you are excited. You shouldn't tire yourself too much. You have traveled far; no need to hurry.
Real difficulties are soon to come.". Wei set his jaw but uttered not a word. "Yes, Patriarch.".
As the tension in the air started to dissipate, Zhang Ren gave a small nod to Wei. "You're indeed powerful, Young Master. I'll admit that you've pushed me to my limits today."
Wei was still breathing hard from that battle, a slight smile spreading across his face. "You're not so bad yourself, Ren. But when it comes to it, I'll be in charge.".
Zhang Ren's eyes showed strong determination. "We'll see about that."
The two young cultivators stood in front of each other, and their competition was about to start.
Zhang Tianyuan gazed at them with his expressionless face and then turned to his son. "Rest now, both of you. Tomorrow, we prepare."
The day was gone, but rivalry still went between Zhang Ren and Young Master Wei. And so was prepared to face one another once again at the proper time.