Sword God Arena
Two months passed and Xueqin turned 7 years old. In this time, he didn't see Mucheng at all. His only interaction with him was some books about Design that had appeared on a table just as he had finished reading his last and the repairment of the metal each time he tried to forge it.
During this time, Xueqin's regime didn't change a lot. In the morning, he trained with the sword. Having attained his Sword Intent and having some control over it, Xueqin was focusing on giving it form and substance, creating new techniques with it, rather than simply covering his sword. He wanted to always be able to replicate that dragon's head he used against the black-haired boy. Also, increase its strength and versatility.
In the afternoons, he practiced his side jobs, spending more time over blacksmithing that it was truly much difficult than the other three or rather two as Mechanic wasn't different than the other two. It wouldn't take long before he reached rank-2 in both of them, being capable to design simple soul circuits and carve them. On the other hand, blacksmithing had very little progress. Even now he was unable to turn that metal into the same color, only lasting 14 controlled hits before it ruins too much.
Most of his time, Xueqin was at Mucheng's manor that had a great training room. The inner part of the Sword Valley was incredible, but it was too strong. The pressure over his body was too much to last, wearing him. Too much exposure would create negative effects, his limit being an hour every day. Even when he had got used to seeing the shine of the swords outside, not needing to wear glasses, there was a long way to do the same over the inner part, as the shines were far more potent.
He had learned that everyone had this problem and that it didn't matter if you became stronger. As your sword cultivation grew and your cultivation technique evolves, the sword qi of that place would affect you more, causing always that pressure.
That pressure was great to try to breakthrough or even stabilize your cultivation, but in a normal state was counterproductive, being better to train outside.
Xueqin also informed of the Past Sword Chamber. It was a place similar to the gate trial where you could fight against recorded swordmasters. The differences were that dying there was impossible, but you could be physically wounded, receiving 10% of the damage that they had dealt you. Moreover, this didn't test your talent, so your rival was someone with the most similar intent at yours, with a little stronger intent to make you improve. In this case, the age didn't matter as you could face someone much older or younger if they qualified. Xueqin was waiting until he finished controlling his Sword Intent to give it a try.
Today, Xueqin was walking over the outer area over the commercial district. There were a lot of people living in the Sword Valley so a great commercial area was created to offer necessities, from food to furniture, and a lot of more things.
Xueqin's objective was to buy some food. In these months, he had said goodbye to the bland food cubes, buying food in the market and even learning how to cook. It was all quite simple, but comparing with the cubes it was the difference between Heaven and Earth. Mucheng having barely given some money to do it.
The market was at the outer part of the Sword God City, very near the border of the Sword Valley, simplifying the work of the merchants.
"Big sis, I want two lettuces!" Xueqin said to a woman who was selling vegetables. The woman quickly smiling at him and giving his order plus an apple and a pear. Xueqin was already known by everyone in the market. It was rather easy to remember such a cute boy, especially seeing him going alone at the Sword Valley.
Xueqin went from stand to stand to buy whatever he wanted, leaving the market's place with a big bag full of food.
Just as he left the area, he stopped seeing two figures over a crowd coming to Sword God City from outside. He wouldn't be curious by people entering the city, but one of them picked his interest.
They were a man about 1'8 meters tall, wearing a dark coat all over his body and the one that picked his interest, a little girl that from her size, she should be about his age. She was holding her head with a pained look, showing that it was her first time entering the Sword Valley. It was quite strange to find such young people entering the Sword Valley. Most youngsters were about 9 to 12 years old, preparing to face the gate trial.
Looking at the little girl, Xueqin's eyes flicked with golden light as he was seeing the little girl's shine. The girl sensed as being observed, quickly turning her head towards Xueqin, both eyes met.
"Clank!" Suddenly, swords started surging from the ground all around Xueqin and the little girl.
"What is this?" Xueqin looked at his surrounding confused about what it was, trying to find the source.
More swords continued surging, some strange force pushed away everyone between Xueqin and the little girl, even separating her from her escort.
"Sword God Arena!" The escort shouted sounding shocked.
"An Arena!" "Woaw, it's a Sword God Arena, how rare!" People started gossiping, but as the swords around them increased their voice was blurring, disappearing. The last thing listened was an advice from the little girl's escort "Fight with all!"
It wasn't even 30 seconds before Xueqin found himself caged with the little girl, thousands of swords forming a wall, isolating them from the outside.
Now that they were alone, Xueqin was able to see the little girl better. She was a little girl 1'20 centimeters tall, with bright blonde hair tied in a ponytail, with a golden mask over her face, only her light green eyes being able to be seen through it.
Xueqin's eyes flicked looking at her, seeing around her an invisible golden aura that resembled a starry night. "Who are you?" Xueqin asked with doubt "And what did you do?"
"I am Stargod" Stargod extended her right hand a sword appearing over it. It was a long yellow sword. With sparks of light that twinkle along the slender brilliance of its yellow blade like the stars in the night sky. "I didn't do anything, but I know that we must fight" She positioned in guard, pointing her sword towards Xueqin. Her stance was elegant and sophisticated, with little openings, showing that Stargod was most probably from a noble family and that she had put great efforts in her practice.
Xueqin knew that the little girl was right, they must fight "Nice to me you, Stargod" He smiled at her. Even with half of his face covered, it was a critical hit thanks to his bright smile and smile, Stargod blushing. Not that Xueqin realized as she was wearing her mask. "I am Goldendragon" At Xueqin's hand his Golden Dragon Greatsword appeared, leaned over the ground.
In the Sword Valley where the most important were the swords and people hid their identity unless they decided to live eternally there, it was a custom to call oneself by one intent or sword. As Xueqin was hiding his Angelic Saber, he decided to go with the name of Goldendragon.
"I come!" Stargod shouted dashing towards Xueqin, all the swords around them started shining brightly.
Stargod approached Xueqin, slashing her sword towards him. Her movements were good and her speed was decent, but it lacked strength and impact.
Xueqin lightly tilted his greatsword, keeping it over the ground "Clank!" Stargod's sword hit the greatsword, completely unable to move it at all or cause any damage. Xueqin leaned his weight over his greatsword, gripping it with both hands, he propelled his lower body towards Stargod. He passed to the right of his greatsword and kicked Stargod's unprotected side.
"Ag!" Stargod was pushed over. But she quickly recovered in mid-air, stopping after 10 meters, never leaving the grip in her sword.
Stargod pointed her sword at Xueqin "You shouldn't use dirty methods, this is a sword fight. Show the dignity of the sword!"
"Dignity of the sword? Dirty methods?" Xueqin tilted his head confused "It's a fight, all is okay in a fight, especially using your legs." Xueqin was really confused, he didn't even try to throw her sand or anything. Mucheng had taught him to do everything in his hands to win, it didn't matter how creeping it was.
Seeing his answer, Stargod seemed angry "I will show my sword honor!" She dashed again, this time once she reached Xueqin, she kicked the ground, going towards the side to quickly kick the ground again, thrusting her sword at Xueqin. She was sure of her victory, as there was no way for the little boy to move that big greatsword in time.
Xueqin didn't move his sword. Instead, he jumped back, evading Stargod's thrust. He lifted swung his elbow, hitting Stargod's chin and throwing her at the ground.
Xueqin made a strange face. He was feeling a bit ashame to have hit a little girl's face. He kneeled a little offering his hand towards Stargod "You focus too much on my sword. I am also your rival here and it's not like my sword would directly attack you as my master's sword."
Listening Xueqin's words, she broke from her stun from the hit "Be quiet!" She swung her sword at him, Xueqin quickly jumping back.
Stargod quickly stood up and charged again "You're not a swordman!" She stabbed at him.
Xueqin's face turned cold, he lifted his hand, this greatsword disappearing from its place and appearing over his hand. "Clank!" Both swords met.
Stargod didn't stop, she continuously stabbed at Xueqin, but none of her attacks connected, all of them blocked by the greatsword.
"That for you the sword" Xueqin said coldly, he clenched his sword with both hands, for the first time in the fight, and swung it towards Stargod.
Stargod was surprised at how Xueqin was able to move so swift and fast such big greatsword. She crossed her sword trying to block it.
"Clank!!" The greatsword was blocked but it was too strong for her, being unable to redirect or face it. Xueqin completed the swing, throwing Stargod over 20 meters, seemingly like a falling star.
Stargod somersaulted, elegantly landing on the ground "Too strong!" she said looking at her trembling hands. Even having blocked it, she had been forced to receive the full might of the attack, her arms turning sores. However, it wasn't shock or fright what was written in her face, instead, it was an excited smile.
"Sorry!" Stargod bowed to Xueqin, surprising him "Sorry, for negating your sword. You are a true swordman!" She said smiling. With only that swing she had discovered the hours an effort that Xueqin had put over the sword. It wasn't only raw strength, it was the perfect timing and swift movements, impossible for a beginner.
Xueqin smiled thinking that she was too straightforward, but she wasn't bad, only too much dedicated over swords. Such attitude and determination, Xueqin liked her.
"Now, I will be the one attacking" Xueqin charged towards her, swinging his greatsword
"Clank!" "Clank!" "Clank!" Both swords clashed as Xueqin didn't stop his onslaught. Stargod was forced completely at the defensive, continuously retreating to cope with the momentum.
It was evident that Xueqin held the advantage, he was much stronger and even a little faster and that was without using his intent. If he decided to use his Sword Intent, the fight wouldn't last even a second.
However, both of them were smiling, enjoying the combat. Xueqin didn't know that fighting someone could be so enjoyable. He had only spared with his master, he simply being too strong. The other fights being against some idiots that laughed at him about being alone and not having parents and against the white and black boys and they were to bizarre and he needed to win. But fighting against someone strong and about the same age, not being forced, enjoying the moment, it was truly special.
For Stargod, it was similar. When her father gifted her a wood sword when she was 4, she instantly fell in love with it, wanting to reach the peak with it, only being increased when she awakened her Stargod Sword. Fighting against someone of her age that had put the effort and sweet like her, that truly cared and knew swords, she felt incredibly happy fighting against him. It didn't even matter if she was weaker, she would strive to become stronger
As she swung her sword, the world seemed to expand over her, her comprehension increasing and even faintly sensing her sword. She could feel it, she was approaching the Sword Intent! At 7 years old with Sword Intent, it would be the first in her family!
"Clank!" Both swords clashed and Stargod was pushed away. She looked at Xueqin smiling "Thanks, Goldendragon. I really enjoyed this fight. But this is my win!" She extended her sword, golden aura surged around it, glimmering like little starts all along the blade. She had finally reached, she had formed her Sword Intent!
"Let's fight again another time!" She dashed forward, thrusting her sword, golden star aura surging from it. Her speed and strength reaching a completely new level than before.
Xueqin smiled "Yeah, it was funny. Let's fight again. But!" He pierced his sword at the ground "It's my win!"
A golden dragon's head condensed over Xueqin's greatsword "
Stargod's sword clashed against the dragon, being unable to pierce over it. It was too strong!
"ROARRR!" The dragon roared, expanding and pushing Stargod over, completely breaking her intent, Stargod leaving her sword as she crashed to the ground with a loud sound.
The swords all around shined brightly and started disappearing. Quickly, the God Sword Arena disappeared, Xueqin and Stargod finding themselves surrounded by a cheering crowd.
"What a fight!" "They are too young, too strong!" "This is how kids must work out, fight, fight, fight!" Different comments could be heard from the crowd that even when isolated and unable to act, they were able to see the fight.
Xueqin ignored the crowd, quickly approaching Stargod to see if she was injured. He liked the fight and her very much, it would be horrible if he had gravely wounded her.
"Are you okay?" Xueqin asked with concern. Stargod slowly opened her bright green eyes, looking at her surroundings. "Yes" she said
Xueqin sighed in relief seeing that she was fine and offered his hand to lift her.
"You are a meanie!" Stargod complained "You should have told me you had a Sword Intent."
"Sorry, sorry!" Xueqin scratched his neck.
"It was a great fight" Stargod took Xueqin's hand "Let's fight again later" She said smiling as Xueqin helped her to stand up.
"Let's fight again later" Xueqin smiled.