(27) The Long Awaited Fight

The next day of the competition was the day most cultivators looked forward to.

The seats were completely filled even more so than before as names were called and cultivators cheered. Intense fights between skilled cultivators transpired and many were in awe and admired but also envied those who would have a big future ahead of them. The major sects, like always, performed the best and won most of the fights, moving on to the next rounds. Soon, only the top of the crop were left to finish off the competition, with the secondary competition also coming to an end.

"Wow, I can't believe I am here right now to see the top of the cultivators fight," a cultivator whispered.

"Unexpectedly the Moon Sect made it to the top five this year. Does that mean that the first direct disciple of the Moon Sect was less skilled in the last decade?"

"No. Last year, the Flowing Wind Emperor lost to the past Blooming Red Goddess of the Dark Ruby Sect and was given sixth place because of that. If he hadn't fought with her, then he could have made it to third place. The ranking now would be a bit different. The swiftness of his sword as well his speed is no joke."

"The Blooming Red Goddess? Who's that?"

"Oh, you don't know because you're new, but she's the previous first direct disciple of the Dark Ruby Sect." The cultivator explaining sighed. "She passed away a few years ago. It's a shame because she was one of the top talents at that time, unrivaled even among male cultivators of her generation."

"Huh? How did such a great person die?"

"I heard it was during a mission… The second disciple of the Dark Ruby Sect, the Dark Hero, brought her body back with him to the sect to be buried here since she was an orphan, adopted by the sect leader." His voice lowered since they were inside the Dark Ruby Sect in case someone heard him and was offended as he talked about this slightly sensitive topic.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" One of the masters of the Dark Ruby Sect said. "We have reached a point in which the top contestants will determine the top ranking in this competition. Please welcome the first fight between Kang WangYong, direct disciple of the Dark Ruby Sect, in the peak-stage of the Third Tier, and Wu LiJing, direct disciple of the Moon Sect, in the high-stage of the Third Tier!"

Thunderous claps echoed in the crowd as the time finally arrived for top disciples to fight against each other.

"So they're only one stage apart!"

"Do you think the Moon Sect will be able to match up to the Dark Ruby Sect?"

Wu LiJing jumped on stage and waited as a red figure jumped down as well to face her with a stoic expression. She smiled and saluted with her heart already pounding. Kang WangYong also showed a small smile and saluted back.

"Ready, fight!"

Cling!

In the blink of an eye, both cultivators summoned their swords and clashed at the speed of lightning. It looked as though two lights, one black and one silver, were letting out sparkles as both attacked and dodged evenly without taking a break. Their bodies were moving but it looked like their swords were doing the fighting for them as sounds of metal hitting metal rung in the air.

"So, this is what it means when two sword experts meet each other," a cultivator whispered, breaking the silence that accrued as they observed the fight with wide eyes.

"Have they both been holding back all this time?" Another cultivator was bewildered.

"I can barely follow their moves," a man below the Third Tier complained with a sigh.

Gao JianWei was laughing loudly and grinned as he watched this fight, the most interesting one so far in these two days he had been sitting while yawning from time to time. "Wang WeiYue, that jerk. He really picked up a good disciple! Give it a few more years and she could even rival Kang WangYong. Tsk. Tsk." The sect master paused as his pupils followed each move that both disciples made with strategy and skill. He rubbed his chin. "Should I kidnap her and bring her to our Dark Ruby Sect? Her sword skills are wasted in the Moon Sect." Then his eyes softened, and he couldn't help sighing a little. "She reminds me a lot of Ying'er… I'm sure Ying'er would have enjoyed seeing a younger girl fight like this as well…"

Wang WeiYue was also smiling widely with bright eyes as he watched, folding his fan and putting it down on his table. That's right, this was his disciple! "LiJing… she's improved greatly since I've seen her swordsmanship." Her glanced at Lai RongYi who didn't seem interested as he ate his grapes, but his eyes were obviously following each move carefully. Sect Master Wang chuckled. "Now RongYi, do you know why I picked LiJing as my second disciple?"

Lai RongYi looked away, acting disinterested. "Her skill is just mediocre." But his lips lifted up a little as his eyes slowly went back to the middle stage again. She had better win this fight.

"Wow! Look! QiaoHua, Eldest Senior Sister is so talented! I've never seen her swing her sword like that before!" Wei SuSu exclaimed, more excited than her usual self. She gripped her hands in front of her, she wanted to fight like that one day!

Wu QiaoHua nodded with a small smile as she looked on stage with a complicated gaze.

Wu LiJing found herself smiling as she fought, with her sword chi constantly radiating out, sharpening each strike as she swung her sword. She was using Circle Blade and letting out a circular sword chi attack that can only be defeated with two additional chi slashes. Her lashes fluttered as she looked at Kang WangYong's expression.

There was also a small smile on his face from enjoying this fight that could only happen between two people who were similar in level and have mastered and understood the way of the sword.

It was as though she felt some kind of connection with him as their swords met. Her heart was beating like a heavy rain, even as his heavy strikes - ones heavier than she ever felt before - attacked her lighter sword. Her arms ached as they faced the intense strength of a chi attack that felt heavier than a boulder. Her form was starting to break. He was using Heavy Mountain Skill, a skill that makes his attack strength as heavy as an unmoving mountain. She could only dodge to the side as his sword came down on her.

Shing!

Before his sword could pierce through her skull, she deflected it slightly to the left, with it slightly slicing her cheek.

She smiled. She got him. "Rhythmic Swords," she whispered. She stepped in closer to him, catching him off guard as her feet danced and her body moved. Her wrist beautifully flung her silver sword and one hundred moves were created in motion, like turning through a story that had many twists and turns.

Kang WangYong had trouble deflecting all of the moves that looked smooth and aimed for fatal spots, leaving no room for error.

"You've improved," he said as his left arm bled. He jumped back and managed to break away from her formations.

Flying Sword Lights, he thought so and swung his sword in the air and five light swords were created with chi, emitting a bright light. They flew towards their opponent and attacked.

Clothes flying, Wu LiJing's body flipped over a sword light and she used a chi sword attack to get rid of it. It was as though six different swords were fighting with her, with Kang WangYong's actual sword in the mix as he attacked in person.

She used Recoiling Blade to release a chi attack from her sword that she can hit and return to her like a boomerang to distract Kang WangYong as she slowly rid herself of these light swords by attacking them just as strongly.

By the end of the fight, both cultivators were breathing somewhat heavily and had a few injuries here and there, with Wu LiJing having more cuts. Wu LiJing's sword was on the ground and Kang WangYong's sword was to her neck.

Wu LiJing smiled sincerely and saluted. "Thank you, Sir WangYong, for not going easy on me." There was a beautiful smile on her face that blinded many, even causing a few to blush. Even after a major fight, her robes were in place and her hair was still smoothly flowing in the wind with elegance.

Kang WangYong also cracked a smile and saluted. "Thank you for the enjoyable match." A few women sighed and many blushed, unwilling to blink should they miss this rare smile from this more than handsome lad.

"Oh my gosh!" The silence that the arena was filled with was suddenly filled with yells and cheers of admiration and awe.

"I can't believe I just witnessed that!"

"Two sword masters practically fought here today!"

"I wonder what it will be like in the future?! Both are too talented! Is this even possible?!"

"Isn't the Ice Goddess a few years younger than the Dark Hero? Her fight today speaks thousands about her talent and potential!"

But there was only one person, sitting among the Wonder Tree Sect disciples, who wasn't as happy as she grit her teeth and wrenched her skirt. "She's talented, very talented. Just like in the past," Han YanLing whispered. Her attention went from Wu LiJing's smile to Kang WangYong's smile. She felt her heart ache a little. "And he said he wasn't close with her… Liar." She smiled but her eyes were dark. She would have to make sure it becomes true then. She realized; she didn't want to let go of him when he carried her personally after getting injured before. She liked him a lot and he treated her so well, better than anyone has treated her. And in this lifetime, she wasn't going to let the things that should belong to her go elsewhere.

Everyone was standing up and clapping vehemently, including many of the sect masters. This fight had been ever better than they had expected! An unexpected fight!

Wang WeiYue was smiling proudly even if his disciple didn't win. "Well done, disciples!" he said. "Well done!"

Gao JianWei was also clapping and laughing. "Sect Master Wang, it seems your Moon Sect will be able to move up to the fifth rank due to your skilled disciple!"

Wang WeiYue was smiling. "No, no. LiJing was only able to display her great talent due to her just as talented opponent. I would have to thank you for that, Sect Master Gao!"

Lai RongYi stared at the masters. For once, it seems both masters weren't being sarcastic with each other. Then his gaze went down to the middle stage where both disciples were saluting to each other and complimenting each other. "Not bad," he muttered before he went back to eating his grapes that he had left alone for a while.

When Wu LiJing returned to her seat, she saluted towards her master. "Master, I have let you down."

Wang WeiYue smiled and shook his head, pouring tea for his disciple. "Sit. You did a good job. If you won this fight, I would tell you to lose the next one. You should know me best, LiJing. And your opponent for this round is either going to be second or first place by the end of the day, so it doesn't matter." His disciple has shown that she can stand toe to toe with one of the best disciples. That is more than good enough. He smirked as he noticed a few envious gazes from the sect masters.

Wu LiJing nodded and sat down next to her master. She knew her master liked to be up top, but he didn't like to stand out among the masses. He liked to be elegantly discreet.

Lai RongYi yawned and commented, "I got bored. My fight a decade ago was definitely better." But his comment was simply ignored.

…

Finally, after a few more amazing fights, two contestants were left. This was the fight everyone had been waiting for all day. And it was to be expected since both showcased such great aptitude two years ago in the previous competition even as low-stage Two Tier junior cultivators.

"Please welcome: Kang WangYong, direct disciple of the Dark Ruby Sect, peak-stage of Third Tier and Bai ZhiJun, direct disciple of the Blue Crane Sect, peak stage of Third Tier!"

There were fast claps as the two famous cultivators stepped onto the middle stage. One dressed in darker robes and one dressed in lighter robes.

Kang WangYong had a stoic face with cold eyes as he saluted, with his black hair pin shining as the rays of sun hit it. Bai ZhiJun, on the other hand, had a gentle smile as he saluted, his eyes emitting a serious glint as his silver crown that kept his bun together glinted. One domineering figure contrasted with a gentle one.

Swish!

In a flash, two swords appeared. Kang WangYong was holding a sword darker than night and Bai ZhiJun held a sword that looked as light as the clear sky.

"Ready, fight!"

Bang!

Kang WangYong used one of his skills, "Double Swords." One slash that was faster than the eye can see was actually two chi slashes towards his opponent. And as he increased his sword swings, multiple sword slashes attacked Bai ZhiJun. Bai ZhiJun skillfully evaded as his body seemed to float around the attacks, with them hitting the ground of the stage instead and creating small dents.

"Sir Kang, you didn't even let me summon my main weapon first," he said with his gentle smile.

Kang WangYong was just silent as he attacked and jumped closer with cold eyes.

Cling!

"Bai ZhiJun's sword skills have improved greatly," Wang WeiYue commented. "He probably felt threatened last year even if he won against Kang WangYong and worked hard on his swordsmanship." He turned to Ruan FuPing, sitting just behind him. "What do you think, Master Ruan?"

Ruan FuPing nodded. "Indeed. I would even consider him a genius with his growth in his swordsmanship. Hm… he hasn't summoned the guqin yet. It seems he wants to prove to Kang WangYong that he's just as skilled in swordsmanship."

"Or he just hasn't had a chance to change his weapon," Wang WeiYue smiled.

Wu LiJing observed carefully. Who was going to win this time? Last year, she heard that Bai ZhiJun won against Kang WangYong. For now, it seems Bai ZhiJun's sword is still not as sharp as Kang WangYong's.

"You're trying to stop me from summoning my qin," Bai ZhiJun said as his gentle smile turned cold.

"Flying Sword Lights," Kang WangYong muttered, answering his question. Indeed. He was trying to prevent Bai ZhiJun from changing his weapon. Since he was confident enough to start off their fight with a sword instead, then he would make Bai ZhiJun regret it.

Bai ZhiJun felt a sweat drip down his forehead as five swords of light attacked him. But his flexible body still gracefully dodged as he countered Kang WangYong's sixth sword in his hand. Bai ZhiJun felt a sword light pierce his arm lightly and he quickly dodged before it further went into his arm and flipped, ending that sword light when the chi in his attack clashed against it.

His 'Triple Sword' attack that he learned in two years was helping as his one swing became three in a split second, fending off every strike aiming at him. Unfortunately, it was quickly tiring out his wrist, having to deal with the heavy attacks from his opponent.

Twirling Wind Sword, just as Bai ZhiJun thought of his next skill, he took a step and turned, twisting his arm and wrist in a quick motion, letting out a big amount of chi that turned into a whirlwind, stopping the rest of the light swords and also attacking Kang WangYong, who jumped back and flipped in midair.

A finger on his left hand quickly moved in quick motion, drawing a formation in the air to cast a spell, the Abrupt spell, a freezing spell lasting only two seconds. The spell was extremely hard to learn but when learned, can be very useful. After all, among two masters of equal powers, even a split second of hesitation can change the tide of a fight.

At the same time, Bai ZhiJun's sword suddenly floated in midair and transformed into a magnificent-looking blue guqin.

"He finally summoned his main weapon!"

"Will we finally get to witnessed an upgraded fight from ten years ago?!"

Bai ZhiJun's smile deepened as Kang WangYong's feet finally reached the ground after his body had frozen in midair for two seconds more - giving ZhiJun just enough time to summon his guqin.

Kang WangYong grit his teeth and released a chi attack from his sword to stop his opponent from using his guqin. Bai ZhiJun side-stepped and as he was still flying in midair, with his clothes flying around him, making him look like a majestic swan about to take flight, his long fingers quickly moved and strung a few notes.

Ping!!

His hand flung forwards and a strong chi strike was released, attacking Kang WangYong.

At this point, only intense chi strikes were crashing into each other on stage as both male cultivators skillfully dodged and released their inner strength as condensed energy. The stage ground looked damaged beyond repair, even more than when Kang WangYong fought against Wu LiJing.

Kang WangYong was using his Flying Light Swords skill once more and multiple swords flew towards the qin player.

"Disorder," Bai ZhiJun said with a gentle smile. Since Kang WangYong had to take a longer time summoning those five swords, he had time to play a specific tune. A tune had to be played perfectly with specific notes for a more complicated spell to work properly. By the time his last note hit, the atmosphere around the stage seemed to have changed.

"I'm feeling uncomfortable," a cultivator closer to the stage said.

"Makes sense. Disorder is a spell that disrupts one's inner chi. If you're closer to the stage like us and have a weaker core, it can affect you a little bit. But it shouldn't be harmful since it is not aimed at you. Though, I wonder how it is for the Dark Hero?"

The red figure who was jumping towards the guqin player fell to the ground and coughed as he clenched his abdomen where his core resided, his light swords quickly disappearing after being smashed by the chi strikes being strung from the strings of the guqin in quick succession.

Suddenly, a chi attack was coming his way and he quickly dodged yet felt a slash on his shoulder. The sudden sound of a beautiful melody that was deadly at the same time was played again, and Kang WangYong threw up blood as his vision blurred. He refused to give up and he ignored the pain in his lower abdomen as he ran as fast as he could and slashed with an unstable chi release that still managed to hold incredible power.

By the time the fight ended, both cultivators were out of breath and parts of their bodies were bleeding from wounds on their arms, waist, and chest. Bai ZhiJun's fingers looked inflamed with two bleeding a crimson color and dripping onto his instrument, while Kang WangYong's lips were dyed red as blood trailed down his chin, his hair a bit disheveled.

The tip of the Dark Hero's sword was on the Jade Gentleman's neck, creating a trail of blood to his collarbone. Bai ZhiJun smiled, admitting defeat with a pale face. Yet his eyes were slightly dark as he saluted to congratulate the winner. Kang WangYong was able to force his win this time. Only a monster like that could ignore their pain and attack without thinking, even risking further damaging his inner strength.

"Congratulate the winner of the competition, Kang WangYong of the Dark Ruby Sect! And the runner up, Bai ZhiJun of the Blue Crane Sect!"

Bai ZhiJun's gaze unconsciously went towards the Wonder Tree Sect disciples. He saw the worried expression on Han YanLing's face and his eyes became gentle again. He usually didn't care as much, but he wanted to win this competition… He looked back at Kang WangYong, who also happened to have his attention at Han YanLing.

"You won this time," Bai ZhiJun said lightly but his intense gaze spoke of his true feelings. Then he walked off stage with poise to get treated, still looking graceful and aloof. Well, at least he wasn't the most injured in this fight. The internal injury Kang WangYong faced was probably more troublesome than his physical wounds. He touched the wound on his neck. That man really knew how to hold a grudge though.

There were loud claps all around the arena as everyone chattered about this exceptional fight that could only be witnessed in the Sect Competition.

"If both are already this amazing as peak-stage Third Tiers, I wonder how strong they would be once they reach the Immortal Realm!"

"They should already be on the brink of passing the peak-stage. It will probably take only a few more years before they finally reach the Immortal Realm!"

This fight was obviously going to be talked about for the days and weeks to come as everyone chatted, finding themselves only in wonder and respect.

Wu LiJing smiled, her hands clapping lightly with the crowd. Her gaze went to Bai ZhiJun for a moment before she looked back at Kang WangYong, who was currently being praised by many. She should go and congratulate him as well.

Within the four clans seating.

"Wow! Second Older Brother is so strong! He was so close to winning!" Bai XiaoMing clapped his hands vigorously. "That man was lucky Second Older Brother went easy on him!"

Bai ChengAn smiled as he fanned himself and shook his head with a sigh. It seems no matter what, whether Bai ZhiJun won or lost, he will always be the best in Bai XiaoMing's heart. He turned his attention back to the stage when he suddenly caught a familiar female figure in white, staring at the stage in the lower crowds.

She was standing in the distance, hiding behind a pole, somewhat suspiciously. Just as his eyes focused on her, he stood up abruptly and ran down, surprising Bai XiaoMing.

"First Older Brother, where are you going?"

Bai ChengAn could barely hear his youngest brother as he reached the ground and ran across the large room to the female figure. But when he got there, she was gone. Out of breath, his head turned multiple times but there was no one.

"Was I imagining it?" he whispered. He chuckled and brushed his hair back in frustration. What was he thinking? It wasn't possible. It's just… her eyes looked too similar. He sighed and leaned against the pole as his attention went back to his second younger brother.

If their mother was alive, she would have loved to see ZhiJun now since he's already grown up into a full adult, and also one of the top talented bachelors in the cultivation world.

…

Back at the Moon Sect.

A girl with dull eyes, a thin body, and plain face saluted and greeted the man in front of her. "Why did you call for me?" There was a smile on her face as she suddenly dropped all pretenses and stood with a straight back, her lavender colored sleeves falling beside her.

"This is enough," the man said with his back to her. His hands were tightly clenched behind his back, and on his left thumb was a noticeable scar, one he had gotten as a child when he had gotten beaten by his blood-father. "I cannot stand it more than this," his voice was strained.

The girl stared at that grand back and then chuckled. "You have already brought me in. You cannot back out now." She brushed a hair strand away from her face casually. "Also, you owe Master. You cannot abandon him. Master told me - you left him to die while you ran away with your life." She sighed and smiled wider when she saw his body tense. However, a sweat rolled down her forehead when the gloomy pressure emitting from this man pushed her body down like a splash of an incoming waterfall.

With her meak cultivation level compared to his, she struggled to stand. But still, she continued, "You must remember to do your job. The least you can do though, is to not get in my way!" The pressure intensified and she thought she might faint, but her body suddenly felt light again and she sighed in relief. Master was right, this excuse would make him weak. Without saluting, she left the man alone.

After a long moment of silence, did the man speak. "This is my punishment," he whispered.