Chapter 18 – The Clash of Legends

The moment Takahashi Ichiro and Li Zhi clashed, the air itself seemed to tremble. A powerful shockwave erupted from their first exchange, tearing through the ground and sending cracks sprawling across the training field. Kalen staggered back, shielding his eyes from the sheer force, while Seraphine stood frozen, her usual composure breaking for the first time.

"This… this is insane," Seraphine whispered in awe.

Kalen could only nod, his heart pounding. The battle unfolding before them was unlike anything he had ever seen.

Li Zhi wielded his staff with unshakable precision, every strike carrying enough force to split mountains. Takahashi Ichiro, on the other hand, moved like a shadow, his blade slicing through the air so swiftly that it seemed to bend reality itself. Their fight wasn't just a duel—it was a spectacle of raw, ancient power colliding in a dance of destruction.

Takahashi grinned as he deflected one of Li Zhi's attacks, his foot barely grazing the ground before he launched himself forward. "You're slower than the last time we fought, old friend."

Li Zhi's response was a mere scoff before he twisted his staff, sending a wave of crushing force towards Takahashi. The ground shattered beneath it, yet Takahashi twisted his body mid-air, avoiding the blow with unnatural grace. He landed smoothly, the smirk never leaving his face. "Still trying to crush your enemies with brute force, I see."

A flicker of irritation crossed Li Zhi's face before he stomped the earth, summoning jagged stone pillars from the ground. Takahashi leaped between them effortlessly, his blade flashing as he shattered each obstacle with a single strike.

BOOM!

A massive shockwave erupted as their weapons clashed again, the sheer force sending dust and debris flying in all directions. Kalen was thrown off balance, barely catching himself before falling. He clenched his fists as he watched, his mind racing.

"This is the level I need to reach… No—this is the level I will reach."

Seraphine glanced at Kalen and saw the fire burning in his eyes. Despite his exhaustion and the overwhelming power on display, he wasn't discouraged. If anything, he looked more determined than ever.

The battle raged on, neither warrior relenting. Li Zhi's blows were relentless, each one backed by centuries of mastery and unshakable strength. Takahashi, however, was like the wind—untouchable, unpredictable, always a step ahead.

Suddenly, Takahashi's form flickered, vanishing completely. Kalen's eyes widened. "Where did he—"

Before the sentence could leave his lips, a whoosh of air signaled Takahashi's reappearance—right behind Li Zhi. His blade was already mid-swing, aimed directly at Li Zhi's back.

Seraphine gasped, but Li Zhi reacted instantly. In a split second, he twisted his body, bringing his staff up just in time to block the attack. The force of the collision sent out another shockwave, flattening everything within ten meters of them.

Dust and energy swirled around them like a storm, obscuring the battlefield for a moment before revealing the two warriors still locked in their deadly dance.

Takahashi chuckled. "Not bad. But can you keep up?"

Li Zhi's eyes gleamed. "Try me."

And with that, the battle escalated to an even greater intensity, their attacks becoming nothing more than blurs of destruction. Kalen could hardly follow their movements now—every clash was too fast, too devastating. He realized something in that moment.

This wasn't just a fight. This was a battle between legends.

And he was witnessing history in the making.

As the fight continued, Kalen tightened his grip on his sword. He had a long way to go, but one thing was certain—he would reach this level one day. No matter what it took.

The duel was far from over. And he wasn't going to miss a second of it.