novelraw Chapter 310: Spar
Chapter 310: Spar
"The Royal Family only has one spot for an auxiliary combatant. According to the rules, whoever invites the stronger person gets to represent the Royal Family."
He looked at Tana. "Cousin, I know you value your friendship with your classmate, but this tournament concerns the Royal Family’s honor. We can’t treat it like a game."
Tana frowned slightly. "Cousin, I’m well aware of Xu Wuyi’s strength. He..."
"I know he’s strong," Ta Shan interrupted her. "But the one from Black Stone Academy made it to the top thirty-two in last year’s youth tournament. He has extensive combat experience and exquisite Martial Techniques."
"I’m not questioning Junior Brother Xu’s potential, but potential doesn’t equal immediate combat strength."
He paused, his tone softening a little. "Of course, I won’t have your classmate make a trip for nothing. I’ll cover the full appearance fee as compensation."
He knew that Tana would have to pay an appearance fee for hiring help, but there was a certain standard for a Martial Master Level fighter’s fee.
Thirty to fifty million Federation coins was basically the upper limit, which wasn’t a huge sum for the Royal Family.
Tana looked at Xu Wuyi, her expression troubled.
She believed in Xu Wuyi’s strength, but Ta Shan’s stance was also very firm.
Besides, the compensation Ta Shan offered was quite generous. Paying the full appearance fee meant Xu Wuyi would get his reward without even having to fight.
’I originally accepted this commission to fight in the tournament, like a mercenary. If this were a stranger, I’d be planning to leave right now. But the one who commissioned me is Tana, my classmate and teammate. I don’t see this as a simple transaction; I’m here to help a friend.’
So, after a few seconds of silence, he thought for a moment and said, "I can’t accept a reward for no work."
"Why don’t you let me spar with the one from Black Stone Academy?" Xu Wuyi said. "A fight will settle who’s stronger."
Ta Shan’s brow furrowed.
The suggestion was direct, but also the most effective.
The problem was, he had also gone to great lengths to invite his chosen fighter. Forcing that person to accept a challenge now would be very disrespectful.
In fact, the same applied to Xu Wuyi, which was why Ta Shan hadn’t suggested a spar with him in the first place.
However, since Xu Wuyi had proposed it himself, it wasn’t an issue.
"That’s not quite appropriate," Ta Shan said after some thought. "How about this: I’ll fight you in his place. We can have a sparring match."
He looked at Xu Wuyi. "My strength is on par with his. If you can defeat me, you’ll naturally be qualified to represent the Royal Family."
Tana’s eyes lit up. "That’s a great idea!"
Xu Wuyi looked at Ta Shan and nodded. "Alright."
"Right now, then?" Ta Shan asked.
"Yes."
The three of them went to the Cultivation Room.
Tana activated the Battle Network connection device, setting the environment to a standard martial arts arena.
Xu Wuyi and Ta Shan each put on a sensory helmet, and their consciousnesses sank into the network.
...
Battle Network Space.
A standard circular arena, fifty meters in diameter, with a floor of bluish-gray stone slabs, surrounded by virtual spectator stands.
The figures of Ta Shan and Xu Wuyi materialized at the same time.
A two-handed great saber appeared in Ta Shan’s hands.
The blade was broad and thick, nearly one and a half meters long. Its spine was heavy, and its edge gleamed with a cold light. It was clearly a power-based weapon.
Xu Wuyi, on the other hand, was still holding his Meteor Iron Long Spear.
"My Heaven-Burning Saber Technique emphasizes momentum and power. Be careful," Ta Shan said.
Xu Wuyi nodded. "After you."
The instant the words left his mouth, Ta Shan moved.
His movements weren’t fast, but every step he took landed with heavy force, as if the entire arena was trembling.
He dragged his two-handed great saber behind him, its tip scraping against the ground and kicking up a trail of sparks.
He crossed the ten-meter distance in just three steps.
He swung the great saber up, and it descended with a vicious whistle, cleaving straight down!
There was nothing fancy about the strike—it was pure power and speed.
Before the blade even arrived, a searing wave of heat rushed toward him.
Xu Wuyi’s gaze sharpened.
’Ta Shan’s Sword Momentum is heavier and fiercer than I expected.’
He didn’t meet it head-on. Executing the Instant Shadow Step, he shifted half a foot to the left.
BOOM!
The great saber slammed into the stone slabs, sending shattered rock flying as a half-meter-long crack spread out.
Ta Shan didn’t break his momentum. With a flick of his wrist, he swung the great saber in a horizontal slash!
The change in attack was extremely fast, the blade sweeping across the ground toward Xu Wuyi’s legs.
Xu Wuyi pressed his long spear down, its tip striking the flat of the saber’s blade.
CLANG!
Metal met metal, and sparks flew.
Ta Shan felt a heavy force travel up the saber, making his arm go slightly numb.
He was shocked.
’Such immense power!’
Xu Wuyi used the force of the impact to retreat and create distance, a flash of understanding in his eyes.
’Ta Shan’s Saber Technique is indeed fierce and powerful, but it focuses too much on strength and lacks variation. Furthermore, although his Life Energy Level is high, his Qi and Blood Refinement Level seems to be lower than mine. This must be the advantage of the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace.’
Ta Shan steadied himself, took a deep breath, and his Qi and Blood erupted from his body.
A dark red light burst from him, forming a thin layer of Qi and Blood armor over his skin.
This was the external release of Qi and Blood from the Sun Forging Body Technique.
His aura surged once more as he gripped his saber with both hands and took a step forward!
The arena trembled.
This strike was even faster and fiercer than the last!
The saber’s edge tore through the air, whipping up a searing torrent of wind as if it would cleave space itself in two.
Xu Wuyi no longer dodged.
He stood his ground, slowly raising his long spear.
At the tip of the spear, a dark golden flame quietly kindled.
[Undying Flame].
The next moment, the saber’s edge was upon him.
Xu Wuyi’s spear moved.
Not a block, not a dodge, but a direct thrust.
The spear shot out like a dragon, carrying an unstoppable momentum as it stabbed straight for Ta Shan’s chest.
Meeting offense with offense!
Ta Shan’s pupils contracted.
He hadn’t expected Xu Wuyi to choose this kind of tactic.
But it was too late to pull back his saber.
He gritted his teeth, his Sword Momentum undiminished, and pushed his Qi and Blood armor to its absolute limit.
CLANG—!
The spear tip and the saber’s edge collided in mid-air.
For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still.
The next instant, Ta Shan felt an irresistible, immense force travel up from the saber’s blade, so powerful it split the skin between his thumb and forefinger, sending blood streaming down.
The great saber flew from his grasp!
And the tip of Xu Wuyi’s spear stopped three inches from his chest.
The dark golden flame burned quietly, radiating a heart-pounding aura.
Ta Shan froze on the spot, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He had lost.
From the start of the fight to now, it had been less than ten moves.
Not even a minute had passed.
Xu Wuyi withdrew his spear, and the flame dissipated.
"Thank you for the match," he said calmly.
’Ta Shan certainly isn’t weak, just slightly stronger than an ordinary Level 35 Martial Artist. Compared to me now, he stood no chance. I didn’t even have to use my True Intention, or really even the [Undying Flame]. My physical strength and astonishing Martial Arts alone were enough to easily crush his offensive.’
Ta Shan looked at his empty hands, then back at Xu Wuyi, a complicated expression on his face.
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "I lost."
Ta Shan’s voice echoed in the empty Cultivation Room.
Tana, who was standing to the side, had sparkling eyes, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve upward.
She wanted to say something, but after seeing the look on her cousin’s face, she swallowed her words.