Chapter 132: Sparring

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    It was just a few months ago that Liu Jin first walked into the Sparring Hall. Back then, the air cracked under the force of every blow. Crowds, big and small, gathered around the many rings. Some waited for their turn to fight; others were content to watch and study their foes. Applause and cheers filled the air. Taunts and insults flew from peoples mouths as naturally as the day turns to night.

    Most of those things still hold true today.

    That does not stop the Sparring Hall from feeling like a completely different place.

    The thousands of blows that fly every other second all carry dangerous intent. The crowds do not mingle. A clear division manifests itself around every ring. Lord Feng Guis supporters on one side. Lord Feng Shangs supporters on the other. Vicious jeers echo against the ceiling, and the cheers deafen the fighters. The losers are carried out bloody and mangled. Sometimes dead. The winners bask in the glory of their victory.

    Lord Feng Gui against Lord Feng Shang.

    Every single fight under the roof of the Sparring Hall reflects that feud. Not a single ring has two disciples from the same division inside it. Everyone tries to prove themselves and gain favor through martial might. The bodies of their foes are sacrifices offered to the altar. The Sparring Hall has become a place of fire and blood. Liu Jin growls as a bloody mess no longer fit to be called a body is carried out from one of the rings.

    It is all getting worse.

    Follow me, Liu Jin says.

    The one who just brutally beat down his opponent is a disciple from Lord Feng Shangs faction. Nothing in his clothes marks him as such, but the shouts coming from the crowd give it away. Boss Tong! Boss Tong! They yell. For Lord Feng Shang! For Lord Feng Shang! They chant.

    Good.

    Senior brother Tong, I challenge you.

    Liu Jins Qi rolls in waves around his body, broadcasting his intent and scaring away the weaker disciples. The crowd around the ring parts for Liu Jin and his companions.

    I hope none of you are bothered by my intrusion, Liu Jin says to the Lord Feng Gui supporters present. A few among them have been patients of his. Others frequent the Apothecary.

    Their reaction is the same.

    Not at all, Brother Qing!

    I have been waiting for Brother Qing to appear in the Sparring Hall!

    Show this dog of Lord Feng Shang his place!

    Smiles and eager grins are what Liu Jin receives for his intrusion. Some even start chanting his name.

    A dog of Lord of Feng Gui presumes to tell me who I should fight?

    Despite his words, senior brother Tong is already cracking his knuckles, a sneer marring what many would call a handsome face. His Qi flares around him, potent and strong. If his previous fight tired him in any way, his body does not show signs of it.

    If senior brother Tong is too intimidated by me, he just needs to step outside. This one will try not to be too disappointed.

    Lord Feng Guis supporters cheer Liu Jin on and echo his words, laughing at Tong and calling him a coward. Meanwhile, Lord Feng Shangs supporters hurl endless insults at Liu Jin.

    Tong does not show any outward reaction. The sneer on his face does not change in the slightest.

    His Qi blazes.

    Spirit Realm, Level Five. The same level as Liu Jin.

    Your words are too bold, junior.

    It is nothing he has not faced before.

    I am perfectly content being bold. Liu Jin settles into a fighting stance. His Qi tightly coiled around his body. If senior brother thinks his guidance can show me otherwise, hes welcome to try.

    Tong lunges.

    The disciple blurs towards Liu Jin, easily breaking the speed of sound. His fist hardens, not just reinforced with Qi but taking the properties of Earth?

    No. Not Earth.

    Crystal.

    Shards like diamonds appear along the length of Tongs arm, completely encasing the limb. Tongs fist speeds towards Liu Jins face like a battering ram. A nice change of pace from all the fire-users Liu Jin has been fighting lately.

    [Ground Contraction]

    As soon as Tong is within three paces of him, Liu Jin steps into the gap, accelerating far beyond what Tong is capable of. His fist finds Tongs center of mass, his tightly-coiled Qi perfectly focused on reinforcing his strength.

    Tongs mass, speed, and power.

    Liu Jin overpowers all of those in an instant.

    The crack resounds across the Sparring Hall. Tong is launched off the ring and collides with the furthest wall. Those watching the fight do not realize what has happened right away. They blink and keep staring at the ring, trying to figure out just where it is that Tong has gone to. By the time they look elsewhere, Tongs body has fallen to the floor face-down, his eyes whited out and several of his ribs broken.

    Cheers erupt for Liu Jin, but he can only stare at his fist in quiet dissatisfaction. He had been aiming for Tongs dantian and had even put some of his soul into that attack, but it had remained beyond him.

    As expected, reaching someones dantian is not easy when the levels of cultivation are so close.

    Brother Pan Qiu! He yells over the cheers. You shouldnt hesitate to participate as well. Wasnt it you who said you were tired of spending all your time in the Apothecary after Elder Cheungs trial?

    More than one set of eyes turns to look at the person Liu Jin just spoke to. Pan Qiu stands next to Fan Bingbing near the front of the crowd. Some would say he is bearing the sudden scrutiny with a quiet stoicism, but the truth is hes in so much panic his body has frozen.

    Of course, Brother Qing, he says at last. To his credit, his voice is only slightly wooden as he goes over his lines. Now that my dantian has been fully repaired, I dont have to fear anything!

    There are few ways in which they could have more blatantly stated Pan Qius identity. However, it is just as Lu Mei said. It is not about being subtle. Rather, the bait must be too tempting to resist. Pan Qiu is one of those baits.

    Not nearly.

    Good.

    The lightning dies down. Liu Jins Qi takes the shape of a snake and wraps around Huang Shings ankle. Creating a snake construct without using Poison Qi is not easy but still within his capabilities.

    You!

    Huang Shing yelps as Liu Jin yanks him and swings him through the air, slamming him hard against the ring. The floor breaks under the impact.

    Are!

    Then it breaks further as Liu Jin slams his heel down Huang Shings back.

    Learning!

    Huang Shing roars as he grabs a broken piece of the ring and tosses it at Liu Jin, rolling to his feet while Liu Jin bats it away with his spear

    The Qi Snake is still wrapped around Huang Shings ankle.

    This is new.

    Huang Shing breathes heavily as he looks at the construct. It hisses at him in reply.

    We have not seen each other for a while. Is it any surprise Id learn something in the meantime?

    To those watching, it probably looks like Liu Jin is giving Huang Shing time to gather himself. Some might even interpret it as an insult, a way of saying he is so far above Huang Shing he does not need to take the fight seriously.

    They are wrong, obviously, but not for the reason Huang Shing might think. It is not just Huang Shing who is catching his breath while they talk.

    Huang Shings hits had hurt.

    Huang Shings hitting power had always been among the best. Even so, every single spot where Huang Shing managed to strike him hurts far more than Liu Jin expected.

    As expected, Brother Jin is amazing. Huang Shing frowns. Why are you supporting Feng Zhi?

    Liu Jin punches him in the face.

    The strike comes quickly, suddenly, and perfectly. Huang Shing does not see any sign of it until Liu Jins fist is inches from his face.

    Do not be so arrogant to assume everything revolves around your feud with Feng Zhi.

    Another hit. This time the blunt end of his spear finds Huang Shings chin.

    You came here to seek your betrothed. I respect that. I admire your commitment.

    Then why?!

    Huang Shing stomps his feet and punches Liu Jins weapon out of the way. Liu Jin pivots on his heel, turning around and slamming the pole on Huang Shings side.

    I also came to the Eternal Flame Clan for my own goals. Right now, those goals are better served by siding with Lord Feng Gui. I will not ask you to abandon your quest for me. Do not ask me to do the same.

    [Fourth Dragon Slaying Palm - Blooming Lotus]

    Emerald Qi blooms into crimson. The attack strikes not Liu Jin but his spear. Qi wars against Qi, and it is Liu Jin who comes out losing from the exchange. The spear is knocked off his hands and clatters to the ring with multiple cracks running along its length.

    I understand. I understand that well. I knew it before Brother Jin said it!

    [Fifth Dragon Slaying Palm - A Hundred Blooming Lotuses]

    I still dont like it!

    As soon as the attack begins, Liu Jin ends it by using his snake construct to lift up Huang Shing and break his stance.

    That is not my concern!

    Liu Jin slams Huang Shing against the floor again once more, his breathing heavy.

    Though... it may please you to know Feng Zhi is not that liked by certain members of Lord Feng Guis faction either. You might get along with them if you tried.

    Mainly Lady Ling. Although Liu Jin has no intention of introducing the two. Lady Ling would likely turn Huang Shing into one of her tools over tea time. That scenario is far too messy for Liu Jin to want to deal with.

    Ah, so you have that sort of situation on your side too? Huang Shing breathes heavily as he picks himself up.

    Liu Jin raises an eyebrow.

    Too?

    Some people are not fond of the Internal Force. Mostly Elder Chang of the Punishment House. I think. I dont pay much attention to those things.

    Interesting.

    I believe that is quite enough, Liu Jin says, dispelling the snake. I am willing to offer a tie.

    A tie? Huang Shing laughs, visibly more beaten down than Liu Jin and with many cuts on his face. I am okay with that.

    We can continue this at another time if you wish.

    Id like that, Brother Jin. Id really like that.

    ~~~