"Rules are simple. No killing, maiming or crippling. And no use of external treasures."
Long Yuyun walked to the edge of the arena before handing over a golden bracelet and a beautiful pink sash she had kept tied around her waist.
Seeing her take off the defensive treasures, Xiao Long followed the example, pulling out treasures from everywhere over his body.
"A sword, a blade, hidden knives, dual daggers, concealed dagger, vambraces, poison darts, smoke bombs and three large scale explosives . All medium grade treasures. Are you sure that's all? "
The instructor asked with doubt while the one next to him simply watched the mountain of weapons. Even Lu Piao and the others gathered couldn't help but let out a cold sweat.
"Yeah" However Xiao Long didn't mind. "Well, unless you count my clothes? They are made from the leather of a heavenly star level dragon bloodline demon beast "
It took few more minutes as Xiao Long changed into a more loose fitting battle clothes made from actual clothes. The duo stepped up onto the arena under the gazes of their fellow students.
"Both ready?"
Xiao Long and Long Yuyun nodded their heads in agreement, their eyes completely focused on their opponent just a few meters away.
"Then... begin!"
Soul power exploded from both as they leapt at each others like hungry wolves, both of them eager to seize the initiative.
'Boom'
A muffled shock wave reverberated as they collided mid air, Xiao Long's fist blocking blocking a kick. Hong spun vertically, bringing his heel on crashing on top of Long Yu Yin who blocked it with her arms as she winced at the weight of the blow. But Hong was relentless, as he delivered another spinning kick before hammering her back to the ground with both hands.
Hong stepped on the air, the heavenly energy forming platforms under his feet as he pursued his target who stood on the arena, practically unscathed.
'Red flame feather dragon, excellent growth rate demon spirit'
A large phantom of a crimson feathered dragon appeared behind Long Yuyun a she merged with her demon spirit. But Hong was only able to catch a glimpse of the transformation. The next moment, she was gone.
"Behind you"
Hong heard someone speak from behind him before he was thrown towards the ground from a sudden blow. Somersaulting, Hong controlled his fall and landed on his feet before folding himself in half immediately ,barely dodging bullet fast feathers as they pierced the air above his head with a sharp whistle.
However before he could stand up again, Long Yuyun appeared before him, delivering a kick so strong to his chin, Hong felt himself fly up at least a dozen meters. His brain rattled, he looked down in daze only to see a ball of fire rapidly approaching his falling trajectory.
'Why is the sun rising from the ground?'
He could only wonder in daze as a fire ball bigger than himself slammed into him before exploding mid air.
'Ok, change of plans' Hong began to rethink his options as he began to heal from inside the pit he had created from his fall. With the demon spirit fusion, Long Yuyun had gained a significant improvement in her base attributes, almost quadrupling her stats as well as giving her pyrokenesis and the ability to shoot feathers like his hidden weapons.
He climbed out of the the pit slowly ignoring the smoke that clung to his body along with the burnt smell. He felt his soul power work its way along the body, healing it, mending the breaks as he circulated it through his acupoints, driving away the drowsiness. And he finally saw Long Yuyin clearly.
She stood at the edge of the arena, looking down at him with a haughty expression with her slitted dragon eyes .
She had grown a few feet in height, becoming more robust as well, while crimson feathers had grown on her limbs and sparsely over her face without covering her features. The feathers that made that made her hair was on fire along with the feathers that adorned the tip and the spine of her tail, glowing in a bright red regardless of the size.
" You boasted so confidently, but look at you now. Unable to even last a moment infront of me" Long Yuyin said as she spoke the words with contempt. "To be honest, I was taken by suprise at your physical abilities and your fighting techniques. I've never before lost in physical strength.
Even if you have talent to surpass me, you can't do it. Your talent means nothing infront of my Long Yin family."
This was not just directed at Hong, but everyone who had gathered to witness the debacle.
"You can't even muster your demon spirit infront of the noble bloodline of my demon spirit."
'What she said was indeed true. Without resources and backing, I will never be able to achieve my goals in the divine feathers sect' Nei Li thought as countless others whispered in agreement. But Hong was not impressed.
Long Yuyin observed Hong for a moment. "However, I must admit that you have some talent of your own. To keep up with the bloodline of the red dragon, means that you are special than the others around here...." Her gaze remained on her supposed fiance for a moment with undisguised contempt, who quickly turned his head to avoid her gaze.
"Kneel, and apologise. And I'll let you join my Long Yin family--"
"Oi, you done?" Hong interrupted her, mid offer. He stood up and raised his voice as he stretched. His joints popping like bubble wrap.
'I'm really out of touch. I guess that's what happens when I keep using shortcuts ,huh?..... Looks like I need to put more time into actual martial art practice than just sitting and cultivating'.
Hong narrowed his eyes, looking at the arrogant young girl infront of him, assessing her capabilities. 'Well, no time like the present, I guess.'
He crouched before streaching his left leg then his right leg causing them to pop audibly. "We aren't done here yet young lady. This was just a warm-up." His gaze locked onto her's as he felt the fire he hid in his heart burn once again, his true desire to fight turning his serene blue soul power into an aggressive and violent red . The soul power practically erupted causing gusts of wind that ruffled the spectators
" And don't misunderstand. I'm not afraid of your demon spirit, nor is my demon spirit. I just feel like its a waste to use it to beat a pampered princess."
He ripped off the burnt rags that obstructed his upper body and fell into a martial stance, and the whole world seemed to freeze. "Come at me girly, I'll decipline you on the subject called humility."