*Shatter*

Chun Hua's qi-covered daggers destroyed Shi Huang's aura cover, being stopped only a few inches from his dantian by the activation of the [Restricting Death] formation, meant to avoid deaths and unnecessary injuries.

"Winner, Chun Hua!" One of the lesser managers announced as all of the formations flashed out.

The reactions to such a finish were different, blending quite a few emotions, voices, and shouts. Surprised by Chun Hua's prowess, shocked by the combat ending in a single clash, and angered by losing their bets. The latter, somewhat diluted with a couple of exclamations of joy for winning, but except for Ma Su and He Delan, only three people had betted on a newcomer, so it was only a faint emotion in the overall mix.

{Nicely done, congratulations.} To avoid being considered a group, with the possibility of it leading to complications, Bai Qi briefly smiled and transmitted a small message.

{As it should be.} Chun Hua's answer could be considered somewhat rude, but it was the opposite, as Bai Qi's praise was something she wished.

Chun Hua had shown a very high degree of control and prowess. From the beginning, since she used a [Void Corridor] to send one of her daggers to attack Shi Huang from behind while attracting his attention with the attack from the front, it already was a triumphal start. One that could end the combat right there if Shi Huang spent just a moment more than he had to decide on his actions.

And in all truth, the rowdy and boastful opponent did fail to react, but Chun Hua went even further, acting on the premise that he would counter. [Ice Phoenix, Razor Feather] was a martial skill that activated as one's weapon left one's hand, flying forward. Thus, Chun Hua's hands ended up being free, and she immediately formed several seals, controlling and changing the [Void Corridor] she had developed during the one-sided talks at the start of the combat.

Both daggers, one from behind and one from the front, disappeared, leaving Shi Huang dumbfounded. Only to reappear an instant later, flanking him from the sides, shattering his weakened aura cover. A cover weakened by Shi Huang himself, as he concentrated his aura on the neck area where Chun Hua had aimed the original attacks.

So indeed, one one-sided exchange, it all what it took Chun Hua to win her first combat.

***

About a cup of tea of time later, the combat in the other three stages ended. Bai Qi spared a few glances but, not finding anything interesting, largely ignored the three pairs that fought.

And as soon as the last combat finished, new lots were drawn by the arena's manager.

"First stage, Fan Jia versus Huo Ya;

...

Fourth stage, Bai Qi versus Teng Bao."

Bai Qi began walking towards the stage, slowing down to examine Fan Jia's opponent, a girl not older than 16, with an intermediate 1st level Warrior Lord cultivation.

Bai Qi kept the thought to himself, simply wishing good luck via a qi transmission and then concentrating on his own opponent as he ascended on the stage.

Teng Bao felt average as well. A twenty-odd year advanced 2nd level Warrior Lord. Not overly muscular, with a common-looking face, and short hair, dressed in common-cloth robes, he looked the same as he felt, average. The only point of interest would be his weapons of choice, as Bai Qi had yet to encounter a dual-wielding ax user. Still, the axes weren't something special either, being low-tier Spirit weapons, likely without any added effects.

"Fan Jia, 2nd level Warrior Lord, no points, newcomer;

Huo Ya, 1st level Warrior Lord, two points;

1 to 1."

As Bai Qi heard the even odds on Fan Jia's combat, he wondered if he had missed something about the girl called Huo Ya. She looked and felt average, and with lower cultivation, should not the bets be different?

The 2nd and 3rd stage betting runners followed with their announcements, but Bai Qi ignored them, only listening to the one regarding himself.

"Bai Qi, 3rd level Warrior Lord, no points, newcomer;

Blood and flesh of the [Two Ax Butcher], Teng Bao, 2nd level Warrior Lord, 3 points;

2 to 3."

A few thoughts crossed Bai Qi's mind as he decided on the weapon to use.

Bai Qi had no urge to use the ones he created to avoid revealing their strengths, and he planned to use different weapons today as training and a chance to feel every change to his self. Thus, his pick fell on the paired sabers he got in the [Void Palace] as spoils.

The betting finished with Ma Su wagering twenty medium stones on Bai Qi and then ten on Fan Jia's victory at the last moment. A moment later, the gong's sound filled the arena, activating the formations and giving a start to the combats.

*DON*

***

A cultivator's thoughts should be only about the combat to begin, at least in the case of a duel. But Fan Jia found herself thinking about a different matter. Still, it was related to the fight. Or better said, to the reason why she was on this stage, this arena, even this island.

She was a kicked-out disciple, a rogue cultivator, a member of a bandit bunch, and now a part of a group of followers. Fan Jia was yet to turn 17 winters, yet she had traveled nearly half of the plane and experienced changes that some did not ever do.

Most of the changes had been for the worst, but since she met Bai Qi, a person who could have her killed, rightfully, and did not, her luck had changed somewhat. Two breakthroughs, a new major realm, the opportunity to learn from experienced cultivators such as Ma Su or He Delan, the latter not refusing any of her questions.

Most importantly, she learned about the cultivation method she had followed since childhood - [Tanlan Daolu]. She had always assumed that the words [Greed] and [Path] were self-describing. At the same time, she never understood the reason for their presence in the name of her cultivation method, especially as the requirements did not connect with the words in any way.

At least not until Bai Qi, who showed knowledge that exceeded the Warrior Kings of his group, had talked with her a few days ago when they were training in the [Roaring Bay].

"While it is wrong to consider you a demonic cultivator, your method's base is nothing but an [E Gui] power;

So, while the requirements you have been learning on your way served for your advancement, it would not be enough to progress quickly;

You said that your method was with you even before you entered one of the [Ten Families] martial schools, and even if I am not sure, there is the chance that the reason for being run out stemmed from the demonic source, one that not even you had sensed by that moment;

But now, you made two breakthroughs in less than a week because the source of your method awakened because of the demonic aura I emit;

I usually control it, so your cultivation will not turn crazed from absorbing an excess, but you need to accept, understand, and learn to control it. As well as avoid demonic cultivators and beings, for now.

Even if you don't like it, or your own senses and knowledge tell you something else, your method isn't evil by itself, and you will be able to naturally progress and cultivate if you learn to sate the hunger of the source."

Shock, terror, despair, anger. Fan Jia felt everything during that conversation. But, Bai Qi calmed her and revealed that part of his soul was also demonic. Thus, if he managed, why could she not? She also wanted to learn more about the [Greed Path]. After all, maybe she could find a hint of how it ended with her? She had no memories of anyone teaching or instructing her. Heavens, she did not recall anything at all, not before she turned out, alone, at the gates of the [Golden Shield Martial Academy].

She had thought at the moment and immediately pledged to follow Bai Qi. He accepted, slightly unwillingly, considering that she should have the chance to decide her future and not bind herself to him because she did not hope for anything else.

Fan Jia steeled herself, summoning her spirit weapon, the [Needlespine] sword.

The gong's sound made her purge all of the unrelated thoughts, and as the combat started, she advanced forwards, step by step.

*Swoosh* *Clank*

Six steps later, only her quick reaction allowed her to place her sword between her chest and Huo Ya's fist. The aura of Fan Jia's opponent was indeed average, and no prowess above her level came from it either. At least until Huo Ya attacked, crossing nearly seventy feet in a single instant and sending a punch with such concentrated strength that Fan Jia's sword almost flew from her grasp.

Such was the strength behind the bare-fist attack that had come with neither warning nor revealed any preparation. That Fan Jia even had to use her free palm against the back of the blade to reinforce the block. Otherwise, the sword could have snapped.

And even though she blocked, Fan Jia was sent sliding back, almost falling off the arena, with only a mix of luck and balance to thank for not doing so and losing the duel.

*Swoosh*

Huo Ya appeared next to Fan Jia almost instantly, throwing yet another of her punches, this time to launch her opponent from the arena. It was her third combat, and she had finished the previous ones with the first punch.

One could read Huo Ya's thoughts from her eyes, which already glinted in premonition of her third victory.

*Swoosh* *Swoosh*

But, though Huo Ya's movement speed was several notches above the average early-stage Warrior Lord and her attack speed was also above Fan Jia's, the attacks were uncomplicated, so they were readable. And having been ready for a continuation, as she herself would act relentlessly in such a setting as well, Fan Jia reacted without thinking as soon as she felt something, launching herself to the side, breaking the jump into a roll, and reaching the corner of the stage.

*Swoosh* *Swoosh*

*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh*

The same situation repeated several times, with Fan Jia escaping in the nick of time, using the moment of Huo Ya's attack to move away. And with the latter using neither weapons nor techniques, continuing with the same nearly straight punches, such combat could go for long. Not that either could agree to such, though.

"Amazing speed and strength, I give that to you." It took Fan Jia a bit longer than it would to someone like Bai Qi, but she still found out the reasons for her opponent's manner of fighting. And why did her aura feel so average while the physical body was far above such designation.

"And you are good at avoiding." Huo Ya's response was curt, and blurting it out did not stop her from launching forward again.

"Not only for that. After all, the stage is now mine!" Fan Jia half-grinned as the hood she used fell back, and her golden hair flayed wildly in the currents of inner qi intermixed with her cover's aura that rapidly expanded. First around her, in an orb-like manner, and then covering the entire stage.

*Swoosh*

Surprisingly, this time Fan Jia did not dodge or block, and Huo Ya's fist landed directly on her chest.

"Huh?!" Huo Ya gasped in surprise as she felt no resistance from the body she just hit and gasped again as she noted how her fist had penetrated into the body. And still, Fan Jia was standing, grinning as if nothing had happened, and the rarely seen golden hair of hers danced around...