16 Sheng Feilong vs. Jian Wang

Jian Wang stood in the middle of the arena waiting for Sheng Feilong to step forward after issuing his challenge to the latter. Sheng Feilong was stunned for a moment and then threw Song Weihan a questioning look. After thinking about it for a moment, Song Weihan nodded towards Sheng Feilong and went to the side of the arena, seemingly volunteering to be the match's referee.

As Sheng Feilong walked up to the arena, he heard a sound transmission from Song Weihan, causing him to sweat profusely.

'You're not allowed to use you Soul Skill before Jian Wang uses his own. Also, when you use yours, only make illusions that support your attacks, like we did in training, and not a complete prison. This is still training, after all.'

Sheng Feilong walked up to the arena, trying his best to hide the bad feeling he got after Song Weihan's sound transmission. Standing opposite of Jian Wang, he smiled and cracked his knuckles.

"Brother Wang, let's start warming up with hand-to-hand combat. I know you want to try out your Soul Skill, but it's boring if we use all we've got right from the start, right?"

"Heh, fine by me. Let's see if the techniques of the Spirit Pagoda or my father's are better!" Jian Wang replied while taking a fighting stance, not wanting to lose to Sheng Feilong's provocation. Jian Wushung, on the other hand had a blank expression.

'That little brat, why did he have to pull me into this, of course the Spirit Pagoda's techniques are better! Let's just hope he doesn't embarrass himself too much.'

Seeing both of them ready, Song Weihan took a step back.

"We'll begin the sparring match now. On your marks."

Sheng Feilong took a fighting stance of his own as well and focused on Jian Wang, both of them now just waiting for Song Weihan's command.

"Begin!"

Jian Wang and Sheng Feilong instantly stormed at each other with Jian Wang being the first to throw a punch towards Sheng Feilong's gut. Breaking his sprint, Sheng Feilong sidestepped out of the way, throwing his own punch towards Jian Wang lower ribs! Jian Wang's reaction was just as fast and he solidly blocked the punch with his arm. Seeing his punch blocked so easily, Sheng Feilong took half a step back, distancing himself from Jian Wang while simultaneously sweeping his free leg for Jian Wang's knee.

Jian Wang dodged the kick, taking a step back in the process and allowing Sheng Feilong to bring a bit of distance between the two of them, before the former than pursued Sheng Feilong again, aiming a strike at the latter's head. Sheng Feilong dodged the punch by lightly crouching down before he than struck out, hitting Jian Wang straight into the chest, causing him to let out a muffled groan and taking a step back again.

This time, Sheng Feilong rushed forward in hot pursuit, punching out again, this time towards Jian Wang head. Jian Wang quickly turned his head out of the way and grabbed Sheng Feilong's arm with his hand, then pulled hard, causing Sheng Feilong to lose his balance, slightly tripping forward and took a punch to the gut in nearly the same instant!

Swallowing the pain, Sheng Feilong quickly caught his footing again, tuned 90 degrees and shoved Jian Wang with his held arm, then quickly tugged free his own arm. Jian Wang didn't let that opportunity slide and kicked out with one foot while rotating on the other and kicking towards Sheng Feilong's side. Having already predicted the kick, Sheng Feilong easily blocked it with one arm and his own weight, grabbed Jian Wang by the foot, pulled him closer and tried to elbow the latter's chest!

Jian Wang had no other option then blocking the elbow with both arms crossed before his chest. Still being held by Sheng Feilong, he leaning in even more, headbutting Sheng Feilong with full force! The heavily collided with each other, both groaning from the impact which caused Sheng Feilong to et go of Jian Wang's leg. Both of them tumbled a few steps back, staring at each other.

They stood opposite of each other again, both breathing rather heavily and focused at each other. Jian Wang then breathed out heavily, relaxing from his fighting stance and smiled confidently.

"I guess that's enough warm up now. Let's get started with the real deal!"

After saying that, Jian Wang released his Soul Power, summoning his Spirit Essence, the Mountain Splitting Axe. The heavy looking, two-handed axe appeared in his hand, a sharp and intimidating aura radiating from it, while a yellow Soul Ring appeared behind Jian Wang. He grabbed the axe firmly, with determination showing in his eyes. Taking a fighting stance again, his look became solemn.

"Make sure you take this serious, Feilong! If you get hit by my axe, the wounds will be heavy!"

Sheng Feilong took a deep breath, stealing a glance at Song Weihan, who was watching the battle with an expressionless face. He then released his Soul Power as well and a faint hue appeared around his eyes, which now were clear blue in colour. Even though Jian Wang knew about Sheng Feilong's Spirit Eyes, their menacing aura and Sheng Feilong's cold expression gave him an uncomfortable feeling as if someone was staring right through him, looking at all of his secrets.

Sheng Feilong, with his Spirit Eyes activated, stared at Jian Wang, expressionlessly pulling out a knife from his pocket and took a fighting stance again, biding his time and waiting for Jian Wang to make the first move. Jian Wang observed Sheng Feilong for a moment before charging at the latter, thrusting out with his axe. Due to his Spirit Eyes, Sheng Feilong's mind and vision were exceedingly clear and he easily dodged the thrust by turning his body slightly while charging forward as well and thrusting his knife towards Jian Wang's shoulder.

Jian Wang, not expecting Sheng Feilong to charge at him like that, hurriedly pulled back his axe and took a step back, narrowly getting out of Sheng Feilong's reach, who then took another step forward in pursuit. Jian Wang swung the hilt of his axe upwards, forcing Sheng Feilong to doge with a sidestep. Grabbing this chance, Jian Wang turned his body, swinging his axe down toward Sheng Feilong, the Spirit Ring behind his back lit up and a bright aura covered the head of Jian Wang's Mountain Splitting Axe.

Sheng Feilong's Soul Ring lit up in nearly the same moment and he took another step to the side in an attempt to dodge the swing. The Mountain Splitting Axe fell down towards Sheng Feilong in a horizontal way and the bright glow left behind a white aura in the air which than quickly surged forward and lunged itself into the arena's stone floor, leaving behind a long and multiple inch wide cut. That was Jian Wang's first Soul Skill – Full Moon Cleave!

Jian Wang's axe cleanly cut through Sheng Feilong who had dodged to the side, however the Sheng Feilong before Jian Wang quickly turned into nothing after being cut. Jian Wang instantly knew that he was already caught in Sheng Feilong's illusion! He had wasted his Soul Skill on an afterimage created by Sheng Feilong and cut through it! All of this happened in an instant and Jian Wang could already see the real Sheng Feilong in the corner of his eye; He had dodged into the other direction after sidestepping once!

Sheng Feilong lunged forward and attacked Jian Wang again. The latter reacted quickly again, jumping back to dodge, Sheng Feilong's knife only grazed his shoulder. Sheng Feilong was still in hot pursuit and causing Jian Wang to try the same tactic again. He swung the hilt of his axe upwards, but Sheng Feilong dodged again by sidestepping to the left! Taking another step back, Jian wang swung his axe toward Sheng Feilong, only to cut right through him. It was an afterimage again! Sheng Feilong had actually dodged towards the right and the instant Jian Wang cut the afterimage, he could see Sheng Feilong swinging his knife with an ice cold expression and a ruthless glint in his eyes.

"Alright, that's enough."

The knife halted abruptly, just having cut Jian Wang's skin and Song Weihan appeared besides them, his hand clutching the Sheng Feilong's knife like steel tongs. Jian Wang took a step back, feeling the warm blood flow down his neck, cold sweat ran all over his back. If Song Weihan hadn't stepped in, Sheng Feilong might have actually sliced open his neck..! He stopped the bleeding with one hand and stared at Sheng Feilong and Song Weihan, relieve and a hint of fear apparent in his eyes.

Sheng Feilong's eyes returned to normal and the cold expression was washed off his face as if it was a lie to begin with. He looked up and saw Song Weihan looking at him with a solemn gaze.

"You've lost your cool again, Feilong. You nearly sliced Jian Wang's neck open! Stay focused and never lose you rationality in battle. Your lack of control nearly cost you the life of a dear friend!"

Song Weihan's voice was cold and his ruthless words poured a bucket of water over Sheng Feilong's head. Realizing what just happened, he turned to look at Jian Wang who stood behind Song Weihan with his hand on his neck and a fearful look in his eyes. Sheng Feilong's mind shook and he started shaking ever so slightly. He looked Jian Wang in the eyes and spoke with a shaky voice.

"Brother Wang, I- I didn't mean to! I was too focused and I- I'm really sorry! Please, I really didn't mean to harm you...!"